Roundtable Review for Transformers Cyberverse Episodes 9 and 10

Round Table Review for Transformers Cyberverse Episodes 9 and 10

Episode 9 Shadowstriker

Synopsis: Bumblebee revisits memories of his archnemesis Shadowstriker and learns there's more to being a hero than just knowing how to fight.

What you liked best about episode 9

I like how this show cements the fun premise that this show will be told out of order and that questions will be answered. We had seen Shadowstriker before for a very short time and she was acting like Frankenstein's monster, presumably with no reason given. And now we see why. I like that. Plus it's a good origin story to the rivalry between Bumblebee and his new nemesis. I also love whenever Shockwave is used properly and we see how important he was to the war effort here, being the mad scientist he is. There is also some great Transformers imagery here involving Optimus in a similar pose to the famous Wolverine cover by Mark Silvestri. - William-James88

I liked the fact that this episode gave depth to one of the completely new characters for the franchise, Shadow Striker. Up to now we didn't know a lot about her or why she looked the way she did. By shining the spotlight on her, we got to see her a lot better. -ZeroWolf

The episode, once again, is very serious and considerably darker than other episodes. The episode has a great overall mood and well-written story. This episode explains the story behind Shadow Striker, the bounty hunter lad. I don't want to get into spoilers, let’s just say, she's a bit traumatized, eh? There is a funny scene, where her Seeker guards' were having a conversation about nothing. Literally nothing. It's actually pretty funny. -notirishman

Fleshing out Shadowstriker the way they did. They kind of took a more original path with her, making her one of the best Decepticons who is ruthless and really good. And then they have the main character accidentally blow her up, and the end result is she is the core spark of her former self, but with a freakish appearance from the reconnected body parts of her subordinates, who can no longer physically do what she used to and must make do, and as make do in a very angry way. They made her scary, but with reason. Used to be good, but now struggling to make do and fueled by vengeance. They made her a good character, and this was basically her spotlight. -D-Maximal_Primal




What you liked least about episode 9

It was a tad bit confusing at times and I do not know how Windblade knows certain things if she is not part of those memories we are seeing. - William-James88

Honestly, they could have just left out the wrap around with Windblade sparring with Bee. The time could be used better to add to Shadow Striker's parts. -ZeroWolf

When Shadow Striker blames Bumblebee for her life, he seems very angry at Shadow Striker trying to shoot him, despite she clearly losing a lot more? Also, how exactly did Shadow Striker get Optimus? -notirishman

I would not have minded if Shadowstriker looked a little more Frankenstein like. I feel she could have done with a little bit more in the patchwork department, especially since she's a car and her subordinates were seeker jets (that we saw). This could have provided some fun moments too, if she had jets in her boots from the other's parts and she could jump really high or even fly. -D-Maximal_Primal



Your overall thoughts on episode 9

I love rivalries in fiction and it's fun to see a new one within the Transformers lore involving Bumblebee. Plus more Shockwave experiments are always fun and this show further proves that it can handle darker subject matters (though not as dark as destroying Bumblebee's voice box). - William-James88

This was a strong episode, showing what Shockwave won't hesitate to do, and what's motivating Shadow Striker. I can see more encounters with Bee and friends. Will she remember his act to spare her? Or is she going to take any chance to take him out.-ZeroWolf

A very entertaining, well-written episode! Definitely the best after episode, or well... second. -notirishman

Great episode, this one feels like a great origin story, and as a whole the series feels like it's getting some good legs in under it. I enjoyed the banter between Bee and Shadowstriker, and I enjoyed the pity Bee feels while also still finding her an enemy. They have a pretty decent dynamic, and it can set up for some great moments to be explored later on. -D-Maximal_Primal


Episode 10 MacCadam's

Synopsis: Bumblebee remembers MacCadam's, his favorite hangout on Cybertron, at three different points in its storied history.

What you liked best about episode 10

DEADLOCK!!!!!!! Not that Drift/Deadlock is that much of a favourite of mine, but more that this show (both the show Cyberverse and this particular episode) is the most steeped example of new IDW Transformers lore put on screen. There is a lot more that reminds me of James Robert's G1 here, such as seeing Megatron in the Macadams bar before the war, plus the story not being told linearly and that becoming a plot point in and of itself. And we get to see Soundwave show off some great dance moves. - William-James88

Everything, well not quite everything (see below) but this was the best episode I've seen yet. I loved the first memory, showing again how everyone got along before the war, seeing Wheeljack and Shockwave being friendly was hilarious. I want to see more of that time period, what other friendships were destroyed? -ZeroWolf

This episode is just... really crammed with Transformers lore! While I won't delve into it too much, I will say that this is in fact, the first time Maccadam appeared in an animated cartoon! He sneakily appears in the title sequence for the whole season! One thing in the episode I liked was that you could see the effect of the war on the bar and its customers. It was something you didn't really see in Transformers cartoons, and was very nice to see! Also am a fan of the IDW universe references, namely Chromia pleading Windblade to return to their world Caminus, and Deadlock (Drift), finding safe passage in Maccadam's. -notirishman

The entire Maccadam's setting. It is so cool to see this public fun location over the course of 3 very different time periods, and what this place means to those assembled and present. It is cool to see how the characters all interacted before they became mortal enemies, with the Shockwave and Wheeljack friendship, and the dancing Soundwave and seekers as examples. It was fun! It was enjoyable! And no matter if it was in peace or in war, the place was nice to view, and it was also great because we got moments where fighting wasn't allowed, so everyone had to interact peacefully. -D-Maximal_Primal



What you liked least about episode 10

I guess the only thing I would like at this point is for them to drop the Bumblebee radio voice gimmick in the present, but that's old news. There wasn't much to complain about here aside from that it was too short and I want more pre/early war stories. - William-James88

We didn't get any longer in the pre-war memory. Even this us a minor quibble. -ZeroWolf

Deadlock didn't talk at all, which is fine, so, I mean, this episode really had little wrong in my eyes! -notirishman

I feel like this episode really didn't have a weak spot. It was all around strong in so many ways, and between the characters, the setting, and the jump around in time, it was paced well and enjoyable! So there really isn't something I did not like, or at least liked the least, in this episode. -D-Maximal_Primal



Your overall thoughts on episode 10

Best episode in the series so far and a nice deep cut within Transfomers lore for fans of all ages to enjoy. - William-James88

More like this please. The nods to other continuities was great, and it was nice to see macadams finally animated and to get a look at this version of the character, whose face looks a little like a ships psychiatrist from an IDW series that's ending. I think it's because of the eyes. It was also a fun cameo from Deadlock, from the point where he's trying to join the Autobots, so maybe Drift is in Cyberverses future? So far this is the high point of the show for me, let's wait and see now what the next batch bring. -ZeroWolf

This was my favorite episode in the show; it was well written, was jammed full of lore, and was very entertaining. -notirishman

Excellent episode, probably one of the best we have gotten over the course of the past few years in Transformers cartoons. It's certainly up there in terms of quality, has lots of good Easter Eggs, has a lot of fun, and shows us a great look at Cybertron through time. It even finally gives characterization to its longtime bartender and owner, and I like this version of Maccadam. It's really cool and it's 11 minutes of your life you really need to watch and enjoy. -D-Maximal_Primal