Twincast / Podcast Episode #105 Megatronus

Point of order: We had intense recording issues during this episode.

I tried to mitigate it in editing, but my success in that regard was somewhat limited.

Apologies, but this happens every now and again.

Huzzah! Many thanks to the Twincast Podcast crew for letting me join this episode.

Counterpunch wrote:Point of order: We had intense recording issues during this episode.

I tried to mitigate it in editing, but my success in that regard was somewhat limited.

Apologies, but this happens every now and again.

It'll happen. [Shakes fist at Skype.]


In other extended bragging rights: Henkei Smokescreen, Botcon Pirates vs. Knights box set + Flamewar, and MP Soundblaster + MP15/16 cassettes arrived at my doorstep [read: apt building] today. Whatever deals may come Black Friday, Thanksgiving weekend is gonna be FUN.

For those curious, here are the episode counts for all of the TF cartoons:

English-language cartoons:

G1: 16 season 1 eps + 49 season 2 eps + 30 season 3 eps + 3 season 4 eps = 98 episodes (though, if you count the 20 "season 5" rerun episodes that had new Tommy/Optimus scenes, that'd total to 118 episodes)

Beast Wars: 26 season 1 eps + 13 season 2 eps + 13 season 3 eps = 52 episodes

Beast Machines: 13 season 1 eps + 13 season 2 eps = 26 episodes

Robots in Disguise: 39 episodes

Armada: 52 episodes

Energon: 51 episodes

Cybertron: 52 episodes

Animated: 16 season 1 eps + 13 season eps + 13 season 3 eps = 42 episodes

Universe: 2 webisodes

Cyber Missions: 13 webisodes

Prime: 26 season 1 eps + 26 season 2 eps + 13 season 3 eps = 65 episodes (though, if you count the three episodes that Predacons Rising was split into in reruns, that'd total to 68 episodes)

Rescue Bots: 26 season 1 eps + 26 season 2 eps (two of which are airing later) + 26 season 3 eps = 78 episodes



Japanese-language cartoons:

FSRLTF: 72 eps (including 9 clip shows) + 2 home video episodes = 74 episodes

2010: 32 episodes (including 2 clip shows)

The Headmasters: 35 eps + 3 clip shows = 38 episodes

Chojin Masterforce: 43 eps (including 1 clip show) + 4 more clip shows = 47 episodes

Victory: 38 episodes (including 6 clip shows) + 6 more clip shows = 44 episodes

Zone: 1 home video episode

Beast Wars: 26 episodes

Beast Wars II: 43 episodes

Beast Wars Neo: 35 episodes

Beast Wars Metals: 26 episodes (including 2 remix clip shows)

Car Robots: 39 episodes (including 3 clip shows)

Micron Densetsu: 52 episodes

Super Link (as of then): 51 eps + 1 special episode = 52 episodes

RobotMasters: 2 home video episodes

Beast Wars Returns: 27 episodes (including 1 remix clip show)

Galaxy Force: 52 episodes

Animated: 39 eps + 3 home video episodes = 42 episodes

Prime: 52 episodes (season 3 was never dubbed in Japanese)

Go!: 6 Samurai Volume eps + 4 Shinobi Volume eps = 10 home video episodes



So, the following are the TF cartoons in order from most eps to fewest eps:

1. G1
2. Rescue Bots
3. FSRLTF
4. Prime (English)
5. Beast Wars (English), Armada/Micron Densetsu, Super Link, Cybertron/Galaxy Force, Prime (Japanese)
6. Energon
7. Chojin Masterforce
8. Victory
9. Beast Wars II
10. Animated (English and Japanese)
11. Robots in Disguise/Car Robots
12. The Headmasters
13. Beast Wars Neo
14. 2010
15. Beast Wars Returns
16. Beast Wars (Japanese), Beast Wars Metals, Beast Machines
17. Cyber Missions
18. Go!
19. Universe, RobotMasters
20. Zone

......................Seriously Pretenders?

G1 wise, Pretenders to me were the nail in the coffin. Didn't really follow or collect Transformers again until 2007.

What would I want to see as a collector?

I'm not sure: I thought I was done with non-MP figures, but Combiner Wars definitely makes me have to reconsider. I'm still not decided, but the fact I'm on the fence ... I guess their strategy is working?

One thing I would say is not to create anything that is going to call for a 3rd party upgrade. 3rd parties will be all over the missing members.

There already is a legit domestic U.S. "collector" line with the MP's. However Hasbro-MP Prowl is so expensive the difference between the Takara is negligible.

Why not make a Mini-Masterpeice line at a slightly cheaper price point for TRU. Why can't they make a voyager Optimus that could actually compete with Toyworld Orion, make it the same size complexity as Orion, but with better design. These are the type of figures 3rd parties are doing anyways?

The current leader class is a start, but even those are lacking a certain high-end collector feel.

IDW MTMTE:

I find myself agreeing with megatronus' point about the interplay between multiple fictions and lores in the franchise at the moment (more or less due to Barber's influence).

What I am a little concerned at the moment, though, is that we've already had a number of myths concerning the past/creation of Cybertron (Guiding Hand, Thirteen). How do we reconcile all of those? Multiple interpretations? (That's my preferred interpretation, at least, giving a further link to contemporary society, and everyone believing different things, at different times.)


All of my other serious comments have disappeared after hearing slander against Power Core Combiners again.


As for Skype issues, how about trying Google Hangout?

Va'al wrote:IDW MTMTE:

I find myself agreeing with megatronus' point about the interplay between multiple fictions and lores in the franchise at the moment (more or less due to Barber's influence).

What I am a little concerned at the moment, though, is that we've already had a number of myths concerning the past/creation of Cybertron (Guiding Hand, Thirteen). How do we reconcile all of those? Multiple interpretations? (That's my preferred interpretation, at least, giving a further link to contemporary society, and everyone believing different things, at different times.)


All of my other serious comments have disappeared after hearing slander against Power Core Combiners again.


As for Skype issues, how about trying Google Hangout?

Thanks! That interplay is definitely an interesting aspect of the brand right now; you can tell they've taken an effort to make sure the various media are on the same page.

As far as canonic mythology, the Covenant of Primus is the defining source material for now, but obviously that may change as the brand's needs change. As I mentioned on the podcast, I really disliked the style the book was written in, and the soap opera surrounding the original Primes irked me (something in the vein of the old epics would have suited my tastes better), but as a broad outline of the history of Cybertron, it works OK.

I suggested Google Hangout to the crew, and I believe they used it for recording episode 106. Whether or not it worked out better than Skype is to be confirmed/denied by Counterpunch, Scotty and the rest.

Va'al wrote:
As for Skype issues, how about trying Google Hangout?

Ah hahahaaaaaaaa..... *cough* yeah google hangouts is good idea and im sure they've thought about it and totally did not use it during my live audition. Not at all.

SW's SilverHammer wrote:

Va'al wrote:
As for Skype issues, how about trying Google Hangout?

Ah hahahaaaaaaaa..... *cough* yeah google hangouts is good idea and im sure they've thought about it and totally did not use it during my live audition. Not at all.

You may have me to blame