Twincast / Podcast Episode #156 "Gestalt Theory"

Get ready to storm the Bastille, tear down that wall, and throw your tea in a harbor because the Seibertron.com Twincast / Podcast is back to unite and get revolutionary on your audio receptors. Join host Scotty P, Jon "Optimus Prime for Real" 3.0, eternal voice of reason and/or comedy Counterpunch, and welcome back Megatronus while he watches the meter as they discuss Combiners, Titans, and a Revolution.

Episode #156 "Gestalt Theory" is available directly and in our RSS Feed and should appear on iTunes, and Stitcher Radio within 24 to 48 hours of when you see this news post.

With the Combiner Wars cartoon wrapped up, we (except Jon 3.0 who sits out this segment) finally discuss our thoughts about the show. Did this more "mature" attempt at a Transformers program resonate with the crew? No, not really. Did we think it was good storytelling and a nice way to bring these characters out in a different form of media? No, still nothing there either. Listen in to exactly why we weren't impressed, as we try to take a measured approach in our critique.



The negative vibes disappear as soon as they arrive, as we take a look at the fantastic Till All Are One #4 released last week from IDW Publishing. We discuss the Combaticons and the depth of character illustrated within the book for these classic Decepticons. Additionally, the ongoing saga of Ironhide comes under inspection, as well as the longer continuity at play with Chromia's confession. As always, spoilers will be within if you haven't yet caught this issue!



Given that combiner team characters often carry an inherent difficulty in defining every piece as interesting and well defined, considering the amount often introduced at once, we discuss times from the past where combiner teams bucked this trend. In this special discussion for the week, we remember Aerialbots and their varied team makeup, Stunticons and there lack of it, and we learn one very prescient yet terrifying truth:



After that, we stay on the gestalt theory as we attempt our best thoughts on how to flesh out an existing combiner team where the characterization over the years has been lacking. Shock, awe, and even some tactical espionage await. The Technobots doing technoforming? Devastator the beserker? Piranhacons in Tropic Thunder!? Anything goes as the cast tries to break out some creativity.



Once we've had our fun here, things shift into a very different arena as we take on a special request topic from Seibertronian ctrlFrequency - Transformers: Earth Wars tips, tricks, and strategies. Megatronus and Jon 3.0 do the heavy lifting and take a look at Events, alliances, and the basics of how it all works. Tactics for "Wars", plus much more await within, and we hope players of the game enjoy this segment!



Things shift back to comics for a short while, as Revolution 1 has hit the stands. A second attempt at being negative and nice simultaneously hits the show, with yours truly getting on a soapbox out of pure frustration. Tune in to find out why the 'A' for effort and good build didn't lead to warm fuzzy feelings about this ongoing event comic.



Things take another turn as we analyze an excellent Listener Question from new board member @Quint's, who asks:

My question is; Which of these 3 era's do you like most?
The one when it was all new? The one that made you feel you missed a whole lot and got you exited again? Or the current one where there are more choices for the same goal than you'd ever imagined you would have to choose from?

Good looks at the upcoming third wave of Titans Return deluxe class toys, as well as a hot round of rumors for future Titans Returns releases take a quick turn in the spotlight too, though some of the cast takes the time out to give feedback on current releases for the 9,000,000th time. Tune in for an audible progression of people that have kept a show going a little too late in the evening on a weeknight, as they talk about toys from the present and possible future.



We finish up the show by winding down with some Bragging Rights. What will Megatronus' long layoff yielded? Is Counterpunch still buying Battle Beasts? And what "Adventure" has Scotty P been up to this time?



Hope you enjoyed listening! Check back in about two weeks as New York Comic Con 2016 lays the smack down on the news cycle.