Just some thoughts on Transformers Animated

[MST3KFan]

Okay, we're almost done with the second season and it brings up some thoughts...

How many seasons will the show go? It seems a lot of the times despite popularity of a cartoon nowadays, the networks stop at three or four seasons tops because they feel it's enough for them to be syndicated. Sometimes a show mangaes to go longer, but it seems four seasons most times is the limit. Do you think that will be how long Transformers Animated goes?

Another thought... The figures are coming out now, but they're coming out under a major crunch time it seems. The first Transformers movie figures are still out in stores and next year is the new movie toys most likely. So the TF: A stuff has between now (June) until most likely the month before TF2 comes out. Granted the TFA toys were supposed to be out back at the start of the year but were delayed. It makes you wonder how much more new stuff will we get before the TF2 stuff.

Anyone else have thoughts on this, or their own opinions and whatnot?

[ErechOveraker]

This season really seemed to be treading water for me, so I hope we get at LEAST 2 more, to really develop the story some.

I know what you mean though, it'd be nice if there was no cap on this at all, it has the potential to be a really great show if given the room and freedom to become one, without having some self-imposed ceiling of "wrap it up by the end of season 4" etc.

[MST3KFan]

This season really seemed to be treading water for me, so I hope we get at LEAST 2 more, to really develop the story some.

I know what you mean though, it'd be nice if there was no cap on this at all, it has the potential to be a really great show if given the room and freedom to become one, without having some self-imposed ceiling of "wrap it up by the end of season 4" etc.

Indeed. The Batman felt rushed throughout it's run. First season was slow, but then next season they added Batgirl, then Robin the next, then final season was DCU cameos. That could have been much more developed. Teen Titans managed to get a fifth season, though it still felt like they ended it too soon given its popularity...

Heck, Legion of Superheroes only got 2 seasons, though it seemed like they were struggling with finding how to make that appeal to viewers I guess or something.

So hopefully Transformers Animated gets a descent run before the plug gets pulled.

[SuzyPrime]

Things have definitely gone downhill in Season 2. Reasons? Here's 10 (in no particular order):

1) Not enough OP
2) Not enough Megatron
3) Too many great new characters introduced, then dropped (Jazz, Wreck-Gar, Blurr, etc)
4) Not enough action. Name one good fight scene during Season 2 other than the Starscream-Megatron montage.
5) Not enough Ratchet
6) Not enough teamwork. This team is way too fractured.
7) Not enough continuity - too many villain or character of the week episodes and not enough moving the story forward
8) Too much Bumblebee and Bulkhead. They're young and need to grow up. We get it.
9) Not enough OP. Okay, I said that already, but there needs to be a star in this show, and Bumblebee can't cut it, no matter what the market research and focus groups say. Put OP in hero-mode and let's get going.
10) There aren't any stakes anymore, nothing to risk. We went from OP willing to sacrifice himself to protect the Allspark to "Let's collect some crystal pieces." What are the stakes? Megatron attacking Cybertron? No one cares about Cybertron. We've been there once in Autoboot Camp, and that's it. The audience could care less about those stakes. The Autobots don't even talk about missing it like they did in G1.

Improvement is needed, desperately.

[AniProwl]

Things have definitely gone downhill in Season 2. Reasons? Here's 10 (in no particular order):

1) Not enough OP
2) Not enough Megatron
3) Too many great new characters introduced, then dropped (Jazz, Wreck-Gar, Blurr, etc)
4) Not enough action. Name one good fight scene during Season 2 other than the Starscream-Megatron montage.
5) Not enough Ratchet
6) Not enough teamwork. This team is way too fractured.
7) Not enough continuity - too many villain or character of the week episodes and not enough moving the story forward
8) Too much Bumblebee and Bulkhead. They're young and need to grow up. We get it.
9) Not enough OP. Okay, I said that already, but there needs to be a star in this show, and Bumblebee can't cut it, no matter what the market research and focus groups say. Put OP in hero-mode and let's get going.
10) There aren't any stakes anymore, nothing to risk. We went from OP willing to sacrifice himself to protect the Allspark to "Let's collect some crystal pieces." What are the stakes? Megatron attacking Cybertron? No one cares about Cybertron. We've been there once in Autoboot Camp, and that's it. The audience could care less about those stakes. The Autobots don't even talk about missing it like they did in G1.

Improvement is needed, desperately.

Add more Prowl and Sentinel Prime

[shroobmaster]

Actualy there's lots of continuity in Season 2.
Elite Guard, Mission Accomplished, Velocity, Constructicons, Sari No One's Home and Fistful of Energon are all important for the season finale.

Season 1 had what? The movie, Lugnut/Blitzwing, Blackarachnia and Space Barnacles for the last episode.

[Otispq]

I think the show is good, but not great. It for sure needs to get moving forward, advance a plot or two, I don't really care in what direction, just get going. I wanna see action, and motivations for the action.

[AniProwl]

It seems to go down hill as the season progresses from what I see. Maybe I should watch the two seasons and see what sort of show this has become thus far.

[Harbinger]

really? to me its a sorta build up and we will get the pay off in the final two eps(god i want them to air damnit). there seemed to be more pointless filler eps in season 1 then season 2.

best to judge the two seasons though when season 2 finally finishes airing cos atm season 1 has its buildup and pay off easily seen where you cant see that yet in season 2.

(for some odd reason while typing this i hope sentinel remembers who bumblebee and bulkhead are in season 3, and his reaction to them being under optimus' command (unless of course he sorta does remember them and some how got them into optimus' command (damnit no more posts at 4am my time)))

[Feralstorm]

The apparent basic structure seems to be each 13-episode season has an 'under-story' that is touched on occasionally in the normal problem/villain of the week format, and brought to the forefront for the season finale (Megatron being rebuilt in Season 1, him building the space bridge to attack Cyberton in Season 2). I think the format works pretty well. It's not the greatest, It's certainly easier to get into for kids and others who haven't seen the show from the start, (as opposed to catching a mid-season episode of one of the Armada-trilogy shows) and it offers more story payoff to those who stick with it.

Based on the format of other CN-produced shows, I'd guess on a total of 4 to 5 seasons assuming it stays successful enough, capped off with one or two movies to wrap things up. Another possibility is they pull a 'Ben-10' and create new series to keep the "Animated" world going (the Energon and Cybertron to Armada, if you will)

[AniProwl]

It might the last seven episodes except Autoboot Camp that have caused my liking of this show decrease

[shroobmaster]

Which makes no sense at all considering Fistful of Energon and SUV were both superb episodes.

I even remember you going nuts over FoE until some dude posted about how the upgrade thing was dumb, then suddenly you started to go "meh" on the episode.

[Jordo02]

i love all animated.

[Dolza_Khyron]

i like season two, more then season one...

though :(

so yea, i want more seasons, 12 seasons should be almost enough :tongue:

[AniProwl]

Which makes no sense at all considering Fistful of Energon and SUV were both superb episodes.

I even remember you going nuts over FoE until some dude posted about how the upgrade thing was dumb, then suddenly you started to go "meh" on the episode.


Not only was that, but where was interaction between the Cons in that ep? Last I checked Lugnut hates Lockdown and in that episode Lugnut was all quiet.
IMO SUV was :thumbdown
Can the writers of this show stop it with certain characters not talking. For example, Lugnut and Blitz were all quiet when the battle in the warehouse. David Kaye was present for Optimus's and Grimlock's, but not Lugnut. Does Bumper Robinson have to do Blitzwing only when BB is present in the episode? Same for Autoboot Camp's first scene in the AB base where Ratchet, Prowl,and OP were silent despite the fact their voice actors present for that ep or Black Friday's first scene in AB base. It really removes any character interaction.
How come in Beast wars every character who appeared in an episode was given dialog?:confused:

I'm willing to give this show two more seasons
If its all about setting up a "big" fight with the Cons at the end of the season while most of the season is the AB's vs. human villains and/or one or two Cons, then this show is over for me.

[shroobmaster]

Lugnut is Megatron's LOYAAAL SERRRVANT, he wouldn't complain about Megatron making deals with Lockdown when Megatron was around.
Plus he had one line after all, he screamed when the Starscreams exploded.

By the way, looks like the show is over for you unless the writing team decides to make Autobots lose every episode (only thing that could come out of Decepticons fighting every episode in full force).

[AniProwl]

No, I want them to lose like how the Maximals lost in the BW episode "The Probe"? Just once in a while to show the what is at stake.

I know the Cons are supposed to be tough to beat.So, the writers decide to have the Cons plan some big scheme and at the end of the season, they get outsmarted by the AB's (main cast and maybe one or two guest star AB only) including a big whooping to both Megs and Screamer. Wow, they are a real "threat"
This Megatron is lazier than RID Megs(Just drinking some oil, plotting some uprising, telling Blitz and Lugs to grab AllSpark shards while not being in action) . But lately, Lugnut turned from cool fanatic Con(BW Inferno) to clumsy oaf (Armada Demolisher), Blitzwing whose triple personality is awesome sometimes while other times it gives me memories of Energon Alpha Q, and BlackArachnia needs more screentime for our sympathy.Starscream seems to be the best-written Con again for the fourth time in all of TF history. Too bad, his fate seem sealed after the season finale. It looks like recurring Cons like Lockdown, Swindle(if he reappears), Soundwave, and the Constructicons are way better than the main cast cons.

You know what would be good for more Con character development? An "Animated" version of the Armada ep: Rebellion (my favorit ep of Armada).
Just watch it and see if the writers could have this sort of (sorry, no one posted it on Youtube)

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v895051dtpfQKXJ?rank=245&

I'll complain about animation and certain AB's later.

Shroobmaster, screaming does not equal dialouge or the voice actors of DBZ would be as rich as Bill Gates.

[shroobmaster]

You see, your opinions look more like you wanting too much from the characters than writer's messing up.
First of all, you talk like the Decepticons would win in a freaking SEASON FINALE, that makes no sense, not to mention they get beaten by something that could beat all bots in the show combined.
Lugnut is still the same crazy loyal dude he just had no chances of showing his skills, Blitzwing is still the same... super crazy dude and THIS TIME he had his chance unlike the first season where he just FIRE MISSILE'd the autobots around 6 times and I'm counting ALL episodes he showed up.

Blackarachnia clearly ISN'T part of the main con crew, no idea why she was in the Nemesis when they could just make her show up out of nowhere.

And you see, the guests ain't going to show up every episode, so it's just natural for the writers to expose 'em in their episodes more.


Also, no doubt Swindle is returning, after all, he IS Derick Wyatt's personal favorite.

[AniProwl]

You see, your opinions look more like you wanting too much from the characters than writer's messing up.
First of all, you talk like the Decepticons would win in a freaking SEASON FINALE, that makes no sense, not to mention they get beaten by something that could beat all bots in the show combined.
Lugnut is still the same crazy loyal dude he just had no chances of showing his skills, Blitzwing is still the same... super crazy dude and THIS TIME he had his chance unlike the first season where he just FIRE MISSILE'd the autobots around 6 times and I'm counting ALL episodes he showed up.

Blackarachnia clearly ISN'T part of the main con crew, no idea why she was in the Nemesis when they could just make her show up out of nowhere.

And you see, the guests ain't going to show up every episode, so it's just natural for the writers to expose 'em in their episodes more.


Also, no doubt Swindle is returning, after all, he IS Derick Wyatt's personal favorite.

Tell me this two seasons later

[Harbinger]

wait wait wait? Aniprowl did you not pay attention to Sari no one is home? the cons won in that episode. They even won in Mission Accomplished (yes Starscream is captured, but Megatron doesnt care about him and he is proof for Optimus).

it sorta sounds like i am watching a completely different season 2 then what your watching.

[AniProwl]

I'll see if I am watching the same show when I rewatch the first two seasons once the season finale shows.

[DaraRex2.0]

It seems people forget that the original G1 series began out as a twenty minute toy commercial, and was a solid series filler with no actual direction. Collect energon, advance war division. Autobots function: prevent 'con hold on Earth thus their hold on Cybertron is made. Decepticons function: Cripple 'bots on Earth thus advancing overtake of Cybertron. Just the basics

It was just when they made the movie that the plot was given actual direction, or a strategic advance was made by the 'bots part over the 'cons. Then there were the Quints, origins realized, matrix stuff, head masters...I think this is where things really got outta hand ;)

This said, the more 'good' filler eps in the series the better. We get more characterization (hopefully) origin stories, G1 nods, yum-yum, extended seasons, the series is thus prolonged (again, if this is a good thing). That and it's bound to continue another two seasons, perhaps more... if the writers don't start going crazy with the usual stuff that really freaked out the original Gen. However, it seems lately the series have been getting shorter and shorter :(

[DaraRex2.0]

Blackarachnia clearly ISN'T part of the main con crew, no idea why she was in the Nemesis when they could just make her show up out of nowhere.


I still go with the concept she needs an atmosphere for her orgniac portion. I could be severely wrong :) but it makes for interesting complications. She's been stranded on a planet with spiders, maybe found by a 'cons scouting vessel and decides to remain with them due to her conditions. They seem accepting of her and willing to keep her safe if she vows to certain 'loyalties,' while aside from organic she is useful. She's got motivation and probably wary to try to return to the 'bots, even if she knew Ops would accept her. The time inbetween falls into place of the 'what went on' factor.

[REDLINE]

plenty of stakes in season 2. the autobots just don't realize it yet. just wait for megatron to go blitzkrieg on their behinds when Sumdac get that space bridge operational.

[darksage78]

I hope Animated does go on further, its a fun concept and honestly I really enjoy the toys. The TV show ain't all that bad, I liked Season 1 a lot more than Season 2 so far. Actually just as Redline said, there are a lot of stakes in Season 2, its just the Autobots aren't aware of it. But one thing that sets this aside from BW where the Maximals were always a few steps behind Megatron, they tried to stop him whenever they could. The Autobots don't seem to be even trying very hard to find the Decepticons - that's what bothers me. But with what's been spoiled about Season 2, once Season 3 kicks off (most likely anyway) the universe is going to get a lot more complicated.

[Particle_Beam]

The Autobots do try to find the Decepticons. It's just that they can't find them, because Megatron did hide his base well, and supported his followers with devices to shield them from any scanner the humans or the Autobots may have. Also, they have the responsibility to take care for a child who's father has been abducted by the very Megatron himself, while rebuilding the damages their combat with the Decepticons leaves.
And we know that Sari searched very long time for her father with the ressources of her father's company (before Powell snatched it away from her).
These autobots are undermanned on a strange planet, against the very leader of the decepticons, masters in stealth, disguise and deception. Their only advantage really is that Megatron is a cautious lad, planning something very very big... A Decepticon Space Bridge through which to conquer Cybertron from within...

[IronicHide]

Animated is still going strong for IronicHide.

Though, agreed, it is a bit of a cocktease to have so many cool characters turn up far too briefly - Soundwave, Swindle, Wasp, Jazz...

Seeing as the first two seasons were written together and the writers may now have time to take stock it would be cool to have season 3 wipe out characters that may not be working (for me that's BA, Dinobots, Ratchet, Lugnut, Magnus, BB), maybe upping the stakes by doing so, and give those named above some more air-time.
(This is not the same 'wipe-out' of cast that the 86 movie had. They nixed characters that did work, then.)

And someone asked for a battle scene in Season 2? What?

OP v Headmaster-Sentinel (RotH)

Prowl v anybody (FoE)

Autbots v Blitzwing; Sari v Constructicons (S,NoH)

BB v Blitzwing (Velocity) <- FTMFW

[Kickback]

The thing about cartoons with stories are the stories all eventually come to an end.

[Caine]

Things have definitely gone downhill in Season 2. Reasons? Here's 10 (in no particular order):

1) Not enough OP
2) Not enough Megatron
3) Too many great new characters introduced, then dropped (Jazz, Wreck-Gar, Blurr, etc)
4) Not enough action. Name one good fight scene during Season 2 other than the Starscream-Megatron montage.
5) Not enough Ratchet
6) Not enough teamwork. This team is way too fractured.
7) Not enough continuity - too many villain or character of the week episodes and not enough moving the story forward
8) Too much Bumblebee and Bulkhead. They're young and need to grow up. We get it.
9) Not enough OP. Okay, I said that already, but there needs to be a star in this show, and Bumblebee can't cut it, no matter what the market research and focus groups say. Put OP in hero-mode and let's get going.
10) There aren't any stakes anymore, nothing to risk. We went from OP willing to sacrifice himself to protect the Allspark to "Let's collect some crystal pieces." What are the stakes? Megatron attacking Cybertron? No one cares about Cybertron. We've been there once in Autoboot Camp, and that's it. The audience could care less about those stakes. The Autobots don't even talk about missing it like they did in G1.

Improvement is needed, desperately.

I'm totally concur with you, sir.

[Nachtsider]

BB v Blitzwing (Velocity) <- FTMFW

This.

Best chase scene, evar.

[Sideswipe80]

I wish AniProwl would leave the Animated forums. All he does is complain. This is show is the best Transformer show ever. Season 2 has been really good.

[ian5555]

Except for the Elite guard episode and this last one w/ OP and Grimlock teaming up the rest of season 2 has pretty much been a diappointment imo. The writing is subpar but what can you expect from a 20 min toy commercial I guess. I just figured there would be more autobots/decepticons fighting instead of building up to a big fight in the last 2 eps like season 1 did. each episode introduces a new toy for kids to buy and that is all.

I think TFA will do ok then once it is slowing down the new movie will come out and give it a boost again as maybe some kids will get into it again. From what I see kids don't care about toys they want video games these days and the success really hinges on toy sales.

[Particle_Beam]

I wish AniProwl would leave the Animated forums. All he does is complain. This is show is the best Transformer show ever. Season 2 has been really good.If you really dislike reading his comments, I suggest putting him into your ignore list in your control panel.
Like every good message board, this forum does have such a feature.

[Sideswipe80]

If you really dislike reading his comments, I suggest putting him into your ignore list in your control panel.
Like every good message board, this forum does have such a feature.

Maybe I should put you on it as well?

[AniProwl]

I wish AniProwl would leave the Animated forums. All he does is complain. This is show is the best Transformer show ever. Season 2 has been really good.

Are you calling me a complainer?

What about people on Youtube? My complaints aren't even as bad as them.


I'm just saying they should focus more on Prowl (my favorite), OP, Ratchet, Elite Guard, Dinobots, and the Cons. The writers should stop it with BB and Bulky or learning the lesson of the week. It might be good with G1 and GI Joe. The Beast Era and the four animes didn't have such thing. So, all of a a sudden, the lesson of the week returns and it harms some great episodes like Rise of Constructicons and Fistful of Energon

I give Animated an overall rating of 8.3 (B).

[Sideswipe80]

Are you calling me a complainer?

What about people on Youtube? My complaints aren't even as bad as them.


I'm just saying they should focus more on Prowl (my favorite), OP, Ratchet, Elite Guard, Dinobots, and the Cons. The writers should stop it with BB and Bulky or learning the lesson of the week. It might be good with G1 and GI Joe. The Beast Era and the four animes didn't have such thing. So, all of a a sudden, the lesson of the week returns and it harms some great episodes like Rise of Constructicons and Fistful of Energon

I give Animated an overall rating of 8.3 (B).

Prowl is my favorite as well but you don't see me complaining about his screen time all the time. He'll have more episodes. The cool thing about him is that we don't know much about him. In time the show will reveal more I'm sure of it. And I don't read Youtube comments. They're as bad as gamefaqs boards.

[Nachtsider]

Forget GameFAQs. Try IMDB.

[Scantron]

How many seasons will the show go? It seems a lot of the times despite popularity of a cartoon nowadays, the networks stop at three or four seasons tops because they feel it's enough for them to be syndicated.

IIRC, 65 episodes is the usual amount of episodes for a show to be packaged up for syndication (65 might even be the minimum needed, but can't remember). Given the typical 13-episode seasons that have become common-place, that's about five seasons of a show. Once a show hits that point and the various production companies can make money off the syndication, they tend to end the series and move on to something else (eg - Teen Titans, The Batman)...assuming the show doesn't get canned before then (eg - Legion of Superheroes). Given that, and that TFA seems to be doing fairly well, I'd expect it to run about five seasons and then come to an end. On the other hand, I could swear I remember someone from Hasbro (BotCon panel?) commenting that they were planning to let Animated run for awhile, so they might just let it go as long as the interest holds up.

Another thought... The figures are coming out now, but they're coming out under a major crunch time it seems. The first Transformers movie figures are still out in stores and next year is the new movie toys most likely. So the TF: A stuff has between now (June) until most likely the month before TF2 comes out. Granted the TFA toys were supposed to be out back at the start of the year but were delayed. It makes you wonder how much more new stuff will we get before the TF2 stuff.

Most stores I visit still don't have very many Animated Deluxes out, due to the amount of Allspark Power Movie Deluxes still hanging around (and I don't know where they're going to fit TFA leaders in between the plethora of DD Brawls and NW Primes), so the Movie stuff is definitely having an impact on the start of Animated.

The future, I'd suspect, will depend on how the TFA toys sell; if they're doing well, it wouldn't make much sense for Hasbro to put the line on hiatus for awhile. I don't think it would be too difficult to run Animated and TF2 movie figures side-by-side, given that the TF1 toys proper were running side-by-side with Real Gears, Robot Heroes, Fast Action Battlers, etc. Depending on sales, I wouldn't be surprised if one (or more) of the side lines that was out for TF1 isn't continued for TF2 and Animated gets that shelf space. Of course, there's also the problem of Classics/Universe 2.0 and any figures that are coming out for the 25th Anniversary celebrations, which could also be fighting for shelf space at the same as TF2 and could crowd out Animated.

[Optimus_Prowl]

Hey I've got a question. I dunno if anyone here goes on Seibertron.com but a member there named Counterpunch came up with a theory all about Porter C Powell. Does anyone know anything about this theory? I think it has something to do with Megatron and the season finale or somehting.

[Nachtsider]

Hmm - haven't heard of this one. I'd like to see it posted here, with spoiler tags and all.