I just noticed at how many Autobots actually have the fixing/medical/Engineering/Maintanance type rolls with in their ranks. First it was just Wheeljack and Ratchet, then along came... Hoist Grapple Perceptor First Aide Who else am I missing? I wonder what a scene would be like if they got all those type of Transformers together in one plot point. What do you think?
They may have at some point. It's been awhile since I watched all the G1 episodes. I think they probably wanted the Autobots to be friendly and helpful characters. I mean I can't see a handgun or giant space gun helping people.
You left out \ Armada/Cybertron Red Alert BW Rhinox Energon inferno G1 hotrod (if he can fixz Kup who comes he didn't fix Optimus)
It's in line with the Autobot "Protect" ethos. There are very few in the same role in the Decepticon camp. Plenty of mad scientists like Tarantulas and Brushguard, but no actual Decepticon doctors. The Decepticons are all about destruction, if you get beat with the Autobots, a medic patches you up. If you get whacked on the Decepticon side, you're weak and you don't deserve to go on functioning as one of Megatron's men.
Hook's original function lists him as a "Surgical Engineer", which i think makes him the equivalent of a doctor, at least as far as necessary to repair injured Decepticons. Course, his tech spec also labels him as something of an asshole, but he seems at least sane.
While obviously the Autobots are conceived to be a helpful, creative, positive force in contrast to the more malevolent Decepticons, I think it might be making too much of this to lump all those characters into the same category. Although lazy writing occasionally simplified their functions, of those you mention only 3 (Ratchet, First Aid, Hoist) are "medical" Autobots. It just so happens that the fields of electronics, science, mechanics and health are complimentary in Transformers. Even Hoist, whose domain is "maintenance" is kind of a blurry area. His job is to keep everything functioning well... ordinary machines AND his fellow Autobots. To make a human comparison, he would probably be the Autobot handyman, and also a personal trainer/nutritionist. He keeps the bolts tightened and wheels rotated, but he's not so much a doctor or surgeon. Wheeljack is an engineer and a scientist... specifically it's mentioned that he designs weapons, but also tweaks Autobot systems. As a mad tinkerer, it's assumed that his gadgets are more performance-enhancing devices and modifications, but not necessarily "healthy". He can probably fix a broken part here or there, but might not be able to save a critically wounded comrade. Grapple is an Architect. This places him pretty far from medical practices. He is a master of artistic and technical placement of load-bearing columns, towers, walls, etc... especially in the planning stages. There's no reason to expect he would be a good "doctor", or even know the first thing about getting his hands dirty fixing a living TF's internal workings. In this sense, he's more akin to Huffer, who as a construction engineer would probably be the one to carry out most of Grapple's designs. Perceptor is a scientist. His domain is theory, knowledge and research. Expecting him to serve as a medic is like assuming a nuclear physicist will be able to fix his own car. It owes a bit to that 1950's movie cliche of "scientists" who don't have an actual field of expertise, but were somehow just good at everything, be it genetics, geology, electromagnetic fields, or rocket engines. I'm sure that the G1 writers have used these guys for repair duties for the sake of convenience when writing an episode, but in my opinion it undermines what the character is really supposed to be about, and as well deflates the importance of other characters like Ratchet and First Aid. In terms of other Autobot builders, there's the afore-mentioned Huffer. Skids is a Theoretician, so his domain is possibilities... a key element of science. Blaster is a communications specialist, so it might be assumed that he's a competent technician within his field. Depending on how he's portrayed, Jetfire could also be considered a part of the Autobot science and development corps. As for the Decepticons... they have engineers and scientists occasionally (almost always oriented towards weapons applications), but they really are short on medics aren't they? I think Hook is the only one, and even then... people tend to forget about him. zmog
I always assumed, since they've been warring for millions of years, that many of those who see front-line combat know how to patch themselves to some degree (skills picked up out of necessity), whilst the "surgeons" do the complicated stuff. I do realise this doesn't fit in with what's shown in the fiction though.
Kiss players Glit (white Ravage) is a Decepticon medic, but would you want a robotic Jaguar trying to fix you? "Surely someone with hands should be holding that scalpel?" "AAAAAAAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Just an aside about the TF 86 Movie, does anyone else feel that if Rachet and Wheeljack hadn't been offline, there might been a greater attempt to save the life of Optimus Prime? Hasbro still would have killed him though.
What does she need a scalpel for? Maybe she's just really good with her claws - my cat was. The number of times we'd open the front door and find a neatly severed mouse head staring up at us, next to a nice little pile of organs...
Great posts SMOG! That really does put it in perspective and shows some distinction among them. Yeah, my problem is I'm so used to getting my character references from the show, and you're right... the writers did use each one them that way out of convenience and likely to push their toys. As for the Decepticons, the closest they've got (from the show's fiction) is Hook, Bombshell, and to some extent from being a scientist, Shockwave. Even Megatron himself must have had a scientific past as he's always comming up with these mad scientist like plans that backfire, plus the plot in "The Secret of Omega Supreme". And let's not forget Starscream. According to Fire in the Sky he was a scientist once upon a time, and that showed up when he created the Combaticons. "Starscream, do you like being a warrior more than a Scientist?" - Skyfire. I think you're right. Perceptor being used as a medic and the only one at the scene didn't give Optimus much chance for repairs. I mean you look at Divide and Conquer and they did a pretty darn good job at saving him. "I fear the wounds are fatal." There were alot of times the writers seemed to substitute Perceptor in Ratchet and Wheljack. Same for Hoist in 1 or 2 episodes. That's why I wonder what it would be like if they were all alive and together. The Autobots would be taking alot more lickin' as they keep on tickin'. Heck, I might have to go check out some fanfics now.
Bombshell? Where'd that come from? He's a specialist in psychology and mind control... if he ever did any patching up in the show, then they were clearly doing the same thing as they did with Perceptor and co.
Maybe. Again, there's no real indication that he's any great shakes at medical engineering. He may be able to do minor field repairs (first aid), but not likely any moreso than most other mechs. His expertise was basically akin to overclocking; taking existing tech and making it better.
