Although, I'm not a big fan of story telling where in each episode focuses in the limelight of each character. However, Animated has done a wonderful job of giving character devopement for each main character (Optimus, Ratchet, Prowl,Bulkhead, and Bumblebee). Right? I'l go through the episodes and see if its true. Transform and Roll Out technically focuses on all five characters since the writers are just introdoucing them to the audience. Therefore, it doesn't count in this Home Where the Spark Is is a Prowl-centric episode due to how the writers focus on his love for nature Total Meltdown is a Bumblebee-centric episode due to him showing of his skills Blast from The Past is a Bulkhead-centric episode due to overcoming his clumsiness Thrill of the Hunt is a Ratchet-centric episode due to his past with Lockdown Nanosec is a Bumblebee-centric episode again due to his rivlary with Nanosec Along Came A Spider is an Optimus-centric episode due to his flashbacks involving BlackArachnia Sound and Fury is a Bulkhead-centric episode due to him trying to protect Sari from Soundwave Lost and Found is a Ratchet-centric episode due to his concerns for Sari and his teammates Survival of the Fittest is a Prowl-centric episode despite it being a team up episode. However, I take in account the factors of Bulkhead getting knocked out in the second half and Jeff Bennett doing double duty as Prowl and Fanzone who is also in character spotlight Headmaster is an obvious Bulkhead-centric episode. Nature Calls is an automic Bumblebee-centric episode due to having Prowl being being infected at the second half of the episode The Megatron Rising two parter puts Optimus Prime's leadership skills to the test. The first three episodes of season two are all episodes that focus on how Optimus Prime's superiors see him. Garbage In, Garbage Out is a Ratchet-centric episode due to Ratchet trying overcoming his grumpiness and trying to help Wreck-Gar. Velocity is an obvious Bumblebee-centric episode due to him trying to prove something on his own. Rise of Constructicons is a Bulkhead-centric episode due to his relationship with the Constructicons Fistful of Energon is a Prowl-centric episode due to him trying to play fire with fire. S.U.V. is a Bumblebee-centric episode due to him trying to prove something on his own. Autoboot Camp is a Bumblebee-centric episode due to his flashbacks Black Friday is an Optimus -centric episode due to his team-up with Grimlock Not sure about Sari, No One's Home A Bridge Too Close's part one focuses on Bulkhead's love for art and his usage of building the space bridge Part two focuses on the friendship of Ratchet and Omega Supreme Summary (excluding pilot) Optimus has seven episodes focusing on him Ratchet has four while Prowl has three. Bulkhead has five episodes focusing on him while Bumblebee has SIX. 1st place: Optimus (7 episodes)- Funny how most people complained about Optimus not having enough episodes 2nd: Bumblebee (6 episodes)- Stupid kid character 3rd: Bulkhead (5 episodes)- Average amount of spotlight for best written character of series so far 4th: Ratchet (4 episodes)- Not bad for an old timer character 5th: Prowl (3 episodes)- Sucks for an awesome character Not including the human characters THOUGHTS on this?
So the most popular characters get more epĂsodes? Makes sense to me. Also, episode 27 is clearly a Sari episode.
Just a couple of amendments I'd make: "Transform and Roll Out", though it does introduce all of the main characters, centres its spotlight on Optimus learning what it means to be a hero, so I'd call them his episodes, whilst "Home Is Where the Spark Is" and "Autoboot Camp" I'd class as dual-focus episodes, as they highlight the relationship between two main characters (Prowl/Bumblebee and Bumblebee/Bulkhead, respectively). Moreover, I think you're forgetting that Sari is also a main character, and has her share of the spotlight too; "Nature Calls" and "Sari, No-One's Home" are clearly Sari episodes, and I'd say she shared top billing in "Sound and Fury", "Lost and Found" and "The Elite Guard" as well. Otherwise, good list; I actually thought of doing something similar myself recently, but you've just saved me the effort.
Have you head of the five term band- Well this was focused on the five man band of Animated who show up on posters of the show. Like this one I should've noted I'm not including human main characters and I'm also not counting the pilot.
Well if you're going to ignore Sari, the episode was mostly a Decepticon episode, with Scrapper and Mixmaster being the spotlights.
Well Marty Isenberg said LOST was one of his inspirations for Animated. Also I see Jack= Optimus Locke= Ratchet Sayid= Prowl Hurley= Bulkhead Charlie= Bumblebee Kate= BlackArachnia Sawyer= A nicer Sentinel Prime Ben= Starscream Charles Widmore= Megatron Desmond= Jazz Keamy= Lockdown Richard Alpert= Shockwave Let's not forget how Thrill of the Hunt, Along Came a Spider, and Autoboot Camp kind of had a LOST Fans of LOST and Animated- Agree with me, right?
Lost has fans?!!!! wow I just thought they were masochists who enjoyed being strung along for no payoff....Anyway back on the relevant topic to ignore Sari as a main character makes your list inaccurate. As for Ratchet and Prowl having episodes more focused on them I highly doubt they wont obviously alot of this is dependant on the accuracy of the info we have recieved (and my interpretation of said info) but seems if this whole Megatron coopts Omega Supreme, Arcee returning in the present and Oilslick could all result in Ratchet focused eps. Also if as we have been lead to believe Dai Atlas is (more powerful) Cyber Ninja (and with the tendency of animated characters with 2 word names one being their rank im thinking that he is like grand master of the cyber ninja temple) his appearance will likely be in a Prowl centric episode dealing with why Prowl didnt finish his training (oh and yeah I think Takei will voice Dai Atlas)
I'd really doubt us getting a Decepticon centric ep, but it'd be great. I think we need a flashback episode of Prowl.
I don't remember Marty saying LOST was one his inspiration for TFA. HOWEVER I remember him in that audio-interview saying that LOST's writing was one of inspirations ALL-AROUND.