TFW2005 content contributor Aernaroth recently had a chance to interview Marty Isenberg, the Story Editor for Transformers: Animated. Check out what he had to say below!
No dude because the precedent is based of an assumption that you have made due to a circumstancial trend that has come about simply to service the plot of specific episodes the logic is sound but the premise is flawed.
Its never been stated within the context of the setting that Allspark powered earth tfs are weaker than true blue cybertronian ones yes the events within the series may provide enough circumstancial evidence to make that argument unfortunatly when you factor in like I have said that the situations you would be citing were all in service to the current story.
You say Sari was able to defeat the constructicons because they were 'weaker' than Cybertronian tfs I say it was simply due to the morale of the episode the episode existed to establish that Sari could take care of herself and shouldnt be underestimated, seriously the Constructicons were likely given the role of being the ulucky cons who take on Sari due to their being new and just giving them more screen time as much as anything else.
Seriously you want to try and establish any kind of precedent with the setting that havent been explicitly detailed as cannon you need to make sure that your not simply dealing with plot driven circumstances
Not really pertinent to my post. Regardless of how things got that way, regardless of what's going on behind the scenes, the precedent is still defensible in a canonical context. Whether it's time constraints or budget restrictions, those things are factors independent of the canon. A discussion of "plot driven circumstances" is not a discussion of canonicity.
I don't necessarily LIKE that the Dinobots have been a bunch of whipped dogs thus far, but I also must admit that there's a certain logic to having Earth-made Transformers be weaker compared to the Cybertronian originals. The Dinobots aren't the only example; consider how Soundwave caved after one hit from Bulkhead, and also remember that Scrapper and Mixmaster got owned by Sari and a bunch of automated defenses. The only one who hasn't suffered a crushing defeat is Wreck-Gar, and he didn't do much actual fighting.
Dude in every example you have given its been a case of the circumstances serving the story, Soundwave got taken out with one hit cause……..the episode was coming to a close the moral of the story had been delivered and the writing staff didnt at the time want Soundwave to become a regular threat so presto he was taken out.
Seriously you want to try and establish any kind of precedent with the setting that havent been explicitly detailed as cannon you need to make sure that your not simply dealing with plot driven circumstances every character you have given as an example was defeated to serve the plot of the episode where it occured not cause Cybertronian Tfs are innatly more powerful than Earth/allspark enpowered ones.
I think Marty Isenberg deserves to be in the same pedestal I've place Bob and Larry.
– The deleted scene with the Dinobots and Megs sounds great, but I agree on them dropping it if the animation was so bad. – Love Isenberg's influences. Dini, Bird, Whedon et all.
Now, see, this is the kind of stuff that should be put on the DVDs.
Do a writers/actors commentary with deleted/incomplete scenes.
I would love to have this scene on the dvd as an extra. Not in the episode, but as a deleted scene I can take bad animation.
Feralstorm
It seemed obvious to me the story of the two-part was setting up for the Dinobots to join the battle at some point, however, I think I'd rather their scene get tossed out than see a poorly-animated quick beatdown. Like folks said, hopefully this would make for a more satisfying conflict in the future. (how 'bout just having them beat the crap out of Blitzwing in a three-on-three fight. )
I can just see a great scene where they are tossing him around between them, and as he flies from one to the other his head changes, just in time for a good beatdown to send him on.
shroobmaster
Well maybe it's because the Dinobots are a bunch of dumbasses that can't fight for shit? Prime atleast had that awesome training.
That's the thing, I think. They are big and strong, but stupid as heck. And no training. I'm hoping that they have them develop more over the next season, and have them start to realize their awesome potential.
It would be great for them to get a beat down from Megatron, but not too much later get their act together, use a little teamwork, and kick his butt. Maybe have an autobot jump in front of a lethal blast aimed at Grimlock, and that be a catalyst for him deciding to help and fighting back.
I don't necessarily LIKE that the Dinobots have been a bunch of whipped dogs thus far, but I also must admit that there's a certain logic to having Earth-made Transformers be weaker compared to the Cybertronian originals. The Dinobots aren't the only example; consider how Soundwave caved after one hit from Bulkhead, and also remember that Scrapper and Mixmaster got owned by Sari and a bunch of automated defenses. The only one who hasn't suffered a crushing defeat is Wreck-Gar, and he didn't do much actual fighting.
Megs vs. all three Dinobots would've been something, but looking back it does seem for the better it was cut. Especially considering the Animation from the second part was so on-off.
This interview rocks. Thanks!
It seemed obvious to me the story of the two-part was setting up for the Dinobots to join the battle at some point, however, I think I'd rather their scene get tossed out than see a poorly-animated quick beatdown. Like folks said, hopefully this would make for a more satisfying conflict in the future. (how 'bout just having them beat the crap out of Blitzwing in a three-on-three fight. )
I could sort of tell something had gone wrong when I watched Megatron Rising. Optimus went to Dinobot Island, got refused for help, and that was it. I knew something was missing there.
Great Interview. I talked to Marty for a bit at Comic Con. Super nice guy and really seems to care about the story which is a great thing for us. I cant wait till season 3!!
Oasis
Great job, Aernaroth.
Lockdown
No dude because the precedent is based of an assumption that you have made due to a circumstancial trend that has come about simply to service the plot of specific episodes the logic is sound but the premise is flawed.
Its never been stated within the context of the setting that Allspark powered earth tfs are weaker than true blue cybertronian ones yes the events within the series may provide enough circumstancial evidence to make that argument unfortunatly when you factor in like I have said that the situations you would be citing were all in service to the current story.
You say Sari was able to defeat the constructicons because they were 'weaker' than Cybertronian tfs I say it was simply due to the morale of the episode the episode existed to establish that Sari could take care of herself and shouldnt be underestimated, seriously the Constructicons were likely given the role of being the ulucky cons who take on Sari due to their being new and just giving them more screen time as much as anything else.
Veloxiraptor
Not really pertinent to my post. Regardless of how things got that way, regardless of what's going on behind the scenes, the precedent is still defensible in a canonical context. Whether it's time constraints or budget restrictions, those things are factors independent of the canon. A discussion of "plot driven circumstances" is not a discussion of canonicity.
Lockdown
Dude in every example you have given its been a case of the circumstances serving the story, Soundwave got taken out with one hit cause……..the episode was coming to a close the moral of the story had been delivered and the writing staff didnt at the time want Soundwave to become a regular threat so presto he was taken out.
Seriously you want to try and establish any kind of precedent with the setting that havent been explicitly detailed as cannon you need to make sure that your not simply dealing with plot driven circumstances every character you have given as an example was defeated to serve the plot of the episode where it occured not cause Cybertronian Tfs are innatly more powerful than Earth/allspark enpowered ones.
Deadend
Heh, I hope we can get a Dr. Horrible nod in season 3, that'd be sweet. Especially since Isenberg is a Whedon fan.
SilverDragon
They should put the deleted Dinobots vs Megatron scene on the DVD extras, even if the animation totally sucks.
Shark Jumper
I think it's best off deleted…
Anyways Grimlock might be as strong as Megatron, but he's obviously not as smart…
airfox
Wonderful interview!
I think Marty Isenberg deserves to be in the same pedestal I've place Bob and Larry.
– The deleted scene with the Dinobots and Megs sounds great, but I agree on them dropping it if the animation was so bad.
– Love Isenberg's influences. Dini, Bird, Whedon et all.
QFT!
-airfox
loudstone
I would love to have this scene on the dvd as an extra. Not in the episode, but as a deleted scene I can take bad animation.
I can just see a great scene where they are tossing him around between them, and as he flies from one to the other his head changes, just in time for a good beatdown to send him on.
That's the thing, I think. They are big and strong, but stupid as heck. And no training. I'm hoping that they have them develop more over the next season, and have them start to realize their awesome potential.
It would be great for them to get a beat down from Megatron, but not too much later get their act together, use a little teamwork, and kick his butt. Maybe have an autobot jump in front of a lethal blast aimed at Grimlock, and that be a catalyst for him deciding to help and fighting back.
Veloxiraptor
I don't necessarily LIKE that the Dinobots have been a bunch of whipped dogs thus far, but I also must admit that there's a certain logic to having Earth-made Transformers be weaker compared to the Cybertronian originals. The Dinobots aren't the only example; consider how Soundwave caved after one hit from Bulkhead, and also remember that Scrapper and Mixmaster got owned by Sari and a bunch of automated defenses. The only one who hasn't suffered a crushing defeat is Wreck-Gar, and he didn't do much actual fighting.
shroobmaster
Well maybe it's because the Dinobots are a bunch of dumbasses that can't fight for shit? Prime atleast had that awesome training.
Dirge121
Sounds like a good idea that it was cut.
Megatron defeats all 3 Dinobots alone, but Prime can still slam him around a bit?
Feralstorm
It seemed obvious to me the story of the two-part was setting up for the Dinobots to join the battle at some point, however, I think I'd rather their scene get tossed out than see a poorly-animated quick beatdown. Like folks said, hopefully this would make for a more satisfying conflict in the future. (how 'bout just having them beat the crap out of Blitzwing in a three-on-three fight. )
Beastbot X
Best. Answer. Ever.
Omega Charge
I could sort of tell something had gone wrong when I watched Megatron Rising. Optimus went to Dinobot Island, got refused for help, and that was it. I knew something was missing there.
But yeah, awesome interview. Season 3 FTW!
Soundwave84
so no indication if soundwave will be back booo haha but a great great read
MGX
I'm glad that scene got cut. The Dinobots in Animated need to have some victories. So far the only ones they can beat are Submarauder and Bomb-Burst.
That scene would have put Megatron over as being tough, but the Dinobots would have really looked even more ineffective.
MilkManX
Great Interview. I talked to Marty for a bit at Comic Con. Super nice guy and really seems to care about the story which is a great thing for us. I cant wait till season 3!!