Why do they push the Grimlock hates Optimus part so much?

Discussion in 'Transformers General Discussion' started by Proud Nintendo, Sep 23, 2020.

  1. Autovolt 127

    Autovolt 127 Get In The Titan, Prime!

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    I think it's good Optimus has people on his faction that aren't entirely with him all the way, otherwise he's really boring as a hero.
     
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  2. Fretburn

    Fretburn We need Instrument TFs

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    Grimlock’s never really hated Optimus. He just subscribed to a “might makes right” line of thinking and because of that he feels he should be leader.
    He’s rebellious, not hateful.

    He’s basically chosen by Optimus to be a leader twice; once at the end of Marvel G1 and in G2.

    he’s basically the classic “noble savage” archetype. See: Wolverine, Conan, eyc

    And yet again that bizarre Transformers-only phrase shows up to confuse people again.

    “continuity family”. ugh.

    rhere are countless other franchises that have had dozens of rehashes that don’t have the weird insular terminology this fandom likes to create.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 25, 2020
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  3. Primeultra

    Primeultra Well-Known Member

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    I don’t find the term confusing at all, especially when you consider the fact of how many different continuity we had from day one, which have nothing to do with any of the rehashes

    G1 Tech Specs
    G1 Marvel US
    G1 Cartoon
    G1 Marvel UK
    G1 Ladybird
    G1 Blackthorn
    G1 Find your fate

    .....And I know there are others I just can’t recall right now, all originating in the 80s, Not rehash is from years later

    So the way I see it the term continuity family Is a rather helpful term, why do you find it so confusing?
     
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  4. kaijuguy19

    kaijuguy19 Keyblade Wielder

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    Like others said it's not that grimlock hates Optimus as he's really not sharing Optimus's mindset and how he handles things.

    It's like how both Batman and Superman have different ways of how they do their work which often leads into them disagreeing with each other over it.
     
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  5. TheSoundwave

    TheSoundwave Bounty Hunter

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    I've never gotten the feeling that Grimlock specifically hates Optimus, I think he's just a generally hard-to-get-along-with guy. He's like a really independent dog or something...he thinks he's the alpha of the pack, and doesn't take orders from others very well. Optimus is the main one giving orders, so it makes sense that the two would butt heads frequently. But I don't think he actually hates Optimus himself.
     
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  6. Meta777

    Meta777 Dr Pepper Fan

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    I think this is a sufficient summation. Grimlock's never really given the impression of genuinely hating Optimus, at times he even admires his strength and resolve, it's just they have different philosophies that lead to disagreements and clashes. Grimlock, being a hulking tyrannosaur, believes in solving his problems with sheer force, never turning tail, while Optimus is more diplomatic and open-minded to options outside of 'shoot it until it dies'

    Fall of Cybertron showed this in dialogue where Grimlock belittles Optimus as a weakling for making the decision to abandon Cybertron, believing that a true Autobot should fight until the last breath. Of course, Optimus is completely right, as Cybertron is dying and continuing to fight over it just wastes lives, but Grimlock would sooner die than abandon any ground to the Decepticons.

    The fracture in their relationship is basically that conversation between Primal and Dinobot;
    "Defeating our enemies doesn't mean annihilating them. You seem to have trouble understanding that-"
    "No, no, NO! Destroy them!"
     
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  7. shamanking282

    shamanking282 Well-Known Member

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    "The most fearsome and powerful of the Dinobots, Grimlock would gladly usurp Optimus Prime's role as Autobot Commander if he thought he could get away with it."

    This is the first line in Grimlock's original extended bio by Bob Budiansky. So in that way it's a pretty core aspect of his character. The hows and whys regarding Grimlock's motivation and relationship with Prime differ between continuities, but that conflict is almost always there.
     
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  8. Autoclot

    Autoclot Well-Known Member

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    So it's a case of "Optimus needs his Starscream"...?
     
  9. agent j 15

    agent j 15 Banned

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    It's one of those things the G1 cartoon did that people like to pretend is lore. To be fair, it's an interesting idea that DOES make sense - Grimlock is a warrior, all about direct and violent action, which would naturally put him at odds with Prime's more peaceful attitudes. Come to think of it, isn't that basically how their relationship in the G1 comic went about? Maybe that's why it's remembered so fondly.

    To be honest, while it makes sense, I would like to see it (as well as a lot of ideas in transformers) portrayed with a bit more nuance - instead of just outright hating Optimus, Grimlock respects Prime as a warrior but disagrees with his methods, something like that? If Grimlock hated Optimus I don't see why he would continue to work with and let his crew work with the Autobots unless he REALLY believed in the Autobot cause, which he never exactly seemed enthusiastic about.
     
  10. HunterGreen2005

    HunterGreen2005 In-Stock

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    In all continuities he's an alpha male, so it's not personal for Grimlock?

    He will eat any Autobot that's in charge if he could.
     
  11. Cyberbot8460

    Cyberbot8460 Who The Hell Do You Think I Am?

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    Grimlock's arrogance and pride clashes with Prime's selflessness and heroism, what can I say.
     
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