Saturday, December 31, 2011

Coming Of The Fuzors Parts 1-2

Episodes Names: Coming Of The Fuzors Parts 1-2
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 2
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Two new bots are born--part beast, part metal, mixed-up bots--called Fuzors. Megatron hires these new bots. Dinobot, meanwhile, steals the golden discs and discovers their secret, and what the planet is... turns out that I was right, and it's Earth! Yippee! Hey, they always land on Earth. :)
Rhinox does this weird mission with his Spark. Then the Preds have a full-out attack on the Maximals. To make things worse, Tranatulos is back, and also transformed (called a Transmetal).
Will the Maximals have a miracle to save them?

Mission Report:
All right, we get back to enjoyable stuff! This was a "Cowboy Showdown" multi-parter in a way. One of the new Preds, Quickstrike, talked like a cowboy. And there were continual cowboy-showdown-like scenes. That was pretty awesome.
And the story was pretty good and well-done. Though I do wish they explained what Rhinox was doing sooner... yeesh! That was confusing. Thing is, I think they meant it that way... still, annoying, but made the last surprise much more enjoyable.
And they brought back Optimus Primal! YAY! Sure, he's a Transmetal now, and looks different, but he's back and his character is the same! Extra points!
This was a very good set of episodes.

Aftermath

Episode Name: Aftermath
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 2 (1997)
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
It's the aftermath of the destruction of the moon-weapon. A wave from the weapon transforms Rattrap, Cheetor, and Megatron into super-beast-bots. Megatron attacks the Base.
With Optimus gone, will the day be won...?

Mission Report:
Optimus better come back! Yeesh! And the transformed looks weren't helpful either, though the characters luckily stayed the same.
But this was a pretty good episode. The story was pretty good, and, once you got used to the new modes, it was pretty fun to watch.
It's not my fave, but it wasn't too terrible a way to start the second Season of Beast Wars.

Other Voices Parts 1-2

Episodes Names: Other Voices Parts 1-2
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Two Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
The Aliens have come at long last. They begin to destroy the planet, with both Maximals and Predacons still on it! Multiple plans are at work, and it's a race to save the planet...

Mission Report:
The ending is what killed it. The story was pretty good, though not the best. We never learned the name of the alien race!
Then the ending left on a negative cliffhanger of sorts. It's way-too-highly-possible that Optimus Primal is gone for good! NOT A GOOD MOTIF AT ALL! It was an interesting cliffhanger for Season 1, but these are not my favorites in the slightest!

Before The Storm

Episode Name: Before The Storm
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
After Megatron discovers a golden disc of alien origin, he calls a truce. No one buys it, and is uneasy. Optimus Primal sets up a plan to get Tigatron in to find out what's going on, but a dangerous secret is about to be discovered...

Mission Report:
This is a set-up episode. It's way too obvious! The in-episode story was pretty decent, but we'll have to see the next episodes to see the end of this story...

Law Of The Jungle

Episode Name: Law Of The Jungle
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Tigatron helps his fellow Maximals to stop a Predacon ambush, but his best friend, the arctic tiger Snowstalker, dies. Tigatron quits the Maximals, deciding he’s totally done with war. Dinobot goes to try and get Tigatron back.
But there’s also of the three Preds who are going to be trying again, this time on Tigatron…

Mission Report:
Okay, this was not my favorite. There was death (though cleverly hidden from sight). And Dinobot going wild… yeesh, scary (though totally in character)!
But this was a very good story. Character-driven a good deal, but it still had a good story and moral. It was kind of enjoyable.
This was a pretty good episode.

Friday, December 30, 2011

The Low Road

Episode Name: The Low Road
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
It begins with a weeding mission. BORING! Except the fact that Rattrap and Dinobot are the ones doing it, so bicker-bicker-fistfight! And then the Predacons attack the Base. Tarantulos manages to inject Rhinox with a virus during another Rat/Dino argument. The virus is one that makes Rhinox sneeze out his energy. The anti-virus has to be secured before Rhinox dies...
But can it be done when it's Rattrap and Dinobot doing the mission?

Mission Report:
Better than I want to admit. How Rhinox got the virues made me a little uncomfortable, but the rest of the episode was very well done. The story was very well done... and the ending was totally unexpected, yet logical! Nice...
This was a pretty good episode.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Possession

Episode Name: Possession
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Four and Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
During an Energon storm, a good deal of the Maximals' security system is taken out. But the most unlikely visitor came around to Predacon Base during that same storm... one that had me dancing and cheering in my seat, but was causing mayhem while possessing Waspinator's body...
That's right!
STARSCREAM'S BACK!!!

Mission Report:
ALL RIGHT! I had thought they had taken out Starscream permanently in Ghost In The Machine*, but this was a wonderful surprise! My favorite Decepticon's back (it looks like only for one episode [possibly a few more, but highly unlikely], but who cares?)! And they pulled out all the stops with this episode... the story was very wonderfully done... with very few errors! The only existent errors weren't that big (though they could have made it clearer whether or not the Maximals knew Optimus Primal's plan or not). And, as a bonus, we learn a little lore: the Preds are the Decepticons' descendants, and the Maximals are the Autobots'. Neat, aye?
This is definitely my favorite Beast Wars episode yet!

*Gen-1 episode, 3rd Season, 1986, review on blog

Dark Voyage

Episode Name: Dark Voyage
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Scorponok and Waspinator ambush Rhinox, Cheetor, Rattrap, and Dinobot on an Energon-mining mission. The Predacons cause a major Energon explosion. They leave, thinking the Maximals to be destroyed.
But the Maximals survive. But they are heavily Energon contaminated. Their systems are in big trouble. If they don't reach Maximal Base in time, they'll die for good!
But how will they make it when they're literally blind?

Mission Report:
The story idea was good. The story itself, however, could have been done better. There were story problems, and it wasn't super-enjoyable. The moral of the story didn't come out very well either (though this moral was for the Transformers, but we still didn't really get what was learned or, when we got something figured out, how). I did enjoy watching Rhinox act like a peaceful Zen Master, but that was it.
While this episode didn't bomb the place (despite the explosion at the start), it wasn't the best one either.

Call Of The Wild

Episode Name: Call Of The Wild
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Three and Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When Megatron and the Predacons steal the part of the Maximals' spaceship that protects it from the Energon field, the Maximals find themselves forced to stay in beast mode. But the beast part of them takes over, and Megatron and the Predacons begin the hunt!
It's up to the only two sane bots, Tigatron and Airrasier, to save the day... but can it be done?

Mission Report:
Okay, pretty good episode! The story was pretty well done, though they could have gotten the moral of this episode through better. It wasn't as enjoyable in the beginning, when they all go beast-nuts. But the episode got better near the end. Yeesh!
This was a pretty good show overall, however!

Spider's Game

Episode Name: Spider's Game
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When a stasis pod is yanked out of orbit, Tarantulos begins his plan to turn the protoform into another spider, and steal the stasis pod for his own means. Blackarachnia discovers the first half of his plan, and join him in his quest. But they end up making an ant (I suspect fire ant) instead... an ant-a-con named Inferno!
Tigatron sees the pod, and he and Airraiser raced for it... but ended too late...
What is Tarantulos's plan?

Mission Report:
This was a pretty good episode. The story was pretty good and enjoyable. Again, there were questions at the end, but these were good for a series.
I enjoyed this episode.

The Trigger Parts 1-2

Episode Name: The Trigger Parts 1-2
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Three and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When Tigatron is attacked in his frozen northern home, he lands onto a weird floating troptical (sp?) island. This island has strong defenses created by unknown aliens. Unluckily, the Predacons know about this as well, and send Scorponok and Blackarachnia to get it.
If the island is claimed by the Predacons, it's good-bye Maximals...

Mission Report:
This wasn't too bad. The beginning could have been done better, but it was pretty good. Again we have our mysterious, unnamed alien life-forms at work (though they're never there). And it turns out there's two moons on this planet, starting to trash my past-Earth hypothesis. Then again, we're never sure on the planet.
And it turns out you can't trust a reprogrammed Maximal! It was proven in Dark Designs, when Rhinox went nuts after reprogramming. But now it's Blackarachnia's turn (if you forgot or just didn't know, she was a reprogrammed Maximal protoform)... she goes traitor in this episode! It's nice to have "Starscreams" again. Terrasaur's the most like the ex-Second-In-Command, but, heh, heh... I enjoy Black's character. :)
But back to reviewing. The first part of the story could use some tweaking, though it wasn't total trash. But the rest of the episodes were enjoyable.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The Spark

Episode Name: The Spark
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Another stasis pod has crashed on the unknown planet, in Predacon territory! Rhinox heads over there immediately, but discovers that the pod was badly damaged. If something’s not done, the protoform’s Spark… the life-force and the core of what the Cybertronians are… will extinguish!
Cheetor comes along to help, but the Predacons are causing trouble…

Mission Report:
Oh, a very good show! The story was very well-done. It’s also the first time where we learn of Sparks, what the life-forces of the Cybertronians are called. It’s also where the Maximals finally get a female member: Airraiser! Nice…
This was a very good show.

Double Dinobot

Episode Name: Double Dinobot
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Megatron manages to make a clone of Dinobot. Terrasaur traps Dinobot, and Megatron sends the clone on a mission to take Maximal Base.
The clone can't transform, but can still cause mayhem...

Mission Report:
They're coming off the rebound! This episode was pretty enjoyable. There were some story glitches, though. Like where did Megatron get that DNA? And then there were some confusing things, mainly during the clone-VS-real scenes. But they did that classic "mirror-act-but-no-mirror" joke!
This was a pretty good episode.

Dark Designs

Episode Name: Dark Designs
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Three and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
After Rhinox gets the Maximals out of an ambush, Megatron decides to take an advantage... and Rhinox! He kidnaps Rhinox and reprograms him into a Predacon.
But Optimus Primal knows something that Megatron does not: if you reprogram Rhinox, you're getting more trouble than you bargained for!

Mission Report:
Okay! This was a pretty decent show. The story was pretty good. It's not fun to see Rhinox reprogrammed, but once you got past that, the story was enjoyable. It was fun watching Rhinox go against the Predacons, even though he was one!
This was actually pretty decent, but you have to get past Rhinox's reprogramming.

Added Note:
In this episode, we learn around how long this took place after the 1980's series. When Waspinator goes wonky, he mentions Shrapnel and the Autobots... the first time in this series! Then Blackarachnia mentions that Shrapnel was from three centuries ago. Therefore, the 1980's series (or most of it) is about 300 years in this Dimension's past. Pretty interesting!

Victory

Episode Name: Victory
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
The Maximals witness through their new spy-cam the Predacons getting into a major internal fight. But then they witness their enemies' destruction...
They sneak into Predacon Base and grab parts needed for their ship to fly. But Dinobot's having problems because of his former comrades' destruction. He leaves to take over the planet while his Maximal comrades get ready to return to Cybertron.
But what happens when Dinobot discovers that the Predacons still live, and they plot their own master plan...?

Mission Report:
Not the best come-off-the-rebound. But it wasn't too shabby, however. The story could use some work. I saw the Predacons' come-back a little too soon, and things got a little jumbled (not like the last episode, however) near the end.
But it was enjoyable. It's nice to see soldier-bot Dinobot have some sort of feelings. And this is the episode where we see that Dinobots has made some friends in the Maximal group... even when they rather fight, like Rattrap and Dinobot. Those two are the classic fighting friends pairs. It's hard to see a relationship, but it's like... I guess Spock and Bones relationship, but I'm no Trekie (sp?). But it seems like quite a few of the others have some sort of friendship with Dinobot, though Optimus did so from the start.
The story could use tweaking, but it was a pretty enjoyable episode.

Fever

Episode Name: Fever
Series: Sliders, Season 1
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
This time, Quin and the others land on a world with no antibiotics. Here, a deadly illness called the Q is used by the government to keep rich healthy, and poor miserable and dying. Quin is mistaken for his Dimensional counterpart, who has the Q, and is a wanted man. He is captured, and Wade is infected with the Q. Arturo and Rembrandt meet up with this Dimension's Quin, who is trying to find a cure.
The hope of a Dimension rests on Professor Arturo's shoulders...

Mission Report:
Not the most enjoyable episode. The story was pretty well-done, but it wasn't the best for enjoyment. Too much sickness!
This wasn't my favorite Sliders episode.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

The Probe

Episode Name: The Probe
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Two Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Cybertron, in concern for Optimus and his Maximals, sends temporal probes out to find them. When Optimus and the others identify this, they start setting up a ray to send a signal to the probe so that they can go home. But the Predacons learn of the ray and probe, and head out to stop them. And they got a transformation freeze ray to help...

Mission Report:
Oh man, this is the worst episode I've hit yet! The episode was not really enjoyable and confusing. We never really got why the Preds (as the Predacons are called sometimes) stopped the signal. Did they want to stay on that planet? Didn't they want to get off? It was never very clear. And the ending was sad, almost no hope!
This episode also reminded me of a Gen-1 episode that wasn't my favorite called The Autobot Run. In it, there was also a transform-freeze ray that stuck the good guys in their car modes, and they were pretty much helpless (which makes no sense, but will complain when do that episode's post). Of course, here it was in beast mode, but same idea. I wonder if that was on purpose, or if the creators even knew... oh well, just an interesting note.
This is the worst Beast Wars episode I've seen yet!

Gorilla Warfare

Episode Name: Gorilla Warfare
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
On a study mission, Optimus Primal and Dinobot are ambushed by Scorponok. The Predacon attaches a bug with a virus inside onto Optimus. Turns out that the bug will kill if removed, and the virus turns Optimus into a berserker!
When Optimus escapes the Base, heading for Predacon Base, it's a race for the only anti-virus...

Mission Report:
Here's one that I don't want to admit that it was actually pretty good. I don't have Optimus's character quite figured out yet, but I did not enjoy watching him go berserk! I did enjoy Cheetor's loyalty, though... very much!
Otherwise, the story was actually pretty well done. It had some minor glitches, but they were just that... minor. The action pumped you (though I didn't care for Berserk Optimus), Cheetor's loyalty moved you, and, well... tee hee! The episode just lost a 'ship because of personal wants.
This episode wasn't too bad.

A Better Mousetrap

Episode Name: A Better Mousetrap
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
A team of Predacons, led by Blackarachnia, are trying to blow into Maximal Base. But when a grumpy Waspinator takes a flight to cool down, Optimus Primal and Tigatron go to investigate.
Meanwhile, Rhinox has created Sentinel, a new security program. But when another one of Rattrap and Dinobot's fights damage and activate Sentinel too early, the same system made to protect them goes against them! Everyone but Rattrap gets outside. Rattrap goes to stop Sentinel... but will he make it out alive?

Mission Report:
Another goodie. The story was decent on both sides, and I enjoyed Rattrap getting around Sentinel's defenses. The ending could have been done better, however. I mean... how did Rattrap stop Sentinel? That wasn't too clear.
Still another enjoyable show!

Before I Forget

Episode Name: Before I Forget
Series: Eureka, Season 1
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Two old friends of Henri's are in town, but at the same time a bunch of odd stuff happens as well. People are forgetting stuff... important stuff. It may take some sleuthing, but this mystery has to be figured out...

Mission Report:
Not too bad. The story had some problems, like the security cameras should have been checked, and we never found out how Jack got out of the cage. And the ending still had questions.
But it was a pretty good show, and the story was pretty well done.

Double Jeopardy

Episode Name: Double Jeopardy
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When the Maximals are ambushed getting a stasis pod, there's a traitor suspected in the group... a suspect named Rattrap! On a test of loyalty, Rattrap is sent on a mission near Predacon Base. But there he betrays his friends, and joins the Predacons when his life is threatened. To top it off, the Predacons have a new bot, thanks to the stasis pod... a Predacon female spider named Blackarachnia!
Will things still turn out okay for the Maximals?

Mission Report:
All right, another really goodie! The story was very good. There were a few glitches, but nothing too major. The show was very enjoyable.
I liked this episode.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Fallen Comrades

Episode Name: Fallen Comrades
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1
Rating: Three and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When one of the Maximal stasis pods looses its orbit and crash-lands in the north, it's a race for the pod and the bot inside! But Optimus is damaged in an ambush, so it's just a land group. Dinobot is left to guard the Base while Optimus recovers. Megatron plans an attack, but sends Waspinator and Terrasaur after the pod...

Mission Report:
Not too shabby, but needs work. The story just didn't really grab you. It wasn't too terrible, however, and there's kind of a new Maximal, Tigatron! He decided to stay in the north, but a new guy's a new guy. And the story was clever... they had you sent up thinking something bad was going to happen, and then KABANG; we're good.
Again, not my favorite, but could use some tweaking...

Power Surge

Episode Name: Power Surge
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1 (1996*)
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Terrasaur finds a floating mountain packed with tons of Energon. He discovers that the unstable Energon energy makes him super-powerful. And it's enough to trash Megatron!
Cheetor sees this, and reports. Optimus Primal and Rattrap go to the flying mountain to destroy it.
But the power boost only lasts a short time, so Terrasaur's back... and Tarantulos has followed him, trying to get the power himself!

Mission Report:
Still very good, but this was only an average show. It had some chuckle parts... it's kind of fun with the CGI... but this episode wasn't the shining moment. But at least it didn't totally stink!
This was an okay show.

*Since I put it on the first couple posts for Beast Wars, I'm going to drop the date for all the Season 1 posts from here on out. I'll probably put a year on some of the next Season's episodes, but that's still a ways off.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Chain Of Command

Episode Name: Chain of Command
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1 (1996)
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
While they investigate the Standing Stones (the rock formation that looks like a completed Stonehenge), there's a Predacon attack. In result, some sort of signal is sent to space... and a mysterious alien probe comes as a result. The probe makes Optimus disappear, and there's a fight for the command of the Maximals between Rattrap and Dinobot.
Megatron doesn't need a report to figure this out, and he always takes his advantages... and what if it's discovered that Optimus is alive?

Mission Report:
Okay, not the worst. It could have been done better, but they remembered the fact that the Cybertronians couldn't stay in the world's air in robo-mode for too long. The time was longer, so it has to be endurance level, but it's nice to see all the same.
And there's the question of the probe, who sent it, who built the Standing Stones, etc, etc, etc... it wasn't comfy. But the problem is that I think it's supposed to do that! You know, make you want more, and give questions to answer in later shows! Yikes!
Okay, again not the best episode, but not the worst and better than the last episode... though too many unanswered questions (good for a series, though)!

Equal Measures

Episode Name: Equal Measures
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1 (1996)
Rating: Three and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When Optimus Primal decides that a survey-post-and-bomb-placement mission is to be delayed due to bad weather, the traitorous Dinobot (that's the name of the ex-Predacon, not the Dinobots like Grimlock, Slag, Sludge, etc....) tricks Cheetor into doing the mission.
What happens is that Cheetor taps into an Energon vein by accident, causing a bunch of teleporting. But there's more danger than meets the eye due to this vein...

Mission Report:
Okay, the start was only an average start. The episode got steadily better as it went along, but it was only OK. At least it wasn't a total stinker (and Cheetor's amusing)!

The Web

Episode Name: The Web
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1 (1996)
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Out on a new com-link test run, Cheetor discovers Scorponok digging up a cannon. He disobeys Optimus's order to return to base, and ends up getting hurt. The Predacons get a cannon as a result. Feeling guilty, Cheetor heads out, and Rattrap is sent after him.
Cheetor's going to have to learn to obey orders, or he may find himself in Tarantulos's web of danger...

Mission Report:
Okay! This wasn't too bad. The story was pretty good, though it played a classic mistake.
Here's a hint: I complain about it a lot during the 1980's Transformers reviews... that's right! Forgotten series details! During the two-parter, the Transformers couldn't stay in their robot modes for more than a few minutes. But during this show, they stayed out longer and stayed intact! And there's no explanation! If there were an explanation, okay with me. But yeah, that classic mistake's being made.
Still, this was a very good episode, and I enjoyed it.

Beast Wars Parts 1-2

Episode Name: Beast Wars Parts 1-2
Series: Beast Wars Transformers, Season 1 (1996)
Rating: Five Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
There are new Autobots and Decepticons! Except the Autobots are called the Maximals, and the Decepticons are Predacons. After Megatron steals the Golden Disk from Cybertron, a team of Maximals follow him and his Predacons through a time-space warp (may have gotten the name wrong).
They all end up on a mysterious planet, one with extreme amounts of Energon, the Transformers' main source of energy. But the Energon levels are so high that the Cybertronians' robot bodies can't take but only a few minutes in this planet's air before short-circuiting. So everyone takes new "car/plane" modes... ones of the planet's beasts... to survive!
But will Optimus Primal, leader of the Maximals, and his team be able to stop Megatron this round?

Mission Report:
Welcome to the next series after Generation 1 (the 1980's series)! This series supposedly takes place many, many years after Gen-1 (though I suspect, due to time-warp thingies and a Stonehenge, that they're stuck on a past Earth).
The series makes a very nice start. The story of this two-parter was very good, and the action was catching. It was very enjoyable, though you have to get used to the new characters and the CGI. Yeah, this show was CGI.
But this entry shows that this addition is welcome in the Transformers universe. Let's hope the rest of the series keeps up.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

The Rebirth Parts 1-3

Episode Name: The Rebirth Parts 1-3
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1987), Season 4
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Yet there is another Decepticon attack on Autobot City. But the 'Cons make away with the Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber... a chamber filled with lethal-to-machines-and-stars energy! While a war goes on, a group of both Autobots and Decepticons are sent to Nebolos (sp?), the Autobots due to ship problems. The Autobots join a gang of rebels fighting against the evil Hive. But it leads to both sides having bonded with organic, human-like creatures... and Daniel getting series injuries, leading him to bond with Arcee! Thus, the birth of the Headmasters and Targetmasters.
But the fate of the entire GALAXY, lie in the organic form... especially one that's been around the Transformers a long while... will the galaxy be saved?

Mission Briefing:
Again, the story's better than I want to admit. It's pretty well-done, though there were some glitches in it. It was pretty enjoyable. But they introduced too many new characters at once! ACK! I couldn't tell you all of the new characters even if I tried!
And the Quintessons are gone! YAY! Of course, there's no explanations, as these things are. But I'm still happy those stinking 5-face creeps are gone! That means things are more or less back to normal. Alpha Trion's Optimus's dad again, and Vector Sigma, the original Allspark, is back. I did not care for Vec Sig acting like a god, but no Quins are a good thing.
And they changed the love focus! I thought that the love relationship was with Springer and Arcee, but it's suddenly Daniel and Arcee! Well, I think that was happening with the two in the story. They were never very clear on that, and nothing's explained in the love-relationship matter. YEESH!
To sum it up, the story was actually pretty well-done and enjoyable, though there were too many new characters at once. It wasn't a bad way to end the original Transformers series.

Added Note:
These three episodes are the only Season 4 episodes.

Pilot

Episode Name: Pilot
Series: Sliders, Season 1
Rating: Three and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When Quin makes a Warphole, he discovers that it can be used to travel to parallel universes... other Dimensions, as I like to call them. When he brings his friend Wade and his science professor Arturo, he powers up the timer device that's supposed to bring them home. By accident, they bring along an ex-singer Rembrandt "Crying Man" Brown. They end up in a world that has suffered an ecological disaster, and is basically a bad-weathered ice ball.
Quin plays with the timer again, against the warnings of a different Quin that appeared earlier in the episode, and they all end up in the Second American Revolution... the Soviet Union has taken over this Earth. Rembrandt is captured for using American money. The only way the other three can save him is joining the revolution forces trying to get Liberty... or death.

Mission Report:
Now this was more of a normal pilot. It got better during the second half, during what I'll be calling the Second American Revolution until something happens. The story was only average, with some unexplained stuff. It did end on a nice cliffhanger, though...
This was a pretty decent show, and I hope the series gets better.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Many Happy Returns

Episode Name: Many Happy Returns
Series: Eureka, Season 1
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Attack of the Scientific Paranormal! Weird things begin to happen in Eureka (I think that’s the name of the town, not sure). Out of nowhere, the woman killed in the pilot, Susan Murphy, comes back after her funeral. To top things off, a ghost has been popping up as well.
For Jack Carter’s first job, it’s a bit paranormal…

Mission Report:
Not as good as the pilot… I can’t believe I said that! Most pilots are the three-rating or lower, but this… whoa!
Okay, I’m trailing off. Anyway, this story wasn’t the best. It wasn’t terrible, but on the average. I think the best part was SARAH. I mean… the house is hitting on him! And/or acting like a wife! Whee! That was fun to watch.
And I so saw the reason behind the ghost. I mean, this episode takes off where the pilot left off. So saw it coming… the clone, however, not so much. It made sense once explained, but I did not see a clone scheme coming. At least it’s not zombies!
This episode was only average.

Pilot

Episode Name: Pilot
Series: Eureka, Season 1
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When US Marshal Jack Carter and his rebel daughter Zowie get lost, and their car goes off the road, they find themselves stuck in a small town. But this is a very odd small town, like sci-fi weird! And there are odd warp-like things popping up over town… dangerous warp-thingies.
Jack soon discovers that the town is a cover for a government organization called Eureka. The top scientists of the world live in the town and work on their experiments in safety. But, at this moment, there’s something dangerous going on because of the warp-thingies (sorry, I don’t really have a name for this, but it had something to do with tachyon particles)… danger enough to destroy all of reality!

Mission Report:
Okay, this has to be one of the best pilots ever. The story was very well-done, though maybe the ending, where he gets “promoted”, could have been done better. Oh, and I loved the fact that an Autistic kid helped in a big way to save the day! The special effects were pretty good, and luckily the amount of yuck was low (cow innards, but those seemed plastic {Yay!}).
I just hope that the rest of the series is just as good as this pilot.

Monday, December 19, 2011

The Return Of Optimus Prime Parts 1-2

Episode Name: The Return Of Optimus Prime Parts 1-2
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Three and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Two humans, Jessica and a friend, discover and rescue the body of Optimus Prime while testing a new metal. But they also discover a spore-based plague that causes hate and madness (craziness kind). But when the Decepticons attack, Jessie's legs are crippled. The Autobots make an exoskeleton for her legs so that she can walk, but it's too late. Her father and friend are now Autobot-haters. They make a trap, and release the Hate Plague...
But the Hate Plague gets wildly out of hand. Almost everyone is infected. The fate of the galaxy lies in the few that have not been infected, but most of all in Optimus Prime...
But will even Optimus be able to stop the plague if he lives again?

Mission Report:
These episodes are better for personal enjoyment level. There were a bunch of story problems, and not just all series-wise, but problems within the multi-parter itself! Take the classic "Autobots can't fly" motif. They show that in the second part, and Galvatron makes a trap due to this, but in the first part there was a scene where Blurr was flying! And there were problems where they forgot series details... like, the Quintessons are now Optimus's creators! What about Alpha Trion? YEESH!
But the shows were partly enjoyable. I mean... teams-ups! And it's great to have Optimus Prime back... he was a fave character during the first two Seasons. Yes, even though I don't bop for OptiZombie (Dark Awakening review).
This wasn't my favorite set of shows (I'm not multi-parter fan anyway), but it's good to have Optimus back in action!

Added Note:
For those worried about chronological order (like me), all episodes after The Five Faces Of Darkness are previous to this, and the chronological order is set straight again.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

The Face of Nijika

Episode Name: The Face of Nijika
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Three and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When a group of Autobots are on patrol, they discover the Decepticons attacking a strange giant disc... and the Quintessons protecting that disc! They join the fray.
Rodimus Prime, Perceptor, Ultra Magnus, and Blurr end up being trapped behind the disc, which is a Quadrant Lock. To top things off, Cyclonus and the Quintessons get stuck behind the Lock as well. The Autobots crash on a planet, with an ancient-Japanese like culture and high-density structures, so the people are as tough as Cybertronians, as well as their planet.
Perceptor is separated from the group, and is captured by a local. The local (Konsudon; sp?) removes Perceptor's Autobot symbol, which the circuitry behind contains his mind and an Universal Emulator, and places it in an old mini-female robot named Nijika... "Skydancer". Prospector, now Nijika, learns that the Quintessons have been on this planet years ago, and managed to stop the local's technological progess, and hide the stars from them.
Because of this, there's a grudge that's causing the Autobots trouble... and the Quins are hunting for Prospector's Universal Emulator so they can escape!

Mission Report:
This was one of my favorites. Now I'm looking at it with a critical mind, I can see that the story needs a decent amount of tweaking. But I always enjoyed the Japanese-like culture of the planet, and seeing the reactions. And... for a short time... Perceptor's a GIRL! Yep, Nijika's body is female![ :) ]
Like I said, the story needs tweaking, but this was a good show. It's more of personal tastes here. I enjoyed it.

Friday, December 16, 2011

The Burden Hardest To Bear

Episode Name: The Burden Hardest To Bear
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When the Decepticons attack Japan, it's the Autobots to the rescue! But afterward is a lot of talk and problems, and Rodimus Prime is already strained. He is tired of his giddi (definite sp?; it's Japanese, meaning "the burden hardest to bear"), his duty and destiny of leadership.
Then when the Decepticons steal the Matrix of Leadership, Rodimus, re-transformed into Hot Rod, decides he's totally done. Meanwhile, the Matrix proves useless to Galvatron, so he orders Scourge to destroy it. But Scourge instead steals the Matrix for himself. The Matrix's powers work too well, but while it super-powers him, it sickens his mind and body. He takes over the Decepticons, leaving Galvatron and Cyclonus supposedly dead, and heads for Earth...
Can Hot Rod learn to deal with his giddi before Scourge and the Decepticons destroy everything?

Mission Report:
This is another fave episode. The story was very good, though there were some glitches. Most of the glitches were minor and slightly annoying, though there's some new weird things about Scourge... like, when did the power get into Scourge's head and he play traitor? And why did the Matrix work (kind of) for Scourge, when the memories/ghosts of the Autobots come up and the Matrix refuse to work for Galvatron? Weird...
But, other than that, the story was very good, and I highly enjoyed it. The idea was good, though they could have gotten the moral through a little better.
This is another of my The Transformers Top Ten Seasons 3&4 episodes.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Call Of The Primitives

Episode Name: Call Of The Primitives
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
A massive creature of living energy is out, but unlike Kremzeek, this creature absorbs energy. This creature’s creator is Primacron, revealed to be Unicron’s father as well. To counterattack, the ancient assistant of Primacron calls on the help of the Cybertronian Primitives… basically, every Transformer with an animal mode! But will it be enough to save the universe…?

Mission Report:
Better than I want to admit. The story was actually pretty good, but it could use a little work. And they left some unexplained stuff, like, who was Primacron’s ex-assistant? It looked like the Matrix in the flashback, but we all know that can’t be right! And, another story flaw: the Terracons are the Decepticons’ again! When will they make up their minds? YEESH!
Anyway, while this isn’t a favorite, it’s a pretty good episode overall.

Money Is Everything

Episode Name: Money Is Everything
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When Marissa Faireborne and the Technobots meet the traitor Dirk, they soon get mixed up in more treachery, smuggling, and a Recreator that the Quintessons want…

Mission Report:
The story wasn’t the greatest. It wasn’t the most enjoyable. Though it was fun to see more of Marissa’s character (and that smug smile at the end), and see her have a sort-of crush, this wasn’t the greatest story.
And there’s more Time Jambalaya Jubilee. This episode clearly takes place after Grimlock’s New Brain, because it has the Technobots, but suddenly the Terracons belong to the Quintessons! In the last episode, they belonged to the Decepticons! Seriously, what’s up with this…?
Anyway, the story wasn’t terrible, though it needs work. This was only an average episode.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Reset

Episode Name: Reset
Series: Warehouse 13, Season 2
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Starting off where Buried left off, the Warehouse gang has to deal with Helena's betrayal. But it's soon discovered that H.G. Wells is artifact-hunting, and it's soon discovered to be the first weapon of mass destruction... and Pete's girlfriend is being affected by an artifact in the meanwhile!
It's up to Pete and Claudia to save Pete's girlfriend, and Myka and Artie have to stop H.G....
or the world will enter a new Ice Age.

Mission Report:
Aw, man...
This was a wonderfully-done story. It was a very good episode, and a nice ender for Warehouse 13 Season 2. The story takes an unexpected and sad turn at the end, losing a Spaceship, but otherwise...
Sorry, still on the rebound from the end.
But this was a very good episode, probably one of the best Warehouse 13 ones.

Buried

Episode Name: Buried
Series: Warehouse 13, Season 2
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When Mrs. Fredrick is affected by an odd illness, the three Warehouse agents head for Egypt to check out the ancient and recently uncovered Warehouse 2. They have to shut it down before it tries to complete its special connection with its caretaker… which is dead, meaning that Mrs. Fredrick is the victim. Joined by a certain Regent we all know (but name I can’t remember), the agents have to shut down the Warehouse before Mrs. Fredrick dies. Meanwhile, Claudia is told a surprising and frightening truth…

Mission Report:
This was a pretty good and cool show. We got to check out an Egyptian Warehouse! And it was ancient! And for some of the commercial breaks, they use Egyptian stuff, like an old Egyptian box, or a modern one with hieroglyphics. AWE-SOME!
The story wasn’t bad, though I wished they could have explained why Claudia is going to be the next caretaker when Mrs. F goes. I mean, Artie would have made more sense, wouldn’t he? I don’t get it.
And it was perfect for a series. It left on a cliffhanger! Two, actually; one per side!
This was a pretty cool episode.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Grimlock's New Brain

Episode Name: Grimlock’s New Brain
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Galvatron hires two bounty hunters to sabotage the Autobots’ new power generator with anti-electrons. Grimlock manages to save the day, but his mind gets altered in a surprising way… he’s now a super-genius! The Decepticons head for Unicron’s head to get more anti-electrons, so the Autobots naturally follow them.
But the Decepticons have new members: the Terracons! Will Grimlock’s super-brain be able to figure out a way to save the day?

Mission Report:
This is another favorite of mine. It’s fun to see Grimlock super-smart. It’s so out of character for him! The story was pretty well-done, though there were a few glitches, like we never really knew why Grimlock left the battle on Unicron’s head.
But, otherwise, this was a very good episode!

Only Human

Episode Name: Only Human
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Human trouble yet again! When the Autobots stop the plans of Mr. Drath, he wants revenge! He assigns the help of Snake, and they trap the Autobots and use a machine on them... that puts their minds into human-like bodies!
Now the Autobots Rodimus Prime, Springer, Arcee, and Ultra Magnus have to stop Mr. Drath by themselves, and in human bodies... but the fact that their robot bodies are being used for evil isn't helping...

Mission Report:
This was not my favorite. The story was okay, but it wasn't the most enjoyable one. We do see the answer to a Season 2 episode (Autobot Spike), where Bumblebee wonders out loud, "I wonder what it would be like for a robot to be in a human." The quote's so off, but I think the basic message got through. This episode's interesting in that matter.
And we have another GI Joe interaction... actually literally! The Cobra Commander is a character in this one (Snake). His face-mask sets it off, and when he yells "COBRA!" at the end makes it obvious. That was really cool.
This episode had some interesting points, but it was not my favorite.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

The Big Broadcast of 2006

Episode Name: The Big Broadcast of 2006
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Two and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
The Quintesson Journal has landed on the planet Junkion, but the Quintessons can't get near it. To counteract, the Quintessons hack into the Junkions' TVs, and start sending hypno-signals, making the Junkions hostile to everyone. Both Autobots and Decepticons are baffled by the change (not so much Galvatron, however... I think his insanity was acting up).
But when a result of a battle causes the hypno-signals to go to every corner of the galaxy, inter-galatic (sp?) war breaks out, meaning the possible end of the galaxy...

Mission Briefing:
Here's another reason I don't care for episodes with Quins. The story wasn't very well-done. There were a bunch of unexplained stuff... for example, Galvatron eventually got affected by the TV signals. But where was his TV? He was in a clearing with a nearby lava pool, not in his castle, so the it was most likely before the castle was made. But there was no TV! That was way too unexplained for comfort.
And they jumped an extra year! In the five-parter, it was 2005, but it's 2006 in this one (due to title). That's not the only chronological problem... this one obviously takes place before The Quintesson Journal; it's the episode where the Journal-hunt (for the Quins) begins!
It was sort of enjoyable to watch, however. Like the scene were the cat-aliens attack the dog-aliens was amusing. (Revenge of the cats! lol!)
This was definitely not their best, but at least it was somewhat enjoyable to watch.
Oh, Wreck-Gar has a girlfriend (or possibly wife, they never told you) in this one! :)

Friday, December 9, 2011

The Quintesson Journal

Episode Name: The Quintesson Journal
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Two Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
While Rodimus Prime and Spike try to stop an inter-planetary war at a peace conference, both Autobots and Decepticons pick up an old Quintesson signal. It's being broadcast by a Quintesson Journal. It's soon a Get-the-Journal-at-All-Costs party, with even the Quintessons playing the game!
The fate of two planets depend on whoever gets this Journal...

Mission Report:
Oh man, this episode needs work! While it didn't completely bomb the place (though there was an explosion at the end), it had problems. A lot of unexplained stuff happened, like Warp Gates that appeared and disappeared without explanation, and Autobots magically aboard Sky Lynx though they should have never been able to get on.
And the story wasn't the best for enjoyment. It did show a clear moral, however: when there's a war, no one really wins. But even that had an extra bit, and I'm not sure how true it is (as far as this goes, of course. Who believes that Transformers are real in the slightest?).
This was definitely not the best of episodes.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Ultimate Weapon

Episode Name: The Ultimate Weapon
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
During a Decepticon diversion, Swindle manages to steal Metroplex's transformation cog, leaving him stuck in City Mode. First Aid, a pacifist who failed to stop Swindle due to his beliefs, leaves the Autobots, feeling miserable. Now Trypticon is heading for the helpless Metroplex. It doesn't help that Rodimus is having doubts about his leaderships abilities.
And to make things worse, even if the Autobots thwart Galvatron's new plot, he claims to have an ultimate weapon...

Mission Report:
This story needs some tweaking. It had a few glitches, all centered around Metroplex and his transformation cog. They made the cog look different than what it looked like in the 5-parter (not the big glitch, since it could just be art styles). And they say that First Aid is the only one who can insert the cog right, but in the same 5-parter mentioned above (The Five Faces of Darkness), there was a different Autobot who could do the same! Yeesh, they like forgetting story details!
But, other than that, the story was well done. The same moral was learned in two different ways; that was cool.
It's not my fave, but this was a well-done episode.

Nightmare Planet

Episode Name: Nightmare Planet
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
After giving Daniel advice on how to deal with nightmares, Rodimus Prime joins Springer and Ultra Magnus on an odd and previously unknown planet to check out an electro-magnetic disturbance. They meet up with the Predacons there, but all Cybertronians soon find out that this is the oddest planet in existence... it is basically an existing nightmare! This is due to the Quintessons, who have kidnapped Daniel and is using a machine to make his nightmares reality.
Will the nightmares of their friend be the thing that destroys the Autobots (and the Decepticons) once and for all?

Mission Report:
Aw man, one good show after the other! The story was wonderfully done, and it was enjoyable. The only flaw was more of personal taste. I would have liked to see how Springer, the princess, and Razorclaw got out of their cell, but the story was good even with that wish. (It was also fun hearing Rodimus cheering on a giant version of himself).
This is one of the top episodes of the Season.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The Dweller In The Depths

Episode Name: The Dweller In The Depths
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
The Autobots have made a new power core, but it attracts the Quintessons. The evil five-face aliens don't like it, and they have a new plan for destroying the Transformer race. They trick Galvatron and his Decepticons into entering Cybertron's deepest depths, and releasing a monsters from even before Autobots and Decepticons lived on Cybertron--the Trans-Organics!
But the Decepticons also do the Quintesson's real purpose: they release the ultimate Trans-Organic, a giant energy leech! Whatever the leech drains also becomes an energy vampire. This causes problems for the Autobots who followed the Decepticons into the Depths as well.
But will it be the problem that destroys the Cybertronians once and for all...?

Mission Report:
This is another one of the best episodes. There were a few forgotten things, but the story was good otherwise. It also includes one of my favorite scenes, where Wreck-Gar yells, "YO JOE!" while rescuing his friend.
This is one of my fave shows.

Ghost In The Machine

Episode Name: Ghost In The Machine
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
After possessing Scourge and a failed assassination attempt on Galvatron, Starscream’s ghost heads for Unicron’s head, hoping to get a new body. He forces Scourge to help out. After reactivating Unicron, they discover that Unicron wants them to perform three labors as payment for the body. The Three Labors cause havoc for both Autobot and Decepticon…
But will the true havoc come when all three Labors are completed?

Mission Report:
Starscream’s final performance… not my favorite memo, but I still highly liked this episode.
There were some story problems… for example, what was special about Scourge? Part of what made the episode so fun was that, while Starscream possessed his body, Scourge still had his mind and was fighting Starscream on and off. But every other Decepticon Starscream took over was taken over completely, and never remembered the experience. That means that either Scourge had a stronger will than the other Decepticons, or that was some sort of story glitch.
We did find out what happens when Starscream tries to possess an Autobot… KA-BOOM!
Therefore, the story forgot to explain some things. But it was otherwise good, and it was enjoyable. It’s one of my favorite-want-to-watch-every-time-I-go-through-The-Transformers episodes!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Webworld

Episode Name: Webworld
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Five Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
During a mission, the Decepticons meet the Autobots. But, due to Galvatron’s insaneness, not only does he beat up his own Decepticons, but the Autobots get away! Cyclonus discovers on Char that his fellow Decepticons are getting fed up with Galvatron’s craziness, and they want something done about it, or two certain heads will roll. The Quintessons them come to Cyclonus alone, and informs him of the planet Tarqulon (sp?), where mind-problems are supposed to be cured.
Cyclonus tricks Galvatron into coming to Tarqulon, hoping to find a cure for his leader. But you should never truly trust a Quintesson unless the Quintesson's own life is at stake. And Cyclonus is going to learn that painful lesson… but will it be at the cost of his beloved leader?

Mission Report:
This is one of my favorite episodes (I need a new phrase for this). It’s taken from the Decepticon side of the story, and shows everyone a commonly-forgotten fact: even bad guys have feelings and lives too! It made the story enjoyable, and the story was just well-done in general.
It also makes you pity Galvatron a bit. The poor guy’s mind is so damaged that he can’t even truly recognize when he’s got a loyal and true friend/soldier by his side… Cyclonus! Getting you to do that can be pretty tricky.
I think this was the episode that brought me Cyclonus as a favorite Decepticon as well. He’s just so loyal, even when his boss is a nutjob! Now, Galv’s a favorite too, but Cyclonus’s loyalty is what gave him first place on my Top Ten Decepticons of Seasons 3&4 List.
Oh, and Soundwave’s back in this one too! (lol!)
This show… err… this episode is one of my all-time highs!*

*The show too, but I was trying to get a new phrase that didn’t work out so well. :)

Where And When

Episode Name: Where And When
Series: Warehouse 13, Season 2
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Myka and Pete use Helena's mind-time-machine to go back to 1961. They're going to find an artifact that turns its victims, which have been all women, to glass. But the clock's ticking on both them and the victims of the artifact...

Mission Report:
Not my favorite Warehouse 13. It was an only average episode, which is pretty rare for this series. It was fun seeing them work four decades ago (the Warehouse used to have a lot of people working in it!), and I can definitely say that Pete doesn't belong there (lol!).
I also liked where they fixed the machine... they get you prepped... and then they hit it! HAH! Favorite scene in the whole episode!
This wasn't a wonder-show, but at least I could say that it didn't stink totally.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Fight Or Flee

Episode Name: Fight Or Flee
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
After being ambushed by the Aerialbots, Cyclonus and Scourge escape through a votex, and discover the peaceful planet of Paratron. The Autobot Sandstrom knows soon enough that these visitors are bad news, but can't convince his non-hostile Paratronian neighbors otherwise. Then it becomes too late... Galvatron comes and enslaves the people of Paratron.
Sandstorm manages to escape and get help, but will it be enough...?

Mission Report:
Not the best episode. The story wasn't terrible, though I'm sure they skipped a part somewhere, and the ending wasn't great. I mean... the Autobots blew up a planet! So not Autobot, though it does show a true fact: no side is truly white or black, only shades of gray. But seeing it wasn't great...
And these was one of those episodes clearly not in chronological order. This is the episode where we meet Sandstorm, who is Octane's buddy in Starscream's Ghost, and he joins the Autobots we know (and hear his name for the first time).
It was an iffy, not-one-or-the-other, episode, but not my favorite, due to personal tastes.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Carnage In C-Minor

Episode Name: Carnage In C-Minor
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
After the Autobots stop the Decepticons from driving a comet into Metroplex, the comet heads for a small, inhabited planet. The Autobots try to save the planet, but Decepticons, led by Galvatron, meets them off there. But the battle is interrupted when everyone is attacked by a harmonic weapon, and the comet is destroyed. Everyone else crashes on the nearby planet.
The culture on the planet is based on music. The music also got some powers. Galvatron brings Soundwave to get the powerful harmonic weapon. Ultra Magnus, Blaster, and Broadside go to help. Three people of the planet, Basso Brofando (sp?), Sea-Bop Scandava (sp?), and Elegra (sp?) know the Three Secrets of the harmony. It soon becomes a search for the three people of this planet.
But if Galvatron gets a hold of the completed Harmony, things will get bad not only for the people of the planet, but for the Autobots...

Mission Report:
This is another one of my favorites. It had a good story (though there were a few unexplained things in the middle), and let's face it, it's a music show (though not a musical)! I like music, and this episode still had a good story.
This episode is one of my favorite episodes.

Madman's Paradise

Episode Name: Madman's Paradise
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Daniel and Grimlock leave a party to take a break, but instead find an ancient portal. Of course, they end up taking a trip to another Dimension. This is a Dimension of magic, called Menonia(sp?). There they get caught up in a war, but Daniel soon finds out that they are on the wrong side...
And then more Autobots come along, and see Grimlock fighting for the Red Wizard, who is the bad guy. But no one knows that...

Mission Report:
I'm not that big of a Quintesson-story fan, but this wasn't bad. Not my favorite, but the story was very well-done, and seeing sci-fi characters in a magic settings was pretty cool. And Carlee's back in action in this one!
This was a pretty good episode.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Surprise Party

Episode Name: Surprise Party
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
It's Daniel Witwicky's, son of Spike and Carlee, birthday, and everyone's celebrating with a surprise party. But the Decepticons interrupt by a surpirse ambush.
A heroic action done by Ultra Magnus sets off in motion a plan in Daniel and his friend's, the Autobot boy Wheelie, heads: to throw Ultra Magnus a surprise birthday party! But to do so, they need to know when his birthday is.
But things are due to go wrong, especially when Cyclonus is set to investigate the duo's activities...

Mission Report:
One of my favorites (I think there's a trend going on here, but not sure what...). The story was good, though there were a few mistakes... like they made Wheelie had two lights! First there's one in his head, and then later they have him activate it in his knee. I wish they would make up their minds where these things go.
But the story was very good otherwise. The kids were doing something very good and likable. Then there's a clever scene I like, but I can't quite explain it in words... where the Autobot librarian was saying something, and then they switch to Cyclonus saying the last thing, finishing it off. Sorry if that was confusing, but that was my best.
This is one of my favorite shows.

Forever Is A Long Time Coming

Episode Name: Forever Is A Long Time Coming
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When an Autobot party goes to investigate mysterious energy readings, they discover a Quintesson plot. But while the attack drives the Quins (as I like to call the Quintessons sometimes) away, a group of Autobots are stuck in the past, when the Autobot Rebellion is going on, Prospector is hurt, and both Autobots and Quintessons are trying to stop the destruction of the universe in the present time.
How "timely"...

Mission Report:
Not my favorite episode. The story wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best for enjoyability. I did enjoy the lore, and seeing how the "modern" Autobots affected that lore, but this wasn't my favorite episode.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Thief In The Night

Episode Name: Thief In The Night
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1986), Season 3
Rating: Three and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Trypticon has gone missing, beyond Autobot sight. He is in the African country of Carbomya, where Octane has tricked him to coming. Octane wishes to use Trypticon for his plans of taking over the Decepticons. But when the ruler of Carbomya threatens to kick the two Decepticons out, Octane knows he's going to have to pay a rent...
Trypticon starts stealing famous buildings from all over the world in the night, but without leaving a trace. The Autobots try and solve this mystery, but things are getting worse all the time...

Mission Report:
Not one of my favorites, but it wasn't bad either. The story wasn't too bad, though there were some glitches. For one thing, it was so obvious that Trypticon was the thief! He's the only dino big enough to steal those monuments! Yet the Autobots had to figure out tracing Energon Cubes left behind at the Fort Knox scene to figure it out! Yeesh! And then when, using Grimlock's words, "Whole Earth think Autobots building-snatchers!"... that was not a fave moment, though I liked how even the simple Grimlock saw that.
This show also includes an amusing Trypticon line I like. Octane is trying to get Galvatron to drink the Super-Energon Cubes (G's the one to call them "Super-Energon"), Trypticon encourages him to by saying, "Drink! Drink... and crush!" I don't know why, but the "crush" part is amusing. You've got to remember that Trypticon is basically a giant simple Decepti-Dino.
Anyway, this is not one of my favorite episodes, but it wasn't too bad either.

Added Note:
This episode starts a trend that annoys me. It turns out that Season 3 is not in chronological order! Most episodes it doesn't matter, but this is one of a couple where it's pretty clear that these stories are not in order. During the last two Seasons, they were, or it just didn't need to be, but not so much during this one. This is actually the episode where we see why Galvatron is hunting Octane in Starscream's Ghost. There are a few more episodes like this. Most of the time, the fact that these don't need to be in chronological order (though all are after the five-parter) is very clear, but it stills annoys me to know this fact.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Starscream's Ghost

Episode Name: Starscream's Ghost
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 3
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Galvatron is seeking the traitor Octane... to destroy him! Octane runs to the Autobots for help, first to Autobot City, and then to Cybertron. He befriends the Autobot Sandstorm, who helps him to Cybertron.
But when a Decepticon ambush forces Octane to hide in the Crypt, the Decepticon tomb, he makes the next Transformers paranormal discovery... Starscream is now a ghost, and he's ready to kick Galvatron's butt!

Mission Review:
STARSCREAM'S BACK!!!
Apparently, I deal with DeceptiGhosts better than AutoZombies (lol!). But my favorite Decepticon's back, and I'm not caring which form! This Starscream is the one we see in Starscream's Brigade, as in the brave (though still slightly stupid) one!
I'm so sorry... I got a little carried away. The story here still wasn't bad. The only story glitches were minor (like they never mentioned Sandstorm's name... I knew it because I'm re-watching these, and remembered a show where he pops up and the name is mentioned). Otherwise, the story was very good.
This episode is one of my favorite ones(DUH!).

Dark Awakening

Episode Name: Dark Awakening
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 3
Rating: Two Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When Rodimus, Arcee, Ultra Magnus, Spike, and Daniel are chased by Decepticons into an Autobot tomb, they make a surprising discovery... Optimus Prime lives! But he is acting strange, especially when he opens fire on them, and then sends the tomb on a collision course with a nearby sun... with them trapped inside! The Autobots and humans escape, but they then find out that Optimus took the whole Autobot fleet Quintesson-hunting!
Something smells like a five-faced-fish...

Mission Report:
Mainly, it was the content of this story. We had an Optimus Prime robo-zombie under Quintesson control! I know, I know, I have a Forsaken character on W.O.W., but I still didn't like OptiZombie! His character stayed, luckily. But the show lost a bunch of Spaceships due to this fact. At the most, there were a few amusing lines I liked, but not much else.
Some of you might ask, "Okay, then why didn't this get one Spaceship?" Funny thing is, the story itself was very good! It was well-written, and well done. That's what earned it the extra Spaceship.
This was one of my least favorite episodes, but I tip my hat off to the writer.

Chaos

Episode Name: Chaos
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's) Season 3
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
The Decepticons have a new weapon. It uses a crystal type called Death Crystals as ammo... and these crystals can cut through anything! When they find out, Kup and a group of Autobots, including the Junkion Wreck-Gar, go to stop the Decepticons.
But to win the day, Kup is going to have to face a monster from his past... a monster named Chaos... the source of the Death Crystals...

Mission Report:
This one is another of my faves. The story was very good, except for a few glitches. The idea and the story was pretty well done, and I really enjoyed it. Kup facing his past and the monster of it was a very good idea.
But what's with the Predacons? I thought that they were the Quintessons', and now they're the Decepticons! Oh yeah, and then there's Goo... didn't Galvatron destroy that planet, or was the one in this episode a new one? Yeesh... make up your mind on this kind of stuff, guys, or at least tell us what's going on!
Otherwise, this is one of my fave shows.

The Killing Jar

Episode Name: The Killing Jar
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 3
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
A Quintesson scientist and his guard captures the Autobot Ultra Magnus, the Decepticon Cyclonus, the Junkion Wreck-Gar, and the human EDC (Earth Defense Command) officer Marissa Faireborne (sp?). The scientist wishes to experiment on them, but they get a boatload of trouble... or should I say a spaceship-load of troube (lol!)! First it's an electron storm, but then it's a black hole!
The unlikely gang may have to team up to save their skins...

Mission Report:
This is another of my favorites. The story was well-done, except for some minor glitches. It was enjoyable, but I've told you before that I like team-ups.
It also points out an interesting point. Cyclonus and Ultra Magnus are peas in a pod (even the Quintesson said so!), yet the war keeps these two apart. This is probably the only episode where we see them team up (as well as everyone else). Seriously, it's kind of sad! It's a bitter point about war: two guys who could be best friends are mortal enemies. That was a well-shown moral, and it goes to the rest of the galaxy in this episode.
This was a well-done episode, and I enjoyed it.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Vendetta

Episode Name: Vendetta
Series: Warehouse 13, Season 2
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
More trouble comes from Artie's past! A Russian killer is on the loose, and he's using artifacts from Artie's past. Artie, Myka, and Pete are trying desperately to find him, and stop him. Helena G. Wells joins them in the hunt. But will the killer get Artie? Meanwhile, Claudia discovers that there's a mystery behind her ex-boyfriend Todd.

Mission Report:
This was a very good show on both sides. The stories were well-done, and put together well. It was kind of a disappointment that Dickson had to go, however. I know he didn't play a big part, but you feel a small connection to him.
It's also a good episode for a series. This once again deals with Helena. We discover the reason she was bronzed, and she rejoins the Warehouse. But Artie doesn't trust her, though everyone else does. I'm in with the rest of the gang, but I can't quite forget where the ending of first episode of Season 2 (Time Will Tell) left off, with her making that picture we could, yet couldn't, see. And what's with her ring? Did we all forget that? Does it do something, or is it harmless? You are sort of torn between trusting her, and wondering if something else is going on. It's perfect for keeping you in the series.
This was a very good episode. The story was very well-done in both sides, and it was enjoyable. And meeting Kassan(sp?), the "kind-of" boss of the Regents, was pretty cool as well.
This was a very good episode.

Monday, November 28, 2011

The Five Faces Of Darkness Parts 1-5

Episode Name: The Five Faces of Darkness Parts 1-5
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 3
Rating: Two and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Taking off in the future, 2005, and where the Transformers movie left off, Rodimus Prime is the new leader of the Autobots, Cybertron belongs to the Autobots again, Galvatron's gone, and the Decepticons suffer on the planet Char.
But when Spike and some Autobots are kidnapped, it becomes clear that there are more enemies in this universe than suspected. Meanwhile, Cyclonus works to revive the Decepticons by getting their leader, Galvatron, back.
But these new enemies are after all three species listed: Autobots, Decepticons, and humans! Will justice finally win the day, or are the Transformers doomed to die?

Mission Report:
Two words: PAINFULLY LONG!
Yes, it's got lore. Yes, we meet new characters, and see familiar faces. Yes, we see new planets.
But it's way too long! I was never a multi-parter girl anyway, but it was too long! It took five episodes to do this, but I feel like it could have been done in less episodes... at least only four (though less preferred)!
And there were multiple story glitches. For some they were clever, and you could blame it on Galvatron's new madness. But others weren't! For one, in this they say that the Quintessons are the creators of the Transformers. But there was no back-up story on the Matrix of Leadership... and they forgot all about Vector Sigma! What was the deal with that? To boot, there was another life created on Earth without this mega-computer! These folks really like to forget story details! And it's annoying... and then, since I'm re-watching this series, here's a question the creators also forgot: WHAT HAPPENED TO BLITZWING? We never see him again! One of the heroes of the last episode (funnily enough), and we never even find out what happened to him! YEESH!
The story wasn't total trash, but there were too many glitches to make it very good. The idea was good, but the real killer was that it was so long. So many story glitches didn't help this problem.
The bad news? You have to watch this to help know what the rest of the series is about, but it's no whoopee for me.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

B.O.T.

Episode Name: B.O.T.
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 2
Rating: Three and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
It begins when Swindle sells the parts of his fellow Combaticons. Megatron, wanting Bruticus, orders Swindle to reassemble the Combaticons, or be destroyed! He has a new plot which he needs Bruticus to perform.
But a trio of high-school kids entering a science contest get a hold of Brawn's personality component by accident. They build it into their contest entry: a robot called "B.O.T." But this robot goes insane!
If the Autobots save the day from B.O.T., will they still be able to save the world from Megatron?

Mission Report:
Another iffy one. The story was better than the last one, but it still wasn't the greatest. This episode was just okay. On the bright side... at least they didn't end Season 2 of The Transformers on a bad episode!

Aerial Assault

Episode Name: Aerial Assault
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 2
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
The Aerialbots are in the Middle East to discover why airplanes have been disappearing in the area. But after a Decepticon ambush, two Aerialbots stay behind at a hanger to see if they can catch the thieves. Bad news? They get captured, and have no help! And the Decepticons are working with the smugglers, whose boss (camed Ali) threw out a prince. The two Aerialbots, Slingshot and Skydive, get help from a local boy named Hassan(sp?), but will it be enough to stop the Decepticons this time?

Mission Report:
It's another one of those "not bad but not good either" shows. The story was okay, but not my favorite. It's an okay show.

The Revenge of Bruticus

Episode Name: The Revenge of Bruticus
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 2
Rating: Three and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Starting off where the last episode (Starscream's Brigade) left off, Starscream leaves the Combaticons on the asteroid. But the Combaticons manage to get to Cybertron, where they begin their plan of revenge. They take over Cybertron, and with the Spacebridge technology they send Earth on a crash-course with the sun!
It's going to take an unlikely team-up to stop the Combaticons (who can unite into Bruticus), but will it be enough?

Mission Report:
This wasn't the best of episodes, but not the worse. The story was okay. I really like any story that has the Autobots and Decepticons team up, even for a short time, but this wasn't the best. But, hey... it wasn't the worse either.
This episode was only okay.

Starscream's Brigade

Episode Name: Starscream's Brigade
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 2
Rating: Four and a Half Spotlights

Mission Briefing:
After another failed attempt to kill Megatron and take over the Decepticons, Starscream is exiled. But this time, the usually cowardly and partly-stupid Starscream is fighting back! He discovers the remains of vehicles from one of our wars*, and decides to make his own army. He steals the personality components of the Renegade Decepticons and installs them into the modified machines, creating the Combaticons!
The Autobots are brought into it somewhat when Starscream and the Combaticons take Jazz and Cliffjumper, but this episode's mainly about the Decepticons. Starscream is taking it all the way... but Megatron is not going to let his position be taken so easily!
Who will be the Decepticon Leader in the end?

Mission Report:
This episode is one of my all-time favorites. My favorite Decepticon finally stops being a chicken (for now), and takes it out all the way! It was an highly enjoyable episode, and it had a pretty good story. They even brought in the Autobots in a clever way!
But there was one major story flaw. In order to control the Combaticons, Starscream didn't install energy absorbers (think re-chargers) into them. They needed to capture five other Transformers to get the absorbers. In the end of the episode, all of them were charging up, though they only had 4 Transformers captured! Where did the last absorber come from? You might say "Starscream", but even he was charging up! So where did that last absorber come from?
Other than that, this was a very good episode, and I highly enjoyed it!

*I suspect one of the World Wars, but they never really said, and I'm no good with dates. I think they said in the intro-flashback that it was in the 1940's.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Kremzeek!

Episode Name: Kremzeek!
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 2
Rating: Five Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Megatron is devising a new plan... but what else is new? He's devising an energy magnet to steal energy. The new part is that he's making a distraction to keep the Autobots busy while he does it. He creates the creature called Kremzeek... a creature of pure energy!
Kremzeek causes total mayhem at Autobot Headquarters. The only Autobots to make it out intact are Optimus Prime, Blaster, Bumblebee, and Inferno (technically Omega Supreme too, but he's zapped later).
Then the Autobots have to chase Kremzeek to Japan, and stop him with the help of a human scientist. But how can you stop a creature of pure energy that overloads any circuitry? And what about Megatron's energy magnet?
Has Megatron won at long last?

Mission Report:
This episode is one of my all-time favorites. It had a pretty good story, and it was very enjoyable.
I like to call it the "Pokemon episode". I know that Pokemon was created about ten years after this episode came out, but still! I'm reminded of Pokemon in many ways when I watch Kremzeek do his thing.
Kremzeek! is one of my all-time favorite episodes. I say it's worth it... especially when you like Pokemon!

Cosmic Rust

Episode Name: Cosmic Rust
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 2
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When Megatron goes to the lost Autobot ghost-city on Antilla(sp?), he brings back a dangerous heat ray that's shaped like a lightning bug. He encounters some asteroid trouble on the way back (don't worry, that fact's important).
Meanwhile, the Autobot scientist Prospector has invented Corrostop, a chemical fights super-effectively against rust and corrosive elements. The Autobots plan to coat all the world's history monuments with Corrostop, but they start out with only enough for the Statue of Liberty.
But while Lady Liberty is being coated, Prospector is kidnapped by the Decepticons. It turns out that asteroid trouble has caused major trouble, because they were coated with germs for the rare deadly metallic plague called Cosmic Rust. Corrostop is the only known cure.
After Megatron tricks Prospector into curing him, he sets Prospector, now infected, against the Autobots. They get infected, and to make matters worse... there is no more of the secret chemical needed to make Corrostop!

Mission Report:
This is one of my favorite shows. The story was pretty good, and it's just an enjoyable show to watch. It was fun to watch Cybertronians get sick, especially Mr. "Macho-Tough-and-Rough-Evil-Pants" Megatron!
This is one of my fave episodes.

War Dawn

Episode Name: War Dawn
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 2
Rating: One and a Half Spaceship

Mission Briefing:
When Megatron builds the Cronosphere, he devises a plot to trap the Aerialbots and send them to the Beginning of Time... luckily, the Autobots manage to stop them. Unluckily, the Aerialbots have been thrown 9 million years into the past, when the war was just beginning. While the Aerialbots are learning both history and moral lessons and dealing with the dangers of the past, the Autobots are trying to save them. But Megatron has reprogrammed a broken Guardian robot (think Omega Supreme's cousin in a way), so things are getting troublesome...

Mission Report:
I detest this episode. I've always been a bit of a lore girl, wanting to find the back-story of all fictional worlds, so this episode was interesting in that sense (what earned it the half-spaceship). But, other than that, I just didn't enjoy the story. There were some flaws, and it just wasn't enjoyable. If it wasn't for the Transformers lore, it would have gotten only a single spaceship.
This is one of those I detest. Yes, whoopee that there's a Transformers episode that I hate, but I would go against suggesting this one.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Trans-Europe Express

Episode Name: Trans-Europe Express
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 2
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Megatron is once again playing treasure-hunter! This time, he's hunting for the Pearl of Bahudine(sp?) in Turkey, and that Pearl can grant him the power to rule and/or destroy the world!
Meanwhile, a group of seven Autobots have joined a major race: The Europa 2000! An American racer, the prideful, stuck-up Auggie Cahnay, is racing too. His car was made by a company named Simal(sp?) Tech, which Optimus Prime suspects makes technology so high-level, the Decepticons will start sniffing around.
The race is soon discovered to have a certain interest to the Decepticons after all. Then why else would Megatron send the Stunticons to mess things up?!? And where does the Pearl fit into this?

Mission Report:
This is one of my favorite episode, more because it's fun to watch. Megatron's actually calling on the help of humans like Professor Terranova and a Turkish sage (got through thick head: we're not useless or insignificant!)! Watching the Autobots race was fun too. The story wasn't terrible, though it could probably use a little tweaking.
In my opinion, this was a really good show. It's one of my faves!

Masquerade

Episode Name: Masquerade
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 2
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Megatron's got a new plan (who's surprised?), and he's got the Stunticons doing some machine-shopping... which means machine-stealing to them! The Autobots manage to capture the Stunticons, but they have to figure what Megatron's new plans are, and how to stop them. Optimus thinks up a clever plan... to disguise himself and a four other Autobots as the Stunticons!
But when the Stunticons, united as Metasaur, escaped... will the secret and Autobots stay safe?

Mission Report:
Okay... again, better than I want to admit. This story wasn't bad, but it doesn't make my favorite list. It was fun watching the Autobots play Stunticons... and the fake Metasaur trick was cool too, but where Optimus got the "faking-Stunticons" idea wasn't so delightful: a human mistaking Stunticons for Autobots. I don't blame the guy, but it's a little disturbing.
This episode was okay, but not one of my favorite storylines.

The Key To Vector Sigma, Parts 1-2

Episode Name: The Key To Vector Sigma, Parts 1-2*
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 2
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
After a failed attempt to steal super-fuel, Megatron decides to make his own set of wheeled bots... the Stunticons! But in order to give them life, he needs to go to the core of Cybertron, and find the mega-computer that gave all Cybertronians life... Vector Sigma! He steals the Key to Vector Sigma from Alpha Trion, and heads for the core.
The Autobots learn of his plot, and head to Cybertron themselves. With the help of Optimus Prime's creator/father, Alpha Trion, they find Vector Sigma themselves... but too late! Vector Sigma has given life to the Stunticons. But Optimus makes a counter-move... the creation of the Aerialbots! But they learn that the Key of Vector Sigma has different powers on Earth... ones that can destroy the Earth!
And when Megtaron finds out, he won't flinch from using them...

Mission Report:
These episodes are better than I like to admit. The story was very good and well-written. But it messes up some story details that they put earlier in the series... they've had bots that were born on Earth (like the Dinobots), but Vector Sigma wasn't around (technically, the Constructicons were supposedly made on Earth too, but I'll complain about that on the The Secret of Omega Supreme review when I write it later). Yet, in this story, they say the only way for living Cybertronians to be born is with the help of Vector Sigma! Very annoying! It's never a good idea to mess up story lines you put earlier in the series.
But, other than that, the story was very good. We see the first version of the Allspark: Vector Sigma. We also see the Key of Vector Sigma, which is similar in appearance to Sari's Allspark Key in the Transformers Animated series. That was very interesting.
This multi-part show was pretty good over all.

*Since multi-part shows are really one story divided over more than one episode, I'll be doing the reviews over all of the multi-part episodes of the story at one time.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Hoist Goes Hollywood

Episode Name: Hoist Goes Hollywood
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 2
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When Hoist rescues two stunt actors for a movie film, he's then included in the cast of an action movie. Before long, Sunstreaker, Tracks, Powerglide, and Warpath catch movie madness as well.
But when a Decepticon mission goes wrong, Megatron and the Decepticons are suddenly tracking down a negative film that reveals their newest plan... to use a device stolen from Wheeljack's lab on Cybertron! Spike and Carlee are soon caught up in this. Will things turn out okay...
Or will the day at the movies kill them all?

Mission Report:
Yeah, I know. The first Transformers episode on this blog that didn't get four spaceships or higher, right? Well, as much as I like the series, there's some episodes I detest, and others that are neither good or bad.
This episode was the latter. It was the story. The idea and location were pretty good, but the story just wasn't great. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. Watching something happening at the movies was pretty cool, and some of the stuff that happened because of that was cool too, but the story needs tweaking.
This episode was just okay.

Sea Change

Episode Name: Sea Change
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 2
Rating: Five Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When the Autobots pick up a mysterious distress signal, Cosmos, Prospector, Bumblebee, and Seaspray go to deep space to investigate. But they discover that the SOS was really a Decepticon signal. They have taken over and enslaved the planet's inhabitants,and are now having trouble with a rebellion.
The Autobots join the rebellion, and meet Alanna (sp?*), and Seaspray falls in love. But the rebels aren't the only ones to get back-up from Cybertronians... Megatron and a group of Decepticons have come to help the Decepticon computer Deceptitran and his droids. The natives of this planet can transform into different forms thanks to their Well of Transformation, but will it be enough to earn this planet's freedom?

Mission Report:
This was a great show. The story was wonderfully done, even with the romance element. In fact, that element made it better! This show is one of my all-time favorites!

*Don't know if that's how it's spelled on the show

Triple Takeover

Episode Name: Triple Takeover
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1985), Season 2
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
It's Traitor Day, and Astrotrain, Blitzwing, and Starscream are the ones creating and celebrating it! These three make a plan to overthrow Megatron and take over the Decepticons. Megatron falls for the trap, but the luring-guy, Starscream, gets caught as well, leaving leadership of the 'Cons divided between the triple changers. But their different rules and campaigns are causing trouble for the city... Will everyone make it out okay?

Mission Report:
This is one of my favorite episodes... more because it's very amusing. There are some story flaws, and places where the story wasn't enjoyable (therefore, lost a Spaceship). It's best to look at this episode as amusing.
For one thing, it was fun to watch Blitzwing misinterpret the football coach's advice, and turn it into something bad. Like the major maze that was a "zone defense", or his laser-bomb idea that came from "long bomb". And his keeping track of his "game's" score on the football scoreboard was kind of amusing.
It was just funny to watch Astrotrain try to lead. All his attempts ended up pretty much in failure! And then Starscream's whining "I'm stupid! I'm stupid..." Hah! That was fun!
And then we actually see a good part to Megatron. Because it was better for the whole Decepticon cause, Megatron was willing to let the three traitors off with a warning (which we all know that all but Starscream listened to). It's odd to see forgiveness in a bad guy, but it's nice to see it there all the same.
So when you watch this episode, it's best to watch it for the amusing parts, and just enjoy the triple-changers' failed plans and the Autobots saving the day from the side-effects of their short rule.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The Girl Who Loved Powerglide

Episode Name: The Girl Who Loved Powerglide
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 2
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When the Decepticons try to capture the owner of High Tech Industries, Astoria Ritz, it's Powerglide to the rescue! But Megatron isn't going to let go of Astoria whatever the cost, and no one knows the reason why. Feelings are popping up between Astoria and Powerglide during the whole deal, making this situation more complicated between the two.
What does Megatron want, and what will happen if he gets it... and what will happen to Powerglide along the way?

Mission Report:
Binga-banga-boom! The Transformers were on a roll with these episodes! No wonder they're still famous today!
But back to the reviewing part. This was a very good show. It did show Astoria doing some stuff that shouldn't have been possible, though... in one scene, she jumped too high, and in another near the end, she threw a necklace very high... from what I'm guessing was at least half a mile high, most likely higher! Now, either Astoria is an athlete and they forgot to mention it, or it's some big story glitch.
But the rest of the episode was very good. The love relationship between the slightly-spoiled, more teen-like Astoria, and the more self-absorbed and, using Astoria's words, "Mr. Macho" Powerglide was fun. This episode also had one of my favorite Megatron lines, where says after the air-platform falls onto his Base, "Your new orders are... um... erg... clean up this mess!" That's funny, especially when you see it!
The story was very good and enjoyable. I really like this episode too!

Prime Target

Episode Name: Prime Target
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 2
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
This time, it's not Decepticons Autobots have to worry about! It all starts out when big game hunter Lord Chumly (sp?) steals a Russian jet, and a war becomes close at hand. But Chumly and his butler Dimsmore (sp?) turn their sights on a new trophy... Optimus Prime's head! They kidnap many of the Autobots, and put them in dangerous positions. Chumly offers Optimus a deal where the Autobot leader has to try and save them, while avoiding Chumly's traps.
But things get worse when Megatron sends Astrotrain and Blitzwing to try and make a deal with Chumly...

Mission Report:
One good episode after another! This one had a very good story. We see Optimus Prime lose his temper in his calm way. He goes and rescues his bots on his own, and yet manages to keep part of his temper down when he finally gets Chumly. And he saves the world from war to boot! Nice! It was a little rushed at the end... Optimus Prime saves his friends a little too fast for reason.
Other than that, this was a very good episode.

Merge With Caution

Episode Name: Merge With Caution
Series: Warehouse 13, Season 2
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
It's the weekend for the Warehouse agents, and Myka and Pete have just wrapped up a mission. All they want is a normal weekend. Pete plans to hang out with his vet girlfriend, and Myka heads for her high school reunion. Meanwhile, Claudia and Artie are off to find an artifact themselves.
But things get troublesome when the artifact that Pete and Myka got on the last mission start effecting them... by switching their bodies! And on the computer whizzes' side, Artie falls under the power of an artifact himself! It's Artifact Ruling Weekend! Will the agents beat the artifacts this time around?

Mission Report:
This was a very good show. The actors who play Pete and Myka are pretty good... they played their opposite character very nicely! The story there was very good and fun to watch. And Myka's got a crush...! Bet no one saw that coming.
The Artie-Claudia side of the episode wasn't as good, however. The story just wasn't as enjoyable as the other side. It wasn't terrible, but not my favorite part of the episode.
Still, overall, I enjoyed this episode a good deal.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Auto-Bop

Episode Name: Auto-Bop
Series: The Transformers (classic, 1980's), Season 2
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
When Rowel and his two friends try to put on show in front of the new, popular night club--the Dancitron--they're almost beat up by a gang hired by the Dancitron folks. The Autobots Blaster and Tracks come to their rescue, and discover an odd mystery. People that don't hang together are, and those odd groupings are in the Dancitron as well! To top it off, more odd groupings are building a building... at one o' clock in the morning! Turns out the Decepticons are behind the Dancitron, but will Rowel and the Autobots find out what the plot is this time?

Mission Report:
This is one of my favorite episodes. It had good music (hey, nightclub and Blaster!), and a pretty good story. The Decepticons are actually using the humans with hypno-affects. Hey, we're not useless insignificant things like they say, and this is one of those episodes where it gets through Megatron's thick head! It was fun to watch Rowel's and Tracks's relationship play again. Those two are good friends, even I can tell through their bickering!
There was only one thing that kept this episode from getting five ships. The purpose of the building was never explained. Was it to hide a Spacebridge? Or was it a bigger Dancitron? Was it a new Decepticon Headquarters? It was just never explained. It's not a good idea to leave that kind of thing hanging and never explain it.
Other than that, it's a very good episode, and it's one of my faves.

Quick Note About Some Reviews

On a few series I'll be reviewing... like Warehouse 13 and the 1980's Transformers... I'm in the middle of watching/re-watching. I'll be starting from where I am now. I'll try to remember to put which seasons they're in to help.
Current series:
The classic 1980's Transformers series: Season 2
Warehouse 13: Season 2

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Prepare For Blast-Off!

Astronauts, buckle up! We'll be blasting off for Ellie's Sci-Fi World after a word from Mission Control...
This review blog covers sci-fi, AKA science fiction, TV shows. This covers both sci-fi that happens on Earth and other planets, and ones that cover both (like the 1980's Transformers). It's based on a five-spaceship system. One Spaceship won't get you there, meaning the worst score. Five Spaceships will get you to your destination without a problem (best possible).
The Mission Briefings are the summaries, and the Mission Reports are the reviews.
Thank you for coming to this ride. Prepare for blast-off...
Ten... Nine... Eight... Seven... Six... Five... Four...
Three...
Two...
One...
BLAST OFF!
Next destination: Ellie's Sci-Fi World!