Monday, December 31, 2012

Armada

Episode Name: Armada
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 2
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
It's Traitor Day again! No one in the show looked up Triple Takeover*, but that ends up being the game! But there's more than that too...
Bulkhead is accidentally taken aboard the Nemesis after a checking-signal-out goes bad, but somehow stays undiscovered. Meanwhile, Starscream has found the Harvenger (sp?) again, and finds a lab with protoforms inside. Using these, he makes five clones of himself, which he sends off to kill Megatron.
Bulkhead wakes up aboard the Nemesis while the clones are about. He tries to contact his Base, which is unsuccessful, and instead unknowingly releases a signal which Airachnid picks up. Then Airachnid sends a bunch of her Insecticons after Megatron herself! The Autobots pick up the signals of the awakening troops, and go to stop Airachnid.
This "Traitor Day" will end up being more of a "Chaos Day"... and will everyone get out of the chaos alive?!?

Mission Report:
This was actually a very good show. It was very enjoyable, and somewhat amusing in some parts. There were some awkward parts and glitches which cost the show a half-Spaceship (for example: how did Bulkhead managed to stay undiscovered for so long?). However, it was a mostly enjoyable show.
All in all, this was a very good and enjoyable episode.

*The Transformers (1980's series [Gen-1], Season 2)

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Grill

Episode Name: Grill
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 2
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
It's the aftermath of Nemesis Prime, and Special Agent William Fowler's boss, General Bryce, has called for a meeting (which is being filmed by Private Dixon). He wants a summary of the whole Autobot-Decepticon thing... and different stuff. But Fowler's job is also at stake...
...and the whole mission of Team Prime!!!

Mission Report:
There's not much for story in this one. However, there is a good mini-story that was running throughout that was pretty good (and funny at the end).
This was basically a summary of the whole series up to this point. It sums up a ton of stuff, like who's who (mostly), and some different stuff. However, it was a well-done summary episode... with many good scenes to go with their point (though there were some I feel like could have been done better, with different scenes, and there was one point where I feel felt they could have spend up [the scene between the face-off-and-Jack's choice in Rock Bottom, where Megatron is stuck]). And the mini-story going through the whole thing was good and well-done. I feel like, however, this is a good episode for someone just jumping into the series... a very good summary episode!
Now, it wasn't the most enjoyable. There were some points I was a little bored. But mostly not... it was very well-done episode, especially one meant for a summary!
Oh, and there's actually a classic reference... again, this might just be coincedence (sp?), but it's highly interesting anyway. The dude who was filming Fowler and Bryce (cool to see him for the first time) was named Private Dixon. There's a side-character by that exact name and rank in Thief In The Night*, at the scene where it was discovered that Fort Knox was gone! That name-reference/coincedence (sp?) was very cool!
So, all in all, this was a very good summary/for-new-people episode!

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Nemesis Prime

Episode Name: Nemesis Prime
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 2
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
There's a fake Optimus Prime about! First Fowler is almost driven off the road by a Prime-almost-look-alike, and then the same "Prime" attacks a military base! The only government to get any of this is Agent Fowler, who was within the sight of the real Prime during the base attack!
What's the explanation? MECH! They have finally built a Transformer, and Silas is in remote-control of the fake Prime (dubbed "Nemesis Prime", first by Miko then everyone else). The Autobots have an obvious problem... especially since the government is now gunning for them!!!
Will the day end okay?

Mission Report:
Now, not in the least bit confusing. Not like the last episode! But it had its glitches. Like, how where they able to make Prime's face on Nemesis? And how come no one noticed the different colors on Nemesis? How did the Autobots and others know it was MECH who made Nemesis? Oh, and how did MECH get Silas out of the mess? Did people get killed in the military base attack (most likely... Silas had up-close-and-personal aim, though luckily nothing was seen thanks to the "comercial [sp?] break black-out" they put where the comercial [sp?] break in DVDs... smart move for putting a comercial [sp?] there, folks!). At least they noticed the remote-controlling bit. At least that detail wasn't missed!!!
And I knew it was MECH for a bit before the Autobots, though they still knew too fast. Not exactly good in this case, since it caused more annoyance than suspense! In fact, the sudden knowing killed any suspense in that scene. Not good!
We got some back-story... okay, minimal back-story, but it was still interesting otherwise! And it was cool seeing Nemesis Prime take a martial arts stance during the Prime VS Prime battle, even if it was only for a few seconds.
And it wasn't the most enjoyable. And the story needs tweaking, though it didn't totally stink. It wasn't bad... just not great either. And I sense an Autobot Spike*-like episode coming on eventually, thanks to the ending of that episode... I may be wrong, but that was the impression I got.
All in all, this is only an average show.

*The Transformers, Season 2, the Gen-1 (1980's) series

Friday, December 28, 2012

Crossfire

Episode Name: Crossfire
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 2
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Megatron has had enough of Airachnid's treachery! He orders her death... to be accomplished by Breakdown and Dreadwing. However, it is a failed attempt, and Breakdown dies in the effort (and body is promptly stolen by MECH, but minor fact to the story). So Airachnid runs off, injured, but finds an Insecticon! With the help of Starscream, she makes a plan to kill Megatron.
But Starscream manages to get away when Airachnid tries to get her bug-bot to kill him. He sends the Autobots after her. And Megatron goes after Airachnid when she sends a challenge ("invitation" in Airachnid's words).
Things are going to get complicated...

Mission Report:
...if they weren't already!!! This episode was confusing. I was never sure on the why and what-the-heck-was-going-on! It does bring up an interesting mystery... how did the Insecticons get on Earth, and why?!? That will be interesting to see what happens and how the mystery is confirmed.
It's nice to see a classic in effect again. Now, we saw an Insecticon in Orion Pax Parts 1-3, but I thought it was only for that time. But it's nice to see them to be coming back again.
And to keep the good things going, I kind of liked the battle between Megatron and Insecticon. It was kind of fun to see those two keep each others' hinny (sp?; though it was admittedly weird). And it's nice to see that Optimus isn't the only one who can give Megatron an even battle.
And it was cool seeing Airachnid's new power. It reminded me of Blackarachnia in Transformers Animated... specifically, the episode Black Friday. Airachnid's controlling the Insecticon reminded me of Blackarachnia controlling the Dinobots, though the situations and ways were different. It was still interesting though.
But the episode was confusing! I was having trouble keeping up, and I wasn't always sure what the heck was going on. And I thought that MECH was going to have a bigger part (though I'm not totally disappointed that they didn't). It's annoying that the "promise" was made, but never acted upon, except for explaining a minor detail (though I will give them points for that!). And I'm not so happy that Breakdown is gone. I know it's war, and people die in wars, but I'll miss him a little.
But the main problem is that the episode was confusing! Now this is an episode that needs work on the story! Now, it had its good bits (it still got 3 Spaceships, after all) and some parts weren't so confusing. But it was confusing, and had its glitches. It only scored 3 Spaceships in enjoyment.
All in all, this was only an okay show that needs work on its storyline.

Loose Cannons

Episode Name: Loose Cannons
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 2
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Wheeljack's back! But there's a new Decepticon along this time too... Skyquake's twin, Dreadwing! And I don't just mean their almost-identical looks, morals, and devout loyalty to Megatron! Dreadwing's Skyquake's twin bro... and he wants revenge for his brother's death!!!
Wheeljack, unluckily, is a loose cannon, and gets in trouble because the Autobots have to be Robots In Disguise. And he's not so hot about Optimus or taking orders either. And he wants revenge too... Dreadwing killed a different Wrecker named Seaspray right near Wheeljack, and the living Wrecker wants vengeance!
A battle is coming... against the orders of both Optimus Prime and Megatron. Bulkhead is brought into the mix. And Optimus will end up tagging along...
Will everyone survive the day?

Mission Report:
Nice to have Wheeljack back! And it's also nice to hear yet another classic reference... Seaspray! Too bad he's dead, though... and Dreadwing is a nice touch. It puts a nice "Skyquake" into the mix without having Skyquake.
The story was pretty good. It was enjoyable. And it was pretty well-done... though some of the Wheeljack moments had me confused. It mixed up what I had learned about him as a character. I learned some more, but it was still confusing. And the nice tibbit of lore (the data on what the Wreckers were) was a nice touch!
However, there were glitches. Like Dreadwing's statement at the end. Megatron looked a little confused, and I'm with him! Maybe it was on purpose... but it was confusing all the same. And before that... why did Dreadwing decide to defuse the bomb in the end? Confusing, confusing, confusing... And there were a few others, but those are examples.
However, it was still an enjoyable episode. It was a good one for Wheeljack's return, and the implementing of Dreadwing. I just think it could have been done better in the story-writing, especially near the end.
All in all, this was an enjoyable episode. Welcome back, Wheeljack... hope the rest of your Earth-adventures are just as good, and maybe even better!

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Operation: Bumblebee, Parts 1-2

Episode Names: Operation: Bumblebee, Parts 1-2
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 2
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Megatron's using the data he tricked Orion Pax into getting! He's collecting very powerful weapons that were once hidden in the Iacon Vaults. Bumblebee actually successfully rescues one from the Decepticon's grasp at the beginning.
But then the Autobot speedster falls into a trap set by MECH. And they steal an important part of his bio-machinery: his T-Cog (what was previously known as a transformation cog in the Gen-1 [1980's] series), the organ which allows him to scan vehicles and then transform! (reveal later: allows weapon usage too)! And, since it's an organ (like Bumblebee's broken voicebox), the Autobots can't just build another one!!!
The Autobots begin a search for the T-Cog. Meanwhile, Bumblebee has to deal being stuck, Ratchet is plagued by issues from the past relating to Bumblebee, and all the while everyone has to deal with Megatron and his collection project. Oh, and to boot, Starscream has made an alliance with MECH, who seem to be trying to make their own Transformer!
Will everything turn out okay in the end...?

Mission Report:
The first MECH episodes that I have liked! That's a good thing!!!
Anyway, this was a good set of episodes. The story was actually well-done, though admittedly not the best. It was enjoyable, and had lots of jokes and funny situations! I like where Silas says, "Don't you ever not talk?", or something close, to Starscream, then walks off, and then Starscream continues talking to a MECH soldier (who promptly runs off to join his leader)! That was awesome!
And there were multiple classic references! Ratchet, in his interrupted-stasis-still-awakening-daze, mentions a Fuzor (Beast Wars)! And the rescued weapon in the beginning was a Spark Extractor, which is pretty much a modern and much-smaller version of a machine in the Beast Machine Transformers series (which I will not be reviewing)!
And I liked how the Decepticon element was twisted in! That was well-done, and made the episode enjoyable! It made the episode better! Way to go, guys!!!
And we got some lore! And back-stories! And some looks into different characters... especially somewhat of a view into Bumblebee, which it can be difficult when only Raf understands what he's saying
There were glitches. Like it wasn't instantly clear (though I got it after a minute) what Optimus meant by "That's not the only thing Ratchet fixed today.", right at the end. Though it was a well-done set of episodes... just had its share of glitches.
All in all, this is the first good and enjoyable set of MECH episodes that I've seen... and definitely the first I've actually liked!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Orion Pax Parts 1-3

Episodes Names: Orion Pax Parts 1-3
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 2
Rating: Four and a Half Guitars

Mission Briefing:
After the hoedown with Unicron, Optimus Prime once again became Orion Pax. Megatron has a new mission... to use Orion, as his new archivist (formally an Iacon archivist), to decrypt a bunch of encrypted files stolen from Iacon during the war.
Meanwhile, the Autobots are a bit out of sorts without Optimus. But their only hope is with Jack, the Key of Vector Sigma, and Vector Sigma itself. A few problems... Jack's bio-signature has been imprinted (since he was chosen by a Prime), only those chosen by Primes (or are Primes), can use Vector Sigma, and Vector Sigma is on Cybertron!!! And Orion is starting to wake up, despite Megatron's lies...
Will the day end up okay in the end?

Mission Report:
WOW!
Yep, that's what I got to say. WOW! Oh, and here's an altered quote from my blog...
OPTIMUS PRIME'S BACK!!!
Okay, to actual reviewing. I'm highly impressed with the special effects here. I mean, Insecticons, Vector Sigma, Cybertron, Optimus/Orion looking so... young. That was all just very well done!
And the story... wow! Excellent! Now, admittedly, there were some glitches here or there. One big one was the sudden lack of undead on Cybertron. However, I feel like that is a good glitch... I'm not a huge fan of zombies, despite my WOW Forsaken character.
Another glitch is the whole "Space Bridge Report" scene. Special Agent Fowler's "how are you" slip, though admittedly a bit amusing, shouldn't have rolled by so easily... though it was lucky it did. Still, something felt very off on that scene.
And they should not only make the passage of time clearer, but also they should be clearer on how much of Optimus's memories came back! It was annoying!
And there were uncomfy (sp?) moments... like when the Vehicon (purple Decepticon army dudes that are everywhere) guards were beating Orion up. And where human tanks blew... admittedly, Fowler said that there were injured, not dead, but here's another glitch... I would have actually liked to know if any humans were killed. That wasn't clear. And if they were dead, it's a moments that also goes into the extremely uncomfy (sp?) scenes.
But the rest was very good. I have to tip off my hat to this Megatron... his plan was almost as sneaky, smelly, and well-done as his 1980's counterpart in Megatron's Master Plan Parts 1-2. And many of the reactions in this show felt real... the characters shown pretty well (though Megatron [and Breakdown in the "Space Bridge Report" scene] was iffy in some moments). One thing rolled to another like it should, and things were shown later, and obvious conclusions happened like you expected, making them more enjoyable. And the suspense was in the right moments, and had me "yelling" at the right moments.
Oh man... I tip my hat off to the writers of this episode! They did an amazing job! Very amazing and well-done!
All in all, the second Season of Transformers Prime starts off very well with a set of very well-done episodes!!!