Transformers: EarthSpark Season 3

Breakdown breaking his word was unpleasant because it's the cliche. But Shockwave keeping HIS almost makes me forgive it. Shockwave is a total bastard so him trying to gain himself a little credibility as new leader of the Decepticons suggests he's planning something for the bigger picture, probably having to do with Cybertron. We'll see.

I love that the comic book cover is Transformers #4. The most infamous Transformers issue ever.

All right premiere. 3 stars.

Terrible. The show is not usually this bad. At least it shouldn't be. 1 star.

Not as bad as the previous episode but it suffers from the same problems: Using fantastical elements out of place in the Transformers franchise. It's not quite as annoying or cliche as the drive-in ep. But it's exactly as unlikely and cartoonish. 2 1/2 stars.

I REALLY liked the episode. And the thing is I liked it because I hated Prowl.

I don't hate Optimus Prime, but Prowl is bad for him. Optimus should be DEFENDING Megatron. This is not a case for a hedging, "Things have changed," it's turned into "I trust Megatron with my life and he has proven himself time and again." And didn't he by the end of the episode? Not just by rejecting Shockwave's tempting carrot, but also for correctly saying that saving Optimus is not leaving a soldier behind, which is the Autobot way. I love Megatron throwing in Optimus' face he is currently understanding the Autobot way while he is not.

I also love him vowing to protect the Maltos and Dot refusing to leave his side too. Whatever else happened in the past, Megatron's values are now rock-solid WHILE Optimus seems to be losing the point of the mission. It's a very interesting dynamic.

And a pretty great episode too. 4 stars.

I dislike The Original Series but there is no doubt in my mind the Hate Virus from "The Return Of Optimus Prime" was the best thing about it. It was unstoppable and indiscriminate and terrifying to me. It's really interesting this show had their own take on it. I haven't seen another Transformers project use it since.

I also love Optimus and Megatron talking out their problems at the end. Optimus is right that Megatron ought to stop questioning his orders in the field. But the truth is he's been making shaky calls not in the best interest of the team, and Megatron is right about not questioning authority leading to tyranny.

By the way, I was right Prowl's an asshole, but Alita-One and Arcee don't impress me much for also refusing to defend Megatron over his bullshit. Megatron's "This has been my home longer than yours," is really the only argument he needs.

I am glad Megatron questioned where the virus came from at the end. Really, it was so damaging it's unlikely to be a random act. And yeah, Quintessons are involved. Makes sense. Bastards. 4 stars.

Eh. It's a little bit problematic.

Don't get me wrong, it's a solid story, and Izzy has been acting suspiciously all season. But I feel bad vibes here.

I guess it's all the Maltos feeling the kiss. It's supposed to be funny, but what happens when Ravi and Mo become sexually active? The implications are gross not just because of the lack of privacy. But the idea of sexually exciting your sibling due to romantic encounters with somebody else is freaking gross.

A lot of times, I take a franchise not thinking through its potential long-term gross implications as a mark of naivete or even innocence. In 2024, writers ought to know better.

But really, the thing with Izzy, despite being a disappointment, is essentially the series following through with the most likely scenario. Goddammit, she was WAY too cool with her and Ravi's awful and embarrassing date a few episodes ago, while a real human girl would have stormed off and refused to ever speak to him again. Her asking specific questions about Autobot missions at the beginning of this episode was another huge red flag, and I saw which way the wind was blowing at that point.

A mixed bag for me. 3 stars.

The messaging is quite corny and sappy, but the show always has been, so I'll forgive it a little.

I love how gentle Megatron is with Twitch when she is injured. Megatron did especially well in the battle, and it felt rewarding for Prowl to tell him he appreciated him.

Did Terratronus just eject Nightshade and Mo via a snotrocket? That's what it looked like to me. Ick.

Weird Al back as Cosmos. Also didn't realize Claudia Black voiced Terratronus.

Speaking of voices, Eric Bauza is quite possibly the greatest voice actor in history. I never would have guessed he voiced Prowl because all of his voice performances sound different. Do you understand how rare that is? Even voice actors with dozens of characters who sound different, be it Mel Blanc or Seth MacFarlane each have a unique signature in the voice that makes you recognize the actor instantly. Bauza is amazing because he has no such signature. It's really uncanny actually.

Solid finale. 4 stars.