TF: Rescue Bots 18 Review

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Just humble bounty hunters, ma'am.


PREVIOUS REVIEWS

TRANSFORMERS PRIME SEASON 2 AND RESCUE BOTS SEASON 1 (DEVIANTART JOURNAL LINKS)
Links to my DA review of the respective shows.

TFP Episode 27 "Orion Pax: Part 1" Review
TFP Episode 28, "Orion Pax: Part 2" Review & TBR Episode 3 "Hotshots" Review
TFP Episode 29, "Orion Pax: Part 3" Review & TRB Episode 4, "Flobsters On Parade" Review
TFP Episode 30, "Operation Bumblebee, Part 1" Review & TRB Episode 5 "The Alien Invasion of Griffin Rock" Review
TFP Episode 31 Operation Bumblebee, Part 2" Review & TRB Episode 7 "Cody On Patrol" Review
TFP Episode 32 "Loose Cannons" Review
TFP Episode 33 "Crossfire" Review
TFP Episode 34 "Nemesis Prime" Review
TFP Episode 35, "Grill" Review & TRB Episode 8, "Four Bots and A Baby" Review
TFP Episode 36, "Armada" Review & TRB Episode 6, "Walk On The Wild Side" Review
TFP Episode 37, "Flying Mind" Review & TRB Episode 9, "Christmas In July" Review
TFP Episode 38, "Tunnel Vision" Review & TRB Episode 10, "Deep Trouble" Review
TFP Episode 39, "Triangulation" Review & TRB Episode 11, "Return of the Dinobot"
TRB Episode 12+13, "The Other Doctor" and "The Reign of Morocco"
TRP Episode 40, "Toxicity" Review
TRB Episode 14+15  "Small Blessings" and "The Griffin Rock Triangle"
TRB Episode 16+17 "Rules and Regulation" and "The Lost Bell"

:bulletred: So I found out via the TFWiki that Rescue Bots aired an episode early ("Walk on the Wild Side") so it would coincide with Earth Day. So that's actually Episode Six, "Cody on Patrol" is Episode 7 (which puts it in the "7th Episode Twist" trope),  and "Four Bots and a Baby" is Episode 8. I corrected journal entries to reflect that. I also corrected it for this particular episode list, though I'm not sure I plan to correct the other episode lists from previous journal entries because OMG lazy. I need to make an archive page one day.


SPOILERS


TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS, EPISODE 18: "BUMBLEBEE TO THE RESCUE"

Or "The Greatest Fangirl Crush Love Story ever told…"

Also Or "And then Heatwave got VERY jealous."

Photobucket

"Why can't I quit you?"


Look at this screencap.

Are you looking?

This actually happens. This fucking occurs in the goddamn series. People, I think we've reached a point in the Aligned continuity where the kid gloves are off; Blades is in love with Bumblebee and Heatwave is stewing in the background secretly jealous. Meanwhile Chase and Boulder look on in disappointment because if Blades snags Bee, they won't have a bicycle to fuck in those lonely, cold days when their hands just aren't enough. "Bumblebee to the Rescue" is the tale of one Bot with a massive crush on another and his dreams to win his spark and get down and dirty with some sloppy, messy, hot-as-hell helicopter-on-car-sex. For God's sake, Blades' foot is POPPING. This is one bot who is ready for some sexyfine time.

It makes perfect sense that the only other crossover Bot besides Optimus would be Bumblebee. He has his own Rescue Bots toy, he's a popular character, and for added convenience, the creators don't have the hassle of getting in new voice actors because Bee doesn't have one. Triple score! I was going to add how Bumblebee really isn't any better character-wise than he is in Prime—he's more or less the same—but on closer observation, Bee's a far more intriguing person here because of all things, he's playing the straight man to Blades' character. This is hilarious and interesting on several levels because Prime builds him out to be an "inexperienced" scout with much to learn. I think that speaks a lot of the vast contrast between his team and the Rescue Bots. Also, I totally believe this particular Bee could play a straight man role than, say, his TFA self. TFA Bee would irritate the shit out of Heatwave. The episode does suffer a bit under the idea that this new guy is praised like he's Jesus and the goddamn second coming. The biggest evidence is when three of the four Rescue Bots are temporarily out of commission in order to make room for more Bee. Thankfully, the writers are much more gifted and efficient than that. Bee's not portrayed as a perfect being (Optimus chiding Bee for leaving his team without permission is a good example), he doesn't overtake the limelight and the Burns family isn't uselessly shoved to the side, there's justification on why Bumblebee is heralded (which I elaborate on below), and it makes sense for Blades to overreact in fannish delight. It takes a skilled writer to realize that Bee's in a different league than the others, but without making him into some Gary Stu.

As much as the show unsubtly announces the AWESOMENESS OF BEE like a goddamn parade, Blades is the one who steals the episode (if not the overall show; this guy gets more spotlight on him than the rest put together. Makes one wonder if he's the Miko of the Rescue Bots animation team except ya know, not annoying) and it's ridiculously adorable. Blades heap the most compliments, wants to do his damnest to please him, and spends the rest squealing like a little girl.

Blades made a comment early in the episode about how no one pays attention to the little guys and I like that this episode actually emphasizes and digs into it. Given Optimus Prime's status as well as his band of warriors fighting against Megatron and his Decepticons, Bee is more or less seen as an "Elite" figure. The Rescue Bots—outside of possibly being the only ones of their kind left—are second-tier in comparison and maybe even a little lower than that. They're not presented as the A squad, so when Bee ends up rescuing Blades twice, it hurts him. Blades try to give Bumblebee a ride with his hook only to screw up and it's one of those scenes where I cringed. It's not the bad kind of cringe; it's the kind of reaction when you know someone is pulling something embarrassing and realizing how gutwrenchingly awful it is because you feel that same embarrassment and pity for him. It hits all the right emotional buttons and I felt/understood that sense of temporarily failure and foolish behavior. There's another scene where Heatwave asks Optimus if he needs a new member to his team before the latter politely rejects him (more or less). Heatwave does seem to emphasize that he at least has some combat background, but the other three may or may not have. Sending these guys out would probably be the equivalent of dispatching cops and firemen out in a battlefield with military soldiers. The difference between both teams is staggering and it's neat of them to showcase. That and I think the reason Optimus didn't accept Heatwave is because he's the Rescue Bot leader and even if he isn't, he needs to understand and learn the value of teamwork which is what this show's central theme is about.

Antidote to the virus was a bit conveniently located, but they don't automatically solve everything in one go and I suppose it makes sense that a group of first responders would carry emergency medical supplies like that, however easily all-purpose it may be. That said, Heatwave's face freezing up actually made me jump a little because HOLY MOTHERFUCKER that shit came out of goddamn nowhere. Then Heatwave makes this stone cold face that is the stuff of fucking nightmares—his goddamn pupils are bigger than it normally is—and it scares the ever living shit out of me. And oh fucking Christ, when Blades tries to communicate to his frozen buddies, there is absolutely no music. It is complete silence and the delivery works. Whoever still thinks kids shows needs nonstop blaring music because the lack of sound will throw off their attention needs to be smacked; silence can be a powerful tool and this specific moment is a marvelous example.

Actually, now I kinda want the other Prime characters to appear. Each of them could spend time with one Rescue Bots. So Blades got Bee…let's see…I guess Boulder and Bulkhead just to see two Big Guys contrast so differently in terms of personality (let's see how Boulder will react when Bulkhead murders somebody). I guess Arcee with Chase because the former's habit of breaking command can leave a very frustrated Chase, so there's conflict. That leaves Ratchet with Heatwave. ...Oh, dear God, those two would not get along.

I think the only major complaint is Cody suddenly learning to understand Bee talk. Oh, Lord, Rescue Bots, don't fall under Transformers Prime's trap; you're the good show. At least with Raf you get a very flimsy reasoning that he understands Bee because he's a computer whiz kid—what's Cody's? Kid's smart, but he's not a super genius. Also, this kind of takes away Raf's unique gift.

It's a fantastic episode despite any major setbacks. I can't help it. I usually do not let superficiality be my standard reasoning for why a particular episode works, buuuuuuuut Blades is ultra mega adorable and the entire fucking episode is him trying to get Bee-booty. It's so magnificently slashy that it's almost...transcendent.
:star::star::star::star: AND A HALF OUT OF FIVE


BONUS OBSERVATIONS

KARAOKE: That (and TV) is what Blades suggest he and Bee can do. Bee, the non-talking Bot. Oh, Blades. I guess there is some merits on hearing Bee attempt to sing purely with beeps and boops. I predict it'll be very, very messed up. Actually, he'd probably make a good rapping beat box.

"NOW THIS IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE; I TURN THE WHEEL, YOU MOVE." Kade, you are a dick and I want to punch you in the nuts.

PART OF THE COOL KIDS: Optimus praises Cody and is probably thinking of a way to trade a crazy Japanese girl for him. Sadly, we all know it may be for the worse; stupid kid will get inside Doc's lab and blow up the goddamn island.  

SPREADS LIKE A PLAGUE: For the sake of time and plot, the virus spreads quicker on both Bee and Blades than it did for the other Rescue Bots.

COMPUTER WHIZ: So did Graham go to the same Education for Advanced Alien Tech Learning Center with Raf because when did he become a goddamn expert on Cybertronian technology? I'm beginning to wonder just how advanced their stuff is suppose to be that brainaic humans can easily work its system with little issue.

COLOR CODED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE: Each of the antidote discs are color coded based on the Rescue Bots' color which I guess makes a deal of sense since they're specifically from the Rescue Bots' ship. The color coordination is actually something that's been established since the beginning, usually in bright tones to benefit the younger audience. However, I find it hilarious that the antidote used on Bee still turns yellow to match his paint job when he isn't even a Rescue Bot.

BEST LINE:

BLADES: *excited* I can't believe I'm on a mission with the Bumblebee.
DANI: Blades, we're supposed to be searching for a meteor here, remember?
BLADES: *lamely* The meteor? Oh, it's right down there; starboard 40 degrees.


PFFFFFFFFFT.

RUNNER UP: "Perhaps you'd be interested in how humans codify legal behaviors. 459 means burglary, 594; general mischief, 263; dancing without a permit."

WORST LINE: "And he's yellow…noble." Thanks for stating the obvious, Cody, I'm sure your target audience with their standard preschool level education has absolutely no idea what the color yellow is. Also, if I ever get around to making a Rescue Bots drinking game, that "noble" bullshit will be on top of the goddamn list.




______________________________________________________________

I'm going to try and  not be lazy and create an Index Journal that archives all these links so it doesn't gobble up 1/3 of the damn blog.

TRANSFORMERS PRIME TOONZONE REVIEWS                     
These are the links to the Transformers Prime recaps I do over at the Toonzone blog. They're generally more condensed forms of the reviews I do here (except no foul language XD), so for those who thinks my reviews on DA are tl;dr, you can always check these out. Also, shameless promotion and all.

SEASON ONE      
1 -5. Darkness Rising Review                       
6. Masters and Students
7. Scrapheap                       
8. Con Job
9. Convoy                      
10. Dues Ex Machina
11. Speed Metal                   
12. Predatory
13. Sick Mind
14. Out of His Head
15. Shadowzone
16. Operation: Breakdown
17. Crisscross
18. Metal Attraction
19. Rock Bottom
20. Partners (NOT REVIEWED YET)
21. T.M. I (NOT REVIEWED YET)
22. Stronger, Faster (NOT REVIEWED YET)
23. One Shall Fall (NOT REVIEWED YET)
24. One Shall Rise: Part 1
25. One Shall Rise: Part 2
26. One Shall Rise: Part 3

SEASON TWO:
27. Orion Pax: Part 1
27. Orion Pax: Part 2                       
29. Orion Pax: Part 3
30. Operation Bumblebee: Part 1                       
31. Operation Bumblebee: Part 2
32. Loose Cannons                      
33. Crossfire
34. Nemesis Prime
35. Grill
36. Armada
37. Flying Mind
38. Tunnel Vision
39. Triangulation
40. Triage
41. Toxicity

________________________________________________________________________________________________

:heart: STUPID FANCOMICS:heart:


Discovery (A Transformers Animated Fancomic): Read the entire thing here. More updated as the series progresses. Placed there for archival purpose.

Chess Piece (A Danny Phantom Fancomic):
An AU Danny Phantom comic. It's been canceled, but for those morbidly curious to read this convoluted train wreck, the link is here.

:heart: OTHER STUFF:heart:


My Twitter: Follow me ramble in 100+ words or less here.

My Tumblr: Lots of pretty pictures I like. I may also submit sketches of "Discovery" that I won't put on DA.

Ask Crescendolls on Tumblr: Ask those four losers (and their cats) whatever you want.

"Discovery" TVTropes Page: I actually didn't make this TVTropes page. Someone else did and that person has my eternal thanks. So I'm promoting it because, well, it's my fancomic. XD


REQUESTS: No, I do not. Sorry.
© 2012 - 2024 neoyi
Comments16
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cartoonhottie200's avatar
I kinda thought Cody could understand him because of his junior pioneer training and he used morse code to translate it. That kinda makes some sence to me.