Masterforce

[blueshift]

That was what Operation M1 was! M2 is better!

I loved the sequence of Ginrai surfing out of the black hole on top of Grand Max to the new song! Absolutely ridiculous!

[Jim]

Ah, I may be misremembering through the paracetamol haze of being off work sick; I thought there was some diagram with lines of glowing green arrows pointing at each other and something about turning the earth against itself?

That _is_ a great image, I've been wondering what I might attempt to draw and that might go on the list...

[Jim]

Episode 35 is pretty great!

Love how it follows on from before with Ginrai driving through a partly ruined city and Grand Max patrolling the skies above Europe.

The humans on the Decepticon side are having their doubts about Devil-Z's plan and it's notable that Giga doesn't tell the Headmaster Jrs about the details.

The plan itself is pretty good, and topical for its time, stripping the ozone layer from the earth. It just occurred to me that I don't know when this series is set; it's clearly the future and I guess would have to be well after 2010 but I don't remember a date being given.

The big battle to take down the super weapon here is good stuff, and we have some new cannon-fodder in the Guardminders (never heard of these before at all!). God Ginrai's Chokon-powered suicide plunge into one of the weapon's barrels brought to mind TOS's Doomsday Machine, though obviously there's a sort of pre-echo of PMOP taking down Unicron in the comics in that image.

Maximus taking a hit and falling into Earth's atmosphere was a good "holy crap!" moment, and Shuta's heroic rescue of the situation really well done. It helps that the music in this series is so good, it sells those moments well.

[blueshift]

I forgot about Guardminder!

The leader guy is all gold, he's Black Zarak's Fasttrack, and you can assume that he will shear in half if you breathe on him.

The others are the normal Scorponok Fasttracks.

CAST THE EARTH INTO HELL!

[Jim]

Ah, I thought the character model looked familiar but I couldn't put my finger on it! Should have guessed, really.

[duffism1981]

The series doesn't have a specific year or time frame after Headmasters in which it is set. Though it is enough time from everything to go from futuristic looking to retro Eighties.

[Jim]

Makes sense; the architecture is an odd mix of really high-tech looking buildings and 20th Century designs (if you count the episode where Road King is introduced it goes even further back than that!).

I'm looking forward to reading more about the series once I've finished and am out of spoiler hibernation.

On the other hand I'm not looking forward to finishing the series because I'm enjoying it so much!

[Jim]

Episode 36, where more weird ones pop up!

Another really nice episode as Cancer's arc pays off against a background of battles around the globe. And that means Browning is back, too!

Wilder is now the only one who (claims) not to have any doubts about the Decepticon plans for Earth, even Giga and Mega expressed concern last episode.

The Firecons make an unexpected and very brief appearance, and Road King busts out his best moves dodging plumes of flame. Ginrai grabbing Overlord, looping through the air and hurling him at Black Zarak was lovely, and you can see how Ginrai is learning and gaining confidence.

The character stuff with Cancer is really good though, and what this episode is about.

[blueshift]

This episode is brilliant, I love the exploration of Cancer's character, and it's something pretty much no other TF show does before or since in terms of properly getting into the motivation of the villains and leaving them somewhat sympathetic.

The Firecons always surprise me when they pop up. Fun fact, they're in Western colours here - in Japan they were released in different colours!

[Jim]

Episode 37 is another good case of exactly what you're saying there!

I like that Ginrai is proactively hunting for the Decepticon base now, it's another of those things which don't happen often enough in cartoons.

Shuta's combined mistrust of Clouder and desire for personal glory doesn't serve him well here, and makes an interesting counterpoint to the Decepticon Headmaster Jrs who have been learning lessons and showing some growth lately. Bullhorn buying Cancer time to escape was a lovely moment.

[Jim]

Episode 38 didn't go where I was expecting...

I liked the Autobot meeting at Angkor, it provided an appropriately mythic backdrop for them heading for the big push against the Decepticon base.

The attack itself seemed doomed to fail as a direct frontal assault, obviously the Decepticons would be waiting for them and have made preparations, but then that turns out not to be the meat of the episode after all!

The fight wasn't amazing but had its moments; I liked Bullhorn attempting to find out how Cancer was while fighting Cab. And there was a good bit where Ginrai took down Hydra and Buster.

Devil-Z's possession of Black Zarak was brilliantly trippy and threatening, but he seems to be losing hearts and minds; even Overlord didn't want to abandon Bullhorn and Wilder which was another good humanising moment. The episode then becomes a rescue / escape piece, with the Decepticon Headmasters refusing to believe they would be left behind (I guess we'll see how they react to that next time - I can imagine Bullhorn being unsurprised and Wilder being in denial).

Just four left now!

[Jim]

Episode 39

More good character work with the Decepticon Headmasters. It's a small touch, but I liked that their transtectors were hidden under camouflage nets. It subtly reinforces the ongoing conflict with now baseless opposing forces on the run.

Also good character stuff with the Decepticon Godmasters; Giga showing some doubt then some inititiative and stalking purposefully out followed by Mega giving a thumbs-up and a wink is ace! Hydra and Buster giving up their humanity is creepy, and this isn't lost on Giga. It's also a really cool sequence, slightly bringing to mind the reformatting in TFTM, and Ginrai casts an interesting light on it by telling them they sold their souls.

I was surprised the battle wasn't more conclusive, especially given the title of the episode. I do like how this feels like a show that is moving in on the endgame after setting things up for an entire series of 40-odd episodes; all the apocalyptic events and big showdowns feel earnt.

[blueshift]

Episode 39 might well be my favourite episode in all of transformers. Love it so much. Love how Wilder/Bullhorn and Hydra/Buster essentially have the same problem but jump different ways in terms of embracing their humanity. Love that moment where they save the Jrs. Love the fight with Darkening! Love how it all montages together!

Love that the main reason Wilder and Bullhorn save cancer and co is because it was just too embarrassing to watch them die to a bunch of Firecons!!

[Jim]

It is great watching the varied reactions of the Deception-allied humans here. This show has been about them as much as the Autobots, if not moreso.

[Jim]

Episode 40! Amazing!

This is definitely the best Overlord, and he really got to shine in this episode. A fascinating character, only interested in fighting other human / transtector combinations, and clearly not totally down with Devil-Z's plan but at the same time too caught up in his own ego to do anything about it. A brilliant showdown between him and God Ginrai, cut short by Grand Max's intervention which served to underline Overlord's point by using weapons where Ginrai did not feel it was the right thing to do.

The Decepticon *masters suddenly losing their master braces and left facing their own transtectors was a good wtf moment. I didn't see it coming at all, but it also ties into the same themes about humanity.

Ranger has a nice little action scene with running along the canyon wall and shooting down Blood.

Absolutely loving this.

[blueshift]

The Decepticons losing their transtectors was something I disliked but at the same time 100% was on board with. I mean, those were their reward for being evil, so of course they have to lose them once they become good, that's the trade-off.

Also suddenly yeah, the *masters are revealed to actually be like the US version, robot + little human rather than just robot suit. But they were slowly GAINING THEIR SOULS or whatever!

[Jim]

I know what you mean, I kind of wanted Cancer et al to keep their robot forms and make good with them, but story-wise it's right that they lose them. And it's the perfect counterpoint to what happened to Buster and Hydra.

[blueshift]

Sept 27, 2017 21:14:03 GMT Jim said:

I know what you mean, I kind of wanted Cancer et al to keep their robot forms and make good with them, but story-wise it's right that they lose them. And it's the perfect counterpoint to what happened to Buster and Hydra.

Yeah. It absolutely works, and the fact I'm a but upset about it is probably the point. "Oh man if only they stayed villains and lost their souls, they could have kept the sweet robot suits, that'd be worth it!"

But do note that Browning's stuck with Cancer through all of this, and he's a true blood Decepticon. He is MVP!

[Jim]

Episode 41 - NOOOOOOOOOO!!! SIXKNIIIIIIIGHT!!!!!!!



I had been waiting for him to make an unexpected appearance at the right moment again, and while he didn't let me down he suffers a cruel, though heroic fate.

Quite an action-packed one this, and again some good character moments for the Decepticons; the mostly helpless, redeemed *masters at the beginning helping out how they can in a ruined city and Overlord's concern for Hydra and Buster stand out.

Otherwise... not a lot to say, really. Everything's in place for the finale now.

[blueshift]

That's why I love Sixknight so much

[Jim]

Episode 42. It's over... finished

Well, that was suitably epic. And a proper end, too.

Wasn't quite sure how I felt about everyone losing their master braces to start with. It makes some dramatic sense, concludes the story, but I wouldn't have minded knowing that Ginrai et al were still around to have further adventures. Along similar lines I was slightly sad to see Mega and Giga didn't make it, even though they were real baddies who were responsible for many deaths. That's fiction for you!

Lots of action here of course, though we have seen better. I liked God Ginrai's airborn wrestling with Black Zarak though.

The redeemed Decepticon *masters and their ludicrously armed vehicle arriving too late was a nice fun touch.

The show does still beg many questions! Did the transtectors have their own personalities all along? Who were Giga and Mega? What is going to happen to Browning?!?

Amazing cartoon anyway, very glad I finally found the time for it. Now for some note collecting and a bit of research!

[blueshift]

OH! How did I miss your last post!!!! I've been eagerly waiting for it!

Yay, glad you liked it. I love the ending. It's so ridiculous the way Devil Z has basically won but then Ginrai just gets up goes MEGA POWER UP and GOD FIRE GUTS him to death. I love it so much.

[Jim]

It's been a few days and I am missing it!

It is now a mission of mine to get the soundtrack.

In the next days I'll rematch a few key episodes I think, and also the ones with commentaries. Researching online, there doesn't seem to be much production information about it; I'd love to read an interview with the writers.

[Fortmax2020]

I miss Jim's updates!!

[The Doctor]

I now demand a marathon watch of Zone.

-Ralph

[blueshift]

Oct 4, 2017 7:18:22 GMT The Doctor said:

I now demand a marathon watch of Zone.

-Ralph

I remember when we all thought zone was amazing.

Before anyone had watched it properly.

[Jim]

Zone is only available in some rare box-set or something, right? I am keeping an eye out for a Metrodome Victory set at a reasonable price.

In the meantime I have the Beast Machines sets sitting on my shelf unopened if I feel like marathoning again...

[Fortmax2020]

There was a one off Zone DVD in Japan yonks back. You might still be able to find it somewhere? The extras are.... unique.

*turns all Micromaster City weaponry on Blue for his heresy*

[blueshift]

Oct 4, 2017 10:42:19 GMT Jim said:

Zone is only available in some rare box-set or something, right? I am keeping an eye out for a Metrodome Victory set at a reasonable price.

In the meantime I have the Beast Machines sets sitting on my shelf unopened if I feel like marathoning again...

Zone was in the Metrodome Takara boxset of all three series.

They literally used a rip with a burnt in fan dub

[Fortmax2020]

You need the original!

*transforms Micromasters*