My Review of Transformers: Animated season 3 episodes 12-13 Endgame · 1:57am Nov 1st, 2021
Grading Scale:
A (fantastic episode)
A- (an excellent episode with at least one flaw)
B+ (a great episode with a couple of flaws)
B (a good episode which still could have been better)
B- (a good episode with numerous flaws but still rewatchable)
C+ (a decent episode)
C (eh... it’s not terrible but not good either)
C- (it’s not worth rewatching although it does have good elements)
D+ (a bad episode with a few good things in it)
D (a really bad episode with wasted potential)
D- (a terrible episode with badly written characters and butchered moral)
F (horrible and unwatchable)
Salutations to everyone! This is Mr. J back with the final episode review for Transformers: Animated! Tonight, I will be reviewing the season 3 finale “Endgame”. This was a perfect wrap-up for the season that gave a glimpse of what the next season would have covered had it not been cruelly cancelled by Hasbro. But I will say that despite the loose ends and some of the unfulfilled characters arcs that were put to an unexpected halt, this two-parter at the very least seemed to be the conclusion which I thought it was the first time I watched it back in May 2009. When I heard that they were originally going to premiere season 4 until it was cancelled, I was both shocked and depressed at the same time. I will never forget what Hasbro had done, but at least “The Trial of Megatron” exists so it isn’t a complete loss.
As far as this episode is concerned, it had higher stakes than before and managed to exceed my expectations. It has intense action, humor, character development, and emotion. We see Optimus Prime not wanting to wield the Magnus Hammer to defeat Megatron but had to use it eventually despite what Magnus said of him since the beginning of the series, “Try not to be a hero. It’s not in your programming.”
He has grown so much as an underdog leader from one step to another. He used to be a Bot not so wise to now a natural-born leader full of confidence, bravery, and perseverance. Him having the Hammer as his primary weapon served as a bonus if not the ultimate payoff to his character growth. This is why he is one of my favorite versions of Optimus Prime of all time as he is unique in not being perfect or right all the time as most versions of the namesake are.
I was also happy that Bumblebee and Bulkhead managed to finally settle their score with Shockwave as they used to be close friends with his Autobot alter ego. The friend they used to trust and whose company they used to enjoy is no more to them. It’s just Shockwave, not Longarm anymore. That’s what really stood out to me.
The moment where Ratchet was able to restore Arcee’s memories with Sari’s help was amazing. It was such a sweet and tender moment as Ratchet finally gets to talk to the very one who needed his help and received medical aide in the first place. That scene almost made me want to cry.
Plus, Omega Supreme at least had one more chance to have his final fight against the Decepticons, namely the Starscream Supremes.
If there was one character arc that was actually accomplished with solid writing, it would be Prowl’s. One of my favorite characters in this show and one of my favorite Autobots of all time sadly met his demise in this final episode. That one frame where his visor was literally bent as if he was sad and where he was also smiling made me so emotional. That was the one and only time he showed visible emotion right before he gave up his spark to save Detroit. Even though I was so sad he died, his death was well-written and well-earned.
As for Starscream, I wasn’t totally surprised when he too finally died as his AllSpark fragment was magnetically removed from his forehead. Considering the fact he is one of the very few Transformers who gets killed off in almost every iteration of the franchise, it doesn’t faze me at all. And don’t worry, Slipstream revives him after that moment (in a deleted scene).
Lastly, the final showdown between Optimus and Megatron was worth the wait. I fully enjoyed how both personal and passionate their fight this time around especially since the latter actually acknowledged Optimus’s name for the very first time. That signifies how he now regards Optimus as a worthy archenemy after how many times they fought throughout the course of the series. And the way Optimus spared his life after defeating him was very well-executed and says a lot about his character. The writers did a fantastic job with the characters and the story. I’m very happy how they wrapped it all up.
Thus, I will give this an A! Now that I have fully reviewed this show—in light of all the positive reviews I have given for this show despite the number of flaws and issues I have brought up, I will officially rate Transformers: Animated a solid A-! As I said before, this is my favorite cartoon show of all time and one of my favorite Transformers shows that I grew up watching. It has a special place in my heart, and I will always cherish it. Thanks to Derrick J. Wyatt and his team for the incredible work they have done for the show from 2007-2009.
Peace!!
(Military Salute) Farewell, Prowl.
Time for trivia, for the last time…and I can think of no better bot to end it on then this guy.
1. The twin cylinder-shaped protrusions connected to Optimus's small antennae are inspired by the head design of the 2007 movie rendition of Optimus Prime, as opposed to the traditional single cylinder.
2. None of Optimus' toys ever came with his trademark 'grappler launcher' weapons.
3. Had season 4 been produced, Prime's colors would have had flames on his ankles, the thighs and crotch reversing colors, a gold chest star not unlike Star Convoy's, and a new unique Autobot insignia shoulder. He would have also worn the Magnus Hammer on his back gained a new set of God Ginrai-styled armor.
4. According to David KayeMegatron, he (like any Autobot) sucks at golf.
5. Optimus was killed off after only one episode (three if you want to get technical) and revived 1 minute and 15 seconds later. That's gotta be a new record.
And finally…for the last time…
6. A round of punny Japanese. During the "next episode" preview at the end of "A New Chapter! Transformers", AKA: Transform and Roll Out!, Bumblebee complains that the name "Oputimasu Puraimu" (as the natives pronounce it) is too long and difficult to remember. His renaming suggestions include: "Convoy", "Oputi", "Opura", and "Pupu". Obviously, Optimus rejects all of them, saying that "Oputi" is more suited for a cute dog, "Opura" just sounds weird, and "Pupu", while cute, would be hard not to laugh at.
So there it is. The final trivia segment. Honestly, Animated was great show, with some of my all-time favorite renditions coming from it. Wreck-Gar, Swindle, Bulkhead, MixMaster and Scrapper, Lugnut, Blitzwing, and so much more. While I’m sad to see these reviews go, I understand that all good things must come to an end sooner or later. So I leave you with three last pieces of trivia.
1. Megatron may say that Optimus Prime sucks at golf, but I think that’s because Optimus beat his ass in a game of Basketball.
2. Yes, I attempted to do a Optimus Prime styled speech at the end there. I am not sorry.
3. This will never get old.
5603069
Thank you. Thank you so much for your time and dedication for making these trivia comments for my reviews, my good friend. Well done.
5603070
And thank you for making these well-articulated reviews. I hope to do these again whenever you start doing Transformers Prime.
5603071
I'm actually planning to do episode reviews for another show which you'll see this Saturday.
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I can’t wait to see what it is.
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5603069
Gentlemen.... I bring sad news.
Derrick J. Wyatt has recently passed away earlier this month as just confirmed by his sister on Twitter. Here’s the video link for this. I am genuinely heartbroken to hear this since his work on Transformers: Animated was brilliantly well-done. May he rest in peace. Till all are one.
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Till all are one, brother.
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I heard. May he Rest In Peace