# WTF? Transformers got so stupid! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 17, 2001, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948 "2001-11-17T15:54:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anal\_Scurvy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c57346/32.png) [@Anal\_Scurvy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anal_Scurvy)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/1 "2001-11-17T15:54:33Z")
An autobot tow truck (Towbot?) has been tricked into thinking the Autobots are parking illegally and is now towing them and dumping them in a pit. I assume he will be set straight before the episode ends, as they are now setting a trap for him by parking illegally. Plus, those spinning Transformer heads and the irritating voice between scene changes doesn’t make me a happy camper. I can’t believe I almost put pants on for this. Maybe Batman Beyond will deserve decency. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/2 "2001-11-17T17:10:53Z")
Gosh, you really should use the search engine. Just go to the top of the screen, click on search, then put in keyword “transformer” and search in Cafe Society. You would have found an extensive thread on this subject already. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=92022](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=92022) ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/3 "2001-11-17T17:32:26Z")
Well, the spinning insignia is viewed by many as a welcome tip-of-the-hat to the first show, back in, you know, the 80s? It tends to show who’s going to be the involved characters in the next segment. If you were watching Autobots, and the next segment is going to involve Predacons, it’ll flip from Bot symbol to Pred symbol. Yes, Tow-Line is stupid. But it’s a one-shot, one-year translation of a japanese series, it’s not especially serious, and the toys seriously rock. So… repeat to yourself, it’s just a show, I really should relax… ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/4 "2001-11-19T13:06:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by E-Sabbath \* > \*\*So… repeat to yourself, it’s just a show, I really should relax… \*\* While watching [tapes](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search/002-6857462-5177629?tag=imdb-adbox&keyword=6305538557%7C6305538573%7C6305538581%7C630553859X%7C6305713464%7C6305876681%7C6305876711%7C6305876738%7C6305876983%7CB00003PE9L%7CB00003PE9M%7CB00004YA6U%7CB00004YA6V%7CB00004YA6W%7CB00004YA6X%7CB00005BH1Z%7CB00005BH21&mode=vhs) (or DVDs) of the original series. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/5 "2001-11-19T20:38:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jeff Olsen \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by E-Sabbath \* > > \*\*So… repeat to yourself, it’s just a show, I really should relax… \*\* > > While watching [tapes](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search/002-6857462-5177629?tag=imdb-adbox&keyword=6305538557%7C6305538573%7C6305538581%7C630553859X%7C6305713464%7C6305876681%7C6305876711%7C6305876738%7C6305876983%7CB00003PE9L%7CB00003PE9M%7CB00004YA6U%7CB00004YA6V%7CB00004YA6W%7CB00004YA6X%7CB00005BH1Z%7CB00005BH21&mode=vhs) (or DVDs) of the original series. \*\* And visiting [web sites](http://www.digiserve.com/eescape/tf/Transformers.shtml) covering all sorts of Transformers-y stuff… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Koffing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@Koffing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koffing)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2001, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/6 "2001-11-19T21:17:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rjung \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Jeff Olsen \* > > \*\* > > > > > [@](#): > > > > > > \*Originally posted by E-Sabbath \* > > > \*\*So… repeat to yourself, it’s just a show, I really should relax… \*\* > > > > While watching [tapes](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search/002-6857462-5177629?tag=imdb-adbox&keyword=6305538557%7C6305538573%7C6305538581%7C630553859X%7C6305713464%7C6305876681%7C6305876711%7C6305876738%7C6305876983%7CB00003PE9L%7CB00003PE9M%7CB00004YA6U%7CB00004YA6V%7CB00004YA6W%7CB00004YA6X%7CB00005BH1Z%7CB00005BH21&mode=vhs) (or DVDs) of the original series. \*\* > > And visiting [web sites](http://www.digiserve.com/eescape/tf/Transformers.shtml) covering all sorts of Transformers-y stuff… 😉 \*\* And remembering that many things from one’s childhood are best viewed through a haze of memory. The original Transformers show did have goofiness about it. Of course, mentioning the spinning heads scene changes as a bad thing not like the original show doesn’t bode well for the OP’s argument… ---
**Author:** ![tronvillain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@tronvillain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tronvillain)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/7 "2001-11-20T07:09:46Z")
Actually, I find the originals hold up pretty well - they’re definitely far better than this series. I couldn’t watch more than a single episode, while I’ve seen virtually every episode of the computer animated series. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/8 "2001-11-20T13:58:40Z")
Rhino’s releasing the entire first season in order on DVD in… the not too distant future. I think “after Christmas.” Of the first series, not this. Which I’m enjoying, except that they don’t explain that O-Parts are Out Of Place Artifacts. And you pretty much need to be, well, a conspiracy theory geek to know that. ---
**Author:** ![Anal\_Scurvy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c57346/32.png) [@Anal\_Scurvy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anal_Scurvy)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/9 "2001-11-20T20:42:46Z")
I barely remember the Transformers from when I was a kid, I think I rarely watched it. However, I know it was never as stupid as what I saw on Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/10 "2001-11-21T02:51:28Z")
Trust me…the original Transformers was…bad. Especially as it neared the end of the original American series (I can’t really comment on the quality of the Japanese continuations, but what I know of them looks good). I once had the misfortune of catching one of the Triple-Changer era episodes. It featured one of my favourite of the toys - The 'Con TC that had the jet and tank forms. I, mercifully, don’t remember much of the episode, but one scene sticks in my mind, unfortunately. He wanders into a football field, hears the term ‘long bomb’, and, well, goes on to misinterpret it. It episode is basically the jet/tank wreaking random mahem, with no rhyme or reason. (His brain apparently having gone on strike or something of the sort.) To be fair to the original series, for the first little bit, the main problem was a painful lack of continuity. RiD compares badly to Beast Wars/Machines, but it isn’t any worse than the original. (Save for a few of the TF’s character designs.) ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/11 "2001-11-21T02:56:07Z")
I would have to say that the original Transformers jumped the shark once the movie came out. Sad, too, because it was such a great movie. I cried when Optimus died ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Phlip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Phlip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlip)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/12 "2001-11-21T05:24:34Z")
Who didn’t cry when Optimus died? And who didnt go “Holy Crap! He Bumble Bee just said Shit!! Cool!” ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2001, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/13 "2001-11-23T08:50:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Phlip \* > Who didn’t cry when Optimus died? Well, at the BotCon 2000 theatrical showing of the movie I attended, Optimus Prime’s death was met with several hundred sobs from the mainstream fans … and several hundred cheers from the Decepticon fans. Takes all kinds. 🙂 And yes, the original cartoon got rather silly quite often. But then, it wasn’t meant to be high art, just entertainment, and that it did well. (And the episode **Tengu** is referring to is “Triple Takeover”. Have I made my TransFan geek quota for today yet? 😃 ) ---
**Author:** ![dalovindj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/65b543/32.png) [@dalovindj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalovindj)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2001, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/14 "2001-11-23T16:22:03Z")
Anyone care to give me the Transformers Timeline? I know the original TV show, then everything went bad or something. Then there was more in the future, they were always flying through space in that season. Then I saw some of the Beast Wars ones which seemed to be in the ancient days on Earth. I’m confused a bit. Who’s got the Straight dope on this one? Dalovin’ Dj ---
**Author:** ![tronvillain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@tronvillain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tronvillain)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2001, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/15 "2001-11-23T19:23:19Z")
Beast Wars begins in the far future of the Transformers Universe, where Transormers have evolved into the much smaller Maximals (Autobots) and Predicons (Decepticons). Optimus Primal’s ship chases Megatron’s ship through a rift and they end up crashing on a primitive planet. Eventually we discover that the planet is Earth (the Terran animals kind of made it apparent) and they find the Ark. At the end of the series they make it back to Cybertron along with Megatron, then Beast Machines starts. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/16 "2001-11-24T00:28:25Z")
Transformers continuity doesn’t exist. 😉 If you want to try to talk continuity, however, then in addition to the quick summary **tronvillian** gave, it’s worth noting that the current _Robots in Disguise_ series seems to be set in its own “alternate universe” from the original cartoon series. And then you’ve got the various Japanese Transformers cartoons, which split off from the original American series after the third season, and continued on with _Headmasters, Masterforce, Victory, Zone,_ assorted mangas, the Japanese dub of the _Beast Wars_ show, then _Beast Wars Second, Beast Wars Neo,_ and _Car Robots_ (which is what _Robots in Disguise_ is a dub of). And if your head isn’t spinning enough already, you can throw in the comic book Transformers continuities as well – in addition to the original Marvel _Transformers_ and _Transformers: Generation 2_ comics, there’s the Marvel UK comics (which offered more stories than the American monthly series), the short-lived _Transformers In 3D_ comics, and more assorted Japanese manga titles. Needless to say, all of this stuff contradicts each other, and many of them even contradict themselves. It is **far** easier to say that Transformers continuity doesn’t exist – and that it’s all just a series of myths that get reinterpreted for each new generation. 🙂 (Oh, and **tronvillian** forgot to mention that _Beast Machines_ ends with Cybertron being turned into a techno-organtic garden/tropical planet, and all the robots reformed as half-organtic half-robotic beings. If this idea makes you feel queasy, you’re not alone…) ---
**Author:** ![dalovindj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/65b543/32.png) [@dalovindj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalovindj)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/17 "2001-11-24T00:37:04Z")
I hate sloppy continuity. Non-existant is even rougher. Ech. DaLovin’ Dj ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/18 "2001-11-24T03:28:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rjung \* > \*\*(And the episode Tengu is referring to is “Triple Takeover”. Have I made my TransFan geek quota for today yet? 😃 ) \*\* Oh, jeezum…you just gave me a name to search on…now I’ll amost definitely subject myself to the evil, evil episode again… What amazes me is how you managed to figure it out from my disturbingly vague description! I bow to the TransGod. ---
**Author:** ![Koffing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@Koffing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koffing)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/19 "2001-11-24T17:22:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dalovindj \* > \*\*I hate sloppy continuity. Non-existant is even rougher. Ech. > \*\* You must’ve loved cartoons in the 70s and 80s, then. If you were watching Transformers for continuity, then I’m sure you were sorely disappointed. Beast Wars, on the other hand… ---
**Author:** ![Ross](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@Ross](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ross)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-transformers-got-so-stupid/93948/20 "2001-11-24T18:19:12Z")
I read the Marvel comics as a kid. They most certainly rocked. I cried when Bumblebee died, but it was for Bumblebee, not for the effect his death would have on proving the irrelevance of continuity issues on Cybertron. Don’t remember if he died in the film or not. I know Optimus Prime has died at least three times I can remember, in very different situations - in the film, in the comics, and on a tape-book set I got before the movie came out. Seein’ as how he was in the movie an’ all. I also seem to remember someone writing in to Soundwave’s letters page askign why there were no female Transformers, and being given the terse response, “They would only get in the way.” Of course when the movie came out a solitary female Transformerette was duly wheeled out. Wasn’t she even PINK? And isn’t that even more offensive than having none at all? And how can a %&%£\*!@ robot be male or female anyway?