From kendrick@io.com Mon Nov 6 12:49:51 CST 1995 Article: 25513 of alt.toys.transformers Path: news.io.com!io.com!not-for-mail From: kendrick@io.com (Kendrick Kerwin Chua) Newsgroups: alt.toys.transformers Subject: TF Weekday 11/6 - Webworld Date: 6 Nov 1995 12:47:27 -0600 Organization: Illuminati Online Lines: 122 Message-ID: <47ll7v$o2v@bermuda.io.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: bermuda.io.com Status: RO X-Status: TF Weekday Nov 6 1995 - Webworld The EI/AD: A web mind controlling a live, organic planet is this episode's alien device. The plot: After Galvatron botches up an Isodrite raid with his own self-indulgent violence towards everybody (and not just Autobots) Motormaster and Swindle speak up to Cyclonus: Either fix Galvatron, or have the command structure fixed by us. The Quintessons holographically contact Cyclonus to tell him about a psychiatric world called Torkulon. Cyclonus tricks Galvatron into arriving there where he is restrained, sedated and examined by an ape-like race of doctors. Galvatron fails to respond to conventional analysis, psycho-motor reintegration and drama therapy, so the Torkulons decide to lobotomize him with the seldom-used Allia therapy, which removes a subject's individuality. Cyclonus and the Sweeps protest, but are themselves restrained. But when the Torkulon web-mind tries to interface with Galvatron's, it goes haywire and releases its hold on Galvatron. With the memories of another mind in his head, Galvatron heads off to the far side of the planet to destroy the web mind, and then proceeds to decimate the whole planet. After Cyclonus pleads with him, Galvatron remembers that he has Autobots to destroy, and the Decepticons all fly off into space... The characters: For once the Autobots take a backseat role, like in 'Triple Takeover,' but this doesn't keep them from being true to form. Sky Lynx is suave and sophisticated... and merciful? For all his bluster and heroism, you wonder why he didn't just crush that Sweep he had in his claws rather than just scaring the dickens out of him. The Autobots fill their quota of one-liners, from Perceptor's tactical analysis to Sludge's estimation of Sweep intelligence. Soundwave also makes one of his rare post-movie appearances at the beginning of the episode. Granted, all he does is eject Ratbat and his voice is unprocessed, but it's always cool to see the old veterans at work. The Torkulons are a very 80s model of detached, clinical medicine. They don't care about the patient, only the work. Which is what destroys them in the end. And the Quintessons once again turn to somebody else to do their dirty work for them. I have no doubt in my mind that they KNEW about the Torkulon web-mind and were counting on the lobotomization of Galvatron. But the real characterization is saved for Cyclonus, who struggles against his own dreams of glory to play by somebody else's rules for a change. He goes from being resigned to filling out paperwork, to actively helping Galvatron destroy the Webworld once he's free. It's been pointed out before by many fans that this is the truest example of a loyal second-in-command, in that Cyclonus is willing to sacrifice so much to help his leader. And for you Megatron fans, this episode is almost painful to watch because of the slow deterioration of Galvatron's willpower. He goes from being absolutely indomitable at the beginning to pleading for release near the end. It's very painful to hear him use words like 'please' and 'I'll do anything.' Listen closely to the Torkulon apes' voices. One of them is Michael Bell, and I'm very sure another happens to be Roger C. Carmel. Who is that third guy, the one with the same voice as Lord Zarak from 'Rebirth'? Is that Arthur Burghardt or Don Messick? This guy's voice pops up all the time in the old cheesy 60s cartoons as your standard mad scientist type. The plot holes: I'll say it just to say it right now... I'm betting that the script has the planet's name spelled 'Torquelon,' which means it's probably somebody's idea of a physics inside joke. Anyway. In the Really Big Fight at the Beginning, why are the two factions fighting over what looks like a huge Isodrite deposit? Isn't there enough for everybody, or is the idea to grab the entire vein so that the other side can't have it? Certainly between Ratbat and the Constructicons, the Decepticons would be able to find their own deposit to mine and process. Note the magically appearing Stunticons and Combaticons in the beginning fight too, when all we see flying out in space are Sweeps and the regular crew. Why does Torkulon exist? Are we to believe that the interstellar culture is so integrated that it's possible to have an entire planet devoted to psychiatric research and treatment? This feels very Star Warsish to me, in that we can have entire planets which represent small pockets of experiences we're used to on Earth (like an ocean planet, or a desert planet, or a swamp planet, etc. etc.) Moving pictures: The animation is actually pretty good, all things considered. It reminds me of the sketchy backgrounds and action sequences >from 'Triple Takeover,' another coincidental similarity. Although they didn't take the time to make everything sterling, the backgrounds are what really make the animation memorable... Blasted landscapes and huge purple cages receding off into the distance really put Torkulon on the galactic map. It's nice to see that they've finally made up their mind about how Galvatron transforms; it's seamless and doesn't have the silly morphs and bends that you see in 'Five Faces of Darkness', and it's actually cool to see the cannon come off his head and attach to his arm. The Allia are nicely animated too, if totally unnecessary. I have to wonder if this isn't a Japanese thing... Galvatron being able to triumph over the insects could be interpreted as a show of strength, seeing as how insects are themselves symbols of physical prowess in Japanese culture. The cuts: Can't tell. This is the first time I've seen the episode. Although the symbol change scene at the end right before the credits SUGGESTS that maybe the Sci-Fi channel is taking my advice and actually cut out some end filler, rather than anything within the regular story. Toys they should reissue: I am very ready for a new Galvatron toy, whether or not they do a 10th anniversary version of the movie. I want it in purples instead of greys. I want a real helmet on him instead of a lightbulb shade. I want them to put a cheezy voice chip in it so that I can press a button on his back to hear him say "NOW YOU DIE!" or something like that. :) Quotables: "Eyes aloft, gentlemen! A rival geological survey has arrived!" "Don't insult my intelligence, five-face. I trust you no further than I can throw Trypticon!" "Are you the new admissio-- Oh, never mind. I see." "Just say whatever comes to mind." "KILL!!! SMASH!!! DESTROY!!!" "Er, yes. Go on." "REND!!! MANGLE!!! DISTORT!!!" "He *IS* crazy..." "It will take the Torkulons centuries to rebuild." "Only centuries?!? Are you CERTAIN of this?" KKC, Grace Kelley, Harlow, Jean, on the cover of a magazine... -- Kendrick Kerwin Chua - "London? You put the Eiffel Tower back... in London?!" kendrick@io.com - WTB: 1980s Transformers, US and Japanese, and GIJoe figures Necronomcon FAQ home page at http://www.io.com/~kendrick/necronomicon or anon FTP at io.com:/pub/usr/kendrick -Personal home at http://www.io.com/~kendrick