Focus is, naturally, the name of the game in this episode of Transformers: Robots in Disguise. Oddly, the focus of the episode is split. The “A” plot is the usual fare. The “B” plot is awesome.
So the Decepticons in this one are skunks, with some sort of liquid they shoot out of their tails that causes extreme disorientation and disruption to the senses. They’re a four bot group, led by one named Malodor (get it?). Their big weakness is that they aren’t very fast.
Which works out for them, because Strongarm and Sideswipe are fighting again, and Grimlock just doesn’t listen. Bumblebee tries to preach the value of focus as it was taught to him by Optimus. It naturally falls on deaf ears. Strongarm wants more responsibility, Sideswipe is opposed to that as he doesn’t want her bossing him around. Grimlock just doesn’t want to get left behind all the time. Bumblebee gets saved from the massive 3-way argument by a signal.
The Skunkticons broke out of their pods themselves, and stupidly left a trail leading right to the (conveniently automated) dam. Bumblebee argues that they should return to base to get gear to protect themselves from the toxin, but Grimlock’s so damn happy that he didn’t get left at home that he runs ahead, forcing the rest to follow. Bee and the team actually get there first, since the Skunkticons are so slow.
They search the area, since the electricity generated by the dam might mask their signals. Grimlock, easily fascinated by spinning things, takes a a long look at the turbines. Sideswipe successfully uses the old wood shop joke.
The Skunkticons finally show up. They immediately spray in the Autobot’s general direction. It looks bad, but Grimlock makes a huge bodyguard dive, taking all four streams. It doesn’t help, though, because they all get whammied afterwards. The Skunkticons decide to take Grimlock as a hostage because he’s the largest, which proves that they’re slow in other ways too. They have the damnedest time fitting him through the doors, too.
None of that shit matters, though, because the “B” plot is Optimus time. I have no idea what’s going on with him, since I (sadly) did not watch Transformers: Prime, which I understand is technically canon. Optimus is off in “The Realm of the Primes”, training with one of the original Primes, Micronus. Tfwiki states that he can sometimes be an asshole, and links directly to their page for this episode. You’ll see why. He tests Optimus’ focus by giving him a simple task (get to the top of the hill), and then tosses humans and a big ol’ robot with four Minicon minions into the mix. Optimus immediately begins defending the humans, begging Micronus to tell him how the Prime Decepticon Hunter (the big ass sword they gave him) works. Like an asshole, he doesn’t bother reminding him that he gave Optimus a simple task.
I mean, that’s the point of the test and all, but he didn’t need to be a smug dick about it. After the humans dwindle down to one, and Optimus has straight up axed two of the Minicons, Micronus just tells him to climb the damn hill. At the top, he finds a plaque that does… something to unlock the power of the sword, and it electrocutes the shit out of the remaining hostiles. Micronus reveals that everything was fake, and they get back to training.
Back with Bee and co., they come to their senses and follow the trail of destruction to the command center, where they once again encounter the Skunkticons. Grimlock comes to and totally wrecks shop because he can’t see, and the Skunkticons hit Strongarm and Sideswipe again. Grimlock accidentally smashes the command console,setting the floodgates to open and flood the valley, giving the Skunk icons a diversion to escape. Bee focuses, prioritizing the rescue of his teammates first, dealing with the dam second, and once the effects of the spray wear off, the capture of the Skunkticons. During the capture, Grimlock gets hit again, and credits roll.
Overall, I didn’t really care for the Skunkticons. Maybe it’s because my neighborhood is overrun by skunks, and the little stinky bastards are living in my backyard. I will say that the bits in the realm of the Primes were probably the best parts of this episode, though
Final Thoughts:
- Autocorrect on my word processor keeps changing “Skunkticons” into “Skunk icons“. Stupid Microsoft.
- Micronus’ alt form is probably a giant steel dildo.
- Oh my God I just realized that none of the Autobots save Grimlock’s T-rex form have noses.
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