#/ THIS IS ONLY SMOL CAUSE I ALWAYS WRITE YOU LONG STARTERS <3

[grcveyacd]

“ you know that you’re an asshole, right? “ // @dialsdrnk - muse roulette meme

[whereyoursparkresides]

Breakdown’s “Dinobot-like” Redemption Arc Theory + Analysis

Ok so I may be way late into this party, but upon coming across this theory thread on TFW2005 forum the other day, I have to join and put in my two cents. In the joint discussion between Autobot Burnout, Soundwaverulls and Lord Tron, it seems that TFP was meant to have an epic redemption character arc of the same weight and calibre as Beast War’s Dinobot...and the character in question was supposed to be Breakdown! 

(Warning, very long post!)

Although I haven’t been able to find the original official ‘announcement’ (as I was unfortunately not aware of this when TFP first came out) as of yet, I am 110% on board with this, with every fibre of my being. It means Breakdown was never meant to be a half-assed useless mech with no development. In fact, Breakdown’s character was destined for something greater and epic before it was cut abruptly by poor financial planning...and nowhere is that more clearly obvious than in in the episode Operation: Breakdown.

Below are a few examples of instances in which I feel the foundation for Breakdown’s ultimate redemption arc were clearly set up. This episode is stuffed with too many thematic similarities, foreshadowing and allegories to Beast Wars for it to be considered it a homage or only coincidental. Let’s begin!

#1 - Breakdown says so.

Let’s begin with the most obvious - at the episode’s end, Breakdown clearly states the conflict he’ll have to resolve one day: to choose between Bots and Cons. Broadly speaking, weighing between allegiances is a constant theme within the entirety of Dinobot’s arc, from his desertion of the Predacons in the very first episode of Beast Wars, to his grave reconsideration in Code of Hero. You cannot think of Dinobot and not think of his Shakespearean torment with loyalty and allegiance, good and evil.

#2 - Partner Parallels - with Bulkhead and Knockout

With the most obvious similarity out of the way, let’s talk about some of the more subtle hints within TFP. The first is how the relationship between Breakdown and some of the other characters is set up. For starters, if you’re going to write a redemption arc for a baddie-turning-good, you gotta have someone who has reason to doubt him. 

Enter Bulkhead, who establishes from the very first scene he shares with Breakdown, that they have history, and it isn’t pretty. He has no reason to trust Breakdown, and in fact, has a rivalry that is so deeply seeded that he almost seems to thoroughly abhor the Con. Hate him even. Maybe even as much as this guy hates Dinobot:

For those who aren’t familiar with BW, Rattrap is the closest character the Maximals’ have to a Wrecker (his love of bombs and respect for certain levels of authority are mildly evocative of Wheeljack), and he does not like Dinobot. Although these two don’t have a history, their mutual loathing for each other is a defining characteristic of their relationship, as TFP clearly set up for Breakdown and Bulkhead. Rattrap’s and Dinobot’s mutual prejudices hardly ever seem to let up despite them being constantly forcibly paired as a team - this actually becomes a bit of a running joke within the series - until the last episodes concluding Dinobot’s fatal end, when you realize that Rattrap has indeed developed a change of heart. 

Above: Both Autobots, despite their stated loathing, return to save the ‘Con.

While we’re on the topic of teams and partners, let’s also discuss Breakdown’s relationship with this guy:

This is where things diverge a little, as Breakdown doesn’t join the Bots as early as Dinobot did, and thus doesn’t get to develop a “partnership” dynamic with Bulkhead as Rattrap and Dinobot share. However, I am of the mind that Knockout is mean to evoke the positive side of their teamwork relationship. If Bulkhead is meant to echo Rattrap’s violent distaste for Dinobot, then Knockout is meant to allude to the incredibly deep friendship Rattrap ultimately develops with his rival.

(Above: both “teams” about to stick it to the enemy. Can we also talk about how there’s also totally a Big/Smol correlation going on here?)

Since Breakdown doesn’t get as much screentime as Dinobot does, I am also of the mind that this relationship with Knockout is to be a hint of the core goodness within him. Unlike other ‘Cons, Breakdown is friendly and capable of working with others - an attribute that Dinobot finds grossly repulsive, and reluctantly learns to do. While Dinobot’s arc sets him up as a Con learning good, Breakdown’s seems to imply that has good within him all along - and that he just needs a little something to help him realize it.

(Above: Breakdown chatting with a fellow Con; meanwhile Dinobot is despising having to work with another member of the team, especially Rattrap)

If we continue on with the theory that Knockout is meant to echo Rattrap’s deep friendship with Dinobot, then it isn’t far-fetched to assume that Knockout would continue with Rattrap’s arc of grief after Dinbot’s death. Although Rattrap doesn’t actually ever officially get an episode to voice his grief in Beast Wars, there is an unproduced episode script that was intended to explore Rattrap’s grief, called Dark Glass. Although Dark Glass never made it onscreen due to its mature content, it achieved fan notoriety. As a writer for TFP, a series which seemed green-lit to explore such dark themes, a Dark Glass episode would have been an excellent opportunity to make a powerful mark in the overall Prime story, while paying homage to old fans of previous continuities. This would explain why there is so much set-up in earlier scenes with KOBD as a tight pair (they weren’t just partners, but at the least very close friends): the writers were building up for a deeply emotional aftershock in the wake of Breakdown’s (possible) death in redemption. And since Breakdown got such a swift and unexpected death, all that foundation crumbled in Knockout’s continuation of character...perhaps resurfacing briefly in parts of The Human Factor or Thirst.

(Above: Rattrap mourning over Dinobot’s imminent death. WHY COULD WE NOT HAVE GOTTEN A SCENE LIKE THIS WITH KNOCKOUT?!?!)

#3 - Even Optimus Prime Agrees.

Whenever a theme like this comes up, one of the characters must always say it. Breakdown states it at the end of the episode, but Optimus and Bulkhead also totally lay it out for us out in the open:

Optimus: Sometimes, we must rise above ourselves for the greater good.

Bulkhead: Aww, what’s that supposed to mean? Breakdown’s gonna be grateful and go all soft and join the cause?

Optimus: While it is unlikely that any Decepticon will choose the path of good, even they posses the potential for change. 

Bulkhead: Ugh! I knew where this was headed. 

Optimus: By greater good, I meant humankind.

I could go on an on about this particular exchange, but I will surmise the most important points here:

Optimus Prime, like Optimus Primal, is the first and only one to believe the Con has potential for change.

He also clearly states the overall theme of Breakdown (and by association, Bulkhead’s) arc - change for the greater good, an independant, moral good that is of greater significance than alliances or allegiances

If we’re going read into every line - guess who also put their ideals aside for the greater good, and saved humankind? Yep.

Although Dinobot’s overarching theme is about being caught between good and bad, his ultimate redemption in Code of Hero is achieved by literally putting aside both allegiances and doing what he believes is right (“no choice at all”) and defending the proto-humans, literally saving humankind.

#4 - The Easter Egg TV also agrees.

It isn’t a surprise that TFP would be filled with little Easter Eggs or references to its predecessors. Ratchet mentions fuzors and frequently the kids’ TV commercials and shows reference aspects of Beast Wars (like the “Beast Machines” Monster Truck competition). Guess what’s Bulkhead watching during Operation: Breakdown?

HEYYY GUESS WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE VERY FIRST EPISODE OF BEAST WARS 

(And if you need more proof, they actually do fight, and this is the same episode where Dinobot switches from Pred to Maximal)

#5 - The animation lines up (nearly). Literally.

Remember how Breakdown saves Bulkhead from MECH in a split-second decision? Well, in the pilot of Beast Wars, Megatron aims a missile at Optimus that will doom them all. And guess who comes in and saves the day, without hesitation? 

Line it up with the same animation when Breakdown saves Bulk:

If you line it up, both scenes share the same composition. The only difference is that Dinobot comes in from the left, while Breakdown flies in from the right. Don’t you tell me none of this was intentional.

Conclusion

And there you have it. My analysis of Operation: Breakdown to support the theory that Breakdown was never intended to be a useless mech, or a one-dimensional supporting character. It is clear there were great plans in store for this mech with a heart as big as his tires, and it an absolute travesty that we never got to see it come to pass. Breakdown’s abrupt death not only did his character a grave disservice, but also to the story of Transformers Prime - for a show whose theme ultimately revolves around the complexities of moral good, Breakdown’s redemption arc would have been utterly perfect. Powerful, genuine and devastating, it would have left its mark and shadow in the hearts of this generation and more to come - a truly potent tale worthy of Silicon Valhalla, a permanent addition to the collection of best-written Transformers narratives.

[ultimate-gaymer-girl-blog]

Rules

Rules are under read more!!

Information

1) This blog is not selective and will never be mutuals only; I know how it feels to have a RP blog you really want to interact with (not that anyone would want to do that with me–) just to find out they are either selective, mutuals only or private. It sucks.

2) NSFW content isn't allowed on this blog.

3) This blog is OC friendly and I am more than happy to interact with OC’s ^-^

4) This blog is also multi-ship; I basically ship Chiaki with like…Everyone (Canon-wise) . So you’re always welcome to ship with me!

5) I run on the GTM time zone; I just added this incase anyone wanted to know or was curious.

6) Sometimes my replies are short and I can’t help that; I’m not the best of writers so I do try my best to make them as long as I can

7) I’m still in school, so replies will be varied from 9-3pm GTM time (Sorry)

8) I try my best to tag all triggers. Please tell me if you need me to tag anything.

9) I, the Mun, use the he/him pronouns so please respect that! :3

Rules

1) No godmodding; Its never fun for someone to control your character or to have a muse that can’t die. I will allow my muse to die, but only if I want her to or it had been discussed in IM.

2) Memes are open for everyone to send in, but I ask that if you reblog a meme from me could you please try and send in an ask from it? It means a lot…But of course you don’t have to!

3) Shipping; Do not force a Ship on me and I will not force a Ship on you. I am a huge sucker to healthy polyamourosity (*cough cough*). So, if you want to ship my muse within an OT3, just ask.

4) I will RP crossovers if I know the fandom well enough.

5) I will not RP with anyone that guilt-trips me into RPing with them.

6) I will RP Banter, Crack, Single Para, and multi Para. On rare occasion I will write you a novel. Be warned. My favourite things to RP are angst and fluff!

7) If you are caught being a bully or sending anon hate I will drop any and all threads with you and block you. There is no exception to this.

8) The anon-function may be used for any roleplay-related, or private messages, as long as it is not for any negative purpose.

9) Just because my muse does something, does not mean I condone it in real life. We are two different people.

10) No matter what my mood is, I will try to get replies out. But I hope you can understand that if I’m feel down that my replies will be varied and will probably suck.

11) I have the right to follow and unfollow people if I see fit.

12) My IM’s are always open if you want to plot, and I love making new friends! So please IM me if you wanna plot or whatever :3

13) Respect me and my muse

14) Be polite

15) Do not, and I repeat, Do not harass my RP partners. Some of the people I’ve met though role playing are like family to me and if you harass them their will be trouble.

15) No reblogging roleplays seriously, I understand you may enjoy them, but like it instead so you can read back on it. It also causes confusions for the Mun’s!

16) I will RP with genderbents and I will ship with them :3

17) M!A’s are accepted if I like them. I have the right to ignore them if I wish.

18) I do not RP with anons. I know this kind of ignores the not being selective, but I don’t RP with anons. You can send in anons with your blog names, that’s totally fine! But if you aren’t a RP blog, and you just send in anon messages trying to RP then no. I don’t do that.

19) I guess mutuals get priority? I mean, if we are mutuals I am more likely to reply to you first.

20) The last rule; Just have fun! I do this to have fun and try and relax from life, and I advise you to do the same!

If you have read my rules, please send me a message saying; “The DR3 dub was a mistake.”

Anybody who sends in the  message will get a smol starter as a thank you ;3

Thanks for reading! ^-^