#the darby pop arc is so solid.

[onewingedsparrow]

I never noticed this before but man, even right in the beginning of the Pilot episode of RiD, the faithfulness to Optimus that Bumblebee has shows itself so well.

No sooner does 'Bee register that his vision of Optimus Prime is telling him to go to Earth than he revs up and rolls out, just like that.

Strongarm has apprehended Sideswipe, and dealing with him ought to be 'Bee's top priority; but no, Optimus' command pulls rank, even though Bumblebee is the only one to hear the silent, wordless order.

Naturally, Strongarm calls out about sticking to protocol; but Bumblebee knows this directive from Optimus is urgent, so he doesn't even stop running. He simply calls back over his shoulder that he's gonna meet her at the station, and keeps right on booking it towards where Optimus told him to go.

And the scene could have ended right there, showcasing Bumblebee's dedication, and cutting to him entering the building where he finds the Space Bridge. But no, the scene takes it farther than merely that; it shows us that 'Bee runs across the street.

Doesn't even transform. Doesn't stop to think. Just runs right out into the open road, in the middle of busy traffic, dancing around collision after collision...and then almost gets hit by a truck.

And Bumblebee, a war veteran, and proven police officer, has this "deer in the headlights" moment where this big semi is coming right at him, high beams on—and he stares at it for a breathless, drawn out moment.

Bumblebee does not freeze in combat. This is not a moment of fear. If you watched TFP, if you know Bumblebee, you understand. instead, here, you can practically follow his train of thoughts even as they roll through his mind. This truck...honking at me...headlights so bright...is this another vision of Optimus, perhaps? No. Looks like it's not. Guess I'll keep moving.

This storyboarding of this show is so good. Bumblebee doesn't think twice about anything; he just knows that Optimus needs him—so he goes for it with everything he's got. Whether that's leaping at Skyquake despite being told to stay hidden, soaring over the Omega Lock with Star Saber in hand, or bolting across multiple lanes of oncoming traffic to get to the the building that Optimus pointed him to...Bumblebee will do it. No second thoughts. I really admire his character for that faithfulness to Optimus Prime...and it pleases me to no end that it displays itself so clearly even in Bumblebee's very first moments in this series.