Transformers EarthSpark Season 1 Episode 13: Missed Connection REVIEW (SPOILERS!!!)

[@soundwave.superior]

I adored this ep sm, almost to the point of crying while watching the first time. It means everything to me, as a neurodivergent nonbinary person who so often finds themselves identifying with the hyperintelligent loner character trope. I wish I'd had this sort of show was around when I was a child, it would've helped me figure myself out so much sooner! And as Tarantulas pointed out, understanding yourself so young is such a blessing. Also, I find it fascinating how much the ideological schism between Tarantulas and Nightshade resembles the same schism and identity politics within the LGBT community in the US beginning in the 1950s. I have an educational background in Women & Gender Studies, and as soon as they began debating the merits of assimilation vs. existing loudly and proudly as oneself. It was like listening to a conversation between two generations of queer people, one who never felt safe to exist as himself in a harsh and unforgiving society vs. one who has only ever known acceptance from loved ones regardless of identity or expression. Tarantulas being someone so desperate to live freely that he would hide who he is amongst the normies (assimilation) vs. Nightshade feeling perfectly content with who they are and existing unapologetically as themselves, even without labels or a community... God, it floods me with dopamine, thinking about it. There are so many themes that can be examined and dissected within this episode, so many angles that could be explored! It's simply a top-tier, amazing piece of media! TFE is by far my favorite Transformers property thus far and I wan't wait to watch more episodes of it.

[@Autobot-Sonic]

Absolutely! Tara I can totally understand being coded as sort of an older, closeted LGBT person and it was so cool to see how he interacted with Nightshade this episode! I love how Nightshade's character is growing, and I can't wait to see more of them! Really hoping they get to see Tarantulas again too!

[@thunderstrike_the_maximal]

Ma boy wrote a whole essay

[@Autobot-Sonic]

@@thunderstrike_the_maximal So?

[@thunderstrike_the_maximal]

Im just impressed

[@56bturn]

Honestly, searching up Tarantulas proved a surprise to see how nasty of a figure they were in most other media. But I find it nice that this Tarantulas is characterised as someone who just wants to live peacefully. Without having to fear every day.

[@b1njjj95]

Also... *"I'LL PREPARE THE WORKSTATION!!!"* 😂😂😂 The cutest freaking thing ever!

[@b1njjj95]

I really enjoyed this episode. Seeing Nightshade's quirky personality shine through and seeing them so enthusiastic about science was really fun to watch. Their alt mode is so cool! I can't get over their big, luminous eyes. 🤩 I also really enjoyed seeing Nightshade form a bond with Tarantulas and seeing them work together was cool. I really hope we get to see more of their friendship in future episodes.

[@Autobot-Sonic]

You and me both! I'm really hoping we get to see their relationship develop more in another episode!

[@Iceaiden]

i went into this as a beast wars fan and seeing tarantulas again, i was like dont trust that big overgrown arachnid, i ended that episode screaming for him to make out a live. who would of thought i end up cheering for tarantulas of all people. this show is good

[@56bturn]

Such a contrast, isn't it? A genuine sadist that disconcerts his own compatriots, who enjoys the eating of prey over the actual nourishment. Vicious and insane. And here, a frightening figure whose ultimate goal is just to find some damn peace in their life. One makes for a pretty good 'villain you like to hate', but isn't terribly complex. The other is someone you feel sympathy for, a complicated soul.

[@Iceaiden]

@@56bturn I highly agree

[@transformandgobricks7820]

I like that this episode was Written by Mae Catt, who also worked on Cyberverse and War for Cybertron trilogy.

[@charjrperalta1658]

One is a good show one is a shit show so it equal

[@amberbarosh]

You dont need to be introverted or neurodivergent to prefer playing one way or the other. Its become so toxic and annoying that people assume just becuase you dont want to go out and do things means you are being unhealthy, dont know what its like or there is soemthing wrong with you. I have been a night owl and like doing things inside that are creative while one of my parents constantly tried to pressure me into doing things he considered "healthy" or "fun" without considering what the other person felt (me) or whether i found those things fun. Its extrmeely annoying when someone acts like you cant understand what you like or dont like when you just want to be able to do the things you like, instead of things people see as typical of fun or what they think people should do or that theyre not sane or enlightened about the fun of things they just dont like, like going out, having shallow interactions, drinking, doing physical activities. All things not everyone likes. I wish people were more aware of people having other interests and preferneces instead of trying to pressure them to act a way that is seen as "normal", outgoing, healthy, etc, whatever you want to call it.

[@Autobot-Sonic]

Totally agree with this! There's no one "right way" to have fun. As long as you're not hurting yourself or others, there's nothing wrong with spending your free time however you want.

[@maximaldinotrap]

BY PRIMUS! Did they base this Tarantulas' personality on what little we saw of Shattered Glass Tarantulas?

[@Autobot-Sonic]

No, actually. He's based off IDW Tarantulas!

[@56bturn]

'Sins of the Wreckers' apparently.

[@kristianpolanco8259]

I like Nightshade.

[@EchoCryo884]

This episode was amazing it gave a good characterization and ult mode to nightshade Then gives a interesting character revamp to Tarantulus and I love it

[@steveplaceholder6522]

This is my favorite ep of the series

[@SlowpokeWooper21]

I don’t care what anyone else says, this is the best tarantulas design hands down.

[@KTWhatsup]

I’m mixed on either this episode or Decoy is my favourite

[@esmithbss]

Second best Deceptikon in this first season besides Megatron, who I don’t know should count star scream is pretty good though. I really wish she showed up in seasons two or three

[@soundwavegamer2321]

This was an interesting episode. I pleasantly enjoyed seeing a new take on Tarantulas and seeing him interact with someone else outside of the beast wars stuff was fascinating. I also liked Nightshade here. While I did cringe at the they/them thing for a bit I was glad to them give him much more of a character then it just being his pronouns. He cares about his family and truly wants to protect them so he builds Gadget, works to see what he can do to help them and over all its great characterization it how a think these characters should be treated. Not by having how they identify be their character, but their motivation and their abilities be what defines them. It’s why I love characters like Veronica and Arcade from New Vegas, but dislike people like American Chavez. I also think we shouldn’t have the transformers gender, their giant sentient robots I think they should at least be all they/them due to them may not having the concept of gender due to having different ways of expanding their species.

[@harlan488]

This is the only ship I support

[@pearsegallagher9832]

algorithm comment

[@greygremlin1248]

Im sorry but i don't want a misunderstood Tarantulas or a redeemable Megatron. I want a sadistic Tarantulas and a tyrannical Megatron. They could have had Blackarachnia be the misunderstood one and Thundercracker be the redeemable one

[@Autobot-Sonic]

Opinion noted. There's several other Tarantulas and Megatrons out there for you.

[@greygremlin1248]

@@Autobot-Sonic then ill just stick with Original Beast Wars and Transformers G1 to Prime. I appreciate to be left in the past

[@Autobot-Sonic]

@@greygremlin1248 Have fun there then.

[@greygremlin1248]

@@Autobot-Sonic believe me. I WILL.

[@Deadman7600.]

Maybe instead of intrinsically linking each iteration of the characters to the other versions in other shows you should just look at them for what they are. Their own self contained characters. Besides, black arachnia makes a better sadist imo.