Ghilz wrote:(Airazor and Tigatron are put on a bus, in a decision that makes no sense other than justifying the show continuing by preventing the Maximals from outnumbering their foes)
That boils down to the same reason Waspinator was going to be killed, and Scorponok and Terrosaur actually were. Hasbro said "don't waste time and resources showing off the old toys, only show the NEW ones!"
So the characters had to be written out as soon as possible. Hasbro was actually not pleased that Tigerhawk was created at all... but he wsa so popular they ended up making a toy eventually anyway.
Similarly, the writers also insisted that "We need at least SOME characters to look the same throughout so the show is recognizable" and thats why Rhinox and Waspinator never upgraded.
RobbyB1982 wrote:
So the characters had to be written out as soon as possible. Hasbro was actually not pleased that Tigerhawk was created at all... but he wsa so popular they ended up making a toy eventually anyway.
That's not entirely correct
First Hasbro DID make Tigerhawk, requesting his inclusion, and designing a toy for him. They, at the time, were juggling with giving Beast Wars a season 4. However, they then changed their mind, deciding not to release the toy, and asking Tigerhawk be removed, but since Mainframe had already made him, and making new models is so damn expensive (especially at the time when CGI tv shows are a new thing), There was no real way to not use it, so Hasbro instead ordered he be killed immediately. Months after the season ended, Hasbro decided to release the toy they had made.
CareerKnight wrote:Namely that even though he is completely untrustworthy Megatron still keeps him around cause he's just so damn useful and frequently relies on him being an x factor in his schemes.
He's damn useful and often sees things eye to eye with Megatron with regard to them being stuck on Earth. You could very well see if the Preds won and were going to leave that the last act would be both of them trying to get rid of the other now that they were no longer of any use to each other (and in Tarantulas case it would be him up against Megs loyalists too).
Inferno remains his delightful psychotic self, and basically keeps the same efficiency as a grunt (Though his role as the heavy grunt is somewhat usurped by Rampage).
Inferno goes from being a deadly comical antagonist to becoming a unsympathetic Waspinator 2.0. The fact that he starts being reduced to pieces after fights more and more over the latter course of the show is a big indication of that.
CareerKnight wrote:
Inferno remains his delightful psychotic self, and basically keeps the same efficiency as a grunt (Though his role as the heavy grunt is somewhat usurped by Rampage).
Inferno goes from being a deadly comical antagonist to becoming a unsympathetic Waspinator 2.0. The fact that he starts being reduced to pieces after fights more and more over the latter course of the show is a big indication of that.
If only his awesome death scene during the Agenda had stuck. It was a much better end than the one that happened later.
CareerKnight wrote: Namely that even though he is completely untrustworthy Megatron still keeps him around cause he's just so damn useful and frequently relies on him being an x factor in his schemes.
It also helps to keep him around since Megatron can make use of a little controlled rebellion, such is letting Terrorsaur take control to show he's the only way they'll win. Quite a Machiavelli villain for a kids show.
Plus, since the team rosters were basically balanced at all times, you pretty much had to keep Tarantulus around just so you wouldn't be outnumbered.
It made less sense in original Transformers to keep Starscream around when there were dozens and dozens on both sides with potential reinforcements from Cybertron... but all on your own when you've only got 6 guys you pretty much much need to keep them no matter how traitorous or incompetant... at least up until the point they nearly successfully kill you.
It would have been a rather different show if they'd landed on opposite continents though rather than within walking distance.
CareerKnight wrote:Along with Terrorsaur, Waspinator, Airazor, Tigatron, and technically Inferno.
While the change to the look of the characters wasn't their idea, the writers definitely made the most of it. Out of his three looks, transmetal Megatron is probably my favorite.
Since when was there a transmetal Tigatron, Airrazor, and Inferno?
When it came to the toys, pretty much all the major characters from the show had them even if they didn't get them in the show.
Tigatron:
Yet another recolor of Cheetor though at least with a bit more redesign to him.
Airazor:
The Seaplane mode is a bit silly.
Inferno:
I had this one as a kid and silly drill hands aside, I liked it.
CareerKnight wrote:Along with Terrorsaur, Waspinator, Airazor, Tigatron, and technically Inferno.
While the change to the look of the characters wasn't their idea, the writers definitely made the most of it. Out of his three looks, transmetal Megatron is probably my favorite.
Since when was there a transmetal Tigatron, Airrazor, and Inferno?
When it came to the toys, pretty much all the major characters from the show had them even if they didn't get them in the show.
Tigatron:
Yet another recolor of Cheetor though at least with a bit more redesign to him.
Airazor:
The Seaplane mode is a bit silly.
Inferno:
I had this one as a kid and silly drill hands aside, I liked it.
Are you sure the NAME of it is Inferno? I think I remember hearing about an Antagony? Also what Botcon was that Tigatron?