Robotech Episodes 13-18

by Nathan Stout (of AccordingToWhim.com)

I have just finished the book that covers these six episodes of the series. I decided to read first, then watch the show. Next time I will watch the show, read just that part of the book that the episode covers then read the corresponding comic. I figure that this will give me a selection of the 'best' way to experience Robotech in my year long Robotech-Bonanza! By the way, we just made it half way through the year (this last Sunday) so I better pick up steam! Click here if you need background on what the heck I am doing...

Episode #13 Blue Wind

The seat things that the bridge officer's have at their consoles always looked cool to me. I know it took extra effort to add that to the animation and I appreciate that.

Rick's neck at the escape de-briefing is suuuuupppppppeeeer long.

The officer's at the de-breifing are rat bastards!

Max and Rick are midgets compared to Ben.

During the ceremony the music the Robotech theme. Talk about busting down the 4th wall...

Although Khyron was a necessary plot device I never did care for him. It probably stems from the fact that I don't care for the battle scenes and that's pretty much what Khyron was all about.

When Rico, Konda, and Bron start floating they Konda looks totally different. It's like some other animators did this scene and they didn't know what the characters looked like.

Once again the Zentraedi shoot themselves in the foot and a near victory is stopped.

The splash down of the SDF-1 is probably the best the animation company could do for the day and age (and money). Wouldn't a remake of the series be awesome (like the new Space Battleship Yamato series)?

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Episode #14 Gloval's Report

Uuuuuuuugggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

I will comment that there is a little bit of new animation in this episode. Mainly Gloval talking into his computer (which appears to me to be something like Dragon Dictation... man they were ahead of their time), and the other new bit is when Lisa comes in with coffee. Other than that it's all reused footage (some not seen in the American version) with re-recorded dialogue (which in some cases changes the context of the scene).

 

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Episode #15 Homecoming

This episode wins the award for having the most densely packed story of any episode thus far (and probably to come). It's the story to Rick and Minmei's trip to Japan and Gloval and Lisa's trip to Alaska base.

The SDF-1 made it back to earth and people are partying like it's 1999... or something.

In Alaska while Lisa and Gloval are in the lift there is this strange bit of dialogue where they seems to talk over each other and nothing makes sense. If you watch it you will see what I am talking about.

Minmei is in FULL brat mode at this point. If people were on the fence about hating here this episode probably pushed them over.

Minmei's dad is a real punk too. I can see why she liked to hang out with her Aunt Lena and Uncle Max.

This is the fateful episode where Lynn Kyle shows his ugly mug. What a pain in the butt! I think Minmei and him were a perfect match and they should have just married... oops I'm getting ahead of myself.

In Alaska the UEG act like little babies and dismiss the SDF-1 as big trouble and nothing more. Just like any real government they hid the alien attack from the world and told everyone that the ship and all the people on the island are dead. This makes returning the people impossible. This is a great story element and really adds to the cool-factor of this show. I can't imagine how little kids viewed this episode but caters to the older viewer in a big way.

Chris and I watched this episode together so we could talk about it on one of our audio shows (According To Whim). We then went on to talk about an interesting story he had to relay about his job. Here is the audio show. If you want to hear more of our show check out page. We have been doing it for more than 10 years now!

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Episode #16 Battlecry

During the intro the narrator says that Minmei's parents convince Kyle to go back with Minmei to look out for her, but if you remember it was Kyle's idea and her parents reluctantly agreed.

Kyle's mom shows more emotion than Minmei's at their child's return.

The scene where the Zentraedi spies break the glass and try to eat the display food is one of my favorites in the whole series. I don't know why it always stuck with me. It was probably because it was one of those moments where I realized that a cartoon about robots and war could have a story that's just as good as all the action.

Lisa's Kyle psychosis begins here, ugh.

Hey, there's Jason! We haven't seen him in forever! He hasn't grown in an inch in more than a year... must be space that stunted his growth.

When the fight in the White Dragon begins the tables all vanish! Oh, there they are again.

Right before the break Max asks if Kyle is real or is he (Max) crazy and Rick answers... 'yes'. WTF?

On Azonia's ship that person who tells her Khyron is heading to the SDF-1 sounds alot like a man!

Lisa's emotions for Rick are getting stronger... or it could be the Kyle psychosis.

Once again Destroids are being wiped out left and right.

For as cheesy the animation looks at times (the B team of animators) this episode is pretty good. It has drama and action in just the right measure.

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Episode #17 Phantasm

This episode is just above Gloval's Report in tediousness. Where Gloval's Report is 95% reused footage Phantasm is somewhere around 70% but at least it has a different story behind the reused footage.

Rick has been injured after the battle in the last episode 'near bird island' (as the narrator points out).

The episode uses previous footage but as I said before it's not a retelling, the story is totally different (Rick's dreams).

Sammie's line of 'stupid' as opposed to 'lecher' fits better. I'm glad that's sorted.

I find it interesting that his whole psyche revolves around rescuing Minmei. As much as a throwaway episode this was the premise of what goes on in Rick's mind is interesting.

"I've been sorta wondering though... what's all this gonna cost me?" This is the best line of the episode.

There's not much you can nitpick 'reality' or 'continuity' wise since it's a dream (like when Max says he needs to switch back to Guardian but pulls down the B control).

The hospital beds in the SDF-1 are HUGE!

Chris and I like saying to each other "Yes Rick, only a dream."

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Episode #18 Farwell Big Brother

Oh, the bed has shrunk back down a bit.

The nurses in the hospital wear really REALLY short skirts. I guess they figure it's good for the male patients. lol.

Lisa's visit to Rick's room was flat out rude. Lisa might be a little confused but that's no reason to be a jerk.

The present Roy gives Rick is only half wrapped. Talk about lazy!

The Minmei doll the spies steal isn't very big but it appears to grow in size once they smuggle it back on the Zentraedi ship.

Since males and females are forbidden to interact in the Zentraedi culture why do we always see them talking to eachother over the video screens?

Right before the forces engage each other there is a shot on the bridge of the SDF-1 on the Vanessa's display screen. You can see the SDF-1 'standing' on the ocean floor. I've never noticed that... cool.

Once again a female Zentraedi in Myria's group sounds like a man.

Ut oh, Rick's bed has grown again. Perhaps it knew Minmei was about to show up... he he he.

I like Rick's house slippers.

An enemy ship gaining  access to the city inside the SDF-1 is AWESOME. The panic and anxiety everyone experiences is cool.

Minmei's manager seems to be wearing house slippers too.

I have always wondered what the techs working Roy's Veritech saw in the cockpit. I wonder if they show it in Macross?

The point then Roy dies is a pivotal moment in the success and the legacy of Robotech. This sort of thing just didn't happen in cartoons and much has been written about it. Go research it if you don't believe me.

It's at this point in the series that Roboteh gets increasingly better and better. The story line start maturing even more and it really goes from being a 'battle the aliens' show to a war show about the people involved in it.

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Robotech Episodes 1-6

by Nathan Stout (of AccordingToWhim.com)

Here we go! We have finally go to the actual episodes in my 2012 chronological Robotech Experience! Click here if you know nothing of this. The story of Zor's betrayal and the early escapades of Roy Fokker and the rest of the Macross Island crew has passed and we have approached 2009 and the launch day of the SDF-1.

As I have said in the past I didn't enjoy the Remastered Robotech that was released a few years back. I found the audio very distracting. I am watching the first DVD set that was released back in early 2000/2001.

These 'reviews' are not reviews in the traditional sense but more reaction / commentary on stuff I think is interesting enough to comment on.

After each episode I will also include some tidbits from Protoculture Addicts (in the form of images right out of that great old fanzine!

One final note before we begin. You will notice the animation quality varies throughout the series. There was the 'A' team of animators and... the other guys. I don't know exactly what the arrangement was but you will notice that the pivotal episodes were done in a much higher quality than most of the rest of the series (the Macross part). Extensive use of shadowing will give away which 'team' you are watching. The first few episodes were the primary team (as well as the original ending episode when Earth gets attacked by the Zentraedi and they also did the last episode of the Macross saga). Keep an eye out and you will see it.

Episode #1 Boobytrap

The SDF-1 looks rather different than most Tirolian ships. While it is descending to Earth it looks much like it does after it is rebuilt (very angular). After the crash there is a slow pass across the hull and it has a definite green tint and looks Zentraedi.

I aways found it funny the way the narrator first calls Robotech 'Rubutech'

Mayor Lunan stands with the crowds when Gloval and Russo pass. The RDF sure treated him like crap! He should be right there in the middle of the ceremonies.

Right before Roy takes the stage there is a close, low shot of the stage and underneath the SDF-1. You remember that it sits on some massive support structures. If you pause the show you can see under there. It's a shot you never see much of or think about. There is quite a bit going on down there. As someone who played the Roleplaying game I was always looking for cool locations like that to set part of my adventures in.

As Roy is saying that Robotechnology makes such precision possible there is a scan of the crowd and someone who looks ALOT like the Zentraedi spy Rico is in the background.

I always thought the part where Rick buzzes Roy on the stage was awesome. Afterwards when Rick and talking to Roy you get to just how short Rick is.

This is one of the first edits from the original Macross. Roy is clearing leering at Minmei's legs as she walks away from the cola machine with Jason. In the US version that shot of her legs walking away is cut. That's why Rick says Roy is still a ladies man.

When the Zentraedi Flagship comes through the jump it looks like they used a shot made for the SDF-1's entry, it looks pointy at the front, not rounded.

Who in their right mind would take a civilian for a test flight? Roy would have been court marshaled!

When Claudia tries to shut off the main controls it looks like a stove nob.

You will notice that the unsure, bumbling Roy Fokker from the comics is gone and in his place is the far more adult, confident combat professional.

The bit where Roy is talking to Rick and casually flips the missile cover and looses 2 missile to destroy a Butrouo fighter is so cool.

When Rick's ship transforms and crashes into all those buildings there is a shot of the foot rockets firing to stop the forward motion. Right when the shot begins you can see someone standing on the left of the screen. He gets blasted off the screen when the foots comes tearing through the building. You will have to use your pause/slomo button to see it. Poor guy.

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# of 'Uh?!' said by the characters during this episodes: 10
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Episode #2 Countdown

Lisa just tells Gloval he will just have to do without Roy's team... the cheek!

We get some more of the super annoying Jason. Shut that kid up!

When the helicopters get blowup you can see one of the pilots puts his arms out as he is annihilated. I aways thought was was so 'adult' for a cartoon to show a death like that.

Couldn't that truck drive use another street and go around Rick's battloid?

On Kim's screens there are various images including the Earth, some readouts, and an image of a field with a tree.

The shots of the street level urban combat between battloids and battlepods is cool. The shots of the battlepods walking is particularly cool. It has an 'alien invasion' feel to it.

I won't mention the physics of the Rick opening his cock pit in mid flight to save Minmei because Ill leave it for my review of the book.

Of course if you know about Macross and such you will know there is some more editing here when the Zentraedi comes for Rick's guardian and Roy blows a hole in his back. In the original version it's a slightly longer shot and you see the hole get blown in his chest.

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# of 'Uh?!' said by the characters during this episodes: 7
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Episode #3 Spacefold

The announcer covers a lot of ground in the opening of this episode.

During more of the ground battle scenes several battlepods blow up from laser bolts... that hit the ground all around them. Those are some powerful blasts!

I noticed that it appears this is the 'B-Team' of animators. You will notice how different and a little more crude the animation looks. The mecha looks more rounded and less angular. The character's looks seem to change. They have a particularly hard time

You will notice some voice actors doing different voices. One Veritech pilot has the voice of Ben Dixon.

I have always wondered why Veritech pilots don't seems to wear sealtbelts...

The drive through the SDF-1 to the Mockingbird shows you just how big the inside of the SDF-1 is. It's not so unreasonable to think they moved the city in there.

In this episode the Zentraedi basically destroy the Armor Space Platforms. Have you ever noticed that in the series the SDF-1 gets the Dadelus and Promethus as 'arms' but in the movies and later series they have one of the Armor Platforms instead of the Promethus?

When the Zentraedi is firing between the SDF-1 and Armor Space Platforms there are several red and gray ships that look alot like aircraft carriers in the background.

All I have to say is... "Yes Sir, Cap-taaaan"

I hope Rick knew that the SDF-1 was back in the atmosphere before he pulled that lever to open the bay doors (when he left the SDF-1 in his plane).

When the fold starts happening there is a shot of the ocean and one of the aircraft carries and one of those red and gray ships... IN THE SKY. What the heck is it? I thought only the SDF-1 had anti gravity.

There are a couple of battlepods still in Macross city when the fold starts... I thought they all left earlier?

Now if this were real how do you think Henry Gloval felt when he saw Macross Island out in deep space? He basically doomed a lot of people to their deaths. Claudia warned him about jumping so close to the ground.

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# of 'Uh?!' said by the characters during this episodes: 18
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Episode #4 Countdown

Lisa thinks it's strange that she can't contact anyone on the Prometheus or Dadelus... hummm ocean going vessels in deep space...

We seem to have switched back to the "A" team of animators.

When Rick and Minmei bust open the water pipe it's a good thing it wasn't a sewer line! Also this is where the infamous topless Minmei scene is located (in the Japanese movie version anyway).

Rick seems to have grown up very quickly. He seemed so young in the first 3 episodes but suddenly he seems much older. I guess war does that to you :)

Lisa opens some 'SDF-1' brand sugar.

"Tuna fish!"

Teens now a days would have jumped in the sack in the first 24 hours, there would have been no talk of marriage, lol.

When the crowd starts looking down in the hole when Rick and Minmei are found Rico's voice can be heard. I swear he was on Macross Island from day one! (not really people).

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# of 'Uh?!' said by the characters during this episodes: 14
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Episode #5 Transformation

Why is Minmei always humming the wedding march?

There is a crane carrying a MAC II Monster through the city but it is wayyyy too small in size. It would have been like four times bigger.

The Mayor's wife fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down!

I'm gonna have to stop referring to voice actors voicing other characters, it just happens too often!

For some reason the animators made Lang's eyes dark for no apparent reason. Carl Macek gave those eyes a back story (Lang 'interfaced' with the Protoculture rich SDF-1 and was zapped by it). I think Lang is a pretty awesome character.

The videos the Zentraedi watch when they identify Earthlings as Micronians... the scenes are fairly graphic for a cartoon, people getting blasted, people getting thrown off skyscrapers... little Johnny is gonna have nightmares.

When Rick is talking to Minmei in her room a building moves by the window. It's being hauled by crane down the street complete with a bed inside. Robotechnology sure is spectacular.

There appears to have been a fairly long time period between the SDF-1s fold and the time the Zentraedi catch up with them. I'm sure that would be a good gap for some comic stories and RPG adventures. Alot of stuff must have happened (non-war stuff) during this time.

The shots of the SDF-1 during it's transformations are top notch. They knew they needed to make it look good for it's first time.

Macross city looks like total crap afterward.

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# of 'Uh?!' said by the characters during this episodes: 19
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Episode #6 Blitzkrieg

The clothing store scene was cut out of the FHE 'condensed' version of the show so I didn't see it for years. The bridge bunnies digging through the pantie bin is hilarious.

The first meeting of Rick and Lisa is really great. Top notch stuff!

The night meeting between Rick and Minmei is great too. This scene defines the characters and situation so very well.

Unfortunately the battle in the rings of Saturn isn't all that great compared to the two previous scenes (the Lisa/Rick and Rick/Minmei scene). The only real redeeming part of the battle is the mobile shield barrier stuff. The three women rolling the balls around trying to keep up with the incoming fire is so funny.

I'm not bashing this particular space battle or anything it's just that I never was a big fan of the battles. They just seemed to slow down the storyline for me.

Breetai seems to have no issue with sending his commanders to their deaths just to test the SDF-1's ability.

The announcer does a lot of exposition at the end of this episode. He says that Rick feels that things were changing inside of him... yeah, it's called puberty! lol.

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