The Wild Robot (2024) | The Wild Robot (by Peter Brown) | Pluto (2023) | A Psalm for the Wild Built (by Becky Chambers) | Zima Blue (2019) | The Last Bastion (2016) | All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace (by Richard Brautigan) | Castle in the Sky (1986)
The G1 Transformers cartoon is mainly episodic and not indepth with its characters opting to focus on a wide cast and adventures. Some may say it was solely just to sell more toys and merchandise, and I can wholly disagree. But I can't wholly agree either. There are some ideas that stay ideas, or fleeting moments of the heart that make me tear up, or have stood the test of time as other people are able to recall.
And for me personally, one of said concepts is Grimlock and the Technobots.
Grimlock and the other dinobots were built by Ratchet and Wheeljack. In both cases, introduced to them by people of Earth, in enthusiasm to help the cause, as well as a general appreciation of the former rulers of Earth.
Sure, they were built to be Autobots to be brute force warriors, but also for the pure joy of an appreciation to the creatures of Earth's past. But purposely made with the assumption that dinosaurs were stupid, therefore they must be made stupid too. And it wasn't the grandest of starts for the first three.
Throughout the series the Dinobots are belittled and seen as lesser beings. Their intelligence and way of speaking mocked. Their loyalty shakey. They occasionally make remarks about their relation to the Autobots. They were made this way. And not even Wheeljack and Ratchet are immune to making jabs at them — and they MADE the Dinobots. To focus on what in front of you, to have innate instincts, to dig into the Earth, to be animalistic— primitive, less than a person, even.
Then fast forward past the Transformers movie where their creators get BBQd because Hasbro needs a new set of toys! And just so happens that the Dinobots are in good standing as far as sell-ability goes.
Then there is the episode, Grimlock's New Brain.This episode begins by really hammering it in how Grimlock wants to help but since he doesn't know as much as the other characters, is prone to mess things up. Something is missing. A brain. Que another scheme by Galvatron and co, and the bots are on the case.
He alone from the other Dinobots wants to take an active role in the Autobot ranks. And throughout, the Autobots let Grimlock know directly how they think the Dinobots lowly, Perceptor saying this with no shame to his face. And Grimlock affirms this by saying he bashes brains instead of having one. Because how else would he think, being told this time after time?
Grimlock in his pride, messes up their navigating device, exclaiming his frustration and accuses the bots of thinking him stupid and not wanting him.
Eventually, Grimlock gets hit with a spark of intelligence. And he sees the world beyond the way of his fellow Dinobots, able to problem solve and come up with plans, filled with the worries of the average Autobot and more. And his fellow Dinobots are dumbstruck with how different Grimlock is.
And he goes on to help the Autobots. Even at a point having Perceptor remark about being confused as to why he didnt think of what Grimlock had, the dino retorting Perceptor" having limited thinking "Because your mental abilities are so limited". Which of course is in regard to the situation at hand, but to me? Can be interpreted in how he regarded Grimlock beforehand.
The other Dinobots look for Grimlock. He goes and tries to get his Dinobot companions to help, to no avail. They dont like this new Grimlock, who looks down on them with big words and claws on hips.
And once more, he left, but not by the other Autobots but his fellow Dinobots.
Eventually in the heat of battle, Grimlock finds that his words and explanations have no time, no one can understand his plan in the situation he is in, and has no choice but to leave the Autobots and go Alone. And in this scene, he takes spare parts and creates a new bot, Nosecone. Who first remarks "Are you my father?"
Locking in, Grimlock has him transform, blah blah episode plot stuff. And Grimlock creates the other Technobots, designating Scattershot as leader, for "I wont be of use to you much longer", as if in knowledge of what he must do. And Scattershot is scared, rightfully so — he was just woken to life, unsure of the situation and not ready for whats to come. But the time has come and He Must.
And the Technobots go to battle against the Terrorcons, seeing the might of Abominus and fleeing. They return to Grimlock, and Grimlock lets them know — they are more than they think! And they transform into Computron. Who all intents an purposes is a big nerd with not enough brain power. Computron recognizes his unlimited potential but that even that is not enough. And Grimlock knows this. He always did.
Computron kneels. Grimlock dons on the helm without hesitation, placing it on the giants head. The manifestation of the "children" he has created. And Computron tries to refuse but is cut off by Grimlock. And for the greater good of all, for the Technobots' survival and success in life, he transfers all he had gained in one fell swoop. And in his waning intelligence, he says
"Me Grimlock says you smart now, me can no can help you anymore".
The Grimlock who made him is now gone, and the combiner goes and does what he needs to do.
And to me, it reminds me that of the Parent's Sacrifice. Grimlock gives up the potential of rising in rank, being seen as an equal or more than by his fellow Autobots. As some parents in life live and love and struggle against and rise against adversities. And midway, be it by plan or not, in non ideal circumstances, come to bear children. And in healthy situations, give their all, "giving up" their time money and freedom to raise them. But it is not truely "giving up" , done in loving sacrifice, to see that those before go much farther, and shine bigger and brighter.
But in the end of it all, we see Grimlock fishing with his fellow Dinobots in a lake, remarking how being smart isnt what its cracked up to be, and he likes being good ol Grimlock. And for once, the Autobots cheer.
And theres many ways one can interpret -- or rather, overthink this.
In a slightly off direction, Smart Grimlocks goodbye a parallel to when a parent succumbs to dementia. Near the end of ones former life, with a life spent, memories and former self fading, at the end of it all giving reassurance to loved ones before the former self is gone.
On a different path, Im reminded of the Love, Death, and Robots short, Zima Blue, which is one of the best sci-fi stories of ever in my opinion. I recommend watching the video before reading what I have to say, as I spoil the grand premise.
Anyway, its the story of artist named Zima Blue, known throughout the world for his poignant pieces and focus on the color blue. The art pieces get grander, yet his yearning for... something grows wider, and he sheds his humanity, revealing himself to a journalist that he is, in fact, a robot. One with origins of a simple pool cleaning—tile cleaning robot—whose job was to scrub pool tiles into the specific shade of blue, Zima Blue. Who was tinkered by a bright young mind, surpassing other robotic projects, over time evolving into the man he is today. Accepted in awe by all the world.
And yet, something was still missing.
"I will slowly shut down my higher brain functions, unmaking myself, my search for truth is finished at last. Im going home."
And to the world, he reveals his true nature, dons off his attire, and swims as a man one last time. The audience looks on with excitement for what was to be his final art work, only to look on with shock and horror as he begins to fall apart. And what would emerge? A little pool cleaning robot, a tile scrubber to be exact. And the crowd leaves, leaving the robot to scrub for the rest of his days. Alone.
And in the end, our main character, despite all the wisdom and experience acquired... chose to revert back to the simple pool cleaner, to spend his days scrubbing along the walls in what some may is a glorified container.
Some would be confused or balk at the decision, for why would he choose to live such a simple, dare I say primitive life, to that of a high elite of world reknown?
There is no shame in finding joy —purpose — in being what one is. Yes, there is the fact of being a tile scrubber whose objective is to scrub, of being a brute strong dinosaur who likes to fight and fish can be seen shame. Of not being as intelligent, of not being as certain way as society seems fit. And while one has the capacity to change, there is no shame of being happy of who one is and embracing it with those who understand--
--To have that dont cheer/look on from a distance
--and To be what one is and am, and that is enough.
In the end, the Technobots are their own people, functionally adults with knowledge and fighting prowess. Grimlock shows no real attachment or regard to the Technobots, as they also do the same. As I said, G1 tends not to be super character focused and is episodic, the next episodes never following up on this. And while I havent seen all of G1, I can assume that they dont really interact after this episode, Grimlock having the Dinobots, the Technobots having each other, both groups being loud and proud about themselves.
But I have to wonder, if Grimlock ever looks at the Technobots from a distance, just for a little moment. Or if Wheeljack and Ratchet would be proud, if they could've been there, to see how far their creations have gone, with nerd dork grandchildren to boot.
