So, My TF: Prime S2 Finale Observations I Made In Regards To Optimus' Expressions, A Small Analysis!

So, my TF: Prime S2 Finale observations I made in regards to Optimus' expressions, a small analysis!

But context first: So throughout about the 2nd half of S2 the 'Bots and 'Cons are trying to find a set of Omega Keys which if gathered and hooked up a device, can restore and bring life back to Cybertron. They could finally go home. It ends up being a struggle for both sides but the 'Bots managed to grab the keys before Megatron to use them and activate the machine... But unfortunately, their foes were one step ahead of them once again as, due to a grave error and poor communication, their 3 young human companions ended up being found and held hostage. If they don't lower their weapons and give up the keys, they will exposed to Cybertron's toxic atmosphere and they'll be forced to watch the kids die in front of them.

Naturally, having truly cared about the children, they give up without a fight... And that's where things get really horrible for them as despite the kids being safe with them, Megatron's thirst for power isn't satisfied with JUST Cybertron... He wants Earth as well; all life be damned with it. That's where Optimus is forced to make a choice: Either just let the Decepticons do what they want and restore his home planet but then Earth would be wiped of all life in Megatron's attempt to try to rule it himself along with his home planet... Or basically destroy the device capable of restoring said home planet, dooming his home of being lifeless for good and risk having him be demonized for it but Earth is safe from suffering the same fate and history repeating itself.

Now one key subtle thing I notice with Optimus is his facial expressions. He's often criticized for being too stoic but honestly, it's all in the expressions and body language with him. Eyes and eyebrows especially. Even with his face mask on, one can pick up subtle details if observed closely. Basically, he IS capable of expression and emotions despite supposedly keeping them in check.

And he gets put through the absolute wringer this season and one can tell he's nearing his breaking point. He even outright SCREAMS in frustration in one episode which seemed to startle/surprise Ratchet and Bulkhead.

But hoo boy, this finale here... Like his expressions hurt! Like he seems calm at first when Megatron taunts him until he looks back at the understandably panicked children begging the Decepticon leader to leave Earth alone.

Then his eyebrows are raised up a bit when he looks back at the laughing 'Cons, eyes/optics looking more worried now. You can tell what he's thinking. The gears are turning and he's struggling to figure out what to do. He seems almost at a loss on the best way to handle it.

Hell, you can even say he's almost scared. He doesn't want history to repeat itself with Earth. He and the others already had to deal with so much pain and trauma the war caused, some of which he no doubt blames himself for. He does want Cybertron back but at what cost?

Then, in an instant, it shifts to steely resolve and with a clenched fist proceeded to reclaim the Star Saber. He knows the risks but he will NOT let another innocent planet suffer like his did. It seems shaky still but he makes his choice as he destroys the Omega Lock, dooming his home for good.

Granted there might have been a better way but what else can he do at the moment? It was damned if he do, damned if he don't and time was running out. He makes his choice and there's no turning back... Even if he can't go home now.

And when Ratchet calls him out for his decision, he briefly turns his head to the side before shaking it and looking back at him while defending his choice. Like he seems almost unsure of it himself but there's no turning back at this point and he knows it. It was necessary to him.

Then there's the ending where he decided to stay behind to destroy the Ground Bridge controls so that his comrades and loved ones won't be followed. He feels like this will be the last time he'll see them as he believed that he will be captured and interrogated at best, executed/killed to make an example at worst. He's already been demonized and branded a traitor by Megatron as well. When he makes the declaration to Ratchet that he'll stay, it's his usual serious expression.

But once Ratchet is gone... It drops and it's sad. Almost like a mental outer mask is cracking. Once again, it's almost shaky as he looks at the controls and his clenches his fist again in resolve. It's now or never with him.

"I... never imagined it would end like this." "Neither did I, old friend."

Even when he's readying his swing, you can feel the shaky resolve still. But he definitely didn't think that Megatron would outright reduce the base to rubble but god damn!

But yeah, it just feels like that in both moments... Optimus felt lost and even helpless and it shows in his expressions. They all show how much of his serious emotions were almost a mask he put up for everyone else's sakes even at the expense of his own feelings. He seemed to struggle with what to do and even seems unsure of his decisions but also feels like he made the necessary ones, even though they were painful.

But yeah... TF: Prime Optimus needs a hug so damn badly!

A random edit just because (that and potential profile pic)!

Surprise, I can draw.

Inspired by my own Sumi edits, thanks for all the kind tags on that post, they inspired me to do this ^^

Click for better quality.

So.... Has anyone ever reached a realization that Kasumi's spirit appearing as the main basis for Cendrillon returning might actually symbolize her being more of Sumi's true fairy godmother character in her story as opposed to Maruki who was a more twisted version of that trope?

Like think about it for a sec... And this is coming from someone who adored the fairytale (Disney version especially) when they were little so... In any version, Cinderella's main traits are her selflessness and kindness along with bravery considering that despite the abuse she went through, she still stays kind and true to herself and does not let the abuse affect that. That's part of what makes her a rebel, albeit an unconventional kind.

Sumi has those traits deep down (showcased by the lead up to her false awakening which she spoke more as Sumire since as I've mentioned before, her ultimate breaking point was more about hurting and letting her loved ones like Maruki and Joker down. She was more concerned about them as opposed thinking about herself or the scholarship) but the biggest problem was that she wasn't being true to herself and acted selfishly, even preferring to run away from her problems instead.

The fairy godmother character shows up when Cinderella was nearing her lowest point. It was even sometimes interpreted that the godmother represents Cinderella being rewarded for her unending kindness and unselfishness, leading to her happy ending.

When Maruki helped like so, it made things worse for her but when Kasumi's spirit showed up... It made things better for her and helped kickstart her own happily ever after. Just like the actual fairy godmother!

Starting with bringing her Persona back and this was when Sumire regained the other traits she was starting to lack/lose and became more like Cinderella herself. She became brave enough to stand on her own feet and stop running, she shows more of her kindness to others and even Maruki despite what he did, and she became selfless by deciding to mourn and honor her sister properly by moving forward and not basically live as her for her own selfish reasons as that's what Kasumi would have actually wanted her to do.

In a sense, Maruki was unwittingly rewarding her selfish desires and enabling it. ("Accept this contract... The spell cast upon you.")

Kasumi's spirit on the other hand was rewarding her for being honest and not running anymore. ("Such tenacity... It seems to fit you better than ever before...")