The Mosley Review: Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy: Earthrise (Season 2)

I honestly can't believe this. I thought I had seen the best that the Transformers franchise could offer with Transformers: Prime, but this show is proving me wrong. This new series has taken the franchise to new heights in storytelling and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The first season was a very welcomed surprise and set the tone right off the bat. It was the Transformers you know, but now in a more mature light. The first season explored the idealism of both factions and how each one felt they were righteous in their actions to save Cybertron. This season picks up right in the aftermath of the decisions made previously and it takes an even more interesting turn. I loved that there was more action on multiple fronts and new locations. The most fascinating part of this show is that they explore the more mature themes of genocide, psychology, religion, racism and philosophy. I can't stress enough how this show fully realizes that the war on Cybertron is truly the darkest and most horrific part of the Transformers lore.

The character development for everyone was truly heroing and the entire voice cast do excellent work bringing it to life. Once again Linsay Rousseau delivers an amazing and commanding performance as Elita-1. While the other Autobots are away, she takes command of the remaining forces on Cybertron and she was a natural. She truly gets to shine and I loved that no matter what the odds, she stood strong even in the face of certain defeat. Keith Silverstein was great as her right hand bot Jetfire and I loved his fighting spirit. There is a great scene between him and Elita-1 that was equivalent to a scene from season 1 about nursing and trusting Decepticons and it was fantastic. Bill Rogers was just as quick and scene stealing as Wheeljack and when he is with Optimus Prime, its always fun. Joe Zieja takes Bumblebee to a new level of cool and I love that he steps up more as an Autobot. You see the hero we all know come forward and be apart of the team. Frank Todaro returns as Starscream and he was just as cunning, annoying and downright scummy and I loved it. Todd Haberkorn returns as the evil Shockwave and if you thought he was sinister before, he was truly the sadistic and unsettling Decepticon scientist we all fear. There are some new and fun characters that join the fray. Michael Schwalbe as Doubledealer was fun and I liked that he was apart of a new mercenary faction that I have never seen in the franchise. A new character named Deseesus was awesome and a terrifying version of a Quintesson. The voice actors that portrayed each of its faces (Keith Silverstein Face-1, Linsay Rousseau Face-2, Jolene Andersen Face-3, Jay Sanford Face-4 and Joseph Noughton Face-5) did an excellent job. Sean Wright was powerful as Sky Lynx. I loved his arc and how he was a parallel to Optimus Prime. He showed that giving up the thirst for power and having a mind with experience and clear intention, can create be the greatest teacher.

Now the 2 characters that had the most character development were the leaders of this war. Jake Foushee once again voices Optimus Prime and he brings a new depth to the character. The consequences of his actions play out and you see the weight of it all tormenting and challenging Optimus' belief structure. He is justified in his quest to save Cybertron, but the cost is what’s making him lose faith. I loved seeing this side of him and even though he tries to stay noble, he almost makes a terrible mistake that would've changed him forever. Jason Marnocha was haunting and instense as Megatron. The previous chapter was for Optimus, but Megatron takes the lead in this chapter and you see the obsession for battle and his true genocidal nature come to light. He makes the tough decisions and they are truly horrific and evil. As we get into his mind, we see how depressed and unhinged he has become from losing the battle for the AllSpark. The two of them are alike in many ways and where they differ is in the belief of how preserve life vs extermination to create and control it. When Optimus and Megatron collide once again, it is truly a bloody, intense and a battle of philosophies and it was epic. Their connection and need for each other is palpable even if it is the most destructive rivalry. Both were outstanding and this is the best representation of the characters I've seen in a long time.

The score by Alexander Bornstein was incredible yet again as he brings out the tension of the action scenes and the more emotional and horrific moments of the series. The visuals, character and environment designs of the show are consistent with the first chapter, but this time they feel more crisp. I'm truly elated that this series has the guts to take Transformers to the level of maturity and great storytelling it deserves. This series is up there with some of the greats and if the promise of the cliffhanger pans out in the third and final chapter, this could end up being one of the greatest trilogies of all time. The Netflix Original Series is streaming and its a must watch! If you like the show or my review, let me know in the comments below. Thanks for reading!