More (And Less!) Than Meets the Eye - A Transformers Podcast

"Our Most Unlistenable Podcast Idea Ever"

In this introductory mini-episode, Ben & Matt talk through their mission statement for the podcast as well as their history with the Transformers franchise.

If you'd like to watch and read along with us then you need to watch Transformers (2007) before the next episode, and read More Than Meets the Eye Issues 1-8 before Episode 2.

More (And Less!) Than Meets the Eye - Episode 0: Introductions

In which we discuss the seeming improbability of Michael Bay agreeing to helm this franchise, everything revolving around a horny teenager, characters arriving in pairs, deploying Megatron so late and Matt's potentially controversial take on the best handling of a Transformer in a Michael Bay movie.

For those wanting to read and/or watch along, next week's episode covers More Than Meets the Eye Issues 1-8, and the week after will be Revenge of the Fallen.

Outro music performed by Saskia Parks

More (and Less) Than Meets The Eye

More (And Less!) Than Meets The Eye - Episode 1: Transformers (2007)

It's our first episode covering the acclaimed IDW Transformers series, More Than Meets the Eye, by James Roberts. We discuss the core cast, pacing difficulties, horror monsters, Star Trek away missions, the Worst Decepticons in the World and what Ben believes to be the book's greatest triumph.

For more info visit twitter.com/MALTMTE

Outro music: 'This Is Why We Fight' (The Decemberists Cover) - Saskia Parks

More (And Less!) Than Meets the Eye – Episode 1: MTMTE Issues 1-8

In which we discuss the 2008 writers strike's impact on one of the worst major movies ever released, going Full-Bay, giant robot balls and of course a Magic Sock Full of Matrix Dust.

Next week: MTMTE 2012 Annual & Issues 9-16 
Two weeks: Dark of the Moon

More (And Less!) Than Meets The Eye - Episode 3: Revenge of the Fallen

We continue our adventures aboard the Lost Light with some Big Name Cameos, history lessons, dramatic countdowns (and ups), an ill-advised night on the town and the monster in the basement finally gets loose.

Next week: Dark of the Moon
Two weeks: Issues 17-33 (Dark Cybertron entirely optional!)

Outro music - 'This is Why We Fight' - Saskia Parks (The Decemberists Cover)

More (And Less!) Than Meets The Eye - Episode 4: MTMTE Issues 9-16 & 2012 Annual

In which we discuss Shockwave's cool pet drill, the height of 3D filmmaking, the courting of major name supporting actors, gay panic with Dr Ken, juggling villains, and the ups and downs of The Battle of Chicago

(Yes, Matt said 'Episode 4' at the start by accident. Sorry!)

Next Week: Issues 17-33 of MTMTE (you can skip Dark Cybertron)
Two Weeks: Age of Extinction

Outro Music: 'This Is Why We Fight' (The Decemberists Cover - Saskia Parks

More (And Less!) Than Meets The Eye - Episode 5: Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Be not afraid of the huge number of issues covered in this episode, as a big chunk of it belongs to Dark Cybertron, the mostly irrelevant crossover event we break down in under 10 minutes.

On either side of that we discuss Huge Secrets about Magnus & Skids, Pharma's horrifying antics, a mockery of a trial, the Lost Light's new crew members, and the curious case of a vanishing starship.

Next Week: Age of Extinction
Two Weeks: MTMTE Issues 34-44

Outro Music: 'This Is Why We Fight' (The Decemberists Cover) - Saskia Parks

More (And Less!) Than Meets The Eye - Episode 6: MTMTE Issues 17-33

Time to dust off one of our favourite debates on this podcast network: Is it worse to be Boring or Bad?

Michael Bay submits his evidence to the latest hearing, Age of Extinction, which literally has another movie tacked onto the back of it. Hard to believe a movie could be Bad OR Boring when it features Dinobots, Bounty Hunters and Stanley Tucci, but here we are!

More (And Less!) Than Meets The Eye - Episode 7: Transformers: Age of Extinction

In which we discuss The Ethics of Withholding Medical Treatment from Monsters, The Ethics of Killing Baby Robot Hitler, The Ethics of Charisma Parasites, The Ethics of Dated Sitcoms, and the Ethics of War As Expressed Through Flowers

Plus Ben tries to break Matt by mentioning too many characters from books we aren't reading.

If you're reading/watching along with us, then next week is The Last Knight and in two weeks we're finishing up MTMTE with Issues 45-55.

More (And Less!) Than Meets The Eye - Episode 8: MTMTE Issues 34-44

It took 9 weeks, but Ben & Matt finally disagree about the quality of a movie. For Mat, The Last Knight is one of the worst things he has ever seen in his entire life and potentially permanently altered his brain chemistry. Ben contends that while it's bad, it's not only not the worst Transformers movie, but not even the second worst!

They discuss Cogman, 'Hot Rod' (it ain't right what they done to our boy), sozzled Merlin, poor Gemma Chan, awkwardly smushing two ideas together (again!) and generally become delirious.

Outro music: 'This Is Why We Fight' (The Decemberists Cover) - Saskia Parks

Homework
Next Week: More Than Meets The Eye Issues 45-55 (Vol. 9 & 10)
Two Weeks: Bumblebee

More (And Less!) Than Meets The Eye - Episode 9: Transformers: The Last Knight

The end is in sight as we discuss the final issues of More Than Meets The Eye ahead of its revamp. Don't let that knowledge take the drama out of the crew's impending death though! Love Triangles, Big Returns, Long Term Continuity and Cute Animals with Dark Pasts... truly this episode has it all!

More (And Less!) Than Meets The Eye - Episode 10: MTMTE Issues 45-55

For ten weeks we have suffered, but at long last it's time for an Actually Good movie! We could tell you about our discussion of Travis Knight's rap career, the much-lauded opening, John Cena's character shift, our mildly heated 80s nostalgia debate and how much they get out of no-name villains...

But really, The Thing Is... He's Just A Lil Guy.

More (And Less!) Than Meets The Eye - Episode 11: Bumblebee

New Name! New Issue 1! Same old loveable crew!

We discuss why Rodimus is purple now, whacky adventures in a parallel universe, IDW's controversial history with gender in Transformers, the nature of grief and a much-lauded mutiny.

More (And Less!) Than Meets The Eye - Episode 12: Lost Light Issues 1-12

The movie part of our journey is finally at an end as we discuss the awkward fit of the Maximals into what is clearly a soft Transformers reboot... or should that be the awkward fit of the Transformers into what is clearly a Beast Wars movie? 

Plus mileage on Pete Davidson as Mirage, some sad Peter Cullen truths, the return of blah human protagonists, and the future of a Hasbro Cinematic Universe.

More (And Less!) Than Meets The Eye - Episode 13: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Just because the crew of the Lost Light appear to be dead, doesn't mean this is the end! Death? Sparkeaters? Infinites? An Evil Alliance of Past Foes? A Planet-Sized Transformer? Unknowable Ancient Beings Trying to Eat the Universe? Pfft. How about a challenge next time?!?

It's also NOT the end of this podcast, as next week we will be joined by James Roberts himself to answer some of our burning questions.

More (And Less!) Than Meets The Eye - Episode 14: Lost Light Issues 13-25

After dissecting his books for 14 weeks, Ben & Matt had the privilege of sitting down with James Roberts to discuss all things More Than Meets The Eye/Lost Light.

From the origins of his Transformers fandom (and how it differs from Ben & Matt's!), to his influences when building the cast, to incredibly specific questions about Mnemosurgery and Empurata, we tried to cover as much ground as possible in an hour. Don't worry, we made sure to ask 'Why do you hate Beast Wars, James?!?'

Outro Music: 'This Is Why We Fight' (The Decemberists Cover) - Saskia Parks

More (And Less!) Than Meets The Eye - Episode 15: James Roberts Interview

On the day of their interview with James Roberts, Matt discovered he'd been sitting on a goldmine of juicy secrets concerning original plans for Lost Light. With James' blessing, we're breaking them down now.

From minor tidbits to major revelations, we pull back the curtain a little on what might have been had Lost Light not been cut short. Plus some of our own speculation of course. 

If this whets your appetite, make sure to pick up the final volumes of James' notebooks in 2024, which will go into even greater detail.

And that's it! Podcast over. Thank you for joining us for our Transformers journey. If you'd like to keep listening to our podcasts hijinks, make sure to subscribe to Untitled BoJack Horseman Project, available everywhere you get podcasts NOW.

Outro Music: 'This Is Why We Fight' (The Decemberists Cover) - Saskia Parks

More (and Less) Than Meets the Eye

More (And Less!) Than Meets the Eye - Epilogue: Lost Light Cut Plans & Alternate Ending

Mike Thomas, Matt Waters, Ben Phillips, Kevin Ford, Jerome Cusson and more bring you shows covering a plethora of films and TV shows, including Lost, Adventure Time, Game of Thrones, Firefly and even superhero movies, because nobody else is talking about those! Where else could you hope to find a 90-minute critical discussion of Brokeback Mountain and a dump truck of trivia on Mission: Impossible II in the same feed?

More (And Less!) Than Meets the Eye - A Transformers Podcast

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