Even as a more casual Bionicle-focused follower, there are a lot of moments I can think of, but here are a few specific ones that stick out to me, in no particular order:
-The coverage of the 2014 G2 leaks that culminated in the New York Comic-Con panel. Personal bias may play into this since this was what pushed me (and many others, no doubt) to start properly engaging with the online Bionicle community after enjoying it mostly in isolation, but still. The mounting hype and fascinating speculation at the time is something I’ll always remember fondly, no matter how G2 as a whole turned out.
Timestamp 1:40 to 4:01
-The message to the Bionicle community during the Journey To One review; it was what we all needed to hear, and I think it was said about as well as something like that could be said. I’m still thankful for you all being the voices of reason, even when you yourselves were probably reeling in the same way everyone else was after the announcement.
-The “What Made Bionicle Special” episode of Bionicle Autopsy. It was the first place I personally learned about Faber’s tumor and how it influenced the line, and in general deepened my understanding and appreciation of the story. Aside from my personal perspective, though, it’s just plain a really well-written, well-executed analysis of the theme that warrants mentioning.
-The Bionicle Revolution script-reading was quite a blast, to be honest. The constant laughter at each baffling new story turn or odd creative decisions was fun to listen to, and oddly cathartic at the time.
-The TTV Interviews series as a whole? Maybe this doesn’t quite count since it’s not a specific moment, but I can’t choose one out of them all; (maybe the Greg one, but even then it feels like I’m underselling the others) they were all really enjoyable and insightful to listen to.
-Mardi Gras. Enough said XD
-While I prefer to pick moments that involve all (or at least a large chunk of) the full TTV cast, I do think Eljay’s Recap Review finale and the unmasking deserves to go on here. It was a grand and cathartic moment, more than worthy of the list.
-Biocraft Chronicles. Not only was it proof that Bionicle fan-projects could succeed despite everything, not only was it the fulfillment of a long-standing promise, so to speak… But on top of that, it was just plain a fun and hilarious movie in its own right. The pre-release buildup poking fun at the whole thing was icing on the cake, and made for even more positive memories of last year. Plus, it was the original trailer that brought me to the channel originally, before the 2014 leaks got me involved in the community properly.
-Eljay’s return to the podcast after his banishment; while the circumstances at the time were still rife with drama and confusion, there was something fundamentally relieving about it, and (at least to my ears) everyone sounded noticeably happier on the podcasts that were recorded after the dust started to settle.
-Brickonicle, the support for Sodoka’s Ideas project, and the new canonization contests; while two have unfortunately been plagued with some degree of controversy and the third sadly didn’t bring the victory hoped for, I still love what they represent as an active effort to bring new content and positive discussion into the community. I wish more people could have better-appreciated the first, but I’m hopeful that the second can spur future efforts despite it’s apparent failures, and that the third will end up as a grand success despite the early rockiness.
Timestamp 12:52 to 14:40
-TTV Meeting all together for the first time for the 2019 brickfair, as seen in the first episode of the Vlog coverage released today. Yeah, the video itself literally suggests submitting it here, but it’s also genuinely heartwarming, and I would have submitted even without that hint. All the hugs and happy greetings legitimately made me tear up a bit.
Timestamp 15:30
-Oh, oh, also! The Ninjago Season 13 reactions, specifically the finale episodes. Hayley’s hype for Cole was off the charts, and the way everyone was able to unreservedly enjoy Ninjago again after the past few season’s disappointments was just, really refreshing and wonderful.
