Perception of Modern Ratchet
So something I've noticed as I've been writing, especially when it comes to Ratchet.
His modern depictions tend to paint him as the embodiment of "Nice if sometimes cranky grandpa who also served in the trenches".
Like he's the granddad who you never really took seriously when you were a kid because he was old and gentle and cranky and snuck you money or took you out for ice cream behind your parents' backs. But then you get older and someone tries to hurt your family and that's when you learn that Granddad's got 50 confirmed and is all about that action.
And you know what? The fact that those vibes come from the Medic character? I love it.
My dad and both grandfathers all actually did serve in the military, and all three would tell you that of the three people you should never piss off, the medics are top of that list, followed by Payroll and Kitchen staff. So Ratchet being this kind of a medic? Totally checks out.
And we have Animated to thank for this one.
Because if I recall correctly, G1 Ratchet wasn't really like that. He's stern but caring. At most he can occasionally be cynical and sarcastic, and honstly I think at least half of that was Don Messick's performance. I don't recall him really showing up during the Unicron Trilogy - his position was filled by Red Alert.
And I don't even know what happened to him in the Bayverse movies. I know he existed in those, but he looked like ass with that neon green that made him look like he was about to puke every scene, and then he dies. I'll be honest, I don't remember a single thing about him aside from those facts.
But then Animated turns him into the Grumpy Old Man and a jaded war veteran. I'm not sure this actually happened in the writers room, but he very much gives the impression of someone had asked 'what would a medic who's survived millions of years of war actually be like?' and the answer wound up being 'Tired. Very, very tired. With PTSD.'
Prime then took that and doubled down on that one. He's grumpier. He complains more, with his catchphrase even being 'Bulkhead, I needed that'. He spends most of the series very much unhappy about having humans around. Just really smacking you upside the head with the 'grumpy old man' thing.
And then there are the odd episodes where you're reminded, 'right, this guy survived millions of years of civil war'. He's not some harmless old doctor, he's a veteran who will not hesitate to throw hands if you threaten his team.
And then my personal favorite, IDW1's version. Which is probably the most extreme example of the 'granddad who served' vibes. I swear he's the embodiment of 'what does endless war do to the soul of a doctor'. He's someone who, under all the sarcasm, is a mech who's bone tired and deeply traumatized by everything and by MTMTE/LL doesn't want to fight anymore.
There's a big difference.
People, both in and out of universe, often forget that he can throw down. Then he picks up a gun and everyone remembers this old medic spent millions of years in active warzones.
And I think that's why we love this version of Ratchet, and why this has become the default of what people think of when talking about Ratchet. The cranky combat medic grandfather who has seen some shit fits just way too well for this franchise, and once you see it it's hard to go back to what he was before.
He's the one who's been stitching everyone back together for millions of years.
He's the living reminder that every heroic battle often leaves somebody on an operating table afterwards.
Optimus is usually the one carrying the burdens of leadership.
Ratchet is the one carrying the costs.
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