nomadicism:

Inspired by @teamsincline ‘s post. For those interested in watching Vehicle Voltron, here is a list of episodes that I recommend.

One doesn’t have to watch all 52 episodes—and to be quite honest—I don’t recommend it. Cartoons were very episodic in the 80s and Vehicle Voltron is a sad example of how the writers attempted to tell a coherent story while stuck in a paradigm of cartoon broadcasting that did not honor episode order.

No shit. The final episodes of the season aired before some of the first and middle episodes. And some episodes have writing that contradicts previous episodes (when viewing the season in the order it was intended). This list skips over those.

The Voltron Wiki has a full list of episodes. It uses both 1-52 and 73-124 ordering. The 73-124 ordering is how the series is order in the Voltron: Defender of the Universe DVD Collections, and it follows after the made-for-US episodes of Lion Voltron (53-72).

Episodes 73 – 80 These introduce the concept of Vehicle Voltron as space explorers and lead into Drule Commander Hazar’s narrative, which is important to resolving the primary conflict.

Episodes 83-90 These include the more coherent Hazar narrative, and introduce Throk as a political obstacle. This is where Vehicle Voltron reveals itself as a very political sci-fi show.

Episodes 92, 94-96 These include the Nerok storyline and continue Hazar’s narrative.

From this point on, there is a run of episodes that get confusing b/c it is almost as if the writers forgot what episode they were writing. Bits and pieces of Hazar’s storyline are included, but you can skip around for about 10 episodes.

Episodes 106 – 110 Important episodes. Hazar and Dorma, Twyla.

Episodes 113 – 116 Important episodes, more Hazar and Dorma.

Episode 117. DO NOT WATCH. Confusing as fuck. The main plot of the episode is written as if it takes place after episode 124. I think there’s another scene with Dorma and Hazer, but this episode is so bad that I’ve only watched it once.  

Episodes 118 – 124 End of the series

Where to watch: if you have Netflix DVD service, you can rent the DVDs. It will be under Voltron: Defender of the Universe Collection 6, 7, and 8. Collection 6 is the rarest and hardest to buy second-hand.

Otherwise, you’ll have to buy the DVD sets on eBay or Amazon. Collection 7 and 8 aren’t too expensive.

Almost forgot: be prepared for some of the finest examples of “cutting/covering up death scenes” in 80s cartoons. The source anime (Armored Fleet Dairugger XV) did not shy away from death. One can play a deadly drinking game with the number of “robot soldiers” and “set stun guns to maximum stun” and “we’ll come back for him later” mentions. Looking at you Dorma…