Okay, I'm probably asking for it by even analyzing it, but why the hell are the Dinobots stupid?
I never liked the Dinobots, and watching the show with my boys, I am reminded of how annoyed I was at the Dinobots all over again. They're robots. Thinking machines, crafted by Wheeljack, the prime inventor/engineer of the Autobots, who seems tirelessly talented in creating things. And he designed the Dinobots with the help of Ratchet (I think), emphasizing the strength and power of the dinosaurs in their design, and, apparently, their lack of brains. Alright, so while it might play well as a wrinkle in the plotline to have these dumbass robots in their midst, and it's certainly played to amusing effect in the storyline, such as it is, but the logic's just not there -- a slow-witted robot? Sentient enough to have a sense of self and identity and to carry out its functions, but otherwise not sharp? Makes no sense.
Ratchet and Wheeljack could've simply designed them to have strong chassis and have them have the CPUs able to handle that kind of load and power -- if anything, their strength, size, and power would make it vital for them to have a reasonable amount of intelligence. Prime, in greenlighting the creation of the Dino-dullards, makes a grievous error in judgment, unleashing these dangerous machines on the world.
Of course, the implications of the Dinobots aren't fully explored -- it's a kids' show, after all -- but stupid robots? Huh? Since robots are designed with a purpose in mind, the abdication of good sense on the part of the creators of the Dinobots is kinda shocking, given that the Autobots made them, the ostensible good guys of the series. It would be like equipping a main battle tank with the brain of a dog to guide it. Not a good plan.
This clip somebody made (and amusingly edited to show how thick they are) highlights the central flaws of the Dinobots... ("Do you understand?" The second part of this clip is similarly amusing)...
Story of the Dinobots
