(Yeah I know the thread is old, but I haven't been to ChiefDelphi since 2002 ; )
For what it's worth, many of the combat robot builders were not too happy with this episode either. Both the Steel Conflict event (whose arena was used) and Battlebots Inc. refused to have their names associated with the episode, and once it aired, many folks were disappointed in how we were portrayed.
One example, a post from our forums:
"I don't know about you guys, but I am not amused.
We, as builders, are cast is a very negative light
The crime is caused by an incredibly stupid act (You plan on standing in front of... hazard perhaps... with the blade at full speed & the drive acting odd????
Builders are all "nerds" (the old version, the "avoid them" variety)
We're not normal people, we look at a girl (who is NOT all that) and go home to "spank the monkey"
I asked my parents to watch this.......
My stepson asked his girlfriend to watch.....
Gee, thanks." -posted by Everseeker
http://forums.prospero.com/BattleBot...s?msg=16318.59
-Piece, Pteryx