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As we see in the latest episode, Tien at 1/4 of his potential can spot, move and intercept a fast concentrated energy beam. While it seems impressive he can move fast enough to intercept we must ask ourselves why he doesn't just dodge it? We know he spotted the beam incoming. Could this be more than a matter of speed and perception? Perhaps something prevents Tien from avoiding critical attacks. An old injury? A curse? The crippling doubt and confusion of Chiaotzu's age?

While we know Tien has, in the past, always sought to challenge himself and further his strength, could it be that the years and countless losing battles have given him a defeatist complex. Having been rendered obsolete time and time again perhaps Tien asked himself the question: "Do I want to avoid this devastating bullet of light? Is it even worth going on? Would anyone miss me if I let this finger of god melt my face?" I'm afraid it just might be that the ToP has broken Tien's will to live.

Please discuss.

He doesn't dodge because the writers were hoping we'd like the dragon ball callback enough not to realize how utterly stupid the entire scenario is. Goku could've easily taken out the sniper with instant transmission, 17 could've spammed his ki shield, Vegeta could have released a big enough final flash to smoke out the vermin. Or Tien could have simply dodged the beams and dodon rayed his ass.. But nope. The writers decided to use this as an opportunity to get rid of a character they did not know what to do with. A character who needs a little more thinking put into him than repeat punch/kick/block/punch animation loops.

Plot

Originally posted by Dark-Kenshin
He doesn't dodge because the writers were hoping we'd like the dragon ball callback enough not to realize how utterly stupid the entire scenario is. Goku could've easily taken out the sniper with instant transmission, 17 could've spammed his ki shield, Vegeta could have released a big enough final flash to smoke out the vermin. Or Tien could have simply dodged the beams and dodon rayed his ass.. But nope. The writers decided to use this as an opportunity to get rid of a character they did not know what to do with. A character who needs a little more thinking put into him than repeat punch/kick/block/punch animation loops. To be fair, Goku couldn't IT to him because Piccolo, and Gohan both couldn't feel any energy coming from anyone. So Goku had to actually run to him.

But yea, lets just make someone who can see where the blast is coming from, NOT even tell Gohan that hey guy I can't beat is over there. Nope, I'm going to make my strength even weaker and then run at him and hope that my shadow clone jutsu holds out longer than the guy shooting at me decides to rapid fire at me.

Originally posted by carver9
Plot

To say this episode had any 'plot' is generous.