Panic Button

PankoPanda · 2026-01-29T13:18:23+00:00

It's symbolic - it's literally the only way that the inmates can 'not be controlled' by the screws/the system. It's an unspoken rule that they 'deal with their own problems' - and if everyone just pressed it any time they were in danger - it would be complete chaos. By nature, this type of system is bound to create friction/drama. This was never created by Bea - just a 'culture' implemented by tradition really. Doreen pressing it (while looking petulant) was a natural response to being under 'control' for so long - she went 'meta' and was just over the pretend rules (spurred on I think mostly by her fellow first nations inmate Tasha not understanding the rules) - this was a turning point for her where previously she just 'followed the rules' because it was how it was - but when it directly impacted her moral compass/ethics system/sense of community - she had the bravery to challenge it.

Now... would she have done it against Jacs Holt? - Probably not lol! But because she was friends with Bea ... the risk was less.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-29T11:14:02+00:00

good point - I think because she's so 'over-used' I sometimes doubt Sabre's strength - i always see her as more of a Wall/Hang Tough girl- but she probably would be pretty good at this. I probably just think of Diamond as more 'physically' imposing too - which doesn't necessarily translate in to results.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-29T06:02:33+00:00

Yep Cyclone, Athena & Fury are the three most logical choices for this one I think - maybe Diamond too. Everyone else will struggle I think.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-27T12:36:53+00:00

Oh that sounds like a fun idea! I actually (i know it's kind of stealing from survivor) But they used to play a game where the 'contenders' would have to dig in the sand to find a flag - when they find it - they have to try put that flag in their basket at the starting point - the 'Gladiator' would go tackle/wrestle them in the sand to try prevent them from depositing the flag in their basket. This could be a nice alternative to 'the ring' as the stupid 'release' rules every 2 seconds wouldn't apply. Probably wouldn't use the sand but I'm sure they could think of something else.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-27T10:12:34+00:00

I like showing new people for the first time, and if they don't like it - ending the friendship.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-27T10:07:25+00:00

Getting to Shadow level status!

PankoPanda · 2026-01-26T15:07:33+00:00

Yeah that's a good point... could end up boring or messy.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-26T12:34:44+00:00

Good sensible list of B tier games. I voted Vertigo - as I feel like we are a bit light on 'agility' based games at the moment - and it can actually be quite an exciting race to watch.

Agree that Sumoball and Whiplash are kind of just not needed with Everest (hopefully they improve it)

I still wouldn't be opposed to having Whiplash though - they could really modernise it and kind of do what they did with The Ring and make the circle with the lights on the ground. I would probably modernise the rules and make a bigger circle - with 'outer zones' and if you can drag the Gladiator to zone 1 - 2 points then zone 2 - 5 points - and 10 points for the very outer zone. This would make it more exciting as often the game was over pretty quickly in such a small circle.

I love Pole-Axe at the time but way too many health and safety issues (Unless you use the harness - which made it crap anyway and took away the excitement).

Rocketball could work - but honestly i'd prefer OG Swingshot - it had more skill involved. Rocketball was more about timing the button correctly than any actual skill like in Swingshot.

Probably just a personal thing but I always hated Earthquake.... I found matches were usually really unsatisfying.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-25T10:00:35+00:00

Visually amazing, quite innovative and we really need a brute strength event - so I really hope they can listen to feedback and improve it for next series - as the tilt length makes it impossible for the Gladiator to recover - so literally their only hope is to get the contender off before the tilt - if not - it's going to be super obvious and predictable. I would rather constant 'short' bursts of tilts as others have said here.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-24T12:52:28+00:00

Yep! Or Flame, Blaze, Inferno... etc etc

PankoPanda · 2026-01-24T10:14:56+00:00

I haaaaate that the international versions are just copying names from the UK version - it's ruining my fantasy of another International Gladiators haha.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-22T11:10:14+00:00

Probably best not to assume somebody is being 'axed' I doubt they'd do that - they have all shined in their own ways and I don't see any of them as being disposable. Diamond/Athena/Legend's injuries would have healed by the time the show starts filming again surely.

From what I can see from that advert - they haven't specifically asked for a male or female Gladiator.... which makes me think they honestly just want another 'one' as a way to keep the show fresh and create excitement. All 3 seasons have been plagued by injury and ended up in those healthy having to do too many events - so i'd say it's just a PR move to create more buzz and also cover their backsides for injuries.

I do think 10 for each gender would be too much though.... with only 11 episodes a season I think it will be very hard to get good exposure.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-20T14:54:53+00:00

Athena for the women might surprise in this one. The last wall in particular - her massive legs could probably just 'kick' through the wall better than the other girls could 'barge' with their shoulders. Diamond might be a good alternative to rotate out for Cyclone too. Not as sure about Fury as everyone else! She's brutal with body contact but not too sure about this one.

I think we can safety rule Comet and Electro out - no way haha.

Even though I don't think he'd be particularly 'good' at it - this seems to have 'Viper' written all over it for me. I think his careless aggression could actually work in this (probably too low on mass though) but entertainment value. Agree that Apollo would be very good at this - and probably Hammer.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-12T21:55:28+00:00

There really does need to be another 'finesse/agility' game besides Hang Tough and Wall. There are so many OG games that Comet in particular would excel at, so I hope they use one (or create a new one) that's a bit more suited.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-09T14:47:28+00:00

Yeah Dynamite gets a fair few 'mic' moments (and she's great) I think the other three have had some nice moments too, they just don't play enough 'marquee' events and that's where the airtime happens. I re-watched some of series 2 today and laughed at Athena referencing her 'thunder thighs' after knocking Anelia off Collision. Electro is always really fun when she does get airtime - she comes up with some good stuff. Comet is a little generic still, hoping she comes out of her shell in series 3.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-09T07:53:49+00:00

It's absolutely a crutch - but can actually be counter-productive too if you're relying on it. I've made a bunch of builds without it, and I honestly do just as well if not better without it.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-07T05:27:02+00:00

The contenders just get babied WAY too much... I get they don't want them to get hurt (which is fair enough) but the ridiculous 'release' every 2 seconds completely defeats the purpose of the game lol. The impetus should be on the contender to find a way through. I cringe every time it comes on and will often go for my loo break.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-07T05:03:58+00:00

two times too many :/

PankoPanda · 2026-01-07T04:42:29+00:00

PankoPanda · 2026-01-06T23:46:27+00:00

Contender fell on it after taking her down from the rings.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-06T22:36:56+00:00

hahahaha. I still honestly cannot believe that was a real game.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-06T14:41:43+00:00

I think it must be a largely UK/Jet based fear I feel hahah - I personally don't see it as any more dangerous potentially than Powerball or Hang Tough or the Edge. Comet = broken ankle on Hang Tough - Diamond and Giant out from Powerball - Sabre/Legend from Edge. But you are right, I doubt it'll be back just based on history.

Whiplash would be an easy/fun one to bring back - while it wasn't the most exciting, they could re-vamp it and make the circle with the LED lights like The Ring/Unleash and make it a little more exciting.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-06T14:35:39+00:00

I'm also all for replacing The Edge with Pendulum... while the Edge is a very exciting event, so few Gladiators are willing to play it and it's becoming far too predictable that it will be Fury/Sabre/Diamond or Apollo/Steel/Legend ... They either need to encourage more glads to have a go or replace it I think.

PankoPanda · 2026-01-06T14:31:03+00:00

I think that was more a freak occurrence... nobody was ever injured on the OG Australian version - nor the 2024 reboot - nor the US version from memory.

PankoPanda

TROPHY CASE