Bob

Also, Season Four answers another question, though opens up more questions in the process. Welman Matrix tests out the gateway function to test his theory that there are other systems and peoples out there, so this shows he doesn't know others out there. Apparently, the presence of guardians out there is unknown until Bob and company comes. Was there a guardian to fight in games, before Bob came, perhaps destroyed in the explosion? Unknown. Nonetheless, it's evident that the guardians know of Mainframe, but one is left with the impression it isn't very special given a top scientist is so much in the dark about the outside world. Does Phong know they are not alone in the "universe"? More unanswered questions ...

Bob is a guardian with the responsibility to "mend and defend [even viruses]," a paraphrase of the well known police motto "to protect and serve." The mending role basically involves the repair of "tears" ("an electrical charge that vaporizes everything in its path," The Tiff [the book] by TK Post) in Mainframe, which leaves it open to the perils of the net, while also being potential passageways out for Megabyte and his minions. The defending role basically involves winning games (he loses, he is nullified or must game hop, leaving Mainframe in jeopardy), a responsibility Bob does very well with the calm assurance of someone who knows how good he is (we don't see him lose any, except for one he does not try to win -- "End Prog", plus one in which Dot needs to win -- "Identity Crisis"). Bob is also is called on to be the commander when the city is under attack during the Web Wars. Bob also helped out when Dot headed up the liberation of one of the sectors from Megabyte's control and made the decision which in the end saved Mainframe from permanent ruin.

Bob uses his computer and game know-how and savvy, courage and level headedness (which includes a good sense of humor), and good people skills very successfully. These qualities allow him to be successful without much violence, as shown by the fact he rarely uses any type of gun, even in many games. He also uses his keytool named "Glitch," a type of multi-functional gadget of sorts that is apparently sentient (it recognizes and chooses guardians to some degree as well as talking to them), and ultimately merges with it to create a new and improved Bob (though many like the old one better, including myself in part because the "superbob" or "GlitchBob" is a bit too much with its energy beams etc). Bob also is a good teacher, as shown by his lecture in "AndrAIa" as well as his mentoring of Enzo Matrix, who he clearly sees as a future guardian, a role his sister is less crazy about. Interesting question: did he tell Dot before downloading the guardian protocol to Enzo's icon?

Bob starts off the show as a fun as well as savvy (and in various people's opinion rather cute) character who is both courageous and good at his job, as shown by his first meeting with Megabyte in "The Tearing." His is willing to go against Megabyte alone, using his wits and skill to trick the virus, as well as staying a step against him and his henchmen, though this lone gun style is immediately challenged by Dot as not being the Mainframe way -- Mainframers stick together after all. Bob is also a tad bit goofy, as shown as his attempts at singing, and how his keytool was stolen under his nose in "The Crimson Binome." The goofiness was toned down over time (as it was for the other characters as well), though he retained a sense of humor and overall assurance all was well, a happy go lucky style (bad things happening? he doesn't "think so") that again ran against Dot's more regimented and serious nature, while appealing to Enzo.

Bob is basically a rather "cool" character (with a down to earth name unlike the others with more computerlike names), but one who remained serious about his job when the time moment called for it, as well as when his friends and city needed him. He underwent a shift to a more serious character (as well as getting a new bigger look and new voice) along with the others in Season Three, though we do not see him (except as part of a game) until Matrix and company finally finds him, so we do not know how he dealt with his new existence as Interface. The trauma was clearly huge, though his ultimate toughness and skill allowed him to get through the crisis, and ultimately help to save Mainframe.

The fact the many viewers are attracted to his character is not surprising in that the various types of characters on the show all trust and respect him both for his personality and his abilities. Enzo Matrix sees him a friend, mentor, and father figures, roles Bob all fulfills commendably, including their relationship after the two are reunited in Season Three. Bob obviously cares deeply for Enzo, as shown by the amount of time he spends with him, and the energy he spends in fighting with Dot over their different styles of care. Bob's relationship with Dot is also well known by the viewers of the show; a couple of opposites joined by their abilities and good hearts as well as a passion to do their best to help their friends and city.

A fairly typical fun loving guy, Bob does not dwell on just how close their relationship really is (he also is a tad bit shy around female sprites and viruses who show romantic overturns as showed by his actions during Dot's song in "Talent Night," Mouse's advances, and Hexidecimal's come ons), but knows deep down, as shows it in times of crisis. The appeal of Bob is probably best shown by the attraction and respect of those like Mouse, Hexidecimal, and even Megabyte, who have good reason not to trust and/or like him. We also see how Phong (from the time Bob beats him at his own game in "The Tearing' on) and the residents in Mainframe in general care for Bob, especially when he is not available to be there for them. Finally, even strange creatures such as Web Riders are willing to trust him and be his friend.

All of Bob's good qualities, including his bravery, intelligence, attractive personality, and looks all add up to making him a bit of a sex symbol of sorts, though it is a role he is somewhat uncomfortable with. He does not totally accept his true feelings about Dot to the end and always looks uncomfortable when Mouse and Hexadecimal flirts or shows affection for him. In early episodes, Bob also has a type of biker binome gal hanging around him when he is working on his car (loves working on his car, rarely works properly; later gets a motorcycle). This appeal by the way extends to many of the viewers, many of whom think he is cute and like seeing him in different game costumes. A perusal of the websites clearly show his appeal to the viewers, though I bet if they had him around all the time, his typical bachelor guy ways would get on some of their nerves after a while (maybe not, no negative emails bobphiles please).

Bob's good qualities and basic coolness makes him a fitting hero and center to the show. He is a very likeable sprite, though he is a tad bit irresponsible and silly at times, qualities that drives Dot to distraction. A guy who spends most of his time playing games is likely to have his faults and annoying habits, even if the games are matters of life and death. Bob also does not have much of an edge about him, which I found a bit boring myself; his more serious side I think gave him a bit more character and complexity. The "fun" Bob we see in various episodes is more childish (especially given his main function was to play games, admittedly at times shown to be a stressful role) at times, though obviously this is not really a bad thing for a cartoon made basically for children. This criticism of sorts only arises from certain times of the show, but does help me like other characters more overall. Nonetheless, Bob as a whole is a more complete and complex character, though his complexity is often only hinted at or comes out at key moments. It is the fun Bob that most like or love, one who is fun in a way that they are able to respect as well, which is probably the best way to explain his ultimate appeal.

"Glitch Bob" is a rather somber sprite in "Daemon Rising" given both the serious threat of Daemon, and the fact that the unification of the guardian and his keytool did not go well. Glitch was damaged by Megabyte, so the unity was not without problems, and Bob realizes he will slowly lose more and more energy. His fate is truly precarious when Daemon seizes control and nearly bleeds him dry ... Daemon might think him the "finest" Guardian, but she also has a higher purpose in mind. Sacrificing it is not an option for her.

His endangered state is strangely largely ignored in "My Two Bobs," though Dot stops him from rebooting because earlier the attempt nearly knocked him out. Also, the others don't show much concern (or in some cases trust) that the "new" Bob that shows up is taking over without them knowing much about him. After some false starts, he does manage to separate from Glitch (using a lot of energy, including flying, to do so without apparent problems), and looks like his old self (unblemished from the web). It was touch and go for a while though, since he was temporarily entombed in something that looked like the carbon bath Han Solo was trapped in. Daemon was wrong than when she earlier said Bob was "inseparable" from his keytool.

The "other Bob" turns out to be a shape shifting Megabyte, "Glitch Bob's" soul searching worries that GB was the "copy" turning out to be happily false. His fight with Megabyte and working together with Dot felt like old times. On the other hand, since most of our heroes aged and matured, why should he look just as he looked (with slight animation design changes) before all the excitement? Bob felt energized and like his old self in the battle, and why not? He looked the same, was fighting the same old battle, and was even arguably in the same situation with Dot (after she almost married Megabyte, felt Glitch Bob reminded her of bad times, and afterwards still doubted him, I don't think they are quite ready for marriage). Also, since the gang obviously thought rather little of Glitch Bob when "classic Bob" seemed to be back, it paid to look the part. The episode (and for now the series) ended before we find out just how this "new" Bob will truly be like.

Credits: Thanks to Mouse for the Bob profile (slightly edited by me, see link for original). Her website is worked around the assumption that Bob is totally alphanumeric, so all you bobphiles check it out! [including the quotes page for those who noticed I didn't include any :)] Oh, and to add a bit of trivia she pointed out to me, Bob's outfit (and attitude I would guess) seems to be based on one of a typical skateboarder. Thanks to Reboot Mayhem as well for another impressive addition to her site ("Blue Bob," a kewl video); check out the link supplied above to check out it and more. Mainframe and Joe's Unofficial Site also provided a couple of interesting Bob bio details. Finally, the pic on this page is from one of the Fleer trading cards, which also (allegedly) tells how Bob got to Mainframe.