What's the Point?

This is the question writers should ask when writing their stories. Most readers expect some kind of change within a character.

Where is the story taking place and why?
If you have a story taking place on Riga, would it still be the same story if it was moved to Venus, or Earth?
Would it become a better story if it were moved to Spectra or Ergos?
We know from canon that each of the planets have their different qualities, their plusses and drawbacks. Can an element from one of these places be used to move the story forward by helping or hindering the character's progress?

What are some of the obstacles?
Think of all the possible things that could stand in the way of what your character wants to accomplish. Imagine no less than five, and then choose the three worst. If you have more than one main character in action, try using all five and spread them out between characters.

Are there any conflicts the character must struggle with?
Conflict could be between beliefs and orders to do something. It could be between two or more people who disagree. It could be conflicting feelings over an obstacle.
An obstacle or conflict is something to be overcome.
An obstacle can be conquered and forgotten, such as dismantling a bomb.
A conflict is something that forces a character to change, either by standing by their previous feelings and beliefs, or changing them.

Examples of obstacles and conflict in the series:
Zark not noticing Spectra slipping through the early warning system is an obstacle.
Figuring out how to destroy the Jigokillers or Fierce Flowers is an obstacle.
Deciding to burn the Jigokillers is a conflict. They risk killing their teammate.
The Commander rushing off to Riga in search of his father is an obstacle and a conflict. An obstacle because it incapacitates the team, a conflict that it dredges up conflicting feeling amongst teammates.
Joe's injury is an obstacle to his performance. Deciding what to do about it is a conflict.

You'll probably find your favorite episodes include some type of conflict or a mix of both conflict and obstacles.

Is it plot or character?
Stories that thrive on plot usually have an inciting incident at the beginning. An example would be the premiere episode of Gatch I and BotP. It starts with the enemy attacking, the team must find a way to stop them.
Plot Points are the scenes in which the character comes to terms with an obstacle or conflict.

Character stories focus on a character and his or her issues.

Hook
It's the who, what, when, where, and how, that draws the reader into the story until the end. How will the character handle adversity? Will they triumph or fail? Will they change? Will the city be saved in time? It's when readers say, I'm hooked, now where's the rest?
None of those things would be possible without a point to make.

The Inciting Incident
The event that starts a story, usually related to the plot. A good example of a complex storyline would be The Sky is Falling pts 1 and 2. The inciting incident is Mark's past friend Tom appearing and being injured.

Example: Spectra planted a bomb in the city. G-Force dismantled it. The End.
Where's the fun in that? What's the Point?

Try it differently. Same scenario. Add in that the team needs the only scientist who knows how to dismantle the bomb and they're running out of time. Blah. Boring.
No one's seen the scientist since his retirement two years ago. A little better. We have an obstacle now, but there's still not much story. The team finds him and presto, story over.
Or
The team finds him, but he refuses to dismantle the bomb on principle that his son died because of his work. He will never touch another bomb.
Boom! Now we have conflict.
Let's stir the pot and make Keyop a central character who reminds the scientist of his lost son.
How will the team handle this? Will the scientist be convinced to help them? Will the team have to find someone almost as good? Will the team banish Keyop from the frontline or will Keyop be pivotal in changing the scientist's mind?

So, where is the Point in all that, you may ask. In the above case, it's in the conflict between the team's desire to succeed no matter the cost, and the scientist's morals and whether or not he will change.

The Point of a story is not usually any one thing, but a combination of many things that make the reader want to care about what happens.

Sometimes writers take for granted within a fandom that everyone already knows and cares for the characters within it. Within fandom, it is even more important to flesh out the why's of familiar characters.

It's not enough to say Joe blew up the mecha because everyone knows that's what he does. And it's not enough to have Katse cowering from the team because he's been seen doing that.
Throw a point in there somewhere. Joe is blowing up the mecha against Ken's orders because this particular one dented his car. Katse is cowering because he bought the wrong shade of lipstick and won't be seen in coral colors. Granted those aren't great points, but they're better than having an action because it's common.

Let's go back to the scientist and the bomb. (why the scientist works with bombs is background, something not addressed here) We've got a plot with obstacles - the bomb, a time limit, and one reluctant scientist.
The conflict is the scientist, morals, human nature.
We can give single conflicts to other characters, but again, these are additional 'threads' to tie up within the story.
However, adding the extra story-lines makes it more interesting, more at stake for more than one person. Does the team banish Keyop from the mission until they can convince the scientist to work with them? Does Anderson step in and suggest the scientist shouldn't worry because Keyop is lab grown, thus dehumanizing Keyop? In the scientist's eye? To Keyop's own self-esteem? Does the above evoke emotion in the reader? Keyop may have to prove himself once again, creating loads of conflict.
Maybe they do none of that and merely try to convince him of all the other sons and daughters who will die if he doesn't dismantle this bomb.
The story threads can end many different ways.
But in relation to the Point, it can only have one of two endings.
It will show that man can change...
or that he can't.