User blog comment:Zathronas/Analysis by an author: Volume 2 episode 8: Field Trip/@comment-10390252-20140926105732

My guess is that Zwei will turn out to be some kind of wild-card. Either he is an unusual animal (abnormally intelligent or some kind of special abiities) or either Taiyang or Qrow has a semblance that lets him 'ride along' in animal's minds, experience what they experience and even control their actions to a certain degree. Yang is just too impetious to look out for it but Ruby saw the signs; that's why she smiled in that strange way at Zwei before we're hit with the lampshade that she's smuggling Zwei in her backpack.

My guess? Either Qrow or Taiyang want to see what is going on at Beacon and in Vale for themselves and are using Zwei as cover to do so without being seen by Ironwood (who would know them) and possibly Cinder (who might know them too). I think that, whoever it is, will pop out of Zwei during a fight to save the day.

Oobleck, I think, is going to be mostly played for laughs (having Joel as his VA guarantees that). However, he's also a capable enough Huntsman to get this assignment and I expect him to easily hold up his end. He's also a passionate teacher, so I can see at least one bit next week where he is coaching the girls in their fighting styles; maybe critiquing their co-ordinated group tactics or something.