MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Bee in the City

2012-09-25T22:30:08Z

124.179.246.75: /* Transformers references */

{{episode
|otherseries=''[[Transformers Timelines (fiction)|Transformers Timelines]]''
|title="Bee in the City"
|prev=Shattered Glass
|next=Withered Hope
|seriess2=''[[Transformers: TransTech]]''
|next2=Gone Too Far
|image=BeeCityCast.jpg
|caption=Look to this day, graduates, as you meta-reference the world.
|written by=[[Greg Sepelak]] and [[Trent Troop]]
|directed by=
|original presentation=9:45pm on [[April 26]], [[2008]] (BotCon)
|continuity=[[Transformers: TransTech|TransTech]]}}

'''Two Transformers and a human are zapped to another dimension. Fourth-wall-breaking hijinks ensue!'''

==Synopsis==
Professor Sumdac tests a new space-warp teleportation device, the [[Bi-directional Unified Transit Terminal]], in an attempt to transport the Autobots home. His BUTT malfunctions, sending [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]], [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] to the city of [[Axiom Nexus]] on an alternate version of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] ruled by the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTechs]].

There, they are soon confronted by Officer Flareup, who notes that, by their very presence, they have violated the city's rules: no mechs named [[Prime (disambiguation)|Prime]] or [[Megatron (disambiguation)|Megatron]], no cosmic MacGuffins (in this case, the [[AllSpark Key]]), and absolutely no soliciting, rules established to preserve this Cybertron's utter lack of war. She takes them in for "processing", which turns out to be seventeen soul-crushingly boring hours of standing in line and filling out paperwork (or the digital equivalent).

As they finally leave, they encounter the morally ambiguous scientist Shockwave, a Subcommander Third Rank from the Menacing and Foreboding Sciences Division of the Axiom Nexus Military Intelligence Branch. Enforcing his will with a cadre of utterly silent soldiers, he takes Optimus Prime and Sari into custody as potential threats to planetary security, but ignores Bumblebee, reasoning the plucky, yellow, kid-friendly character will be essentially ineffective without a spunky human sidekick. Flareup is dismayed, noting to an indignant Bumblebee that she expected his group to receive no more than a fine and a deportation home, not a military arrest.

At Shockwave's lab, he prepares to experiment on Sari and Prime in some fashion to determine the extent of their potential threat. In particular, he is concerned about the potential effects of the AllSpark Key being present. After confiscating it, he begins examining [[Rescue Roy]]—er, Optimus, starting with a [[Matrix check|Routine Matrix check]].

Elsewhere in the city, Bumblebee and Flareup meet ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' universe Megatron (or a version of him, at least), who is going by the alias "[[Joe (disambiguation)|Joe]]" to avoid arrest and/or deportation himself. Learning about the AllSpark Key, Megatron is all too eager to gain this MacGuffin and utilize its power for his own nefarious plans. Once he determines that the other two have no idea who or what he is, he asserts that as a "heroic [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]", he will help them retrieve their friends and the Key.

Bumblebee comes up with an initial plan involving a trained chimp marching band (which "Joe" [[Protohuman|naturally]] [[Optimus Primal|hates]]), but it predictably fails. Megatron comes up with a plan that will actually work: pretending he and Bumblebee are illegal Primes (Bee-imus Prime and Joe [[Convoy (rank)|Convoy]]) being transferred by Flareup.

Once they reach Shockwave's lab, Megatron has Flareup and 'Bee run a distraction so he can knock out the TransTech scientist. Once that is done, Megatron reveals his true name and ambitions. He snatches the Key and uses it to bring to life a variety of Shockwave's lab equipment. However, Bumblebee and Sari introduce the new robots to the concept of bureaucracy. Less than thrilled with all the paperwork their new lives will entail just to be part of society, the new robot army turn on Megatron and drag him away. Shockwave provides Prime, Bumblebee and Sari a way home, expediting their paperwork, and he and Flareup agree never to speak of the incident again.

Back home, Sari and her Autobot friends likewise agree never to speak of the incident again. Still, Prime finds the thoughts of a Cybertron without war so inspiring that he feels like bursting into song. Thankfully, the others shout him down first.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]] (6)

|h2=[[Decepticon]]s/[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s|c2=
*[[Shockwave (TransTech)|Shockwave]] (7)
*"[[Megatron (BW)|Joe]]" (8)
*TransTech Guard (10)

|c3=
*[[Sari Sumdac]] (2)
*[[Isaac Sumdac]] (3)

|c4=
*Narrator (1)
* Drive-thru speaker (9)
* Newly-created robots (11)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Dr. Sumdac:''' "We're ready for a test run now. Here we go!" 
'''Sari:''' "Hey! My Key is acting weird again." 
'''Dr. Sumdac:''' "Oh, my! This is not going to turn out well!" 
'''All:''' "ahhhhhhhhhhhhh."
:—Sari, Dr. Sumdac, '''Optimus Prime''', and '''Bumblebee''' show us a fine example of [[dull surprise]].

"Hmm. No Megatrons, no Primes, no Cosmic MacGuffins, and no soliciting. By order of the Axiom Nexus... tourism board?!"
:—'''Bumblebee''' reads the sign of rules in Axiom Nexus, unlike Megatron, Prime, and Sari!

"Begin proactive maintenance log: Subject A, [[Sari Sumdac|adolescent human female]], has regained consciousness and has demonstrated both an awareness of the narrator and an utter disregard for the fourth wall."
:—'''Shockwave''' records his observations.

"Okay, so you've got some crazy no-Prime policy, I can roll with that. But why am ''I'' under arrest? I'm just a little girl. I'm no harm to anyone. Can you please just let me go, ''pleeeaaaase''?" 
"Child, the only way you could make me more suspicious is if you were wearing a yellow [[hard hat]]!"
:—Despite '''Sari Sumdac''''s best efforts, '''Shockwave''' knows the deal with human companion characters.

"Items of cosmic significance like this AllSpark-powered key are contraband in Axiom Nexus, and I will not allow you to ''deus ex machina'' your way out of this." 
"''Deus ex machina'' isn't a verb." 
"'''SILENCE!!'''"
:—'''Shockwave''' and '''Optimus''' argue proper grammar usage.

"I shall begin with you, as to avoid delving too deeply into any dark secrets of this girl's past that the audience might find ''too'' interesting." 
"What? It's not like I'm some hyper-advanced, human-like robot my dad made or anything. That's silly."
:—'''Shockwave''' and '''Sari''' carefully avoid spoilers.

'''Bumblebee:''' "Uh, yeah. I-I'd like, um... whoo. Uh, y—lemme get a shake...some fries, side of barbecue sauce... uh, what's a Manwich? ...Ohhh, okay, yeah, I'll take one of those too!" 
'''Loudspeaker:''' "Revah ruh rug reese, issra rayest ruh." 
'''Flareup''': "Bumblebee, what are you doing?!" 
'''Bumblebee:''' "A contractually obligated gag."

"We need help. BIG help! Maybe we can rig up a communicator and call in [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]]. Or maybe con [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] into helping us out." 
"Oh, please. What do I look like, [[Scott McNeil]]?"
:—'''Bumblebee's''' plan is shot down by '''"Joe"'''. Maybe he should've tried asking [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] instead?

==Notes==
*The cast:
** [[Tara Strong]]: [[Sari Sumdac]]
** [[David Kaye]]: [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]
** [[Bumper Robinson]]: [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], Narrator
** [[Marty Isenberg]]: [[Isaac Sumdac]], Drive-Thru, [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]] guard
** [[Anastasia Matejka]]: [[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]]
** [[Chris Ho]]: [[Shockwave (TransTech)|Shockwave]]
** [[Pete Sinclair]]: Pete Sinclair
* Anastasia and Chris were the winners of the [[BotCon Idol]] voice acting contest held that weekend. Everyone played the parts of the newly created lab-equipment bots, with Marty Isenberg having their only line in English.

===Transformers references===
* Bumblebee ordering fast food is a reference to a longstanding BotCon voice actor panel tradition, which involves the attending actors performing their characters ordering at a drive-thru.
* Bumblebee is identified by Flareup as "a kid-appeal yellow-car-type", narrowed down to either "a Bumblebee or a [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]]", also referencing early ''Animated'' plans for Hot Shot to be the [[kid-appeal character]] of the crew. Various characters later "mistake" him for [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], and [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]].
* Bumblebee yells out to a passerby, asking how they walk without knees. This was an incredibly common articulation issue of most figures pre-''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]''.
* Shockwave refers to Optimus as "[[Rescue Roy]]".
* When introducing himself to Bumblebee and Flareup, Megatron mentions that when he and [[Maximal|his]] [[Predacon (BW)|kind]] came in, it was believed that they would [[Ruined FOREVER|destroy the franchise, er, multiverse]]. Wonder where he got [[Trukk not munky|THAT idea]]...
* While masquerading as a Prime, Megatron identifies himself as "Joe [[Convoy (rank)|Convoy]]", playing on the Japanese name for Optimus and his ilk.
* Bumblebee calls Shockwave "[[Shockblast]]", the "close enough" name used as a substitute for "Shockwave" for a time when [[Hasbro]] was unable to secure that [[trademark]].
* In a sort of anti-reference, Prime and Bumblebee's "let us never speak of it again" conclusion provides an in-story reason for why none of this extra-dimensional silliness was ever mentioned on the actual ''Animated'' cartoon.
* Sari's befuddlement at a robot having high heels and Flareup's own distaste at having such an attribute is funny since so many fembots in the "Animated" universe have high heels, including [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]], [[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]] and even their own version of [[Flareup (Animated)|Flareup]].

===Real-world references===
* Professor Sumdac refers to Sari as "the joy and the laughter," a reference to actress Tara Strong's role as Bubbles in ''[[wikipedia:The Powerpuff Girls|The Powerpuff Girls]]''. Bubbles is proclaimed to be "the joy and the laughter" in that show's closing theme tune.
* Prime remarks that waiting in line for 17 hours "took longer than an ''[[wikipedia:InuYasha|InuYasha]]'' story arc". David Kaye played a recurring role in that series as InuYasha's brother, Sesshomaru. (David also punctuated the gag with a little fist-pump.)
* When Bumblebee places his fast-food order, the nearly incomprehensible drive-thru speaker replies "''Sever your leg please, it's the greatest day.''" The line is a direct lift from a [http://www.hrwiki.org/index.php/Main_Page Homestar Runner] [http://www.homestarrunner.com/drivethru.html cartoon] featuring a randomly-appearing, nearly incomprehensible drive-thru speaker.
* When trying to sneak Bumblebee and "Joe" into Shockwave's lab, Flareup tells the TransTech guard that it's a "prison transfer from [[wikia:c:starwars:Cell Block 1138|cell block 1138]]". While the guard does not get the reference, it's a line uttered by [[Luke Skywalker]] in the first [[Star Wars (film)|''Star Wars'' film]] (which in turn is a reference to one of [[wikipedia:George Lucas|George Lucas]]'s early films, [[wikipedia:THX 1138|THX 1138]]).
* Bumblebee tries to get the maniacally laughing (and coughing) Megatron's attention with a "Yo, Joe?" This is, of course, a reference to the battle cry of ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' from the eponymous '80s cartoon series. Flareup follows up with "Wrong convention", referencing [[Fun Publications]]' role in running the annual ''G.I. Joe'' convention.
* When Sari snatches Bumblebee's meal, Bumblebee laments "My manwich!", a line used by another of voice actor Bumper Robinson's characters, Dwight Conrad of ''[[Wikipedia:Futurama|Futurama]]''.
* With the AllSpark Key in hand, Megatron claims he has "a big boost of confidence", a tag line from commercials Kaye narrated touting [[wikipedia:Enzyte|Enzyte]], a non-prescription drug for... er, male performance enhancement. In a similar vein (Ha-haaa! ''Vein!''), he also refers to himself as "the Keymaster" (much to Flareup's disgust), a reference to the movie ''[[wikipedia:Ghostbusters|Ghostbusters]]''.
* One of the newly born lab robots, upon being told of the forms it will have to fill out, says "What you talkin' 'bout, Wheelie?", a reference to the catchphrase of a young [[wikipedia:Gary Coleman|Gary Coleman]] in ''[[wikipedia:Diff'rent Strokes|Diff'rent Strokes]]''.
* During the epilogue, Prime adds to the list of Bumblebee's misnomers by calling him "T-Bob", the robot sidekick from the '80s cartoon series/[[Kenner]] toy line ''[[wikipedia:M.A.S.K.|M.A.S.K.]]''.

===Trivia===
* "Bi-directional Unified Transit Terminal"... [[Fully Automated Rapid Transit System|mature as ever]], eh, Sumdac?
* Sari is mistakenly described as an "adolescent", which is a teenager.
* After Sari's "human-like robot" line, Marty Isenberg put his finger to his lip and looked upwards in a very hammy faux-innocent look....

==External Links==
"Bee in the City" Live Recording:
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4rUveSq7vg Part 1 on YouTube]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRLwZZV1YJ4 Part 2 on YouTube]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sww0sue3xTs Part 3 on YouTube]

[[Category:Animated media]]
[[Category:Script reading]]
[[Category:Timelines]]
[[Category:TransTech]]

Bee in the City

2012-09-25T22:29:32Z

124.179.246.75:

{{episode
|otherseries=''[[Transformers Timelines (fiction)|Transformers Timelines]]''
|title="Bee in the City"
|prev=Shattered Glass
|next=Withered Hope
|seriess2=''[[Transformers: TransTech]]''
|next2=Gone Too Far
|image=BeeCityCast.jpg
|caption=Look to this day, graduates, as you meta-reference the world.
|written by=[[Greg Sepelak]] and [[Trent Troop]]
|directed by=
|original presentation=9:45pm on [[April 26]], [[2008]] (BotCon)
|continuity=[[Transformers: TransTech|TransTech]]}}

'''Two Transformers and a human are zapped to another dimension. Fourth-wall-breaking hijinks ensue!'''

==Synopsis==
Professor Sumdac tests a new space-warp teleportation device, the [[Bi-directional Unified Transit Terminal]], in an attempt to transport the Autobots home. His BUTT malfunctions, sending [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]], [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] to the city of [[Axiom Nexus]] on an alternate version of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] ruled by the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTechs]].

There, they are soon confronted by Officer Flareup, who notes that, by their very presence, they have violated the city's rules: no mechs named [[Prime (disambiguation)|Prime]] or [[Megatron (disambiguation)|Megatron]], no cosmic MacGuffins (in this case, the [[AllSpark Key]]), and absolutely no soliciting, rules established to preserve this Cybertron's utter lack of war. She takes them in for "processing", which turns out to be seventeen soul-crushingly boring hours of standing in line and filling out paperwork (or the digital equivalent).

As they finally leave, they encounter the morally ambiguous scientist Shockwave, a Subcommander Third Rank from the Menacing and Foreboding Sciences Division of the Axiom Nexus Military Intelligence Branch. Enforcing his will with a cadre of utterly silent soldiers, he takes Optimus Prime and Sari into custody as potential threats to planetary security, but ignores Bumblebee, reasoning the plucky, yellow, kid-friendly character will be essentially ineffective without a spunky human sidekick. Flareup is dismayed, noting to an indignant Bumblebee that she expected his group to receive no more than a fine and a deportation home, not a military arrest.

At Shockwave's lab, he prepares to experiment on Sari and Prime in some fashion to determine the extent of their potential threat. In particular, he is concerned about the potential effects of the AllSpark Key being present. After confiscating it, he begins examining [[Rescue Roy]]—er, Optimus, starting with a [[Matrix check|Routine Matrix check]].

Elsewhere in the city, Bumblebee and Flareup meet ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' universe Megatron (or a version of him, at least), who is going by the alias "[[Joe (disambiguation)|Joe]]" to avoid arrest and/or deportation himself. Learning about the AllSpark Key, Megatron is all too eager to gain this MacGuffin and utilize its power for his own nefarious plans. Once he determines that the other two have no idea who or what he is, he asserts that as a "heroic [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]", he will help them retrieve their friends and the Key.

Bumblebee comes up with an initial plan involving a trained chimp marching band (which "Joe" [[Protohuman|naturally]] [[Optimus Primal|hates]]), but it predictably fails. Megatron comes up with a plan that will actually work: pretending he and Bumblebee are illegal Primes (Bee-imus Prime and Joe [[Convoy (rank)|Convoy]]) being transferred by Flareup.

Once they reach Shockwave's lab, Megatron has Flareup and 'Bee run a distraction so he can knock out the TransTech scientist. Once that is done, Megatron reveals his true name and ambitions. He snatches the Key and uses it to bring to life a variety of Shockwave's lab equipment. However, Bumblebee and Sari introduce the new robots to the concept of bureaucracy. Less than thrilled with all the paperwork their new lives will entail just to be part of society, the new robot army turn on Megatron and drag him away. Shockwave provides Prime, Bumblebee and Sari a way home, expediting their paperwork, and he and Flareup agree never to speak of the incident again.

Back home, Sari and her Autobot friends likewise agree never to speak of the incident again. Still, Prime finds the thoughts of a Cybertron without war so inspiring that he feels like bursting into song. Thankfully, the others shout him down first.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]] (6)

|h2=[[Decepticon]]s/[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s|c2=
*[[Shockwave (TransTech)|Shockwave]] (7)
*"[[Megatron (BW)|Joe]]" (8)
*TransTech Guard (10)

|c3=
*[[Sari Sumdac]] (2)
*[[Isaac Sumdac]] (3)

|c4=
*Narrator (1)
* Drive-thru speaker (9)
* Newly-created robots (11)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Dr. Sumdac:''' "We're ready for a test run now. Here we go!" 
'''Sari:''' "Hey! My Key is acting weird again." 
'''Dr. Sumdac:''' "Oh, my! This is not going to turn out well!" 
'''All:''' "ahhhhhhhhhhhhh."
:—Sari, Dr. Sumdac, '''Optimus Prime''', and '''Bumblebee''' show us a fine example of [[dull surprise]].

"Hmm. No Megatrons, no Primes, no Cosmic MacGuffins, and no soliciting. By order of the Axiom Nexus... tourism board?!"
:—'''Bumblebee''' reads the sign of rules in Axiom Nexus, unlike Megatron, Prime, and Sari!

"Begin proactive maintenance log: Subject A, [[Sari Sumdac|adolescent human female]], has regained consciousness and has demonstrated both an awareness of the narrator and an utter disregard for the fourth wall."
:—'''Shockwave''' records his observations.

"Okay, so you've got some crazy no-Prime policy, I can roll with that. But why am ''I'' under arrest? I'm just a little girl. I'm no harm to anyone. Can you please just let me go, ''pleeeaaaase''?" 
"Child, the only way you could make me more suspicious is if you were wearing a yellow [[hard hat]]!"
:—Despite '''Sari Sumdac''''s best efforts, '''Shockwave''' knows the deal with human companion characters.

"Items of cosmic significance like this AllSpark-powered key are contraband in Axiom Nexus, and I will not allow you to ''deus ex machina'' your way out of this." 
"''Deus ex machina'' isn't a verb." 
"'''SILENCE!!'''"
:—'''Shockwave''' and '''Optimus''' argue proper grammar usage.

"I shall begin with you, as to avoid delving too deeply into any dark secrets of this girl's past that the audience might find ''too'' interesting." 
"What? It's not like I'm some hyper-advanced, human-like robot my dad made or anything. That's silly."
:—'''Shockwave''' and '''Sari''' carefully avoid spoilers.

'''Bumblebee:''' "Uh, yeah. I-I'd like, um... whoo. Uh, y—lemme get a shake...some fries, side of barbecue sauce... uh, what's a Manwich? ...Ohhh, okay, yeah, I'll take one of those too!" 
'''Loudspeaker:''' "Revah ruh rug reese, issra rayest ruh." 
'''Flareup''': "Bumblebee, what are you doing?!" 
'''Bumblebee:''' "A contractually obligated gag."

"We need help. BIG help! Maybe we can rig up a communicator and call in [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]]. Or maybe con [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] into helping us out." 
"Oh, please. What do I look like, [[Scott McNeil]]?"
:—'''Bumblebee's''' plan is shot down by '''"Joe"'''. Maybe he should've tried asking [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] instead?

==Notes==
*The cast:
** [[Tara Strong]]: [[Sari Sumdac]]
** [[David Kaye]]: [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]
** [[Bumper Robinson]]: [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], Narrator
** [[Marty Isenberg]]: [[Isaac Sumdac]], Drive-Thru, [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]] guard
** [[Anastasia Matejka]]: [[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]]
** [[Chris Ho]]: [[Shockwave (TransTech)|Shockwave]]
** [[Pete Sinclair]]: Pete Sinclair
* Anastasia and Chris were the winners of the [[BotCon Idol]] voice acting contest held that weekend. Everyone played the parts of the newly created lab-equipment bots, with Marty Isenberg having their only line in English.

===Transformers references===
* Bumblebee ordering fast food is a reference to a longstanding BotCon voice actor panel tradition, which involves the attending actors performing their characters ordering at a drive-thru.
* Bumblebee is identified by Flareup as "a kid-appeal yellow-car-type", narrowed down to either "a Bumblebee or a [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]]", also referencing early ''Animated'' plans for Hot Shot to be the [[kid-appeal character]] of the crew. Various characters later "mistake" him for [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], and [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]].
* Bumblebee yells out to a passerby, asking how they walk without knees. This was an incredibly common articulation issue of most figures pre-''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]''.
* Shockwave refers to Optimus as "[[Rescue Roy]]".
* When introducing himself to Bumblebee and Flareup, Megatron mentions that when he and [[Maximal|his]] [[Predacon (BW)|kind]] came in, it was believed that they would [[Ruined FOREVER|destroy the franchise, er, multiverse]]. Wonder where he got [[Trukk not munky|THAT idea]]...
* While masquerading as a Prime, Megatron identifies himself as "Joe [[Convoy (rank)|Convoy]]", playing on the Japanese name for Optimus and his ilk.
* Bumblebee calls Shockwave "[[Shockblast]]", the "close enough" name used as a substitute for "Shockwave" for a time when [[Hasbro]] was unable to secure that [[trademark]].
* In a sort of anti-reference, Prime and Bumblebee's "let us never speak of it again" conclusion provides an in-story reason for why none of this extra-dimensional silliness was ever mentioned on the actual ''Animated'' cartoon.
* Sari's befuddlement at a robot having high heels and Flareup's own distaste at having such an attribute is funny since so many fembots in the "Animated" universe have high heels, including [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]],[[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]] and even their own version of[[Flareup (Animated)|Flareup]].

===Real-world references===
* Professor Sumdac refers to Sari as "the joy and the laughter," a reference to actress Tara Strong's role as Bubbles in ''[[wikipedia:The Powerpuff Girls|The Powerpuff Girls]]''. Bubbles is proclaimed to be "the joy and the laughter" in that show's closing theme tune.
* Prime remarks that waiting in line for 17 hours "took longer than an ''[[wikipedia:InuYasha|InuYasha]]'' story arc". David Kaye played a recurring role in that series as InuYasha's brother, Sesshomaru. (David also punctuated the gag with a little fist-pump.)
* When Bumblebee places his fast-food order, the nearly incomprehensible drive-thru speaker replies "''Sever your leg please, it's the greatest day.''" The line is a direct lift from a [http://www.hrwiki.org/index.php/Main_Page Homestar Runner] [http://www.homestarrunner.com/drivethru.html cartoon] featuring a randomly-appearing, nearly incomprehensible drive-thru speaker.
* When trying to sneak Bumblebee and "Joe" into Shockwave's lab, Flareup tells the TransTech guard that it's a "prison transfer from [[wikia:c:starwars:Cell Block 1138|cell block 1138]]". While the guard does not get the reference, it's a line uttered by [[Luke Skywalker]] in the first [[Star Wars (film)|''Star Wars'' film]] (which in turn is a reference to one of [[wikipedia:George Lucas|George Lucas]]'s early films, [[wikipedia:THX 1138|THX 1138]]).
* Bumblebee tries to get the maniacally laughing (and coughing) Megatron's attention with a "Yo, Joe?" This is, of course, a reference to the battle cry of ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' from the eponymous '80s cartoon series. Flareup follows up with "Wrong convention", referencing [[Fun Publications]]' role in running the annual ''G.I. Joe'' convention.
* When Sari snatches Bumblebee's meal, Bumblebee laments "My manwich!", a line used by another of voice actor Bumper Robinson's characters, Dwight Conrad of ''[[Wikipedia:Futurama|Futurama]]''.
* With the AllSpark Key in hand, Megatron claims he has "a big boost of confidence", a tag line from commercials Kaye narrated touting [[wikipedia:Enzyte|Enzyte]], a non-prescription drug for... er, male performance enhancement. In a similar vein (Ha-haaa! ''Vein!''), he also refers to himself as "the Keymaster" (much to Flareup's disgust), a reference to the movie ''[[wikipedia:Ghostbusters|Ghostbusters]]''.
* One of the newly born lab robots, upon being told of the forms it will have to fill out, says "What you talkin' 'bout, Wheelie?", a reference to the catchphrase of a young [[wikipedia:Gary Coleman|Gary Coleman]] in ''[[wikipedia:Diff'rent Strokes|Diff'rent Strokes]]''.
* During the epilogue, Prime adds to the list of Bumblebee's misnomers by calling him "T-Bob", the robot sidekick from the '80s cartoon series/[[Kenner]] toy line ''[[wikipedia:M.A.S.K.|M.A.S.K.]]''.

===Trivia===
* "Bi-directional Unified Transit Terminal"... [[Fully Automated Rapid Transit System|mature as ever]], eh, Sumdac?
* Sari is mistakenly described as an "adolescent", which is a teenager.
* After Sari's "human-like robot" line, Marty Isenberg put his finger to his lip and looked upwards in a very hammy faux-innocent look....

==External Links==
"Bee in the City" Live Recording:
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4rUveSq7vg Part 1 on YouTube]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRLwZZV1YJ4 Part 2 on YouTube]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sww0sue3xTs Part 3 on YouTube]

[[Category:Animated media]]
[[Category:Script reading]]
[[Category:Timelines]]
[[Category:TransTech]]

Bee in the City

2012-09-25T22:28:11Z

124.179.246.75:

{{episode
|otherseries=''[[Transformers Timelines (fiction)|Transformers Timelines]]''
|title="Bee in the City"
|prev=Shattered Glass
|next=Withered Hope
|seriess2=''[[Transformers: TransTech]]''
|next2=Gone Too Far
|image=BeeCityCast.jpg
|caption=Look to this day, graduates, as you meta-reference the world.
|written by=[[Greg Sepelak]] and [[Trent Troop]]
|directed by=
|original presentation=9:45pm on [[April 26]], [[2008]] (BotCon)
|continuity=[[Transformers: TransTech|TransTech]]}}

'''Two Transformers and a human are zapped to another dimension. Fourth-wall-breaking hijinks ensue!'''

==Synopsis==
Professor Sumdac tests a new space-warp teleportation device, the [[Bi-directional Unified Transit Terminal]], in an attempt to transport the Autobots home. His BUTT malfunctions, sending [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]], [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] to the city of [[Axiom Nexus]] on an alternate version of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] ruled by the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTechs]].

There, they are soon confronted by Officer Flareup, who notes that, by their very presence, they have violated the city's rules: no mechs named [[Prime (disambiguation)|Prime]] or [[Megatron (disambiguation)|Megatron]], no cosmic MacGuffins (in this case, the [[AllSpark Key]]), and absolutely no soliciting, rules established to preserve this Cybertron's utter lack of war. She takes them in for "processing", which turns out to be seventeen soul-crushingly boring hours of standing in line and filling out paperwork (or the digital equivalent).

As they finally leave, they encounter the morally ambiguous scientist Shockwave, a Subcommander Third Rank from the Menacing and Foreboding Sciences Division of the Axiom Nexus Military Intelligence Branch. Enforcing his will with a cadre of utterly silent soldiers, he takes Optimus Prime and Sari into custody as potential threats to planetary security, but ignores Bumblebee, reasoning the plucky, yellow, kid-friendly character will be essentially ineffective without a spunky human sidekick. Flareup is dismayed, noting to an indignant Bumblebee that she expected his group to receive no more than a fine and a deportation home, not a military arrest.

At Shockwave's lab, he prepares to experiment on Sari and Prime in some fashion to determine the extent of their potential threat. In particular, he is concerned about the potential effects of the AllSpark Key being present. After confiscating it, he begins examining [[Rescue Roy]]—er, Optimus, starting with a [[Matrix check|Routine Matrix check]].

Elsewhere in the city, Bumblebee and Flareup meet ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' universe Megatron (or a version of him, at least), who is going by the alias "[[Joe (disambiguation)|Joe]]" to avoid arrest and/or deportation himself. Learning about the AllSpark Key, Megatron is all too eager to gain this MacGuffin and utilize its power for his own nefarious plans. Once he determines that the other two have no idea who or what he is, he asserts that as a "heroic [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]", he will help them retrieve their friends and the Key.

Bumblebee comes up with an initial plan involving a trained chimp marching band (which "Joe" [[Protohuman|naturally]] [[Optimus Primal|hates]]), but it predictably fails. Megatron comes up with a plan that will actually work: pretending he and Bumblebee are illegal Primes (Bee-imus Prime and Joe [[Convoy (rank)|Convoy]]) being transferred by Flareup.

Once they reach Shockwave's lab, Megatron has Flareup and 'Bee run a distraction so he can knock out the TransTech scientist. Once that is done, Megatron reveals his true name and ambitions. He snatches the Key and uses it to bring to life a variety of Shockwave's lab equipment. However, Bumblebee and Sari introduce the new robots to the concept of bureaucracy. Less than thrilled with all the paperwork their new lives will entail just to be part of society, the new robot army turn on Megatron and drag him away. Shockwave provides Prime, Bumblebee and Sari a way home, expediting their paperwork, and he and Flareup agree never to speak of the incident again.

Back home, Sari and her Autobot friends likewise agree never to speak of the incident again. Still, Prime finds the thoughts of a Cybertron without war so inspiring that he feels like bursting into song. Thankfully, the others shout him down first.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]] (6)

|h2=[[Decepticon]]s/[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s|c2=
*[[Shockwave (TransTech)|Shockwave]] (7)
*"[[Megatron (BW)|Joe]]" (8)
*TransTech Guard (10)

|c3=
*[[Sari Sumdac]] (2)
*[[Isaac Sumdac]] (3)

|c4=
*Narrator (1)
* Drive-thru speaker (9)
* Newly-created robots (11)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Dr. Sumdac:''' "We're ready for a test run now. Here we go!" 
'''Sari:''' "Hey! My Key is acting weird again." 
'''Dr. Sumdac:''' "Oh, my! This is not going to turn out well!" 
'''All:''' "ahhhhhhhhhhhhh."
:—Sari, Dr. Sumdac, '''Optimus Prime''', and '''Bumblebee''' show us a fine example of [[dull surprise]].

"Hmm. No Megatrons, no Primes, no Cosmic MacGuffins, and no soliciting. By order of the Axiom Nexus... tourism board?!"
:—'''Bumblebee''' reads the sign of rules in Axiom Nexus, unlike Megatron, Prime, and Sari!

"Begin proactive maintenance log: Subject A, [[Sari Sumdac|adolescent human female]], has regained consciousness and has demonstrated both an awareness of the narrator and an utter disregard for the fourth wall."
:—'''Shockwave''' records his observations.

"Okay, so you've got some crazy no-Prime policy, I can roll with that. But why am ''I'' under arrest? I'm just a little girl. I'm no harm to anyone. Can you please just let me go, ''pleeeaaaase''?" 
"Child, the only way you could make me more suspicious is if you were wearing a yellow [[hard hat]]!"
:—Despite '''Sari Sumdac''''s best efforts, '''Shockwave''' knows the deal with human companion characters.

"Items of cosmic significance like this AllSpark-powered key are contraband in Axiom Nexus, and I will not allow you to ''deus ex machina'' your way out of this." 
"''Deus ex machina'' isn't a verb." 
"'''SILENCE!!'''"
:—'''Shockwave''' and '''Optimus''' argue proper grammar usage.

"I shall begin with you, as to avoid delving too deeply into any dark secrets of this girl's past that the audience might find ''too'' interesting." 
"What? It's not like I'm some hyper-advanced, human-like robot my dad made or anything. That's silly."
:—'''Shockwave''' and '''Sari''' carefully avoid spoilers.

'''Bumblebee:''' "Uh, yeah. I-I'd like, um... whoo. Uh, y—lemme get a shake...some fries, side of barbecue sauce... uh, what's a Manwich? ...Ohhh, okay, yeah, I'll take one of those too!" 
'''Loudspeaker:''' "Revah ruh rug reese, issra rayest ruh." 
'''Flareup''': "Bumblebee, what are you doing?!" 
'''Bumblebee:''' "A contractually obligated gag."

"We need help. BIG help! Maybe we can rig up a communicator and call in [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]]. Or maybe con [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] into helping us out." 
"Oh, please. What do I look like, [[Scott McNeil]]?"
:—'''Bumblebee's''' plan is shot down by '''"Joe"'''. Maybe he should've tried asking [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] instead?

==Notes==
*The cast:
** [[Tara Strong]]: [[Sari Sumdac]]
** [[David Kaye]]: [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]
** [[Bumper Robinson]]: [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], Narrator
** [[Marty Isenberg]]: [[Isaac Sumdac]], Drive-Thru, [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]] guard
** [[Anastasia Matejka]]: [[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]]
** [[Chris Ho]]: [[Shockwave (TransTech)|Shockwave]]
** [[Pete Sinclair]]: Pete Sinclair
* Anastasia and Chris were the winners of the [[BotCon Idol]] voice acting contest held that weekend. Everyone played the parts of the newly created lab-equipment bots, with Marty Isenberg having their only line in English.

===Transformers references===
* Bumblebee ordering fast food is a reference to a longstanding BotCon voice actor panel tradition, which involves the attending actors performing their characters ordering at a drive-thru.
* Bumblebee is identified by Flareup as "a kid-appeal yellow-car-type", narrowed down to either "a Bumblebee or a [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]]", also referencing early ''Animated'' plans for Hot Shot to be the [[kid-appeal character]] of the crew. Various characters later "mistake" him for [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], and [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]].
* Bumblebee yells out to a passerby, asking how they walk without knees. This was an incredibly common articulation issue of most figures pre-''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]''.
* Shockwave refers to Optimus as "[[Rescue Roy]]".
* When introducing himself to Bumblebee and Flareup, Megatron mentions that when he and [[Maximal|his]] [[Predacon (BW)|kind]] came in, it was believed that they would [[Ruined FOREVER|destroy the franchise, er, multiverse]]. Wonder where he got [[Trukk not munky|THAT idea]]...
* While masquerading as a Prime, Megatron identifies himself as "Joe [[Convoy (rank)|Convoy]]", playing on the Japanese name for Optimus and his ilk.
* Bumblebee calls Shockwave "[[Shockblast]]", the "close enough" name used as a substitute for "Shockwave" for a time when [[Hasbro]] was unable to secure that [[trademark]].
* In a sort of anti-reference, Prime and Bumblebee's "let us never speak of it again" conclusion provides an in-story reason for why none of this extra-dimensional silliness was ever mentioned on the actual ''Animated'' cartoon.
* Sari's befuddlement at a robot having high heels and Flareup's own distaste at having such an attribute is funny since so many fembots in the "Animated" universe have high heels, including [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]],[[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]] and even Flareup's own Animated [[counterpart (Animated)|Flareup]].

===Real-world references===
* Professor Sumdac refers to Sari as "the joy and the laughter," a reference to actress Tara Strong's role as Bubbles in ''[[wikipedia:The Powerpuff Girls|The Powerpuff Girls]]''. Bubbles is proclaimed to be "the joy and the laughter" in that show's closing theme tune.
* Prime remarks that waiting in line for 17 hours "took longer than an ''[[wikipedia:InuYasha|InuYasha]]'' story arc". David Kaye played a recurring role in that series as InuYasha's brother, Sesshomaru. (David also punctuated the gag with a little fist-pump.)
* When Bumblebee places his fast-food order, the nearly incomprehensible drive-thru speaker replies "''Sever your leg please, it's the greatest day.''" The line is a direct lift from a [http://www.hrwiki.org/index.php/Main_Page Homestar Runner] [http://www.homestarrunner.com/drivethru.html cartoon] featuring a randomly-appearing, nearly incomprehensible drive-thru speaker.
* When trying to sneak Bumblebee and "Joe" into Shockwave's lab, Flareup tells the TransTech guard that it's a "prison transfer from [[wikia:c:starwars:Cell Block 1138|cell block 1138]]". While the guard does not get the reference, it's a line uttered by [[Luke Skywalker]] in the first [[Star Wars (film)|''Star Wars'' film]] (which in turn is a reference to one of [[wikipedia:George Lucas|George Lucas]]'s early films, [[wikipedia:THX 1138|THX 1138]]).
* Bumblebee tries to get the maniacally laughing (and coughing) Megatron's attention with a "Yo, Joe?" This is, of course, a reference to the battle cry of ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' from the eponymous '80s cartoon series. Flareup follows up with "Wrong convention", referencing [[Fun Publications]]' role in running the annual ''G.I. Joe'' convention.
* When Sari snatches Bumblebee's meal, Bumblebee laments "My manwich!", a line used by another of voice actor Bumper Robinson's characters, Dwight Conrad of ''[[Wikipedia:Futurama|Futurama]]''.
* With the AllSpark Key in hand, Megatron claims he has "a big boost of confidence", a tag line from commercials Kaye narrated touting [[wikipedia:Enzyte|Enzyte]], a non-prescription drug for... er, male performance enhancement. In a similar vein (Ha-haaa! ''Vein!''), he also refers to himself as "the Keymaster" (much to Flareup's disgust), a reference to the movie ''[[wikipedia:Ghostbusters|Ghostbusters]]''.
* One of the newly born lab robots, upon being told of the forms it will have to fill out, says "What you talkin' 'bout, Wheelie?", a reference to the catchphrase of a young [[wikipedia:Gary Coleman|Gary Coleman]] in ''[[wikipedia:Diff'rent Strokes|Diff'rent Strokes]]''.
* During the epilogue, Prime adds to the list of Bumblebee's misnomers by calling him "T-Bob", the robot sidekick from the '80s cartoon series/[[Kenner]] toy line ''[[wikipedia:M.A.S.K.|M.A.S.K.]]''.

===Trivia===
* "Bi-directional Unified Transit Terminal"... [[Fully Automated Rapid Transit System|mature as ever]], eh, Sumdac?
* Sari is mistakenly described as an "adolescent", which is a teenager.
* After Sari's "human-like robot" line, Marty Isenberg put his finger to his lip and looked upwards in a very hammy faux-innocent look....

==External Links==
"Bee in the City" Live Recording:
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4rUveSq7vg Part 1 on YouTube]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRLwZZV1YJ4 Part 2 on YouTube]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sww0sue3xTs Part 3 on YouTube]

[[Category:Animated media]]
[[Category:Script reading]]
[[Category:Timelines]]
[[Category:TransTech]]

The Human Factor

2012-09-19T06:38:35Z

124.179.246.75:

{{disambig2|the episode of ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]''|the story originally published in [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (Marvel US)]] #68|The Human Factor!}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 45
|prev=New Recruit
|next=Legacy
|image=TheHumanFactor Cylas and Megatron.jpg
|caption=
|title="The Human Factor"
|airdate=[[September 14]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Bob Skir|Robert N. Skir]]
|directed by=[[Scooter Tidwell]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''After Silas is integrated into Breakdown's body, he approaches Megatron with a plan to join the Decepticon ranks.'''

==Synopsis==
In a [[MECH]] base, a small team of surgeons and technicians hook [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]]'s reassembled remains up to their computer and infuse them with electricity and Energon. Breakdown awakens, only it's not Breakdown—MECH has implanted [[Silas]] within the Decepticon's corpse. Silas is impressed with their ingenuity, but decides that, as he is no longer human, he no longer needs their services, and slaughters them.

[[Image:TheHumanFactorCylas.jpg|thumb|left|250px| [[Brainmaster|BRAIN SET!]]]]
Some time later, Silas drives up to the entrance to a military facility, stopping at the gate to introduce himself. Meanwhile in the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] are trying to encourage [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] to keep up his recuperation, despite the Wrecker's belief that he is being replaced. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] suggests he uses the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]] for extra strength and power, but Bulkhead sees it as a crutch and knocks it aside, causing it to damage the computer system. As Ratchet grumbles over the negative atmosphere, [[Jack Darby|Jack]] talks with [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] on the phone and is surprised to learn that Raf's been grounded for his slipping grades.

The Decepticons on the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', namely [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]], are likewise surprised when Breakdown's signal shows up on their scanners. Knock Out and some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] are sent to investigate and find the military base wrecked. Moments after they arrive, what appears to be Breakdown strides out of the smoke. In response to the Decepticons' reaction to his marred appearance, "Breakdown" asks in Silas's voice to be taken to [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]].

[[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] briefs the Autobots on the theft of the [[Project Damocles]] satellite apparently by Breakdown assisted by a human whom Fowler believes is Silas. Ratchet strongly dismisses the idea of Decepticons and humans pairing together, rebuffed only by Jack's reasoning of the alliance working for the Autobots. Aboard the warship, Megatron is introduced to the Breakdown/Silas combo, now calling himself Cylas: "Cybernetic Life Augmented by Symbiosis". Though Megatron is disgusted by such an abomination and Knock Out is keen to dissect Cylas as revenge for Breakdown, the MECH commander wants to strike a deal with the Decepticons and offers the Damocles weapon as a token of friendship. As Fowler's briefing in the Autobot base ends, the Autobots realize they must protect the satellite's interface codes, currently stored on servers in [[Colorado]].

[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] has already gotten to the Colorado base, clearing it using a recording of Fowler's voice, and by the time the Autobots get there, the place is already heavily guarded by Decepticons. Cylas points out to Megatron that since Soundwave is now connected to the mainframe, he can operate the satellite. The Damocles satellite is duly launched from the ''Nemesis'', and Soundwave starts targeting the Autobots on the ground. His first shot narrowly misses Smokescreen, and [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] contacts base for backup. Bulkhead is ready to go but Ratchet stops him as Optimus is actually after ''technical'' help to disable the satellite. Ratchet decides Raf is required for this mission and so Raf gets unexpected visitors in the form of Fowler, Miko and Jack.

While the Autobots try to keep Soundwave distracted, Bulkhead attempts to talk Ratchet into sending him to help. Ratchet finally concedes, but has his own ideas. While Raf works on a way to crash the satellite and Fowler tries to work out a way to get to the toilet without Raf's mom seeing, the Decepticons detect Raf's hacking attempt. When they track the source to [[Jasper]], Megatron sends Cylas to deal with the matter, despite Cylas's chagrin. Cylas soon hauls up outside Raf's house and takes aim, only for Bulkhead to come barreling down the street and slam him into a nearby drainage canal. After a tense reintroduction, Bulkhead realizes his opponent is not Breakdown—and is shocked to find that it is actually Silas/Cylas operating the Con's body. The pair start fighting, but Bulkhead's weakness quickly begins to show.

[[Image:TheHumanFactorProjectDamocles.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Ratchet contacts Optimus who is still running from the Damocles beam, to report that Bulkhead needs backup. Indeed, the Wrecker is still not operating fully and not doing well against Cylas, but the addition of Smokescreen to the fight helps. Megatron, impatient at Cylas's failure, orders Soundwave to target the source of the hack. The Autobots take advantage of the cessation of the Damocles attack to try to storm the command center. The kids, meanwhile, see that the satellite has moved and is now aiming at them. Raf manages to get the satellite's thrusters under his control, and the shot does little more than knock the corner off the [[KO Burger]] sign before the satellite starts reentry. Their celebration is interrupted by Raf's mom, but luckily they break out the "study group" defense. Meanwhile, the Autobots break into the command center in time to see Soundwave leaving. Elsewhere, Cylas begins to lose his fight and is called back to the ''Nemesis''. Bulkhead and Smokescreen see the satellite's reentry and congratulate each other.

Back on the ship, Megatron announces that Cylas has earned his place at the table—Knock Out's dissection table, that is—explaining that the MECH commander was correct about the human factor tipping the war's scales, but in the Autobots' favor. Cylas is then zapped from behind and dragged away for "study", much to his fearful displeasure and Knock Out's delight.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (7)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (16)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (17)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (18)

|c2=
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (11)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (12)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (13)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (14)

|c3=
*[[MECH Commando]]s (1)
*[[MECH Surgeon]] (2)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (5)
*[[Jack Darby]] (8)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (9)
*[[Raf's mom]] (10)
*[[William Fowler]] (15)

|c4=
*[[Silas|Cylas]] (3)
}}

==Quotes==
"Thank you all for your dedication and a life time of service. But I now seem more suited to keep the exclusive company... of titans"
:—'''"Cylas"''' before killing his own men. Cold.

"Bulkhead! I ''needed'' that!"
:—'''Ratchet''' ''still'' hasn't learned that saying that phrase won't change anything.

'''Jack''': You've got to be kidding, Raf! You of all people, grounded? 
'''Raf''': Big time. I misplaced some homework and blew a couple of tests. 
'''Miko''': Translation, A- instead of A.
:—'''Miko''' thinks '''Raf''' is Mr. Perfect when it comes to school, unlike herself.

"Breakdown may act the brute, but he's a maestro behind a rotary buffer!"
:—'''Knock Out''' gives us his little secret for auto-detailing - a pal skilled with a rotary buffer.

"This is the human who dissected Breakdown!" 
''*Knock Out activates his circular saw*'' 
"Please, my liege, allow me to return the favor."
:—'''Knock Out''', finally confirming the fans' belief that he ''does'' care about his former partner.

"Megatron, relax." 
''*Megatron glares at Cylas*'' 
"''Lord'' Megatron."
:—'''Cylas''' learns that Megatron doesn't want to be his friend.

"What? No! If my mom sees you..." 
"Relax, I trained in covert ops." 
"I don't care if you were trained by ninja! My mom has eyes in the back of ''your'' head."
:—'''Raf''' tells '''Agent Fowler''' why he can't use the restroom.

'''Megatron''': Cylas, you have earned your place at the table. 
'''Cylas''': Lord Megatron, I am honored. 
'''Megatron''': Knock Out's dissection table! 
'''Knock Out''': Breakdown would be tickled.
:—Well, '''Knock Out''' finally got ''his'' wish.

"He will be a fascinating case for study." 
"I will leave no fiber or ''fiber optic'' unexamined."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Knock Out''' get a new science project.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* When Knock Out detects Breakdown's signal, the image of Breakdown on the screen shows his current appearance, when logically the last image they should have had on file would be one with his optic patch. However, this may not be a mistake, since it is unclear how such images are obtained in the first place. Cybertronian self-portraits may well update themselves, much like real life technology is capable of similar things.
* On the same screen as Breakdown's image, the map of the United States shows the state of Louisiana inside Texas, with an empty spot where it's supposed to be. The same map error reappears when Soundwave begins operating the Damocles satellite.
* When Cylas targets the window of Raf's room, his zoomed-in view is from the wrong angle. To be able to see Jack and the others within, he would have to be firing from the opposite side.
* The final shot of the satellite fires parallel to Raf's house. To do this, the satellite would have to be in position below the equator. When it fires, it is shown to be above North America, and burns up in the skies above Jasper not long after. In addition, the beam is constant, even though it should be changing position with the satellite.
* Cylas can talk after being zapped with the energon prod, a phenomenon that didn't appear on other robots such as Optimus Prime. This may not be an error, as the unique interface between the human 'Silas' and the robot 'Breakdown' may have prevented Silas himself from being electrocuted.

===Continuity notes===
* The base in which Silas is revived is the same one used in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2]]".
* During Cylas's revival, one of the console's screens depict the prototype for Nemesis Prime seen in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 1]]".
* MECH was preparing to save Silas using Breakdown's corpse at the end of "[[Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime]]".
* Silas refers to his merger with Breakdown's corpse as "the perfect meld of man and machine", the same line he used to describe [[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|Nemesis Prime]] in its eponymous episode.
* Smokescreen offers Bulkhead the use of the Apex Armor, which he took from Starscream in the [[New Recruit|previous episode]]. Bulkhead's resentment of the newbie also started in that episode, but he seems to have resolved it by this one's end.
* Bulkhead uses the [[Cybertronian sport#Lobbing|lobbing]] ball from "[[Con Job]]" as a medicine ball.
* Cylas uses his real name (Leland Bishop) to introduce himself to the guard at the military base, which was first revealed by Fowler in the episode "[[Grill]]". Likewise, Project Damocles was first mentioned in that episode.
* After taking crippling injuries in "[[Toxicity]]", Bulkhead is finally well enough to go out in the field. He's far from 100%, but he can put up a fight.
* Knock Out references the events of "[[Operation: Breakdown]]" and wants vengeance for it.
* The place in which Cylas, Bulkhead and Smokescreen fight is the same place Arcee and Bumblebee engaged the Vehicons back in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]", and it is shown to be - as Raf said in that episode - "right up the street" from Raf's house.
* Before fighting Bulkhead, Cylas states that the former will never again interfere with his operations, which references "Operation: Breakdown".
* Soundwave displays the picture he took of Jack, Miko, and Raf back in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]".
* Megatrons' interest in the Autobot's human factor maybe due to the fact that Miko was the one who dealt [[Hardshell (Prime)|Hardshell]] the killing blow in "[[Hurt]]".

===Transformers references===
* This isn't the [[Autobot Spike|first time]] a human mind was placed in a robot body to preserve it.
* Nor is this the [[Novo|first MECH operative]] who would control a mechanical body.
* Nor is it the [[Attack from Outer Space|first time]] the Decepticons attempted to target Autobots from space.

===Real-world references===
* The surging electricity and twitching hand during Silas' revival reflects toward the animation of [[Frankenstein's monster]].
* The missing-eye appearance on Breakdown's face resembles that of the ''Terminator''.
* Cylas' request of "take me to your leader" is a stereotypical phrase used in early sci-fi movies involving aliens arriving to Earth from another world.
* The satellite's name, Damocles, refers to the ancient anecdote referred to as "[[wikipedia:Damocles|the Sword of Damocles]]".

===Trivia===
* This is the first episode of a non-Japanese ''Transformers'' cartoon to depict the killing of a human. There was a heavily ''implied'' death back in "Darkness Rising, Part 5", but here... well, even though we didn't directly witness it... it's pretty aggressively obvious that Cylas is murdering his old crew.
* Aww, Knock Out is willing to avenge Breakdown.
* We learn Raf's full name in this episode.
* One of Silas' biological eyes appears to be permanently dilated. Not only does it match Breakdown's missing-eye look, a permanently dilated pupil can also be a sign of serious cranial injury.
* It's ironic that someone like Silas, who has spent most of his time and activity dissecting Autobots and Decepticons just to see how they tick, ends up becoming someone else's experiment instead! Especially since it's Knock Out who's doing the operating!
* Silas renaming himself Cylas ("Cybernetic Life Augmented by Symbiosis") is reflected in the end credits.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Human Factor}}
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

The Human Factor

2012-09-18T07:59:36Z

124.179.246.75:

{{disambig2|the episode of ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]''|the story originally published in [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (Marvel US)]] #68|The Human Factor!}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 45
|prev=New Recruit
|next=Legacy
|image=TheHumanFactor Cylas and Megatron.jpg
|caption=
|title="The Human Factor"
|airdate=[[September 14]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Bob Skir|Robert N. Skir]]
|directed by=[[Scooter Tidwell]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''After Silas is integrated into Breakdown's body, he approaches Megatron with a plan to join the Decepticon ranks.'''

==Synopsis==
In a [[MECH]] base, a small team of surgeons and technicians hook [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]]'s reassembled remains up to their computer and infuse them with electricity and Energon. Breakdown awakens, only it's not Breakdown—MECH has implanted [[Silas]] within the Decepticon's corpse. Silas is impressed with their ingenuity, but decides that, as he is no longer human, he no longer needs their services, and slaughters them.

[[Image:TheHumanFactorCylas.jpg|thumb|left|250px| [[Brainmaster|BRAIN SET!]]]]
Some time later, Silas drives up to the entrance to a military facility, stopping at the gate to introduce himself. Meanwhile in the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] are trying to encourage [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] to keep up his recuperation, despite the Wrecker's belief that he is being replaced. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] suggests he uses the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]] for extra strength and power, but Bulkhead sees it as a crutch and knocks it aside, causing it to damage the computer system. As Ratchet grumbles over the negative atmosphere, [[Jack Darby|Jack]] talks with [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] on the phone and is surprised to learn that Raf's been grounded for his slipping grades.

The Decepticons on the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', namely [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]], are likewise surprised when Breakdown's signal shows up on their scanners. Knock Out and some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] are sent to investigate and find the military base wrecked. Moments after they arrive, what appears to be Breakdown strides out of the smoke. In response to the Decepticons' reaction to his marred appearance, "Breakdown" asks in Silas's voice to be taken to [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]].

[[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] briefs the Autobots on the theft of the [[Project Damocles]] satellite apparently by Breakdown assisted by a human whom Fowler believes is Silas. Ratchet strongly dismisses the idea of Decepticons and humans pairing together, rebuffed only by Jack's reasoning of the alliance working for the Autobots. Aboard the warship, Megatron is introduced to the Breakdown/Silas combo, now calling himself Cylas: "Cybernetic Life Augmented by Symbiosis". Though Megatron is disgusted by such an abomination and Knock Out is keen to dissect Cylas as revenge for Breakdown, the MECH commander wants to strike a deal with the Decepticons and offers the Damocles weapon as a token of friendship. As Fowler's briefing in the Autobot base ends, the Autobots realize they must protect the satellite's interface codes, currently stored on servers in [[Colorado]].

[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] has already gotten to the Colorado base, clearing it using a recording of Fowler's voice, and by the time the Autobots get there, the place is already heavily guarded by Decepticons. Cylas points out to Megatron that since Soundwave is now connected to the mainframe, he can operate the satellite. The Damocles satellite is duly launched from the ''Nemesis'', and Soundwave starts targeting the Autobots on the ground. His first shot narrowly misses Smokescreen, and [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] contacts base for backup. Bulkhead is ready to go but Ratchet stops him as Optimus is actually after ''technical'' help to disable the satellite. Ratchet decides Raf is required for this mission and so Raf gets unexpected visitors in the form of Fowler, Miko and Jack.

While the Autobots try to keep Soundwave distracted, Bulkhead attempts to talk Ratchet into sending him to help. Ratchet finally concedes, but has his own ideas. While Raf works on a way to crash the satellite and Fowler tries to work out a way to get to the toilet without Raf's mom seeing, the Decepticons detect Raf's hacking attempt. When they track the source to [[Jasper]], Megatron sends Cylas to deal with the matter, despite Cylas's chagrin. Cylas soon hauls up outside Raf's house and takes aim, only for Bulkhead to come barreling down the street and slam him into a nearby drainage canal. After a tense reintroduction, Bulkhead realizes his opponent is not Breakdown—and is shocked to find that it is actually Silas/Cylas operating the Con's body. The pair start fighting, but Bulkhead's weakness quickly begins to show.

[[Image:TheHumanFactorProjectDamocles.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Ratchet contacts Optimus who is still running from the Damocles beam, to report that Bulkhead needs backup. Indeed, the Wrecker is still not operating fully and not doing well against Cylas, but the addition of Smokescreen to the fight helps. Megatron, impatient at Cylas's failure, orders Soundwave to target the source of the hack. The Autobots take advantage of the cessation of the Damocles attack to try to storm the command center. The kids, meanwhile, see that the satellite has moved and is now aiming at them. Raf manages to get the satellite's thrusters under his control, and the shot does little more than knock the corner off the [[KO Burger]] sign before the satellite starts reentry. Their celebration is interrupted by Raf's mom, but luckily they break out the "study group" defense. Meanwhile, the Autobots break into the command center in time to see Soundwave leaving. Elsewhere, Cylas begins to lose his fight and is called back to the ''Nemesis''. Bulkhead and Smokescreen see the satellite's reentry and congratulate each other.

Back on the ship, Megatron announces that Cylas has earned his place at the table—Knock Out's dissection table, that is—explaining that the MECH commander was correct about the human factor tipping the war's scales, but in the Autobots' favor. Cylas is then zapped from behind and dragged away for "study", much to his fearful displeasure and Knock Out's delight.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (7)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (16)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (17)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (18)

|c2=
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (11)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (12)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (13)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (14)

|c3=
*[[MECH Commando]]s (1)
*[[MECH Surgeon]] (2)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (5)
*[[Jack Darby]] (8)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (9)
*[[Raf's mom]] (10)
*[[William Fowler]] (15)

|c4=
*[[Silas|Cylas]] (3)
}}

==Quotes==
"Thank you all for your dedication and a life time of service. But I now seem more suited to keep the exclusive company... of titans"
:—'''"Cylas"''' before killing his own men. Cold.

"Bulkhead! I ''needed'' that!"
:—'''Ratchet''' ''still'' hasn't learned that saying that phrase won't change anything.

'''Jack''': You've got to be kidding, Raf! You of all people, grounded? 
'''Raf''': Big time. I misplaced some homework and blew a couple of tests. 
'''Miko''': Translation, A- instead of A.
:—'''Miko''' thinks '''Raf''' is Mr. Perfect when it comes to school, unlike herself.

"Breakdown may act the brute, but he's a maestro behind a rotary buffer!"
:—'''Knock Out''' gives us his little secret for auto-detailing - a pal skilled with a rotary buffer.

"This is the human who dissected Breakdown!" 
''*Knock Out activates his circular saw*'' 
"Please, my liege, allow me to return the favor."
:—'''Knock Out''', finally confirming the fans' belief that he ''does'' care about his former partner.

"Megatron, relax." 
''*Megatron glares at Cylas*'' 
"''Lord'' Megatron."
:—'''Cylas''' learns that Megatron doesn't want to be his friend.

"What? No! If my mom sees you..." 
"Relax, I trained in covert ops." 
"I don't care if you were trained by ninja! My mom has eyes in the back of ''your'' head."
:—'''Raf''' tells '''Agent Fowler''' why he can't use the restroom.

'''Megatron''': Cylas, you have earned your place at the table. 
'''Cylas''': Lord Megatron, I am honored. 
'''Megatron''': Knock Out's dissection table! 
'''Knock Out''': Breakdown would be tickled.
:—Well, '''Knock Out''' finally got ''his'' wish.

"He will be a fascinating case for study." 
"I will leave no fiber or ''fiber optic'' unexamined."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Knock Out''' get a new science project.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* When Knock Out detects Breakdown's signal, the image of Breakdown on the screen shows his current appearance, when logically the last image they should have had on file would be one with his optic patch. However, this may not be a mistake, since it is unclear how such images are obtained in the first place. Cybertronian self-portraits may well update themselves, much like real life technology is capable of similar things.
* On the same screen as Breakdown's image, the map of the United States shows the state of Louisiana inside Texas, with an empty spot where it's supposed to be. The same map error reappears when Soundwave begins operating the Damocles satellite.
* When Cylas targets the window of Raf's room, his zoomed-in view is from the wrong angle. To be able to see Jack and the others within, he would have to be firing from the opposite side.
* The final shot of the satellite fires parallel to Raf's house. To do this, the satellite would have to be in position below the equator. When it fires, it is shown to be above North America, and burns up in the skies above Jasper not long after. In addition, the beam is constant, even though it should be changing position with the satellite.
* Cylas can talk after being zapped with the energon prod, a phenomenon that didn't appear on other robots such as Optimus Prime. This may not be an error, as the unique interface between the human 'Silas' and the robot 'Breakdown' may have prevented Silas himself from being electrocuted.

===Continuity notes===
* The base in which Silas is revived is the same one used in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2]]".
* The place in which Cylas, Bulkhead and Smokescreen fight is the same place Arcee and Bumblebee engaged the Vehicons back in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]".
* During Cylas's revival, one of the console's screens depict the prototype for Nemesis Prime seen in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 1]]".
* MECH was preparing to save Silas using Breakdown's corpse at the end of "[[Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime]]".
* Silas refers to his merger with Breakdown's corpse as "the perfect meld of man and machine", the same line he used to describe [[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|Nemesis Prime]] in its eponymous episode.
* Smokescreen offers Bulkhead the use of the Apex Armor, which he took from Starscream in the [[New Recruit|previous episode]]. Bulkhead's resentment of the newbie also started in that episode, but he seems to have resolved it by this one's end.
* Bulkhead uses the [[Cybertronian sport#Lobbing|lobbing]] ball from "[[Con Job]]" as a medicine ball.
* After taking crippling injuries in "[[Toxicity]]", Bulkhead is finally well enough to go out in the field. He's far from 100%, but he can put up a fight.
* Knock Out references the events of "[[Operation: Breakdown]]" and wants vengeance for it.
* Project Damocles, and Silas' role in it, was first mentioned in "[[Grill]]".
* Before fighting Bulkhead, Cylas states that the former will never again interfere with his operations, which references "Operation: Breakdown".
* Soundwave displays the picture he took of Jack, Miko, and Raf back in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]".

===Transformers references===
* This isn't the [[Autobot Spike|first time]] a human mind was placed in a robot body to preserve it.
* Nor is this the [[Novo|first MECH operative]] who would control a mechanical body.
* Nor is it the [[Attack from Outer Space|first time]] the Decepticons attempted to target Autobots from space.

===Real-world references===
* The surging electricity and twitching hand during Silas' revival reflects toward the animation of [[Frankenstein's monster]].
* The missing-eye appearance on Breakdown's face resembles that of the ''Terminator''.
* Cylas' request of "take me to your leader" is a stereotypical phrase used in early sci-fi movies involving aliens arriving to Earth from another world.

===Trivia===
* This is the first episode of a non-Japanese ''Transformers'' cartoon to depict the killing of a human. There was a heavily ''implied'' death back in "Darkness Rising, Part 5", but here... well, even though we didn't directly witness it... it's pretty aggressively obvious that Cylas is murdering his old crew. In addition, considering the wreckage seen when Knock Out and the Vehicons arrive at the Damocles storage base and the fact there wasn't even time to alert the Autobots, things don't look good for the soldiers on that base.
* Aww, Knock Out is willing to avenge Breakdown.
* We learn Raf's full name in this episode.
* The satellite's name, Damocles, refers to the ancient anecdote referred to as "[[wikipedia:Damocles|the Sword of Damocles]]".
* One of Silas' biological eyes appears to be permanently dilated. Not only does it match Breakdown's missing-eye look, a permanently dilated pupil can also be a sign of serious cranial injury.
* It is also ironic that someone like Silias, whos has spent most of his time and activity dissecting Autobots and Decepticons just to see how they tick, ends becoming someone else's experiment instead! Especially since it's Knock Out who's doing the operating!

{{DEFAULTSORT:Human Factor}}
[[Category:Prime episodes]]