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Operation Bumblebee, Part 2

2012-03-29T02:07:42Z

216.53.156.132: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 31
|prev=Operation Bumblebee, Part 1
|next=Loose Cannons
|image=OperationBumblebee2-Forge.jpg
|caption=Whosoever holds this hammer, if they be worthy, shall possess the power of [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]].

|title="Operation Bumblebee, Part 2"
|airdate=[[March 17]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Nicole Dubuc]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Bumblebee discovers that MECH and Starscream are responsible for his troubles; Ratchet confronts demons from his Cybertronian past.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:OperationBumblebee2 Starscream MECH find Energon.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
With [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] on a medical bed, [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] tells [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] off for taking the scout into battle. When Bumblebee comes around, he faces Ratchet's ire as well, and [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] grounds Bumblebee until his [[transformation cog|T-cog]] can be recovered. Ratchet has another idea though—he offers to donate his own T-cog in a transplant. Though Optimus is uncertain, Ratchet convinces him.

[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] is pleased with the new device [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] has secured—a [[force field]] generator—although Megatron's demonstration leaves him startled.

Elsewhere, [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] and [[Silas]] find an [[energon]] deposit, though Silas would appreciate it if Starscream didn't talk so much.

Ratchet selects [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] to do the operation, though she's less than enthusiastic. She starts by putting Ratchet in induced [[stasis lock|stasis]], but before she can do the same for Bumblebee, an alarm signals the appearance of another relic from the [[Vaults of Iacon]]. Optimus calls a halt to the operation so he, Arcee and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] can investigate. No sooner have they left than [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] contacts the base. He's disappointed only Bumblebee's there to take his call, but passes on the news that he's got the possible coordinates of a [[MECH]] base. Unable to understand Bumblebee, he searches for someone who speaks English, but Ratchet is barely coherent, still recovering from stasis. [[Jack Darby|Jack]] volunteers to pass the message on.

[[Image:OperationBumblebee2 Breakdown Knockout find Forge.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Optimus and his team reach the top of a mountain to find Knock Out and [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] uncovering the [[Forge of Solus Prime]]. With it, the Autobots could conceivably create a new T-cog for Bumblebee.

MECH infuses the newly-found energon into their creation, but as it begins to stir, Bumblebee bursts through the door. Though unarmed, Bumblebee throws an industrial-sized barrel at Starscream, knocking him flat, and proceeds to shrug off the weapons fire from the MECH goons.

As Knock Out and Breakdown free the forge, the Autobots charge them. While Bulkhead tackles Breakdown, Optimus and Arcee find they have a bit of a problem getting past Knock Out's shield generator, and he pushes them back towards the edge of the cliff.

Bumblebee knocks a bunch of MECH troopers flat, jumps on their robot and tears his T-cog from its innards. No sooner is this done than he's hit by a blast from Starscream. As MECH withdraw, Starscream grabs the T-cog and threatens to destroy it.

[[Image:OperationBumblebee2 Starscream threatens T-cog.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
Ratchet recovers, only to find Fowler shouting at him about MECH coordinates, and the kids reveal Bumblebee has gone to deal with it.

Meanwhile, Bumblebee has had enough of Starscream's gloating and belts the ex-Decepticon, knocking him flat. As the T-cog flies up into the air, Bumblebee jumps for it, but a quick blast by Starscream spells the end of that attempt. While Starscream leaves, Bumblebee is left with his shattered T-cog. Starscream meets up with MECH outside the compound, but Silas is less than impressed with him for losing the T-cog, and Starscream is soon surrounded by MECH troops.

Optimus and Arcee are forced back to the cliff edge. While Breakdown is distracted by their predicament, Bulkhead takes the opportunity to grab the Forge of Solus Prime and smack the Decepticon with it. Breakdown lands on Knock Out and for a few moments Bulkhead stands triumphant, at least until Megatron steps out of the [[GroundBridge]] and blasts him. Collecting the Forge, the Decepticons leave. Ratchet reports the situation with MECH to Optimus.

[[Image:OperationBumblebee2 Bumblebee damaged T-cog.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Starscream comes around to find MECH gone. When he sees Optimus's team arrive at the MECH base, he tries to transform, only to find his T-cog had been taken, and runs off panicking into the woods. Meanwhile, Bumblebee walks out to join his comrades, sadly holding his own damaged T-cog. Optimus radios Ratchet to prepare for surgery.

On the ''[[Nemesis (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron attempts to use the Forge, only to discover that it requires the power of a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] to work.

Ratchet finishes operating, restoring Bumblebee's old cog. Though Bumblebee's first few attempts to transform fail, he eventually manages it, and takes Raf for a drive. Ratchet, for his part, seems happy that it worked.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (2)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (4)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (5)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (6)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (7)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (8)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (9)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (15)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (16)
|c3=
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (3)
*[[Silas]] (10)
*[[Jack Darby]] (12)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (13)
*[[William Fowler]] (14)
*[[MECH Surgeon]]
|c4=
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (11)
}}

==Quotes==

"You and I both know there exists a way to make him whole again."<br>
"A transplant. But that would require a donor."<br>
"You need look no further than the Autobot standing before you."
:—'''Ratchet''' tells '''Optimus Prime''' that he is willing to make a sacrifice.

"...I think I just leaked a little transmission fluid."
:—'''Knock Out''' sums up how intimidating his master truly is.

"Do you ever not speak?"
:—'''Silas''' says what we're all thinking to Starscream.

"Mine's bigger!"
:—'''Bulkhead''' compares hammers with Breakdown.

"Time to jet! Because I ''can''!"
:—'''Starscream''', who really should learn to keep his mouth shut.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*Once again, Starscream's eyes are completely red for the first half of the episode. It's only after Bumblebee hits him with a barrel that they are only red circles. Maybe hitting him with a heavy object is the key to making them normal.
*After the Autobots pass through the GroundBridge to MECH's headquarters in search of Bumblebee, Optimus had his battle mask drawn. When the camera pans to show Starscream behind them, his mask retracts silently, and almost invisibly.

===Continuity errors===
*In the previous episode, the [[MECH Surgeon]] is shown to be able to lift (and run with) Bumblebee's T-cog without much difficulty. Silas tells Starscream to bring it with him, instead of just picking it up and taking it himself; he's even standing right in front of it. Then again, Silas could just be exerting dominance onto Starscream, metaphorically flexing his "I'm the leader" muscles.

===Continuity notes===
*Once more, Starscream mentions being the one to "offline" [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]].

===Transformers references===
* While delirious, Ratchet refers to [[Fuzor]]s, and even names [[Bantor (Prime)|Bantor]], a reference to [[Bantor (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Bantor]].
* Optimus mentions [[Solus Prime]], one of the [[Thirteen]].
* Knock Out unfavorably compares the results of Megatron's failed forging experiment to a "[[Fortress Maximus (disambiguation)|Fortress-Maximus]] Grade [[Nucleon Shock Cannon]]".
* Megatron once again calls Optimus by his pre-Prime name "Orion Pax" from the previous episodes during his gloating.

===Real-world references===
*Knock Out broadly references award shows such as the Oscars and Emmys.
*"Put a tiger in your tank" was a slogan of [[wikipedia:Exxon|Exxon]].

===Trivia===
* When Agent Fowler relays the information on MECH's whereabouts to Bumblebee, he says it really slowly and condescendingly, as if he believes Bumblebee has trouble understanding English, rather than just mute. Fowler's kind of a jerk.
*During the fight in the hangar, Bumblebee punches several MECH soldiers, sending them flying through the air. Silas survived this, so it stands to reason everyone else did, too. Cartoons, everybody! (A soldier does not crack the robot's lens; that was his rifle.)
*This episode confirms that (at least the current cast of) Cybertronians are incapable of self-propelled flight outside of a flight-capable alternate mode. This is in stark contrast to previous continuities. Especially ones in which even Cybertronians who ''didn't'' have flight-capable vehicle modes were capable of self-propelled flight through air and the vacuum of space.
*Ironically, whatever MECH was using instead of energon seemed to have more of an effect on test subject than the actual energon. Seeing as before the energon was used, the 'bot could make a fist, and after, he could only barely move his fingers.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Loose Cannons

2012-03-28T22:50:53Z

216.53.156.132: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 32
|prev=Operation Bumblebee, Part 2
|next=Crossfire
|image=LooseCannons-Dreadwing.jpg
|caption=Do we need to disambig with "[[Deep Metal]]"?
|title="Loose Cannons"
|airdate=[[March 24]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[David McDermott]]
|directed by=[[Scooter Tidwell]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Wheeljack returns to Earth to look for a new Decepticon, but Optimus finds that something is not right with the rogue Bot.'''

==Synopsis==
[[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] calls the Autobots, furious about another fight with possible collateral damage. Though all of them are present at base, [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] posits that the fighters may be infighting [[Decepticon]]s. However, a video feed shows otherwise, for the two are an unidentified [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]]-like Decepticon—and [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]! Though [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] is thoroughly excited, Fowler demands that the situation be handled pronto.

Outside of [[Omaha]], Wheeljack battles it out with the 'Con. Agent Fowler hovers over the scene and demands stoppage, but is fired upon by Wheeljack. The Autobot is hit in the shoulder, and falls back as Agent Fowler supplies suppressive fire. A [[GroundBridge]] opens up, and the Autobots step out. They aid Wheeljack, and fire upon the Decepticon, who takes cover. Agent Fowler flies overhead, and the Decepticon seizes the opportunity to scan his vehicle. He runs toward a gas station, and Wheeljack aims his blasters at him. Despite [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus]] and Bulkhead's cautioning, he fires, and the station explodes as the Decepticon transforms and flies off. Though Wheeljack believes that the 'Con—revealed as [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]]—rigged it to explode, he is informed otherwise. Though the [[Wrecker]] is eager to give pursuit, Optimus tells him that, while on Earth, it would be wise to respect his authority.

Back at base, Ratchet repairs Wheeljack. He apologizes for the collateral damage, but says that his pursuit of Dreadwing warranted it. He starts into the story of his pursuit. Originally, he was looking for Autobot refugees, but when the one he had found— the former Wrecker [[Seaspray (Prime)|Seaspray]]—is blown to bits by one of Dreadwing's bombs, he made it his mission to track the rogue 'Con down. After several solar systems worth of pursuit, Wheeljack caught up with him on [[Earth]]. Optimus recounts his own knowledge of Dreadwing—he was a captain of a Seeker armada, and [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]]'s twin. He also infers that Dreadwing's mission is to pay allegiance to Megatron. Wheeljack is eager to get out and kick Dreadwing's tailpipe, but Optimus reels him in, saying that any action taken against the Decepticons must be carefully planned on this foreign planet. This infuriates the Wrecker, who can't fathom the idea of doing nothing. Agent Fowler walks in and admonishes Wheeljack for nearly blowing their cover, and demands that Prime keep a closer watch on his troops. Wheeljack doesn't take well to being called part of the team, and walks off, followed by Bulkhead. Optimus explains Wheeljack's disregard for authority by his inclusion in the Wreckers, a unit that operated outside of normal command.

Somewhere mountainous, Dreadwing holds a laser beacon that continues into the sky. The ''[[Nemesis (Prime)|Nemesis]]'' arrives, and he boards. [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] welcomes his loyalty, but Dreadwing reveals that he was brought to Earth with another purpose as well. He says that he and his twin, Skyquake, shared a split spark, and that he could feel across the galaxy when his brother was released from stasis—and when his spark was extinguished. This information is confirmed by Megatron, and Dreadwing vows to make every Autobot on Earth pay. Megatron avows that they will—eventually, under his terms. He advises the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] to obey him, for his best interests.

As Wheeljack works on his [[Jackhammer (Prime)|ship]], Bulkhead attempts to change his mind about the planet. Wheeljack lists the comrades they'd lost in battle, but Bulkhead takes is as all the more reason that they must stick together. Wheeljack doubts Optimus's integrity, but Bulkhead stands firmly by him. Inside the Jackhammer, a challenge comes through over the commlink from Dreadwing. Wheeljack straps in to meet the 'Con, and Bulkhead gets in as well. They jet off to meet their challenger.

Dreadwing faces off against Wheeljack, both determined to finish their business. They exchange fire, and Dreadwing runs and jumps into a crevice. The Wrecker gives pursuit, and Dreadwing avails him of the "surprises" he's left—proximity bombs, scattered all throughout the crevice. He dodges them with ease, and pins the 'Con against a dead end. Bulkhead reveals himself atop the crevice, preventing Dreadwing from flying off. However, he has one last trick up his sleeve—one last bomb, placed meters from Bulkhead's position. It explodes, burying the two under the exploded cliff face as he flies off.

At base, Ratchet finds Bulkhead's transmission over a thousand miles away. At Optimus's inquiry, he says that no response has been made.

In the crevice, Optimus helps Wheeljack out of a pile of boulders. Though Optimus acknowledges that he cannot force Wheeljack to obey his orders, he reprimands the rebel for endangering the safety of one of ''his'' troops. Ratchet informs Optimus over comm that Bulkhead's signal has moved.

Wheeljack and Optimus fly to Bulkhead's location, a shipping depot. They find him in an unfortunate predicament, strapped to a crate with a bomb wired into his chest. Wheeljack gets to work defusing the bomb, but it proves a challenging prospect, as it is laced with all sorts of failsafes.

Dreadwing looks on, with Optimus in his sights. He receives a transmission from Megatron, and tells his leader that he is pursuing his destiny. Megatron responds by saying that Optimus is not so easily beaten.

Bulkhead tries to stop Wheeljack from continuing his attempts to defuse the bomb. He notices that Optimus is gone, and Wheeljack again deprecates Optimus for fleeing when the situation gets hot.

Megatron allows Dreadwing to continue his plan, out of respect for his deceased brother. He disconnects, and muses to Soundwave that he does not expect him to come back. Dreadwing notices that Optimus is not there anymore, and Optimus chooses to announce himself. He appeals to the Decepticon's sense of honor, saying that his master does not respect chivalry and honor as he and his brother did. Dreadwing refuses the offer of defection, and fires upon Prime, who escapes into the maze of containers.

Bulkhead pleads with Wheeljack to leave, but it falls on deaf ears. He says that the only bot who knows how to defuse the bomb is Dreadwing. Wheeljack remarks on the encroaching blaster fire, when he is delivered an uppercut by Bulkhead. The big bot tears out of his restraints, and runs away from his friend.

Dreadwing continues to spar with Optimus, but loses him from his sights.

Bulkhead runs toward the water, apologizing in advance to the sea life, when Wheeljack jumps out and tries to stop him. He is no match for the huge 'Bot, and is pushed along with him. He appeals to Bulkhead, agreeing with the fact that only Dreadwing can defuse the bomb—and that Optimus knows it as well.

The Seeker slowly searches the dock. Suddenly, he hears a roar, and above him, Optimus comes crashing down on top of him with a shipping crane. Pinned, Dreadwing is forced to listen again to Optimus's proposal to defuse the bomb, which is now standing right beside him. Dreadwing is unfazed, saying that he would rather destroy himself and all three Autobots to avenge his brother. Optimus calls his bluff, and says that they too will die in fire with their brother. He grudgingly accepts, and defuses the bomb. However, not about to leave empty handed, Dreadwing sets off the many bombs he had placed throughout the port, and flies off. Wheeljack wonders who will clean that up.

On the ''Nemesis'', Megatron gloats about Dreadwing's defeat, but seems mildly surprised that the Seeker still lives. Dreadwing, in the wake of his defeat, pledges his total loyalty to Megatron.

At the base, Wheeljack apologizes for his misjudgment about Optimus earlier. All the Autobots, sans Ratchet, try to convince Wheeljack to stay. He says he'll explore the planet, to see if it's right for him. However, Bulkhead tells him that he has to have an Earth alternate mode.

Outside, Wheeljack transforms, and drives off into the distance.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (3)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (6)
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (8)
*[[Seaspray (Prime)|Seaspray]] (11) (ship only)
|c2=
*[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] (7)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (9)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (10)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (12)
*[[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] (flashback) (13)
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (flashback) (14)
|c3=
*[[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] (1)
}}

==Quotes==
"Not this again!"
:—'''Agent Fowler''' gets his vehicle scanned by a 'Con for a third time.

'''Wheeljack''': You know Wreckers don't call for backup.<br>
'''Wheeljack''' and '''Bulkhead''': They call for clean-up!<br>
:—The remaining Wreckers provide an alternative to "Wreck and Rule!"

"I will be quite surprised if we ever set eyes upon Dreadwing again."
:—'''Megatron''' putting his faith into his soldier.

"Sorry, Jackie. It's 'cause I love ya."
:—'''Bulkhead''' shows the tough love.

"Sorry, fishies!"
:—'''Bulkhead''' runs towards water with a bomb attached.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* When Wheeljack faces Dreadwing in the forest, the scar on his left shoulder (that was inflicted by Dreadwing in their first showdown on Earth) seems to have disappeared. Few moments later it's there again.
* When Wheeljack is chasing Dreadwing through the chasm, his grenade can be seen on his hip, despite it having been used earlier.

===Continuity notes===
* This episode features the first on-screen use of the term [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcon]].
* Bulkhead brings up Optimus, Bee and Fowler's fight with Skyquake, and Arcee mentions his zombified resurrection at Starscream's hand which occurred in "[[Masters & Students]]" and "[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]".
* Soundwave shows scenes of Optimus and Bumblebee's fight with Skyquake in "Masters and Students"

===Transformers references===
* Wheeljack namedrops former Wreckers [[Impactor (Prime)|Impactor]], [[Roadbuster (Prime)|Roadbuster]], [[Rotorstorm (Prime)|Rotorstorm]], and [[Pyro (Prime)|Pyro]]. The Generation 1 incarnations of these four characters are all Wreckers from various continuities: [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] and [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] were original members of the group when it was first introduced in "[[Target: 2006]]", while [[Rotorstorm (G1)|Rotorstorm]] and [[Pyro (G1)|Pyro]] joined in ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]''. Like their ''Prime'' counterparts, all four characters have indeed been seen to die while serving as Wreckers in one continuity or another. Seaspray being a Wrecker, meanwhile, is a new addition.
* Wheeljack namedrops the [[Dromedon]] system and the planets [[Maderan]] and [[Sandokan]].
* Dreadwing is referred to as a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]].
* Dreadwing references [[Pit|The Pit]].
*Optimus explains how the [[Wrecker]]s are a separate team faction from the Autobots.

===Real-world references===
*Fowler compares the activities of the Wreckers to "black ops", a term for covert military operations.
*Fowler mentions [[Abraham Lincoln]].

===Trivia===
*Fowler ''really'' needs to stop flying that jet of his around Decepticons who look like they turn into jets.
*Wheeljack finally takes an Earth-based vehicle mode. Seems like he's on Earth to stay.
*Dreadwing's proximity bombs have plates resembling his wings.
*Optimus didn't look very comfortable in Wheeljack's ship.
[[Category:Prime episodes]]