MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

One Shall Rise, Part 1

2011-10-02T06:12:32Z

66.214.112.74: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 24
|prev=One Shall Fall
|next=One Shall Rise, Part 2
|image=
|caption=
|title="One Shall Rise, Part 1"
|airdate=[[October 1]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Nicole Dubuc]] and [[Duane Capizzi]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''The Autobots discover that Dark Energon is responsible for an epidemic of natural disasters.'''

==Synopsis==
As [[Dark Energon]] rains from the sky and [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] prepares to deliver a killing blow to [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]], a [[GroundBridge]] opens and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] tackles Megatron. While the big guy keeps Megatron busy, [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] and [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] pull Optimus through the GroundBridge. Arcee calls out to Bulkhead, who races back through the GroundBridge just before it closes. Megatron, left alone, realizes he now has all of the Dark Energon he needs.

Back at [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|base]], Optimus is glad to see that [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] is OK, but [[June Darby|June]] reminds him that Raf's lucky to be alive. The [[Autobot]]s discuss why so much Dark Energon is on [[Earth]], though Ratchet is skeptical that it's literally the blood of [[Unicron]]. Sick of the kids being endangered, June decides to take Raf to a real hospital, and announces she's taking the other kids as well, since they don't belong in the Autobots' war. [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] refuses to go, and [[Jack Darby|Jack]] decides to stay too. June takes off in her car with Raf. No sooner has she left than [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] contacts the Autobots to report that earthquakes have occurred simultaneously worldwide, and other disasters are springing up as well.

As June drives away the base, lightning begins striking the ground near her car. She swerves to avoid it, and crashes into a power pole, though neither she nor Raf are hurt. The danger is not over, however, as a tornado begins bearing down on them. June tries to escape from it, but it begins to lift the car off the ground. Help arrives in the form of [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]], who grabs the car's front end and prevents it from flying off into the storm, while Raf climbs onto him over the hood. There's a moment of alarm as the car is ripped away, but June manages to survive clinging to the hood which Bumblebee is still clutching. Bumblebee drives the relieve pair back to base.

Back at the volcano, the [[Decepticon]]s are busy gathering up Dark Energon and loading it aboard the ''[[Nemesis (Prime)|Nemesis]]''. On the ship's bridge, Megatron is suddenly seized by a vision of the Earth exploding.

Bumblebee arrives back at base, and everyone's relieved to see Raf and June safe, though she grounds Jack. At roughly the same time, Fowler arrives to find out if the Autobots have made any progress in finding answers. Ratchet has traced the source of the earthquakes to the Earth's core and when he plays the tiny tremors as sound, everyone present hears a heartbeat. Meanwhile [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] plays the same sound to Megatron, who feels it resonating through his head.

Deep within the volcano, [[Unicron]] awakens.

Realizing that Unicron is at the Earth's core, Optimus explains to the humans present about the age-old war between [[Primus]] and Unicron, the creation of the [[Thirteen original Transformers|Thirteen]], the [[Well of All Sparks]] and the defeat of Unicron. Fowler thinks they should find the hole Unicron crawled into the Earth through and fill it with explosives, but Optimus believes that the Earth formed around Unicron as he slept. Everyone wonders what will happen next.

[[Airachnid]] reports that the ''Nemesis'' hold is full of Dark Energon. Megatron places her in command while he goes to talk to Unicron. As the ship moves away, Megatron flies down to the lip of the volcano and beseeches Unicron to speak to him. Unicron is unimpressed with Megatron, and senses the taint of Primus. Unicron is shocked that the last of the Primes still lives, and tells Megatron he'll deal with it himself.

Optimus scouts one of the locations where a quake has struck and confirms that like the others it's rich in metals. Ratchet warns him of an increase in spark activity, and a few moments later, Unicron himself appears to Optimus as a huge stone being. Optimus asks Unicron to consider the many [[human]]s inhabiting Earth, whom rely on Unicron, but Unicron considers them parasites and opts to blast Optimus with lightning instead. Optimus retaliates, blasting Unicron until the stone golum falls and crumbles into the ground. Optimus has not won, however, as more Unicrons burst out of the ground all around him.

[[One Shall Rise, Part 2|To be continued]]

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (3)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (4)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (6)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (2)
*[[Decepticon Miner]]s (12)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (13)
*[[Airachnid]] (14)
|c3=
*[[June Darby]] (7)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (8)
*[[Jack Darby]] (9)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (10)
*[[William Fowler]] (11)
|c4=
*[[Unicron]] (15)
*[[Thirteen original Transformers|Thirteen]] (16, flashback)
}}

==Quotes==

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
===Continuity notes===
===Transformers references===
===Real-world references===
===Trivia===
* This episode was initially intended to air on TeleToon on [[August 28]], 2011, but its broadcast was replaced at the last minute by a rerun of "[[Predatory]]". It was then aired exclusively in Singapore on [[September 29]], 2011.

{{epstub}}
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Metal Attraction

2011-07-22T04:18:02Z

66.214.112.74: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 18
|prev=Crisscross
|next=Rock Bottom
|image=MetalAttraction-stuck.jpg
|caption= Sadly, they don't fuse into [[Tigerhawk|a powerful being.]]
|title="Metal Attraction"
|airdate=[[July 9]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Nicole Dubuc]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''The Autobots try to claim a magnetic weapon called a "polarity gauntlet" before the Decepticons get to it.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:MetalAttraction-JackJuneEep.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Jack discovers his mother's startling fetish.]]
[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] reports to [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] and [[Jack Darby|Jack]] that there's an incoming vehicle, which they initially assume to be a [[Decepticon]], but they relax when it turns out to be [[June Darby]] in her car. Jack's less than enthusiastic that his mother's come to check up on him ''again'', but the mood changes when Ratchet detects an unusual magnetic flux.

[[Image:TFP_ep18_BD_optic_patch.jpg|thumb|right|300px|YOU ARE A PIRATE.]]
[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] has also picked up the magnetic signature, which [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] recognizes as a Decepticon weapon. [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] volunteers to secure the invention. Megatron is skeptical of Breakdown's abilities following [[Operation: Breakdown|certain recent events]], but Breakdown insists.

[[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] and [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] arrive back at [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|base]] with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], but their high spirits drop when they realize Jack's mom is there. Arcee and Jack prepare to go conduct a routine diagnostic, but June's questioning about how safe it will be makes Arcee irritated. Ratchet asks Bulkhead to go and investigate the magnetic disturbance, and when Miko announces she's going too, Bulkhead is obliged to tell her to stay at base. Finally, June's questions become too much for Arcee, and she opts to go with Bulkhead.

In a desert area, Breakdown breaks apart some rocks to find the device he's after. No sooner has he picked it up than [[Airachnid]] puts in an appearance, clouts him and grabs the weapon. Breakdown recovers quickly and begins fighting Airachnid, until she burrows up from beneath the earth and drags him down, leaving him buried. She picks up the device and is ready to leave, when Breakdown pulls himself free of the ground, and the pair charge at each other.

[[Image:TFP_ep18_tag_team.jpg‎|thumb|left|300px|"How many attraction jokes do you think we can come up with?" "A lot, Bulkhead."]]

Arcee and Bulkhead trudge through the rocks, discussing how Jack's mom is a killjoy, and Miko, who has quietly tagged along, asks if they can ban her from the base. Arcee calls for a [[GroundBridge]], but Miko talks her out of it, then requests Bulkhead play some rock music. Arcee tells him to shut it off, as it's not exactly stealthy, and they soon find Breakdown and Airachnid fighting. Leaving Miko a safe distance behind, the two Autobots leap into combat, surprising Airachnid, who has just gotten the upper hand. Bulkhead tosses Arcee into the air, and she shoots at the pair before charging at Breakdown, but Airachnid insists on facing Arcee herself. After a few minutes' fighting, Bulkhead and Arcee overcome their opponents, but Breakdown grabs the weapon and activates it. Warning him that it isn't a toy, Airachnid retreats underground, and Arcee and Bulkhead find themselves being dragged towards each other. The weapon hoists them into the air before slamming them back against some rocks. Satisfied, Breakdown transforms to return to the ''[[Nemesis (Prime)|Nemesis]]''. Miko finds [[Miko's phone|her phone]] stuck to Bulkhead's chest and Arcee stuck to Bulkhead's back.

Driving along a road, Breakdown is ambushed and entangled in a web.

Ratchet realizes that the weapon Breakdown has is a [[polarity gauntlet]] and says their best bet to get Arcee unstuck is to get the gauntlet back. Arcee insists on Miko returning to base, and Miko complains loudly that she sounds just like Jack's mom, which June naturally hears over the comm link.

[[Image:TFP_ep18_Airachnid_gauntlet.jpg‎ |thumb|right|300px|"Ooh, shiny."]]

At an old gas station, Airachnid tries on the gauntlet. Breakdown, securely webbed to the side of the building, suggests they could take it back to Megatron together, but she's not keen on rejoining the Decepticons and thinks the gauntlet will be perfect for keeping everyone else away. Bulkhead trudges up to the gas station to confront Airachnid, who tells him to put his hands up and turn around. He does so, and Arcee promptly opens fire, managing to shoot the gauntlet out of Airachnid's hand. The device activates and drags everything metal towards it, including Breakdown, who is pulled free of the webbing and shuts the gauntlet down. Bulkhead and Arcee begin awkwardly fighting Breakdown and Airachnid. Bulkhead manages to deck Breakdown and turns to face Arachnid, but then Breakdown uses the gauntlet to drop an oil derrick on the 'Bots.

Pinned under an unconscious Bulkhead, Arcee is menaced by Airachnid. Fortunately, Bulkhead comes around in time, and the pair stand up, now separated. Arcee attacks Breakdown, but Bulkhead finds himself no match for Airachnid, who grabs the gauntlet and uses it to draw Arcee to her. Bulkhead blasts Breakdown into another oil derrick, while Arcee and Airachnid fight. Arcee eventually gets possession of the gauntlet and uses it to polarize everyone so that they repel metal. Airachnid uses her webbing to snatch the gauntlet back and transforms to escape, but Bulkhead grabs onto her helicopter mode and throws her into Breakdown. With the gauntlet secured, Arcee and Bulkhead head back to base, where they give it to Ratchet, and June apologizes for being overprotective.

On the ''Nemesis'', Megatron is unhappy when Breakdown returns apparently empty-handed, but Breakdown reveals he has Airachnid stuck to his back. Airachnid tells an amused Megatron that she is happy to return.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (2)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (8)

|c2=
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (5)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (6)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (7)
*[[Airachnid]] (11)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (12)

|c3=
*[[Jack Darby]] (3)
*[[June Darby]] (4)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (9)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (10)

}}

==Quotes==
'''June''': So... where's Optimus? 
'''Ratchet''': On a scouting mission with Bumblebee. Sorry to disappoint. 
'''June''': And I wore heels and everything... 
'''Jack''': MOM!
:—June makes Ratchet and Jack uncomfortable with a few choice words.

"Allow me to redeem myself, master. What I have lost... is a constant reminder that I must never again fail you."
:—'''Breakdown''' rather darkly references his new eyepatch.

"I heard a rumor about a rogue 'Con. How about I hogtie you and haul you in?" 
:—'''Breakdown''' has no sympathy for those who disrespect Megatron's rule.

"A scout should be silent but deadly."
:—'''Arcee''' unwittingly makes Bulkhead and Miko's day.

"Still up for a truce, muscles?" 
"Only because I hate Bulkhead more than I hate you."
:—'''Airachnid''' and '''Breakdown''' decide to look at the bigger picture.

"Arcee, I think I owe you an apology." 
"You do?" 
"I worry... especially when I feel like I can't control things—which, with a teenager, is all the time."
:—'''June''' admits the troubles of being a single mother to '''Arcee'''.

'''Megatron''': Breakdown, you dare to return empty-handed?! 
'''Breakdown''': No, Master. 
''[Turns around, revealing Airachnid magnetized to his back]'' 
'''Megatron''': Airachnid... it has been some time. 
'''Airachnid''': Lord Megatron... what can I say? It's good to be back.
:—The Decepticons get an unexpected addition.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* Cellphones are primarily made of plastic, which is not attracted to magnetic objects.
* A magnetic field that powerful should have wiped out Miko's phone.
* The Polarity gauntlet didn't attract Miko's belt buckle or earrings.
* When Arcee is stuck to Bulkhead, she can still move her arms and legs. If the magnetic force were strong enough to hold her to him, her limbs would also have been stuck.

===Continuity errors===
* Mere moments after Bulkhead states that he is polarised and can’t touch metal, he grabs Airachnid out of the air and throws her at Breakdown. Is she not made of metal, or did the gauntlet's effects wear off that fast?

===Continuity notes===
*Breakdown was bested by humans and lost his right optic in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]".

===Transformers references===
*After Breakdown volunteers to retrieve the weapon, Megatron retorts, "If you can be bested by mere humans, [[Furmanism|what chance do you have]] against the Autobots?"
* At the end of the episode, Arcee gives Ratchet the magnet. If he uses it himself, he would not be [[Ratchet (Animated)|the first Ratchet to use a magnet as a weapon and tool.]]

===Real-world references===
* The episode title appears to be a belabored nod to the film ''[[wikipedia:Fatal Attraction|Fatal Attraction]]''.
* Bulkhead and Arcee appear to perform a [[wikipedia:Fastball Special|Fastball Special]] in combat. [[Along Came a Spider#Real-world references|This is not the first time a Bulkhead has used this move.]]

===Trivia===
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] apparently didn't have any extra optics lying around to give Breakdown. [[Shadowzone (episode)|Sound familiar?]] Either that, or Megatron won't let him repair Breakdown as punishment for being captured by humans.
*Breakdown's new optic patch was hinted at during [[BotCon 2011]] when an artist from the series was requested to sketch Breakdown by [[Chris Ho|a certain Transformers fan]]: the artist asked what [[Operation: Breakdown|episode]] had just been screened, thought for a moment, and soon provided an image of Breakdown with an optic patch.<ref>Vangelus revealed this during the [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/wtf-tfw-transformers-podcast/422249-wtf-primetime-14-operation-breakdown-june-22-2011-a.html "Operation: Breakdown"] episode of TFW2005's "WTF Primetime" podcast</ref>
*During this episode's original airing, the [[commercial bumper]]s were backwards: "we now return" was played at the start of each break and "we'll be right back" was played at the end.
*As of this episode, we finally have a mention of Jack's father having left him and June.
*Also as of this episode, it seems that Arcee has been the only character that's been in every single episode so far, as Bumblebee does not appear for the first time.
*Apparently Miko [[Shadowzone (episode)|didn't learn her lesson]] as she followed Bulkhead and Arcee.

==External links==
<references />

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Metal Attraction

2011-07-22T04:17:43Z

66.214.112.74: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 18
|prev=Crisscross
|next=Rock Bottom
|image=MetalAttraction-stuck.jpg
|caption= Sadly, they don't fuse into [[Tigerhawk|a powerful being.]]
|title="Metal Attraction"
|airdate=[[July 9]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Nicole Dubuc]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''The Autobots try to claim a magnetic weapon called a "polarity gauntlet" before the Decepticons get to it.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:MetalAttraction-JackJuneEep.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Jack discovers his mother's startling fetish.]]
[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] reports to [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] and [[Jack Darby|Jack]] that there's an incoming vehicle, which they initially assume to be a [[Decepticon]], but they relax when it turns out to be [[June Darby]] in her car. Jack's less than enthusiastic that his mother's come to check up on him ''again'', but the mood changes when Ratchet detects an unusual magnetic flux.

[[Image:TFP_ep18_BD_optic_patch.jpg|thumb|right|300px|YOU ARE A PIRATE.]]
[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] has also picked up the magnetic signature, which [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] recognizes as a Decepticon weapon. [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] volunteers to secure the invention. Megatron is skeptical of Breakdown's abilities following [[Operation: Breakdown|certain recent events]], but Breakdown insists.

[[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] and [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] arrive back at [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|base]] with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], but their high spirits drop when they realize Jack's mom is there. Arcee and Jack prepare to go conduct a routine diagnostic, but June's questioning about how safe it will be makes Arcee irritated. Ratchet asks Bulkhead to go and investigate the magnetic disturbance, and when Miko announces she's going too, Bulkhead is obliged to tell her to stay at base. Finally, June's questions become too much for Arcee, and she opts to go with Bulkhead.

In a desert area, Breakdown breaks apart some rocks to find the device he's after. No sooner has he picked it up than [[Airachnid]] puts in an appearance, clouts him and grabs the weapon. Breakdown recovers quickly and begins fighting Airachnid, until she burrows up from beneath the earth and drags him down, leaving him buried. She picks up the device and is ready to leave, when Breakdown pulls himself free of the ground, and the pair charge at each other.

[[Image:TFP_ep18_tag_team.jpg‎|thumb|left|300px|"How many attraction jokes do you think we can come up with?" "A lot, Bulkhead."]]

Arcee and Bulkhead trudge through the rocks, discussing how Jack's mom is a killjoy, and Miko, who has quietly tagged along, asks if they can ban her from the base. Arcee calls for a [[GroundBridge]], but Miko talks her out of it, then requests Bulkhead play some rock music. Arcee tells him to shut it off, as it's not exactly stealthy, and they soon find Breakdown and Airachnid fighting. Leaving Miko a safe distance behind, the two Autobots leap into combat, surprising Airachnid, who has just gotten the upper hand. Bulkhead tosses Arcee into the air, and she shoots at the pair before charging at Breakdown, but Airachnid insists on facing Arcee herself. After a few minutes' fighting, Bulkhead and Arcee overcome their opponents, but Breakdown grabs the weapon and activates it. Warning him that it isn't a toy, Airachnid retreats underground, and Arcee and Bulkhead find themselves being dragged towards each other. The weapon hoists them into the air before slamming them back against some rocks. Satisfied, Breakdown transforms to return to the ''[[Nemesis (Prime)|Nemesis]]''. Miko finds [[Miko's phone|her phone]] stuck to Bulkhead's chest and Arcee stuck to Bulkhead's back.

Driving along a road, Breakdown is ambushed and entangled in a web.

Ratchet realizes that the weapon Breakdown has is a [[polarity gauntlet]] and says their best bet to get Arcee unstuck is to get the gauntlet back. Arcee insists on Miko returning to base, and Miko complains loudly that she sounds just like Jack's mom, which June naturally hears over the comm link.

[[Image:TFP_ep18_Airachnid_gauntlet.jpg‎ |thumb|right|300px|"Ooh, shiny."]]

At an old gas station, Airachnid tries on the gauntlet. Breakdown, securely webbed to the side of the building, suggests they could take it back to Megatron together, but she's not keen on rejoining the Decepticons and thinks the gauntlet will be perfect for keeping everyone else away. Bulkhead trudges up to the gas station to confront Airachnid, who tells him to put his hands up and turn around. He does so, and Arcee promptly opens fire, managing to shoot the gauntlet out of Airachnid's hand. The device activates and drags everything metal towards it, including Breakdown, who is pulled free of the webbing and shuts the gauntlet down. Bulkhead and Arcee begin awkwardly fighting Breakdown and Airachnid. Bulkhead manages to deck Breakdown and turns to face Arachnid, but then Breakdown uses the gauntlet to drop an oil derrick on the 'Bots.

Pinned under an unconscious Bulkhead, Arcee is menaced by Airachnid. Fortunately, Bulkhead comes around in time, and the pair stand up, now separated. Arcee attacks Breakdown, but Bulkhead finds himself no match for Airachnid, who grabs the gauntlet and uses it to draw Arcee to her. Bulkhead blasts Breakdown into another oil derrick, while Arcee and Airachnid fight. Arcee eventually gets possession of the gauntlet and uses it to polarize everyone so that they repel metal. Airachnid uses her webbing to snatch the gauntlet back and transforms to escape, but Bulkhead grabs onto her helicopter mode and throws her into Breakdown. With the gauntlet secured, Arcee and Bulkhead head back to base, where they give it to Ratchet, and June apologizes for being overprotective.

On the ''Nemesis'', Megatron is unhappy when Breakdown returns apparently empty-handed, but Breakdown reveals he has Airachnid stuck to his back. Airachnid tells an amused Megatron that she is happy to return.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (2)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (8)

|c2=
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (5)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (6)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (7)
*[[Airachnid]] (11)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (12)

|c3=
*[[Jack Darby]] (3)
*[[June Darby]] (4)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (9)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (10)

}}

==Quotes==
'''June''': So... where's Optimus? 
'''Ratchet''': On a scouting mission with Bumblebee. Sorry to disappoint. 
'''June''': And I wore heels and everything... 
'''Jack''': MOM!
:—June makes Ratchet and Jack uncomfortable with a few choice words.

"Allow me to redeem myself, master. What I have lost... is a constant reminder that I must never again fail you."
:—'''Breakdown''' rather darkly references his new eyepatch.

"I heard a rumor about a rogue 'Con. How about I hogtie you and haul you in?" 
:—'''Breakdown''' has no sympathy for those who disrespect Megatron's rule.

"A scout should be silent but deadly."
:—'''Arcee''' unwittingly makes Bulkhead and Miko's day.

"Still up for a truce, muscles?" 
"Only because I hate Bulkhead more than I hate you."
:—'''Airachnid''' and '''Breakdown''' decide to look at the bigger picture.

"Arcee, I think I owe you an apology." 
"You do?" 
"I worry... especially when I feel like I can't control things—which, with a teenager, is all the time."
:—'''June''' admits the troubles of being a single mother to '''Arcee'''.

'''Megatron''': Breakdown, you dare to return empty-handed?! 
'''Breakdown''': No, Master. 
''[Turns around, revealing Airachnid magnetized to his back]'' 
'''Megatron''': Airachnid... it has been some time. 
'''Airachnid''': Lord Megatron... what can I say? It's good to be back.
:—The Decepticons get an unexpected addition.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* Cellphones are primarily made of plastic, which is not attracted to magnetic objects.
* A magnetic field that powerful should have wiped out Miko's phone.
* The Polarity gauntlet didn't attract Miko's belt buckle or earrings.
* When Arcee is stuck to Bulkhead, she can still move her arms and legs. If the magnetic force were strong enough to hold her to him, her limbs would also have been stuck.

===Continuity errors===
* Mere moments after Bulkhead states that he is polarised and can’t touch metal, he grabs Airachnid out of the air and throws her at Breakdown. Is she not made of metal, or did the gauntlet's effects wear off that fast?

===Continuity notes===
*Breakdown was bested by humans and lost his right optic in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]".

===Transformers references===
*After Breakdown volunteers to retrieve the weapon, Megatron retorts, "If you can be bested by mere humans, [[Furmanism|what chance do you have]] against the Autobots?"
* At the end of the episode, Arcee gives Ratchet the magnet. If he uses it himself, he would not be [[Ratchet (Animated)|the first Ratchet to use a magnet as a weapon and tool.]]

===Real-world references===
* The episode title appears to be a belabored nod to the film ''[[wikipedia:Fatal Attraction|Fatal Attraction]]''.
* Bulkhead and Arcee appear to perform a [[wikipedia:Fastball Special|Fastball Special]] in combat. [[Along Came a Spider#Real-world references|This is not the first time a Bulkhead has used this move.]]

===Trivia===
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] apparently didn't have any extra optics lying around to give Breakdown. [[Shadowzone (episode)|Sound familiar?]] Either that, or Megatron won't let him repair Breakdown as punishment for being captured by humans.
*Breakdown's new optic patch was hinted at during [[BotCon 2011]] when an artist from the series was requested to sketch Breakdown by [[Chris Ho|a certain Transformers fan]]: the artist asked what [[Operation: Breakdown|episode]] had just been screened, thought for a moment, and soon provided an image of Breakdown with an optic patch.<ref>Vangelus revealed this during the [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/wtf-tfw-transformers-podcast/422249-wtf-primetime-14-operation-breakdown-june-22-2011-a.html "Operation: Breakdown"] episode of TFW2005's "WTF Primetime" podcast</ref>
*During this episode's original airing, the [[commercial bumper]]s were backwards: "we now return" was played at the start of each break and "we'll be right back" was played at the end.
*As of this episode, we finally have a mention of Jack's father having left him and June.
*Also as of this episode, it seems that Arcee has been the only character that's been in every single episode so far, as Bumblebee does not appear for the first time.
*Apparently Miko [[Shadowzone (episode)|didn't learn her lesson]]: as she followed Bulkhead and Arcee.

==External links==
<references />

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Metal Attraction

2011-07-22T04:11:47Z

66.214.112.74: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 18
|prev=Crisscross
|next=Rock Bottom
|image=MetalAttraction-stuck.jpg
|caption= Sadly, they don't fuse into [[Tigerhawk|a powerful being.]]
|title="Metal Attraction"
|airdate=[[July 9]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Nicole Dubuc]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''The Autobots try to claim a magnetic weapon called a "polarity gauntlet" before the Decepticons get to it.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:MetalAttraction-JackJuneEep.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Jack discovers his mother's startling fetish.]]
[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] reports to [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] and [[Jack Darby|Jack]] that there's an incoming vehicle, which they initially assume to be a [[Decepticon]], but they relax when it turns out to be [[June Darby]] in her car. Jack's less than enthusiastic that his mother's come to check up on him ''again'', but the mood changes when Ratchet detects an unusual magnetic flux.

[[Image:TFP_ep18_BD_optic_patch.jpg|thumb|right|300px|YOU ARE A PIRATE.]]
[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] has also picked up the magnetic signature, which [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] recognizes as a Decepticon weapon. [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] volunteers to secure the invention. Megatron is skeptical of Breakdown's abilities following [[Operation: Breakdown|certain recent events]], but Breakdown insists.

[[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] and [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] arrive back at [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|base]] with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], but their high spirits drop when they realize Jack's mom is there. Arcee and Jack prepare to go conduct a routine diagnostic, but June's questioning about how safe it will be makes Arcee irritated. Ratchet asks Bulkhead to go and investigate the magnetic disturbance, and when Miko announces she's going too, Bulkhead is obliged to tell her to stay at base. Finally, June's questions become too much for Arcee, and she opts to go with Bulkhead.

In a desert area, Breakdown breaks apart some rocks to find the device he's after. No sooner has he picked it up than [[Airachnid]] puts in an appearance, clouts him and grabs the weapon. Breakdown recovers quickly and begins fighting Airachnid, until she burrows up from beneath the earth and drags him down, leaving him buried. She picks up the device and is ready to leave, when Breakdown pulls himself free of the ground, and the pair charge at each other.

[[Image:TFP_ep18_tag_team.jpg‎|thumb|left|300px|"How many attraction jokes do you think we can come up with?" "A lot, Bulkhead."]]

Arcee and Bulkhead trudge through the rocks, discussing how Jack's mom is a killjoy, and Miko, who has quietly tagged along, asks if they can ban her from the base. Arcee calls for a [[GroundBridge]], but Miko talks her out of it, then requests Bulkhead play some rock music. Arcee tells him to shut it off, as it's not exactly stealthy, and they soon find Breakdown and Airachnid fighting. Leaving Miko a safe distance behind, the two Autobots leap into combat, surprising Airachnid, who has just gotten the upper hand. Bulkhead tosses Arcee into the air, and she shoots at the pair before charging at Breakdown, but Airachnid insists on facing Arcee herself. After a few minutes' fighting, Bulkhead and Arcee overcome their opponents, but Breakdown grabs the weapon and activates it. Warning him that it isn't a toy, Airachnid retreats underground, and Arcee and Bulkhead find themselves being dragged towards each other. The weapon hoists them into the air before slamming them back against some rocks. Satisfied, Breakdown transforms to return to the ''[[Nemesis (Prime)|Nemesis]]''. Miko finds [[Miko's phone|her phone]] stuck to Bulkhead's chest and Arcee stuck to Bulkhead's back.

Driving along a road, Breakdown is ambushed and entangled in a web.

Ratchet realizes that the weapon Breakdown has is a [[polarity gauntlet]] and says their best bet to get Arcee unstuck is to get the gauntlet back. Arcee insists on Miko returning to base, and Miko complains loudly that she sounds just like Jack's mom, which June naturally hears over the comm link.

[[Image:TFP_ep18_Airachnid_gauntlet.jpg‎ |thumb|right|300px|"Ooh, shiny."]]

At an old gas station, Airachnid tries on the gauntlet. Breakdown, securely webbed to the side of the building, suggests they could take it back to Megatron together, but she's not keen on rejoining the Decepticons and thinks the gauntlet will be perfect for keeping everyone else away. Bulkhead trudges up to the gas station to confront Airachnid, who tells him to put his hands up and turn around. He does so, and Arcee promptly opens fire, managing to shoot the gauntlet out of Airachnid's hand. The device activates and drags everything metal towards it, including Breakdown, who is pulled free of the webbing and shuts the gauntlet down. Bulkhead and Arcee begin awkwardly fighting Breakdown and Airachnid. Bulkhead manages to deck Breakdown and turns to face Arachnid, but then Breakdown uses the gauntlet to drop an oil derrick on the 'Bots.

Pinned under an unconscious Bulkhead, Arcee is menaced by Airachnid. Fortunately, Bulkhead comes around in time, and the pair stand up, now separated. Arcee attacks Breakdown, but Bulkhead finds himself no match for Airachnid, who grabs the gauntlet and uses it to draw Arcee to her. Bulkhead blasts Breakdown into another oil derrick, while Arcee and Airachnid fight. Arcee eventually gets possession of the gauntlet and uses it to polarize everyone so that they repel metal. Airachnid uses her webbing to snatch the gauntlet back and transforms to escape, but Bulkhead grabs onto her helicopter mode and throws her into Breakdown. With the gauntlet secured, Arcee and Bulkhead head back to base, where they give it to Ratchet, and June apologizes for being overprotective.

On the ''Nemesis'', Megatron is unhappy when Breakdown returns apparently empty-handed, but Breakdown reveals he has Airachnid stuck to his back. Airachnid tells an amused Megatron that she is happy to return.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (2)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (8)

|c2=
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (5)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (6)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (7)
*[[Airachnid]] (11)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (12)

|c3=
*[[Jack Darby]] (3)
*[[June Darby]] (4)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (9)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (10)

}}

==Quotes==
'''June''': So... where's Optimus? 
'''Ratchet''': On a scouting mission with Bumblebee. Sorry to disappoint. 
'''June''': And I wore heels and everything... 
'''Jack''': MOM!
:—June makes Ratchet and Jack uncomfortable with a few choice words.

"Allow me to redeem myself, master. What I have lost... is a constant reminder that I must never again fail you."
:—'''Breakdown''' rather darkly references his new eyepatch.

"I heard a rumor about a rogue 'Con. How about I hogtie you and haul you in?" 
:—'''Breakdown''' has no sympathy for those who disrespect Megatron's rule.

"A scout should be silent but deadly."
:—'''Arcee''' unwittingly makes Bulkhead and Miko's day.

"Still up for a truce, muscles?" 
"Only because I hate Bulkhead more than I hate you."
:—'''Airachnid''' and '''Breakdown''' decide to look at the bigger picture.

"Arcee, I think I owe you an apology." 
"You do?" 
"I worry... especially when I feel like I can't control things—which, with a teenager, is all the time."
:—'''June''' admits the troubles of being a single mother to '''Arcee'''.

'''Megatron''': Breakdown, you dare to return empty-handed?! 
'''Breakdown''': No, Master. 
''[Turns around, revealing Airachnid magnetized to his back]'' 
'''Megatron''': Airachnid... it has been some time. 
'''Airachnid''': Lord Megatron... what can I say? It's good to be back.
:—The Decepticons get an unexpected addition.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* Cellphones are primarily made of plastic, which is not attracted to magnetic objects.
* A magnetic field that powerful should have wiped out Miko's phone.
* The Polarity gauntlet didn't attract Miko's belt buckle or earrings.
* When Arcee is stuck to Bulkhead, she can still move her arms and legs. If the magnetic force were strong enough to hold her to him, her limbs would also have been stuck.

===Continuity errors===
* Mere moments after Bulkhead states that he is polarised and can’t touch metal, he grabs Airachnid out of the air and throws her at Breakdown. Is she not made of metal, or did the gauntlet's effects wear off that fast?

===Continuity notes===
*Breakdown was bested by humans and lost his right optic in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]".

===Transformers references===
*After Breakdown volunteers to retrieve the weapon, Megatron retorts, "If you can be bested by mere humans, [[Furmanism|what chance do you have]] against the Autobots?"
* At the end of the episode, Arcee gives Ratchet the magnet. If he uses it himself, he would not be [[Ratchet (Animated)|the first Ratchet to use a magnet as a weapon and tool.]]

===Real-world references===
* The episode title appears to be a belabored nod to the film ''[[wikipedia:Fatal Attraction|Fatal Attraction]]''.
* Bulkhead and Arcee appear to perform a [[wikipedia:Fastball Special|Fastball Special]] in combat. [[Along Came a Spider#Real-world references|This is not the first time a Bulkhead has used this move.]]

===Trivia===
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] apparently didn't have any extra optics lying around to give Breakdown. [[Shadowzone (episode)|Sound familiar?]] Either that, or Megatron won't let him repair Breakdown as punishment for being captured by humans.
*Breakdown's new optic patch was hinted at during [[BotCon 2011]] when an artist from the series was requested to sketch Breakdown by [[Chris Ho|a certain Transformers fan]]: the artist asked what [[Operation: Breakdown|episode]] had just been screened, thought for a moment, and soon provided an image of Breakdown with an optic patch.<ref>Vangelus revealed this during the [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/wtf-tfw-transformers-podcast/422249-wtf-primetime-14-operation-breakdown-june-22-2011-a.html "Operation: Breakdown"] episode of TFW2005's "WTF Primetime" podcast</ref>
*During this episode's original airing, the [[commercial bumper]]s were backwards: "we now return" was played at the start of each break and "we'll be right back" was played at the end.
*As of this episode, we finally have a mention of Jack's father having left him and June.
*Also as of this episode, it seems that Arcee has been the only character that's been in every single episode so far, as Bumblebee does not appear for the first time.
*Apparently Miko didn't [[Shadowzone (episode)learn her lesson]]

==External links==
<references />

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Speed Metal

2011-07-22T04:05:52Z

66.214.112.74: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 11
|prev=Deus ex Machina
|next=Predatory
|image=SpeedMetal-startyourengines.jpg
|caption=Temptation, thy name is woman!
|title="Speed Metal"
|airdate=[[April 9]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Dean Stefan]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Knock Out and Jack are both drawn into the world of street racing.'''

==Synopsis==
Cruising along a road at night, [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] listens to a news report about illegal street racing. Switching it off, he pulls up alongside three other cars waiting to race. The [[Fast Willy|driver of one]] decides to put a long scratch in Knock Out's paintwork, rousing the [[Decepticon]]'s ire. After the race starts, Knock Out runs the other driver off the mountain road, informing the stunned human, "You scratch my paint, I scratch yours," before racing off.

[[Image:SpeedMetal-whispering.jpg|left|thumb|250px|There are so many captions for this, all of them dirty.]]

Outside the high school, [[Jack Darby|Jack]] encounters school bully [[Vince]], who mocks [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]]'s vehicle mode. Jack and Arcee leave, but while stopped at a traffic light, Jack's called out to by [[Sierra]], who's keen on a ride. Before Jack can answer, Vince pulls up and challenges him to a race. Jack's still thinking about it when the light changes and Arcee takes off, reminding Jack of the rules about abusing their power. Vince catches up with them at the next light and insults Arcee's motorcycle mode, goading her to suspend the rules, just this once. The pair let Vince know they're ready for the race, and Sierra and [[Sierra's friend|her friend]] turn out at an old dirt road to spectate. Arcee's driving abilities far outstrip Vince's, and they win easily, but Arcee turns down Jack's suggestion that they should offer Sierra a lift.

On the ''[[Nemesis (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] is buffing the comatose [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]. [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] wanders in to check on the patient and wonders aloud where Knock Out's got to. The 'Con himself walks in a few moments later, complaining about the scratch some "skinjob" put in his finish. Starscream is most disapproving that Knock Out's been street racing again, though what ''really'' annoys him is Knock Out's failure—and glib refusal—to refer to Starscream as "Lord".

Back at [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|base]], Arcee reminds Jack not to tell anyone about the race, but it turns out [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] and [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] already know, having heard about it at school. Jack swears them to secrecy.

At school, Sierra tells Jack she was impressed with the outcome of the race, but Vince challenges Jack to race again, this time at the circuit. Jack's compelled to agree, but Arcee flatly refuses to race.

Knock Out is out cruising a road somewhere near [[Jasper]], when a speeding street racer car gets his attention, and he heads toward the town.

Jack asks Raf if he can borrow [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] so he can go street racing. Raf isn't so sure (much to Bumblebee's dismay), but Miko and Jack talk him into it. Jack and Bumblebee haul up at the race track, as does Knock Out. As the race begins and Bumblebee and Vince jostle for lead position, Knock Out recognizes Bumblebee and begins chasing the Autobot while firing. Jack finds he has problems overcoming the communications barrier with 'Bee.

Back at base, Miko and Raf are playing a [[Generic racing game|video game]] when Arcee asks them if they've seen Jack. They attempt to cover for their friend, but Arcee immediately works out what's up, and a short time later, Bumblebee's distress call comes though.

Bumblebee dumps some oil to slow Knock Out down, then ducks under a bridge. At first, it seems they've lost the Decepticon, but Vince hauls in to confront Jack and demand he finish the race. Jack tries to warn Vince of the danger, but Vince's headlights have attracted Knock Out, who grabs the boy, renders him unconscious, drives off. Knock Out contacts Breakdown to announce he's captured Bumblebee's human "friend". Arcee and Bulkhead join Bumblebee, but before Arcee can start a lecture, Jack tells her about Vince, and they head off to mount a rescue.

[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] walks into the base and wonders where everyone else is. Raf and Miko give him the least convincing replies ever.

[[Image:PrimeScreamer'sFingerOfDoom.JPG|right|thumb|250px|"Not the gumdrop buttons!"]]

The three Autobots track Knock Out to a warehouse area, and Bulkhead and Bumblebee stroll in while Arcee scales a nearby water tower. Bulkhead and Bumblebee are ambushed by Breakdown. Just as Knock Out is wondering where Arcee is, she jumps on top of him. Knock Out decides to bail, but at least has the courtesy to radio Breakdown and let him know. Unfortunately, the call distracts Breakdown long enough for Bulkhead to deck him with a street lamp. Knock Out streaks down a road with Arcee in pursuit, but is suddenly sideswiped by Optimus, who knocks him onto the embankment. With the 'Con unable to flee, Optimus rips his door off and retrieves the unconscious Vince. Knock Out is outraged at the damage done to him, but retreats when the rest of the Autobots arrive. Vince finally recovers in Bumblebee on the way back to his car, and Jack spins a story to cover the whole thing.

Starscream is ''very'' upset with Knock Out's antics. Knock Out assures Starscream that he's learned his lesson and paid the price. Unfortunately for Knock Out, he once again addresses Starscream as "Commander" instead of "Lord", so Starscream gives him some more scratches as punishment.

At school again, Sierra asks Jack for a ride, but he turns her down. Arcee, however, is feeling more accommodating—just this once—and soon Jack and Sierra are zooming through town.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (13)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (14)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (15)

|c2=
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (1)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (8)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (9)
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (10)
* [[Vehicon (Prime)|Decepticon drones]] (16)

|c3=
*[[Fast Willy]] (2)
*[[Jack Darby]] (3)
*[[Vince]] (5)
*[[Sierra]] (6)
*[[Sierra's friend]] (7)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (11)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (12)
}}

==Quotes==
"Uh, Jack? A lady's vital stats are her own business."
:—'''Arcee''' doesn't want Jack bragging about the different aspects of her body.

"Winning isn't enough, Jack. You want to make him ''cry''."
:—'''Arcee''' explains her method of getting even.

"No worries, ''herr commandant''." 
"It is 'Lord' to you." 
"Only if Megatron takes a nosedive." 
"''Hhhnnn.'' The day our master emerges from stasis, I will graciously relinquish the title. But I believe that outcome is unlikely. Something to do with the quality of medical care around here. So continue ''buffing''. We do want Megatron looking his best for the memorial." 
(''Starscream leaves the room.'') 
"Buff ''this''."
:—'''Knock Out''' and '''Starscream''' don't exactly see eye-to-eye.

'''Arcee''': Have you guys seen Jack? 
'''Miko''': ...not since we last saw him. 
'''Arcee''': They're racing, aren't they? 
'''Raf''': Just this once. 
'''Arcee''': Did you know about this? 
'''Bulkhead''': NO. Maybe. A little.
:—No one on [[Team Prime]] can lie.

"'Bee, do not engage. Your first priority is to keep Jack safe. [''murmurs''] Until I get my hands on him."
:—'''Arcee''' is a scary guardian.

[[Image:SpeedMetal-OptimusEyebrow.jpg|thumb|250px|Highly [[Leonard Nimoy|illogical]].]]

'''Raf''': We should just tell Optimus the truth. 
'''Miko''': Absolutely not! We made a deal. Just act completely normal. 
'''Optimus''': Raf, Miko, do either of you know where the others have gone? 
'''Miko''': Why, no, sir. We do not know. 
'''Raf''': ''(stiffly)'' Miko is correct. We do not know. 
'''Miko''': Why would we know? 
'''Optimus''': Hmm.
:—Seriously, it's a minor miracle the kids haven't blown their cover with their parents yet.

"Do you know how hard that is to replace?!"
:—'''Knock Out''' loses a door to Optimus Prime.

"Knock Out! Was I not clear? You have defied my orders yet again!" 
"My mistake, Commander Starscream. But, I've learned my lesson... and paid the price. 
"It. Is. '''LORD'''! And you have paid when I say you have paid! ''[extends a sharpened finger]'' Do not worry, your punishment shall be merely... cosmetic." 
"No, not the finish! Anything but the finish! ''[the "cosmetic punishment" begins offscreen]'' NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
:—<s>Commander</s> '''LORD Starscream''' reminds '''Knock Out''' where he stands.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*Sierra and her friend hold their books back-to-front. This is not [[The Jasper Daily|uncommon]].
*When Jack and Arcee stop at the second traffic light, Arcee's front wheel is shown not moving at all, as if it were sliding on the asphalt instead of spinning.
*When Arcee and Jack drive along the street (while debating Jack's decision to accept Vince's second challenge), all the traffic lights are shown as if they were upside down; red lights are in the place of green lights and vice versa.
* Like in the [[Deus ex Machina|previous episode]], the clear parts of Arcee's chest are pink.
*While Knock Out drives away (after kidnapping Vince), and Jack turns to talk to Bumblebee, the former's rear-lights are white instead of red.

===Continuity errors===
*Vince challenges Jack to a race on a "dirt road", but the road they race on is sealed and marked.

===Real-world references===
*Knock Out calls Fast Willy a "skinjob," a derogatory slang term used to refer to the human-like [[Wikipedia:Cylon (reimagining)|Cylons]] in the 2004 re-imagining of ''[[Wikipedia:Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)|Battlestar Galactica]]'', itself an homage to ''[[Wikipedia:Blade Runner|Blade Runner]]''.
*Vince refers to Jack as "Ponch", a motorcycle-based reference to Erik Estrada's cycle-riding cop character from ''[[Wikipedia:CHiPs|CHiPs]]''.
*Knock Out calls Starscream "Herr Kommandant", a reference to ''[[Wikipedia:Hogan's Heroes|Hogan's Heroes]]''.
* "Drucker's Ranch" is presumably a reference to [[Steve Drucker]], longtime [[Hasbro]] creative person.

===Trivia===
* This is the first episode to premiere on a Saturday.
* This is the first episode not to include [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]].
* Several of the other street racing cars in this episode are simply recolored variations of Bumblebee and [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]]'s alternate modes (sans horns in the case of the latter). Hello, easy [[redeco]]es!
* At least two of said cars never actually leave the starting line once the race begins.
* Bulkhead once again decides to forgo saving someone out of simple dislike. What a jerk!
* Sierra's friend continues to remain nameless, despite having appeared in more episodes than Sierra herself at this point. This girl really needs to introduce herself!
* Bumblebee's [[license plate]] is 936 SOH.
*How Many Rule 'No. #1's can the Autobots ''have''?
*What exacty ''did'' happen to Knockout's door?

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Darkness Rising, Part 5

2011-07-22T04:01:02Z

66.214.112.74: /* Quotes */

{{picsneeded}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 5
|prev=Darkness Rising, Part 4
|next=Masters & Students
|image=DarknessRising5-OptimusStand.jpg
|caption=Spoilers: the good guys win.
|title="Darkness Rising, Part 5"
|airdate=[[December 3]], [[2010]]
|written by=[[Joseph Kuhr]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''The Autobots race to stop Megatron from raising an undead army on Cybertron.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] imagines in dread what will happen if [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] uses the [[Dark Energon]] to raise an army of [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and brings them to conquer [[Earth]].

[[Jack Darby|Jack]] arrives at [[KO Burger]] and encounters [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]], who muses that her recent loss of a [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|friend]] makes it hard for her to say goodbye to him. The Autobots have pinpointed Megatron's [[space bridge]] in Earth orbit and must use the [[ground bridge]] to reach it, despite the risks this poses. Arcee and Jack arrive back in time for Arcee to join the mission, and Optimus leads the team (minus [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]]) through the bridge. They land on the space bridge terminal and look up to see the [[Nemesis (Prime)|Decepticon ship]] moving into position. Megatron observes their presence, but [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] says that [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] is locking on to Cybertron's coordinates.

As the Autobots assume attack positions, Arcee notes that the Decepticons haven't done anything. Optimus scans the ship, and learns that Bulkhead damaged its interstellar navigation dish during [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]]'s rescue. Since a target as far as Cybertron needs pinpoint accuracy, the Decepticons will be unable to use it to aim the space bridge without an alternate targeting system. Raf reasons that the Decepticons may be using a radio dish array in [[Texas]], but Fowler is still too out of it to alert the array staff to the danger. [[Rafael Esquivel|Raf]] attempts to hack in, but the array's firewalls are too good. Jack thinks they should go on site, and they talk Optimus into letting them do it.

Meanwhile, Megatron sends out the Decepticon forces to attack the Autobots. Battle commences.

The kids ground-bridge to the array and sneak in. In a small, unused room, Raf finds a computer and determines that the Decepticons have also hacked in, but takes the opportunity to download their space bridge plans onto his flash drive. Little do the kids know that [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] is in the very next room, plugged into the computer system as well. He aligns the array, which sets the space bridge ready to use, but Raf promptly realigns it. Responding to Starscream's requests to know what's going on, Soundwave taps into the installation's security systems and locates the three kids. While the kids are discussing what the Decepticons could do, Soundwave's tentacle slithers into the room behind them and attacks. As it goes after Raf, [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] grabs an axe and strikes at it. She hits the tentacle with a clang, but the tentacle then strikes her backward before picking up the axe itself. Though the kids believe it's about to attack them with the weapon, the tentacle withdraws. The kids run to the next room, where they found Soundwave has realigned the dishes and used the axe to cut the hard line, making it impossible to undo his work. Miko then takes a [[Miko's phone|cell phone]] photo of Soundwave. Before Soundwave leaves, he takes a photo of them.

Starscream activates the space bridge, and Megatron physically throws a huge chunk of Dark Energon through. The Dark Energon strikes Cybertron, swiftly covering the planet and turning millions of dead Transformers into millions of Terrorcons. Optimus realizes that the only course of action left to them is to destroy the space bridge. Raf supplies the specs he downloaded earlier, and Ratchet sets about working out a way to do so with Raf's help. As Optimus faces Megatron, Bulkhead, Arcee and Bumblebee go to implement some sabotage.

[[Image:DarknessRising5-Megatronsword.jpg|right|thumb|220px|He can do the ''ultimate'' bird flip.]]

Megatron manages to defeat Prime, but as he raises his sword, Starscream alerts him to the actions of the other Autobots. Optimus takes advantage of the momentary distraction to block Megatron's killing blow, and blast him away, but the Decepticon leader transforms and flies off to find Prime's team. Arcee's team has succeeded in rigging the space bridge to blow when Megatron attacks and blasts her off into space. The Autobots jump into the ground bridge, Bumblebee collecting Arcee on the way. Seeing the potential damage the exploding space bridge would cause Starscream decides to pull the ship back, imploring Megatron to do the same. Overcome with regret over the loss of his army of Terrorcons as they begin to come through, the space bridge explodes in Megatron's face.

A short distance away in the ship, Starscream notes that Megatron's spark is now extinguished and all will hail him.
The Autobots make it back to their base. Though Arcee's in bad shape, she makes it out alright. Optimus announces that there's totally no way Megatron could have survived the space bridge explosion. Fowler thanks the Autobots for saving him, then leaves. Optimus gives a big speech and sends a signal into space to let the galaxy know that Earth is defended by the Autobots.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (2)
* [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (3)
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (6)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (9)
* [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (10)
* [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (11)
* [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (13)

|c3=
* [[Jack Darby]] (1)
* [[Miko Nakadai]] (7)
* [[Rafael Esquivel]] (8)
* [[William Fowler]] (12)

|c4=
* [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcons]] (14)

}}

==Quotes==
"Optimus, if you leave me stranded on a planet teeming with humans, I will never forgive you."
:—'''Ratchet'''

"Optimus Prime never disappoints. Unlike YOU, Starscream!"
:—'''Megatron''', burning a disappointing '''Starscream'''

"Surely, Lord Megatron, the Autobots are up to something." 
"Really, Starscream?"
:—'''Starscream''' observes the Autobots and '''Megatron''' lays on the sarcasm.

"I hold no illusions about engaging your army, Megatron. But I might derail its objective...[[Decapitation|by removing its head.]]"
:—'''Optimus Prime's''' [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|solution to most problems]].

"One shall stand one shall fall" 
:-the favorite line of '''Optimus Prime'''.

"Starscream! Where is my ship?" 
"We would never make it, Lord Megatron! Don't be a fool! Take flight and retreat!"
:—'''Starscream''' shows a remarkable degree of common sense, through an urgent yet fruitless try to get '''Megatron''' to flee the detonating space bridge.

"Decepticons, it is with deep sorrow that I note for the log...Megatron's spark has been extinguished. All Hail Starscream."
:—'''Starscream''' praises himself as leader

"Without a means of leaving this world, we Autobots take strength in the bonds we have forged with our three young friends - true warriors. If not in body, then in spirit. My name is Optimus Prime, and I send this message. Though we did not choose to be of Earth, it would seem that we are here to stay. If you approach this planet with hostile intent, know this: We will defend ourselves. We will defend humanity. We will defend... our home."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' which raises the qeustion if this is his favorite thing to do.

==Notes==
===Continuity errors===
* The Terrorcons are able to leave Cybertron and pass through the space bridge despite the fact that it's in space. Even accounting for the fact that Decepticon corpses might have flight capabilities, it seems unlikely that every Terrorcon would.
* Despite Megatron being able to ''cut off half of Prime's blade'' earlier in their battle, when Optimus resisted, the other blade was nearly as resistant as Megatron's own blade.

===Astronomical errors===
* The Autobots somehow jump from the detonating space bridge straight into the waiting ground bridge vortex, which is positioned below the space bridge, even though there ''is no gravity in space!'' (Though a possible explanation for this is that the ground bridge creates its own gravity.)

===Transformers references===
* There are two references which are directly related to [[The Transformers: The Movie|the 1986 animated movie]]. First Ratchet says, "Then by all means, let us light our [[darkest hour]]." Later, Optimus exchanges with Megatron: "One shall stand, one shall fall."
* Optimus's Energon blade and Megatron's hidden fusion cannon blade are references to [[Optimus Prime (Movie)| their movie]] [[Megatron (Movie)|counterparts]].
* Optimus's speech at the end is similar to the ones Movie Optimus gives at the end of both movies.

===Real-world references===
[[Image:DarknessRising5-Michelangelo.jpg|thumb|250px|Or it could be another [[Steven Spielberg|Spielberg]] reference.]]
* Miko tries to use an axe on [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]]'s tentacle, which is the same tactic Tom Cruise's character tries on the Tripod tentacle in [[Steven Spielberg]]'s ''War of the Worlds''. Of course, both attempts fail.
* Miko refers to space as "the final frontier". "Space. The final frontier" is the first line of the opening credits of several ''[[Wikipedia: Star Trek|Star Trek]]'' TV shows. ''Prime'' show developers [[Alex Kurtzman]] and [[Roberto Orci]] are also the screenwriters of the current ''Star Trek'' movies.
* Megatron, when he rises out of the Decepticon ship with the boulder of Dark Energon on his back, is clearly meant to evoke the classic [[Wikipedia:Atlas|Atlas]] pose.
* The shot of Megatron reaching out to a Terrorcon before the space bridge implosion is reminiscent of [[Wikipedia:Michelangelo|Michelangelo]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:The Creation of Adam|The Creation of Adam]]''.

===Trivia===
* Winged versions of the Vehicons make their appearance here.
* The Decepticons are unable to simply warp to Cybertron thanks to Bulkhead ripping off a vital piece of equipment in the previous episode.
* While it's unlikely anything from ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'' applies to the cartoon, a number of Autobots, including [[Ultra Magnus (Prime)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Omega Supreme (Prime)|Omega Supreme]] and the [[Wrecker]]s, were left behind on Cybertron at the end of that book. Sure hope they weren't around when the Terrorcons came crawling. In a similar vein, [[Shockwave (Prime)|Shockwave]] is also still on Cybertron at the end of the novel. Granted, it's established fact that the war had continued on other worlds after Cybertron's shutdown, though (as stated by [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] in the [[Transformers: Prime (comic)|prequel comic]]) it's probable that all of them have since moved on to less hostile locales in the intervening years.
* When the kids arrive at the radio array, they note that the place seems deserted. A brief shadowy glimpse of a human slumped against the wall suggests that, like [[Blackout (Movie)| Blackout]], Soundwave isn't keen on leaving survivors or witnesses.
* When Starscream tries to convince Megatron to retreat, there is a surprising tone of concern in his voice. Either that, or he's a much better actor than certain other [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscreams]].
* It ''seems'' to take a lot longer for the Terrorcon army to come from Cybertron across the space bridge than it took for the Dark Energon to get there in the first place. [[Wikipedia:Doomsday (Doctor Who)|Must've been the sheer mass of all of them]].
* A short video showing a rehearsal or an earlier take of the confrontation between Optimus Prime and Megatron was screened at both [[BotCon 2010]] and San Diego Comic-Con 2010.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvW4nsr3ZDo#t=2m53s "Transformers: Prime" panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2010]</ref> The dialogue was somewhat different, with Optimus referring to battle on an alien world when ordering the Autobots away, and lacking the "One shall stand, one shall fall" exchange. Instead, it had Megatron shouting Optimus's name in a rather exaggerated manner.
*The space battle was an idea [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] had for the [[live-action film series]] but couldn't incorporate.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21Pb3MeUDdY Roundtable interview with ''Prime'' staff at BotCon 2011]</ref>

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Darkness Rising, Part 2

2011-07-22T03:58:33Z

66.214.112.74: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 2
|prev=Darkness Rising, Part 1
|next=Darkness Rising, Part 3
|image=DarknessRising2-letsgetyouhome.jpg
|caption=Ohh, Dark Energon brings back the dead, so ''that's'' how they're getting out of killiOH GOD ARRRRGGG!
|title="Darkness Rising, Part 2"
|airdate=[[November 26]], [[2010]]
|written by=[[Nicole Dubuc]]
|directed by=[[Dave Hartman|David Hartman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''The Autobots try to get Cliffjumper back, unaware of what the Decepticons have done to him.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] shows off the massive [[energon (fuel)|energon]] deposit that the [[Decepticon]]s have located. After [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] reminds his subordinate who's boss, he shows off what ''he's'' found — [[Dark Energon]], the blood of [[Unicron]], which Starscream claims is said to have the power to resurrect the dead. Megatron inquires if Starscream is willing to volunteer to try it out, but it turns out they still have [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]]'s corpse handy.

[[Image:DarknessRising2-Fowler.jpg|left|thumb|200px|He's not taking the words of a group of unaccountable aliens with their own agenda as gospel. ''Bastards!'']]
At Autobot HQ, Optimus Prime tells the kids that the Autobots will have to protect them, as the Decepticons will likely be interested in the Autobots' new allies. A proximity alert lets the Autobots know that Agent [[William Fowler|Fowler]], their liaison with the US government, is paying them a visit. Fowler is not happy with the Autobots' antics during the recent freeway chase, but [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] points out no humans were hurt. After Prime's assurances that the Autobots will take care of things, Fowler leaves.

Megatron uses the Dark Energon on Cliffjumper, who revives as a snarling, savage beast and immediately attacks a couple of Decepticon soldiers. The thing that was Cliffjumper then turns on Megatron, who slices him in two and announces that the Dark Energon is the key to a vast, indestructible army.

[[Image:Autobots Battle Darkness Rising 2.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Starscream, this is the police! We have you surrounded!" "Oh crud!"]]

Ratchet reports that he's detected Cliffjumper's signal, and the chance that Cliffjumper's alive is too much for the Autobots to resist. Leaving the kids with Ratchet, they take the [[ground bridge]] out. Ratchet explains the ground bridge to the amazed kids and threatens to send them to Tokyo. Meanwhile, the rest of the Autobots arrive in the energon mine and start fighting Decepticon drones. Starscream alerts Megatron, who feels he needs more time to prepare to face Optimus and orders the ship made ready for departure. He also orders Starscream to blow up the mine. As the battle rages, [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] spots Cliffjumper. The other Autobots cover her, and she reaches her fellow Autobot, or what's left of him, only to discover what the Decepticons have done. Starscream stops by to drop off a bomb before making a rapid exit. The Autobots race through the mine ahead of the explosion, back to their entry point, as Optimus radios Ratchet to order the opening of the ground bridge.

[[Image:DarknessRising2-girltrouble.jpg|thumb|250px|left|"That ''better'' not be Barry Manilow you're playing, Jack."]]

After the team arrives back at base, Arcee tells the others what she saw. She becomes dizzy, and Ratchet scans her and finds contamination on her wrist. While Arcee goes and gets cleaned up, the kids explain to Optimus that they really need to get home, or their relatives will send the cops out looking for them. Prime assigns Bulkhead to take [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] home, [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] to take care of [[Rafael Esquivel|Raf]], and Arcee to [[Jack Darby|Jack]]. Arcee and Jack arrive home shortly before [[June Darby|Jack's mother]] hauls up in her car. Mom's less than impressed that Jack appears to have bought a motorcycle, but Jack talks her around. The next morning, despite Jack's protests that it's a Saturday, Arcee insists that they need to get to HQ.

On the Decepticon ship, Megatron is skeptical that Optimus perished in the destruction of the energon mine. Starscream is concerned that Megatron is being affected by too much exposure to the Dark Energon, but Megatron responds by taking a sliver of the substance and plunging it into his own spark.

Ratchet's analysis of the Dark Energon sample he retrieved from Arcee is incomplete due to his lack of the necessary technology. As he moves the sample to another part of the lab, some of it drips on the manipulator arm Bulkhead broke earlier. Unseen by Ratchet, the arm twitches into life, turning into a one-eyed, spider-like creature.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]]'s corpse (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (7)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (8)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (9)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (1)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Decepticon drones]] (2)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (3)

|c3=
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (10)
*[[Jack Darby]] (11)
*[[Rafael Esquivel]] (12)
*[[William Fowler]] (13)
*[[June Darby]] (14)

}}

==Quotes==
"Then, as your humble servant, shall I ready the space bridge to bring forth the Decepticon army you have surely gathered during your three years in space?"
:—'''Starscream''' drips with sarcasm.

"They have no protective shell! If they get underfoot, they will go...squish."
:—'''Ratchet''' on humans.

"Team Prime knows ''when'' to use force, and how ''much'' to use!" 
"Bulkhead, I ''NEEDED THAT''!"
:—'''Bulkhead''' destroys '''Ratchet'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s medical claw and starts a running gag.

"[[Maximum overdrive|MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE!]]"
:—'''Optimus''' utters a soon-to-be infamous phrase.

"Blood of Unicron, how I might fathom the depths of your mystery, become worthy of wielding your astonishing power!"
:—'''Megatron''' in a private moment with his prize...ew.

"Robots who get dizzy?" 
"Robots with emotions." 
"Robots who can [[death|die]]."
:—'''Miko''', '''Raf''' and '''Jack''' recognize the lasting appeal of Transformers.

"Well, if I don't call my mom, like, now, I'm pretty sure the cops will be out looking for me." 
"Have you broken a law?"
:—'''Jack''' and '''Optimus Prime'''

"You can watch cartoons back at base with Bumblebee." 
"Cartoons? I'm sixteen."
:—'''Arcee'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s suggestion of weekend entertainment meets '''Jack'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s disapproval.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* The Autobots have no shadows when they walk into the main mine.
* When Arcee first stumbles, Bumblebee doesn't have the middle piece of his optics. However, when the scene changes to Optimus pairing off a 'bot with a kid, he has them.

===Transformers references===
*Dark Energon is a central MacGuffin for Megatron in this continuity, first being used in the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron|War for Cybertron]]'' games, as well as in the ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'' novel. Megatron and Starscream's introductory conversation about the substance is ''very'' expository for the benefit of viewers who haven't read the book or played the game, to the extent that it sounds like neither of them has encountered it before, and neither Arcee nor Ratchet is indicated to have any familiarity with the substance, despite having seen it first-hand back during the war. And yet, Arcee does compare Decepticon experiments during the war on Cybertron to the substance's effect on Cliffjumper, without explicitly naming the stuff (though previously it didn't make anyone crazed zombies.... On the other hand, it was never used on a dead guy before (that we know of) - in fact, it always left deceased users and sought for living ones, which is kinda weird for a substance which could merely rise the user from the dead. Sorry, Cliff, them's the breaks). It's all a bit wobbly; while the cartoon almost certainly seems to have been written as if it is the characters' first encounter with Dark Energon, the dialogue does have enough wiggle room if you're obstinate, like us!
*The purple goo shares the property of changing ordinary machines into Transformers with the [[AllSpark]].

===Trivia===
* The energon mine is in Nebraska as Fowler will point out in the next episode.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Darkness Rising, Part 1

2011-07-22T03:57:09Z

66.214.112.74: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 1
|next=Darkness Rising, Part 2
|image=DarknessRising1-Cliffjumperface.jpg

|caption=Hey look, it's a major character!
|title="Darkness Rising, Part 1"
|airdate=[[November 26]], [[2010]]
|written by=[[Duane Capizzi]]
|directed by=[[Dave Hartman|David Hartman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''Optimus Prime and the Autobots investigate the return of the Decepticons while being forced to account for a group of young humans who have unwittingly become involved in their centuries-old conflict.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:DarknessRising1-Starscreamsneer.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Please allow me to introduce myself! I'm a man of wealth and taste...]]

[[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] is on the open road, boasting to [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] over the comm about how he's been messing with the [[human]]s, when he detects a large amount of energon nearby. As he goes to investigate, a [[Decepticon]] ship appears over the crater and [[Vehicon (Prime)|Decepticon troopers]] drop down to attack him. Arcee alerts the rest of the [[Autobot]]s, who head back to base. Cliffjumper fights on, destroying several of the Decepticons, but their blasts detonate the energon, causing a huge explosion. They drag his defeated form back to the ship, where [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] is upset about the loss of the energon. Cliffjumper is defiant, but Starscream executes him. The Autobots arrive at the crater via [[ground bridge]], only to find the aftermath of the fight. Arcee picks up a horn Cliffjumper lost during the battle, and Ratchet reports that Cliffjumper's life signal has terminated.

Back on the Decepticon ship, Soundwave replays a recording of Arcee's comms talk, and Starscream decides she will be their next target.

[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus]] reminds the other Autobots that they must continue to survive in order to honor the memory of their fallen comrade. Arcee refuses to dwell on it and drives off. In [[Jasper]], [[Nevada]], [[Jack Darby]] is working at the [[KO Burger]] drive-thru. Arcee finds herself being chased by a couple of Decepticons, and she ducks into the KO Burger parking lot, where Jack mistakes her for a real motorcycle and, fantasizing about one day having a motorcycle of his own, hops on.

[[Image:DarknessRising1-thisisjasper.jpg|thumb|300px|But can he make out with his girlfriend on the hood of it?]]

[[Sierra]] and a friend catch him apparently talking to the motorcycle, but while Jack has an awkward moment, the Decepticons spot Arcee. She takes off with a startled Jack still on board. After a short chase, she attempts to let Jack go, sending him down a side alley with a warning not to tell anyone what he's seen. As she speeds off, she spots one of the Decepticons heading after Jack and is forced to double back and pick him up. The chase moves onto the freeway, where [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] arrives to help them out.

[[Image:Bumblebee Bulkhead Arcee Darkness Rising 1.jpg|left|thumb|250px|19 episodes later and there are still no comments for this picture.]]
In a nearby drainage canal, [[Rafael Esquivel]] is playing with a remote-controlled car when Arcee and Jack literally drop in. The Decepticons drop in as well, and first Arcee, then Bumblebee is blasted to the ground. Raf draws the 'cons' attention, which unfortunately works too well, and the two kids are forced to flee into a drain. While they make their escape, Bumblebee and Arcee stand defiant against the Decepticons and, as [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] joins the fight, and the two Decepticons flee.

At Autobot headquarters, Optimus Prime informs the Autobots that since the Decepticons have seen the boys, the two humans may be targeted. At high school, Jack and Raf meet up again, and Bumblebee and Arcee come to take them to HQ. Though Raf roars off in Bumblebee, Jack walks away. [[Miko Nakadai]], sitting outside the school, draws Arcee, but when the motorcycle disappears, she peeks around the corner and spots Arcee in robot mode arguing with Jack. She takes both kids and catches up to Bumblebee. They drive to the Autobots' HQ, concealed in a mountain, where the three kids marvel at the rest of the Autobots and Optimus Prime gives them some exposition regarding the Transformers' war. Optimus fears the imminent return of [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]].

Soundwave detects a transmission from deep space, and Starscream orders the [[space bridge]] activated. As it opens, Megatron emerges, announcing his return.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] (1)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (2)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (7)

|c2=
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Decepticon drones]] (3)
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (8)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (9)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (15)

|c3=
*[[Jack Darby]] (10)
*[[Sierra]] (11)
*[[Sierra's friend]] (12)
*[[Rafael Esquivel]] (13)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (14)

}}

==Quotes==
"Scream, it's been a while. Where's your master?"
:—'''Cliffjumper's''' last words

"Clean that up."
:—'''Starscream''' after killing Cliff and not washing his servos

"Scrap!"
:—'''Arcee''' showing her fluency with Cybertronian expletives

"Friend of yours?" 
"[[Relatives|Family]]."
:—'''Jack''' and '''Arcee''' on Bumblebee's arrival

"What are they?" 
"Talking cars that turn into robots. Or the other way around."
:—'''Rafael''' and '''Jack'''

"Dude, what are you waiting for? Go with!"
:—'''Miko''' says what the audience is thinking.

"So, if you guys are robots, who made you...?" 
"Ugh! Puh-''leez''..."
:—'''Rafael''' and '''Ratchet'''

"We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron..."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' likes to [[Transformers (2007)|repeat the same introduction over and over again]].

"Decepticons! I have ''returned''."
:—'''Megatron''' announces his grand return.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*When Ratchet attempts to scan for Cliffjumper's life signal, only five Autobots are shown on his screen, despite there being a total of six Autobots in the range of his scan (including the soon-to-be-dead Cliffjumper). This might be explained as being because Ratchet's own life signal doesn't appear on his own scanner.
*During the scene where Arcee attempts to talk to Jack in the alleyway, her rear end clips a bin.
*Upon this episode's original airing, the [[insignia]] on the floor of the Autobot base was the [[insignia#Live-action_movie_franchise|live-action movie Autobot insignia]], rather than the standard Autobot insignia used on the characters themselves. This however was swiftly changed upon the re-airing weeks later, suggesting the rendering team either originally took note in time to effect the change, or they REALLY DO read everything on this Wiki to make the show better. This is us waving at you! *waves* {{fact}}
*In the credits, Cliffjumper's name is parsed "Cliff Jumper".

===Continuity errors===
* ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'' is the basis of the ''Prime'' continuity's backstory, according to [[Hasbro]]. However, ''Exodus'' has the split between Optimus and Megatron causing the war, whereas this episode says it happened ''during'' the war. But it's just not a proper Transformers continuity without early continuity divergences!

===Transformers references===
* Bumblebee and Bulkhead are big walking references to the [[Bumblebee (Movie)|movie Bumblebee]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Animated Bulkhead]], looking near-identical and (in the former's case) sharing the same speech impediment.
* Lots of references to "three years ago" as the last time the Decepticons and Megatron were seen. Three years ago was the year that ''[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]'' came out in the cinema, by ''Prime'' showrunners [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]].
* Cybertron has been rendered uninhabitable by the war. This is not just established by ''Exodus'' and the ''[[War for Cybertron]]'' games, but was also part of the [[live-action film series]] canon and [[IDW]]'s earlier Generation 1 comics.
* The image of Cybertron from space that appears during Optimus's exposition reuses the model from ''War for Cybertron''.
*In this series, Energon is represented as a naturally growing blue crystal. This is [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|not the first time]] it has been represented in this way.
*The Decepticon "drones" are extremely similar to the Decepticon troops in the Autobot campaign of ''War for Cybertron.''

===Real-world references===
* Jack's statement "The first rule of robot fight club is that you don't talk about robot fight club" is a reference to, well, ''[[Wikipedia:Fight Club|Fight Club]]''.

===Trivia===

* Cliffjumper was presented as a key Autobot in the publicity material, and a big deal was made of "The Rock" being his voice actor. That made him the ''last'' character you'd expect to be killed off in the first few minutes of his first episode (to the extent some fans thought he'd turn out to be fine in episode 2). ''Prime'''s sister show, ''G.I. Joe: Renegades'', pulled the same tactic with the hero Ripcord.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]