Hurt

2012-08-28T01:56:24Z

Azbycxdw: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 42
|prev=Toxicity
|next=Out of the Past
|image=Hurt-Mikosleeps.jpg
|caption=You could have it all/My empire of dirt
|title="Hurt"
|airdate=[[August 24]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Mairghread Scott]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Miko and Wheeljack embark on a quest for revenge.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Manhattan]]. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]], [[Jack Darby|Jack]], [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] are on their way back from their successful relic mission. While Miko is feeling victorious and listening to rock music, she announces she's ready to get back to hanging with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]]. As they arrive through the [[GroundBridge]], they almost run into Bulkhead's body, still laying by the entrance as [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] attempts to revive the [[Wrecker]] with defibrillators. [[William Fowler|Fowler]] has to restrain Miko as Ratchet explains what has happened to Bulkhead while the other [[Autobot]]s drag Bulkhead to the medical bay. Miko blames herself for not going with Bulkhead, but Fowler points out there's nothing she could have done against [[Hardshell]].

On the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] rages that only [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] brought back a relic. Hardshell claims that, though he failed to secure the [[Tox-En]], Bulkhead was terminated in the process. He and [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] almost come to blows over the effectiveness of [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]]s.

Fowler is called away to cover up the activities in [[New York City|New York]], but makes [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus]] promise to keep him updated. Arcee reports that [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] is coming in, which causes Miko to storm off as she believes the others are giving up on Bulkhead. As Ratchet reports that Bulkhead is stable, Wheeljack arrives and promises to go after whoever did this. Optimus, however, refuses to say who's responsible. Wheeljack rushes off anyway, but doesn't get far in the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]'' before Miko reveals herself. Though Wheeljack's immediate instinct is to take her back to the base, Miko makes a deal to tell him who's responsible for Bulkhead's damage, if he takes her with him.

[[Image:Hurt-KnockOutbuffs.jpg|left|thumb|200px|It's in Knock Out's contract to periodically throw the Tumblr shippers a bone.]]

Hardshell boasts to his fellow Insecticons, but they overhear a couple of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s badmouthing them. Knock Out's buffing session is thus interrupted by an all-in brawl between the two groups, and ends up being punched by an Insecticon.

Miko and Wheeljack find an [[energon]] mine that Wheeljack intends to attack to draw out Hardshell. Miko goes in first, using [[miko's phone|her phone]] to transmit footage back to Wheeljack. Mid-way through her recon, Wheeljack himself assaults the cave, leaving her to duck for cover while Vehicon parts fly everywhere. He makes swift work of the Decepticon contingent.

Knock Out takes his concerns about the Insecticons to Megatron, insisting they be confined somewhere. Hardshell is defiant, but the discussion is interrupted by a transmission from the mine—Wheeljack informs Megatron that the mine is his and he's going to attack more mines until the Decepticons give him Hardshell. To underscore the threat, he blows up the mine. Megatron is more upset at the news that Bulkhead might not be dead, and announces Hardshell owes him a [[spark]].

[[Image:Hurt-WheeljackHardshell.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Hold still! There's a bug on your... oh wait...]]

As they head to the next mine, Miko and Wheeljack discuss Bulkhead's chances, but Miko's so tired she falls asleep mid-conversation. She wakes up when they arrive, but Wheeljack leaves her in the ship with instructions to use the auto-pilot to return to the Autobot base. She watches from the cockpit as Wheeljack approaches the mine and calls out Hardshell, who promptly appears on the clifftop above. Wheeljack and Hardshell clash, though the latter is wise to the former's grenade trick. The much-larger Insecticon soon gets the better of Wheeljack, tossing him about and landing solid blows, until the Autobot is left lying on the ground. With the fight's outcome clear, Miko goes to press the autopilot, but instead uses the controls to fire off a couple of missiles that strike Hardshell. As Wheeljack stands, more Insecticons appear at the clifftop, and he has to limp back to the ''Jackhammer''. The swarm follows the ship, but Wheeljack throws a box of grenades at them, and the explosions dissipate the swarm. He congratulates Miko by welcoming her to the Wreckers, but she remains despondent over Bulkhead's condition.

Some time later, the pair drag themselves back into the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]]. Ratchet sadly reports that Bulkhead will survive, but may not be fully-functional again. While Miko rushes to her friend's side, Wheeljack opts to leave, not wanting to see Bulkhead that way.

Megatron looks in fury down at the corpse of Hardshell, and is shocked when he's told that the one responsible is a human girl.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (1)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (3)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (5)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (6)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (14)
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (15)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (9)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (10)
*[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] (11)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (12)
*[[Hardshell]] (13)
*[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]]s (16)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (17)
|c3=
*[[Jack Darby]] (2)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (4)
*[[William Fowler]] (7)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (8)

}}

==Quotes==
"Let me guess. You and [[Raf]] spend all your drive-time listening to chiptunes." 
"''Wraaaaaaaa''?"
:—'''Miko''' and '''Bumblebee''' on music.

"Pit-bound scavengers." 
"Scrap-eaters."
:—Two '''Vehicons''' and their take on Insecticons.

"Detailing was so much easier when Breakdown was around!"
:—'''Knock Out''' gives fangirls an inch.

"Wheeljack. The one who enjoys explosive devices."
:—'''Megatron''', describing more [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljacks]] than one.

"Talk during battle is a sign of weakness." 
"Only when you're too primitive to do two things at once."
:—'''Hardshell''' and '''Wheeljack''' exchange smack talk.

"I thought I told you to hit autopilot." 
"Bad things happen to bots when I leave their side."
:—'''Wheeljack''' shows concern for '''Miko''', who is [[Rock Bottom|not entirely wrong]].

''(Looking at Hardshell's corpse)'' "The Autobot did '''''THIS?!''''''' 
"No, my lord... it was... a human... girl."
:— '''Megatron''' quickly learns that [[Miko Nakadai|some humans]] [[One Shall Rise, Part 2|make good on the promises they make]].

"Your spark will now belong to Megatron!"
:—'''Hardshell's''' last words

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*How could Wheeljack have possibly missed the massive group of Insections on his approach to the mine? If they were already there when he arrived, he should have seen them when he landed. If they came in later, the synchronized buzzing of nearly a hundred Insections should have been audible to him.
*When Wheeljack retreats back into his ship after his fight against Hardshell, he sits down without a grenade at his hip. As he's standing up to open his case of grenades, he suddenly has one in its usual spot, despite not picking up a new one in the interim. His swords, which he also lost in the battle, are back despite him not picking them up.
*As Wheeljack limps towards his ship, he has his mouthplate retracted. However, when he gets on the ship, his mouthplate is back out again. In the next scene, it's retracted again.

===Continuity notes===
*Miko, Jack, Bumblebee, and Arcee return from their mission, which occurred in "[[Tunnel Vision]]". They are followed shortly by Optimus, whose mission took place in "[[Triangulation]]". Bulkhead is suffering from [[Tox-En]] poisoning from the [[Toxicity|previous episode]]. On the Decepticon side, Hardshell is the last to return from his mission, which is also shown in the previous episode.
*Miko mentioned their success in obtaining the [[phase shifter]] from "Tunnel Vision", which happened to be sitting next to her at the time.
*Knock Out refers to [[Crossfire|Breakdown's demise]].
*Wheeljack shows the newfound respect for Ratchet that he gained in "[[Triage]]".
*Knock Out comments that it has been a long time since a Decepticon extinguished an Autobot's spark. Starscream's murder of [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] was the first and last successful termination of an Earth-bound Autobot by a Decepticon, which occurred all the way back in the [[Darkness Rising, Part 1|series premiere]].
*Hardshell easily predicts Wheeljack's "one grenade, one shot" strategy, having watched his men fall victim to Bulkhead's own grenade booby trap in the previous episode.

===Transformers references===
* A Vehicon mentions the [[Pit]].

===Real-world references===
*Energon mine TVC 15 is named after the [[wikipedia:David Bowie|David Bowie]] song [[wikipedia:TVC_15|of the same name]].
*Miko asks Bumblebee if he and Raf listen to chiptunes, electronic music which intentionally sounds like an 8bit video game console synthesizer.

===Trivia===
*Wheeljack's "one grenade, one shot" strategy is actually more of a "one grenade at a time, one shot" strategy, as Wheeljack says when Miko sees his case of grenades in the ''Jackhammer''.
*Wheeljack lets us know that [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]]s are bound by a single mind.
*Miko is the second human in the series to have killed an Insecticon, Jack having destroyed the first one on Cybertron in "[[Orion Pax, Part 3]]". So... Raf... no pressure, then?
*Unlike previous episodes where he has shown annoyance, Fowler seems to have developed concern for Bulkhead's condition since "[[Toxicity]]".

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Hurt

2012-08-26T12:55:25Z

Azbycxdw: /* Animation and technical errors */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 42
|prev=Toxicity
|next=Out of the Past
|image=Hurt-Mikosleeps.jpg
|caption=
|title="Hurt"
|airdate=[[August 24]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Mairghread Scott]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Miko and Wheeljack embark on a quest for revenge.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Manhattan]]. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]], [[Jack Darby|Jack]], [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] are on their way back from their successful relic mission. While Miko is feeling victorious and listening to rock music, she announces she's ready to get back to hanging with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]]. As they arrive through the [[GroundBridge]], they almost run into Bulkhead's body, still laying by the entrance as [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] attempts to revive the [[Wrecker]] with defibrillators. [[William Fowler|Fowler]] has to restrain Miko as Ratchet explains what has happened to Bulkhead while the other [[Autobot]]s drag Bulkhead to the medical bay. Miko blames herself for not going with Bulkhead, but Fowler points out there's nothing she could have done against [[Hardshell]].

On the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] rages that only [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] brought back a relic. Hardshell claims that, though he failed to secure the [[Tox-En]], Bulkhead was terminated in the process. He and [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] almost come to blows over the effectiveness of [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]]s.

Fowler is called away to cover up the activities in [[New York City|New York]], but makes [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus]] promise to keep him updated. Arcee reports that [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] is coming in, which causes Miko to storm off as she believes the others are giving up on Bulkhead. As Ratchet reports that Bulkhead is stable, Wheeljack arrives and promises to go after whoever did this. Optimus, however, refuses to say who's responsible. Wheeljack rushes off anyway, but doesn't get far in the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]'' before Miko reveals herself. Though Wheeljack's immediate instinct is to take her back to the base, Miko makes a deal to tell him who's responsible for Bulkhead's damage, if he takes her with him.

[[Image:Hurt-KnockOutbuffs.jpg|left|thumb|200px|It's in Knock Out's contract to periodically throw the Tumblr shippers a bone.]]

Hardshell boasts to his fellow Insecticons, but they overhear a couple of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s badmouthing them. Knock Out's buffing session is thus interrupted by an all-in brawl between the two groups, and ends up being punched by an Insecticon.

Miko and Wheeljack find an [[energon]] mine that Wheeljack intends to attack to draw out Hardshell. Miko goes in first, using [[miko's phone|her phone]] to transmit footage back to Wheeljack. Mid-way through her recon, Wheeljack himself assaults the cave, leaving her to duck for cover while Vehicon parts fly everywhere. He makes swift work of the Decepticon contingent.

Knock Out takes his concerns about the Insecticons to Megatron, insisting they be confined somewhere. Hardshell is defiant, but the discussion is interrupted by a transmission from the mine—Wheeljack informs Megatron that the mine is his and he's going to attack more mines until the Decepticons give him Hardshell. To underscore the threat, he blows up the mine. Megatron is more upset at the news that Bulkhead might not be dead, and announces Hardshell owes him a [[spark]].

[[Image:Hurt-WheeljackHardshell.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Hold still! There's a bug on your... oh wait...]]

As they head to the next mine, Miko and Wheeljack discuss Bulkhead's chances, but Miko's so tired she falls asleep mid-conversation. She wakes up when they arrive, but Wheeljack leaves her in the ship with instructions to use the auto-pilot to return to the Autobot base. She watches from the cockpit as Wheeljack approaches the mine and calls out Hardshell, who promptly appears on the clifftop above. Wheeljack and Hardshell clash, though the latter is wise to the former's grenade trick. The much-larger Insecticon soon gets the better of Wheeljack, tossing him about and landing solid blows, until the Autobot is left lying on the ground. With the fight's outcome clear, Miko goes to press the autopilot, but instead uses the controls to fire off a couple of missiles that strike Hardshell. As Wheeljack stands, more Insecticons appear at the clifftop, and he has to limp back to the ''Jackhammer''. The swarm follows the ship, but Wheeljack throws a box of grenades at them, and the explosions dissipate the swarm. He congratulates Miko by welcoming her to the Wreckers, but she remains despondent over Bulkhead's condition.

Some time later, the pair drag themselves back into the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]]. Ratchet sadly reports that Bulkhead will survive, but may not be fully-functional again. While Miko rushes to her friend's side, Wheeljack opts to leave, not wanting to see Bulkhead that way.

Megatron looks in fury down at the corpse of Hardshell, and is shocked when he's told that the one responsible is a human girl.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (1)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (3)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (5)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (6)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (14)
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (15)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (9)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (10)
*[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] (11)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (12)
*[[Hardshell]] (13)
*[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]]s (16)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (17)
|c3=
*[[Jack Darby]] (2)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (4)
*[[William Fowler]] (7)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (8)

}}

==Quotes==
"Let me guess. You and [[Raf]] spend all your drive-time listening to chiptunes." 
"''Wraaaaaaaa''?"
:—'''Miko''' and '''Bumblebee''' on music.

"Detailing was so much easier when Breakdown was around!" 
:—'''Knock Out''' gives fangirls an inch.

"Wheeljack. The one who enjoys explosive devices." 
:—'''Megatron''', describing more [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljacks]] than one.

"Talk during battle is a sign of weakness." 
"Only when you're too primitive to do two things at once."
:—'''Hardshell''' and '''Wheeljack''' exchange smack talk.

"I thought I told you to hit autopilot." 
"Bad things happen to bots when I leave their side." 
:—'''Wheeljack''' shows concern for '''Miko''', who is [[Rock Bottom|not entirely wrong]].

''(Looking at Hardshell's corpse)'' "The Autobot did '''''THIS?!''''''' 
"No, my lord... it was... a human... girl." 
:— '''Megatron''' quickly learns that [[Miko Nakadai|some humans]] [[One Shall Rise, Part 2|make good on the promises they make]].

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*How did the Insecticons know Miko fired the missiles? Most importantly, how did they know there was someone other than Wheeljack in the ship?
*When Wheeljack retreats back into his ship after his fight against Hardshell, he sits down without a grenade at his hip. As he's standing up to open his case of grenades, he suddenly has one in its usual spot, despite not picking up a new one in the interim.
*As Wheeljack limps towards his ship, he has his mouthplate retracted. However, when he gets on the ship, his mouthplate is back out again.

===Continuity notes===
*Miko, Jack, Bumblebee, and Arcee return from their mission, which occurred in "[[Tunnel Vision]]". They are followed shortly by Optimus, whose mission took place in "[[Triangulation]]". Bulkhead is suffering from [[Tox-En]] poisoning from the [[Toxicity|previous episode]]. On the Decepticon side, Hardshell is the last to return from his mission, which is also shown in the previous episode.
*Miko mentioned their success in obtaining the [[phase shifter]] from "Tunnel Vision", which happened to be sitting next to her at the time.
*Twice Knock Out refers to [[Crossfire|Breakdown's demise]].
*Wheeljack shows the newfound respect for Ratchet that he gained in "[[Triage]]".
*Knock Out comments that it has been a long time since a Decepticon extinguished an Autobot's spark. Starscream's murder of [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] was the first and last successful termination of an Earth-bound Autobot by a Decepticon, which occurred all the way back in the [[Darkness Rising, Part 1|series premiere]].
*Hardshell easily predicts Wheeljack's "one grenade, one shot strategy", having watched his men fall victim to Bulkhead's own grenade booby trap in the previous episode.

===Transformers references===
===Real-world references===
*Energon mine TVC 15 is named after the [[wikipedia:David Bowie|David Bowie]] song [[wikipedia:TVC_15|of the same name]].
*Miko asks Bumblebee if he and Raf listen to chiptunes, electronic music which intentionally sounds like an 8bit video game console synthesizer.

===Trivia===
*Wheeljack's "one grenade, one shot" strategy is actually more of a "one grenade at a time, one shot" strategy, as Wheeljack says when Miko sees his case of grenades in the ''Jackhammer''.
*Miko is the second human in the series to have killed an Insecticon, Jack having destroyed the first one on Cybertron in "[[Orion Pax, Part 3]]". So... Raf... no pressure, then?
*Unlike previous episodes where he has shown annoyance, Fowler seems to have developed concern for Bulkhead's condition since "[[Toxicity]]".

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

One Shall Fall

2012-08-16T07:18:52Z

Azbycxdw: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 23
|prev=Stronger, Faster
|next=One Shall Rise, Part 1
|image=OneShallFall-visionfulfilled.jpg
|caption=''Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword!''
|title="One Shall Fall"
|airdate=[[August 21]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Joseph Kuhr]] and [[Duane Capizzi]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''A prophecy predicts dark times ahead, which Megatron intends to see through.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:OneShallFall-MegatronKnockOut.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Miiiight not be the best time to examine your manicure, Knock Out.]]

[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] recites a passage from the [[Covenant of Primus]], foretelling that a perpetual conflict will culminate when the forty-seven spheres align. Despite the other [[Autobot]]s' lack of faith, [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] realizes that the "world forged of chaos" referred to in the prophecy is [[Earth]]—and that the alignment will occur in a matter of days.

Aboard the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] explains to [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] that he sought the [[Dark Energon|blood]] of [[Unicron]] so that he could conquer worlds with [[Terrorcon (Prime)|undead armies]]. Knock Out assures him that more Dark Energon awaits amongst the stars, but advises him not to push himself, since he was in stasis. Megatron then claims that he is the "rising darkness" of which the prophecy speaks.

[[Jack Darby|Jack]], [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]], and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] find a picture of [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] while searching a conspiracy website. Raf replaces the image with a dancing cat, which makes Ratchet laugh. Jack then invites Optimus to take a look, but is flatly denied. Ratchet then states that, before he became a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], Optimus behaved quite similarly to Jack. [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] suddenly interrupts and reveals that the [[Decepticon]]s have been stealing components to build a second [[space bridge]]. Back aboard the ''Nemesis'', Knock Out and [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] inform Megatron that the only item left on the list is an ample power source, which can be found in a heavily fortified human base. [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] could simply tunnel in, but Megatron rather angrily declares that the time for stealth is over, and he sends a massive squad of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] to retrieve it. Optimus warns Fowler to have his troops evacuate, for fear of human casualties.

[[Image:PrimeEp23-BumblebeeRaf.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Where is your BS&P now???]]

Optimus, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], and [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] arrive to fend off the Vehicons, and all goes well until Megatron himself heads out toward the battlefield. En route, he spots Bumblebee, who was taking Raf racing. Megatron opens fire, frying Bumblebee's systems and knocking Raf out cold. Megatron arrives at the base just as the Autobots disable the last of his drones, and he taunts Optimus as Bumblebee arrives whilst carrying a wounded Raf. Bulkhead restrains the enraged scout before Optimus orders Arcee to take him and Raf back to base. Megatron then ascends onto the ''Nemesis'' with the power source. Unbeknownst to Megatron, Optimus and Bulkhead climb aboard the ''Nemesis''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s hull.

Back at [[Autobot Outpost Omega One]], Ratchet panics that his tools are wrong for human examination, and Jack suggests that they call in [[June Darby|his mother]]. Meanwhile, Megatron has another vision in which he sees a [[Unicron|sinister face]] and a volcano. He then orders Knock Out and Airachnid to complete the space bridge, as there is something he must attend to. June arrives at the Autobot base and quickly unnerves Ratchet with the knowledge that Raf will die unless she can stabilize him immediately. Bumblebee vents his frustration on a nearby wall, but Arcee manages to calm him...a little. Ratchet regrets having not bothered to learn human science and medicine, despite accepting the children into their lives. He then states that he has grown to need Rafael, just as Raf needs him.

Bulkhead and Optimus storm the ''Nemesis'', and Optimus claims to have had a change of heart: He orders Bulkhead back to base with the power source, declaring that there is something he must do. He then muses grimly that he has realized that Autobots and Decepticons will never co-exist peacefully, and he vows to destroy Megatron.

As the planetary alignment nears, Megatron arrives at the volcano site, and Optimus uses a Vehicon comm link to challenge him. Optimus soon joins him at the base of the volcano, and the two exchange brief banter before engaging each other in fierce battle.

[[Image:PrimeEp23-PrimeMegatron.jpg|left|thumb|300px|"Why throw away your life so recklessly?" "I keep [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|''trying'']] to, but Hasbro won't [[To sell toys|let me]] anymore!"]]

Meanwhile, Ratchet realizes that Raf has been infected with [[Dark Energon]] and theorizes that exposure to normal energon should cure him. He takes a sample from Bumblebee, placing Raf in a sealed chamber to test his theory as the others watch helplessly. Rafael soon opens his eyes, his pulse stabilizing.

Optimus appears to defeat Megatron and prepares to deal the final blow, but the Decepticon leader catches his sword with unusual strength as the volcano begins to erupt. Strange purple markings glow to life across his body, and he quickly overpowers Optimus. He realizes that the volcano is spewing forth Dark Energon, and he moves to kill Optimus, as he saw himself doing in a previous vision.

To be continued...
{{--}}

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

==Quotes==

"And it was written in the Covenant of Primus that 'when the 47 spheres align, a perpetual conflict will culminate upon a world forged from chaos. And the weak shall perish in the shadow of a rising darkness.'"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' recites a passage of ill tidings.

"Mars Cat says, 'Take me to your feeder!'"
:—'''Miko''' starts a new internet meme

"Um, Optimus! You wanna see something funny?" 
"No."
:—'''Jack''' learns of '''Optimus Prime'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s minimal sense of humor.

"Does he seem to be...'losing it'?" 
"A bit..."
:—'''Knock Out''' and '''Airachnid''' discuss Megatron's state of mind.

"I have been foolish not to see what history has proven over and over again...that Autobots and Decepticons will never mend their ways. If there can be no diplomatic solution to this perpetual conflict, then I must not allow more darkness to fall upon this or any planet. Megatron must be destroyed!"
:—It's about slaggin' time, '''Optimus Prime'''.

"Your defeat was foreseen here by the ancients. What was it they wrote? 'The weak shall perish'?" 
"Do not believe everything you read."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''', unusually philosophical in the middle of a death match.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* When the flying Vehicons arrive to help retrieve the power source from the military base, the Vehicon ground units which stole it in the first place vanish.
* When Megatron arrives at the volcano, the points of his helmet disappear through his neck armor.
* As Megatron extends his blade when Optimus leaps at him, the sound effect is that of his cannon firing.
* When Optimus tries to strike the finishing blow, he's standing on Megatron's chest. Once Megatron catches the blade, Optimus is standing much further back.

===Continuity errors===
*Megatron's jet-mode cannons score a direct hit on Bumblebee, yet do no apparent damage other than briefly stopping him. When Arcee was hit in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]", it nearly killed her. On a similar note, Bumblebee should have taken the brunt of the Dark Energon exposure, but only Raf shows any symptoms. Remember that Arcee was weakened by exposure to a few drops from [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]]'s animated corpse in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 2]]".
**However, Optimus tells Arcee to look after Raf AND Bumblebee; it's likely that Bee's just being strong for his partner's sake. Bumblebee also handled a shard of Dark Energon during "[[Out of His Head]]" without any ill effects, so maybe he's just resistant to the stuff.
*Bumblebee knows Raf is injured, so why does he drive nearly two miles (three klicks) to the battlefield instead of just calling for a [[GroundBridge]] immediately?
*Raf says he can't see without his glasses in "[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]", but his first person shot is perfectly clear. This is a common thing for TV and movies, but still...

===Continuity notes===
*Megatron refers to his feeling by saying "it's as if" he can hear Unicron's thoughts, which he gibbered about back in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]".
*The story revolves around the idea that Dark Energon is out in space, another "Darkness Rising" plot point. Turns out that it's not as far out as the characters think...
*Agent Fowler's men at first thought it was [[MECH]] who stole the phase conductor until they found the security image of Soundwave.
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] demonstrated that energon does not agree with human physiology in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]" and "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4|Part 4]]", which Ratchet confirms here. Apparently, Dark Energon has similar effects, but the two types cancel each other out (at least in a human).
*Arcee tells Bumblebee that she knows what it's like to see a partner <strike>killed</strike> harmed, referring to [[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]]'s death at Airachnid's claws in "[[Predatory]]". Her general speech seems to call back to the lesson she learned at the end of "[[Partners]]". Ironically, Bumblebee was the one who prevented Arcee from giving into her desire for vengeance in that episode.
*Ratchet extracts energon from Bumblebee with the same device that he used to inject himself with synthetic energon in [[Stronger, Faster|the previous episode]].

===Transformers references===
[[Image:Tfprime23 unicron.jpg|right|thumb|Hey look, it's Unicron! Wait, why does he have Cyclonus's helmet horns?]]
* The [[Covenant of Primus]] first appeared in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Nemesis Part 1]]".
* Megatron and Optimus punch each other in the style of the opening credits, only on opposite sides. This isn't [[Sick Mind|the first time]] the show has done this.
* Yeah, yeah, "[[The Transformers: The Movie|One shall stand, one shall fall]]." This is the third time in this series alone, following "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]" and "[[Sick Mind]]", and that's not even including the title of THIS episode. Megatron even completes the saying for Optimus, he's heard it plenty of times by now.
* Ratchet mentions that he has known Optimus for longer than any of the other Earth-stationed Autobots, even before he was a Prime. Taking the character's appearance in ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]'' into account, this would be true, as Ratchet was under the direct command of Optimus prior to, and at the start of the game's storyline.
**In comparison, the first cutscene of the Autobot campaign showed Bumblebee's first meeting with Optimus, and whilst Arcee was in the game, she never personally interacted with Optimus during the story. Bulkhead was mentioned as having joined Optimus during a later period of time.
* Megatron refers to Optimus as "the last of the Primes". He was also called this by the head of the [[Autobot High Council]] in ''War for Cybertron'', upon his ascension to the rank of Prime. It is also a term used to refer to his [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|live-action film]] counterpart.
*Megatron breaks Prime's sword in the same way as in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]." Seriously, it's like they just reused the broken sword model or something. Except it got lodged in Prime's shoulder this time instead of flying off and sticking in the ground.

===Real-world references===
*The picture on the conspiracy website of a supposed alien looking through a window is a reference to the famed "Denver Alien" sighting where a man called Jeff Peckman claimed he filmed an extra-terrestrial outside of his home.

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Die Prophezeiung'''" ("The Prophecy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 24|24 February]] [[2012]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Egyikünk elbukik'''" ("One of Us Falls")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 8|8 February]] [[2012]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''L'antica profezia!'''" ("The Ancient Prophecy!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 11|11 December]] [[2011]]

'''Korean'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Godae ui Yeeon'''" (고대의 예언, "The Ancient Prophecy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 14|14 November]] [[2011]]

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 4|4 January]] [[2012]]

'''Brazilian'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[April 9|9 April]] [[2012]]

'''Spanish (Spain)'''
:*''Title:'' "Uno caerá'''" ("One Shall Fall")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 21|21 July]] [[2012]]

===Trivia===
* The episode was first broadcast on Canada's Teletoon channel. It later first aired in the United States on [[September 24]], [[2011]].
* At the beginning of the episode, as Megatron explains why he sought out the blood of Unicron, Knock Out totally checks out his "nails" in the background. How vain can you get?!
* Megatron laments that the only shard of Dark Energon he has is the one in his chest. It would seem that, despite his machinations being discovered, Starscream never gave Megatron's original shard back.
* Bulkhead states that he has never seen Optimus "laugh, cry or lose his cool". While it could just be an offhand expression, this inadvertently raises an interesting question as to whether Cybertronians actually have the ability to cry...[[Humanization#Crying|hmmmmmmmm]].
* Ratchet tells the kids that the title of Prime can only be earned, not inherited or born into. This is the inverse of what [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|a different Optimus]] told [[Megatron (Movie)|his archenemy]] in [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|a different universe]].
* This is the first time in the series an Autobot weaponizes a part of their vehicle mode—in this case, Optimus's wheels on his legs.
*Ratchet actually LAUGHS in this episode, and at a cartoon space cat, of all things!

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Toxicity

2012-08-14T06:05:01Z

Azbycxdw: Undo revision 741558 by Azbycxdw (Talk)

{{picsneeded}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 41
|prev=Triage
|next=Hurt
|image=Toxicity Tox-En.jpg
|caption=Despite the title, ''nothing'' to do with System of a Down.
|title="Toxicity"
|airdate=[[May 26]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Scooter Tidwell]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Bulkhead encounters life-threatening danger during the last relic hunt.'''

==Synopsis==
With other teams dispatched to find relics, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] visits the [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]] hive and calls for a volunteer. [[Hardshell]] steps forward and Megatron sends him and three others to find the fourth and final relic. The four Insecticons arrive in a volcanic region on the equator and immediately split up.

At the Autobot base, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] watches [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] leave [[Jack Darby|with]] [[Bumblebee (Prime)|her]] [[Arcee (Prime)|team]] before he is dispatched to the area at the equator. Though he arrives at the correct coordinates, there's no relic there, but his search is interrupted by the approach of Hardshell. The Insecticon attacks Bulkhead and, after a brief exchange of words, the pair fight. Although he takes a few hits, the Wrecker flattens Hardshell, knocking a mandible off the Insecticon in the process. Bulkhead then heads downhill, realizing that an old lava flow may have taken the relic in the same direction. He keeps [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] updated back at base via radio. Meanwhile, Hardshell comes to and heads off with the other Insecticons to find their target.

Though leaking energon from his fight, Bulkhead manages to find the relic. Unfortunately, it turns out to be a toxic form of [[Energon]] known as [[Tox-En]], which Megatron could refine into a lethal bioweapon. Though Fowler suggests bringing it to base, Bulkhead realizes that he's going to have to dispose of it himself, "Wrecker style". Hardshell and the other Insecticons find the vessel shortly after, but as one of them goes to grab the small piece of Tox-En within, the grenade Bulkhead left behind explodes, leaving him fatally riddled with Tox-En shrapnel. Hardshell lets Megatron know about the Tox-En, but Megatron wants to know why Hardshell doesn't have the stuff yet.

Bulkhead, meanwhile, runs away from the volcano with the rest of the Tox-En, leaving a trail of leaking energon to throw off the Insecticons. As he turns and starts to head up the volcano, Bulkhead strikes up a conversation with Fowler about their past war-time careers and discovers they've more in common than they'd previously thought. However, as Bulkhead continues his journey, he begins to feel the effects of the toxic energon and almost succumbs to its spark-sapping properties. After Agent Fowler convinces him to keep going for the sake of duty and family, namely Miko, Bulkhead trudges on.

[[Image:Prime-Hardshellvolcanovent.jpg|left|250px|thumb| Hardshell [[Master Blaster|is not so easily destroyed]].]]
Meanwhile, Hardshell figures out the false trail, and he and the other Insecticons fly uphill. They catch up to Bulkhead, who has just arrived at the volcano's mouth, and surround him. Bulkhead throws a grenade at one Insecticon and jabs the Tox-En into Hardshell. The third Insecticon charges in bug mode, but Bulkhead decks it with the Tox-En and jabs the chunk into its shell before turning back to face Hardshell. Receiving the news that Miko is safe, Bulkhead begins sparring with Hardshell, though they are both now weakened from the toxic energon. Though Hardshell manages to get the better of Bulkhead, as he moves to finish the Wrecker off, Bulkhead works up the strength to throw Hardshell over to the Tox-En before flinging the monster towards a hole in the caldera crust leading down into the molten lava. Bulkhead then throws the Tox-En to Hardshell, and the dizzied Insecticon falls into the volcano, destroying the toxic relic. As Bulkhead heads for the [[GroundBridge]], Hardshell climbs out of the volcano and shoots the Autobot in the back, sending him flying through the GroundBridge to land within the Autobot base, his back burning. Ratchet, Raf, and Fowler see the smoke coming out of Bulkhead and run to his aid.

[[Hurt|To be continued...]]

==Featured characters==



{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (7)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (8)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] (2)
*[[Hardshell]] (3)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (13)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (15) (flashback)
|c3=
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (9)
*[[Jack Darby]] (10)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (11)
*[[William Fowler]] (12)
|c4=
*[[Scraplet]]s (14) (flashback)
}}



==Quotes==
"I can haz cheeseburger!"
:—Yes, '''Agent Fowler''' actually said that.

"Yeess, the Wrecker leaks from his wounds."
:-'''Hardshell''' pulling a [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] on us.

"When were you ever behind enemy lines?" 
"I wasn't always a 'Bot sitter." 
"Huh. Next you're gonna tell me that your mother doesn't tuck you in bed at night." 
"Not since basic training."
:—'''Bulkhead''' finds out that '''Agent Fowler''' knows things about being a soldier.

"Look soldier. You know as well as I do there's the mission. And the reason why you take the mission!..." 
"Honor... duty..." 
"Family. Which is why you need to do whatever it takes to finish this job and come home safely."
:—'''Agent Fowler''' tries to encourage a faltering '''Bulkhead'''.

"Wrecker! Put down the rock, and allow us to put you out of your misery!" 
(''Insecticons surround Bulkhead, who sighs and takes out a grenade'') 
"Gotta swat some flies..."
:—'''Hardshell''' confronts '''Bulkhead''' at the volcano's crater.

"Fowler... mission accomplished. Though you might have to... tuck me in."
:—Half-dead from Tox-En poisoning, and all '''Bulkhead''' needs is a nap? ''Hardcore''.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* After Hardshell punches Bulkhead during their first fight, the latter's cannons transform into maces without the usual sound effects.
* In the establishing shot of the Tox-En before the commercial break, there are two samples in the container; the larger one which Bulkhead takes with him, and the smaller one he leaves as a booby trap. After the commercial break, the same shot shows only the larger sample.
* When Megatron receives Hardshell's report on the Tox-En, [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] is standing behind him, with his visor undamaged. This clashes with the continuity of the arc; Soundwave should either be absent from the ship (if he's still embroiled in his relic hunt) or sporting a cracked visor from his battle with [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]], as a later scene in this episode indicates that [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] is still on his own relic hunt.
* When Bulkhead incapacitates one of the Insecticons with the Tox-En ("Here, hold this!"), it is in its beetle alt-mode. After it manages to shake to Tox-En off of its body, it is suddenly in robot mode after the shot of the crystal rolling on the ground. Although he could have transformed off screen.
* Speaking of that Insecticon, its fate is somewhat ambiguous. It falls over in a way that suggests that it's unconscious or dead, but Hardshell acts as though it is still online. Either way, it doesn't appear for the rest of the episode until Autumn 2012.

===Continuity errors===
* In "[[Triangulation]]", Bulkhead is shown running through the GroundBridge for his mission. However, in this episode he is shown just walking through the bridge.
* It has been shown previously that Insecticons have blasters, and they show awareness of Tox-En's debilitating effects on their bodies... so why don't any of them try attacking Bulkhead from range, reducing the risk of Tox-En exposure? Even if they're trying to avoid hitting the Tox-En, they could certainly at least flank Bulkhead and attack from opposite sides.
* As Fowler tries to contact Bulkhead during the battle in the volcano's caldera, we see Ratchet and Raf downloading the Iacon database in the background (as seen in [[Triage|the previous episode]]). However, when the same scene was shown in "Triage", Fowler was silent for the duration of Ratchet and Raf's conversation.

===Continuity notes===
* This is the final episode of the four-part relic-hunting arc, all four parts of which happen concurrently. This episode focuses on Bulkhead and Fowler. Fowler's handling of [[Vogel]] in "[[Tunnel Vision]]" and the Antarctic research base in "[[Triangulation]]" are shown from his point of view. Raf is also seen programming the virus that Ratchet installs in [[Laserbeak (Prime)|Laserbeak]] in "[[Triage]]". The ending scene is the same as in "Triage".
* The room currently occupied by the Insecticon hive was previously used to store [[Dark Energon]] way back in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 2]]".
* During Bulkhead's first fight with Hardshell, the Insecticon delivers an attack that looks eerily similar to how [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] killed [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]]. The actual hit is obscured (the camera is set behind Hardshell), but it doesn't seem to do any visible damage (although this could be why Bulkhead was leaking energon after the fight).
**At the end of the fight, Bulkhead clocks Hardshell with a wicked uppercut, knocking off one of his mandibles. The scene plays out in a suspiciously similar fashion to how [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] lost one of his horns to a [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]"; the mandible even sticks point-first in the ground.
* Fowler makes mention of his old Army Ranger days, which he first mentioned in "[[Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime]]".
* Bulkhead flashes back to scenes from previous episodes when Fowler is trying to get him to continue the mission. First, he remembers several instances where his life was threatened, including:
**Leading [[Scraplet]]s through the GroundBridge into the Arctic in "[[Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap]]".
**Getting his Energon drained by the [[Energon Harvester|energon harvester]] in "[[Deus ex Machina]]".
**Clashing with [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] in "[[Out of His Head]]".
**Getting blown back by the malfunctioning GroundBridge in "[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]".
**Protecting Miko from falling rocks in "[[Rock Bottom]]".
**Clashing with Breakdown in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]".
**Being wired to one of [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]]'s bombs in "[[Loose Cannons]]".
**Getting attacked by Scraplets in "Scrapheap".
* Shortly after the above, Bulkhead remembers several interactions with Miko, including:
**Miko assuring him that she's protected before Bulkhead heads down a slope in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]".
**Bulkhead showing Miko a new battle scar in "[[Metal Attraction]]".
**Miko revealing herself from inside Bulkhead's chest in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4]]".
**Bulkhead trying to dissuade Miko from using him as a role model in "Deus ex Machina".
**An exhausted Miko trying to clear rubble in "[[Rock Bottom]]".
**Miko trying to get an amnesiac Bulkhead to remember her in "[[T.M.I.]]".
* Bulkhead's tactic of hiding a grenade in the Tox-En container is similar to the one proposed by Wheeljack in "Triage". Wrecker style, indeed.

===Transformers references===
* Hardshell is the modern name for the G1 Insecticon [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]].
* During Bulkhead's flashback to the victims of Megatron's refined Tox-En weapon, one of the corpses in the foreground looks a lot like [[Ironhide (Animated)|an Ironhide from another continuity]]. The reddish one behind it looks similar to the [[generic]] impaled by Megatron during Ratchet's flashback to the beginning of the Great War in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]".
* Green-tinted energon that emits visible fumes and is toxic to Cybertronians was previously seen in ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)| Energon]]''. Given Bulkhead's flashback, Megatron's refined, weaponized version of Tox-En may be a small-scale version of the energon gas that plagued that series' version of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].

===Real-world references===
* While still recovering from the shock he received in "[[Flying Mind]]", Fowler blurts out "I can has cheeseburger", a popular cat-based internet meme.
* Considering its green coloration, mineral-like composition, and fatal effects from prolonged exposure, Tox-En is essentially Cybertronian Kryptonite.

===Trivia===
* Apparently, Bulkhead has been inside Decepticon barracks at some point (possibly on a mission for the Wreckers back on Cybertron). They are very, very smelly, but not as much as the landscape near an active volcano.
* In the past, the Wreckers have generally been a small, closely knit unit (despite their horrific attrition rates). However, Hardshell's comment that he's faced Wreckers numerous times suggests the team is much larger in the Aligned continuity.
* Bulkhead tells Fowler that the relic would likely survive a dip in molten rock while hunting for it in a cooled lava flow. Not only is this technically untrue (the Tox-En only survived its fall due to its container), but a drop into lava is exactly how Bulkhead disposes of the relic in the end.
* Despite having at least one more grenade on his person, Bulkhead doesn't attempt to leave the entire Tox-En cache in his Insecticon trap. Presumably, it wouldn't have been enough to completely destroy the toxic fuel, or it wouldn't have fit in the canister, giving Hardshell's team warning that something was up.
* Bulkhead finally finds something even ''worse'' than Scraplets. Incidentally, he saw the effects of both Scraplets and Tox-En during the war, and neither was a pleasant experience.
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Toxicity

2012-08-14T06:04:17Z

Azbycxdw:

== Headline text ==
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 41
|prev=Triage
|next=Hurt
|image=Toxicity Tox-En.jpg
|caption=Despite the title, ''nothing'' to do with System of a Down.
|title="Toxicity"
|airdate=[[May 26]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Scooter Tidwell]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Bulkhead encounters life-threatening danger during the last relic hunt.'''

==Synopsis==
With other teams dispatched to find relics, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] visits the [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]] hive and calls for a volunteer. [[Hardshell]] steps forward and Megatron sends him and three others to find the fourth and final relic. The four Insecticons arrive in a volcanic region on the equator and immediately split up.

At the Autobot base, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] watches [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] leave [[Jack Darby|with]] [[Bumblebee (Prime)|her]] [[Arcee (Prime)|team]] before he is dispatched to the area at the equator. Though he arrives at the correct coordinates, there's no relic there, but his search is interrupted by the approach of Hardshell. The Insecticon attacks Bulkhead and, after a brief exchange of words, the pair fight. Although he takes a few hits, the Wrecker flattens Hardshell, knocking a mandible off the Insecticon in the process. Bulkhead then heads downhill, realizing that an old lava flow may have taken the relic in the same direction. He keeps [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] updated back at base via radio. Meanwhile, Hardshell comes to and heads off with the other Insecticons to find their target.

Though leaking energon from his fight, Bulkhead manages to find the relic. Unfortunately, it turns out to be a toxic form of [[Energon]] known as [[Tox-En]], which Megatron could refine into a lethal bioweapon. Though Fowler suggests bringing it to base, Bulkhead realizes that he's going to have to dispose of it himself, "Wrecker style". Hardshell and the other Insecticons find the vessel shortly after, but as one of them goes to grab the small piece of Tox-En within, the grenade Bulkhead left behind explodes, leaving him fatally riddled with Tox-En shrapnel. Hardshell lets Megatron know about the Tox-En, but Megatron wants to know why Hardshell doesn't have the stuff yet.

Bulkhead, meanwhile, runs away from the volcano with the rest of the Tox-En, leaving a trail of leaking energon to throw off the Insecticons. As he turns and starts to head up the volcano, Bulkhead strikes up a conversation with Fowler about their past war-time careers and discovers they've more in common than they'd previously thought. However, as Bulkhead continues his journey, he begins to feel the effects of the toxic energon and almost succumbs to its spark-sapping properties. After Agent Fowler convinces him to keep going for the sake of duty and family, namely Miko, Bulkhead trudges on.

[[Image:Prime-Hardshellvolcanovent.jpg|left|250px|thumb| Hardshell [[Master Blaster|is not so easily destroyed]].]]
Meanwhile, Hardshell figures out the false trail, and he and the other Insecticons fly uphill. They catch up to Bulkhead, who has just arrived at the volcano's mouth, and surround him. Bulkhead throws a grenade at one Insecticon and jabs the Tox-En into Hardshell. The third Insecticon charges in bug mode, but Bulkhead decks it with the Tox-En and jabs the chunk into its shell before turning back to face Hardshell. Receiving the news that Miko is safe, Bulkhead begins sparring with Hardshell, though they are both now weakened from the toxic energon. Though Hardshell manages to get the better of Bulkhead, as he moves to finish the Wrecker off, Bulkhead works up the strength to throw Hardshell over to the Tox-En before flinging the monster towards a hole in the caldera crust leading down into the molten lava. Bulkhead then throws the Tox-En to Hardshell, and the dizzied Insecticon falls into the volcano, destroying the toxic relic. As Bulkhead heads for the [[GroundBridge]], Hardshell climbs out of the volcano and shoots the Autobot in the back, sending him flying through the GroundBridge to land within the Autobot base, his back burning. Ratchet, Raf, and Fowler see the smoke coming out of Bulkhead and run to his aid.

[[Hurt|To be continued...]]

==Featured characters==



{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (7)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (8)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] (2)
*[[Hardshell]] (3)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (13)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (15) (flashback)
|c3=
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (9)
*[[Jack Darby]] (10)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (11)
*[[William Fowler]] (12)
|c4=
*[[Scraplet]]s (14) (flashback)
}}



==Quotes==
"I can haz cheeseburger!"
:—Yes, '''Agent Fowler''' actually said that.

"Yeess, the Wrecker leaks from his wounds."
:-'''Hardshell''' pulling a [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] on us.

"When were you ever behind enemy lines?" 
"I wasn't always a 'Bot sitter." 
"Huh. Next you're gonna tell me that your mother doesn't tuck you in bed at night." 
"Not since basic training."
:—'''Bulkhead''' finds out that '''Agent Fowler''' knows things about being a soldier.

"Look soldier. You know as well as I do there's the mission. And the reason why you take the mission!..." 
"Honor... duty..." 
"Family. Which is why you need to do whatever it takes to finish this job and come home safely."
:—'''Agent Fowler''' tries to encourage a faltering '''Bulkhead'''.

"Wrecker! Put down the rock, and allow us to put you out of your misery!" 
(''Insecticons surround Bulkhead, who sighs and takes out a grenade'') 
"Gotta swat some flies..."
:—'''Hardshell''' confronts '''Bulkhead''' at the volcano's crater.

"Fowler... mission accomplished. Though you might have to... tuck me in."
:—Half-dead from Tox-En poisoning, and all '''Bulkhead''' needs is a nap? ''Hardcore''.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* After Hardshell punches Bulkhead during their first fight, the latter's cannons transform into maces without the usual sound effects.
* In the establishing shot of the Tox-En before the commercial break, there are two samples in the container; the larger one which Bulkhead takes with him, and the smaller one he leaves as a booby trap. After the commercial break, the same shot shows only the larger sample.
* When Megatron receives Hardshell's report on the Tox-En, [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] is standing behind him, with his visor undamaged. This clashes with the continuity of the arc; Soundwave should either be absent from the ship (if he's still embroiled in his relic hunt) or sporting a cracked visor from his battle with [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]], as a later scene in this episode indicates that [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] is still on his own relic hunt.
* When Bulkhead incapacitates one of the Insecticons with the Tox-En ("Here, hold this!"), it is in its beetle alt-mode. After it manages to shake to Tox-En off of its body, it is suddenly in robot mode after the shot of the crystal rolling on the ground. Although he could have transformed off screen.
* Speaking of that Insecticon, its fate is somewhat ambiguous. It falls over in a way that suggests that it's unconscious or dead, but Hardshell acts as though it is still online. Either way, it doesn't appear for the rest of the episode until Autumn 2012.

===Continuity errors===
* In "[[Triangulation]]", Bulkhead is shown running through the GroundBridge for his mission. However, in this episode he is shown just walking through the bridge.
* It has been shown previously that Insecticons have blasters, and they show awareness of Tox-En's debilitating effects on their bodies... so why don't any of them try attacking Bulkhead from range, reducing the risk of Tox-En exposure? Even if they're trying to avoid hitting the Tox-En, they could certainly at least flank Bulkhead and attack from opposite sides.
* As Fowler tries to contact Bulkhead during the battle in the volcano's caldera, we see Ratchet and Raf downloading the Iacon database in the background (as seen in [[Triage|the previous episode]]). However, when the same scene was shown in "Triage", Fowler was silent for the duration of Ratchet and Raf's conversation.

===Continuity notes===
* This is the final episode of the four-part relic-hunting arc, all four parts of which happen concurrently. This episode focuses on Bulkhead and Fowler. Fowler's handling of [[Vogel]] in "[[Tunnel Vision]]" and the Antarctic research base in "[[Triangulation]]" are shown from his point of view. Raf is also seen programming the virus that Ratchet installs in [[Laserbeak (Prime)|Laserbeak]] in "[[Triage]]". The ending scene is the same as in "Triage".
* The room currently occupied by the Insecticon hive was previously used to store [[Dark Energon]] way back in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 2]]".
* During Bulkhead's first fight with Hardshell, the Insecticon delivers an attack that looks eerily similar to how [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] killed [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]]. The actual hit is obscured (the camera is set behind Hardshell), but it doesn't seem to do any visible damage (although this could be why Bulkhead was leaking energon after the fight).
**At the end of the fight, Bulkhead clocks Hardshell with a wicked uppercut, knocking off one of his mandibles. The scene plays out in a suspiciously similar fashion to how [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] lost one of his horns to a [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]"; the mandible even sticks point-first in the ground.
* Fowler makes mention of his old Army Ranger days, which he first mentioned in "[[Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime]]".
* Bulkhead flashes back to scenes from previous episodes when Fowler is trying to get him to continue the mission. First, he remembers several instances where his life was threatened, including:
**Leading [[Scraplet]]s through the GroundBridge into the Arctic in "[[Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap]]".
**Getting his Energon drained by the [[Energon Harvester|energon harvester]] in "[[Deus ex Machina]]".
**Clashing with [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] in "[[Out of His Head]]".
**Getting blown back by the malfunctioning GroundBridge in "[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]".
**Protecting Miko from falling rocks in "[[Rock Bottom]]".
**Clashing with Breakdown in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]".
**Being wired to one of [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]]'s bombs in "[[Loose Cannons]]".
**Getting attacked by Scraplets in "Scrapheap".
* Shortly after the above, Bulkhead remembers several interactions with Miko, including:
**Miko assuring him that she's protected before Bulkhead heads down a slope in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]".
**Bulkhead showing Miko a new battle scar in "[[Metal Attraction]]".
**Miko revealing herself from inside Bulkhead's chest in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4]]".
**Bulkhead trying to dissuade Miko from using him as a role model in "Deus ex Machina".
**An exhausted Miko trying to clear rubble in "[[Rock Bottom]]".
**Miko trying to get an amnesiac Bulkhead to remember her in "[[T.M.I.]]".
* Bulkhead's tactic of hiding a grenade in the Tox-En container is similar to the one proposed by Wheeljack in "Triage". Wrecker style, indeed.

===Transformers references===
* Hardshell is the modern name for the G1 Insecticon [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]].
* During Bulkhead's flashback to the victims of Megatron's refined Tox-En weapon, one of the corpses in the foreground looks a lot like [[Ironhide (Animated)|an Ironhide from another continuity]]. The reddish one behind it looks similar to the [[generic]] impaled by Megatron during Ratchet's flashback to the beginning of the Great War in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]".
* Green-tinted energon that emits visible fumes and is toxic to Cybertronians was previously seen in ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)| Energon]]''. Given Bulkhead's flashback, Megatron's refined, weaponized version of Tox-En may be a small-scale version of the energon gas that plagued that series' version of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].

===Real-world references===
* While still recovering from the shock he received in "[[Flying Mind]]", Fowler blurts out "I can has cheeseburger", a popular cat-based internet meme.
* Considering its green coloration, mineral-like composition, and fatal effects from prolonged exposure, Tox-En is essentially Cybertronian Kryptonite.

===Trivia===
* Apparently, Bulkhead has been inside Decepticon barracks at some point (possibly on a mission for the Wreckers back on Cybertron). They are very, very smelly, but not as much as the landscape near an active volcano.
* In the past, the Wreckers have generally been a small, closely knit unit (despite their horrific attrition rates). However, Hardshell's comment that he's faced Wreckers numerous times suggests the team is much larger in the Aligned continuity.
* Bulkhead tells Fowler that the relic would likely survive a dip in molten rock while hunting for it in a cooled lava flow. Not only is this technically untrue (the Tox-En only survived its fall due to its container), but a drop into lava is exactly how Bulkhead disposes of the relic in the end.
* Despite having at least one more grenade on his person, Bulkhead doesn't attempt to leave the entire Tox-En cache in his Insecticon trap. Presumably, it wouldn't have been enough to completely destroy the toxic fuel, or it wouldn't have fit in the canister, giving Hardshell's team warning that something was up.
* Bulkhead finally finds something even ''worse'' than Scraplets. Incidentally, he saw the effects of both Scraplets and Tox-En during the war, and neither was a pleasant experience.
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Tunnel Vision (episode)

2012-08-09T00:33:41Z

Azbycxdw: /* Animation and technical errors */ Grammar, people.

{{picsneeded}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 38
|prev=Flying Mind
|next=Triangulation
|image=
|caption=
|title="Tunnel Vision"
|airdate=[[May 5]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Andrew Robinson|Andrew R. Robinson]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Arcee and Bumblebee go deep into New York's "underground" in an attempt to beat Megatron to the next four Iacon relics.'''

==Synopsis==
The [[Team Prime|Autobot team]], having obtained the same coordinates for four [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] relics as the [[Decepticon]]s, plan their next course of action. [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus]] suggests a dispersal so they can obtain all the relics simultaneously. Despite initial resistance from [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]], the [[New York City|New York]] site and the relic contained beneath its streets are selected for Arcee and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] to scout. [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] volunteers her knowledge of subways and [[Jack Darby|Jack]] his ability to cover for the mission; all four prepare to roll out.

Having moved away from Manhattan, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] assigns [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] the discreet task of obtaining the relic there. At a disadvantage without [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]], Knock Out is unwillingly appointed an [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]] partner, along with a small detachment of [[Decepticon Miner|Vehicon miners]]. Beyond frustrated with Knock Out's lack of concern beyond his paint job, Megatron sends them off.

In a New York alleyway, Arcee, Bumblebee, Jack and Miko bridge in. They quickly locate a construction site where they can enter the vast subway network. As they walk, Bumblebee nearly steps on a third rail, but Jack warns him of the danger just in time. A familiar sound echoes through the tunnels—a [[Energon Driller|Decepticon drill]], which Miko pinpoints the direction of. She tears off through an access tunnel, Jack in tow. On the other side, they are confronted by [[Vogel]], a sweeper train operator, and Miko constructs a hasty lie that saves their tail. He offers to take them for a ride.

Vogel's personality soon becomes clear as he recounts tales of monsters that creep through the subways—including the mole men, who he believes are amassing their armies. Miko and Jack make an escape jumping off the back of the train, Vogel totally oblivious.

Arcee and Bumblebee find Knock Out and the miners, but don't see the Insecticon creeping up behind them. It attacks the duo, alerting Knock Out to their presence. Arcee and Knock Out exchange blows while Bumblebee occupies the Insecticon; Arcee makes a grab for the relic, but is knocked out by an electron prod to the back. Bumblebee is also quickly floored by the Insecticon. Satisfied, Knock Out cracks the relic's packaging and prepares to field-test the device on his new subjects.

Jack and Miko bicker in the tunnel about Jack's sojourn to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], but are stopped in their tracks by the sound of footsteps. It's Vogel, none too happy about being ditched. Miko, capitalizing on the man's conspiratorial bent, gets Jack to tell him the truth. Vogel is enthralled and they all board his train to find their friends.

Knock Out's field test is interrupted by the arriving sweeper. The Insecticon sidesteps it, but Knock Out is hit and dragged a distance between the wall and train, suffering serious cosmetic damage. Arcee and Bumbleebee, now conscious, start fighting back as Knock Out peels out with the relic. Arcee goes after the train with the Insecticon following while Bumbleebee chases after the fleeing medic.

On the train, Vogel reveals that the brake line went out and that their course is for a dead end. Arcee is able to catch up with the train and jump onto the back of it. Informed of the approaching wall, she drives ahead for the turn switch. Trying to change the tracks, she snaps the lever, forcing her to change the track alignment physically. She succeeds just in time and with the train safe, she faces her foe. Recalling Bumblebee's previous encounter, Arcee lures the Insecticon into touching the third rail, which instantly kills it.

Knock Out faces off against the Autobot scout in a chase. Bumblebee accidentally activates the relic during a tussle which clamps onto his wrist. The train barrels in and heads straight for an oblivious Bumblebee, whom it passes right through without a scratch. It instead strikes Knock Out, grinding his face and body on the pavement for a good distance before the train comes to a stop. Horrified at his total cosmetic disfigurement, he flees, minus a wheel.

The relic is revealed to be a [[phase shifter]], which allows the user to pass through solid objects. The problem turns to Vogel, who knows about the Cybertronians. A hasty call forces [[William Fowler|Fowler]], who's now awake back at base, to deputize the worker as a "deputy of interstellar relations". Vogel is ecstatic about his new position even when he is told to maintain complete radio silence until he is called upon. As Vogel watches the Autobots and the kids leave, he ponders the idea of robots disguised as vehicles while looking at his sweeper train.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (2)
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (3)
* [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (4)
* [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (5)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (6)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (7)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (8)
*[[Decepticon Miner]]s (9)
*[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]] (10)

|c3=
* [[Jack Darby]] (11)
* [[Raf Esquivel]] (12)
* [[Miko Nakadai]] (13)
* [[William Fowler]] (14)
* [[Vogel]] (15)
|}}

==Quotes==

"Face."
:—'''Jack''', throughout the episode.

"Well, I've actually been in subway stations. I grew up in a major metropolis. Unlike Mr. 'I've never been outside of Jasper, Nevada'." 
"I ''have'' been to Cybertron." 
"Cybertron doesn't have subways! ... Does it?"
:—'''Miko'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s argument against '''Jack''' soon falls short.

"Bananafish!"
:—'''Agent Fowler'''

'''Knock Out:''' "You have lovely features. Perfect for a painful little procedure I like to call the ''nip and tuck.''" 
''*Arcee dodges, and kicks Knock Out*'' 
'''Arcee:''' "Dodge and kick." 
''*Arcee runs for the relic, but gets plugged in the back by Knock Out's prod*'' 
'''Knock Out:''' "Shock and drop."
:—'''Knock Out''' and '''Arcee''' carry on witty repartee.

"You scratch my face, I scratch yours!" 
''*Arcee and Bumblebee cock their blasters*''
:—'''Knock Out''' tries and fails to reference a [[Speed Metal|previous episode.]]

''*Vogel watches the Autobots and kids leave*'' 
"Robots who turn into vehicles. Hmmm..." 
''*Vogel turns to look at his sweeper train*''
:—It's okay, '''Vogel''', we've all done it before.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*After the phase shifter attaches itself to Bumblebee, he stands straight up while inspecting it. However, his position is reversed when he stands: Knock Out is now in front of him instead of behind when the runaway sweeper train comes around the corner.
*If the phase shifter can allow the user to pass through any solid object, shouldn't it have caused Bumblebee to pass through the ground as well?
*The scratch marks from Knock Out's first encounter with the sweeper train seem to have disappeared after his transformation into vehicle mode onwards.
*Jack and Miko tell Arcee and Bumblebee to stay away from the third rail or they will be fried. However, they touch it multiple times throughout the episode, then Arcee uses it to kill the Insecticon.
* Vogel's fire axe ends up back on the wall without him actually putting it there.
* When Bumblebee transforms to vehicle mode at end of the episode, his doors open sideways and not upwards as they usually do.

===Continuity notes===
* Agent Fowler is still recovering from getting zapped in the [[Flying Mind|previous episode]].
* Knock Out wants to retrieve the relic in [[Crossfire|memory of Breakdown]].
* Miko's starting to [[Convoy (episode)|hate trains]].
* Knock Out refers to how Bumblebee was unable to transform in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 1]]".
* The phase shifter was alluded to in "[[Sick Mind]]" by Megatron when he was trying to figure out why he couldn't attack Bumblebee while they were in his subconscious, but he called it [[phase displacement armor]] instead.
* Near the end of the episode, Fowler appears to be communicating with someone, telling them to "[[Toxicity|dump that rock and come on home]]." A later episode will reveal that he is talking to Bulkhead.

===Transformers references===
*The phase shifter, or at least a device like it, was what [[Razorbeast]] used to defeat [[Magmatron]] in ''[[Transformers, Beast Wars: The Gathering]]''.
*The Autobots receive help from a human labourer wearing a yellow [[hard hat]].

===Real-world references===
* The zoom-in from the sweeper train to the dead end references to the elevated train scene in ''Spider-Man 2''.
* Jack's description of the third rail on subway trains is real, as is the fatality of touching it.
* Knock Out's "nip and tuck" line to Arcee is a colloquial phrase for cosmetic surgery.
* Jack claiming to be the "Face" and his explanation for it might be a resemblance to Templeton Peck from ''The A-Team'', who was also mostly known as 'Face'.

===Trivia===
* This is the first episode that we see Knock Out mention his [[Breakdown (Prime) | partner's]] death.
* There is a surprising lack of trains in the tunnels of New York.
* Insecticons are revealed to have blasters in their robot modes. Unlike most transforming guns seen so far, their blasters emerge from their forearms.
* In [[Darkness Rising, Part 1|the first episode]], the Autobots take on the burden of watching over and protecting the [[human]] children because they witnessed them in robot-mode or got caught in the crossfire of a Decepticon battle. Vogel, despite having the same "qualifications", is dispatched with a hasty cover story and left to fend for himself without Autobot protection. Apparently, you only get a "guardian" if you're tiny and cute.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Orion Pax, Part 1

2012-06-26T01:27:49Z

Azbycxdw: /* Quotes */ Fowler doesn't speak in this quote, so his name shouldn't be bolded.

{{disambig3|Orion Pax}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 27
|prev=One Shall Rise, Part 3
|next=Orion Pax, Part 2
|image=Orion-Pax-Part-1-OP-Megatron.jpg
|caption=
|title="Orion Pax, Part 1"
|airdate=[[February 18]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Nicole Dubuc]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

{{picsneeded}}

'''Megatron manipulates the impaired Optimus into joining the Decepticons.'''

==Synopsis==
With the [[Autobot]]s back at base after [[Unicron]]'s defeat, [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] grimly outlines the situation and speculates that [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus]] has reverted to Orion Pax, his pre-Prime self.

On the ''[[Nemesis (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] makes a ship-wide announcement that Orion Pax is to be treated as a guest. [[Airachnid]] doesn't think it's wise to let an Autobot on board, but Megatron isn't concerned and has his own plans for Orion. Elsewhere on the ship, [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] affixes a new [[Decepticon]] [[insignia]] to Orion's shoulder.

[[William Fowler|Fowler]] wonders why they can't just track down Optimus's signal, but Ratchet says it hasn't been on their sensors since they left the [[Earth]]'s core. They must find some way to track down Optimus regardless, so they can somehow restore his memory. The best bet seems to be to use the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], but the problem is, [[Vector Sigma]]'s on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].

Megatron begins to fill Orion Pax in on what's been happening, spinning a yarn about how Orion has been a captive of the Autobots, who are led by the Warlord Ratchet. Orion is shocked at the images Megatron shows him of a war-ravaged Cybertron.

[[June Darby|June]] announces that there's no way [[Jack Darby|Jack]] is going to Cybertron, but Ratchet says only Jack can use the key to access Vector Sigma. The point's moot anyway, as they don't have any way to get to Cybertron. As [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] points out, the [[GroundBridge]] barely made orbit, though [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] wonders why Ratchet can't just "turbo-charge" it.

With Megatron finished "informing" Orion, the latter vows to help the Decepticons overcome Ratchet and the Autobots. Megatron has [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] remove any incriminating evidence from the ship's data core so Orion can be put to work furthering the Decepticon cause without any risk of him finding anything embarrassing.

[[Sierra]] turns up at [[KO Burger]] to visit Jack as he works at the drive through, confused that she never sees him outside school. Their discussion is interrupted by [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] picking him up as his shift ends. Sierra jumps to the obvious conclusion after hearing the female voice, and seems unconvinced by Jack's claim that it's his mother. Arcee reports that they haven't detected Optimus yet.

Megatron discusses their new comrade with Knock Out, specifically his task to decrypt records stolen from the [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] archives near the end of the War. Knock Out wonders if they shouldn't beef up the security, but Megatron feels that Orion will work better if he feels he is not under threat. In any case, Orion's workstation has been located close to the [[energon]] storage, which is under heavy guard.

Back at [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|base]], Ratchet is "tinkering" with the GroundBridge.

Orion has managed to decode some of the data from the Iacon archives, giving coordinates on Earth of stashed Cybertronian technology, possibly weapons. He is puzzled by the absence from the ''Nemesis'' of [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] who is mentioned in the documents as being Megatron's second-in-command, but Megatron claims Starscream is dead. Megatron returns to the bridge, where he tells Soundwave he's concerned that Orion will soon learn the truth.

Fowler contacts the Autobots to let them know that the Decepticons are attacking one of the military bases they hit two months before. Bumblebee, Bulkhead and Arcee respond, finding Knock Out and Breakdown in the process of stealing a power source. As the pair GroundBridge out, Arcee races through after them and begins speeding through the ''Nemesis'', bashing Vehicons and hunting for Optimus. Soundwave soon relays her presence to Megatron, and though Airachnid offers to deal with it, Megatron sends Soundwave to ensure the Autobot is escorted off the ship. Alerted by the fighting, Orion emerges from his quarters, but Soundwave manages to GroundBridge Arcee off the ship just before Orion can see her.

Deposited somewhere Arctic, Arcee is soon back at base admitting she didn't succeed in determining the location of the ship or whether Optimus was even aboard. Fowler makes a brief call to yell at them for the human casualties at the base, and tensions among the Autobots soon spill over into arguing. Jack, however, believes they can commandeer the Decepticon [[space bridge]] once it's complete, and use it to reach Cybertron. The Autobots are doubtful, but determined to try and find the space bridge.

Meanwhile, [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] sneaks back on board the ''Nemesis'' to steal a stack of [[energon cube]]s. Though he deals with the Vehicons guarding the energon storage, more are on their way, and he's forced to duck into a nearby room. His relief is momentary, as he finds himself face to face with Optimus Prime.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (2)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (3)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (4)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (10)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (11)
*[[Airachnid]] (12)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|"Orion Pax"]] (13)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (14)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (15)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (17)
|c3=
*[[William Fowler]] (5)
*[[June Darby]] (6)
*[[Jack Darby]] (7)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (8)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (9)
*[[Sierra]] (16)

|c4=
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (18)

}}

==Quotes==
"—and the first to address him as Optimus Prime will have their voice box torn out."
:—'''Megatron''' makes plain the penalty for failure.

"Your mom looks good in leather, on your bike..."
:—'''Sierra''' is unconvinced that [[Arcee (Prime)|the girl on the motorcycle]] is really Jack's mom.

"One question, Megatron, why are we called 'Decepticons'?" 
"Another craven Autobot scare tactic. The name was meant to demonize us. Instead, we wear it as a badge of honor, for if speaking the truth is deception, then we are gladly guilty."
:—'''"Orion Pax"''' is (ironically) deceived by '''Megatron'''.

"Bulkhead—" 
"What? ''You needed that?!''"
:—'''Ratchet''' is eternally frustrated, and '''Bulkhead''' should invest in a punching bag.

"Who knows?! Maybe they'll ship us all to some [[Diego Garcia|island]]! Or [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|fire us into space]], wouldn't that be a welcome relief..."
:—'''Ratchet''' discussing future travel plans, after Fowler threathens to shutdown the Autobot base.

"Whoa, that's a pretty good idea!" 
"Oh, well, if ''Miko'' thinks it's a good idea..."
:—'''Miko''' gets no respect from '''Arcee'''.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*During his first appearance, the scar on Starscream's right cheek is missing. In the next scene however, it's suddenly there. It also disappears when the lights are flickering after he killed two Vehicons.
*The Vehicons fail to notice that Starscream is flying in formation behind them, and don't hear him land with them inside the ship, even though on both occasions Starscream is no more than a dozen or so meters behind them.

===Continuity notes===
* Fowler refers to the "microchip in his butt" that allows the government to track him, which was previously used for that purpose by the Autobots in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]".
*Starscream's absence is finally acknowledged by Megatron after his supposed capture in "[[Partners]]". He evidently realized that Starscream may have betrayed him again and ordered him to be detained if he returned.
*Megatron refers to Ratchet as the "Doctor of Doom", as the Autobot medic called himself in "[[Stronger, Faster]]".
*The Decepticons previously attempted to seize the same power source in "[[One Shall Fall]]", which according to Agent Fowler, was two months before this episode.
*Starscream still has the scar on his right cheek inflicted by Arcee in "[[Partners]]".

===Continuity errors===
*Ratchet says that Optimus' signal never reappeared at the end of "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]", even though it did.

===Transformers references===
*In summarizing his version of history for Orion, Megatron uses the rather specific terminology of "exodus" and "war for Cybertron", pretty blatantly alluding to the [[Transformers: Exodus|novel]] and [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|video game]]. In particular, the first name-drop is kinda forced, as the word isn't even used correctly: Megatron says they are "in exodus on another world", but he means [[Transformers: Exiles|"exile"]].
*Fowler calls Orion a "librarian" in disbelief that he has lost his memories: this was Megatron's favored insult for Optimus in ''Exodus''.
*Megatron refers to the storming of the Hall of Records in the final days of the war for Cybertron; ''Exodus'' climaxed with the Decepticons storming Iacon, and, in ''[[Transformers: Exiles| Exiles]]'', the building is occupied.
*Ratchet remarks that if the government shuts down [[Autobot Outpost Omega One]], then maybe they'll "fire them into space", a fate that befell the Autobots when they fell out of favour with humanity in both the Generation 1 cartoon episode "[[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1|Megatron's Master Plan]]" and the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' film. His other suggestion, that they be shipped off to "some island", feels like a reference to ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Rescue Bots]]'', the cast of which operates on an isolated island (this episode's writer, Nicole Dubuc, is also the head writer for ''Rescue Bots'', strengthening the potential allusion).
*Arcee remarks that perhaps Optimus gave Jack the Key to Vector Sigma because he thought there was "more to Jack than meets the eye".

===Trivia===
*A 12-minute sneak preview of this episode was made available On Demand on [[February 10]], 2012.
*Polygon resolved the issue of the seemingly empty [[Jasper]] with roving cars!
*Arcee nearly blew her cover while balancing in the drive-thru without her [[Sadie|holographic driver]] touching the ground. Earth bikes can't do that, Arcee.
* One has to wonder why Megatron would have told Optimus that Starscream was dead, if he was also prepared for Starscream to return alive.
* The Decepticon GroundBridge seems to be able to open anywhere inside the ship, since Arcee enters in the middle of one hallway, only to be sent back out at the end of a completely different one.
*Despite [[Out of His Head|previously]] beating Starscream to a pulp for his attempted betrayal, Megatron still allows Airachnid to serve as his subordinate - though his brief scolding of her implies he's well aware of her treachery. This would indeed [[Crossfire|eventually]] catch up to Airachnid.
*It's a shame Sierra is so interested in what Jack does outside of School. Perhaps soon she will find out the truth eventually.
*Megatron's explanation for Decepticons' name origin is not as unlikely as it may seem. It was not unheard of soldiers adopting seemingly demonizing names as "a badge of honor", for example "Rats of Tobruk" (Allied soldiers defending Tobruk from Germans), "Night Witches" (Soviet all-female night bombers unit) or "Tunnel Rats" (American soldiers penetrating Vietcong's tunnels during Vietnam War).
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Triangulation

2012-06-04T17:06:24Z

Azbycxdw: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 39
|prev=Tunnel Vision
|next=Triage
|image=Triangulation Starscream Apex armor.jpg
|caption= "I've never really had a taste for this kind of thing, but I must admit... I'm deeply enjoying the suit!"
|title="Triangulation"
|airdate=[[May 12]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[David McDermott]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Optimus Prime hunts for relics in Antarctica and finds himself caught between shifting alliances.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] notes that the second relic is in [[Antarctica]], and [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] volunteers to head there. In the ''[[Harbinger]]'', [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] is about to operate on himself to insert his new [[transformation cog|T-cog]] when the ship's computer picks up the fact that the [[Decepticon]]s are dispatching teams to four locations. At the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] departs through the [[GroundBridge]]. [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] announces he's heading for the Antarctic, and announces that [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] will need backup on his mission—[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]].

Starscream uses a GroundBridge remote control to head to the Antarctic on a [[hoverscooter]]. He's quickly spotted by Dreadwing and some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] who knock him off his hoverscooter. Starscream at first mistakes Dreadwing for Skyquake, and soon has some cuffs slapped on him. The group trudges through the snow to where the relic is located, to find it has already been dug out of the ice and is gone. The Vehicons start searching and find vehicle tracks. They're approached by Optimus, who demands the return of the relic, and the standoff quickly turns into a firefight. After Prime takes out two of the Vehicons and scores a hit on Dreadwing, the Decepticon starts breaking out heavier weapons, and proves to be formidable with a sword. They take a dive off a cliff, following which Optimus brings the ice crashing down, burying Dreadwing. With Starscream's help, Optimus takes care of the remaining two Vehicons, and demands Starscream lead him to the relic.

Optimus and Starscream take a long walk through the ice and snow until they finally reach a human base. Optimus radios home and gets [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] to evacuate the human base so he can safely retrieve the relic. Meanwhile, Dreadwing breaks free of the ice and heads out to find Prime. With the base clear, Optimus and Starscream venture inside to find the relic still frozen in a chunk of ice. They're interrupted by Dreadwing. While Optimus and Dreadwing fight, Starscream sets about liberating the relic, which turns out to be the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]]. Outside, Dreadwing has Optimus on the ropes and is about to strike when Starscream, now wearing the armor, crashes out of the building.

Both Dreadwing and Optimus attack the rogue Decepticon, but he swats them aside, repeatedly. Optimus suggests to Dreadwing that they will need to cooperate to defeat Starscream. While Dreadwing flies around, Optimus slaps a bomb onto Starscream, but the Apex Armor proves invulnerable even to that. Optimus realizes that Starscream still has a vulnerability—his lack of flight. While Optimus keeps Starscream's attention once more, Dreadwing plants explosives on the ground, and just as Starscream works out that the pair are up to something, the bombs detonate. Starscream disappears into a hole blasted in the ice. With no relic left to claim, Dreadwing and Optimus go their separate ways, though Dreadwing swears to terminate Optimus next time.

At the bottom of the ocean below, Starscream walks along, still protected by the Apex Armor.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (5)
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (6)
* [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (8)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (2)
*[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] (3)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (10)

|c3=
* [[Raf Esquivel]] (7)
* [[William Fowler]] (9)

|c4=
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (4)
|}}

==Quotes==
"Faster, you pathetic excuse for transportation!"
:—That's not gonna work, '''Starscream'''.

"What a team we make! I am so glad that you prevailed, Optimus Prime! That wretch Dreadwing was going to terminate me! Now, if you could just remove my bonds, I can lead you straight to the relic." 
''*Optimus cocks his blaster*'' 
"You will lead me there regardless." 
"Hmph! You're welcome!"
:—'''Starscream''' is excited on one of those rare days '''Optimus Prime''' doesn't give a damn.

"I haven't had this much fun since I punched that hole in [[Cliffjumper (Prime) | Cliffjumper]]."
:—'''Starscream''' really doesn't know [[Partners | when to]] [[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2 | shut up]] [[Armada (episode) | about]] [[Darkness Rising, Part 1 | that]].

"I will beat the living spark out of you, just so I never again have to endure your pontificating!"
:—'''Starscream''' says what he thinks of Optimus Prime's speech pattern.

"*''Evil laugh''* That tickled! *''Evil laugh''* Fools! Not only am I intelligent, I am INVINCIBLE!" 
"Yet, you cannot fly!" 
"Nobody's perfect." 
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Optimus Prime''', the former enjoying the suit a little ''too'' much.

"Cowards! You will not escape my might! ''*beat*'' Wait... ''*beat*'' You two are up to something."
:—'''Starscream''' being genre savvy.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* When Dreadwing is volunteering to go the Antarctic, Megatron's eyes are out of place when he looks back at him. One is correctly in the corner of his eye but the other isn't, placed as if he were looking slightly left.
* Starscream is missing his manacles during Optimus and Dreadwing's first battle.
* In a couple of shots, the parts hanging out of the Apex Armor's shoulders seem go through its upper torso.
* Dreadwing picks up both his sword and his complete gun after he recovers from the avalanche, despite the sword forming the handle of the gun.

===Continuity errors===
* The Apex Armor was established in ''[[Transformers: Exiles| Exiles]]'' as a relic of [[Solus Prime]]; however, Starscream calls it armor of "Decepticon origin".

===Continuity notes===
* This episode happens concurrently with the previous episode and with the following two.
* Starscream is preparing to install a new [[Transformation cog|T-cog]] into himself at the beginning of the episode, which he scavenged from his traitorous [[Starscream clone (Prime)|clone]] after killing him in "[[Armada (episode)|Armada]]".
* Starscream refers to [[Orion Pax, Part 2 | helping Orion Pax regain his memory]], [[Crossfire|saving Arcee's life]] and [[Crossfire|giving information]] to the Autobots.
* Starscream mistakes Dreadwing for [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], who died in "[[Masters & Students]]", and attempted to revive in "[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]".
* Starscream enjoyed [[Darkness Rising, Part 1|killing Cliffjumper]] and claims he will reunite Dreadwing with his "beloved twin".
* Dreadwing is still mad at Optimus for Skyquake's demise.
* Optimus refers to how he offered Skyquake a chance of redemption, as well as expressing remorse for the Decepticon's demise from "Masters & Students".

===Transformers references===
* The Apex Armor is a reference to the [[Apex Armor (G1)|item of the same name]] from Generation 1, first introduced with the ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]]'' reissue of the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#ApexArmorPrime|Powermaster Optimus Prime]] toy and later appearing in the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] comics.
* This isn't the first time [[Transformers (PS2)|Starscream has visited a research base in the Antarctic, and been at the center of it exploding.]]
* Among the tools Starscream tries to operate on himself with are a [[durabyllium]] drill and a [[laser scalpel]].

===Real-world references===
* People actually do put flags around archaeological sites in desolate wastelands, in order to find them again.

===Trivia===
* Optimus still hasn't gotten Raf that snowball he promised to give him [[Scrapheap (episode)|the other day.]] Though, since Raf did get to [[Out of His Head|visit the Arctic anyway]], he's probably forgotten about that.
* This is the first episode in which [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] does not make an appearance.
* Dreadwing reveals that he has a sword. While his gun has a bayonet that is very similar to his various toys' swords, this is the first time in-series he has ever used an independent sword.
* Currently, Dreadwing is the only main character whose gun and blade are both handheld.
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

User:Azbycxdw

2012-05-21T02:56:34Z

Azbycxdw:

This user created this page just so her user ID could appear blue instead of red.

User:Azbycxdw

2012-05-21T02:54:48Z

Azbycxdw: New page: I like turtles.

I like turtles.

Triage (episode)

2012-05-20T14:20:18Z

Azbycxdw: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 33
|prev=Loose Cannons
|next=Nemesis Prime (episode)
|image=Crossfire Megatron and Insecticon close together.jpg
|caption=You'll get caught up in the...
|title="Crossfire"
|airdate=[[March 31]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Airachnid and Starscream struggle to control an Insecticon warrior.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Crossfire MECH finds Breakdown.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Finally I can get ahead in this organization."]]
[[Airachnid]] muses to [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] about [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]]'s inevitable decryption of the [[Project Iacon|Iacon files,]] and requests for her tracking abilities to be enlisted in the search for the resulting coordinates. Megatron dismisses her, and Soundwave replays the audio of her suggestion to leave Megatron [[One Shall Rise, Part 2|earlier]]. He contacts [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]], who replies with an oath of loyalty. The leader orders him to perform a task he normally performs [[Rock Bottom|himself]], but now leaves to his first officer. The Seeker is confused, as Airachnid holds that position, but his mission becomes clear—he is to dispose of the treacherous spider.

[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]], Dreadwing, and Airachnid follow the trail of an unconfirmed [[energon]] deposit. Airachnid is amused at the heavy backup, and takes the opportunity to grill Breakdown on his lack of skill, and lack of eye. Dreadwing attempts to calm him, but another insult puts him into a frenzy. He jumps at the spider, but is webbed in the face. Dreadwing joins the fray, but is pinned to a tree by Airachnid's webbing, but not before he lets off a blast which collapses a tree on Airachnid, damaging one of her legs and forcing her to retreat. Breakdown gives chase, and finds her collapsed in a ravine, but as he raises his hammer to finish her, he is snagged by a webbing booby trap the renegade fembot has laid for him. Immobilized, Breakdown can do nothing to stop Airachnid from slicing him to pieces. She leaves his remains behind, which are presently discovered by a contingent of [[MECH]] soldiers.

[[Image:Crossfire Starscream and Airachnid plot.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"This is going to be awesome! With this Insecticon we can off Megatron and take over the whole thing!" "Insecticon, eat him."]]
In a cave, [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] pities his lot in life as he jumps for a meager scrap of energon. He is interrupted by a nearby rumbling that surprises him—it is an [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]], unearthing a large chunk of energon. He orders the brute to hand it over, but it attacks him, forcing him to hide. He witnesses the Insecticon bowing to another surprise—Airachnid. He makes himself known, and she makes her rogue status known, giving Starscream the idea to propose an alliance to overthrow Megatron with the help of her oversized herald. She proposes an alternative—she overthrows Megatron, and Starscream dies. She orders the Insecticon to kill him.

At the base, [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] receives another [[Orion Pax, Part 2|high frequency signal with an embedded message,]] again from Starscream, who promises valuable intel in exchange for medical aid. His intel proves none-too-relevant until he mentions the Insecticon, and provides Airachnid's location. Back at base, [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] berates Ratchet and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] for letting him go again, but [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus]] is confident in sparing helpless lifeforms, regardless of personal vendettas.

[[Image:Crossfire Optimus aims at Megatron.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"One shall stand, one sha-oh, wait, too late."]]
Airachnid contacts Megatron and proposes a challenge, which he accepts, forbidding Dreadwing to follow him. Making his way to the mine, the Decepticon leader is immediately assaulted by the Insecticon, who ignores Megatron's orders to stand down and begins to beat him down. Though he does not initially fare well, it does not take long for the former gladiator to put himself on equal footing with the beast. The Autobots bridge in, and Arcee goes for Airachnid, chasing her off into the adjoining tunnels while the other Autobots watch as Megatron triumphs over the Insecticon, tearing off its limbs and head. The Autobots surround Megatron as he falls, exhausted. Prime mulls over the idea of ending his life when suddenly, Dreadwing and a large detachment of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] descend into the cavern. Prime agrees to trade the Autobots' lives for Megatron's, but once the trade is made, Megatron orders the Vehicons to attack, and departs with Dreadwing, noting his appreciation for Dreadwing's disregard of orders.

[[Image:Crossfire Airachnid strings up Arcee.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Arcee, meanwhile, follows Airachnid, but finds herself suddenly stuck in a trap. As her rival prepares to finish her, a missile streaks through the air and pushes Airachnid off Arcee. She escapes as Starscream—intent on payback—continues to fire. Now alone with Arcee, the Seeker recalls her decision to spare him earlier, and cuts her down to settle his debt.

Underground, even as she swears her vengeance, Airachnid comes upon the source of her warrior—an entire nest of Insecticons.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (10)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (11)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (12)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (13)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (14)
|c2=
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (2)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] (4)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (5)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (15)
|c3=
*[[MECH|MECH soldiers]] (6)
*[[MECH Commando]] (7)
|c4=
*[[Airachnid]] (1)
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (8)
*[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==
"I know we've never seen ''eyes-to-eye'', but that doesn't mean we can't ''patch'' things up."
:—'''Airachnid''' baits Breakdown with extra-strength puns.

"You dare turn your back on a superior life-form? I am Commander Starscream!"
:—'''Starscream''' using his former position to get others to do what he wants...''again''.

"Nonetheless, I do not condone the termination of any defenseless life form."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', who ironically will almost terminate a defenseless and injured Megatron.

"You and your beast would do well to remember—''I honed my skills in the pits of [[Kaon]]!''"
:—'''Megatron''' reminds all that he is not so easily beaten.

"Never trust a 'Con. Kick Buckethead's bucket!"
:—'''Bulkhead''''s opinion on Dreadwing's offer to trade Megatron's life for the Autobots'.

"You disobeyed my orders in following me here. You will make a fine first lieutenant."
:—'''Megatron''' might have finally made a good choice for second-in-command.

==Notes==
=== Animation and technical errors ===
*When Bulkhead jumps out of the GroundBridge with Ratchet following behind, the wrecking ball on his left arm somehow transforms silently back to his hand.
*When the Insecticon throws Megatron into the air and slashes at him with its horn, it injures his shoulder and Energon is splattered from the wound. When Megatron recovers, the injury appears on his neck instead.
*When Megatron switches to his vehicle mode, the webbing on his cannon disappears. If this was intentional, why not just do it to fight off the Autobots?

===Continuity errors===
*Soundwave's trace of Airachnid's signal appears to locate her around about Bolivia, while the Autobot trace of the same signal places it on the north coast of [[South America]], in Guyana or Suriname.
*Starscream's missiles reappear on his arms after he fires them.

===Continuity notes===
*Arcee reminds the team yet again of how Airachnid took [[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]] away from her, as well as how Starscream was responsible for [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper's]] demise.
*Starscream hasn't forgotten how Arcee let him live after their last encounter from "[[Partners]]".
*Soundwave plays dialogue from "[[One Shall Rise, Part 2]]" to remind Megatron what Airachnid thinks of him.
*MECH comes across the dismembered remains of Breakdown, and cites it as a "[[Operation: Breakdown|familiar face]]".
*Starscream contacts Ratchet the same way he did back in "[[Orion Pax, Part 2]]", and meets him and Bulkhead in what appears to be the same place. Both he and Bulkhead even reference the events of that episode. Arcee seems to have learned about it as well.
*The events of the two-part episode "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 1|Operation Bumblebee]]" are brought up while Starscream begs for treatment.
*The "task" Megatron normally performs himself—the disposal of treacherous soldiers—previously occurred in "[[Rock Bottom]]", where Starscream was the recipient.
*Megatron refers to his skills and training as a Kaon gladiator.

===Trivia===
*Starscream's arm-mounted missiles still work even with his T-Cog missing, since there's no transformation involved in firing them.
*The Decepticons really didn't do a good job in stripping that mine, considering all the Insecticon had to do was push away a couple of rocks to find a huge clump of energon in the wall.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]