MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2

2013-09-16T21:37:43Z

BossBot97: /* Continuity on page... */ new section

Wouldn't Optimus Prime know who Galvatron was from when he was telling him to return the matrix during the episode The Burden Hardest to Bear? [[Special:Contributions/95.148.8.38|95.148.8.38]] 14:35, 7 November 2011 (EST)
:Hmm... that's an interesting question. It's certainly possible. There are a few notes I was wondering about myself, namely the one about the Matrix's wisdom destroying the spores (in my experience, wisdom actually has a pretty strong track record against hatred -- besides that, we're talking about the same energy that made [[Unicron]] go kablooey) and the broader issue of how, in this episode in general, infected characters start working together to spread the plague rather than going berserk. Is there an established protocol for grouping or answering "Errors" like these? - [[User:Caswin|Caswin]] 00:41, 6 April 2012 (EDT)

I first saw this episode long before I saw Cosmic Rust, and I always thought the rusting Autobot whose hologram reads the rhyming curse at Megatron and co. in that episode was one of the Matrix Autobots towards the end of this episode. Anyone else notice the similarity?[[Special:Contributions/82.3.197.111|82.3.197.111]] 09:23, 9 September 2012 (EDT)

== you can't say "love" in 1980's American Children's Television ==

What? [[User:Takeshi357|Takeshi357]] 06:04, 17 May 2013 (EDT)

== Continuity on page... ==

In the synopsis, whoever made this page had Kup asking OP about the plan, but in the quotes he/she had Goldbug inquiring. Which is it? [[User:BossBot97|BossBot97]] 17:37, 16 September 2013 (EDT)

Bumblebee (WFC)

2013-07-27T14:50:15Z

BossBot97: /* Prime cartoon */ missed a comma

{{faction|autobot|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Bumblebee}}
:''Bumblebee is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
[[Image:PrimeBee.jpg|thumb|300px|... and, from the Planet of the Mimes, the Copper Kidd!]]
'''Bumblebee''' is a young and eager Autobot, one of the last generation to be created before the loss of the [[AllSpark]]. He's full of energy and determination to do the right thing, and can always be counted on to volunteer for action. His small size matched with his impressive speed make him an excellent scout and messenger.

He's been on Earth longer than any other Autobot, and he's grown to like and understand [[human]]s, particularly [[Raf Esquivel]] and [[Axel Frazier]]. If you're a Decepticon and you want to threaten any humans, you better not think you can get away with it just because Bumblebee's small and can't talk: he can't talk because his [[voice box]] was ''destroyed'' in combat and he's still kept fighting, because Bumblebee will take any risk and make whatever sacrifice ''necessary'' to win the war.

{{quote|Bumblebee, it wouldn't kill you to exercise caution.|[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]]|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Aligned novels===
Bumblebee was part of the last generation of Cybertronians that emerged from the [[Well of All Sparks]] after it had stopped producing life in a lull at the beginning of the [[Autobot]]-[[Decepticon]] war. Like all born during the war, he joined the Autobots. He became part of [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s inner circle with [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]], [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]] and [[Prowl (WFC)|Prowl]], and also befriended [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]], learning first aid skills from him in the few battles they fought together.

When Optimus ejected the [[AllSpark]] from the Well into space, Bumblebee distracted [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] at [[Tyger Pax]], and paid the ultimate price when the tyrant destroyed his vocoder. Ratchet repaired it, but Bumblebee was only able to speak from time to time. When Megatron stole the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]] underneath the [[Autobot High Council|High Council Tower]], Bumblebee followed him to the [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge]] below the ruins of [[Crystal City]] and witnessed him use it to corrupt Cybertron's [[core]] with [[Dark Energon]].

Bumblebee informed Optimus of what he saw, but first he had to serve as part of the extraction unit in Optimus's rescue of [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]] from [[Kaon]]. Afterwards Optimus, Bumblebee and [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]] journeyed to the core through the Well. Due to the heavy build up of Dark Energon, Bumblebee found it a distressing experience and lost it when they reached the core, silently tearing out the protruding Corruption Spikes. Though fearful of what would happen, Optimus was able to remove the Chamber and begin Cybertron's healing.

Back at [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Optimus announced [[Ark (WFC)|Project Generation One]] to evacuate Cybertron, for the planet could not sustain a fraction of the life it currently supported if it were to survive. Bumblebee boarded the ''[[Eight Track (WFC)|Eight Track]]'' with the other elite Autobots and drew out and entered [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]. Avoiding Trypticon's corridor drones and [[Mini-Con|Minicons]] they blew up the Dark Energon Facility, causing him to crash. Bumblebee boarded the ''Ark'', which flew him and his friends through the last [[space bridge]] to a [[Milky Way|spiral galaxy]] with the AllSpark detected nearby. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

After passing through the unstable [[space bridge]], Bumblebee and the Autobots aboard the Ark found themselves in the vicinity of a Cybertronian colony world called [[Velocitron]]. Bumblebee was part of Optimus Prime's initial landing team, who made contact with the planet's rulers, [[Override (Prime)|Override]] and [[Ransack (Prime)|Ransack]]. It was a time of great stress between Velocitron's rulers, and the Autobots' arrival from mythical Cybertron only exacerbated the situation. Although the Autobots secured an ally in Override, they left Velocitron on the brink of civil war during their departure.

The next leg of their journey through the Space Bridge brought the Autobots to fabled [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], a world composed entirely of space junk. Bumblebee and the Autobots met [[Wreck-Gar (Prime)|Wreck-Gar]] and his ever-busy people, the Junkions, who maintained an entire planet made of derelict ships and space junk that gravitated together over time. Optimus Prime's Matrix-induced visions led him on a quest through one of the four Space Bridge nodes surrounding Junkion, and he selected Bumblebee and [[Silverbolt (WFC)|Silverbolt]] to accompany him. Through the Bridge they came across the lonely tomb of [[Solus Prime]], fabled artifacer of the [[Thirteen]]. Her holographic spirit was called forth by the Matrix and informed the Autobots that the [[Requiem Blaster (Prime)|Requiem Blaster]], most deadly of her creations, rested on Junkion and must be kept out of Decepticon hands.

Returning to Junkion, Bumblebee joined the other Autobots in a struggle with the Decepticons aboard the newly arriving ''Nemesis''. The Requiem Blaster was uncovered inside a ship at the planet's core. A weapon capable of drawing infinite power from nearby stellar sources, the Requiem Blaster had its own gravity field, and had literally been the core around which Junkion's "junk" had formed. The fighting over the Requiem Blaster ripped the planet apart, but both sides eventually called off the melee and abandoned the Blaster after learning the location of the Allspark itself. Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and the rest of the Autobots boarded the Ark and began the long race to reach their civilization's greatest prize before Megatron could. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

===Coloring pages===
Bumblebee was the first Autobot to arrive on [[Earth]], having been sent there to scout things out.<ref>Bumblebee's [http://www.hubworld.com/hubworld/specials/transformers-prime-downloadables/printables/tprime-bumblebee-coloring-page.pdf online coloring page] at hubworld.com</ref>

===''Prime'' comic===
[[Image:PrimeComicBumblebee.jpg|left|thumb|200px|I have a mouth?!]]
Bumblebee and Optimus were on [[Earth]] when they detected [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]]'s arrival and went to their rescue. After Optimus crushed [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]], Bumblebee sent the Decepticon flying with a single punch, and escorted the others back to base. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)|Transformers: Prime}}
{{-}}

===''Prime'' cartoon===
{{spoiler|Deadlock (episode)‎‎|August 26, 2013}}
{{Voiceactor|[[Frank Welker]]<ref>''Frank Welker records actual words written for Bumblebee which are later replaced with sound effects.'' -- Revealed in "The Autobits Edition" of [[Darkmount, NV|episode 53]].</ref>, [[Will Friedle]] (English)}}
During the Great War, Bumblebee was captured at [[Tyger Pax]]. The interrogation by Megatron was brutal, but he was later found and a [[Ratchet (WFC)|field medic]] saved his life, though his [[voice box]] was a loss. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}}

[[Image:Predatory-ArceeBeeCliff.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Hey Cliff, aren't you supposed to be a red version of me?]]
Bumblebee and Cliffjumper invaded [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]]'s lair to rescue Arcee and [[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]]. Bumblebee blasted a couple of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s, but they were too late to save Tailgate. They carried Arcee out as she told them she'd been unable to save her partner. {{storylink|Predatory}}

Years later, after the war, Bumblebee was stationed on [[Earth]] under Optimus Prime's command. He was patrolling a desert area when Optimus ordered everyone back to [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|base]] so that they could use the [[GroundBridge]] to provide Cliffjumper with backup. They did so, but arrived at the battle site too late—Cliffjumper had been taken by the Decepticons, and apparently killed. The Autobots held a brief memorial for their friend.

[[Image:Bumblebee Bulkhead Arcee Darkness Rising 1.jpg|left|thumb|350px|''Voice actor:'' [[R2-D2]] (English)]]

When Arcee and [[Jack Darby]] were pursued by Decepticons, Bumblebee joined in the chase as it moved onto the freeway. After a brief attempt to slow the Decepticons, he joined Arcee in facing the foe in a drainage canal, accidentally crushing a toy car belonging to [[Raf Esquivel|Rafael Esquivel]]. During the fight Bumblebee was knocked to the ground, and only Raf's timely distraction allowed him to temporarily get the better of the Decepticons, until [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] arrived and helped them scare the Decepticons off.

Optimus was disappointed that humans had gotten involved, and had Bumblebee and Arcee bring them back to the base. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} When [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] detected Cliffjumper's signal, Bumblebee was part of the team that went to try and rescue their comrade. Though he and the others valiantly fought through the multitudes of Decepticons at an energon mine, their mission was ultimately a failure, and they had to return to base hastily as the mine exploded. Prime later assigned him to watch over Raf to keep the boy safe from the Decepticons. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}

[[Image:DarknessRising3-BumblebeeArceevehicles.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Drive on the right side of the road, Bumblebee!]]

The next day, Bumblebee discovered that he was a lot better than Raf at computer games, though Raf blamed it on Bumblebee's greater experience in driving. When they reached the base, Optimus and Ratchet left on a mission, placing Arcee in charge. Arcee promptly went out on patrol, taking Bumblebee with her and leaving Bulkhead in charge. As they drove through the Nevada desert, Bulkhead reported that [[William Fowler|Fowler]] had been abducted by the Decepticons. When it turned out there was no one left at base to bridge them back, Arcee and Bumblebee were forced to drive back. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 3}}

[[Image:DarknessRising4-Bumblebeeshoot.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Sting like a bee = die by fire]]

Bumblebee and Arcee arrived at the Decepticon ship in time to rescue Raf and Jack from a pair of Decepticons. They quickly located Bulkhead and Miko, also moving through the ship, but after it became obvious that the humans were in too much danger as they fought their way through the ship, the Autobots cleared out the ship's bridge for the kids to hide out in. They eventually reached the brig where Fowler was being held, and Bumblebee and Bulkhead burst through the main door while Arcee slipped in through a top vent. A standoff ensued, until Fowler distracted Starscream long enough for the Autobots to start firing. Starscream chased off, the Autobots took off with Fowler and rescued the kids on the way out. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 4}}

Once the Autobots had located the whereabouts of the Decepticon [[space bridge]]—Earth orbit—Optimus, Bulkhead, Arcee and Bumblebee used the GroundBridge to reach it. They were spotted by Megatron and Starscream, who sent a force of flying Decepticons to attack them. While they battled, Ratchet determined a way to destroy the space bridge, so Bumblebee and Bulkhead covered Arcee while she followed his instructions. They committed the necessary act of sabotage before Megatron fired on them, hitting Arcee. As the Autobots jumped back into the GroundBridge, Bumblebee collected Arcee's drifting body and carried her back to base where she recovered enough to stand on her own. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}}

[[Image:Masters&Students-BeeQuake.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bumblebee comes up with his own version of punch buggy blue.]]
Bumblebee helped Raf with his science project, building a small replica of a volcano while they discussed how Bumblebee had not yet risen to the rank of Warrior. As Optimus pointed out, Bumblebee still had much to learn before he could reach that level. Optimus subsequently picked Bumblebee to go on a mission to investigate Decepticon activity, but warned the smaller Autobot to hold back. When Optimus came to blows with [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], Bumblebee decided to disregard the earlier order and charged into battle. Though he was no match for Skyquake, he and Optimus led the Decepticon into a trap and seemed victorious, until Skyquake [[scanning|scanned]] Fowler's jet. Bumblebee managed to end the fight by jumping onto Skyquake's jet form and causing critical damage, jumping to Fowler's jet as Skyquake crashed to the ground. After some repairs, Optimus commended him on his performance. {{storylink|Masters & Students}}

Bulkhead and Bumblebee discovered a strange pod in the [[Arctic]] which they brought back to base. When the kids arrived at base, Bumblebee was keen to play some video games with Raf, but he and Bulkhead were roped into helping Ratchet repair the GroundBridge, which broke shortly after Optimus and Arcee used it to go to the Arctic. The cause of the problem was revealed when Raf found a [[Scraplet]], which started gnawing on Bumblebee. Raf killed it with a crowbar before it could do much more damage, but Bumblebee ended up having to search the base with Raf for more of the Scraplets. After finding quite a lot of Scraplets, they returned to the control room, where another mass of them overwhelmed Bumblebee, Bulkhead and Ratchet. Though the kids were able to get rid of the attacking Scraplets, Bumblebee was out of it for the rest of the incident, and ended up on a repair bed, being tended to by the kids. {{storylink|Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap}}

When [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] landed on Earth, Bulkhead, Arcee and Bumblebee turned out to welcome him and arrived in time to see him trash some Vehicons. The Autobots celebrated their new friend's arrival, and Bumblebee and Raf danced The Robot to Miko's guitar playing. Bumblebee also stood around a lot while Bulkhead proved that "Wheeljack" was a Decepticon spy and the real Wheeljack turned up. After everything was resolved, the Autobots had another party to welcome the real Wheeljack, and Bumblebee got to bust out some more dance moves. He and Arcee turned out with Bulkhead to see Wheeljack off when the Autobot returned to space. {{storylink|Con Job}}

[[Image:Convoy-Bumblebeeboxing.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Jazz (Movie)|YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME?! YOU WANT A PIECE?!]] And please don't say you want two, because I know you're not Megatron. ]]

Bumblebee took part in the Autobot convoy to transport Fowler's [[Dynamic Nuclear Generation System]] across the US countryside. When [[MECH]] attacked them, he bashed into one of the cars they were using, flipping it over. The Autobots successfully passed the D.N.G.S. over to a train, but were shortly after confronted by a squadron of flying Vehicons, and were forced to return to their robot modes to fight. Bumblebee got to try out some boxing moves on a Vehicon, but while the Autobots were occupied, MECH made another attempt to obtain the D.N.G.S. which was foiled by Optimus. {{storylink|Convoy (episode)|Convoy}}

When an [[Energon Harvester]] was located in a museum, the Autobots surrounded the building while the kids went in to steal it. [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] appeared at the front of the museum to attack Optimus, and as Breakdown charged at the museum, Bumblebee and Arcee attempted to stop him. Bumblebee was hit by a missile, sending him tumbling, and then by Arcee who'd just missed catching another missile. He, Arcee and Prime later attempted to track down the Decepticons before the Harvester could be used, but they ended up coming to Bulkhead's rescue after he found and stopped the Decepticons himself. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}}

[[Image:SpeedMetal-BBvsBreakdown.jpg|thumb|250px|I want a new dance partner.]]
When Arcee refused to go street racing with Jack, Bumblebee was more receptive, though they asked Raf's permission beforehand. Unfortunately also participating in the race was Knock Out, who started firing on Bumblebee. After calling base and letting them know what was up, Bumblebee used an oil slick to slow down Knock Out, and hid under a bridge. They would have escaped detection had another human, [[Vince]], not confronted Jack about apparently pulling out of the race, and Vince was subsequently captured by Knock Out. After Arcee and Bulkhead arrived, the three Autobots pursued Knock Out to a storage facility, where Bumblebee and Bulkhead were ambushed by Breakdown. They defeated Breakdown and caught up with Knock Out. The other 'Con had already been stopped by Optimus, who was very interested in some explanations. {{storylink|Speed Metal}}

When Optimus was infected with [[Cybonic plague]], Bumblebee and Arcee GroundBridged to the ''Nemesis'' to find a cure. Bumblebee discovered Megatron had survived their last battle and was recovering in sickbay. Unable to find the cure on the Decepticons' computer, Bumblebee offered to use the [[cortical psychic patch]] to enter Megatron's mind and locate it. Finding himself in a [[Kaon]]ian dreamscape, Bumblebee saw Megatron killing Optimus repeatedly. Megatron realized he could not harm Bumblebee and demanded to know why he was intruding on his mind. Bumblebee reminded him of the space bridge explosion and implored him to give him the cure, playing on his desire to kill Optimus for real rather than have him succumb to a virus. Megatron showed him the cure but demanded Bumblebee help him out of his stasis lock. Ratchet was recording what Bumblebee saw though, and because they had the cure, Arcee disconnected Bumblebee and GroundBridged back to base. However, Megatron's spark had left his body and escaped into Bumblebee's... {{storylink|Sick Mind}}

[[Image:OutOfHisHead-evileye.jpg|left|thumb|250px|He is no longer the boy you once knew, [[Obi-Wan Kenobi|Obi-Wan]].]]
Bumblebee began to experience visions of Megatron, causing him to stop dead during a basketball game with Bulkhead. After Megatron forced him to crush one of Ratchet's devices, Bumblebee told Ratchet about the visions, and Ratchet induced a power down to give Bumblebee's mind time to recover. Bumblebee reactivated, under the control of Megatron, and, retrieving a piece of Dark Energon from an old battlefield, bridged to the Decepticon warship over the Arctic. Although Ratchet and Raf tried to stop him, even managing to get Bumblebee to reassert control for a few moments, Bumblebee successfully brought Megatron back online and transferred his mind back to his body. Free of Megatron's influence, Bumblebee beat a hasty retreat with Ratchet and Raf. Later at base, Ratchet checked Bumblebee was completely free of Megatron, and the small Autobot thanked Raf for coming to help him. {{Storylink|Out of His Head}}

After a Dark Energon signature was detected, Optimus took a team including Bumblebee to investigate. They instead found Starscream trying to resurrect Skyquake. During the ensuing conflict, the Autobots discovered their human friends had followed them to the battlefield, and the three kids were caught in a freak GroundBridge accident, causing them to disappear.The Autobots returned to base to try and locate their friends, but it wasn't until Bumblebee suggested trying to ring the kids that they found Miko's cellphone, and the kids were able to send a text to it. Ratchet subsequently engineered a portal to rescue the kids from the other dimension they'd become trapped in. {{storylink|Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone}}

When Breakdown was captured by MECH, Bumblebee and the others were more than happy to leave them to it, but Optimus insisted that they rescue the Decepticon to avoid Cybertronian technology falling into MECH hands. The team arrived in [[Kamchatka Peninsula]] and Bumblebee spotted some vehicle tracks, but they opted instead to follow the energon signal Ratchet had detected. After they escaped the bomb that the trace led them to, the team tracked down Bulkhead in time to chase off Starscream and some Vehicons. {{storylink|Operation: Breakdown}}

Arcee and Bumblebee were in the middle of a fight with some Vehicons when Arcee got a call informing her she had to be in Jack's garage ASAP. After checking if Bumblebee could handle it, Arcee left. Evidently he was able to, as he was later in the Autobot base when Jack and Arcee turned up with [[June Darby]]. {{storylink|Crisscross}}

[[Image:Partners-BeepunchesAirachnid.jpg|thumb|250px|[[wikipedia:Cyborg_(comics)|Boo-yah]]!]]
Bumblebee was part of the team that investigated the wreck of a crashed [[Harbinger|Decepticon ship]] and found Airachnid and Starscream. He guarded the bound Starscream while the others decided what to do with the Decepticon. Prime, Bulkhead and Bumblebee went to check out the rear half of the ship, crashed some distance away, and were ambushed by Airachnid who had found an experimental weapon named the [[Immobilizer]]. She froze Prime and Bulkhead, but Bumblebee managed to trick her by kicking up a dust cloud with his guns, and then pretending to be frozen after she fired the Immobilizer into it. Once she turned her back, he crept up and sucker punched her before blasting the Immobilizer. After she fled, Bumblebee went back to find Arcee, and interrupted her when she was about to offline Starscream. They returned the pieces of Immobilizer to base, along with Bulkhead and Optimus, and Ratchet was able to repair the device and unfreeze their comrades. {{storylink|Partners}}

Bumblebee accompanied Prime and Arcee as they tried to retrieve a [[Cybertronian data cylinder]] before the Decepticons did. Ultimately the Decepticons made off with the cylinder, and later Bumblebee listened as Ratchet told them the cylinder's contents had ended up in Bulkhead's brain, though the Autobots were excited to find that the equations being scrawled by Bulkhead were a set of formula for synthetic energon. Unfortunately it later turned out that the data was eating Bulkhead's brain. Bumblebee and Arcee accompanied Optimus on an unsuccessful attempt to get the cylinder back from Megatron, and they ended up fighting a bunch of Vehicons. Later they came to Miko and Bulkhead's aid to save the pair from Knock Out and Breakdown, and were present when Miko managed to rouse the comatose Bulkhead with her guitar. {{storylink|T.M.I.}}

During a mission to stop Knock Out and Breakdown who were transporting energon, Bumblebee, Prime and Bulkhead were separated from Arcee. They caught up to find that Ratchet had already dealt with the Vehicons who'd been attacking Arcee, and they returned to base where Ratchet revealed he'd taken the synthetic energon he'd been working on. Ratchet, amped up on the substance, insisted on going on their next mission, which meant Bumblebee got left at base operating the GroundBridge. The other Autobots returned minus Ratchet, who had gone to tackle Megatron on his own. Once they'd gotten a fix on Ratchet's signal, they left Bumblebee at base again. {{storylink|Stronger, Faster}}

[[Image:PrimeEp23-BumblebeeRaf.jpg|thumb|left|250px|I didn't mean to break it]]
Bumblebee was taking Raf to play with Raf's remote-control car when he was called on to join the battle at a military base. Unfortunately Megatron found them before he could drop Raf off, and Bumblebee was hit by a blast from Megatron's cannon. Though Bumblebee himself was mostly unaffected, Raf was gravely injured. Bumblebee arrived at the battle and had to be restrained from attacking Megatron so he and Arcee could take Raf back to base. Bumblebee watched helplessly as Ratchet and June Darby tried to save the boy. At one point, the frustration became too much, and he knocked a chunk out of the wall with his fist, but Arcee talked him down, and eventually Ratchet worked out that an energon infusion would save Raf. Bumblebee gave some of his own energon for the procedure, which was ultimately successful. {{storylink|One Shall Fall}}

After the other Autobots saved Optimus from Megatron, Bumblebee bridged them back to base. June decided to take Raf to the hospital, and didn't intend to bring him back, so Bumblebee had to sadly watch them drive from the base. When it transpired that the Dark Energon volcano was causing global disasters, he went to find June and Raf, and managed to save them from a tornado by grabbing the front end of their car. After he returned to base with them, the assembled Autobots and humans worked out that [[Unicron]] was at the center of the Earth. He and the other Autobots began investigating the sites of the earthquakes Unicron had generated. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}}

Though Optimus ordered the other Autobots to remain at base, Bumblebee, Arcee and Bulkhead joined him anyway. They fought increasingly larger stone Unicrons, until to their surprise, help came in the form of Megatron. When Optimus gave the other three Autobots the choice of whether to accompany him and Megatron to Earth's core, Bumblebee opted to go for Raf's sake. He, Arcee and Bulkhead greeted Megatron to the Autobot base by aiming their guns at him. Before long, they stepped through the GroundBridge once again, this time into Earth's core. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}}

As they made their way through Unicron's internals, they encountered [[Unicron's antibodies|antibodies]] which aggressively attacked them. When during the fight Bulkhead almost fell to his doom, Bumblebee grabbed his arm and held him long enough for Optimus to help. He, Bulkhead and Arcee remained outside Unicron's spark chamber to hold off the antibodies, but after Unicron's defeat, they entered to find Optimus had lost his memory. The trio had to GroundBridge back to base without their leader. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

The Autobots puzzled over how to get their leader back but made little progress. When Fowler warned them of an attack on a military base, Bumblebee, Bulkhead and Arcee went to try and deal with it, but Knock Out and Breakdown succeeded in getting away with the power source they needed. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}} Bumblebee and the others fruitlessly searched for the space bridge until a breakthrough came in the form of information from Starscream. Using said information, the Autobots stormed the mine containing the space bridge and secured it so they could send Jack and Arcee through to Cybertron. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 2}} Ratchet, Bulkhead and Bumblebee monitored Jack's progress from the Earth end of the space bridge. When Megatron arrived to take back control, Bumblebee was grabbed by the head and tossed aside. Luckily it all turned out, and Bumblebee and the others returned to base with Optimus Prime restored. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}

[[Image:OperationBumblebee1 Bumblebee's new ride.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"Privacy please"]]
During a mission to retrieve a Cybertronian artifact, Bumblebee followed Megatron into the Decepticon GroundBridge and snatched the [[spark extractor|Spark Extractor]] right out of his hand. Responding to another signal, Bumblebee was ambushed by MECH, who took his [[transformation cog|T-cog]]. Unable to transform, he became more and more testy despite the attempts of Raf to cheer him up. Bumblebee finally talked Bulkhead into taking him along on on a mission to find another artifact, only for his lack of a T-cog to become a liability as he tried to chase Knock Out. The pursuit ended when Bumblebee plunged out-of-control off a cliff. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 1}}

[[Image:OperationBumblebee2 Bumblebee damaged T-cog.jpg|thumb|left|250px|My precious...]]
When he came around back at base, Optimus restricted him to base. After an attempt to transplant Ratchet's T-cog into him was aborted, Bumblebee was pointed in the direction of the MECH base and opted to go on a one-bot assault. Though he floored Starscream and MECH in the process of getting the cog back, the vital component was blasted by Starscream. After some repair work by Ratchet, the T-cog was reinstalled in Bumblebee, and his ability to [[transformation|transform]] restored. {{storylink|Operation Bumblebee, Part 2}}

Bumblebee and the others came to Wheeljack's aid when he returned to Earth to battle [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]]. {{storylink|Loose Cannons}} Bumblebee was part of an Optimus-led mission to an abandoned energon mine in [[South America]], where they found Megatron fighting an [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]]. When the fight was finished, the Autobots surrounded the exhausted Megatron, but were prevented from finishing him off by the arrival of Dreadwing. Though they trashed a bunch of Vehicons, Megatron and Dreadwing escaped them. {{storylink|Crossfire}}

When Fowler was attacked by a truck resembling Optimus, Bumblebee caught his car as it plunged from a bridge. Returning to base, they established the truck was a MECH-created clone of Optimus, and began searching for the MECH base. Bumblebee found the hideout, but after alerting the other Autobots, was knocked out by [[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|Nemesis Prime]]. Following Optimus's defeat of MECH, the Autobots returned to base for repairs. {{storylink|Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime}} Bumblebee went with Optimus and Arcee to investigate some Decepticon activity and found Airachnid sending out a swarm of Insecticons. He and Optimus ended up having to fight a bunch of them and won. They got to return to base with Airachnid, whom Arcee had stasis-locked. {{storylink|Armada (episode)|Armada}}

After the ''Nemesis'' crashed, Bumblebee took part in an attack on it with the [[spark extractor|Spark Extractor]], only to be put into stasis by its weapons. He recovered back at base once the kids disabled the ship. {{storylink|Flying Mind}} Bumblebee was sent to [[New York City]] with Arcee, Jack and Miko to look for one of the Iacon relics. In the subway, they ran into Knock Out and an Insecticon, the latter of which temporarily floored Bumblebee. He recovered in time to pursue Knock Out, catching up with the Decepticon and getting the relic back. The relic turned out to be a [[phase shifter]], which saved Bumblebee from being hit by an out-of-control sweeper train. After they chased Knock Out off, Bumblebee and Arcee were introduced to [[Vogel]]. {{storylink|Tunnel Vision}}

They returned to base to find Bulkhead critically injured after his mission, and Bumblebee and Arcee helped get the Wrecker to the medical bay. {{storylink|Hurt}} During Bulkhead's recovery period, Bumblebee arrived back at base to find Miko was upset at her friend's lack of progress. {{storylink|Out of the Past}} Bumblebee was part of Optimus's team investigating a crashed escape pod when they encountered [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]]. When Raf discovered the presence of [[Red Energon]] on Earth, Optimus, Arcee and Bumblebee headed to a dock to retrieve it, only to run into Starscream and the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]]. Bumblebee and Arcee attempted to scale the crane but were attacked by Starscream, and Smokescreen had to come to their rescue using the phase shifter. {{storylink|New Recruit}}

When Fowler notified them that a [[Project Damocles]] satellite had been stolen by Breakdown and Silas, Optimus took a team including Bumblebee to a military base in the hope of securing the satellite control codes before the Decepticons could get them. Instead they found themselves facing both Decepticon troopers and the orbital death ray itself, controlled by Soundwave. {{storylink|The Human Factor}} During an energon hunt, Bumblebee tried to stop Smokescreen harassing a human, resulting in them both getting their picture on the net. Bumblebee later accompanied Optimus on a search for another Iacon relic, which turned out to be a Decepticon hoax, and helped secure the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. {{storylink|Legacy}}

[[Image:HardKnocksBumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Well, it's not a couch, but... it'll have to do.]]
After Optimus received a message from [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] revealing the existence of the [[Omega Key]]s, Bumblebee, Arcee and Bulkhead were happy that they might soon be able to restore Cybertron, but quickly realized there would be a downside in that they would have to leave their friends on Earth behind. {{storylink|Alpha/Omega}} Bumblebee was sent with Arcee to retrieve one of the keys, but they encountered Knock Out. Bumblebee was significantly damaged by the [[Resonance Blaster]] before the Decepticon got away with the key, and had to undergo repairs when the two Autobots returned to base. {{storylink|Hard Knocks}} After Smokescreen escaped the ''Nemesis'' with two of the Omega Keys, the Autobots received a message from Starscream offering a trade for the fourth and final key. Bumblebee guarded the base with Smokescreen and Arcee, but using Red Energon, Starscream was able to infiltrate the base and steal their three keys anyway. {{storylink|Inside Job}}

As the Autobots equipped themselves to go to Cybertron in a last-ditch attempt to stop the Decepticons from using the [[Omega Lock]], Bumblebee took the [[polarity gauntlet]] from storage. During their battle with the Decepticons, he used it to reclaim the Omega Keys. The Autobots subsequently found the Omega Lock, only for the Decepticons to unveil their trump card in the form of the three kids as hostages. {{storylink|Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration}} Bumblebee was forced to hand over his Omega Key in exchange for Raf. After Optimus destroyed the Omega Lock to prevent Megatron destroying Earth, Bumblebee returned with the others to base, only to find that the Decepticons were attacking it. The Autobots were forced to abandon base, and Bumblebee and Raf bridged to a point somewhere in the US. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour}}

[[File:DarkmountNV-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Fired?]]
After changing his paint scheme to foil the searching Vehicons, Bumblebee headed back towards Jasper with Raf. {{storylink|Darkmount, NV}} When Raf discovered a photo of Ratchet on a conspiracy website, the pair tracked him down in a junkyard and tried to convince him to help them use the ''Harbinger''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> systems. Apparently failing, Bumblebee and Raf went to the derelict ship themselves, and were joined shortly afterwards by Ratchet, who had had a change of heart. {{storylink|Scattered}} They managed to get some of the ship's systems working before Bumblebee spotted a starship incoming, which turned out to be [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] with most of the rest of Team Prime. {{storylink|Prey (episode)|Prey}} Bumblebee and Arcee joined the attack on [[Darkmount (Earth)|Darkmount]], acting as a "stealth team" and infiltrating the citadel under cover of a diversion. Unfortunately they ran into heavy resistance and were taken captive, but when Optimus Prime arrived to join the assault, they renewed their attack on the Decepticons. Following the destruction of Darkmount, the Autobots assembled at a human military base. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion}}

When it turned out the Decepticons were aiming to clone more Predacons, Optimus took Bumblebee and Smokescreen with him to [[Texas]] to investigate Decepticon activity. Despite the trio's best efforts, they were unable to prevent Shockwave and Soundwave obtaining more Predacon [[CNA]]. {{storylink|Project Predacon}} Bumblebee and the others took time out from hunting for Predacon fossils to secure some energon supplies, unaware it was part of a Decepticon plan to deceive the newly-intelligent [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]]. {{storylink|Evolution}}

He became upset when Smokescreen suggested that his broken voicebox was his "signature", as he would prefer to have his own voice back. He and the other Autobots attempted to stop the Decepticons from executing a series of raid on human technology, and were caught in a fire fight at the [[Solaris particle collider]] in Antarctica. {{storylink|Minus One}} Though they fought their way through the Decepticons, they were ultimately unable to stop the Decepticons stealing the needed technology, and on top of this, when they returned to base it was to find Ratchet had been abducted by Soundwave. {{storylink|Persuasion}} They launched the probe and monitored it and Optimus's progress from the base. Though the probe was destroyed, Ratchet was able to send them the coordinates to the Decepticon warship, and Bumblebee and the others geared up in preparation to assault the ''Nemesis''. {{storylink|Synthesis}}

{{spoiler|Deadlock (episode)‎‎|August 26, 2013}}
[[File:Tfp bee down.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Eat your spark out, Optimus.]]
Bumblebee joined Arcee and Smokescreen in heading for the Omega Lock control room, though Smokescreen left them for a mission of his own. Despite encountering heavy resistance from Starscream, Arcee and Bumblebee made it to the control room, and when Smokescreen arrived with the Star Saber, Bumblebee attempted to pass the weapon to Optimus. As he jumped, he was hit by three blasts from Megatron's [[fusion cannon]] and died, however, he fell into the Omega Lock's energy field which restored him, including his damaged voice box. Bumblebee took the opportunity to impale Megatron with the Star Saber, killing the Decepticon leader. With the ''Nemesis'' secured, the Autobots were able to take the ship to Cybertron, where they used the Omega Lock to restore their home world. Bumblebee gave Raf a sad farewell before he and the other Autobots returned home. {{storylink|Deadlock (episode)|Deadlock}}
{{-}}

===Titan Magazines ''Prime'' comics===
[[Image:Titan4.3 Bumblekick.jpg|thumb|left|250px|BUMBLEKICK!]]
Bumblebee took part in the testing of Ratchet's newly developed [[Safe]]. After Bulkhead uncovered a nuke which attracted the attention of some Vehicons, Bumblebee, Optimus and Arcee went out to deal with the 'Cons. As Bumblebee knocked the Vehicons into the air, Optimus and Arcee blasted them, though Bumblebee was less than happy with the arrangement as he wanted to get to shoot them. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.1|The Safe and the Failsafe}} Optimus took the other Autobots, including Bumblebee, on a trip to [[Valley of Fire State Park]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.2|War Story}}

Bumblebee was playing video games with Raf when Fowler reported that the Decepticons had commandeered a [[Yamal|nuclear-powered ship]] near [[Antarctica]]. Optimus, Bumblebee and Ratchet GroundBridged to the ship, but on arrival Ratchet was knocked out by Starscream's [[static lance]]. Bumblebee attacked the Decepticon, dodging a swipe of the lance and then delivering a kick. Once he had possession of the lance, Bumblebee threw it to Optimus, who used it to defeat Megatron. After guiding the ship to its destination, the trio returned to base, which had been turned into an ice rink for some reason. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.3|Ice Breaker}}

Raf and Bumblebee stopped off at [[Plug and Play]] to pick up Raf's copy of ''[[Invasionauts II]]''. Later at the base, Bumblebee found that Raf had let a bunch of Vehicons into the base, and was about to shut the [[GroundBridge]] down, when Raf stopped him. Raf, who had been temporarily hypnotised by the game, instead shut the bridge down in a way that sucked the remaining Vehicons back through and kept the location of the base concealed from the enemy. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.4|Tinker, Tailor, Gamer, Spy!}}

[[Image:Titan4.9 Bumblebee and Bulkhead.jpg|thumb|right|200px|I R serious Bee. this is serious wiki.]]
After the [[President of the United States]] was kidnapped, the Autobots traced the culprit, Starscream, to the [[Grand Canyon]]. Bumblebee and Arcee teamed up to take out the cannons manned by Vehicons that Starscream had brought along. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.6|All the President's 'Bots!}} Bulkhead and Bumblebee retrieved Knock Out's [[neuron refractor]] from China, unaware that a MECH agent had stowed away in it. After [[Novo|Agent Novo]] kidnapped Miko, the Autobots searched for the two humans, and located the MECH base in time for Novo, now occupying a mechanoid body, to return Miko. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.9|The Novo Incident}}

Bumblebee was on a team which went to the [[Deep Driller]] oil rig and fell into [[Rufus Madison|General Madison]]'s trap, finding themselves facing soldiers in [[robotic battle suit]]s. Bumblebee was able to defeat a couple of them by tricking them into bringing a crane down on themselves. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.10|Mad Dogs & Autobots}} Bumblebee took part in a mission to the ''Nemesis'' to rescue Bulkhead. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.11|The Battle for Bulkhead}}

During a battle in [[The Wave]], Bumblebee tried to protect the three kids, only to be knocked down by a projectile from [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]]. Ratchet patched him up and sent him back to base with Raf, but after the pair fell asleep watching a horror cartoon, Soundwave's disembodied hand crawled out of Bumblebee's chest wound and tried to kill them. Raf helped Bumblebee dispose of the hand, leaving their next task to explain to the arriving Autobots why the base was in such a mess. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.12|The Evil Shred}}

Bumblebee and Prime went on a stealth mission to stop Megatron destroying the [[Statue of Liberty]], but didn't last long until they were discovered. As Megatron immediately began climbing the statue, Optimus left Bumblebee to deal with the other Decepticons on his own, though he claimed he was brave enough to. As Megatron was about to decapitate the statue, Bumblebee threw one of the Vehicons at him, almost knocking him off. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.13|Protecting the Lady}}
===Mega-Mouth===
One of Arcee's nicknames for Bumblebee is "the Big Buzz". {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.14|Mega-Mouth #14}}

===''Rescue Bots'' cartoon===
{{Voiceactor|[[Nicole Dubuc]]}}
[[Image:Bttr bumblebee blades.jpg|thumb|left|280px|My name is Bumblebee, and I approve this crossover.]]
Bumblebee tracked a meteor to [[Wayward Island]], and ran into the [[Rescue Bot]]s and their attendant humans during his search. After joining up with them to find the meteorite, he returned with them to [[Griffin Rock]] and reported back to [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], who ordered him to spend some time with the team. When three of the Rescue Bots were stricken with a strange virus, Bumblebee helped out in a rescue, following which he accompanied the humans back to Wayward Island to deal with the meteorite. He ended up stuck in an undersea trench after rescuing [[Graham Burns]], and was himself rescued by [[Blades (RB)|Blades]]. Faced with an out-of-control bomb, the two Bots used it to destroy the meteorite, but were infected by the virus themselves. Luckily Bumblebee had picked up a sample of the meteorite which was used to find a cure to the virus, and after some photos, Bumblebee returned home. {{storylink|Bumblebee to the Rescue (RB)|Bumblebee to the Rescue}}

When the Rescue Bots were sent back in time to [[1939]], Bumblebee and Optimus went to Griffin Rock to embark on a journey back in time to help. They arrived in time to rescue the four Bots from [[Thaddeus Morocco|Doctor Morocco]] and returned with them to the [[Temporal Station|time machine]]. Back in the present, however, they found themselves in a Griffin Rock overrun with [[MorBot]]s. {{storylink|It's a Bot Time}} Optimus and Bumblebee were kept busy trashing MorBots while the Rescue Bots worked out what was going on. By the time the pair ran out of MorBots, the team was ready to return to 1939, where they rescued [[Dither]] from Morocco, restoring the timeline to normal, before traveling back to the present. {{storylink|Bot to the Future}}
{{--}}
===''Tales of the Beast Hunters''===
Searching for a way to combat [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]], Bumblebee stumbled on data stored with an Iacon relic pointing to the location of a derelict starship containing a cache of weapons, hidden in the [[asteroid belt]]. He contacted [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 1}} and the pair blasted off in the [[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 2}} Surprisingly the found the ship and the weapons it contained, only to find they'd been followed by [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] and Predaking. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 4}} [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] soon came to their aid via GroundBridge {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 5}} and was able to keep the enemy busy long enough for Bumblebee and Wheeljack to escape with some of the weapon crates. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 6}} Bumblebee was nonetheless left injured and unable to go on further missions. {{storylink|Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 10}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
{{voiceactor|[[Johnny Yong Bosch]] (English)|[[Renato Novara]] (Italian)}}

[[Image:WfC-IGN-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|300px|The time has come and so have I... I'll laugh last 'cause you came to die.]]
During the Decepticons siege of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon City]], Bumblebee volunteered to be a message courier when communications became unreliable. Bumblebee was searching for the one called [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] when he was caught by a pair of Decepticons, only to be saved by Optimus and [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]]. Informing Optimus of the death of [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Zeta Prime]], Bumblebee accompanied Optimus and Ratchet to a command center where they were contacted by [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]], who was leading the aerial counterattack and wanted Zeta to activate the [[planetary gun]]s. After informing Jetfire of Prime's death, Bumblebee helped Optimus and Ratchet make their way to the orbital defenses control room, where they activated the guns. Their next stop was the [[Decagon]], where they could reestablish communications and coordinate Iacon's defense. They hit serious Decepticon resistance, including several [[Decepticon war machine]]s, but ultimately, with help from Jetfire and [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]], the three made their way to the Decagon, where they faced the last obstacle: [[Air Commander|Sky Commander]] [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]. Beating the traitorous Seeker, Bumblebee witnessed a desperate communication from Zeta Prime, who was being held in the [[Kaon]] [[Kaon Prison Complex|Prison Complex]]. Optimus resolved to rescue Zeta, and Bumblebee accompanied him.

[[Image:WFC_Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|200px|"Autobots... [[Johnny Yong Bosch|It's Morphin' Time?"]]]]
Bumblebee, Optimus, and [[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]] allowed themselves to be captured raiding supplies outside Kaon, and taken to the prison within the city. [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] ordered them taken to recycling. Bumblebee didn't think that sounded bad, until Sideswipe told him to consider ''what'' they were recycling. As they made their way through the prison, Bumblebee's horror grew, until he was in a near panic when they placed against the firing wall. Fortunately, [[Air Raid (WFC)|Air Raid]] finally arrived and killed the [[Heavy Soldier]]s about to execute them. Air Raid was forced to let himself be captured to let the others escape. Finally finding some weapons, the three made their way to a [[wall crawler]] and descended into the prison. Bumblebee asked if this was good or bad, and Optimus replied that it was purely a matter of perspective, while Sideswipe said he was enjoying himself. Soon, they reached a room where Megatron revealed that he had allowed Zeta's message to be broadcast simply to lure Optimus into a trap. After they fought off some Decepticons, Megatron simply teleported them to a prison cell without their weapons. Fortunately, Optimus managed to break the wall with his axe, freeing them. Optimus then explained he could not open the other prisoners' cells, despite Bumblebee's pleas. Heading to retrieve Air Raid, the three Autobots rescued the flier, who took them to the control which would open all the prison's hard locks. Unfortunately, Zeta was trapped under the facility, so the control wouldn't release him. While Air Raid took the freed Autobots back to Iacon, Bumblebee accompanied Optimus and Sideswipe underground to free Zeta, racing through the caverns as the Decepticons blew out the ground. Reaching Zeta Prime's cell, Optimus, Bumblebee, and Sideswipe had to fight through Soundwave's minions to rescue the Autobot leader, but Soundwave stole some of Zeta's life energy and fled, killing the Prime. Taking his body back to Iacon, Bumblebee and Sideswipe bore witness to the [[Autobot High Council]] declaring that Optimus was now Optimus [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], leader of the Autobots.

During the evacuation of Cybertron, Megatron used Trypticon Station to fire on the Autobots' escape pods. After the Aerialbots destroyed Trypticon's conversion cog and sent him plummeting to the planet's surface, Bumblebee accompanied Optimus Prime and Ironhide to look for the crash site. Once Trypticon was found to still function, Bumblebee assisted in fighting him, overloading his shoulder cannons with energon batteries and destroying his heat vents. After greatly damaging Trypticon, Oprimus Prime declared Trypticon had lost and knocked him into an energon lake with his axe. Afterward, Bumblebee was present at the unveiling of the Ark, where he reminded Optimus Prime that Megatron was "still out there". {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (DS)===
{{voiceactor|[[Johnny Yong Bosch]] (English)}}
{{quote|Watch out, Decepticons! I'm kind of a big deal!|Bumblebee}}
[[Image:WFCDS Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|89px|Small, but noisy.]]
When a distress call from Zeta Prime was received by the Autobots, they sent Bumblebee to find Optimus so they could repair the communications system. Bumblebee and Optimus were seen battling Decepticons together by an Autobot rookie when he arrived at the Autobot base. When Optimus was later disabled by [[laser guard]]s, Bumblebee was instrumental in reviving him, and helped him defeat [[Dirge (WFC)|Dirge]]. After the Autobots retook [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Bumblebee exploded verbally at Ironhide, complaining that they'd already lost the war. Optimus told him that that attitude was just what Megatron wanted.

Prime's transmissions led the Autobots to infiltrate Kaon Prison, a place Bumblebee found terrifying to the point where Ironhide had to try and calm him and Optimus told them both to quiet down. They eventually found Zeta Prime, in time for their leader to expire. After Optimus was made the new Prime, the Autobots tried to enlist the help of [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] and [[Swoop (WFC)|Swoop]]. Bumblebee slyly goaded Grimlock into challenging Optimus to a contest, however instead the Autobots ended up rescuing Swoop who'd been kidnapped by the Decepticons. The Autobots were forced to venture down to Cybertron's core to disable the Dark Energon corruptors, so that Cybertron's core could begin repairing itself, however the planet was left unable to sustain Transformer life.

As the Autobots began to evacuate in arks, Trypticon station began firing on them. Optimus prepared to take a team to the station to attack it from the inside, and Bumblebee was the first to volunteer to go along. They infiltrated the station and destroyed its power core, causing it to plunge from orbit. To the Autobots' surprise, the station transformed into a monster which Bumblebee found terrifying, but he still took part in the battle to destroy it. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)}}

===''Transformers: Cybertron Adventures''===
{{voiceactor|[[Johnny Yong Bosch]] (English)|[[Renato Novara]] (Italian)}}

In order to find out more about "Trypticon", Bumblebee and Ironhide were ordered to infiltrate a Decepticon datacore and extract the info stored inside it. Looking for a back way in, Ironhide uncovered a transit shaft, but it was too small for him to reconnoiter. Splitting up, Bumblebee took the shaft while Ironhide circled around to find another way in. Inside the datacore, they retrieved the intel on Trypticon, but were unable to escape without being noticed. The ruckus they raised in Kaon caught Megatron's attempt, and he arrived to fell both Autobots before they made it out of the city-state. Megatron subjected Bumblebee to a neural scanner to forcibly extract Autobot secrets from his mind. Bumblebee struggled to resist the scanner, but still unwillingly gave up some intel before Ironhide broke them both free. They eventually made it out of Kaon in one piece, thanks in part to the air support provided by Air Raid.

After the power supply was cut off to Trypticon from the Geosynchronous Energy Bridge, the Autobots began to prep supplies for their evacuation of the planet. On one such supply convoy, Bumblebee ran defensive reconnaissance to protect the convoy from Decepticon attack. Bumblebee blamed himself for allowing the decepticons to access his mind using the neural scanner, and was extra dedicated to the mission in his effort to redeem himself, even if only in his own eyes. He uncovered an ambush plot on the roadway, and alerted Optimus to the threat. Taking point, he intervened on several other ambush attempts along the way.

After Trypticon Station fell to Cybertron's surface and revealed itself as a gi-normous transforming creature, Bumblebee joined Optimus Prime and Ironhide in racing to the crash site to finish him off. They were separated during the journey, and had to fight through multiple Decepticon vanguards before even reaching Trypticon. Eventually, it was the combined firepower and teamwork of the Autobot forces that brought down the dangerous dinosaur. {{storylink|Transformers: Cybertron Adventures}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''===
[[Image:FOC-GameInformerPrimeBumblebee.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Oh my God, they killed Kenny! You bastards!]]
As the Autobots worked towards preparing the [[Ark (WFC)|Ark]] for launch, the Decepticons attacked the city. Bumblebee was helping out [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] with the wounded when [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] arrived, and helped with an injured soldier. He was part of the bridge crew when the ship launched, and when they were intercepted by the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', defended the bridge alongside Optimus. Prime left to tend to the engine room, and Bumblebee was sent to replace a [[moleculon fuse|fuse]] so they could get the defense systems back up and running. He succeeded, allowing the ''Ark'' to start returning fire on the Decepticon ship, and began heading for the engine room. By the time he got there, Optimus and [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] were engaged in a ferocious battle, with Optimus losing. As Megatron fired off a killing shot, Bumblebee threw himself in the way and took the shot to the chest. Enraged, Optimus renewed his assault on Megatron, but a short time later both ships were sucked through the [[space bridge]] portal. {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}
{{-}}

=== ''Transformers: Prime - The Game ===
[[Image:Transformers prime the game bumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I should probably say something...but that might be difficult.]]

{{storylink|Transformers: Prime - The Game}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generations===
[[Image:Generationstoy-CybertronianBumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|300px|He stars in ''Tron 3.0.'']]
*'''Cybertronian Bumblebee''' (Deluxe Class, 2010)
:*''Accessories: '' Handgun
: Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' Deluxe Class toys, ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)#Toys|War for Cybertron]]'' Cybertronian Bumblebee transforms from a yellow and black robot into a "Cybertronian courier mode". His toy comes with a handgun and features two wrist-mounted flip-out blades. The handgun is held via [[5mm post]], and can be stored inside his rear bumper in either robot or vehicle mode. Bumblebee's head appears to have [[light-piping]], but his eyes are painted over in blue, thus rendering the gimmick neutered. His legs are generally loose at the mid-thigh joint due to being used for transformation.

:He and Cybertronian [[Optimus Prime (WFC)#Generations|Optimus Prime]] shipped ahead of their two other wavemates in the United States via [[Toys"R"Us]].

:This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#United|Bumblebee Cybertron Mode]], as well as [[retool]]ed into ''Generations/War for Cybertron'' [[Cliffjumper (WFC)#Generations|Cliffjumper]] and ''United'' [[Cliffjumper (G1)#United|Cliffjumper Cybertron Mode]]. In fact, Bumblebee's instructions depict him with Cliffjumper's head, revealing the retool before it was officially announced.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2010/Autobot/GenerationsBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Cybertronian Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Rescue Bots===
[[File:RescueBots Bumblebee toy.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Dear God, [[Bumblebee (Movie)|they're]] [[Bumblebee (Animated)|crossbreeding!]]]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (2011)
:Bumblebee transforms into a yellow muscle car which presumably can be used by the humans in the rescue team to speed to problem sites, while staying within the speed limit, of course. Tugging either end of the vehicle will [[autotransformation|autotransform]] him back into robot mode.

{{-}}{{anchor|BeeGarage}}
[[File:RescueBots Garage Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Bumblebee enjoys hiding underneath cars that look like him.]]
*'''Bumblebee Rescue Garage''' (2011)
**''Accessories:'' Bumblebee, Axel Frazier
:The [[Bumblebee Rescue Garage]] comes with a smaller Bumblebee toy not unlike an [[Robot Powered Machines|RPM]] or [[Speed Stars]] toy in function. Standing the vehicle on end reveals Bumblebee's robot mode embossed on its underside. The back of Bumblebee's car mode also has a cavity in which the included Axel Frazier figure can ride.

{{-}}{{anchor|Energize}}
[[File:RescueBots Energize Bumblebee toy.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
*'''Energize Bumblebee''' (2013)
**''Accessories:'' Jackhammer
:Bumblebee's original ''Rescue Bots'' mold was retooled to add sockets onto his hood and released as part of the "Energize" line. He also features translucent blue plastic on his hood and doors, and has a jackhammer accessory made from the same plastic which plugs into the sockets on his hood.

{{-}}{{anchor|EnergizeElectronic}}
[[File:RescueBots Electronic Energize Bumblebee toy.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
*'''Energize Electronic Bumblebee''' (2013)
:A larger non-transforming toy, Bumblebee features electronic lights and sounds. His right-hand is replaced by a "rescue drill" which oddly resembles ''Animated'' [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]]'s [[stinger (weapon)|stinger]]s and which spins when you press a button on his right forearm.

{{-}}{{anchor|EnergizeWithGraham}}
[[File:RescueBots Bumblebee and GrahamBurns.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
*'''Energize Bumblebee and Graham Burns''' (2013)
:Available in a two-pack with [[Graham Burns]], Bumblebee is a non-transforming but articulated figure, appearing rather more [[show-accuracy|show accurate]] than his previous ''Rescue Bots'' toys. His left hand is morphed into a blue jackhammer.

{{-}}

===Transformers (2010)===
[[Image:TRURageOverCybertronCybertronianBumblebee.jpg|thumb|300px|The Grid. A digital frontier. I tried to picture clusters of information as they moved through the computer.]]
*'''Rage over Cybertron''' (Multipack, 2011)
:*''Accessories'': Handgun

: ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers]]'' '''Cybertronian Bumblebee''' is a [[Toys"R"Us]]-[[exclusive]] redeco of ''Generations'' Cybertronian Bumblebee, with most of the original version's black plastic changed to gray, clear blue headlights and rims, red tint for the windows, most of the red paint details changed to blue, and additional blue circuitry paint details resembling the "overshield" effect from the ''War for Cybertron'' game. He was only available in a three-pack with redecos of [[Optimus Prime (WFC)#Transformers (2010)|Cybertronian Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (WFC)#Transformers (2010)|Cybertronian Megatron]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2011/Autobot/TRUROCBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on "Rage over Cybertron" Cybertronian Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Cyberverse===
[[Image:Prime-toy BumblebeeCyberverse.jpg|thumb|300px|I think my gun overheated...]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Cyberverse Legion, 2012)
**''Series / Number:'' '''2 / 001'''
**''Japanese release date:'' '''[[March 21]], 2012'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''EZ-04'''
**''Accessories:'' Blaster

: Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' [[Cyberverse#Series 2|Series 2 ''Cyberverse'']] Legion Class toys, Bumblebee transforms into an [[Urbana 500]] muscle car. He features numerous [[C joint|3mm port]]s for mounting, such as on his hands, doors/arms, and roof/back.

:He comes with a blaster (modeled after his in-show cannon) that features two 3mm posts and a port, and is cast in soft translucent-red plastic. This weapon, in a variety of colors, is also used by Cyberverse [[Arcee (WFC)#Cyberverse|Arcee]], [[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]], and [[Wheeljack (Prime)#Hyperspeed|Hyperspeed Wheeljack]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2012/Autobot/LegBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Cyberverse Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{-}}{{anchor|CyberverseQuickblade}}
[[Image:Primetoy-Cyberverse-QuickbladeBumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Quickblade Bumblebee''' (Cyberverse Legion, 2012)
**''Series / Number:'' '''2 / 011'''
**''Accessories:'' Combat blade

: Part of the third wave of ''Prime Cyberverse'' Legion Class toys, Quickblade Bumblebee is a redeco of Legion Class Bumblebee in black with yellow stripes. He comes with a "combat blade", a soft translucent-green blade weapon that can mount/be held via any of its four 3mm pegs. In varying colors, it was used by [[Ratchet (WFC)#Cyberverse|Ratchet]], [[Cliffjumper (WFC)#Cyberverse|Cliffjumper]], [[Knock Out (Prime)#CyberverseSingle|Knock Out]], and ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Mirage (Movie)#Transformers (2012)|Mirage]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2012/Autobot/LegQBBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Quickblade Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{-}}{{anchor|CyberverseBattlesuit}}
[[Image:Primetoy-Cyberverse-BumblebeeBattleSuit-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|300px|... Oh, nevermind. It's all cool now.]]
*'''Bumblebee Battle Suit''' (Cyberverse Vehicle, 2012)
**''Series / Number'': '''2 / 003'''
**''Accessories:'' Large missile-firing blaster, missile, small double-barreled blaster

: Part of the second wave of ''Prime Cyberverse'' Vehicle playsets, the [[Bumblebee Battle Suit]] comes with a redeco of Legion Class Bumblebee, who features brighter, paler yellow plastic, trades in his black stripes for sparkly dark-blue, replaces his silver-painted windshields with metallic light-blue, switches the silver on his abdomen and shins with metallic dark-blue, replaces the black grill with silver, omits the stripe portions at the center of the hood, and removes the silver on his feet. In addition to the suit's other accessories, Bumblebee still comes with his double-barreled blaster, only redecoed in light-blue.

{{-}}{{anchor|BHCyberverse}}
[[Image:PrimeBHtoy-Cyberverse-Bumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Cyberverse Legion, 2013)
**''Series / Number:'' '''3 / 004'''
**''Accessories'': Eagleshot Bow

: Part of the first wave of ''Prime: [[Beast Hunters]]'' [[Cyberverse#Series 3|Series 3 ''Cyberverse'']] Legion Class toys, Bumblebee is a redeco and significant "retool" (in the loosest sense of the term; ''literally'' every single part except for his wheels and the shoulder joints is modified) of Legion Class Bumblebee, transforming into a heavily armed Urbana 500 muscle car with spikes covering the front wheels, sculpted missile launchers and boosters/blasters on the doors, armor panels at the rear, and a large version of his double-barreled blaster sculpted onto his hood, the barrels of which end up mounted on his chest/shoulders in robot mode. He sports various 3mm ports in the same places the original Legion Class toy did.

:He comes with the "[[Eagleshot Bow]]", a crossbow which has two 3mm ports and three posts, allowing it to mount/be mounted in different ways. This bow, in varying colors, was also used by [[Airachnid (Prime)#Cyberverse|Airachnid]], [[Windrazor (Prime)#Toys|Windrazor]], and [[Rippersnapper (Prime)#Toys|Rippersnapper]].

{{-}}{{anchor|CyberverseDriller}}
*'''Energon Driller with Bumblebee''' (Cyberverse Vehicle, 2013)
**''Series / Number'': '''3 / 003'''
**''Accessories:'' Prod, saw

: Part of the second wave of ''Prime: Beast Hunters Cyberverse'' Vehicle playsets, the [[Energon Driller]] comes with a redeco of Legion Class Series 3 Bumblebee, who features blue paint details instead of black. He comes with a blue redeco of this set's prod and saw, which was originally meant for [[Knock Out (Prime)#Cyberverse|Knock Out]].

{{-}}

===Prime: First Edition===
{{anchor|NewYork}}
[[Image:Primetoy-BumblebeeNYCC.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Sorry, you won't actually be able to ride one of these in New York.]]
*'''Bumblebee and Arcee, Includes Raf Esquivel and Jack Darby''' (NYCC 2011 exclusive)
**''Accessories:'' Arm-mounted twin-cannon

:Bumblebee is an orange-ish redeco of First Edition Bumblebee (see below) as a New York taxicab and comes with a pink [[Arcee (WFC)#Prime: First Edition|Arcee]] and NY-themed [[Jack Darby#Prime|Jack Darby]] and [[Raf Esquivel#Prime|Raf Esquivel]] figurines. They were sold exclusively at [[New York Comic Con|New York Comic Con 2011]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2011/Autobot/NYCCBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on First Edition NYCC Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{-}}{{anchor|FirstEdition}}
[[Image:Primetoy-BumblebeeDeluxe.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Pirates radio clips ''and'' Jazz's transformation scheme.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' ("First Edition" Deluxe Class, 2011)
**''Number:'' '''001'''
**''Accessories:'' Arm-mounted twin-cannon, stand

: Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#First Edition (2011)|Prime: First Edition]]'' figures, this Deluxe-sized incarnation of Bumblebee transforms into a yellow Urbana 500 muscle car. An arm-mounted blaster can be pegged via 5mm peg into either of his forearms or stowed underneath the vehicle mode. As with other "First Edition" ''Prime'' figures, he comes with a cardboard display stand which sits at the bottom of the packaging.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2011/Autobot/PrimeBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on First Edition Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Prime===
{{anchor|Deluxe}}
[[Image:PrimeRIDtoy-BumblebeeDeluxe.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''Here'''s my other blaster!]]
[[Image:Prime-toy_BumblebeeTakTomDx.jpg|right|thumb|300px|[[MechTech]]? [[Stealth Force]]? What are you talking about?]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Deluxe, 2012)
**''Series / Number'': '''1 / 001'''
**''Japanese release date:'' '''[[March 31]], 2012'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''AM-02'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 arm-mounted blasters (Hasbro only), "B.2" Arms Micron (Takara only)

: Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Robots in Disguise (2012)|Prime: Robots in Disguise]]'' Deluxe Class toys, this Bumblebee is an entirely new mold, and features a much simpler transformation (and slightly decreased posability), including a "dramatic head reveal": the entire car-mode front section is geared together, so when the robot-mode shoulders are pulled out, the hood opens up to flip out Bumblebee's head and expand his chest. Two blaster-weapons are now included, which use [[5mm post|5mm posts and holes]] to mount on his forearms, engine block, or be used as hand-held weapons. They can also combine to form a larger quad-barreled cannon. While the [[instructions]] are rather vague about it, his folded-up roof actually features a tab that's meant to peg into a slot behind his pelvis, securing his roof somewhat in robot mode. This version of the toy was later retooled into [[Hot Shot (WFC)|Hot Shot]].

: In wave six of the "Robots in Disguise" toyline, Bumblebee was put into new packaging, which came with a DVD featuring the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)| Prime]]'' episode "[[Loose Cannons]]".

: The [[TakaraTomy]] version of Bumblebee, part of the first wave of ''Prime'' toys, is considerably different. His roof and doors have been retooled to include 5mm-hole mounting points, which are meant to be used with the new [[Arms Micron]] system. As such, he does not come with the Hasbro version's blasters, instead coming with the Arms Micron [[B.2]], who transforms into an over-sized version of Bumblebee's wrist-mounted blasters. His [[paint operation]]s have also been pretty heavily decreased; his doors, roof and rear window-frame have stripe-less solid-yellow paint to cover the clear plastic, leaving his engine block, grill-parts and face the only "detail-painted" parts on the toy. Most of his detailing, like his car-mode striping, is provided by a separate sheet of customer-applied foil [[sticker]]s. (This actually allows for more [[show-accuracy|show-accurate]] stripes than the painted Hasbro version.) Unfortunately, he suffers from a particularly horrid case of sticker placement: The [[instructions]] tell you to place stickers between his front wheels and doors to continue his stripe patterns, but due to how the doors are jointed, there is not enough clearance near them to accommodate these stickers, and opening the doors will ''destroy'' the stickers.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2012/Autobot/Bumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Robots in Disguise Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-1465.html Arms Micron Bumblebee at Alfes's toy blog]''

{{-}}{{anchor|EntertainmentPack}}
[[Image:Primetoy-UltimateOpponentsBumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|300px|[[Show-accuracy|Denied!]]]]
*'''Bumblebee vs. Starscream: Ultimate Opponents''' (Entertainment Pack, 2012)
**''Accessories:'' Arm-mounted weapon

: This Deluxe Class Bumblebee is a redeco of his First Edition release in a darker, more orange shade of yellow plastic, similar to the same mould's NYCC exclusive version. He features brighter silver highlights and an inexplicable recoloring of his racing stripes to an aqua blue, which fade back to their regular black halfway along his car mode.

: Bumblebee came packed-in with a redeco of First Edition Starscream, small unarticulated figurines of [[Silas]] and a MECH soldier, as well as a DVD containing the episodes ''[[Convoy (episode)|Convoy]]'', ''[[Sick Mind]]'' and ''[[Out of His Head]]''. The two-pack was also available in Australian markets virtually unchanged, except the DVD was replaced with a booklet including short (and by that, we mean one sentence) bios as well as [[Tech Spec]]s for [[Breakdown (WFC)|most]] [[Airachnid (Prime)|of]] the characters.

{{-}}{{anchor|Weaponizer}}
[[Image:Primetoy-WeaponizerClassBumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Eight. Count 'em. Eight wheels.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Weaponizer, 2012)
**''Series / Number'': '''1 / 002'''
**''Accessories:'' Blaster pistol

: Part of the first wave of ''Prime: Robots in Disguise'' Weaponizer Class toys,. Bumblebee is a large, roughly Leader-sized mold with a simplified transformation scheme, more accurate proportions, and a grand total of ''four'' [[Kibble#"Faux-parts"|fake wheel]]s on his person due to said transformation. He comes with a double-barreled blaster pistol which can mount onto his hands, forearms, and trunk.

: His ''main'' gimmicks, however, are the two large mini-guns hidden in his hood-chest, which can deploy and "weaponize" either mode. When his robot head/engine block is pressed down, the mini-guns swing out from his hood-chest and spin, while a red LED inside his torso lights up briefly. Pushing on the gray lever/the center front fender portion (both on his chest) briefly lights up the LED again and swings the mini-guns back into his body.

: His [[stock photography]] gives him a [[:Image:Transformers-Prime-Weaponizers-Bumblebee.jpg|''completely'' different vehicle deco]] compared to the final product, with the final toy having fewer [[paint operation]]s overall. The final product lacks the stripe patterns between the front wheels and doors due to that patch being made of [[unpaintable plastic]], shrinks the stripes on the hood, tapers the door stripes towards the front and extends it towards the rear wheels, rearranges the stripes on the trunk, roof, and behind the engine block, shrinks the Autobot symbol on the roof, and moves said symbol to the front of the hood. The hood stripes, in particular, have been ''significantly'' shrunk into what are essentially ''pinstripes''.

: A [[Variant#Running changes|running change variant]] of this figure features much thicker stripes on his hood-chest.

{{-}}{{anchor|ShadowStrike}}
[[Image:PrimeRIDtoy-ShadowStrikeBee.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Great. Now everyone will think he's a part of the pavement.]]
*'''Shadow Strike Bumblebee''' (Deluxe, 2012)
**''Series / Number'': '''1 / 011'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 arm-mounted blasters

: Part of the fourth wave of ''Prime: Robots in Disguise'' Deluxe Class toys, Shadow Strike Bumblebee is a redeco of "Robots in Disguise" Deluxe Class Bumblebee, and is cast in gray, yellow, and translucent blue plastic. He features new yellow stripe patterns and deco, with some gray and black paint details here and there.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2012/Autobot/SSBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Shadow Strike Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{-}}{{anchor|RemoteControlled}}
[[Image:PrimeRCtoy-Bumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Bumblebee joins the [[Autoroller]]s.]]
*'''Remote Controlled Bumblebee''' (2012)
**''Accessories'': Remote control

:An electronic Bumblebee, operable by remote control. As well as driving around, the remote control allows you to convert Bumblebee from car to robot and trigger his punching action.

{{-}}{{anchor|Terrorcon}}
[[Image:Prime-toy BumblebeeTerrorcon.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Terrorcon Bumblebee''' (Deluxe, [[August 10|8-10]]-2012)
**''Accessories'': "Terrorcon Zori" Arms Micron

: Meant to represent Bumblebee turned into a vicious monster after being infused with [[Dark Energon]], "Terrorcon Bumblebee" is the Arms Micron Bee molding done in black, gray and clear-purple. Rather than his nominal Arms Micron partner, B.2, he instead comes with [[Zori#Terrorcon|Terrorcon Zori]], a clear-purple version of [[Soundwave (WFC)#Prime|Soundwave]]'s Micron partner. This set was available as an [[AEON]] stores exclusive in Japan.

{{-}}{{anchor|DarkEnergon}}
[[Image:PrimeDEtoy-Bumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|300px|All that glitters is not Goldbug.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Dark Energon Series Deluxe, 2012)
**''Number'': '''001'''
**''Accessories'': 2 arm-mounted blasters

: Another Dark-Energon-infused iteration of Bumblebee, but still an Autobot and apparently not a brutal killing machine, ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Dark Energon Series|Prime: Dark Energon]]'' Bumblebee is a [[BigBadToyStore]]-exclusive redeco of "Robots in Disguise" Deluxe Class Bumblebee, and is cast in translucent glittery-gold and opaque blue plastics as an [[homage]] to [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Goldbug|Generation 1 Goldbug]].

: Though he was packaged on an individual card, he was initially sold as part of a set with the Dark Energon versions of [[Knock Out (Prime)#DarkEnergon|Knock Out]], [[Starscream (WFC)#DarkEnergon|Starscream]], and [[Wheeljack (Prime)#DarkEnergon|Wheeljack]]. He was eventually made available on his own, and the Dark Energon Series toys were eventually made available in Singapore as mass-retail releases.

{{-}}

===Beast Hunters===
{{anchor|BHDeluxe}}
[[Image:PrimeBHtoy-DeluxeBumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Derf, a life-form's gotta do what a life-form's gotta do.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Deluxe, 2013)
**''Series / Number'': '''2 / 001'''
**''Accessories'': 2 arm-mounted blasters, Eagleshot Bow, 6 missiles
: Part of the first wave of ''Prime: Beast Hunters'' Deluxe Class toys, Bumblebee is a redeco and extensive retool of the ''Robots in Disguise'' Deluxe Class Bumblebee mold, transforming into a heavily-modified Urbana 500 muscle car that's covered in spikes. Bumblebee's roof has been retooled with an additional 5mm peg-hole, and the hinge joint at the rear windshield has been removed.

:He retains the two arm-mounted blasters, and now additionally comes with a larger-scale "Eagleshot Bow", a large, spring-loaded [[missile]]-launching bow, as well as six missiles. The missiles can slide in and store on brackets in various places, with two brackets located on top of the bow, and two rotating brackets located on each door. The prods on the sides of the bow can be opened manually, but are meant to open automatically when a missile is inserted into the launcher.

:His instructions include the [[Tales of the Beast Hunters Chapter 1|first chapter]] of the ''[[Tales of the Beast Hunters]]'' series.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2013/Autobot/Bumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on ''Beast Hunters'' Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{--}}

===Go!===
*'''Hunter Bumblebee''' ([[April 27|04–27]]–13)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''G14'''
**''Accessories'': 2 arm-mounted blasters, "Needle Arrow" bow, 6 missiles
:Hunter Bumblebee is a [[redeco]] of the ''Beast Hunters'' Deluxe Bumblebee toy, released in [[TakaraTomy]]'s ''[[Triple Combination: Transformers Go! (toyline)|Transformers Go!]]'' toyline. He's cast in a slightly more orange shade of yellow and has some minor differences in paint as well, such as shinier headlights and entirely black lines on his hood as opposed to the ''Beast Hunters'' toy's partially silver ones.

==Merchandise==
===McDonald's===
[[Image:Primetoy-BumblebeeHappyMeal.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Happy Meal, 2012)
:*''McNumber:'' '''3'''
:Happy Meal Bumblebee is a nontransformable sports car! A spring-loaded missile launcher can be revealed in his roof, and when a missile is inserted, pressing the Autobot symbol on the roof fires it.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
{{anchor|ionblaster}}
*'''Bumblebee Ion Blaster''' (2012)

{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:VectorSigmaBotBuilderBumblebee.jpg|thumb|Cheddar-flavored.]]
* ''War for Cybertron'' Bumblebee was designed by [[Jim Daly]], and it's that specific character concept art that won [[Hasbro]] over on giving [[High Moon Studios]] the game.
* Bumblebee's model is usable in ''War for Cybertron'' multiplayer as the Runner-type chassis for [[Scout (WFC)|Scout]]-class characters. His parts are also available in ''Fall of Cybertron'', now classified as Recon-type components for the [[Infiltrator (FOC)|Infiltrator]] class (although his wheels can also be used by [[Destroyer (FOC)|Destroyers]]).
* [[Alex Irvine]] wrote the short story ''[[Bumblebee at Tyger Pax]]'', expanding on how Bumblebee lost his vocoder in ''Exodus''.
* [[Jeff Kline]] said why Bumblebee lost his voice will be revealed in season two of ''Prime'',<ref>[http://collider.com/roberto-orci-jeff-kline-interview-transformers-prime/75039/ Collider interview]</ref> though [[Duane Capizzi]] broke the suspense when he said it would be for the same reason as ''Exodus''.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-prime-39/bonus-q--a-with-transformers-prime-creators---answered-171430/ TFW Q&A]</ref>
*In the end credits for WFC, Bee drives up, and '''HALF''' of the Autobots get out. Weird. Guess his father was a clown car.
* Bumblebee's [[license plate]] in "[[Speed Metal]]" is "'''936 SOH'''".
* Unlike [[Bumblebee (Movie)|that other mute Bumblebee]], who cannot directly communicate at all, and who splices together radio signals as a primitive method of conveying his thoughts, the beeps and tones produced by ''Prime'' Bumblebee seem to be a language of their own, which is fully understood by other Cybertronians (and, oddly, Raf).
* Bumblebee's body parts are available to use in the Hub website's [[Vector Sigma Bot Builder]] online game. Normally, you cannot configure a generic 'bot using all Bumblebee parts, but you can see what one would look like at right through the magic of Photoshop. Unlike most of his peers, who were hue-shifted into different colors, Bumblebee seems to look exactly the same as he always does.
*Bumblebee is a guest on the DVD/Blu-Ray commentary for "Shadowzone". [[Dave Hartman]] apparently shares Raf's ability to understand him.
*According to the Autobits version of [[Darkmount, NV]], [[Frank Welker]] records words for Bumblebee, which are then replaced with the character's normal beeping sounds.

{{-}}
===Arms Up Modes===
In the Japanese ''Prime'' toyline, Bumblebee has several powered-up modes when given various [[Arms Micron]]s in certain configurations:

[[Image:DarknessRising4 CybSat-BeeBanBan.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gahqavv9aUQ You've got to aim for the kneecaps and then kick her head off.]"]]

*'''Striker Mode''' (ストライカーモード ''Sutoraikā Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': B.2, C.L., O.P., R.A.
:The Arms Up form shown on Bumblebee's box-back photo. In this form, B.2 is mounted on his left arm, with [[R.A.]] on his right, while [[C.L.]] and [[O.P.]] take positions on Bee's backpack (which has been flipped up to allow the gun-Microns to fire sorta-forward).

*'''Mecha Uchi Ban Ban Mode''' (メチャウチバンバンモード ''Mecha Uchi Ban Ban Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': B.2, O.P., R.A.
:Roughly translated as "Extreme Firefight Bang Bang Mode", this "Anti-Terrorcon" Mode turns the three Microns into a gun emplacement that isn't actually attached to Bee, just one he stands behind. Introduced in the "[[From the Cybertron Satellite, Transformers Division|Cybertron Satellite]]" segment from "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4|Infiltration Transformation! Battleship Nemesis]]".

*'''Mecha Uchi Kidō Type''' (メチャウチ機動タイプ ''Mecha Uchi Kidō Taipu'')
**''Arms Microns'': B.2, C.L.
: Roughly translated as "Extreme Firefight Agile Type", this other "Anti-Terrorcon" attack mode is... just Bee with B.2 on one arm and C.L. on the other. ''Exciting.'' But it was highlighted and named in the same episode as the Mechya Uchi Ban Ban Mode, so, well, for completism's sake....

*'''Infection Mode''' (インフェックションモード ''Infuekkushon Mōdo'')
**''Arms Microns'': B.2, Terrorcon Zori
: Terrorcon Bumblebee's Arms Up mode is simply him using [[Zori#Toys|Terrorcon Zori]] in his right hand, and B.2 in his left. Wooo.
{{-}}

===Foreign names===
*''Hungarian:'' '''Bumblebee''', '''Űrdongó''' (''Rescue Bots'' cartoon, "Space-Bumblebee")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Dà-huáng-fēng''' (大黃蜂, "Bumblebee")
*''Russian:'' '''Shershen'''' (Шершень, "Hornet")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Cyberverse]]
[[Category:Fall of Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Go! Autobots]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Prime Autobots]]
[[Category:Rescue Bots Autobots]]
[[Category:Scouts]]
[[Category:Spies]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers Online Autobots]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

Omega's Conundrum

2013-06-12T10:21:54Z

BossBot97: /* Notes */ grammar

{{comicstory|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|The Transformers Spotlight]]: Orion Pax''
|prev=Ride-Along
|next=The Hunting Party (IDW)
|title="Omega's Conundrum"
|image=SpotlightOP_cvrA.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[December 12]], [[2012]]
|coverdate= December 2012
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|pencils by=[[Steve Kurth]]
|inks by=[[Juan Castro]]
|colors by=[[Jesus Aburtov]] and [[Graphikslava]]
|letters by=[[Shawn Lee]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=Post-''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron: Origin]]'', pre-''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]''
}}

'''On a mission to carry out a prisoner exchange, Orion Pax puts his new body to the test against Bludgeon.'''

==Synopsis==
''Four million years ago and ten thousand miles above [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s surface, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]] is bound to a shuttle on a crash-course with [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], with no doubt in his mind that he should have gone with Plan B...''

Some time earlier, at [[Autobot]] headquarters, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Kaput]] and [[Rung]] oversee the mechanical, medical and psychological aspects of Orion Pax's hasty refit into a new, tougher body in preparation for a dangerous mission he is about to embark on. Although a little disappointed to have lost his "[[mouthplate|lucky faceplate]]", Pax is happy with the new form, and eager to carry out the duty assigned to him by [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]]: escorting a [[Decepticon]] prisoner to a rendezvous point within the treacherous [[Rust Spot]], there to exchange him for the captured [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]]. Pax is joined on his mission by hostage negotiator [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], who provides a detailed briefing of the dangers of the Rust Spot, and the venerable [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], leading expert in Cybertronian topography. As they prepare to leave, Nightbeat quickly loses patience with the elderly Transformer's pearls of wisdom, as he muses on the foundling Autobot faction's adoption of a longstanding cultural emblem called the "First Face" as their [[insignia]], and applies the old logical paradox called "Omega's Conundrum" to the locked trailer containing the prisoner for transport: how can they be sure there's anything in there if they don't open it?

113 kliks into their journey through the Rust Spot, Pax inquires how Alpha Trion knows so much about it, and the old sage reveals that he explored it, and the rest of the planet, with the fabled [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] in ages past. The trio are attacked mid-sentence by local monstrosities known as [[Slicer (IDW)|Slicers]], but the gung-ho Pax charges into action and they soon have the creatures in retreat (though Pax takes one of their blades to the face and blames the lack of his faceplate for the injury). The trailer is sprung open in the fight, but the prisoner doesn't get far... or rather, prisoner''s''. The captives turn out to be a pair of spark-bonded Decepticon [[twin]]s named [[Rack'n'Ruin|Rack and Ruin]] who were responsible for a bombing at the [[G'th Semane]] spaceport. Puzzled at [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]'s willingness to turn over an important figure like Ratchet in exchange for these two grunts, Pax talks with the pair, who prove even more harmless than expected when they reveal they can't even transform, having pushed their [[transformation cog]]s too far practising the high-speed process of "instantaneous conversion". Pax talks about the Decepticon philosophy with them, and they admit to fear that Megatron will kill them. Moments later, a trio of [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] led by [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] arrive to escort Prime's team to the location for the exchange.

Presently, the group arrives at the Decepticons' bolthole, where [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] welcomes them. With the unarmed Autobots surrounded, the Decepticons seize Alpha Trion: capturing him has been their true objective all along, so that he may lead them to Metroplex, whose dimension-transcending abilities will be used to create a [[space bridge]]. Allowed to go free by Bludgeon on Megatron's order, Orion poses Omega's Conundrum to the skeletal Decepticon with a wry twist: sometimes, a box can be both empty ''and'' full, as he demonstrates by triggering the release of a cache of concealed weaponry from within his trailer. A firefight erupts, during which Rack and Ruin offer to lead the Autobots to safety; Pax covers their escape, but is captured himself and promptly tied to a shuttle by Bludgeon with intent to be fired at the nearest population centre by Bludgeon for no reason other than sheer theatricality. Thundercracker is angry at the killing of civilians, but Bludgeon brushes off his concerns, patiently listens to Pax's stalling tactics as the Autobot foresees a future for him as a figure of failure, then shoots him into the sky. "Fortunately", Pax deduces that the shuttle is going to crash clear of any cities... until it [[The Waiting Game|collides with ''another'' passing craft]] and is deflected onto a trajectory that points it straight at Iacon. Remembering Rack and Ruin's advice, Pax shuts down his transformation cog safeties and tries instantaneous conversion, snapping his bonds with the speed of his transformation. Pax takes control of the shuttle and crash-lands it clear of the city, his new body taking the experience in stride, leaving him battered but still intact. It's a good body, Pax thinks, as he sits among the wreckage—it's just missing one thing. Scooping up a piece of metal from the debris, he silently fixes it over his face in emulation of his old faceplate.

==Featured characters==
{{note|Characters in italic text appear only in flashbacks.}}
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]] (1)
*[[Rung]] (2)
*[[Kaput]] (3)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (4)
*[[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] (5)
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (6)
*[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (7)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] (16)
|c2=
*[[Rack'n'Ruin|Rack]] (10)
*[[Rack'n'Ruin|Ruin]] (11)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (12)
*[[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]] (13)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (14)
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (15)
|c4=
*''[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (8)
*[[Slicer (IDW)|Slicers]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==

"If you're changing shape and your body '''resists''', don't '''force''' it—it probably isn't meant to bend that way."
:—'''Kaput'''

"See, you're a '''big picture''' guy. For me, it's all about the '''details'''. Look closely at something and it'll make sense. If it '''doesn't''', look '''closer'''."
:—'''Nightbeat'''

"You know, for a public intellectual, you're pretty handy with your fists." 
"I've been—'''urgh'''—involved in some '''very''' heated debates."
:—'''Nightbeat''' and '''Alpha Trion'''

"''Hmm.'' You're not '''combiners,''' are you? I've heard Megatron's '''newest favorite''' is '''obsessed''' with gestalt technology..." 
"We're not combiners. Can you imagine combining with '''him?'''" 
"It's bad enough being locked up in a '''trailer''' together!"
:-'''Orion Pax''', '''Ruin''' and '''Rack'''. Oh, Roberts.

"Pax still chatting?" 
"It appears so." 
"Waste. Of. Time." 
"Sometimes, time wasted is time well spent." 
"See, if that's supposed to be '''profound''', it's just—you know what? I don't care."
:—'''Nightbeat''' and '''Alpha Trion'''

"I've hurt him in ways that only a doctor would understand."
:—'''Bludgeon''' on his treatment of Ratchet

"This is madness. I demand to see Megatron." 
"He's '''busy'''—but I'll tell him you dropped by. He... talks about you sometimes. When he's tired." 
"What does he say?" 
"Best not ask. It would make '''both''' of us feel '''uncomfortable.'''"
:—'''Orion Pax''' and '''Bludgeon'''

"I may not be as '''smart''' as Alpha Trion... but I can say '''"bring it on"''' in 4,000 languages!"
:—'''Orion Pax'''

==Notes==

*Orion Pax previously appeared with the new body he receives in this story in ''[[Spotlight: Blurr]]'', published four years prior to this issue. A continuity error arose nearly three years later when Pax appeared in author [[James Roberts]]'s "[[Chaos Theory Part 1|Chaos Theory]]", set earlier than ''Spotlight: Blurr'', with an entirely different body that was not hugely different from his Cybertronian Optimus Prime form as seen in 2006's ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]''. This story, taking place between the two, patches that hole, explaining how Pax switching from his "Chaos Theory" body to his ''Spotlight: Blurr'' body, and notes his intent to switch back in the near future.
*Kaput puts in his first pictoral appearance, having previously been mentioned in Roberts's prose stories "[[Bullets]]" and "[[Zero Point]]".
*Kaput is the latest character to have trouble remembering Rung's name, something which has been a running gag since ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|#1]].
*Zeta Prime seems to be a friendly, reasonable guy and changes are happening. Note, however, the little glimpses of a nastier personality, like how annoyed he is that Orion doesn't immediately call him "Prime".
*Nightbeat appears in the same design as he did ''waaaay'' back in his original [[Spotlight: Nightbeat|''Spotlight'' issue]]. Ratchet, Wheeljack and Acid Storm appear in their modern bodies, despite being seen in different bodies in stories set near this one. We'll probably need another ''Spotlight'' series to clear this up.
*Nightbeat is given the profession of hostage negotiator here; this likely means he was the unnamed hostage negotiator friend of Chromedome's mentioned in ''[[Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|More than Meets the Eye #10]]''.
*The Toxic Sludge Swamps originate with [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]]'s [[bio]]. "Zero Point" was their first mention in IDW continuity, where they were noted to be the home of the Slicers, who get to appear in this story.
*"Omega's Conundrum" plays off of two real world thought experiments, "[[Wikipedia:Schrödinger's cat|Schrödinger's cat]]" and the classic "[[Wikipedia:If a tree falls in a forest|If a tree falls in the woods but nobody hears it...]]" All three are basically about to what extent the unobserved is knowable. As the story's title, besides the direct use of the paradox to refer to the contents of Pax's trailer, it also appears to thematically allude to Pax's desire in the final scene to have a faceplate, which—surely not coincidentally—hides much of his face from view and makes his expressions as "unknowable" as a closed box.
**Also, given Omega Supreme's role as a noted scholar of metaphysics, as revealed in More than Meets the Eye [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|#5]], he's likely the "Omega" in question.
*Pax's team travels [[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|113]] kliks into the Rust Spot, another of the many uses of the number by Roberts.
*Alpha Trion appears to transform into the "Tumbler", from Christopher Nolan's [[Batman]] trilogy of films. The model sheet for him in the back of ''[[The Transformers: Ironhide]]'' depicted a different, flying altmode. Additionally, this marks the first time Alpha Trion has ever changed modes in his 25 year history.
*Trion refers to the [[Diaclona Tribe]], named, of course, for the Transformers' progenitor toyline, ''[[Diaclone]]''.
*The G'th Semane spaceport was previously mentioned in "Zero Point", where the Biblical allegory of its name was more relevant.
*Pax refers to [[Killmaster]] (with the wand), first heard of back in [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|''More than Meets the Eye'' #5]].
*While wondering about [[combiner]]s, Pax remarks that the technology is an obsession of Megatron's "newest favorite." Whoever this might be goes unsaid; [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] would be the obvious implication, given the character's history in fiction of tinkering with new methods of transformation, but he's had basically nothing to do with the combiners of the IDW universe. He ''was'' the student of the technology's [[Jhiaxus (G2)|creator]], though.
*Rack and Ruin used to be triplets, but their third, unnamed sibling was destroyed years before the events of this issue. This calls into question the previous assumption that Rack'n'Ruin were fused to one another because of complications with a branched spark like [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] and [[Twin Twist]] or (allegedly) [[Sonic (G1)|Sonic]] and [[Boom]]. It seems unlikely that two robots in a set of triplets could share a branched spark with each other and not with the third member, but the [[Jumpstarter]]s' fate makes it equally unlikely that the third brother could've died without taking Rack'n'Ruin with him. Obviously, there's more to their condition...than meets the eye.
*The fate of the shuttle that Pax collides with would later be detailed in ''[[The Waiting Game|Spotlight: Hoist]]''.

===Errors===
* On page 14, "bodyguards" is spelled "bodygaurds".
* Page 4, panel 1: The word "the" accidentally appears twice.

===Soundtrack===

As with ''More than Meets the Eye'', writer James Roberts offered up a "soundtrack" for this issue on the [http://forum.idwpublishing.com/index.php IDW Publishing forum].
*''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHrnM5IDDrM Soft Light]'' by [[Wikipedia:Frausdots|Frausdots]]

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Orion Pax old and new, by [[Steve Kurth]], [[Jesus Aburtov]] and [[Graphikslava]]
* '''Cover B:''' Orion, locked and cocked, by [[Livio Ramondelli]]
* '''Cover RI:''' Orion with an axe, by [[Clayton Crain]]
<gallery>
Image:SpotlightOP_cvrA.jpg|
Image:SpotlightOP_cvrB.jpg|
Image:SpotlightOP_cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[City on Fire|#12]]
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' #12
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'' [[Natural Selection, Part 1|#86]]
*IDW's ''[[My Little Pony|My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]]'' comic
*CGC
*''The Adventures of Augusta Wind''
*''Popeye''

[[Category:Spotlight issues]]

Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism

2013-06-12T09:09:49Z

BossBot97: /* Synopsis */ grammer

{{Comicstory|
|series=mtmte|issueno=10
|prev=Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc
|next=Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading
|caption=Act Like A Prick To Catch A Prick.
|image=MTMTE10_cvrB.jpg
|title="Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[October 31]], [[2012]]
|coverdate=October 2012
|story by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2012)]]
}}

'''As Rewind's tale of the past continues, the senator murders lead Chromedome and Prowl to uncover the truth behind an urban legend, and Orion Pax to discover just how deep the corruption in the Senate runs.'''

==Synopsis==
''On Cybertron, before the war, [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] flips between the latest news bulletins covering the murder of Senator [[Sherma]] and the death of [[Nominus Prime]]. Tensions are high as the deadline date for "[[Proteus's Promise]]" draws near, the vow made by Senator [[Proteus]] that the [[Decepticon]]s will be recognised as a legitimate political party if 10,000 sign up with the [[Decepticon Registration Act]]. Then, an update on the missing [[Pious Maximus]] is interrupted by breaking news of a high-speed pursuit in [[Translucentica Heights]]...''

In the present day, said pursuit is now the subject of [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]]'s story, with [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] describing how he followed the killer of Senator [[Momus]] in an aerial chase, which ended when the murderer collided with one of the reinforced glass walls of the region and exploded against a billboard. On his way back to the crime scene, Chromedome met the warden of Translucentica Heights, [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], who was able to provide evidence that Momus was not killed ''by'' Decepticons—he was killed because he secretly ''was'' a Decepticon. Prowl's study of the crime scene quickly determined the involvement of a second killer, who then made himself known by opening fire. Pinned down and with Prowl never having seen combat before, the trio seemed doomed until the surprise appearance of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]], who brought the killer down, only for his [[Spark]] to collapse before he could be questioned.

Meanwhile, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] returns to the ''[[Lost Light]]'' from a reconnaissance mission, and is filled in by [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] on the mysterious attack on Red Alert, whose spark is faint but still pulsing. In a makeshift interrogation room converted from [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s lab, [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] is trying to get a confession out of [[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]], but when things turn violent, Rodimus and Magnus have to step in. At that point a communique from [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] clears Cyclonus, as the medic reports that he has discerned the killer's identity.

Before handing the story over to [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], Rewind explains that the ex-watchmaker was, at the time, incarcerated in [[Garrus-1]] on [[Moonbase Two|Luna 2]]. When [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] points out that Whirl was in prison for assaulting [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]], the event allegedly responsible for turning him "bad", Whirl furiously interrupts and quickly picks the story up, describing how he summoned Orion away from investigating the senator killings to give him a message. In hopes of revenge against the [[Senate]] for ruining his life, Whirl shared with Orion information from a [[Kroma|cellmate]] about a Senate plot involving the death of [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Pax's senator friend]] and a bomb "hidden in plain sight". Orion left to act upon this information (leaving Whirl to be viciously beaten by his new cellmate [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] just a few minutes later), sending Ratchet and Roller to the [[Jhiaxian Academy of Advanced Technology|Academy of Advanced Technology]], where trainee theoretician [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] watched them take Orion's senator friend into protective custody.

Narration returns to Chromedome, who prepares to recount how he and Prowl investigated the nearest [[Relinquishment Clinic]], suspecting that the killers had been using borrowed bodies. Rewind is dissatisfied at Chromedome's decision to preface this with a recollection of how he and Prowl stopped to watch a Decepticon protest and talk about what they would do if war broke out on the way, hurrying him along to the events that took place in the clinic itself. While waiting in its lobby, Chromedome remembers how the pair saw a news report based on their findings that cleared the Decepticons of the murders, which left Prowl frustrated as the results were only preliminary. They were then met by clinic tech [[Trepan]], who they easily pegged as squirrelly and promptly cuffed so they could investigate. The pair eventually found a secret facility beneath the clinic that Chromedome was horrified to realize was the [[Institute]], a supposedly-fictitious government facility that practises a forbidden science—brainwashing so heinous it is known only as "[[Shadowplay]]". Accessing its mainframe and verifying it as the source of the bodies their killers were using, the pair took the data and absconded without incident, prompting Rewind to resume the position of storyteller and sum up how the pair met back up with Orion, Ratchet, Roller and the senator in [[Rodion]]. When the senator identified the list of names from The Institute as all those currently signed with the Decepticon Registration Act, Pax was able to put all the evidence he and his friends have gathered together. Proteus arranged the murders so that the Decepticons could expressly ''not'' be found guilty, thereby demonstrating his fairness and leading to a surge in registrants. The bomb mentioned by Whirl would then be pinned on the Decepticons as supposed proof of their "true colors", giving Proteus and [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel]] the excuse needed to use The Institute to brainwash all those registered. Chromedome lamented their lack of knowledge at the bomb's location, but a news report immediately provided the answer: it was the fake [[Matrix of Leadership]] in the chest of the deceased Nominus Prime, whose body was to be lain in state the next day. The course of action for Orion's team was clear: they had to steal the Matrix!

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (7)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (8)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (11)
*[[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] (13)
*[[Rad]] (14)
*[[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]] (15)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (16)
*[[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] (17)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (18)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (19)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (21)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (22)
*[[Ambulon]] (23)
*''[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]]'' (24)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (25)
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (26)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (27)
*[[Rung]] (28)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] (29)
{{!}}}
|c4=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*''[[Roller (G1)|Roller]] (1)
*''[[Proteus]]'' (2)
*''[[Nominus Prime]]'' (3)
*''[[Pious Maximus]]'' (4)
*''[[Slamdance (G1)|Slamdance]]'' (5)
*''"[[Fallout (G1)|Fallout]]"'' (6)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (9)
*''[[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]]'' (10)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*''"[[Streaker]]"'' (12)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (20)
*''Garrus-1 warden'' (30)
*''[[Kroma]]'' (31)
*''[[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]]'' (32)
*''[[Glitch (IDW)|Glitch]]'' (33)
*''[[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Conspicuously-unnamed senator]]'' (34)
*''[[Trepan]]'' (35)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==

"You do '''read''' my memos, don't you, '''Rodimus?'''" 
"If there's a reason '''not to,''' I've yet to find it. I read '''all''' your memos. And every one of your many, '''many''' reports. And since you're finally here, you can read one of '''mine.'''" 
"'We found '''Red Alert''' in the oil reservoir. No head. Pretty sure '''Cyclonus''' is to blame—obv. watch this space.'" 
"'Obv' stands for obviously." 
"No, I, er—I guessed that."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Rodimus'''

'''Tailgate:''' "No. Frikkin'. Way. '''Orion Pax''' landed on the guy's '''back?''' Where'd he even '''come from?'''" 
'''Chromedome:''' "I always assumed he jumped off the '''roof,''' Tailgate. He did that sort of thing quite a lot." 
'''Tailgate:''' "Pax is '''so''' cool." 
'''Swerve:''' "More of this, please. More jumping off roofs. Rooves. Roofs. More jumping off things."

"You must be '''Prowl'''. I've heard a lot about you. I'd '''assumed''' most of it was exaggerated."
:—'''Orion Pax'''

"Well, I hope I never get as '''jaded''' and '''cynical''' as '''you''', Orion Pax."
:—'''Prowl'''

'''Whirl:''' "It was Pax's fault I was in prison—" 
'''Ratchet:''' "'''Rubbish!''' It was '''your''' fault you were in prison! Pax was the one who '''arrested''' you!" <to Tailgate> "Whirl attacked '''Megatron''' in his cell." 
'''Tailgate:''' "But wasn't Megatron the '''main bad guy?''' Or... have I missed something very important?" 
'''Ratchet:''' This was '''before''' he went bad. In fact, many say that the '''reason''' he went bad was—" 
'''Whirl:''' <big>'''HEY!'''</big> Can I just tell my part of the story? It's only a frikkin' '''cameo''' as it is! Yeah? Yeah? '''Right.'''"

"Five minutes. Ten if I hear him screaming."
:—'''Garrus-1's warden''', on letting Orion Pax visit Whirl

"The Senate '''mutilated''' me, got me to do their dirty work, and '''abandoned''' me. I want you to '''hurt''' them. I want you to '''crush''' them. I want—I want—I want my hands back."
:—'''Whirl'''

'''Rewind:''' "'''Impactor?!''' Impactor was your '''cellmate?!''' That's how you '''met?!''' And—and I bet he promptly added your name to the list of warriors who would one day become... '''The Wreckers!'''" 
'''Whirl:''' "No—he promptly '''beat me''' to the brink of fade-out and left me in a '''critical condition'''—and '''years''' later we met '''again.'''" 
'''Swerve''': "But that's a '''whole other story.''' Sorry—I always wanted to say that. That, and 'Impossible! Our laserfire is just making him '''stronger!'''' Ahem. Go on..."

==Notes==
*[[Kremzeek]] drinks reappear—in "juice box"-style this time.
*We've linked Roller to his [[Roller (G1)|Generation 1 self]] in this article for convenience, but whatever relationship this character may or may not have to Prime's longstanding buggy-companion, we don't know it yet.
*"Proteus's Promise" has been referenced in issues [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|#8]] and [[Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|#9]]; here, we finally learn what it was.
[[File:NAILProtesterShadowplay.jpg|thumb|200px]]
*The robot speaking out against Nominus's policies at the J.A.A.T. lectures on page 1 appears to be the placard-carrying [[NAIL protester]] from "[[The Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime]]", who transformed himself to death in [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|issue #1]] of this series.
*The speaker mentions racism based on whether you're forged or 'constructed', something Roberts first introduced in "[[Chaos Theory Part 1|Chaos Theory]]" (and is an idea he first came up with in ''Eugenesis'').
*And speaking of the J.A.A.T. lectures, the "A.A.T." part of the name refers to the Academy of Advanced Technology seen in this story. What the J stands for, we won't find out until next issue.
*Fallout's alternate mode is a Thunderbolt fighter from ''[[Wikipedia: Babylon 5|Babylon 5]]''.
*The classic Generation 1 "tetrajet"—Cybertronian alternate mode of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]—can be seen on the billboard "Fallout" crashes into.
*Red Alert's body in Rewind's story is a Cybertronic adaptation of his original Generation 1 look, quite far removed from the bulky, rounded form he's wearing in the modern day.
*One of the Decepticon tracts Red Alert finds is titled "The Illusion of Progress: Revisited", evidently a sequel to Megatron's earlier work, "Nominus Prime and the Illusion of Progress", mentioned in "[[Chaos Theory Part 1|Chaos Theory]]".
*When the ultraviolet light is on in Senator Momus's suite, a small panel shows five puncture marks on the back of Red Alert's neck. As Chromedome explained in [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|issue #8]], [[mnemosurgery]] marks only show up under UV light, and the ideal entry point is from the back of the neck. As Trepan is later seen with the spiked finger-extrusions Chromedome has been shown to use in mnemosurgery in issues #8 and [[Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|#3]], it seems obvious this was the work of the Institute, presumably using Red in order to feed Chromedome and Prowl the required evidence. Seems Red Alert's paranoia about the organization as mentioned in his sessions with Rung from [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|issue #5]] was justified. All that from one inset panel, folks! Roberts, take a bow.
*Speaking of Senator Momus, whilst his name could well be a reference to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momus the ancient Greek deity], given [http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=12527 James Roberts' noted predilection towards indie music] it's more likely to be a reference to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momus_(artist) the eccentric Scottish musician] who also uses the name.
*Prowl's ability to "observe 800 moving objects and compute their direction of travel" is an ability from his original ''[[The Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe]]'' profile.
*A small statuette, plaque or screen-projection of some kind (it's tiny, it's hard to tell!) can be seen in Perceptor's lab, sporting the likeness of [[Nijika]], the tiny female geisha droid that Perceptor's mind was transferred into in the Generation 1 cartoon episode "[[The Face of the Nijika]]".
*Cyclonus mentions Rossum's Rule of Thirds in regards to Red Alert's survival. This would have to do with Rossum's Trinity, the designation for the three parts of the Cybertronian body (the brain module, spark, and transformation cog) that are interlinked such that damage to one can damage the others, mentioned in issue #3.
*First Aid is seen working on a [[Diagnostic Drone]], likely the same one that watched Red Alert visit [[Rung]] in [[Interiors|issue #6]].
*Momus lived in hab suite 113, yet another of Roberts' references to [[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|issue #113]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|UK Marvel comic]].
*Whirl's cellmate is one of the trio of Senate enforcers who pay Pax a visit in "[[Chaos Theory Part 2]]". That story previously established Whirl's connection to that band of nogoodniks, as did the appearance of the trio's apparent leader in his flashback in issue #6.
*Scrawled on the wall of Whirl's cell is the Wreckers' catchphrase, "Wreck 'n' Rule". However, since the Wreckers don't ''exist'' yet at this point in time, the implication might be that this is where Impactor picked up the phrase for later use.
*Also written on Whirl's cell wall, and on a wall near the Decepticon protest, is "Free in 63", a similar message to one seen on Megatron's cell wall in "Chaos Theory," "Free in Cycle 63".
*Whirl's brutalization of Megatron was previously chronicled in the first part of "Chaos Theory". Left unsaid in the comic itself, the fact that Impactor immediately beats Whirl up upon meeting him is obviously because of the fact that Impactor and Megatron were once friends.
[[File:Unnamed senator in Patternism.jpg|thumb|200px]]
*Orion Pax's still-unnamed senator friend has had his color scheme completely overhauled in this issue, going from white, blue and gold to red, white and blue. We're not calling it an error, though, because like his namelessness, this is surely intentional for reasons we are not yet privy to...
*The helmet Glitch is wearing in the scene of Roller and Ratchet arriving at the Academy is Doc Brown's [http://backtothefuture.wikia.com/wiki/Brain-wave_analyzer brain-wave analyzer] from ''[[Wikipedia: Back to the Future|Back to the Future]]''.
*Prowl's pacifism, and his promised attempt to leave Cybertron to escape a potential war, were alluded to back in "The Death of Optimus Prime", where it was revealed that he ''did'' try to leave, but didn't make it.
*The main speaker at the Decepticon protest is the same 'bot seen getting branded with the Decepticon insignia in issue #3's montage of the war's beginnings. The vehicle he is standing on is in Constructicon green-and-purple; logical, given that the Decepticon movement at this time is largely made up of menial-class characters like them.
[[File:The institute Shadowplay2.jpg|thumb|250px]]
*The Institute has been referred to several times in Roberts's work, stretching back to "Chaos Theory". At last, the mystery revealed!
*All the 'bots we see working in the Institute can be divided into two general body types: Ones visually similar to Rung/Trepan/the Necrobot (possibly a neurologist/psychologist body type) and ones who resemble Quark, with microscope cylinders on the tops of their heads. This makes sense, as who else would a brain experimentation facility employ but mind specialists and scientists?
*Pious Maximus, noted as having disappeared 18 months ago, shows up in one of the rooms of the Institute. Guess we know what happened to him.
*The Institute also contains the bodies of numerous [[Empty|Empties]] from the [[Dead End (place)|Dead End]]. This seems to imply that [[Sonic (G1)|Sonic]] and [[Boom]] from last issue, who were paid by a mysterious "them" to attack homeless residents of the Dead End, were actually hired by The Institute to bring them guinea pigs.
*In the bottom left panel of page 19, Artist Alex Milne leaves a shoutout to series Colorist Josh Burcham: the glyphs beneath Fallout and Streaker's pictures spell out 'DCJOSH', Josh Burcham's chosen online handle.

===Crew Manifest===
*Our bad. Red Alert's headless <strike>corpse</strike> but still functional body was recovered from the oil reservoir last issue.
*5 deaths, 5 new arrivals (plus 20 or so Faders) since the launch.

===Errors===
*On page 11, panel 1, the word "foment" is misspelled as "forment." This was corrected in the TPB.
*As Whirl mocks Chromedome for his history with Prowl on page 12, it's Skids who gets offended by it. The speech bubble was correctly assigned in the TPB.

===Soundtrack===

For the three-part "Shadowplay" story:

*''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnAt0xpO2HU Comforting Sounds]'' by [[Wikipedia:Mew (band)|Mew]]

For this issue:
*''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU_LRUkjbKk Action/Reaction]'' by [[Wikipedia:Choir of Young Believers|Choir of Young Believers]]
*''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIfR_jMM2Hw Traffic Music]'' by [[Wikipedia:Hjaltalín|Hjaltalín]]

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Chromedome riding a sky-dart, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Cover B:''' Chromedome and Prowl, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Orion Pax and Ratchet, by [[Marcelo Matere]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]

<gallery>
Image:MTMTE10_cvrA.jpg|
Image:MTMTE10_cvrB.jpg|
Image:MTMTE10_cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Syndromica (2)|#10]]
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'' [[Loose Ends, Part 4|#84]]
*''Magic: The Gathering - Path of Vengeance''
*''The Real Ghostbusters'' 100 Page Spooktacular
*IDW ''[[My Little Pony|My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]]'' comic

==External links==
*[http://www.fullmetalhero.com/content/idw-more-than-meets-eye-10-preview-5166/ Preview]
*[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-ongoing-10-creator-commentary-with-james-roberts/26143/ Creator Commentary with James Roberts]

Rules of Disengagement (issue)

2013-06-12T01:43:28Z

BossBot97: /* Crew Manifest */ dead/added since launch

{{Comicstory|
|series=mtmte|issueno=7
|prev=Interiors
|next=Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations
|seriesissue2="Scavengers"
|next2=Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?
|caption=
|image=MTMTE7_cvrA.jpg
|title="Rules of Disengagement"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 25]], [[2012]]
|coverdate=July 2012
|story by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Shawn Lee]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2012)]]
}}

'''A mismatched group of Decepticons find themselves in the crosshairs of the deadliest team of killers there is... the Decepticon Justice Division!'''

==Synopsis==

As a [[infiltration protocol|phase sixer]], [[Black Shadow (Victory)|Black Shadow]] is one of the most feared Decepticons, having tackled the [[Wrecker]]s single-handedly, defeated the entire [[113th Battalion]], and massacred the population of [[Rigel IV]]. But when he accepted a bribe to blow up a fleet of [[Warworld|War Worlds]], he landed himself in the sights of the [[Decepticon Justice Division]], a team of vicious killers fanatically dedicated to [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] and charged with destroying all who cross him. It's not a pretty sight when the DJD catch up to Black Shadow: melted by [[Helex (DJD)|Helex]], crushed by [[Tesarus (DJD)|Tesarus]] and electrocuted by [[Kaon (DJD)|Kaon]], he is explosively finished off when DJD leader [[Tarn (DJD)|Tarn]] uses his ability of "weaponized conversation" to stop the pulse of his [[spark]]. Their task done, the DJD set off to find their next target on the planet of [[Clemency]]—a target guilty of simply living.

On the ''[[Lost Light]]'', [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]], [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] and [[Ambulon]] combine their medical expertise to save the life of the wounded [[Rung]], though the psychiatrist remains comatose. A few hours later, [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] visits Rung in secrecy, believing—in his increasing paranoia—that the attempt on Rung's life was a deliberate one after Red told him about the voice he heard from beneath the ship. Certain that he is next, Red hides a [[data slug]] containing video he has taken of the voice's owner—[[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]]—on Rung's body and bids him goodbye. But a medical [[Diagnostic Drone]] has observed the entire thing, and soon, a shadowed figure arrives in the medibay and recovers the slug...

On Clemency, a band of [[Decepticon]] [[Scavenger (group)|Scavengers]] consisting of [[Misfire]], [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]], [[Krok (G1)|Krok]], [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] and [[Flywheels]] are in the process of draining [[Transformer fuel|fuel]] from the vast array of Transformer corpses that litter the war-torn world when one of them, a chipper fellow named [[Fulcrum]], proves to be still alive. After a slight panic over the possibility that he might be a [[zombie]], the six 'cons settle down around a fire to talk about the great battle in Clemency's past, and the grim reality of war and how it reduces lives to statistics. Fulcrum is shocked to discover that the war is ''over'', barely able to comprehend such a thing, and the other Decepticons mumble about how meaningless it all turned out to be and how unclear their goals had been anyway. In spite of this, though, when one of the Autobot bodies stoking the Decepticons' fire proves to still be alive, Krok casually kills the poor 'bot.

Back on the ''Lost Light'', [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] visits [[Brainstorm]] in his lab to get the scientist's analysis of [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]'s mysterious gun, which Chromedome palmed from the theoretician when he was distracted. The weapon immediately blew up when Brainstorm tried to examine it, but he was able to recognise at least some of the engineering, and has concluded that as impossible as it may seem, the gun may have come from somewhere known as "the [[Institute]]"...

As dawn breaks on Clemency, the Decepticons resume their scavenging, only for Misfire to suddenly break away from the group, thinking that he has spotted the [[Necrobot]], a mythical Grim Reaper-like figure in Cybertronian culture. Instead, what he has discovered is a P-6 [[Worldsweeper]], a famous model of gigantic Decepticon spaceship cast in the image of the faction's [[insignia]]. Investigating the vessel, the Decepticons make some horrifyingly strange discoveries: a ceiling covered entirely in [[brain module]]s, tanks of warped, malformed [[protoform]]s, a non-functional robot made entirely of wood, and a corridor composed of organic flesh that proves to have been responsible for causing the ship to crash, having ''bled'' into the fuel supply and polluted it. Misfire in particular is aghast and advocates immediate departure, but Fulcrum, coming around to the idea of new horizons, is eager to investigate. All emotions on the ship quickly turn to terror, however, when Krok receives a communication from the DJD, announcing that one of their number is on the Division's list. Tarn signs off with the promise that if the guilty party is handed over, the other six will be allowed to watch his execution. The numbers don't add up, and Fulcrum assumes the DJD simply miscounted their life-signs... but Krok soon discovers that there is indeed a seventh party on the ship, unconscious and sealed in a stasis tube... [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]!

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.) 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*''[[Piston (Wrecker)|Piston]]''<ref name="RobertsIDWforum">[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=301648#301648 James Roberts, IDW forum]: A while back I was PM'd by Ironhide/Paul, who asked me for some information on the Wreckers who showed up in the flashback on Page 1 of issue 7. I promised to post something on this forum. Here's the relevant extract from the script:

2 / Flashback. BLACK SHADOW fights the Wreckers (an old version of the team) at close quarters: tight, dirty and violent. He rips CREST’s head off and blasts PISTON through the chest, killing him. Also in shot are VALVE, HYPERION, IMPACTOR and RACK, all trying to get a piece of him. But it’s clear that Black Shadow owns this fight. Crest has been mentioned but not seen before, but should be readily identifiable by a big old crest on his chest. Valve is a spark brother to Springarm and Wheelarch, so should look like them. Piston is all-new. Hyperion was glimpsed in MTMTE issue 2.</ref> (2)
*''[[Rack'n'Ruin|Rack]]''<ref name="RobertsIDWforum" /> (3)
*''[[Valve]]''<ref name="RobertsIDWforum" /> (4)
*''[[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]]''<ref name="RobertsIDWforum" /> (6)
*''[[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]]'' (7)
*''[[Crest]]''<ref name="RobertsIDWforum" /> (8)
*''[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]'' (9)
*''[[Pyro (G1)|Pyro]]'' (10)
*''[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]]'' (11)
*''[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'' (12)
*''[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]]'' (13)
*''[[Kup (G1)|Kup]]'' (14)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] (20)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Rung]] (21)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (22)
*[[Ambulon]] (23)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (24)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (25)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (26)
*[[Brainstorm]] (33)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (34)
*''[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]]'' (35)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (36)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Tarn (DJD)|Tarn]] (1)
*[[Black Shadow (Victory)|Black Shadow]] (5)
*[[Kaon (DJD)|Kaon]] (15)
*[[Helex (DJD)|Helex]] (16)
*[[Tesarus (DJD)|Tesarus]] (17)
*[[Vos (DJD)|Vos]] (18)
*''[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]'' (19)
*[[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] (27)
*[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] (28)
*[[Flywheels]] (29)
*[[Krok (G1)|Krok]] (30)
*[[Misfire]] (31)
*[[Fulcrum]] (32)
}}

==Quotes==

"Nice to meet you, loser! They call me '''Misfire'''. Long story. Actually, you know what? It isn't. It's a very short story involving a machine gun, a '''misunderstanding''', and a dozen dead Decepticons."
:—In the IDW-universe, '''Misfire''' actually managed to hit something!

'''Fulcrum:''' "Ah! Now! Just—just wait a second! Just— The thing about me—my big thing is this: I'm really not keen on '''dying'''. Now '''survival'''—oh wow, '''huge''' fan. Put me down for some of '''that'''. Besides, we don't even know each other! You might '''like''' me! You might find me—disarming! Yes! I'd '''disarm''' you!" 
'''Spinister:''' "You'd '''what''' me?" 
'''Flywheels:''' "Careful—he's using words to confuse and frighten us."

"'''Go away.''' I'm busier than you've ever been and I'm doing more important things than you've ever done." 
"It's Chromedome." 
"So?" 
"So you have to be '''nice''' to me, I'm your only friend. Why are you—?" 
"Building weapons whilst hanging from the ceiling? Because no one else can. I was hoping '''Perceptor''' would walk in."
:—'''Brainstorm''' and '''Chromedome'''

"Chromedome, you're looking at is a bona fide '''Binary Gun.'''" 
"What's a Binary Gun?" 
"I'm not sure—I've only just made up the name. But I called it that because inside there's only room for two cartridges, '''here''' and '''here.'''" 
"So what does it '''do?''' Where'd Skids get it? Why'd he carry it around with him all the time?" 
"I don't know! I've done my bit...!" 
"You made the gun '''blow up''' and then you '''gave it a name!''' I could have done that '''and''' I'd have come up with a better name!"
:—'''Brainstorm''' and '''Chromedome''' again

"But there's '''always''' been a war! That's like saying there's no more '''blue''' or—or the '''weather's''' stopped!"
:—'''Fulcrum''' catches up on recent history

"I always dreamed of captaining my own P-6—Followin' the likes of [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] and [[Sixshot]] and the other big guns. I'd have called it something '''noble''' and '''majestic''', like '''''Mega Starpuncher''''' or '''''Mighty Spaceship'''''."
:—'''Crankcase'''

"You know, there are some Decepticons who, upon finding themselves in a skin-covered room surrounded by '''aborted protoforms''' and '''mechanoids made of bark,''' would rub their hands together, marvel at the universe's infinite capacity for surprise and '''dive right in.''' I am not one of those Decepticons. I say we run away screaming." 
"I '''am''' one of those Decepticons, Misfire, and I say we stick around—because frankly, this is amazing." 
"What's amazing?" 
"This! Us! Now! Who owns this ship? Where are they now? Where will '''we''' be an '''hour''' from now, or '''tomorrow''', or '''next month?''' The answer to '''all''' those questions is '''"Who knows?"''' And that's a '''great answer!''' That's the '''best answer ever!''' All our lives we've followed orders—all our lives someone else has always told us what to do next! Well, not anymore! For the first time in '''forever,''' we can do whatever we like! We're '''free!'''"
:—'''Misfire''' and '''Fulcrum'''

==Notes==
* Although "Rules of Disengagement" is the only on-page title for this issue's story, the following issue was labelled "Scavengers (Part 2)", identified this as an unmarked Part 1.
* Black Shadow's design is based on his ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' toy. He was established to be a phase sixer in his sole previous IDW appearance in ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|#2]].
* The 113th Battalion is another use of the number 113 by James Roberts, referring to the [[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|issue of the UK comic]] that got him hooked on the series. On the same page, Black Shadow is seen battling the '''11'''th iteration of the Wreckers, with '''3''' kills.
* In addition to obvious members Impactor and Rack (pre-Ruin), the version of the Wreckers Black Shadow fights is made up mostly of characters mentioned and briefly glimpsed in past James Roberts works which he specified in the script.<ref name="RobertsIDWforum" /> None are named on-panel but Hyperion is recognizable from his corpse's role in [[Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|issue #2]], while Valve has never been seen before, but shares a body-type with his brothers [[Wheelarch]] and [[Springarm]] from "[[Chaos Theory Part 1|Chaos Theory]]". Crest was mentioned in "[[Bullets]]" (and can be recognized by his large chest-crest), while the unfortunate Piston is a new character, separate from the earlier IDW character [[Piston|of the same name]].
* Whilst [[Rigel III|other]] [[Rigel 6|planets]] that orbit [[Rigel|the same star]] have shown up in Transformers fiction before, this issue is the first mention of Rigel IV. It's also known as being [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kang_and_Kodos the home of a pair of pesky space aliens] from ''The Simpsons''.
* Black Shadow's bribe is in [[Shanix]], a little-referenced Cybertronian currency that first appeared in issue #113 of the Marvel UK series. It's seen some previous mentions in IDW continuity in [[Chaos Theory Part 1|"Chaos Theory", Part 1]] and "[[Stick Together]]".
* The Warworld was the Decepticon mothership in the Marvel ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]'' comic. The idea of a fleet of multiple Warworlds originated with the non-canon ''[[Alignment]]''.
* The Decepticon Justice Division were first mentioned in one of Roberts's earliest IDW works, [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #1]], and have come up on occasion since then. They are named after cities on Cybertron; specifically, the "[[Fall of the First Five Cities|First Five Cities]]" to fall to the Decepticons in the war, which were listed in [[Life After the Big Bang|issue #4]].
* Helex has a [[Turbofox]] on a leash.
* Vos's dialogue, referred to as the "[[Cybertronian languages#IDW comics continuity|Primal Vernacular]]", is written using the [[Cyberglyphics]] symbol language from the [[movie continuity|live-action movie continuity]]. Employing the substitution cypher regularly used by [[Titan Books|Titan]] in their [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|UK Transformers comic]] shows that most of his speech bubbles are nonsense, however, save for the first, which reads: "So tired me go night xth".
* This is not the first time Roberts has written a character has having been "talked to death", though this version is a lot more literal than the reference made in "Bullets" to [[Violator|a Decepticon]] who killed himself rather than listen to [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]] drone on!
* [[Kol]] was first seen in [[Swarm (issue)|''Generation 2'' #9]], where it was a planet. It became the name of a [[Kol System|system]] in [[Stormbringer issue 2|''Stormbringer'' #2]] with the introduction of [[Varas Centralus]], which is located there.
* Roberts had previously created a Decepticon named Fulcrum in his fan-published ''Transformers: Eugenesis'' novel. Whether these are meant to be iterations of the same character (as was the case with Rung) or just a name reuse is unclear.
* That Flywheels should freak out so seriously at the prospect of a [[zombie]] is fitting, given his prominent role in the greatest Transformers zombie story, Marvel UK's "[[City of Fear!]]" (indeed, his only prominent role in anything before now).
* Amusingly, to go by the original tech spec numbers, Krok is actually the lowest ranking Decepticon of his group. But since when was fiction accurate to the tech specs?
* A device or creature looking like a horseshoe crab can be seen in a canister on Brainstorm's desk, which might be supposed to be a small version of the [[Madmachine]] from the ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Headmasters]]'' episode, "[[The Great Cassette Operation]]".
* [[Hydrus Four|Hydrus 4]] is the planet of origin for [[Nucleon]], seen in the original Marvel series. Its sister world [[Hydrus 5]] was created by James Roberts and first mentioned in "[[Bullets]]".
* Chromedome palmed Skids's gun between pages 4 and 5 of [[Life After the Big Bang|issue 4]].
* Reference was previously made to the mysterious "Institute" by the [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|nameless senator]] in [[Chaos Theory Part 2|"Chaos Theory", Part 2]], and as part of Red Alert's paranoid delusions in [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|issue #5]].
*The planet [[Elpasos]] is mentioned in passing, a world that debuted in—you guessed it, issue #113 of the Marvel UK series. It got a previous IDW mention in [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #5]].
*Reference is made to "Nova Peak", which is prrrrrobably the same thing as [[Nova Point]].
* Krok's ship is named the ''Weak Anthropic Principle'', which is a philosophical postulate which basically states that only a universe capable of supporting intelligent life is able to be noted by said life, whereas a universe incapable of supporting such life will go unbeheld.
* The [[Necrobot]] was previously mentioned by [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] in ''[[Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|issue #3]]'' among other [[:Category: Things that don't exist|things that don't exist]] like the [[Shimmer]] or the [[Moonbase One|Seething Moon]].
* Grimlock was last seen at the close of the ''[[The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots|Maximum Dinobots]]'' mini-series, over three years before the publication of this issue. Since then, all we've heard is that he had left [[Garrus-9]] after it was sacked by the Decepticons under unrevealed circumstances, as detailed in [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #4]].

===Errors===
*"Halt" is misspelled "hault" on page 3, this was corrected for the TPB.
*Spinister was previously shown to be among the Decepticons who had already returned to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[The Autonomy Lesson|#1]]. Quick, someone [[Bluster|make up]] [[Firster Aid|a name]]!
*Spinister's name is misspelled as "Spinisther" during the search of the Symbol Ship, this remained uncorrected in the TPB.
*Krok spends most of the issue in a new set of colors, only appearing in his toy's colors in one panel on page 20.

===Crew Manifest===
*The "Story so far" segment on the inside front cover notes that "a number of [[Delphi]]'s patients" were brought to the ''Lost Light'', which is the first mention that anyone other than [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] came back with Ratchet and the medics.
*5 deaths, 5+ new arrivals since the launch.

===Soundtrack===
*''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk0vQhxyR5Y My Year in Lists]'' by [[Wikipedia:Los Campesinos!|Los Campesinos!]]

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Tarn, by Alex Milne and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Cover B:''' Misfire, Crankcase, Spinister, Flywheels and Krok, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover RI:''' [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] by [[Marcelo Matere]] and [[Priscilla Tramontano]], the second quarter of a combined image formed with the RI cover to ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Interference Patterns|#7]], [[Dinobot Hunt|#8]], and ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|#8]].

<gallery>
Image:MTMTE7_cvrA.jpg|The last image in Black Shadow's mind.
Image:MTMTE7_cvrB.jpg|Hi, can I have your heart?
Image:MTMTE7_cvrRI.jpg|Cover RI
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|#8]]
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Dinobot Hunt|#8]]
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'' [[Loose Ends, Part 2|#82]]
*Sergio Aragones' ''Groo: Artist's Edition''
*''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]''
*''Regeneration One'' [[Loose Ends, Part 1|#81]]
*IDW's ''Mars Attacks'' comic (back cover)

==References==
<references/>

Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On

2013-06-11T22:13:22Z

BossBot97: /* Crew Manifest */ spelling error

{{Comicstory|
|series=mtmte|issueno=2
|prev=Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It
|next=Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things
|caption=
|image=MTMTE2_cvrB.jpg
|title="Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[February 15]], [[2012]]
|coverdate=February 2012
|story by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Shawn Lee]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2012)]]
}}

'''The recovering crew of the ''Lost Light'' are joined by Skids, a bot on the run... but on the run from what?'''

==Synopsis==

On the barren planet where the ''[[Lost Light]]'' has put down, [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]], [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and others go about gathering up the [[Autobot]]s who have been scattered across the world's surface. [[Brainstorm]] radios in that he has discovered the source of their explosive mishap: the [[Duobot]] [[Ore]] was standing too close to the [[quantum generator]] when it activated, and wound up being "totally mashed" into it. Perturbed by Brainstorm's general tone of levity, Rodimus orders him to start helping with the search, then takes a call from [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]], who is with [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], hauling [[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] out of a lake.

Meanwhile, in the skies above the planet, a small ship materializes. Its sole occupant is [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], who awakens with an [[inhibitor claw]] on his back and the knowledge that he is running from ''something''... but cannot remember what, finding that all of his recent memories are missing. Spotting a [[mode lock]] on the shuttle's console and realizing that it is trying to transform into something, he sets the ship on collision course with the planet and bails out. He watches the ship crash, but from the flames, its remnants transform into a trio of gigantic robots; one was killed, presumably in the crash, but the others are quite alive and quite hostile, advancing on Skids while wielding giant swords and repeatedly intoning the cryptic phrase: "nineteen eighty-four". Apparently lacking in any weapons, Skids improvises with the nearby corpses of [[Polaris]] and [[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]]: he magnetizes the former to one of the giant robots, then uses the latter's gun to blow Polaris up, taking the monstrous mechanoid with it.

Aboard the ''Lost Light'', [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] tends to the wounds [[Rung]] received before take-off, startling the timid psychiatrist by smashing his own hand with a hammer to loosen his joints. They discusss [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]], who is being carbon-dated by [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]], and Ratchet grumbles about [[Drift (G1)|Drift]]'s newfound sense of unbearable positivity before half-heartedly turning his attention to the unconscious [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]. Suddenly, Whirl awakens, seizes Rung, and begins throttling him, heedless of Ratchet and Swerve's attempts to calm him. The maddened Autobot only stops when Rung chokes out the warning that if he kills him, he'll go back to prison. Whirl snaps out of it and stalks off, the ruckus having awakened Tailgate, who is relieved to find out he did not kill the unhinged Autobot. Realizing that Tailgate is a 'bot out of time, Swerve begs Ratchet to allow him to be the one to tell him, and the "gentle" manner in which Swerve relates the information elicits a horrified bellow from Tailgate that is heard outside the ''Lost Light''.

Elsewhere on the ship, Rodimus meets with Cyclonus, who explains that he attached himself to the hull of the ''Lost Light'' to join in its mission. Though unapologetic for his past actions, he pleads his case for being allowed to stay and manages to sway Rodimus to his side, though Ultra Magnus is less than convinced. Having found Whirl skulking around, Magnus brings him into the room, and orders him to settle his argument with Cyclonus. Whirl does so without admitting any guilt, and is surprised when Cyclonus hugs him... only for him to whisper during the embrace that Whirl should watch his back, because he's going to kill him.

Swerve and Tailgate go for a walk outside, with Tailgate rebuffing Swerve's request to see his [[alternate mode]] on the basis that Ratchet told him to take it easy. They meet up with Chromedome and Rewind for some proper introductions, when Skids suddenly falls out of the sky with the last of the giant 'bots on his tail. Recognizing the Autobot—and noting that he has long been thought dead—Chromedome removes Skids's inhibitor claw for him, allowing him to deploy his weapons and finish his pursuer off with impressive ease. As things calm down, though, Chromedome points out that Skids has been holding a handgun all along, which he somehow never noticed...

Skids returns to the ''Lost Light'' with the other Autobots, quickly discovering he's earned himself a fan in Swerve, who artfully balances proposing that he and Skids team up and badgering Tailgate into transforming. Rodimus addressed the assembled Autobots on recent issues, but Whirl pipes up with a "pressing issues"—unimpressed with just about everyone else on the ship, he thinks the group should at least have a cool name. Swerve proposes "The Crusadercons", but Rodimus and Skids take issue with the -con suffix. Before any further discussion can be gone into, Rodimus gets a call from [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], who has been investigating reports of noises on the lower decks with [[Shock]]... who is now lying dead by Red's side, his [[spark]] ripped out. Panicked, Red Alert relates his fear to Rodimus... that there's a [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] on board!

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Brainstorm]] (1)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (2)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (3)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
*[[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] (5)
*[[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]] (6)
*? (7)
*? (8)
*[[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] (9)
*[[Ore]] (10)
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (11)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (12)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (13)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (15)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (17)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] (18)
*[[Rung]] (19)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (20)
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (22)
*[[Polaris]] (23)
*[[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]] (24)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (25)
*[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] (26)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (27)
*[[Grapple]] (28)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (29)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (30)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (31)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (32)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (33)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (34)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (35)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (36)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (37)
*[[Pointblank]] (38)
*[[Animus]] (39)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (40)
*[[Shock]] (41)
{{!}}}
|c4=
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (14)
*[[Legislator]]s (16)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (21)

}}

==Quotes==

"Why are you—''aak!''—doing this?" 
"It's your '''eyebrows'''! He's jealous of your capacity for self-expression!"
:—When '''Rung''' is throttled by Whirl, '''Swerve''' proves to be little help.

'''Rewind:''' "'''Wow.''' It's time like this I'm glad I have a camera bolted to my head..." 
'''Swerve:''' "Nice '''moves'''! Who '''are''' you? An '''ex-[[Wrecker]]'''? One of the '''[[Warriors Elite]]'''? An old '''pit fighter'''?" 
'''Skids:''' "I'm a '''theoretician.'''"
:—That last line kinda feels like it's missing a "...motherf@#!er!" at the end.

'''Rodimus:''' "'''Look''' at them all. What do I tell them?" 
'''Ultra Magnus:''' "The '''truth'''. We've lost contact with Cybertron, we can't find ourselves on the map, Ore is dead, Hyperion and Polaris are dead, but Cyclonus is happy, so that's okay". 
'''Rodimus:''' "See, this is why you're not a public speaker." 
'''Drift:''' "I think you should accentuate the positive. We've got the quantum generators working again—big tick. We're ready to resume our quest—big tick. And we've managed to save '''virtually''' all of the Autobots who got pulled outside—that's more of a '''little''' tick, '''but it's still a tick!'''" 
'''Rodimus:''' "Hmm. I think I'll go for a mixture of depressingly gloomy and offensively upbeat. Thanks, guys."

"So, you gonna show me your alt mode or what?" 
"Ooh, '''alright''' then. But I'm taking it '''slow''', okay?" 
"Tell you what: I'll speak to Skids and pop back in about '''six million years' time''', okay?"
:—'''Swerve''' only teases '''Tailgate''' because he loves him.

"'The Crusadercons.' The more you say it, the cooler it sounds." 
"Someone hears that, they're gonna think we're Decepticons." 
"What, so it has to end in 'bot'?" 
"Well... '''yeah'''. Omnibots, Monsterbots, Duobots... it's kind of an '''unwritten rule''', isn't it." 
"Forget the '''rules'''! The war's over—it's time to '''reclaim the suffix'''!"
:—'''Swerve''' is just a really quotable 'bot, okay? '''Skids''' doesn't share our enthusiasm for him.

==Notes==
* If you don't get the double-meaning that British writer James Roberts has hidden in the Duobots' names, try saying "Shock and Ore" out loud with a British accent.
* Blaster is now sporting a yellow face, a colouration formerly unique to the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 Marvel comic]].
* The last page includes a summary of the crew members already introduced, with short introductions beneath. These include factoids such as Swerve's weapon of choice is his mouth, Whirl was twice voted "Autobot most likely to defect", and Ultra Magnus once smiled, and has regretted it ever since.
* The Legislators keep saying [[1984|"nineteen eighty-four"]].
* Whirl is ''loathed'' by the other Autobots, with Ratchet openly hoping that something would prevent him from repairing him.
* At one point, Skids remembers his "Batch number, [[Tech Spec|Technical Specifications]], [[Function]]" and even his motto, which he finds lame.

===Crew Manifest===
* The fifty or so crew members lost during the quantum jump are all recovered. The only deaths were Polaris and Hyperion.
* Shock and Ore are killed by the Sparkeater and quantum jump, respectively.
* Skids and Cyclonus join the crew.
* 4 deaths, 2 new arrivals since the launch.

===Errors===
* When Skids is telling Chromedome to remove the inhibitor claw from his back, his gun is missing from his right hand.
* (And on Roche's cover, the gun is in his left hand, but whatevs.)
*On page 22, when Drift is giving the communicator device to Rodimus, he has two right hands.

===Soundtrack===
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUN826BdvV4 ''Calendar Girl''] by [[Wikipedia:Stars (Canadian band)|Stars]]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfySK7CLEEg ''Bloodbuzz Ohio''] by [[Wikipedia: The National (band)|The National]]

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Rodimus amongst injured Autobots; art by Alex Milne, colors by [[Josh Perez]].
* '''Cover B:''' Skids gets blown out of the ship; art by [[Nick Roche]], colors by [[Josh Burcham]].
* '''Cover RI:''' Sketch (uncolored) version of cover A by Alex Milne.

<gallery>
Image:MTMTE2_cvrA.jpg|"Quit lying down on the job, ya bums!"
Image:MTMTE2_cvrB.jpg|Skids gets a helluva intro.
Image:MTMTE2_cvrRI.jpg|"I TOLD THEM I WANTED COLOR!"
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'' [[The World & Everything in It|#2]]
* ''[[Infestation 2|Infestation 2: Transformers]]''
* ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'' Annual 2012
* ''Road Rage''
* ''Jack Avarice is The Courier''

Talk:Thirst

2013-06-10T23:09:23Z

BossBot97: /* Captions */

== Captions ==
If I corrected the spelling of colonel, would that harm that caption in any way?
*[[User:BossBot97|BossBot97]] 23:43, 8 June 2013 (EDT)
:[http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/doom-repercussions-of-evil I didn't recognize it either,] but apparently that's part of the whole deal. "Listenend", too. -[[User:LV|LV]] 23:46, 8 June 2013 (EDT)
:Ah... Thanks for the tip. -[[User:BossBot97|BossBot97]] 19:09, 10 June 2013 (EDT)

Talk:Thirst

2013-06-09T03:43:55Z

BossBot97: Created page with "== Captions == If I corrected the spelling of colonel, would that harm that caption in any way? *~~~~"

== Captions ==
If I corrected the spelling of colonel, would that harm that caption in any way?
*[[User:BossBot97|BossBot97]] 23:43, 8 June 2013 (EDT)

Bee in the City

2013-05-26T22:18:54Z

BossBot97: /* Transformers references */

{{episode
|otherseries=''[[Transformers Timelines (fiction)|Transformers Timelines]]''
|title="Bee in the City"
|prev=Shattered Glass
|next=Withered Hope
|seriess2=''[[Transformers: TransTech]]''
|prev2=Gone Too Far
|next2=Withered Hope
|image=BeeCityCast.jpg
|caption=Look to this day, graduates, as you meta-reference the world.
|written by=[[Greg Sepelak]] and [[Trent Troop]]
|directed by=
|original presentation=9:45pm on [[April 26]], [[2008]] (BotCon)
|continuity=[[Transformers: TransTech|TransTech]]}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)

2013-05-26T21:45:34Z

BossBot97: /* Errors */ error not triva

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=[[Dark of the Moon (books)|''Dark of the Moon'' book series]]
|prev=Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)
|image=DOTMnovelization.jpg
|caption=
|title=''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
|publisher=[[Del Rey Books]]
|date=[[May 24]], [[2011]]
|screenplay=[[Ehren Kruger]]
|writer=[[Peter David]]
|continuity=[[Live-action film series]]
|pagecount=400
|price=$7.99
|ISBN=ISBN 0345529162 ISBN 9780345529169
}}
'''Only a handful know the truth behind Apollo 11... a secret the Decepticons seek to expose.'''

==Synopsis==
As the war waged on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] witnessed a ship called the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]], carrying supplies that could turn the tides in favour of the Autobots, shot and left to drift in space by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. It soon crashed on the [[Earth]]'s [[moon (moon)|moon]] in the 1960s. On July 20th 1969, the Apollo 11 discovered the crashed alien ship on the moon.

In the present day, three years after the incident with [[The Fallen]], the [[Autobot]]s have now become fully-sanctioned members of the U.S. military and battle various human threats across the globe. [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] investigate a nuclear facility in the Middle East encountering humans with stolen Cybertronian tech. Meanwhile, Optimus Prime and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] oversee the destruction of the decommissioned NEST facility in [[Diego Garcia]]. With their mission complete in the Middle East, Optimus commands the Autobots to head to [[Washington, D.C.]], while he, Ratchet and [[William Lennox|Colonel Lennox]] leave for [[Pripyat]], [[Ukraine]], following a lead on a recently uncovered object that seems Cybertronian in origin.

In Washington D.C. a restless [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]], is now is living with his new girlfriend [[Carly Spencer]], a secretary working for [[Dylan Gould]], a CEO of a major investment company and a car enthusiast. Sam is prying for a new job but having saved the world twice, Sam doesn't want a job that he knows won't make a difference in life and complains how the government never bothered to give him a proper job. The pair also lives with decommissioned Autobots; [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] and [[Brains]], whose services were turned down by the Autobots. After his parents arrive, Sam spends a day attending job interviews, but fails until his last one with [[Bruce Brazos]].

Arriving in the uninhabitable city of Pripyat, Optimus Prime, Ratchet and Lennox investigate a dig site where construction workers (who wear special suits) have uncovered a mysterious object. Suddenly, they are attacked by a huge Decepticon known as the [[Driller]] which is piloted by [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]. The Decepticons attempt to retrieve the object. Some of the construction workers are killed as Optimus orders Ratchet and the humans to retreat, while he battles the Decepticons. The Decepticons escape, leaving behind the object. An incredulous Optimus Prime recovers the object and realizes that it is a fuel rod from the Ark, the long-thought lost Autobot ship.

In [[Africa]], a weakened [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], Starscream and [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] learn of the discovery of the fuel rod by the Autobots. Soundwave deploys [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] to silence their human allies. At their base in Washington D.C., U.S Intelligence Director [[Charlotte Mearing]] reveals to the Autobots that the space race in 1969 was in response to the Ark crashing on the moon. An angered Optimus demands a mission to the moon with the Autobots on it. Optimus Prime and Ratchet take an Atlas X rocket to the Moon and discover and retrieve [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]; Optimus Prime's mentor and predecessor. They also recover five [[pillar]]s, and return to the Earth, unaware of three Decepticon stowaways named the [[Dread (DOTM)|Dreads]] ([[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]], [[Hatchet]] and [[Crowbar]]).

Later, at his new job, Sam encounters a co-worker who recognizes him from the television broadcasts. The co-worker tries to reveal to Sam a Decepticon plot, revealing that he has been forced to work with the Decepticons to cover up something before being killed by Laserbeak, who attacks Sam. After being injured by Sam, Laserbeak retreats and reports back to Soundwave. Sam then heads to NEST operations in Washington D.C. where he is introduced to Director Mearing. Optimus revives Sentinel Prime using the Matrix of Leadership. Having retrieved five other pillars, Sentinel reveals that the pillars allow the user to open space bridges and teleport them anywhere. However, he reveals that a hundred of them have gone missing. Director Mearing then forces Sam away.

Elsewhere, the three stowaway Decepticons adopt Earth vehicle forms and inform Megatron that they are ready to strike.

Later, Sam, puzzled why Decepticons have been enlisting the help of humans, meets with [[Seymour Simmons]], who has now become a millionaire after writing books about his experiences with Sector Seven. He also has a butler and assistant named [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]]. As Simmons and Dutch help Sam research the Moon problem, Carly arrives and gets into an argument with Sam. After breaking up with Sam, Carly angrily leaves for a party hosted by Dylan.

Following a lead, Sam and co arrive at Atlantic City, where they meet up with a former [[Dimitri|Russian cosmonaut]] living in the states. After a brief scuffle which Brains defuses, the cosmonaut reveals that the Soviet Union were the first to send cameras onto the moon. Footage revealed over a hundred pillars lying over the surface of the Moon, however only five was recovered. Sam deduces that the Decepticons must have recovered the other pillars. However, he is puzzled as to why the Decepticons left Sentinel Prime unharmed. He believes that Sentinel Prime maybe the only one who knows how to use the pillars. He realizes that the Decepticons left Sentinel Prime, so that the Autobots could recover him as Optimus is the only one who could revive him.

Realizing that it was a set-up, Sam warns Director Mearing about Sentinel Prime. The Autobots (Mirage, Bumblebee, Sideswipe), Sam and co escort Sentinel Prime back to NEST operations. Along the way, the group is attacked by the Dreads. In the ensuing battle, Simmons is severely injured by a Dread, while Sentinel Prime escapes back to base.

When Captain Lennox and Ironhide return to base Sentinel Prime betrays the Autobots, murdering Ironhide and the Twins. He reveals that he always was the key before battling and gravely injuring Optimus, and joining forces with Megatron. Sentinel Prime never believed that the Autobots would have won the war so he forced himself into an alliance with Megatron to end it. Starscream's attack on the Ark was a ruse, and Sentinel was actually on his way to meet Megatron.

Now with their plan set in motion, Megatron opens a space bridge and transports a multitude of Decepticons hidden on the moon to Earth, before going into hiding for the time being. Sentinel Prime speaks to the humans, revealing that he is the true leader of the Autobots, and his plans to mine Earth's resources to rebuild Cybertron. He also demands the exile of the former rebel Autobots (Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Sideswipe, Mirage and Wheeljack) in order to avoid any conflict. If this agreement is not met, Sentinel Prime reveals he will destroy all human life with a battalion of Transformers. The [[United Nations]] takes a vote and decides not to agree to exile the Autobots.

In Gould Estate, Sam arrives and makes up with Carly. Suddenly they are attacked by Laserbeak and Soundwave, disguised as Carly's car. Dylan reveals that he is in league with the Decepticons. He reveals that he and his family have been working with the Decepticons all along, noting that his father helped the U.S. government cover up the moon crash landing. In exchange for Carly's life, Dylan forces Sam to spy on the Autobots and inform the Decepticons about the Autobots plans for retribution. He also forcibly gives Sam a small Decepticon to monitor and record the Autobots plans.

Sam returns to his apartment, only to be whisked away by FBI to meet with Director Mearing and [[Robert Epps]], who reveal that the United States government has overridden the UN and exiled the Autobots, who are to leave Earth on the [[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]], a ship built by the [[Wrecker]]s. Sam asks Optimus if they are planning anything, subtly tipping the Autobot leader off. Optimus simply announces there is no plan, and the Autobots soon depart aboard the Xantium, only for the ship to be destroyed by Starscream. Sam's watch spy detaches from him, its job done, and Gould drops Sam a phone call to gloat. Sam convinces Epps to help him find Dylan and rescue Carly. Dutch traces the last call Sam got, pinpointing Gould's location to [[Chicago]], so Sam, Epps and a few mercenaries in league with Epps head there.

Planning to open the space bridge in the center of Chicago, Megatron orders the Decepticons to lay waste to the city. Having secured the city of Chicago and following a meeting between Sentinel Prime and Megatron who are starting to have obvious friction, Dylan reveals to Carly that Sentinel plans to use Earth's human population as slave labor but because humans will be unable to survive going through the space bridge, Sentinel intends to bring Earth and Cybertron together using the space bridge. Though this will destroy the Earth, the surviving human population will be used to rebuild Cybertron by mining the Earth's resources.

As Sam and Epps reach the city, they're saved from a Decepticon fighter by the returned Autobots, who'd escaped the destruction of the Xantium by hiding in a booster rocket. Bumblebee and Sam take the downed fighter to rescue Carly. Sam enters Dylan's penthouse, only to be hurled out of the building by Laserbeak. He's caught by Bumblebee who is piloting a fighter, and as they successfully rescue Carly, Laserbeak gets his head blown off.

Dylan informs Megatron about the Autobots' survival; however Sentinel Prime reveals that he anticipated this move on Optimus's part. While the Autobots travel the city, a chasm in the ground opens up, sending Wheeljack into the Chicago River, where he faces a horde of Decepticons and goes down fighting. As the Autobots prepare for battle, Shockwave arrives with the Driller. Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Ratchet, Mirage battle him only to quickly realize that they are powerless against Shockwave. Carly reveals to Sam that if they can destroy the control pillar opening the space bridge, the whole space bridge will collapse, having learned this of off Dylan. However, Epps reveals that they only have one shot left with the launcher and radios for backup.

Eventually, the Autobots are overpowered by the Decepticon forces and captured. Starscream kills Mirage, with Soundwave using his severed head as a puppet to mock the Autobots, just as he prepares to kill Bumblebee he is knocked aside by a Wheelie piloted Decepticon flagship who massacre a horde of Decepticons. The Autobots manage to escape, and Bumblebee kills Soundwave. Starscream is also killed by Sam to avenge Mirage. The group attempts to blow the control pillar from afar but that plan fails, and the building that they are in is tipped over by the Driller. Sentinel Prime also betrays Megatron and knocks him off the building, having no intention to work for him.

Optimus arrives and massacres a horde of Decepticons, including the Driller, before battling and killing Shockwave. He then uses Shockwave's laser blaster to destroy the control pillar. The main piece of the pillar falls in front of Sam who attempts to retrieve it only to be confronted by Dylan. A fight ensues, in which Dylan is killed by the piece of the control pillar as it disintegrates him. The military also arrive.

Megatron is goaded by Carly into joining the fight to destroy Sentinel Prime and he and Optimus join forces to battle Sentinel. While Megatron distracts Sentinel, Optimus gets hold of Sentinel's rust cannon, and destroys Sentinel with his own weapon. Following the battle, Megatron and Optimus Prime make peace to end the war. Megatron and the remaining Decepticon forces return to Cybertron. Sam and Carly have rekindled their romance, and Bumblebee produces a gasket ring and forces Sam into unwittingly proposing as the two share a kiss.

Optimus Prime and the surviving Autobots remain on Earth; their new home.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] (16)
*[[Brains]] (19)
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] (20)
*[[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] (24)
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] (26)
*[[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] (27)
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] (28)
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] (29)
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] (39)
*[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] (40)
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] (41)
*[[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]] (59)
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]] (60)
*[[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]] (61)
|c2=
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] (2)
*[[Driller]] (34)
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] (35)
*[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] (36)
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] (43)
*[[Igor]] (44)
*[[Hatchling|Hatchlings]] (45)
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] (46)
*[[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]] (51)
*[[Crowbar]] (52)
*[[Hatchet]] (53)
|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Aaron Brooks]] (3)
*[[Ralph Simmons]] (4)
*[[Kelly (DOTM)|Kelly]] (5)
*[[Newman]] (6)
*[[Carla Spencer]] (7)
*[[James E. Webb]] (8)
*[[Moore]] (9)
*[[Robert McNamara]] (10)
*[[John F. Kennedy]] (11)
*[[Neil Armstrong]] (12)
*[[Bruce McCandless II]] (13)
*The three [[Johnson]]s (14)
*[[Buzz Aldrin]] (15)
*[[Sam Witwicky]] (17)
*[[Carly Spencer]] (18)
*[[Ron Witwicky]] (21)
*[[Judy Witwicky]] (22)
*[[Sulimani|Lieutenant Sulimani]] (23)
*[[Faraj|Lieutenant Faraj]] (25)
*[[William Lennox]] (30)
*[[Alexi Voskhod]] (31)
*[[Willis]] (32)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Yuri (guide)|Yuri]] (33)
*[[Bruce Brazos]] (37)
*[[Dylan Gould]] (38)
*[[Charlotte Mearing]] (42)
*[[Madeline Singer]] (47)
*[[Julia Singer]] (48)
*[[Bob Singer]] (49)
*[[Jerry Wang]] (50)
*[[Seymour Simmons|Seymour Simmons]] (54)
*[[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]] (55)
*[[Dimitri]] (56)
*[[Morshower]] (57)
*[[Pinkett]] (58)
*[[Robert Epps|Robert Epps]] (62)
*[[O'Toole]] (63)
*[[Hardcore Eddie]] (64)
*[[Tiny]] (65)
*[[Stackhouse]] (66)
*[[Rakishi]] (67)
*[[Ames (DOTM)|Ames]] (68)
*[[Baby Face|Zimmerman]] (69)
*[[Perkins (DOTM)|Perkins]] (70)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==
"Could you tell Armstrong to say it again, correctly?"
:—A pedantic NASA '''PR flack'''

"It's so frickin' complicated. I'm still trying to figure it out. The chickens they eat. The monkeys they don't. The cows they eat. The bears they don't. Fish, yes; whales, no. Cats, no, rabbits, yes. Pigs sometimes, and the dog... unfortunately he's safe. There's no rhyme or reason to it."
:—'''Wheelie''' on human eating habits.

==Errors==
*Though a big deal is made of how much trouble Carla Spencer went to to get hold of Webb so that Brooks can pass on the news about the UFO, Webb somehow hears about it from a Doctor Moore instead.
*At the bottom of page 369, "from" is spelled with two 'o's.
* At one point, Roadbuster was referred to as the blue Wrecker instead of green.

==Notes==

===Transformers references===
*Simmons hasn't updated [[GiantEffingRobots.com]] since June 2009.
*Mirage is particularly noted as preferring hiding to fighting.

===Real-world references===
*Sam's initial impressions of Carly include that she has stepped out of a [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley|Victoria's Secret catalogue]].
*A vase Sam accidentally smashes was a gift from Winston Churchill.
*Wheelie complains about the TiVo having recorded ''South Park'' and something involving a Kardashian, and then starts making up Star Trek/Transformers crossover fanfiction.
*Sam thinks Gould's car collection would made Jay Leno feel inadequate.
*Wang attempts to get Sam's attention by friending him on Facebook.
*Sam recalls seeing ''[[Wikipedia:All the President's Men (film)|All the President's Men]]''.
*Bumblebee's reaction to meeting Carly is to play Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful".
*Sentinel's description of the space bridge makes Sam think "Beam me up, Scotty", a catchphrase associated with ''Star Trek''.
*Simmons is scheduled to have dinner with Hugo Chavez and Larry King.
*At the bar with Simmons, Sam reflects that he needed [[Daniel Craig]] but got [["Weird Al" Yankovic]].
*Bumblebee uses a clip of Robert Preston from ''[[Wikipedia:The Music Man (1962 film)|The Music Man]]'' to warn Sam the Decepticons are attacking on the motorway. Other clips he uses in this sequence include "Houston, we have a problem" from ''[[Wikipedia:Apollo 13 (film)|Apollo 13]]'', Hall and Oates's ''Maneater'', and the Police's ''Every Breath You Take''.
*Sam draws a connection between Sentinel Prime and the [[Arthur C. Clarke]] book ''The Sentinel'' and wonders if Clarke knew something.
*Soundwave threatening Carly reminds Sam of a scene from the movie ''Goldfinger''
*The FBI agents who meet Sam outside his apartment remind him of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.
*The Autobots walking towards the ''Xantium'' remind Sam of ''[[Wikipedia:The Right Stuff (film)|The Right Stuff]]''. Sam watches too many movies. (Maybe that's why he doesn't have a job yet...)
* Brains claims to have a brain the size of a planet, a common claim made by Marvin the paranoid android in ''[[Wikipedia:The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]''.
*Dylan has read ''[[Wikipedia:The Power of Now|The Power of Now]]''.
*The attack on Chicago reminds Carly of ''[[Wikipedia:The War of the Worlds|The War of the Worlds]]''.
*Dylan's relationship with the Decepticons reminds Carly of a line from ''[[Wikipedia:The West Wing|The West Wing]]''.
*The Galileo Building reminds Sam of the building from ''[[Wikipedia:Die Hard|Die Hard]]'' and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
*Wheeljack handing out gadgets reminds Sam of Q from the James Bond movies while he thinks the [[grapple glove]]s look like something he'd use to escape the [[Joker]].
*Leadfoot yells "Drillers! Why did it have to be Drillers!", a callback to Indiana Jones.
*Wingsuits make Zimmerman feel like [[Batman]]. According to Perkins, they make him look like Rocky the flying squirrel.
*As the building falls over, Sam resolves never to watch ''[[Wikipedia:Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'' again.
*When wondering how to destroy the control pillar, Sam considers taking it to Mount Doom and tossing it into the lava, a reference to the end of the last ''[[Wikipedia:The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]'' book.

===Differences with the movie===
* Skids and Mudflap appear, though only in the sequences where the Autobots return to NEST, and Sentinel's betrayal scene.
* Sam's dog is named [[Buster (DOTM)|Buster]].
* Ironhide goes in a mission in Chechnya to stop some rebels.
* The majority of Sam's interviews are skipped, as well as most of the more colorful parts of Accuretta.
* Lennox only takes one NEST technician to Chernobyl instead of a whole team.
* Laserbeak transforms to a small robot dog instead of a human-sized pink Bumblebee replica.
* Optimus and Ratchet travel to the Moon in a human-built rocket rather than the ''Xantium''.
* Sam escapes Laserbeak at Accuretta by locking the Decepticon in a server room.
* Sam and Simmons encounter three ex-cosmonauts instead of two, though only one actually helps them.
* Brains helps out at the bar by speaking Russian to the cosmonauts.
* Dutch kills Crankcase by running over him with a car (don't ask how that works).
* Optimus is meeting with the President when Sentinel reveals his true colors.
* Rather than just smashing into the vault containing the Pillars, Sentinel threatens to take Mearing hostage and start killing humans until she opens the vault.
* Wheeljack falls in the river after Driller's attack and then gets torn apart by underwater Decepticons.
* Starscream kills Mirage while helping out the humans getting out of the skyscraper.
* Not only does Soundwave make a "puppet show" out of Mirage's wreckage, but he also blows off Leadfoot's left leg (seems he has a fetish for red-coloured Autobots).
* Megatron isn't killed by Optimus Prime. Instead, he asks for a truce and Optimus reluctantly accepts it.
* While the movie was quite ambiguous about it, Brains and Wheelie are shown to have survived the crash of the Decepticon mother ship in this version.

===Trivia===
* As opposed to other characters who were referred to by their car model (Ex. Bumblebee the Camaro, Ironhide the GMC Topkick, etc.), Mirage was referred to as a "Red Sports car" instead of a Ferrari.

==International printings==

==External links==
*[http://www.randomhouse.com/book/212408/transformers--dark-of-the-moon-by-peter-david#excerpt Random House page]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dark of the Moon (novel)}}
[[Category:Adaptations]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon books]]
[[Category:Novels]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)

2013-05-26T21:42:31Z

BossBot97: /* Trivia */ not trivia, error

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=[[Dark of the Moon (books)|''Dark of the Moon'' book series]]
|prev=Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)
|image=DOTMnovelization.jpg
|caption=
|title=''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
|publisher=[[Del Rey Books]]
|date=[[May 24]], [[2011]]
|screenplay=[[Ehren Kruger]]
|writer=[[Peter David]]
|continuity=[[Live-action film series]]
|pagecount=400
|price=$7.99
|ISBN=ISBN 0345529162 ISBN 9780345529169
}}
'''Only a handful know the truth behind Apollo 11... a secret the Decepticons seek to expose.'''

==Synopsis==
As the war waged on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] witnessed a ship called the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]], carrying supplies that could turn the tides in favour of the Autobots, shot and left to drift in space by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. It soon crashed on the [[Earth]]'s [[moon (moon)|moon]] in the 1960s. On July 20th 1969, the Apollo 11 discovered the crashed alien ship on the moon.

In the present day, three years after the incident with [[The Fallen]], the [[Autobot]]s have now become fully-sanctioned members of the U.S. military and battle various human threats across the globe. [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] investigate a nuclear facility in the Middle East encountering humans with stolen Cybertronian tech. Meanwhile, Optimus Prime and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] oversee the destruction of the decommissioned NEST facility in [[Diego Garcia]]. With their mission complete in the Middle East, Optimus commands the Autobots to head to [[Washington, D.C.]], while he, Ratchet and [[William Lennox|Colonel Lennox]] leave for [[Pripyat]], [[Ukraine]], following a lead on a recently uncovered object that seems Cybertronian in origin.

In Washington D.C. a restless [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]], is now is living with his new girlfriend [[Carly Spencer]], a secretary working for [[Dylan Gould]], a CEO of a major investment company and a car enthusiast. Sam is prying for a new job but having saved the world twice, Sam doesn't want a job that he knows won't make a difference in life and complains how the government never bothered to give him a proper job. The pair also lives with decommissioned Autobots; [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] and [[Brains]], whose services were turned down by the Autobots. After his parents arrive, Sam spends a day attending job interviews, but fails until his last one with [[Bruce Brazos]].

Arriving in the uninhabitable city of Pripyat, Optimus Prime, Ratchet and Lennox investigate a dig site where construction workers (who wear special suits) have uncovered a mysterious object. Suddenly, they are attacked by a huge Decepticon known as the [[Driller]] which is piloted by [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]. The Decepticons attempt to retrieve the object. Some of the construction workers are killed as Optimus orders Ratchet and the humans to retreat, while he battles the Decepticons. The Decepticons escape, leaving behind the object. An incredulous Optimus Prime recovers the object and realizes that it is a fuel rod from the Ark, the long-thought lost Autobot ship.

In [[Africa]], a weakened [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], Starscream and [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] learn of the discovery of the fuel rod by the Autobots. Soundwave deploys [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] to silence their human allies. At their base in Washington D.C., U.S Intelligence Director [[Charlotte Mearing]] reveals to the Autobots that the space race in 1969 was in response to the Ark crashing on the moon. An angered Optimus demands a mission to the moon with the Autobots on it. Optimus Prime and Ratchet take an Atlas X rocket to the Moon and discover and retrieve [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]; Optimus Prime's mentor and predecessor. They also recover five [[pillar]]s, and return to the Earth, unaware of three Decepticon stowaways named the [[Dread (DOTM)|Dreads]] ([[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]], [[Hatchet]] and [[Crowbar]]).

Later, at his new job, Sam encounters a co-worker who recognizes him from the television broadcasts. The co-worker tries to reveal to Sam a Decepticon plot, revealing that he has been forced to work with the Decepticons to cover up something before being killed by Laserbeak, who attacks Sam. After being injured by Sam, Laserbeak retreats and reports back to Soundwave. Sam then heads to NEST operations in Washington D.C. where he is introduced to Director Mearing. Optimus revives Sentinel Prime using the Matrix of Leadership. Having retrieved five other pillars, Sentinel reveals that the pillars allow the user to open space bridges and teleport them anywhere. However, he reveals that a hundred of them have gone missing. Director Mearing then forces Sam away.

Elsewhere, the three stowaway Decepticons adopt Earth vehicle forms and inform Megatron that they are ready to strike.

Later, Sam, puzzled why Decepticons have been enlisting the help of humans, meets with [[Seymour Simmons]], who has now become a millionaire after writing books about his experiences with Sector Seven. He also has a butler and assistant named [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]]. As Simmons and Dutch help Sam research the Moon problem, Carly arrives and gets into an argument with Sam. After breaking up with Sam, Carly angrily leaves for a party hosted by Dylan.

Following a lead, Sam and co arrive at Atlantic City, where they meet up with a former [[Dimitri|Russian cosmonaut]] living in the states. After a brief scuffle which Brains defuses, the cosmonaut reveals that the Soviet Union were the first to send cameras onto the moon. Footage revealed over a hundred pillars lying over the surface of the Moon, however only five was recovered. Sam deduces that the Decepticons must have recovered the other pillars. However, he is puzzled as to why the Decepticons left Sentinel Prime unharmed. He believes that Sentinel Prime maybe the only one who knows how to use the pillars. He realizes that the Decepticons left Sentinel Prime, so that the Autobots could recover him as Optimus is the only one who could revive him.

Realizing that it was a set-up, Sam warns Director Mearing about Sentinel Prime. The Autobots (Mirage, Bumblebee, Sideswipe), Sam and co escort Sentinel Prime back to NEST operations. Along the way, the group is attacked by the Dreads. In the ensuing battle, Simmons is severely injured by a Dread, while Sentinel Prime escapes back to base.

When Captain Lennox and Ironhide return to base Sentinel Prime betrays the Autobots, murdering Ironhide and the Twins. He reveals that he always was the key before battling and gravely injuring Optimus, and joining forces with Megatron. Sentinel Prime never believed that the Autobots would have won the war so he forced himself into an alliance with Megatron to end it. Starscream's attack on the Ark was a ruse, and Sentinel was actually on his way to meet Megatron.

Now with their plan set in motion, Megatron opens a space bridge and transports a multitude of Decepticons hidden on the moon to Earth, before going into hiding for the time being. Sentinel Prime speaks to the humans, revealing that he is the true leader of the Autobots, and his plans to mine Earth's resources to rebuild Cybertron. He also demands the exile of the former rebel Autobots (Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Sideswipe, Mirage and Wheeljack) in order to avoid any conflict. If this agreement is not met, Sentinel Prime reveals he will destroy all human life with a battalion of Transformers. The [[United Nations]] takes a vote and decides not to agree to exile the Autobots.

In Gould Estate, Sam arrives and makes up with Carly. Suddenly they are attacked by Laserbeak and Soundwave, disguised as Carly's car. Dylan reveals that he is in league with the Decepticons. He reveals that he and his family have been working with the Decepticons all along, noting that his father helped the U.S. government cover up the moon crash landing. In exchange for Carly's life, Dylan forces Sam to spy on the Autobots and inform the Decepticons about the Autobots plans for retribution. He also forcibly gives Sam a small Decepticon to monitor and record the Autobots plans.

Sam returns to his apartment, only to be whisked away by FBI to meet with Director Mearing and [[Robert Epps]], who reveal that the United States government has overridden the UN and exiled the Autobots, who are to leave Earth on the [[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]], a ship built by the [[Wrecker]]s. Sam asks Optimus if they are planning anything, subtly tipping the Autobot leader off. Optimus simply announces there is no plan, and the Autobots soon depart aboard the Xantium, only for the ship to be destroyed by Starscream. Sam's watch spy detaches from him, its job done, and Gould drops Sam a phone call to gloat. Sam convinces Epps to help him find Dylan and rescue Carly. Dutch traces the last call Sam got, pinpointing Gould's location to [[Chicago]], so Sam, Epps and a few mercenaries in league with Epps head there.

Planning to open the space bridge in the center of Chicago, Megatron orders the Decepticons to lay waste to the city. Having secured the city of Chicago and following a meeting between Sentinel Prime and Megatron who are starting to have obvious friction, Dylan reveals to Carly that Sentinel plans to use Earth's human population as slave labor but because humans will be unable to survive going through the space bridge, Sentinel intends to bring Earth and Cybertron together using the space bridge. Though this will destroy the Earth, the surviving human population will be used to rebuild Cybertron by mining the Earth's resources.

As Sam and Epps reach the city, they're saved from a Decepticon fighter by the returned Autobots, who'd escaped the destruction of the Xantium by hiding in a booster rocket. Bumblebee and Sam take the downed fighter to rescue Carly. Sam enters Dylan's penthouse, only to be hurled out of the building by Laserbeak. He's caught by Bumblebee who is piloting a fighter, and as they successfully rescue Carly, Laserbeak gets his head blown off.

Dylan informs Megatron about the Autobots' survival; however Sentinel Prime reveals that he anticipated this move on Optimus's part. While the Autobots travel the city, a chasm in the ground opens up, sending Wheeljack into the Chicago River, where he faces a horde of Decepticons and goes down fighting. As the Autobots prepare for battle, Shockwave arrives with the Driller. Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Ratchet, Mirage battle him only to quickly realize that they are powerless against Shockwave. Carly reveals to Sam that if they can destroy the control pillar opening the space bridge, the whole space bridge will collapse, having learned this of off Dylan. However, Epps reveals that they only have one shot left with the launcher and radios for backup.

Eventually, the Autobots are overpowered by the Decepticon forces and captured. Starscream kills Mirage, with Soundwave using his severed head as a puppet to mock the Autobots, just as he prepares to kill Bumblebee he is knocked aside by a Wheelie piloted Decepticon flagship who massacre a horde of Decepticons. The Autobots manage to escape, and Bumblebee kills Soundwave. Starscream is also killed by Sam to avenge Mirage. The group attempts to blow the control pillar from afar but that plan fails, and the building that they are in is tipped over by the Driller. Sentinel Prime also betrays Megatron and knocks him off the building, having no intention to work for him.

Optimus arrives and massacres a horde of Decepticons, including the Driller, before battling and killing Shockwave. He then uses Shockwave's laser blaster to destroy the control pillar. The main piece of the pillar falls in front of Sam who attempts to retrieve it only to be confronted by Dylan. A fight ensues, in which Dylan is killed by the piece of the control pillar as it disintegrates him. The military also arrive.

Megatron is goaded by Carly into joining the fight to destroy Sentinel Prime and he and Optimus join forces to battle Sentinel. While Megatron distracts Sentinel, Optimus gets hold of Sentinel's rust cannon, and destroys Sentinel with his own weapon. Following the battle, Megatron and Optimus Prime make peace to end the war. Megatron and the remaining Decepticon forces return to Cybertron. Sam and Carly have rekindled their romance, and Bumblebee produces a gasket ring and forces Sam into unwittingly proposing as the two share a kiss.

Optimus Prime and the surviving Autobots remain on Earth; their new home.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] (16)
*[[Brains]] (19)
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] (20)
*[[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] (24)
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] (26)
*[[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] (27)
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] (28)
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] (29)
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] (39)
*[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] (40)
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] (41)
*[[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]] (59)
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]] (60)
*[[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]] (61)
|c2=
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] (2)
*[[Driller]] (34)
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] (35)
*[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] (36)
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] (43)
*[[Igor]] (44)
*[[Hatchling|Hatchlings]] (45)
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] (46)
*[[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]] (51)
*[[Crowbar]] (52)
*[[Hatchet]] (53)
|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Aaron Brooks]] (3)
*[[Ralph Simmons]] (4)
*[[Kelly (DOTM)|Kelly]] (5)
*[[Newman]] (6)
*[[Carla Spencer]] (7)
*[[James E. Webb]] (8)
*[[Moore]] (9)
*[[Robert McNamara]] (10)
*[[John F. Kennedy]] (11)
*[[Neil Armstrong]] (12)
*[[Bruce McCandless II]] (13)
*The three [[Johnson]]s (14)
*[[Buzz Aldrin]] (15)
*[[Sam Witwicky]] (17)
*[[Carly Spencer]] (18)
*[[Ron Witwicky]] (21)
*[[Judy Witwicky]] (22)
*[[Sulimani|Lieutenant Sulimani]] (23)
*[[Faraj|Lieutenant Faraj]] (25)
*[[William Lennox]] (30)
*[[Alexi Voskhod]] (31)
*[[Willis]] (32)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Yuri (guide)|Yuri]] (33)
*[[Bruce Brazos]] (37)
*[[Dylan Gould]] (38)
*[[Charlotte Mearing]] (42)
*[[Madeline Singer]] (47)
*[[Julia Singer]] (48)
*[[Bob Singer]] (49)
*[[Jerry Wang]] (50)
*[[Seymour Simmons|Seymour Simmons]] (54)
*[[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]] (55)
*[[Dimitri]] (56)
*[[Morshower]] (57)
*[[Pinkett]] (58)
*[[Robert Epps|Robert Epps]] (62)
*[[O'Toole]] (63)
*[[Hardcore Eddie]] (64)
*[[Tiny]] (65)
*[[Stackhouse]] (66)
*[[Rakishi]] (67)
*[[Ames (DOTM)|Ames]] (68)
*[[Baby Face|Zimmerman]] (69)
*[[Perkins (DOTM)|Perkins]] (70)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==
"Could you tell Armstrong to say it again, correctly?"
:—A pedantic NASA '''PR flack'''

"It's so frickin' complicated. I'm still trying to figure it out. The chickens they eat. The monkeys they don't. The cows they eat. The bears they don't. Fish, yes; whales, no. Cats, no, rabbits, yes. Pigs sometimes, and the dog... unfortunately he's safe. There's no rhyme or reason to it."
:—'''Wheelie''' on human eating habits.

==Errors==
*Though a big deal is made of how much trouble Carla Spencer went to to get hold of Webb so that Brooks can pass on the news about the UFO, Webb somehow hears about it from a Doctor Moore instead.
*At the bottom of page 369, "from" is spelled with two 'o's.

==Notes==

===Transformers references===
*Simmons hasn't updated [[GiantEffingRobots.com]] since June 2009.
*Mirage is particularly noted as preferring hiding to fighting.

===Real-world references===
*Sam's initial impressions of Carly include that she has stepped out of a [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley|Victoria's Secret catalogue]].
*A vase Sam accidentally smashes was a gift from Winston Churchill.
*Wheelie complains about the TiVo having recorded ''South Park'' and something involving a Kardashian, and then starts making up Star Trek/Transformers crossover fanfiction.
*Sam thinks Gould's car collection would made Jay Leno feel inadequate.
*Wang attempts to get Sam's attention by friending him on Facebook.
*Sam recalls seeing ''[[Wikipedia:All the President's Men (film)|All the President's Men]]''.
*Bumblebee's reaction to meeting Carly is to play Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful".
*Sentinel's description of the space bridge makes Sam think "Beam me up, Scotty", a catchphrase associated with ''Star Trek''.
*Simmons is scheduled to have dinner with Hugo Chavez and Larry King.
*At the bar with Simmons, Sam reflects that he needed [[Daniel Craig]] but got [["Weird Al" Yankovic]].
*Bumblebee uses a clip of Robert Preston from ''[[Wikipedia:The Music Man (1962 film)|The Music Man]]'' to warn Sam the Decepticons are attacking on the motorway. Other clips he uses in this sequence include "Houston, we have a problem" from ''[[Wikipedia:Apollo 13 (film)|Apollo 13]]'', Hall and Oates's ''Maneater'', and the Police's ''Every Breath You Take''.
*Sam draws a connection between Sentinel Prime and the [[Arthur C. Clarke]] book ''The Sentinel'' and wonders if Clarke knew something.
*Soundwave threatening Carly reminds Sam of a scene from the movie ''Goldfinger''
*The FBI agents who meet Sam outside his apartment remind him of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.
*The Autobots walking towards the ''Xantium'' remind Sam of ''[[Wikipedia:The Right Stuff (film)|The Right Stuff]]''. Sam watches too many movies. (Maybe that's why he doesn't have a job yet...)
* Brains claims to have a brain the size of a planet, a common claim made by Marvin the paranoid android in ''[[Wikipedia:The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]''.
*Dylan has read ''[[Wikipedia:The Power of Now|The Power of Now]]''.
*The attack on Chicago reminds Carly of ''[[Wikipedia:The War of the Worlds|The War of the Worlds]]''.
*Dylan's relationship with the Decepticons reminds Carly of a line from ''[[Wikipedia:The West Wing|The West Wing]]''.
*The Galileo Building reminds Sam of the building from ''[[Wikipedia:Die Hard|Die Hard]]'' and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
*Wheeljack handing out gadgets reminds Sam of Q from the James Bond movies while he thinks the [[grapple glove]]s look like something he'd use to escape the [[Joker]].
*Leadfoot yells "Drillers! Why did it have to be Drillers!", a callback to Indiana Jones.
*Wingsuits make Zimmerman feel like [[Batman]]. According to Perkins, they make him look like Rocky the flying squirrel.
*As the building falls over, Sam resolves never to watch ''[[Wikipedia:Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'' again.
*When wondering how to destroy the control pillar, Sam considers taking it to Mount Doom and tossing it into the lava, a reference to the end of the last ''[[Wikipedia:The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]'' book.

===Differences with the movie===
* Skids and Mudflap appear, though only in the sequences where the Autobots return to NEST, and Sentinel's betrayal scene.
* Sam's dog is named [[Buster (DOTM)|Buster]].
* Ironhide goes in a mission in Chechnya to stop some rebels.
* The majority of Sam's interviews are skipped, as well as most of the more colorful parts of Accuretta.
* Lennox only takes one NEST technician to Chernobyl instead of a whole team.
* Laserbeak transforms to a small robot dog instead of a human-sized pink Bumblebee replica.
* Optimus and Ratchet travel to the Moon in a human-built rocket rather than the ''Xantium''.
* Sam escapes Laserbeak at Accuretta by locking the Decepticon in a server room.
* Sam and Simmons encounter three ex-cosmonauts instead of two, though only one actually helps them.
* Brains helps out at the bar by speaking Russian to the cosmonauts.
* Dutch kills Crankcase by running over him with a car (don't ask how that works).
* Optimus is meeting with the President when Sentinel reveals his true colors.
* Rather than just smashing into the vault containing the Pillars, Sentinel threatens to take Mearing hostage and start killing humans until she opens the vault.
* Wheeljack falls in the river after Driller's attack and then gets torn apart by underwater Decepticons.
* Starscream kills Mirage while helping out the humans getting out of the skyscraper.
* Not only does Soundwave make a "puppet show" out of Mirage's wreckage, but he also blows off Leadfoot's left leg (seems he has a fetish for red-coloured Autobots).
* Megatron isn't killed by Optimus Prime. Instead, he asks for a truce and Optimus reluctantly accepts it.
* While the movie was quite ambiguous about it, Brains and Wheelie are shown to have survived the crash of the Decepticon mother ship in this version.

===Trivia===
* As opposed to other characters who were referred to by their car model (Ex. Bumblebee the Camaro, Ironhide the GMC Topkick, etc.), Mirage was referred to as a "Red Sports car" instead of a Ferrari.

==International printings==

==External links==
*[http://www.randomhouse.com/book/212408/transformers--dark-of-the-moon-by-peter-david#excerpt Random House page]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dark of the Moon (novel)}}
[[Category:Adaptations]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon books]]
[[Category:Novels]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)

2013-05-26T21:37:08Z

BossBot97: /* Real-world references */ No job

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=[[Dark of the Moon (books)|''Dark of the Moon'' book series]]
|prev=Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)
|image=DOTMnovelization.jpg
|caption=
|title=''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
|publisher=[[Del Rey Books]]
|date=[[May 24]], [[2011]]
|screenplay=[[Ehren Kruger]]
|writer=[[Peter David]]
|continuity=[[Live-action film series]]
|pagecount=400
|price=$7.99
|ISBN=ISBN 0345529162 ISBN 9780345529169
}}
'''Only a handful know the truth behind Apollo 11... a secret the Decepticons seek to expose.'''

==Synopsis==
As the war waged on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] witnessed a ship called the [[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]], carrying supplies that could turn the tides in favour of the Autobots, shot and left to drift in space by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]. It soon crashed on the [[Earth]]'s [[moon (moon)|moon]] in the 1960s. On July 20th 1969, the Apollo 11 discovered the crashed alien ship on the moon.

In the present day, three years after the incident with [[The Fallen]], the [[Autobot]]s have now become fully-sanctioned members of the U.S. military and battle various human threats across the globe. [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] and [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] investigate a nuclear facility in the Middle East encountering humans with stolen Cybertronian tech. Meanwhile, Optimus Prime and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] oversee the destruction of the decommissioned NEST facility in [[Diego Garcia]]. With their mission complete in the Middle East, Optimus commands the Autobots to head to [[Washington, D.C.]], while he, Ratchet and [[William Lennox|Colonel Lennox]] leave for [[Pripyat]], [[Ukraine]], following a lead on a recently uncovered object that seems Cybertronian in origin.

In Washington D.C. a restless [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]], is now is living with his new girlfriend [[Carly Spencer]], a secretary working for [[Dylan Gould]], a CEO of a major investment company and a car enthusiast. Sam is prying for a new job but having saved the world twice, Sam doesn't want a job that he knows won't make a difference in life and complains how the government never bothered to give him a proper job. The pair also lives with decommissioned Autobots; [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] and [[Brains]], whose services were turned down by the Autobots. After his parents arrive, Sam spends a day attending job interviews, but fails until his last one with [[Bruce Brazos]].

Arriving in the uninhabitable city of Pripyat, Optimus Prime, Ratchet and Lennox investigate a dig site where construction workers (who wear special suits) have uncovered a mysterious object. Suddenly, they are attacked by a huge Decepticon known as the [[Driller]] which is piloted by [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]]. The Decepticons attempt to retrieve the object. Some of the construction workers are killed as Optimus orders Ratchet and the humans to retreat, while he battles the Decepticons. The Decepticons escape, leaving behind the object. An incredulous Optimus Prime recovers the object and realizes that it is a fuel rod from the Ark, the long-thought lost Autobot ship.

In [[Africa]], a weakened [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], Starscream and [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] learn of the discovery of the fuel rod by the Autobots. Soundwave deploys [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] to silence their human allies. At their base in Washington D.C., U.S Intelligence Director [[Charlotte Mearing]] reveals to the Autobots that the space race in 1969 was in response to the Ark crashing on the moon. An angered Optimus demands a mission to the moon with the Autobots on it. Optimus Prime and Ratchet take an Atlas X rocket to the Moon and discover and retrieve [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]; Optimus Prime's mentor and predecessor. They also recover five [[pillar]]s, and return to the Earth, unaware of three Decepticon stowaways named the [[Dread (DOTM)|Dreads]] ([[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]], [[Hatchet]] and [[Crowbar]]).

Later, at his new job, Sam encounters a co-worker who recognizes him from the television broadcasts. The co-worker tries to reveal to Sam a Decepticon plot, revealing that he has been forced to work with the Decepticons to cover up something before being killed by Laserbeak, who attacks Sam. After being injured by Sam, Laserbeak retreats and reports back to Soundwave. Sam then heads to NEST operations in Washington D.C. where he is introduced to Director Mearing. Optimus revives Sentinel Prime using the Matrix of Leadership. Having retrieved five other pillars, Sentinel reveals that the pillars allow the user to open space bridges and teleport them anywhere. However, he reveals that a hundred of them have gone missing. Director Mearing then forces Sam away.

Elsewhere, the three stowaway Decepticons adopt Earth vehicle forms and inform Megatron that they are ready to strike.

Later, Sam, puzzled why Decepticons have been enlisting the help of humans, meets with [[Seymour Simmons]], who has now become a millionaire after writing books about his experiences with Sector Seven. He also has a butler and assistant named [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]]. As Simmons and Dutch help Sam research the Moon problem, Carly arrives and gets into an argument with Sam. After breaking up with Sam, Carly angrily leaves for a party hosted by Dylan.

Following a lead, Sam and co arrive at Atlantic City, where they meet up with a former [[Dimitri|Russian cosmonaut]] living in the states. After a brief scuffle which Brains defuses, the cosmonaut reveals that the Soviet Union were the first to send cameras onto the moon. Footage revealed over a hundred pillars lying over the surface of the Moon, however only five was recovered. Sam deduces that the Decepticons must have recovered the other pillars. However, he is puzzled as to why the Decepticons left Sentinel Prime unharmed. He believes that Sentinel Prime maybe the only one who knows how to use the pillars. He realizes that the Decepticons left Sentinel Prime, so that the Autobots could recover him as Optimus is the only one who could revive him.

Realizing that it was a set-up, Sam warns Director Mearing about Sentinel Prime. The Autobots (Mirage, Bumblebee, Sideswipe), Sam and co escort Sentinel Prime back to NEST operations. Along the way, the group is attacked by the Dreads. In the ensuing battle, Simmons is severely injured by a Dread, while Sentinel Prime escapes back to base.

When Captain Lennox and Ironhide return to base Sentinel Prime betrays the Autobots, murdering Ironhide and the Twins. He reveals that he always was the key before battling and gravely injuring Optimus, and joining forces with Megatron. Sentinel Prime never believed that the Autobots would have won the war so he forced himself into an alliance with Megatron to end it. Starscream's attack on the Ark was a ruse, and Sentinel was actually on his way to meet Megatron.

Now with their plan set in motion, Megatron opens a space bridge and transports a multitude of Decepticons hidden on the moon to Earth, before going into hiding for the time being. Sentinel Prime speaks to the humans, revealing that he is the true leader of the Autobots, and his plans to mine Earth's resources to rebuild Cybertron. He also demands the exile of the former rebel Autobots (Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Sideswipe, Mirage and Wheeljack) in order to avoid any conflict. If this agreement is not met, Sentinel Prime reveals he will destroy all human life with a battalion of Transformers. The [[United Nations]] takes a vote and decides not to agree to exile the Autobots.

In Gould Estate, Sam arrives and makes up with Carly. Suddenly they are attacked by Laserbeak and Soundwave, disguised as Carly's car. Dylan reveals that he is in league with the Decepticons. He reveals that he and his family have been working with the Decepticons all along, noting that his father helped the U.S. government cover up the moon crash landing. In exchange for Carly's life, Dylan forces Sam to spy on the Autobots and inform the Decepticons about the Autobots plans for retribution. He also forcibly gives Sam a small Decepticon to monitor and record the Autobots plans.

Sam returns to his apartment, only to be whisked away by FBI to meet with Director Mearing and [[Robert Epps]], who reveal that the United States government has overridden the UN and exiled the Autobots, who are to leave Earth on the [[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]], a ship built by the [[Wrecker]]s. Sam asks Optimus if they are planning anything, subtly tipping the Autobot leader off. Optimus simply announces there is no plan, and the Autobots soon depart aboard the Xantium, only for the ship to be destroyed by Starscream. Sam's watch spy detaches from him, its job done, and Gould drops Sam a phone call to gloat. Sam convinces Epps to help him find Dylan and rescue Carly. Dutch traces the last call Sam got, pinpointing Gould's location to [[Chicago]], so Sam, Epps and a few mercenaries in league with Epps head there.

Planning to open the space bridge in the center of Chicago, Megatron orders the Decepticons to lay waste to the city. Having secured the city of Chicago and following a meeting between Sentinel Prime and Megatron who are starting to have obvious friction, Dylan reveals to Carly that Sentinel plans to use Earth's human population as slave labor but because humans will be unable to survive going through the space bridge, Sentinel intends to bring Earth and Cybertron together using the space bridge. Though this will destroy the Earth, the surviving human population will be used to rebuild Cybertron by mining the Earth's resources.

As Sam and Epps reach the city, they're saved from a Decepticon fighter by the returned Autobots, who'd escaped the destruction of the Xantium by hiding in a booster rocket. Bumblebee and Sam take the downed fighter to rescue Carly. Sam enters Dylan's penthouse, only to be hurled out of the building by Laserbeak. He's caught by Bumblebee who is piloting a fighter, and as they successfully rescue Carly, Laserbeak gets his head blown off.

Dylan informs Megatron about the Autobots' survival; however Sentinel Prime reveals that he anticipated this move on Optimus's part. While the Autobots travel the city, a chasm in the ground opens up, sending Wheeljack into the Chicago River, where he faces a horde of Decepticons and goes down fighting. As the Autobots prepare for battle, Shockwave arrives with the Driller. Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Ratchet, Mirage battle him only to quickly realize that they are powerless against Shockwave. Carly reveals to Sam that if they can destroy the control pillar opening the space bridge, the whole space bridge will collapse, having learned this of off Dylan. However, Epps reveals that they only have one shot left with the launcher and radios for backup.

Eventually, the Autobots are overpowered by the Decepticon forces and captured. Starscream kills Mirage, with Soundwave using his severed head as a puppet to mock the Autobots, just as he prepares to kill Bumblebee he is knocked aside by a Wheelie piloted Decepticon flagship who massacre a horde of Decepticons. The Autobots manage to escape, and Bumblebee kills Soundwave. Starscream is also killed by Sam to avenge Mirage. The group attempts to blow the control pillar from afar but that plan fails, and the building that they are in is tipped over by the Driller. Sentinel Prime also betrays Megatron and knocks him off the building, having no intention to work for him.

Optimus arrives and massacres a horde of Decepticons, including the Driller, before battling and killing Shockwave. He then uses Shockwave's laser blaster to destroy the control pillar. The main piece of the pillar falls in front of Sam who attempts to retrieve it only to be confronted by Dylan. A fight ensues, in which Dylan is killed by the piece of the control pillar as it disintegrates him. The military also arrive.

Megatron is goaded by Carly into joining the fight to destroy Sentinel Prime and he and Optimus join forces to battle Sentinel. While Megatron distracts Sentinel, Optimus gets hold of Sentinel's rust cannon, and destroys Sentinel with his own weapon. Following the battle, Megatron and Optimus Prime make peace to end the war. Megatron and the remaining Decepticon forces return to Cybertron. Sam and Carly have rekindled their romance, and Bumblebee produces a gasket ring and forces Sam into unwittingly proposing as the two share a kiss.

Optimus Prime and the surviving Autobots remain on Earth; their new home.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] (16)
*[[Brains]] (19)
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] (20)
*[[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack]] (24)
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] (26)
*[[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] (27)
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] (28)
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] (29)
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] (39)
*[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] (40)
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] (41)
*[[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]] (59)
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]] (60)
*[[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]] (61)
|c2=
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] (2)
*[[Driller]] (34)
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] (35)
*[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] (36)
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] (43)
*[[Igor]] (44)
*[[Hatchling|Hatchlings]] (45)
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] (46)
*[[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]] (51)
*[[Crowbar]] (52)
*[[Hatchet]] (53)
|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Aaron Brooks]] (3)
*[[Ralph Simmons]] (4)
*[[Kelly (DOTM)|Kelly]] (5)
*[[Newman]] (6)
*[[Carla Spencer]] (7)
*[[James E. Webb]] (8)
*[[Moore]] (9)
*[[Robert McNamara]] (10)
*[[John F. Kennedy]] (11)
*[[Neil Armstrong]] (12)
*[[Bruce McCandless II]] (13)
*The three [[Johnson]]s (14)
*[[Buzz Aldrin]] (15)
*[[Sam Witwicky]] (17)
*[[Carly Spencer]] (18)
*[[Ron Witwicky]] (21)
*[[Judy Witwicky]] (22)
*[[Sulimani|Lieutenant Sulimani]] (23)
*[[Faraj|Lieutenant Faraj]] (25)
*[[William Lennox]] (30)
*[[Alexi Voskhod]] (31)
*[[Willis]] (32)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Yuri (guide)|Yuri]] (33)
*[[Bruce Brazos]] (37)
*[[Dylan Gould]] (38)
*[[Charlotte Mearing]] (42)
*[[Madeline Singer]] (47)
*[[Julia Singer]] (48)
*[[Bob Singer]] (49)
*[[Jerry Wang]] (50)
*[[Seymour Simmons|Seymour Simmons]] (54)
*[[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]] (55)
*[[Dimitri]] (56)
*[[Morshower]] (57)
*[[Pinkett]] (58)
*[[Robert Epps|Robert Epps]] (62)
*[[O'Toole]] (63)
*[[Hardcore Eddie]] (64)
*[[Tiny]] (65)
*[[Stackhouse]] (66)
*[[Rakishi]] (67)
*[[Ames (DOTM)|Ames]] (68)
*[[Baby Face|Zimmerman]] (69)
*[[Perkins (DOTM)|Perkins]] (70)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==
"Could you tell Armstrong to say it again, correctly?"
:—A pedantic NASA '''PR flack'''

"It's so frickin' complicated. I'm still trying to figure it out. The chickens they eat. The monkeys they don't. The cows they eat. The bears they don't. Fish, yes; whales, no. Cats, no, rabbits, yes. Pigs sometimes, and the dog... unfortunately he's safe. There's no rhyme or reason to it."
:—'''Wheelie''' on human eating habits.

==Errors==
*Though a big deal is made of how much trouble Carla Spencer went to to get hold of Webb so that Brooks can pass on the news about the UFO, Webb somehow hears about it from a Doctor Moore instead.
*At the bottom of page 369, "from" is spelled with two 'o's.

==Notes==

===Transformers references===
*Simmons hasn't updated [[GiantEffingRobots.com]] since June 2009.
*Mirage is particularly noted as preferring hiding to fighting.

===Real-world references===
*Sam's initial impressions of Carly include that she has stepped out of a [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley|Victoria's Secret catalogue]].
*A vase Sam accidentally smashes was a gift from Winston Churchill.
*Wheelie complains about the TiVo having recorded ''South Park'' and something involving a Kardashian, and then starts making up Star Trek/Transformers crossover fanfiction.
*Sam thinks Gould's car collection would made Jay Leno feel inadequate.
*Wang attempts to get Sam's attention by friending him on Facebook.
*Sam recalls seeing ''[[Wikipedia:All the President's Men (film)|All the President's Men]]''.
*Bumblebee's reaction to meeting Carly is to play Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful".
*Sentinel's description of the space bridge makes Sam think "Beam me up, Scotty", a catchphrase associated with ''Star Trek''.
*Simmons is scheduled to have dinner with Hugo Chavez and Larry King.
*At the bar with Simmons, Sam reflects that he needed [[Daniel Craig]] but got [["Weird Al" Yankovic]].
*Bumblebee uses a clip of Robert Preston from ''[[Wikipedia:The Music Man (1962 film)|The Music Man]]'' to warn Sam the Decepticons are attacking on the motorway. Other clips he uses in this sequence include "Houston, we have a problem" from ''[[Wikipedia:Apollo 13 (film)|Apollo 13]]'', Hall and Oates's ''Maneater'', and the Police's ''Every Breath You Take''.
*Sam draws a connection between Sentinel Prime and the [[Arthur C. Clarke]] book ''The Sentinel'' and wonders if Clarke knew something.
*Soundwave threatening Carly reminds Sam of a scene from the movie ''Goldfinger''
*The FBI agents who meet Sam outside his apartment remind him of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.
*The Autobots walking towards the ''Xantium'' remind Sam of ''[[Wikipedia:The Right Stuff (film)|The Right Stuff]]''. Sam watches too many movies. (Maybe that's why he doesn't have a job yet...)
* Brains claims to have a brain the size of a planet, a common claim made by Marvin the paranoid android in ''[[Wikipedia:The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]''.
*Dylan has read ''[[Wikipedia:The Power of Now|The Power of Now]]''.
*The attack on Chicago reminds Carly of ''[[Wikipedia:The War of the Worlds|The War of the Worlds]]''.
*Dylan's relationship with the Decepticons reminds Carly of a line from ''[[Wikipedia:The West Wing|The West Wing]]''.
*The Galileo Building reminds Sam of the building from ''[[Wikipedia:Die Hard|Die Hard]]'' and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
*Wheeljack handing out gadgets reminds Sam of Q from the James Bond movies while he thinks the [[grapple glove]]s look like something he'd use to escape the [[Joker]].
*Leadfoot yells "Drillers! Why did it have to be Drillers!", a callback to Indiana Jones.
*Wingsuits make Zimmerman feel like [[Batman]]. According to Perkins, they make him look like Rocky the flying squirrel.
*As the building falls over, Sam resolves never to watch ''[[Wikipedia:Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'' again.
*When wondering how to destroy the control pillar, Sam considers taking it to Mount Doom and tossing it into the lava, a reference to the end of the last ''[[Wikipedia:The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]'' book.

===Differences with the movie===
* Skids and Mudflap appear, though only in the sequences where the Autobots return to NEST, and Sentinel's betrayal scene.
* Sam's dog is named [[Buster (DOTM)|Buster]].
* Ironhide goes in a mission in Chechnya to stop some rebels.
* The majority of Sam's interviews are skipped, as well as most of the more colorful parts of Accuretta.
* Lennox only takes one NEST technician to Chernobyl instead of a whole team.
* Laserbeak transforms to a small robot dog instead of a human-sized pink Bumblebee replica.
* Optimus and Ratchet travel to the Moon in a human-built rocket rather than the ''Xantium''.
* Sam escapes Laserbeak at Accuretta by locking the Decepticon in a server room.
* Sam and Simmons encounter three ex-cosmonauts instead of two, though only one actually helps them.
* Brains helps out at the bar by speaking Russian to the cosmonauts.
* Dutch kills Crankcase by running over him with a car (don't ask how that works).
* Optimus is meeting with the President when Sentinel reveals his true colors.
* Rather than just smashing into the vault containing the Pillars, Sentinel threatens to take Mearing hostage and start killing humans until she opens the vault.
* Wheeljack falls in the river after Driller's attack and then gets torn apart by underwater Decepticons.
* Starscream kills Mirage while helping out the humans getting out of the skyscraper.
* Not only does Soundwave make a "puppet show" out of Mirage's wreckage, but he also blows off Leadfoot's left leg (seems he has a fetish for red-coloured Autobots).
* Megatron isn't killed by Optimus Prime. Instead, he asks for a truce and Optimus reluctantly accepts it.
* While the movie was quite ambiguous about it, Brains and Wheelie are shown to have survived the crash of the Decepticon mother ship in this version.

===Trivia===
* As opposed to other characters who were referred to by their car model (Ex. Bumblebee the Camaro, Ironhide the GMC Topkick, etc.), Mirage was referred to as a "Red Sports car" instead of a Ferrari.
* At one point, Roadbuster was referred to as the blue Wrecker instead of green.

==International printings==

==External links==
*[http://www.randomhouse.com/book/212408/transformers--dark-of-the-moon-by-peter-david#excerpt Random House page]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dark of the Moon (novel)}}
[[Category:Adaptations]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon books]]
[[Category:Novels]]

Talk:Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday

2013-05-26T20:58:27Z

BossBot97: Error

==Page move==
What do people think of moving this article to just ''Ghosts of Yesterday'' to eliminate the "Transformers" that we usually leave off? --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 14:33, 13 November 2007 (UTC)
:Works for me. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 22:24, 13 November 2007 (UTC)
:Go for it. --[[User:BossBot97|BossBot97]] 16:58, 26 May 2013 (EDT)
==Error==
I noticed that on page 135 Bumblebee says that his systems are impaired to the point that he can't fly, but later, on pages 198-200, Optimus' whole plan relies on the fact that Bee can fly out of the tunnel, unaided. --[[User:BossBot97|BossBot97]] 16:58, 26 May 2013 (EDT)

Project Predacon

2013-05-20T13:19:33Z

BossBot97: /* Quotes */ links

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 57
|prev=Rebellion (Prime)
|next=Chain of Command (Prime)
|image=ProjectPredacon-skull.jpg
|caption=Okay, who cooked the turkey too long?
|title="Project Predacon"
|airdate=[[May 17]], [[2013]]
|written by=[[Duane Capizzi]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''The Decepticons launch a new scheme to clone an army of beasts.'''

==Synopsis==

[[File:ProjectPredacon-MASKdivision.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Back repainting strikes again|Can you name the truck with four wheel drive, smells like a steak, and seats thirty five? Canyonero! Canyonero!]]

[[William Fowler|Fowler]] arrives at the [[Autobot]]s' new base driving a massive military truck, described as an "experimental, all-terrain, expeditionary fighting vehicle". [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] gives his approval and begins to scan it.

The next day, [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] return from the rubble of the former Autobot base with what little they could find. Wheeljack is happy enough to find their lobbing ball with which he immediately initiates a game of [[Cybertronian_sport#Lobbing| Lobbing]]. Unprepared, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] is unable to catch the ball and it bounces off of him, very nearly crushing [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]], who is pulled to safety by [[Jack Darby|Jack]]. Ultra Magnus admonishes Wheeljack's reckless behavior, once again citing his distaste for [[Wrecker]] behavior. He tells Wheeljack that if he'd rather not follow orders, he's free to walk away, as he did back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Wheeljack remarks that if [[Jackhammer (Prime)|his ship]] wasn't destroyed, he'd do just that.

Meanwhile, Optimus puts his new jet pack to use investigating recent Decepticon activity. He comes upon a cave entrance in the side of a mountain and transforms into his new vehicle mode to enter.

Miko wishes all of the Autobots had jet packs, but [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] reminds everyone that the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] has been depleted of its power. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] returns from scanning new "war paint", but this fails to impress Ultra Magnus, who immediately assigns him a menial duty. Smokescreen grumbles about how he nearly became a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], but pretends to have said something else when Ratchet overhears.

In the cave, Optimus comes across a group of [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]]s excavating some very large skeletal remains and makes short work of them. But he is unable to prevent [[Bombshock (Prime)|Bombshock]] escaping with a piece of the fossil.

Optimus returns the rest of the fossil to the base, and reveals that it's the remains of a [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]]. Smokescreen notes that Predacons are supposed to be extinct, since before most life began on Cybertron. The Autobots deduce that the recently-returned [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] is behind [[Predaking (Prime)|the one they already fought]], and most likely plans to clone more of them.

[[File:ProjectPredacon-Predacons.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Once upon a time, robot animals ruled the earth.]]

Aboard the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] reacts to the presence of Predacon remains on Earth with cynicism. [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] explains that the remains actually belong to an army of clones that he had commissioned during the war. They were sent to Earth to kill Autobots and gather [[Energon]], and there they remained until succumbing to the ravages of time. Shockwave confirms that he can create new clones from the endomatter of the deceased batch.

Ratchet shows the children images of Predacons from Cybertronian historical texts. Jack recognizes them as robotic versions of creatures from Earth's own various mythologies. Optimus notes that the Predacons were very likely the inspiration for such tales.

Ratchet revisits his [[Synthetic Energon|synthetic energon]] formula, in hopes of replenishing the Energon stores lost when their base was destroyed. Fowler suddenly reports that satellites have picked up Decepticon activity in both [[Texas]] and [[Scotland]]. Optimus assigns Ultra Magnus, now wielding the depowered Forge, to lead the Wreckers to Scotland. Meanwhile he, [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], and Smokescreen [[GroundBridge]] to Texas and split up.

Alone together, Smokescreen asks Bumblebee if he'd ever wanted to be a Prime. Bumblebee says his only aspiration is to be a warrior. When Smokescreen asks why Optimus hasn't promoted him from scout yet, Bumblebee reveals that it's his choice. Their conversation is interrupted first by a squad of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s and then by Shockwave, toting the remains of a Predacon. Shockwave flees from the Autobots but runs into Optimus, who blasts him out of vehicle mode. Just then, a GroundBridge opens and [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] emerges in plane mode to battle Optimus in the air. Shockwave makes a run for the GroundBridge, but is attacked by Bumblebee and Smokescreen.

[[File:ProjectPredacon-wishbone.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Ultimate Tug of War: Who Will Take Home the Wishbone???]]

While Optimus fends off Soundwave, [[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] deploys and is able to get in close, delivering an electrical shock that sends Optimus crashing to the ground. On the highway overpass above him, Bumblebee and Smokescreen are able to wrest the Predacon fossil away from Shockwave, but not without breaking it, sending a small piece falling over the edge. Optimus rushes back into the air to catch it, but Soundwave activates a second GroundBridge that catches the falling fossil in min-air and deposits it into Megatron's waiting hand aboard the ''Nemesis''. Their mission complete, the Decepticons retreat through the GroundBridge from which Soundwave emerged.

On the ''Nemesis'', Megatron decides that Shockwave is much too valuable to Project Predacon to risk using in the field. Shockwave agrees to confine himself to his lab and leave the task of collecting bones to Starscream. Megatron notes how anxious he is to set his army of beasts on humankind.

{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (3)
*[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (8)
*[[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] (10)
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (11)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (12)

|c2=
*[[Bombshock (Prime)|Bombshock]] (13)
*[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] (14)
*[[Decepticon Miner]] (15)
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (16)
*[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] (17)
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (18)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (19)
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (20)
*[[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] (21)

|c3=
*[[William Fowler]] (2)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (6)
*[[Jack Darby]] (7)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (9)

}}

==Quotes==
"What were you thinking, soldier?" 
"I was thinking Bulkhead could catch that lob."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Wheeljack''' air their grievances like mature adults who hate each other.

"I was nearly a Prime, but somehow I'm still a rookie."
:—'''Smokescreen''' bemoans the show's return to status quo.

'''Raf''': They're like Earth's dinosaurs. 
'''Jack''': Which means for you guys, running into one would be like us meeting a T-Rex. 
'''Miko''': So, then what were Dinobots? 
'''Bulkhead''': [[Dinobot (Prime)|Totally different]].
:—Predacon discussion leads to a wink and a nod.

"Autobots, we must become Beast Hunters."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' sees the writing on the package--Er, wall.

"Pfft. Another scavenger hunt?"
:—'''Starscream''' says the audience's line for us.

"How logical would it really be to locate all the dusty remains of your former pets?" 
"You are not suggesting that I would send my creations to a distant planet without first having them microchipped?" 
"Well, I-- Well, I was. But...seriously? You did?"
:—'''Starscream''' is shut down by '''Shockwave'''.

"Um... what's a kilt?" 
"Agent Fowler can at times be oblique. I find it best to simply nod and mobilize."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Optimus Prime''' on Earth culture, proving again that the best comedy comes from having [[Shake Up|no sense]] [[Chase (RB)|of humor.]]

==Notes==
===Continuity errors===
* While not an outright error, it's worth noting that in this episode Bumblebee states to Smokescreen that it is his own choice whether he graduates from scout to warrior, which contradicts with Prime's belief in "[[Masters & Students]]" that Bumblebee wasn't experienced enough in the field. However, it's possible that Prime has since changed his mind on the subject.
* When Soundwave transforms to robot mode and lands on the clifftop, he's wearing Laserbeak, even though at that point his deployer's separated from him.
* There's no good reason for Smokescreen and Bumblebee to play tug of war with the Predacon jawbone while Smokescreen is wearing the phase shifter. Both "[[New Recruit]]" and "[[Inside Job]]" demonstrate that the wearer can selectively remove one item from within another, and Shockwave's closed hand should be no exception.

===Continuity notes===
* Wheeljack finds his and Bulkhead's Lobbing ball from "[[Con Job]]" in the rubble of the former Autobot base and brings it back to the new base to continue the fun.
* Ultra Magnus confirms he led the Wreckers back on Cybertron, as in [[Alex Irvine]]'s ''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Exiles|Exiles]]'' novels. However, he also notes that the assignment was given to him by Optimus Prime, and refers to them as "your Wreckers" to Wheeljack, indicating that he had no part in founding the team.
* The [[Dinobot (Prime)|Dinobots]], a subgroup of Autobots mutated by Shockwave into dinosaur forms and who serve as the main characters in the tie-in ''[[Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots|Rage of the Dinobots]]'' and [[Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (IDW)|''Beast Hunters'' comics]], have at least been mentioned in passing to Miko in the past.
* Megatron reveals that he had an army of Predacon clones commissioned during the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|war for Cybertron]]. Included in the artistic flashback appear to be [[Hun-Gurrr (Prime)|Hun-Gurr]], [[Lazerback]], [[Grimwing (Prime)|Grimwing]], [[Rippersnapper (Prime)|Rippersnapper]] and what appears to be either a [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] look-alike or a previous Predaking clone. Also, the Predacon picture Ratchet shows the kids looks somewhat similiar to Ripclaw, minus the Siphon Claw on her tail.
* Ratchet returns to work on the synthetic energon formula he last tried replicating in "[[Stronger, Faster]]".
* Laserbeak is apparently up and running now. Soundwave must have repaired him since "[[Darkmount, NV]]".
* Megatron mentions Shockwave's apparent demise in the space bridge accident in "[[Out of the Past]]".

===Real-World references===
* Micro-chipping pets is a human method of identifying lost dogs, cats and other pets through use of a sub-dermal chip implant. Mind you, in the real world, it works by scanning the animal directly to see if it even has a chip that stores the owner's information, rather than the show's GPS-like take.

===Transformers references===
* Smokescreen uses the "robots in disguise" tagline as justification for his new paint job.
* Bulkhead refers to the potential threat of a cloned Predacon army as a "[[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]". Megatron continues the trend by saying he sent his army of Predacon clones to Earth to "unleash the beast" on Autobots stationed there.
* Ultra Magnus arms himself with [[Magnus Hammer|a very large hammer]].

===Trivia===
[[File:ProjectPredacon-UnitE.jpg|right|thumb|200px|]]
* This episode premieres a new opening sequence with significantly more [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] and Shockwave in it, and also features Prime's new body and Bumblebee's new paint job. There's no Wheeljack, Ultra Magnus, or Smokescreen, though.
* This is one reference-heavy episode, isn't it?
* In possibly the most self-indulgent meta-reference in ''Transformers'' ever, the Autobots' new base is set up inside "[[Unit:E]]". This was the title of Hasbro's more-or-less stillborn crossover franchise, mixing numerous properties Hasbro owned yet didn't have much going on with at the moment, including ''Micronauts'', ''[[Jem]]'', ''[[M.A.S.K.]]'', ''Stretch Armstrong'', ''Candyland'' (no, really), and more. ''Transformers'' and ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' also had cameos as part of a colossal multiverse. Fowler's office door even uses the ''Unit:E'' logo. While "[[Grill]]" made a background reference to it, this episode is pretty blatant in its reference to it.
* As part of the gleeful shamelessness, Fowler says that the truck Optimus scans comes from the "[[M.A.S.K.]]" division. ''M.A.S.K.'' was all about humans piloting (mostly) ordinary-looking vehicles that transformed into battle-modes.
* Megatron says that the cloned Predacons fell victim to "the ravages of time" between their being stationed on Earth and the rest of the Decepticons arriving. Unless it's a side effect of the cloning process, this could suggest the Predacons have a much shorter life span than other Cybertronians, including the similarly-animalistic Insecticons.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Project Predacon

2013-05-20T13:10:26Z

BossBot97: /* Quotes */ links

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 57
|prev=Rebellion (Prime)
|next=Chain of Command (Prime)
|image=ProjectPredacon-skull.jpg
|caption=Okay, who cooked the turkey too long?
|title="Project Predacon"
|airdate=[[May 17]], [[2013]]
|written by=[[Duane Capizzi]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''The Decepticons launch a new scheme to clone an army of beasts.'''

==Synopsis==

[[File:ProjectPredacon-MASKdivision.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Back repainting strikes again|Can you name the truck with four wheel drive, smells like a steak, and seats thirty five? Canyonero! Canyonero!]]

[[William Fowler|Fowler]] arrives at the [[Autobot]]s' new base driving a massive military truck, described as an "experimental, all-terrain, expeditionary fighting vehicle". [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] gives his approval and begins to scan it.

The next day, [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] return from the rubble of the former Autobot base with what little they could find. Wheeljack is happy enough to find their lobbing ball with which he immediately initiates a game of [[Cybertronian_sport#Lobbing| Lobbing]]. Unprepared, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] is unable to catch the ball and it bounces off of him, very nearly crushing [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]], who is pulled to safety by [[Jack Darby|Jack]]. Ultra Magnus admonishes Wheeljack's reckless behavior, once again citing his distaste for [[Wrecker]] behavior. He tells Wheeljack that if he'd rather not follow orders, he's free to walk away, as he did back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Wheeljack remarks that if [[Jackhammer (Prime)|his ship]] wasn't destroyed, he'd do just that.

Meanwhile, Optimus puts his new jet pack to use investigating recent Decepticon activity. He comes upon a cave entrance in the side of a mountain and transforms into his new vehicle mode to enter.

Miko wishes all of the Autobots had jet packs, but [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] reminds everyone that the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] has been depleted of its power. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] returns from scanning new "war paint", but this fails to impress Ultra Magnus, who immediately assigns him a menial duty. Smokescreen grumbles about how he nearly became a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], but pretends to have said something else when Ratchet overhears.

In the cave, Optimus comes across a group of [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]]s excavating some very large skeletal remains and makes short work of them. But he is unable to prevent [[Bombshock (Prime)|Bombshock]] escaping with a piece of the fossil.

Optimus returns the rest of the fossil to the base, and reveals that it's the remains of a [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]]. Smokescreen notes that Predacons are supposed to be extinct, since before most life began on Cybertron. The Autobots deduce that the recently-returned [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] is behind [[Predaking (Prime)|the one they already fought]], and most likely plans to clone more of them.

[[File:ProjectPredacon-Predacons.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Once upon a time, robot animals ruled the earth.]]

Aboard the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] reacts to the presence of Predacon remains on Earth with cynicism. [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] explains that the remains actually belong to an army of clones that he had commissioned during the war. They were sent to Earth to kill Autobots and gather [[Energon]], and there they remained until succumbing to the ravages of time. Shockwave confirms that he can create new clones from the endomatter of the deceased batch.

Ratchet shows the children images of Predacons from Cybertronian historical texts. Jack recognizes them as robotic versions of creatures from Earth's own various mythologies. Optimus notes that the Predacons were very likely the inspiration for such tales.

Ratchet revisits his [[Synthetic Energon|synthetic energon]] formula, in hopes of replenishing the Energon stores lost when their base was destroyed. Fowler suddenly reports that satellites have picked up Decepticon activity in both [[Texas]] and [[Scotland]]. Optimus assigns Ultra Magnus, now wielding the depowered Forge, to lead the Wreckers to Scotland. Meanwhile he, [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], and Smokescreen [[GroundBridge]] to Texas and split up.

Alone together, Smokescreen asks Bumblebee if he'd ever wanted to be a Prime. Bumblebee says his only aspiration is to be a warrior. When Smokescreen asks why Optimus hasn't promoted him from scout yet, Bumblebee reveals that it's his choice. Their conversation is interrupted first by a squad of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s and then by Shockwave, toting the remains of a Predacon. Shockwave flees from the Autobots but runs into Optimus, who blasts him out of vehicle mode. Just then, a GroundBridge opens and [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] emerges in plane mode to battle Optimus in the air. Shockwave makes a run for the GroundBridge, but is attacked by Bumblebee and Smokescreen.

[[File:ProjectPredacon-wishbone.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Ultimate Tug of War: Who Will Take Home the Wishbone???]]

While Optimus fends off Soundwave, [[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] deploys and is able to get in close, delivering an electrical shock that sends Optimus crashing to the ground. On the highway overpass above him, Bumblebee and Smokescreen are able to wrest the Predacon fossil away from Shockwave, but not without breaking it, sending a small piece falling over the edge. Optimus rushes back into the air to catch it, but Soundwave activates a second GroundBridge that catches the falling fossil in min-air and deposits it into Megatron's waiting hand aboard the ''Nemesis''. Their mission complete, the Decepticons retreat through the GroundBridge from which Soundwave emerged.

On the ''Nemesis'', Megatron decides that Shockwave is much too valuable to Project Predacon to risk using in the field. Shockwave agrees to confine himself to his lab and leave the task of collecting bones to Starscream. Megatron notes how anxious he is to set his army of beasts on humankind.

{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (3)
*[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (8)
*[[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] (10)
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (11)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (12)

|c2=
*[[Bombshock (Prime)|Bombshock]] (13)
*[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] (14)
*[[Decepticon Miner]] (15)
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (16)
*[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] (17)
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (18)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (19)
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (20)
*[[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] (21)

|c3=
*[[William Fowler]] (2)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (6)
*[[Jack Darby]] (7)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (9)

}}

==Quotes==
"What were you thinking, soldier?" 
"I was thinking Bulkhead could catch that lob."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Wheeljack''' air their grievances like mature adults who hate each other.

"I was nearly a Prime, but somehow I'm still a rookie."
:—'''Smokescreen''' bemoans the show's return to status quo.

'''Raf''': They're like Earth's dinosaurs. 
'''Jack''': Which means for you guys, running into one would be like us meeting a T-Rex. 
'''Miko''': So, then what were Dinobots? 
'''Bulkhead''': [[Dinobot (Prime)|Totally different]].
:—Predacon discussion leads to a wink and a nod.

"Autobots, we must become Beast Hunters."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' sees the writing on the package--Er, wall.

"Pfft. Another scavenger hunt?"
:—'''Starscream''' says the audience's line for us.

"How logical would it really be to locate all the dusty remains of your former pets?" 
"You are not suggesting that I would send my creations to a distant planet without first having them microchipped?" 
"Well, I-- Well, I was. But...seriously? You did?"
:—'''Starscream''' is shut down by '''Shockwave'''.

"Um... what's a kilt?" 
"Agent Fowler can at times be oblique. I find it best to simply nod and mobilize."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Optimus Prime''' on Earth culture, proving again that the best comedy comes from having [[Shake up|no sense]] [[Chase (RB)|of humor.]]

==Notes==
===Continuity errors===
* While not an outright error, it's worth noting that in this episode Bumblebee states to Smokescreen that it is his own choice whether he graduates from scout to warrior, which contradicts with Prime's belief in "[[Masters & Students]]" that Bumblebee wasn't experienced enough in the field. However, it's possible that Prime has since changed his mind on the subject.
* When Soundwave transforms to robot mode and lands on the clifftop, he's wearing Laserbeak, even though at that point his deployer's separated from him.
* There's no good reason for Smokescreen and Bumblebee to play tug of war with the Predacon jawbone while Smokescreen is wearing the phase shifter. Both "[[New Recruit]]" and "[[Inside Job]]" demonstrate that the wearer can selectively remove one item from within another, and Shockwave's closed hand should be no exception.

===Continuity notes===
* Wheeljack finds his and Bulkhead's Lobbing ball from "[[Con Job]]" in the rubble of the former Autobot base and brings it back to the new base to continue the fun.
* Ultra Magnus confirms he led the Wreckers back on Cybertron, as in [[Alex Irvine]]'s ''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Exiles|Exiles]]'' novels. However, he also notes that the assignment was given to him by Optimus Prime, and refers to them as "your Wreckers" to Wheeljack, indicating that he had no part in founding the team.
* The [[Dinobot (Prime)|Dinobots]], a subgroup of Autobots mutated by Shockwave into dinosaur forms and who serve as the main characters in the tie-in ''[[Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots|Rage of the Dinobots]]'' and [[Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (IDW)|''Beast Hunters'' comics]], have at least been mentioned in passing to Miko in the past.
* Megatron reveals that he had an army of Predacon clones commissioned during the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|war for Cybertron]]. Included in the artistic flashback appear to be [[Hun-Gurrr (Prime)|Hun-Gurr]], [[Lazerback]], [[Grimwing (Prime)|Grimwing]], [[Rippersnapper (Prime)|Rippersnapper]] and what appears to be either a [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] look-alike or a previous Predaking clone. Also, the Predacon picture Ratchet shows the kids looks somewhat similiar to Ripclaw, minus the Siphon Claw on her tail.
* Ratchet returns to work on the synthetic energon formula he last tried replicating in "[[Stronger, Faster]]".
* Laserbeak is apparently up and running now. Soundwave must have repaired him since "[[Darkmount, NV]]".
* Megatron mentions Shockwave's apparent demise in the space bridge accident in "[[Out of the Past]]".

===Real-World references===
* Micro-chipping pets is a human method of identifying lost dogs, cats and other pets through use of a sub-dermal chip implant. Mind you, in the real world, it works by scanning the animal directly to see if it even has a chip that stores the owner's information, rather than the show's GPS-like take.

===Transformers references===
* Smokescreen uses the "robots in disguise" tagline as justification for his new paint job.
* Bulkhead refers to the potential threat of a cloned Predacon army as a "[[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]". Megatron continues the trend by saying he sent his army of Predacon clones to Earth to "unleash the beast" on Autobots stationed there.
* Ultra Magnus arms himself with [[Magnus Hammer|a very large hammer]].

===Trivia===
[[File:ProjectPredacon-UnitE.jpg|right|thumb|200px|]]
* This episode premieres a new opening sequence with significantly more [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] and Shockwave in it, and also features Prime's new body and Bumblebee's new paint job. There's no Wheeljack, Ultra Magnus, or Smokescreen, though.
* This is one reference-heavy episode, isn't it?
* In possibly the most self-indulgent meta-reference in ''Transformers'' ever, the Autobots' new base is set up inside "[[Unit:E]]". This was the title of Hasbro's more-or-less stillborn crossover franchise, mixing numerous properties Hasbro owned yet didn't have much going on with at the moment, including ''Micronauts'', ''[[Jem]]'', ''[[M.A.S.K.]]'', ''Stretch Armstrong'', ''Candyland'' (no, really), and more. ''Transformers'' and ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' also had cameos as part of a colossal multiverse. Fowler's office door even uses the ''Unit:E'' logo. While "[[Grill]]" made a background reference to it, this episode is pretty blatant in its reference to it.
* As part of the gleeful shamelessness, Fowler says that the truck Optimus scans comes from the "[[M.A.S.K.]]" division. ''M.A.S.K.'' was all about humans piloting (mostly) ordinary-looking vehicles that transformed into battle-modes.
* Megatron says that the cloned Predacons fell victim to "the ravages of time" between their being stationed on Earth and the rest of the Decepticons arriving. Unless it's a side effect of the cloning process, this could suggest the Predacons have a much shorter life span than other Cybertronians, including the similarly-animalistic Insecticons.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Deep Trouble (RB)

2012-12-22T21:40:21Z

BossBot97: /* Animation and technical errors */ treading water

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Transformers: Rescue Bots]]'' ep 10
|prev=Christmas in July
|next=Return of the Dinobot
|image=DeepTrouble Rescue Bots vs shark.jpg
|caption=We're ''definitely'' going to need a bigger boat.
|title="Deep Trouble"
|airdate=[[May 5]], [[2012]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
|animation studio=[[Atomic Cartoons]]
|writer=[[Christopher J. Gentile]]
|director=[[Nathan Chew]]
}}

'''A shark targeting high-tech ocean equipment is spotted off the Griffin Rock shore.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:DeepTrouble time for fishing.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
[[Luskey|Mayor Luskey]] and [[Luskey's wife|his wife]] are enjoying a trip in the Mayor's boat, the ''[[Floating Xanadu]]'', when Luskey realizes they're near the coast but he can't see the lighthouse. Elsewhere, the Burnses and the Greenes are having a barbeque and basketball game. Luskey contacts [[Charlie Burns|Chief Burns]] to tell him to turn on the light. While [[Dani Burns|Dani]] and [[Blades (RB)|Blades]] rescue the mayor, Doc Greene puzzles over why the automatic sensors didn't pick up the mayor's ship and turn the lighthouse on. Safely back on land, Luskey has it out with Greene, and explains that as tomorrow is the [[Miss Griffin Rock]] competition, he wants the lighthouse back in working order.

The next morning, Chief Burns arrives at the breakfast table with a fishing rod—it's time for their annual fishing trip. Dani, [[Kade Burns|Kade]] and [[Graham Burns|Graham]] all give excuses, but [[Cody Burns|Cody]] is keen and suggests they bring the [[Rescue Bot]]s along as well. The ''[[Darby Eva]]'' vessel proves capable of carrying the four bots without sinking, and Burns makes Blades first mate. Cody instructs the Bots on the finer points of fishing, as they approach Doc Greene's floating research lab, where Greene has discovered that the lighthouse's underwater electro-magnetic sensors have been destroyed. He gives Cody a hi-tech fishing line that uses electro-magnetic bait.

Back at the fire station, the others do dishes and briefly wonder if they did the right thing in dipping out on the fishing trip.

[[Image:DeepTrouble Heatwave jumps shark.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Cody, Charlie and the Bots start fishing, but after [[Heatwave (RB)|Heatwave]] loses his fishing rod, he tries using Greene's hi-tech version. He quickly gets a bite, which to their surprise turns out to be a [[Shark submarine|gigantic shark]]. It rams the ship, knocking Heatwave overboard, and as he floats in the water, the mechanical shark attacks him. As he wrestles with it, it uses lasers to destroy the fishing rod. The other Rescue Bots jump into the water, but can't do much more than watch as the shark knocks Heatwave loose by bashing him against rocks. Burns heads back to Doc Greene's lab.

[[Image:DeepTrouble Greene's busted sensor.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
On the beach, the Miss Griffin Rock pageant is in full swing, but as the mayor's wife is about to announce the finalists, the robot shark appears offshore, sparking a panic. Surprised, Greene reports his sensors aren't picking up anything shark-sized, but soon gets a visit from the shark himself. The shark destroys the doc's underwater sensor, and he shows the Burnses the footage of the shark he's gathered. Cody and Greene realize the shark's attacking electro-magnetics.

The other three Burnses at the fire station reminisce about previous fishing trips, and decide to join the one currently in progress.

[[Image:DeepTrouble caught shark.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
While Cody monitors things from the pier with the [[ComTab]], Chief Burns and the bots go out with one of the doc's boosted sensors. Once the shark turns up, Burns starts leading it towards a secluded cove, but it suddenly changes course and goes after the Griffin Rock ferry instead. Burns warns the ferry captain [[Arthur Shaw]] and the ferry avoids the first strike, so Burns and Blades head over to help the people on board. Heatwave, [[Boulder]] and [[Chase (RB)|Chase]] jump into the sea and use their vehicle modes to reach the shark submarine. After damaging the sub to the point where it's non-operational, they float to the surface where Cody gets them to swim to shore with it. The rest of the Burns family reaches the pier in time to see the shark, but as Chief Burns and Blades crack it open, they hear a computer voice announcing self destruct. Blades flies the sub out to sea where it explodes. As they leave the pier, Cody wonders who could have built such a thing and among the wreckage which landed on the pier, spots a fragment with a [[Cody on Patrol|familiar logo on it]].

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Blades (RB)|Blades]] (10)
*[[Boulder]] (11)
*[[Chase (RB)|Chase]] (12)
*[[Heatwave (RB)|Heatwave]] (13)

|c3=
*[[Luskey|Mayor Luskey]] (1)
*[[Luskey's wife]] (2)
*[[Cody Burns]] (3)
*[[Graham Burns]] (4)
*[[Frankie Greene]] (5)
*[[Charlie Burns]] (6)
*[[Doc Greene]] (7)
*[[Kade Burns]] (8)
*[[Dani Burns]] (9)
*[[Arthur Shaw]] (14)
|c4=
*[[Dither|Helper Bot]] (11)
}}

==Quotes==
"How do you like your burger?" 
"On a plate, please!"
:—'''Charlie Burns''' and '''Doc Greene'''

"Arrr, I do request permission to come aboard, me hearty!"
:—'''Blades''' has been watching too many pirate movies.

"''Now'' I understand why you humans love fishing!"
:—'''Heatwave''' after wrestling a mechanical shark.

"Next movie night, can we rent a romatic comedy?"
:—'''Heatwave''' has had enough with Blade's pirate movies.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*Chase reacts to the shark sub turning away before it does so.
*The bots leap onto the pier whle treading water.

===Continuity errors===
===Continuity notes===
*The mysterious symbol Cody finds on the submarine wreckage was previously seen on the canister of [[nanite]]s in "[[Cody on Patrol]]".

===Real-world references===
*Mayor Luskey quotes ''Jaws'' when he declares that his wife's luggage requirements mean they're "going to need a bigger boat".
*Luskey's boat is presumably named after Charles Foster Kane's mansion from ''Citizen Kane''.
*Blades quotes from ''Moby Dick''.
*Captain Shaw's name is a reference to actor Robert Shaw who played Quint in ''Jaws''.

===Foreign localization===
===Trivia===

{{epstub}}
[[Category:Rescue Bots episodes]]

Darkest Hour (episode)

2012-12-22T13:17:48Z

BossBot97: /* Quotes */Wheeljack

{{disambig3|Darkest Hour}}

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 52
|prev=Regeneration (Prime)
|next=
|image=PrimeDarkestHourOPArm.jpg
|caption=WISE FWOM YOUR GWAVE
|title="Darkest Hour"
|airdate=[[November 2]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''When Megatron turns the power of the Omega Lock on Earth, Optimus is forced into making a risky decision that could have inescapable consequences for the entire Autobot team.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:DarkestHour-captives.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Jack: It's all because of us. Miko: We're so fragged. Raf: Can I go to the bathroom?]]

The two groups stand on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], locked in a face-off. While the [[Autobot]]s have the [[Omega Key]]s, the [[Decepticon]]s have [[Jack Darby|Jack]], [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]]. [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] orders [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] to get ready to expose Jack to Cybertron's toxic atmosphere. Though the kids are ready to sacrifice themselves to save the planet, [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] isn't, and the Autobots throw down their weapons. [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] hands over his key in exchange for Miko, [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] hands over his for Raf, and Megatron insists that as someone who was entrusted with the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Jack is surely worth ''two'' keys, so Arcee and Smokescreen are compelled to hand over theirs. The exchange done, a [[space bridge]] opens and the Autobots are quickly surrounded by [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]].

On [[Earth]], [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] gets a call from [[June Darby]], worried as she can't get in touch with Jack. Ratchet, unable to get in touch with Optimus and unaware that the kids are on Cybertron, is more concerned with keeping the comm lines clear, and quickly ends the call.

Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave and Knock Out each hold a key, and activate the [[Omega Lock]]. At a touch from Megatron, the lock sends out a beam of energy that recreates a nearby ruin, turning it into a pristine building. Though Optimus requests he be allowed to take the [[human]]s back to Earth, Megatron announces they'll be safer where they are. He has Starscream open up a space bridge portal over the Omega Lock site, and unleashes a mechaforming beam through it... to Earth, just outside of [[Jasper]], [[Nevada]]. A horrified June drops her phone, and the Autobot base's systems go haywire from the energy overload.

[[Image:DarkestHour-June.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"I've been watching far too many movies."]]

Miko wonders aloud if the beam will simply restore Earth, but Optimus says that this won't be the case; the beam will instead [[Eco-structuring|cyberform]] the planet, tuning it into another metallic world, and in the process destroy ''all'' indigenous life. Unable to let Earth die, Optimus leaps into action, slicing his way through the guards with his blade and lunging for the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. Though Megatron tries to respond with the [[Dark Star Saber]], Optimus neatly cleaves the purloined Prime arm off of the Decepticon leader and sends the Dark blade flying, charging the Lock. Starscream gets his face stamped on as he tries to stop Optimus, and the other two Decepticons dive for cover as the Star Saber finds its mark, resulting in a massive explosion.

The cyberforming beam dissipates, and Ratchet's equipment clears up in time to get a transmission from Optimus requesting a space bridge. As the Decepticons pick themselves out of the rubble, the Autobots retreat through back to Earth. [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] quips, earning a quick backhand from Starscream, snarling that he needs to attend to their wounded leader. Starscream's ranting at Optimus's actions is cut of by a burst of maniacal laughter from Megatron... "They can run, but they can never again run ''home''!"

[[Image:DarkestHour-NewKaon.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Welp. There goes the neighborhood.]]

Ratchet is aghast as the Autobots return carrying the children, and even more so when they tell him Optimus has destroyed the Omega Lock. He staggers, lamenting that the sheer depth of loss the war has brought has all come to naught, with Cybertron now doomed to forever be a lifeless husk. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] snaps at Ratchet, claiming it's not his place to question Optimus's battlefield decisions, and Ratchet does not exactly react well to that. The discussion is cut short by a call from an absolutely furious [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]], suggesting they take a look outside. As the Autobots reach the mountaintop via elevator, they find a huge [[New Kaon (fortress)|Cybertronian fortress]] now stands right on their doorstep. Fowler, landing his helicopter next to them, wonders why they picked Jasper. As the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'' arrives, the answer becomes painfully clear: the Decepticons have found the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]].

Megatron, still missing his arm, rallies his air troops with a speech damning Optimus for his actions, and Starscream launches his armada of silver-toned Jet Vehicons, followed by the [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]] horde. The Autobots retreat into the base, but Fowler jumps back into his helicopter and flies directly through the oncoming Decepticon formations. While he's soon outgunned and being chased by Vehicons, the ''[[Jackhammer (Prime)|Jackhammer]]'' streaks into view—[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] has come to lend a hand, much to the surprise of the Autobots, since their last parting was not exactly on friendly terms.

[[Image:DarkestHour-thisistheplace.jpg|right|thumb|300px|[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Album|We're going 'til the world stops turning, while we burn it to the ground tonight!]]]]

Optimus orders the Autobots to abandon base via [[GroundBridge]], each departing to different locations in the [[United States of America|USA]] in the hopes that it will allow them to evade capture easier and regroup. Bumblebee and Raf head out first, then Bulkhead and Miko, then Arcee and Jack. Outside, Fowler avoids more Decepticons only to see the ''Nemesis'' moving into position over the Autobot base. At the same time, June is approaching the base by car in search of her son, but is stopped by a low-flying Vehicon. Fowler moves fast, gunning the Decepticon down and pulling June to safety. Though Wheeljack has bought the Autobots time, the numbers are against him, and a pair of seeking missiles from Starscream soon send the ''Jackhammer'' plummeting to Earth in a trail of smoke.

Smokescreen having departed on his own, Ratchet and Optimus are the last ones left in the base. Optimus tells Ratchet to go on, while he will make sure the Decepticons can't follow. Realizing the implications, Ratchet sadly takes his leave. Optimus moves to use the Star Saber to destroy the space bridge controls, but at that moment his task is rendered moot as the ''Nemesis'' fires a colossal cannon, destroying the Autobot base in a huge explosion.

Megatron and Starscream fly down to the remains, landing on the Autobot [[insignia]]. The two gloat over their victory... and not far, all that can be seen of Optimus is his hand sticking out from the burning rubble...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (1)
* [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (2)
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (3)
* [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
* [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (14)
* [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (18)
|c2=
* [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (6)
* [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (9)
* [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (10)
* [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (12)
* [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (13)
* [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] (17)
|c3=
* [[Jack Darby]] (7)
* [[Raf Esquivel]] (8)
* [[Miko Nakadai]] (11)
* [[June Darby]] (15)
* [[William Fowler]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"I guess we should cancel the welcome home party."
:—'''Knock Out''' makes an ill-timed quip.

"Optimus... ''we needed that''."
:—'''Ratchet''' expresses his dismay over Optimus's actions.

"Our opportunity to revive Cybertron has been lost, due to the treachery of Optimus Prime. But from our fortress of New Kaon, we will instead seize control of THIS world! '''Decepticons! Transform and rise up!'''"
:—'''Megatron''' gives his army a motivational speech as the onslaught begins.

"We're still on the same team Doc. Always have been, always will be."
:--'''Wheeljack's''' last words.

"And that's how you wreck a Wrecker!"
:—'''Starscream''' bragging as he shoots down Wheeljack's ship.

"I... never imagined it would end like this." 
''[Heads through the GroundBridge]'' 
"Neither did I, old friend."
:—'''Ratchet''' and '''Optimus Prime''' on the breaking of [[Team Prime]].

"United we stand, divided they fall."
:—'''Starscream''' continues to gloat at what is left of the Autobot base.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* As in previous episodes, Megatron's jet mode retains the fusion cannon even though he no longer has it.
* During Ratchet's last scene before he enters the ground bridge, you can clearly see part of his helmet going through his chest.
*When Optimus transforms his arm into his regular sword, the Vehicons behind him are suddenly ground units.

===Continuity notes===
* Megatron remembers that Jack was entrusted with the [[Matrix of Leadership]] back in "[[Orion Pax, Part 3]]". Technically, Jack was entrusted with the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], but the end result is the same.
* Ratchet vaguely references the events of "[[Hurt]]" when expressing surprise at Wheeljack's arrival. This also seems to be the reason why no one enlisted his aid for the events of the previous episode.
* Optimus cuts off Megatron's Prime arm, which he acquired in "[[Alpha/Omega]]".
* Soundwave began narrowing down the location of the Autobots' base through knowledge of their human allies residence within [[Jasper]] in "[[Hard Knocks]]".

===Transformers references===
[[Image:Sentinel prime dw.jpg|right|thumb|180px|[http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Mikado/The_criminal_cried_as_he_dropped_him_down ''With a frightful, frantic, fearful frown, I bared my big right arm'']]]
* "[[Darkest hour]]", yet again.
* Megatron commands his troops to "Transform and rise up!", a phrase coined by the ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]"
* The red panel Megatron activates on the Omega Lock resembles an [[energon star]].
* Megatron plans to [[Cyberforming|cyberform]] Earth.
* The final shot of Optimus Prime's arm looks [[The War Within issue 1|oddly familiar]].

===Real-world references===
* Optimus Prime explains that the Omega Lock will "cyberform your planet in favor of its new matrix, destroying all indigenous life in the process," a reference to the Genesis Device in ''[[wikipedia:Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan|Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]''. [[Spock]], describing the effect of the Device on an inhabited world, explains that it "would destroy such life, in favor of its new matrix."

===Trivia===
[[Image:PrimeDarkestHourStarscreamsArmadaSingle.jpg|thumb|250px|ARE YOU SARAH CONNOR?]]
* A new type of Decepticon flyer debuts, sporting a silver and grey paint job. Just where these new awesome-looking Vehicons came from has not yet been explained.
* June Darby makes an appearance after a 23-episode absence.
* This is the first time we see a space bridge portal open facing downward and the second time we see a portal open North-South.
* June bought a new car after her old one was destroyed in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 1]]".
* [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] was still being held in that stasis pod when the Autobot Base blew up, leaving open the question of her fate. The various Iacon relics are also left unaccounted for. The [[Forge of Solus Prime]] was in the Autobot base, same as Airachnid. The [[phase shifter]], [[Immobilizer]], [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]], and [[polarity gauntlet]] were all last seen on Cybertron, and the Autobots made no apparent effort to retrieve them. Finally, it's never shown if Megatron retrieved his Dark Star Saber and Prime arm.
* Optimus makes use of his integrated sword for the first time since the arrival of the Star Saber.
* Megatron goes almost the entire episode without a right arm.
* Fowler manages to kill four Decepticons in this episode, two of which he shoots down with the gun on his helicopter. He must have gotten an upgrade after its lackluster performances in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]" and "[[Crisscross]]".
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

This Is Why I Hate Machines

2012-12-13T13:08:03Z

BossBot97: /* Quotes */ spelling

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|series2=AniJapan
|image=TFAni ThisisWhyIHateMachines Fanzone Crowd.jpg
|caption=
|ep=40
|ep2=37
|prev2=Decepticon Air
|next2=Endgame, Part I
|title="This Is Why I Hate Machines"
|caption=This is what hell looks like to Captain Fanzone.
|airdate=[[May 9]], [[2009]]
|written by=[[Rob Hoegee]]
|directed by=[[Kalvin Lee]] [[Yutaka Hirata]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]}}

'''A space bridge accident sends Ratchet and Captain Fanzone to Cybertron, right as the Decepticon controlled Omega Supreme arrives.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:TFA ThisIsWhyIHateMachines Fanzone SpaceBridge.jpg|thumb|200px|left|That's it! I'm firing my travel agent.]]
[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] is trying to calibrate the newly constructed [[space bridge]] properly to begin the hunt for [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]]. Unfortunately, [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]]'s advanced notation system of adhesive note papers leaves something to be desired. [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] chooses that moment to step off [[Sumdac Tower]]'s elevator, engaged in a spirited discussion with [[Sumdac Systems]] technical support over some malfunctioning police drones. Fanzone has come to take up the matter with [[Isaac Sumdac]] himself, but before he can start looking for the scientist, a pair of police drones catch up to him and open fire with lethal force. Now dodging gunfire while the oblivious Ratchet continues to sort through Bulkhead's notes, Fanzone grows progressively more irate until the space bridge suddenly activates, having located Omega Supreme's transwarp signature. Ratchet looks up just in time to see the hapless Fanzone being sucked into the space bridge portal, and, deciding that this probably isn't a good thing, opts to follow.

[[Image:ThisIsWhyIHateMachines-Glyphandothers.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Just robot asses as far as the eye can see.]]

Fanzone finds himself unceremoniously dumped in the middle of a large city on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], a situation he's less than thrilled about. A crowd of Autobots freaks out at the presence of the horrifying organic lifeform. Nearly stepped on by the immense [[Grandus (Animated)|Grandus]] at the urging of a [[Flareup (Animated)|friend]], Fanzone is rescued by the timely arrival of Ratchet. Fanzone wants to return home immediately, but Ratchet insists that while they're on Cybertron, they may as well hit up [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]]. To his dismay, his favorite watering hole has been shut down, along with other "subversive" gathering places, by order of [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]]. After watching one of Sentinel Prime's propaganda videos, the pair are soon approached by the Elite Guard, and Sentinel Prime demands to know how they have been able to get to Cybertron with space bridge travel locked down. Ratchet angrily explains that they didn't use the space bridge network, but rather piggybacked on Omega Supreme's transwarp signature. Sentinel, well-informed as always, laughs off Ratchet, thinking that Omega Supreme had been decommissioned centuries ago. He is immediately proven wrong as the looming shape of Omega Supreme's robot form appears in the Cybertronian skies.

Above the city, aboard Omega's inert body, [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] muses on this (glorious!) moment for the [[Decepticon]]s: those who were once driven away from Cybertron in exile are now poised over it in one of its greatest weapons. As [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] points out that they have no means actually to ''use'' said weapon, [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] comes to Megatron's defense, saying that with the [[plasma dynamic thruster]] removed, the Decepticons have control over Omega's navigational systems, transformation, and free access to the ship. Starscream points out that they have no control over the weapons systems, but Megatron rebuffs him with the revelation that he still has a spy on Cybertron who can fetch him the access codes to Omega Supreme. On cue, [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] contacts the Decepticons, saying that he knows of another means to the get the codes, only needing time to get to it. Starscream comments that this will only work if the Cybertronian defense cannons don't shoot them out of the sky, but Megatron doubts that they would fire on one of the greatest symbols of Autobot military strength.

Meanwhile, Sentinel advocates that they fire the Cybertronian defense cannons on one of the greatest symbols of Autobot military strength. This understandably does not go over well with several prominent members of the [[Autobot High Council]], to say nothing of Omega Supreme's former mentor, Ratchet, who warns that destroying Omega with the amount of transwarp energy currently stored within him could cause a blast that would wipe out Cybertron itself. [[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] rebuff Sentinel and inform him to wait for the council's decision. Ratchet warns Sentinel that there will be consequences if Omega is harmed, and Sentinel prepares to lock up Ratchet and Fanzone, but they make a break for it when Fanzone fakes a sneeze. The Elite Guard pursue the two, but lose them outside the [[Metroplex (Animated)|Metroplex]]. Sentinel orders Jazz to continue searching, while he and the twins head to [[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]] to prepare the defense cannons, as Sentinel intends to attack regardless of the Council's decision.

Meanwhile, Ratchet and Fanzone take refuge in the forgotten network of maintenance tunnels beneath the city, which have been sealed for quite some time, but soon realize that someone ''else'' has been hiding in the tunnels quite recently. The occupant of that hideout is revealed to be none other than the double-agent [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]], who nearly gets the jump on the duo, still armed with the stolen [[Magnus Hammer]]. Ratchet fights back, surmising that Shockwave wishes to hack his processor to get the access codes to Omega Supreme, but Shockwave scoffs at this, revealing that he plans to go right to the original source: [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]]! Horrified, Ratchet loses his concentration, allowing Shockwave to hurl him aside and escape.

At Fortress Maximus, Sentinel's diverting of all but essential [[Energon]] has not gone unnoticed, and Perceptor contacts him for an explanation. Sentinel says that the Elite Guard is simply preparing to attack if the Council gives the okay, and Alpha Trion informs him that they will have a decision shortly. As the council continues to deliberate a course of action, Sentinel Prime orders [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] to arm the weapons of the Elite Guard's base and aim at Omega Supreme. Lugnut advocates that they leave Omega's body and retaliate, something Starscream agrees to for different reasons, but Megatron silences them, claiming he has a reason for exposing their position. Shockwave then contacts Megatron to inform him that he has acquired clearance codes to enter the facility holding Arcee.

[[Image:TFA-ThisIsWhyIHateMachines-UltraMagnusSparkSupport.jpg|thumb|200px|left|"Is it water on the knee?" "A whole bucket, see?" "A Charley Horse, it's true!" "I'm the doctor for YOU!"]]
Fanzone puts his cop instincts to work and quickly tracks down the local stoolie, [[Rattletrap]], the bot who gave Shockwave the clearance codes. With a little organic coercion, the pair are able to force an access card from Rattletrap, but when they attempt to use it, they discover that the codes are bogus. Just as they make this discovery, [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] steps from the shadows to offer them his aid. He has finally had it with Sentinel Prime's attitude, and he gives Fanzone and Ratchet a functioning access card. The duo quickly locate Arcee, only to find that they have inadvertently led Shockwave right to her. A running firefight ensues as Ratchet tries to get Arcee to safety while Shockwave pursues them, and the battle carries them to the medical bay in which [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] is convalescing. Thinking that Ratchet is out of commission after a blow from the Magnus Hammer, Shockwave decides to finish the job on Ultra Magnus and turns his back on his fallen foe. Ratchet is still very much alive and kicking, however, and he downs Shockwave with a blast from his [[electromagnetic pulse]] generator, allowing him to reclaim the Magnus Hammer from the Decepticon's clutches. Of course, Sentinel Prime chooses that moment to enter the room, and he promptly leaps to the conclusion that Ratchet is trying to do away with Ultra Magnus. This distraction offers Shockwave the time he needs to escape with Arcee, which prompts Sentinel to issue the command to fire on Omega Supreme. Fortress Maximus opens fire, but Omega transwarps out of the path of the blast, which shoots off harmlessly through the sky.

A short while later, the council and Elite Guard see Ratchet and Fanzone to the [[space bridge nexus]] so that they can return to [[Earth]]. Alpha Trion chastises Sentinel for his actions, making it clear that if it was up to him alone, Sentinel wouldn't be Magnus for a second longer. Trion extends his thanks to Ratchet and Fanzone, but Ratchet sees little reason to celebrate, as the Decepticons now have Arcee. Perceptor tries to assure Ratchet that the damage done to Arcee's processor is irreversible, but Ratchet is not cheered up at the prospect. Just before they enter the space bridge, Sentinel orders Ratchet to hand over the Magnus Hammer, but Ratchet refuses, telling him they will give it back to its rightful owner, Ultra Magnus, when he is repaired. Before Sentinel can object, Ratchet and Fanzone dart off through the space bridge. Sentinel is about to pursue them, but Jazz blocks his path and offers to go in his stead. Ratchet and Fanzone are not happy to see Jazz when he appears in front of them, but Jazz explains that he is unable to condone Sentinel's actions any more and is deserting to join the Autobots on Earth.

[[Image:TFAni ThisisWhyIHateMachines Arcee Earth.jpg‎|thumb|200px|right|Insert ''2001: A Space Odyssey'' instrumental here.]]
Out in space, Omega Supreme rematerializes close to Earth's [[moon (moon)|moon]]. Aboard the dormant Autobot, Shockwave bows before Megatron and abandons his [[electronic paint job]] so that he can finally serve his leader under his true colors. Megatron bids his "most loyal servant" to rise, sending Lugnut into fits of silent, quivering rage—much to Starscream's amusement. On the other side of the bridge, the ''conscious'' Arcee lies upon a table and looks out at the Earth below, quietly whispering Ratchet's name...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Freeway (Animated)|Freeway]] (4)
*[[Carrera (Animated)|Carrera]] (5)
*[[Huffer (Animated)|Huffer]] (6)
*[[Sedan (Animated)|Sedan]] (7)
*[[Glyph (Animated)|Glyph]] (8)
*[[Bumper (Animated)|Bumper]] (9)
*[[Tap-Out (Animated)|Tap-Out]] (10)
*[[Powerglide (Animated)|Powerglide]] (11)
*[[Grandus (Animated)|Grandus]] (12)
*[[Flareup (Animated)|Flareup]] (13)
*[[Steeljaw (Animated)|Steeljaw]] (14)
*[[Zaur]] (15)
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (16)
*[[Autotrooper (Animated)|Autotrooper]] (21)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (22)
*[[Tracks (Animated)|Tracks]] (23)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (24)
*[[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] (25)
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] (26)
*[[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] (27)
*[[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] (28)
*[[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] (29)
*[[Rattletrap]] (30)
*[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] (31)

|c2=
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] (17)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (18)
*[[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] (19)
*[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (20)
*[[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] (32, flashback)

|c3=
*[[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] (2)

|c4=
*[[Copterdrone]]s (3)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Security Bot''': ''Halt. You are in violation of Criminal Code 30114. Lethal force has been authorized.'' 
''[Security bots open fire]'' 
'''Fanzone''': Hey! Ow! Hey! 
'''Ratchet''': Think you have it bad? I got to decipher ''Bulkhead''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> handwriting! And those claws of his aren't exactly designed for penbotship.
:—As the Security Bots try to kill Captain Fanzone, Ratchet shows the depth to which he does not care.

"I'd be a happy man if I never see another—"''[Fanzone takes in his surroundings]''"...''robot''?"
:—'''Captain Fanzone''' enters his own personal hell, and its name is Cybertron.

"I can't believe we're on Cybertron! Of all the places we transwarped, this is great!"
:—'''Ratchet''', happy for the first time since...well, since we've seen him.

"Citizens of Cybertron, Decepticons are in our midst! Neighbours, friends, even ''your own model'' can be a spy! Do your duty and report any suspicious activity to the Elite Guard immediately." 
"...what is this scrap?!" 
"For your protection, all potentially subversive gathering places remain closed. Curfew remains in effect. Remember, Decepticons will stop at nothing to destroy our way of life! Don't let THIS ''[picture of Ultra Magnus on [[spark support]]]'' happen to you. As your Magnus, I will continue to defeat the Decepticon scourge and bring peace and security to Cybertron! I'm Sentinel Prime, and I approve of this message." 
"No-good glory-hog's got a lot of steel. It was [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] who caught those 'Cons!"
:—'''Sentinel Prime'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s propaganda film, with commentary by '''Ratchet'''

"Cybertron. At last, our ultimate goal is at our feet. And here we stand, aboard its ultimate weapon." 
"Now, wouldn't it be nice if we could actually figure out how to use it!" 
:—'''Megatron''' has a moment, which '''Starscream''' ruins.

'''Megatron''': No Autobot would be foolish enough to fire upon their greatest weapon. 
'''Sentinel Prime''': I say we fire on Omega Supreme! 
:—Even '''Megatron''' can't predict what goes on in '''Sentinel Prime's''' head.

'''Perceptor''': Sentinel Prime, please explain why all but essential Energon has been diverted to Fortress Maximus. 
'''Alpha Trion''': Need we remind you that the Council is still deliberating? 
'''Sentinel Prime''': As acting Magnus, I must be ready to strike should Omega... should Megatron make a move against us. 
'''Alpha Trion''': Very well. We will inform you of our decision shortly.
:—Sentinel Prime reveals his secret dream of blowing up Omega Supreme and covers it up neatly.

"How'd you know about this bot?" ''[indicating Rattletrap]'' 
"Ehh. There's one in every town." 
:—'''Ratchet''' learns a little more about how '''Captain Fanzone''' works.

"This is why I hate machines." ''[looks at Sentinel Prime]'' "Certain machines more than others."
:—'''Captain Fanzone'''

'''Captain Fanzone''': I get mixed up in a war, nearly stepped on, blasted, buried, and possibly zapped into space, and now, you've just made me an accomplice to INTERGALACTIC GRAND THEFT!! 
'''Police Drone:''' Halt. You are under arrest. 
''(Ratchet blows it up with his magnetic powers)'' 
'''Captain Fanzone''': Let's say we call it even.
:—Captain Fanzone complains about the worst day of his life and then blows it off.

==Notes==

===Animation or technical errors===
[[Image:Bulkhead's_postit_notes.jpg|right|thumb|200px|"No TV and no beer make Homer something something"?]]
* All of Bulkhead's post-its say the exact same thing.
* A few of the laser blasts that the drone fires at Captain Fanzone (before he gets sucked up by the Space Bridge) are out of sync with the animation of the strafing drone.
* Shockwave's head model changes randomly throughout the episode in shape, size and in the positioning of his optic.
* When Shockwave holds up the Magnus Hammer and starts generating lightning, its handle is only half as long as usual.
* When Sentinel Prime first sees Omega Supreme, his shoulder pads end up behind the circle around his neck.

===Continuity notes===
* Parade footage from "[[Decepticon Air]]" is used in Sentinel's little propaganda video. (See said episode for the list of cameos within.)
* Ratchet remarks that [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] was the one to capture the Decepticon prisoners, as seen in "[[Five Servos of Doom]]".
* Ratchet's flashback uses footage from "[[The Thrill of the Hunt]]", giving Lockdown a brief "appearance" in this episode.

===Transformers references===
* Captain Fanzone's arrival on Cybertron treats us to another crowd scene full of cameos, some of which we haven't seen before. Notable newbies in this crowd include [[Glyph (Animated)|Glyph]], [[Bumper (Animated)|Bumper]] and his white recolor [[Sedan (Animated)|Sedan]], [[Steeljaw (Animated)|Steeljaw]], [[Zaur]] and robot-mode [[Grandus (Animated)|Grandus]]. We also get a closer look at [[Carrera (Animated)|Carrera]], but only from behind, as he talks to an unnamed blue-and-tan female robot.
* Ratchet's favorite hangout is [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]].
* The Autobot Council's headquarters is known as "the [[Metroplex (Animated)|Metroplex]]", and the Elite Guard's battle station is "[[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]]".
* At the end of the episode, Shockwave utilizes an [[electronic paint job]] to reveal his "true colors", represented by a [[Target]] [[exclusive]] [[redeco]] reminiscent of his [[Shockwave (G1)|Generation 1 namesake]]'s color scheme.
*Rattletrap's design and speech pattern are modelled after [[Rattrap]].

===Foreign dubbing===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Voila pourquoi je hais tant les machines'''" ("This Is Why I Hate Machines")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Fanzone, Cybertron-Sei e Iku'''" (ファンゾーン、サイバトロン星へ行く, "Fanzone Goes to the Planet Cybertron")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 11|11 December]] [[2010]]
::*New [[stock footage]] for Megatron in his Earth form as he doles out the warning.

'''Brazilian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''É Por isso Que Eu Odeio Máquinas'''" ("This Is Why I Hate Machines")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

===Real-world references===
*Sentinel Prime's broadcast was based on [[wikipedia:The Red Scare|The Red Scare]] during the Cold War. The broadcast concludes with him saying "I'm Sentinel Prime, and I approve of this message."—in the style of contemporary [[President of the United States|political campaign ads]].
*Sentinel's insistence that he is the one who "makes the tough decisions" and insistence that any questioning of his orders is tantamount to treason is probably some kind of statement about [[Mission Accomplished|some''one'' or some''thing'']], but we'll leave it at that.
*Shockwave's slow, deadpan delivery of "I'm afraid I can't let you do that" is a reference to the menacing supercomputer HAL from Stanley Kubrick's ''[[wikipedia:2001 (film)|2001: A Space Odyssey]]'', who also featured an unblinking single red eye.
* When Ratchet and Fanzone are headed to Maccadam's, they stop in front of a building which appears to have [[Target]]'s trademark "bull's-eye" logo.
* Ratchet retorts to Shockwave about taking the activation codes from his "cold, offline processor", similar to one of Charlton Heston's most famous quotes in support of the NRA. He'd previously used a similar line in [[Megatron Rising - Part 1]].

===Trivia===
*This is the first, and only, episode in which [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] does not appear at all.
*There is oxygen on Cybertron.
*This episode marks the last appearances of Jetfire, Jetstorm, Ultra Magnus and Captain Fanzone in the series.
*Arcee wasn't actually offline at the end of the flashbacks in "The Thrill of the Hunt"—although she was amnesiac, she could stand, talk and take in her surroundings. This implies that it was the vivisection of her head in the "[[TransWarped]]" flashbacks in an attempt to retrieve the activation codes for Omega Supreme which caused the "damage to her circuitry" that Perceptor called "completely irreversible", and meant she was left, comatose, in a hospital bed for millions of stellar cycles.
*Everything has to be [[Megatron Rising - Part 1|"cold and offline"]] with Ratchet, doesn't it?

==Home video releases==
*This episode has yet to be released on home video.

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Female Transformer

2012-12-05T14:00:12Z

BossBot97: /* Fandom and Terminology */

{{disambig2|female Transformers in general|the [[Autobot]] resistance group led by [[Elita One]]|Female Autobots}}

{{quote|Well, I remember bringing up that question early on with Hasbro, "are any of these female?" And then I think Hasbro's attitude was, 'this is a boy toy. We don't wanna have, you know, girl robots.' So, I said, "OK, just want to clarify that."|[[Bob Budiansky]]|[http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954 Rusting Carcass interview]}}

[[Image:MCA-Arcee.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Arcee, the most famous female Transformer, poses for the boys. Way to set an example there.]]
Despite being robotic lifeforms with generally non-sexual methods of [[reproduction]], the [[Transformer]] species has almost always been shown to include both male and female gender analogues, at least mentally if not physically. '''Female Transformers''' are usually portrayed as comparatively rare, but are considered an official part of the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]] in pretty much every continuity.

A '''[[List of female Transformers]]''' from all continuities is available.

==Fandom and Terminology==
Probably because of their rarity in official fiction and toylines, female Transformers are popular plot devices in [[fan fiction]], where the term "'''femme'''" is often used to describe them, with "'''mech'''"<ref>While "femme" obviously is related to the French word for "woman", it's occasionally claimed that the use of "mech" as a name for male Transformers is derived from "mec", the French word for "guy" or "dude". This is probably more coincidence than anything, though.</ref> likewise being applied to "male" Transformers. Both terms have recently appeared in a piece of official fiction: [[Venus (magazine)|Venus]] magazine. This is the first instance "mech" has been used to specifically refer to a male Transformer, whereas the term has been used as a gender-neutral common noun for Transformers in various stories.

Alternative words to denote a female Transformer, all used about twice in canon, include: '''femme-bot''',<ref>"Just imagine all the colony worlds: naive small planetoid femme-bots, unsuspecting targets, Unguarded Energon Reserves..." -[[Buzzsaw (Cybertron)|Buzzsaw]], "[[Force of Habit]]" p4 ([[2008]])</ref> '''fembot''',<ref>[[Rattrap]] refers to [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] as "Ya emasculatin' fembot!" after she cuts the tip from his tail/sword in "[[Nemesis Part 2]]", while ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] wonders in "[[Endgame, Part II]]" what chance he has in flying combat against the [[Lugnut Supreme|Lugnuts Supreme]] if he "couldn't handle [[Slipstream (Animated)|Starscream's fembot clone]]" on [[Endgame, Part I|his test run]].</ref> '''girl-bot'''<ref>"When we take over Cybertron, I'm gonna have a whole harem of girl-bots! Blue ones, red ones..." - [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]], "The Art of War issue 5"</ref> '''robot dame'''<ref>In [[This Is Why I Hate Machines]] Captain Fanzone refers to Arcee as a "robot dame in a room"</ref> and ''perhaps'' '''robotessa'''.<ref>In "[[Enter the Nightbird]]", "Robotessa" is the word missing from the line "Say good night to your [Robotessa], Megatron!"</ref>

==Appearance==
[[Image:BMStrika.jpg|left|170px|thumb|Our mechanics assure us this is a woman.]]
The appearance of female Transformers in most continuities would seem to suggest a level of "sexual" dimorphism is present in at least the more humanoid members of the Transformers species (the term sexual is used in a gender-based, rather than physical sense, see the reproduction link above for that whole kettle of robo-fish). In almost all cases female Transformers are portrayed as comparatively more graceful of form, and more rounded and curved in general, than their male counterparts. Often they have a more than passing resemblance to an attractive human female made of metal and wearing armor and [[kibble]].

There are exceptions to this rule, and bulky, less overtly human-female-like characters have become more common, particularly among those who have toys. These are especially common in the [[Unicron Trilogy]] series and in latter expansions of the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] series out of Japan, when the characters are often assigned to pre-existing "masculine" toys. Perhaps the best counter-example of this type is [[Strika (BM)|Strika]], who is female yet neither looks nor acts stereotypically feminine at all.
{{--}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1===
====Generation 1 cartoon====
[[Image:G1femmes.jpg|right|450px|thumb|A bunch of Female Autobots from the G1 toon and Alpha Trion. His pimp cane was removed in post-production.]]
Within this continuity, female Transformers are a rarity, but established to have been around from the species' start. A female named [[Beta (G1)|Beta]] existed back in the slave days under [[Quintesson]] rule, and thus it seems clear females were produced alongside the males as part of the Quintessons' product lines.

No females were explicitly shown to exist among the Decepticon ranks, although the introduction of [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]] and implications of an eventual upgrade didn't raise any questions or remarks, suggesting that female Decepticons exist (or that the Decepticons royally don't care about a soldier's gender).

[[The Search for Alpha Trion|27 episodes after Nightbird's appearance]], female Transformers were introduced formally through the [[Female Autobots]]. [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] at various points expresses surprise they aren't extinct, which would seem to imply females were thought to be no longer part of the Cybertronian race. While at the time a decent (though certainly not perfect) explanation for the scarce appearances of female Transformers, it didn't stop more females from showing up in the movie and season 3. Possibly Shockwave's "statement" could be considered as [[retcon]]ned and overwritten, or one of the following explanations applies:
# They were all built/"discovered" after the events of "The Search for Alpha Trion".
# Shockwave constantly calls them Autobots, never Transformers or Cybertronians. It is possible female [[Neutral]]s' (and the aforementioned female [[Decepticon]]s') existence was never thought over... and that none of them changed allegiance any time recently.
# "Female Autobot" is not used as a description, but as the team's name.
# This is the Generation 1 cartoon. You're not watching it for the flawless storytelling.

Females can be seen here and there among the [[Junkion (species)|Junkion tribe]], mostly sharing [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]'s model. [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] has a "[[Nancy|Junkion lady]]" companion according to "[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006]]". Just how relationships function in this isolated, media-based Transformers society is unclear, although it's notable that Wreck-Gar and his lady friend "slept" sitting up next to each other on giant thrones between television broadcast cycles. The lady's character model is actually that of a female [[Lithone (species)|Lithone]], another mechanical race, but whether this is meaningful in any way or simple model recycling is uncertain.

In [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers#European Generation 1 fiction|the French dub]] of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' (but not in the TV series), both [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] were referred to as female, with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] calling Starscream "une imbecile" at one point (French articles are gendered), and Shrapnel referred to as "Mademoiselle". The reason for this gender-switch was never fully explained, though it is possible that Starscream's and Shrapnel's rather high-pitched voices were mistaken for women's voices.
{{-}}

====''Super-God Masterforce''====
[[Image:Esmeral-manga.jpg|right|150px|thumb|This is an official Transformers character. No, really.]]
A female Transformer was created through the introduction of [[Minerva (Masterforce)|Minerva]] to the ranks of the [[Headmaster Junior]]s. The [[transtector]] she was bonded to [[A Battle... and Then...|eventually]] evolved into a being of ''her'' own.

Meanwhile, the [[Godmaster]] [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] existed out of two humans before becoming sapient: husband [[Giga]] and wife [[Mega]]. Despite the double gender, Overlord is regarded a "he".

====''Victory''====
In the manga, [[Decepticon]] females make their first (yet still to this day very rare) appearance in official fiction as [[Esmeral (Victory)|Esmeral]] ([[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deszaras]]'s wife) and [[Lyzack]] ([[Leozack]]'s [[Relatives|sister]]). Both show up to show the Autobots just what it is Deszaras and his crew have been fighting for all this time: their poor families back home. This spares the Decepticons' lives in the final battle between the two forces. This certainly casts an odd light on the matter of Transformer [[reproduction]] (and on [[Masumi Kaneda|the manga author]]).

Meanwhile, in the animated series, the [[Micromaster]] [[Holi]] is shown to have a girlfriend on the planet [[Micro]], [[Clipper (Victory)|Clipper]].

====''Operation Combination''====
''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination (franchise)|Operation Combination]]'' introduced a total of 24 Micromasters, none of which got a [[bio]]. Ten years later, ''[[The Transformers: Micromaster|Micromaster]]'' did provide them, and the Micromasters [[Windy (OC)|Windy]] and [[Discharge]] were established as females.

====Generation 1 Marvel Comics continuity====
[[Image:Nomates.jpg|left|200px|thumb|And what will happen is like this.]]
No female ''Transformers'' are ever seen or referred to in the US stories, and when [[Cloudburst]] is pressured into a relationship with the beautiful [[First One]] of [[Femax]], he explains that Transformers, as a species, have no gender. {{storylink|Recipe for Disaster!}} The UK stories corroborate this, and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] is intentionally created by the Autobots to be the sole female Transformer in an attempt to placate [[human]] feminists. {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}} (See her picture above for a hint of how well that went over.)

Despite this, the Marvel continuity was actually the first in introducing a female ''Cybertronian'': [[Aunty]], the onboard computer of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', who was introduced in [[The Transformers (issue)|the very first issue]]. [[CatSCAN|Theoretically, she is not that different from other Cybertronians]] and one can only guess how to combine her existence and the "no <strike>girls</strike> gender"-statements.

The [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letter pages]] mentioned another two females: Decepticon [[Clio]] and presumed Autobot [[Karmen]]. Provided they are real and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] didn't just make them up, they might have been built after Arcee's example.

[[BotCon]]'s ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' fiction, while not including the UK material, introduced [[Elita One]] in a similar manner as UK Arcee. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

{{-}}
====Dreamwave comic continuity====
According to DK's ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'', "Transformers are inherently non-gender specific, and only some quirk of their timelost origins can account for [female Transformers'] difference in appearance and attitude." [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] was [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|in the process]] of introducing more female Transformers and explicating their links to the Quintessons in this continuity when it went out of business.

====IDW comic continuity====
[[Image:Spotlight_Arcee_b.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Information: you are ALL going to DIE.]]

Originally [[Simon Furman]] stated that he would not use female Transformers in IDW continuity until he came up with a reason for them to exist that made logical sense to him. He did not rule out doing so, as he said he had found a similar justification for the [[Pretender|Pretenders]], which led to the [[The Transformers: Stormbringer |Stormbringer]] miniseries.

Despite this, in ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'', [[Alex Milne]] drew what are clearly intended to be female Transformers in a good number of "easter egg" cameo appearances. (Cameos included female ''[[GoBots (franchise)|GoBots]]'' character [[Crasher (G1)|Crasher]], [[Elita One]], [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], and a number of generic background femmes.)

This was finally resolved in "[[Spotlight: Arcee]]", where it was revealed that the malevolent Golden Age Cybertronian scientist [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] introduced gender to the Cybertronian genome just to see what would happen. Tampering with the [[CNA]] of the titular character at her creation to make her Female, he discarded his experiment once he was finished, only to find she had an inherent homing instinct for his creations. Arcee's systems were severely messed up by this experiment, causing her to become tremendously unstable to the point of psychosis and fixated on getting revenge on Jhiaxus.

While the story implies that she is something very rare and unique it does not say that she was the ''only'' female Transformer Jhiaxus created, merely the first, leaving it open for the cameos in ''Megatron Origin'' to remain in continuity.

Jhiaxus specifically alters Arcee's CNA to make her female and introduce gender to the species. Exactly how deep these alterations went, how closely her form was designed to match the females of organic species on which she was based (particularly in relation to reproduction) is unknown and will likely remain so.

Another female Transformer appears in a flashback to Sunstreaker's glory days, staring up at him in doe-eyed adoration. She is presumably less killy than Arcee. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 14|Replay}}
{{-}}

===Beast Wars===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
[[Image:CrossingtheRubicron-newbody.jpg|right|250px|thumb|She was extremely popular with fans, I wonder why...]]

Female Transformers seem to be common here, with no one showing any surprise over their presence. Some of the Transformers also appear to have picked up human-style attitudes of women as a fairer and more vulnerable gender, with [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] refusing to fight a female out of <strike>lust</strike> chivalry. Most of the other Transformers, however, seem unconcerned about this.

[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] and [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] both engage in romances with male [[Maximal|Maximals]], the former blatantly and the latter far more subtly.

Over the course of the show Rattrap makes numerous innuendos, especially involving Silverbolt and Blackarachnia's relationship, that suggest that, at least by that era, there may have been something sex-like between Transformers. He also makes references to a bar on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] where the wait-staff go "without their torso-plates on"... which frankly sounds like it'd be really messy.

====''Beast Wars II'' cartoon continuity====
[[Scylla]] is the impetus for a big ridiculous love triangle of hilarity and embarrassment in both the animated and manga continuities. She is in love with the squid-bot [[Scuba]], who wants nothing to do with her. Meanwhile, the Maximal [[Bighorn]] is in love with Scylla, who wants nothing to do with him.

The non-Transformer female robot [[Artemis]] harbors a crush on both Scuba (poor guy) and [[Starscream (BWII)|Starscream]].

====''Beast Machines'' cartoon continuity====
''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''' [[technorganic]] reformatting raises even further questions about what it means to be a "female transformer". It is possible that the technorganic female Transformers, being merged organic and technological life to a cellular level, might actually be ''physically'' female.

[[Rattrap]] and [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]] end up in a romantic relationship towards the end of ''Beast Machines'' ("So, I'm a tree-hugger!" Rattrap remarks). What this means for his bar-hopping days is never explored.

The [[Vehicon general]] [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] is referred to as the "consort" of [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]], and has been serving by his side, seemingly as an equal, for centuries. Some have taken this to mean the two have a romantic interest in each other, but the show itself does not offer any hints to this.

====''Beast Wars'' IDW comic continuity====
In the spin-off comics, [[Manta Ray (BW)|Manta Ray]] and [[Sonar (BW)|Sonar]] were both established as female Transformers.

===Unicron Trilogy===
[[Image:Linkage7_Twirl-Baby.jpg|right|250px|thumb|But she's got your altmode!]]
The existence of female Transformers throughout the [[Unicron Trilogy]] is portrayed as slightly uncommon (it is a fiction aimed at young boys, after all), but hardly remarkable. They just exist, as do "males", and no special attention is called to them. Quite a few appear in various places in "[[Motorcycle refugee|civilian]]" roles, as [[Autobot nurse|nurses]], and even on [[Velocitron band|colony worlds]].

There are examples and hints of romantic interest between males and females in both ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' ([[Redline]] and [[Falcia]] in the [[Linkage (comic)|''Linkage'' comics]], plus [[Nightscream (Armada)|Nightscream]]'s eagerness to appease and defend his [[bulk]] partner [[Airazor (Armada)|Airazor]]), and ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' stories (most obviously [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]]'s intense infatuation with [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack's]] secret crush on [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]], plus [[Downshift (Energon)|Downshift]] reportedly has an unnamed "fembot life partner" lost somewhere on [[Earth]]). This too is treated as a fairly common event.

There are female Transformers in positions of very high power as well: in the [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]], [[Arcee (Energon)|Arcee]] is the leader of the entire [[Omnicon]] race, while in ''Cybertron'', Override is the leader of the planet [[Velocitron]]. So far, the Unicron Trilogy is the only ''Transformers'' continuity to explicitly ''give'' female Transformers that level of responsibility.

In the French version of the ''Energon'' cartoon, Arcee is dubbed by a man. ''Why'' she was is currently unknown.
{{-}}

===Live-action movie===
====2007 movie====
[[Image:Arceemovie.jpg|right|thumb|Comic artists ''cry'' when they see this model sheet.]]

[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] was originally going to be featured as part of the cast of the [[Transformers (film)|''Transformers'' film]], but was cut early on in the movie's development. The script writers felt they would need to explain the presence of a female in an entirely robotic race, and there was not enough time in the film to do so. Arcee was replaced in the movie by [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. Even so, Arcee was featured in IDW's [[Transformers: Movie Prequel |''Movie Prequel'' comics]] and remains in the movie toyline as both Deluxe and Scout-class toys.

One other female Autobot is featured in the movie continuity family, another Scout-class toy, [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]]. Both Elita and Arcee, however, are featured in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan Magazine's]] alternate reality stories as regular characters, with Arcee getting more prominence. Both also appear in IDW's Movie Sequel comic series ''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]]'', with Arcee playing quite a prominent leadership role. Surprisingly, Elita-One does not fare as well as her sister-in-arms, dying at the claws of [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] himself. Although it is unusual for a female Transformer to die in fiction ([[To sell toys|compared to how often Transformer death happens in general]]), it has [[Manta Ray (BW)|happened]] [[Sonar (BW)|before]].

As for Decepticons, [[Fracture (Movie)|Fracture]], based off of the aforementioned Crasher, was recently added to the end of the movie toyline as a Wal-mart exclusive. She has been featured in Titan Magazine's comics, as of issue 18, and in IDW's ''[[Transformers: Alliance|Alliance]]'' series as of issue 3.

In all the comics where female Transformers do appear in the Movie continuity, their gender is never considered an issue. This raises questions about just how necessary "explaining" them would be in [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|future]] [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|movies]].

====''Revenge of the Fallen''====
And apparently, two years later gender was no longer an issue at all, as ''Revenge of the Fallen'' featured [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], who now inexplicably existed in three separate bodies, as well as [[Alice]], a Decepticon [[Pretender]]. No comment was given on the subject of the characters' femininity. Frankly, not explaining Pretenders is a bigger oversight than not explaining robot gender.

{{-}}

===''Animated''===
[[Image:Animated_females.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Did you ever feel like the only original designs in a sea full of homages?]]
Female Transformers were present in ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' from the very beginning of the cartoon, starting with [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]]. What this meant for the state of females in the continuity at large was not immediately apparent; in "[[Along Came a Spider]]", both [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] expressed confusion as to ''what'' Blackarachnia was. Though they were referring to her [[Technorganic|partially organic]] nature, [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]] jokes "Duh, she's a girl." as a nod to the rarity of female Transformers.

As the series proceeded, multiple lady-bots were progressively introduced, among which were a [[Slipstream (Animated)|female clone]] of [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], the obligatory [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] and many more. Although they remain distinctly outnumbered by the male Transformers, this makes it clear that while female Transformers may be relatively uncommon, they aren't considered very remarkable or noteworthy—unless you're a young, male Autobot who's spent ''waaaaayy'' too much time fixing space bridges.

Despite Optimus's confusion over where organic babies come from in "[[Transform and Roll Out]]", implying that there is no Cybertronian equivalent to [[Reproduction|sexual reproduction]] in ''Animated'', Transformer ''relationships'' are implied to be a possibility, as in "[[Along Came a Spider]]" and "[[Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday]]", respectively, Blackarachnia takes advantage of [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]]'s and the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]]' obvious interest in her, especially [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]]'s. There's also the fact that [[Strika (Animated)|Strika]] is said to be the "consort" of [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]].

[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]'s role as the Autobot medical officer was originally supposed to be assigned to a character named [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]], who was originally designed as a female, but then turned male. When brought in at the start of Season 3, Red Alert was female once again as an homage to the original design.

Because Sari was originally a Cybertronian protoform, she could be considered a female technorganic Transformer, although her origins were not revealed until Season 3.

===Shattered Glass===
While in most universes the number of females on the side of good is significantly larger than the number on the side of evil, this universe has more evil ladies as a result of its status as a mirror universe. The first two introduced were [[Arcee (SG)|Arcee]] and [[Crasher (SG)|Crasher]]—an (evil) Autobot and a (good) Decepticon respectively—but since then the balance has tilted.

It would seem that female Transformers in this universe are as they are in most: few in numbers, but nothing remarkable. Crasher appeared bewildered when [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (who hails from the [[#Generation 1 Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics universe]]) tried to tell her that he thought her feminine shape was unusual, and no one else seems to regard the females as something noteworthy.

===Aligned===
One-thirteenth of Cybertron's population is female and are descended from the first female Transformer, [[Solus Prime]]. <ref>According to [http://twitter.com/#!/HubTVNetwork/status/87976495074639872 @HubTVNetwork] and comments made at [[BotCon 2011]]. </ref> The ruler of [[Velocitron]], [[Override (Prime)|Override]], and the Decepticon soldier [[Slipstream (Prime)|Slipstream]] are also female.

====''Prime'' cartoon====
As of yet, the only female Transformers seen are [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] and [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]]. Solus Prime is also briefly mentioned when her [[Forge of Solus Prime|hammer]] is discovered by the Decepticons.

====''Transformers: Online====
Amongst the Autobot ranks are the female warriors [[Chìlìe Fēi Huǒ]], [[Fēiqí Zhànjǐng]], [[Jísù Pīlì]], [[Jìngfēng Bīao Lún]], [[Nù Xīng Zhàn Lún]], [[Shēnlán Lüèyǐng]], [[Yínhé Qíshǒu]], and [[Yǐtài Xíngzhě]].

==Toys==
Though many female Transformers were featured in the fiction from the early days of ''Generation 1'', for many years they tended to either: a) not have toys made of them at all, or, b) for those very few that did get a release, end up as repaints of other molds clearly not designed with a female aesthetic in mind. ''[[Transmetal]]'' [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] is likely the first Transformer toy designed to intentionally represent a female character.

==Notes==
[[Image:G1RatchetSexchange.jpg|thumb|250px|On the other hand, maybe a medic who enjoyed getting skunked on tainted 40-weight oil wasn't the best example, either...]]
*In the [[Shout! Factory]] Matrix of Leadership Special Edition DVD set, an interview with [[Bob Budiansky]] features close-ups of his original handwritten notes for several characters. Intriguingly, these notes refer to [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] as "her" and the Autobots' "go-to gal" for repairs. While this obviously was not the final direction the character took, it does show that female characters were being considered for inclusion in the cast before someone at Hasbro told Budiansky otherwise.

{{-}}
==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Female Transformers| ]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Transformer culture]]

Female Transformer

2012-12-05T13:59:02Z

BossBot97: /* Fandom and Terminology */ Robot Dames

{{disambig2|female Transformers in general|the [[Autobot]] resistance group led by [[Elita One]]|Female Autobots}}

{{quote|Well, I remember bringing up that question early on with Hasbro, "are any of these female?" And then I think Hasbro's attitude was, 'this is a boy toy. We don't wanna have, you know, girl robots.' So, I said, "OK, just want to clarify that."|[[Bob Budiansky]]|[http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954 Rusting Carcass interview]}}

[[Image:MCA-Arcee.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Arcee, the most famous female Transformer, poses for the boys. Way to set an example there.]]
Despite being robotic lifeforms with generally non-sexual methods of [[reproduction]], the [[Transformer]] species has almost always been shown to include both male and female gender analogues, at least mentally if not physically. '''Female Transformers''' are usually portrayed as comparatively rare, but are considered an official part of the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]] in pretty much every continuity.

A '''[[List of female Transformers]]''' from all continuities is available.

==Fandom and Terminology==
Probably because of their rarity in official fiction and toylines, female Transformers are popular plot devices in [[fan fiction]], where the term "'''femme'''" is often used to describe them, with "'''mech'''"<ref>While "femme" obviously is related to the French word for "woman", it's occasionally claimed that the use of "mech" as a name for male Transformers is derived from "mec", the French word for "guy" or "dude". This is probably more coincidence than anything, though.</ref> likewise being applied to "male" Transformers. Both terms have recently appeared in a piece of official fiction: [[Venus (magazine)|Venus]] magazine. This is the first instance "mech" has been used to specifically refer to a male Transformer, whereas the term has been used as a gender-neutral common noun for Transformers in various stories.

Alternative words to denote a female Transformer, all used about twice in canon, include: '''femme-bot''',<ref>"Just imagine all the colony worlds: naive small planetoid femme-bots, unsuspecting targets, Unguarded Energon Reserves..." -[[Buzzsaw (Cybertron)|Buzzsaw]], "[[Force of Habit]]" p4 ([[2008]])</ref> '''fembot''',<ref>[[Rattrap]] refers to [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] as "Ya emasculatin' fembot!" after she cuts the tip from his tail/sword in "[[Nemesis Part 2]]", while ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] wonders in "[[Endgame, Part II]]" what chance he has in flying combat against the [[Lugnut Supreme|Lugnuts Supreme]] if he "couldn't handle [[Slipstream (Animated)|Starscream's fembot clone]]" on [[Endgame, Part I|his test run]].</ref> '''girl-bot'''<ref>"When we take over Cybertron, I'm gonna have a whole harem of girl-bots! Blue ones, red ones..." - [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]], "The Art of War issue 5"</ref> '''robot dame'''<ref>In [[this is Why I Hate Machines]] Captain Fanzone refers to Arcee as a "robot dame in a room"</ref> and ''perhaps'' '''robotessa'''.<ref>In "[[Enter the Nightbird]]", "Robotessa" is the word missing from the line "Say good night to your [Robotessa], Megatron!"</ref>

==Appearance==
[[Image:BMStrika.jpg|left|170px|thumb|Our mechanics assure us this is a woman.]]
The appearance of female Transformers in most continuities would seem to suggest a level of "sexual" dimorphism is present in at least the more humanoid members of the Transformers species (the term sexual is used in a gender-based, rather than physical sense, see the reproduction link above for that whole kettle of robo-fish). In almost all cases female Transformers are portrayed as comparatively more graceful of form, and more rounded and curved in general, than their male counterparts. Often they have a more than passing resemblance to an attractive human female made of metal and wearing armor and [[kibble]].

There are exceptions to this rule, and bulky, less overtly human-female-like characters have become more common, particularly among those who have toys. These are especially common in the [[Unicron Trilogy]] series and in latter expansions of the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] series out of Japan, when the characters are often assigned to pre-existing "masculine" toys. Perhaps the best counter-example of this type is [[Strika (BM)|Strika]], who is female yet neither looks nor acts stereotypically feminine at all.
{{--}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1===
====Generation 1 cartoon====
[[Image:G1femmes.jpg|right|450px|thumb|A bunch of Female Autobots from the G1 toon and Alpha Trion. His pimp cane was removed in post-production.]]
Within this continuity, female Transformers are a rarity, but established to have been around from the species' start. A female named [[Beta (G1)|Beta]] existed back in the slave days under [[Quintesson]] rule, and thus it seems clear females were produced alongside the males as part of the Quintessons' product lines.

No females were explicitly shown to exist among the Decepticon ranks, although the introduction of [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]] and implications of an eventual upgrade didn't raise any questions or remarks, suggesting that female Decepticons exist (or that the Decepticons royally don't care about a soldier's gender).

[[The Search for Alpha Trion|27 episodes after Nightbird's appearance]], female Transformers were introduced formally through the [[Female Autobots]]. [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] at various points expresses surprise they aren't extinct, which would seem to imply females were thought to be no longer part of the Cybertronian race. While at the time a decent (though certainly not perfect) explanation for the scarce appearances of female Transformers, it didn't stop more females from showing up in the movie and season 3. Possibly Shockwave's "statement" could be considered as [[retcon]]ned and overwritten, or one of the following explanations applies:
# They were all built/"discovered" after the events of "The Search for Alpha Trion".
# Shockwave constantly calls them Autobots, never Transformers or Cybertronians. It is possible female [[Neutral]]s' (and the aforementioned female [[Decepticon]]s') existence was never thought over... and that none of them changed allegiance any time recently.
# "Female Autobot" is not used as a description, but as the team's name.
# This is the Generation 1 cartoon. You're not watching it for the flawless storytelling.

Females can be seen here and there among the [[Junkion (species)|Junkion tribe]], mostly sharing [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]'s model. [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] has a "[[Nancy|Junkion lady]]" companion according to "[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006]]". Just how relationships function in this isolated, media-based Transformers society is unclear, although it's notable that Wreck-Gar and his lady friend "slept" sitting up next to each other on giant thrones between television broadcast cycles. The lady's character model is actually that of a female [[Lithone (species)|Lithone]], another mechanical race, but whether this is meaningful in any way or simple model recycling is uncertain.

In [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers#European Generation 1 fiction|the French dub]] of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' (but not in the TV series), both [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] were referred to as female, with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] calling Starscream "une imbecile" at one point (French articles are gendered), and Shrapnel referred to as "Mademoiselle". The reason for this gender-switch was never fully explained, though it is possible that Starscream's and Shrapnel's rather high-pitched voices were mistaken for women's voices.
{{-}}

====''Super-God Masterforce''====
[[Image:Esmeral-manga.jpg|right|150px|thumb|This is an official Transformers character. No, really.]]
A female Transformer was created through the introduction of [[Minerva (Masterforce)|Minerva]] to the ranks of the [[Headmaster Junior]]s. The [[transtector]] she was bonded to [[A Battle... and Then...|eventually]] evolved into a being of ''her'' own.

Meanwhile, the [[Godmaster]] [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] existed out of two humans before becoming sapient: husband [[Giga]] and wife [[Mega]]. Despite the double gender, Overlord is regarded a "he".

====''Victory''====
In the manga, [[Decepticon]] females make their first (yet still to this day very rare) appearance in official fiction as [[Esmeral (Victory)|Esmeral]] ([[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deszaras]]'s wife) and [[Lyzack]] ([[Leozack]]'s [[Relatives|sister]]). Both show up to show the Autobots just what it is Deszaras and his crew have been fighting for all this time: their poor families back home. This spares the Decepticons' lives in the final battle between the two forces. This certainly casts an odd light on the matter of Transformer [[reproduction]] (and on [[Masumi Kaneda|the manga author]]).

Meanwhile, in the animated series, the [[Micromaster]] [[Holi]] is shown to have a girlfriend on the planet [[Micro]], [[Clipper (Victory)|Clipper]].

====''Operation Combination''====
''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination (franchise)|Operation Combination]]'' introduced a total of 24 Micromasters, none of which got a [[bio]]. Ten years later, ''[[The Transformers: Micromaster|Micromaster]]'' did provide them, and the Micromasters [[Windy (OC)|Windy]] and [[Discharge]] were established as females.

====Generation 1 Marvel Comics continuity====
[[Image:Nomates.jpg|left|200px|thumb|And what will happen is like this.]]
No female ''Transformers'' are ever seen or referred to in the US stories, and when [[Cloudburst]] is pressured into a relationship with the beautiful [[First One]] of [[Femax]], he explains that Transformers, as a species, have no gender. {{storylink|Recipe for Disaster!}} The UK stories corroborate this, and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] is intentionally created by the Autobots to be the sole female Transformer in an attempt to placate [[human]] feminists. {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}} (See her picture above for a hint of how well that went over.)

Despite this, the Marvel continuity was actually the first in introducing a female ''Cybertronian'': [[Aunty]], the onboard computer of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', who was introduced in [[The Transformers (issue)|the very first issue]]. [[CatSCAN|Theoretically, she is not that different from other Cybertronians]] and one can only guess how to combine her existence and the "no <strike>girls</strike> gender"-statements.

The [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letter pages]] mentioned another two females: Decepticon [[Clio]] and presumed Autobot [[Karmen]]. Provided they are real and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] didn't just make them up, they might have been built after Arcee's example.

[[BotCon]]'s ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' fiction, while not including the UK material, introduced [[Elita One]] in a similar manner as UK Arcee. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

{{-}}
====Dreamwave comic continuity====
According to DK's ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'', "Transformers are inherently non-gender specific, and only some quirk of their timelost origins can account for [female Transformers'] difference in appearance and attitude." [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] was [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|in the process]] of introducing more female Transformers and explicating their links to the Quintessons in this continuity when it went out of business.

====IDW comic continuity====
[[Image:Spotlight_Arcee_b.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Information: you are ALL going to DIE.]]

Originally [[Simon Furman]] stated that he would not use female Transformers in IDW continuity until he came up with a reason for them to exist that made logical sense to him. He did not rule out doing so, as he said he had found a similar justification for the [[Pretender|Pretenders]], which led to the [[The Transformers: Stormbringer |Stormbringer]] miniseries.

Despite this, in ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'', [[Alex Milne]] drew what are clearly intended to be female Transformers in a good number of "easter egg" cameo appearances. (Cameos included female ''[[GoBots (franchise)|GoBots]]'' character [[Crasher (G1)|Crasher]], [[Elita One]], [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], and a number of generic background femmes.)

This was finally resolved in "[[Spotlight: Arcee]]", where it was revealed that the malevolent Golden Age Cybertronian scientist [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] introduced gender to the Cybertronian genome just to see what would happen. Tampering with the [[CNA]] of the titular character at her creation to make her Female, he discarded his experiment once he was finished, only to find she had an inherent homing instinct for his creations. Arcee's systems were severely messed up by this experiment, causing her to become tremendously unstable to the point of psychosis and fixated on getting revenge on Jhiaxus.

While the story implies that she is something very rare and unique it does not say that she was the ''only'' female Transformer Jhiaxus created, merely the first, leaving it open for the cameos in ''Megatron Origin'' to remain in continuity.

Jhiaxus specifically alters Arcee's CNA to make her female and introduce gender to the species. Exactly how deep these alterations went, how closely her form was designed to match the females of organic species on which she was based (particularly in relation to reproduction) is unknown and will likely remain so.

Another female Transformer appears in a flashback to Sunstreaker's glory days, staring up at him in doe-eyed adoration. She is presumably less killy than Arcee. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 14|Replay}}
{{-}}

===Beast Wars===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
[[Image:CrossingtheRubicron-newbody.jpg|right|250px|thumb|She was extremely popular with fans, I wonder why...]]

Female Transformers seem to be common here, with no one showing any surprise over their presence. Some of the Transformers also appear to have picked up human-style attitudes of women as a fairer and more vulnerable gender, with [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] refusing to fight a female out of <strike>lust</strike> chivalry. Most of the other Transformers, however, seem unconcerned about this.

[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] and [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] both engage in romances with male [[Maximal|Maximals]], the former blatantly and the latter far more subtly.

Over the course of the show Rattrap makes numerous innuendos, especially involving Silverbolt and Blackarachnia's relationship, that suggest that, at least by that era, there may have been something sex-like between Transformers. He also makes references to a bar on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] where the wait-staff go "without their torso-plates on"... which frankly sounds like it'd be really messy.

====''Beast Wars II'' cartoon continuity====
[[Scylla]] is the impetus for a big ridiculous love triangle of hilarity and embarrassment in both the animated and manga continuities. She is in love with the squid-bot [[Scuba]], who wants nothing to do with her. Meanwhile, the Maximal [[Bighorn]] is in love with Scylla, who wants nothing to do with him.

The non-Transformer female robot [[Artemis]] harbors a crush on both Scuba (poor guy) and [[Starscream (BWII)|Starscream]].

====''Beast Machines'' cartoon continuity====
''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''' [[technorganic]] reformatting raises even further questions about what it means to be a "female transformer". It is possible that the technorganic female Transformers, being merged organic and technological life to a cellular level, might actually be ''physically'' female.

[[Rattrap]] and [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]] end up in a romantic relationship towards the end of ''Beast Machines'' ("So, I'm a tree-hugger!" Rattrap remarks). What this means for his bar-hopping days is never explored.

The [[Vehicon general]] [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] is referred to as the "consort" of [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]], and has been serving by his side, seemingly as an equal, for centuries. Some have taken this to mean the two have a romantic interest in each other, but the show itself does not offer any hints to this.

====''Beast Wars'' IDW comic continuity====
In the spin-off comics, [[Manta Ray (BW)|Manta Ray]] and [[Sonar (BW)|Sonar]] were both established as female Transformers.

===Unicron Trilogy===
[[Image:Linkage7_Twirl-Baby.jpg|right|250px|thumb|But she's got your altmode!]]
The existence of female Transformers throughout the [[Unicron Trilogy]] is portrayed as slightly uncommon (it is a fiction aimed at young boys, after all), but hardly remarkable. They just exist, as do "males", and no special attention is called to them. Quite a few appear in various places in "[[Motorcycle refugee|civilian]]" roles, as [[Autobot nurse|nurses]], and even on [[Velocitron band|colony worlds]].

There are examples and hints of romantic interest between males and females in both ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' ([[Redline]] and [[Falcia]] in the [[Linkage (comic)|''Linkage'' comics]], plus [[Nightscream (Armada)|Nightscream]]'s eagerness to appease and defend his [[bulk]] partner [[Airazor (Armada)|Airazor]]), and ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' stories (most obviously [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]]'s intense infatuation with [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack's]] secret crush on [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]], plus [[Downshift (Energon)|Downshift]] reportedly has an unnamed "fembot life partner" lost somewhere on [[Earth]]). This too is treated as a fairly common event.

There are female Transformers in positions of very high power as well: in the [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]], [[Arcee (Energon)|Arcee]] is the leader of the entire [[Omnicon]] race, while in ''Cybertron'', Override is the leader of the planet [[Velocitron]]. So far, the Unicron Trilogy is the only ''Transformers'' continuity to explicitly ''give'' female Transformers that level of responsibility.

In the French version of the ''Energon'' cartoon, Arcee is dubbed by a man. ''Why'' she was is currently unknown.
{{-}}

===Live-action movie===
====2007 movie====
[[Image:Arceemovie.jpg|right|thumb|Comic artists ''cry'' when they see this model sheet.]]

[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] was originally going to be featured as part of the cast of the [[Transformers (film)|''Transformers'' film]], but was cut early on in the movie's development. The script writers felt they would need to explain the presence of a female in an entirely robotic race, and there was not enough time in the film to do so. Arcee was replaced in the movie by [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. Even so, Arcee was featured in IDW's [[Transformers: Movie Prequel |''Movie Prequel'' comics]] and remains in the movie toyline as both Deluxe and Scout-class toys.

One other female Autobot is featured in the movie continuity family, another Scout-class toy, [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]]. Both Elita and Arcee, however, are featured in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan Magazine's]] alternate reality stories as regular characters, with Arcee getting more prominence. Both also appear in IDW's Movie Sequel comic series ''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]]'', with Arcee playing quite a prominent leadership role. Surprisingly, Elita-One does not fare as well as her sister-in-arms, dying at the claws of [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] himself. Although it is unusual for a female Transformer to die in fiction ([[To sell toys|compared to how often Transformer death happens in general]]), it has [[Manta Ray (BW)|happened]] [[Sonar (BW)|before]].

As for Decepticons, [[Fracture (Movie)|Fracture]], based off of the aforementioned Crasher, was recently added to the end of the movie toyline as a Wal-mart exclusive. She has been featured in Titan Magazine's comics, as of issue 18, and in IDW's ''[[Transformers: Alliance|Alliance]]'' series as of issue 3.

In all the comics where female Transformers do appear in the Movie continuity, their gender is never considered an issue. This raises questions about just how necessary "explaining" them would be in [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|future]] [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|movies]].

====''Revenge of the Fallen''====
And apparently, two years later gender was no longer an issue at all, as ''Revenge of the Fallen'' featured [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], who now inexplicably existed in three separate bodies, as well as [[Alice]], a Decepticon [[Pretender]]. No comment was given on the subject of the characters' femininity. Frankly, not explaining Pretenders is a bigger oversight than not explaining robot gender.

{{-}}

===''Animated''===
[[Image:Animated_females.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Did you ever feel like the only original designs in a sea full of homages?]]
Female Transformers were present in ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' from the very beginning of the cartoon, starting with [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]]. What this meant for the state of females in the continuity at large was not immediately apparent; in "[[Along Came a Spider]]", both [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] expressed confusion as to ''what'' Blackarachnia was. Though they were referring to her [[Technorganic|partially organic]] nature, [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]] jokes "Duh, she's a girl." as a nod to the rarity of female Transformers.

As the series proceeded, multiple lady-bots were progressively introduced, among which were a [[Slipstream (Animated)|female clone]] of [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], the obligatory [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] and many more. Although they remain distinctly outnumbered by the male Transformers, this makes it clear that while female Transformers may be relatively uncommon, they aren't considered very remarkable or noteworthy—unless you're a young, male Autobot who's spent ''waaaaayy'' too much time fixing space bridges.

Despite Optimus's confusion over where organic babies come from in "[[Transform and Roll Out]]", implying that there is no Cybertronian equivalent to [[Reproduction|sexual reproduction]] in ''Animated'', Transformer ''relationships'' are implied to be a possibility, as in "[[Along Came a Spider]]" and "[[Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday]]", respectively, Blackarachnia takes advantage of [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]]'s and the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]]' obvious interest in her, especially [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]]'s. There's also the fact that [[Strika (Animated)|Strika]] is said to be the "consort" of [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]].

[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]'s role as the Autobot medical officer was originally supposed to be assigned to a character named [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]], who was originally designed as a female, but then turned male. When brought in at the start of Season 3, Red Alert was female once again as an homage to the original design.

Because Sari was originally a Cybertronian protoform, she could be considered a female technorganic Transformer, although her origins were not revealed until Season 3.

===Shattered Glass===
While in most universes the number of females on the side of good is significantly larger than the number on the side of evil, this universe has more evil ladies as a result of its status as a mirror universe. The first two introduced were [[Arcee (SG)|Arcee]] and [[Crasher (SG)|Crasher]]—an (evil) Autobot and a (good) Decepticon respectively—but since then the balance has tilted.

It would seem that female Transformers in this universe are as they are in most: few in numbers, but nothing remarkable. Crasher appeared bewildered when [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (who hails from the [[#Generation 1 Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics universe]]) tried to tell her that he thought her feminine shape was unusual, and no one else seems to regard the females as something noteworthy.

===Aligned===
One-thirteenth of Cybertron's population is female and are descended from the first female Transformer, [[Solus Prime]]. <ref>According to [http://twitter.com/#!/HubTVNetwork/status/87976495074639872 @HubTVNetwork] and comments made at [[BotCon 2011]]. </ref> The ruler of [[Velocitron]], [[Override (Prime)|Override]], and the Decepticon soldier [[Slipstream (Prime)|Slipstream]] are also female.

====''Prime'' cartoon====
As of yet, the only female Transformers seen are [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] and [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]]. Solus Prime is also briefly mentioned when her [[Forge of Solus Prime|hammer]] is discovered by the Decepticons.

====''Transformers: Online====
Amongst the Autobot ranks are the female warriors [[Chìlìe Fēi Huǒ]], [[Fēiqí Zhànjǐng]], [[Jísù Pīlì]], [[Jìngfēng Bīao Lún]], [[Nù Xīng Zhàn Lún]], [[Shēnlán Lüèyǐng]], [[Yínhé Qíshǒu]], and [[Yǐtài Xíngzhě]].

==Toys==
Though many female Transformers were featured in the fiction from the early days of ''Generation 1'', for many years they tended to either: a) not have toys made of them at all, or, b) for those very few that did get a release, end up as repaints of other molds clearly not designed with a female aesthetic in mind. ''[[Transmetal]]'' [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] is likely the first Transformer toy designed to intentionally represent a female character.

==Notes==
[[Image:G1RatchetSexchange.jpg|thumb|250px|On the other hand, maybe a medic who enjoyed getting skunked on tainted 40-weight oil wasn't the best example, either...]]
*In the [[Shout! Factory]] Matrix of Leadership Special Edition DVD set, an interview with [[Bob Budiansky]] features close-ups of his original handwritten notes for several characters. Intriguingly, these notes refer to [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] as "her" and the Autobots' "go-to gal" for repairs. While this obviously was not the final direction the character took, it does show that female characters were being considered for inclusion in the cast before someone at Hasbro told Budiansky otherwise.

{{-}}
==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Female Transformers| ]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Transformer culture]]

Talk:Orion Pax, Part 3

2012-11-09T01:25:12Z

BossBot97: /* ground bridging */

Anybody got feedback on the synopsis? [[User:TheMZone|TheMZone]] 23:01, 3 March 2012 (EST)

== Beast Wars reference? ==
Were the two moons that were orbiting Cybertron a reference to Beast Wars? {{unsigned|66.82.9.55}}
:No, Cybertron's two moons are Aligned canon. [[User:Alientraveller|Alientraveller]] 10:17, 4 March 2012 (EST)
::Oh, ok. {{unsigned|66.82.9.55}}
:::Cybertron has had two moons since the 1986 movie. [[User:Interrobang|—Interrobang]] 12:47, 4 March 2012 (EST)

== Quote/Trivia? ==

Megatron mentioned that he did not intend to under-estimate the Autobots again, after they managed to take the Space Bridge. Considering the penchant for all Megatrons to be arrogant and often under-estimate their enemies, wouldn't this make a worthwhile quote or trivia piece?--[[Special:Contributions/184.100.243.196|184.100.243.196]] 20:19, 4 March 2012 (EST)
:Well, I get your logic, but it's really up to the people who make the page and we're pretty full up on quotes. What would be your description for it? [[User:TheMZone|TheMZone]] 19:07, 6 March 2012 (EST)

"[Quote here since I only watched the episode once and didn't memorize it]" -'''Megatron''', breaking thirty years of tradition.--[[Special:Contributions/184.100.243.196|184.100.243.196]] 22:08, 7 March 2012 (EST)

== Errors ==

is it ok to to add these two errors

*When Ratchet says to hold the space bridge at all cost one of his arms is miscolored white were it should be orange
*when the autobots enter the ground bridge ratchet enters before Bumblebee but when they return to the base Bumblebee is before ratchet--[[User:Wwelord|Wwelord]] 10:00, 7 March 2012 (EST)

== Atmosphere on Cybertron ==

Do we know there is no atmosphere on Cybertron? In Orion Pax Part 2 June said, "Do we know if people can even breathe your atmosphere?" Fowler, "I'll hook Jack up. Completely state-of-the-art. I still have connections at NASA." - [[User:Starfield|Starﬁeld]] 12:42, 17 March 2012 (EDT)
:Yeah, Cybertron always has an atmosphere, just because humans can't conveniently breathe it in this continuity doesn't mean it isn't there. --[[User:KilMichaelMcC|KilMichaelMcC]] 12:57, 17 March 2012 (EDT)
::Cybertrons atmosphere is poisonous in this continuity. [[User:BossBot97|BossBot97]] 20:10, 8 November 2012 (EST)

== Errors 2 ==

Should we also add this error? [http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/5277/betterqualityoptimuspri.jpg] [[Special:Contributions/69.118.50.14|69.118.50.14]] 23:38, 17 March 2012 (EDT)

== Ground Bridging ==

How do the 'bots-and 'cons-know which ground bridge is theirs? [[User:BossBot97|BossBot97]] 20:25, 8 November 2012 (EST)

Talk:Orion Pax, Part 3

2012-11-09T01:10:11Z

BossBot97: /* Atmosphere on Cybertron */ Toxic

Orion Pax, Part 3

2012-11-09T00:58:48Z

BossBot97:

{{disambig3|Orion Pax}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 29
|prev=Orion Pax, Part 2
|next=Operation Bumblebee, Part 1
|image=OrionPax3 Optimus Decepticon insignia.jpg
|caption=Man, that must have been some party last night!
|title="Orion Pax, Part 3"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Joseph Kuhr]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Jack and Arcee undertake a dangerous mission on Cybertron to access Vector Sigma, while Orion begins to rebel against Megatron.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:OrionPax3 Jack and Arcee find entrance.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Speak. friend, and enter.]]
[[Jack Darby|Jack]] and [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] walk through [[Kaon]], guided by the light of the [[Key to Vector Sigma]]. They come upon a circular clearing, and the key glows intensely, indicating that they must be close. Suddenly, the ground begins to shake, and cracks appear in the surface. The duo watch in awe as a passageway rises from the ground, its door illuminated the same as the Key. It opens, but just as the two are about to enter, an enormous creature rears up from atop the passage. Arcee's [[Autobot]] symbol catches its eye, and it charges her, Arcee's minute strength doing nothing to injure it. She is quickly incapacitated, and the creature notices Jack, giving temporary pursuit until distracted by Arcee. Jack radios [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] and is told that the creature is an [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]], one of many sentries left to guard the dead [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Arcee tells Jack to go, to his surprise, but he realizes the necessity. As he enters, the door closes behind him.

On the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] inquires as to [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion]]'s progress on [[Project Iacon]]. Orion says it's tough work, but Megatron says otherwise, revealing to him that all of his unsanctioned research has been recorded. Orion takes the opportunity to ask about his reported affiliation with the Autobots, but Megatron merely tells him to get back to work. Orion decides that enough is enough, and erases his progress in the archives. Megatron laughs, and shows the clerk that he has been recorded and documented in his pursuits. [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] intrudes, to show Megatron that one of their sentries came online on Cybertron. Orion asks how anything is alive on the planet, but Megatron tells him to continue his work-or be terminated.

[[Image:OrionPax3 Megatron threatens Orion.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Look, Orion! You can see your reflection on my sword!]]
Back on Cybertron, Arcee tangles with the enormous bug, but is no match for its brute strength. Finished with her, the Insecticon turns its attention to the fleshling, and breaks its way into the tunnel.

In the depths of the tunnel, Jack hears a [[Scraplet|familiar noise]], and uproots a metal bar for protection.

Back on the ''Nemesis'', Megatron reviews the reports with Soundwave. He learns of the [[space bridge]]'s activation, its endpoint, and the fact that it is still active. He quickly deduces the Autobots' plan.

In Cybertron's depths, Jack arrives at the chamber of [[Vector Sigma]]. He proceeds to the center of a circular platform, where he places the Key. The entire chamber begins to transform and glow with the Key's energy, and the enormous supercomputer reveals itself, and begins to transfer its energy to the Key.

On the ''Nemesis'', Orion is hassled by the guards. He appeals to their "good nature", saying that he believes Megatron will use the information he is agglomerating for nefarious purposes. Good-old fashioned police brutality ensues as the helpless clerk is kicked and punched by his guards.

[[Image:OrionPax3 Jack watches download.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Don't go into the light!]]
In the chamber, Jack is antsy about the speed of his download. His problems lie beyond his dial-up however, because behind him, a horde of Scraplets has just woken up. While they have no interest in harming Jack, they quickly notice the ''very'' alive metal before him, in the form of Vector Sigma (a spinning ball of blue light) and the Key. Jack is helpless to fend them off, and they begin to snack on the delicious download port. He reports frantically on his position to ground control.

In the space bridge chamber, however, the Autobots have problems of their own as Megatron steps out of a [[GroundBridge]] to them. Ratchet tells them that they must hold the Bridge at any cost, and the battle begins. Unsurprisingly, Megatron easily floors every Autobot twice.

On Cybertron, Arcee awakes to find a Scraplet chewing on her foot. She blasts it off, and notices the opened passage — and the absent Insecticon. Transforming, she speeds into the passageway.

Jack valiantly smashes the Scraplets as they feed, but is unable to stop their progress towards the Matrix. Another problem presents itself behind him in the form of the Insecticon. It charges towards him, but stops in its tracks, staring at the Key. Jack realizes why, and the Scraplets suddenly become a blessing. He formulates an idea, pulling a Scraplet off the Key and pointing it at the aggressor. The Insecticon turns tail as it realizes what's happening, but the Scraplets give chase and latch on, quickly chewing through the giant insect as it falls to its doom, limbs disconnected. The download completes, and Jack retrieves the key. Arcee finally arrives, and the two depart.

The [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] guards continue to beat down Orion, and one of them lets slip that it's a privilege to beat the former leader of the Autobots. Orion pleads with them to stop, and in desperation, he accidentally activates his blasters. He is shocked to realise that he has been installed with ''any'' weapons, and the guards realise they are in trouble, firing upon him. He is further surprised by the ease with which he dispatches them.

[[Image:OrionPax3 the Matrix reloaded.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Reverse Care Bear Stare.]]
Arcee and Jack arrive at the space bridge portal, and radio Ratchet about their position. Total silence on the comm tip them off that something is wrong, and, undetected on the other end of the portal, Megatron waits to end the lineage of the Primes. However, he is surprised by the sudden arrival of Orion Pax, who vows that, no matter what his heritage might be, his spark sympathises with the Autobots. He deploys his blades, and charges for Megatron, but is quickly defeated. Megatron says that he has much to learn, and prepares to kill him, but Arcee speeds through the bridge and collides with him, sending them both flying. In the light of the bridge, Jack presents the Key to Orion, who hesitates in his humility, but accepts his destiny.

The Key begins to upload the Matrix to its host. Megatron, preoccupied with fighting Arcee, notices this, and desperately runs at him. However, Orion Pax—now ''Optimus Prime'' once again—isn't ready to go down again, and trounces his enemy. A GroundBridge portal opens up, and the Autobots retreat.

At base, the Autobots and humans rejoice at their reunion. Noticing his Decepticon symbol, Optimus asks Ratchet what had happened. He replies that it was their darkest hour, but at every point along the way, Optimus was truly an Autobot at spark.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (2)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (8)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (15)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (16)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime/Orion Pax]] (17)

|c2=
*[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]] (3)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (9)
*"[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion Pax]]" (10)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (11)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (14)

|c3=
*[[Jack Darby]] (1)
*[[June Darby]] (4)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (5)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (6)
*[[William Fowler]] (7)

|c4=
*[[Scraplet]]s (12)
*[[Vector Sigma]] (13)

}}

==Quotes==
"Why does history portray me siding with the Autobot aggressors? And why did Starscream call me a Prime? I must know...who ''am'' I?" 
"You are my clerk."
:—'''"Orion Pax"''' questions his identity, while '''Megatron''' responds with a firm establishment of the pecking order.

"This is taking a while..." 
"Of course it is! We are talking about the collective wisdom of the Primes!"
:—'''Jack''' is reminded by '''Ratchet''' that he's downloading a ''brain,'' not an ''MP3.''

'''Vehicon''':"You have to admit, it's a privledge to stomp a former leader of the Autobots." 
'''"Orion Pax"''':"Arg! No! Please! Enough! I'm... I'm armed?"
:—"Orion" discovers he has blasters.

"You're going down, buckethead!"
:—'''Bulkhead''' takes on Megatron.

"That may be true, or yet another deception, but this much I do know: my sympathies lie with the Autobots, and you are ''not'' one of us!"
:—'''"Orion Pax"''' to Megatron, realizing the truth.

"Are you... certain I am worthy?" 
"You have no idea."
:—'''"Orion Pax"''' and '''Jack'''.

"Megatron— ''be gone!''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''', before delivering the most awesome series of punches in the entire series.

"Ratchet, how did we arrive here?" 
"Long story, old friend."
:-'''Optimus Prime''' asks Ratchet why they're fighting Megatron in his own headquarters. Gotta love amnesia...

"Optimus, it has truly been our darkest hour, but know this: from every indication your spark never ceased being that of an Autobot."
:—'''Ratchet'''

==Notes==
===Animation or technical errors===
*As Megatron notices Jack recharging Optimus's Matrix and lets go of Arcee, his shoulder armour goes through the wall.

===Continuity errors===
*As Optimus jumps through the Autobot GroundBridge, he is suddenly sporting Autobot insignias.

===Continuity notes===
*The scraplets seem a ''lot'' nastier in this episode, chewing so fast as to render a hulking robot limbless in a matter of seconds. This is ''not'' an error, as many factors could contribute, such as the scraplets' inability to find living metal on the barren Cybertron and the ancient state of the Insecticon.
*Optimus still has the broken sword from way back in "[[One Shall Fall]]". It would seem that the Decepticons neglected to repair it. Or rather, neglected to mention that he had weapons in the first place.
*The Insecticon is the first Cybertronian in the Prime cartoon to have a Beast [[alternate mode]].

===Transformers references===
[[Image:OrionPax3 Vector Sigma in scraplet-vision.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Night vision on.]]
* Ratchet references ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' by referring an event as "our darkest hour", as he did before in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]", and as Optimus did in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]".
* Bulkhead calls Megatron "buckethead", a reference to [[Megatron (G1)|the original Megatron]].
* The Insecticon's insect mode resembles a large rhinoceros beetle, [[Bombshell (G1)|like]] [[Salvo|several]] [[Barrage (Insecticon)|other]] [[Insecticon (Energon)|Insecticons]].
* From the Scraplets' point-of-view, the sphere of Vector Sigma is seen in its faceted orb appearance common to many continuities.

===Real-world references===
*Bulkhead's line bemoaning the Scraplets on Cybertron is a paraphrase of the oft-referenced "Why did it have to be snakes?" line from ''Raiders of the Lost Ark''.

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Orion Pax, Teil 3'''" ("Orion Pax, Part 3")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 24|24 October]] [[2012]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Kidō Henkei! Vector Sigma no Kagi'''" (起動変形!ベクターシグマの鍵, "Activated Transformation! The Key to Vector Sigma")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 20|20 October]] [[2012]]
*The talking Insecticon continues to call back to the Japanese-dubbed version of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] by saying "buzz buzz" when it flies around.

===Trivia===
* Look closely at the arena in Kaon: it's the same arena as seen in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]". Ironic that the entrance to Vector Sigma lay beneath Megatron's feet at that moment.
* When the Scraplets look at Vector Sigma, most of the room is boring old dead metal, but the spinning blue light comes up in their vision as living metal. The download area is clearly even more delicious.
* When Jack coaxes the Scraplets into attacking the Insecticon, he calls it "the main course", echoing what Bulkhead said while using himself as bait in "[[Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap]]".
* The way Optimus catches Megatron's sword just after he regains his memory is the exact same as when Megatron caught Optimus' sword in "[[One Shall Fall]]". It even makes the same thundering noise.
* Jack never picked up a souvenir for Raf, which Raf asked for in the previous episode. No one ever brings souvenirs for Raf. Aww...

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Orion Pax, Part 3

2012-11-09T00:53:26Z

BossBot97: he's armed quote

{{disambig3|Orion Pax}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 29
|prev=Orion Pax, Part 2
|next=Operation Bumblebee, Part 1
|image=OrionPax3 Optimus Decepticon insignia.jpg
|caption=Man, that must have been some party last night!
|title="Orion Pax, Part 3"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Joseph Kuhr]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Jack and Arcee undertake a dangerous mission on Cybertron to access Vector Sigma, while Orion begins to rebel against Megatron.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:OrionPax3 Jack and Arcee find entrance.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Speak. friend, and enter.]]
[[Jack Darby|Jack]] and [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] walk through [[Kaon]], guided by the light of the [[Key to Vector Sigma]]. They come upon a circular clearing, and the key glows intensely, indicating that they must be close. Suddenly, the ground begins to shake, and cracks appear in the surface. The duo watch in awe as a passageway rises from the ground, its door illuminated the same as the Key. It opens, but just as the two are about to enter, an enormous creature rears up from atop the passage. Arcee's [[Autobot]] symbol catches its eye, and it charges her, Arcee's minute strength doing nothing to injure it. She is quickly incapacitated, and the creature notices Jack, giving temporary pursuit until distracted by Arcee. Jack radios [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] and is told that the creature is an [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]], one of many sentries left to guard the dead [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Arcee tells Jack to go, to his surprise, but he realizes the necessity. As he enters, the door closes behind him.

On the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] inquires as to [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion]]'s progress on [[Project Iacon]]. Orion says it's tough work, but Megatron says otherwise, revealing to him that all of his unsanctioned research has been recorded. Orion takes the opportunity to ask about his reported affiliation with the Autobots, but Megatron merely tells him to get back to work. Orion decides that enough is enough, and erases his progress in the archives. Megatron laughs, and shows the clerk that he has been recorded and documented in his pursuits. [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] intrudes, to show Megatron that one of their sentries came online on Cybertron. Orion asks how anything is alive on the planet, but Megatron tells him to continue his work-or be terminated.

[[Image:OrionPax3 Megatron threatens Orion.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Look, Orion! You can see your reflection on my sword!]]
Back on Cybertron, Arcee tangles with the enormous bug, but is no match for its brute strength. Finished with her, the Insecticon turns its attention to the fleshling, and breaks its way into the tunnel.

In the depths of the tunnel, Jack hears a [[Scraplet|familiar noise]], and uproots a metal bar for protection.

Back on the ''Nemesis'', Megatron reviews the reports with Soundwave. He learns of the [[space bridge]]'s activation, its endpoint, and the fact that it is still active. He quickly deduces the Autobots' plan.

In Cybertron's depths, Jack arrives at the chamber of [[Vector Sigma]]. He proceeds to the center of a circular platform, where he places the Key. The entire chamber begins to transform and glow with the Key's energy, and the enormous supercomputer reveals itself, and begins to transfer its energy to the Key.

On the ''Nemesis'', Orion is hassled by the guards. He appeals to their "good nature", saying that he believes Megatron will use the information he is agglomerating for nefarious purposes. Good-old fashioned police brutality ensues as the helpless clerk is kicked and punched by his guards.

[[Image:OrionPax3 Jack watches download.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Don't go into the light!]]
In the chamber, Jack is antsy about the speed of his download. His problems lie beyond his dial-up however, because behind him, a horde of Scraplets has just woken up. While they have no interest in harming Jack, they quickly notice the ''very'' alive metal before him, in the form of Vector Sigma (a spinning ball of blue light) and the Key. Jack is helpless to fend them off, and they begin to snack on the delicious download port. He reports frantically on his position to ground control.

In the space bridge chamber, however, the Autobots have problems of their own as Megatron steps out of a [[GroundBridge]] to them. Ratchet tells them that they must hold the Bridge at any cost, and the battle begins. Unsurprisingly, Megatron easily floors every Autobot twice.

On Cybertron, Arcee awakes to find a Scraplet chewing on her foot. She blasts it off, and notices the opened passage — and the absent Insecticon. Transforming, she speeds into the passageway.

Jack valiantly smashes the Scraplets as they feed, but is unable to stop their progress towards the Matrix. Another problem presents itself behind him in the form of the Insecticon. It charges towards him, but stops in its tracks, staring at the Key. Jack realizes why, and the Scraplets suddenly become a blessing. He formulates an idea, pulling a Scraplet off the Key and pointing it at the aggressor. The Insecticon turns tail as it realizes what's happening, but the Scraplets give chase and latch on, quickly chewing through the giant insect as it falls to its doom, limbs disconnected. The download completes, and Jack retrieves the key. Arcee finally arrives, and the two depart.

The [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] guards continue to beat down Orion, and one of them lets slip that it's a privilege to beat the former leader of the Autobots. Orion pleads with them to stop, and in desperation, he accidentally activates his blasters. He is shocked to realise that he has been installed with ''any'' weapons, and the guards realise they are in trouble, firing upon him. He is further surprised by the ease with which he dispatches them.

[[Image:OrionPax3 the Matrix reloaded.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Reverse Care Bear Stare.]]
Arcee and Jack arrive at the space bridge portal, and radio Ratchet about their position. Total silence on the comm tip them off that something is wrong, and, undetected on the other end of the portal, Megatron waits to end the lineage of the Primes. However, he is surprised by the sudden arrival of Orion Pax, who vows that, no matter what his heritage might be, his spark sympathises with the Autobots. He deploys his blades, and charges for Megatron, but is quickly defeated. Megatron says that he has much to learn, and prepares to kill him, but Arcee speeds through the bridge and collides with him, sending them both flying. In the light of the bridge, Jack presents the Key to Orion, who hesitates in his humility, but accepts his destiny.

The Key begins to upload the Matrix to its host. Megatron, preoccupied with fighting Arcee, notices this, and desperately runs at him. However, Orion Pax—now ''Optimus Prime'' once again—isn't ready to go down again, and trounces his enemy. A GroundBridge portal opens up, and the Autobots retreat.

At base, the Autobots and humans rejoice at their reunion. Noticing his Decepticon symbol, Optimus asks Ratchet what had happened. He replies that it was their darkest hour, but at every point along the way, Optimus was truly an Autobot at spark.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (2)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (8)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (15)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (16)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime/Orion Pax]] (17)

|c2=
*[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]] (3)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (9)
*"[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion Pax]]" (10)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (11)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (14)

|c3=
*[[Jack Darby]] (1)
*[[June Darby]] (4)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (5)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (6)
*[[William Fowler]] (7)

|c4=
*[[Scraplet]]s (12)
*[[Vector Sigma]] (13)

}}

==Quotes==
"Why does history portray me siding with the Autobot aggressors? And why did Starscream call me a Prime? I must know...who ''am'' I?" 
"You are my clerk."
:—'''"Orion Pax"''' questions his identity, while '''Megatron''' responds with a firm establishment of the pecking order.

"This is taking a while..." 
"Of course it is! We are talking about the collective wisdom of the Primes!"
:—'''Jack''' is reminded by '''Ratchet''' that he's downloading a ''brain,'' not an ''MP3.''

'''Vehicon''':"You have to admit, it's a privledge to stomp a former leader of the Autobots."
'''"Orion Pax"''':"Arg! No! Please! Enough! I'm... I'm armed?"
:—"Orion" discovers he has blasters.

"You're going down, buckethead!"
:—'''Bulkhead''' takes on Megatron.

"That may be true, or yet another deception, but this much I do know: my sympathies lie with the Autobots, and you are ''not'' one of us!"
:—'''"Orion Pax"''' to Megatron, realizing the truth.

"Are you... certain I am worthy?" 
"You have no idea."
:—'''"Orion Pax"''' and '''Jack'''.

"Megatron— ''be gone!''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''', before delivering the most awesome series of punches in the entire series.

"Ratchet, how did we arrive here?" 
"Long story, old friend."
:-'''Optimus Prime''' asks Ratchet why they're fighting Megatron in his own headquarters. Gotta love amnesia...

"Optimus, it has truly been our darkest hour, but know this: from every indication your spark never ceased being that of an Autobot."
:—'''Ratchet'''

==Notes==
===Animation or technical errors===
*As Megatron notices Jack recharging Optimus's Matrix and lets go of Arcee, his shoulder armour goes through the wall.

===Continuity errors===
*As Optimus jumps through the Autobot GroundBridge, he is suddenly sporting Autobot insignias.

===Continuity notes===
*The scraplets seem a ''lot'' nastier in this episode, chewing so fast as to render a hulking robot limbless in a matter of seconds. This is ''not'' an error, as many factors could contribute, such as the scraplets' inability to find living metal on the barren Cybertron and the ancient state of the Insecticon.
*Optimus still has the broken sword from way back in "[[One Shall Fall]]". It would seem that the Decepticons neglected to repair it. Or rather, neglected to mention that he had weapons in the first place.
*The Insecticon is the first Cybertronian in the Prime cartoon to have a Beast [[alternate mode]].

===Transformers references===
[[Image:OrionPax3 Vector Sigma in scraplet-vision.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Night vision on.]]
* Ratchet references ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' by referring an event as "our darkest hour", as he did before in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]", and as Optimus did in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]".
* Bulkhead calls Megatron "buckethead", a reference to [[Megatron (G1)|the original Megatron]].
* The Insecticon's insect mode resembles a large rhinoceros beetle, [[Bombshell (G1)|like]] [[Salvo|several]] [[Barrage (Insecticon)|other]] [[Insecticon (Energon)|Insecticons]].
* From the Scraplets' point-of-view, the sphere of Vector Sigma is seen in its faceted orb appearance common to many continuities.

===Real-world references===
*Bulkhead's line bemoaning the Scraplets on Cybertron is a paraphrase of the oft-referenced "Why did it have to be snakes?" line from ''Raiders of the Lost Ark''.

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Orion Pax, Teil 3'''" ("Orion Pax, Part 3")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 24|24 October]] [[2012]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Kidō Henkei! Vector Sigma no Kagi'''" (起動変形!ベクターシグマの鍵, "Activated Transformation! The Key to Vector Sigma")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 20|20 October]] [[2012]]
*The talking Insecticon continues to call back to the Japanese-dubbed version of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] by saying "buzz buzz" when it flies around.

===Trivia===
* Look closely at the arena in Kaon: it's the same arena as seen in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]". Ironic that the entrance to Vector Sigma lay beneath Megatron's feet at that moment.
* When the Scraplets look at Vector Sigma, most of the room is boring old dead metal, but the spinning blue light comes up in their vision as living metal. The download area is clearly even more delicious.
* When Jack coaxes the Scraplets into attacking the Insecticon, he calls it "the main course", echoing what Bulkhead said while using himself as bait in "[[Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap]]".
* The way Optimus catches Megatron's sword just after he regains his memory is the exact same as when Megatron caught Optimus' sword in "[[One Shall Fall]]". It even makes the same thundering noise.
* Jack never picked up a souvenir for Raf, which Raf asked for in the previous episode. No one ever brings souvenirs for Raf. Aww...

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Headmaster (Animated)

2012-11-07T17:18:28Z

BossBot97: /* Notes */ n00b

{{disambig3|Headmaster}}
:''The Headmaster is a <s>L33T H4x0r</s> [[human]] from the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Henrymastersonandhead.jpg|right|350px|thumb|All ur face r belong 2 us.]]

The '''Headmaster''' is the alternate identity of '''Henry Masterson''', a disgruntled [[Sumdac Systems]] employee who can take control of robots by replacing their heads with his [[Headmaster unit]]. He's a gigantic dork who plays too many video games and seems to have crossed the line between reality and fiction. His vocabulary is littered with slang from teh internets, with terms like "n00bs" and "Total ownage!"

{{bigquote|TOTAL OWNAGE!|The Headmaster... all the time|"[[Headmaster (episode)|Headmaster]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Alexander Polinsky]] (English), [[Kōsuke Okano]] (Japanese), [[Alexander Doering]] (German), [[Artur Święs]] (Polish), [[Luca Bottale]] (Italian)

[[Image:Headmastertotalownage.jpg|left|200px|thumb|im in ur body shootn ur doods]]
Henry Masterson grew up tinkering with Sumdac Systems robots and got a job as an engineer for them at a relatively young age. His genius caught the attention of his superiors, and he eventually had the honor of presenting his "Headmaster" project, a human-piloted [[Headmaster unit|transforming battle suit]] that could remove and replace the heads of automatons, to [[Isaac Sumdac]] himself. The demonstration went awry when the Headmaster unit proved to be too heavy for his robotic test subject, making it collapse and sending its weaponry towards [[Detroit]]. Sumdac, incensed by Masterson's plans to put his invention to military use, fired him in a fit of Donald Trump-esque rage.

Masterson apparently absconded with his Headmaster prototype and went off to sulk and play with his Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots. He decided that having his own company would be "wicked sweet", as would exacting his revenge on Sumdac. Needing a robot sturdy enough to support his control unit, he chanced upon a news report on [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]]. The emo jerk ambushed and decapitated Bulkhead and subsequently went on a rampage in the Autobot's body.

[[Image:TFA Headmaster Bulkhead body rampage.JPG|right|200px|thumb|I d00 it for teh lulz!]]
He demolished several Sumdac [[Police drone|police drones]] en route to a solar power plant. Dubbing himself "the Headmaster", he hijacked local television broadcasts to deliver his ultimatum: Unless he was paid $700 billion, personally delivered by Isaac Sumdac, he would set the [[Sidney Biggles-Jones Memorial Solar Fusion Plant|solar fusion reactor]] to overload, which would result in the obliteration of the entire state of [[Michigan]] (including Masterson himself). Sumdac arrived in a [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|tractor trailer]], accompanied by [[Sari Sumdac|his daughter]], [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]], and a [[Bumblebee (Animated)|small]] [[Prowl (Animated)|convoy]] of [[Ratchet (Animated)|vehicles]]. Sumdac offered Henry the money, but the Headmaster grabbed him and announced his intention to take the ransom money and destroy the city of Detroit anyway, then use the threat of future robot attacks to sell his Headmaster units to the military.

When he checked the trailer for the money, he found only the enraged head of Bulkhead. The convoy of vehicles revealed themselves as the [[Autobot]]s and engaged the Headmaster in combat. After taking a pounding from them, the Headmaster unleashed the weaponry of his control unit. He managed to corner Optimus Prime and began to slice the Autobot leader's head off. Prevented from doing so thanks to an ambush by Bulkhead's severed head, the Headmaster was soon felled by Prowl. Masterson decided to flee, but his flying Headmaster unit was knocked out of the sky by the still-disembodied Bulkhead. With the Autobots distracted by the overloading reactor, the Headmaster transformed his head unit into robot mode and fled. {{storylink|Headmaster (episode)|Headmaster}}

[[Image:Returnofheadmaster sarisroom.jpg|thumb|200px|I'm in ur rom, 0wn!ng ur doods.]]
Once [[Porter C. Powell]] took control of Sumdac Systems, he was quick to rehire Masterson in the interest of reaping that lucrative arms market for which Isaac lacked the taste. Powell gave Masterson Sari's bedroom as his office while in the process of kicking her out of it. Masterson was quick to make himself comfortable and started planning renovations to hook the place up for some major gameage. Powell wasn't about to let his employee just slack around, though, and put him to work on a new Headmaster Unit project, even giving him [[Tutor Bot]] and [[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]] to outfit with smaller Units and laser-shooting upgrades.

The Headmaster wanted more than just little bots to tinker with, however, and stole [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]]'s body, upgrading it as well. He would have gotten away with it, but Optimus managed to track him down, defeat Sentinel's possessed body, and take the Headmaster to justice. At least, he was ''almost'' brought to justice, until Powell showed up and wriggled his employee out of a legal loophole. {{storylink|The Return of the Headmaster}}

[[Image:TransWarped Pt1 Headmaster Starscream Pan.jpg|thumb|left|250px|If he meets you, he'll ctrl-alt-delete you!]]
Furious that his Headmaster unit had been absconded with, Masterson was unintimidated when Sari returned to [[Sumdac Tower]] with Isaac in tow, informing the Sumdacs that the Autobots would return his Headmaster unit to him or "heads would roll". At which point Optimus Prime picked him up from behind and asked for clarification on whose heads would be rolling. Furious at their actions while running the company, Isaac Sumdac immediately fired both Porter C. Powell and Henry Masterson.

Enraged that he had been fired again, Masterson tracked his Headmaster unit to the mine, where he discovered [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]'s body, ready to be taken over. After a brief fight with Bulkhead the next day, Masterson returned to Detroit, then listened in on Isaac Sumdac's phone calls. Learning that Sumdac was heading to meet Sari at [[Burger Bot]], Masterson ambushed the "happy family", only to be interrupted by Optimus Prime again. A struggle followed, destroying the Burger Bot in the process.

[[Image:TFA TransWarped Masterson captured.jpg|thumb|200px|Say it with us, folks: "T0t4l 0wn4g3!"]]
Finally, Prime taunted Masterson into transforming, saying that a "n00b" like him might have trouble with it. Screaming that nobody called him a "n00b", Masterson initiated a transformation, only for his Headmaster unit to be crushed and popped off Starscream's body when it began. As Starscream's body flew into the river, Masterson was captured by Optimus Prime and turned over to the police. {{storylink|TransWarped}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
{{main|Headmaster unit#Toys}}

==Notes==
* The Headmaster is the first ''Animated'' supervillain to escape capture by the end of his first episode. Guess he isn't a ''total'' n00b.
* Headmaster seems to be the Transformers equivalent of [[wikipedia:Control Freak (villain)|Control Freak]] from the [[wikipedia:Teen Titans (TV series)|Teen Titans cartoon]], even having the same voice actor, [[Derrick J. Wyatt|creator]], and similar manner of speaking. The only difference between them is that Headmaster's peculiarities are centered around computers, whereas Control Freak's were centered around television.
* He's the only human villain to return in the third season of ''Animated'' (as long as you don't actually consider Powell a villain, as he was doing legal, legitimate business). He is also the final human villain seen in the show (unless you count Powell once again).
* Masterson is every phony Internet tough guy you've ever met. Seriously!

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Henry Masterson''' (ヘンリー・マスターソン ''Henrī Masutāson''), '''Headmaster''' (ヘッドマスター ''Heddomasutā'')

[[Category:Animated humans]]
[[Category:Engineers]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Supervillains]]

Operation Bumblebee, Part 2

2012-11-06T14:07:18Z

BossBot97: one shall fall

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 31
|prev=Operation Bumblebee, Part 1
|next=Loose Cannons
|image=OperationBumblebee2-Forge.jpg
|caption=[[Thor|Whosoever holds this hammer, if they be worthy, shall possess the power of Bulkhead.]]
|title="Operation Bumblebee, Part 2"
|airdate=[[March 17]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Nicole Dubuc]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron attempts to use the Forge, only to discover that it requires the power of a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] to work. Despite this hitch, the warlord takes comfort in the knowledge that the Forge is safely away from the hands of the Autobots - and more specifically, Optimus Prime.

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

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (2)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (4)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (5)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (6)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (7)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (8)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (9)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (15)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (16)
|c3=
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (3)
*[[Silas]] (10)
*[[Jack Darby]] (12)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (13)
*[[William Fowler]] (14)
*[[MECH Surgeon]] (17)
|c4=
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (11)
}}

==Quotes==

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

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

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

"I don't get it. All this chipping away with my hammer just to bring Megatron another hammer?"
:—'''Breakdown''' tells Knock Out that Megatron wants even more hammers.

"I am not one of your foot-soldiers! I am a ''consultant!"''
:—'''Starscream''' doesn't like taking orders from humans.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Operation Bumblebee, Teil 2'''" ("Operation Bumblebee, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 29|29 October]] [[2012]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Yūkan Henkei! Gun'i no Ketsudan'''" (勇敢変形!軍医の決断, "Brave Transformation! The Surgeon's Decision")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 3|3 November]] [[2012]]

===Trivia===
* When Agent Fowler relays the information on MECH's whereabouts to Bumblebee, he says it really slowly and condescendingly, as if he believes Bumblebee has trouble understanding English, rather than just being mute. Fowler's kind of a jerk. Or just ignorant.
* During the fight in the hangar, Bumblebee punches several MECH soldiers, sending them flying through the air. Silas survived this, so it stands to reason everyone else did, too. Cartoons, everybody! (A soldier didn't crack the prototype's lens; that was his rifle.)
* It seems that the Cybertronians of this continuity are incapable of self-propelled flight outside a flight-capable alternate mode. This is in stark contrast to previous continuities. Especially ones in which even Cybertronians who ''didn't'' have flight-capable vehicle modes were regularly capable of self-propelled flight through air and the vacuum of space.
* [[Solus Prime]] is the fourth member of the Original Thirteen to actually be named on television (the others were [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]], [[Vector Prime]], and [[The Fallen]], respectively).
* This is only the [[One Shall Fall|second episode]] that Rachet laughs in.
* When Bumblebee and Starscream attempt to transform without their T-cogs, the classic transformation sound can be heard
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

User talk:BossBot97

2012-11-06T13:35:51Z

BossBot97: New page: == Edits to Userpage == Yes, thanks Inkblot:)

== Edits to Userpage ==
 
Yes, thanks Inkblot:)

Legacy (episode)

2012-11-06T03:06:12Z

BossBot97: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 46
|prev=The Human Factor
|next=Alpha/Omega
|image=Legacy-ohcrap.jpg
|caption=[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQC89ig-SdQ I'M A WHAT!?]
|title="Legacy"
|airdate=[[September 21]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Jack is assigned to help Smokescreen adapt to life on Earth while Megatron tries to secure the Star Saber without letting the Autobots know of its existence.'''

==Synopsis==

[[Image:Legacy-cellphonecamera.jpg|left|thumb|300px|No pictures, NO PICTURES!!!]]

[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] race down a Nevada road in search of an [[energon]] signal. Though Bumblebee tries to encourage Smokescreen to slow down, the rookie breaks the speed limit and almost runs into another vehicle. The driver jumps out to threaten Smokescreen, who promptly [[transformation|transforms]] and threatens him back. Bumblebee transforms to stop Smokescreen and the truck driver takes the opportunity to snap a picture of the pair. Back at base, [[Jack Darby|Jack]] locates the picture on the [[Internet]] and says [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] can deal with it later. The other [[Autobot]]s lecture Smokescreen about the concept of secrecy and [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] says they need to help Smokescreen acclimate to [[Earth]] through learning about [[human]] society. Jack is duly assigned to help Smokescreen and the pair head out, though [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] complains that she thinks Jack will be at risk because Smokescreen has the most obvious [[alternate mode]] ever.

Driving through [[Jasper]], Jack tries to educate Smokescreen on traffic lights, though Smokescreen is unable to stop joking around. When [[Vince]] hauls up beside them, Jack attempts to be inconspicuous, but Vince notices anyway and throws a burger at them. Smokescreen soon talks Jack into some retribution, and when they arrive back at base laughing, Jack has a photo of Vince's burger-covered car. Arcee isn't impressed with their progress so far.

[[Image:PrimeLegacySmokescreen.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Though many tried for the sword with all their strength, none could move the sword, nor stir it.]]

On the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] has finished decoding another set of coordinates from the Iacon database. [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] gets a decoy ready. Thus when Optimus is also almost finished decoding the same coordinates, the base sensors pick up an Iacon locator beacon in [[China]]. Optimus takes Arcee, Bumblebee and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] to investigate. Meanwhile, Megatron has [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] and [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] busy excavating the real relic. Hoping it is of Decepticon origin, Megatron is shocked to see it is the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. Desperate to keep it from Optimus, Megatron tries to pull it free, but his efforts are to no avail and it remains firmly entrenched in the rock. Even trying to destroy the rock fails, as the sword's energy is rendering it invulnerable. Realizing that it will only respond to a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], Megatron intends to uproot the entire mountain if necessary.

[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] picks up the signal from the Saber, but is unable to contact Prime. Prime's team is trying to track the first signal, unaware that it's the decoy being carried around by Soundwave. Smokescreen and Jack arrive back at base having pulled a prank on Jack's boss. When Ratchet reports the situation, Smokescreen volunteers to check out the second signal, and takes Jack along with him in secret. They find the Decepticons trying break the mountain down to a smaller size, and Smokescreen recognizes the Star Saber. Despite Jack's concerns, knowing that something is up if Megatron hasn't pulled the sword out, Smokescreen charges in as the Decepticons are preparing to lift the remaining rock with the ''Nemesis''. The Autobot proves as successful in extracting the sword as Megatron was, and is promptly captured by the Decepticons. While Jack tries to notify Ratchet, he is soon found and pursued by Insecticons. Ratchet gets enough from Jack's message to know what they've found and they're in serious trouble, and [[GroundBridge]]s to Optimus's location just as the team there are realizing they were being led on a wild goose chase.

[[Image:Legacy-PrimeStarSaber.jpg|left|thumb|300px|It's an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.]]
As the ''Nemesis'' starts lifting the massive rock holding the Star Saber, Megatron begins interrogating Smokescreen with little effect. Prime's team suddenly arrives and starts laying into the Decepticons troops. Megatron looks around for Optimus himself, and spots the Autobot leader rapidly scaling the mountain in pursuit of the Star Saber, so he and some jet Vehicons take off to try to intercept. The other Autobots finish off the rest of the Decepticon troopers and Arcee rescues Jack from the Insecticons. Despite the best efforts of Megatron and his troops, Optimus manages to grab hold of the Star Saber which activates and pulls free of the rock. Megatron orders the rock dropped on him, but even as the other Autobots shout warnings, Prime merely uses the Star Saber to slice the whole thing in half. In shock, Megatron helplessly looks on as Prime follows up by taking a swing, unleashing a wave of energy at the ''Nemesis'', destroying part of its engine array and nearly causing the ship to crash into the mountainside. The Decepticons hastily retreat as their leader laments over his failure and believes it is now their darkest hour.

The Autobots return to base, where Arcee is very unhappy with Smokescreen and Jack. She has Ratchet send the latter home and Optimus makes plain to the former that endangering humans is forbidden. As he reminds them of the importance of protecting humans, the sword begins to glow on its own, and Optimus goes into a trance-like state. Stating that he's receiving a message, Prime identifies the caller: [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]].
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (1)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (2)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (7)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (8)

|c2=
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (10)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (11)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (12)
*[[Decepticon Miner|Miners]] (13)
*[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] (14)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (15)
*[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] (16)

|c3=
*Truck driver (3)
*[[Jack Darby]] (4)
*[[Vince]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==
"...I just pulled a Miko."
:—'''Jack''' realizes what he just did.

"Who in the Pits of [[Kaon]] is that?''
:—'''Megatron''' meets the new guy.

"All this leg-work is giving me itchy fists!"
:—'''Bulkhead''' is back on form.

"I loosened it up for him."
:—Keep telling yourself that, '''Smokescreen'''.

"We Decepticons... now face our darkest hour."
:—'''Megatron''', finding himself in need of a light.

"How epic was that?"
:—'''Smokescreen''' relays the viewer's feelings.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===

* Whilst Optimus is explaining why it was all their fault the incident had occurred in the beginning of this episode, you can see the side parts of his back pass through his arms on both sides.
* Smokescreen has the same [[license plate]] as [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] and [[June Darby|June]].
* During the excavation of the Star Saber, one of the Insecticons transporting rocks suddenly loses a leg.
* Optimus would not have been able to realign his flight trajectory when he took a glancing shot in his truck mode and transformed into robot mode; he would have continued spinning while flying.
* Arcee's right arm silently changes into a blaster as the Decepticons begin firing at the Autobots at the pod site.

===Continuity notes===
* Yet another picture of the Autobots ends up on the internet, and again Bumblebee is in it, as in "[[One Shall Fall]]" and "[[New Recruit]]".
* Arcee mentions that [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] is in the process of relocating [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] and his family, since the Decepticons learned where he lives in [[The Human Factor|the previous episode]].
* Bulkhead has now fully recovered from the injuries he received in "[[Toxicity]]".
* Jack asks Arcee if she still remembers Vince since her first encounter in "[[Speed Metal]]".
* Jack refers to his uncharacteristic lack of foresight as "pulling a [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]]", a nod to her repeated habit of running into trouble.
* Another relic of [[Solus Prime]] is uncovered; the first was the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] found in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2]]", and the second was the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]] found in "[[Triangulation]]".
* Bulkhead returns the favor to Smokescreen from the previous episode.
* Optimus receives a message from Alpha Trion, who was first mentioned by Smokescreen in "New Recruit".
* This is the first time we hear Megatron refer to Optimus as just "Prime" when he flies off to intercept him.

===Continuity errors===
* Ratchet is reluctant to send Smokescreen by himself to investigate the second relic, but concedes since he has no other choice. He seems to have forgotten about [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]. However, given Ratchet's anger at Wheeljack for the events of "[[Hurt]]", he may simply be too stubborn to ask him for help (and he didn't like him before anyway, although at the end of "[[Triage]]" they did seem to have a new found mutual respect for each other. No matter how small). In [[Darkest Hour|the season finale]], he refers to the fact that he thinks he alienated Wheeljack during the events of "Hurt", which may have also affected his decision. Plus, who knows where Wheeljack was at that time? He refuses to groundbridge to base most of the time, so he may not have been able to get there in time using the [[Jackhammer]]. He may have also been offworld. Who knows...

===Transformers references===
* Jack mentions [[Robots in Disguise]].
* This episode marks yet another use of the phrase "[[darkest hour]]", only this time it's the Decepticons who get to use it.
* The first "[[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]]" sword was the combined form of the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]] in ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Transformers: Armada]]'', while the [[Thirteen]]-affiliated iteration was first mentioned in "[[The Coming Storm: Part 1]]." Technically, the name originated from [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]], the Autobot [[Supreme Commander]] from ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (franchise)|Transformers: Victory]]''.
* The Star Saber had previously been mentioned in the Aligned continuity family by way of the novel ''[[Transformers: Exiles]]''. There, Optimus Prime travelled to a wide variety of Transformer-inhabited worlds searching for what he believed would lead him to the Star Saber.

===Real-world references===
* The Star Saber's location and its inability to be removed except by a Prime is a reference to ''[[wikipedia:Excalibur#Excalibur and the Sword in the Stone|Excalibur]]''.
* The truck driver referred to Smokescreen's alternate mode as from the Indy 500, a motor racing competition. Even though Smokescreen's altmode is nothing like an open-wheel Indy car.
* Smokescreen broadly references the American Humane Association's familiar disclaimer "No animals were harmed in the making of this Motion Picture".

===Trivia===
* Bumblebee warns Smokescreen about the speed limit, but apparently didn't think it was important to warn him that he's driving into oncoming traffic.
* Vince's behavior hasn't changed since the events of "Speed Metal". Some people just don't learn their lessons.
* The fact that Team Prime seems reliant on Raf for their data manipulation is a bit weird, given Fowler's presumed government contacts. Makes you wonder what they did before the kids turned up.
* Optimus, looking up at Megatron watching from the Nemesis, gives him a wink.
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Legacy (episode)

2012-11-06T03:04:38Z

BossBot97: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 46
|prev=The Human Factor
|next=Alpha/Omega
|image=Legacy-ohcrap.jpg
|caption=[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQC89ig-SdQ I'M A WHAT!?]
|title="Legacy"
|airdate=[[September 21]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Jack is assigned to help Smokescreen adapt to life on Earth while Megatron tries to secure the Star Saber without letting the Autobots know of its existence.'''

==Synopsis==

[[Image:Legacy-cellphonecamera.jpg|left|thumb|300px|No pictures, NO PICTURES!!!]]

[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] race down a Nevada road in search of an [[energon]] signal. Though Bumblebee tries to encourage Smokescreen to slow down, the rookie breaks the speed limit and almost runs into another vehicle. The driver jumps out to threaten Smokescreen, who promptly [[transformation|transforms]] and threatens him back. Bumblebee transforms to stop Smokescreen and the truck driver takes the opportunity to snap a picture of the pair. Back at base, [[Jack Darby|Jack]] locates the picture on the [[Internet]] and says [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] can deal with it later. The other [[Autobot]]s lecture Smokescreen about the concept of secrecy and [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] says they need to help Smokescreen acclimate to [[Earth]] through learning about [[human]] society. Jack is duly assigned to help Smokescreen and the pair head out, though [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] complains that she thinks Jack will be at risk because Smokescreen has the most obvious [[alternate mode]] ever.

Driving through [[Jasper]], Jack tries to educate Smokescreen on traffic lights, though Smokescreen is unable to stop joking around. When [[Vince]] hauls up beside them, Jack attempts to be inconspicuous, but Vince notices anyway and throws a burger at them. Smokescreen soon talks Jack into some retribution, and when they arrive back at base laughing, Jack has a photo of Vince's burger-covered car. Arcee isn't impressed with their progress so far.

[[Image:PrimeLegacySmokescreen.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Though many tried for the sword with all their strength, none could move the sword, nor stir it.]]

On the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] has finished decoding another set of coordinates from the Iacon database. [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] gets a decoy ready. Thus when Optimus is also almost finished decoding the same coordinates, the base sensors pick up an Iacon locator beacon in [[China]]. Optimus takes Arcee, Bumblebee and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] to investigate. Meanwhile, Megatron has [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] and [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] busy excavating the real relic. Hoping it is of Decepticon origin, Megatron is shocked to see it is the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. Desperate to keep it from Optimus, Megatron tries to pull it free, but his efforts are to no avail and it remains firmly entrenched in the rock. Even trying to destroy the rock fails, as the sword's energy is rendering it invulnerable. Realizing that it will only respond to a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], Megatron intends to uproot the entire mountain if necessary.

[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] picks up the signal from the Saber, but is unable to contact Prime. Prime's team is trying to track the first signal, unaware that it's the decoy being carried around by Soundwave. Smokescreen and Jack arrive back at base having pulled a prank on Jack's boss. When Ratchet reports the situation, Smokescreen volunteers to check out the second signal, and takes Jack along with him in secret. They find the Decepticons trying break the mountain down to a smaller size, and Smokescreen recognizes the Star Saber. Despite Jack's concerns, knowing that something is up if Megatron hasn't pulled the sword out, Smokescreen charges in as the Decepticons are preparing to lift the remaining rock with the ''Nemesis''. The Autobot proves as successful in extracting the sword as Megatron was, and is promptly captured by the Decepticons. While Jack tries to notify Ratchet, he is soon found and pursued by Insecticons. Ratchet gets enough from Jack's message to know what they've found and they're in serious trouble, and [[GroundBridge]]s to Optimus's location just as the team there are realizing they were being led on a wild goose chase.

[[Image:Legacy-PrimeStarSaber.jpg|left|thumb|300px|It's an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.]]
As the ''Nemesis'' starts lifting the massive rock holding the Star Saber, Megatron begins interrogating Smokescreen with little effect. Prime's team suddenly arrives and starts laying into the Decepticons troops. Megatron looks around for Optimus himself, and spots the Autobot leader rapidly scaling the mountain in pursuit of the Star Saber, so he and some jet Vehicons take off to try to intercept. The other Autobots finish off the rest of the Decepticon troopers and Arcee rescues Jack from the Insecticons. Despite the best efforts of Megatron and his troops, Optimus manages to grab hold of the Star Saber which activates and pulls free of the rock. Megatron orders the rock dropped on him, but even as the other Autobots shout warnings, Prime merely uses the Star Saber to slice the whole thing in half. In shock, Megatron helplessly looks on as Prime follows up by taking a swing, unleashing a wave of energy at the ''Nemesis'', destroying part of its engine array and nearly causing the ship to crash into the mountainside. The Decepticons hastily retreat as their leader laments over his failure and believes it is now their darkest hour.

The Autobots return to base, where Arcee is very unhappy with Smokescreen and Jack. She has Ratchet send the latter home and Optimus makes plain to the former that endangering humans is forbidden. As he reminds them of the importance of protecting humans, the sword begins to glow on its own, and Optimus goes into a trance-like state. Stating that he's receiving a message, Prime identifies the caller: [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]].
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (1)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (2)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (7)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (8)

|c2=
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (10)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (11)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (12)
*[[Decepticon Miner|Miners]] (13)
*[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] (14)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (15)
*[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] (16)

|c3=
*Truck driver (3)
*[[Jack Darby]] (4)
*[[Vince]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==
"...I just pulled a Miko."
:—'''Jack''' realizes what he just did.

"Who in the Pits of [[Kaon]] is that?''
:—'''Megatron''' meets the new guy.

"All this leg-work is giving me itchy fists!"
:—'''Bulkhead''' is back on form.

"I loosened it up for him."
:—Keep telling yourself that, '''Smokescreen'''.

"We Decepticons... now face our darkest hour."
:—'''Megatron''', finding himself in need of a light.

"How epic was that?"
:—'''Smokescreen''' relays the viewer's feelings.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===

* Whilst Optimus is explaining why it was all their fault the incident had occurred in the beginning of this episode, you can see the side parts of his back pass through his arms on both sides.
* Smokescreen has the same [[license plate]] as [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] and [[June Darby|June]].
* During the excavation of the Star Saber, one of the Insecticons transporting rocks suddenly loses a leg.
* Optimus would not have been able to realign his flight trajectory when he took a glancing shot in his truck mode and transformed into robot mode; he would have continued spinning while flying.
* Arcee's right arm silently changes into a blaster as the Decepticons begin firing at the Autobots at the pod site.

===Continuity notes===
* Yet another picture of the Autobots ends up on the internet, and again Bumblebee is in it, as in "[[One Shall Fall]]" and "[[New Recruit]]".
* Arcee mentions that [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] is in the process of relocating [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] and his family, since the Decepticons learned where he lives in [[The Human Factor|the previous episode]].
* Bulkhead has now fully recovered from the injuries he received in "[[Toxicity]]".
* Jack asks Arcee if she still remembers Vince since her first encounter in "[[Speed Metal]]".
* Jack refers to his uncharacteristic lack of foresight as "pulling a [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]]", a nod to her repeated habit of running into trouble.
* Another relic of [[Solus Prime]] is uncovered; the first was the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] found in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2]]", and the second was the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]] found in "[[Triangulation]]".
* Bulkhead returns the favor to Smokescreen from the previous episode.
* Optimus receives a message from Alpha Trion, who was first mentioned by Smokescreen in "New Recruit".
* This is the first time we hear Megatron refer to Optimus as just "Prime" when he flies off to intercept him.

===Continuity errors===
* Ratchet is reluctant to send Smokescreen by himself to investigate the second relic, but concedes since he has no other choice. He seems to have forgotten about [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]. However, given Ratchet's anger at Wheeljack for the events of "[[Hurt]]", he may simply be too stubborn to ask him for help (and he didn't like him before anyway, although at the end of "[[Triage]]" they did seem to have a new found mutual respect for each other. No matter how small). In [[Darkest Hour (Prime)|the season finale]], he refers to the fact that he thinks he alienated Wheeljack during the events of Hurt, which may have also affected his decision. Plus, who knows where Wheeljack was at that time? He refuses to groundbridge to base most of the time, so he may not have been able to get there in time using the [[Jackhammer]]. He may have also been offworld. Who knows...

===Transformers references===
* Jack mentions [[Robots in Disguise]].
* This episode marks yet another use of the phrase "[[darkest hour]]", only this time it's the Decepticons who get to use it.
* The first "[[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]]" sword was the combined form of the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]] in ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Transformers: Armada]]'', while the [[Thirteen]]-affiliated iteration was first mentioned in "[[The Coming Storm: Part 1]]." Technically, the name originated from [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]], the Autobot [[Supreme Commander]] from ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (franchise)|Transformers: Victory]]''.
* The Star Saber had previously been mentioned in the Aligned continuity family by way of the novel ''[[Transformers: Exiles]]''. There, Optimus Prime travelled to a wide variety of Transformer-inhabited worlds searching for what he believed would lead him to the Star Saber.

===Real-world references===
* The Star Saber's location and its inability to be removed except by a Prime is a reference to ''[[wikipedia:Excalibur#Excalibur and the Sword in the Stone|Excalibur]]''.
* The truck driver referred to Smokescreen's alternate mode as from the Indy 500, a motor racing competition. Even though Smokescreen's altmode is nothing like an open-wheel Indy car.
* Smokescreen broadly references the American Humane Association's familiar disclaimer "No animals were harmed in the making of this Motion Picture".

===Trivia===
* Bumblebee warns Smokescreen about the speed limit, but apparently didn't think it was important to warn him that he's driving into oncoming traffic.
* Vince's behavior hasn't changed since the events of "Speed Metal". Some people just don't learn their lessons.
* The fact that Team Prime seems reliant on Raf for their data manipulation is a bit weird, given Fowler's presumed government contacts. Makes you wonder what they did before the kids turned up.
* Optimus, looking up at Megatron watching from the Nemesis, gives him a wink.
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Legacy (episode)

2012-11-06T02:46:37Z

BossBot97: /* Continuity errors */ explanation

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 46
|prev=The Human Factor
|next=Alpha/Omega
|image=Legacy-ohcrap.jpg
|caption=[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQC89ig-SdQ I'M A WHAT!?]
|title="Legacy"
|airdate=[[September 21]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Jack is assigned to help Smokescreen adapt to life on Earth while Megatron tries to secure the Star Saber without letting the Autobots know of its existence.'''

==Synopsis==

[[Image:Legacy-cellphonecamera.jpg|left|thumb|300px|No pictures, NO PICTURES!!!]]

[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] race down a Nevada road in search of an [[energon]] signal. Though Bumblebee tries to encourage Smokescreen to slow down, the rookie breaks the speed limit and almost runs into another vehicle. The driver jumps out to threaten Smokescreen, who promptly [[transformation|transforms]] and threatens him back. Bumblebee transforms to stop Smokescreen and the truck driver takes the opportunity to snap a picture of the pair. Back at base, [[Jack Darby|Jack]] locates the picture on the [[Internet]] and says [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] can deal with it later. The other [[Autobot]]s lecture Smokescreen about the concept of secrecy and [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] says they need to help Smokescreen acclimate to [[Earth]] through learning about [[human]] society. Jack is duly assigned to help Smokescreen and the pair head out, though [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] complains that she thinks Jack will be at risk because Smokescreen has the most obvious [[alternate mode]] ever.

Driving through [[Jasper]], Jack tries to educate Smokescreen on traffic lights, though Smokescreen is unable to stop joking around. When [[Vince]] hauls up beside them, Jack attempts to be inconspicuous, but Vince notices anyway and throws a burger at them. Smokescreen soon talks Jack into some retribution, and when they arrive back at base laughing, Jack has a photo of Vince's burger-covered car. Arcee isn't impressed with their progress so far.

[[Image:PrimeLegacySmokescreen.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Though many tried for the sword with all their strength, none could move the sword, nor stir it.]]

On the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] has finished decoding another set of coordinates from the Iacon database. [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] gets a decoy ready. Thus when Optimus is also almost finished decoding the same coordinates, the base sensors pick up an Iacon locator beacon in [[China]]. Optimus takes Arcee, Bumblebee and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] to investigate. Meanwhile, Megatron has [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] and [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] busy excavating the real relic. Hoping it is of Decepticon origin, Megatron is shocked to see it is the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. Desperate to keep it from Optimus, Megatron tries to pull it free, but his efforts are to no avail and it remains firmly entrenched in the rock. Even trying to destroy the rock fails, as the sword's energy is rendering it invulnerable. Realizing that it will only respond to a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], Megatron intends to uproot the entire mountain if necessary.

[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] picks up the signal from the Saber, but is unable to contact Prime. Prime's team is trying to track the first signal, unaware that it's the decoy being carried around by Soundwave. Smokescreen and Jack arrive back at base having pulled a prank on Jack's boss. When Ratchet reports the situation, Smokescreen volunteers to check out the second signal, and takes Jack along with him in secret. They find the Decepticons trying break the mountain down to a smaller size, and Smokescreen recognizes the Star Saber. Despite Jack's concerns, knowing that something is up if Megatron hasn't pulled the sword out, Smokescreen charges in as the Decepticons are preparing to lift the remaining rock with the ''Nemesis''. The Autobot proves as successful in extracting the sword as Megatron was, and is promptly captured by the Decepticons. While Jack tries to notify Ratchet, he is soon found and pursued by Insecticons. Ratchet gets enough from Jack's message to know what they've found and they're in serious trouble, and [[GroundBridge]]s to Optimus's location just as the team there are realizing they were being led on a wild goose chase.

[[Image:Legacy-PrimeStarSaber.jpg|left|thumb|300px|It's an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.]]
As the ''Nemesis'' starts lifting the massive rock holding the Star Saber, Megatron begins interrogating Smokescreen with little effect. Prime's team suddenly arrives and starts laying into the Decepticons troops. Megatron looks around for Optimus himself, and spots the Autobot leader rapidly scaling the mountain in pursuit of the Star Saber, so he and some jet Vehicons take off to try to intercept. The other Autobots finish off the rest of the Decepticon troopers and Arcee rescues Jack from the Insecticons. Despite the best efforts of Megatron and his troops, Optimus manages to grab hold of the Star Saber which activates and pulls free of the rock. Megatron orders the rock dropped on him, but even as the other Autobots shout warnings, Prime merely uses the Star Saber to slice the whole thing in half. In shock, Megatron helplessly looks on as Prime follows up by taking a swing, unleashing a wave of energy at the ''Nemesis'', destroying part of its engine array and nearly causing the ship to crash into the mountainside. The Decepticons hastily retreat as their leader laments over his failure and believes it is now their darkest hour.

The Autobots return to base, where Arcee is very unhappy with Smokescreen and Jack. She has Ratchet send the latter home and Optimus makes plain to the former that endangering humans is forbidden. As he reminds them of the importance of protecting humans, the sword begins to glow on its own, and Optimus goes into a trance-like state. Stating that he's receiving a message, Prime identifies the caller: [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]].
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (1)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (2)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (7)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (8)

|c2=
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (10)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (11)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (12)
*[[Decepticon Miner|Miners]] (13)
*[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] (14)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (15)
*[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] (16)

|c3=
*Truck driver (3)
*[[Jack Darby]] (4)
*[[Vince]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==
"...I just pulled a Miko."
:—'''Jack''' realizes what he just did.

"Who in the Pits of [[Kaon]] is that?''
:—'''Megatron''' meets the new guy.

"All this leg-work is giving me itchy fists!"
:—'''Bulkhead''' is back on form.

"I loosened it up for him."
:—Keep telling yourself that, '''Smokescreen'''.

"We Decepticons... now face our darkest hour."
:—'''Megatron''', finding himself in need of a light.

"How epic was that?"
:—'''Smokescreen''' relays the viewer's feelings.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===

* Whilst Optimus is explaining why it was all their fault the incident had occurred in the beginning of this episode, you can see the side parts of his back pass through his arms on both sides.
* Smokescreen has the same [[license plate]] as [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] and [[June Darby|June]].
* During the excavation of the Star Saber, one of the Insecticons transporting rocks suddenly loses a leg.
* Optimus would not have been able to realign his flight trajectory when he took a glancing shot in his truck mode and transformed into robot mode; he would have continued spinning while flying.
* Arcee's right arm silently changes into a blaster as the Decepticons begin firing at the Autobots at the pod site.

===Continuity notes===
* Yet another picture of the Autobots ends up on the internet, and again Bumblebee is in it, as in "[[One Shall Fall]]" and "[[New Recruit]]".
* Arcee mentions that [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] is in the process of relocating [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] and his family, since the Decepticons learned where he lives in [[The Human Factor|the previous episode]].
* Bulkhead has now fully recovered from the injuries he received in "[[Toxicity]]".
* Jack asks Arcee if she still remembers Vince since her first encounter in "[[Speed Metal]]".
* Jack refers to his uncharacteristic lack of foresight as "pulling a [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]]", a nod to her repeated habit of running into trouble.
* Another relic of [[Solus Prime]] is uncovered; the first was the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] found in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2]]", and the second was the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]] found in "[[Triangulation]]".
* Bulkhead returns the favor to Smokescreen from the previous episode.
* Optimus receives a message from Alpha Trion, who was first mentioned by Smokescreen in "New Recruit".
* This is the first time we hear Megatron refer to Optimus as just "Prime" when he flies off to intercept him.

===Continuity errors===
* Ratchet is reluctant to send Smokescreen by himself to investigate the second relic, but concedes since he has no other choice. He seems to have forgotten about [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]. However, given Ratchet's anger at Wheeljack for the events of "[[Hurt]]", he may simply be too stubborn to ask him for help (and he didn't like him before anyway, although at the end of "[[Triage]]" they did seem to have a new found mutual respect for each other. No matter how small). In [[Darkest Hour|the season finale]], he refers to the fact that he thinks he alienated Wheeljack during the events of Hurt, which may have also affected his decision. Plus, who knows where Wheeljack was at that time? He refuses to groundbridge to base most of the time, so he may not have been able to get there in time using the [[Jackhammer]]. He may have also been offworld. Who knows...

===Transformers references===
* Jack mentions [[Robots in Disguise]].
* This episode marks yet another use of the phrase "[[darkest hour]]", only this time it's the Decepticons who get to use it.
* The first "[[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]]" sword was the combined form of the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]] in ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Transformers: Armada]]'', while the [[Thirteen]]-affiliated iteration was first mentioned in "[[The Coming Storm: Part 1]]." Technically, the name originated from [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]], the Autobot [[Supreme Commander]] from ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (franchise)|Transformers: Victory]]''.
* The Star Saber had previously been mentioned in the Aligned continuity family by way of the novel ''[[Transformers: Exiles]]''. There, Optimus Prime travelled to a wide variety of Transformer-inhabited worlds searching for what he believed would lead him to the Star Saber.

===Real-world references===
* The Star Saber's location and its inability to be removed except by a Prime is a reference to ''[[wikipedia:Excalibur#Excalibur and the Sword in the Stone|Excalibur]]''.
* The truck driver referred to Smokescreen's alternate mode as from the Indy 500, a motor racing competition. Even though Smokescreen's altmode is nothing like an open-wheel Indy car.
* Smokescreen broadly references the American Humane Association's familiar disclaimer "No animals were harmed in the making of this Motion Picture".

===Trivia===
* Bumblebee warns Smokescreen about the speed limit, but apparently didn't think it was important to warn him that he's driving into oncoming traffic.
* Vince's behavior hasn't changed since the events of "Speed Metal". Some people just don't learn their lessons.
* The fact that Team Prime seems reliant on Raf for their data manipulation is a bit weird, given Fowler's presumed government contacts. Makes you wonder what they did before the kids turned up.
* Optimus, looking up at Megatron watching from the Nemesis, gives him a wink.
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

User:BossBot97

2012-11-06T02:19:37Z

BossBot97: My pg

I'm a Transfan and Id love someone to talk to about Transformers esp. new episodes. I know most everything about [[Transformers: Animated|Animated]] and [[Transformers: Prime|Prime]]. I'm somewhat knowledgeable about [[Transformers: G1|Gen 1]], [[Transformers: Rescuebots|Rescuebots]] and [[Kiss Players (radio show)|Kiss Players]]. I don't know much about the others but I'm willing to listen. I do enjoy back and forth discussion and will back up my points with evidence... 
Thanks for reading and please talk to me :) <3 
Have fun and enjoy our Tfwiki!!
[[User:BossBot97|BossBot97]] 21:19, 5 November 2012 (EST)

Alpha/Omega

2012-10-16T12:18:19Z

BossBot97: /* Continuity errors */ Phaseshifter

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 47
|prev=Legacy
|next=Hard Knocks
|image=AlphaOmega-ohmy.jpg
|caption=You have forgotten me, Simba. Wait, wrong franchise.
|title="Alpha/Omega"
|airdate=[[September 28]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[David McDermott]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Megatron takes extreme measures to harness the power of the Primes, while Optimus learns the secret of the Omega Keys.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] volunteers to counterattack the [[Autobot]]s, but [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] points out that with the power of the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] in the hands of [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]], the [[Decepticon]]s will not stand a chance against him and must find a means of meeting that power. As the Seeker mentions the [[Forge of Solus Prime]], Megatron counters that it will only work for a Prime, but then comes up with an idea.

Optimus telepathically communicates with [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]], or rather a recorded message from same, through the Star Saber. Alpha Trion tells Prime that through the [[Covenant of Primus]], he foresaw the battle against the Decepticons on [[Earth]] and intentionally transported the Iacon relics there for use by the [[Autobot]]s. He furthermore informs Prime of the most important of the relics: the [[Omega Key]]s which hold the power to restore [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After Optimus comes out of his trance, he tells the other Autobots about their new mission to retrieve the keys.

The ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'' reaches Earth's [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], beyond which is the Decepticon [[space bridge]], hidden there after the Autobots discovered its previous location on Earth. Megatron and Dreadwing head through it to Cybertron.

The Autobots are overjoyed at the fact they're going to be able to go back to their homeworld and truly restore it, but quickly realize they will have to leave their [[human]] friends behind. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] wonders if the keys can really restore Cybertron, and Optimus assures him that the [[Ancient]]s possessed knowledge beyond current sciences and so starts decoding the last four coordinates.

[[Image:AlphaOmegaPrimeTomb.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Insert Voldemort joke here.]]
On Cybertron, Megatron and Dreadwing break into a sealed tomb which contains the lifeless shell of a Prime. Though Dreadwing does not like the place, as it reminds him of his lost twin, Megatron has him crack open the coffin and "respectfully" takes what he needs.

[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]], [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] ponder if they really want to go back to Cybertron if it means leaving their friends on Earth, with Bulkhead wondering if he can do anything other than fight. [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] suggests he go back to construction as the cities will still be in ruin. Arcee reminds everyone that they still need to locate the four Omega Keys first before leaving Earth.

Having returned to the ''Nemesis'', Megatron directs [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] to attach his new arm. Though the doctor suggests inducing [[stasis lock]] for the procedure, Megatron refuses and insists he witness the transplant.

Optimus finishes decoding the first Omega Key coordinates. Smokescreen immediately volunteers to go look and Arcee joins him to keep an eye on him. They arrive in [[Egypt]] and start tracking down the relic. As they search, Smokescreen attempts to apologise again for endangering [[Jack Darby|Jack]], but Arcee rebuffs him by saying that she does not want to lose a '''third''' partner.

Megatron tests his new appendage on the Forge, and is elated to see it react to his touch. He starts using the Forge to pound out a new weapon from a lump of [[Dark Energon]]. He is interrupted by [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]], who has decoded more Iacon coordinates.

[[Image:AlphaOmegaDarkStarSaber.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Why do the Decepticons always get the good shit?]]
Arcee and Smokescreen follow the signal through underground ruins until they pull aside a stone and find the Omega Key they're after. They're soon back in the open air, only to find Megatron waiting for them with a shiny new sword. He sends them flying with an energy wave and when Smokescreen tries to charge at him, the Autobot is sent flying into the side of a pyramid. Megatron spares Arcee so she can tell Optimus to come get the Omega Key personally. Returning to base, Arcee reports Smokescreen's death and the other Autobots are ready to exact revenge. Optimus insists on going alone with the Star Saber. When he arrives, he's shocked to see Megatron has a new arm and a [[Dark Star Saber]]. The pair use their swords to send energy waves at each other but each manages to dodge or dispel the energy waves. They move in to close combat but it doesn't take long before Megatron's sword smashes right through the Star Saber. Megatron's about to make the killing blow when Smokescreen speaks up, having grabbed the Omega Key while Megatron was occupied. Optimus takes advantage of Megatron's distraction to renew his assault on the Decepticon leader, but after a short struggle, Megatron throws him off and flings a wave of energy. The energy wave passes right through Prime and Smokescreen, who disappear through the [[GroundBridge]].

Back at base, Smokescreen reveals that he borrowed the [[phase shifter]] again, and that's how he escaped destruction. Ratchet says Smokescreen can keep the device, but Smokescreen's joy is short-lived as they contemplate the destroyed Star Saber. Optimus, however, is right back at work decoding coordinates.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]] (5)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (6)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (7)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (8)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (9)
|c2=
*[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] (1)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (2)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (10)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (11)
}}

==Quotes==
"So, did Alpha Trion ask about me?"
:—'''Smokescreen'''

"Yeah, I don't think I'd ever wanna leave Miko." 
"We've made friends here. Family." 
"We could always... 'text' them."
:—'''Bulkhead''', '''Arcee''', and '''Ratchet'''.

"By the AllSpark, Megatron, what have you done?!" 
"This? I find it affords me certain advantages, such as the use of the Forge of Solus Prime."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' discuss Megatron's new arm.

"My first creation, fashioned from the very blood of Unicron. I call it the Dark Star Saber, Slayer of Primes, if you will."
:—'''Megatron''' introduces his newest signature weapon.

"At last we take our rightful places, Optimus, as ''gods'', wielding the power of the cosmos." 
"I am but a soldier, Megatron, and you are a prisoner of your own twisted delusions."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' exchange banter during battle.

==Notes==
===Continuity errors===
*Megatron's eyes become purple when he's around Dark Energon due to the fact that he has Dark Energon within him, but in many parts in this episode this did not happen.
*Smokescreen had the phaseshifter on most of the episode. Why did noone -especially Arcee- notice he had it?

===Continuity notes===
* The episode continues from the end of the [[Legacy|previous one]], showing the message from Alpha Trion.
* The Autobots learned the location of the second space bridge in "[[Orion Pax, Part 2]]", necessitating its relocation.
* Dreadwing feels uneasy being in a tomb due to [[Masters & Students|what happened]] to his twin brother [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], and Megatron uses that and recalls Dreadwing's proclamation that [[Loose Cannons|every Autobot shall pay]] to egg Dreadwing on.
* Megatron uses the [[Forge of Solus Prime]], which he acquired in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2]]". The Dark Energon he uses it on was acquired in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 1]]".
* Smokescreen uses the [[phase shifter]] [[New Recruit|again]], and [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] allows him to keep it as a "signature weapon".
* Optimus loses yet another sword to Megatron in battle, as he did in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]" and "[[One Shall Fall]]".

===Transformers references===
* The idea that the Covenant of Primus could give Alpha Trion a blurry glimpse into the future as well as be a recording of the past was belabored in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''.
* The Omega Keys are an amalgam of the [[Omega Lock]] and [[Cyber Planet Key]]s from ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: Cybertron]]'', which together had the power to reawaken [[Primus]]. A singular Omega Key also appears in ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]'', which grants access to Cybertron's core.
* Megatron and Dreadwing loot the tomb of an unnamed Prime. In ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'', [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]] was laid to rest in a funeral vault somewhere in Iacon.
* The Dark Star Saber is most likely based on the Dark Sabers from ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Transformers: Armada]]'', one of which appeared in the comics as a form of the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]] when held by [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], and the other of which was used by [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|Nemesis Prime]] which was ultimately renamed the [[Vorpal Saber]].

===Real-world references===
* The battle takes place at the pyramids of [[Giza]], which was also the site for the [[Operation: Firestorm|final battle]] of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]].'' The outdoor plaza in front of the tomb containing the Omega Key strongly resembles the area where [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] killed [[the Fallen]].

===Trivia===
* Smokescreen has a vague knowledge of Earth religion. Maybe Jack told him about it.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Hard Knocks

2012-10-15T12:50:25Z

BossBot97: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 48
|prev=Alpha/Omega
|next=Inside Job
|image=HardKnocksKnockOut.jpg
|caption=Look out, Cosmo, it's Superbike!
|title="Hard Knocks"
|airdate=[[October 5]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Mairghread Scott]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''As the race grows more desperate, Knock Out harnesses the power of sound while Starscream gains the power of hyper speed.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] is still hard at work decoding coordinates, while [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] boasts about his defeat of Optimus. Soundwave soon comes up with another set of coordinates, and [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] insists on going. Though Megatron is skeptical, recalling [[Tunnel Vision|the last time]] the doctor tried to obtain a relic, Knock Out insists he won't fail this time, and borrows Soundwave's [[Resonance Blaster]].

In the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] is likewise decoding coordinates. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] annoys everyone by boasting it is his destiny to be a great warrior and being generally exuberant. To his disappointment, when Optimus decodes a set of coordinates, [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] are the ones selected to go on the mission, and he is left at base. Arcee and Bumblebee arrive at a lakeside and spy the second [[Omega Key]] sitting out in the open, but Knock Out is already there, waiting. Using the Resonance Blaster, both Autobots are sent flying and when they try to flank the Decepticon, he shoots it at the ground, raising a cloud of dust so he can use it as cover to zap them. By the time Arcee and Bumblebee recover, Knock Out is long gone with the key.

[[Image:HardKnocksDreadwing.jpg|thumb|right|250px|I know what you're going to ask me: Where do I keep all those bombs?... Don't ask.]]
[[Image:HardKnocksBumblebee.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|I'm not taking you with me.]]]]
Back on the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron inspects the relic and wonders if it is a decoy, though Knock Out protests the Autobots fought too desperately for it. Soundwave decodes more coordinates which Megatron believes will provide them with more answers, but when Knock Out declares to investigate, Megatron instead gives him the task of analyzing the key and its purpose. Meanwhile, Bumblebee undergoes repairs, and Smokescreen's swagger continues to get on Arcee's nerves so she goes to find some peace and quiet. Bulkhead reminds Smokescreen that the war has been going on a long time and he needs to have patience to work as a team player.

[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] has finished refining his [[Red Energon]], but finding it slow work and with only a small yield of a one-time use. Luckily the ''[[Harbinger]]'' computer picks up more Decepticon activity, and Starscream decides he can use the Red Energon to obtain a more valuable artifact.

The Autobots gain a new set of coordinates, and Bulkhead and Smokescreen roll out, though Arcee reminds Bulkhead to keep an eye on their eager comrade. The pair arrive on a forested mountainside where [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] is waiting. The Decepticon knocks them flat before flying off, and the two Autobots realize that Dreadwing has mined the trees... '''all''' of the trees. They manage to outrun the explosions, and Bulkhead sends Smokescreen after the relic while he goads Dreadwing into a fight. As they exchange blows, Dreadwing plants a bomb on Bulkhead's back, and after Bulkhead manages to knock him flat, sets it to explode. Unfortunately for Dreadwing, Bulkhead already noticed the bomb and transferred it to his back during the fight, and though Dreadwing throws the bomb away, it goes off close enough to knock him out.

[[Image:HardKnocksBulkheadDreadwing.jpg|thumb|right|250px|FATALITY.]]
Smokescreen meanwhile uncovers the Omega Key, only to be rendered unconscious by a blow from behind. When Bulkhead wakes him, the key is already gone. Smokescreen is deflated by his failure, but as they return through the [[GroundBridge]], Bulkhead reminds him that they need all four keys to revive [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Starscream, hiding nearby with the key he grabbed, overhears them talking, and regards the key he holds with new respect and ambition.

Back at base, Smokescreen exclaims his inability of securing the key and Arcee lectures him on realistic expectations and tells him he needs to be a team player. Upset, Smokescreen leaves the base and Optimus, saying the young Autobot needs to clear his head, returns to decoding coordinates. On the ''Nemesis'', Megatron is unhappy at Dreadwing's failure, and checks with Soundwave regarding the project to find where the Autobot base is located. Soundwave reports that he has [[Laserbeak (Prime)|Laserbeak]] scouting around [[Jasper]]. As both sides complete their decoding work, the final set of coordinates resolve into an image—a picture of Smokescreen himself, to both sides' surprise. Unfortunately when Optimus tries to call in Smokescreen, the rookie does not answer due to deactivating his comlink, and has instead fallen into Laserbeak's sights. Laserbeak fires on Smokescreen, who transforms to confront the drone, only to be knocked flat by Soundwave's Resonance Blaster. When the Autobots arrive at the location, they are just in time to see Soundwave dragging their unconscious friend back to the ''Nemesis'' through the Decepticon GroundBridge.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (7)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (8)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (9)
|c2=
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (1)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (2)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (3)
*[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] (11)
*[[Laserbeak (Prime)|Laserbeak]] (12)
|c4=
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (10)
}}

==Quotes==
"Last one to the Omega Key has to scrub the Energon tanks for a week." 
"Didn't know we were keeping score."
:—'''Smokescreen''' and '''Arcee'''

"Who knew that ''sound waves'' could be such a ''knock out''?"
:—See what '''Knock Out''' did there?

"Sub-woofer? Or depth-charge?"
:—'''Knock Out''' is just full of name-dropping goodness today!

"Make sure you keep an eye on 'destiny's child', okay?" 
"Compared to watching Miko? Piece of cake!"
:—'''Arcee''' giving '''Bulkhead''' some advice on handling the rookie.

"You love doing your dirty work from a distance, don't ya? Too bad you don't have the ball bearings to fight up close and personal!" 
"In this particular case, I would be all too happy to make an exception."
:—'''Bulkhead''' gives '''Dreadwing''' some smack talk.

'''Smokescreen'''- "What is that?" 
'''Dreadwing'''- "One of the last sounds that you will ever hear!"
:—Does that answer your question?

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===

===Continuity notes===
* Megatron brags about his accomplishments in [[Alpha/Omega|the previous episode]] to Soundwave.
* Megatron loosely refers to the events of "[[Tunnel Vision]]" while expressing surprise at Knock Out's willingness to get his hands dirty in light of what happened the last time, as well as more directly in his failure to obtain the [[phase shifter]].
* Optimus still has the improvised sword-holder Ratchet made for him in the previous episode.
* Knock Out and Soundwave both use the [[Resonance Blaster]], which Soundwave retrieved in "[[Triage]]".
* Starscream has refined the [[Red Energon]] he obtained in "[[New Recruit]]", though it's only enough to last for one use. ''Maybe two.'' He also remembers the loss of the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]] in the same episode.
* Dreadwing reminds Bulkhead of their previous battle in "[[Loose Cannons]]".
* Megatron mentions that recent events have allowed them to narrow down the location of the Autobots' human allies, most likely referring to their discovery of [[Raf Esquivel|Raf's]] house in "[[The Human Factor]]".

===Transformers references===
* Knock Out hopes that the new relic is an [[electro-disrupter]] cannon.
* The concept of an Autobot being the Omega Key comes from the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games) | War for Cybertron]] game, only with [[Omega Supreme (WFC) | Omega Supreme]] being the Autobot instead of Smokescreen.

===Real-world references===
* "Slow and Steady Wins the Race," is the famous moral in Aesop's most well known story: The Tortoise and the Hare.

===Trivia===
* Knock Out and Dreadwing both had the opportunity to take their assigned relics and leave, but stuck around to fight the Autobots. Dreadwing in particular must have spent hours placing bombs on all those trees.
* Unlike the other Energon variants, no side-effects are seen with the use of refined Red Energon... so far.
* Megatron sends three different Decepticons to do his dirty work in one episode. They must be taking shifts.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Operation Bumblebee, Part 2

2012-10-15T12:42:24Z

BossBot97: /* Trivia */ Rachet laughs

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 31
|prev=Operation Bumblebee, Part 1
|next=Loose Cannons
|image=OperationBumblebee2-Forge.jpg
|caption=[[Thor|Whosoever holds this hammer, if they be worthy, shall possess the power of Bulkhead.]]
|title="Operation Bumblebee, Part 2"
|airdate=[[March 17]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Nicole Dubuc]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On the ''[[Nemesis (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron attempts to use the Forge, only to discover that it requires the power of a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] to work. Despite this hitch, the warlord takes comfort in the knowledge that the Forge is safely away from the hands of the Autobots - and more specifically, Optimus Prime.

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

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (2)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (4)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (5)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (6)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (7)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (8)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (9)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (15)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (16)
|c3=
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (3)
*[[Silas]] (10)
*[[Jack Darby]] (12)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (13)
*[[William Fowler]] (14)
*[[MECH Surgeon]] (17)
|c4=
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (11)
}}

==Quotes==

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

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

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

"I don't get it. All this chipping away with my hammer just to bring Megatron another hammer?"
:—'''Breakdown''' tells Knock Out that Megatron wants even more hammers.

"I am not one of your foot-soldiers! I am a ''consultant!"''
:—'''Starscream''' doesn't like taking orders from humans.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===Trivia===
* When Agent Fowler relays the information on MECH's whereabouts to Bumblebee, he says it really slowly and condescendingly, as if he believes Bumblebee has trouble understanding English, rather than just being mute. Fowler's kind of a jerk.
* During the fight in the hangar, Bumblebee punches several MECH soldiers, sending them flying through the air. Silas survived this, so it stands to reason everyone else did, too. Cartoons, everybody! (A soldier didn't crack the prototype's lens; that was his rifle.)
* It seems that the Cybertronians of this continuity are incapable of self-propelled flight outside a flight-capable alternate mode. This is in stark contrast to previous continuities. Especially ones in which even Cybertronians who ''didn't'' have flight-capable vehicle modes were reguarly capable of self-propelled flight through air and the vacuum of space.
* [[Solus Prime]] is the fourth member of the Original Thirteen to actually be named on television (the others were [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]], [[Vector Prime]], and [[The Fallen]], respectively).
* This is only the [[One Shall Fall|second episode]] that Rachet laughs in.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Inside Job

2012-10-15T12:23:07Z

BossBot97: /* Continuity errors */ Smokescreen's Memory

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 49
|prev=Hard Knocks
|next=Patch (episode)
|image=InsideJobKnockOutSmokescreen.jpg
|caption=Having fun, Knock Out?
|title="Inside Job"
|airdate=[[October 12]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Bob Skir|Robert N. Skir]]
|directed by=[[Scooter Tidwell]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''When Smokescreen is captured, he learns the location of the Omega Key and attempts to retrieve all the other stolen keys.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] recovers consciousness to find himself on a slab in the [[Trypticon (Prime)|Decepticon warship]] with [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] standing over him. [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] demands the final relic, pointing out [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]]'s work decrypting the Iacon database has revealed an image of Smokescreen, but Smokescreen is merely confused as to what it means. Knock Out scans the [[Autobot]], and finds the last relic is hidden inside.

The other Autobots, meanwhile, realize that the Decepticons must have decoded the last coordinates and speculate that Smokescreen holds the [[Omega Key]] inside him, largely due to being installed within him while unconscious by [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]].

Knock Out advances on the alarmed Smokescreen with a rotary saw, only to reveal he's actually going to use the [[phase shifter]] to do the operation. He reaches inside Smokescreen and soon has the Omega Key in hand. Smokescreen refuses to tell the Decepticons what the Omega Keys are, but Megatron has ways of finding out.

[[Image:InsideJobStarscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Cue evil laugh in 3, 2, 1...]]
[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] ruminates on the one Omega Key he possesses, while talking to his [[Starscream clone (Prime)|dead clone]]. Imagining himself in charge of a reborn [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], he quickly realizes that he doesn't have the resources he would need to rule it.

Megatron listens in on Prime's briefing about the Omega Keys, thanks to a [[cortical psychic patch]] hooked up to Smokescreen. Once they've learned all they need, Knock Out unplugs the pair and Megatron orders Knock Out to use the patch to find the location of the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]] so they can retrieve the other Omega Keys. After Megatron leaves to put their new key in a safe place, Knock Out moves in, only for Smokescreen to grab the phase shifter attached to his wrist and uses it to free himself. The pair grapple until Smokescreen manages to pull the device from his opponent's wrist, leaving Knock Out embedded in a bulkhead. Though Knock Out points out Smokescreen has no means of escape from the ship, Smokescreen has plans of his own. Through use of the phase shifter, he manages to catch up with Megatron near the storage area, where he snatches back the Omega Key and takes the one in storage as well. The Decepticons attempt to stop him, but their firepower passes straight through him. He eventually reaches the outer hull, only to be confronted by Megatron. With no other choice, the Autobot bails the ship.

At the Autobot base, [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] picks up Smokescreen's signal, but has trouble locking on due to the fact that Smokescreen is plummeting through the air. Harried by [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]], Smokescreen drops towards the [[GroundBridge]] Ratchet opens, only to be knocked off-course by Megatron. He uses the phase shifter to pass through the ground. Moments later, Megatron lands and demands his subordinates search the wreckage. Smokescreen bridges back to base, where the Autobots congratulate him, but wonder where the fourth key is. Their query is answered a moment later when they get a message from Starscream offering the key in return for the replacement of his [[transformation cog|T-Cog]]. Having considered it, [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] decides it's too important to not take Starscream up on his offer.

Optimus, Ratchet and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] bridge to a forested location and approach Starscream, only to find him apparently dead. It is, of course, just the dead clone, as the real Starscream uses his [[Red Energon]] to nip through the GroundBridge into the Autobot base. Moving too fast to be seen, he is tempted at first to finish off the slow-moving Autobots, but goes back to finding the Omega Keys first. The Autobots in the field realize they've been deceived just as Starscream blows open the vault holding the keys. Though Optimus orders [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] to close the GroundBridge, it is too slow to prevent Starscream from escaping the base. He stops to mock Optimus, Ratchet and Bulkhead, only for the Red Energon to wear off right at the worst possible moment. After firing a missile at the Autobots, he frantically opens his own GroundBridge and escapes back to the ''[[Harbinger]]'', much to Optimus's despair. Though Bulkhead and Ratchet believe they can get the keys back Optimus grimly announces the fate of Cybertron is now in Starscream's hands.

[[Image:InsideJobKnockOut.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Well, this is awkward.]]
Despite Knock Out's pleas, Megatron refuses to release him from the wall. Megatron and [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] return to the bridge, where they find Starscream who has come with a peace offering of all four Omega Keys.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (2)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (5)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (6)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (8)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (9)

|c2=
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (1)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (4)
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (10)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (11)
*[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]] (12)
*[[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] (13)
*[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] (14)

}}

==Quotes==
"Trippy."
:—'''Knock Out''' thinks the phase shifter is like, totally groovy, man.

"Get your stinkin' hand out of my gears!"
:—'''Smokescreen''' obviously doesn't like operations.

"Tell me the function of these relics." 
"Door stop, shavers, bling? Beats me."
:—'''Megatron''' asks a question and '''Smokescreen''' gives a vague answer.

"How easy it would be to gut you [Arcee]... to gut all of you."
:—Well, '''Starscream's''' already making plans.

"Autobots, maintain positions!" (said in '''very''' slow motion) 
"I'm sorry, what was that? Mblemblemble!"
:—'''Starscream''' uses the power of [[Red Energon]] to taunt '''Optimus'''.

"We ''will'' locate the Autobot base, invade it, and retrieve the Omega Keys!" 
"Been there, done that."
:—'''Starscream''' steals '''Megatron''''s thunder.

==Notes==
[[Image:TFP Inside Job Starscream fistful of keys.jpg|thumb||250px|Beware Starscream bearing gifts...]]

===Animation and technical errors===
*Megatron's vehicle mode still has his fusion cannon, despite the arm it was attached to being removed. Furthermore, if one watches Megatron's transformation scene, it's blocked off by smoke, making it impossible to see what exactly happens with his fusion cannon and his different arm.
*Smokescreen's momentum suddenly disappears upon phasing through the ground. Based on where he exits, he couldn't have landed much lower than the Vehicons did. Speaking of momentum, how exactly were the Autobots planning to catch Smokescreen when he came out of the GroundBridge at terminal velocity? Maybe it's part of the "intuitiveness" that allows for not phasing through floors and simultaneously reaching through objects and grabbing parts of them/items inside them?
*An early external shot of the ''[[Trypticon_(Prime)|Nemesis]]'' has its "eyes" and running lights illuminated in [[Dark Energon]] purple; later in the episode they are their normal red.

===Continuity errors===
*Given how easy it was for the Decepticons to locate the Omega Key within Smokescreen, it seems odd that the Autobots would not have made the same discovery long before now. Surely at least a basic medical workup would have been conducted upon him joining the team to check for any irregularities.

*The bots in Smokescreen's memory are in different places then in Alpha/Omega. In Alpha/Omega, Smokescreen and Rachet are on Optimus' right side, and Arcee, Bulkhead and Smokescreen are on his left. In Inside Job, however, Bulkhead and Rachet are on his right, Bee is in the middle, and Arcee and Smokescreen are on his left.

===Continuity notes===
*This episode continues from [[Hard Knocks|the previous one]], starting not long after Smokescreen's capture and subsequent restraint.
*The [[cortical psychic patch]] is used to extract information from Smokescreen, having been used previously in "[[Sick Mind]]" and "[[Out of the Past]]".
*The scene which Megatron watches in Smokescreen's mind is from "[[Alpha/Omega]]".
*Starscream lists off numerous items he's acquired or stolen in previous episodes; the Omega Key from "Hard Knocks", the processed Red Energon (which he acquired in "[[New Recruit]]" and refined in "Hard Knocks"), his GroundBridge remote first seen in "[[Triangulation]]", his murdered clone from "[[Armada (episode)|Armada]]", and the T-cog he scavenged from said clone in "Triangulation".
*Starscream previously referred to himself as an "[[Emperor of Destruction]]" in "[[Masters & Students]]".
*Ratchet recalls Starscream's lack of a T-cog, which he learned about in "[[Crossfire]]". Starscream lost his in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2]]".
*Starscream still seems to be holding a grudge against Arcee from the events of "[[Partners]]", given his comments about gutting the Autobots start with her.
*While Starscream is looking for the Omega Keys in the Autobots' Vault, he comes across [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] in stasis, which occurred back in "[[Armada (episode)|Armada]]".
*This is the second time that Megatron abandons one of his own soldiers as a form of punishment. The first was Breakdown in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]", whom was rescued by Bulkhead and allowed back.
*Even though the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] was destroyed in "Alpha/Omega", Optimus still wears the hilt Ratchet made him.

===Transformers references===
* One of Starscream's self-proclaimed titles as the new ruler of Cybertron is "[[Emperor of Destruction]]". He also refers to himself as Cybertron's [[Overlord (rank)|Overlord]], which originated in the Marvel UK story [[State Games]] as the pre-war rulers of Cybertron.
*This marks the [[Retreat|second time]] that a [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] managed to successfully steal three important planetary [[Cyber Planet Key|keys]] from the Autobots.

===Real-world references===
*A brain pan is real. Scientists use it to study brains of corpses without the confines of a skull.
*Arcee uses the human phrase of sounding like a broken record.

===Trivia===
*This episode explains why the phase shifter doesn't phase the user through everything, neatly tying up the issues of how it can be used with such versatility.
*While in Smokescreen's mind, Megatron's avatar has his own arm rather than the Prime's arm that he's since attached.
*This is the third episode in a row where no humans appear, the first episode in the series where we get to hear Optimus scream in frustration, and the first episode since "[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]" to show a Vehicon in automobile mode.
*Both Optimus and Megatron scream at the loss of the Omega Keys.
*Looks like Bulkhead finally gets to see Optimus "[[One Shall Fall|lose his cool]]."
*It would seem Megatron cannot tell which of his own soldiers are fliers or ground troopers. Then again, there's not much difference in appearance.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

New Recruit

2012-10-04T12:52:32Z

BossBot97: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 44
|prev=Out of the Past
|next=The Human Factor
|image=NewRecruit-honortobehere.jpg
|caption=[[Superman]] meets [[Nolan North|Superboy]] for the first time.
|title="New Recruit"
|airdate=[[September 7]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''A Decepticon escape pod lands on Earth and the Autobot Smokescreen emerges, while Starscream uses the Apex Armor to go on a quest for Red Energon.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:NewRecruit-exercise.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Jane Fonda would be doing a facepalm at this.]]

[[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] and [[Jack Darby|Jack]] cruise the [[Internet]] for pictures of [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] to replace with tap-dancing monkey pictures, while [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] forces [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] to exercise so his legs don't atrophy. Jack notices a picture which Raf identifies as a Cybertronian escape pod. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] suggests bringing in [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] as Bulkhead still isn't combat-ready, which [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] promptly shoots down due to [[Hurt|recent events]]. [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus]] orders Ratchet to come along with them instead, as there might be an injured Autobot in the pod. They [[GroundBridge]] into the crash site to find it's a Decepticon pod, and they're immediately under attack from their foe. The [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]], augmented by [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]], turn out to be a challenge, but then a new figure appears running through the trees. The newcomer's fire accidentally hits the [[energon]] leaking from the pod, and the Autobots take cover as it explodes, taking out the Decepticons. The over-enthusiastic newcomer happens to be [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]], an Autobot rookie who becomes in awe when he meets ''the'' Optimus Prime. The Autobots are initially suspicious, remembering [[Con Job|the last time a new Autobot turned up]], but Smokescreen's tales of [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]] and guarding the Hall of Records convinces Prime that he is legitimate.

Back at base, Miko's excited to meet the new Autobot. Smokescreen relates the story of the last days of Iacon and how he was captured by Decepticons during the siege, before escaping from a Decepticon transport ship in an escape pod. Smokescreen thinks with him there they'll have the war ended in no time, and Bulkhead drags himself in to show the newcomer how the war is going. Miko volunteers Jack to show Smokescreen around.

[[Image:NewRecruit-Starscreammonkey.jpg|right|thumb|300px|So many gifs of animals, so little time.]]

In the ''[[Harbinger]]'', [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] searches the Internet for interesting stuff and happens on an image of [[Red Energon]] at a construction site.

Jack shows Smokescreen around where the Cybertronian relics and [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] are stored. Bulkhead is upset that the others have brought in a replacement for him, but as they point out, Smokescreen is a newbie and needs a lot of training. Raf finds the same Red Energon photo that Starscream did. Smokescreen's keen to go out on the mission, but the others point out his need for training and an [[alternate mode]].

Starscream arrives at the construction site, only to find it deserted and the Red Energon gone.

Smokescreen and Jack scope out vehicles driving near [[Jasper]], and the Autobot is disappointed in the available vehicle forms. Meanwhile, Prime, Arcee and Bumblebee arrive at the dock where the Red Energon's been moved, and discover Starscream is already there. The Decepticon activates the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]] and Optimus sends Arcee and Bumblebee to get the energon while he takes on Starscream. He reports back to base what's happening, and Smokescreen wants to go help, but is overruled by Ratchet.

Having dealt with Optimus, Starscream climbs up the crane after Arcee and Bumblebee. At base, Bulkhead urges Ratchet to let him go help, but Ratchet ignores him until they realize Smokescreen is missing. Ratchet finds him in the storeroom looking at the [[phase shifter]]. Meanwhile, Starscream reaches Arcee, only for Optimus to punch him right off the crane. Starscream tries to grab some of the Red Energon on the way down, breaking off a chunk. As Optimus starts hauling up the basket with the energon in it, Starscream grabs the bottom of the crane and tips it. He's interrupted by the arrival of Smokescreen through the GroundBridge. Using the phase shifter, the new Autobot kicks Starscream right out of the Apex Armor. While Smokescreen stands triumphant, Starscream fires off a missile at the crane, the ensuing explosion destroying the Red Energon meteor. Though the Autobots atop it survive, Starscream gets away with a chunk of Red Energon he broke off.

After they return to base, Smokescreen returns the phase shifter and the Apex Armor, after which Optimus officially welcomes him to [[Team Prime]]. Bulkhead looks on sadly, and though Miko tries to give him some encouraging words, he turns and limps back down the corridor.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (1)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (8)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (11)
|c2=
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (9)
*[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] (10)
*[[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] (13)
|c3=
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (2)
*[[Jack Darby]] (3)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (5)
|c4=
*[[Starscream (Prime) |Starscream]] (12)
}}

==Quotes==
"The tap-dancing monkey strikes again!"
:—'''Jack''' on Raf's latest anti-Bumblebee-sighting hack.

"All these Cons came out of one pod?" 
"Humans refer to the phenomenon as a 'clown car'!"
:—'''Arcee''' asks a question, and '''Ratchet''' offers an explanation.

"A trillion gigabytes of data, ''none'' of it useful! Though some... oddly engrossing."
:—'''Starscream''' manages to sum up the internet in the best way possible.

'''Miko''': What's your story, Smoke? Where did you come from? How did you get here? How many blasters are you packing? 
'''Smokescreen''': So these are the lifeforms we're supposed to protect? Are they all like this? 
'''Ratchet''': Fortunately not.
:—'''Smokescreen''' meets '''Miko'''.

"The Red Energon is mine, humans, for you are powerless in the face of the mighty Star- What? Where is it?!"
:—'''Starscream'''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> entrance is deflated.

"Any last words, Smokescreen?" 
"Just four—''kiss your armor goodbye!"
:—'''Starscream''' gets a last warning from '''Smokescreen''' before literally getting his tailpipe kicked.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*Arm weapons silently transform twice in this episode; Optimus' when he's running from the exploding pod, and Bumblebee's when he's about to climb the crane.

===Continuity errors===
* The Insecticons seem to die ''very'' easily in this episode. Arcee and Bumblebee take out one in a few seconds when last time it took them an [[Tunnel Vision|entire episode]].
* As Optimus' report didn't mention the Apex Armor, how did Smokescreen know to take the phase shifter to defeat it? (He worked in the Iacon hall of records.)

===Continuity notes===
* Bumblebee has gained more pictures of himself on conspiracy websites since "[[One Shall Fall]]".
* The Autobots remember when [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] first arrived [[Con Job|and how that turned out]].
* Ratchet is still upset at Wheeljack for pulling that "revenge stunt" with Miko in "[[Hurt]]".
* Bulkhead is still recovering from the injuries he suffered in "[[Toxicity]]". By now, he can walk unaided (albeit at a slow limp), and a conversation with Ratchet implies that he can transform and drive around to some extent.
* The [[Operation Bumblebee, Part 1|spark extractor]], [[Partners|immobilizer]], [[Tunnel Vision|phase shifter]], and [[Armada (episode)|Airachnid]] are part of Jack's tour.
* Starscream still has the Apex Armor he obtained in "[[Triangulation]]". Well, ''had''.

===Transformers references===
* Smokescreen references [[Constructicon (Prime)|Constructicons]], [[Halogen (Prime)|Halogen]], [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]], the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]], and the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]].
* As in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'', Alpha Trion is the master archivist of Iacon's Hall of Records.
* Smokescreen bears the Autobot Elite Guard symbol from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'', and upon scanning an Earth mode, [[Smokescreen (G1)|continues the tradition]] [[Smokescreen (Cybertron)|of Smokescreens wearing]] [[Smokescreen (Movie)|the number "38"]].
* In a likely coincidence (but with a chance of being intentional given the "[[Binder of Revelation]]"), the "Fast" [[Arms_Micron#Energon_Crystals|Energon Crystals]] of the [[TakaraTomy]] [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|''Prime'' toyline]] are reddish-orange.
* The Decepticon warship Smokescreen was held captive aboard is similar in shape to [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]' ship, ''[[Twilight (G2)|Twilight]]''.
* Smokescreen states that the Elite Guard was like a [[Autoboot Camp|boot camp]] for him.
* The recovery of an empty [[Decepticon]] escape pod, complete with a red; dirt covered [[Insignia|insignia]], could be a callback to the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|G1]] episode: "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]", which had a similar scene, and the appearance of [[Insecticons]].

===Real-world references===
* Ratchet mentions the human phenomenon of the clown car.
* Starscream searches for information on the internet, or as many refer to it, "The Information Superhighway."

===Trivia===
* Starscream finds Earth humor funny, [[Darkness Rising, Part 3|even though he previously said he didn't]]. Guess Ratchet [[One Shall Fall|isn't the only one]].
* As usual, the vehicle mode Smokescreen chooses completely [[Masters & Students|matches]] [[Crisscross|his]] [[Loose Cannons|body]]. However, this ''is'' the first time a Transformer changes his paint job after getting a new vehicle mode; Smokescreen's Elite Guard logos are exchanged for his number "38" and checker racer decal.
* A new kind of Energon has been introduced alongside the regular, [[Dark Energon|Dark]], [[Synthetic Energon|Synthetic]], and [[Tox-En|Toxic]] forms. Time will tell if using Red Energon has any negative effects...
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Out of the Past

2012-10-04T12:49:57Z

BossBot97: /* Transformers references */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 43
|prev=Hurt
|next=New Recruit
|image=OutofthePast-Shockwave.jpg
|caption=Arcee's partners are all dead.
|title="Out of the Past"
|airdate=[[August 31]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Mike Johnson]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Arcee recalls the time she and Cliffjumper discovered Shockwave and Starscream were building a space bridge.'''

==Synopsis==
:''The ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'' flies through space. On the bridge, [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] is dragged before [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] who's interested in decrypting an Autobot signal he's intercepted. While Arcee defies his "offer" by telling him where to go, Starscream reveals he has another prisoner—[[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]].''

In the present day, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] is struggling with his recovery, with [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] providing some "encouragement" in the form of ordering him around. [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] is similarly struggling to decode the recovered Iacon database. [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] says Bulkhead needs a break, despite Miko being annoyed at the slow progress her friend is making. She storms out of the base, but Arcee follows and finds her crying atop the plateau in which the base is located. The Autobot tries to talk to her friend about Bulkhead, and the conversation leads to Miko asking about Cliffjumper.

[[Image:OutofthePast-CliffArcee.jpg|left|thumb|300px|"Did it have anything to do with those sirens around noon?" "I said I ''don't'' want to talk about it!"]]
:''Cliffjumper is dumped in the cell, having undergone torture but has resisted talking. He and Arcee discuss how they came to be back on Cybertron. Elsewhere Starscream complains about the failure of his interrogation, and [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] suggests taking them down on the planet's surface. Starscream and some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] are soon leading the two prisoners through [[Kaon]] to a laboratory. Cliffjumper is concerned at the sight of the many tools lying ready to be used, even moreso when Starscream introduces them to [[Shockwave (Prime)|Shockwave]] himself. The two Autobots are strapped to tables, and Shockwave uses a [[cortical psychic patch]] to hook in to Arcee's mind. The process is successful and Starscream uses it to decode the transmission—which turns out to be Optimus Prime's message to bring the other Autobots to [[Earth]].''

:''Though the Decepticons have assumed Arcee is dead, she is very much alive and surreptitiously begins freeing herself. As Shockwave prepares to finish off Cliffjumper, Cliff suggests Starscream should be the one to do it. Shockwave leaves them to it, but as Starscream moves in, he's attacked by Arcee. She straps him to the free table and releases Cliffjumper. Starscream quickly folds under questioning and confesses Shockwave remained on the planet because he's building a [[space bridge]]. Knocking the 'Con out, Arcee goes to shut down the space bridge, and Cliffjumper insists on going along, despite her skepticism about his capacity for stealth. As they walk, Cliff suggests they should join Optimus's team, but Arcee isn't as keen, and rejects the idea that Cliff is her partner. Cliffjumper believes she shouldn't close herself off just because of [[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]]'s death.''

Miko recognizes the truth of this advice, but asks Arcee what happened next.

[[Image:Cliffjumper and Shockwave.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"Thumbs up if you think Shockwave is weird!" "0_0" "He's right behind me, isn't he?"]]
:''Arcee and Cliffjumper find the space bridge, with two Vehicons operating it. While Cliff provides a distraction, Arcee starts sabotaging the bridge to overload it. Unfortunately Shockwave arrives and attempts to fix the bridge. Cliffjumper dispatches the Vehicons before sparring with Shockwave, ultimately being defeated by the hulking Decepticon. Arcee lends a hand, bringing the roof down on the Decepticon, but the pair become pinned down by Starscream and some Vehicons. Starscream demands they reverse the damage to the space bridge, but they instead head through it. Halfway through the space bridge tunnel, Shockwave catches up with the two Autobots and they exchange fire until Arcee shoots him in the eye. The space bridge deposits Cliffjumper and Arcee on Earth seconds before exploding, and after declaring themselves partners, they go to find Optimus.''

Arcee finishes her story as the sun goes down, saying she misses Cliffjumper. Miko rests her hand on Arcee's in a gesture of comfort as they watch the sunset.

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.) 

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Arcee (Prime) | Arcee]] (2)
*''[[Cliffjumper (Prime) | Cliffjumper]] (5)''
*[[Bulkhead (Prime) | Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime) | Optimus Prime]] (8)
*[[Ratchet (Prime) | Ratchet]] (9)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime) | Bumblebee]] (10)
* ''[[Tailgate (Prime) | Tailgate]] (13)''
|c2=
*''[[Vehicon (Prime) | Vehicons]] (1)''
*''[[Starscream (Prime) | Starscream]] (3)''
*''[[Soundwave (Prime) | Soundwave]] (4)''
*''[[Shockwave (Prime) | Shockwave]] (11)''
*''[[Airachnid (Prime) | Airachnid]] (12)''
|c3=
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (7)
}}

==Quotes==
"So this is Kaon, huh? Love what you Decepticons have done with the place. The ruins are especially picturesque."
:—'''Cliffjumper'''

"Your reasoning is hardly... ''logical''."
:—'''Shockwave'''

"While it often pains me, I ''try'' to be a team player."
:—'''Starscream'''

"Only Starscream could fail to dispose of a helpless captive."
:-'''Shockwave''' seems familiar with some of Starscream's incompetance.

"They should really stop shooting at us if they want our help."
:—'''Cliffjumper'''

"Funny. At first I didn't think I'd ever get used to Cliff's constant chatter. Now, there's nothing louder to me than the silence."
:—'''Arcee'''

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* Within the space bridge, Cliffjumper is by Arcee's side while shooting at Shockwave, but disappears when it's just Arcee facing the Decepticon. He reappears as Arcee shoots Shockwave's eye.
* When Starsream and Shockwave are listening to Optimus Prime's transmission, Shockwave is seen on the left of Starscream but when the transmission ends he's on Starscream's right. It is possible that he moved when the camera was turned to the Autobots.
* The bottom part of Arcee's head crest is red but when she and Cliffjumper are interogating Starscream it becomes silver and the later on becomes red again.This also happens when they are in the space bridge vortex.

===Continuity errors===
* Soundwave has his Earth mode instead of his Cybertronian mode seen in a flashback back in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]".

===Continuity notes===
* This episode retells the prequel story told in [[Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)|the IDW graphic novel]] (also written by Mike Johnson). The story's still about Arcee and Cliffjumper learning about Optimus Prime on Earth, uncovering a Decepticon plot to reestablish forgotten [[space bridge]] technology, Cliffjumper pretending to forfeit to the Decepticons as a cover for Arcee's hijinks, and them running for the space bridge portal to Earth while being blasted at by Decepticons. However, each of these stories occur in an incompatible way, and the episode gives responsibility for the space bridge project to Shockwave instead of Starscream. A notable change to the timeline see the episodes contradict the graphic novel's statement that Starscream had been on Earth with Megatron during the initial clash between the Autobots and Decepticons there (three years prior to the start of the cartoon), and only returned to Cybertron to set up the space bridge; on-screen, it is clear he has ''not'' been to the planet before, given that he requires Prime's signal to locate it (which in the comic only served to provide Cliffjumper and Arcee with knowledge of Prime's location).
* Cliffjumper is voiced by [[Billy Brown]], whose imitation of [[Dwayne Johnson]] generally sounds quite convincing.
* Bulkhead has regained consciousness since the events of "[[Hurt]]", but he can barely walk.
* Optimus tries to decode the rest of the Iacon database gained in "[[Triage]]".

===Transformers references===
* Cliffjumper mentions getting lost in the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]], which did sort of happen in ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron| Fall of Cybertron]]'', and he was, kind of, separated from his unit (if you count [[Sideswipe (WFC)|two]] [[Jazz (WFC)|bots]] as a unit). However, Cliff ''did'' have Jazz to talk to. (Talk "at")
* Shockwave stayed behind on Cybertron, much like how his G1-counterpart remained on the planet.
* Arcee's declaration that space bridge technology was lost for a long time was true in the ''Transformers: Exodus'' novel.
* Throughout several continuities, Shockwave has kept to logic as his sense for reason.
* This isn't the first time that [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] has attempted to extract [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|codes]] from [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]]. The same happened [[This Is Why I Hate Machines|towards]] [[Endgame, Part I|the end]] of ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers: Animated]]''.
* Cliffjumper pretends to be an Autobot traitor. In [[Cliffjumper (G1)|another life]], Cliffjumper [[Traitor|accused]] [[Mirage (G1)|other Autobots]] of being traitors. In [[Cliffjumper (Animated)|yet another life]], Cliffjumper [[Autoboot Camp|sent]] an [[Wasp|innocent Autobot]] to prison for being framed as a traitor, ironically by [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]].
* Arcee tells Starscream to get [[frag|fragged]].

===Real-world references===
===Trivia===
* Shockwave is apparently the inventor of the illegal cortical psychic patch. Not surprising, considering he's also responsible for some "certain" changes made to some "certain" [[Dinobot (FOC)|Autobots]].
* As in "[[Predatory]]", the primary characters use the same models, meaning they all have Earth-mode kibble well before ever visiting Earth.
* Starscream gloats about how he captured the uncaptureable Arcee. Apparently he never heard of [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]]'s [[Predatory|encounter]] with [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]]. This is consistent with comments he makes in the episode "[[Partners]]", in which he asks "Who's Tailgate?", accidentally revealing to Arcee that it was he who killed Cliffjumper.
** In general, Starscream's interrogation of Arcee at the beginning of the episode is very similar to Airachnid's attempts to extract information from her, although Arcee takes the former's threats better than the latter's.
* Arcee's flashback of Tailgate's death happens during the flashback of her adventure with Cliffjumper. A flashback within a flashback. Flashbackception.
* When Starscream is deciding on how to eliminate Cliffjumper, he settles on "the old-fashioned way": [[Darkness Rising, Part 1| eviscerating him with his claws]]. He's interrupted by Arcee, but the foreshadowing is almost thick enough to cut with said claws.
* Shockwave doesn't think very highly of Starscream, and by the same token Starscream doesn't like him and considers him an arrogant glory hog despite this episode not providing any hints of it. Then again, this is Starscream we're talking about.
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Rock Bottom

2012-10-03T12:58:12Z

BossBot97: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 19
|prev=Metal Attraction
|next=Partners
|image=RockBottom-energonmine.jpg‎
|caption=That's Rock Bottom.
|title="Rock Bottom"
|airdate=[[July 16]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Tim Jones]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''The Autobots, Jack and Miko find themselves trapped inside a cave with Megatron and Starscream.'''

==Synopsis==
Waiting outside [[Stripped energon mine|a mine]] opening, [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] complains loudly to [[Jack Darby|Jack]] that she'd rather be at the [[Slash Monkey]] metal concert she's been looking forward to. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] emerge from the entrance, confused that the mine seems to be stripped, yet there's an [[energon]] signal coming from inside. While they're still discussing the conundrum, Miko runs into the mine to take a look, resulting in Bulkhead chasing her in and Jack persuading Arcee to let him go in as well. Moments after they step inside, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] and [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] land at the mine entrance. Starscream is confused as to why have they come to an exhausted mine, but Megatron leads the way inside.

Bulkhead finds Miko testing the acoustics in a cavern. While she's whooping and yelling, Bulkhead's detector bleeps, and he attempts to contact Arcee. The comms, however, are useless due to interference from the rock surrounding them. Bulkhead decides to get a sample for [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] and begins breaking pieces off the rock he's found.

[[Image:RockBottom-Starscreamprays.jpg‎|250px|thumb|left|When this life makes you mad enough to kill.]]

Megatron and Starscream find [[Decepticon]] mining equipment. Starscream tries to blame its presence on an error by [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]], but Megatron plucks a chunk of energon from the wall and explains that he's been keeping up with Starscream's many plottings, thanks to Soundwave's spying. He's let Starscream continue until now for his own amusement, but enough's enough. Starscream pleads for his life...and it's this scene that Jack and Arcee stumble on. Megatron begins firing on the two newcomers and Starscream sees his chance to try to escape. Enraged, Megatron fires after him. Arcee takes advantage of Megatron's distraction and fires, causing him to discharge his [[fusion cannon]] into the ceiling, which gives way. Massive rocks fall on Megatron, causing the floor to start caving in as well, and both Arcee and Jack fall into a swiftly widening hole.

[[Image:RockBottom-Bulkheadpassion.jpg‎|250px|thumb|When you want something bad enough to steal.]]

In the cavern, Bulkhead protects Miko from the falling rocks.

Starscream, speeding through the mine in his jet mode, is hit by rocks and can only cry out as the tunnel to the mine entrance collapses.

In the aftermath, Jack struggles up to find himself alone in the cave and goes searching for the others.

Miko likewise picks herself up to find Bulkhead holding up a huge chunk of the ceiling from caving in on them. They have no idea as to what caused the cave-in, but Miko starts trying to clear the rocks away so they can get out.

Starscream pulls himself free of the mine and into the open air. He experiences a brief moment of triumph before realizing that Megatron has survived worse and if he doesn't make some attempt to rescue his leader, the other Decepticons surely will, which will mean problems for Starscream in the long run. Besides, he can take the credit if he succeeds.

Still searching, Jack stumbles upon one of the Decepticon mining drills.

As night falls outside, Miko is tiring from her work. Bulkhead points out there's limited oxygen, and she's using it faster by exerting herself. Despite Miko saying she has to get Bulkhead out, he says he's fine, though his creaking servos tell a different story.

Jack gets the mining drill working and begins guiding it to find the others.

Bulkhead and Miko hear drilling. Miko yells out weakly, and Bulkhead tells her to hit his foot with a rock to make a noise.

[[Image:RockBottom-Megstrapped.jpg|thumb|250px|left|When you feel like you have had it up to here.]]

Elsewhere, Jack uses the drill to clear a path only to uncover Megatron's face, the rest of him still pinned by fallen rock. Megatron suggests that Jack use the drill to finish him, but Jack doesn't believe [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] would want Megatron finished that way and drills off in another direction.

[[Image:RockBottom-Mikocries.jpg‎|250px|thumb|'Cause you mad enough to scream but you sad enough to tear.]]

Miko continues banging Bulkhead's foot, but a noise stops her and Bulkhead has to admit that his arms are starting to fail. She hits him a couple more times before someone starts to break through the wall. Unfortunately, their joy is short-lived as it turns out to be Starscream. Bulkhead asks him to let Miko go, but Miko refuses to leave Bulkhead. Starscream menaces her until Bulkhead gives him a solid kick. Starscream recovers from that, only to be knocked down by Jack's drill as it comes through the wall. Miko is quickly persuaded to hop aboard the drill, which she does tearfully, and the two humans back out, leaving Bulkhead and Starscream alone. Jack and Miko start trying to dig their way out, but Jack suddenly stops the drill dead as a large foot comes down in front of them.

Starscream is pleased. Now not only will he be able to rescue Megatron, but he'll have Bulkhead as a gift. Unfortunately for him, Arcee appears with a gun pointed at his head and tells him to raise his hands.

The Autobots exit the mine with the kids and briefly discuss finishing off the Decepticons. When they decide that Optimus wouldn't do it, they go home instead.

Starscream strains to hold up the rock that Bulkhead had been supporting when he spots Megatron leaning through the nearby opening. Starscream is reduced to begging for mercy once more and the Decepticon leader responds with a menacing look.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (3)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (4)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (5)
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (6)

|c3=
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (1)
*[[Jack Darby]] (2)

}}

==Quotes==

"Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting to see Slash Monkey?" 
"Uhh—" 
"''Forever!'' And it's their only U.S. date!" 
"Well, there's a shock. I mean, who doesn't love obscure Bulgarian shriek metal?"
:—'''Miko''' and '''Jack''' discuss rock concerts.

"She went in. Unbelievable." 
"Really? Have you...met her?"
:—'''Arcee''' and '''Jack''' watch Miko run into the cave.

"Do not take me for a fool, Starscream! I have been wise to your transgressions from the beginning. Not only did you pluck the Dark Energon from my chest in a failed attempt to snuff my spark, but you tried to raise your own undead warrior with it. It's no secret that you lost an arm in the process, which you've since had replaced." 
"You know about that?!"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Starscream''' discuss the latter's endeavors.

"Roll out."
:—'''Jack''' being genre savvy as he activates some Decepticon mining equipment.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Think of the glory—seize the day! Optimus would." 
"No, he wouldn't. Not like this." 
"I will be sure to share the details of our little conversation with Optimus—the day I rip out his spark!"
:—A pinned '''Megatron''' is discovered by '''Jack''', who refuses to take advantage of the situation and kill him.

"Run Miko!" 
"Yes, run Miko! I would love to see you try! Really, I would!"
:—'''Starscream''' mocks '''Bulkhead''' before getting knocked down by a drill. Karma, baby.

"If you think I'm going to beg for mercy, Starscream, forget it!" 
"Er, yes, begging for mercy would be quite pathetic, wouldn't it?"
:—'''Bulkhead''' unintentionally insults '''Starscream'''.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* When the cave-in begins, Bulkhead gets down on his hands and knees to shield Miko from the collapsing ceiling. In the next scene, however, he's standing upright and holding up a far larger piece of rock than he had been previously covered with.
*During Megatron's first rant at the beginning of the episode his optics are momentarily off-center. It appears as if he's gone wall-eyed. It's a blink and you'll miss it error, though.

===Continuity errors===
* Bulkhead has Miko hit him with a rock to signal Jack. Either he's devoting ''all'' his energon to holding up the rock, or he's forgotten about his sound system. Or he could be worried about causing another cave-in.
* Not so much an error as a curiosity, but based on the day/night cycle shown outside the cave, at least 12 hours passed during the episode. In all that time, the other Autobots made no apparent effort to look for their lost comrades. Considering Miko's concert was supposed to happen two hours after the start of the episode, they should have noticed something was amiss when no one came back. The Autobots signals may have been untracable, since Bulkhead's communicator wasn't working, even at such short range.
* Even though the sounds of robots stomping around and yelling should echo throughout the cave, Megatron and Starscream go completely unnoticed until Arcee and Jack stumble upon them by accident. Furthermore, Megatron and Starscream enter the cave mere minutes after Arcee and Jack, yet somehow manage to get ahead of them in the tunnels undetected.
*Bulkhead says that Autobots don't need to breathe, but when Starscream gets out of the cave, he coughs and gasps for air.

===Continuity notes===
* Megatron references the events of "[[Masters & Students]]" and "[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]" while discussing Starscream's previous failed attempts at treachery.
* Starscream also refers to the events of "Masters & Students" when he remembers that Megatron has survived far worse than a simple cave-in.
* Miko loosely references the space bridge battle from "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]" when Bulkhead reminds her that Autobots don't need to breathe.

===Transformers references===
*As Jack starts up the mining drill, he quietly says, "[[Roll out]]."

===Real-world references===
*Bulkhead's "Did I do that?" line is almost certainly a reference to Steve Urkel's catchphrase from ''Family Matters''.
*Starscream says "Rust in peace!" as in "Rest in peace".

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Unter der Erde'''" ("Under the Earth")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 27|27 January]] [[2012]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Omlás'''" ("Cave In")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 2|2 February]] [[2012]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Toccare il fondo'''" ("Touching the Bottom")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 27|27 November]] [[2011]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Tansa Henkei! Chiteikara no Dasshutsu'''" (探査変形!地底からの脱出, "Exploration Transformation! Escape from the Underground")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[August 11|11 August]] [[2012]]

'''Korean'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Gwangsan Maemol'''" (광산 매몰, "Buried in the Mine")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 31|31 October]] [[2011]]

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 29|29 December]] [[2011]]

'''Brazilian'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[March 12|12 March]] [[2011]]

'''Spanish (Spain)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Tocar fondo'''" ("Touch Bottom")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 23|23 June]] [[2012]]

===Trivia===
* Megatron seems awfully surprised that Starscream would run at the first opportunity. Did he think Starscream wouldn't care about his earlier death threat?
* Ratchet probably never got that rock sample. Too bad.
* Miko exercises her right to charge into [[Darkness Rising, Part 3|situations]] that almost get her killed... [[Shadowzone (episode)|again]].

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Rock Bottom

2012-10-03T12:41:09Z

BossBot97: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 19
|prev=Metal Attraction
|next=Partners
|image=RockBottom-energonmine.jpg‎
|caption=That's Rock Bottom.
|title="Rock Bottom"
|airdate=[[July 16]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Tim Jones]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''The Autobots, Jack and Miko find themselves trapped inside a cave with Megatron and Starscream.'''

==Synopsis==
Waiting outside [[Stripped energon mine|a mine]] opening, [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] complains loudly to [[Jack Darby|Jack]] that she'd rather be at the [[Slash Monkey]] metal concert she's been looking forward to. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] emerge from the entrance, confused that the mine seems to be stripped, yet there's an [[energon]] signal coming from inside. While they're still discussing the conundrum, Miko runs into the mine to take a look, resulting in Bulkhead chasing her in and Jack persuading Arcee to let him go in as well. Moments after they step inside, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] and [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] land at the mine entrance. Starscream is confused as to why have they come to an exhausted mine, but Megatron leads the way inside.

Bulkhead finds Miko testing the acoustics in a cavern. While she's whooping and yelling, Bulkhead's detector bleeps, and he attempts to contact Arcee. The comms, however, are useless due to interference from the rock surrounding them. Bulkhead decides to get a sample for [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] and begins breaking pieces off the rock he's found.

[[Image:RockBottom-Starscreamprays.jpg‎|250px|thumb|left|When this life makes you mad enough to kill.]]

Megatron and Starscream find [[Decepticon]] mining equipment. Starscream tries to blame its presence on an error by [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]], but Megatron plucks a chunk of energon from the wall and explains that he's been keeping up with Starscream's many plottings, thanks to Soundwave's spying. He's let Starscream continue until now for his own amusement, but enough's enough. Starscream pleads for his life...and it's this scene that Jack and Arcee stumble on. Megatron begins firing on the two newcomers and Starscream sees his chance to try to escape. Enraged, Megatron fires after him. Arcee takes advantage of Megatron's distraction and fires, causing him to discharge his [[fusion cannon]] into the ceiling, which gives way. Massive rocks fall on Megatron, causing the floor to start caving in as well, and both Arcee and Jack fall into a swiftly widening hole.

[[Image:RockBottom-Bulkheadpassion.jpg‎|250px|thumb|When you want something bad enough to steal.]]

In the cavern, Bulkhead protects Miko from the falling rocks.

Starscream, speeding through the mine in his jet mode, is hit by rocks and can only cry out as the tunnel to the mine entrance collapses.

In the aftermath, Jack struggles up to find himself alone in the cave and goes searching for the others.

Miko likewise picks herself up to find Bulkhead holding up a huge chunk of the ceiling from caving in on them. They have no idea as to what caused the cave-in, but Miko starts trying to clear the rocks away so they can get out.

Starscream pulls himself free of the mine and into the open air. He experiences a brief moment of triumph before realizing that Megatron has survived worse and if he doesn't make some attempt to rescue his leader, the other Decepticons surely will, which will mean problems for Starscream in the long run. Besides, he can take the credit if he succeeds.

Still searching, Jack stumbles upon one of the Decepticon mining drills.

As night falls outside, Miko is tiring from her work. Bulkhead points out there's limited oxygen, and she's using it faster by exerting herself. Despite Miko saying she has to get Bulkhead out, he says he's fine, though his creaking servos tell a different story.

Jack gets the mining drill working and begins guiding it to find the others.

Bulkhead and Miko hear drilling. Miko yells out weakly, and Bulkhead tells her to hit his foot with a rock to make a noise.

[[Image:RockBottom-Megstrapped.jpg|thumb|250px|left|When you feel like you have had it up to here.]]

Elsewhere, Jack uses the drill to clear a path only to uncover Megatron's face, the rest of him still pinned by fallen rock. Megatron suggests that Jack use the drill to finish him, but Jack doesn't believe [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] would want Megatron finished that way and drills off in another direction.

[[Image:RockBottom-Mikocries.jpg‎|250px|thumb|'Cause you mad enough to scream but you sad enough to tear.]]

Miko continues banging Bulkhead's foot, but a noise stops her and Bulkhead has to admit that his arms are starting to fail. She hits him a couple more times before someone starts to break through the wall. Unfortunately, their joy is short-lived as it turns out to be Starscream. Bulkhead asks him to let Miko go, but Miko refuses to leave Bulkhead. Starscream menaces her until Bulkhead gives him a solid kick. Starscream recovers from that, only to be knocked down by Jack's drill as it comes through the wall. Miko is quickly persuaded to hop aboard the drill, which she does tearfully, and the two humans back out, leaving Bulkhead and Starscream alone. Jack and Miko start trying to dig their way out, but Jack suddenly stops the drill dead as a large foot comes down in front of them.

Starscream is pleased. Now not only will he be able to rescue Megatron, but he'll have Bulkhead as a gift. Unfortunately for him, Arcee appears with a gun pointed at his head and tells him to raise his hands.

The Autobots exit the mine with the kids and briefly discuss finishing off the Decepticons. When they decide that Optimus wouldn't do it, they go home instead.

Starscream strains to hold up the rock that Bulkhead had been supporting when he spots Megatron leaning through the nearby opening. Starscream is reduced to begging for mercy once more and the Decepticon leader responds with a menacing look.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (3)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (4)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (5)
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (6)

|c3=
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (1)
*[[Jack Darby]] (2)

}}

==Quotes==

"Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting to see Slash Monkey?" 
"Uhh—" 
"''Forever!'' And it's their only U.S. date!" 
"Well, there's a shock. I mean, who doesn't love obscure Bulgarian shriek metal?"
:—'''Miko''' and '''Jack''' discuss rock concerts.

"She went in. Unbelievable." 
"Really? Have you...met her?"
:—'''Arcee''' and '''Jack''' watch Miko run into the cave.

"Do not take me for a fool, Starscream! I have been wise to your transgressions from the beginning. Not only did you pluck the Dark Energon from my chest in a failed attempt to snuff my spark, but you tried to raise your own undead warrior with it. It's no secret that you lost an arm in the process, which you've since had replaced." 
"You know about that?!"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Starscream''' discuss the latter's endeavors.

"Roll out."
:—'''Jack''' being genre savvy as he activates some Decepticon mining equipment.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Think of the glory—seize the day! Optimus would." 
"No, he wouldn't. Not like this." 
"I will be sure to share the details of our little conversation with Optimus—the day I rip out his spark!"
:—A pinned '''Megatron''' is discovered by '''Jack''', who refuses to take advantage of the situation and kill him.

"Run Miko!" 
"Yes, run Miko! I would love to see you try! Really, I would!"
:—'''Starscream''' mocks '''Bulkhead''' before getting knocked down by a drill. Karma, baby.

"If you think I'm going to beg for mercy, Starscream, forget it!" 
"Er, yes, begging for mercy would be quite pathetic, wouldn't it?"
:—'''Bulkhead''' unintentionally insults '''Starscream'''.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* When the cave-in begins, Bulkhead gets down on his hands and knees to shield Miko from the collapsing ceiling. In the next scene, however, he's standing upright and holding up a far larger piece of rock than he had been previously covered with.
*During Megatron's first rant at the beginning of the episode his optics are momentarily off-center. It appears as if he's gone wall-eyed. It's a blink and you'll miss it error, though.

===Continuity errors===
* Bulkhead has Miko hit him with a rock to signal Jack. Either he's devoting ''all'' his energon to holding up the rock, or he's forgotten about his sound system. Or he could be worried about causing another cavein.
* Not so much an error as a curiosity, but based on the day/night cycle shown outside the cave, at least 12 hours passed during the episode. In all that time, the other Autobots made no apparent effort to look for their lost comrades. Considering Miko's concert was supposed to happen two hours after the start of the episode, they should have noticed something was amiss when no one came back.
* Even though the sounds of robots stomping around and yelling should echo throughout the cave, Megatron and Starscream go completely unnoticed until Arcee and Jack stumble upon them by accident. Furthermore, Megatron and Starscream enter the cave mere minutes after Arcee and Jack, yet somehow manage to get ahead of them in the tunnels undetected.
*Bulkhead says that Autobots don't need to breathe, but when Starscream gets out of the cave, he coughs and gasps for air.

===Continuity notes===
* Megatron references the events of "[[Masters & Students]]" and "[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]" while discussing Starscream's previous failed attempts at treachery.
* Starscream also refers to the events of "Masters & Students" when he remembers that Megatron has survived far worse than a simple cave-in.
* Miko loosely references the space bridge battle from "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]" when Bulkhead reminds her that Autobots don't need to breathe.

===Transformers references===
*As Jack starts up the mining drill, he quietly says, "[[Roll out]]."

===Real-world references===
*Bulkhead's "Did I do that?" line is almost certainly a reference to Steve Urkel's catchphrase from ''Family Matters''.
*Starscream says "Rust in peace!" as in "Rest in peace".

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Unter der Erde'''" ("Under the Earth")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 27|27 January]] [[2012]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Omlás'''" ("Cave In")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 2|2 February]] [[2012]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Toccare il fondo'''" ("Touching the Bottom")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 27|27 November]] [[2011]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Tansa Henkei! Chiteikara no Dasshutsu'''" (探査変形!地底からの脱出, "Exploration Transformation! Escape from the Underground")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[August 11|11 August]] [[2012]]

'''Korean'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Gwangsan Maemol'''" (광산 매몰, "Buried in the Mine")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 31|31 October]] [[2011]]

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 29|29 December]] [[2011]]

'''Brazilian'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[March 12|12 March]] [[2011]]

'''Spanish (Spain)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Tocar fondo'''" ("Touch Bottom")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 23|23 June]] [[2012]]

===Trivia===
* Megatron seems awfully surprised that Starscream would run at the first opportunity. Did he think Starscream wouldn't care about his earlier death threat?
* Ratchet probably never got that rock sample. Too bad.
* Miko exercises her right to charge into [[Darkness Rising, Part 3|situations]] that almost get her killed... [[Shadowzone (episode)|again]].

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Legacy (episode)

2012-09-24T11:07:40Z

BossBot97: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 46
|prev=The Human Factor
|next=Alpha; Omega
|image=Legacy-ohcrap.jpg
|caption=Not the biggest fan of the Zoidberg meme.
|title="Legacy"
|airdate=[[September 21]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Jack is assigned to help Smokescreen adapt to life on Earth while Megatron tries to secure the Star Saber without letting the Autobots know of its existence.'''

==Synopsis==

[[Image:Legacy-cellphonecamera.jpg|left|thumb|300px|No pictures, NO PICTURES!!!]]

[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] race down a Nevada road in search of an [[energon]] signal. Though Bumblebee tries to encourage Smokescreen to slow down, the rookie breaks the speed limit and almost runs into another vehicle. The driver jumps out to threaten Smokescreen, who promptly [[transformation|transforms]] and threatens him back. Bumblebee transforms to stop Smokescreen and the truck driver takes the opportunity to snap a picture of the pair. Back at base, [[Jack Darby|Jack]] locates the picture on the [[Internet]] and says [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] can deal with it later. The other [[Autobot]]s lecture Smokescreen about the concept of secrecy and [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] says they need to help Smokescreen acclimate to [[Earth]] through learning about [[human]] society. Jack is duly assigned to help Smokescreen and the pair head out, though [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] complains that she thinks Jack will be at risk because Smokescreen has the most obvious [[alternate mode]] ever.

Driving through [[Jasper]], Jack tries to educate Smokescreen on traffic lights, though Smokescreen is unable to stop joking around. When [[Vince]] hauls up beside them, Jack attempts to be inconspicuous, but Vince notices anyway and throws a burger at them. Smokescreen soon talks Jack into some retribution, and when they arrive back at base, Jack has a photo of Vince's burger-covered car. Arcee isn't impressed with their progress so far.

[[Image:PrimeLegacySmokescreen.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Though many tried for the sword with all their strength, none could move the sword, nor stir it.]]

On the ''[[Trypticon (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] has finished decoding another set of coordinates from the Iacon database. [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] gets a decoy ready. Thus when Optimus is also almost finished decoding the same coordinates, the base sensors pick up an Iacon locator beacon in [[China]]. Optimus takes Arcee, Bumblebee and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] to investigate. Meanwhile, Megatron has [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] and [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] busy excavating the real relic. Hoping it is of Decepticon origin, Megatron is shocked to see it is the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]]. Desperate to keep it from Optimus, Megatron tries to pull it free, but his efforts are to no avail and it remains firmly entrenched in the rock. Even trying to destroy the rock fails, as the sword's energy is rendering it invulnerable. Realizing that it will only respond to a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], Megatron intends to uproot the entire mountain if necessary.

[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] picks up the signal from the Saber, but is unable to contact Prime. Prime's team is trying to track the first signal, unaware that it's the decoy being carried around by Soundwave. Smokescreen and Jack arrive back at base having pulled a prank on Jack's boss. When Ratchet reports the situation, Smokescreen volunteers to check out the second signal, and takes Jack along with him in secret. They find the Decepticons trying break the mountain down to a smaller size, and Smokescreen recognizes the Star Saber. Despite Jack's concerns, knowing that something is up if Megatron hasn't pulled the sword out, Smokescreen charges in as the Decepticons are preparing to lift the remaining rock with the ''Nemesis''. The Autobot proves as successful in extracting the sword as Megatron was, and is promptly captured by the Decepticons. While Jack tries to notify Ratchet, he is soon found and pursued by Insecticons. Ratchet gets enough from Jack's message to know what they've found and they're in serious trouble, and [[GroundBridge]]s to Optimus's location just as the team there are realizing they were being led on a wild goose chase.

[[Image:Legacy-PrimeStarSaber.jpg|left|thumb|300px|"Use the force Luke."]]

As the ''Nemesis'' starts lifting the massive rock holding the Star Saber, Megatron begins interrogating Smokescreen with little effect. Prime's team suddenly arrives and starts laying into the Decepticons troops. Megatron looks around for Optimus himself, and spots the Autobot leader rapidly scaling the mountain in pursuit of the Star Saber, so he and some jet Vehicons take off to try to intercept. The other Autobots finish off the rest of the Decepticon troopers and Arcee rescues Jack from the Insecticons. Despite the best efforts of Megatron and his troops, Optimus manages to grab hold of the Star Saber which activates and pulls free of the rock. Megatron orders the rock dropped on him, but even as the other Autobots shout warnings, Prime merely uses the Star Saber to slice the whole thing in half. In shock, Megatron helplessly looks on as Prime follows up by taking a swing, unleashing a wave of energy at the ''Nemesis''. The Decepticons hastily retreat as their leader laments over his failure and believes it is now their darkest hour.

The Autobots return to base, where Arcee is very unhappy with Smokescreen and Jack. She has Ratchet send the latter home and Optimus makes plain to the former that endangering humans is forbidden. As he reminds them of the importance of protecting humans, the sword begins to glow on its own, and Optimus goes into a trance-like state. Stating that he's receiving a message, Prime identifies the caller: [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]].

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (1)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (2)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (7)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (8)

|c2=
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (10)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (11)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (12)
*[[Decepticon Miner|Miners]] (13)
*[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticons]] (14)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (15)
*[[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] (16)

|c3=
*Truck driver (3)
*[[Jack Darby]] (4)
*[[Vince]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==
"...I just pulled a Miko."
:—'''Jack''' realizes what he just did.

"Who in the Pits of [[Kaon]] is that?''
:—'''Megatron''' meets the new guy.

"All this leg-work is giving me itchy fists!"
:—'''Bulkhead''' is back on form.

"I loosened it up for him."
:—Keep telling yourself that, '''Smokescreen'''.

"We Decepticons... now face our darkest hour."
:—'''Megatron''', finding himself in need of a light.

"How epic was that?"
:—'''Smokescreen''' relays the viewer's feelings.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===

* Smokescreen has the same [[license plate]] as [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] and [[June Darby|June]].
* Optimus would not have been able to realign his flight trajectory when he took a glancing shot in his truck mode and transformed into robot mode; he would have continued spinning while flying.
* Arcee's right arm silently changes into a blaster as the Decepticons begin firing at the Autobots at the pod site.

===Continuity notes===
* Yet another picture of the Autobots ends up on the internet, and again Bumblebee is in it, as in "[[One Shall Fall]]" and "[[New Recruit]]".
* Arcee mentions that [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] is in the process of relocating [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] and his family, since the Decepticons learned where he lives in [[The Human Factor|the previous episode]].
* Bulkhead is now fully recovered from his injuries received in "[[Toxicity]]".
* Jack asks Arcee if she still remembers Vince since her first encounter in "[[Speed Metal]]".
* Jack refers to his uncharacteristic lack of foresight as "pulling a [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]]", a nod to her repeated habit of running into trouble.
* Another relic of [[Solus Prime]] is uncovered; the first was the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] found in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2]]", and the second was the [[Apex Armor]] found in "[[Triangulation]]".
* Bulkhead returns the favor to Smokescreen from the previous episode.
* Optimus receives a message from Alpha Trion, who was first mentioned by Smokescreen in "New Recruit".
* This is the first time we hear Megatron refer to Optimus as just "Prime" when he flies off to intercept him.

===Continuity errors===

*Smokescreen asks if Ratchet has a better plan then to send him in alone to which he doesn't have one. However, he seems to have forgotten about [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]. Although, Rachet may still be frustrasted with Wheeljack from the events of [[Hurt|Hurt]], to the point where he [[New Recruit|no longer considers him an option.]]

===Transformers references===
* Jack mentions [[Robots In Disguise]].
* This episode marks yet another use of the phrase "[[darkest hour]]", only this time it's the Decepticons who get to use it.
* The first "[[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]]" sword was the combined form of the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]] in ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Transformers: Armada]]'', while the [[Thirteen]]-affiliated iteration was first mentioned in "[[The Coming Storm: Part 1]]." Technically, the name originated from [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]], the Autobot [[Supreme Commander]] from ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (franchise)|Transformers: Victory]]''.

===Real-world references===
* The Star Saber's location and its inability to be removed except by a Prime is a reference to ''[[wikipedia:Excalibur#Excalibur and the Sword in the Stone|Excalibur]]''.
* The truck driver referred to Smokescreen's alternate mode as from the Indy 500, a motor racing competition.

===Trivia===
* Bumblebee warns Smokescreen about the speed limit, but apparently didn't think it was important to warn him that he's driving into oncoming traffic.
* Vince's behavior hasn't changed since the events of "Speed Metal". Some people just don't learn their lessons.
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

One Shall Rise, Part 1

2012-09-21T13:00:21Z

BossBot97: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 24
|prev=One Shall Fall
|next=One Shall Rise, Part 2
|image=OneShallRise1-UnicronstalksCybertron.jpg
|caption=
|title="One Shall Rise, Part 1"
|airdate=[[October 1]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Nicole Dubuc]] and [[Duane Capizzi]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

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

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

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

[[Image:OneShallRise1-Bumblebeestorm.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Bumblebee keeps an eye out for flying cows.]]

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

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

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

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

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

[[Image:OneShallRise1-Unicronaudience.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"Nobody summons Unicron!" "Then it pleases me to be the fir- [[The Transformers: The Movie|Oh, wait."]]]]

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

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

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

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (3)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (4)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (6)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (2)
*[[Decepticon Miner]]s (12)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (13)
*[[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] (14)
|c3=
*[[June Darby]] (7)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (8)
*[[Jack Darby]] (9)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (10)
*[[William Fowler]] (11)
|c4=
*[[Unicron]] (15)
*The [[Thirteen]] (16-28, flashback)
}}

==Quotes==
"The ‘Cons killed a [[unicorn]]?" ''(Awkward silence)'' "White horse with a horn on its head... prances around all sparkly?"
:—'''Miko''' makes the first canon Unicron/unicorn joke in twenty-five years.

"It deeply grieves me that I have failed. But I will do everything in my power to ensure that no harm comes to our human friends or any human ever again." 
"Optimus…they’re children. They do not belong in your world. They should be worrying about grades, prom dates, pimples—not their own survival!"
:—A spark-to-heart in which '''Optimus''' and '''June''' don't quite see optic-to-eye.

(To June) "You're not my mother." 
"Miko..." 
"Neither are you!"
:—'''Miko''', asserting her independence—again, and '''Bulkhead''', wondering why he got the difficult partner.

"Before the beginning...there was Primus. And there was Unicron. One, the incarnation of creation—the other...of destruction. For eons, Primus and Unicron battled, the balance of power shifting between them more times than could be counted. Only by creating the Thirteen—the original Primes who preceded me—was Primus finally able to defeat Unicron and cast him out. Primus became one with the very core of our planet, creating life through the Well of All Sparks, while Unicron was never to be heard from again...until now."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' tells the tale.

"'''Silence, worm! I have no need of your lowly assistance.'''" 
"Please, my lord. I exist only to serve you." 
"'''What is this I sense? The taint of Primus? Here?!'''" 
"That is Optimus, the last of the Primes, our sworn enemy." 
"'''You profess loyalty to me, yet allow a disciple of Primus to live?!'''" 
"I will destroy him for you! His screams will be heard—" 
"'''I grow weary of your prattle. Surely if you had the power to destroy this Prime, you would have done so already. ''I'' will deal with him myself.'''"
:—Confronting '''Unicron''' himself, '''Megatron''' starts to feel a little like Starscream.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* A tornado with enough wind force to pull a car and the Autobot holding it should have sucked June and Raf in the second they exited the vehicle.
* When Optimus tries to reason with Unicron, the Chaos Bringer detaches his spikes to reveal his hands, but after Prime guns him down the spikes are back again.

===Continuity notes===
* The blade that forms from Optimus's right arm remains broken in this episode, having been damaged by Megatron in "[[One Shall Fall]]".

===Transformers references===
[[Image:OneShallRise1-TheThirteen.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
*[[Primus]] and his conflict with Unicron originated in [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]]'s [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Transformers comic]] way back in the 1980s.
*The Thirteen first came into Transformers lore in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]].
*The [[Well of All Sparks]], meanwhile, originated in Dreamwave's 2003 ''[[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|War Within: The Dark Ages]]'' miniseries.
*When the Decepticon miners harvest Dark Energon from the volcano, it appears that some of it has been cut into [[Energon cube|cubes]].
*This episode gives direct confirmation that the [[Core]] of Cybertron ''is'' Primus. Furthermore, the appearance of the Core shown in the episode is almost identical to its appearance in ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]''.
* If you look hard enough, you can see [[Solus Prime|one]] of The Thirteen wielding [[Forge of Solus Prime|a large hammer]], [[Prima|one wielding]] [[Star Saber (Prima)|a huge sword]], one with [[Vector Prime|a dial on his chest]], [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|one with a familiar bearded face]], and one wearing [[Amalgamous Prime|a helmet with large horns]].
* Whilst pledging allegiance to him, Megatron proclaims himself as Unicron's "[[Herald of Unicron|Herald]]".

===Foreign localization===
'''Brazilian'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[April 16|16 April]] [[2012]]

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Die Prophezeiung erfüllt sich, Teil 1'''" ("The Prophecy Fulfilled, Part 1")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[March 2|2 March]] [[2012]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Egyikünk állva marad, 1. rész'''" ("One of Us Remains Standing, Part 1")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 9|9 February]] [[2012]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Il risveglio - Prima parte'''" ("The Awakening - Part One")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 17|17 December]] [[2011]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Kyoshin Henkei! Gaia Unicron no Shingeki'''" (巨神変形!ガイアユニクロンの進撃, "Giant God Transformation! The Advance of Gaia Unicron")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 15|15 September]] [[2012]]

'''Korean'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Yunikeuron ui Buhwal'''" (유니크론의 부활, "Return of Unicron")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 15|15 November]] [[2011]]

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 5|5 January]] [[2012]]

'''Spanish (Spain)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Uno se alzará, primera parte'''" ("One Shall Rise, Part 1")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 28|28 July]] [[2012]]

===Trivia===
* This episode was initially intended to air on TeleToon on [[August 28]], 2011, but its broadcast was replaced at the last minute by a rerun of "[[Predatory]]". It aired in Singapore on [[September 29]], 2011.
* This episode's intro sequence is shorter than previous ones, skipping the shots of the kids with their respective partners.
* In a difference to the usual Primus/Unicron mythos, Unicron is shown physically stomping across Cybertron (and is later described as having shed his physical form completely) and Primus is said to have ''later'' become "one" with the planet as if it pre-exists him.
* The piece of music that plays during the scene with Jack's potential separation from Arcee is the one that can be heard back during the similar situations in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4]]" and "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]".
* As the Autobots watch a news report of various catastrophes around the globe, the corner of the ticker running across the bottom of the screen displays mostly positive financial growth. Man, corporations ''are'' evil!
* As of this episode, June dubs Jack grounded until the age of twenty-five. Let's see how long that lasts.
*In his confrontation with Unicron, Optimus does not reveal his mask once. Perhaps he doesn't consider this a real battle for his life.
*We get to see twelve of the Thirteen. It's the first time we've seen this many of them assembled on television.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Hurt

2012-09-21T12:33:13Z

BossBot97: /* 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.

"Bulkhead will wake up. And he'll file off my rivets if your not there when he comes to." 
:-'''Wheeljack''' on Bulkhead's condition.

"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.

"I just buffed that!"
:-'''Knock Out''' is not very happy at having his paint scratched ''again''.

"Wheeljack. The one who enjoys explosive devices."
:—'''Megatron''', describing more [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheel]][[wheeljack (Movie)|jacks]] 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.

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

"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 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.
*Wheeljack's blades simply disappear once Hardshell knocks them from his hands.
*When Wheeljack kills the last Vehicon at the energon mine, the sound of his blade being extracted from the Vehicon's chest is slightly out of sync with the action itself.
*When Miko fires missiles at Hardshell, they simply appear in midair below the ''Jackhammer'', instead of being disengaged from some point on the ship.

===Continuity errors===
*Fowler comments that Hardshell sucker punched Bulkhead, although he never heard Hardshell's name in the previous episode.
*Similarly, one of the Insecticons informs Megatron that "a human girl" is responsible for Hardshell's demise, even though it is highly unlikely that they saw Miko piloting the ''Jackhammer''.

===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 (Prime)|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.
*Hardshell is still missing the mandible Bulkhead punched off in "Toxicity".

===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?
*Despite Energon being generally volatile when mishandled, the cubes remained stable while being knocked around by Wheeljack inside the mine. Must take some really clumsy handling to make them explode.
*Hardshell claims that talk during battle is a sign of weakness. Interestingly, both of his battles against Bulkhead in [[Toxicity|the previous episode]] had almost no dialogue, and what was spoken was usually done during lulls in the fight.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Orion Pax, Part 3

2012-09-20T12:58:32Z

BossBot97: /* Quotes */

{{disambig3|Orion Pax}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 29
|prev=Orion Pax, Part 2
|next=Operation Bumblebee, Part 1
|image=OrionPax3 Optimus Decepticon insignia.jpg
|caption=Man, that must have been some party last night!
|title="Orion Pax, Part 3"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Joseph Kuhr]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Jack and Arcee undertake a dangerous mission on Cybertron to access Vector Sigma, while Orion begins to rebel against Megatron.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:OrionPax3 Jack and Arcee find entrance.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Speak. friend, and enter.]]
[[Jack Darby|Jack]] and [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] walk through [[Kaon]], guided by the light of the [[Key to Vector Sigma]]. They come upon a circular clearing, and the key glows intensely, indicating that they must be close. Suddenly, the ground begins to shake, and cracks appear in the surface. The duo watch in awe as a passageway rises from the ground, its door illuminated the same as the Key. It opens, but just as the two are about to enter, an enormous creature rears up from atop the passage. Arcee's [[Autobot]] symbol catches its eye, and it charges her, Arcee's minute strength doing nothing to injure it. She is quickly incapacitated, and the creature notices Jack, giving temporary pursuit until distracted by Arcee. Jack radios [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] and is told that the creature is an [[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]], one of many sentries left to guard the dead [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Arcee tells Jack to go, to his surprise, but he realizes the necessity. As he enters, the door closes behind him.

On the ''[[Nemesis (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] inquires as to [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion]]'s progress on [[Project Iacon]]. Orion says it's tough work, but Megatron says otherwise, revealing to him that all of his unsanctioned research has been recorded. Orion takes the opportunity to ask about his reported affiliation with the Autobots, but Megatron merely tells him to get back to work. Orion decides that enough is enough, and erases his progress in the archives. Megatron laughs, and shows the clerk that he has been recorded and documented in his pursuits. [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] intrudes, to show Megatron that one of their sentries came online on Cybertron. Orion asks how anything is alive on the planet, but Megatron tells him to continue his work-or be terminated.

[[Image:OrionPax3 Megatron threatens Orion.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Look, Orion! You can see your reflection on my sword!]]
Back on Cybertron, Arcee tangles with the enormous bug, but is no match for its brute strength. Finished with her, the Insecticon turns its attention to the fleshling, and breaks its way into the tunnel.

In the depths of the tunnel, Jack hears a [[Scraplet|familiar noise]], and uproots a metal bar for protection.

Back on the ''Nemesis'', Megatron reviews the reports with Soundwave. He learns of the [[space bridge]]'s activation, its endpoint, and the fact that it is still active. He quickly deduces the Autobots' plan.

In Cybertron's depths, Jack arrives at the chamber of [[Vector Sigma]]. He proceeds to the center of a circular platform, where he places the Key. The entire chamber begins to transform and glow with the Key's energy, and the enormous supercomputer reveals itself, and begins to transfer its energy to the Key.

On the ''Nemesis'', Orion is hassled by the guards. He appeals to their "good nature", saying that he believes Megatron will use the information he is agglomerating for nefarious purposes. Good-old fashioned police brutality ensues as the helpless clerk is kicked and punched by his guards.

[[Image:OrionPax3 Jack watches download.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Don't go into the light!]]
In the chamber, Jack is antsy about the speed of his download. His problems lie beyond his dial-up, however, because behind him, a horde of Scraplets has just taken notice of the ''very'' alive metal before him in the form of the Key to Vector Sigma. Jack is helpless to fend them off, and they begin to snack on the download port. He reports frantically on his position to ground control

In the space bridge chamber, however, the Autobots have bigger fish to fry as Megatron steps out of a [[GroundBridge]] to them. Ratchet vows to protect their charges, and the battle begins, Megatron easily flooring every Autobot, Ratchet and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] twice.

On Cybertron, Arcee awakes to find a Scraplet chewing on her foot. She blasts it off, and notices the opened passage—and the absent Insecticon. Transforming, she speeds into the passageway.

Jack valiantly smashes the Scraplets as they feed, but is unable to stop their progress towards the Matrix. Another problem presents itself behind him in the form of the Insecticon. It charges towards him, but stops in its tracks, staring at the key. Jack realizes why, and the Scraplets suddenly become a blessing. He formulates an idea, pulling a Scraplet off the Key and pointing it at the aggressor. The Insecticon turns tail as it realizes what's happening, but the Scraplets give chase and latch on, quickly chewing through the giant insect as it falls to its doom, limbs disconnected. The download completes, and Jack retrieves the key. Arcee finally arrives, and the two depart.

The [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] guards continue to beat down Orion, and one of them lets slip that it's a privilege to beat the former leader of the Autobots. Orion pleads with them to stop, and in his defense, he accidentally transforms his arms into blasters. Realizing they're in trouble, the guards fire on Pax, but he quickly dispatches them both.

[[Image:OrionPax3 the Matrix reloaded.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Reverse Care Bear Stare.]]
Arcee and Jack arrive at the space bridge portal, and radio Ratchet about their position. Total silence on the comm tip them off that something is wrong, and, undetected on the other end of the portal, Megatron waits to end the lineage of the Primes. However, he is surprised by the sudden arrival of Orion Pax, who vows that, no matter what his heritage might be, his spark is aligned with the Autobots. He deploys his blades, and charges for Megatron, but is quickly defeated. Megatron says that he has much to learn, and prepares to kill him, but Arcee speeds through the bridge and collides with him, sending them both flying. In the light of the bridge, Jack presents the Key to Orion, who hesitates, but accepts his destiny.

The Key begins to upload the Matrix to its host. Megatron, preoccupied with fighting Arcee, notices this, and desperately runs at him. However, Orion Pax—now ''Optimus Prime'' once again—isn't ready to go down again, and trounces his enemy. A GroundBridge portal opens up, and the Autobots retreat.

At base, the Autobots and humans rejoice at their reunion. Noticing his Decepticon symbol, Optimus asks Ratchet what had happened. He replies that it was their darkest hour, but at every point along the way, Optimus was truly an Autobot at spark.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (2)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (8)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (15)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (16)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime/Orion Pax]] (17)

|c2=
*[[Insecticon (Prime)|Insecticon]] (3)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (9)
*"[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion Pax]]" (10)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (11)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (14)

|c3=
*[[Jack Darby]] (1)
*[[June Darby]] (4)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (5)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (6)
*[[William Fowler]] (7)

|c4=
*[[Scraplet]]s (12)
*[[Vector Sigma]] (13)

}}

==Quotes==
"Why does history portray me siding with the Autobot aggressors? And why did Starscream call me a Prime? I must know...who ''am'' I?" 
"You are my clerk."
:—'''"Orion Pax"''' questions his identity, while '''Megatron''' responds with a firm establishment of the pecking order.

"This is taking a while..." 
"Of course it is! We are talking about the collective wisdom of the Primes!"
:—'''Jack''' is reminded by '''Ratchet''' that he's downloading a ''brain,'' not an ''MP3.''

"Step away, I'm... Armed?" 
:--'''Orion Pax'''

"You're going down, buckethead!"
:—'''Bulkhead'''

"That may be true, or yet another deception, but this much I do know: my sympathies lie with the Autobots, and you are ''not'' one of us!"
:—'''"Orion Pax"''' to Megatron, realizing the truth.

"Are you... certain I am worthy?" 
"You have no idea."
:—'''"Orion Pax"''' and '''Jack'''.

"Megatron— ''be gone!''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''', before delivering the most awesome series of punches in the entire series.

"Optimus, it has truly been our darkest hour, but know this: from every indication your spark never ceased being that of an Autobot."
:—'''Ratchet'''

==Notes==
===Animation or technical errors===
*As Megatron notices Jack recharging Optimus's Matrix and lets go of Arcee, his shoulder armour goes through the wall.

===Continuity errors===
*As Optimus jumps through the Autobot GroundBridge, he is suddenly sporting Autobot insignias.

===Continuity notes===
*The scraplets seem a ''lot'' nastier in this episode, chewing so fast as to render a hulking robot limbless in a matter of seconds. This is ''not'' an error, as many factors could contribute, such as the scraplets' inability to find living metal on the barren Cybertron and the ancient state of the Insecticon.
*Optimus still has the broken sword from way back in "[[One Shall Fall]]". It would seem that the Decepticons neglected to repair it. Or rather, neglected to mention that he had weapons in the first place.
*The Insecticon is the first Cybertronian in the Prime cartoon to have a Beast [[alternate mode]].

===Transformers references===
[[Image:OrionPax3 Vector Sigma in scraplet-vision.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Night vision on.]]
* Ratchet references ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' by referring an event as "our darkest hour", as he did before in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]", and as Optimus did in [[One Shall Rise, Part 3]].
* Bulkhead calls Megatron "buckethead", a reference to [[Megatron (G1)|the original Megatron]].
* The Insecticon's insect mode resembles a large rhinoceros beetle, [[Bombshell (G1)|like]] [[Salvo|several]] [[Barrage (Insecticon)|other]] [[Insecticon (Energon)|Insecticons]].
* From the Scraplets' point-of-view, the sphere of Vector Sigma is seen in its faceted orb appearance common to many continuities.

===Real-world references===
*Bulkhead's line bemoaning the Scraplets on Cybertron is a paraphrase of the oft-referenced "Why did it have to be snakes?" line from ''Raiders of the Lost Ark''.

===Trivia===
* Look closely at the arena in Kaon: it's the same arena as seen in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]". Ironic that the entrance to Vector Sigma lay beneath Megatron's feet at that moment.
* When the Scraplets look at Vector Sigma, most of the room is boring old dead metal, but the spinning blue light comes up in their vision as living metal. The download area is clearly even more delicious.
* When Jack coaxes the Scraplets into attacking the Insecticon, he calls it "the main course", echoing what Bulkhead said while using himself as bait in "[[Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap]]".
* The way Optimus catches Megatron's sword just after he regains his memory is the exact same as when Megatron caught Optimus' sword in "[[One Shall Fall]]". It even makes the same thundering noise.
* Jack never picked up a souvenir for Raf, which Raf asked for in the previous episode. No one ever brings souvenirs for Raf. Aww...

[[Category:Prime episodes]]