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The Need for Read

2024-11-06T02:01:15Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 37
|image=TheNeedForRead-BreakdownBB.jpg
|caption=
|prev=Witwicky, Part 2
|next= Attack of the Drive-In Movie
|title="The Need for Read"
|season=3
|season ep=1
|airdate=[[October 25]], [[2024]] (Paramount+) [[TBA]], [[2024]] (Nickelodeon)
|production company=[[Hasbro Entertainment]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writer=[[Dale Malinowski]]
|animation studio=[[88 Pictures]]
|director=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/t0qSxyOYrqvacVNjcCPM_xIy7_xbLDVQ/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''Bumblebee and Breakdown’s friendship is put to the test when he, Mo, and Thrash enter the dome
.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] and [[Breakdown (ES)|Breakdown]] fire fruitlessly at the [[Chaos Dome]] enclosing [[Terratronus]], but are unable to breach it. Bumblebee regrets that he can't free his friend — getting [[Robby Malto|Robby]] and [[Mo Malto|Mo]] to bring down the dome would free all of the Decepticons after all. Promising to try again tomorrow, Bee drives off.

At the Malto farm, Robby, Mo, [[Twitch]] and [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] are reading Transformers comics. Robby discovers he's missing the vital last issue in the series due to being busy saving the world at the time, and the issue is now sold out. As Robby and Twitch head off to find something else to do, Bumblebee rolls up and Mo fills him in on the problem. She suddenly has an idea — the comic shop inside the dome must have the issue Robby is after and she can get them into the dome to get it. Sensing an opportunity to free Breakdown, Bee is all for this idea.

The trio arrive at a remote part of the Chaos Dome where Mo uses her [[cyber-sleeve]] to create an opening so they can head inside. Within, they discover some of the hazards — red lightning coming from the sky and [[Skywarp (ES)|Skywarp]] and [[Nova Storm (ES)|Nova Storm]] making futile attempts to escape the dome. They stop to admire Terratronus and also [[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]], still trapped inside her noggin. Bee touches Terratronus and absorbs a charge of chaos energy, flinging him back and causing his blaster to fire wildly, which inevitably attracts Decepticon attention. [[Soundwave (ES)|Soundwave]] and Breakdown quickly arrive, with the latter expressing disappointment that Bee knows how to get in but didn't tell him. Bee manages to talk Breakdown around while the pair duel, and Breakdown cooperates with taking down Soundwave and the cassettes, allowing the trio to escape.

Bee and Thrash head down the road towards [[Witwicky (town)|Witwicky]], attempting to avoid the patches of chaos fog on the road. Bee's admission he's never beaten Breakdown in a fight or race distracts Thrash long enough that he hits a patch of fog and for a few moments is diving out of control, but fortunately Bumblebee is able to prevent him flying off the road. They continue on to [[Ultramega Comics & Collectables|the comic store]], only to find that [[Skullcruncher (ES)|Skullcruncher]] is running rampant outside it. Mo and Thrash are startled when Breakdown arrives ready to help, and then disappointed in Bee when they realize this is why he came on the mission, but he manages to convince them Breakdown is on their side. While Bee and Breakdown keep Skullcruncher busy, Thrash and Mo retrieve the comic from the store. Skullcruncher charges them as they emerge, but Bumblebee and Breakdown cooperate to defeat the Con before the four of them head to the edge of the dome.

[[File:ESShockwaveComic.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Just as they're celebrating their victory, the comic is snatched from Mo's hands by [[Shockwave (ES)|Shockwave]]. To Bee's shock, Breakdown moves to stand with Shockwave, Soundwave and Skullcruncher, explaining that while Bee is his friend, the Cons are his family. Shockwave offers them the comic book back, but only if Mo frees the Decepticons from the dome. Mo is not willing to do that or to leave the comic behind, but Bumblebee has a better idea and challenges Breakdown to a race, winner take all. Knowing Bee has never beaten Breakdown in a race, Shockwave sees the logic in accepting, so soon Bumblebee and Breakdown are lined up for a no-rules race around "Chaos County". [[Laserbeak (ES)|Laserbeak]] provides footage and commentary as the pair take off. As expected, Breakdown employs all manner of cheating to try to slow Bumblebee down, but as they approach the finish line, Bumblebee intentionally drives into a bolt of chaos energy, temporarily supercharging him so he finishes first. Shockwave reluctantly concedes and allows Bumblebee, Mo and Thrash to leave with the comic.

Later, they present the comic to an overjoyed Robby, who immediately reads through it and reacts with shock at the ending.

{{--}}
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] (1)
|c2=
*[[Breakdown (ES)|Breakdown]] (2)
*[[Skywarp (ES)|Skywarp]] (8)
*[[Nova Storm (ES)|Nova Storm]] (9)
*[[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]] (10)
*[[Soundwave (ES)|Soundwave]] (11)
*[[Frenzy (ES)|Frenzy]] (12)
*[[Ravage (ES)|Ravage]] (13)
*[[Laserbeak (ES)|Laserbeak]] (14)
*[[Skullcruncher (ES)|Skullcruncher]] (15)
*[[Shockwave (ES)|Shockwave]] (16)
|c3=
*[[Robby Malto]] (4)
*[[Mo Malto]] (6)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Twitch]] (3)
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (5)
*[[Terratronus]] (7)

}}

==Quotes==
"Why can't my life be normal again?" 
"Because it's not scripted like comics?" 
"I wish someone was writing my life. I bet I'd have it pretty sweet for saving the world twice."
:—'''Robby''' and '''Twitch'''

"Sis, you know Thrash loves the wacky. ''(gasp)'' Maybe that's my catchphrase. I should practice that!"
:—'''Thrash'''

"Thrash does not like the wacky. No longer my catchphrase."
:—Also '''Thrash'''

"The terms of this negotiation are simple. Open an exit or deconstruct this prison altogether, and in return, you can have your precious ''pulp magazine.'' Ugh. As tasteless as it is."
:—'''Shockwave''' is not impressed by the use of his likeness.

"Your logic suggests a stalemate, and I will not accept an inconclusive outcome."
:—'''Shockwave'''

"Good luck! Sorry, you kinda need it. ...What?"
:—'''Thrash''' has utmost confidence in Bumblebee.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===

===Transformers references===
*[[The Last Stand|The 4th issue]] of a Transformers comic ending on a massive cliffhanger.
*The cover of the comic the Maltos are after is partly based on the famous cover for ''[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers]]'' [[The New Order|#5]], featuring [[Shockwave (ES)|Shockwave]] striking the same pose as his [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel counterpart]].

===Real-world references===
* The opening scene evokes a stereotypical Old West film gunfight until it's revealed Bumblebee and Breakdown are firing at the dome.
* In addition to the aforementioned Shockwave homage, Robby's comic also takes heavy inspiration from the [https://comicbookinvest.com/2015/03/20/uncanny-x-men-141/ oft-homaged] cover to [[wikia:Marvel:Uncanny X-Men Vol 1 141|''Uncanny X-Men'' #141]], which features a similar "wanted poster" of multiple deceased or captured [[X-Men]].

===Errors===
*This whole episode's plot really hinges on a lack of digital comic purchasing in the 2020s, unless Robby prefers to only collect physical copies of comic books.
* [[Roger Craig Smith]] is listed in the credits as "Roger Cr'''ia'''g Smith".

===Trivia===

[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Transformers One (film)

2024-09-28T05:46:00Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{Nav-one}}
{{movie|
|seriess=Transformers One
|prev=
|next=
|title=''Transformers One''
|image=Transformers One New Theatrical Poster.jpg
|caption=The motion picture you are about to see is an adaptation of the [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]] story. While artistic and historical license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for [[fandom|millions of people worldwide]].
|production companies=[[Hasbro Entertainment]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] Bayhem Films [[Paramount Animation]] New Republic Pictures
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Zev Foreman]] [[Olivier Dumont]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[B.J. Farmer]] [[Matt Quigg]]
|producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Aaron Dem]]
|story by=[[Andrew Barrer]] [[Gabriel Ferrari]]
|screenplay by=[[Eric Pearson]] Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari
|directed by=[[Josh Cooley]]
|cinematography by=
|edited by=
|music by= [[Brian Tyler]]
|release date=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|runtime=104 minutes
|budget= $75 million
|box office=
|credits=Transformers One (film)/credits
}}

'''''Transformers One''''' is an animated film released on [[September 20]], [[2024]]. It is written by [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]],<ref name="deadlinereveal">[https://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref> and directed by [[Josh Cooley]].<ref name="cooleyreveal">[https://deadline.com/2020/04/transformers-animated-movie-paramount-hasbro-toy-story-4-director-josh-cooley-1202921100/ Animated 'Transformers' Prequel Activated; 'Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley To Direct For Hasbro/eOne & Paramount]</ref> The movie is an origin story set on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] three billion years ago<ref name="collidercinemacon">[https://collider.com/transformers-one-animated-movie-title/ New ‘Transformers’ Animated Movie Rolls Out a New Title at CinemaCon] on Collider</ref><ref name="screenrantsandiegocomiccon">[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-timeline-setting-takes-place// When Transformers One Takes Place In The Franchise Timeline] on Screen Rant</ref> in the days before the Autobot-Decepticon war, and focuses on [[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (One)|Megatron]] as they go from brothers-in-arms to enemies.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />

{{bigquote|The line between friend and enemy is not as clear as I once believed. Once it's crossed, there is no going back. Because some transformations are permanent...|[[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]]}}

==Synopsis==
Long ago, the benevolent [[Primus]] sacrificed his life essence to become the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and created the [[Thirteen|first generation of Transformers]], the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s. Through the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], [[energon]] flowed freely from the planet's core, and the Primes ruled justly for a time. However, when the alien [[Quintesson]]s began a long war of invasion, the Primes were eventually slain, and the Matrix of Leadership was lost, leaving only [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] to rule the planet in their absence after the Cybertronians relocated to massive underground cities, abandoning the dangerous surface.

[[File:TFOne Orion caught.jpg|left|thumb|300px|She's exhausted from the day's work. Uh, not that it was too much! We-we quite enjoyed it!]]
Fifty cycles after the war, Cybertronian society now relies on an underclass of manual laborers born without [[transformation cog]]s, including a caste of miners who physically extract what few veins of usable energon remain from the tunnels beneath the subterranean [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] City, while Sentinel Prime makes periodic journeys to the surface in search of the missing Matrix. One impulsive miner named [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] has been searching for information regarding the Matrix, in the hopes that finding the artifact will restore Cybertron to prosperity and allow him and his fellow miners to choose their own path in life. Unfortunately, this search for information has led him to repeatedly break into the city's data archives without authorization. His latest attempt draws the unwanted attention of two [[Guard (One)|guards]] who have caught him several times in the past already, leading to a wild (and nearly lethal) chase through the skyways, through buildings, and eventually into the ground-level public transport station. Though the guards eventually catch up to Orion, the miner's friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] provides a distraction and sends the guards off on a wild goose chase. On the train to work, the pair discuss Orion's latest life-endangering adventure, and Orion, knowing that his friend idolizes the strongest Prime, gifts D-16 a rare first-edition decal of [[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]'s helmet he'd found.

[[File:TFOne Mine Explosion.jpg|right|thumb|300px|We're trying to get the funny man out of the well!]]
In the mines, D-16 and Orion work under the supervision of their go-getting captain [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], using [[jet pack]]s and deployable support poles to keep Cybertron's shifting geology stable long enough for them to extract raw energon. However, [[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]] accidentally hits a vein of unstable energon, and the ensuing explosions trap [[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] under a rockfall. Orion and D-16 defy protocol and use a jet pack to save their coworker, but the chaos ends up damaging and destroying a lot of mine equipment. One of the mine's guards, [[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]], blames Elita for the disaster, and informs her she's been demoted to waste management duty, despite Orion sticking up for her and taking the blame.

That evening, Sentinel Prime returns to Iacon to announce that he still has not found the Matrix; to take the blow off this bad news, Sentinel declares that the prestigious [[Iacon 5000]] race will be held the next day. Orion tries to persuade D-16 to join him in the race, hoping that they can prove to the rest of Cybertron that mining bots deserve respect, but D-16 has no interest in the idea. On the day of the race, Orion discreetly leads D-16 to the maintenance area inside the giant starting signal above the race's starting line; while D-16 is initially excited to watch from a perfect vantage point, Orion reveals his true intention as he straps jet packs to the two just as the race begins and they're dropped into the thick of a throng of racing robots. Using their jet packs and some quick thinking to compensate for their inability to transform, the two dodge the numerous traps and obstacles and briefly manage to take the lead, sending bots across the city into a frenzy, especially the cogless miners. The pair are just about to limp across the finish line and take first place, but end up being run down by [[Chromia (One)|Chromia]], who snags victory for herself. The pair figure they can still be proud of second place... until several dozen other racers whip by them in vehicle mode.

[[File:TFOne Sentinel visits.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I seek to build an empire, and your only goal is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down. Have I taught you nothing?]]
In Iacon's medical center, where many, many racers have ultimately ended up, Sentinel Prime meets with Orion and D-16; the pair are immediately certain they are in ''massive'' trouble, especially when they're scanned by Sentinel's creepy aide [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] before his arrival, but it turns out it's quite the opposite. Sentinel ''loved'' their little stunt, and tells them that the miners' productivity after that showing was already at 150%. Sentinel offers them a chance to tour the mines and help inspire their comrades to work harder, with promises of some pampering along the way, and the pair quickly agree. However, Darkwing arrives before Airachnid can escort them to Sentinel's private quarters; infuriated that he nearly lost the race to the pair after they humiliated him, he drags them to the planet's fiftieth sub-level (ten levels below what they ''thought'' was the lowest level of the planet) and locks them in a trash incineration station.

The two bots soon meet the eccentric and exceptionally talkative [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]], who has been trapped at the job of "look at garbage and take anything of value out before it's burned" for years, with only garbage statues for "company". When one of B's pals "[[Steve (One)|Steve]]" utters some electronic gibberish, Orion accidentally beheads the "bot", but discovers within the wreckage an old beacon from the Quintesson war, still broadcasting a set of coordinates located somewhere on the planet's surface. Orion, B-127, and D-16 decide to investigate, escaping the only way they can: by climbing up the dump chute. Ew. The trio stow away aboard an automated surface-bound garbage train but coincidentally encounter Elita-1, who now works the refuse line. She handily clobbers the three but ends up locked in the train with them as it departs. She heads for the front, intending to report them to security, a mad dash that gets all the harder as the train starts moving vertically towards its destination. She manages to pop a hatch and make it out of the train, and the trio gives chase, but all four are stopped cold as they're enveloped in light and they find themselves traveling along Cybertron's surface.

The four are stunned by the planet's natural beauty but then horrified as said natural beauty starts violently heaving upwards behind them, tearing up the self-building rail and scattering train cars. They run for it but are thrown off, waking in just enough time to completely miss another train, the rail un-building behind it. Elita is furious, but agrees to join Orion's search for the Matrix, on the conditions that 1) she's in command, 2) she holds the map, and 3) after they find the Matrix and bring it back the other three turn themselves in for their idiotic plan and sing her praises to the authorities. Orion very quickly agrees, and the four head off, confused by the weird not-metal life growing on the surface. They spy a group of robotic quadrupedal lifeforms, which suddenly snap to attention and run for it as the ground begins to tremble. It's soon apparent the cause of their panic: a massive Quintesson spaceship! As the ship scans for any lifeforms (obliterating one of the Cybertronian fauna with a massive cannon blast when it ends up in the tracking beams), the four barely evade detection and the ship moves on.

[[File:TransformersOne-AlphaTrionTransformationCogs.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, you shall do my wonders.]]

Soon they find themselves at the end of the map's trail, a hidden and extremely creepy cave. Inside they find a scene of absolute horror, the spot where the ancient Primes made their final stand against the Quintessons, the bodies of the thirteen lying broken and covered in overgrowth. Although the Matrix is nowhere to be found, Orion discovers that [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]]'s spark still pulses and uses an [[energon cube]] provided by B to revive him. The four attempts to bring Trion up to speed on recent events, but their mention of "Sentinel Prime" causes Trion to reveal the terrible truth: Sentinel is an imposter, a traitorous aide who led the Primes into a Quintesson ambush, in exchange for "ruling" Cybertron under the invaders' command. However, when Sentinel tried to claim the Matrix after prying it from [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]]'s corpse, the artifact judged him unworthy and disappeared. To appease his new masters, Sentinel has deliberately stolen transformation cogs from newborn Transformers to keep them producing energon in the mines; at Trion's urging, the four emerge from the cave to witness Sentinel pledging servitude to the [[Quintesson High Commander]] and learn the city's garbage trains are actually transporting Cybertron's dwindling energon supplies to Quintesson ships, leaving barely enough for the people of Cybertron. These revelations leave the bots horrified, but D-16 takes it the worst of all, having also looked up to Sentinel for years. Alpha Trion decides to give the team hope by gifting them the transformation cogs from four of the fallen Primes, as well as a recording of Sentinel's treachery. However, Airachnid spied on the four when they were watching Sentinel's meeting with the Quintessons, and a squad of Sentinel's [[Death Tracker]]s arrive. Despite his disrepair, Alpha Trion uses his leonine alternate mode to wipe out the squad, allowing Orion and the others to escape. But he is quickly incapacitated by Airachnid.

The four bots have a very rocky time learning to transform in the middle of fleeing a squad of Death Trackers, tumbling downhill with only ''parts'' of them shifting into their new vehicle modes, but desperation forces them to adapt ''very'' quickly. Each one finds new abilities and an aptitude for combat, and soon they're able to destroy their pursuers. Overjoyed at their victory, they make the plan to use the incriminating information Trion gave them by returning to Iacon and exposing Sentinel as a traitor... although D-16 snatches the evidence and takes the lead, his ever-growing intensity and openly stated desire to kill Sentinel leaving Orion more and more unnerved.

Back in Iacon, Alpha Trion is brought before Sentinel, who mocks the "old-timer" and gloats about his station, complaining to Airachnid about the Primes' stuffiness and boring speeches. Trion's word of warning that Sentinel's time will soon be over only annoys the false Prime further, and in a fit of rage he kills the ancient Prime before sending Airachnid back to the surface to hunt down the wayward miners.

[[File:TFoneStarscreamSoundwaveShockwaveInterrogation.jpg|left|thumb|300px|You're playing with the big boys now!]]
Along the path to Iacon, a series of shots ring out, and each bot slips into stasis... Orion and the others are brought back online, bound (and gagged in B's case) as prisoners of the former members of Cybertron's [[High Guard]], who have been fighting a guerrilla war against the Quintessons ever since the fall of the Primes, led by [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]]. D-16 is not impressed, and giving into his growing rage, challenges Starscream's authority, and the two quickly end up in a brawl. While Starscream plays it tough even as Megatron crushes his neck and damages his speech module, his attitude soon changes as Megatron manifests a massive cannon on his arm, aimed directly at Starscream's head. The Guard quickly rallies behind their new leader, ready to take the fight to Sentinel... but Airachnid's forces arrive and ambush them.

[[File:TFOne Airachnid attacks.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?]]
Orion, having been buried in the battle, awakens when Elita drags him from the rubble, to find that D-16, B-127, and much of the Guard have been taken prisoner, and the data crystal containing the evidence of Sentinel's betrayal has been shattered. Orion despairs, believing their quest to be hopeless now, but Elita won't have it. Though she's still not above taking some digs at Orion, she points out that it is the bot's endless ''optimism'' that makes him a true leader, one that can make bots do amazing (and occasionally amazingly ''stupid'') things. Orion takes the praise (and insults) and decides it's time to rally, and the two quickly formulate a plan; the Guard may be strong, but the last battle proved they aren't enough on their own, they need a true army... and Orion knows exactly where to get one. After Elita quickly shuts down any dissent from the remaining Guard (thanks to a very swift punch to [[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave's]] eye), Orion primes the warriors for the coming battle, with a cry of "''Transform and ROLL OUT!''"

The captives have been brought to Sentinel's tower, where the puppet leader gloats over them, mocking Starscream's scrambled voice and sneering at D-16. But the miner does not cower or balk at all, declaring that he is not afraid of Sentinel, as he has nothing left to lose. Noticing the worn Megatronus decal, Sentinel reveals that he took Megatronus's transformation cog when he killed him, ripping the decal from the miner's arm before slapping it back onto his chest... and then, knocking the miner on his back, using a mining tool to crudely ''carve'' the Prime's face into D-16's chest.

Orion uses his new form to rocket-glide into the depths of Iacon City, entering the miners' quarters (and bodily hurling Darkwing aside in the process). Orion reveals the truth to the miners and rallies them to join forces with the High Guard and rebel against Sentinel's regime. Meanwhile, Elita, Shockwave, and [[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] have commandeered a returning "garbage" train, transporting the Guard into the city in a sneak attack. But the sudden appearance of hundreds of Death Trackers makes things look very bad for the plan... until Orion and the miners leap into the fray and cut a swath through the incoming horde, armed with their jet packs and mining tools. Airachnid attempts to kill Orion, slamming him into the train engine, and revealing the ''incredibly horrifying'' array of optics hidden in the back of her head. But her multi-scanning abilities give Orion a sudden idea as the train plows towards Sentinel's tower.

Sentinel, angered as D-16 once again attempts to rise up, is just about to blow the miner's head off when the train slams into his tower. Soundwave frees the prisoners and the fight spills across the city. Sentinel transforms into combat mode, but D-16 will not be deterred, the two launch into battle. Elita leaps into action, tackling Airachnid and attempting to take her prisoner (with only ''some'' gratuitously satisfying pummeling along the way). She drags the semi-conscious bot to one of Iacon's broadcast stations, and B makes a very ''over-enthusiastic'' entrance. Airachnid's memory banks are quickly scanned, and her memories of Sentinel's most recent meeting with the Quintessons are broadcast throughout the city, leading the populace to also join the fight.

Sentinel fares badly in his fight with D-16, and seeing his cowering before the Quintessons on dozens of screens, his empire in ruins, tries to flee, and when that fails, begs D-16 to spare him, claiming they can co-rule Cybertron. D-16 insists that Sentinel must die for his crimes, but Orion tries to convince his friend that they can be better than their enemies. D-16 violently disagrees, knocking his friend aside and readying the kill shot... only for Orion to leap in the path, the cannon blast tearing through his torso and sending him tumbling over the edge. D-16 grabs Orion's one good arm, horrified... ''that Orion would stop him from killing Sentinel''. With this betrayal, he lets his dying friend fall, vowing he is ''done'' saving his friend from his mistakes, and Orion plummets into Cybertron's depths. As Orion falls, D-16, insistent that there will be no more Primes, kills Sentinel by bisecting him with his hands. He then seizes Megatronus' cog from Sentinel's chest, replacing the one gifted to him by Trion, which transforms him into an even ''more'' battle-ready form. Declaring himself "Megatron", he commands the High Guard to destroy everything Sentinel built... in other words, what's left of the city.

[[File:One-Megs-Prime-face-to-face.jpg|thumb|300px|Goodbye... brother.]]
Meanwhile, the mortally wounded Orion falls through the planetary strata, which slides and shifts out of his way, until he finally reaches Cybertron's core. There, he encounters the spirits of the Primes, who announce that Primus has deemed him worthy to carry the Matrix of Leadership. Orion is rebuilt, his spark restored, declared the newest of the Primes: "Optimus Prime", and sent rocketing to the surface in a blaze of blue light.

Elita and B try and fail to stop Megatron's rampage, their former friend ready to kill them too, but Optimus smashes onto the scene. Megatron is incensed at this new betrayal both by his former friend ''and'' the Matrix itself, and launches himself at Optimus. Optimus ultimately triumphs in their fight, and, unwilling to kill his oldest friend, reluctantly banishes Megatron and his new allies to the surface. Megatron seethes but decides that now is not the time, and takes his new army to the surface.

With the return of the Matrix of Leadership, Cybertron is restored to life: energon flows once again from the planet's core to the surface, and ''all'' of the cogless bots receive transformation cogs, becoming fully autonomous "[[Autobot]]s" who vow to defend Cybertron from any future Quintesson incursions. However, the Quintessons are not the only looming threat—though banished from Iacon, Megatron and his followers rechristen themselves the "[[Decepticon]]s" and swear revenge.
{{-}}

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=Miners
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax / Optimus Prime]] ([[Chris Hemsworth]])
*[[Megatron (One)|D-16 / Megatron]] ([[Brian Tyree Henry]])
*[[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] ([[Scarlett Johansson]])
*[[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] ([[Keegan-Michael Key]])
*[[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] ([[Evan Michael Lee]])
*[[Arcee (One)|Arcee]] ([[Jinny Chung]])
*[[Bluestreak (One)|Bluestreak]]
*[[Brawn (One)|Brawn]]
*[[Hound (One)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (One)|Huffer]]
*[[Firestar (One)|Firestar]]<ref group=note name="uncredited">Denotes a character, or unidentified members of a group, who speaks, but has no credited voice actor. The performance was likely done by an ADR voice cast member.</ref>
*[[Ironhide (One)|Ironhide]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Mirage (One)|Mirage]]
*[[Moonracer (One)|Moonracer]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Prowl (One)|Prowl]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Ratchet (One)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (One)|Red Alert]]
*[[Sideswipe (One)|Sideswipe]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Smokescreen (One)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Sunstreaker (One)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Windcharger (One)|Windcharger]]

|h2=[[High Guard]]
|c2=
*[[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Buscemi]])
*[[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] ([[Jon Bailey]])
*[[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave]] ([[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]])
*[[Skywarp (One)|Skywarp]] (Josh Cooley)
*[[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Dirge (One)|Dirge]]
*[[Ramjet (One)|Ramjet]]
*[[Thrust (One)|Thrust]]
*[[Slipstream (One)|Slipstream]]
*[[Redwing (One)|Redwing]]

|h3=[[Thirteen|Primes]]
|c3=
*[[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]] ([[Laurence Fishburne]])
*[[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo]]
*[[Micronus Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Onyx Prime]]
*[[Prima|Prima Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Vector Prime]]

|c4=
*[[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Jon Hamm]])
*[[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] ([[Vanessa Liguori]])
*[[Quintesson High Commander]]
*[[Quintesson Soldier]]s
*[[Primus]]
*[[Death Tracker|Gold Tracker]]s<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Death Tracker]]s
*[[Guard (One)|Guards]] ([[Steve Blum]], Jason Konopisos-Alvarez)
*[[Announcer Bot]] (Steve Blum)

'''Racers'''
*[[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Chromia (One)|Chromia]] (Jinny Chung)
*[[Injured Racer]] ([[Dillon Bryan]])

|nonumbering=true
}}
<references group=note/>

==Quotes==
"Are you ''crazy?!''" 
"Sure feels like it!"
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' summing up their initial relationship.

"What do you think he's gonna do to us when he finds out that we know?!" 
"I'm not thinking about what ''he's'' going to do, I'm thinking about what ''we're'' going to do." 
"That's the whole thing! You're never thinking about anything else, just yourself. Fantastic! Another Orion Pax master plan! I can't wait to hear this!" 
"Don't you want to stop him?" 
"NO, '''I WANT TO KILL HIM!''' I wanna put Sentinel in chains and march him through the mines so everyone can see him for the '''false Prime''' that he is! I want him to suffer, and then to ''die'' in ''darkness.''"
:—The first cracks show in '''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''''s friendship.

"They were one. ''You'' are one. '''ALL''' are one!" 
:—'''Alpha Trion''' inaugurates our heroes with the tried and true phrase.

"Uh, why is he gagged?" 
"He wouldn't stop talking." 
"Even when he was unconscious?" 
"''ESPECIALLY'' WHEN HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS!"
:—'''Elita-1''' asks '''Shockwave''' about B-127's restraints.

"Listen to me, I really want you to hear this. Are you listening? I'm better than you." 
"Yeah, okay, I'm hearing you.." 
"I'm better than you in every way, except you have hope. You always have. You went back into the mine to rescue Jazz, you snuck up to the surface to find the Matrix of Leadership!" 
"Oh, yeah, and how'd that work out?" 
"My point is that your instincts tell you to break protocol for a ''reason''. This blind optimism that you have is why you make such bold and courageous choices. That are also extremely stupid." 
"First time giving a pep-talk?"
:—'''Elita-1''' attempts to give '''Orion Pax''' a pep-talk. ''Attempts'' to.

'''Soundwave''': "What is our first move?" 
'''Orion Pax''': ''(quietly and intensely)'' "We roll out." 
'''Skywarp''': "...what?!" 
'''Elita-1''': ''(quietly)'' "Louder!" 
'''Orion Pax''': "TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!"
:—Orion realizes that dramatic one-liners aren't that dramatic if no one can hear them.

"What defines a Transformer is not the cog in its chest but the spark that resides in their core... a spark that gives you the will to make your world better, and that is something Sentinel can ''never'' take from us. If we want to be in control of our own destiny, we will have to fight for it. Now is the time for us to stand up. For ourselves. Stand up for this injustice! I promise you, this fight will be worth it. Follow me; nothing can stop us when we stand together! Together as '''one!'''"
:—'''Orion Pax''' delivers his first heroic speech.

"It's over, Sentinel! You can't escape the truth!" 
"What truth? That I plucked the cogs from your newborn chests? Forced you to mine so I could pay off the Quintessons and live like a king? None of that matters! Because the truth... is. ''What. I. '''Make it!'''''"
:—'''Orion Pax''' learns '''Sentinel Prime''' won't go down without a fight.

"I'm ''done'' saving you."
:—<s>D-16</s> '''Megatron''' lets his ''former'' friend fall.

"Impossible... Primus gave ''you'' the Matrix?" 
"We could have built the future ''together!"'' 
"I'll build it myself, after I tear down everyone '''''IN MY WAY!'''''"
:-'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' set the stage for eons of conflict to come.

"We were given the power to change our world, and you chose to destroy it. Just like Sentinel. You have betrayed Cybertron and its citizens, and you betrayed... ''me.'' Go. Take the High Guard, and leave. You are... banished from Iacon. It didn't have to end this way." 
"This isn't over, ''Prime.''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' share one final exchange.

"This is the greatest day of my life... I get to work for the ''government''!"
:—'''B-127''' knows a good benefits package when he sees one.

"And now we stand here together as one, proving we all have the the power to transform; to become who we were destined to be; to right wrongs; to make our world better. Because here, freedom and autonomy are the right of all sentient beings. Here, all are truly ''Autobots''. This message is a warning to all Quintessons: If you dare return to Cybertron, the Autobots will be waiting. ''I'' will be waiting. I... am ''Optimus Prime''."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives his first dramatic ending monologue...

"Sentinel the betrayer is dead. But his death has given life to a new enemy...a stronger enemy... a ''personal'' enemy. We will not be blinded by his deception! We are the ones who are... '''DECEPTICONS! ''RISE UP!'''''"
:—...and '''Megatron''' gives the coming darkness its new name.

==Continuity notes==
The movie that would ultimately become ''Transformers One'' entered preliminary development in early 2015, when the project was first pitched as part of a writer's room that would lay out a number of sequels, prequels, and spinoff films that would turn the ongoing [[live-action film series|slate of live-action movies]] into a proper "cinematic universe", an attempt to cash in on the then-meteoric hype of the {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe}}. Like pretty much all the other "cinematic universes" pitched at around this time, this ambitious vision was not to be: following the box-office bomb that was ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', most of these projects were shelved, while others were heavily reworked—perhaps most infamously, ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' was reworked into a film that contradicted with the character's [[World War II]] flashbacks in ''The Last Knight'', shifting the film into a more ambiguous timeframe with regards to the other five live-action films.

It appears that a similar conceptual drift occurred over the course of ''Transformers One'''s production. When the film entered full production in mid-2020, ''One'' was said to be "separate and apart" from the ongoing live-action films, though at the time just how distinct the film would be from its predecessors remained a mystery. <ref name="cooleyreveal" /> When later asked if the film was a prequel to the live-action films, a reboot, or its own universe, director Josh Cooley answered "yes" to all of the above. <ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref> While a few details and visual nods—such as Bumblebee's original name of "B-127"—referenced the live-action films, the film otherwise draws heavily upon the mythology first laid down in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity family]], particularly in its depiction of Orion Pax and D-16 as former allies fighting against a corrupt Cybertronian government.

As the film's release date drew closer, multiple comments from the film's creatives indicated that the filmmakers viewed the movie as something entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films. In July, Josh Cooley stated that the film was set in a "new Transformers continuity" <ref>{{citesocial|quote= "Hey little nerd in my profile picture, what if I told you someday you'll create a new Transformers continuity, that begins earlier than anything you've seen on the Transformers lore timeline, with the greatest crew and cast ever assembled?"|link= https://x.com/CooleyUrFaceOff/status/1817235351095894510?t=Oju3b9v53cYIHlH4MLEsXg |name=Josh Cooley|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=7|day=27}}</ref>; in another interview from a week before release, di Bonaventura ultimately admitted that ''One'' didn't fit into the chronology of the live-action films, and described ''One'' and the live-action films as "two universes" that would be "[kept] separate". <ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> These statements were ultimately borne out by the movie itself, which featured multiple plot points that are pretty much irreconcilable with the live-action films—early on, the film establishes that [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] is long dead, negating his appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''; additionally, the movie ends with the newly christened Megatron killing Sentinel Prime, leaving no wiggle room for the events of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' to occur. As a result, the wiki has opted to treat the ''One'' franchise and any potential sequels as a new [[continuity family]], entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films.

==Transformers references==
* As with pretty much every major ''Transformers'' project since 2010, ''Transformers One'' is the latest interpretation of the modernized ''Transformers'' backstory that originated with [[Binder of Revelation|Hasbro's internal design documents]] and was first laid down in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''—the story of [[Primus]], the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], and the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron as former friends who fought against inequality on pre-war Cybertron until Megatron's extremism drove them apart. Notably, this version of the story portrays both Orion and Megatron as [[energon]] miners on the bottom of Cybertron's caste system—most other interpretations have instead depicted Orion as a somewhat higher-ranking data clerk. While other tellings of the story have Orion advocating for non-violent social change, this take on the origin ends with Orion Pax working alongside the future Decepticons to directly overthrow the reigning Prime, evoking [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' miniseries.
* Optimus Prime's original identity of "Orion Pax" is a name taken from the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]". Notably, the cartoon's version of Orion Pax was also a manual laborer, although the film does seemingly pay homage to Orion Pax's other famous job by having him sneak into the Cybertronian Archives at the very beginning of the film.
* The 'bot who will one day be known as "Megatron" initially goes by the name "D-16", a moniker lifted from ''Exodus'' and itself based on the [[TakaraTomy]] ID number of the [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original Megatron toy]]. D-16's original body—with a black, dome-shaped helmet and yellow eyes—references Megatron's [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics appearance]], which in turn was based on concept art for an unproduced prototype version of the original Takara Micro Change figure.
* B-127 is heavily based on his [[live-action film series]] [[Bumblebee (Movie)|counterpart]]: his helmet design (with its large "cheeks" and movable "antennae") bears a resemblance to his appearance in those films; additionally, his overly-talkative nature is a meta-gag about his "future" self being best known for not being able to speak. While other characters shorten his name to "Bee", he's never once referred to as "Bumblebee"—likewise taking after the [[Bumblebee (film)|''Bumblebee'' movie]], where that version of B-127 only gained the familiar name after landing on [[Earth]]. B-127's battle mask resembles his [[Bumblebee (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart's]] [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original toy]]; towards the end of the film, he fights with a pair of "knife hands" seemingly based on [[Bumblebee (WFC)|"Aligned" Bumblebee]]'s melee weapons in the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'' video game.
* In general, Elita-1 doesn't draw upon as many specific references as her co-stars, although her purplish-pink color scheme and motorcycle [[alternate mode]] may be a reference to the [[Elita-One (Movie)|live-action incarnation of the character]]. Notably, of the four main protagonists, Elita's the only one who ''doesn't'' have an alternate alias—especially odd given that her [[Elita One (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] originally went by "Ariel" in the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn".
* Sentinel Prime is based on [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], the former leader of Cybertron in the "Aligned" continuity. Like that version of the character, this take on Sentinel Prime is explicitly a "false" Prime who never carried the Matrix of Leadership, and a puppet ruler who was appointed to the position by the Quintessons. Design-wise, this take on Sentinel combines his "Aligned" counterpart's blue and gold color scheme with the cape-like wing arrangement and double-sided blade from [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|''Dark of the Moon'' Sentinel Prime]], while his battle mode is loosely inspired by Sentinel's [[Apex Armor (G1)|Apex Armor]] from [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' comic. He also has the knee details from his [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]], his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]]'s glorious chin and shares some physical similiarities with [[Nominus Prime]], a comic original character from the IDW 2005 continuity who, coincidentally, was also depicted as a puppet leader and false Prime with a Cybertronian jet as alternate mode.
* Like Sentinel Prime, the Quintessons are primarily based on their depiction in [[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|''The Covenant of Primus'']], which depicted them as shadowy manipulators who ruled Cybertron and exploited its natural resources through a proxy government during the planet's [[Age of Wrath]]; notably, the Quintessons in the ''Covenant'' helped maintain their hold on Transformer civilization by withholding the power to transform from the general populace. In a notable deviation from traditional ''Transformers'' lore, the bodies and starships of the film's Quintessons appear to be partly organic in nature.
* Primus's design seen in the hologram Orion plays invokes his ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' appearance, even using a simplified version of [[Primus#Cybertron|his toy]]'s transformation scheme, but with the origins of his "Aligned" counterpart. The color scheme is drawn from his [[:File:WarWithinPrimus.jpg|Dreamwave look]].
* The Thirteen, referred to only as the Primes in the film, are based on their "Aligned" counterparts for their backstory and designs. Vector, Nexus, Megatronus, Solus, and Alchemist Prime also draw from their ''[[:File:VectorPrime dvd.jpg|Cybertron]]'', ''[[:File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|Timelines]]'', ''[[:File:Megatronus.jpeg|Titans Return]]'', ''[[:File:SolusPrime-PowerofthePrimes.jpg|Power of the Primes]]'', and ''[[:File:TheCitizen IaconusCitizens.jpg|Cyberverse]]'' designs, respectively. Megatronus is also inspired by his ''Revenge of the Fallen'' design, including his face being based on the Decepticon symbol (or vice versa in-universe), although it is far more obvious in this movie, coincidentally evoking [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]]. Megatronus's face becoming the in-universe inspiration for the Decepticon symbol reflects the real life story of [[Soundwave (G1)|Generation 1 Soundwave]]'s face inspiring the iconic symbol.
* The mysterious [[Thirteenth Prime]] is replaced with Zeta Prime, who also takes [[Prima]]'s role as leader and Matrix-bearer, though Prima himself is still present. Zeta's design is also based on "Aligned" Sentinel Zeta Prime, as he appears in the ''War for Cybertron'' video game.
* Shockwave, Soundwave, Starscream's jet mode, and the cogged versions of Ironhide, Ratchet, Arcee, and Brawn have many details based on their ''Bumblebee'' designs. In particular, Ironhide and Soundwave transform into the vehicles modes designed by [[Emiliano Santalucia]] for their ''[[Studio Series]]'' toys. Soundwave's black sections on his upper thighs are based on the hinges on his [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Toys|original Generation 1 toy]].
* Shockwave's alternate mode resembles that of his [[Shockwave (WFC)|counterpart]] from the ''War for Cybertron'' games and his [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' toy]].
* Many contemporary works of pre-war ''Transformers'' fiction have established that pre-war Cybertronians organized themselves under a job-based [[Functionism|caste system]], with miners and other manual laborers occupying the lowest ranks of Transformer society. ''One'' features a very simplified version of this hierarchy, where Cybertronians without transformation cogs are an oppressed underclass while other Transformers receive additional rights and job opportunities.
* With the exception of D-16—whose origins as a low-ranking miner date back to IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]''—all of the other miners shown in the film go on to join the Autobots, while the forerunners of the Decepticons are depicted as ex-members of the elite [[High Guard]]. This specific class divide dates back to the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and, to a lesser extent, "War Dawn", which explained the war between the Autobots and Decepticons as an entrenched conflict between civilian laborers and military robots.
* The film's themes, "Resting Place of the Primes" and "The Fall", includes a leitmotif from the main theme of ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'', which was also composed by Brian Tyler.
*"The Fall" also plays a motif lifted from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'s'' "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" in a different key. More specifically, the motif is from when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] flatlines and dies. Fitting, as "The Fall" plays when Orion Pax is dropped into Cybertron's core and Optimus Prime is born.
* When discussing their mining ability, Elita says Orion "[doesn't] have the touch or the power," a reference to the [[The Touch|beloved song]] from ''The Transformers: The Movie.''
* The Iacon 5000 derives from the Marvel UK ''The Transformers'' [[Source:Darn 'n' Blast#Issue 326|issue 326's "Darn 'n' Blast" letter page]]. Many of the racers in the Iacon 5000 are characters from Generation 1 and ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', with their colors and vehicle modes next to their names on the leaderboard, though they do not correspond to specific models except for the miners, Darkwing, and Chromia.
** Racers based on their Generation 1 counterparts include [[Mirage (One)|Mirage]], [[Clampdown (One)|Clampdown]], [[Silverbolt (One)|Silverbolt]], "[[Deadend (One)|Deadend]]", [[Slingshot (One)|Slingshot]], [[Cliffjumper (One)|Cliffjumper]], [[Dragstrip (One)|Dragstrip]], [[Swerve (One)|Swerve]], [[Powerglide (One)|Powerglide]], [[Jetstorm (One)|Jetstorm]], [[Windblade (One)|Windblade]], [[Afterburner (One)|Afterburner]], [[Blurr (One)|Blurr]], [[Fireflight (One)|Fireflight]], [[Cordon (One)|Cordon]], [[Breakdown (One)|Breakdown]], [[Swindle (One)|Swindle]], [[Tailgate (One)|Tailgate]], [[Lightspeed (One)|Lightspeed]], "[[Spinout (One)|Spinout]]", [[Greasepit (One)|Greasepit]], [[Scattershot (One)|Scattershot]], [[Inferno (One)|Inferno]], [[Motormaster (One)|Motormaster]], and "[[Hotrod (One)|Hotrod]]".
** Racers based on their ''Generation 2'' counterparts include [[Blowout (One)|Blowout]], [[High Beam (One)|High Beam]], [[Double Clutch (One)|Double Clutch]], [[Meanstreak (One)|Meanstreak]], [[Motormouth (One)|Motormouth]], [[Speedstream (One)|Speedstream]], "[[Roadrocket (One)|Roadrocket]]", [[Jolt (One)|Jolt]], and [[Staxx (One)|Staxx]].
** [[Override (One)|Override]] and [[Tankor (One)|Tankor]] are based on their ''[[Override (Cybertron)|Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Tankor (BM)|Beast Machines]]'' counterparts, respectively.
**Racers that are only named through dialogue are [[Tailwind (One)|Tailwind]], [[Strafe (One)|Strafe]] (spelled "Streak" in one version of the English subtitles), [[Skyfire (One)|Skyfire]], and original characters [[Thunderglide]] and [[Behemoth]]. Phew!
* B-127 naming one of his pals 'Steve' could be a reference to [[Steve (Vehicon)|Steve the Vehicon]], a popular fandom joke during the [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Prime'' cartoon]] that got official recognition in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)|''Robots in Disguise'' comic]].
* After being knocked off the train and stranded on the surface, Elita-1 calls Orion, D-16 and B-127 a bunch of [[GoBots]].
* The notion of the Matrix of Leadership actively rejecting an "unworthy" candidate and disintegrating was a plot point in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)| Revenge of the Fallen]]''. When Orion Pax ''does'' find the Matrix, it is hidden in the planet's core, evoking the climax of the ''War for Cybertron'' games.
* Alpha Trion announces "All are one!" as he bequeaths the main quartet their new transformation cogs, a reference to the classic slogan "[['Til all are one]]!" originating from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Megatron is the 'bot who shoots Orion and leaves him on the brink of death until he is resurrected as Optimus Prime in what is likely a reference to the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "War Dawn". However, the specific framing of the scene—in which Megatron shoots Orion and drops him into the depths of the planet, only for him to find the Matrix and return as Optimus—is, however coincidentially, nearly identical to the events of [[Transformation (issue)|issue #9]] of ''Autocracy''.
* Alpha Trion's alternate mode being a leonine beast with a unicorn-esque horn is a direct homage to his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]], itself based on his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Toys|cancelled BotCon toy]].
* The throne Starscream sits on is loosely based on the crown his [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] wore during his coronation in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.<ref>[https://youtu.be/fo7EwIlSNAs?si=8y1UWHCLv46WKzE7&t=190 Brian Tyree Henry & Josh Cooley Dissect The Evolution Of Megatron | Transformers One Behind The Shot]</ref>
* Shockwave's eye flickers when he speaks, just as it did on his [[Shockwave (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]].
* Starscream has a normal-sounding voice when he first appears, but after D-16 crushes his [[voice box]] during their duel, his voice becomes shriller and scratchier in the style of [[Chris Latta]]'s portrayal of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]]. However, his voice returns to normal before the film's end as he declares his allegiance to the newly-renamed Megatron.
* Soundwave orders the High Guard to "[[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|eject]]" when descending on Sentinel's tower.
* During the battle in Sentinel Prime's tower, Orion leaps into the air and shoots one of the Death Trackers, with his midair pose homaging Optimus Prime's famous midair shooting pose from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Sentinel Prime's Death Trackers take heavy inspiration from ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'''s [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s, in both their design and their role as generic enemy troopers.
* Megatron disposes of Sentinel Prime in the same manner that his [[Megatron (Movie)|live-action counterpart]] killed [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]—by bisecting the bot with his bare hands. Similarly, this is also how the [[Rainmaker]]s disposed of Sentinel in the [[2019 IDW continuity]].
* The Matrix of Leadership causing Energon to flow and 'killing' the planet when lost calls back to the [[AllSpark]].
* The fatal wounds Orion Pax sustained from D-16 before his descent into Cybertron's core strongly resemble the wounds Optimus Prime sustained at the end of the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]".
* When both Orion Pax and Sentinel Prime die, [[aggressive depigmentation|their bodies turn grey]]. Of course, Orion doesn't stay that way for long, as he's no stranger to [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|dying]] nor coming back to life in a more powerful form.
* "Arise, Optimus Prime", intones Alpha Trion as Orion receives the Matrix, evoking the climax of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', in which a ghostly Optimus Prime said the same to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] as he transformed into Rodimus Prime.
* When restoring Cybertron's Energon supply, Optimus holds the Matrix in the same pose Hot Rod holds it at the end of ''The Transformers: The Movie'' when transforming into Rodimus.
* In the final scene, many miners gain details matching their Generation 1 selves after they receive their cogs. In particular, Arcee gains her pink visor from ''The Transformers: The Movie'' and Jazz obtains the door-wings from his [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Toys|original toy]].
* Optimus's concluding narration is presented as a "message" being sent into space to warn the Quintessons not to return. This continues the recurring concept of the ''Transformers'' films ending with Optimus "sending a message," introduced in the [[Transformers (film)|first live-action movie]] and repeated in most of the sequels.
* In the second post-credits scene, Megatron brands the Decepticon insignia onto his troops much like his [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]] did in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]". Megatron also orders the Decepticons to "[[Roll out#Transformers_Animated|rise up]]", quoting his ''Animated'' counterpart who originated the phrase "transform and rise up" in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]".
*Starscream's newly applied insignias are upside-down on his wings, just like his Generation 1 version.
* While the newly christened Decepticons fire into the sky, the glow of the laser beams shines on Megatron's insignia in a way that homages the metallic effect of the [[:File:TF-G1-HD-Logo-Evil-Decepticon.png|original Decepticon ''The Transformers'' logo]], and many a [[scene transition]].
* Megatron's last words to Optimus are "This isn't over Prime," bookending his line "It's over Prime" from [[The Transformers: The Movie|the 86 movie.]]

==Real-life references==
* One of B-127's "friends" is named A-A-Tron. [https://youtu.be/WLAq3JVJ6Ho?si=pCUM9jk-soMFoVH-&t=165 Just don't mention the Glee club around him...]

==Errors==
* Mirage, with the colors and land-based vehicle mode of his [[Mirage (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]], appears on the leaderboard of the Iacon 5000, but one of the cogless miners is also clearly based on Generation 1 Mirage.
* One of the cogless miners is clearly meant to be [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], with a black crest, red pelvis, and red pips on his shoulders. However, a later scene in Iacon's medical center has a voice on the intercom paging a "Dr. Ratchet".
* The incriminating clips of Sentinel replayed from Airachnid's mind reuse clips from previous scenes of the movie instead of being from Airachnid's point of view. Most egregious is the footage where Sentinel and his entourage kneel to the Quintesson High Commander, where Airachnid herself is fully visible.

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', features the original music by composer [[Brian Tyler]] and was released concurrently with the film. It notably repurposes a leitmotif from his work on [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers: Prime'']] into this film's main theme. The composer, under his electronic side project "Are We Dreaming", also produced the end credits song, "If I Fall", featuring rappers [[W:Quavo|Quavo]] (of Migos fame) and [[W:Ty Dolla $Sign|Ty Dolla $ign]].

==Development timeline==
[[File:Transformers-One-Teaser-Poster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''There can be miracles when you believe Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill Who knows what miracles you can achieve When you believe, somehow you will You will when you believe'']]
* March 27, 2015 — As part of the development of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]'', [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" to build a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[https://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Among the writers hired are ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' scribes [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]], who pitch the concept of an animated ''Transformers'' prequel set in the [[Live-action film series|live-action series universe]].<ref name="barrerferrari">[https://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref>
* December 20, 2018 — Following the release of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] hints in an interview that the animated prequel is still in the works.<ref>[https://www.metro.us/will-there-be-a-bumblebee-2-whats-the-future-for-the-transformers-universe-heres-what-its-producer-told-us/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura interview for Metro USA]</ref>
* April 29, 2020 — Director [[Josh Cooley]] (''Toy Story 4'') is reported to have been brought into the project to oversee a final draft, which is said to be "separate and apart" from the live-action films.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />
* May 18, 2021 — [[Allspark Pictures]] President [[Greg Mooradian]] credits the animated ''Transformers'' film on his Linkedin page with a 2023 release.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-mooradian-4a5062200/ Greg Mooradian's Linkedin:] "TRANSFORMERS (Animated Feature), with Oscar-winner Josh Cooley directing (2023 release)"</ref>
* May 24, 2021 — Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms the animated feature is in development, and will be released at some point after ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/05/24/tfw2005-coverage-of-49th-j-p-morgan-conference-434088 TFW2005 Coverage Of 49th J.P. Morgan Conference]</ref>
* January 21, 2022 — Paramount announces an untitled animated Transformers movie will be released on July 19, 2024.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-release-date/ Collider: New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Release Date Set For 2024]</ref>
* April 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura reveals that the entire film takes place on Cybertron, and the setting explores how they begin to question the hierarchy of how their society has gotten stratified, and how the common man doesn't have the voice that they want to have.<ref name=collider2023>[https://collider.com/transformers-animated-movie-characters-plot-cybertron-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ Here’s What the New Animated ‘Transformers’ Movie Is About (Exclusive)]</ref>
* April 21, 2023 — A day after the previous interview, di Bonaventura confirms [[Industrial Light & Magic]]'s involvement as the film's animation studio, bringing the company back to the franchise for the first time since ''Bumblebee''.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-ilm-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ The New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Is Partnering With an Industry Giant for the CGI (Exclusive)]/</ref>
* April 27, 2023 — The first members of the film's voice cast are revealed, consisting of [[Chris Hemsworth]] as Optimus Prime, [[Brian Tyree Henry]] as Megatron, [[Scarlett Johansson]] as Elita, [[Keegan-Michael Key]] as Bumblebee, [[Jon Hamm]] as Sentinel Prime, and [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Alpha Trion.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/transformers-animated-prequel-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235596692/ ‘Transformers’ Animated Prequel Sets Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and More Voice Cast]</ref>
* May 24, 2023 — Paramount moves the film's release date to September 13, 2024.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/05/transformers-one-release-date-pushed-by-paramount-1235379167/ ‘Transformers One’: Paramount Pushes Date For Animated Feature]</ref>
* June 7, 2023 — di Bonaventura teases how the film stands out from previous entries in the franchise, praises Chris Hemsworth's casting as Optimus Prime, and mentions a vocal transition from Hemsworth's voice to [[Peter Cullen]]'s as the character for audiences to witness. [[Steve Desmond]] and [[Michael Sherman]] (''Knock at the Cabin'') were revealed to be additional writers for the film, but where uncredited when the final credit came in.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ 'Transformers One' Producer Is Already Hyped for Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime]</ref>
* June 15, 2023 — Scarlett Johansson discusses the film's animation and praises Cooley as director.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWqG5mlRxzs Scarlett Johansson Says Transformers One Looks So Cool]</ref> Chris Hemsworth later brings details on voicing Optimus Prime for the film and his reasoning he joined the project through his love of the script. He confirms that he will not use his regular voice for the character.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrsvSzWHoE Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime Sadly Won't Be Australian in Transformers One]</ref>
* July 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura confirms Optimus Prime and Megatron in the film will be depicted under their Orion Pax and D-16 identities.<ref>[https://onetakenews.com/2023/07/20/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-transformers-one/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura Teases Upcoming Film ‘Transformers: One’: “It’s Something I’ve Wanted To Do For A Long Time” (Exclusive)]</ref>
* December 15, 2023 — Keegan-Michael Key mentions his voice for Bumblebee is closer to his regular speaking voice.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLM71B5xmFY Transformers One: Keegan-Michael Key Reveals What Bumblebee Sounds Like in New Animated Film]</ref>
* April 11, 2024 — The cast of the movie previews the trailer and reveals a new logo for the film at Cinemacon 2024, The Hollywood Reporter also confirms [[Steve Buscemi]] has joined the cast.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-animated-movie-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235871998/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Brian Tyree Henry Debut Origin Story 'Transformers One' - The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> During the presentation, Hemsworth revealed that Cullen served as a consultant on the getting the voice down.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-news-film-is-testing-very-well-and-peter-cullen-consulted-chris-hemsworth-on-voice/48127/ Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice]</ref>
* April 16, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry announce the date of the film's first trailer being on Thursday, April 18, 2024, as it will be launched into space.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-trailer-premiered-from-space/ The 'Transformers One' Trailer Will Be Premiered From Space - Collider]</ref>
[[File:TransformersOne-weatherballoon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''So how do you judge what a man is worth? By what he [[Toy|builds or buys]]? You can never see with your eyes on Earth Look through Heaven's eyes Look at your life. Look at your life Look at your life through Heaven's eyes'']]
* April 18, 2024 — A livestream hosted by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry follows a small craft launched towards space, with a screen that plays the trailer once it reaches 125,000 feet. The movie's release date has been pushed back by one week, to September 20, reportedly to avoid the release conflicting with that of ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/04/transformers-one-trailer-release-date-1235889037/ ‘Transformers One’ Launches Trailer In Space, A First For A Movie Studio; Pic Going Later In September]</ref> When asked whether the film is a fresh start, a prequel to the live-action films, or its own thing, Cooley replies "yes to all of the above".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref>
* May 20, 2024 — [[Brian Tyler]] is attached as the film's composer.<ref>[https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/05/20/brian-tyler-scoring-josh-cooleys-transformers-one/ Brian Tyler Scoring Josh Cooley’s ‘Transformers One’ - Filmmusicreporter.com]</ref>
* June 7, 2024 — Production for the film is revealed to be finished in the following month.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2024/06/07/work-on-transformers-one-animated-movie-is-set-to-wrap-up-in-july-513038 Work On Transformers: One Animated Movie Is Set To Wrap Up In July - TFW2005]</ref>
* June 10, 2024 — A work-in-progress cut of the film was screened at the {{w|Annecy International Animation Film Festival}} to a standing ovation.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235918820/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Transformers One’ Draws Laughs, Cheers in Its Annecy Debut - Hollywood Reporter]</ref>
* June 18, 2024 — Production designer Jason Scheier confirms animation for the film is finished.<ref>[https://twitter.com/ScheierJason/status/1803227407404638226/ Production Designer Jason Scheier's post on Twitter]</ref>
* June 27, 2024 — Sound-mixing for the film is finished, with production finally now complete around three months in advance of release.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C8vPCEUS3Bs/ @CooleyYourFaceOff - Instagram]</ref>
* July 9, 2024 — A panel for the film has been announced for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2024 on Thursday, July 25 at 11:45 am PST at Hall H.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-comic-con-1236004636/ Paramount Animation & Hasbro Entertainment’s ‘Transformers One’ Will Be More Than Meets The Eye At San Diego Comic-Con]</ref>
* July 13, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Keegan-Michael Key reveal a new clip of the main cast transforming for the first time at the Kids' Choice Awards 2024.<ref>[https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1812285185427431646/ Post from the official Transformers account on Twitter]</ref>
* July 23, 2024 — Cooley discusses how ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' influenced ''One''.<ref>[https://ew.com/transformers-one-comic-con-preview-optimus-prime-megatron-origin-story-8676886 Transformers One director reveals how infamous 1986 animated movie influenced new prequel film]</ref> A screening of the finished film was shown at a fan-event at Paramount Studios.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/anime/news/transformers-one-review-first-reactions/ Transformers One First Reactions are Raving Over "Best Transformers Film to Date"]</ref> Hemsworth talks about voicing Optimus Prime in the film and how his depiction stands out.<ref>[https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-orion-pax/ Chris Hemsworth on Becoming Optimus Prime for Transformers One (Exclusive)]</ref>
* July 24, 2024 — Several new posters are released, along with the announcement of a new trailer the following day at the SDCC panel.<ref>[https://twutter.com/transformers/status/1816111093917573615/ Second trailer announcement on Twitter]</ref>
* July 25, 202.4 — Details at the SDCC panel were revealed, along with the debut of the second trailer and Bucsemi's role announced to be Starscream.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-comic-con-1236022134/ ‘Transformers One’ Ignites Comic-Con With Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry & Keegan-Michael Key: How Two Best Friends Became Immortal Enemies]</ref> [[Eric Pearson]] was revealed to be an additional writer.<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/paramount-drops-transformers-one-trailer-2 Paramount Drops ‘Transformers One’ Trailer #2]</ref>
* August 21, 2024 — A new clip of Orion Pax and D-16 competing in the Iacon 5000 race is released on Paramount's YouTube channel.<ref>[https://youtu.be/7o-bGIBZxdc?feature=shared/ TRANSFORMERS ONE Film Clip IACON Race Begins (2024)]</ref>
* August 23, 2024 — Evan Michael Lee is revealed to be voicing Jazz.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Evanmichaellee/status/1826960202920530306/ Evan Michael Lee on Twitter]</ref>
* August 24, 2024 — [[Jon Bailey]], [[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]], [[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]] and [[Vanessa Liguori]] are revealed to be voicing Soundwave, Shockwave, Darkwing and Airachnid respectively, with Bailey reprising his role from ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''.<ref>[https://punto.com.ph/paramount-pictures-our-crew-rolls-deep-meet-the-voice-cast-behind-the-characters-in-transformers-one-in-cinemas-september-18/ PARAMOUNT PICTURES : OUR CREW ROLLS DEEP: MEET THE VOICE CAST BEHIND THE CHARACTERS IN “TRANSFORMERS ONE,” IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 18 on Punzo.com]</ref>
*September 6, 2024 — The film's credits song, '[[If I Fall]]' by [[Quavo]], is released.<ref>[https://youtu.be/M3FCIf0HFnk?si=NB1J3bT9XNPOpKCc/ If I Fall (Music from the Motion Picture Transformers One / Lyric Video)]</ref>
*September 12, 2024 — In an interview, Lorenzo di Bonaventura clarifies that ''One'' doesn't directly connect to the live-action films, and describes them as "two universes" that will be "[kept] separate". However, he notes that ''One'' will likely have an influence on future live-action projects.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> The film's review embargo is also lifted, and the film debuts with an 89% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-critic-reviews-are-out-currently-89-on-rotten-tomatoes/48337/ Transformers One Critic Reviews are Out, Currently 89% on Rotten Tomatoes]</ref>
*September 13, 2024 — The film's main theme is released.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnuXrOH0fs/ Brian Tyler - Transformers One Theme | Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]</ref>
* September 18, 2024 — An early fan event screening is held, preceded by a seven-minute featurette consisting of interview segments with Hemsworth, Henry, and Key, footage of main cast recording their dialogue, and some [https://twitter.com/damnyouwillis/status/1836584462341054907 hilarious trivia]. Attendees receive one of four exclusive keychains and poster prints featuring Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, or Elita-1.<ref>https://bleedingcool.com/movies/transformers-one-4-new-posters-tickets-go-on-sale-fan-screenings/</ref>
* September 20, 2024 — The first 300 ticket holders at participating theaters receive a poster print of {{w|Shadow the Hedgehog}} to promote the upcoming release of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''.<ref>https://kotaku.com/sonic-3-shadow-print-transformers-one-theater-showtimes-1851649010</ref>

===Changes before, during, and after production===
* Although the broad story beats of ''One'' remained more or less consistent over the course of the film's development, the first draft—written before Josh Cooley's involvement—was a silly, joke-heavy script that was very different in tone from the final product. When first brought on to direct, Cooley pushed for a more serious treatment to bring the film closer in line to the usual tone of the ''Transformers'' franchise.<ref name="gizmodo">[https://gizmodo.com/transformers-one-director-interview-josh-cooley-easter-eggs-2000489187 ''Transformers One'' Director Josh Cooley Talks Lore, Easter Eggs, and Alternate Versions] </ref>
* An early draft had a scene where Orion and D-16 played an arcade game together, which would've featured an 8-bit version of "The Touch". The gag was eventually dropped, although a different reference to the song made it into the final film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
* Another draft had D-16 as a gladiator, alluding to another part of the character's standard origin story, but ultimately this concept was cut for time. <ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/transformers-one-star-wars-old-republic-interview-1235017651/ ‘Transformers One’ Director Talks Bringing the Franchise to Its ‘Old Republic’ Era - Indiewire]</ref>
* Originally, the film would've ended on a smash cut to the film's title, accompanied by a rendition of the classic ''Transformers'' [[theme song]]. However, Cooley decided that the scene would be overly self-referential, and instead [[Brian Tyler]] scored an original composition to close out the film.<ref name="gizmodo" />

==Notes==
* Several international releases of the film are edited to cut away from Orion's "finger transformation" a few seconds earlier, as well as changing any mention of Bee's "knife hands" to refer to them as "sword hands" instead.
* The credits feature a dedication to former Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]], who passed away in October 2021.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/One''''' (トランスフォーマー/ONE ''Toransufōmā Wan'')
*''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Commencement''''' (France, "Transformers: The Beginning"), '''''Transformers : Un''''' (Canada, "Transformers: One")
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Qǐyuán''''' (变形金刚：起源, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Início''''' ("Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Korean:'' '''''Transformer ONE''''' (트랜스포머 ONE ''Teuraenseupomeo ONE'')
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Nachalo''''' (Трансформеры: Начало, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers One''''' (Spain), '''''Transformers : Uno''''' (Latin America, "Transformers: One")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:One| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

The Trial

2024-05-19T05:01:11Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{disambig2|the season 3 episode|the season 2 episode|Trials}}

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Transformers: Cyberverse]]'' ep 45
|image=Cyberverse - The Trial - Five Faces of Judgement.jpg
|caption=If you wish to hang yourself, Mr. Rodimus, you're welcome to, but not inside my courtroom.
|prev=The Citizen
|next=The Prisoner
|title="The Trial"
|airdate=[[February 19]], [[2020]] (UK) [[April 5]], 2020 (USA)
|season=3
|season ep=9
|production company=[[Allspark Animation]]
|writer=[[Eugene Son]]
|animation studio=[[Boulder Media Studio]]
|director=[[Jean Texier]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGO6BxvmB8s
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''Hot Rod takes a strike team to free Windblade but gets captured by the Quintessons.'''

==Synopsis==
In the bowels of the slumbering [[Iaconus]], the resistance flee the [[Titan (group)|Titan]]'s security measures until they finally reach a large room containing the Titan's face. [[Whirl (Cyberverse)|Whirl]]'s attempt at waking him goes nowhere and Dead End repeats his statement that their efforts are pointless, an assessment [[Perceptor (Cyberverse)|Perceptor]] agrees with. They cannot wake the citybot without a [[Cityspeaker]]; therefore, they need [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]].

In the [[Quintesson]] tower, Dead End, Whirl and Perceptor sneak past the guarding Prosecutors, disguising themselves with inactive versions of the Quintesson spark-draining machines, while [[Hot Rod (Cyberverse)|Hot Rod]] and [[Clobber (Cyberverse)|Clobber]] use the [[cortical psychic patch]] to plug into the Loop. Perceptor reaches Windblade and affixes a signal interruptor device over the Spark draining helmet, giving them the go-ahead.

''Inside the Loop, they find Windblade chatting with [[Chromia (Cyberverse)|Chromia]], enjoying the [[Parade of Metals]]. Hot Rod has Clobber occupy Chromia's attention while he has Perceptor show Windblade what's actually happening. Unfortunately, the others have been found by the Quintessons, interrupting their efforts, and Windblade goes back to cheering for the parade.''

The resistance tries fighting off the Quintessons, but despite their efforts, Hot Rod is captured and Whirl is shot down. As Whirl crash-lands, he dislodges some of the machinery from the dormant [[Soundwave (Cyberverse)|Soundwave]]. Watching Hot Rod's abduction, Dead End says it is too late, and he and Clobber leave. As they exit the tower, Clobber worries for Perceptor and Whirl, but Dead End is more concerned about them, though he does not finish the thought as Soundwave appears behind them. However, something is clearly off with him, as he jitters and collapses at their feet.

In the tower, Hot Rod is unthreatened by the Prosecutors. Spotting a pair of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s, who dismiss his guards, he tries making a connection, but the Sharkticons aren't interested in talking. He tries transforming and escaping, but his captors catch him before he can get anywhere, and drag him to their superior: a [[Judge (Cyberverse)|gargantuan, five-faced mechanoid]], the acting judge of the universe. And court is now in session.

Back at [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|Maccadam's]], Perceptor analyses Soundwave while Dead End and Clobber complain about their luck in waking Soundwave of all bots.

Back in the tower, the Judge declares Quintessons the masters of all the [[multiverse]]. One face wishes simply to burn Hot Rod but another declares punishment will come after the trial, wanting to know how Hot Rod has evaded the Prosecutors. Hot Rod tries to inquire what exactly the Quintessons are judges of. The reasonable face explains: there are an infinite number of [[universe (universe)|universe]]s, and the Quintessons travel to each one to judge if that universe is worthy. If it is not, they destroy it. Hot Rod asks who they are to judge his universe, but the Judge clarifies: they are not the judge of this universe, but he'll ''wish'' they were.

Outside, Whirl reports in to Perceptor that he has had no luck finding Hot Rod. Perceptor tells him to keep looking. [[Maccadam]] reassures him everything will be fine, for Hot Rod has not even met "the [[Scientist (Cyberverse)|scientist]]" yet.

Meanwhile, the Judge becomes impatient with Hot Rod's deflections and finds him in contempt. Their verdict is reached: Hot Rod is guilty and sentenced to the Loop. Having had enough of the parade, Hot Rod busts free from his Sharkticon guards and drives off.

At Maccadam's, Clobber and Dead End investigate the still-inactive Soundwave, the cycloptic Decepticon asking what they should do if he does not wake up. Dead End asks if she means they should deactivate him, saying he thinks it is a good idea. A barely-functional Soundwave disagrees.

In the tower, Hot Rod tries evading the Prosecutors, eventually coming to a door. Unfortunately for him, it leads right out to a very, very long drop to the ground. With the Quintessons fast approaching, Hot Rod decides to make the jump anyway. Before he hits the ground, Whirl manages to swoop in to rescue him. Still pursued by the Prosecutors, the two dive into Maccadam's. Hot Rod thanks Whirl for the rescue and is in turned "thanked" by Soundwave.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in simulation sequences. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Whirl (Cyberverse)|Whirl]] (1)
*[[Hot Rod (Cyberverse)|Hot Rod]] (2)
*[[Perceptor (Cyberverse)|Perceptor]] (4)
*Autobot soldiers (8)
*[[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]] (10)
*''[[Chromia (Cyberverse)|Chromia]]'' (11)
*''[[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]]'' (12)

|c2=
*[[Dead End (Cyberverse)|Dead End]] (3)
*[[Clobber (Cyberverse)|Clobber]] (5)
*Decepticon soldiers (9)
*[[Seeker (Cyberverse)|Seeker]]s (13)
*[[Soundwave (Cyberverse)|Soundwave]] (14)

|c4=
*[[Iaconus]]' head (6)
*[[Quintesson]] [[Prosecutor (Cyberverse)|Prosecutor]]s (7)
*[[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s (15)
*Quintesson [[Judge (Cyberverse)|Judge]] (16)
*[[Maccadam]] (17)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Hot Rod:''' One ugly face is bad enough, but five? That's a lot of ugly. 
'''Judge:''' Silence. Quintessons are the great and mighty masters of all the multiverse. ''(face switches)'' Enough chatter! Let him BURN! ''(face switches)'' Punishment will come after interrogation. Tell us how you have managed to evade our Prosecutors. ''(face switches)'' Answer the Judge! ''(whispers)'' But watch out. The others, they're all crazy! Hahaha!
:—The '''Judge''' says let the trial commence.

"Wait, what exactly are you the "Judge" of anyway?" 
"There are an infinite amount of universes in the multiverse. ''(face switches)'' Too many! Too MANY! BURN THEM ALL! ''(face switches)'' Quintessons travel to each universe and judge which are worthy of existence. ''(face switches)'' And if they're found guilty, hehehehehe... ''(face switches)'' Then that universe is destroyed."
:—The Quintesson Job Description, provided by the '''Judge'''.

"Who are you to judge my universe?" 
"You misunderstand. ''We'' are not the Judge of ''this'' universe. ''(face switches)'' But you will ''wish'' we were. ''(face switches)'' Yesterday's gone, and tomorrow will rid today!"
:—The '''Judge''' gives some foreshadowing.

"So I was tellin' Bumblebee-- you should meet Bumblebee, he's awesome. I was tellin' him, 'You should consider goin' red,' and then ''he'' said, 'Everyone will think I'm Cliffjumper!' Hahahaha!" 
"Enough lies and evasion!"
:—'''Hot Rod''' makes a little inside joke. The '''Judge''' is not amused.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Soundwave's poor health from his impromptu awakening is an implicit reason, which the next episode will confirm, as to why the resistance don't just yank those face-masks off everyone's faces, rather than going through the whole mess with the Cortical psychic patch we've been seeing for the last several episodes.
*Hot Rod attempts to befriend a Sharkticon by referencing his membership of the [[Snout]]s in "[[Wiped Out]]".
*The Quintessons seen since "[[The Loop]]" are identified as Prosecutors.

===Transformers references===
*Hot Rod swears by [[Amalgamous Prime]] when he sees the Judge.
*The Judge is designed after the traditional Quintesson appearance - five rotating faces on one body, though with a few differences, such as each face having a different personality, and the body being less ovoid. Their stated role as judges of the multiverse is a new version of their fondness for subjecting people to trials.
*Hot Rod's story mentions an Autobot named [[Cliffjumper (Cyberverse)|Cliffjumper]], and references the tendency for toys of [[Cliffjumper (disambiguation)|Cliffjumper]] to be red versions of [[Bumblebee (disambiguation)|Bumblebee]].

===Real-world references===
*TBA

===Other trivia===
*After the last few episodes showed the Quintessons being pretty poor with their security, leaving their victims entirely unguarded, they've now taken to Prosecutors prowling around. Though evidently they haven't learned ''that'' much, if an inactive face-mask which isn't even plugged in is enough to fool them.

===Animation and technical errors===
*TBA

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Das Gericht'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 14]], 2020

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''O Julgamento'''" ("The Trial")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 24]], 2021

==Home video releases==
*TBA

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trial, The}}
[[Category:Cyberverse episodes]]

Thirst

2024-05-11T02:07:31Z

Coopinator:

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 60
|prev=Plus One (Prime)
|next=Evolution
|image=ThristEpisodeConZombie.jpg
|caption=There were demons in the base. He didn't see them, but had expected them now for years. His warnings to Cernel Joson were not listenend to and now it was too late. Far too late for now, anyway.
|title="Thirst"
|season=3
|season ep=8
|airdate=[[June 7]], [[2013]]
|written by=[[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Scooter Tidwell]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWMF8lImZAw
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''Knock Out and Starscream's experiment with synthetic energon threatens to take over the Decepticon ship and unleash an old enemy.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Thirst1.jpg|left|thumb|300px|When he was young he watched the spaceships and he said to dad "I want to be on the ships daddy." Dad said "No! You will BE KILL BY DEMONS"]]

In [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]]'s lab, [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] bemoans his current situation, having to compete with [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] for [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'s favor. His whining is interrupted by moans from [[Silas|Cylas]], who is strapped to a table and begging to be freed. Knock Out injects him with a derivative of the [[Synthetic Energon|synthetic energon]] he recovered from the [[Autobot]]s. The compound drives Cylas into a rage, which Knock Out notes is one of its erratic side effects. Starscream sees in Cylas' fury the makings of a super-soldier for Megatron.

Starscream attempts to inform Megatron of this discovery, but the [[Decepticon]] leader is only interested in discussing the status of the [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] [[protoform]]s with Shockwave, who is reporting in from his off-site lab. Brushed off by his leader as unimportant, Starscream sulks on his way back to Knock Out's lab.

Cylas becomes more enraged with each new injection of Synth En. Knock Out discovers that the more the compound is administered, the faster Cylas burns through his own natural [[energon]] reserves. Starscream cannot see the use of having [[Predaking (Prime)|another]] unruly beast that can't be controlled, but then has an idea: [[Dark Energon]]. Knock Out objects, noting that the "Blood of [[Unicron]]" once [[Flying Mind|turned their own ship against them]], and that he would need approval from Shockwave in any case. Starscream assures the doctor that a controlled, minimal injection will merely place Cylas under Megatron's command, via their leader's symbiotic link with the substance, then asserts that "super-soldiers" are a military concern and thus fall under ''his'' jurisdiction.

Under orders and under protest, Knock Out injects Cylas with the Dark Energon-enhanced formula. Cylas temporarily powers down before rebooting in a rage and breaking free from his bonds. But after only a few steps, he crumbles to his knees, desperately low on energon. Then with a fierce roar, his lower jaw splits into monstrous mandibles and a long, bladed tongue emerges, which he attempts to use on Starscream to drain him of energon. Unable to subdue him, Starscream and Knock Out flee down the halls of the ship.

Once a safe distance away, Knock Out suggests sounding the alarm. Starscream disagrees, not wanting Megatron to learn of their actions. He claims that once Cylas attempts to feed upon the ship's highly-trained [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] troopers, they will take care of the threat.

Elsewhere, one of the Vehicons stumbles upon Cylas, who grabs the highly-trained trooper and begins draining his energon.

Starscream and Knock Out plan the disposal of Cylas' corpse when they find the Vehicon's corpse instead. While the two argue about who's to blame for their predicament, the dead Vehicon is reanimated by the Dark Energon in its system as a [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcon]] and reveals the same segmented jaw and bladed tongue that Cylas had. Starscream's blaster fire only staggers it, and Knock Out suggests destroying the Terrorcon's head, inspired by Human horror movies. Though Starscream's missile is successful in decapitating the creature, it doesn't stop it in the least, as the body lumbers forward with the tongue sticking out of the hole where the head used to be. A concentrated volley of blasts to the Vehicon's chest destroys the monster's revitalized spark, severing its link to the Dark Energon.

Knock Out posits that Cylas could infect the entire crew in the same manner, a theory that's borne out when they find themselves pursued by multiple energy-draining Terrorcons. Starscream and Knock Out lock themselves in a comm room to get a breather and assess the situation. Accepting that this may be the end, the two Decepticons exchange some awkward final pleasantries and step back into the hall…

[[File:Thirst-restinpeace.jpg|thumb|left|300px|"No! I must kill the demons" he shouted The radio said "No, John. You are the demons"]]
…Right into Megatron, who demands to know why the Dark Energon in his spark has been acting strangely as of late. Starscream provides a slanted explanation, but Megatron doesn't believe it until he's forced to destroy an attacking Terrorcon.

After a more extensive debrief of the situation, Megatron puts the ship on high alert and orders Starscream and Knock Out to seek and destroy Cylas. Around the ship, Vehicons and [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] battle the infected Terrorcons.

Cylas wanders into the ship's vault. Sensing energon within a [[stasis pod]], he breaks it open, freeing and reviving [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]]. Cylas attempts to drain her energon, though she ''barely'' ducks out of the way of his tongue, and a short battle ensues, but Airachnid is able to immobilize him with webbing long enough to deliver a fatal wound; ripping "[[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]]" open in order to destroy his spark and make ''sure'' he's dead this time, Airachnid instead finds the mutilated real body of Cylas, who survives just long enough to thank her for freeing him from his tortured existence before dying. She immediately re-establishes her telepathic control over the Insecticons and commands them to return to her. Their sudden departure is noticed by [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]].

Starscream and Knock Out discover Cylas' corpse. Starscream is elated until Knock Out points out Airachnid's destroyed prison, followed by Megatron demanding a status update.

[[File:Thirst-Airachnidzombie.jpg|thumb|right|300px|And then John was a zombie.]]
Airachnid leads the Insecticons through the halls of the ship, ordering them to wipe out every Decepticon aboard. At the end of the hall, Soundwave calmly steps forward to face them. The bug-bots attack, and Soundwave opens a [[space bridge]] directly in front of him at the last second. Before they can react, Airachnid and the Insecticons are teleported away. As the bridge closes behind her, Airachnid realizes that they have been sent to a moon orbiting the abandoned [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and screams in rage.

Aboard the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron contacts Shockwave again to inform him they're implementing his containment protocol to prevent further outbreak. He also tells Shockwave to speed up the Predacon cloning project, as they have now lost more than half their military forces. Knock Out is sternly reminded that he is the ship's ''medic'' under Shockwave's command, and is forced to turn over all of his experimental projects to the scientist. Megatron then turns to Starscream, intent on teaching him a lesson the only way that seems to get through to him...

Back on the moon, an '''infected''' Airachnid drains the energon from one of her minions as the rest of the Insecticons line up obediently to await their turn.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
|c2=
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (1)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (2)
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (4)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (5)
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (6)
*[[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] (7)
|c3=
|c4=
*[[Silas|Cylas]] (3)
*[[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] (8)
}}

==Quotes==

'''Knock Out''': You recall that "Synthetic Energon" I recovered from the Autobots? Well, I've been reproducing the formula to test its viability as an alternative energy source. However, the compound remains erratic, and there have been ''side effects''. 
'''Starscream''': Such as...? 
'''Cylas''': '''HRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!''' Starscream! I hope you replaced your T-cog because I'm going to tear it out all over agin and ''feed it to Knock Out!!''
:—'''Knock Out''' resurrects an old [[Stronger, Faster|plot point]], and repeats history in the form of '''Cylas'''.

'''Megatron''': ''[Talking to Shockwave over comm]'' Tell me of the Predacon protoforms. What is the status of their incubation? Mm-hm. Uh-huh. 
'''Starscream''': Master, if I do say so myself, I have made the most intriguing discovery. It appears that-- 
'''Megatron''': Not now! ''[Back to Shockwave]'' Please continue, Shockwave. No, no one important.

'''Starscream''': Megatron will undoubtedly hold us responsible. 
'''Knock Out''': But...WE ARE! 
'''Starscream''': Well, you are, mostly.

"Aim for the head!" 
"What? How do you know?" 
"I've seen human horror films." ''[Starscream looks at him curiously]'' "At drive-in theaters!"
:—'''Knock Out''' schools '''Starscream''' on how to survive a zombie apocalypse

"I find it rather ironic that after battling Autobots all these years, getting smacked down, shot at, blown up, ''this'' is how our lights go out?" 
"Drained of our precious fluids. If this is indeed the end, if we are to become Terrorcon-chow, it has been an honor serving Lord Megatron with you." 
"You're no Breakdown. Though I must confess, I have always admired your lustrous finish." 
''[Awkward pause]'' 
"''*mm-hmm*'' Well, then." 
"Should be going."
:—'''Knock Out''' and '''Starscream'''

'''Megatron''': Would either of you like to tell me what exactly is going on? 
'''Starscream''': Yes, absolutely nothing, my liege. 
'''Knock Out''': All is quiet, too quiet. One could even say dull! 
'''Megatron''': Funny, because the Dark Energon within my spark has been pulsing. 
'''Starscream''': ''(To Knock Out)'' Allow me to handle this. ''(To Megatron)'' IT'S KNOCK OUT'S FAULT! 
'''Knock Out''': Precisely my-WHAT?!
:—'''Starscream''' pulls a '''Starscream''', as per usual

"Silas? Whatever have they done to you? But more importantly, thank you for freeing me." 
"No. Thank…''you''…" ''[Dies]'' 
"Whatever."
:—'''Airachnid''' is unmoved by '''Cylas'''' final words

"Soundwave! I vow that on this day, the world will hear the sound of your screams."
:—'''Airachnid'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Airachnid was frozen in stasis in "[[Armada (episode)|Armada]]" and was retrieved from the Autobot base by the Decepticons in "[[Darkmount, NV]]".
* The [[polarity gauntlet]] can be seen in the vault, in the first of the five containment fields. It was left on Cybertron by [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] in "[[Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour]]", and can be assumed to have been recovered by Knock Out's salvage team offscreen in "Darkmount, NV". This leaves only the [[Immobilizer]] unaccounted for. There is also the [[Resonance Blaster]], but everyone seems to have forgotten about that by now.
* [[Silas]], the formerly fully-human commander of [[MECH]], was surgically combined with Breakdown's corpse in "[[The Human Factor]]". He changed his name to Cylas (Cybernetic Life Augmented by Symbiosis) and became a reluctant guest of the Decepticons in the same episode.
* Cylas (then Silas) entered into a partnership of convenience with Starscream in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 1]]" and conveniently stole his [[transformation cog|T-cog]] in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2]]".
* Cylas (then Silas) had Breakdown pinned to his operating table in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]".
* Knock Out recovered some of [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]]'s synthetic energon in "[[Stronger, Faster]]".
* Shockwave has been working from an off-site laboratory since "[[Chain of Command (Prime)|Chain of Command]]".
* Megatron previously used Dark Energon to reanimate and control the dead in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]".
* Dark Energon awakened a dangerous, self-serving intelligence within the Decepticon warship in "[[Flying Mind]]".
* Cylas' eyes turn green, then purple, when he is injected with synthetic energon and Dark Energon, respectively. This is consistent with previous applications of the substances. ("[[Stronger, Faster]]", "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]")
* Airachnid killed Breakdown and discovered her telepathic control of the Insecticons in "[[Crossfire (Prime)|Crossfire]]".
* Airachnid knows Cylas (then Silas) from their brief partnership in "[[Crisscross (episode)|Crisscross]]".
* Airachnid's desire to have Soundwave scream likely stems from the very one-sided beatdown she received from him in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]".
* Starscream refers to the Decepticon soldiers as "Vehicons" confirming it as their real designation. [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] used that term in to describe them in [[Plus One (Prime)|the previous episode]].
* Megatron alludes to the beatings he bestowed on Starscream in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4]]" and in-between the episodes "[[Out of His Head]]" and "[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]" when he prepares to punish Starscream "the only way he understands".
* Starscream took a fragment of Dark Energon and used it to raise [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] from the dead as his first "re-animated warrior" in [[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]], all of which Megatron revealed he knew about through surveillance provided by Soundwave in "[[Rock Bottom]]".

===Transformers references===
* Protoforms are the first stage of Transformer life in many continuities.
* Megatron again refers to his upcoming Predacon army as "[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|beast machine]] super-soldiers".

===Real-world references===
* Knock Out's proclamation of "It's alive" echoes the famous words spoken in ''[[Frankenstein]]''. This is what, the third time in this series?
* In addition to the segmented jaw and barbed tongue, the Terrorcons' [[teeth]] also transform into vampiric fangs.
* As Knock Out indicated, destroying the head is the traditional way to kill zombies in many horror movies. But only human ones.
* This episode heavily pays homage to the 1985 zombie film ''{{w|The Return of the Living Dead}}'' where two humans (Frank and Freddie) cause a gas to spread across a cemetery that revives dead corpses into zombies and then plays comedy with the two trying to control the situation while blaming each other for the zombie apocalypse, much like Starscream and Knock Out in this episode. The zombies in ''The Return of the Living Dead'' couldn't be killed by headshots, either.
* There is also some homage to the film ''{{w|Blade II}}'', specifically in the physiological effects of the virus. The Reapers, genetically-engineered vampire mutants, possessed the same type of unfolding jaw and feeding tendril, as well as a greatly increased blood appetite due to a heightened metabolism.
* Starscream and Knock Out's conversation while hiding from the zombies is reminiscent of a scene in ''{{w|Dr. Strangelove}}'' wherein General Ripper and Group Captain Mandrake are hunkered down as a firefight rages around their base, and Ripper explains his fear that Communists are out for his "precious bodily fluids".
* Knock Out places his fingers on the neck of the first Vehicon that fell victim to Cylas to check for life signs. This is often done to test a seriously injured person for a {{w|pulse}} in their {{w|carotid artery}}.
* The Terrorcons' mouths open like the [[Predator (alien)|Predators]], and they also have a tube-shaped tongue with fanged jaws like the {{w|Alien (creature in Alien franchise)|Xenomorphs}}.

===Errors===
* Knock Out discusses the events of "[[Stronger, Faster]]" and "[[Flying Mind]]" with Starscream, even though Starscream wasn't part of the Decepticon ranks when either took place. While it is conceivable that Starscream learned of the events of both episodes through the ship's logs or another source, Knock Out speaks as if they were both witness to them.
* Airachnid lost one of her legs to the closing pod door when she was put in stasis, but all six are intact in this episode.
* Starscream's missile cleanly beheads a Vehicon, leaving no burn marks or exposed circuitry of any kind. For that matter, the headless Vehicon reveals that there is no "joint" on the model for the head to attach to, just a completely flat surface with a hole for the tongue. You normally don't see it because the neck just goes straight into the base of the collar, as if the collar form-fits around the neck.

===Trivia===
* This is the only episode to not feature the [[Autobot]]s in any capacity. Previously, "[[Patch (episode)|Patch]]", the last Decepticon-centric episode, had flashbacks which contained Autobots even though none appeared in person. [[Peter Cullen]], however, gets to voice the zombified Vehicon trooper Megatron puts down.
* Starscream says that the ship is crawling with "highly-trained Vehicon troopers". Kinda makes you wonder what a poorly-trained one is like, huh?
* On-the-move teleportation seems as if it's becoming Soundwave's signature move, having used it to dispatch [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] in "[[Orion Pax, Part 1]]" and to claim the Predacon fossil in "[[Project Predacon]]".
* [[Steve Blum]] is credited as "Insecticon #1" instead of [[Bombshock (Prime)|Bombshock]] this time.
* Starscream alludes to having collected "dozens of Predacon bones", and Shockwave has already grown a batch of protoforms. This implies a significant timeskip between this episode and the last, since Shockwave had only just just established an off-site laboratory in "[[Chain of Command (Prime)|Chain of Command]]" and "[[Plus One (Prime)|Plus One]]" takes place immediately after that episode. Furthermore, the amount of bones collected, assuming it's not hyperbole on Starscream's part, suggests a rather bad run of luck for the Autobots.
* While there have been several offscreen and implied deaths of humans in ''Transformers Prime'', this is the first full "watch the light die from his eye" death, not only in ''Prime'', but in western Transformers animation.
* When Starscream suggested a drop or two, Knockout clearly injected a ''whole'' syringe of Dark Energon. Though it's possible that a single drop is enough to render the entire syringe of Synthetic Energon purple.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Les Mutants de l'Energon noir'''" ("The Mutants of Dark Energon")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Durst'''" ("Thirst")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 9|9 October]] [[2013]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Szomjúság'''" ("Thirst")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 11|11 September]] [[2013]]

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Sede'''" ("Thirst")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 22|22 November]] [[2013]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Assetati'''" ("Thirsty")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 6|6 September]] [[2013]]

'''Spanish (Spain)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Sed'''" ("Thirst")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 17|17 October]] [[2013]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season 3 Volume 2: Race for Salvation ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season 3 Volume 2: Race for Salvation ([[Primal Screen]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Saison 3 Volume 2: L'ultime affrontement (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Staffel 3 Teil 2: Auf zur Rettung (Primal Screen) — English, German, Dutch and French audio. 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Intégrale Saison 3 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — The Complete Season 3 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Die komplette Staffel 3 (Primal Screen) — English, German, Dutch and French audio. 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — The Complete Season 3 (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2016 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three Collection (Madman Entertainment) 

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Thirst

2024-05-11T02:05:24Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 60
|prev=Plus One (Prime)
|next=Evolution
|image=ThristEpisodeConZombie.jpg
|caption=There were demons in the base. He didn't see them, but had expected them now for years. His warnings to Cernel Joson were not listenend to and now it was too late. Far too late for now, anyway.
|title="Thirst"
|season=3
|season ep=8
|airdate=[[June 7]], [[2013]]
|written by=[[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Scooter Tidwell]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWMF8lImZAw
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''Knock Out and Starscream's experiment with synthetic energon threatens to take over the Decepticon ship and unleash an old enemy.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Thirst1.jpg|left|thumb|300px|When he was young he watched the spaceships and he said to dad "I want to be on the ships daddy." Dad said "No! You will BE KILL BY DEMONS"]]

In [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]]'s lab, [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] bemoans his current situation, having to compete with [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] for [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'s favor. His whining is interrupted by moans from [[Silas|Cylas]], who is strapped to a table and begging to be freed. Knock Out injects him with a derivative of the [[Synthetic Energon|synthetic energon]] he recovered from the [[Autobot]]s. The compound drives Cylas into a rage, which Knock Out notes is one of its erratic side effects. Starscream sees in Cylas' fury the makings of a super-soldier for Megatron.

Starscream attempts to inform Megatron of this discovery, but the [[Decepticon]] leader is only interested in discussing the status of the [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] [[protoform]]s with Shockwave, who is reporting in from his off-site lab. Brushed off by his leader as unimportant, Starscream sulks on his way back to Knock Out's lab.

Cylas becomes more enraged with each new injection of Synth En. Knock Out discovers that the more the compound is administered, the faster Cylas burns through his own natural [[energon]] reserves. Starscream cannot see the use of having [[Predaking (Prime)|another]] unruly beast that can't be controlled, but then has an idea: [[Dark Energon]]. Knock Out objects, noting that the "Blood of [[Unicron]]" once [[Flying Mind|turned their own ship against them]], and that he would need approval from Shockwave in any case. Starscream assures the doctor that a controlled, minimal injection will merely place Cylas under Megatron's command, via their leader's symbiotic link with the substance, then asserts that "super-soldiers" are a military concern and thus fall under ''his'' jurisdiction.

Under orders and under protest, Knock Out injects Cylas with the Dark Energon-enhanced formula. Cylas temporarily powers down before rebooting in a rage and breaking free from his bonds. But after only a few steps, he crumbles to his knees, desperately low on energon. Then with a fierce roar, his lower jaw splits into monstrous mandibles and a long, bladed tongue emerges, which he attempts to use on Starscream to drain him of energon. Unable to subdue him, Starscream and Knock Out flee down the halls of the ship.

Once a safe distance away, Knock Out suggests sounding the alarm. Starscream disagrees, not wanting Megatron to learn of their actions. He claims that once Cylas attempts to feed upon the ship's highly-trained [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] troopers, they will take care of the threat.

Elsewhere, one of the Vehicons stumbles upon Cylas, who grabs the highly-trained trooper and begins draining his energon.

Starscream and Knock Out plan the disposal of Cylas' corpse when they find the Vehicon's corpse instead. While the two argue about who's to blame for their predicament, the dead Vehicon is reanimated by the Dark Energon in its system as a [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcon]] and reveals the same segmented jaw and bladed tongue that Cylas had. Starscream's blaster fire only staggers it, and Knock Out suggests destroying the Terrorcon's head, inspired by Human horror movies. Though Starscream's missile is successful in decapitating the creature, it doesn't stop it in the least, as the body lumbers forward with the tongue sticking out of the hole where the head used to be. A concentrated volley of blasts to the Vehicon's chest destroys the monster's revitalized spark, severing its link to the Dark Energon.

Knock Out posits that Cylas could infect the entire crew in the same manner, a theory that's borne out when they find themselves pursued by multiple energy-draining Terrorcons. Starscream and Knock Out lock themselves in a comm room to get a breather and assess the situation. Accepting that this may be the end, the two Decepticons exchange some awkward final pleasantries and step back into the hall…

[[File:Thirst-restinpeace.jpg|thumb|left|300px|"No! I must kill the demons" he shouted The radio said "No, John. You are the demons"]]
…Right into Megatron, who demands to know why the Dark Energon in his spark has been acting strangely as of late. Starscream provides a slanted explanation, but Megatron doesn't believe it until he's forced to destroy an attacking Terrorcon.

After a more extensive debrief of the situation, Megatron puts the ship on high alert and orders Starscream and Knock Out to seek and destroy Cylas. Around the ship, Vehicons and [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] battle the infected Terrorcons.

Cylas wanders into the ship's vault. Sensing energon within a [[stasis pod]], he breaks it open, freeing and reviving [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]]. Cylas attempts to drain her energon, though she ''barely'' ducks out of the way of his tongue, and a short battle ensues, but Airachnid is able to immobilize him with webbing long enough to deliver a fatal wound; ripping "[[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]]" open in order to destroy his spark and make ''sure'' he's dead this time, Airachnid instead finds the mutilated real body of Cylas, who survives just long enough to thank her for freeing him from his tortured existence before dying. She immediately re-establishes her telepathic control over the Insecticons and commands them to return to her. Their sudden departure is noticed by [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]].

Starscream and Knock Out discover Cylas' corpse. Starscream is elated until Knock Out points out Airachnid's destroyed prison, followed by Megatron demanding a status update.

[[File:Thirst-Airachnidzombie.jpg|thumb|right|300px|And then John was a zombie.]]
Airachnid leads the Insecticons through the halls of the ship, ordering them to wipe out every Decepticon aboard. At the end of the hall, Soundwave calmly steps forward to face them. The bug-bots attack, and Soundwave opens a [[space bridge]] directly in front of him at the last second. Before they can react, Airachnid and the Insecticons are teleported away. As the bridge closes behind her, Airachnid realizes that they have been sent to a moon orbiting the abandoned [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and screams in rage.

Aboard the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron contacts Shockwave again to inform him they're implementing his containment protocol to prevent further outbreak. He also tells Shockwave to speed up the Predacon cloning project, as they have now lost more than half their military forces. Knock Out is sternly reminded that he is the ship's ''medic'' under Shockwave's command, and is forced to turn over all of his experimental projects to the scientist. Megatron then turns to Starscream, intent on teaching him a lesson the only way that seems to get through to him...

Back on the moon, an '''infected''' Airachnid drains the energon from one of her minions as the rest of the Insecticons line up obediently to await their turn.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
|c2=
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (1)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (2)
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (4)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (5)
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (6)
*[[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] (7)
|c3=
|c4=
*[[Silas|Cylas]] (3)
*[[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] (8)
}}

==Quotes==

'''Knock Out''': You recall that "Synthetic Energon" I recovered from the Autobots? Well, I've been reproducing the formula to test its viability as an alternative energy source. However, the compound remains erratic, and there have been ''side effects''. 
'''Starscream''': Such as...? 
'''Cylas''': '''HRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!''' Starscream! I hope you replaced your T-cog because I'm going to tear it out all over agin and ''feed it to Knock Out!!''
:—'''Knock Out''' resurrects an old plot point, and repeats history in the form of '''Cylas'''.

'''Megatron''': ''[Talking to Shockwave over comm]'' Tell me of the Predacon protoforms. What is the status of their incubation? Mm-hm. Uh-huh. 
'''Starscream''': Master, if I do say so myself, I have made the most intriguing discovery. It appears that-- 
'''Megatron''': Not now! ''[Back to Shockwave]'' Please continue, Shockwave. No, no one important.

'''Starscream''': Megatron will undoubtedly hold us responsible. 
'''Knock Out''': But...WE ARE! 
'''Starscream''': Well, you are, mostly.

"Aim for the head!" 
"What? How do you know?" 
"I've seen human horror films." ''[Starscream looks at him curiously]'' "At drive-in theaters!"
:—'''Knock Out''' schools '''Starscream''' on how to survive a zombie apocalypse

"I find it rather ironic that after battling Autobots all these years, getting smacked down, shot at, blown up, ''this'' is how our lights go out?" 
"Drained of our precious fluids. If this is indeed the end, if we are to become Terrorcon-chow, it has been an honor serving Lord Megatron with you." 
"You're no Breakdown. Though I must confess, I have always admired your lustrous finish." 
''[Awkward pause]'' 
"''*mm-hmm*'' Well, then." 
"Should be going."
:—'''Knock Out''' and '''Starscream'''

'''Megatron''': Would either of you like to tell me what exactly is going on? 
'''Starscream''': Yes, absolutely nothing, my liege. 
'''Knock Out''': All is quiet, too quiet. One could even say dull! 
'''Megatron''': Funny, because the Dark Energon within my spark has been pulsing. 
'''Starscream''': ''(To Knock Out)'' Allow me to handle this. ''(To Megatron)'' IT'S KNOCK OUT'S FAULT! 
'''Knock Out''': Precisely my-WHAT?!
:—'''Starscream''' pulls a '''Starscream''', as per usual

"Silas? Whatever have they done to you? But more importantly, thank you for freeing me." 
"No. Thank…''you''…" ''[Dies]'' 
"Whatever."
:—'''Airachnid''' is unmoved by '''Cylas'''' final words

"Soundwave! I vow that on this day, the world will hear the sound of your screams."
:—'''Airachnid'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Airachnid was frozen in stasis in "[[Armada (episode)|Armada]]" and was retrieved from the Autobot base by the Decepticons in "[[Darkmount, NV]]".
* The [[polarity gauntlet]] can be seen in the vault, in the first of the five containment fields. It was left on Cybertron by [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] in "[[Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour]]", and can be assumed to have been recovered by Knock Out's salvage team offscreen in "Darkmount, NV". This leaves only the [[Immobilizer]] unaccounted for. There is also the [[Resonance Blaster]], but everyone seems to have forgotten about that by now.
* [[Silas]], the formerly fully-human commander of [[MECH]], was surgically combined with Breakdown's corpse in "[[The Human Factor]]". He changed his name to Cylas (Cybernetic Life Augmented by Symbiosis) and became a reluctant guest of the Decepticons in the same episode.
* Cylas (then Silas) entered into a partnership of convenience with Starscream in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 1]]" and conveniently stole his [[transformation cog|T-cog]] in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2]]".
* Cylas (then Silas) had Breakdown pinned to his operating table in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]".
* Knock Out recovered some of [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]]'s synthetic energon in "[[Stronger, Faster]]".
* Shockwave has been working from an off-site laboratory since "[[Chain of Command (Prime)|Chain of Command]]".
* Megatron previously used Dark Energon to reanimate and control the dead in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]".
* Dark Energon awakened a dangerous, self-serving intelligence within the Decepticon warship in "[[Flying Mind]]".
* Cylas' eyes turn green, then purple, when he is injected with synthetic energon and Dark Energon, respectively. This is consistent with previous applications of the substances. ("[[Stronger, Faster]]", "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]")
* Airachnid killed Breakdown and discovered her telepathic control of the Insecticons in "[[Crossfire (Prime)|Crossfire]]".
* Airachnid knows Cylas (then Silas) from their brief partnership in "[[Crisscross (episode)|Crisscross]]".
* Airachnid's desire to have Soundwave scream likely stems from the very one-sided beatdown she received from him in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]".
* Starscream refers to the Decepticon soldiers as "Vehicons" confirming it as their real designation. [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] used that term in to describe them in [[Plus One (Prime)|the previous episode]].
* Megatron alludes to the beatings he bestowed on Starscream in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4]]" and in-between the episodes "[[Out of His Head]]" and "[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]" when he prepares to punish Starscream "the only way he understands".
* Starscream took a fragment of Dark Energon and used it to raise [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] from the dead as his first "re-animated warrior" in [[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]], all of which Megatron revealed he knew about through surveillance provided by Soundwave in "[[Rock Bottom]]".

===Transformers references===
* Protoforms are the first stage of Transformer life in many continuities.
* Megatron again refers to his upcoming Predacon army as "[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|beast machine]] super-soldiers".

===Real-world references===
* Knock Out's proclamation of "It's alive" echoes the famous words spoken in ''[[Frankenstein]]''. This is what, the third time in this series?
* In addition to the segmented jaw and barbed tongue, the Terrorcons' [[teeth]] also transform into vampiric fangs.
* As Knock Out indicated, destroying the head is the traditional way to kill zombies in many horror movies. But only human ones.
* This episode heavily pays homage to the 1985 zombie film ''{{w|The Return of the Living Dead}}'' where two humans (Frank and Freddie) cause a gas to spread across a cemetery that revives dead corpses into zombies and then plays comedy with the two trying to control the situation while blaming each other for the zombie apocalypse, much like Starscream and Knock Out in this episode. The zombies in ''The Return of the Living Dead'' couldn't be killed by headshots, either.
* There is also some homage to the film ''{{w|Blade II}}'', specifically in the physiological effects of the virus. The Reapers, genetically-engineered vampire mutants, possessed the same type of unfolding jaw and feeding tendril, as well as a greatly increased blood appetite due to a heightened metabolism.
* Starscream and Knock Out's conversation while hiding from the zombies is reminiscent of a scene in ''{{w|Dr. Strangelove}}'' wherein General Ripper and Group Captain Mandrake are hunkered down as a firefight rages around their base, and Ripper explains his fear that Communists are out for his "precious bodily fluids".
* Knock Out places his fingers on the neck of the first Vehicon that fell victim to Cylas to check for life signs. This is often done to test a seriously injured person for a {{w|pulse}} in their {{w|carotid artery}}.
* The Terrorcons' mouths open like the [[Predator (alien)|Predators]], and they also have a tube-shaped tongue with fanged jaws like the {{w|Alien (creature in Alien franchise)|Xenomorphs}}.

===Errors===
* Knock Out discusses the events of "[[Stronger, Faster]]" and "[[Flying Mind]]" with Starscream, even though Starscream wasn't part of the Decepticon ranks when either took place. While it is conceivable that Starscream learned of the events of both episodes through the ship's logs or another source, Knock Out speaks as if they were both witness to them.
* Airachnid lost one of her legs to the closing pod door when she was put in stasis, but all six are intact in this episode.
* Starscream's missile cleanly beheads a Vehicon, leaving no burn marks or exposed circuitry of any kind. For that matter, the headless Vehicon reveals that there is no "joint" on the model for the head to attach to, just a completely flat surface with a hole for the tongue. You normally don't see it because the neck just goes straight into the base of the collar, as if the collar form-fits around the neck.

===Trivia===
* This is the only episode to not feature the [[Autobot]]s in any capacity. Previously, "[[Patch (episode)|Patch]]", the last Decepticon-centric episode, had flashbacks which contained Autobots even though none appeared in person. [[Peter Cullen]], however, gets to voice the zombified Vehicon trooper Megatron puts down.
* Starscream says that the ship is crawling with "highly-trained Vehicon troopers". Kinda makes you wonder what a poorly-trained one is like, huh?
* On-the-move teleportation seems as if it's becoming Soundwave's signature move, having used it to dispatch [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] in "[[Orion Pax, Part 1]]" and to claim the Predacon fossil in "[[Project Predacon]]".
* [[Steve Blum]] is credited as "Insecticon #1" instead of [[Bombshock (Prime)|Bombshock]] this time.
* Starscream alludes to having collected "dozens of Predacon bones", and Shockwave has already grown a batch of protoforms. This implies a significant timeskip between this episode and the last, since Shockwave had only just just established an off-site laboratory in "[[Chain of Command (Prime)|Chain of Command]]" and "[[Plus One (Prime)|Plus One]]" takes place immediately after that episode. Furthermore, the amount of bones collected, assuming it's not hyperbole on Starscream's part, suggests a rather bad run of luck for the Autobots.
* While there have been several offscreen and implied deaths of humans in ''Transformers Prime'', this is the first full "watch the light die from his eye" death, not only in ''Prime'', but in western Transformers animation.
* When Starscream suggested a drop or two, Knockout clearly injected a ''whole'' syringe of Dark Energon. Though it's possible that a single drop is enough to render the entire syringe of Synthetic Energon purple.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Les Mutants de l'Energon noir'''" ("The Mutants of Dark Energon")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Durst'''" ("Thirst")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 9|9 October]] [[2013]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Szomjúság'''" ("Thirst")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 11|11 September]] [[2013]]

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Sede'''" ("Thirst")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 22|22 November]] [[2013]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Assetati'''" ("Thirsty")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 6|6 September]] [[2013]]

'''Spanish (Spain)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Sed'''" ("Thirst")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 17|17 October]] [[2013]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season 3 Volume 2: Race for Salvation ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season 3 Volume 2: Race for Salvation ([[Primal Screen]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Saison 3 Volume 2: L'ultime affrontement (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Staffel 3 Teil 2: Auf zur Rettung (Primal Screen) — English, German, Dutch and French audio. 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Intégrale Saison 3 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — The Complete Season 3 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Die komplette Staffel 3 (Primal Screen) — English, German, Dutch and French audio. 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — The Complete Season 3 (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2016 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three Collection (Madman Entertainment) 

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Thirst

2024-05-11T01:58:09Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 60
|prev=Plus One (Prime)
|next=Evolution
|image=ThristEpisodeConZombie.jpg
|caption=There were demons in the base. He didn't see them, but had expected them now for years. His warnings to Cernel Joson were not listenend to and now it was too late. Far too late for now, anyway.
|title="Thirst"
|season=3
|season ep=8
|airdate=[[June 7]], [[2013]]
|written by=[[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Scooter Tidwell]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWMF8lImZAw
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''Knock Out and Starscream's experiment with synthetic energon threatens to take over the Decepticon ship and unleash an old enemy.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Thirst1.jpg|left|thumb|300px|When he was young he watched the spaceships and he said to dad "I want to be on the ships daddy." Dad said "No! You will BE KILL BY DEMONS"]]

In [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]]'s lab, [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] bemoans his current situation, having to compete with [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] for [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'s favor. His whining is interrupted by moans from [[Silas|Cylas]], who is strapped to a table and begging to be freed. Knock Out injects him with a derivative of the [[Synthetic Energon|synthetic energon]] he recovered from the [[Autobot]]s. The compound drives Cylas into a rage, which Knock Out notes is one of its erratic side effects. Starscream sees in Cylas' fury the makings of a super-soldier for Megatron.

Starscream attempts to inform Megatron of this discovery, but the [[Decepticon]] leader is only interested in discussing the status of the [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] [[protoform]]s with Shockwave, who is reporting in from his off-site lab. Brushed off by his leader as unimportant, Starscream sulks on his way back to Knock Out's lab.

Cylas becomes more enraged with each new injection of Synth En. Knock Out discovers that the more the compound is administered, the faster Cylas burns through his own natural [[energon]] reserves. Starscream cannot see the use of having [[Predaking (Prime)|another]] unruly beast that can't be controlled, but then has an idea: [[Dark Energon]]. Knock Out objects, noting that the "Blood of [[Unicron]]" once [[Flying Mind|turned their own ship against them]], and that he would need approval from Shockwave in any case. Starscream assures the doctor that a controlled, minimal injection will merely place Cylas under Megatron's command, via their leader's symbiotic link with the substance, then asserts that "super-soldiers" are a military concern and thus fall under ''his'' jurisdiction.

Under orders and under protest, Knock Out injects Cylas with the Dark Energon-enhanced formula. Cylas temporarily powers down before rebooting in a rage and breaking free from his bonds. But after only a few steps, he crumbles to his knees, desperately low on energon. Then with a fierce roar, his lower jaw splits into monstrous mandibles and a long, bladed tongue emerges, which he attempts to use on Starscream to drain him of energon. Unable to subdue him, Starscream and Knock Out flee down the halls of the ship.

Once a safe distance away, Knock Out suggests sounding the alarm. Starscream disagrees, not wanting Megatron to learn of their actions. He claims that once Cylas attempts to feed upon the ship's highly-trained [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] troopers, they will take care of the threat.

Elsewhere, one of the Vehicons stumbles upon Cylas, who grabs the highly-trained trooper and begins draining his energon.

Starscream and Knock Out plan the disposal of Cylas' corpse when they find the Vehicon's corpse instead. While the two argue about who's to blame for their predicament, the dead Vehicon is reanimated by the Dark Energon in its system as a [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcon]] and reveals the same segmented jaw and bladed tongue that Cylas had. Starscream's blaster fire only staggers it, and Knock Out suggests destroying the Terrorcon's head, inspired by Human horror movies. Though Starscream's missile is successful in decapitating the creature, it doesn't stop it in the least, as the body lumbers forward with the tongue sticking out of the hole where the head used to be. A concentrated volley of blasts to the Vehicon's chest destroys the monster's revitalized spark, severing its link to the Dark Energon.

Knock Out posits that Cylas could infect the entire crew in the same manner, a theory that's borne out when they find themselves pursued by multiple energy-draining Terrorcons. Starscream and Knock Out lock themselves in a comm room to get a breather and assess the situation. Accepting that this may be the end, the two Decepticons exchange some awkward final pleasantries and step back into the hall…

[[File:Thirst-restinpeace.jpg|thumb|left|300px|"No! I must kill the demons" he shouted The radio said "No, John. You are the demons"]]
…Right into Megatron, who demands to know why the Dark Energon in his spark has been acting strangely as of late. Starscream provides a slanted explanation, but Megatron doesn't believe it until he's forced to destroy an attacking Terrorcon.

After a more extensive debrief of the situation, Megatron puts the ship on high alert and orders Starscream and Knock Out to seek and destroy Cylas. Around the ship, Vehicons and [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] battle the infected Terrorcons.

Cylas wanders into the ship's vault. Sensing energon within a [[stasis pod]], he breaks it open, freeing and reviving [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]]. Cylas attempts to drain her energon, though she ''barely'' ducks out of the way of his tongue, and a short battle ensues, but Airachnid is able to immobilize him with webbing long enough to deliver a fatal wound; ripping "[[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]]" open in order to destroy his spark and make ''sure'' he's dead this time, Airachnid instead finds the mutilated real body of Cylas, who survives just long enough to thank her for freeing him from his tortured existence before dying. She immediately re-establishes her telepathic control over the Insecticons and commands them to return to her. Their sudden departure is noticed by [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]].

Starscream and Knock Out discover Cylas' corpse. Starscream is elated until Knock Out points out Airachnid's destroyed prison, followed by Megatron demanding a status update.

[[File:Thirst-Airachnidzombie.jpg|thumb|right|300px|And then John was a zombie.]]
Airachnid leads the Insecticons through the halls of the ship, ordering them to wipe out every Decepticon aboard. At the end of the hall, Soundwave calmly steps forward to face them. The bug-bots attack, and Soundwave opens a [[space bridge]] directly in front of him at the last second. Before they can react, Airachnid and the Insecticons are teleported away. As the bridge closes behind her, Airachnid realizes that they have been sent to a moon orbiting the abandoned [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and screams in rage.

Aboard the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron contacts Shockwave again to inform him they're implementing his containment protocol to prevent further outbreak. He also tells Shockwave to speed up the Predacon cloning project, as they have now lost more than half their military forces. Knock Out is sternly reminded that he is the ship's ''medic'' under Shockwave's command, and is forced to turn over all of his experimental projects to the scientist. Megatron then turns to Starscream, intent on teaching him a lesson the only way that seems to get through to him...

Back on the moon, an '''infected''' Airachnid drains the energon from one of her minions as the rest of the Insecticons line up obediently to await their turn.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
|c2=
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (1)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (2)
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (4)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (5)
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (6)
*[[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] (7)
|c3=
|c4=
*[[Silas|Cylas]] (3)
*[[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] (8)
}}

==Quotes==

'''Knock Out''': You recall that "Synthetic Energon" I recovered from the Autobots? Well, I've been reproducing the formula to test its viability as an alternative energy source. However, the compound remains erratic, and there have been ''side effects''. 
'''Starscream''': Such as...? 
'''Cylas''': '''HRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!''' Starscream! I hope you replaced your T-cog because I'm going to tear it out all over agin and ''feed it to Knock Out!!''

'''Megatron''': ''[Talking to Shockwave over comm]'' Tell me of the Predacon protoforms. What is the status of their incubation? Mm-hm. Uh-huh. 
'''Starscream''': Master, if I do say so myself, I have made the most intriguing discovery. It appears that-- 
'''Megatron''': Not now! ''[Back to Shockwave]'' Please continue, Shockwave. No, no one important.

'''Starscream''': Megatron will undoubtedly hold us responsible. 
'''Knock Out''': But...WE ARE! 
'''Starscream''': Well, you are, mostly.

"Aim for the head!" 
"What? How do you know?" 
"I've seen human horror films." ''[Starscream looks at him curiously]'' "At drive-in theaters!"
:—'''Knock Out''' schools '''Starscream''' on how to survive a zombie apocalypse

"I find it rather ironic that after battling Autobots all these years, getting smacked down, shot at, blown up, ''this'' is how our lights go out?" 
"Drained of our precious fluids. If this is indeed the end, if we are to become Terrorcon-chow, it has been an honor serving Lord Megatron with you." 
"You're no Breakdown. Though I must confess, I have always admired your lustrous finish." 
''[Awkward pause]'' 
"''*mm-hmm*'' Well, then." 
"Should be going."
:—'''Knock Out''' and '''Starscream'''

'''Megatron''': Would either of you like to tell me what exactly is going on? 
'''Starscream''': Yes, absolutely nothing, my liege. 
'''Knock Out''': All is quiet, too quiet. One could even say dull! 
'''Megatron''': Funny, because the Dark Energon within my spark has been pulsing. 
'''Starscream''': ''(To Knock Out)'' Allow me to handle this. ''(To Megatron)'' IT'S KNOCK OUT'S FAULT! 
'''Knock Out''': Precisely my-WHAT?!
:—'''Starscream''' pulls a '''Starscream''', as per usual

"Silas? Whatever have they done to you? But more importantly, thank you for freeing me." 
"No. Thank…''you''…" ''[Dies]'' 
"Whatever."
:—'''Airachnid''' is unmoved by '''Cylas'''' final words

"Soundwave! I vow that on this day, the world will hear the sound of your screams."
:—'''Airachnid'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Airachnid was frozen in stasis in "[[Armada (episode)|Armada]]" and was retrieved from the Autobot base by the Decepticons in "[[Darkmount, NV]]".
* The [[polarity gauntlet]] can be seen in the vault, in the first of the five containment fields. It was left on Cybertron by [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] in "[[Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour]]", and can be assumed to have been recovered by Knock Out's salvage team offscreen in "Darkmount, NV". This leaves only the [[Immobilizer]] unaccounted for. There is also the [[Resonance Blaster]], but everyone seems to have forgotten about that by now.
* [[Silas]], the formerly fully-human commander of [[MECH]], was surgically combined with Breakdown's corpse in "[[The Human Factor]]". He changed his name to Cylas (Cybernetic Life Augmented by Symbiosis) and became a reluctant guest of the Decepticons in the same episode.
* Cylas (then Silas) entered into a partnership of convenience with Starscream in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 1]]" and conveniently stole his [[transformation cog|T-cog]] in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 2]]".
* Cylas (then Silas) had Breakdown pinned to his operating table in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]".
* Knock Out recovered some of [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]]'s synthetic energon in "[[Stronger, Faster]]".
* Shockwave has been working from an off-site laboratory since "[[Chain of Command (Prime)|Chain of Command]]".
* Megatron previously used Dark Energon to reanimate and control the dead in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]".
* Dark Energon awakened a dangerous, self-serving intelligence within the Decepticon warship in "[[Flying Mind]]".
* Cylas' eyes turn green, then purple, when he is injected with synthetic energon and Dark Energon, respectively. This is consistent with previous applications of the substances. ("[[Stronger, Faster]]", "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]")
* Airachnid killed Breakdown and discovered her telepathic control of the Insecticons in "[[Crossfire (Prime)|Crossfire]]".
* Airachnid knows Cylas (then Silas) from their brief partnership in "[[Crisscross (episode)|Crisscross]]".
* Airachnid's desire to have Soundwave scream likely stems from the very one-sided beatdown she received from him in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 3]]".
* Starscream refers to the Decepticon soldiers as "Vehicons" confirming it as their real designation. [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] used that term in to describe them in [[Plus One (Prime)|the previous episode]].
* Megatron alludes to the beatings he bestowed on Starscream in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4]]" and in-between the episodes "[[Out of His Head]]" and "[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]" when he prepares to punish Starscream "the only way he understands".
* Starscream took a fragment of Dark Energon and used it to raise [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] from the dead as his first "re-animated warrior" in [[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]], all of which Megatron revealed he knew about through surveillance provided by Soundwave in "[[Rock Bottom]]".

===Transformers references===
* Protoforms are the first stage of Transformer life in many continuities.
* Megatron again refers to his upcoming Predacon army as "[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|beast machine]] super-soldiers".

===Real-world references===
* Knock Out's proclamation of "It's alive" echoes the famous words spoken in ''[[Frankenstein]]''. This is what, the third time in this series?
* In addition to the segmented jaw and barbed tongue, the Terrorcons' [[teeth]] also transform into vampiric fangs.
* As Knock Out indicated, destroying the head is the traditional way to kill zombies in many horror movies. But only human ones.
* This episode heavily pays homage to the 1985 zombie film ''{{w|The Return of the Living Dead}}'' where two humans (Frank and Freddie) cause a gas to spread across a cemetery that revives dead corpses into zombies and then plays comedy with the two trying to control the situation while blaming each other for the zombie apocalypse, much like Starscream and Knock Out in this episode. The zombies in ''The Return of the Living Dead'' couldn't be killed by headshots, either.
* There is also some homage to the film ''{{w|Blade II}}'', specifically in the physiological effects of the virus. The Reapers, genetically-engineered vampire mutants, possessed the same type of unfolding jaw and feeding tendril, as well as a greatly increased blood appetite due to a heightened metabolism.
* Starscream and Knock Out's conversation while hiding from the zombies is reminiscent of a scene in ''{{w|Dr. Strangelove}}'' wherein General Ripper and Group Captain Mandrake are hunkered down as a firefight rages around their base, and Ripper explains his fear that Communists are out for his "precious bodily fluids".
* Knock Out places his fingers on the neck of the first Vehicon that fell victim to Cylas to check for life signs. This is often done to test a seriously injured person for a {{w|pulse}} in their {{w|carotid artery}}.
* The Terrorcons' mouths open like the [[Predator (alien)|Predators]], and they also have a tube-shaped tongue with fanged jaws like the {{w|Alien (creature in Alien franchise)|Xenomorphs}}.

===Errors===
* Knock Out discusses the events of "[[Stronger, Faster]]" and "[[Flying Mind]]" with Starscream, even though Starscream wasn't part of the Decepticon ranks when either took place. While it is conceivable that Starscream learned of the events of both episodes through the ship's logs or another source, Knock Out speaks as if they were both witness to them.
* Airachnid lost one of her legs to the closing pod door when she was put in stasis, but all six are intact in this episode.
* Starscream's missile cleanly beheads a Vehicon, leaving no burn marks or exposed circuitry of any kind. For that matter, the headless Vehicon reveals that there is no "joint" on the model for the head to attach to, just a completely flat surface with a hole for the tongue. You normally don't see it because the neck just goes straight into the base of the collar, as if the collar form-fits around the neck.

===Trivia===
* This is the only episode to not feature the [[Autobot]]s in any capacity. Previously, "[[Patch (episode)|Patch]]", the last Decepticon-centric episode, had flashbacks which contained Autobots even though none appeared in person. [[Peter Cullen]], however, gets to voice the zombified Vehicon trooper Megatron puts down.
* Starscream says that the ship is crawling with "highly-trained Vehicon troopers". Kinda makes you wonder what a poorly-trained one is like, huh?
* On-the-move teleportation seems as if it's becoming Soundwave's signature move, having used it to dispatch [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] in "[[Orion Pax, Part 1]]" and to claim the Predacon fossil in "[[Project Predacon]]".
* [[Steve Blum]] is credited as "Insecticon #1" instead of [[Bombshock (Prime)|Bombshock]] this time.
* Starscream alludes to having collected "dozens of Predacon bones", and Shockwave has already grown a batch of protoforms. This implies a significant timeskip between this episode and the last, since Shockwave had only just just established an off-site laboratory in "[[Chain of Command (Prime)|Chain of Command]]" and "[[Plus One (Prime)|Plus One]]" takes place immediately after that episode. Furthermore, the amount of bones collected, assuming it's not hyperbole on Starscream's part, suggests a rather bad run of luck for the Autobots.
* While there have been several offscreen and implied deaths of humans in ''Transformers Prime'', this is the first full "watch the light die from his eye" death, not only in ''Prime'', but in western Transformers animation.
* When Starscream suggested a drop or two, Knockout clearly injected a ''whole'' syringe of Dark Energon. Though it's possible that a single drop is enough to render the entire syringe of Synthetic Energon purple.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Les Mutants de l'Energon noir'''" ("The Mutants of Dark Energon")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Durst'''" ("Thirst")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 9|9 October]] [[2013]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Szomjúság'''" ("Thirst")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 11|11 September]] [[2013]]

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Sede'''" ("Thirst")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 22|22 November]] [[2013]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Assetati'''" ("Thirsty")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 6|6 September]] [[2013]]

'''Spanish (Spain)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Sed'''" ("Thirst")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 17|17 October]] [[2013]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season 3 Volume 2: Race for Salvation ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season 3 Volume 2: Race for Salvation ([[Primal Screen]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Saison 3 Volume 2: L'ultime affrontement (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Staffel 3 Teil 2: Auf zur Rettung (Primal Screen) — English, German, Dutch and French audio. 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Intégrale Saison 3 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — The Complete Season 3 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Die komplette Staffel 3 (Primal Screen) — English, German, Dutch and French audio. 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — The Complete Season 3 (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2016 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three Collection (Madman Entertainment) 

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

City

2024-05-05T01:42:55Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=Cybertron
|ep=41
|series2=Galaxy Force
|ep2=42
|image=Cyb_ep41_cobys_symbol.jpg
|caption=...''repair'' and rule?
|title="City"
|japanese=地下世界へGO!!
|romaji=Chika Sekai he GO!!
|translation=To the Underworld, GO!!
|production code=
|production company=[[TV Aichi]], [[We've]], [[Tōkyū Agency]]
|writer=[[Kazuhiko Sōma]]
|director=[[Atsushi Takeyama]]
|animation studio=[[GONZO]]
|airdate=[[October 22]], [[2005]] (Japanese) [[September 15]], [[2006]] (English)
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy cartoon timeline|Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''The Autobots split up to head for the inner layers of Gigantion, and Coby reveals his latest creation.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Cyb ep41 enter cobybot.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2]]
With the discovery of the crashed ''[[Atlantis]]'' on [[Gigantion]], [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] gathers the [[Autobot]]s on the bridge of the ''[[Ogygia (Cybertron)|Ogygia]]'' in order to formulate a plan to finally rescue [[Bud Hansen|Bud]] and the [[Mini-Con]]s, who have long been trapped on the ancient starship.

On board the ''Atlantis'', [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] comes to, and is chewed out by [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]]. When the Autobots attack, Starscream declares he's still weakened, and sends Sideways out to handle the intruders. Sideways plays it up all loyal in front of Starscream ("''Oui, mon capitan!''"), but as soon as he's alone, he starts bitching. He heads outside and battles Optimus Prime and [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]], unaware that the combined Autobots are serving as a distraction while [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] and the [[Cybertron Defense Team (Cybertron)|Cybertron Defense Team]] infiltrate the ''Atlantis'' by ground. This quartet are not the first to get on board, however, as Bud, [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] and [[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]] discover when they hear an ominous rumbling in the ship's ventilation system. Before long, the creature bursts out of a vent and reveals itself to be a [[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal]], but when the trio try to run, they find it's not an ordinary Scrapmetal... it's one piloted by Bud's brother [[Coby Hansen|Coby]], who has come to their rescue!

[[File:Cyb ep41 concrete.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]

Outside, Optimus fires a Cyber-Key-enhanced blast at Sideways, but [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] arrives and yanks him out of the way. Starscream mutters that once again, he's the only one he can trust, and begins pressing keys. The Autobots soon feel the effect of Starscream's machinations outside, as the ship begins rumble as they are reunited with Bud and the Mini-Cons. Optimus notes it's too damaged to fly, but [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]], who's been taking readings, notes that that's not the problem: Starscream is powering up the main guns using the engines' power. [[Quickmix (Cybertron)|Quickmix]] arrives, snarling that he's not about to let some "ratchet-headed offworlder" destroy any city, and with the aid of his Mini-Con partner [[Stripmine]], he begins pumping untold amounts of quick-drying cement that covers the entire ship and starts filling the crevice. His plans foiled, trapped and out of power, Starscream can do little more than profane.

[[File:Cyb ep41 cobybot.jpg|left|thumb|220px |MASTERFORCE!!!]]

Back on the ''Ogygia'', thanks are exchanged, and both Bud and Lori ask Coby when he's going to build each of ''them'' a giant robot. Coby apologizes for only having parts enough for one, and then goes on to show everyone what else the machine can do, transforming it into the [[Cobybot]]! Optimus sees Scattorshot's hand in the robot, but Scattorshot claims he didn't do ''that'' much of the work, and notes that the 'bot hasn't got any onboard weapons systems for safety. Optimus approves, and places an Autobot [[insignia]] on the Cobybot's shoulder-armor, telling Coby that from now on, when he changes modes, he should psyche himself up by shouting "TRANSFORM!" There is laughter all around, but Prime has to regretfully bring the merriment to an end so that the Autobots can put a plan to recover the [[Cyber Planet Key]] in motion. Using the data drive Coby had previously found, Scattorshot discovers there are four main routes to the central layer, but with no way to tell which one is the quickest, the Autobots decide to split up into teams to cover them all. A backup team remains on the ''Ogygia'' just in case.

Back in the normal universe, Primus carefully rations his energy, firing periodic blasts to keep the [[Unicron Singularity|black hole]] from expanding too much. Across the galaxy, on [[Velocitron]], [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]] and [[Earth]], familiar faces look up at the [[space bridge]]s in the sky, and at the images of the black hole menacingly hovering above them...

[[File:RansackCrumpleKidnap.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|ARE WE LIVE??]]

On Gigantion, there's activity all around the planet. In one location, Sideways thanks Soundwave for saving his bacon, and Soundwave reminds him that they have a purpose for being here... in another, the Decepticons buff up Galvatron's armor, before he orders them all to depart and search for the Cyber Planet Key... and in yet another, the team consisting of Optimus Prime, [[Vector Prime]], [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]], Bud and the Mini-Cons have come across a giant pile of scrap blocking the way. Bud and Jolt crawl through a small hole, and set off charges to let the larger bots in. Jolt checks the map-box strapped to his back, and they carry on... unaware that they're being followed by [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] and [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]]. The Autobots come across a big door, and Metroplex forces it open... revealing an entire city under a bright daylight sky. Optimus is befuddled, as they're supposed to be underground, but Metroplex and Jolt inform him it's all an illusion set up by the ceiling above. Jolt is about to check the map when he's snatched by Ransack and Crumplezone, who give themselves an overly-extended intro, then start leaping from rooftop to rooftop, playing hot potato with the Mini-Con, who can't fly with the map strapped to his back. Optimus and Vector give chase, but can't shoot out of fear of hitting Jolt, so Bud calls Coby in for help.

[[File:Cyb ep41 angry optimus.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|Hiya]]

On the ''Ogygia'', Coby preps his Cobybot, and Quickmix gives him... something. Coby assures the Autobots he can handle those two "sprocket-heads" by himself, and hovers off at speed to back Optimus's team up, arriving just as the two Decepticons start shooting down chunks of the false sky. Coby makes a suitably dramatic entrance, transforming his mech (with the appropriate "''Cobybot, TRANSFORM!!!''" and stock-footage sequence, earning a thumbs-up from the Primes and Metroplex) and hurling a steel ball at the two Decepticons, which breaks open and sprays some stuff at their feet. The two 'Cons laugh it off, until they realize they're stuck, thanks to Quickmix's super-fast-drying cement. Optimus Prime approaches the two menacingly, demanding Jolt back, and Crumplezone tosses the Mini-Con over his shoulder, hoping to send Prime after him... but Jolt is caught by [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]], leaving Prime free to deal with the troublemakers. Metroplex then tosses Optimus the [[Sparkdrinker]], which stock-footages the two Decepticons far, far away.

After the brief battle, the team regroups, and Optimus thanks the backup team for coming along. He tells Coby he needs more 'bots like him on his team, which Bud takes his cue to again pester Coby to build ''him'' a robot suit.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Vector Prime]] (2)
*[[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]] (3)
*[[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] (4)
*[[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] (5)
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Hot Shot]] (6)
*[[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] (7)
*[[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]] (8)
*[[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] (9)
*[[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] (10)
*[[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]] (15)
*[[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] (17)
*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (18)
*[[Quickmix (Cybertron)|Quickmix]] (20)
*[[Stripmine]] (21)
*[[Six-Speed (Cybertron)|Six-Speed]] (22)
*[[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]] (23)
*[[Snarl (Cybertron)|Snarl]] (24)
*[[Primus]] (25)
*[[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]] (26)
*[[Clocker (Cybertron)|Clocker]] (27)
*[[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]] (29)
*[[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]] (34)
*[[Drill Bit (Cybertron)|Drill Bit]] (35)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (14)
*[[Brimstone (Cybertron)|Brimstone]] (30)
*[[Undermine (Cybertron)|Undermine]] (31)
*[[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] (36)
*[[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] (37)
*[[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] (38)
*[[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] (39)
*[[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]] (40)
*[[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]] (41)
*[[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] (42)

|c3=
*[[Lori Jiménez]] (11)
*[[Coby Hansen]] (12)
*[[Bud Hansen]] (16)
*[[Mike Franklin]] (32)
*[[Lucy Suzuki]] (33)

|c4=
*[[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] (13)
*[[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] (19)
*[[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] (28)
}}

==Quotes==
"Awww, man, never mix [[energon]] and... huh?!"
:—'''Sideways''', returning from unconsciousness

"I'm still too drained to go and fight them. Sideways! Get rid of them!" 
''"Oui, mon capitan!"''
:—'''Starscream''' is given the Napoleonic treatment by '''Sideways'''

"Aw, man, I always knew you'd rescue me! I just never dreamed you'd do it in such a cool way!" 
"Huh? You don't think I'm cool?" 
"Not ''that'' cool."
:—'''Bud''' and '''Coby'''

"But there's one more thing everyone." *beat pause* "You might want to try shouting ''TRANSFORM'' when you do that, it'll really get you psyched up!"
:—'''Optimus''' on Coby's ability to transform

"Och, it's just a door. Do ye not have ''doors'' where ye come from?"
:—'''Metroplex''' pooh-poohs the grandeur

'''Ransack:''' It's the terrible twosome! 
'''Crumplezone:''' The masters of disaster! 
'''Ransack''': Barons of bad!!'' 
'''Crumplezone:''' Dukes of doom! 
'''Together:''' The villaaaaaaaaains from Velocitron! *pause* (We're not done.) 
'''Crumplezone:''' My name's Crumplezone, and this is my partner... 
'''Together:''' Ransack! 
'''Ransack:''' How's ''that'' for an entrance? 
'''Optimus:''' It stinks.
:—Optimus is unimpressed by Ransack and Crumplezone's self-publicizing.

'''Optimus''': There we go. Now I hope you two don't think this is a tad excessive! 
'''Crumplezone & Ransack''': N-N-N-N-No sir! 
'''Optimus''': That's good! After all, I'm trying to be fair!
:—Optimus Prime mere moments away from dealing with Crumplezone and Ransack in a '''VERY''' excessive manner.

"Why us, Ransack?" 
"It's the Wheel of Fate, my friend." 
"''It ran right over us!''"
:—'''Ransack''', '''Crumplezone''', then the two of them together

"Come on Bud, you're not even old enough to drive!" 
"Yeah, but this is a whole other universe! Earth laws don't apply!"
:—'''Coby''' and '''Bud''' argue the merits of building a Budbot

==Notes==
===Differences with ''Galaxy Force''===
*''Galaxy Force'' includes a "previously on" segment that summarizes the final seconds of "[[Fury (Cybertron)|Fury]]".
*Within the crashed ''Atlantis'', Starscream makes a comment about being low on Energon in ''Cybertron'', ordering Sideways to go find him some. In ''Galaxy Force'', there is no mention of Energon from either character as they regain consciousness, just confusion about where they are followed by an order from Starscream to Sideways (Noisemaze) to go take care of the Auotobots.
*In ''Cybertron'', Coby makes a disappointed face upon his reunion with Bud because his brother doesn't think he's cool. In ''Galaxy Force'', the look is because Bud is not happy to see him, but rather, happy at the prospect of eating some real food other than the emergency rations he's been surviving on.
*In ''Galaxy Force'', Starscream is not powering up the ''Atlantis''{{'}}s guns, but instead setting the deck to explode.
*While cryptic in both versions, in ''Cybertron,'' Soundwave reminds Sideways that saving each other is "what our people do", then encourages him to remember "why we are both here" without further explanation. In ''Galaxy Force'' he goes one step further by reminding Sideways of "revenge"—but for what, we don't know yet.
*Primus is silent in ''Galaxy Force'' during the cutback scene of him holding off the black hole with beams of energy; instead, a narrator describes the situation. Primus himself does the narration in ''Cybertron.''
*''Cybertron'' explains that the fourth tunnel has more blockages than the other three, thus requiring "more muscle" on the fourth team. ''Galaxy Force'' omits this, making Prime's team seem quite lopsided for no reason.
*In ''Cybertron'', Hot Shot suggests picking a random tunnel, and his idea is shot down by Override. In ''Galaxy Force'', he is asking why they don't just use the crevice Galvatron tore in the previous episode, and Override points out that they just filled it with concrete. (This also implies that the crevice does NOT go all the way to the lowest level of the planet-if it did, the organic layer would be covered in cement.)
*The very next lines of dialogue are also different: in ''Cybertron'', Vector Prime recommends splitting up into four teams, Hot Shot inquires what they would do if one team was attacked, and Optimus Prime suggests putting together a fifth back-up team as a precaution. Conversely, ''Galaxy Force'' has Vector Prime explain how Galvatron became incorporeal and travelled underground that way (as seen in the previous episode), suggesting the Autobots find a way to separate their sparks from their bodies to replicate the effect, Hot Shot gets freaked out at the notion, and Optimus Prime decides that they should just split up into four teams (with no mention of a backup team until the rosters are being called out a minute later).
*In ''Galaxy Force'', Optimus Prime's team simply marvels at the underground city, while Jolt is given pause to think about the waste of resources it represents. In ''Cybertron'', most of the conversation is given over to explaining the technology behind the presence of a sky over their heads.
*While ''Cybertron'' has Ransack and Crumplezone chatting trying to figure out exactly what the Coby-bot is, ''Galaxy Force'' adds a hilarious exchange wherein Armbullet (Crumplezone) says that Coby-bot is making it seem like the two of them are the bad guys. Gasket (Ransack) leans over and surreptitiously reminds him "we are!" which leaves Crumplezone scratching his head and asking "Really?" Megs sure knows how to pick his henchmen!

===Animation or technical errors===
*When Bud and the Mini-Cons come to, Reverb's arm is in the shot, but he's missing the entire truck-bed/wheel portion of it.

*Jolt's propeller spins when he bows in thanks to Optimus. In order to do this, it clips through the tail-rudder sticking out of his butt. This is not by any means the only time this occurs in the series, but it is a rare instance of us actually getting to ''see'' it doing so.

*When Override transforms when the teams roll out, it honestly looks like she lands ''right on top'' of Lori.

*For being unable to move thanks to having his foot cemented to the floor, Ransack's supposedly-cemented foot sure does move a lot.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:Cyb ep41 rarely seen rifle.jpg|thumb]]
*When discussing the Cobybot, Scattorshot is carrying the long blue rifle that comes with his toy. The error in question here is that it proceeds to vanish after this shot, but really, it's more notable that he's got it ''at all'', because this is one of a very small number of times that the rifle ever appears in the show when he's in [[robot mode]], the first being in "[[Assault]]".

===Continuity notes===
*Coby was seen re-engineering the Scrapmetal that became his "Cobybot" in "[[Warp]]". Though not explicitly stated, it's obvious that it was the secret cargo he was seen loading in the same episode, and which was referred to again in "[[Giant]]".
*Crumplezone references his rebirth in "[[Darkness (episode)|Darkness]]" while fixing up Galvatron.
*With this episode, Bud joins Coby and Lori in donning a new set of clothes. As before, ''Cybertron'' doesn't explain where the clothes come from, while ''Galaxy Force'' explained, back in "Family", that they had been packed by [[Gloria Jiménez|Lori's mother]].

===Transformers references===
*Just as Hot Shot did back in "[[Family]]", Bud refers to Optimus Prime as "Big Bot", originally used by ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] as a nickname for [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]].
*When the Cobybot first transforms to robot mode, it does so with the classic transformation noise, first heard in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] (and no stock footage, either!)

===Real-world references===
*Sideways' squeak of "mother!" when Optimus fires his Key-enhanced blast recalls cartoon legend {{w|Daffy Duck}}, who would frequently squeak out "mother!" right before something horrible happened to him.
*Part of the Velocitron duo's extended intro involves the line "My name's Crumplezone, and this is my partner Ransack!". This is word-for-word (aside from names, of course!) the introduction comedian-magicians {{w|Penn & Teller}} use, with the big guy (Penn/Crumplezone) introducing the little guy (Teller/Ransack). The only difference is that Ransack joins in to say his name, while Teller is never seen to talk.
*Crumplezone yells "the sky is falling!" which may be a reference to the classic children's fable ''{{w|Chicken Little}}'' who repeatedly voiced the phrase every time something landed on his head.
*The way that the "terrible twosome" mentioned above are sent flying by Optimus, vanishing into the distance with a twinkling effect while commenting on their misfortune, is reminiscent of {{w|Team Rocket#Team Rocket trio|Team Rocket's}} typical defeats in the ''{{w|Pokémon (anime)|Pokémon}}'' anime.

===Trivia===
*This is the first time we see any connection between Sideways and Soundwave, though right now there's still little explaining Sideways' ultimate motive...
*This episode sees a canonical explanation of why Transformers shout "Transform!" According to Optimus Prime it's because it's more exciting (''Galaxy Force'') and will "really get you psyched up!" (''Cybertron'').

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2006 — ''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 11 ([[Victor Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Cybertron'' — The Ultimate Collection ([[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers: Cybertron'' — The Complete Series ([[Shout! Factory]])

[[Category:Cybertron episodes]]

City

2024-05-04T03:16:43Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=Cybertron
|ep=41
|series2=Galaxy Force
|ep2=42
|image=Cyb_ep41_cobys_symbol.jpg
|caption=...''repair'' and rule?
|title="City"
|japanese=地下世界へGO!!
|romaji=Chika Sekai he GO!!
|translation=To the Underworld, GO!!
|production code=
|production company=[[TV Aichi]], [[We've]], [[Tōkyū Agency]]
|writer=[[Kazuhiko Sōma]]
|director=[[Atsushi Takeyama]]
|animation studio=[[GONZO]]
|airdate=[[October 22]], [[2005]] (Japanese) [[September 15]], [[2006]] (English)
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy cartoon timeline|Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''The Autobots split up to head for the inner layers of Gigantion, and Coby reveals his latest creation.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Cyb ep41 enter cobybot.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2]]
With the discovery of the crashed ''[[Atlantis]]'' on [[Gigantion]], [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] gathers the [[Autobot]]s on the bridge of the ''[[Ogygia (Cybertron)|Ogygia]]'' in order to formulate a plan to finally rescue [[Bud Hansen|Bud]] and the [[Mini-Con]]s, who have long been trapped on the ancient starship.

On board the ''Atlantis'', [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] comes to, and is chewed out by [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]]. When the Autobots attack, Starscream declares he's still weakened, and sends Sideways out to handle the intruders. Sideways plays it up all loyal in front of Starscream ("''Oui, mon capitan!''"), but as soon as he's alone, he starts bitching. He heads outside and battles Optimus Prime and [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]], unaware that the combined Autobots are serving as a distraction while [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] and the [[Cybertron Defense Team (Cybertron)|Cybertron Defense Team]] infiltrate the ''Atlantis'' by ground. This quartet are not the first to get on board, however, as Bud, [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] and [[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]] discover when they hear an ominous rumbling in the ship's ventilation system. Before long, the creature bursts out of a vent and reveals itself to be a [[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal]], but when the trio try to run, they find it's not an ordinary Scrapmetal... it's one piloted by Bud's brother [[Coby Hansen|Coby]], who has come to their rescue!

[[File:Cyb ep41 concrete.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]

Outside, Optimus fires a Cyber-Key-enhanced blast at Sideways, but [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] arrives and yanks him out of the way. Starscream mutters that once again, he's the only one he can trust, and begins pressing keys. The Autobots soon feel the effect of Starscream's machinations outside, as the ship begins rumble as they are reunited with Bud and the Mini-Cons. Optimus notes it's too damaged to fly, but [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]], who's been taking readings, notes that that's not the problem: Starscream is powering up the main guns using the engines' power. [[Quickmix (Cybertron)|Quickmix]] arrives, snarling that he's not about to let some "ratchet-headed offworlder" destroy any city, and with the aid of his Mini-Con partner [[Stripmine]], he begins pumping untold amounts of quick-drying cement that covers the entire ship and starts filling the crevice. His plans foiled, trapped and out of power, Starscream can do little more than profane.

[[File:Cyb ep41 cobybot.jpg|left|thumb|220px |MASTERFORCE!!!]]

Back on the ''Ogygia'', thanks are exchanged, and both Bud and Lori ask Coby when he's going to build each of ''them'' a giant robot. Coby apologizes for only having parts enough for one, and then goes on to show everyone what else the machine can do, transforming it into the [[Cobybot]]! Optimus sees Scattorshot's hand in the robot, but Scattorshot claims he didn't do ''that'' much of the work, and notes that the 'bot hasn't got any onboard weapons systems for safety. Optimus approves, and places an Autobot [[insignia]] on the Cobybot's shoulder-armor, telling Coby that from now on, when he changes modes, he should psyche himself up by shouting "TRANSFORM!" There is laughter all around, but Prime has to regretfully bring the merriment to an end so that the Autobots can put a plan to recover the [[Cyber Planet Key]] in motion. Using the data drive Coby had previously found, Scattorshot discovers there are four main routes to the central layer, but with no way to tell which one is the quickest, the Autobots decide to split up into teams to cover them all. A backup team remains on the ''Ogygia'' just in case.

Back in the normal universe, Primus carefully rations his energy, firing periodic blasts to keep the [[Unicron Singularity|black hole]] from expanding too much. Across the galaxy, on [[Velocitron]], [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]] and [[Earth]], familiar faces look up at the [[space bridge]]s in the sky, and at the images of the black hole menacingly hovering above them...

[[File:RansackCrumpleKidnap.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|ARE WE LIVE??]]

On Gigantion, there's activity all around the planet. In one location, Sideways thanks Soundwave for saving his bacon, and Soundwave reminds him that they have a purpose for being here... in another, the Decepticons buff up Galvatron's armor, before he orders them all to depart and search for the Cyber Planet Key... and in yet another, the team consisting of Optimus Prime, [[Vector Prime]], [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]], Bud and the Mini-Cons have come across a giant pile of scrap blocking the way. Bud and Jolt crawl through a small hole, and set off charges to let the larger bots in. Jolt checks the map-box strapped to his back, and they carry on... unaware that they're being followed by [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] and [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]]. The Autobots come across a big door, and Metroplex forces it open... revealing an entire city under a bright daylight sky. Optimus is befuddled, as they're supposed to be underground, but Metroplex and Jolt inform him it's all an illusion set up by the ceiling above. Jolt is about to check the map when he's snatched by Ransack and Crumplezone, who give themselves an overly-extended intro, then start leaping from rooftop to rooftop, playing hot potato with the Mini-Con, who can't fly with the map strapped to his back. Optimus and Vector give chase, but can't shoot out of fear of hitting Jolt, so Bud calls Coby in for help.

[[File:Cyb ep41 angry optimus.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|Hiya]]

On the ''Ogygia'', Coby preps his Cobybot, and Quickmix gives him... something. Coby assures the Autobots he can handle those two "sprocket-heads" by himself, and hovers off at speed to back Optimus's team up, arriving just as the two Decepticons start shooting down chunks of the false sky. Coby makes a suitably dramatic entrance, transforming his mech (with the appropriate "''Cobybot, TRANSFORM!!!''" and stock-footage sequence, earning a thumbs-up from the Primes and Metroplex) and hurling a steel ball at the two Decepticons, which breaks open and sprays some stuff at their feet. The two 'Cons laugh it off, until they realize they're stuck, thanks to Quickmix's super-fast-drying cement. Optimus Prime approaches the two menacingly, demanding Jolt back, and Crumplezone tosses the Mini-Con over his shoulder, hoping to send Prime after him... but Jolt is caught by [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]], leaving Prime free to deal with the troublemakers. Metroplex then tosses Optimus the [[Sparkdrinker]], which stock-footages the two Decepticons far, far away.

After the brief battle, the team regroups, and Optimus thanks the backup team for coming along. He tells Coby he needs more 'bots like him on his team, which Bud takes his cue to again pester Coby to build ''him'' a robot suit.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Vector Prime]] (2)
*[[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]] (3)
*[[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] (4)
*[[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] (5)
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Hot Shot]] (6)
*[[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] (7)
*[[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]] (8)
*[[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] (9)
*[[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] (10)
*[[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]] (15)
*[[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] (17)
*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (18)
*[[Quickmix (Cybertron)|Quickmix]] (20)
*[[Stripmine]] (21)
*[[Six-Speed (Cybertron)|Six-Speed]] (22)
*[[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]] (23)
*[[Snarl (Cybertron)|Snarl]] (24)
*[[Primus]] (25)
*[[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]] (26)
*[[Clocker (Cybertron)|Clocker]] (27)
*[[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]] (29)
*[[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]] (34)
*[[Drill Bit (Cybertron)|Drill Bit]] (35)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (14)
*[[Brimstone (Cybertron)|Brimstone]] (30)
*[[Undermine (Cybertron)|Undermine]] (31)
*[[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] (36)
*[[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] (37)
*[[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] (38)
*[[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] (39)
*[[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]] (40)
*[[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]] (41)
*[[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] (42)

|c3=
*[[Lori Jiménez]] (11)
*[[Coby Hansen]] (12)
*[[Bud Hansen]] (16)
*[[Mike Franklin]] (32)
*[[Lucy Suzuki]] (33)

|c4=
*[[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] (13)
*[[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] (19)
*[[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] (28)
}}

==Quotes==
"Awww, man, never mix [[energon]] and... huh?!"
:—'''Sideways''', returning from unconsciousness

"I'm still too drained to go and fight them. Sideways! Get rid of them!" 
''"Oui, mon capitan!"''
:—'''Starscream''' is given the Napoleonic treatment by '''Sideways'''

"Aw, man, I always knew you'd rescue me! I just never dreamed you'd do it in such a cool way!" 
"Huh? You don't think I'm cool?" 
"Not ''that'' cool."
:—'''Bud''' and '''Coby'''

"But there's one more thing everyone." *beat pause* "You might want to try shouting ''TRANSFORM'' when you do that, it'll really get you psyched up!"
:—'''Optimus''' on Coby's ability to transform

"Och, it's just a door. Do ye not have ''doors'' where ye come from?"
:—'''Metroplex''' pooh-poohs the grandeur

'''Ransack:''' It's the terrible twosome! 
'''Crumplezone:''' The masters of disaster! 
'''Ransack''': Barons of bad!!'' 
'''Crumplezone:''' Dukes of doom! 
'''Together:''' The villaaaaaaaaains from Velocitron! *pause* (We're not done.) 
'''Crumplezone:''' My name's Crumplezone, and this is my partner... 
'''Together:''' Ransack! 
'''Ransack:''' How's ''that'' for an entrance? 
'''Optimus:''' It stinks.
:—Optimus is unimpressed by Ransack and Crumplezone's self-publicizing.

'''Optimus''': There we go. Now I hope you two don't think this is a tad excessive! 
'''C & R''': N-N-N-N-No sir! 
'''Optimus''': That's good! After all, I'm trying to be fair!
:—Optimus Prime mere moments away from dealing with Crumplezone and Ransack in a '''VERY''' excessive manner.

"Why us, Ransack?" 
"It's the Wheel of Fate, my friend." 
"''It ran right over us!''"
:—'''Ransack''', '''Crumplezone''', then the two of them together

"Come on Bud, you're not even old enough to drive!" 
"Yeah, but this is a whole other universe! Earth laws don't apply!"
:—'''Coby''' and '''Bud''' argue the merits of building a Budbot

==Notes==
===Differences with ''Galaxy Force''===
*''Galaxy Force'' includes a "previously on" segment that summarizes the final seconds of "[[Fury (Cybertron)|Fury]]".
*Within the crashed ''Atlantis'', Starscream makes a comment about being low on Energon in ''Cybertron'', ordering Sideways to go find him some. In ''Galaxy Force'', there is no mention of Energon from either character as they regain consciousness, just confusion about where they are followed by an order from Starscream to Sideways (Noisemaze) to go take care of the Auotobots.
*In ''Cybertron'', Coby makes a disappointed face upon his reunion with Bud because his brother doesn't think he's cool. In ''Galaxy Force'', the look is because Bud is not happy to see him, but rather, happy at the prospect of eating some real food other than the emergency rations he's been surviving on.
*In ''Galaxy Force'', Starscream is not powering up the ''Atlantis''{{'}}s guns, but instead setting the deck to explode.
*While cryptic in both versions, in ''Cybertron,'' Soundwave reminds Sideways that saving each other is "what our people do", then encourages him to remember "why we are both here" without further explanation. In ''Galaxy Force'' he goes one step further by reminding Sideways of "revenge"—but for what, we don't know yet.
*Primus is silent in ''Galaxy Force'' during the cutback scene of him holding off the black hole with beams of energy; instead, a narrator describes the situation. Primus himself does the narration in ''Cybertron.''
*''Cybertron'' explains that the fourth tunnel has more blockages than the other three, thus requiring "more muscle" on the fourth team. ''Galaxy Force'' omits this, making Prime's team seem quite lopsided for no reason.
*In ''Cybertron'', Hot Shot suggests picking a random tunnel, and his idea is shot down by Override. In ''Galaxy Force'', he is asking why they don't just use the crevice Galvatron tore in the previous episode, and Override points out that they just filled it with concrete. (This also implies that the crevice does NOT go all the way to the lowest level of the planet-if it did, the organic layer would be covered in cement.)
*The very next lines of dialogue are also different: in ''Cybertron'', Vector Prime recommends splitting up into four teams, Hot Shot inquires what they would do if one team was attacked, and Optimus Prime suggests putting together a fifth back-up team as a precaution. Conversely, ''Galaxy Force'' has Vector Prime explain how Galvatron became incorporeal and travelled underground that way (as seen in the previous episode), suggesting the Autobots find a way to separate their sparks from their bodies to replicate the effect, Hot Shot gets freaked out at the notion, and Optimus Prime decides that they should just split up into four teams (with no mention of a backup team until the rosters are being called out a minute later).
*In ''Galaxy Force'', Optimus Prime's team simply marvels at the underground city, while Jolt is given pause to think about the waste of resources it represents. In ''Cybertron'', most of the conversation is given over to explaining the technology behind the presence of a sky over their heads.
*While ''Cybertron'' has Ransack and Crumplezone chatting trying to figure out exactly what the Coby-bot is, ''Galaxy Force'' adds a hilarious exchange wherein Armbullet (Crumplezone) says that Coby-bot is making it seem like the two of them are the bad guys. Gasket (Ransack) leans over and surreptitiously reminds him "we are!" which leaves Crumplezone scratching his head and asking "Really?" Megs sure knows how to pick his henchmen!

===Animation or technical errors===
*When Bud and the Mini-Cons come to, Reverb's arm is in the shot, but he's missing the entire truck-bed/wheel portion of it.

*Jolt's propeller spins when he bows in thanks to Optimus. In order to do this, it clips through the tail-rudder sticking out of his butt. This is not by any means the only time this occurs in the series, but it is a rare instance of us actually getting to ''see'' it doing so.

*When Override transforms when the teams roll out, it honestly looks like she lands ''right on top'' of Lori.

*For being unable to move thanks to having his foot cemented to the floor, Ransack's supposedly-cemented foot sure does move a lot.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:Cyb ep41 rarely seen rifle.jpg|thumb]]
*When discussing the Cobybot, Scattorshot is carrying the long blue rifle that comes with his toy. The error in question here is that it proceeds to vanish after this shot, but really, it's more notable that he's got it ''at all'', because this is one of a very small number of times that the rifle ever appears in the show when he's in [[robot mode]], the first being in "[[Assault]]".

===Continuity notes===
*Coby was seen re-engineering the Scrapmetal that became his "Cobybot" in "[[Warp]]". Though not explicitly stated, it's obvious that it was the secret cargo he was seen loading in the same episode, and which was referred to again in "[[Giant]]".
*Crumplezone references his rebirth in "[[Darkness (episode)|Darkness]]" while fixing up Galvatron.
*With this episode, Bud joins Coby and Lori in donning a new set of clothes. As before, ''Cybertron'' doesn't explain where the clothes come from, while ''Galaxy Force'' explained, back in "Family", that they had been packed by [[Gloria Jiménez|Lori's mother]].

===Transformers references===
*Just as Hot Shot did back in "[[Family]]", Bud refers to Optimus Prime as "Big Bot", originally used by ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] as a nickname for [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]].
*When the Cobybot first transforms to robot mode, it does so with the classic transformation noise, first heard in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] (and no stock footage, either!)

===Real-world references===
*Sideways' squeak of "mother!" when Optimus fires his Key-enhanced blast recalls cartoon legend {{w|Daffy Duck}}, who would frequently squeak out "mother!" right before something horrible happened to him.
*Part of the Velocitron duo's extended intro involves the line "My name's Crumplezone, and this is my partner Ransack!". This is word-for-word (aside from names, of course!) the introduction comedian-magicians {{w|Penn & Teller}} use, with the big guy (Penn/Crumplezone) introducing the little guy (Teller/Ransack). The only difference is that Ransack joins in to say his name, while Teller is never seen to talk.
*Crumplezone yells "the sky is falling!" which may be a reference to the classic children's fable ''{{w|Chicken Little}}'' who repeatedly voiced the phrase every time something landed on his head.
*The way that the "terrible twosome" mentioned above are sent flying by Optimus, vanishing into the distance with a twinkling effect while commenting on their misfortune, is reminiscent of {{w|Team Rocket#Team Rocket trio|Team Rocket's}} typical defeats in the ''{{w|Pokémon (anime)|Pokémon}}'' anime.

===Trivia===
*This is the first time we see any connection between Sideways and Soundwave, though right now there's still little explaining Sideways' ultimate motive...
*This episode sees a canonical explanation of why Transformers shout "Transform!" According to Optimus Prime it's because it's more exciting (''Galaxy Force'') and will "really get you psyched up!" (''Cybertron'').

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2006 — ''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 11 ([[Victor Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Cybertron'' — The Ultimate Collection ([[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers: Cybertron'' — The Complete Series ([[Shout! Factory]])

[[Category:Cybertron episodes]]

User:Coopinator

2024-05-03T00:44:31Z

Coopinator: Created page with "Hi! I'm mainly just gonna occasionally add my favorite quotes from episodes, or neat voice actor trivia."

Hi! I'm mainly just gonna occasionally add my favorite quotes from episodes, or neat voice actor trivia.

Keith Szarabajka

2024-05-02T20:40:02Z

Coopinator:

{{disambig3|Keith}}
[[Image:KeithSzarabajka.jpg|thumb|right|160px|In the Buffyverse my wife and son were killed by vampires and my daughter was turned into one. Fighting and/or being Decepticons isn't half bad by comparison.]]
'''Keith Szarabajka''' (born [[December 2]], [[1952]]) is an American screen & voice actor. On screen, he has played Mickey Kostmayer in ''The Equalizer'', Daniel Holtz in ''Angel'', Robert Morrison in ''24'', Detective Gerard Shephens in ''[[Batman|The Dark Knight]]'', Adam Engell in ''Argo'', and Chaz Gracen in ''Profit''.

As a voice actor, he has voiced Kip O'Donnell in ''The Wild Thornberrys'', Jet Black in the ''Viewtiful Joe'' video game trilogy, Mr. Freeze in ''Young Justice'', Cikatro Vizago in ''Star Wars: Rebels'', Silverback in ''Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts'', The Didact in ''Halo 4'', Cornelius Slate in ''Bioshock: Infinite'', Emile Dufraisne in ''Splinter Cell: Double Agent'', The Harbinger in the ''Mass Effect'' trilogy, Gilgamesh in the ''Final Fantasy'' series, and (more or less) Herschel Biggs in ''L. A. Noire''.

==Roles==
===''[[Transformers The Game]]''===
*[[Decepticon]]s
*Additional voices

===''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''===
*[[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]]

===''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Transformers: Dark of the Moon]]''===
*[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]]

===''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]''===
*[[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]]
*Additional voices

===''[[Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark]]''===
*[[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]]

==External links==
*[http://www.darktale.tv/home.html Keith Szarabajka's official website]
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0843775/ Keith Szarabajka] at the Internet Movie Database
{{DEFAULTSORT:Szarabajka, Keith}}
[[Category:English voice actors]]
[[Category:DreamWorks]]
[[Category:Activision]]

Predacons Rising (Animated)

2024-05-02T02:58:33Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{disambig3|Predacons Rising}}
{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|series2=AniJapan
|image=PredaconsRising-WaspinatorBlackarachnia.jpg
|caption=Battle of the arthropods.
|ep=36
|ep2=33
|prev2=Five Servos of Doom
|next2=Human Error, Part I
|title="Predacons Rising"
|airdate=[[April 11]], 2009
|season=3
|season ep=7
|written by=[[Larry DiTillio]] [[Bob Forward]]
|directed by=[[Kalvin Lee]] [[Yutaka Kagawa]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]}}

'''Blackarachnia has plans... for Wasp!'''

==Synopsis==
The [[Autobot]]s engage in a high-speed chase after [[Wasp]] through the city of [[Detroit]]. Though [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] says he believes even Wasp doesn't know where he's going, the fugitive former Autobot makes clear one thing: they're not going to take him while he's still online. [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] nearly catches Wasp, but the interference of [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] allows him to get away again. Optimus insists that Sentinel's responsibility lies on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and that he ought to deliver the remaining prisoners to the stockade. Sentinel counters that he's sure that Wasp knew about the attack on [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]], and he intends to bring him in.

[[File:TFAni Predacons Rising Wasp Cornered.jpg|thumb|left|"Word on street izzz you're a jerk!"]]
With the help of [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], the crew finally corners Wasp. Bumblebee tries to talk him down, but finds that his excuses fail to placate the fugitive. Optimus tells Wasp that the espionage charges against him have been dropped, but Sentinel again interferes and the two Primes get into an argument about jurisdiction. In the confusion, Wasp escapes again.

Taking pursuit, the Autobots are stymied when Wasp is plucked from the ground by the arrival of [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]]. They are only able to pursue the flying [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobot]] to the pier before being forced to break off. Sentinel is infuriated, and has the twins grapple him to continue the chase. Optimus, realizing that Swoop is likely taking Wasp to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]], begs Sentinel to hold off, as he hasn't yet explained what his former comrade would find there. Sentinel disregards this, and tells the twins to continue onward.

Wasp is brought to [[Meltdown (Animated)|Meltdown's]] [[Meltdown's Subterranean Lab|old lab]], which has seen a considerable refit. In charge now is [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]], who looks him over. Satisfied that he has pure Cybertronian circuitry, she decides that he is ideal for her purposes and offers him a chance to have enough power to get his revenge on the Autobots. Showing him a [[unspace|transwarp]] generator, she explains that it has only been used for transport before, but she has found a new application.

[[File:TFAni Predacons Rising Wasp Change.jpg|thumb|"Why Wasp always get seated in smoking section?"]]
After reaching the island (with mild discomfort), Sentinel orders the twins to distract the Dinobots. They take this as a chance to attack, with Jetfire engaging in a dogfight with Swoop, and Jetstorm using his wind cannon to knock poor [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]] offline and lead [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] away from the entrance to the lab. Making his way inside, Sentinel is surprised by Blackarachnia and finds himself disgusted at the prospect of a Cybertronian with an organic mode. His disgust turns to horror when she reveals that she was Elita-1. Sentinel tries to explain that it was Optimus's fault for leaving her behind and that he'd always assumed she was dead. Instead, he finds her current condition a fate worse than death. As they talk, the transwarp pods begin to overload, and out of the explosion comes Wasp—now a techno-organic Transformer with a wasp alt-mode who has renamed himself Waspinator!

[[File:TFAni Predacons Rising Blackarachina Unmasked Sentinel.jpg|thumb|left|Now we know what lies behind her masquerade!]]
Reaching the island, Bumblebee has given up on trying to talk things out with Wasp, while Optimus says that he could start by apologizing first. In the lab, Sentinel is horrified by what Blackarachnia has done to Wasp and says that she has to be stopped. Blackarachnia is not that surprised that he's willing to kill his old friend, but Sentinel screams that she is not Elita-1, driving his [[lance]] forward and knocking her helmet off...revealing the horrifying technorganic face she now has underneath. Not wanting to see "Spider-bot" hurt, Waspinator attacks, but flies out of the room and crashes into Bumblebee. Taken aback by Wasp's new appearance, Bumblebee says that he's sorry for everything he did and didn't do during boot camp. Thinking about it, Wasp admits that he can forgive Bumblebee. Unfortunately, ''Waspinator'' is more interested in revenge. As he tries to attack, however, Waspinator begins to discharge transwarp energy.

[[File:TFAni Predacons Rising Blackarachina sans Helmet.jpg|thumb|You! You're not Sylvia! You're one of the Kung Fu Creatures on the Rampage....2!]]
In the lab, Optimus confronts Blackarachnia and says that he's the one responsible for her condition, not Sentinel. Blackarachnia doesn't care; she has every right to destroy them both because of what happened to her. She also explains that she changed Wasp in the hopes that if she could change him back, she could change herself back into Elita-1. She isn't that concerned if he goes offline in the process. Unfortunately, Waspinator hears that comment and begins trying to attack Blackarachnia. With Waspinator's body starting to go critical, Blackarachnia flees outside, as do the Autobots, where the twins have dispatched the Dinobots. However, to contain Waspinator, Blackarachnia wraps him in a cocoon, and the Autobots barely manage to avoid being caught in the blast, which appears to destroy most of Dinobot Island. Optimus believes that Blackarachnia sacrificed herself to save them, but Sentinel believes that she sacrificed Waspinator to allow herself to escape.

At the Elite Guard ship, Optimus Prime's crew is seeing the [[Elite Guard]] off, though Sentinel is late. The twins poke fun at Sentinel's fear of organics, but Optimus tells them to give Sentinel a break: For all his flaws, Sentinel is still a good bot, in Optimus's opinion. Sentinel then arrives to have a private conversation with Optimus. Optimus apologizes for not letting Sentinel to go back and try to save Elita, and for not telling him sooner about Blackarachnia. Sentinel says that he's sorry they ever went to that planet, but it's too late for apologies, and the two Primes finally appear to bury the hatchet. Optimus points out that Cybertron's need for a leader is top priority, and that Sentinel is that leader, for better or worse.

[[File:TFAni Predacons Rising Waspinator Hazz Planzzz.jpg|thumb|left|Some pieces are made to detach if excessive force is applied.]]
Elsewhere, in a strange-looking jungle, Waspinator is still online, but must reassemble himself, muttering that he has "planzzz". A short distance away, Blackarachnia finds herself confronted with some local animals...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (3)
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (4)
*[[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] (5)
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] (6)
*[[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]] (7)
*[[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] (8)
*[[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] (10)
*[[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]] (11)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (12)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (13)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (14)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (15)
|c2=
*[[Wasp|Wasp/Waspinator]] (1)
*[[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Optimus''': You're wasting time, Sentinel! The attack on Ultra Magnus had spread chaos all over Cybertron! 
'''Sentinel''': That's not your concern, Optimus. 
'''Optimus''': No, it's ''yours!'' You have a responsibility to our home planet! 
'''Bumblebee''': Not to mention a bunch of Decepticon prisoners to take to the Cybertron stockade. 
'''Sentinel''': I don't need either of you ''glitches'' to tell me my job. Wasp knows something about that attack on Ultra Magnus. I'm sure of it. 
'''Optimus''': The same way ''you'' were sure Wasp was a Decepticon spy? 
'''Sentinel''': I-I was mislead by bad intelligence! 
'''Optimus''': Hah, that's putting it mildly. 
'''Sentinel''': No bot is innocent Optimus. You of all bots ought to know that! 
'''Optimus''': There something you want to say to me? 
'''Sentinel''': I think you know what I mean. 
:—Optimus accentuates that some MAJOR slag is going down on Cybertron, but Sentinel is as arrogant as ever.

'''Bumblebee''': Hate to say it, but Sentinel's got a point. I'd feel a lot safer with Wasp behind bars. 
'''Optimus''': That's not your call to make, Bumblebee. 
'''Sentinel''': And it's not ''your'' call to make either, Optimus. I'm in command. 
'''Optimus''': On ''Cybertron''. This planet is ''my'' jurisdiction. 
'''Sentinel''': This is a Cybertronian fugitive, and I'll enforce my authority as the...the uh...''primer'' Prime! 
'''Optimus''': Did you just make that up?! 
'''Sentinel''': No! 
'''Optimus''': There's no such thing as a Primer Prime! 
'''Sentinel''': It's a real term. Look it up. 
'''Optimus''': I'm not gonna look it up! 
'''Sentinel''': 'Fraid I'm right?
:—Optimus and Sentinel engage in what can be politely described as a pissing contest.

'''Sentinel''': Right, okay. Here's the plan. Give me a few nanokliks to get into position and, then, give me a diversion to draw them away from the entrance. 
'''Jetfire''': De version? Vat kind of version? 
'''Jetstorm''': Means for we to blow something up! 
'''Jetfire''': Oh, good! I am liking de version!
:—The Twins enjoy blowing stuff up.

"Should we be taking notes?" "On what not to do?"
:—'''Jetfire and Jetstorm''' observing Sentinel's (lack of) conduct.

"I just never knew, never imagined that something this... unspeakable could have happened to you. How can you even live like that?! It's horrible! It's disgusting!" 
"Okay, okay, I get it! It's bad, but it's not ''that'' bad, all right?!" 
"No. It's worse. You should have gone offline."
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' has more issues with '''Blackarachnia'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s condition than she does.

'''Blackarachnia''': So that's it?! You just slag your old friend Elita-1? 
'''Sentinel Prime''': ''Don't say that name!'' You don't deserve to say that name! 
''(Sentinel swipes, knocking Blackarachnia's helmet off, revealing her true face)'' 
'''Sentinel Prime''': You're not Elita-1, you mutant freak. Elita-1 went offline a long time ago.
:—Sentinel may actually be right for once, albeit coming from the wrong direction.

"Let him go, Blackarachnia." 
"Why should I, Optimus?" 
"Because I'm the one who left you behind. Sentinel's not the one to blame for what you look like." 
"What I look like is only half the story. What I am is a lot more complicated."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Blackarachnia''', as the latter attacks Sentinel

'''Bumblebee''': Soooo, Wasp... -inator, you've gotten taller. And you can fly! That's-that's cool. 
'''Waspinator''': Wazzpinator megacool, thanks to new friend. 
'''Bumblebee''': Hey, speaking of friends, I wanted to say I'm sorry—you know, for everything I did and didn't do. 
'''Waspinator''': ''(with Wasp's voice)'' Wasp forgive Bumble-bot. 
'''Bumblebee''': Oh. Really? 
'''Waspinator''': ''(with normal voice)'' BUT WAZZPINATOR NEVER FORGIVE!
:—Bumblebee makes his final attempt to make amends with Wasp(inator)... and totally blew it.

"C'mon, ease up, you two. [Sentinel]'s been through a lot." 
"Never thought I'd hear ''you'' sticking up for S.P." 
"He's a good bot... even if he doesn't know how to let go of a grudge."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' surprises '''Jazz''' and the audience.

"Wazzpinator cannot go offline. Wazzpinator have planzz."
:—'''Waspinator''', foreshadowing.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* When Sentinel Prime attacks Blackarachnia, he knocks off a helmet that she was wearing to hide her true mutant face. The helmet was previously seen in "[[Along Came a Spider]]" as Optimus entered a room in the wrecked Decepticon warship.

===Transformers references===
[[File:PredaconsRising-craziestofcameos.jpg|thumb|upright=1.95|What, no eagle/wolf Fuzor?]]
*As the plot of this episode centers on Blackarachnia and Waspinator, the ''Animated'' staff recruited Larry DiTillio and Bob Forward, the head writers of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' animated series, to script it. It was also the final script written by DiTillio prior to his passing in 2019. Consequently, the episode has quite a few references to ''Beast Wars'', including:
**The title itself is, of course, a reference to the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] from ''Beast Wars'', but it's a reference that doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense to anyone who doesn't already know what a Predacon is, since no one in the episode is actually ''called'' a Predacon at any stage.
**Although it's hardly a ''Transformers''-specific term, Sentinel instructs Jetfire and Jetstorm to fire their jets at "Maximum Burn", which was a pretty common command phrase used by the Beast Warriors for firing their own jets. If it were anybody but DiTillio and Forward on scripting duties, we'd probably write it off, but...
**Just like [[Waspinator (BW)|his predecessor]], this Waspinator can survive being blown to scraps.
**The immortal phrase "Waspinator has plans!" was first uttered by the original ''Beast Wars'' incarnation of the character in "[[Other Voices, Part 2]]", and has since become one of the lovable little guy's most famous and popular lines amongst the fandom, leading to a reprisal in "[[Nemesis Part 1]]". In context, he was bemoaning his apparent looming demise and merely indicating that he had stuff he wanted to do with his life, but like a lot of the aspects of the original Waspinator that are adapted into ''Animated'' Waspy, here, it just comes off as pretty ''sinister''.
**At the end of the episode, Blackarachnia comes face to face with [[Optimus Primal (BW)|a gorilla]], [[Rhinox (BW)|a rhino]], [[Cheetor (BW)|a green-eyed cheetah]], [[Rattrap (BW)|and a very large rat]]. Interestingly, the script even calls the setting where this scene takes place a "primitive Earthlike planet." Hmmm. [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] encourages us not to read too much into the scene, however.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I wouldn't read too much into where they went at the end.|link=https://twitter.com/DerrickJWyatt/status/1500152931|name=Derrick J. Wyatt|site=Twitter|year=2009|month=04|day=12|(defunct=)}}</ref>
* "It's too late for apologies" is one of the most infamous lines of dialogue from the hilariously inept [[Omni Productions]] dub of the Japanese ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Headmasters]]'' cartoon, where it was spoken by a Goth-angsty [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]].

===Animation errors===
* When Waspinator confronts Blackarachnia (immediately after she confesses to using him), his mandible does not move as he speaks. A screenshot of this error can be seen at the top of this page.
* In one scene, the Jet Twins' Elite Guard symbols on their hips are missing.
* Just after Waspinator runs into Bumblebee in pursuit of Blackarachnia, Bumblebee's chest plate briefly shrinks while tumbling then reverts to normal size after.

===Real-world references===
*When Blackarachnia presses some buttons on her computer, they sound the [[theme song|theme]] from ''{{w|Close Encounters of the Third Kind}}''.
*The transwarp experimentation chambers look and function exactly like the telepods from David Cronenberg's [[Fly|''The Fly'']].

===Trivia===
*Bumblebee can drive up the sides of buildings! [[Spychanger|He's not the only one]].
*When Optimus contacts Sentinel Prime to warn him about Dinobot Island, Sentinel shuts him off by tilting the 'antenna' on the left side of his head. [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)#Animated|His Deluxe toy actually does allow you to do this]], but backwards.
*In the English language, ''"optimus"'' is a synonym for ''"prime"'', both of which are synonyms of "elite" or "best". So, by definition, Optimus Prime's name literally means ''"Primer Prime"''. Too bad for you, Sentinel.
*Waspinator wasn't the only one damaged in the transwarp explosion. If you take a close look at Blackarachnia at the end of the episode, you'll notice that her 'stingers' (which act as her [[beast mode]]'s front legs) have been blown off.
*When Optimus and Sentinel discuss Sentinel taking over from Ultra Magnus, observe Optimus as he says "...and for better or worse..." He appears to squint uncomfortably, almost as if it pained him to say what he's going to say. [[This Is Why I Hate Machines|Huh.]]
*Speaking of jerk-face, Sentinel's drill-sergeant side is still very much in evidence when he barks at the twins to not "stand around with your pistons in your servos", a [[Anatomic euphemism|euphemistic]] Cybertronian equivalent of a rather off-color fleshling phrase we can't repeat here.
*Prowl continues to wear his new samurai armor even when he's not really needing it. [[To sell toys|Gotta sell that brand-spankin' new figure, you know?]]
*This episode marked the last appearance of Blackarachnia and Waspinator.
*The animals that observe Blackarachnia are roughly the same size she is. Unless they are on an alien world where [[Scale|the creatures are all over-sized]], those animals are positively HUGE.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Révolte des Predacons'''" ("Predacons Revolt")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Kanashiki Seimeitai'''" (悲しき生命体, "Sorrowful Lifeform")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 13|13 November]] [[2010]]

'''Brazilian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Os Predadores Ressurgem'''" ("Predators Resurface")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''Spanish (Latin America)'''
:*''Title:'' "''' Los Predacons Crecen '''" ("The Predacons Grow")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 17|17 November]] [[2009]]

==Home video releases==
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2011 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Vol. 9 ([[Paramount]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Season Three ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers Animated'' — The Complete Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Season Three ([[Madman Entertainment]])

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Predacons Rising (Animated)

2024-05-02T02:57:33Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{disambig3|Predacons Rising}}
{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|series2=AniJapan
|image=PredaconsRising-WaspinatorBlackarachnia.jpg
|caption=Battle of the arthropods.
|ep=36
|ep2=33
|prev2=Five Servos of Doom
|next2=Human Error, Part I
|title="Predacons Rising"
|airdate=[[April 11]], 2009
|season=3
|season ep=7
|written by=[[Larry DiTillio]] [[Bob Forward]]
|directed by=[[Kalvin Lee]] [[Yutaka Kagawa]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]}}

'''Blackarachnia has plans... for Wasp!'''

==Synopsis==
The [[Autobot]]s engage in a high-speed chase after [[Wasp]] through the city of [[Detroit]]. Though [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] says he believes even Wasp doesn't know where he's going, the fugitive former Autobot makes clear one thing: they're not going to take him while he's still online. [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] nearly catches Wasp, but the interference of [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] allows him to get away again. Optimus insists that Sentinel's responsibility lies on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and that he ought to deliver the remaining prisoners to the stockade. Sentinel counters that he's sure that Wasp knew about the attack on [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]], and he intends to bring him in.

[[File:TFAni Predacons Rising Wasp Cornered.jpg|thumb|left|"Word on street izzz you're a jerk!"]]
With the help of [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], the crew finally corners Wasp. Bumblebee tries to talk him down, but finds that his excuses fail to placate the fugitive. Optimus tells Wasp that the espionage charges against him have been dropped, but Sentinel again interferes and the two Primes get into an argument about jurisdiction. In the confusion, Wasp escapes again.

Taking pursuit, the Autobots are stymied when Wasp is plucked from the ground by the arrival of [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]]. They are only able to pursue the flying [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobot]] to the pier before being forced to break off. Sentinel is infuriated, and has the twins grapple him to continue the chase. Optimus, realizing that Swoop is likely taking Wasp to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]], begs Sentinel to hold off, as he hasn't yet explained what his former comrade would find there. Sentinel disregards this, and tells the twins to continue onward.

Wasp is brought to [[Meltdown (Animated)|Meltdown's]] [[Meltdown's Subterranean Lab|old lab]], which has seen a considerable refit. In charge now is [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]], who looks him over. Satisfied that he has pure Cybertronian circuitry, she decides that he is ideal for her purposes and offers him a chance to have enough power to get his revenge on the Autobots. Showing him a [[unspace|transwarp]] generator, she explains that it has only been used for transport before, but she has found a new application.

[[File:TFAni Predacons Rising Wasp Change.jpg|thumb|"Why Wasp always get seated in smoking section?"]]
After reaching the island (with mild discomfort), Sentinel orders the twins to distract the Dinobots. They take this as a chance to attack, with Jetfire engaging in a dogfight with Swoop, and Jetstorm using his wind cannon to knock poor [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]] offline and lead [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] away from the entrance to the lab. Making his way inside, Sentinel is surprised by Blackarachnia and finds himself disgusted at the prospect of a Cybertronian with an organic mode. His disgust turns to horror when she reveals that she was Elita-1. Sentinel tries to explain that it was Optimus's fault for leaving her behind and that he'd always assumed she was dead. Instead, he finds her current condition a fate worse than death. As they talk, the transwarp pods begin to overload, and out of the explosion comes Wasp—now a techno-organic Transformer with a wasp alt-mode who has renamed himself Waspinator!

[[File:TFAni Predacons Rising Blackarachina Unmasked Sentinel.jpg|thumb|left|Now we know what lies behind her masquerade!]]
Reaching the island, Bumblebee has given up on trying to talk things out with Wasp, while Optimus says that he could start by apologizing first. In the lab, Sentinel is horrified by what Blackarachnia has done to Wasp and says that she has to be stopped. Blackarachnia is not that surprised that he's willing to kill his old friend, but Sentinel screams that she is not Elita-1, driving his [[lance]] forward and knocking her helmet off...revealing the horrifying technorganic face she now has underneath. Not wanting to see "Spider-bot" hurt, Waspinator attacks, but flies out of the room and crashes into Bumblebee. Taken aback by Wasp's new appearance, Bumblebee says that he's sorry for everything he did and didn't do during boot camp. Thinking about it, Wasp admits that he can forgive Bumblebee. Unfortunately, ''Waspinator'' is more interested in revenge. As he tries to attack, however, Waspinator begins to discharge transwarp energy.

[[File:TFAni Predacons Rising Blackarachina sans Helmet.jpg|thumb|You! You're not Sylvia! You're one of the Kung Fu Creatures on the Rampage....2!]]
In the lab, Optimus confronts Blackarachnia and says that he's the one responsible for her condition, not Sentinel. Blackarachnia doesn't care; she has every right to destroy them both because of what happened to her. She also explains that she changed Wasp in the hopes that if she could change him back, she could change herself back into Elita-1. She isn't that concerned if he goes offline in the process. Unfortunately, Waspinator hears that comment and begins trying to attack Blackarachnia. With Waspinator's body starting to go critical, Blackarachnia flees outside, as do the Autobots, where the twins have dispatched the Dinobots. However, to contain Waspinator, Blackarachnia wraps him in a cocoon, and the Autobots barely manage to avoid being caught in the blast, which appears to destroy most of Dinobot Island. Optimus believes that Blackarachnia sacrificed herself to save them, but Sentinel believes that she sacrificed Waspinator to allow herself to escape.

At the Elite Guard ship, Optimus Prime's crew is seeing the [[Elite Guard]] off, though Sentinel is late. The twins poke fun at Sentinel's fear of organics, but Optimus tells them to give Sentinel a break: For all his flaws, Sentinel is still a good bot, in Optimus's opinion. Sentinel then arrives to have a private conversation with Optimus. Optimus apologizes for not letting Sentinel to go back and try to save Elita, and for not telling him sooner about Blackarachnia. Sentinel says that he's sorry they ever went to that planet, but it's too late for apologies, and the two Primes finally appear to bury the hatchet. Optimus points out that Cybertron's need for a leader is top priority, and that Sentinel is that leader, for better or worse.

[[File:TFAni Predacons Rising Waspinator Hazz Planzzz.jpg|thumb|left|Some pieces are made to detach if excessive force is applied.]]
Elsewhere, in a strange-looking jungle, Waspinator is still online, but must reassemble himself, muttering that he has "planzzz". A short distance away, Blackarachnia finds herself confronted with some local animals...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (3)
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (4)
*[[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] (5)
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] (6)
*[[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]] (7)
*[[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] (8)
*[[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] (10)
*[[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]] (11)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (12)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (13)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (14)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (15)
|c2=
*[[Wasp|Wasp/Waspinator]] (1)
*[[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Optimus''': You're wasting time, Sentinel! The attack on Ultra Magnus had spread chaos all over Cybertron! 
'''Sentinel''': That's not your concern, Optimus. 
'''Optimus''': No it's ''yours!'' You have a responsibility to our home planet! 
'''Bumblebee''': Not to mention a bunch of Decepticon prisoners to take to the Cybertron stockade. 
'''Sentinel''': I don't need either of you glitches to tell me my job. Wasp knows something about about that attack on Ultra Magnus. I'm sure of it. 
'''Optimus''': The same way ''you'' were sure Wasp was a Decepticon spy? 
'''Sentinel''': I-I was mislead by bad intelligence! 
'''Optimus''': Hah, that's putting it mildly. 
'''Sentinel''': No bot is innocent Optimus. You of all bots ought to know that! 
'''Optimus''': There something you want to say to me? 
'''Sentinel''': I think you know what I mean. 
:—Optimus accentuates that some MAJOR slag is going down on Cybertron, but Sentinel is as arrogant as ever.

'''Bumblebee''': Hate to say it, but Sentinel's got a point. I'd feel a lot safer with Wasp behind bars. 
'''Optimus''': That's not your call to make, Bumblebee. 
'''Sentinel''': And it's not ''your'' call to make either, Optimus. I'm in command. 
'''Optimus''': On ''Cybertron''. This planet is ''my'' jurisdiction. 
'''Sentinel''': This is a Cybertronian fugitive, and I'll enforce my authority as the...the uh...''primer'' Prime! 
'''Optimus''': Did you just make that up?! 
'''Sentinel''': No! 
'''Optimus''': There's no such thing as a Primer Prime! 
'''Sentinel''': It's a real term. Look it up. 
'''Optimus''': I'm not gonna look it up! 
'''Sentinel''': 'Fraid I'm right?
:—Optimus and Sentinel engage in what can be politely described as a pissing contest.

'''Sentinel''': Right, okay. Here's the plan. Give me a few nanokliks to get into position and, then, give me a diversion to draw them away from the entrance. 
'''Jetfire''': De version? Vat kind of version? 
'''Jetstorm''': Means for we to blow something up! 
'''Jetfire''': Oh, good! I am liking de version!
:—The Twins enjoy blowing stuff up.

"Should we be taking notes?" "On what not to do?"
:—'''Jetfire and Jetstorm''' observing Sentinel's (lack of) conduct.

"I just never knew, never imagined that something this... unspeakable could have happened to you. How can you even live like that?! It's horrible! It's disgusting!" 
"Okay, okay, I get it! It's bad, but it's not ''that'' bad, all right?!" 
"No. It's worse. You should have gone offline."
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' has more issues with '''Blackarachnia'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s condition than she does.

'''Blackarachnia''': So that's it?! You just slag your old friend Elita-1? 
'''Sentinel Prime''': ''Don't say that name!'' You don't deserve to say that name! 
''(Sentinel swipes, knocking Blackarachnia's helmet off, revealing her true face)'' 
'''Sentinel Prime''': You're not Elita-1, you mutant freak. Elita-1 went offline a long time ago.
:—Sentinel may actually be right for once, albeit coming from the wrong direction.

"Let him go, Blackarachnia." 
"Why should I, Optimus?" 
"Because I'm the one who left you behind. Sentinel's not the one to blame for what you look like." 
"What I look like is only half the story. What I am is a lot more complicated."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Blackarachnia''', as the latter attacks Sentinel

'''Bumblebee''': Soooo, Wasp... -inator, you've gotten taller. And you can fly! That's-that's cool. 
'''Waspinator''': Wazzpinator megacool, thanks to new friend. 
'''Bumblebee''': Hey, speaking of friends, I wanted to say I'm sorry—you know, for everything I did and didn't do. 
'''Waspinator''': ''(with Wasp's voice)'' Wasp forgive Bumble-bot. 
'''Bumblebee''': Oh. Really? 
'''Waspinator''': ''(with normal voice)'' BUT WAZZPINATOR NEVER FORGIVE!
:—Bumblebee makes his final attempt to make amends with Wasp(inator)... and totally blew it.

"C'mon, ease up, you two. [Sentinel]'s been through a lot." 
"Never thought I'd hear ''you'' sticking up for S.P." 
"He's a good bot... even if he doesn't know how to let go of a grudge."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' surprises '''Jazz''' and the audience.

"Wazzpinator cannot go offline. Wazzpinator have planzz."
:—'''Waspinator''', foreshadowing.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* When Sentinel Prime attacks Blackarachnia, he knocks off a helmet that she was wearing to hide her true mutant face. The helmet was previously seen in "[[Along Came a Spider]]" as Optimus entered a room in the wrecked Decepticon warship.

===Transformers references===
[[File:PredaconsRising-craziestofcameos.jpg|thumb|upright=1.95|What, no eagle/wolf Fuzor?]]
*As the plot of this episode centers on Blackarachnia and Waspinator, the ''Animated'' staff recruited Larry DiTillio and Bob Forward, the head writers of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' animated series, to script it. It was also the final script written by DiTillio prior to his passing in 2019. Consequently, the episode has quite a few references to ''Beast Wars'', including:
**The title itself is, of course, a reference to the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] from ''Beast Wars'', but it's a reference that doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense to anyone who doesn't already know what a Predacon is, since no one in the episode is actually ''called'' a Predacon at any stage.
**Although it's hardly a ''Transformers''-specific term, Sentinel instructs Jetfire and Jetstorm to fire their jets at "Maximum Burn", which was a pretty common command phrase used by the Beast Warriors for firing their own jets. If it were anybody but DiTillio and Forward on scripting duties, we'd probably write it off, but...
**Just like [[Waspinator (BW)|his predecessor]], this Waspinator can survive being blown to scraps.
**The immortal phrase "Waspinator has plans!" was first uttered by the original ''Beast Wars'' incarnation of the character in "[[Other Voices, Part 2]]", and has since become one of the lovable little guy's most famous and popular lines amongst the fandom, leading to a reprisal in "[[Nemesis Part 1]]". In context, he was bemoaning his apparent looming demise and merely indicating that he had stuff he wanted to do with his life, but like a lot of the aspects of the original Waspinator that are adapted into ''Animated'' Waspy, here, it just comes off as pretty ''sinister''.
**At the end of the episode, Blackarachnia comes face to face with [[Optimus Primal (BW)|a gorilla]], [[Rhinox (BW)|a rhino]], [[Cheetor (BW)|a green-eyed cheetah]], [[Rattrap (BW)|and a very large rat]]. Interestingly, the script even calls the setting where this scene takes place a "primitive Earthlike planet." Hmmm. [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] encourages us not to read too much into the scene, however.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I wouldn't read too much into where they went at the end.|link=https://twitter.com/DerrickJWyatt/status/1500152931|name=Derrick J. Wyatt|site=Twitter|year=2009|month=04|day=12|(defunct=)}}</ref>
* "It's too late for apologies" is one of the most infamous lines of dialogue from the hilariously inept [[Omni Productions]] dub of the Japanese ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Headmasters]]'' cartoon, where it was spoken by a Goth-angsty [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]].

===Animation errors===
* When Waspinator confronts Blackarachnia (immediately after she confesses to using him), his mandible does not move as he speaks. A screenshot of this error can be seen at the top of this page.
* In one scene, the Jet Twins' Elite Guard symbols on their hips are missing.
* Just after Waspinator runs into Bumblebee in pursuit of Blackarachnia, Bumblebee's chest plate briefly shrinks while tumbling then reverts to normal size after.

===Real-world references===
*When Blackarachnia presses some buttons on her computer, they sound the [[theme song|theme]] from ''{{w|Close Encounters of the Third Kind}}''.
*The transwarp experimentation chambers look and function exactly like the telepods from David Cronenberg's [[Fly|''The Fly'']].

===Trivia===
*Bumblebee can drive up the sides of buildings! [[Spychanger|He's not the only one]].
*When Optimus contacts Sentinel Prime to warn him about Dinobot Island, Sentinel shuts him off by tilting the 'antenna' on the left side of his head. [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)#Animated|His Deluxe toy actually does allow you to do this]], but backwards.
*In the English language, ''"optimus"'' is a synonym for ''"prime"'', both of which are synonyms of "elite" or "best". So, by definition, Optimus Prime's name literally means ''"Primer Prime"''. Too bad for you, Sentinel.
*Waspinator wasn't the only one damaged in the transwarp explosion. If you take a close look at Blackarachnia at the end of the episode, you'll notice that her 'stingers' (which act as her [[beast mode]]'s front legs) have been blown off.
*When Optimus and Sentinel discuss Sentinel taking over from Ultra Magnus, observe Optimus as he says "...and for better or worse..." He appears to squint uncomfortably, almost as if it pained him to say what he's going to say. [[This Is Why I Hate Machines|Huh.]]
*Speaking of jerk-face, Sentinel's drill-sergeant side is still very much in evidence when he barks at the twins to not "stand around with your pistons in your servos", a [[Anatomic euphemism|euphemistic]] Cybertronian equivalent of a rather off-color fleshling phrase we can't repeat here.
*Prowl continues to wear his new samurai armor even when he's not really needing it. [[To sell toys|Gotta sell that brand-spankin' new figure, you know?]]
*This episode marked the last appearance of Blackarachnia and Waspinator.
*The animals that observe Blackarachnia are roughly the same size she is. Unless they are on an alien world where [[Scale|the creatures are all over-sized]], those animals are positively HUGE.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Révolte des Predacons'''" ("Predacons Revolt")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Kanashiki Seimeitai'''" (悲しき生命体, "Sorrowful Lifeform")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 13|13 November]] [[2010]]

'''Brazilian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Os Predadores Ressurgem'''" ("Predators Resurface")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''Spanish (Latin America)'''
:*''Title:'' "''' Los Predacons Crecen '''" ("The Predacons Grow")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 17|17 November]] [[2009]]

==Home video releases==
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2011 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Vol. 9 ([[Paramount]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Season Three ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers Animated'' — The Complete Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Season Three ([[Madman Entertainment]])

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Orion Pax, Part 3

2024-04-22T04:05:37Z

Coopinator: /* 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"
|season=2
|season ep=3
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Joseph Kuhr]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr-95ohnbnU
|videosite=YouTube
}}

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

==Synopsis==
[[File:OrionPax3 Jack and Arcee find entrance.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Speak, friend, and enter.]]
[[Jack Darby|Jack]] and [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] walk through [[Kaon (polity)|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 (WFC)|Ratchet]] and is told that the creature is an [[Insecticon (WFC)|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 (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] inquires as to [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|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 (WFC)|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.

[[File:OrionPax3 Megatron threatens Orion.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|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.

[[File:OrionPax3 Jack watches download.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|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.

[[File:OrionPax3 the Matrix reloaded.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|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 (WFC)|Arcee]] (2)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (8)
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (10)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (15)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (16)

|c2=
*[[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]] (3)
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (9)
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|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 privilege to stomp a former leader of the Autobots." 
'''"Orion Pax"''': "Arg! No! Please! Enough! I'm... I'm armed?"
:—"Orion" discovers he has blasters.

"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... ''begone!"'' 
:—'''Optimus Prime''' returns.

"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==
===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 ''Prime'' to have a [[beast mode]].

===Transformers references===
[[File:OrionPax3 Vector Sigma in scraplet-vision.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|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]].
* 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 the [[Indiana Jones]] film ''{{W|Raiders of the Lost Ark}}''.

===Errors===
* When Megatron is gloating after knocking Orion Pax to the floor, it appears that he has a sword embedded in his left arm, hanging by his side, but once the camera angle cuts from beside Megatron's feet to staring down his blade, we see that it is once again protruding from his right arm, just as it should be.
* As Megatron notices Jack recharging Optimus's Matrix and lets go of Arcee, his shoulder armour goes through the wall.
* Before the restored Optimus jumps through the Groundbridge while firing at Megatron, his right shoulder can be (very briefly) seen bearing the Autobot symbol, but it should still be Decepticon.
* In the episode [[Shadowzone (episode)|"Shadowzone"]], when the two Ground Bridge portals opened in close proximity to each other, the energy from both fed back on each other (as stated by Ratchet), and there was an explosion. Here, the Decepticons', and a bit later the Autobots' Ground Bridge portal opened ''right next to'' the still open Space Bridge, yet nothing happened. It’s possible that their “streams” simply didn’t “cross” this time, but it’s still odd.
* Optimus can hear what Megatron is whispering before coming through a Ground Bridge to face him.
* While Megatron is charging at him, Optimus catches the levitating Key to Vector Sigma between his fingers. In the next shot he's blocking Megatron's blade with both hands. How the key didn't get destroyed in this is anyone's guess.
* When Optimus leaps through the ground bridge, his feet are still outside of the vortex when it closes.

===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 exactly the 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...
* You'd think that despite knowing that Orion was not as good a warrior as Optimus, Megatron would have ordered that he be disarmed.
* This is the last live appearance of the Scraplets (they'd later appear in a flashback during "[[Toxicity]]").
* Adaptations of this episode include a screen-capture-style comic version as part of ''[[Transformers Prime: The Orion Pax Saga|The Orion Pax Saga]]''.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Orion Pax, Partie 3'''" ("Orion Pax, Part 3")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''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.

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Orion Pax, Parte 3'''" ("Orion Pax, Part 3")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 5|5 June]] [[2013]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Orion Pax, Parte 3'''" ("Orion Pax, Part 3")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 10|10 October]] [[2012]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — One Shall Stand ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Vol. 15 ([[Avex Trax]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Folge 7: Orion Pax ([[EDEL:kids]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season 2 Volume 1: Orion Pax ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season 2 Vol. 1: Orion Pax ([[Primal Screen]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 2 Vol. 1: Orion Pax (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Stagione 2 Vol. 1: Orion Pax (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio. 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Intégrale Saison 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — The Complete Season 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — La Seconda Stagione Completa (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio. 
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Zeno Robinson

2024-03-05T01:16:02Z

Coopinator:

[[File:Zeno_Robinson.jpeg|thumb|upright=0.9|I wanna make this world one where heroes have time to kill.]]
'''Zeno Robinson''' (born [[November 25]], [[1993]]) is an American voice actor. He is best known for roles such as Hawks on ''My Hero Academia'', Remy Remington on ''Big City Greens'', Goh on the ''Pokémon'' anime, Alan Albright in the ''[[Ben 10]]'' franchise, Cyborg on ''Young Justice'', Hunter on ''The Owl House'', and Junpei Iori in ''Persona 3 Reload''.

==Roles==
===''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]''===
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash Malto]]
*Crowd ("[[Secret Legacy, Part 2]]")
*Students ("[[Friends and Family]]")
*G.H.O.S.T. Agent ("[[Security Protocols]]")

==Notes==
*Being a fan of the franchise growing up, Robinson cited the [[Transformers (film)|2007 film]] to pursue an acting career.<ref>[https://www.tvinsider.com/1057040/transformers-earthspark-cast-danny-pudi-bumblebee-twitch-thrash-paramount-plus/]</ref>

==Reference==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{w|Zeno Robinson}} at Wikipedia

{{DEFAULTSORT:Robinson, Zeno}}
[[Category:English voice actors]]

Convoy (episode)

2023-07-25T05:42:09Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{disambig3|Convoy}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 9
|prev=Con Job
|next=Deus ex Machina
|image=TFP Convoy highway hijack.jpg
|caption=Ain't it a beautiful sight?
|title="Convoy"
|season=1
|season ep=9
|airdate=[[March 4]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Joseph Kuhr]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBU_gmEY0Q8
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''The Autobots assist Fowler with transporting a nuclear device.'''

==Synopsis==
The Autobots get an angry call from [[William Fowler|Fowler]]. [[Fowler's V-tol|His plane]]'s been shot down while transporting the hi-tech [[Dynamic Nuclear Generation System]], or the "Dingus", a volatile nuclear device, and he needs help in completing his mission. [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] says that using the [[GroundBridge]] to transport it would be too dangerous, so instead they'll have to take it by road. They soon have it loaded into a [[trailer]] which Prime starts hauling, with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] as an escort. Fowler's disappointed he doesn't get to drive. [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] and the kids monitor their journey from [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|base]].

Optimus is irritated by Fowler's enthusiasm with the horn. Unknown to any of them, the convoy is being observed by a helicopter. Fowler and Optimus are discussing whether there was any evil on Earth before the Decepticons came, when they spot the helicopter, which Fowler believes is a [[Decepticon]]. Five green sportscars move in on the convoy, but Optimus warns everyone to maintain their cover and stay in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]. Ratchet's surprised that they're not showing up on his sensors. All is made clear when one of the cars draws level with Optimus's cab, and a masked human aims a gun at Fowler. Optimus orders the other Autobots to use non-lethal force only. Bumblebee knocks one of the cars, flipping it over, but another drives up alongside Optimus. One of the masked goons climbs onto Optimus and starts attempting to sever the trailer. After Prime knocks the car off the mountainside road, Fowler climbs out and grabs the masked goon, but loses him before he can start the interrogation.
[[File:Prime-Silas.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|I want this mission high and tight. I wanna be home for dinner.]]
The fellow in the helicopter makes contact over the walkie and introduces himself as [[Silas]], part of the [[MECH]] organization, who intend to steal the Dingus for their own use. One of the cars pulls up behind Optimus and the MECH goons blow the trailer's back door open, only for [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] to jump out in motorcycle mode and flip their car, causing it to explode. While Optimus warns Fowler not to take Silas lightly (due to [[Megatron (WFC)|personal experience]]), Ratchet informs them they're nearing the rendezvous point.

On the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] has intercepted the communications, and [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] sends a bunch of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] to join the party.

The Autobots reach the rendezvous point and duck into a rail tunnel alongside a train. Bulkhead seals off the incoming end. A short time later, they and the train emerge from the other end of the tunnel, and Silas continues to follow the Autobots. As luck would have it, the Vehicons take this opportunity to appear and open fire on the convoy. The Autobots avoid getting hit, but Prime's trailer is shaken loose and explodes. The Vehicons transform and move in, forcing Optimus to inform Fowler that they're going to have to break cover to survive. Silas observes the fight and notes that the rumors he's heard of living technology are true. He lets Fowler know that he's aware the Dingus was transferred onto the train while the Autobots were in the tunnel, and the helicopter moves off to intercept the cargo. Unfortunately, while Fowler's giving Optimus the bad news, the Autobot leader takes a tree trunk to the face and falls off a nearby cliff.

The kids have a frantic discussion about a plan B. [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]]'s in favor of Ratchet ground-bridging the kids onto the train so they can fight the MECH goons. With [[Raf Esquivel|Raf's]] help, [[Jack Darby|Jack]] and Miko are soon on the train. As the MECH helicopter tries to land on top of the train, Raf flips a point switch to make the train go off along another line. In response, the helicopter's pilot hacks Raf's laptop, causing it to short out. On the second try, the helicopter lands atop the carriage the Dingus is in, and the MECH guys start cutting through the carriage roof.

Not far away, the Autobots continue their fight with the Vehicons. Optimus comes around and sees the train in trouble.
[[File:Convoy-trainstop.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|More powerful than a locomotive!]]
Miko and Jack grab weapons, which they wave at the MECH guys when the ceiling's opened. Back in the chopper, Silas spots Optimus running alongside and sounds a retreat. As the helicopter heads away, he fires a missile and takes out the track ahead of the train. Due to Raf's laptop being out of commission, Ratchet no longer has the train's coordinates and can't bridge the kids out. They prepare to jump, but Optimus zooms past, grabs the front of the train and brings it to a halt in the nick of time. Hovering in the helicopter nearby, Silas promises that next time the playing field will be leveled. Optimus reports back to Ratchet that the kids and the Dingus are safe, but notes that a new player has entered the game...
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
*[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] (3)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (8)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (9)

|c2=
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (13)
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (14)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (15)

|c3=
*[[William Fowler]] (1)
*[[Jack Darby]] (5)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (6)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (7)
*[[MECH]] goons (10)
*[[Silas]] (11)
*[[MECH Navigator]] (12)

}}

==Quotes==
"Ah-ah, no need, Agent Fowler. I will handle the driving." 
"It's going to be a long trip."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' lets '''Agent Fowler''' in on his no-touch policy.

"Agent Fowler. Is that really necessary?" 
"Oh, don't tell me you're one of them 'textbook drivers'."
:— '''Optimus Prime''' isn't very keen on '''Agent Fowler's''' use of the horn.

"You know, you're saving my bacon here, Prime." 
"I am proud to be of service." 
"Of course, not like I'd need your help if you and the 'cons stuck to tearing up your own corner of the galaxy." 
"Are you suggesting no evil existed on your world before we arrived?" 
"Well... it was a different evil."
:— '''Agent Fowler''' and '''Optimus Prime'''.

"How about some radio? You seem like a Nashville sound kinda guy."
:—'''Agent Fowler''' to Optimus Prime.

"That's the one! The 'Con who shot me down! Who is he? Wingnut? Dingbat? Skyguy?"
:—'''Fowler''' shares some awesome Transformer name ideas.

"Gentlemen, stop their engines."
:—'''Silas'''

"Is that so? Tell me, Sy, what's the market price for a Dingus these days?" 
"What makes you think we intend to sell it, Agent Fowler?"
:—'''Agent Fowler''' and '''Silas''' discussing the value of Fowler's Dingus.

"After a long road trip, feels good to get out of the car, stretch my legs, and kick some tailpipe!"
:—'''Bulkhead''', the reigning king of one-liners.

"You want me to not only bridge you into a confined space, but one traveling at 90 miles per hour? I can't even count the number of things that can go wrong—mass displacement trauma, twisted limbs, metal burn!... Well, maybe not the last one."
:—Overly-attached '''Ratchet''' to the kids.

"First rule of combat: Never leave the enemy with the spoils."
:—'''Silas'''

"Maximum overdrive!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' coining a new catchphrase.

"Maybe we should jump?" 
"At 90 miles an hour?!" 
"It's the impact or the meltdown, take your pick." 
:—'''Miko''' lets '''Jack''' choose between two spectacular ends.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The plane Fowler was transporting the Dingus on is the same one he had in "[[Masters & Students]]". And he's ''still'' flying without any kind of pilot gear on. Dude is ''hard core''.
* Miko makes reference to that episode when she follows up Fowler's comment that he had been shot out of the sky with an "again?"
* This episode is the first to feature a human enemy to the Cybertronians (both Autobots and Decepticons). However, they do not meet the leader, Silas, until much later; the Autobots only hear him speak this episode.
* On board the train, Jack and Miko each pick a "weapon" of choice to face the MECH goons. Miko happens to take an axe, like she did [[Darkness Rising, Part 5|to face Soundwave's tentacle]], while Jack takes a [[fire extinguisher]], like he did [[Scrapheap (episode)|a couple of episodes ago]].

===Transformers references===
* Optimus's [[trailer]] is adorned with the same paint scheme as his [[Optimus Prime (G1)|''Generation 1'' counterpart]]'s [[Combat Deck (G1)|trailer]].
* "[[Convoy (rank)|Convoy]]" is the usual Japanese equivalent to the English "[[Prime (rank)|Prime]]".

===Real-world references===
* This episode is the first in ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' to feature a reproduction of an actual real-world vehicle: the locomotive depicted hauling the 'Phase II' train is a very accurate model of a four-axle GP series model produced in La Grange, Illinois (Later London, Ontario) by {{w|Electro-Motive Diesel}}.

===Animation and technical errors===
* At the beginning of the episode, when Ratchet asks Agent Fowler why Starscream would bother with "such primitive technology" (i.e., the Dingus), a small light can be seen inside his open mouth, as if the light coming from his left optic sensor can be seen through it.
* While Silas delivers his last line, the straps that cross his chest clip into each other.

===Continuity errors===
* On the monitor inside the Autobot base, the fork is shown to be on the right side of the rails. When the scene changes to show the running train, it is shown to be on the left.
* The number of MECH cars is somewhat inconsistent, as are their positions. Three cars initially pull up behind and to the sides of Bulkhead. An additional car appears to replace the one that pulls ahead to block Bumblebee, and another appears to replace the one that pulls up to Optimus' driver side to force him to pull over. When the Autobots begin applying force, the car that was in front of Bumblebee has moved to Optimus' passenger side. After this, four of the pursuing cars are dispatched through various means, leaving only one, yet three cars are chasing the Autobots when they reach the train tunnel. The cars vanish from the story completely after this.
* When the Autobots first transform in front of the platoon of Eradicon Jets and reveal themselves to MECH in the process, there is no plateau near their right side to safely place Fowler on, but in the very next shot, it is right next to them, even though the Autobots never moved from their position.
* Upon seeing the Silas destroy the track, the locomotive driver would have released the air from the brake lines, applying maximum braking force to the train. With a train as short as the one carrying the Dingus, emergency braking would likely have stopped it before reaching the site of the explosion, however the train shows no signs of attempting to slow down.

===Trivia===
[[File:Convoy-kablooie.jpg|thumb|upright|"I used minimum force. That was the minimum force necessary to ensure they ''never bother us again.''"]]
* The Autobots have a curious definition of "minimum force". During the short battle, they flip over three cars and blow up a fourth. The latter most likely killed the passengers. It's amazing the others came out unharmed, considering one was hanging out of the sunroof of his car at the time.
* The train set piece germinated from [[Alex Kurtzman]]'s desire to have a Train Transformer, which would have been too expensive. Had the budget been there, they would have been an Autobot.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21Pb3MeUDdY Roundtable interview with ''Prime'' staff at BotCon 2011]</ref>
* The fact that the Autobots were battling humans rather than Decepticons - a not insignificant twist in the plot - was spoiled by the next-episode preview shown during the Hub's airing of "Con Job". What is this, [[Ultra Magnus Dies!!|Japan?]]
* As was previously featured in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4]]", this episode features an Autobot transforming while carrying a human passenger. Fowler somehow ends up sitting in Optimus's hand rather than inside him, though.
* Silas deems the Autobots' use of the train tunnel a tactical error because it only has one exit, but then makes no effort to stop them on the other side.
* In the beginning of the episode Optimus tells Fowler he will handle the driving but later on in the episode we see Fowler driving. It might be that Agent Fowler just kept his hands on the steering wheel or that Optimus was just being kind.
[[File:JackFireExtinguisherMikoAxe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|So I married an axe murderer.]]
* When Jack and Miko grab the fire extinguisher and the fire axe to fight MECH, they apparently forget that there is a gun on the floor, dropped by the immobilized soldier. However, neither (presumably) has had firearms training, and it's unlikely that Optimus would appreciate trigger-happy allies.
* Silas' attempt to destroy the Dingus at the end of the episode seems a bit reckless, given its nuclear core. However, there's no indication he's aware of just how nasty that thing going up would be; when the decoy trailer goes up, the MECH pilot merely indicates there's no detectable radiation. If they knew about the five-state irradiation deal, they'd probably be just a ''wee'' bit more on edge and wondering why they weren't dead.
* This episode may contain human [[death]]. After Arcee jumps off one of MECH's vehicles, it rolls right into another vehicle and the two explode. No humans are seen exiting the vehicles during the accident, so it is likely that they perish in the explosion.
* Optimus Prime has a cup holder. Whether this is a default part of his [[alt mode]] or for Fowler's benefit is unspecified.
* Adaptations of this episode include a prose version in ''[[Optimus Under Threat]]'' titled "Off the Rails", and a storybook version for younger readers as ''[[Optimus Prime and the Secret Mission]]''.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Le SGDN'''" ("The DNGS")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Konvoi'''" ("Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 25|25 November]] [[2011]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Konvoj'''" ("Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 19|19 January]] [[2012]]

'''Indonesian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Pengamanan Senjata Penghancuran Masal'''" ("Saving of the Weapon of Mass Destruction")
:*''Original airdate:'' 12 September [[2012]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Convoglio'''" ("Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 22|22 October]] [[2011]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' '''Bōsō Henkei! Dingus o Mamore!''' (暴走変形!ディンガスを守れ!, ''Reckless Transformation! Protect the Dingus!'')
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 2|2 June]] [[2012]]

'''Korean'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Hosong Jakjeon'''" (호송 작전, "Operation Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 26|26 September]] [[2011]]

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 15|15 December]] [[2011]]

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''O Comboio'''" ("The Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 4|4 January]] [[2012]]

'''Spanish'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 2|2 January]] [[2012]]

'''Spanish (Spain)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Convoy'''" ("Convoy")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 29|29 October]] [[2011]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Folge 2: Meister und Schüler ([[EDEL:kids]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One Collection ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Volume 2: Unfamiliar Enemies (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Vol. 5 ([[Avex Trax]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 1 Vol. 2: Terrain miné ([[Universal|Universal Pictures France]]) — English, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish audio. 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Staffel 1 - Das Bündnis (EDEL:kids) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Stagione 1 Vol. 2: Terre Pericolose ([[Universal|Universal Pictures IT]]) — English, Italian, Dutch, French and Spanish audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One: Dangerous Ground ([[Universal|Universal Pictures UK]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 1: L'intégrale (Universal Pictures France) — English, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One (Universal Pictures UK)
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Staffel 1 - Das Bündnis (EDEL:kids) — English and German audio. 

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Crossfire (Prime)

2023-07-16T22:26:26Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{disambig2|the cartoon episode|the mobile game event|Crossfire (Forged to Fight)}}

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 33
|prev=Loose Cannons
|next=Nemesis Prime (episode)
|image=Crossfire Megatron and Insecticon close together.jpg
|caption=You'll get caught up in the...
|title="Crossfire"
|season=2
|season ep=7
|airdate=[[March 31]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECmgR8eEB7s
|videosite=YouTube
}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

[[Image:Crossfire Airachnid strings up Arcee.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"I saw you hanging around and thought I'd wrap things up."]]
Arcee, meanwhile, follows Airachnid, but finds herself suddenly stuck in a trap. As her nemesis prepares to finish her, a missile streaks through the air and pushes Airachnid off Arcee. She escapes as Starscream—intent on payback—continues to fire. Now alone with Arcee, the Seeker recalls her decision to spare him earlier, and in returning the favor, he cuts her free from Airachnid's trap and leaves her be rescued by the Autobots, declaring themselves even.

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

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

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

"Easy prey."
:—'''Breakdown's''' last words.

"You dare turn your back on a superior life-form? I am Commander Starscream!"
:—'''Starscream''' using his former position to get others to do what he wants...[[Orion Pax, Part 1|''again.'']]

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

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

"How right you were, Airachnid. Payback. Is. ''Sweet!''"
:—'''Starscream''' making Airachnid eat her own words.

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

"The surprises never cease."
:—'''Megatron''' sums up this episode in one sentence.

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

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

===Real-world references===
* When Megatron contacts Dreadwing about him killing Airachnid and taking her place as Megatron's first lieutenant, Dreadwing picks up and cocks what appears to be an E-11 blaster rifle from the ''[[Star Wars]]'' movies.

===Errors===
* Soundwave's trace of Airachnid's signal appears to locate her around about Bolivia, while the Autobot trace of the same signal places it on the north coast of [[South America]], in Guyana or Suriname.
*Despite having been shown previously to be able to turn both hands into hammers AND having a roof-mounted blaster, Breakdown does not make use of either ability when he is caught by Airachnid's web.
* When Bulkhead jumps out of the GroundBridge with Ratchet following behind, the wrecking ball on his left arm somehow transforms silently back to his hand.
* When the Insecticon throws Megatron into the air and slashes at him with its horn, it injures his shoulder and energon is splattered from the wound. When Megatron recovers, the injury appears on his neck instead.
* When Megatron switches to his vehicle mode, the webbing on his cannon disappears.
* Megatron's energon is colored blue when [[Stronger, Faster|it's been]] [[One Shall Fall|shown previously]] [[One Shall Rise, Part 1|to be purple]]. [[Darkness Rising, Part 4|He said so himself!]]
* Starscream's missiles pop back into existence on his arms after he fires them.

===Trivia===
* Starscream's arm-mounted missiles still work even with his T-cog missing, since there's no transformation involved in firing them.
* The Decepticons really didn't do a good job in stripping that mine, considering all the Insecticon had to do was push away a couple of rocks to find a huge clump of energon in the wall.
* Bulkhead's remark that Starscream helped MECH steal Bumblebee's T-cog isn't accurate, as Starscream only approached them with an alliance after witnessing them take it. Bulkhead isn't in any position to know better, however.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Trahisons'''" ("Treasons")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Das Insecticon'''" ("The Insecticon")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 1|1 November]] [[2012]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Haran Henkei! Konchū Gekisen'''" (波乱変形!昆虫激戦, "Turbulent Transformation! Insect Battle")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 17|17 November]] [[2012]]

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Fogo Cruzado'''" ("Crossfire")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 11|11 June]] [[2013]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Fuoco Incrociato'''" ("Crossfire")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 16|16 October]] [[2012]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Vol. 17 ([[Avex Trax]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Folge 8: Der falsche Prime ([[EDEL:kids]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season 2 Volume 2: Battle for Supremacy ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season 2 Vol. 1: Orion Pax ([[Primal Screen]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 2 Vol. 1: Orion Pax (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Stagione 2 Vol. 1: Orion Pax (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio. 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Intégrale Saison 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — The Complete Season 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — La Seconda Stagione Completa (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)

2023-07-16T22:20:03Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{nav-rotb}}
{{movie|
|seriess=[[Live-action film series]]
|prev=Bumblebee (film)
|next=
|title=''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''
|image=Transformers Rise of the Beasts Theatrical Poster.jpeg
|caption=So for now, let the battle be here, on this strange, primitive world. And let it be called... Beast Wars!
|production companies=[[Skydance Media]] [[Entertainment One]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] [[New Republic Pictures]] [[Michael Bay|Bay Films]]
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Brian Goldner]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[Bradley J. Fischer]] [[Valerii An]] [[David Ellison]] [[Dana Goldberg]] [[Don Granger]]
|associate producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Duncan Henderson]]
|story by=[[Joby Harold]]
|screenplay by=[[Joby Harold]] [[Darnell Metayer]] [[Josh Peters]] [[Erich Hoeber]] [[Jon Hoeber]]
|directed by=[[Steven Caple Jr.]]
|cinematography by=[[Enrique Chediak]]
|edited by=[[Stuart Levy]] [[Brett M. Reed]]
|music by=[[Jongnic Bontemps]]
|release date=[[June 9]], [[2023]]
|continuity=[[Live-action film series]]
|runtime=127 minutes <ref>https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/C0D78E2B005A16FE</ref>
|budget=$200 million
|box office=$420 million<ref>https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/?ref_=bo_nb_yld_tab</ref>
}}
'''''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''''' is the seventh film in the [[live-action film series]], serving both as a sequel to ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' and a tribute to ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]''. The film is directed by [[Steven Caple Jr.]] and written by [[Joby Harold]], [[Darnell Metayer]], [[Josh Peters]], [[Erich Hoeber]], and [[Jon Hoeber]]. Originally expected to be released on [[June 28]], [[2019]],<ref name="toyfairreveal">[http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/02/12/transformers-5-transformers-6-bumblebee-spin-off-movie-revealed-309503 Transformers 5, Transformers 6 And Bumblebee Spin-Off Movie Revealed] ToyFair news at TFW2005</ref> the film was delayed multiple times until finally being released on [[June 9]], [[2023]].<ref name="2023release"/>

When [[Noah Diaz]], a struggling young man trying to provide for his family, is roped into a conflict between the marooned [[Autobot]]s and the recently arrived [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcons]], he must learn to work with weary Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] so they, with the help of the wise [[Maximal]]s and the unadventurous researcher [[Elena Wallace]], can stop the arrival of the planet-eater [[Unicron]].

==Synopsis==
[[File:ROTBcap-Unicronringedplanet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|This is one unusual planet... whatever it is.]]

Somewhere in time and space, the dark god [[Unicron]] and his minions invade a [[Jungle Planet (colony)|jungle world]] populated by [[Maximal]]s. Unicron, seeking a way to cross galaxies, sends his [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]] herald [[Scourge (ROTB)|Scourge]] to retrieve the [[Transwarp Key]], an advanced device that can open portals in space-time. Although the Maximals attempt to fight back, their leader [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]] entrusts [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] and a small group of Maximals—[[Airazor (ROTB)|Airazor]], [[Cheetor (ROTB)|Cheetor]], and [[Rhinox (ROTB)|Rhinox]]—with the Transwarp Key and orders them to keep the artifact from Unicron. As Primal and his followers use the key to escape their doomed planet and flee to prehistoric [[Earth]], Scourge kills Apelinq after a brief fight and takes his [[insignia]] as a trophy.

Thousands of years later, in the year [[1994]], ex-military electronics expert [[Noah Diaz]] attempts to find a job to support his sick brother [[Kris Diaz|Kris]]. However, after another failed interview, his friend [[Reek]] convinces him to steal an expensive car from a nearby hotel. However, the "car" turns out to be the Autobot [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] in disguise, who takes the terrified Noah on a joyride through the streets of [[New York City]]. At the same time, a museum on Ellis Island comes into possession of an unusual stone falcon with a Maximal insignia. After closing hours, museum intern [[Elena Wallace]] investigates the statue and accidentally breaks it open to reveal half of the Transwarp Key. The artifact releases an energy pulse that attracts the attention of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and the other Autobots, who have been stranded on Earth since their evacuation of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] seven years prior. Prime summons the nearest Autobots—[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], and Mirage, who arrives at the meeting spot with Noah in tow. Although Optimus distrusts humans, he believes that they can use the Transwarp Key to return home and liberate their homeworld; eventually, Mirage hatches a scheme to sneak into the museum and have Noah steal the key for them.

[[File:Scourge about to blast bee.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|A treacherous, underhanded sneak attack! I like you, pussycat, yes.]]

Unbeknownst to the Autobots, the accidental activation of the Transwarp Key summons the Terrorcons to Earth. Noah meets Elena inside the museum, but cannot convince her to turn over the relic before the Terrorcons attack; despite Prime's best efforts, Scourge successfully overpowers the Autobot leader, steals the Transwarp Key, and mortally injures Bumblebee before Airazor arrives to help drive the villains away. Airazor explains that the Maximals have been on Earth for millennia, and deliberately split the Transwarp Key in half to prevent Unicron or his followers from using it. The loss of Bumblebee only further galvanizes Optimus's resolve that they must reassemble the key and return home; Noah, fearful of Unicron's arrival, tells Elena that they must destroy the key to protect their own homeworld.

[[File:ROTB-Maximalstandoff.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Moderate your conflict circuits, Maximals.]]

Elena deduces that the other half of the key is located in a hidden temple in [[Peru]], and Prime recruits the airborne Autobot [[Stratosphere]] to take them there. Near the city of [[Cusco]], the Autobot [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] guides them to the temple, located beneath a [[Convent of Santo Domingo|local monastery]]. A festival prevents the Autobots from moving through the city inconspicuously; as a result, Noah and Elena must make the journey on foot. The pair discover a hidden mechanism that leads to a hidden temple with a stone sarcophogus but find that the other half of the key is no longer inside it. The Terrorcons attack again, and although the Autobots are able to evade the villains, the conflict ends with Scourge infecting Airazor with a portion of Unicron's dark energy. On the other side of the temple, Noah and Elena encounter Optimus Primal and the other two Maximals, who, after a brief standoff that was defused by Airazor, agree to join forces with the Autobots. Optimus Primal explains that they entrusted the Transwarp Key to a tribe of humans who live near the [[energon]]-rich valley that Primal and his followers inhabit—while Optimus Prime distrusts humanity, Primal has lived among them for millennia, and has come to view them as friends and even allies.

The next morning, however, Scourge's corruption finally overtakes Airazor; in the ensuing battle, Primal is forced to kill her to save Elena. Amidst the chaos, Noah makes an attempt to destroy their half of the Transwarp Key until Optimus convinces him to stand down. However, amidst the chaos, Scourge and the Terrorcons steal the other half of the key and relocate to a nearby volcano, which they reshape into a massive portal that will summon Unicron to Earth.
Having found some common ground between their two races, Optimus Prime and Noah agree to work together; while the Autobot-Maximal alliance battle Unicron's minions, Noah and Elena attempt to sneak into the Terrorcon base and deactivate the [[Unspace|transwarp]] device with a manual shutdown code based on Elena's studies of the Maximal language. Mirage attempts to distract Scourge so that the humans can complete their mission, but the Terrorcon leader gravely injures him; with the last of his strength, Mirage reshapes his body into an [[exosuit]] for Noah. As Unicron begins pushing his way through the portal to Earth and sending down reinforcements in the form of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Scorponok (ROTB)|Scorponok]]s, the energy pulses released by the key ignite the nearby energon deposits and restore Bumblebee to life. As Bumblebee joins the fight, Optimus Prime gains the upper hand and finally kills Scourge, but not before the Terrorcon damages the console and leaves the heroes unable to close the portal. With no other options, Prime destroys the key and triggers a devastating implosion, but Noah and Primal successfully rescue the Autobot leader from falling into the collapsing vortex.

In the aftermath, the surviving Maximals remain in Peru, while the Autobots return to America. Elena is recognized for her archeological discovery, while Noah applies for another security job—but discovers that the job opportunity is actually a front for a clandestine government organization codenamed "[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]," who promise to cover his brother's treatment going forward.

Some time later, Noah has used spare Porsche parts to cobble together a new body for Mirage, and reveals his existence to a bewildered Reek.

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Autobot]]s / [[Maximal]]s|c1=
;Autobots
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
* [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] ([[Pete Davidson]])
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
* [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] ([[Liza Koshy]])
* [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] ([[Cristo Fernández]])
* [[Stratosphere]] ([[John DiMaggio]])

;Maximals
* [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] ([[Ron Perlman]])
* [[Airazor (ROTB)|Airazor]] ([[Michelle Yeoh]])
* [[Rhinox (ROTB)|Rhinox]] ([[David Sobolov]])
* [[Cheetor (ROTB)|Cheetor]] ([[Tongayi Chirisa]])
* [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]] (David Sobolov)

|h2=[[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s / [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s|c2=
;Terrorcons
* [[Scourge (ROTB)|Scourge]] ([[Peter Dinklage]])
* [[Nightbird (ROTB)|Nightbird]] ([[Michaela Jaé Rodriguez]])
* [[Battletrap (ROTB)|Battletrap]] (David Sobolov)
* [[Freezer]]

;Predacons
* [[Scorponok (ROTB)|Scorponok]]

|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
* [[Noah Diaz]] ([[Anthony Ramos]])
* [[Elena Wallace]] ([[Dominique Fishback]])
* [[Breanna Diaz]] ([[Luna Lauren Velez]])
* [[Kris Diaz]] ([[Dean Scott Vasquez]])
* [[Reek]] ([[Tobe Nwigwe]])
* [[Jillian Robinson]] ([[Sarah Stiles]])
* [[Bishop (ROTB)|Bishop]] ([[Aidan Devine]])
* [[Mrs. Greene]] ([[Leni Parker]])
* [[Amaru]] ([[Lucas Huarancca]])
;[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]
* [[Agent Burke]] ([[Michael Kelly (actor)|Michael Kelly]])

|h4=Others|c4=
* [[Unicron]] ([[Colman Domingo]])
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Quotes==
"There’s a legend that precedes the dawn of our civilization: a vile god so large, so powerful, that it consumes entire planets as fuel. Few believed such a thing could be true, until the day we saw Unicron with our own eyes…"
:—'''Optimus Primal's''' opening narration.

"I'll hold him off, buy you some time." 
"Then I'm staying with you." 
"This is my fight. Listen, if Unicron were to get the key, he could open a portal through [[Transwarp Drive|time and space]], with no end to the worlds he could destroy. It is now your time to lead the [[Maximal|Maximals]]... Optimus Primal."
:—'''Apelinq''' passing the torch to '''Optimus Primal'''.

"So you're this planet's... ''great'' warrior. You have such a beautiful world, filled with an abundance of life. Savory."
:—'''Scourge''' waxes poetic to Apelinq.

"Benefits, to serving the almighty Unicron."
:—'''Scourge''' taking Apelinq's insignia and placing it on himself [[Lockdown (Animated)|as a trophy]].

"You let them slip away with the Transwarp Key. Scour the universe, and find where the Maximals have gone. When you acquire the key, use it to bring me to you." 
"Yes, my lord." 
"Once I have the key, I alone will reign supreme!"
:—'''Unicron''' charging '''Scourge''' with finding the Transwarp Key.

"Okay, what are the rules?" 
"Bros before hoes." 
''[Noah glares at Kris]'' 
''(sigh)'' "Don't be a problem. Don't go looking for a problem—" 
"Or else we're gonna have a problem."
:—'''Noah''' and '''Kris''' clarify the rules.

"I ain't breaking into a museum for some space robots." 
"But what about for friendship?" 
''[Noah stares at Mirage incredulously]'' 
"Uh uh-- or or ''or'', what about for cash?"
:—'''Noah''' wants out. '''Mirage''' wants him in.

''"You can't handle the truth!"'' 
"I do not want you going to that drive-in theater anymore."
:— '''Bumblebee's''' references grate on '''Optimus Prime'''.

"Stop following me!" 
"I'm not following you, I'm just escaping in the same direction!"
:—'''Elena''' and '''Noah''' run from the pursuing Freezers.

"And you call yourself a Prime...Primus would be ''ashamed.''"
:—'''Scourge''' isn't too impressed with Optimus Prime.

"You fool! This is only half the key!" 
"Please.. the Maximals... They must have split it..." 
"Excuses! Complete the key, or else you will wish you had died with the rest of your planet!"
:—'''Unicron''' doesn't take failure lightly.

"I'm going to take back Scourge's key, and then...''take off his head.''"
:—The origins of '''Optimus Prime's''' "GIVE ME YOUR FACE" phase.

"I love your fire, Prime, but you're going to die on this speck of dust." 
"I can think of no better place to bury you!"
:—'''Scourge''' has gotten on '''Optimus Prime's''' last nerve

"I am sorry, Noah." 
"You were looking out for your own. I can't even be angry at you for that." 
"On my homeworld, we believe that the battle with darkness will continue [['Til all are one|'til all are one]]. I lost sight of that. You fought for yours as I fought for mine, when we should've been fighting the darkness together." 
"But I ain't done fighting yet."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Noah''' have a moment as Unicron approaches.

"''I have come here to kick ass!''"
:—'''Bumblebee''' announces his return with a clear message.

"Time to show you the real power of a Prime!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' lays the smackdown on Scourge. An ass kicker cometh.

"Don't, Prime. I can give you everything you want." 
"Then DIE!"
:—'''Unicron's''' temptation falls flat in '''Optimus Prime's''' face.

"I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. We have lost the Transwarp Key, and with it, our ability to go home. But we have gained an ally in our battle against the forces of evil. Forces too powerful for any of us to defeat on our own, but together, we might just have a chance."
:—'''Optimus Prime's''' closing narration. We missed them.

"I am Noah Diaz. What is there to know about me? I was raised out in Brooklyn. I got a little bro who calls me Sonic, and if I gotta help save the universe in order to help save the people I love, well then that's what I'm gonna do."
:—'''Noah''' does his own closing narration.

==Continuity notes==
''Rise of the Beasts'' is a direct sequel to 2018's ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' film, taking place seven years after its events, in 1994. The plot of the film has little impact on this one, beyond it being established that the Autobots have been stranded on Earth since arriving at its end. While waiting for Noah to infiltrate the museum, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee have a conversation that alludes to Bee's time with [[Charlie Watson]].

More notably, ''Rise of the Beasts'' serves to continue the heated debate among fans over whether or not the ''Transformers'' live-action film series has been rebooted, after reshoots to ''Bumblebee'' that served to distance it from the earlier films directed by [[Michael Bay]] introduced some significant discontinuities with Bay's films (2017's ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'' in particular). Though fans were quick to jump on the idea that this meant the film was a total, hard reboot of the movie universe, Paramount has not commited to that idea; ''Rise of the Beasts'' was not promoted as a reboot any more than ''Bumblebee'' was, and many reviews of and articles about the film have casually referred to it as a prequel. Some web outlets would even run articles commenting on Paramount's hazy stance on the movie's (and ''Bumblebee'''s) place in continuity.<ref>[https://www.cbr.com/transformers-7-bumblebee-reboot-mistake "Rise of the Beasts Is Repeating Bumblebee's Worst Mistake" on CBR.com]</ref><ref>[https://movieweb.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-is-a-reboot/ "Why Does Paramount Keep Pretending Rise of the Beasts Is Not a Reboot?" on MovieWeb.com]</ref>

In-keeping with this, in the run-up to the film's release, like [[Travis Knight]] before him, director Steven J. Caple Jr. was reluctant to declare the film a full and total continuity reboot, stating that it is a "refresher" and a "new direction," that is nonetheless preserving many elements of the films that have gone before.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=It's a reboot for sure. The Bayverse... you can still watch the Bayverse and be on your own verse, so to speak. With us, we're definitely like, we want this to work, you know? We want people to... it's a refresher, so we can call reboot in terms of like, where we were starting. But yeah so definitely a new direction for sure. There's some things you could probably connect to it, clearly Bee is like a huge connection to all the movies, you know what I mean? In terms of his car, his design, a Camaro, and things like that, but... it's a very small one, in terms of the big ideas that we have. And so you guys will see definitely where we're going at the end of this film, which is crazy.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MfMFxvT_-Q&t=2452s|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=The Alfonso Nation|title="BAYVERSE vs REBOOT" & Wheeljacks Design | ROTB DIRECTOR STEVEN CAPLE JR Interview!|year=2023|month=05|day=27}}</ref> Longtime producer [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] has taken a more explicit stance, repeatedly denying that the film is a reboot and stating that it is a prequel that shows how Optimus Prime grows to become the character seen in the Bay films.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Hey you know if you look at it from a timeline point of view, it follows ''Bumblebee''... but it is a prequel, in that it's before all the previous movies. So it sort of exists in its own way. What I don't think it is, is a reboot, because it's still our characters. One of the things that Steven brought to the table right from the beginning, which was so great, was the idea that when we meet Optimus Prime, he's different than what we think of him, and we're watching him grow up—if you would—as a leader. And for me that was one of the most exciting parts of the movie, and what was interesting was watching it with audiences, and at first they were uncomfortable a little bit, like, "wait, that's not exactly the Optimus... he should like humans!" You know? So I think it gives the movie a really interesting point of view, and that therefore it stands alone in that way.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h11sKGYcq9k&t=871s|name=Lorenzo di Bonaventura|site=a panel at the premiere of ''Rise of the Beasts''|year=2023|month=05|day=26}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|quote=But what's interesting is, and you will appreciate this as a fan, at the end of ''Bumblebee'', Optimus comes to Earth. What he's experienced is failure, probably for the first time in his life, right? He's had to retreat, he's leaving the planet Cybertron. What's happened to him from that experience? When we meet him in 2007, he's a particular person, if you would. In 1994, he's not the same person. He still has growth to do between ‘94 and 2007. So the character arc for Optimus in this, and the fun for the audience is, when you first meet Optimus – and we've had this experience because we've watched it with audiences and we've heard them talk about it – they're like, “It's definitely Optimus, but there's something a little different…” At first, they're like, “Wait, what, who… what Optimus is this?” And by the end of the movie, Optimus has become the guy that you've recognized from the Bay movies. Emotional.|link=https://collider.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-michael-bay-movies-producer-comments/|name=Lorenzo di Bonaventura|site=Collider|title='Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Producer on How It Differs From Michael Bay's Movies|year=2023|month=05|day=24}}</ref> At the same time, di Bonaventura has also conceded that they were "kicking the can down the road" when it came to continuity concerns, preferring to worry about it in the future, and that the films "maybe have" contradicted Bay's movies despite efforts not to.<ref>[https://www.fandom.com/articles/transformers-rise-beast-wars-optimus-prime Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Shows a Different Side of Optimus Prime" on Fandom.com]</ref> These particular claims line up with statements made by Caple after the film's release, in which he stated he is "not worried" about continuity, and is just focused on making the best choices for each individual movie's story. He cites 2007's ''Transformers'' and ''Dark of the Moon'' as "his classics," and says he would "love to stay within that line," but does not feel compelled to adhere much to ''Age of Extinction'' and ''The Last Knight,'' since he views their stories as the result of creators "freestyling," and doubts that "anyone knew exactly where they were going with [them]."<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/rise-of-the-beasts-director-confirms-that-continuity-is-not-a-concern-within-the-transformers-film-franchise/47813/ Extract from an interview with Caple Jr. on the ''Empire Spoiler Specials'' podcast, via Seibertron.com]</ref> And that's... probably about as good an answer as we're going to get right now.

Whichever approach you subscribe to, it's pretty clear the decision to set the film in 1994 was one primarily made to avoid having to directly deal with the timeframe of the Bay movies in any capacity, and tell a new story free of their immediate baggage - the "can-kicking" Lorenzo spoke of. For what it's worth, the film takes some steps to preserve the broad continuity of at least the first Bay film; the Transwarp Key's energy is explicitly stated to operate on a frequency that humans cannot perceive, meaning that they literally cannot ''see'' the huge sky-beam or the portal. As such, the film ends with the general population of Earth (beyond secret forces within the US government) still entirely unaware of the Transformers' existence, as was the case when the 2007 film began. As the time-gap between these "prequels" and the first movie narrows, though, it becomes increasingly difficult to imagine them fitting together without a lot of hand-waving away of specific details, unless future movies actually start making active attempts to address this.

In terms of active contradictions to established continuity, ''Rise of the Beasts'' appears to take the same approach as ''Bumblebee'' and ignores the events of ''The Last Knight'' by depicting Unicron as a separate planet, rather than the Earth itself, as he appeared in that film. However, it's probably important to note that the film lightly implies that the Maximals are time-travellers from the future (see "Transformers references" for more details), which would mean that the Unicron who appears in this film is also from the future. Thus it ''could'' be argued that his appearance here doesn't technically contradict ''The Last Knight''—but of course, that would mean he was trying to eat his own past self.

==Transformers references==
*The Maximals are broadly depicted the same as they were in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon: as a "highly-advanced race" of beast-mode Transformers who use transwarp technology to travel to other planets and interact with their native species, whose travels bring them to ancient Earth. Steven Caple Jr. has noted that earlier drafts of the screenplay explicitly depicted the Maximals as time-travellers from the future, as they were in the cartoon, and while the concept is so toned down for the finished movie that it probably won't even occur to general audiences, several references to the idea are still made on-screen. Transwarp technology is stated to open portals in time as well as space; Airazor states that the Maximals are "from both [the Autobots'] past and future"; and Optimus Primal says that he is named after the "legendary" Optimus Prime, which all combine to suggest that the Maximals originate from the future.
*The idea of the Maximals hailing from a [[Jungle Planet (colony)|jungle planet]] originates in [[IDW Publishing]]'s comic books, which depicted many ''Beast Wars'' characters as the residents of the planet Eukaris. The planet is implied to be one of many colonised by Transformers in ages past using space bridges generated by the Transwarp Key, before the planets became separated and the key "lost." This concept of a great era of Cybertronian expansion that led to the foundation of lost colonies on other planets where Cybertronian life evolved in new and different directions dates back to 2005's [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]], and became a recurring element in ''Transformers'' series in the 2010s and beyond after it was incorporated into the lore of the [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned continuity]].
*Unicron's armies being named the "Terrorcons" hearkens back to both 2004's ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' and 2010's ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'', which both featured the power of Unicron being used to create armies of warriors known as Terrorcons. In particular, the corrupted Airazor's rusted appearance resembles the ''Prime'' Terrorcons, which were also rusted, dilapidated, shambling bots controlled by the will of another.
*Though not identified by name onscreen, Unicron's army includes multiple duplicates of a robotic scorpion identified by the movie's toyline as "Predacon Scorponok." The idea of "Scorponok" being a mass-produced "species" of robots has recently been seen in the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|''War for Cybertron'' cartoon]], where both [[Scorponok (G1)|Generation 1 Scorponok]] ''and'' [[Scorponok (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Scorponok]] were treated this way.
*The Maximals vow to keep the Transwarp Key hidden and safeguard life "no matter the cost," evoking Optimus Prime's iconic line from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'': "Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost."
*Optimus Prime's design features alterations from his earlier ''Bumblebee'' appearance that are influenced by his appearance in the first three Bay films; he has silver hands, feet, sun visors, angled chest windows, retractable orange [[Dual Energon Swords|Energon swords]], a handheld orange [[Energon-axe]] (which transforms out of his arm, coincidentally similar to the [[Optimus Prime (ES)|''Earthspark'' version]]), and a mask-less face sporting similar details. Arcee also transforms into a {{w|Ducati}} motorcycle, like her ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' character.
*Scourge combines aspects of his [[Scourge (G1)|Generation 1]], [[Scourge (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'']] and [[Scourge (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'']] namesakes; he's a herald of Unicron like G1 Scourge, transforms into a black Optimus Prime-like truck like ''RID'' Scourge and hails from a colony world like ''Cybertron'' Scourge. The various insignias he wears as trophies include the symbols of the [[Decepticon]]s, [[Autobot]]s, [[Maximal]]s, [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s, [[Mercenary|Mercenaries]] and [[Wreckers]]. His designer Eddie Del Rio also admitted on his Instagram to pulling inspiration from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] for his robot mode (and stealing insignias like trophies is well in character for the old bounty hunter as well).
*More obscure characters appear such as Apelinq, who originates from a [[Apelinq (BM)#Toys|BotCon 2000 toy]] and tie-in [[3H Productions]] comics, and Stratosphere, returning from the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toyline and last seen in the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|console video game]], albeit with a new, original design and characterization.
*When [[Nightbird (ROTB)|Nightbird]] lands at the Museum following the carnage, she makes some [[Starscream (Movie)|very familiar warbling noises]] when she moves.
*The two music tracks used in Unicron's scenes feature segments taken from [[Vince DiCola]]'s "Unicron's Theme" in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Scourge stands and talks to Unicron's face from inside his body, similar to a scene with their characters from the Generation 1 episode, "[[Ghost in the Machine (G1)|Ghost in the Machine]]".
*The symbols Elena studies are Maximal [[Cybertronix]], from the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon. The access code Elena assembles doesn't translate to anything, and simply reads "XQB," but the text on the side of the Transwarp Key (written in a combination of mirrored and upside-down symbols) reads: "He Who Opens The Door."
*The authors of the paper Elena reads about Peru's unexplained glyphs are Asahi Takara and Daniel H. Tomy, a reference to [[TakaraTomy]], Hasbro's longtime business partner in Transformers toys.
*After meeting Optimus Prime for the first time, Noah incorrectly calls him "Optimal". "Optimal Optimus" is the name of the original [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#OptimalOptimus|Optimus Primal's Transmetal 2 body]].
*When proposing different alternate modes to Noah, Mirage briefly turns into an F1 car, a reference to [[Mirage (G1)|his Generation 1 counterpart]]'s alternate mode. He also turns into a Lamborghini Countach, which was just a really cool, sexy car, but also famous in ''Transformers'' lore for being the alternate mode of [[Sideswipe (G1)|Generation 1 Sideswipe]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. He then claims that he can also turn into a Ferrari, the alternate mode of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Dino]], whose name in media outside of that movie was "Mirage".
*Mirage is incredulous over the news that musician [[Mark Wahlberg]] is leaving his band, the Funky Bunch, and going into acting—a good-natured jab at the actor's [[Cade Yeager|leading role]] in the earlier ''Transformers'' movies, ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' and ''The Last Knight''.
*Scourge name-drops [[Primus]] as he taunts Optimus Prime, the first reference to the Transformers' creator god in any of the live-action movies.
*Scourge injures Prime's left flank in the museum battle, which mirrors the injuries [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] gave to the original [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] in ''The Transformers: The Movie.'' Prime even grasps the wound in the same way his predecessor did.
*Airazor explains that Unicron imbues his heralds with a "dark energy," which increases their power, but also has a corrupting effect—almost certainly a reference to [[Dark Energon]], the life-energy of Unicron introduced in the Aligned continuity.
*Unicron psychically tortures Scourge from afar in the same way he did [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
*When Optimus Primal talks to Optimus Prime about how the Maximals trust the humans, he says there's "[[More than Meets the Eye (disambiguation)|more to them than meets the eye]]".
*Optimus states the Cybertronian belief that "the battle with darkness" will continue: "[['Til all are one]]." This phrase, and the idea of a day prophesied in Cybertron legend when it will come to pass, originates with ''The Transformers: The Movie,'' and is here used to thematically connect with the shared struggle of the Autobots, Maximals, and humans.
*When the heroes are lining up for the final battle, brown fins briefly pop out of the sides of Wheeljack's head, evoking his [[Wheeljack (G1)|Generation 1 design]].
*As the heroes charge towards the Terrorcon army, Optimus Primal commands Rhinox and Cheetor to "Maximize!", which was the Maximal [[activation code]] from the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon.
*Optimus Primal briefly fights with his double bladed scimitar from his [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|original toy]].
*In the final battle, when Unicron sends an army of Freezers to reinforce his minions on Earth, they make their descent in the form of yellow-and-black orbs, which appears to be a nod to Unicron's [[Mini-Con]] from ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the yellow-and-black sphere, [[Dead End (Armada)|Dead End]].
*The armored suit Mirage forms over Noah is conceptually an homage to the Generation 1 [[exosuit]]s, while its overall design hews closer to [[Kicker Jones]]' battlesuit from ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]''.
*In a glorious homage to [[Transformers (film)|the 2007 movie]], the musical highlight of [[Steve Jablonsky]]'s "Arrival to Earth" plays as Optimus, Noah, and Primal escape the collapsing transwarp portal's suction.
* Optimus Prime's final speech is set to a remixed version of the track "No Sacrifice, No Victory" from the 2007 movie's score, which was also reprised for the endings of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' and ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''.
*[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and Transformers have frequently crossed over in comics and the occasional toyline over the years, though this marks the first time the two have co-existed in a feature film. Notably, the G.I. Joe insignia on Burke's business card is the version introduced in the film ''G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra''.
*When Reek and Noah are repairing Mirage at the end of the film, Reek says "Even Stevens," a possible allusion to [[Shia LaBeouf]], who starred in the [[Sam Witwicky|leading role]] in the first three ''Transformers'' movies and prior to that starred as the main character in the Disney Channel sitcom ''Even Stevens''.

==Real-life references==
*A TV screen briefly shows news coverage of the {{w|Murder trial of O. J. Simpson#Bronco chase|O.J. Simpson white Ford Bronco car chase}}, which places the events of the film near June 17, 1994.
*Throughout the film, Noah and Kris use the codenames "[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic]]" and "{{w|Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog)|Tails}}" (and in one instance, Mirage is referred to as "{{w|Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles}}"), a nod to the characters from the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' videogame series.
*Kris wears a shirt of the ''Mighty Morphin' [[Saban Entertainment|Power Rangers]]'', another property owned by Hasbro. A poster of said series also appears on his wall.
*Kris is heard playing ''Super Mario Bros.'' on his [[Game Boy]]. However, see "Anachronisms".
*Kris attempts to comfort Noah after his unsuccessful interview by relating his struggle to [[Superman|Superman's]] difficulty finding a job before being hired by the {{w|Daily Planet}}.
*When Mirage compliments Noah after the car chase, he quotes the line "I like it a lot" from ''Dumb and Dumber''. However, see "Anachronisms".
*Also in the aftermath of the chase, he refers to the 1988 movie ''{{w|Big (film)|Big}}'' during his impression of Optimus Prime.
*Noah calls Mirage {{w|E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial|E.T.}} for obvious reasons. He also makes a reference to [[Indiana Jones]] when discovering the hidden temple in Peru.
*Bumblebee drops various voice lines from famous real-life films throughout the whole movie, including ''{{w|Die Hard}}'', ''[[Spaceballs]]'', ''{{w|They Live}}'', ''{{w|A Few Good Men}}'' and ''{{w|Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface}}.''
*While fleeing in the museum, Elena sings Zhané's song "{{w|Groove Thang}}" to try to calm herself down.
*As they rendezvous with the other Autobots for the trip to Peru, Mirage announces that "[[Wu-Tang Clan|Wu-Tang]] is in the building."
*Elena sings the TLC song "{{w|Waterfalls (TLC song)|Waterfalls}}" to herself during the flight to Peru. However, see "Anachronisms".
*The {{w|Inti Raymi}} festival taking place when the Autobots arrive in Peru is a real festival that takes place on June 24th.
*During the mountain road car chase at Peru, the shot of Scourge's insignia-covered grille reflected in Prime's rearview mirror homages a famous shot from [[Steven Spielberg]]'s 1971 film ''{{w|Duel (1971 film)|Duel}}.''
*When meeting Primal, Elena brings up the {{w|Nazca Lines}} and the archeological site at {{w|Tikal}}, asking if the Maximals were responsible for creating them. [[Order of the Witwiccans|In this case]], however, Primal takes no credit for human ingenuity.
*Mirage calls Optimus Primal "{{w|Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong}}".
*At the end of the film, Elena appears on the CBS news program ''[[60 Minutes]]''; host [[Lesley Stahl]] makes a cameo appearance as herself during the segment.
*The award on the wall that serves as the hidden switch to access the G.I. Joe base reads "Real Hero Award" with the image of an American flag, referencing the subtitle of the original G.I. Joe cartoon series: "A Real American Hero".

==Errors==
===Filming, animation, and technical errors===
*When Scourge kills Apelinq, he welds his Maximal insignia to his right shoulder, but throughout the rest of the film, Apelinq's insignia is gone. In the same scene, Scourge says "They never learn...", but his mouth is not moving.
*When Reek yells down the street as Noah and Kris depart, his dialogue does not match his lips.
*When Optimus Prime is about to throw his axe at Scourge, there is some distance between the two. However, in the next shot they are within just meters of each other.
*When Scourge says "Now, to add a Prime to my collection", his claw is both folded in on his arm and deployed at the same time.
*When Mirage attempts to eavesdrop on Noah and Kris' conversation, he is barely tall enough peer into the balcony while standing on a car. However, a minute later when Kris promises him to keep Noah safe he is somehow tall enough to comfortably look into the balcony without anything to stand on.
*The doors that go onto Wheeljack's back are unmarked brown in the scene of him transforming from van mode, but feature text on them in the very next cut where he is in robot mode.
*When Wheeljack audibly gasps at Noah assuming he can speak Spanish, his mouth is not moving.
*When Mirage and Optimus Prime turn into a street in Cusco, there is another Optimus Prime truck in the background. This can only be seen if you pause at the right moment.
*When Wheeljack is recovering from being attacked by Rhinox, his mouth is not moving as he says "Ay-ay-ay."
*As the heroes are walking through the jungle, the scene cuts to Elena while she is saying "So, what are you?", which does not match her lips.
*As Optimus Prime looks up at Unicron arriving at the mouth of the portal, Arcee can be seen scuttling about blasting Freezers; except her blasters produce no laser effects.
*From the time Bumblebee acquires his offroad Camaro, his wheels are inconsistent between his robot and vehicle modes, with some shots showing his normal Camaro's wheels instead of the offroad ones. It is most visible for the wheels on his shoulders.
*Scourge's mouth is not moving as he proclaims "Unicron will prevail!" before shooting the transwarp control panel.
*Elena audibly whimpering in Bumblebee as he drives through hoards of Freezers does not match her lips.

===Continuity errors===
*After Scourge incapacitates Bumblebee, he plucks his Autobot badge off with a normal left hand. In the following shot, however, his left hand is transformed into his giant claw and he is no longer holding the badge.
*During the chase out of Cusco, when Optimus Prime reaches the bend, the Terrorcons are very close behind him. However, when he transforms into robot mode, they are suddenly much further back.
*When Stratosphere transforms in Peru, it starts with him facing away from Optimus Prime. However, in the next shot he's now facing towards him.
*When Scourge walks away with the second half of the key, his left arm switches from the claw to the cannon between shots.

===Geographic discontinuities===
*There ''is'' a museum on Ellis Island... however, it's a [https://www.statueofliberty.org/ellis-island/national-immigration-museum/ museum that documents the turn-of-the-century immigrant experience], and not the generalized natural history museum shown in the film. Notably, the actual museum is composited out of the movie's establishing shots so that the made-up museum setpiece can replace it.
*Elena states that she has never left New York. Ellis Island, her place of work, is almost completely owned by the state of New Jersey, discounting a small portion that was the island's original size that is still a part of New York. Even discounting that, the waters surrounding the island are wholly owned by the Garden State.
*When the Autobots arrive at Cusco, they land at the citadel of [[Sacsayhuamán]], an Inca fortress on the northern outskirts of the city, and the site is deserted. Even on a normal day, it should be crawling with tourists, but the Autobots are specifically said to arrive during the [[Inti Raymi]] festival... whose central activity is a recreation of an Inca ceremony ''at'' Sacsayhuamán.
*The fight with the corrupted Airazor takes place at Machu Picchu, which nobody is witness to, as again it is completely deserted. It should be crawling with tourists, the staff that works at the site, the guests and staff of the lodge located right next to the complex, or the population of the town of Aguas Calientes at the base of the mountain.

===Anachronisms===
*Though the "you died!" music and mention of Bowser imply Kris is playing ''Super Mario Bros.'' on his Game Boy, that game wouldn't see a release on the system until 1999's ''[https://www.mariowiki.com/Super_Mario_Bros._Deluxe Super Mario Bros. Deluxe]'' on the Game Boy Color. The only Mario platformers released for Game Boy by 1994 were the ''Super Mario Land'' games, which featured different antagonists and music.
*Elena sings "Waterfalls" to calm herself down. Assuming the film takes place in the summer, as implied by the aforementioned coverage of the O.J. Simpson chase, it would still be a few months until the November 1994 release of the album ''CrazySexyCool'', which the song first appeared on.
*Similarly, Mirage quotes a line from ''Dumb and Dumber'', a film that would not release until December 1994.
*A green car that was smashed and thrown in the Museum scene was a B5.5 Volkswagen Passat which would not be released until 2001.
*The promo for ''60 Minutes'' uses the program's contemporary imaging, including the use of the current CBS News logotype above that of the show.

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', was released alongside the film on June 9, 2023. Paramount also compiled a Spotify Playlist, ''[[Transformers Rise of the Beats]]'', featuring songs that appeared in the film.

==Reception==
{{quote|Thanks to some genuine human drama between the set pieces and palpable affection for the title characters, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is one of the franchise's more enjoyable outings.|Critics Consensus|[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_rise_of_the_beasts Rotten Tomatoes]}}

Coming off the back of the generally well-received ''Bumblebee'', ''Rise of the Beasts'' received mixed reviews. While critics largely praised the old-school adventure film sequences and the performances of the human leads, most criticism was directed at the film's protracted final battle scene and its overuse of computer-generated imagery—in particular, some critics juxtaposed the film's tamer action scenes against the madcap, sometimes over-the-top practical effect-based destruction employed by [[Michael Bay]] during his time in the director's chair. As of writing, the film holds a 53% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, although the audience score sits at a much higher 91%.

In the US and Canada, ''Rise of the Beasts'' opened to a strong $60.5 million start—higher than both ''The Last Knight'' and ''Bumblebee'' <ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/06/box-office-transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-spider-man-spiderverse-1235412771/ "'Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts' Conquers 'Spider-Verse' With $60M+ Opening, But Animated Pic's Second Weekend Hold Strong -- Box Office"] </ref>—but suffered a brutal 66.1 percent drop in its second weekend, where it lost out to ''{{w|The Flash (film)|The Flash}}'', ''{{w|Elemental}}'', and ''{{w|Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse|Across the Spider-Verse}}''. <ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-flash-box-office-disappoint-pixar-elemental-flop-1235647927/ "'The Flash' Disappoints With $55 Million Debut, Pixar's 'Elemental' Flops With $29.5 Million in Battle of Box Office Lightweights"] </ref> <ref>[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2023W24/?ref_=bo_we_nav Domestic 2023 Weekend 24]</ref> A week later, the film took in a comparatively dismal $11 million <ref> [https://deadline.com/2023/06/box-office-the-flash-no-hard-feelings-jennifer-lawrence-1235422274/ 'Spider-Verse' Swinging Ahead Of 'Elemental' After Game Of Chicken; 'Flash' Edging Out 'No Hard Feelings' -- Saturday PM Box Office]</ref>; as of July 2023, the film has made $420 million overall, marking the lowest-grossing film in the series thus far.

==Development details==

[[File:TRANSFORMERS-2022.jpg|thumb|250px]]

* March 27, 2015 — [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" with the intention of building a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[http://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Goldsman goes on to hire a number of writers over the next few months: [[Steven DeKnight]] (''Daredevil''),<ref>[http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-cinematic-universe/35696/transformers-cinematic-details-more-writers-over-10-films Transformers cinematic details]</ref> [[Robert Kirkman]] (''The Walking Dead''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-writers-robert-kirkman-zak-penn-art-marcum-matt-holloway-jeff-pinkner-1201430601/ 'Transformers' Spinoff & Sequel Scribes Set] on Deadline.com</ref> [[Art Marcum]] and [[Matt Holloway]] (''Iron Man''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Christina Hodson]] (''Shut In'', ''The Fugitive''),<ref name="hodsonbeer">[http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/446175-christina-hodson-and-lindsey-beer-join-transformers-writing-team Christina Hodson and Lindsey Beer Join the Transformers Writing Team]</ref> [[Lindsey Beer]] (''Dig''),<ref name="hodsonbeer" /> [[Zak Penn]] (''Pacific Rim 2''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Jeff Pinkner]] (''The Amazing Spider-Man 2'', ''Lost''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] (''Ant-Man''),<ref name="barrerferrari">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref> [[Ken Nolan]] (''Black Hawk Down''), and [[Geneva Robertson-Dworet]].<ref name="nolandworet">[http://www.slashfilm.com/transformers-writers-room/ Akiva Goldsman Teases 'Transformers' Franchise Plans]</ref> Involved in the pitching process are [[Steven Spielberg]], [[Michael Bay]], [[Brian Goldner]], [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]], [[Mark Vahradian]], and [[Don Murphy]].<ref name="deadlinereveal">[http://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref>
* October 3, 2015 — During his keynote speech at the MIP Junior Conference, [[Allspark (company)|Allspark]]'s [[Stephen J. Davis]] notes that the writing team has come up with film concepts for Transformers 5, 6, 7, and 8.<ref name="stephendaviskeynote">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_P2fw_DlS4&t=812 Stephen Davis's keynote speech] at MIPJunior.</ref>
* February 12, 2016 — At [[Toy Fair 2016]], Hasbro reveals the projected release date of Transformers 7, along with the dates for the two preceding films.<ref name="toyfairreveal" />
* September 23, 2017 — At Licensing Europe 2017, Hasbro announces Transformers 7 will have an "entirely new, exciting storyline".<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/09/23/2019-transformers-movie-feature-entirely-new-storyline-349463 2019 Transformers Movie To Feature An Entirely New Storyline] on TFW2005</ref>
* February 16, 2018 — Hasbro clarifies at [[Toy Fair 2018]] that the film will be a reset of the franchise and has been delayed indefinitely until a new creative team is in place.<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/02/16/transformers-cinematic-universe-current-movie-series-rebooted-358641 Transformers Cinematic Universe Is Over: Current Movie Series To Be Rebooted] on TFW2005</ref>
* May 24, 2018 — Paramount drops the film from their release schedule.<ref>[http://collider.com/transformers-7-cancelled/amp/ Paramount Officially Pulls the Next 'Transformers' Sequel from Their Release Date Schedule] on Collider</ref>
* March 15, 2019 — di Bonaventura states a sequel to ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' is in development.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/two-sequels-in-transformers-live-action-franchise-confirmed-in-development/43083/ Two Sequels in Transformers Live Action Franchise Confirmed in Development] on Seibertron</ref>
* March 18, 2019 — di Bonaventura claims that the next main ''Transformers'' film will be a reboot closely tied to the ''Bumblebee'' sequel, rather than a direct sequel to ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''. Either way, Paramount will pick the best script for ''Transformers 7'' and release that first.<ref>[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bumblebee-producer-says-next-transformers-movie-wi/1100-6465652/ Bumblebee Producer Says Next Transformers Movie Will Be A Reboot] on GameSpot</ref>
[[File:Stevencaplejr autobot cast.jpg|thumb|250px|Hey, you think ''that's'' speed? You ain't seen the Golden Rocket.]]
[[File:Stevencaplejr terrorcon cast.jpg|thumb|250px|Then we will create ''alternate forms'', based on the most powerful local creatures!]]
* January 27, 2020 — Variety reports two ''Transformers'' films are being penned, to be produced simultaneously: one written by [[James Vanderbilt]], another to be written by [[Joby Harold]].<ref>[https://variety.com/2020/film/news/transformers-franchise-revamp-bumblebee-james-vanderbilt-joby-harold-1203482496/ ‘Transformers’ Franchise Gets a Revamp With Two Separate Films in the Works] on Variety</ref> Deadline reports that Vanderbilt's script is for a spin-off film based on ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'', while Harold's script continues the story from the ''Bumblebee'' film.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/01/transformers-movies-paramount-1202843234/ Dual ‘Transformers’ Movies In The Works At Paramount] on Deadline</ref>
* May 2, 2020 — [[Hasbro]] CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms that a new Transformers live-action movie is slated to release on [[June 24]], 2022. However, only one between Harold's ''Bumblebee'' sequel and Vanderbilt's ''Beast Wars'' film will make it to production first.
* August 21, 2020 — New Republic Pictures is announced as a new co-financier for Paramount in a ten-picture deal in the wake of the success of 2019's ''Rocketman''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/08/paramount-pictures-new-republic-pictures-10-picture-cofinancing-deal-top-gun-maverick-1203018250/ New Republic Pictures Signs 10-Pic Co-Fi Deal With Paramount Pictures; ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Among Films] on Deadline</ref>
* November 16, 2020 — [[Steven Caple Jr.]] is announced as the director.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/11/transformers-director-steven-caple-jr-1234613830/ Transformers’: ‘Creed 2’ Director Steven Caple Jr. Tapped To Direct Next Installment In Paramount And Hasbro Franchise] on Deadline</ref>
* April 1, 2021 — [[Anthony Ramos]] is in talks for a starring role.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-7-cast-anthony-ramos/ Exclusive: Anthony Ramos in Talks to Star in New 'Transformers' Movie] at Collider</ref>
* April 29, 2021 — [[Dominique Fishback]] is in final negotiations to star in the film.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2021/04/transformers-dominique-fishback-anthony-ramos-paramount-eone-and-hasbro-franchise-1234746855/ 'Transformers': Dominique Fishback Lands Lead Role Opposite Anthony Ramos In Next Installment For The Paramount Franchise] on Deadline</ref>
* June 13, 2021 — A casting call sheet for filming in Montreal reveals that the film is set in [[1992]].<ref>[https://www.transformersfr.com/t5190p250-parlons-des-films-transformers-a-venir#190206 Rumeur ― le "7ème Film Transformers en prise de vue réelle" se déroulerait en 1992] on transformersfr.com</ref>
* June 22, 2021 — A Paramount virtual event is held in which the movie's title, premise, and few of the characters and cast are unveiled (revealing it to be both the ''Bumblebee'' and ''Beast Wars'' films in one).<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Currently attending a Paramount virtual event about the next #Transformers film. Report to follow!|link=https://twitter.com/search?q=(from%3ABWTF_Ben)%20until%3A2021-06-23%20since%3A2021-06-22|name=Ben Yee|site=Twitter|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=https://bwtf.com/news/rise-of-the-beasts-character-descriptions|name=Ben Yee|site=BWTF|title=Movie News: "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" Character Descriptions|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref> The film's logo and official premise are also unveiled on official Transformers social media accounts.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The battle on Earth is no longer just between Autobots and Decepticons… Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons join Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, in theatres June 24, 2022.|link=https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1407422768602181632|name=@transformers|site=Twitter|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref>
* June 28, 2021 — [[Ron Perlman]] is announced to be reprising his role as Optimus Primal from ''[[Transformers: Power of the Primes (cartoon)|Power of the Primes]]''. [[Darnell Metayer]] and [[Josh Peters]] are confirmed as writers, inspired by Joby Harold's earlier draft.<ref>{{citesocial|quote='''Ron Perlman''' has been tapped to voice Optimus Primal in '''''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''''', Collider has exclusively learned. [...] ''Rise of the Beasts'' will be led by rising stars '''Anthony Ramos''' (''In the Heights'') and '''Dominique Fishback''' (''Judas and the Black Messiah''), and '''Steven Caple Jr.''' (''Creed II'') is directing from a script by '''Darnell Metayer''' and '''Josh Peters''', who worked off an earlier draft by '''Joby Harold'''.|link=https://collider.com/ron-perlman-optimus-primal-voice-transformers-7-rise-of-the-beasts/|name=Jeff Sneider|site=Collider|title=Exclusive: 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Adds Ron Perlman as Voice of Optimus Primal|year=2021|month=06|day=28}}</ref>
* July 11, 2021 — Rapper [[Tobe Nwigwe]] announces on Instagram that he's been cast in the movie.<ref>[https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/music/houston-s-tobe-nwigwe-earns-emmy-nom-16317174 Houston’s Tobe Nwigwe earns Emmy nom, 'Transformers' role] from the Houston Chronicle</ref>
* October 6, 2021 — Caple Jr. reveals the vehicle modes for the Autobot and Terrorcon cast through his Instagram account.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The squad is out…|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CUsm_wyLory/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2021|month=10|day=06}}</ref>
* October 20, 2021 — Filming is completed.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=That’s a wrap 🎬|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CVOw5z2r9TP/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2021|month=10|day=20}}</ref>
* October 21, 2021 — Cuscopolita reports on the vehicles with the film's Peru crew, confirming the unidentified vehicles as [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] and [[Battletrap (ROTB)|Battletrap]].<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.facebook.com/cuscopolitamagazine/videos/1941112319403899|name=Cuscopolita|site=Facebook|title=Exclusiva con los Transformers|year=2021|month=10|day=20}}</ref>
* October 22, 2021 — Ramos makes a guest appearance on [[Hasbro Pulse Con 2021]], confirming Cheetor, his favorite ''Beast Wars'' character, will be in the film.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I am a ''Transformers'' fan, ''Beast Wars'' fan, Cheetor is my #1 favorite of all time, so it's dope to have Cheetor, to be in this movie with Cheetor, it's gonna be crazy.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjtxJqrv-bI&t=6051s|name=Anthony Ramos|site=YouTube|title=Hasbro PulseCon 2021 - DAY ONE|year=2021|month=10|day=22}}</ref>
* November 10, 2021 — Paramount announces the film has been delayed to [[June 9]], [[2023]].<ref name="2023release">{{citesocial|quote=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts has moved back a year and will now bow June 9, 2023. It previously was slated for June 24, 2022.|link=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-trek-transformers-movie-release-date-1235045937/|name=Aaron Couch|site=The Hollywood Reporter|title=‘Star Trek,’ ‘Transformers’ Movies Pushed Back at Paramount|year=2021|month=11|day=10}}</ref>
* February 15, 2022 — Paramount confirms that ''Rise of the Beasts'' will be the first entry in a trilogy of films.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will be released theatrically in 2023 and is the first of three new installments. A new animated series from @Nickelodeon arrives this fall. And in 2024, the franchise expands further with a CG animated Transformers theatrical film. #ParamountPlus|link=https://twitter.com/paramountplus/status/1493706271207292928|name=Paramount+|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=02|day=15}}</ref>
* October 11, 2022 — Caple Jr. reveals through Instagram that [[Pete Davidson]] is the voice of Mirage, and [[Michelle Yeoh]] is the voice of Airazor.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Sneak peek of Pete voicing Mirage & @michelleyeoh_official blessing us as the voice of Air Razor|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjlx3PPPC_J/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=10|day=11}}</ref>
* October 21, 2022 — [[Tobe Nwigwe]] states on an Instagram post that they are doing some re-shoots for ''Rise of the Beasts'', including featuring his character in additional scenes.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The head people from ''Transformers'' said I did so good in my part they wanna add me to some more scenes. So I gotta go shoot some more stuff for ''Transformers''.|link=https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cj9PnevsVb1/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY|name=Tobe Nwigwe|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=10|day=21}}</ref>
[[File:ROTBTeaserPoster.jpg|thumb|250px|right]]
* December 1, 2022 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWWDskI46Js official teaser trailer] is released by Paramount Pictures in conjunction with São Paulo's CCXP convention, giving audiences a first glimpse of the film and its various characters, including Mirage, Arcee, Scourge and the Maximals. Multiple voice cast members are also announced.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2022/12/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-peter-dinklage-liza-koshy-john-dimaggio-cast-1235186104/]</ref>
* December 2, 2022 — [[Jongnic Bontemps]] is announced as the film's score composer.<ref>[http://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/12/02/jongnic-bontemps-to-compose-music-for-steven-caple-jr-s-transformers-rise-of-the-beasts/]</ref>
* December 16, 2022 — Caple Jr. shares a clip of Peter Cullen performing on his Instagram account.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=🐐|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CmPM80yPcsP/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=12|day=16}}</ref>
* December 26, 2022 — Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal make a "guest" appearance on the 2022 [[Nickelodeon]] Nickmas NFL game, showcasing both modes and their transformations.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5X0F_AvY8Q YouTube upload] of a recording for Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal on the 2022 Nickmas NFL game</ref>
* January 31, 2023 — [[Sam Smith]] reveals toy concept art for a new character from the film, [[Freezer]].<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CoFlXXNOly1/</ref>
* February 12, 2023 — Paramount airs a 30-second TV spot detailing Mirage's Porsche 911 vehicle mode for Super Bowl LVII in collaboration with Porsche.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/02/2023-super-bowl-movie-trailers-the-flash-fast-x-transformers-ant-man-expected-1235247160/ Super Bowl Movie Trailer Spots Will Include ‘The Flash’, ‘Fast X’, ‘Transformers’ & ‘Ant-Man’ — Deadline]</ref>
* April 2, 2023 — During the 2023 NCAA Division I Men's Final Four on CBS, Paramount aired a first-of-its-kind mixed reality TV spot that showed off Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal appearing on a 90s basketball court that transformed from the court the actual basketball match was being played on. A few brief clips from the first trailer were also shown.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeeIfpbUAHg]</ref>
* April 6, 2023 — Actor [[Tongayi Chirisa]] announces on Instagram that he is the voice of Cheetor.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So there is a story to this!!! Per the usual standard .. I had to sign an NDA, so I had NO IDEA what I was reading for.. it was only when I was in the booth to do my voice over that it dawned on me that I was reading for TRANSFORMERS Like what!!!🤯🤯🤯🤯 I totally geeked out in the moment.. Man, to say this is mad exciting is an understatement... So thankful. So honored, so blessed!!!! Massive shout out and THANK YOU to @stevencaplejr for putting your boi on! Appreciate you, fam!!! @transformersmovie..🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 IT WAS ALL A DREAM!!!! Welcome, y'all. I am your transformer #CHEETOR!!!! Let's goooo!!!!!! #NdezvaMwari #Yeshua #smallbeginnings #ontherise|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqs_PQ1J_s6/|name=Tongayi Chirisa|site=Instagram|year=2023|month=04|day=06}}</ref>
* April 14, 2023 — To promote the film, Optimus Prime introduces Tobe Nwigwe's performance of "[[On My Soul]]" at {{w|Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella}}.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Calling all Autobots. @TobeNwigwe and #OptimusPrime have rolled out to #Coachella. #Transformers #RiseOfTheBeasts|link=https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1647069845731803136|name=Transformers|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=04|day=14}}</ref>
* April 27, 2023 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itnqEauWQZM official trailer] is released by Paramount Pictures, revealing more of the movie and Unicron's role in the plot, as well as delivering a first, brief look at the Predacons.
* May 6, 2023 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxore0Gxwpc first clip] was showcased at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards, showing the Autobots' first interaction with the Maximals.
* May 12, 2023 — The website Puliwood reveals the film's Hungarian dub cast...including the voice of [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]], a character that had not yet been announced to be appearing in the film.<ref>[https://www.puliwood.hu/ismertetok/exkluziv-ilyen-szinkronhangokkal-jon-a-transformers-a-fenevadak-kora-325900.html EXKLUZÍV: ilyen szinkronhangokkal jön a Transformers: A fenevadak kora]</ref>
* May 27, 2023 — The film's world premiere is held at Marina Bay Sands in [[Singapore]].
* June 5, 2023 — David Sobolov confirms on Instagram that he is also voicing Apelinq in the film.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CtIhCcwu4Ld/|quote=#transformers #riseofthebeasts fans… I just saw our epic premiere in Brooklyn! Tonight, I’m excited to reveal that I am the voice… of Apelinq!|name=David Sobolov|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=06|day=05}}</ref>
{{--}}

===Changes before, during, and after production===
* An early cut of the film opened with a different prologue, in which a Decepticon named [[Transit (ROTB)|Transit]], dispatched from a Decepticon-controlled Cybertron to hunt down Optimus Prime, battles and is killed by Optimus, who dumps his body in the Hudson River alongside numerous other Decepticons who have tried to do the same in the past few years. The scene was dropped due to test audiences fiding it too dark, but [[John DiMaggio]] remains credited as the voice of Transit even in the finished film. Most of the visual effects for the scene were completed, and it was included (sans the river-dumping part) as a bonus feature with the movie's home media release.
**The scene was replaced for the finished film with Unicron's attack on the Maximal homeworld, which in the earlier cut was recounted by Airazor with hologram visual-aids during the scene when she meets the Autobots mid-movie.
* Cheetor and Rhinox were initially intended to be introduced slightly earlier, encountering Elena and Noah in the underground cavern. In scenes interspered with the Autobots' and Terrorcons' running battle on the hilltop road, Cheetor was to be the one who took down the Freezer menacing the two humans, after which Noah's gauntlet would accidentally fire a shot at the Maximal, causing him and Rhinox to chase them throug the cave. Cut in favour of making the Autobot/Terrorcon battle one unbroken scene, the alternate version was included as a bonus on the home media release.
* Multiple changes were made to the film's ending, which originally had a much darker tone like the scrapped opening. Originally, Mirage wasn't planned to survive the final battle, and Optimus would have been sucked into the portal after destroying the Transwarp Key and wind up floating in space before Unicron in the post-credits scene. Reactions by the audience in test screenings convinced Caple to change the ending to something a bit more hopeful, wanting to let the good guys get a solid win.<ref name=AltEnding/> The scene of Prime and Unicron was included as an extra with the home media release.
*Two versions of the final scene were filmed: one in which Agent Burke's business card reveals him to be part of [[Sector Seven]], and the version used in the film, in which he's part of G.I. Joe. Accordingly to Caple, the Sector Seven version was filmed only as misdirection, and the G.I. Joe version was always the one he intended to use.<ref name=Joe/>
*Other deleted/extended scenes included on the home media release include: Elena's moment of panicked disbelief (prominently showcased in the movie's trailer) shortly after the museum battle; Noah speaking with his mother when he returns home after the museum battle; a moment between Elena and Airazor before Mirage and Noah join the group to depart for Peru, in which Airazor explains the Maximal insignia; and a short scene of Optimus Primal about to hand the Transwarp Key over to Optimus Prime, before they are interrupted by Airazor's rampage.
*Additional cuts not represented in the extras from throughout the film included: a scene of Bumblebee showing a polaroid of himself and [[Charlie Watson]] to Optimus Prime as they wait outside the museum, to emphasise that some humans are trustworthy; innuendos between Arcee and Wheeljack that hint at a romantic attraction between the two; some dialogue from Scourge emphasising that (not unlike Galvatron in the original animated movie) he is an unwilling servant of Unicron; a scene of Wheeljack lending his glasses to Optimus Prime to uses like a telescope; and an alternate plan to destroy the Transwarp Key in the final act that involves using the deceased Airazor's spark as a bomb, only for the bomb to be lost, leaving Elena to figure out the codes.
{{--}}

==Notes==
* In a first for the franchise, the lead human actors, multiple writers, the composer, and the director are all people of color.
* This is the first movie in the series not to be worked on by [[Industrial Light & Magic]]; this time around the CG effects were done by [[Moving Picture Company]] and [[WetaFX]].
* Steven Caple Jr. was initially sceptical of working on a ''Transformers'' movie, which at that point in development was being called ''Bumblebee 2'', because he was uncertain about jumping right into another sequel after directing ''{{w|Creed II}}''—however, the incorporation of elements inspired by ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', which Caple Jr. had been a fan of, helped sway him. Upon joining the project, he pitched several revisions, drawing from his enthusiasm for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' by adding [[Unicron]] (and the [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s) and Noah's exosuit, along with a prologue on the [[Maximal]]s' homeworld and a new arc for [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] centred around his initial misanthropy.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The first time that- I did ''Creed 2'', and the first time the studio ever knocked on my door, it was for ''Bumblebee 2''. And I was like, "I don't want to do- I just came out from ''Creed 2'', I don't want to do a sequel..." you know? And so a year had gone by—or maybe two, right before COVID—and they said, "we found out the story we want to tackle: we want to bring in ''Beast Wars''." I was like, "I know all about ''Beast Wars'', I'm down for ''Beast Wars''." And so they developed a script on their own, they passed it to me—2020, October 5th, I remember the date—and I jumped right in and I kind of did my own version of the pitch, I said: "I love where you guys are going, you guys want to do New York, you guys want to do the 90s, you want to do Peru, but here's what I'll do, with the characters..." So I changed up Optimus Prime, I gave him a whole pitch on how I would start him with like, not loving humans at first, and not besiding Noah right off the rip, they're gonna have friction between the two... Gave 'em a pitch for Optimus Primal, where they start off in the top of the movie, and I gave them a new Unicron- I mean a new villain, which was Unicron and the Terrorcon squad. I just felt like, as a fan, we've been tiptoeing around Unicron, and all the other films kind of like hinted towards him towards the end, and I just really want to expand the universe and I felt like he was that perfect source to do so, because he tells us there's another world out there, there's more Transformers out there, it's not just Autobots and Decepticons. And then of course the [[exosuit]], that was my idea, it was homage to the 80s cartoon, so... It was a bit of that, pitched it to 'em and they loved the heart, they love where I was going with the direction of the characters, and yeah, they kind of gave me the key to play!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxUukVwKLCc|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Collider|title=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Interview: Director Reveals Big Change to Film|year=2023|month=06|day=06}}</ref>
* [[Tobe Nwigwe]]'s character of [[Reek]] was based Steven Caple Jr.'s friend Tarik Jackson, who passed away before shooting began in 2021.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The way I got the ''Transformers'' role was insane. [...] One of [Steven Caple Jr.'s] best friends was a fan of the music, and his best friend, right, like, as they was getting ready to start shooting the movie... passed. Passed, yeah. And he had Paramount Studios reach out to me to try to play a specific- the best friend role in ''Transformers''. They kind of emulated who his best friend was in real life. He told Paramount [...] "reach out to Tobe and if he send anything back that's even ''halfway'' decent... I want to use him." But because I had never done no acting ever in my life, I just had this script right here, and just read it like I was acting, and just recorded myself on the iPhone and I was like, "yo there's no way in hell..." [...] I did that, sent that in, and they liked it!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfAoWTKh3R8&t=2638s|name=Tobe Nwigwe|site=Sway's Universe|year=2023|month=01|day=23}}</ref>
*The fourth-wall-breaking [[Mark Wahlberg]] namedrop was ad-libbed by [[Pete Davidson]].<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We wanted to break the fourth wall. In all fairness, Pete Davidson made that up in the booth, and we laughed so hard, we're like in tears, and we're like there's no way we could not use this. We had ad-libbed a whole bunch of stuff. One was on, "Beanie Babies was weird", and he was like, what about Marky Mark leaving the Funky Bunch? And we were just in tears. And then we showed the studio and everybody loved it and was like, "let's just break the fourth wall. Do it."|link=https://gizmodo.com/breaking-the-fourth-wall-in-transformers-rise-of-the-b-1850514340|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=io9|title=Breaking the Fourth Wall in ''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''|year=2023|month=06|day=09}}</ref>
* During the production of the film, Ramos had to acquire a driver's license at Caple Jr.'s behest.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4DDi5f1SL4oESslcZLjhhG|name=Anthony Ramos|site=the Spout Podcast|year=2021}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|quote=I had a two-week window to get an appointment at the DMV, and the DMV was initially uncooperative. Finally, after much haggling, I was able to secure an appointment. I took the test in my mother's car after a few months of practice with an instructor. Fortunately, I was able to pass.|link=https://theplaylist.net/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-anthony-ramos-talks-representation-in-franchises-getting-his-drivers-license-for-the-film-interview-20230607/|name=Anthony Ramos|site=The Playlist|title='Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts': Anthony Ramos Talks Representation In Franchises & Getting His Driver's License For The Film [Interview]|year=2023|month=06|day=07}}</ref>
* During an interview with a fan, voice actor David Sobolov revealed that Caple Jr. would create storyboards using Transformers toys. Awesome!<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdsfclO5etE&t=1106 "ROTB UNICRON IS THRILLING!" | Interview with DAVID SOBOLOV (Rhinox + Battletrap)! - YouTube]</ref>
* According to Caple Jr., Optimus's unmasked face was modeled after Peter Cullen's.
* As a result of Transit's removal, this is the first live-action film to not feature the Decepticons in any capacity.
* To keep the secret of the ''G.I. Joe'' tease at the end of the movie, most copies of the script and the version of the scene shot for test screenings all used [[Sector Seven]] instead. Michael Kelly also didn't know the big twist with his character until he arrived on set. Caple Jr. even had only a single ''G.I. Joe'' business card printed, on the day of filming, and took it from the set himself afterwards for safekeeping!<ref name=Joe>{{citesocial|quote=There was one version of the script that mentioned the G.I. Joe reveal. All other copies, including the one in the studio's possession, described the military organization as Sector 7. "That way no one could leak the script," Caple notes. [...] Caple says they shot two versions of Kelly's scene, one where Burke's business card reads Sector 7 and one where the card reads G.I. Joe, so audiences in test screenings wouldn't know the true reveal. There was only one copy of the G.I. Joe business card, and Caple took that himself from set for safe keeping. "I was like, 'I'm taking this. I don't want this to be found on the floor,'" he says. "I actually didn't have them printed out until that day [on set]. We were very cautious of it, man. We were really trying to be as secretive as possible."|link=https://ew.com/movies/transformers-g-i-joe-crossover-plans/|name=Nick Romano|site=Entertainment Weekly|title=Inside the top-secret plans for Transformers and G.I. Joe|year=2023|month=06|day=12}}</ref>
*This is the first live-action Transformers movie where the Japanese dub wasn't sound directed by [[Keiichirō Miyoshi]] but instead it is directed by [[Yoshikazu Iwanami]] who had been responsible for the original Beast Wars cartoons dubs localization.

===Foreign names===
* ''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/Beast Kakusei''''' (トランスフォーマー/ビースト覚醒 ''Toransufōmā Bīsuto Kakusei'', "Transformers: Beast Awakening")
* ''Cantonese:'' '''''Bin3jing4 Gam1gong1: Kwong4sau3 Gwat6hei2''''' (變形金剛：狂獸崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts")
* ''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Réveil des Bêtes''''' (Canada, "Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''German:'' '''''Transformers: Aufstieg der Bestien''''' ("Transformers: Rise of the Beasts")
* ''Hungarian:'' '''''Transformers: A fenevadak kora''''' ("Transformers: The Age of the Beasts")
* ''Italian: '' '''''Transformers: Il Risveglio''''' ("Transformers: The Awakening")
* ''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Wàn Shòu Juéqǐ''''' (Taiwan, 變形金剛：萬獸崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts"), '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Chāonéng Yǒngshì Juéqǐ''''' (China, 变形金刚：超能勇士崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beast Wars")
* ''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Despertar das Feras''''' (Brazil, "Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: El Despertar de las Bestias''''' ("Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Voskhozhdeniye Zverobotov''''' (Трансформеры: Восхождение Звероботов, "Transformers: Rise of the Beastbots")
* ''Ukrainian:'' '''''Transformery: Chas Zvirobotiv''''' (Трансформери: Час Звіроботів, "Transformers: Time of the Beastbots")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Real world films]]
[[Category:Rise of the Beasts| ]]
[[Category:Rise of the Beasts media]]

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)

2023-07-16T22:19:29Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{nav-rotb}}
{{movie|
|seriess=[[Live-action film series]]
|prev=Bumblebee (film)
|next=
|title=''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''
|image=Transformers Rise of the Beasts Theatrical Poster.jpeg
|caption=So for now, let the battle be here, on this strange, primitive world. And let it be called... Beast Wars!
|production companies=[[Skydance Media]] [[Entertainment One]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] [[New Republic Pictures]] [[Michael Bay|Bay Films]]
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Brian Goldner]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[Bradley J. Fischer]] [[Valerii An]] [[David Ellison]] [[Dana Goldberg]] [[Don Granger]]
|associate producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Duncan Henderson]]
|story by=[[Joby Harold]]
|screenplay by=[[Joby Harold]] [[Darnell Metayer]] [[Josh Peters]] [[Erich Hoeber]] [[Jon Hoeber]]
|directed by=[[Steven Caple Jr.]]
|cinematography by=[[Enrique Chediak]]
|edited by=[[Stuart Levy]] [[Brett M. Reed]]
|music by=[[Jongnic Bontemps]]
|release date=[[June 9]], [[2023]]
|continuity=[[Live-action film series]]
|runtime=127 minutes <ref>https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/C0D78E2B005A16FE</ref>
|budget=$200 million
|box office=$420 million<ref>https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/?ref_=bo_nb_yld_tab</ref>
}}
'''''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''''' is the seventh film in the [[live-action film series]], serving both as a sequel to ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' and a tribute to ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]''. The film is directed by [[Steven Caple Jr.]] and written by [[Joby Harold]], [[Darnell Metayer]], [[Josh Peters]], [[Erich Hoeber]], and [[Jon Hoeber]]. Originally expected to be released on [[June 28]], [[2019]],<ref name="toyfairreveal">[http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/02/12/transformers-5-transformers-6-bumblebee-spin-off-movie-revealed-309503 Transformers 5, Transformers 6 And Bumblebee Spin-Off Movie Revealed] ToyFair news at TFW2005</ref> the film was delayed multiple times until finally being released on [[June 9]], [[2023]].<ref name="2023release"/>

When [[Noah Diaz]], a struggling young man trying to provide for his family, is roped into a conflict between the marooned [[Autobot]]s and the recently arrived [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcons]], he must learn to work with weary Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] so they, with the help of the wise [[Maximal]]s and the unadventurous researcher [[Elena Wallace]], can stop the arrival of the planet-eater [[Unicron]].

==Synopsis==
[[File:ROTBcap-Unicronringedplanet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|This is one unusual planet... whatever it is.]]

Somewhere in time and space, the dark god [[Unicron]] and his minions invade a [[Jungle Planet (colony)|jungle world]] populated by [[Maximal]]s. Unicron, seeking a way to cross galaxies, sends his [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]] herald [[Scourge (ROTB)|Scourge]] to retrieve the [[Transwarp Key]], an advanced device that can open portals in space-time. Although the Maximals attempt to fight back, their leader [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]] entrusts [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] and a small group of Maximals—[[Airazor (ROTB)|Airazor]], [[Cheetor (ROTB)|Cheetor]], and [[Rhinox (ROTB)|Rhinox]]—with the Transwarp Key and orders them to keep the artifact from Unicron. As Primal and his followers use the key to escape their doomed planet and flee to prehistoric [[Earth]], Scourge kills Apelinq after a brief fight and takes his [[insignia]] as a trophy.

Thousands of years later, in the year [[1994]], ex-military electronics expert [[Noah Diaz]] attempts to find a job to support his sick brother [[Kris Diaz|Kris]]. However, after another failed interview, his friend [[Reek]] convinces him to steal an expensive car from a nearby hotel. However, the "car" turns out to be the Autobot [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] in disguise, who takes the terrified Noah on a joyride through the streets of [[New York City]]. At the same time, a museum on Ellis Island comes into possession of an unusual stone falcon with a Maximal insignia. After closing hours, museum intern [[Elena Wallace]] investigates the statue and accidentally breaks it open to reveal half of the Transwarp Key. The artifact releases an energy pulse that attracts the attention of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and the other Autobots, who have been stranded on Earth since their evacuation of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] seven years prior. Prime summons the nearest Autobots—[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], and Mirage, who arrives at the meeting spot with Noah in tow. Although Optimus distrusts humans, he believes that they can use the Transwarp Key to return home and liberate their homeworld; eventually, Mirage hatches a scheme to sneak into the museum and have Noah steal the key for them.

[[File:Scourge about to blast bee.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|A treacherous, underhanded sneak attack! I like you, pussycat, yes.]]

Unbeknownst to the Autobots, the accidental activation of the Transwarp Key summons the Terrorcons to Earth. Noah meets Elena inside the museum, but cannot convince her to turn over the relic before the Terrorcons attack; despite Prime's best efforts, Scourge successfully overpowers the Autobot leader, steals the Transwarp Key, and mortally injures Bumblebee before Airazor arrives to help drive the villains away. Airazor explains that the Maximals have been on Earth for millennia, and deliberately split the Transwarp Key in half to prevent Unicron or his followers from using it. The loss of Bumblebee only further galvanizes Optimus's resolve that they must reassemble the key and return home; Noah, fearful of Unicron's arrival, tells Elena that they must destroy the key to protect their own homeworld.

[[File:ROTB-Maximalstandoff.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Moderate your conflict circuits, Maximals.]]

Elena deduces that the other half of the key is located in a hidden temple in [[Peru]], and Prime recruits the airborne Autobot [[Stratosphere]] to take them there. Near the city of [[Cusco]], the Autobot [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] guides them to the temple, located beneath a [[Convent of Santo Domingo|local monastery]]. A festival prevents the Autobots from moving through the city inconspicuously; as a result, Noah and Elena must make the journey on foot. The pair discover a hidden mechanism that leads to a hidden temple with a stone sarcophogus but find that the other half of the key is no longer inside it. The Terrorcons attack again, and although the Autobots are able to evade the villains, the conflict ends with Scourge infecting Airazor with a portion of Unicron's dark energy. On the other side of the temple, Noah and Elena encounter Optimus Primal and the other two Maximals, who, after a brief standoff that was defused by Airazor, agree to join forces with the Autobots. Optimus Primal explains that they entrusted the Transwarp Key to a tribe of humans who live near the [[energon]]-rich valley that Primal and his followers inhabit—while Optimus Prime distrusts humanity, Primal has lived among them for millennia, and has come to view them as friends and even allies.

The next morning, however, Scourge's corruption finally overtakes Airazor; in the ensuing battle, Primal is forced to kill her to save Elena. Amidst the chaos, Noah makes an attempt to destroy their half of the Transwarp Key until Optimus convinces him to stand down. However, amidst the chaos, Scourge and the Terrorcons steal the other half of the key and relocate to a nearby volcano, which they reshape into a massive portal that will summon Unicron to Earth.
Having found some common ground between their two races, Optimus Prime and Noah agree to work together; while the Autobot-Maximal alliance battle Unicron's minions, Noah and Elena attempt to sneak into the Terrorcon base and deactivate the [[Unspace|transwarp]] device with a manual shutdown code based on Elena's studies of the Maximal language. Mirage attempts to distract Scourge so that the humans can complete their mission, but the Terrorcon leader gravely injures him; with the last of his strength, Mirage reshapes his body into an [[exosuit]] for Noah. As Unicron begins pushing his way through the portal to Earth and sending down reinforcements in the form of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Scorponok (ROTB)|Scorponok]]s, the energy pulses released by the key ignite the nearby energon deposits and restore Bumblebee to life. As Bumblebee joins the fight, Optimus Prime gains the upper hand and finally kills Scourge, but not before the Terrorcon damages the console and leaves the heroes unable to close the portal. With no other options, Prime destroys the key and triggers a devastating implosion, but Noah and Primal successfully rescue the Autobot leader from falling into the collapsing vortex.

In the aftermath, the surviving Maximals remain in Peru, while the Autobots return to America. Elena is recognized for her archeological discovery, while Noah applies for another security job—but discovers that the job opportunity is actually a front for a clandestine government organization codenamed "[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]," who promise to cover his brother's treatment going forward.

Some time later, Noah has used spare Porsche parts to cobble together a new body for Mirage, and reveals his existence to a bewildered Reek.

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Autobot]]s / [[Maximal]]s|c1=
;Autobots
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
* [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] ([[Pete Davidson]])
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
* [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] ([[Liza Koshy]])
* [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] ([[Cristo Fernández]])
* [[Stratosphere]] ([[John DiMaggio]])

;Maximals
* [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] ([[Ron Perlman]])
* [[Airazor (ROTB)|Airazor]] ([[Michelle Yeoh]])
* [[Rhinox (ROTB)|Rhinox]] ([[David Sobolov]])
* [[Cheetor (ROTB)|Cheetor]] ([[Tongayi Chirisa]])
* [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]] (David Sobolov)

|h2=[[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s / [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s|c2=
;Terrorcons
* [[Scourge (ROTB)|Scourge]] ([[Peter Dinklage]])
* [[Nightbird (ROTB)|Nightbird]] ([[Michaela Jaé Rodriguez]])
* [[Battletrap (ROTB)|Battletrap]] (David Sobolov)
* [[Freezer]]

;Predacons
* [[Scorponok (ROTB)|Scorponok]]

|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
* [[Noah Diaz]] ([[Anthony Ramos]])
* [[Elena Wallace]] ([[Dominique Fishback]])
* [[Breanna Diaz]] ([[Luna Lauren Velez]])
* [[Kris Diaz]] ([[Dean Scott Vasquez]])
* [[Reek]] ([[Tobe Nwigwe]])
* [[Jillian Robinson]] ([[Sarah Stiles]])
* [[Bishop (ROTB)|Bishop]] ([[Aidan Devine]])
* [[Mrs. Greene]] ([[Leni Parker]])
* [[Amaru]] ([[Lucas Huarancca]])
;[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]
* [[Agent Burke]] ([[Michael Kelly (actor)|Michael Kelly]])

|h4=Others|c4=
* [[Unicron]] ([[Colman Domingo]])
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Quotes==
"There’s a legend that precedes the dawn of our civilization: a vile god so large, so powerful, that it consumes entire planets as fuel. Few believed such a thing could be true, until the day we saw Unicron with our own eyes…"
:—'''Optimus Primal's''' opening narration.

"I'll hold him off, buy you some time." 
"Then I'm staying with you." 
"This is my fight. Listen, if Unicron were to get the key, he could open a portal through [[Transwarp Drive|time and space]], with no end to the worlds he could destroy. It is now your time to lead the [[Maximal|Maximals]]... Optimus Primal."
:—'''Apelinq''' passing the torch to '''Optimus Primal'''.

"So you're this planet's... ''great'' warrior. You have such a beautiful world, filled with an abundance of life. Savory."
:—'''Scourge''' waxes poetic to Apelinq.

"Benefits, to serving the almighty Unicron."
:—'''Scourge''' taking Apelinq's insignia and placing it on himself [[Lockdown (Animated)|as a trophy]].

"You let them slip away with the Transwarp Key. Scour the universe, and find where the Maximals have gone. When you acquire the key, use it to bring me to you." 
"Yes, my lord." 
"Once I have the key, I alone will reign supreme!"
:—'''Unicron''' charging '''Scourge''' with finding the Transwarp Key.

"Okay, what are the rules?" 
"Bros before hoes." 
''[Noah glares at Kris]'' 
''(sigh)'' "Don't be a problem. Don't go looking for a problem—" 
"Or else we're gonna have a problem."
:—'''Noah''' and '''Kris''' clarify the rules.

"I ain't breaking into a museum for some space robots." 
"But what about for friendship?" 
''[Noah stares at Mirage incredulously]'' 
"Uh Uh-- or or ''or'', what about for cash?"
:—'''Noah''' wants out. '''Mirage''' wants him in.

''"You can't handle the truth!"'' 
"I do not want you going to that drive-in theater anymore."
:— '''Bumblebee's''' references grate on '''Optimus Prime'''.

"Stop following me!" 
"I'm not following you, I'm just escaping in the same direction!"
:—'''Elena''' and '''Noah''' run from the pursuing Freezers.

"And you call yourself a Prime...Primus would be ''ashamed.''"
:—'''Scourge''' isn't too impressed with Optimus Prime.

"You fool! This is only half the key!" 
"Please.. the Maximals... They must have split it..." 
"Excuses! Complete the key, or else you will wish you had died with the rest of your planet!"
:—'''Unicron''' doesn't take failure lightly.

"I'm going to take back Scourge's key, and then...''take off his head.''"
:—The origins of '''Optimus Prime's''' "GIVE ME YOUR FACE" phase.

"I love your fire, Prime, but you're going to die on this speck of dust." 
"I can think of no better place to bury you!"
:—'''Scourge''' has gotten on '''Optimus Prime's''' last nerve

"I am sorry, Noah." 
"You were looking out for your own. I can't even be angry at you for that." 
"On my homeworld, we believe that the battle with darkness will continue [['Til all are one|'til all are one]]. I lost sight of that. You fought for yours as I fought for mine, when we should've been fighting the darkness together." 
"But I ain't done fighting yet."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Noah''' have a moment as Unicron approaches.

"''I have come here to kick ass!''"
:—'''Bumblebee''' announces his return with a clear message.

"Time to show you the real power of a Prime!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' lays the smackdown on Scourge. An ass kicker cometh.

"Don't, Prime. I can give you everything you want." 
"Then DIE!"
:—'''Unicron's''' temptation falls flat in '''Optimus Prime's''' face.

"I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. We have lost the Transwarp Key, and with it, our ability to go home. But we have gained an ally in our battle against the forces of evil. Forces too powerful for any of us to defeat on our own, but together, we might just have a chance."
:—'''Optimus Prime's''' closing narration. We missed them.

"I am Noah Diaz. What is there to know about me? I was raised out in Brooklyn. I got a little bro who calls me Sonic, and if I gotta help save the universe in order to help save the people I love, well then that's what I'm gonna do."
:—'''Noah''' does his own closing narration.

==Continuity notes==
''Rise of the Beasts'' is a direct sequel to 2018's ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' film, taking place seven years after its events, in 1994. The plot of the film has little impact on this one, beyond it being established that the Autobots have been stranded on Earth since arriving at its end. While waiting for Noah to infiltrate the museum, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee have a conversation that alludes to Bee's time with [[Charlie Watson]].

More notably, ''Rise of the Beasts'' serves to continue the heated debate among fans over whether or not the ''Transformers'' live-action film series has been rebooted, after reshoots to ''Bumblebee'' that served to distance it from the earlier films directed by [[Michael Bay]] introduced some significant discontinuities with Bay's films (2017's ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'' in particular). Though fans were quick to jump on the idea that this meant the film was a total, hard reboot of the movie universe, Paramount has not commited to that idea; ''Rise of the Beasts'' was not promoted as a reboot any more than ''Bumblebee'' was, and many reviews of and articles about the film have casually referred to it as a prequel. Some web outlets would even run articles commenting on Paramount's hazy stance on the movie's (and ''Bumblebee'''s) place in continuity.<ref>[https://www.cbr.com/transformers-7-bumblebee-reboot-mistake "Rise of the Beasts Is Repeating Bumblebee's Worst Mistake" on CBR.com]</ref><ref>[https://movieweb.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-is-a-reboot/ "Why Does Paramount Keep Pretending Rise of the Beasts Is Not a Reboot?" on MovieWeb.com]</ref>

In-keeping with this, in the run-up to the film's release, like [[Travis Knight]] before him, director Steven J. Caple Jr. was reluctant to declare the film a full and total continuity reboot, stating that it is a "refresher" and a "new direction," that is nonetheless preserving many elements of the films that have gone before.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=It's a reboot for sure. The Bayverse... you can still watch the Bayverse and be on your own verse, so to speak. With us, we're definitely like, we want this to work, you know? We want people to... it's a refresher, so we can call reboot in terms of like, where we were starting. But yeah so definitely a new direction for sure. There's some things you could probably connect to it, clearly Bee is like a huge connection to all the movies, you know what I mean? In terms of his car, his design, a Camaro, and things like that, but... it's a very small one, in terms of the big ideas that we have. And so you guys will see definitely where we're going at the end of this film, which is crazy.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MfMFxvT_-Q&t=2452s|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=The Alfonso Nation|title="BAYVERSE vs REBOOT" & Wheeljacks Design | ROTB DIRECTOR STEVEN CAPLE JR Interview!|year=2023|month=05|day=27}}</ref> Longtime producer [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] has taken a more explicit stance, repeatedly denying that the film is a reboot and stating that it is a prequel that shows how Optimus Prime grows to become the character seen in the Bay films.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Hey you know if you look at it from a timeline point of view, it follows ''Bumblebee''... but it is a prequel, in that it's before all the previous movies. So it sort of exists in its own way. What I don't think it is, is a reboot, because it's still our characters. One of the things that Steven brought to the table right from the beginning, which was so great, was the idea that when we meet Optimus Prime, he's different than what we think of him, and we're watching him grow up—if you would—as a leader. And for me that was one of the most exciting parts of the movie, and what was interesting was watching it with audiences, and at first they were uncomfortable a little bit, like, "wait, that's not exactly the Optimus... he should like humans!" You know? So I think it gives the movie a really interesting point of view, and that therefore it stands alone in that way.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h11sKGYcq9k&t=871s|name=Lorenzo di Bonaventura|site=a panel at the premiere of ''Rise of the Beasts''|year=2023|month=05|day=26}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|quote=But what's interesting is, and you will appreciate this as a fan, at the end of ''Bumblebee'', Optimus comes to Earth. What he's experienced is failure, probably for the first time in his life, right? He's had to retreat, he's leaving the planet Cybertron. What's happened to him from that experience? When we meet him in 2007, he's a particular person, if you would. In 1994, he's not the same person. He still has growth to do between ‘94 and 2007. So the character arc for Optimus in this, and the fun for the audience is, when you first meet Optimus – and we've had this experience because we've watched it with audiences and we've heard them talk about it – they're like, “It's definitely Optimus, but there's something a little different…” At first, they're like, “Wait, what, who… what Optimus is this?” And by the end of the movie, Optimus has become the guy that you've recognized from the Bay movies. Emotional.|link=https://collider.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-michael-bay-movies-producer-comments/|name=Lorenzo di Bonaventura|site=Collider|title='Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Producer on How It Differs From Michael Bay's Movies|year=2023|month=05|day=24}}</ref> At the same time, di Bonaventura has also conceded that they were "kicking the can down the road" when it came to continuity concerns, preferring to worry about it in the future, and that the films "maybe have" contradicted Bay's movies despite efforts not to.<ref>[https://www.fandom.com/articles/transformers-rise-beast-wars-optimus-prime Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Shows a Different Side of Optimus Prime" on Fandom.com]</ref> These particular claims line up with statements made by Caple after the film's release, in which he stated he is "not worried" about continuity, and is just focused on making the best choices for each individual movie's story. He cites 2007's ''Transformers'' and ''Dark of the Moon'' as "his classics," and says he would "love to stay within that line," but does not feel compelled to adhere much to ''Age of Extinction'' and ''The Last Knight,'' since he views their stories as the result of creators "freestyling," and doubts that "anyone knew exactly where they were going with [them]."<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/rise-of-the-beasts-director-confirms-that-continuity-is-not-a-concern-within-the-transformers-film-franchise/47813/ Extract from an interview with Caple Jr. on the ''Empire Spoiler Specials'' podcast, via Seibertron.com]</ref> And that's... probably about as good an answer as we're going to get right now.

Whichever approach you subscribe to, it's pretty clear the decision to set the film in 1994 was one primarily made to avoid having to directly deal with the timeframe of the Bay movies in any capacity, and tell a new story free of their immediate baggage - the "can-kicking" Lorenzo spoke of. For what it's worth, the film takes some steps to preserve the broad continuity of at least the first Bay film; the Transwarp Key's energy is explicitly stated to operate on a frequency that humans cannot perceive, meaning that they literally cannot ''see'' the huge sky-beam or the portal. As such, the film ends with the general population of Earth (beyond secret forces within the US government) still entirely unaware of the Transformers' existence, as was the case when the 2007 film began. As the time-gap between these "prequels" and the first movie narrows, though, it becomes increasingly difficult to imagine them fitting together without a lot of hand-waving away of specific details, unless future movies actually start making active attempts to address this.

In terms of active contradictions to established continuity, ''Rise of the Beasts'' appears to take the same approach as ''Bumblebee'' and ignores the events of ''The Last Knight'' by depicting Unicron as a separate planet, rather than the Earth itself, as he appeared in that film. However, it's probably important to note that the film lightly implies that the Maximals are time-travellers from the future (see "Transformers references" for more details), which would mean that the Unicron who appears in this film is also from the future. Thus it ''could'' be argued that his appearance here doesn't technically contradict ''The Last Knight''—but of course, that would mean he was trying to eat his own past self.

==Transformers references==
*The Maximals are broadly depicted the same as they were in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon: as a "highly-advanced race" of beast-mode Transformers who use transwarp technology to travel to other planets and interact with their native species, whose travels bring them to ancient Earth. Steven Caple Jr. has noted that earlier drafts of the screenplay explicitly depicted the Maximals as time-travellers from the future, as they were in the cartoon, and while the concept is so toned down for the finished movie that it probably won't even occur to general audiences, several references to the idea are still made on-screen. Transwarp technology is stated to open portals in time as well as space; Airazor states that the Maximals are "from both [the Autobots'] past and future"; and Optimus Primal says that he is named after the "legendary" Optimus Prime, which all combine to suggest that the Maximals originate from the future.
*The idea of the Maximals hailing from a [[Jungle Planet (colony)|jungle planet]] originates in [[IDW Publishing]]'s comic books, which depicted many ''Beast Wars'' characters as the residents of the planet Eukaris. The planet is implied to be one of many colonised by Transformers in ages past using space bridges generated by the Transwarp Key, before the planets became separated and the key "lost." This concept of a great era of Cybertronian expansion that led to the foundation of lost colonies on other planets where Cybertronian life evolved in new and different directions dates back to 2005's [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]], and became a recurring element in ''Transformers'' series in the 2010s and beyond after it was incorporated into the lore of the [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned continuity]].
*Unicron's armies being named the "Terrorcons" hearkens back to both 2004's ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' and 2010's ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'', which both featured the power of Unicron being used to create armies of warriors known as Terrorcons. In particular, the corrupted Airazor's rusted appearance resembles the ''Prime'' Terrorcons, which were also rusted, dilapidated, shambling bots controlled by the will of another.
*Though not identified by name onscreen, Unicron's army includes multiple duplicates of a robotic scorpion identified by the movie's toyline as "Predacon Scorponok." The idea of "Scorponok" being a mass-produced "species" of robots has recently been seen in the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|''War for Cybertron'' cartoon]], where both [[Scorponok (G1)|Generation 1 Scorponok]] ''and'' [[Scorponok (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Scorponok]] were treated this way.
*The Maximals vow to keep the Transwarp Key hidden and safeguard life "no matter the cost," evoking Optimus Prime's iconic line from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'': "Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost."
*Optimus Prime's design features alterations from his earlier ''Bumblebee'' appearance that are influenced by his appearance in the first three Bay films; he has silver hands, feet, sun visors, angled chest windows, retractable orange [[Dual Energon Swords|Energon swords]], a handheld orange [[Energon-axe]] (which transforms out of his arm, coincidentally similar to the [[Optimus Prime (ES)|''Earthspark'' version]]), and a mask-less face sporting similar details. Arcee also transforms into a {{w|Ducati}} motorcycle, like her ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' character.
*Scourge combines aspects of his [[Scourge (G1)|Generation 1]], [[Scourge (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'']] and [[Scourge (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'']] namesakes; he's a herald of Unicron like G1 Scourge, transforms into a black Optimus Prime-like truck like ''RID'' Scourge and hails from a colony world like ''Cybertron'' Scourge. The various insignias he wears as trophies include the symbols of the [[Decepticon]]s, [[Autobot]]s, [[Maximal]]s, [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s, [[Mercenary|Mercenaries]] and [[Wreckers]]. His designer Eddie Del Rio also admitted on his Instagram to pulling inspiration from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] for his robot mode (and stealing insignias like trophies is well in character for the old bounty hunter as well).
*More obscure characters appear such as Apelinq, who originates from a [[Apelinq (BM)#Toys|BotCon 2000 toy]] and tie-in [[3H Productions]] comics, and Stratosphere, returning from the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toyline and last seen in the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|console video game]], albeit with a new, original design and characterization.
*When [[Nightbird (ROTB)|Nightbird]] lands at the Museum following the carnage, she makes some [[Starscream (Movie)|very familiar warbling noises]] when she moves.
*The two music tracks used in Unicron's scenes feature segments taken from [[Vince DiCola]]'s "Unicron's Theme" in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Scourge stands and talks to Unicron's face from inside his body, similar to a scene with their characters from the Generation 1 episode, "[[Ghost in the Machine (G1)|Ghost in the Machine]]".
*The symbols Elena studies are Maximal [[Cybertronix]], from the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon. The access code Elena assembles doesn't translate to anything, and simply reads "XQB," but the text on the side of the Transwarp Key (written in a combination of mirrored and upside-down symbols) reads: "He Who Opens The Door."
*The authors of the paper Elena reads about Peru's unexplained glyphs are Asahi Takara and Daniel H. Tomy, a reference to [[TakaraTomy]], Hasbro's longtime business partner in Transformers toys.
*After meeting Optimus Prime for the first time, Noah incorrectly calls him "Optimal". "Optimal Optimus" is the name of the original [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#OptimalOptimus|Optimus Primal's Transmetal 2 body]].
*When proposing different alternate modes to Noah, Mirage briefly turns into an F1 car, a reference to [[Mirage (G1)|his Generation 1 counterpart]]'s alternate mode. He also turns into a Lamborghini Countach, which was just a really cool, sexy car, but also famous in ''Transformers'' lore for being the alternate mode of [[Sideswipe (G1)|Generation 1 Sideswipe]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. He then claims that he can also turn into a Ferrari, the alternate mode of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Dino]], whose name in media outside of that movie was "Mirage".
*Mirage is incredulous over the news that musician [[Mark Wahlberg]] is leaving his band, the Funky Bunch, and going into acting—a good-natured jab at the actor's [[Cade Yeager|leading role]] in the earlier ''Transformers'' movies, ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' and ''The Last Knight''.
*Scourge name-drops [[Primus]] as he taunts Optimus Prime, the first reference to the Transformers' creator god in any of the live-action movies.
*Scourge injures Prime's left flank in the museum battle, which mirrors the injuries [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] gave to the original [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] in ''The Transformers: The Movie.'' Prime even grasps the wound in the same way his predecessor did.
*Airazor explains that Unicron imbues his heralds with a "dark energy," which increases their power, but also has a corrupting effect—almost certainly a reference to [[Dark Energon]], the life-energy of Unicron introduced in the Aligned continuity.
*Unicron psychically tortures Scourge from afar in the same way he did [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
*When Optimus Primal talks to Optimus Prime about how the Maximals trust the humans, he says there's "[[More than Meets the Eye (disambiguation)|more to them than meets the eye]]".
*Optimus states the Cybertronian belief that "the battle with darkness" will continue: "[['Til all are one]]." This phrase, and the idea of a day prophesied in Cybertron legend when it will come to pass, originates with ''The Transformers: The Movie,'' and is here used to thematically connect with the shared struggle of the Autobots, Maximals, and humans.
*When the heroes are lining up for the final battle, brown fins briefly pop out of the sides of Wheeljack's head, evoking his [[Wheeljack (G1)|Generation 1 design]].
*As the heroes charge towards the Terrorcon army, Optimus Primal commands Rhinox and Cheetor to "Maximize!", which was the Maximal [[activation code]] from the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon.
*Optimus Primal briefly fights with his double bladed scimitar from his [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|original toy]].
*In the final battle, when Unicron sends an army of Freezers to reinforce his minions on Earth, they make their descent in the form of yellow-and-black orbs, which appears to be a nod to Unicron's [[Mini-Con]] from ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the yellow-and-black sphere, [[Dead End (Armada)|Dead End]].
*The armored suit Mirage forms over Noah is conceptually an homage to the Generation 1 [[exosuit]]s, while its overall design hews closer to [[Kicker Jones]]' battlesuit from ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]''.
*In a glorious homage to [[Transformers (film)|the 2007 movie]], the musical highlight of [[Steve Jablonsky]]'s "Arrival to Earth" plays as Optimus, Noah, and Primal escape the collapsing transwarp portal's suction.
* Optimus Prime's final speech is set to a remixed version of the track "No Sacrifice, No Victory" from the 2007 movie's score, which was also reprised for the endings of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' and ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''.
*[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and Transformers have frequently crossed over in comics and the occasional toyline over the years, though this marks the first time the two have co-existed in a feature film. Notably, the G.I. Joe insignia on Burke's business card is the version introduced in the film ''G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra''.
*When Reek and Noah are repairing Mirage at the end of the film, Reek says "Even Stevens," a possible allusion to [[Shia LaBeouf]], who starred in the [[Sam Witwicky|leading role]] in the first three ''Transformers'' movies and prior to that starred as the main character in the Disney Channel sitcom ''Even Stevens''.

==Real-life references==
*A TV screen briefly shows news coverage of the {{w|Murder trial of O. J. Simpson#Bronco chase|O.J. Simpson white Ford Bronco car chase}}, which places the events of the film near June 17, 1994.
*Throughout the film, Noah and Kris use the codenames "[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic]]" and "{{w|Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog)|Tails}}" (and in one instance, Mirage is referred to as "{{w|Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles}}"), a nod to the characters from the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' videogame series.
*Kris wears a shirt of the ''Mighty Morphin' [[Saban Entertainment|Power Rangers]]'', another property owned by Hasbro. A poster of said series also appears on his wall.
*Kris is heard playing ''Super Mario Bros.'' on his [[Game Boy]]. However, see "Anachronisms".
*Kris attempts to comfort Noah after his unsuccessful interview by relating his struggle to [[Superman|Superman's]] difficulty finding a job before being hired by the {{w|Daily Planet}}.
*When Mirage compliments Noah after the car chase, he quotes the line "I like it a lot" from ''Dumb and Dumber''. However, see "Anachronisms".
*Also in the aftermath of the chase, he refers to the 1988 movie ''{{w|Big (film)|Big}}'' during his impression of Optimus Prime.
*Noah calls Mirage {{w|E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial|E.T.}} for obvious reasons. He also makes a reference to [[Indiana Jones]] when discovering the hidden temple in Peru.
*Bumblebee drops various voice lines from famous real-life films throughout the whole movie, including ''{{w|Die Hard}}'', ''[[Spaceballs]]'', ''{{w|They Live}}'', ''{{w|A Few Good Men}}'' and ''{{w|Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface}}.''
*While fleeing in the museum, Elena sings Zhané's song "{{w|Groove Thang}}" to try to calm herself down.
*As they rendezvous with the other Autobots for the trip to Peru, Mirage announces that "[[Wu-Tang Clan|Wu-Tang]] is in the building."
*Elena sings the TLC song "{{w|Waterfalls (TLC song)|Waterfalls}}" to herself during the flight to Peru. However, see "Anachronisms".
*The {{w|Inti Raymi}} festival taking place when the Autobots arrive in Peru is a real festival that takes place on June 24th.
*During the mountain road car chase at Peru, the shot of Scourge's insignia-covered grille reflected in Prime's rearview mirror homages a famous shot from [[Steven Spielberg]]'s 1971 film ''{{w|Duel (1971 film)|Duel}}.''
*When meeting Primal, Elena brings up the {{w|Nazca Lines}} and the archeological site at {{w|Tikal}}, asking if the Maximals were responsible for creating them. [[Order of the Witwiccans|In this case]], however, Primal takes no credit for human ingenuity.
*Mirage calls Optimus Primal "{{w|Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong}}".
*At the end of the film, Elena appears on the CBS news program ''[[60 Minutes]]''; host [[Lesley Stahl]] makes a cameo appearance as herself during the segment.
*The award on the wall that serves as the hidden switch to access the G.I. Joe base reads "Real Hero Award" with the image of an American flag, referencing the subtitle of the original G.I. Joe cartoon series: "A Real American Hero".

==Errors==
===Filming, animation, and technical errors===
*When Scourge kills Apelinq, he welds his Maximal insignia to his right shoulder, but throughout the rest of the film, Apelinq's insignia is gone. In the same scene, Scourge says "They never learn...", but his mouth is not moving.
*When Reek yells down the street as Noah and Kris depart, his dialogue does not match his lips.
*When Optimus Prime is about to throw his axe at Scourge, there is some distance between the two. However, in the next shot they are within just meters of each other.
*When Scourge says "Now, to add a Prime to my collection", his claw is both folded in on his arm and deployed at the same time.
*When Mirage attempts to eavesdrop on Noah and Kris' conversation, he is barely tall enough peer into the balcony while standing on a car. However, a minute later when Kris promises him to keep Noah safe he is somehow tall enough to comfortably look into the balcony without anything to stand on.
*The doors that go onto Wheeljack's back are unmarked brown in the scene of him transforming from van mode, but feature text on them in the very next cut where he is in robot mode.
*When Wheeljack audibly gasps at Noah assuming he can speak Spanish, his mouth is not moving.
*When Mirage and Optimus Prime turn into a street in Cusco, there is another Optimus Prime truck in the background. This can only be seen if you pause at the right moment.
*When Wheeljack is recovering from being attacked by Rhinox, his mouth is not moving as he says "Ay-ay-ay."
*As the heroes are walking through the jungle, the scene cuts to Elena while she is saying "So, what are you?", which does not match her lips.
*As Optimus Prime looks up at Unicron arriving at the mouth of the portal, Arcee can be seen scuttling about blasting Freezers; except her blasters produce no laser effects.
*From the time Bumblebee acquires his offroad Camaro, his wheels are inconsistent between his robot and vehicle modes, with some shots showing his normal Camaro's wheels instead of the offroad ones. It is most visible for the wheels on his shoulders.
*Scourge's mouth is not moving as he proclaims "Unicron will prevail!" before shooting the transwarp control panel.
*Elena audibly whimpering in Bumblebee as he drives through hoards of Freezers does not match her lips.

===Continuity errors===
*After Scourge incapacitates Bumblebee, he plucks his Autobot badge off with a normal left hand. In the following shot, however, his left hand is transformed into his giant claw and he is no longer holding the badge.
*During the chase out of Cusco, when Optimus Prime reaches the bend, the Terrorcons are very close behind him. However, when he transforms into robot mode, they are suddenly much further back.
*When Stratosphere transforms in Peru, it starts with him facing away from Optimus Prime. However, in the next shot he's now facing towards him.
*When Scourge walks away with the second half of the key, his left arm switches from the claw to the cannon between shots.

===Geographic discontinuities===
*There ''is'' a museum on Ellis Island... however, it's a [https://www.statueofliberty.org/ellis-island/national-immigration-museum/ museum that documents the turn-of-the-century immigrant experience], and not the generalized natural history museum shown in the film. Notably, the actual museum is composited out of the movie's establishing shots so that the made-up museum setpiece can replace it.
*Elena states that she has never left New York. Ellis Island, her place of work, is almost completely owned by the state of New Jersey, discounting a small portion that was the island's original size that is still a part of New York. Even discounting that, the waters surrounding the island are wholly owned by the Garden State.
*When the Autobots arrive at Cusco, they land at the citadel of [[Sacsayhuamán]], an Inca fortress on the northern outskirts of the city, and the site is deserted. Even on a normal day, it should be crawling with tourists, but the Autobots are specifically said to arrive during the [[Inti Raymi]] festival... whose central activity is a recreation of an Inca ceremony ''at'' Sacsayhuamán.
*The fight with the corrupted Airazor takes place at Machu Picchu, which nobody is witness to, as again it is completely deserted. It should be crawling with tourists, the staff that works at the site, the guests and staff of the lodge located right next to the complex, or the population of the town of Aguas Calientes at the base of the mountain.

===Anachronisms===
*Though the "you died!" music and mention of Bowser imply Kris is playing ''Super Mario Bros.'' on his Game Boy, that game wouldn't see a release on the system until 1999's ''[https://www.mariowiki.com/Super_Mario_Bros._Deluxe Super Mario Bros. Deluxe]'' on the Game Boy Color. The only Mario platformers released for Game Boy by 1994 were the ''Super Mario Land'' games, which featured different antagonists and music.
*Elena sings "Waterfalls" to calm herself down. Assuming the film takes place in the summer, as implied by the aforementioned coverage of the O.J. Simpson chase, it would still be a few months until the November 1994 release of the album ''CrazySexyCool'', which the song first appeared on.
*Similarly, Mirage quotes a line from ''Dumb and Dumber'', a film that would not release until December 1994.
*A green car that was smashed and thrown in the Museum scene was a B5.5 Volkswagen Passat which would not be released until 2001.
*The promo for ''60 Minutes'' uses the program's contemporary imaging, including the use of the current CBS News logotype above that of the show.

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', was released alongside the film on June 9, 2023. Paramount also compiled a Spotify Playlist, ''[[Transformers Rise of the Beats]]'', featuring songs that appeared in the film.

==Reception==
{{quote|Thanks to some genuine human drama between the set pieces and palpable affection for the title characters, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is one of the franchise's more enjoyable outings.|Critics Consensus|[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_rise_of_the_beasts Rotten Tomatoes]}}

Coming off the back of the generally well-received ''Bumblebee'', ''Rise of the Beasts'' received mixed reviews. While critics largely praised the old-school adventure film sequences and the performances of the human leads, most criticism was directed at the film's protracted final battle scene and its overuse of computer-generated imagery—in particular, some critics juxtaposed the film's tamer action scenes against the madcap, sometimes over-the-top practical effect-based destruction employed by [[Michael Bay]] during his time in the director's chair. As of writing, the film holds a 53% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, although the audience score sits at a much higher 91%.

In the US and Canada, ''Rise of the Beasts'' opened to a strong $60.5 million start—higher than both ''The Last Knight'' and ''Bumblebee'' <ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/06/box-office-transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-spider-man-spiderverse-1235412771/ "'Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts' Conquers 'Spider-Verse' With $60M+ Opening, But Animated Pic's Second Weekend Hold Strong -- Box Office"] </ref>—but suffered a brutal 66.1 percent drop in its second weekend, where it lost out to ''{{w|The Flash (film)|The Flash}}'', ''{{w|Elemental}}'', and ''{{w|Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse|Across the Spider-Verse}}''. <ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-flash-box-office-disappoint-pixar-elemental-flop-1235647927/ "'The Flash' Disappoints With $55 Million Debut, Pixar's 'Elemental' Flops With $29.5 Million in Battle of Box Office Lightweights"] </ref> <ref>[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2023W24/?ref_=bo_we_nav Domestic 2023 Weekend 24]</ref> A week later, the film took in a comparatively dismal $11 million <ref> [https://deadline.com/2023/06/box-office-the-flash-no-hard-feelings-jennifer-lawrence-1235422274/ 'Spider-Verse' Swinging Ahead Of 'Elemental' After Game Of Chicken; 'Flash' Edging Out 'No Hard Feelings' -- Saturday PM Box Office]</ref>; as of July 2023, the film has made $420 million overall, marking the lowest-grossing film in the series thus far.

==Development details==

[[File:TRANSFORMERS-2022.jpg|thumb|250px]]

* March 27, 2015 — [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" with the intention of building a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[http://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Goldsman goes on to hire a number of writers over the next few months: [[Steven DeKnight]] (''Daredevil''),<ref>[http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-cinematic-universe/35696/transformers-cinematic-details-more-writers-over-10-films Transformers cinematic details]</ref> [[Robert Kirkman]] (''The Walking Dead''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-writers-robert-kirkman-zak-penn-art-marcum-matt-holloway-jeff-pinkner-1201430601/ 'Transformers' Spinoff & Sequel Scribes Set] on Deadline.com</ref> [[Art Marcum]] and [[Matt Holloway]] (''Iron Man''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Christina Hodson]] (''Shut In'', ''The Fugitive''),<ref name="hodsonbeer">[http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/446175-christina-hodson-and-lindsey-beer-join-transformers-writing-team Christina Hodson and Lindsey Beer Join the Transformers Writing Team]</ref> [[Lindsey Beer]] (''Dig''),<ref name="hodsonbeer" /> [[Zak Penn]] (''Pacific Rim 2''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Jeff Pinkner]] (''The Amazing Spider-Man 2'', ''Lost''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] (''Ant-Man''),<ref name="barrerferrari">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref> [[Ken Nolan]] (''Black Hawk Down''), and [[Geneva Robertson-Dworet]].<ref name="nolandworet">[http://www.slashfilm.com/transformers-writers-room/ Akiva Goldsman Teases 'Transformers' Franchise Plans]</ref> Involved in the pitching process are [[Steven Spielberg]], [[Michael Bay]], [[Brian Goldner]], [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]], [[Mark Vahradian]], and [[Don Murphy]].<ref name="deadlinereveal">[http://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref>
* October 3, 2015 — During his keynote speech at the MIP Junior Conference, [[Allspark (company)|Allspark]]'s [[Stephen J. Davis]] notes that the writing team has come up with film concepts for Transformers 5, 6, 7, and 8.<ref name="stephendaviskeynote">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_P2fw_DlS4&t=812 Stephen Davis's keynote speech] at MIPJunior.</ref>
* February 12, 2016 — At [[Toy Fair 2016]], Hasbro reveals the projected release date of Transformers 7, along with the dates for the two preceding films.<ref name="toyfairreveal" />
* September 23, 2017 — At Licensing Europe 2017, Hasbro announces Transformers 7 will have an "entirely new, exciting storyline".<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/09/23/2019-transformers-movie-feature-entirely-new-storyline-349463 2019 Transformers Movie To Feature An Entirely New Storyline] on TFW2005</ref>
* February 16, 2018 — Hasbro clarifies at [[Toy Fair 2018]] that the film will be a reset of the franchise and has been delayed indefinitely until a new creative team is in place.<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/02/16/transformers-cinematic-universe-current-movie-series-rebooted-358641 Transformers Cinematic Universe Is Over: Current Movie Series To Be Rebooted] on TFW2005</ref>
* May 24, 2018 — Paramount drops the film from their release schedule.<ref>[http://collider.com/transformers-7-cancelled/amp/ Paramount Officially Pulls the Next 'Transformers' Sequel from Their Release Date Schedule] on Collider</ref>
* March 15, 2019 — di Bonaventura states a sequel to ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' is in development.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/two-sequels-in-transformers-live-action-franchise-confirmed-in-development/43083/ Two Sequels in Transformers Live Action Franchise Confirmed in Development] on Seibertron</ref>
* March 18, 2019 — di Bonaventura claims that the next main ''Transformers'' film will be a reboot closely tied to the ''Bumblebee'' sequel, rather than a direct sequel to ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''. Either way, Paramount will pick the best script for ''Transformers 7'' and release that first.<ref>[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bumblebee-producer-says-next-transformers-movie-wi/1100-6465652/ Bumblebee Producer Says Next Transformers Movie Will Be A Reboot] on GameSpot</ref>
[[File:Stevencaplejr autobot cast.jpg|thumb|250px|Hey, you think ''that's'' speed? You ain't seen the Golden Rocket.]]
[[File:Stevencaplejr terrorcon cast.jpg|thumb|250px|Then we will create ''alternate forms'', based on the most powerful local creatures!]]
* January 27, 2020 — Variety reports two ''Transformers'' films are being penned, to be produced simultaneously: one written by [[James Vanderbilt]], another to be written by [[Joby Harold]].<ref>[https://variety.com/2020/film/news/transformers-franchise-revamp-bumblebee-james-vanderbilt-joby-harold-1203482496/ ‘Transformers’ Franchise Gets a Revamp With Two Separate Films in the Works] on Variety</ref> Deadline reports that Vanderbilt's script is for a spin-off film based on ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'', while Harold's script continues the story from the ''Bumblebee'' film.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/01/transformers-movies-paramount-1202843234/ Dual ‘Transformers’ Movies In The Works At Paramount] on Deadline</ref>
* May 2, 2020 — [[Hasbro]] CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms that a new Transformers live-action movie is slated to release on [[June 24]], 2022. However, only one between Harold's ''Bumblebee'' sequel and Vanderbilt's ''Beast Wars'' film will make it to production first.
* August 21, 2020 — New Republic Pictures is announced as a new co-financier for Paramount in a ten-picture deal in the wake of the success of 2019's ''Rocketman''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/08/paramount-pictures-new-republic-pictures-10-picture-cofinancing-deal-top-gun-maverick-1203018250/ New Republic Pictures Signs 10-Pic Co-Fi Deal With Paramount Pictures; ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Among Films] on Deadline</ref>
* November 16, 2020 — [[Steven Caple Jr.]] is announced as the director.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/11/transformers-director-steven-caple-jr-1234613830/ Transformers’: ‘Creed 2’ Director Steven Caple Jr. Tapped To Direct Next Installment In Paramount And Hasbro Franchise] on Deadline</ref>
* April 1, 2021 — [[Anthony Ramos]] is in talks for a starring role.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-7-cast-anthony-ramos/ Exclusive: Anthony Ramos in Talks to Star in New 'Transformers' Movie] at Collider</ref>
* April 29, 2021 — [[Dominique Fishback]] is in final negotiations to star in the film.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2021/04/transformers-dominique-fishback-anthony-ramos-paramount-eone-and-hasbro-franchise-1234746855/ 'Transformers': Dominique Fishback Lands Lead Role Opposite Anthony Ramos In Next Installment For The Paramount Franchise] on Deadline</ref>
* June 13, 2021 — A casting call sheet for filming in Montreal reveals that the film is set in [[1992]].<ref>[https://www.transformersfr.com/t5190p250-parlons-des-films-transformers-a-venir#190206 Rumeur ― le "7ème Film Transformers en prise de vue réelle" se déroulerait en 1992] on transformersfr.com</ref>
* June 22, 2021 — A Paramount virtual event is held in which the movie's title, premise, and few of the characters and cast are unveiled (revealing it to be both the ''Bumblebee'' and ''Beast Wars'' films in one).<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Currently attending a Paramount virtual event about the next #Transformers film. Report to follow!|link=https://twitter.com/search?q=(from%3ABWTF_Ben)%20until%3A2021-06-23%20since%3A2021-06-22|name=Ben Yee|site=Twitter|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=https://bwtf.com/news/rise-of-the-beasts-character-descriptions|name=Ben Yee|site=BWTF|title=Movie News: "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" Character Descriptions|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref> The film's logo and official premise are also unveiled on official Transformers social media accounts.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The battle on Earth is no longer just between Autobots and Decepticons… Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons join Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, in theatres June 24, 2022.|link=https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1407422768602181632|name=@transformers|site=Twitter|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref>
* June 28, 2021 — [[Ron Perlman]] is announced to be reprising his role as Optimus Primal from ''[[Transformers: Power of the Primes (cartoon)|Power of the Primes]]''. [[Darnell Metayer]] and [[Josh Peters]] are confirmed as writers, inspired by Joby Harold's earlier draft.<ref>{{citesocial|quote='''Ron Perlman''' has been tapped to voice Optimus Primal in '''''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''''', Collider has exclusively learned. [...] ''Rise of the Beasts'' will be led by rising stars '''Anthony Ramos''' (''In the Heights'') and '''Dominique Fishback''' (''Judas and the Black Messiah''), and '''Steven Caple Jr.''' (''Creed II'') is directing from a script by '''Darnell Metayer''' and '''Josh Peters''', who worked off an earlier draft by '''Joby Harold'''.|link=https://collider.com/ron-perlman-optimus-primal-voice-transformers-7-rise-of-the-beasts/|name=Jeff Sneider|site=Collider|title=Exclusive: 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Adds Ron Perlman as Voice of Optimus Primal|year=2021|month=06|day=28}}</ref>
* July 11, 2021 — Rapper [[Tobe Nwigwe]] announces on Instagram that he's been cast in the movie.<ref>[https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/music/houston-s-tobe-nwigwe-earns-emmy-nom-16317174 Houston’s Tobe Nwigwe earns Emmy nom, 'Transformers' role] from the Houston Chronicle</ref>
* October 6, 2021 — Caple Jr. reveals the vehicle modes for the Autobot and Terrorcon cast through his Instagram account.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The squad is out…|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CUsm_wyLory/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2021|month=10|day=06}}</ref>
* October 20, 2021 — Filming is completed.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=That’s a wrap 🎬|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CVOw5z2r9TP/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2021|month=10|day=20}}</ref>
* October 21, 2021 — Cuscopolita reports on the vehicles with the film's Peru crew, confirming the unidentified vehicles as [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] and [[Battletrap (ROTB)|Battletrap]].<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.facebook.com/cuscopolitamagazine/videos/1941112319403899|name=Cuscopolita|site=Facebook|title=Exclusiva con los Transformers|year=2021|month=10|day=20}}</ref>
* October 22, 2021 — Ramos makes a guest appearance on [[Hasbro Pulse Con 2021]], confirming Cheetor, his favorite ''Beast Wars'' character, will be in the film.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I am a ''Transformers'' fan, ''Beast Wars'' fan, Cheetor is my #1 favorite of all time, so it's dope to have Cheetor, to be in this movie with Cheetor, it's gonna be crazy.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjtxJqrv-bI&t=6051s|name=Anthony Ramos|site=YouTube|title=Hasbro PulseCon 2021 - DAY ONE|year=2021|month=10|day=22}}</ref>
* November 10, 2021 — Paramount announces the film has been delayed to [[June 9]], [[2023]].<ref name="2023release">{{citesocial|quote=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts has moved back a year and will now bow June 9, 2023. It previously was slated for June 24, 2022.|link=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-trek-transformers-movie-release-date-1235045937/|name=Aaron Couch|site=The Hollywood Reporter|title=‘Star Trek,’ ‘Transformers’ Movies Pushed Back at Paramount|year=2021|month=11|day=10}}</ref>
* February 15, 2022 — Paramount confirms that ''Rise of the Beasts'' will be the first entry in a trilogy of films.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will be released theatrically in 2023 and is the first of three new installments. A new animated series from @Nickelodeon arrives this fall. And in 2024, the franchise expands further with a CG animated Transformers theatrical film. #ParamountPlus|link=https://twitter.com/paramountplus/status/1493706271207292928|name=Paramount+|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=02|day=15}}</ref>
* October 11, 2022 — Caple Jr. reveals through Instagram that [[Pete Davidson]] is the voice of Mirage, and [[Michelle Yeoh]] is the voice of Airazor.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Sneak peek of Pete voicing Mirage & @michelleyeoh_official blessing us as the voice of Air Razor|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjlx3PPPC_J/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=10|day=11}}</ref>
* October 21, 2022 — [[Tobe Nwigwe]] states on an Instagram post that they are doing some re-shoots for ''Rise of the Beasts'', including featuring his character in additional scenes.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The head people from ''Transformers'' said I did so good in my part they wanna add me to some more scenes. So I gotta go shoot some more stuff for ''Transformers''.|link=https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cj9PnevsVb1/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY|name=Tobe Nwigwe|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=10|day=21}}</ref>
[[File:ROTBTeaserPoster.jpg|thumb|250px|right]]
* December 1, 2022 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWWDskI46Js official teaser trailer] is released by Paramount Pictures in conjunction with São Paulo's CCXP convention, giving audiences a first glimpse of the film and its various characters, including Mirage, Arcee, Scourge and the Maximals. Multiple voice cast members are also announced.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2022/12/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-peter-dinklage-liza-koshy-john-dimaggio-cast-1235186104/]</ref>
* December 2, 2022 — [[Jongnic Bontemps]] is announced as the film's score composer.<ref>[http://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/12/02/jongnic-bontemps-to-compose-music-for-steven-caple-jr-s-transformers-rise-of-the-beasts/]</ref>
* December 16, 2022 — Caple Jr. shares a clip of Peter Cullen performing on his Instagram account.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=🐐|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CmPM80yPcsP/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=12|day=16}}</ref>
* December 26, 2022 — Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal make a "guest" appearance on the 2022 [[Nickelodeon]] Nickmas NFL game, showcasing both modes and their transformations.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5X0F_AvY8Q YouTube upload] of a recording for Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal on the 2022 Nickmas NFL game</ref>
* January 31, 2023 — [[Sam Smith]] reveals toy concept art for a new character from the film, [[Freezer]].<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CoFlXXNOly1/</ref>
* February 12, 2023 — Paramount airs a 30-second TV spot detailing Mirage's Porsche 911 vehicle mode for Super Bowl LVII in collaboration with Porsche.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/02/2023-super-bowl-movie-trailers-the-flash-fast-x-transformers-ant-man-expected-1235247160/ Super Bowl Movie Trailer Spots Will Include ‘The Flash’, ‘Fast X’, ‘Transformers’ & ‘Ant-Man’ — Deadline]</ref>
* April 2, 2023 — During the 2023 NCAA Division I Men's Final Four on CBS, Paramount aired a first-of-its-kind mixed reality TV spot that showed off Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal appearing on a 90s basketball court that transformed from the court the actual basketball match was being played on. A few brief clips from the first trailer were also shown.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeeIfpbUAHg]</ref>
* April 6, 2023 — Actor [[Tongayi Chirisa]] announces on Instagram that he is the voice of Cheetor.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So there is a story to this!!! Per the usual standard .. I had to sign an NDA, so I had NO IDEA what I was reading for.. it was only when I was in the booth to do my voice over that it dawned on me that I was reading for TRANSFORMERS Like what!!!🤯🤯🤯🤯 I totally geeked out in the moment.. Man, to say this is mad exciting is an understatement... So thankful. So honored, so blessed!!!! Massive shout out and THANK YOU to @stevencaplejr for putting your boi on! Appreciate you, fam!!! @transformersmovie..🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 IT WAS ALL A DREAM!!!! Welcome, y'all. I am your transformer #CHEETOR!!!! Let's goooo!!!!!! #NdezvaMwari #Yeshua #smallbeginnings #ontherise|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqs_PQ1J_s6/|name=Tongayi Chirisa|site=Instagram|year=2023|month=04|day=06}}</ref>
* April 14, 2023 — To promote the film, Optimus Prime introduces Tobe Nwigwe's performance of "[[On My Soul]]" at {{w|Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella}}.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Calling all Autobots. @TobeNwigwe and #OptimusPrime have rolled out to #Coachella. #Transformers #RiseOfTheBeasts|link=https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1647069845731803136|name=Transformers|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=04|day=14}}</ref>
* April 27, 2023 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itnqEauWQZM official trailer] is released by Paramount Pictures, revealing more of the movie and Unicron's role in the plot, as well as delivering a first, brief look at the Predacons.
* May 6, 2023 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxore0Gxwpc first clip] was showcased at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards, showing the Autobots' first interaction with the Maximals.
* May 12, 2023 — The website Puliwood reveals the film's Hungarian dub cast...including the voice of [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]], a character that had not yet been announced to be appearing in the film.<ref>[https://www.puliwood.hu/ismertetok/exkluziv-ilyen-szinkronhangokkal-jon-a-transformers-a-fenevadak-kora-325900.html EXKLUZÍV: ilyen szinkronhangokkal jön a Transformers: A fenevadak kora]</ref>
* May 27, 2023 — The film's world premiere is held at Marina Bay Sands in [[Singapore]].
* June 5, 2023 — David Sobolov confirms on Instagram that he is also voicing Apelinq in the film.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CtIhCcwu4Ld/|quote=#transformers #riseofthebeasts fans… I just saw our epic premiere in Brooklyn! Tonight, I’m excited to reveal that I am the voice… of Apelinq!|name=David Sobolov|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=06|day=05}}</ref>
{{--}}

===Changes before, during, and after production===
* An early cut of the film opened with a different prologue, in which a Decepticon named [[Transit (ROTB)|Transit]], dispatched from a Decepticon-controlled Cybertron to hunt down Optimus Prime, battles and is killed by Optimus, who dumps his body in the Hudson River alongside numerous other Decepticons who have tried to do the same in the past few years. The scene was dropped due to test audiences fiding it too dark, but [[John DiMaggio]] remains credited as the voice of Transit even in the finished film. Most of the visual effects for the scene were completed, and it was included (sans the river-dumping part) as a bonus feature with the movie's home media release.
**The scene was replaced for the finished film with Unicron's attack on the Maximal homeworld, which in the earlier cut was recounted by Airazor with hologram visual-aids during the scene when she meets the Autobots mid-movie.
* Cheetor and Rhinox were initially intended to be introduced slightly earlier, encountering Elena and Noah in the underground cavern. In scenes interspered with the Autobots' and Terrorcons' running battle on the hilltop road, Cheetor was to be the one who took down the Freezer menacing the two humans, after which Noah's gauntlet would accidentally fire a shot at the Maximal, causing him and Rhinox to chase them throug the cave. Cut in favour of making the Autobot/Terrorcon battle one unbroken scene, the alternate version was included as a bonus on the home media release.
* Multiple changes were made to the film's ending, which originally had a much darker tone like the scrapped opening. Originally, Mirage wasn't planned to survive the final battle, and Optimus would have been sucked into the portal after destroying the Transwarp Key and wind up floating in space before Unicron in the post-credits scene. Reactions by the audience in test screenings convinced Caple to change the ending to something a bit more hopeful, wanting to let the good guys get a solid win.<ref name=AltEnding/> The scene of Prime and Unicron was included as an extra with the home media release.
*Two versions of the final scene were filmed: one in which Agent Burke's business card reveals him to be part of [[Sector Seven]], and the version used in the film, in which he's part of G.I. Joe. Accordingly to Caple, the Sector Seven version was filmed only as misdirection, and the G.I. Joe version was always the one he intended to use.<ref name=Joe/>
*Other deleted/extended scenes included on the home media release include: Elena's moment of panicked disbelief (prominently showcased in the movie's trailer) shortly after the museum battle; Noah speaking with his mother when he returns home after the museum battle; a moment between Elena and Airazor before Mirage and Noah join the group to depart for Peru, in which Airazor explains the Maximal insignia; and a short scene of Optimus Primal about to hand the Transwarp Key over to Optimus Prime, before they are interrupted by Airazor's rampage.
*Additional cuts not represented in the extras from throughout the film included: a scene of Bumblebee showing a polaroid of himself and [[Charlie Watson]] to Optimus Prime as they wait outside the museum, to emphasise that some humans are trustworthy; innuendos between Arcee and Wheeljack that hint at a romantic attraction between the two; some dialogue from Scourge emphasising that (not unlike Galvatron in the original animated movie) he is an unwilling servant of Unicron; a scene of Wheeljack lending his glasses to Optimus Prime to uses like a telescope; and an alternate plan to destroy the Transwarp Key in the final act that involves using the deceased Airazor's spark as a bomb, only for the bomb to be lost, leaving Elena to figure out the codes.
{{--}}

==Notes==
* In a first for the franchise, the lead human actors, multiple writers, the composer, and the director are all people of color.
* This is the first movie in the series not to be worked on by [[Industrial Light & Magic]]; this time around the CG effects were done by [[Moving Picture Company]] and [[WetaFX]].
* Steven Caple Jr. was initially sceptical of working on a ''Transformers'' movie, which at that point in development was being called ''Bumblebee 2'', because he was uncertain about jumping right into another sequel after directing ''{{w|Creed II}}''—however, the incorporation of elements inspired by ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', which Caple Jr. had been a fan of, helped sway him. Upon joining the project, he pitched several revisions, drawing from his enthusiasm for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' by adding [[Unicron]] (and the [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s) and Noah's exosuit, along with a prologue on the [[Maximal]]s' homeworld and a new arc for [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] centred around his initial misanthropy.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The first time that- I did ''Creed 2'', and the first time the studio ever knocked on my door, it was for ''Bumblebee 2''. And I was like, "I don't want to do- I just came out from ''Creed 2'', I don't want to do a sequel..." you know? And so a year had gone by—or maybe two, right before COVID—and they said, "we found out the story we want to tackle: we want to bring in ''Beast Wars''." I was like, "I know all about ''Beast Wars'', I'm down for ''Beast Wars''." And so they developed a script on their own, they passed it to me—2020, October 5th, I remember the date—and I jumped right in and I kind of did my own version of the pitch, I said: "I love where you guys are going, you guys want to do New York, you guys want to do the 90s, you want to do Peru, but here's what I'll do, with the characters..." So I changed up Optimus Prime, I gave him a whole pitch on how I would start him with like, not loving humans at first, and not besiding Noah right off the rip, they're gonna have friction between the two... Gave 'em a pitch for Optimus Primal, where they start off in the top of the movie, and I gave them a new Unicron- I mean a new villain, which was Unicron and the Terrorcon squad. I just felt like, as a fan, we've been tiptoeing around Unicron, and all the other films kind of like hinted towards him towards the end, and I just really want to expand the universe and I felt like he was that perfect source to do so, because he tells us there's another world out there, there's more Transformers out there, it's not just Autobots and Decepticons. And then of course the [[exosuit]], that was my idea, it was homage to the 80s cartoon, so... It was a bit of that, pitched it to 'em and they loved the heart, they love where I was going with the direction of the characters, and yeah, they kind of gave me the key to play!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxUukVwKLCc|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Collider|title=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Interview: Director Reveals Big Change to Film|year=2023|month=06|day=06}}</ref>
* [[Tobe Nwigwe]]'s character of [[Reek]] was based Steven Caple Jr.'s friend Tarik Jackson, who passed away before shooting began in 2021.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The way I got the ''Transformers'' role was insane. [...] One of [Steven Caple Jr.'s] best friends was a fan of the music, and his best friend, right, like, as they was getting ready to start shooting the movie... passed. Passed, yeah. And he had Paramount Studios reach out to me to try to play a specific- the best friend role in ''Transformers''. They kind of emulated who his best friend was in real life. He told Paramount [...] "reach out to Tobe and if he send anything back that's even ''halfway'' decent... I want to use him." But because I had never done no acting ever in my life, I just had this script right here, and just read it like I was acting, and just recorded myself on the iPhone and I was like, "yo there's no way in hell..." [...] I did that, sent that in, and they liked it!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfAoWTKh3R8&t=2638s|name=Tobe Nwigwe|site=Sway's Universe|year=2023|month=01|day=23}}</ref>
*The fourth-wall-breaking [[Mark Wahlberg]] namedrop was ad-libbed by [[Pete Davidson]].<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We wanted to break the fourth wall. In all fairness, Pete Davidson made that up in the booth, and we laughed so hard, we're like in tears, and we're like there's no way we could not use this. We had ad-libbed a whole bunch of stuff. One was on, "Beanie Babies was weird", and he was like, what about Marky Mark leaving the Funky Bunch? And we were just in tears. And then we showed the studio and everybody loved it and was like, "let's just break the fourth wall. Do it."|link=https://gizmodo.com/breaking-the-fourth-wall-in-transformers-rise-of-the-b-1850514340|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=io9|title=Breaking the Fourth Wall in ''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''|year=2023|month=06|day=09}}</ref>
* During the production of the film, Ramos had to acquire a driver's license at Caple Jr.'s behest.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4DDi5f1SL4oESslcZLjhhG|name=Anthony Ramos|site=the Spout Podcast|year=2021}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|quote=I had a two-week window to get an appointment at the DMV, and the DMV was initially uncooperative. Finally, after much haggling, I was able to secure an appointment. I took the test in my mother's car after a few months of practice with an instructor. Fortunately, I was able to pass.|link=https://theplaylist.net/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-anthony-ramos-talks-representation-in-franchises-getting-his-drivers-license-for-the-film-interview-20230607/|name=Anthony Ramos|site=The Playlist|title='Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts': Anthony Ramos Talks Representation In Franchises & Getting His Driver's License For The Film [Interview]|year=2023|month=06|day=07}}</ref>
* During an interview with a fan, voice actor David Sobolov revealed that Caple Jr. would create storyboards using Transformers toys. Awesome!<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdsfclO5etE&t=1106 "ROTB UNICRON IS THRILLING!" | Interview with DAVID SOBOLOV (Rhinox + Battletrap)! - YouTube]</ref>
* According to Caple Jr., Optimus's unmasked face was modeled after Peter Cullen's.
* As a result of Transit's removal, this is the first live-action film to not feature the Decepticons in any capacity.
* To keep the secret of the ''G.I. Joe'' tease at the end of the movie, most copies of the script and the version of the scene shot for test screenings all used [[Sector Seven]] instead. Michael Kelly also didn't know the big twist with his character until he arrived on set. Caple Jr. even had only a single ''G.I. Joe'' business card printed, on the day of filming, and took it from the set himself afterwards for safekeeping!<ref name=Joe>{{citesocial|quote=There was one version of the script that mentioned the G.I. Joe reveal. All other copies, including the one in the studio's possession, described the military organization as Sector 7. "That way no one could leak the script," Caple notes. [...] Caple says they shot two versions of Kelly's scene, one where Burke's business card reads Sector 7 and one where the card reads G.I. Joe, so audiences in test screenings wouldn't know the true reveal. There was only one copy of the G.I. Joe business card, and Caple took that himself from set for safe keeping. "I was like, 'I'm taking this. I don't want this to be found on the floor,'" he says. "I actually didn't have them printed out until that day [on set]. We were very cautious of it, man. We were really trying to be as secretive as possible."|link=https://ew.com/movies/transformers-g-i-joe-crossover-plans/|name=Nick Romano|site=Entertainment Weekly|title=Inside the top-secret plans for Transformers and G.I. Joe|year=2023|month=06|day=12}}</ref>
*This is the first live-action Transformers movie where the Japanese dub wasn't sound directed by [[Keiichirō Miyoshi]] but instead it is directed by [[Yoshikazu Iwanami]] who had been responsible for the original Beast Wars cartoons dubs localization.

===Foreign names===
* ''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/Beast Kakusei''''' (トランスフォーマー/ビースト覚醒 ''Toransufōmā Bīsuto Kakusei'', "Transformers: Beast Awakening")
* ''Cantonese:'' '''''Bin3jing4 Gam1gong1: Kwong4sau3 Gwat6hei2''''' (變形金剛：狂獸崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts")
* ''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Réveil des Bêtes''''' (Canada, "Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''German:'' '''''Transformers: Aufstieg der Bestien''''' ("Transformers: Rise of the Beasts")
* ''Hungarian:'' '''''Transformers: A fenevadak kora''''' ("Transformers: The Age of the Beasts")
* ''Italian: '' '''''Transformers: Il Risveglio''''' ("Transformers: The Awakening")
* ''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Wàn Shòu Juéqǐ''''' (Taiwan, 變形金剛：萬獸崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts"), '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Chāonéng Yǒngshì Juéqǐ''''' (China, 变形金刚：超能勇士崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beast Wars")
* ''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Despertar das Feras''''' (Brazil, "Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: El Despertar de las Bestias''''' ("Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Voskhozhdeniye Zverobotov''''' (Трансформеры: Восхождение Звероботов, "Transformers: Rise of the Beastbots")
* ''Ukrainian:'' '''''Transformery: Chas Zvirobotiv''''' (Трансформери: Час Звіроботів, "Transformers: Time of the Beastbots")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Real world films]]
[[Category:Rise of the Beasts| ]]
[[Category:Rise of the Beasts media]]

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)

2023-07-16T22:19:09Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{nav-rotb}}
{{movie|
|seriess=[[Live-action film series]]
|prev=Bumblebee (film)
|next=
|title=''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''
|image=Transformers Rise of the Beasts Theatrical Poster.jpeg
|caption=So for now, let the battle be here, on this strange, primitive world. And let it be called... Beast Wars!
|production companies=[[Skydance Media]] [[Entertainment One]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] [[New Republic Pictures]] [[Michael Bay|Bay Films]]
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Brian Goldner]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[Bradley J. Fischer]] [[Valerii An]] [[David Ellison]] [[Dana Goldberg]] [[Don Granger]]
|associate producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Duncan Henderson]]
|story by=[[Joby Harold]]
|screenplay by=[[Joby Harold]] [[Darnell Metayer]] [[Josh Peters]] [[Erich Hoeber]] [[Jon Hoeber]]
|directed by=[[Steven Caple Jr.]]
|cinematography by=[[Enrique Chediak]]
|edited by=[[Stuart Levy]] [[Brett M. Reed]]
|music by=[[Jongnic Bontemps]]
|release date=[[June 9]], [[2023]]
|continuity=[[Live-action film series]]
|runtime=127 minutes <ref>https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/C0D78E2B005A16FE</ref>
|budget=$200 million
|box office=$420 million<ref>https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/?ref_=bo_nb_yld_tab</ref>
}}
'''''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''''' is the seventh film in the [[live-action film series]], serving both as a sequel to ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' and a tribute to ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]''. The film is directed by [[Steven Caple Jr.]] and written by [[Joby Harold]], [[Darnell Metayer]], [[Josh Peters]], [[Erich Hoeber]], and [[Jon Hoeber]]. Originally expected to be released on [[June 28]], [[2019]],<ref name="toyfairreveal">[http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/02/12/transformers-5-transformers-6-bumblebee-spin-off-movie-revealed-309503 Transformers 5, Transformers 6 And Bumblebee Spin-Off Movie Revealed] ToyFair news at TFW2005</ref> the film was delayed multiple times until finally being released on [[June 9]], [[2023]].<ref name="2023release"/>

When [[Noah Diaz]], a struggling young man trying to provide for his family, is roped into a conflict between the marooned [[Autobot]]s and the recently arrived [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcons]], he must learn to work with weary Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] so they, with the help of the wise [[Maximal]]s and the unadventurous researcher [[Elena Wallace]], can stop the arrival of the planet-eater [[Unicron]].

==Synopsis==
[[File:ROTBcap-Unicronringedplanet.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|This is one unusual planet... whatever it is.]]

Somewhere in time and space, the dark god [[Unicron]] and his minions invade a [[Jungle Planet (colony)|jungle world]] populated by [[Maximal]]s. Unicron, seeking a way to cross galaxies, sends his [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]] herald [[Scourge (ROTB)|Scourge]] to retrieve the [[Transwarp Key]], an advanced device that can open portals in space-time. Although the Maximals attempt to fight back, their leader [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]] entrusts [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] and a small group of Maximals—[[Airazor (ROTB)|Airazor]], [[Cheetor (ROTB)|Cheetor]], and [[Rhinox (ROTB)|Rhinox]]—with the Transwarp Key and orders them to keep the artifact from Unicron. As Primal and his followers use the key to escape their doomed planet and flee to prehistoric [[Earth]], Scourge kills Apelinq after a brief fight and takes his [[insignia]] as a trophy.

Thousands of years later, in the year [[1994]], ex-military electronics expert [[Noah Diaz]] attempts to find a job to support his sick brother [[Kris Diaz|Kris]]. However, after another failed interview, his friend [[Reek]] convinces him to steal an expensive car from a nearby hotel. However, the "car" turns out to be the Autobot [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] in disguise, who takes the terrified Noah on a joyride through the streets of [[New York City]]. At the same time, a museum on Ellis Island comes into possession of an unusual stone falcon with a Maximal insignia. After closing hours, museum intern [[Elena Wallace]] investigates the statue and accidentally breaks it open to reveal half of the Transwarp Key. The artifact releases an energy pulse that attracts the attention of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and the other Autobots, who have been stranded on Earth since their evacuation of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] seven years prior. Prime summons the nearest Autobots—[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], and Mirage, who arrives at the meeting spot with Noah in tow. Although Optimus distrusts humans, he believes that they can use the Transwarp Key to return home and liberate their homeworld; eventually, Mirage hatches a scheme to sneak into the museum and have Noah steal the key for them.

[[File:Scourge about to blast bee.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|A treacherous, underhanded sneak attack! I like you, pussycat, yes.]]

Unbeknownst to the Autobots, the accidental activation of the Transwarp Key summons the Terrorcons to Earth. Noah meets Elena inside the museum, but cannot convince her to turn over the relic before the Terrorcons attack; despite Prime's best efforts, Scourge successfully overpowers the Autobot leader, steals the Transwarp Key, and mortally injures Bumblebee before Airazor arrives to help drive the villains away. Airazor explains that the Maximals have been on Earth for millennia, and deliberately split the Transwarp Key in half to prevent Unicron or his followers from using it. The loss of Bumblebee only further galvanizes Optimus's resolve that they must reassemble the key and return home; Noah, fearful of Unicron's arrival, tells Elena that they must destroy the key to protect their own homeworld.

[[File:ROTB-Maximalstandoff.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Moderate your conflict circuits, Maximals.]]

Elena deduces that the other half of the key is located in a hidden temple in [[Peru]], and Prime recruits the airborne Autobot [[Stratosphere]] to take them there. Near the city of [[Cusco]], the Autobot [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] guides them to the temple, located beneath a [[Convent of Santo Domingo|local monastery]]. A festival prevents the Autobots from moving through the city inconspicuously; as a result, Noah and Elena must make the journey on foot. The pair discover a hidden mechanism that leads to a hidden temple with a stone sarcophogus but find that the other half of the key is no longer inside it. The Terrorcons attack again, and although the Autobots are able to evade the villains, the conflict ends with Scourge infecting Airazor with a portion of Unicron's dark energy. On the other side of the temple, Noah and Elena encounter Optimus Primal and the other two Maximals, who, after a brief standoff that was defused by Airazor, agree to join forces with the Autobots. Optimus Primal explains that they entrusted the Transwarp Key to a tribe of humans who live near the [[energon]]-rich valley that Primal and his followers inhabit—while Optimus Prime distrusts humanity, Primal has lived among them for millennia, and has come to view them as friends and even allies.

The next morning, however, Scourge's corruption finally overtakes Airazor; in the ensuing battle, Primal is forced to kill her to save Elena. Amidst the chaos, Noah makes an attempt to destroy their half of the Transwarp Key until Optimus convinces him to stand down. However, amidst the chaos, Scourge and the Terrorcons steal the other half of the key and relocate to a nearby volcano, which they reshape into a massive portal that will summon Unicron to Earth.
Having found some common ground between their two races, Optimus Prime and Noah agree to work together; while the Autobot-Maximal alliance battle Unicron's minions, Noah and Elena attempt to sneak into the Terrorcon base and deactivate the [[Unspace|transwarp]] device with a manual shutdown code based on Elena's studies of the Maximal language. Mirage attempts to distract Scourge so that the humans can complete their mission, but the Terrorcon leader gravely injures him; with the last of his strength, Mirage reshapes his body into an [[exosuit]] for Noah. As Unicron begins pushing his way through the portal to Earth and sending down reinforcements in the form of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Scorponok (ROTB)|Scorponok]]s, the energy pulses released by the key ignite the nearby energon deposits and restore Bumblebee to life. As Bumblebee joins the fight, Optimus Prime gains the upper hand and finally kills Scourge, but not before the Terrorcon damages the console and leaves the heroes unable to close the portal. With no other options, Prime destroys the key and triggers a devastating implosion, but Noah and Primal successfully rescue the Autobot leader from falling into the collapsing vortex.

In the aftermath, the surviving Maximals remain in Peru, while the Autobots return to America. Elena is recognized for her archeological discovery, while Noah applies for another security job—but discovers that the job opportunity is actually a front for a clandestine government organization codenamed "[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]," who promise to cover his brother's treatment going forward.

Some time later, Noah has used spare Porsche parts to cobble together a new body for Mirage, and reveals his existence to a bewildered Reek.

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Autobot]]s / [[Maximal]]s|c1=
;Autobots
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
* [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage]] ([[Pete Davidson]])
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
* [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] ([[Liza Koshy]])
* [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] ([[Cristo Fernández]])
* [[Stratosphere]] ([[John DiMaggio]])

;Maximals
* [[Optimus Primal (ROTB)|Optimus Primal]] ([[Ron Perlman]])
* [[Airazor (ROTB)|Airazor]] ([[Michelle Yeoh]])
* [[Rhinox (ROTB)|Rhinox]] ([[David Sobolov]])
* [[Cheetor (ROTB)|Cheetor]] ([[Tongayi Chirisa]])
* [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]] (David Sobolov)

|h2=[[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s / [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s|c2=
;Terrorcons
* [[Scourge (ROTB)|Scourge]] ([[Peter Dinklage]])
* [[Nightbird (ROTB)|Nightbird]] ([[Michaela Jaé Rodriguez]])
* [[Battletrap (ROTB)|Battletrap]] (David Sobolov)
* [[Freezer]]

;Predacons
* [[Scorponok (ROTB)|Scorponok]]

|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
* [[Noah Diaz]] ([[Anthony Ramos]])
* [[Elena Wallace]] ([[Dominique Fishback]])
* [[Breanna Diaz]] ([[Luna Lauren Velez]])
* [[Kris Diaz]] ([[Dean Scott Vasquez]])
* [[Reek]] ([[Tobe Nwigwe]])
* [[Jillian Robinson]] ([[Sarah Stiles]])
* [[Bishop (ROTB)|Bishop]] ([[Aidan Devine]])
* [[Mrs. Greene]] ([[Leni Parker]])
* [[Amaru]] ([[Lucas Huarancca]])
;[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]
* [[Agent Burke]] ([[Michael Kelly (actor)|Michael Kelly]])

|h4=Others|c4=
* [[Unicron]] ([[Colman Domingo]])
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Quotes==
"There’s a legend that precedes the dawn of our civilization: a vile god so large, so powerful, that it consumes entire planets as fuel. Few believed such a thing could be true, until the day we saw Unicron with our own eyes…"
:—'''Optimus Primal's''' opening narration.

"I'll hold him off, buy you some time." 
"Then I'm staying with you." 
"This is my fight. Listen, if Unicron were to get the key, he could open a portal through [[Transwarp Drive|time and space]], with no end to the worlds he could destroy. It is now your time to lead the [[Maximal|Maximals]]... Optimus Primal."
:—'''Apelinq''' passing the torch to '''Optimus Primal'''.

"So you're this planet's... ''great'' warrior. You have such a beautiful world, filled with an abundance of life. Savory."
:—'''Scourge''' waxes poetic to Apelinq.

"Benefits, to serving the almighty Unicron."
:—'''Scourge''' taking Apelinq's insignia and placing it on himself [[Lockdown (Animated)|as a trophy]].

"You let them slip away with the Transwarp Key. Scour the universe, and find where the Maximals have gone. When you acquire the key, use it to bring me to you." 
"Yes, my lord." 
"Once I have the key, I alone will reign supreme!"
:—'''Unicron''' charging '''Scourge''' with finding the Transwarp Key.

"Okay, what are the rules?" 
"Bros before hoes." 
''[Noah glares at Kris]'' 
''(sigh)'' "Don't be a problem. Don't go looking for a problem—" 
"Or else we're gonna have a problem."
:—'''Noah''' and '''Kris''' clarify the rules.

"I ain't breaking into a museum for some space robots." 
"But what about for friendship?" 
''[Noah stares at Mirage incredulously]'' 
"Uh, Uh-- or or ''or'', what about for cash?"
:—'''Noah''' wants out. '''Mirage''' wants him in.

''"You can't handle the truth!"'' 
"I do not want you going to that drive-in theater anymore."
:— '''Bumblebee's''' references grate on '''Optimus Prime'''.

"Stop following me!" 
"I'm not following you, I'm just escaping in the same direction!"
:—'''Elena''' and '''Noah''' run from the pursuing Freezers.

"And you call yourself a Prime...Primus would be ''ashamed.''"
:—'''Scourge''' isn't too impressed with Optimus Prime.

"You fool! This is only half the key!" 
"Please.. the Maximals... They must have split it..." 
"Excuses! Complete the key, or else you will wish you had died with the rest of your planet!"
:—'''Unicron''' doesn't take failure lightly.

"I'm going to take back Scourge's key, and then...''take off his head.''"
:—The origins of '''Optimus Prime's''' "GIVE ME YOUR FACE" phase.

"I love your fire, Prime, but you're going to die on this speck of dust." 
"I can think of no better place to bury you!"
:—'''Scourge''' has gotten on '''Optimus Prime's''' last nerve

"I am sorry, Noah." 
"You were looking out for your own. I can't even be angry at you for that." 
"On my homeworld, we believe that the battle with darkness will continue [['Til all are one|'til all are one]]. I lost sight of that. You fought for yours as I fought for mine, when we should've been fighting the darkness together." 
"But I ain't done fighting yet."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Noah''' have a moment as Unicron approaches.

"''I have come here to kick ass!''"
:—'''Bumblebee''' announces his return with a clear message.

"Time to show you the real power of a Prime!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' lays the smackdown on Scourge. An ass kicker cometh.

"Don't, Prime. I can give you everything you want." 
"Then DIE!"
:—'''Unicron's''' temptation falls flat in '''Optimus Prime's''' face.

"I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. We have lost the Transwarp Key, and with it, our ability to go home. But we have gained an ally in our battle against the forces of evil. Forces too powerful for any of us to defeat on our own, but together, we might just have a chance."
:—'''Optimus Prime's''' closing narration. We missed them.

"I am Noah Diaz. What is there to know about me? I was raised out in Brooklyn. I got a little bro who calls me Sonic, and if I gotta help save the universe in order to help save the people I love, well then that's what I'm gonna do."
:—'''Noah''' does his own closing narration.

==Continuity notes==
''Rise of the Beasts'' is a direct sequel to 2018's ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' film, taking place seven years after its events, in 1994. The plot of the film has little impact on this one, beyond it being established that the Autobots have been stranded on Earth since arriving at its end. While waiting for Noah to infiltrate the museum, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee have a conversation that alludes to Bee's time with [[Charlie Watson]].

More notably, ''Rise of the Beasts'' serves to continue the heated debate among fans over whether or not the ''Transformers'' live-action film series has been rebooted, after reshoots to ''Bumblebee'' that served to distance it from the earlier films directed by [[Michael Bay]] introduced some significant discontinuities with Bay's films (2017's ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'' in particular). Though fans were quick to jump on the idea that this meant the film was a total, hard reboot of the movie universe, Paramount has not commited to that idea; ''Rise of the Beasts'' was not promoted as a reboot any more than ''Bumblebee'' was, and many reviews of and articles about the film have casually referred to it as a prequel. Some web outlets would even run articles commenting on Paramount's hazy stance on the movie's (and ''Bumblebee'''s) place in continuity.<ref>[https://www.cbr.com/transformers-7-bumblebee-reboot-mistake "Rise of the Beasts Is Repeating Bumblebee's Worst Mistake" on CBR.com]</ref><ref>[https://movieweb.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-is-a-reboot/ "Why Does Paramount Keep Pretending Rise of the Beasts Is Not a Reboot?" on MovieWeb.com]</ref>

In-keeping with this, in the run-up to the film's release, like [[Travis Knight]] before him, director Steven J. Caple Jr. was reluctant to declare the film a full and total continuity reboot, stating that it is a "refresher" and a "new direction," that is nonetheless preserving many elements of the films that have gone before.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=It's a reboot for sure. The Bayverse... you can still watch the Bayverse and be on your own verse, so to speak. With us, we're definitely like, we want this to work, you know? We want people to... it's a refresher, so we can call reboot in terms of like, where we were starting. But yeah so definitely a new direction for sure. There's some things you could probably connect to it, clearly Bee is like a huge connection to all the movies, you know what I mean? In terms of his car, his design, a Camaro, and things like that, but... it's a very small one, in terms of the big ideas that we have. And so you guys will see definitely where we're going at the end of this film, which is crazy.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MfMFxvT_-Q&t=2452s|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=The Alfonso Nation|title="BAYVERSE vs REBOOT" & Wheeljacks Design | ROTB DIRECTOR STEVEN CAPLE JR Interview!|year=2023|month=05|day=27}}</ref> Longtime producer [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] has taken a more explicit stance, repeatedly denying that the film is a reboot and stating that it is a prequel that shows how Optimus Prime grows to become the character seen in the Bay films.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Hey you know if you look at it from a timeline point of view, it follows ''Bumblebee''... but it is a prequel, in that it's before all the previous movies. So it sort of exists in its own way. What I don't think it is, is a reboot, because it's still our characters. One of the things that Steven brought to the table right from the beginning, which was so great, was the idea that when we meet Optimus Prime, he's different than what we think of him, and we're watching him grow up—if you would—as a leader. And for me that was one of the most exciting parts of the movie, and what was interesting was watching it with audiences, and at first they were uncomfortable a little bit, like, "wait, that's not exactly the Optimus... he should like humans!" You know? So I think it gives the movie a really interesting point of view, and that therefore it stands alone in that way.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h11sKGYcq9k&t=871s|name=Lorenzo di Bonaventura|site=a panel at the premiere of ''Rise of the Beasts''|year=2023|month=05|day=26}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|quote=But what's interesting is, and you will appreciate this as a fan, at the end of ''Bumblebee'', Optimus comes to Earth. What he's experienced is failure, probably for the first time in his life, right? He's had to retreat, he's leaving the planet Cybertron. What's happened to him from that experience? When we meet him in 2007, he's a particular person, if you would. In 1994, he's not the same person. He still has growth to do between ‘94 and 2007. So the character arc for Optimus in this, and the fun for the audience is, when you first meet Optimus – and we've had this experience because we've watched it with audiences and we've heard them talk about it – they're like, “It's definitely Optimus, but there's something a little different…” At first, they're like, “Wait, what, who… what Optimus is this?” And by the end of the movie, Optimus has become the guy that you've recognized from the Bay movies. Emotional.|link=https://collider.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-michael-bay-movies-producer-comments/|name=Lorenzo di Bonaventura|site=Collider|title='Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Producer on How It Differs From Michael Bay's Movies|year=2023|month=05|day=24}}</ref> At the same time, di Bonaventura has also conceded that they were "kicking the can down the road" when it came to continuity concerns, preferring to worry about it in the future, and that the films "maybe have" contradicted Bay's movies despite efforts not to.<ref>[https://www.fandom.com/articles/transformers-rise-beast-wars-optimus-prime Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Shows a Different Side of Optimus Prime" on Fandom.com]</ref> These particular claims line up with statements made by Caple after the film's release, in which he stated he is "not worried" about continuity, and is just focused on making the best choices for each individual movie's story. He cites 2007's ''Transformers'' and ''Dark of the Moon'' as "his classics," and says he would "love to stay within that line," but does not feel compelled to adhere much to ''Age of Extinction'' and ''The Last Knight,'' since he views their stories as the result of creators "freestyling," and doubts that "anyone knew exactly where they were going with [them]."<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/rise-of-the-beasts-director-confirms-that-continuity-is-not-a-concern-within-the-transformers-film-franchise/47813/ Extract from an interview with Caple Jr. on the ''Empire Spoiler Specials'' podcast, via Seibertron.com]</ref> And that's... probably about as good an answer as we're going to get right now.

Whichever approach you subscribe to, it's pretty clear the decision to set the film in 1994 was one primarily made to avoid having to directly deal with the timeframe of the Bay movies in any capacity, and tell a new story free of their immediate baggage - the "can-kicking" Lorenzo spoke of. For what it's worth, the film takes some steps to preserve the broad continuity of at least the first Bay film; the Transwarp Key's energy is explicitly stated to operate on a frequency that humans cannot perceive, meaning that they literally cannot ''see'' the huge sky-beam or the portal. As such, the film ends with the general population of Earth (beyond secret forces within the US government) still entirely unaware of the Transformers' existence, as was the case when the 2007 film began. As the time-gap between these "prequels" and the first movie narrows, though, it becomes increasingly difficult to imagine them fitting together without a lot of hand-waving away of specific details, unless future movies actually start making active attempts to address this.

In terms of active contradictions to established continuity, ''Rise of the Beasts'' appears to take the same approach as ''Bumblebee'' and ignores the events of ''The Last Knight'' by depicting Unicron as a separate planet, rather than the Earth itself, as he appeared in that film. However, it's probably important to note that the film lightly implies that the Maximals are time-travellers from the future (see "Transformers references" for more details), which would mean that the Unicron who appears in this film is also from the future. Thus it ''could'' be argued that his appearance here doesn't technically contradict ''The Last Knight''—but of course, that would mean he was trying to eat his own past self.

==Transformers references==
*The Maximals are broadly depicted the same as they were in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon: as a "highly-advanced race" of beast-mode Transformers who use transwarp technology to travel to other planets and interact with their native species, whose travels bring them to ancient Earth. Steven Caple Jr. has noted that earlier drafts of the screenplay explicitly depicted the Maximals as time-travellers from the future, as they were in the cartoon, and while the concept is so toned down for the finished movie that it probably won't even occur to general audiences, several references to the idea are still made on-screen. Transwarp technology is stated to open portals in time as well as space; Airazor states that the Maximals are "from both [the Autobots'] past and future"; and Optimus Primal says that he is named after the "legendary" Optimus Prime, which all combine to suggest that the Maximals originate from the future.
*The idea of the Maximals hailing from a [[Jungle Planet (colony)|jungle planet]] originates in [[IDW Publishing]]'s comic books, which depicted many ''Beast Wars'' characters as the residents of the planet Eukaris. The planet is implied to be one of many colonised by Transformers in ages past using space bridges generated by the Transwarp Key, before the planets became separated and the key "lost." This concept of a great era of Cybertronian expansion that led to the foundation of lost colonies on other planets where Cybertronian life evolved in new and different directions dates back to 2005's [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]], and became a recurring element in ''Transformers'' series in the 2010s and beyond after it was incorporated into the lore of the [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned continuity]].
*Unicron's armies being named the "Terrorcons" hearkens back to both 2004's ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' and 2010's ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'', which both featured the power of Unicron being used to create armies of warriors known as Terrorcons. In particular, the corrupted Airazor's rusted appearance resembles the ''Prime'' Terrorcons, which were also rusted, dilapidated, shambling bots controlled by the will of another.
*Though not identified by name onscreen, Unicron's army includes multiple duplicates of a robotic scorpion identified by the movie's toyline as "Predacon Scorponok." The idea of "Scorponok" being a mass-produced "species" of robots has recently been seen in the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|''War for Cybertron'' cartoon]], where both [[Scorponok (G1)|Generation 1 Scorponok]] ''and'' [[Scorponok (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Scorponok]] were treated this way.
*The Maximals vow to keep the Transwarp Key hidden and safeguard life "no matter the cost," evoking Optimus Prime's iconic line from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'': "Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost."
*Optimus Prime's design features alterations from his earlier ''Bumblebee'' appearance that are influenced by his appearance in the first three Bay films; he has silver hands, feet, sun visors, angled chest windows, retractable orange [[Dual Energon Swords|Energon swords]], a handheld orange [[Energon-axe]] (which transforms out of his arm, coincidentally similar to the [[Optimus Prime (ES)|''Earthspark'' version]]), and a mask-less face sporting similar details. Arcee also transforms into a {{w|Ducati}} motorcycle, like her ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' character.
*Scourge combines aspects of his [[Scourge (G1)|Generation 1]], [[Scourge (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'']] and [[Scourge (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'']] namesakes; he's a herald of Unicron like G1 Scourge, transforms into a black Optimus Prime-like truck like ''RID'' Scourge and hails from a colony world like ''Cybertron'' Scourge. The various insignias he wears as trophies include the symbols of the [[Decepticon]]s, [[Autobot]]s, [[Maximal]]s, [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s, [[Mercenary|Mercenaries]] and [[Wreckers]]. His designer Eddie Del Rio also admitted on his Instagram to pulling inspiration from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] for his robot mode (and stealing insignias like trophies is well in character for the old bounty hunter as well).
*More obscure characters appear such as Apelinq, who originates from a [[Apelinq (BM)#Toys|BotCon 2000 toy]] and tie-in [[3H Productions]] comics, and Stratosphere, returning from the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' toyline and last seen in the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|console video game]], albeit with a new, original design and characterization.
*When [[Nightbird (ROTB)|Nightbird]] lands at the Museum following the carnage, she makes some [[Starscream (Movie)|very familiar warbling noises]] when she moves.
*The two music tracks used in Unicron's scenes feature segments taken from [[Vince DiCola]]'s "Unicron's Theme" in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Scourge stands and talks to Unicron's face from inside his body, similar to a scene with their characters from the Generation 1 episode, "[[Ghost in the Machine (G1)|Ghost in the Machine]]".
*The symbols Elena studies are Maximal [[Cybertronix]], from the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon. The access code Elena assembles doesn't translate to anything, and simply reads "XQB," but the text on the side of the Transwarp Key (written in a combination of mirrored and upside-down symbols) reads: "He Who Opens The Door."
*The authors of the paper Elena reads about Peru's unexplained glyphs are Asahi Takara and Daniel H. Tomy, a reference to [[TakaraTomy]], Hasbro's longtime business partner in Transformers toys.
*After meeting Optimus Prime for the first time, Noah incorrectly calls him "Optimal". "Optimal Optimus" is the name of the original [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#OptimalOptimus|Optimus Primal's Transmetal 2 body]].
*When proposing different alternate modes to Noah, Mirage briefly turns into an F1 car, a reference to [[Mirage (G1)|his Generation 1 counterpart]]'s alternate mode. He also turns into a Lamborghini Countach, which was just a really cool, sexy car, but also famous in ''Transformers'' lore for being the alternate mode of [[Sideswipe (G1)|Generation 1 Sideswipe]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. He then claims that he can also turn into a Ferrari, the alternate mode of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Dino]], whose name in media outside of that movie was "Mirage".
*Mirage is incredulous over the news that musician [[Mark Wahlberg]] is leaving his band, the Funky Bunch, and going into acting—a good-natured jab at the actor's [[Cade Yeager|leading role]] in the earlier ''Transformers'' movies, ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' and ''The Last Knight''.
*Scourge name-drops [[Primus]] as he taunts Optimus Prime, the first reference to the Transformers' creator god in any of the live-action movies.
*Scourge injures Prime's left flank in the museum battle, which mirrors the injuries [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] gave to the original [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] in ''The Transformers: The Movie.'' Prime even grasps the wound in the same way his predecessor did.
*Airazor explains that Unicron imbues his heralds with a "dark energy," which increases their power, but also has a corrupting effect—almost certainly a reference to [[Dark Energon]], the life-energy of Unicron introduced in the Aligned continuity.
*Unicron psychically tortures Scourge from afar in the same way he did [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
*When Optimus Primal talks to Optimus Prime about how the Maximals trust the humans, he says there's "[[More than Meets the Eye (disambiguation)|more to them than meets the eye]]".
*Optimus states the Cybertronian belief that "the battle with darkness" will continue: "[['Til all are one]]." This phrase, and the idea of a day prophesied in Cybertron legend when it will come to pass, originates with ''The Transformers: The Movie,'' and is here used to thematically connect with the shared struggle of the Autobots, Maximals, and humans.
*When the heroes are lining up for the final battle, brown fins briefly pop out of the sides of Wheeljack's head, evoking his [[Wheeljack (G1)|Generation 1 design]].
*As the heroes charge towards the Terrorcon army, Optimus Primal commands Rhinox and Cheetor to "Maximize!", which was the Maximal [[activation code]] from the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon.
*Optimus Primal briefly fights with his double bladed scimitar from his [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|original toy]].
*In the final battle, when Unicron sends an army of Freezers to reinforce his minions on Earth, they make their descent in the form of yellow-and-black orbs, which appears to be a nod to Unicron's [[Mini-Con]] from ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', the yellow-and-black sphere, [[Dead End (Armada)|Dead End]].
*The armored suit Mirage forms over Noah is conceptually an homage to the Generation 1 [[exosuit]]s, while its overall design hews closer to [[Kicker Jones]]' battlesuit from ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]''.
*In a glorious homage to [[Transformers (film)|the 2007 movie]], the musical highlight of [[Steve Jablonsky]]'s "Arrival to Earth" plays as Optimus, Noah, and Primal escape the collapsing transwarp portal's suction.
* Optimus Prime's final speech is set to a remixed version of the track "No Sacrifice, No Victory" from the 2007 movie's score, which was also reprised for the endings of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' and ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''.
*[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and Transformers have frequently crossed over in comics and the occasional toyline over the years, though this marks the first time the two have co-existed in a feature film. Notably, the G.I. Joe insignia on Burke's business card is the version introduced in the film ''G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra''.
*When Reek and Noah are repairing Mirage at the end of the film, Reek says "Even Stevens," a possible allusion to [[Shia LaBeouf]], who starred in the [[Sam Witwicky|leading role]] in the first three ''Transformers'' movies and prior to that starred as the main character in the Disney Channel sitcom ''Even Stevens''.

==Real-life references==
*A TV screen briefly shows news coverage of the {{w|Murder trial of O. J. Simpson#Bronco chase|O.J. Simpson white Ford Bronco car chase}}, which places the events of the film near June 17, 1994.
*Throughout the film, Noah and Kris use the codenames "[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic]]" and "{{w|Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog)|Tails}}" (and in one instance, Mirage is referred to as "{{w|Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles}}"), a nod to the characters from the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' videogame series.
*Kris wears a shirt of the ''Mighty Morphin' [[Saban Entertainment|Power Rangers]]'', another property owned by Hasbro. A poster of said series also appears on his wall.
*Kris is heard playing ''Super Mario Bros.'' on his [[Game Boy]]. However, see "Anachronisms".
*Kris attempts to comfort Noah after his unsuccessful interview by relating his struggle to [[Superman|Superman's]] difficulty finding a job before being hired by the {{w|Daily Planet}}.
*When Mirage compliments Noah after the car chase, he quotes the line "I like it a lot" from ''Dumb and Dumber''. However, see "Anachronisms".
*Also in the aftermath of the chase, he refers to the 1988 movie ''{{w|Big (film)|Big}}'' during his impression of Optimus Prime.
*Noah calls Mirage {{w|E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial|E.T.}} for obvious reasons. He also makes a reference to [[Indiana Jones]] when discovering the hidden temple in Peru.
*Bumblebee drops various voice lines from famous real-life films throughout the whole movie, including ''{{w|Die Hard}}'', ''[[Spaceballs]]'', ''{{w|They Live}}'', ''{{w|A Few Good Men}}'' and ''{{w|Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface}}.''
*While fleeing in the museum, Elena sings Zhané's song "{{w|Groove Thang}}" to try to calm herself down.
*As they rendezvous with the other Autobots for the trip to Peru, Mirage announces that "[[Wu-Tang Clan|Wu-Tang]] is in the building."
*Elena sings the TLC song "{{w|Waterfalls (TLC song)|Waterfalls}}" to herself during the flight to Peru. However, see "Anachronisms".
*The {{w|Inti Raymi}} festival taking place when the Autobots arrive in Peru is a real festival that takes place on June 24th.
*During the mountain road car chase at Peru, the shot of Scourge's insignia-covered grille reflected in Prime's rearview mirror homages a famous shot from [[Steven Spielberg]]'s 1971 film ''{{w|Duel (1971 film)|Duel}}.''
*When meeting Primal, Elena brings up the {{w|Nazca Lines}} and the archeological site at {{w|Tikal}}, asking if the Maximals were responsible for creating them. [[Order of the Witwiccans|In this case]], however, Primal takes no credit for human ingenuity.
*Mirage calls Optimus Primal "{{w|Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong}}".
*At the end of the film, Elena appears on the CBS news program ''[[60 Minutes]]''; host [[Lesley Stahl]] makes a cameo appearance as herself during the segment.
*The award on the wall that serves as the hidden switch to access the G.I. Joe base reads "Real Hero Award" with the image of an American flag, referencing the subtitle of the original G.I. Joe cartoon series: "A Real American Hero".

==Errors==
===Filming, animation, and technical errors===
*When Scourge kills Apelinq, he welds his Maximal insignia to his right shoulder, but throughout the rest of the film, Apelinq's insignia is gone. In the same scene, Scourge says "They never learn...", but his mouth is not moving.
*When Reek yells down the street as Noah and Kris depart, his dialogue does not match his lips.
*When Optimus Prime is about to throw his axe at Scourge, there is some distance between the two. However, in the next shot they are within just meters of each other.
*When Scourge says "Now, to add a Prime to my collection", his claw is both folded in on his arm and deployed at the same time.
*When Mirage attempts to eavesdrop on Noah and Kris' conversation, he is barely tall enough peer into the balcony while standing on a car. However, a minute later when Kris promises him to keep Noah safe he is somehow tall enough to comfortably look into the balcony without anything to stand on.
*The doors that go onto Wheeljack's back are unmarked brown in the scene of him transforming from van mode, but feature text on them in the very next cut where he is in robot mode.
*When Wheeljack audibly gasps at Noah assuming he can speak Spanish, his mouth is not moving.
*When Mirage and Optimus Prime turn into a street in Cusco, there is another Optimus Prime truck in the background. This can only be seen if you pause at the right moment.
*When Wheeljack is recovering from being attacked by Rhinox, his mouth is not moving as he says "Ay-ay-ay."
*As the heroes are walking through the jungle, the scene cuts to Elena while she is saying "So, what are you?", which does not match her lips.
*As Optimus Prime looks up at Unicron arriving at the mouth of the portal, Arcee can be seen scuttling about blasting Freezers; except her blasters produce no laser effects.
*From the time Bumblebee acquires his offroad Camaro, his wheels are inconsistent between his robot and vehicle modes, with some shots showing his normal Camaro's wheels instead of the offroad ones. It is most visible for the wheels on his shoulders.
*Scourge's mouth is not moving as he proclaims "Unicron will prevail!" before shooting the transwarp control panel.
*Elena audibly whimpering in Bumblebee as he drives through hoards of Freezers does not match her lips.

===Continuity errors===
*After Scourge incapacitates Bumblebee, he plucks his Autobot badge off with a normal left hand. In the following shot, however, his left hand is transformed into his giant claw and he is no longer holding the badge.
*During the chase out of Cusco, when Optimus Prime reaches the bend, the Terrorcons are very close behind him. However, when he transforms into robot mode, they are suddenly much further back.
*When Stratosphere transforms in Peru, it starts with him facing away from Optimus Prime. However, in the next shot he's now facing towards him.
*When Scourge walks away with the second half of the key, his left arm switches from the claw to the cannon between shots.

===Geographic discontinuities===
*There ''is'' a museum on Ellis Island... however, it's a [https://www.statueofliberty.org/ellis-island/national-immigration-museum/ museum that documents the turn-of-the-century immigrant experience], and not the generalized natural history museum shown in the film. Notably, the actual museum is composited out of the movie's establishing shots so that the made-up museum setpiece can replace it.
*Elena states that she has never left New York. Ellis Island, her place of work, is almost completely owned by the state of New Jersey, discounting a small portion that was the island's original size that is still a part of New York. Even discounting that, the waters surrounding the island are wholly owned by the Garden State.
*When the Autobots arrive at Cusco, they land at the citadel of [[Sacsayhuamán]], an Inca fortress on the northern outskirts of the city, and the site is deserted. Even on a normal day, it should be crawling with tourists, but the Autobots are specifically said to arrive during the [[Inti Raymi]] festival... whose central activity is a recreation of an Inca ceremony ''at'' Sacsayhuamán.
*The fight with the corrupted Airazor takes place at Machu Picchu, which nobody is witness to, as again it is completely deserted. It should be crawling with tourists, the staff that works at the site, the guests and staff of the lodge located right next to the complex, or the population of the town of Aguas Calientes at the base of the mountain.

===Anachronisms===
*Though the "you died!" music and mention of Bowser imply Kris is playing ''Super Mario Bros.'' on his Game Boy, that game wouldn't see a release on the system until 1999's ''[https://www.mariowiki.com/Super_Mario_Bros._Deluxe Super Mario Bros. Deluxe]'' on the Game Boy Color. The only Mario platformers released for Game Boy by 1994 were the ''Super Mario Land'' games, which featured different antagonists and music.
*Elena sings "Waterfalls" to calm herself down. Assuming the film takes place in the summer, as implied by the aforementioned coverage of the O.J. Simpson chase, it would still be a few months until the November 1994 release of the album ''CrazySexyCool'', which the song first appeared on.
*Similarly, Mirage quotes a line from ''Dumb and Dumber'', a film that would not release until December 1994.
*A green car that was smashed and thrown in the Museum scene was a B5.5 Volkswagen Passat which would not be released until 2001.
*The promo for ''60 Minutes'' uses the program's contemporary imaging, including the use of the current CBS News logotype above that of the show.

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', was released alongside the film on June 9, 2023. Paramount also compiled a Spotify Playlist, ''[[Transformers Rise of the Beats]]'', featuring songs that appeared in the film.

==Reception==
{{quote|Thanks to some genuine human drama between the set pieces and palpable affection for the title characters, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is one of the franchise's more enjoyable outings.|Critics Consensus|[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_rise_of_the_beasts Rotten Tomatoes]}}

Coming off the back of the generally well-received ''Bumblebee'', ''Rise of the Beasts'' received mixed reviews. While critics largely praised the old-school adventure film sequences and the performances of the human leads, most criticism was directed at the film's protracted final battle scene and its overuse of computer-generated imagery—in particular, some critics juxtaposed the film's tamer action scenes against the madcap, sometimes over-the-top practical effect-based destruction employed by [[Michael Bay]] during his time in the director's chair. As of writing, the film holds a 53% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, although the audience score sits at a much higher 91%.

In the US and Canada, ''Rise of the Beasts'' opened to a strong $60.5 million start—higher than both ''The Last Knight'' and ''Bumblebee'' <ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/06/box-office-transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-spider-man-spiderverse-1235412771/ "'Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts' Conquers 'Spider-Verse' With $60M+ Opening, But Animated Pic's Second Weekend Hold Strong -- Box Office"] </ref>—but suffered a brutal 66.1 percent drop in its second weekend, where it lost out to ''{{w|The Flash (film)|The Flash}}'', ''{{w|Elemental}}'', and ''{{w|Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse|Across the Spider-Verse}}''. <ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-flash-box-office-disappoint-pixar-elemental-flop-1235647927/ "'The Flash' Disappoints With $55 Million Debut, Pixar's 'Elemental' Flops With $29.5 Million in Battle of Box Office Lightweights"] </ref> <ref>[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2023W24/?ref_=bo_we_nav Domestic 2023 Weekend 24]</ref> A week later, the film took in a comparatively dismal $11 million <ref> [https://deadline.com/2023/06/box-office-the-flash-no-hard-feelings-jennifer-lawrence-1235422274/ 'Spider-Verse' Swinging Ahead Of 'Elemental' After Game Of Chicken; 'Flash' Edging Out 'No Hard Feelings' -- Saturday PM Box Office]</ref>; as of July 2023, the film has made $420 million overall, marking the lowest-grossing film in the series thus far.

==Development details==

[[File:TRANSFORMERS-2022.jpg|thumb|250px]]

* March 27, 2015 — [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" with the intention of building a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[http://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Goldsman goes on to hire a number of writers over the next few months: [[Steven DeKnight]] (''Daredevil''),<ref>[http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-cinematic-universe/35696/transformers-cinematic-details-more-writers-over-10-films Transformers cinematic details]</ref> [[Robert Kirkman]] (''The Walking Dead''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-writers-robert-kirkman-zak-penn-art-marcum-matt-holloway-jeff-pinkner-1201430601/ 'Transformers' Spinoff & Sequel Scribes Set] on Deadline.com</ref> [[Art Marcum]] and [[Matt Holloway]] (''Iron Man''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Christina Hodson]] (''Shut In'', ''The Fugitive''),<ref name="hodsonbeer">[http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/446175-christina-hodson-and-lindsey-beer-join-transformers-writing-team Christina Hodson and Lindsey Beer Join the Transformers Writing Team]</ref> [[Lindsey Beer]] (''Dig''),<ref name="hodsonbeer" /> [[Zak Penn]] (''Pacific Rim 2''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Jeff Pinkner]] (''The Amazing Spider-Man 2'', ''Lost''),<ref name="deadlinewritersroom" /> [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] (''Ant-Man''),<ref name="barrerferrari">[http://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref> [[Ken Nolan]] (''Black Hawk Down''), and [[Geneva Robertson-Dworet]].<ref name="nolandworet">[http://www.slashfilm.com/transformers-writers-room/ Akiva Goldsman Teases 'Transformers' Franchise Plans]</ref> Involved in the pitching process are [[Steven Spielberg]], [[Michael Bay]], [[Brian Goldner]], [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]], [[Mark Vahradian]], and [[Don Murphy]].<ref name="deadlinereveal">[http://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref>
* October 3, 2015 — During his keynote speech at the MIP Junior Conference, [[Allspark (company)|Allspark]]'s [[Stephen J. Davis]] notes that the writing team has come up with film concepts for Transformers 5, 6, 7, and 8.<ref name="stephendaviskeynote">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_P2fw_DlS4&t=812 Stephen Davis's keynote speech] at MIPJunior.</ref>
* February 12, 2016 — At [[Toy Fair 2016]], Hasbro reveals the projected release date of Transformers 7, along with the dates for the two preceding films.<ref name="toyfairreveal" />
* September 23, 2017 — At Licensing Europe 2017, Hasbro announces Transformers 7 will have an "entirely new, exciting storyline".<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/09/23/2019-transformers-movie-feature-entirely-new-storyline-349463 2019 Transformers Movie To Feature An Entirely New Storyline] on TFW2005</ref>
* February 16, 2018 — Hasbro clarifies at [[Toy Fair 2018]] that the film will be a reset of the franchise and has been delayed indefinitely until a new creative team is in place.<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/02/16/transformers-cinematic-universe-current-movie-series-rebooted-358641 Transformers Cinematic Universe Is Over: Current Movie Series To Be Rebooted] on TFW2005</ref>
* May 24, 2018 — Paramount drops the film from their release schedule.<ref>[http://collider.com/transformers-7-cancelled/amp/ Paramount Officially Pulls the Next 'Transformers' Sequel from Their Release Date Schedule] on Collider</ref>
* March 15, 2019 — di Bonaventura states a sequel to ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' is in development.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/two-sequels-in-transformers-live-action-franchise-confirmed-in-development/43083/ Two Sequels in Transformers Live Action Franchise Confirmed in Development] on Seibertron</ref>
* March 18, 2019 — di Bonaventura claims that the next main ''Transformers'' film will be a reboot closely tied to the ''Bumblebee'' sequel, rather than a direct sequel to ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''. Either way, Paramount will pick the best script for ''Transformers 7'' and release that first.<ref>[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bumblebee-producer-says-next-transformers-movie-wi/1100-6465652/ Bumblebee Producer Says Next Transformers Movie Will Be A Reboot] on GameSpot</ref>
[[File:Stevencaplejr autobot cast.jpg|thumb|250px|Hey, you think ''that's'' speed? You ain't seen the Golden Rocket.]]
[[File:Stevencaplejr terrorcon cast.jpg|thumb|250px|Then we will create ''alternate forms'', based on the most powerful local creatures!]]
* January 27, 2020 — Variety reports two ''Transformers'' films are being penned, to be produced simultaneously: one written by [[James Vanderbilt]], another to be written by [[Joby Harold]].<ref>[https://variety.com/2020/film/news/transformers-franchise-revamp-bumblebee-james-vanderbilt-joby-harold-1203482496/ ‘Transformers’ Franchise Gets a Revamp With Two Separate Films in the Works] on Variety</ref> Deadline reports that Vanderbilt's script is for a spin-off film based on ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'', while Harold's script continues the story from the ''Bumblebee'' film.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/01/transformers-movies-paramount-1202843234/ Dual ‘Transformers’ Movies In The Works At Paramount] on Deadline</ref>
* May 2, 2020 — [[Hasbro]] CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms that a new Transformers live-action movie is slated to release on [[June 24]], 2022. However, only one between Harold's ''Bumblebee'' sequel and Vanderbilt's ''Beast Wars'' film will make it to production first.
* August 21, 2020 — New Republic Pictures is announced as a new co-financier for Paramount in a ten-picture deal in the wake of the success of 2019's ''Rocketman''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/08/paramount-pictures-new-republic-pictures-10-picture-cofinancing-deal-top-gun-maverick-1203018250/ New Republic Pictures Signs 10-Pic Co-Fi Deal With Paramount Pictures; ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Among Films] on Deadline</ref>
* November 16, 2020 — [[Steven Caple Jr.]] is announced as the director.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/11/transformers-director-steven-caple-jr-1234613830/ Transformers’: ‘Creed 2’ Director Steven Caple Jr. Tapped To Direct Next Installment In Paramount And Hasbro Franchise] on Deadline</ref>
* April 1, 2021 — [[Anthony Ramos]] is in talks for a starring role.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-7-cast-anthony-ramos/ Exclusive: Anthony Ramos in Talks to Star in New 'Transformers' Movie] at Collider</ref>
* April 29, 2021 — [[Dominique Fishback]] is in final negotiations to star in the film.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2021/04/transformers-dominique-fishback-anthony-ramos-paramount-eone-and-hasbro-franchise-1234746855/ 'Transformers': Dominique Fishback Lands Lead Role Opposite Anthony Ramos In Next Installment For The Paramount Franchise] on Deadline</ref>
* June 13, 2021 — A casting call sheet for filming in Montreal reveals that the film is set in [[1992]].<ref>[https://www.transformersfr.com/t5190p250-parlons-des-films-transformers-a-venir#190206 Rumeur ― le "7ème Film Transformers en prise de vue réelle" se déroulerait en 1992] on transformersfr.com</ref>
* June 22, 2021 — A Paramount virtual event is held in which the movie's title, premise, and few of the characters and cast are unveiled (revealing it to be both the ''Bumblebee'' and ''Beast Wars'' films in one).<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Currently attending a Paramount virtual event about the next #Transformers film. Report to follow!|link=https://twitter.com/search?q=(from%3ABWTF_Ben)%20until%3A2021-06-23%20since%3A2021-06-22|name=Ben Yee|site=Twitter|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=https://bwtf.com/news/rise-of-the-beasts-character-descriptions|name=Ben Yee|site=BWTF|title=Movie News: "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" Character Descriptions|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref> The film's logo and official premise are also unveiled on official Transformers social media accounts.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The battle on Earth is no longer just between Autobots and Decepticons… Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons join Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, in theatres June 24, 2022.|link=https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1407422768602181632|name=@transformers|site=Twitter|year=2021|month=06|day=22}}</ref>
* June 28, 2021 — [[Ron Perlman]] is announced to be reprising his role as Optimus Primal from ''[[Transformers: Power of the Primes (cartoon)|Power of the Primes]]''. [[Darnell Metayer]] and [[Josh Peters]] are confirmed as writers, inspired by Joby Harold's earlier draft.<ref>{{citesocial|quote='''Ron Perlman''' has been tapped to voice Optimus Primal in '''''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''''', Collider has exclusively learned. [...] ''Rise of the Beasts'' will be led by rising stars '''Anthony Ramos''' (''In the Heights'') and '''Dominique Fishback''' (''Judas and the Black Messiah''), and '''Steven Caple Jr.''' (''Creed II'') is directing from a script by '''Darnell Metayer''' and '''Josh Peters''', who worked off an earlier draft by '''Joby Harold'''.|link=https://collider.com/ron-perlman-optimus-primal-voice-transformers-7-rise-of-the-beasts/|name=Jeff Sneider|site=Collider|title=Exclusive: 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Adds Ron Perlman as Voice of Optimus Primal|year=2021|month=06|day=28}}</ref>
* July 11, 2021 — Rapper [[Tobe Nwigwe]] announces on Instagram that he's been cast in the movie.<ref>[https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/music/houston-s-tobe-nwigwe-earns-emmy-nom-16317174 Houston’s Tobe Nwigwe earns Emmy nom, 'Transformers' role] from the Houston Chronicle</ref>
* October 6, 2021 — Caple Jr. reveals the vehicle modes for the Autobot and Terrorcon cast through his Instagram account.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The squad is out…|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CUsm_wyLory/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2021|month=10|day=06}}</ref>
* October 20, 2021 — Filming is completed.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=That’s a wrap 🎬|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CVOw5z2r9TP/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2021|month=10|day=20}}</ref>
* October 21, 2021 — Cuscopolita reports on the vehicles with the film's Peru crew, confirming the unidentified vehicles as [[Wheeljack (ROTB)|Wheeljack]] and [[Battletrap (ROTB)|Battletrap]].<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.facebook.com/cuscopolitamagazine/videos/1941112319403899|name=Cuscopolita|site=Facebook|title=Exclusiva con los Transformers|year=2021|month=10|day=20}}</ref>
* October 22, 2021 — Ramos makes a guest appearance on [[Hasbro Pulse Con 2021]], confirming Cheetor, his favorite ''Beast Wars'' character, will be in the film.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I am a ''Transformers'' fan, ''Beast Wars'' fan, Cheetor is my #1 favorite of all time, so it's dope to have Cheetor, to be in this movie with Cheetor, it's gonna be crazy.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjtxJqrv-bI&t=6051s|name=Anthony Ramos|site=YouTube|title=Hasbro PulseCon 2021 - DAY ONE|year=2021|month=10|day=22}}</ref>
* November 10, 2021 — Paramount announces the film has been delayed to [[June 9]], [[2023]].<ref name="2023release">{{citesocial|quote=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts has moved back a year and will now bow June 9, 2023. It previously was slated for June 24, 2022.|link=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-trek-transformers-movie-release-date-1235045937/|name=Aaron Couch|site=The Hollywood Reporter|title=‘Star Trek,’ ‘Transformers’ Movies Pushed Back at Paramount|year=2021|month=11|day=10}}</ref>
* February 15, 2022 — Paramount confirms that ''Rise of the Beasts'' will be the first entry in a trilogy of films.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will be released theatrically in 2023 and is the first of three new installments. A new animated series from @Nickelodeon arrives this fall. And in 2024, the franchise expands further with a CG animated Transformers theatrical film. #ParamountPlus|link=https://twitter.com/paramountplus/status/1493706271207292928|name=Paramount+|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=02|day=15}}</ref>
* October 11, 2022 — Caple Jr. reveals through Instagram that [[Pete Davidson]] is the voice of Mirage, and [[Michelle Yeoh]] is the voice of Airazor.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Sneak peek of Pete voicing Mirage & @michelleyeoh_official blessing us as the voice of Air Razor|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjlx3PPPC_J/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=10|day=11}}</ref>
* October 21, 2022 — [[Tobe Nwigwe]] states on an Instagram post that they are doing some re-shoots for ''Rise of the Beasts'', including featuring his character in additional scenes.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The head people from ''Transformers'' said I did so good in my part they wanna add me to some more scenes. So I gotta go shoot some more stuff for ''Transformers''.|link=https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cj9PnevsVb1/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY|name=Tobe Nwigwe|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=10|day=21}}</ref>
[[File:ROTBTeaserPoster.jpg|thumb|250px|right]]
* December 1, 2022 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWWDskI46Js official teaser trailer] is released by Paramount Pictures in conjunction with São Paulo's CCXP convention, giving audiences a first glimpse of the film and its various characters, including Mirage, Arcee, Scourge and the Maximals. Multiple voice cast members are also announced.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2022/12/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-peter-dinklage-liza-koshy-john-dimaggio-cast-1235186104/]</ref>
* December 2, 2022 — [[Jongnic Bontemps]] is announced as the film's score composer.<ref>[http://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/12/02/jongnic-bontemps-to-compose-music-for-steven-caple-jr-s-transformers-rise-of-the-beasts/]</ref>
* December 16, 2022 — Caple Jr. shares a clip of Peter Cullen performing on his Instagram account.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=🐐|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CmPM80yPcsP/|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Instagram|year=2022|month=12|day=16}}</ref>
* December 26, 2022 — Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal make a "guest" appearance on the 2022 [[Nickelodeon]] Nickmas NFL game, showcasing both modes and their transformations.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5X0F_AvY8Q YouTube upload] of a recording for Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal on the 2022 Nickmas NFL game</ref>
* January 31, 2023 — [[Sam Smith]] reveals toy concept art for a new character from the film, [[Freezer]].<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CoFlXXNOly1/</ref>
* February 12, 2023 — Paramount airs a 30-second TV spot detailing Mirage's Porsche 911 vehicle mode for Super Bowl LVII in collaboration with Porsche.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/02/2023-super-bowl-movie-trailers-the-flash-fast-x-transformers-ant-man-expected-1235247160/ Super Bowl Movie Trailer Spots Will Include ‘The Flash’, ‘Fast X’, ‘Transformers’ & ‘Ant-Man’ — Deadline]</ref>
* April 2, 2023 — During the 2023 NCAA Division I Men's Final Four on CBS, Paramount aired a first-of-its-kind mixed reality TV spot that showed off Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal appearing on a 90s basketball court that transformed from the court the actual basketball match was being played on. A few brief clips from the first trailer were also shown.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeeIfpbUAHg]</ref>
* April 6, 2023 — Actor [[Tongayi Chirisa]] announces on Instagram that he is the voice of Cheetor.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So there is a story to this!!! Per the usual standard .. I had to sign an NDA, so I had NO IDEA what I was reading for.. it was only when I was in the booth to do my voice over that it dawned on me that I was reading for TRANSFORMERS Like what!!!🤯🤯🤯🤯 I totally geeked out in the moment.. Man, to say this is mad exciting is an understatement... So thankful. So honored, so blessed!!!! Massive shout out and THANK YOU to @stevencaplejr for putting your boi on! Appreciate you, fam!!! @transformersmovie..🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 IT WAS ALL A DREAM!!!! Welcome, y'all. I am your transformer #CHEETOR!!!! Let's goooo!!!!!! #NdezvaMwari #Yeshua #smallbeginnings #ontherise|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqs_PQ1J_s6/|name=Tongayi Chirisa|site=Instagram|year=2023|month=04|day=06}}</ref>
* April 14, 2023 — To promote the film, Optimus Prime introduces Tobe Nwigwe's performance of "[[On My Soul]]" at {{w|Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella}}.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Calling all Autobots. @TobeNwigwe and #OptimusPrime have rolled out to #Coachella. #Transformers #RiseOfTheBeasts|link=https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1647069845731803136|name=Transformers|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=04|day=14}}</ref>
* April 27, 2023 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itnqEauWQZM official trailer] is released by Paramount Pictures, revealing more of the movie and Unicron's role in the plot, as well as delivering a first, brief look at the Predacons.
* May 6, 2023 — The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxore0Gxwpc first clip] was showcased at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards, showing the Autobots' first interaction with the Maximals.
* May 12, 2023 — The website Puliwood reveals the film's Hungarian dub cast...including the voice of [[Apelinq (ROTB)|Apelinq]], a character that had not yet been announced to be appearing in the film.<ref>[https://www.puliwood.hu/ismertetok/exkluziv-ilyen-szinkronhangokkal-jon-a-transformers-a-fenevadak-kora-325900.html EXKLUZÍV: ilyen szinkronhangokkal jön a Transformers: A fenevadak kora]</ref>
* May 27, 2023 — The film's world premiere is held at Marina Bay Sands in [[Singapore]].
* June 5, 2023 — David Sobolov confirms on Instagram that he is also voicing Apelinq in the film.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CtIhCcwu4Ld/|quote=#transformers #riseofthebeasts fans… I just saw our epic premiere in Brooklyn! Tonight, I’m excited to reveal that I am the voice… of Apelinq!|name=David Sobolov|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=06|day=05}}</ref>
{{--}}

===Changes before, during, and after production===
* An early cut of the film opened with a different prologue, in which a Decepticon named [[Transit (ROTB)|Transit]], dispatched from a Decepticon-controlled Cybertron to hunt down Optimus Prime, battles and is killed by Optimus, who dumps his body in the Hudson River alongside numerous other Decepticons who have tried to do the same in the past few years. The scene was dropped due to test audiences fiding it too dark, but [[John DiMaggio]] remains credited as the voice of Transit even in the finished film. Most of the visual effects for the scene were completed, and it was included (sans the river-dumping part) as a bonus feature with the movie's home media release.
**The scene was replaced for the finished film with Unicron's attack on the Maximal homeworld, which in the earlier cut was recounted by Airazor with hologram visual-aids during the scene when she meets the Autobots mid-movie.
* Cheetor and Rhinox were initially intended to be introduced slightly earlier, encountering Elena and Noah in the underground cavern. In scenes interspered with the Autobots' and Terrorcons' running battle on the hilltop road, Cheetor was to be the one who took down the Freezer menacing the two humans, after which Noah's gauntlet would accidentally fire a shot at the Maximal, causing him and Rhinox to chase them throug the cave. Cut in favour of making the Autobot/Terrorcon battle one unbroken scene, the alternate version was included as a bonus on the home media release.
* Multiple changes were made to the film's ending, which originally had a much darker tone like the scrapped opening. Originally, Mirage wasn't planned to survive the final battle, and Optimus would have been sucked into the portal after destroying the Transwarp Key and wind up floating in space before Unicron in the post-credits scene. Reactions by the audience in test screenings convinced Caple to change the ending to something a bit more hopeful, wanting to let the good guys get a solid win.<ref name=AltEnding/> The scene of Prime and Unicron was included as an extra with the home media release.
*Two versions of the final scene were filmed: one in which Agent Burke's business card reveals him to be part of [[Sector Seven]], and the version used in the film, in which he's part of G.I. Joe. Accordingly to Caple, the Sector Seven version was filmed only as misdirection, and the G.I. Joe version was always the one he intended to use.<ref name=Joe/>
*Other deleted/extended scenes included on the home media release include: Elena's moment of panicked disbelief (prominently showcased in the movie's trailer) shortly after the museum battle; Noah speaking with his mother when he returns home after the museum battle; a moment between Elena and Airazor before Mirage and Noah join the group to depart for Peru, in which Airazor explains the Maximal insignia; and a short scene of Optimus Primal about to hand the Transwarp Key over to Optimus Prime, before they are interrupted by Airazor's rampage.
*Additional cuts not represented in the extras from throughout the film included: a scene of Bumblebee showing a polaroid of himself and [[Charlie Watson]] to Optimus Prime as they wait outside the museum, to emphasise that some humans are trustworthy; innuendos between Arcee and Wheeljack that hint at a romantic attraction between the two; some dialogue from Scourge emphasising that (not unlike Galvatron in the original animated movie) he is an unwilling servant of Unicron; a scene of Wheeljack lending his glasses to Optimus Prime to uses like a telescope; and an alternate plan to destroy the Transwarp Key in the final act that involves using the deceased Airazor's spark as a bomb, only for the bomb to be lost, leaving Elena to figure out the codes.
{{--}}

==Notes==
* In a first for the franchise, the lead human actors, multiple writers, the composer, and the director are all people of color.
* This is the first movie in the series not to be worked on by [[Industrial Light & Magic]]; this time around the CG effects were done by [[Moving Picture Company]] and [[WetaFX]].
* Steven Caple Jr. was initially sceptical of working on a ''Transformers'' movie, which at that point in development was being called ''Bumblebee 2'', because he was uncertain about jumping right into another sequel after directing ''{{w|Creed II}}''—however, the incorporation of elements inspired by ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', which Caple Jr. had been a fan of, helped sway him. Upon joining the project, he pitched several revisions, drawing from his enthusiasm for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' by adding [[Unicron]] (and the [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcon]]s) and Noah's exosuit, along with a prologue on the [[Maximal]]s' homeworld and a new arc for [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] centred around his initial misanthropy.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The first time that- I did ''Creed 2'', and the first time the studio ever knocked on my door, it was for ''Bumblebee 2''. And I was like, "I don't want to do- I just came out from ''Creed 2'', I don't want to do a sequel..." you know? And so a year had gone by—or maybe two, right before COVID—and they said, "we found out the story we want to tackle: we want to bring in ''Beast Wars''." I was like, "I know all about ''Beast Wars'', I'm down for ''Beast Wars''." And so they developed a script on their own, they passed it to me—2020, October 5th, I remember the date—and I jumped right in and I kind of did my own version of the pitch, I said: "I love where you guys are going, you guys want to do New York, you guys want to do the 90s, you want to do Peru, but here's what I'll do, with the characters..." So I changed up Optimus Prime, I gave him a whole pitch on how I would start him with like, not loving humans at first, and not besiding Noah right off the rip, they're gonna have friction between the two... Gave 'em a pitch for Optimus Primal, where they start off in the top of the movie, and I gave them a new Unicron- I mean a new villain, which was Unicron and the Terrorcon squad. I just felt like, as a fan, we've been tiptoeing around Unicron, and all the other films kind of like hinted towards him towards the end, and I just really want to expand the universe and I felt like he was that perfect source to do so, because he tells us there's another world out there, there's more Transformers out there, it's not just Autobots and Decepticons. And then of course the [[exosuit]], that was my idea, it was homage to the 80s cartoon, so... It was a bit of that, pitched it to 'em and they loved the heart, they love where I was going with the direction of the characters, and yeah, they kind of gave me the key to play!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxUukVwKLCc|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=Collider|title=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Interview: Director Reveals Big Change to Film|year=2023|month=06|day=06}}</ref>
* [[Tobe Nwigwe]]'s character of [[Reek]] was based Steven Caple Jr.'s friend Tarik Jackson, who passed away before shooting began in 2021.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The way I got the ''Transformers'' role was insane. [...] One of [Steven Caple Jr.'s] best friends was a fan of the music, and his best friend, right, like, as they was getting ready to start shooting the movie... passed. Passed, yeah. And he had Paramount Studios reach out to me to try to play a specific- the best friend role in ''Transformers''. They kind of emulated who his best friend was in real life. He told Paramount [...] "reach out to Tobe and if he send anything back that's even ''halfway'' decent... I want to use him." But because I had never done no acting ever in my life, I just had this script right here, and just read it like I was acting, and just recorded myself on the iPhone and I was like, "yo there's no way in hell..." [...] I did that, sent that in, and they liked it!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfAoWTKh3R8&t=2638s|name=Tobe Nwigwe|site=Sway's Universe|year=2023|month=01|day=23}}</ref>
*The fourth-wall-breaking [[Mark Wahlberg]] namedrop was ad-libbed by [[Pete Davidson]].<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We wanted to break the fourth wall. In all fairness, Pete Davidson made that up in the booth, and we laughed so hard, we're like in tears, and we're like there's no way we could not use this. We had ad-libbed a whole bunch of stuff. One was on, "Beanie Babies was weird", and he was like, what about Marky Mark leaving the Funky Bunch? And we were just in tears. And then we showed the studio and everybody loved it and was like, "let's just break the fourth wall. Do it."|link=https://gizmodo.com/breaking-the-fourth-wall-in-transformers-rise-of-the-b-1850514340|name=Steven Caple Jr.|site=io9|title=Breaking the Fourth Wall in ''Transformers: Rise of the Beasts''|year=2023|month=06|day=09}}</ref>
* During the production of the film, Ramos had to acquire a driver's license at Caple Jr.'s behest.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4DDi5f1SL4oESslcZLjhhG|name=Anthony Ramos|site=the Spout Podcast|year=2021}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|quote=I had a two-week window to get an appointment at the DMV, and the DMV was initially uncooperative. Finally, after much haggling, I was able to secure an appointment. I took the test in my mother's car after a few months of practice with an instructor. Fortunately, I was able to pass.|link=https://theplaylist.net/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-anthony-ramos-talks-representation-in-franchises-getting-his-drivers-license-for-the-film-interview-20230607/|name=Anthony Ramos|site=The Playlist|title='Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts': Anthony Ramos Talks Representation In Franchises & Getting His Driver's License For The Film [Interview]|year=2023|month=06|day=07}}</ref>
* During an interview with a fan, voice actor David Sobolov revealed that Caple Jr. would create storyboards using Transformers toys. Awesome!<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdsfclO5etE&t=1106 "ROTB UNICRON IS THRILLING!" | Interview with DAVID SOBOLOV (Rhinox + Battletrap)! - YouTube]</ref>
* According to Caple Jr., Optimus's unmasked face was modeled after Peter Cullen's.
* As a result of Transit's removal, this is the first live-action film to not feature the Decepticons in any capacity.
* To keep the secret of the ''G.I. Joe'' tease at the end of the movie, most copies of the script and the version of the scene shot for test screenings all used [[Sector Seven]] instead. Michael Kelly also didn't know the big twist with his character until he arrived on set. Caple Jr. even had only a single ''G.I. Joe'' business card printed, on the day of filming, and took it from the set himself afterwards for safekeeping!<ref name=Joe>{{citesocial|quote=There was one version of the script that mentioned the G.I. Joe reveal. All other copies, including the one in the studio's possession, described the military organization as Sector 7. "That way no one could leak the script," Caple notes. [...] Caple says they shot two versions of Kelly's scene, one where Burke's business card reads Sector 7 and one where the card reads G.I. Joe, so audiences in test screenings wouldn't know the true reveal. There was only one copy of the G.I. Joe business card, and Caple took that himself from set for safe keeping. "I was like, 'I'm taking this. I don't want this to be found on the floor,'" he says. "I actually didn't have them printed out until that day [on set]. We were very cautious of it, man. We were really trying to be as secretive as possible."|link=https://ew.com/movies/transformers-g-i-joe-crossover-plans/|name=Nick Romano|site=Entertainment Weekly|title=Inside the top-secret plans for Transformers and G.I. Joe|year=2023|month=06|day=12}}</ref>
*This is the first live-action Transformers movie where the Japanese dub wasn't sound directed by [[Keiichirō Miyoshi]] but instead it is directed by [[Yoshikazu Iwanami]] who had been responsible for the original Beast Wars cartoons dubs localization.

===Foreign names===
* ''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/Beast Kakusei''''' (トランスフォーマー/ビースト覚醒 ''Toransufōmā Bīsuto Kakusei'', "Transformers: Beast Awakening")
* ''Cantonese:'' '''''Bin3jing4 Gam1gong1: Kwong4sau3 Gwat6hei2''''' (變形金剛：狂獸崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts")
* ''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Réveil des Bêtes''''' (Canada, "Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''German:'' '''''Transformers: Aufstieg der Bestien''''' ("Transformers: Rise of the Beasts")
* ''Hungarian:'' '''''Transformers: A fenevadak kora''''' ("Transformers: The Age of the Beasts")
* ''Italian: '' '''''Transformers: Il Risveglio''''' ("Transformers: The Awakening")
* ''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Wàn Shòu Juéqǐ''''' (Taiwan, 變形金剛：萬獸崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts"), '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Chāonéng Yǒngshì Juéqǐ''''' (China, 变形金刚：超能勇士崛起, "Transformers: Rise of the Beast Wars")
* ''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Despertar das Feras''''' (Brazil, "Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: El Despertar de las Bestias''''' ("Transformers: The Awakening of the Beasts")
* ''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Voskhozhdeniye Zverobotov''''' (Трансформеры: Восхождение Звероботов, "Transformers: Rise of the Beastbots")
* ''Ukrainian:'' '''''Transformery: Chas Zvirobotiv''''' (Трансформери: Час Звіроботів, "Transformers: Time of the Beastbots")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Real world films]]
[[Category:Rise of the Beasts| ]]
[[Category:Rise of the Beasts media]]

James Horan

2023-07-15T04:37:18Z

Coopinator:

[[Image:JamesHoran.JPG|right|thumb|200px|5 Hour Energon. For hours and hours of Energon.]]
'''James Horan''' (born [[December 14]], [[1954]]) is an American screen and voice actor. He's known to ''[[Star Trek]]'' fans for a number of roles, including Ikat'ika on ''Deep Space Nine'' and the enigmatic "Future Guy" on ''Enterprise''. He's made a number of guest appearances on live action TV, and also lent his voice talents to Smaug in ''The Hobbit'' video game, Jack Ryder in ''[[Batman]]: Arkham City'', Skull Face in ''[[Solid Snake|Metal Gear Solid]] V: Ground Zeroes'' and ''The Phantom Pain'', and President Shinra in ''Final Fantasy VII: Remake''.

He also appeared in those ''5-hour Energy'' commercials as a cowboy.

==Voice roles==
===''Transformers: Prime''===
{{collist|3|
* [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]
* [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] (disguised as Wheeljack)
* [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]] (''[[Hurt]]'')
* [[Thundercracker (WFC)|Thundercracker]] (BotCon 2013)
}}

==Convention appearances==
*[[BotCon 2013]]

==External links==
* [http://www.jameshoran.com/ James Horan's website]
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0394533/ James Horan on IMDB]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Horan, James}}
[[Category: English voice actors]]
[[Category:Hasbro Studios]]
[[Category:Convention guests]]

Rebellion (Prime)

2023-07-01T22:43:38Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{disambig2|the ''Prime'' episode|the ''Armada'' episode|Rebellion (Armada)}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 56
|prev=Prey (episode)
|next=Project Predacon
|image=Rebellion-eyes.jpg
|caption=[[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|It happens...]] [[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)|but miracles happen, too.]]
|title="Rebellion"
|season=3
|season ep=4
|airdate=[[April 12]], [[2013]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Scooter Tidwell]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awol8ZeMwUg
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''Team Prime wages war against the Decepticon citadel.'''

==Synopsis==
As the [[Autobot]]s prepare for battle, [[William Fowler|Fowler]] points out that the military has the weapons necessary to take down the fortress, but can't attack while [[Darkmount (Earth)|Darkmount]]'s [[fusion cannon]]s are pointed at major cities. [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] resolves to disable the cannons. As Darkmount has [[GroundBridge]] jamming capabilities, they will have to attack in a more roundabout way.

In an underground cavern, [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] expresses his doubt that he's ready to be a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], but [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] points out that the decision will be made by the [[Matrix of Leadership]].

[[File:Rebellion-Shockwave.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Move out, Predacons. We've waited a long time for this, yesss. Let us be close enough to enjoy it.]]

[[Jack Darby|Jack]] uses his cellphone at a gas station, and his signal is promptly picked up by the [[Decepticon]]s. [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] dispatches his seekers to investigate, but [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] GroundBridges Jack back to the ''[[Harbinger]]'' before they can reach him. [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] likewise calls for pizza from a [[New York City|New York]] alley to lure Decepticons there. Ratchet has Jack make a fake transmission from an [[Energon]] Mine, forcing Starscream to send [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]s to check the location. With the Decepticon forces thus scattered, the Autobots bridge to the fortress while Fowler stands ready at a nearby air base with a squadron of jets.

[[File:Rebellion-UltraMagnus.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|They have deduced our strategy, such as it was.]]

As the report comes in that the Energon Mine is safe and not under attack, [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] demands to know why the Decepticons have been spread so thin. [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] solves the mystery of where the Autobots are by pointing out the existence of the ''Harbinger'', however before Starscream can dispatch his armada to attack it, Darkmount itself comes under attack. Down below, [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] toss grenades at the base of the fortress and use their new weapons to stave off the [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s that attack them. Meanwhile [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] and [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] take a more subtle route.

[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] humbly suggests releasing [[Predaking (Prime)|the Predacon]] to repel the attackers. The beast enters the fray, but is quickly distracted by the ''[[Iron Will]]''. As it attempts to chase Magnus, Ratchet opens a GroundBridge, sending the creature to the Arctic, where it quickly freezes. Shockwave leaves the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' and starts jumping down the side of the fortress.

The dying Optimus begins to have a vision of the [[Transformer afterlife|Allspark]] and [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]]. Though Prime worries about the fate of the Matrix, his old teacher assures him it will pick a new leader.

Arcee reports to Magnus that she and Bumblebee have run into some trouble and are pinned down. Ultra Magnus decides to take matters into his own hands, entering the fortress and attacking the fusion cannon control room directly. He swiftly takes care of the Decepticons at the controls, only for Megatron himself to arrive. Meanwhile Shockwave reaches the bottom of the tower and incapacitates Bulkhead and Wheeljack with a single tank cannon blast, and Arcee and Bumblebee are surrounded by Decepticon troops. Ultra Magnus fights bravely against Megatron, but ultimately loses and is dragged up to the throne room.

Alpha Trion invites Optimus to join with the Allspark. In the cavern, the Optimus's optics flicker out and his chestplate opens up to reveal the Matrix. Smokescreen has other ideas, and drags the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] over in order to place it in Optimus's hand. A surge of energy emanates from the hammer.

[[File:Rebellion-prepunch.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|My turn.]]

As Ultra Magnus won't tell Megatron anything, the Decepticon leader orders the prisoners executed and the fusion cannons fired, however Starscream points out that there's something incoming. In the ''Harbinger'', Ratchet also detects the inbound object, and it has an Autobot signature. It reaches visual range of the Decepticons, revealing itself to be Optimus himself, in a new upgraded form. Landing in the throne room, Optimus deals Megatron a series of concussions before smashing the Decepticon leader all the way into the throne. Once the other Decepticons have been dealt with, Magnus deals Starscream a shattering uppercut before briefing Optimus, who sets out to destroy the fusion cannons. The Autobots at the base of the tower, on hearing the news, overthrow their captors.

Enraged, Megatron takes to the air and attempts to shoot down Prime. The news that there are incoming human forces has Starscream order the fusion cannons to fire, but while they're still powering up, Optimus Prime punches Megatron and flings the Decepticon leader directly into the fusion cannon power core, disabling the cannons. The Autobots make a hasty withdrawal as Fowler's squadron of [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Skystrikers]] unleashes missiles on Darkmount. The Decepticons likewise retreat to their warship. Smokescreen drives up the highway in time to see the fortress come crashing to the ground.

Later, at [[Hangar E|a military base]], Fowler gives the Autobots a speech of thanks. The Autobots note that the Forge's power has been completely drained, but Ratchet assures Smokescreen he made the right choice.

[[File:Rebellion-Autobotgroupshot.jpg|700px|center|thumb|In the meantime, I've got a lot of catching up to do. People to meet, things to do... specifically to have Rattrap clear all of his junk out of my quarters!]]

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] (1)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (2)
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (3)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (6)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (12)
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (13)
*[[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] (22)

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

|c3=
*[[William Fowler]] (7)
*[[Jack Darby]] (8)
*[[June Darby]] (9)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (10)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (11)

}}

==Quotes==
"Guess we'll have to sneak past enemy lines, Wrecker-style." 
"I couldn't deal with 'Wrecker-style' back on Cybertron, and I refuse to deal with it here."
:—'''Wheeljack''' and '''Ultra Magnus'''

"I knew the humans couldn't resist using their telecommunications... That is all they seem to do."
:—'''Starscream''' does have a point there...

"You left abandoned Decepticon technology fully operational, AND UNSECURED?!"
:—'''Megatron''' learns that Starscream is (unsurprisingly) bad at cleaning up after himself.

"Ultra Magnus, you are no Optimus Prime."
:—'''Megatron'''

"This isn't how the story's supposed to end."
:—'''Smokescreen'''

"Commander?" 
"Sir, you are looking...robust."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Ultra Magnus'''

"Is it true the Forge has been drained of its power? Then any hope of rebuilding the Omega Lock has truly been lost." 
"I... did what I felt was right." 
"And your instincts once have again proven to be quite sound."
:—'''Ratchet''' and '''Smokescreen''' on the Forge of Solus Prime.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The Autobots dispose of Predaking in the same manner as they did the [[Scraplet]]s in "[[Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap]]". [[Chain of Command (Prime)|It doesn't work as well as they hoped]].
* The Forge of Solus Prime was established to be low on energy in "[[Prey (episode)|Prey]]". Optimus' upgrade drains it completely.
* Optimus repeats the line "Megatron, begone" from "[[Orion Pax, Part 3]]", in much the same context.
* Wheeljack retains the scars inflicted by Starscream in "[[Scattered]]".
* With Darkmount destroyed and the Autobots getting a new base courtesy of the U.S. military, both sides are pretty close to where they started off. Just like old times.
* Despite her last encounter with Shockwave, Arcee does not seem at all surprised to see him. Nor is she even given any interaction with him.
* A returning Optimus deals with Megatron with a giant swing (grabs Megatron by the tail while he's in flight mode, spins him around and throws him), just like Megatron did with Starscream upon his own return from stasis in "[[Out of His Head]]".

===Transformers references===
* Optimus Prime (and [[Ginrai (human)|Optimus expies]]) gaining a flight-capable backpack is something of an Optimus tradition by this point.
* Ultra Magnus's "couldn't deal with" remark seems a nod to his [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart's]] oft-referenced line from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

===Animation and technical errors===
* When Wheeljack unsheathes his katanas to attack the Decepticons, the handles remain part of his character model as he draws them. The error is fixed by the next shot.
* When Optimus flies to the scene and quickly starts pounding Megatron, the latter's leg wobbling doesn't really match with background movement.
* Ratchet's "Pfft, well..." reaction to Miko suggesting the Forge might do him some good is completely out of sync with his mouth movements. The line itself is lifted from "[[Scattered]]".
* When Megatron drops to the ground about to fight Ultra Magnus, the sound from his landing seems to stop too abruptly. Normally there is a slight echo after a crashing sound effect.
* When Megatron shoots Ultra Magnus's rifle out of his hand, the laser is red instead of purple.

===Continuity errors===

* Wheeljack doesn't have a grenade on his hip when he and Bulkhead engage the Seekers, but it appears there immediately after he uses his energy whip to destroy a few of them.
* When the Autobots sent the Scraplets to the Arctic in "[[Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap]]", Ratchet reasoned that the smaller body mass of the Scraplets would render them much more vulnerable to the extreme cold. By comparison, both Optimus and Arcee remained functional, if somewhat impaired, for a significant period. Despite this, Predaking, who is even larger than Optimus (not counting the wings), is frozen solid in under a minute. In "[[Minus One]]", Predaking would engage Optimus Prime in a protracted battle in [[Antarctica]] with no signs of freezing over.
* Wheeljack is seen in Ultra Magnus' ship holding the energy whip ''and'' a blaster. However in the battle that follows said blaster is nowhere to be seen.
* Darkmount was located right next to the ruins of the Autobot base. Smokescreen retrieved Optimus from the rubble and presumably hid him in a cavern somewhere close by. Yet when Smokescreen tries to join the battle, he's seen arriving by the highway, having apparently driven a considerable distance.

===Trivia===
* This episode has a different map of the United States, this time with Louisiana in the right place.
* This is the first time in this series that anyone has [[flight|flown]] in [[robot mode]].
* Fowler refers to the jet fighters as [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Skystrikers]], like the fighters from ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]''; this was one of the set-ups for the eventually-canned ''[[Unit:E]]'' crossover project that ''Prime'' was intended to lead into.
* The "[[Transformers: Prime Beast Hunters the Autobits edition|Autobits]]" edition of the episode mistakenly describes ''Shockwave's'' face as receiving "over 300 cable channels", rather than Soundwave's as intended.
* Bulkhead is silent throughout the whole episode, unless you count his grunts during the various battles or his laughs heard at the tail end of the episode. [[Kevin Michael Richardson]] is still credited in the episode's credits.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Rébellion'''" ("Rebellion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Rebellion'''" ("Rebellion")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 22|22 October]] [[2013]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Ostrom'''" ("Assault")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 5|5 September]] [[2013]]

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Insurreição'''" ("Insurrection")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 4|4 October]] [[2013]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Ribellione'''" ("Rebellion")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 6|6 September]] [[2013]]

'''Spanish (Spain)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Rebelión'''" ("Rebellion")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 10|10 October]] [[2013]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Dawn of the Beast ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season 3 Volume 1: Battle for Darkmount ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Saison 3 Volume 1: Le règne de Mégatron ([[Primal Screen]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season 3 Volume 1: Battle for Darkmount (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Staffel 3 Teil 1: Schlacht um Darkmount (Primal Screen) — English, German, Dutch and French audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Intégrale Saison 3 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — The Complete Season 3 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Die komplette Staffel 3 (Primal Screen) — English, German, Dutch and French audio. 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — The Complete Season 3 (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2016 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three Collection (Madman Entertainment) 

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Rebellion (Prime)

2023-07-01T22:41:07Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{disambig2|the ''Prime'' episode|the ''Armada'' episode|Rebellion (Armada)}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 56
|prev=Prey (episode)
|next=Project Predacon
|image=Rebellion-eyes.jpg
|caption=[[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|It happens...]] [[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)|but miracles happen, too.]]
|title="Rebellion"
|season=3
|season ep=4
|airdate=[[April 12]], [[2013]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Scooter Tidwell]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awol8ZeMwUg
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''Team Prime wages war against the Decepticon citadel.'''

==Synopsis==
As the [[Autobot]]s prepare for battle, [[William Fowler|Fowler]] points out that the military has the weapons necessary to take down the fortress, but can't attack while [[Darkmount (Earth)|Darkmount]]'s [[fusion cannon]]s are pointed at major cities. [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] resolves to disable the cannons. As Darkmount has [[GroundBridge]] jamming capabilities, they will have to attack in a more roundabout way.

In an underground cavern, [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] expresses his doubt that he's ready to be a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], but [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] points out that the decision will be made by the [[Matrix of Leadership]].

[[File:Rebellion-Shockwave.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Move out, Predacons. We've waited a long time for this, yesss. Let us be close enough to enjoy it.]]

[[Jack Darby|Jack]] uses his cellphone at a gas station, and his signal is promptly picked up by the [[Decepticon]]s. [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] dispatches his seekers to investigate, but [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] GroundBridges Jack back to the ''[[Harbinger]]'' before they can reach him. [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] likewise calls for pizza from a [[New York City|New York]] alley to lure Decepticons there. Ratchet has Jack make a fake transmission from an [[Energon]] Mine, forcing Starscream to send [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]s to check the location. With the Decepticon forces thus scattered, the Autobots bridge to the fortress while Fowler stands ready at a nearby air base with a squadron of jets.

[[File:Rebellion-UltraMagnus.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|They have deduced our strategy, such as it was.]]

As the report comes in that the Energon Mine is safe and not under attack, [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] demands to know why the Decepticons have been spread so thin. [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] solves the mystery of where the Autobots are by pointing out the existence of the ''Harbinger'', however before Starscream can dispatch his armada to attack it, Darkmount itself comes under attack. Down below, [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] toss grenades at the base of the fortress and use their new weapons to stave off the [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s that attack them. Meanwhile [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] and [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] take a more subtle route.

[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] humbly suggests releasing [[Predaking (Prime)|the Predacon]] to repel the attackers. The beast enters the fray, but is quickly distracted by the ''[[Iron Will]]''. As it attempts to chase Magnus, Ratchet opens a GroundBridge, sending the creature to the Arctic, where it quickly freezes. Shockwave leaves the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' and starts jumping down the side of the fortress.

The dying Optimus begins to have a vision of the [[Transformer afterlife|Allspark]] and [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]]. Though Prime worries about the fate of the Matrix, his old teacher assures him it will pick a new leader.

Arcee reports to Magnus that she and Bumblebee have run into some trouble and are pinned down. Ultra Magnus decides to take matters into his own hands, entering the fortress and attacking the fusion cannon control room directly. He swiftly takes care of the Decepticons at the controls, only for Megatron himself to arrive. Meanwhile Shockwave reaches the bottom of the tower and incapacitates Bulkhead and Wheeljack with a single tank cannon blast, and Arcee and Bumblebee are surrounded by Decepticon troops. Ultra Magnus fights bravely against Megatron, but ultimately loses and is dragged up to the throne room.

Alpha Trion invites Optimus to join with the Allspark. In the cavern, the Optimus's optics flicker out and his chestplate opens up to reveal the Matrix. Smokescreen has other ideas, and drags the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] over in order to place it in Optimus's hand. A surge of energy emanates from the hammer.

[[File:Rebellion-prepunch.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|My turn.]]

As Ultra Magnus won't tell Megatron anything, the Decepticon leader orders the prisoners executed and the fusion cannons fired, however Starscream points out that there's something incoming. In the ''Harbinger'', Ratchet also detects the inbound object, and it has an Autobot signature. It reaches visual range of the Decepticons, revealing itself to be Optimus himself, in a new upgraded form. Landing in the throne room, Optimus deals Megatron a series of concussions before smashing the Decepticon leader all the way into the throne. Once the other Decepticons have been dealt with, Magnus deals Starscream a shattering uppercut before briefing Optimus, who sets out to destroy the fusion cannons. The Autobots at the base of the tower, on hearing the news, overthrow their captors.

Enraged, Megatron takes to the air and attempts to shoot down Prime. The news that there are incoming human forces has Starscream order the fusion cannons to fire, but while they're still powering up, Optimus Prime punches Megatron and flings the Decepticon leader directly into the fusion cannon power core, disabling the cannons. The Autobots make a hasty withdrawal as Fowler's squadron of [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Skystrikers]] unleashes missiles on Darkmount. The Decepticons likewise retreat to their warship. Smokescreen drives up the highway in time to see the fortress come crashing to the ground.

Later, at [[Hangar E|a military base]], Fowler gives the Autobots a speech of thanks. The Autobots note that the Forge's power has been completely drained, but Ratchet assures Smokescreen he made the right choice.

[[File:Rebellion-Autobotgroupshot.jpg|700px|center|thumb|In the meantime, I've got a lot of catching up to do. People to meet, things to do... specifically to have Rattrap clear all of his junk out of my quarters!]]

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] (1)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (2)
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (3)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (6)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (12)
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (13)
*[[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] (22)

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

|c3=
*[[William Fowler]] (7)
*[[Jack Darby]] (8)
*[[June Darby]] (9)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (10)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (11)

}}

==Quotes==
"Guess we'll have to sneak past enemy lines, Wrecker-style." 
"I couldn't deal with 'Wrecker-style' back on Cybertron, and I refuse to deal with it here."
:—'''Wheeljack''' and '''Ultra Magnus'''

"I knew the humans couldn't resist using their telecommunications... That is all they seem to do."
:—'''Starscream''' does have a point there...

"You left abandoned Decepticon technology fully operational, AND UNSECURED?!"
:—'''Megatron''' learns how Starscream pulled off his past escapades.

"Ultra Magnus, you are no Optimus Prime."
:—'''Megatron'''

"This isn't how the story's supposed to end."
:—'''Smokescreen'''

"Commander?" 
"Sir, you are looking...robust."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Ultra Magnus'''

"Is it true the Forge has been drained of its power? Then any hope of rebuilding the Omega Lock has truly been lost." 
"I... did what I felt was right." 
"And your instincts once have again proven to be quite sound."
:—'''Ratchet''' and '''Smokescreen''' on the Forge of Solus Prime.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The Autobots dispose of Predaking in the same manner as they did the [[Scraplet]]s in "[[Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap]]". [[Chain of Command (Prime)|It doesn't work as well as they hoped]].
* The Forge of Solus Prime was established to be low on energy in "[[Prey (episode)|Prey]]". Optimus' upgrade drains it completely.
* Optimus repeats the line "Megatron, begone" from "[[Orion Pax, Part 3]]", in much the same context.
* Wheeljack retains the scars inflicted by Starscream in "[[Scattered]]".
* With Darkmount destroyed and the Autobots getting a new base courtesy of the U.S. military, both sides are pretty close to where they started off. Just like old times.
* Despite her last encounter with Shockwave, Arcee does not seem at all surprised to see him. Nor is she even given any interaction with him.
* A returning Optimus deals with Megatron with a giant swing (grabs Megatron by the tail while he's in flight mode, spins him around and throws him), just like Megatron did with Starscream upon his own return from stasis in "[[Out of His Head]]".

===Transformers references===
* Optimus Prime (and [[Ginrai (human)|Optimus expies]]) gaining a flight-capable backpack is something of an Optimus tradition by this point.
* Ultra Magnus's "couldn't deal with" remark seems a nod to his [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart's]] oft-referenced line from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

===Animation and technical errors===
* When Wheeljack unsheathes his katanas to attack the Decepticons, the handles remain part of his character model as he draws them. The error is fixed by the next shot.
* When Optimus flies to the scene and quickly starts pounding Megatron, the latter's leg wobbling doesn't really match with background movement.
* Ratchet's "Pfft, well..." reaction to Miko suggesting the Forge might do him some good is completely out of sync with his mouth movements. The line itself is lifted from "[[Scattered]]".
* When Megatron drops to the ground about to fight Ultra Magnus, the sound from his landing seems to stop too abruptly. Normally there is a slight echo after a crashing sound effect.
* When Megatron shoots Ultra Magnus's rifle out of his hand, the laser is red instead of purple.

===Continuity errors===

* Wheeljack doesn't have a grenade on his hip when he and Bulkhead engage the Seekers, but it appears there immediately after he uses his energy whip to destroy a few of them.
* When the Autobots sent the Scraplets to the Arctic in "[[Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap]]", Ratchet reasoned that the smaller body mass of the Scraplets would render them much more vulnerable to the extreme cold. By comparison, both Optimus and Arcee remained functional, if somewhat impaired, for a significant period. Despite this, Predaking, who is even larger than Optimus (not counting the wings), is frozen solid in under a minute. In "[[Minus One]]", Predaking would engage Optimus Prime in a protracted battle in [[Antarctica]] with no signs of freezing over.
* Wheeljack is seen in Ultra Magnus' ship holding the energy whip ''and'' a blaster. However in the battle that follows said blaster is nowhere to be seen.
* Darkmount was located right next to the ruins of the Autobot base. Smokescreen retrieved Optimus from the rubble and presumably hid him in a cavern somewhere close by. Yet when Smokescreen tries to join the battle, he's seen arriving by the highway, having apparently driven a considerable distance.

===Trivia===
* This episode has a different map of the United States, this time with Louisiana in the right place.
* This is the first time in this series that anyone has [[flight|flown]] in [[robot mode]].
* Fowler refers to the jet fighters as [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Skystrikers]], like the fighters from ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]''; this was one of the set-ups for the eventually-canned ''[[Unit:E]]'' crossover project that ''Prime'' was intended to lead into.
* The "[[Transformers: Prime Beast Hunters the Autobits edition|Autobits]]" edition of the episode mistakenly describes ''Shockwave's'' face as receiving "over 300 cable channels", rather than Soundwave's as intended.
* Bulkhead is silent throughout the whole episode, unless you count his grunts during the various battles or his laughs heard at the tail end of the episode. [[Kevin Michael Richardson]] is still credited in the episode's credits.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Rébellion'''" ("Rebellion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Rebellion'''" ("Rebellion")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 22|22 October]] [[2013]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Ostrom'''" ("Assault")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 5|5 September]] [[2013]]

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Insurreição'''" ("Insurrection")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 4|4 October]] [[2013]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Ribellione'''" ("Rebellion")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 6|6 September]] [[2013]]

'''Spanish (Spain)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Rebelión'''" ("Rebellion")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 10|10 October]] [[2013]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Dawn of the Beast ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season 3 Volume 1: Battle for Darkmount ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Saison 3 Volume 1: Le règne de Mégatron ([[Primal Screen]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season 3 Volume 1: Battle for Darkmount (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Staffel 3 Teil 1: Schlacht um Darkmount (Primal Screen) — English, German, Dutch and French audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Intégrale Saison 3 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — The Complete Season 3 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Die komplette Staffel 3 (Primal Screen) — English, German, Dutch and French audio. 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — The Complete Season 3 (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2016 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three Collection (Madman Entertainment) 

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Out of the Past

2023-06-30T19:40:55Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{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"
|season=2
|season ep=17
|airdate=[[August 31]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Mike Johnson]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7WdJYoKsLs
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''Arcee recalls the time she and Cliffjumper discovered Shockwave and Starscream were building a space bridge.'''

==Synopsis==
''The ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' flies through space. On the bridge, [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] is dragged before [[Starscream (WFC)|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 (WFC)|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 (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] is similarly struggling to decode the recovered Iacon database. [[Ratchet (WFC)|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 (WFC)|Soundwave]] suggests taking them down on the planet's surface. Starscream and some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] are soon leading the two prisoners through [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] to a laboratory. Cliffjumper is concerned at the sight of the many tools lying ready to be used, even more so when Starscream introduces them to [[Shockwave (WFC)|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.''
[[Image:Cliffjumper and Shockwave.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.1|"Thumbs up if you think Shockwave is weird!" "0_0" "He's right behind me, isn't he?"]]

Miko recognizes the truth of this advice, but asks Arcee what happened next.
:''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 (WFC)|Arcee]] (2)
*''[[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] (5)''
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (8)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (9)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (10)
*''[[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]] (13)''
|c2=
*''[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (1)''
*''[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (3)''
*''[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (4)''
*''[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] (11)''
*''[[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] (12)''
|c3=
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (7)
}}

==Quotes==
"After I lost my first partner—Tailgate—I pushed everyone away, until Cliffjumper came along." 
"What was he like?" 
"Cliff was... quite the conversationalist."
:—'''Arcee''' tells '''Miko''' about her late partner

"So this is Kaon, huh? Love what you Decepticons have done with the place. The ruins are especially picturesque."
:—'''Cliffjumper'''

"Erm... Shockwave, are you certain you can extract the decryption code without first nullifying our subject's neural net?" 
"I ''invented'' the cortical psychic patch! I am familiar with its idiosyncrasies."
:—'''Starscream''' doesn't need to explain to '''Shockwave''' how ''his own tools'' work.

"While it often pains me, I ''try'' to be a team player."
:—'''Starscream''' lies, big surprise

"Only Starscream could fail to dispose of a helpless captive."
:—'''Shockwave'''

"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==
===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).
* Optimus Prime’s message is ''prooooobably'' meant to be the same one that brought the [[Rescue Force Sigma-17|Rescue Bots]] to Earth, but its composition is different. But hey, [[Aligned timeline|squint test.]]
* 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 (episode)|Triage]]".
* Shockwave is revealed to have forcibly used the cortical psychic patch on Arcee, explaining her later reluctance to willingly undergo the procedure during "[[Sick Mind]]".
* As a nod to Cliffjumper's eventual fate, Starscream decides to eliminate Cliffjumper "the old-fashioned way": [[Darkness Rising, Part 1|by eviscerating him with his claws]].

===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 after Megatron departed, much like how his G1-counterpart - and several other counterparts - 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)|Animated]]''.
* Cliffjumper pretends to be an Autobot traitor. In [[Cliffjumper (G1)|another life]], Cliffjumper [[Traitor (episode)|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]].

===Real-world references===
* The episode shares a title with the 1947 film noir {{w|''Out of the Past''}}, directed by {{w|Jacques Tourneur.}}

===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 Starscream and Shockwave are listening to Optimus Prime's transmission, Shockwave is seen on the left of Starscream. When it ends, he's on the right. Of course, he might have changed position while the camera was focused on the Autobots.
* The bottom part of Arcee's head crest is red, but turns silver when she and Cliffjumper are interrogating Starscream. This happens again when they are in the space bridge vortex.
* In this episode, a point is made of the fact the space bridge controls are essential to its correct operation, with Arcee going after the nearby command console, and "[[Orion Pax, Part 3]]" depicting the Earth-based bridge as having operators and maintenance staff. However, in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]", "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]" and "[[Alpha/Omega]]", the bridges are simply remotely controlled from the warship. If the ones in space don't have this as a dependency, why do the Earth-based ones?

===Trivia===
* Cliffjumper is voiced by [[Billy Brown]], whose imitation of [[Dwayne Johnson]] generally sounds quite convincing.
* Shockwave is revealed to be 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 her [[Predatory|encounter]] with Airachnid. This is consistent with comments he makes in the episode "[[Partners (Prime)|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. ''BWAMMMM''.
* The show's writers, not knowing what to do with the character, intended to kill Shockwave off by the end of this episode (à la [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]], and Cliffjumper himself), before coming up with a way to incorporate him into the show's third season.
* Perhaps unsurprisingly due to most of the featured characters using Earth-mode models before visiting Earth, this episode features a solitary instance of transformation: Bumblebee's, upon returning to base. Not even Shockwave, who ''has'' no Earth-based-vehicle-bits on his model, transforms.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Coéquipiers'''" ("Teammates")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Schatten der Vergangenheit'''" ("Shadows from the Past")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 2|2 February]] [[2013]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Tsuioku Henkei! Arcee no Kako'''" (追憶変形!アーシーの過去, "Reminiscent Transformation! Arcee's Past")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 26|26 January]] [[2013]]
:*Shockwave is given a speech quirk, spouting the word "shock" every other time he does something and weaving it into many of his lines, causing him to describe much of what happens as "shocking". For example, when Cliffjumper's blasts don't harm him, he responds with "Shocking, isn't it? That doesn't work on me." This is similar to how [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|''Armada'' Tidal Wave]], who was named Shockwave in Japan, talked. This is also his only appearance in the Japanese broadcast.

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''No Passado'''" ("In The Past")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 25|25 June]] [[2013]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Un salto nel passato'''" ("A Jump in the Past"), "'''Dal Passato'''" (2017 airing, "From the Past")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 7|7 February]] [[2013]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Vol. 22 ([[Avex Trax]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Folge 10: Bulkheads Mission ([[EDEL:kids]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Volume 4: Unclear Objectives ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season 2 Vol. 3: Toxicity ([[Primal Screen]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 2 Vol. 3: La course aux reliques (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Stagione 2 Vol. 3: Il Tox-En (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio. 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Intégrale Saison 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — The Complete Season 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — La Seconda Stagione Completa (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 

[[Category:Adaptations]]
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Deadlock (episode)

2023-06-30T02:56:56Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{disambig3|Deadlock}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 65
|prev=Synthesis
|next=Predacons Rising (Prime)
|image=Tfp deadlock omega lock.jpg
|caption=Take that to the secondary cargo hold. We need to make room for the Stargate.
|title="Deadlock"
|season=3
|season ep=13
|airdate=[[July 26]], [[2013]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btQX2_v9TgU
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''The Autobots face the Decepticons for a final showdown.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Megatron TFPS313 standing.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|Momo, time for you to go.]]
The [[Autobot]]s storm the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' via the outer hull, while [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] lets them know he's heading for the [[Omega Lock]]'s control station. As he approaches the ship, [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] orders the [[Stealth Team (Prime)|Stealth Team]] to join Ratchet while [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] and the [[Wreckers]] take the bridge. [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] asks if they should destroy the lock, but Optimus does not intend to pass up a second chance to restore [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] has to be prompted to follow the others when he's momentarily distracted by the sight of [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] arriving on the upper deck with the [[Dark Star Saber]]. The Decepticon leader uses the sword to damage Optimus's [[jet pack]]. Optimus manages to land on one of the lower spires and starts climbing up.

Telling them he has something he needs to do, Smokescreen leaves Arcee and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], much to Arcee's annoyance. Meanwhile, Ratchet reaches the control station and begins facing off, rather badly, against [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]. Arcee and Bumblebee approach the control station as well, but they're cut off by [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] and a bunch of Seekers who open fire on them. Elsewhere, [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] packs for a journey he might have to make. Smokescreen arrives at the warship's storage chamber and retrieves the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]].

Ultra Magnus and his team storm the bridge; however, their attempt is cut short by [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]], who [[GroundBridge]]s them to the brig, where they're quickly surrounded. Ultra Magnus notifies everyone that his team has been delayed, which gives [[Jack Darby|Jack]] an idea. He asks [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] to bridge him onto the ''Nemesis'' bridge as he's come up with a plan.

On the ''Nemesis'', Shockwave finishes pummeling Ratchet and is about to finish the Autobot off, but is interrupted by the Omega Lock signaling that it's ready to fire. As he opens the huge portal to ready the firing sequence, he spots Optimus hanging onto the Omega Lock's structure and is forced to take cover as Optimus opens fire. Megatron soon arrives to engage Optimus directly and orders Shockwave to begin the firing sequence.

Knock Out, wandering the corridors, finds himself cut off by the fighting. The bridge, meanwhile, is invaded by Jack and an [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]]-clad [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]]. She quickly finishes off the Vehicons onsite, but Soundwave advances on her with an open GroundBridge. Jack tells Raf to open a GroundBridge right behind Soundwave, and the conflicting bridge energies promptly transwarp Soundwave into the [[shadowzone (dimension)|shadowzone]]. As Jack and Miko head to the controls, the Omega Lock begins powering up. On its rim, Optimus and Megatron continue to battle, with Optimus knocking the Dark Star Saber from Megatron's grip and decking him. Megatron orders Shockwave to prepare to fire, but is interrupted by the ship lurching while under Jack's control.

[[File:Tfp bee down.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|There can be no triumph without loss. No victory without suffering. No freedom without sacrifice.]]

Down below, Smokescreen passes Arcee and Bumblebee, carrying the Star Saber into the Omega Lock control room. He attempts to throw the sword down to Optimus, only to be blasted by Shockwave. Arcee, Bumblebee, Starscream and Shockwave all run for the weapon. Arcee is forced to take out Starscream, and Bumblebee reaches the Star Saber first. He throws it up in the air, decking Shockwave and cracking his optic before grabbing the sword midair. Ratchet warns Optimus that he must use the Star Saber to destroy the Omega Lock; however, as Bumblebee jumps to pass the weapon to Optimus, he's blasted repeatedly by Megatron. As other Autobots and Decepticons watch in horror and glee, respectively, Bumblebee's optics flicker out, and he dies. He plunges lifelessly into the Omega Lock's energy field.

[[File:Tfp megatron impaled.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|left|Megatron: I did [[Dark Energon|it]] for me. I liked it. I was good at it. And I was really... I was alive.]]

Outraged, Optimus smashes Megatron backward in a series of powerful blows, only to be knocked off the Omega Lock when Megatron recovers the Dark Star Saber and uses its wave attack to blast Optimus. As Prime clings to the side, Megatron prepares to finish the Autobot off, only to turn around in response to someone calling his name. Bumblebee runs him through with the Star Saber, and as everyone looks on in shock, Megatron dies and his body falls from the Omega Lock and plunges Earthward, burning as it enters the atmosphere. Bumblebee helps Optimus climb up as the remaining [[Decepticon]]s scramble to escape. As the Autobots reunite, they marvel at the fact that Bumblebee has his voice back, and Optimus passes on the news to Magnus's team and [[Hangar E]] that Megatron has perished. With the ship now under Autobot control, Optimus orders Magnus to set course for Cybertron. Bumblebee radios Raf to let him know to come up so he can be there for the restoration of Cybertron.

[[File:Tfp cybertron restored.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Peace.]]

As the ship passes through the [[space bridge]], Starscream and Shockwave reach the escape pods to find there's only one left. They cram into it and eject, though Starscream complains about the cramped conditions. Ratchet explains that he does not have the complete formula to synthesize cyber-matter (never having learned Shockwave's portion of it) and the current amount was intended to cyberform Earth, not the much larger Cybertron. Optimus directs the ship to the [[Well of All Sparks]], so they can revitalize Cybertron's core. The beam of energy strikes Cybertron's core, and the planet is soon restored and glowing a healthy blue. On the bridge, Knock Out admires the planet's new luster, and claims to be "joining the winning team", only to be decked by Miko. [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]], still clinging to the hull, looks out over Cybertron before transforming and flying off.

Back on Earth, Optimus gives a speech about how they're going to miss [[Earth]]. Fowler says the three kids will be members of [[Unit:E]], June modifying it by mentioning that they'll be in a consulting capacity only until they're of age, and Ratchet takes the opportunity to announce he's staying on Earth. Bumblebee, Bulkhead and Arcee give a tearful farewell to their respective partners, while Fowler, Magnus, Wheeljack and Smokescreen share a mutual salute. As the Autobots head through the space bridge, Optimus gives Ratchet a last goodbye, and with a final lingering look at his human companions, strides through after his team.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (2)
*[[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] (3)
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (4)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (6)
*[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] (7)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (8)
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (9)

|c2=
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (1)
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (14)
*[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] (15)
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (16)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (17)
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (18)

|c3=
*[[William Fowler]] (10)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (11)
*[[Jack Darby]] (12)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (13)
*[[June Darby]] (20)

|h4=[[Predacon (Prime)|Predacons]]|c4=
*[[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] (19)
}}

==Quotes==
"Shut it down, Shockwave. I cannot allow you to harm Earth!" 
"The planet will not be harmed. Only its indigenous lifeforms." 
''"Over my sparkless husk!"'' 
:—'''Ratchet''' prepares to duel '''Shockwave''' for the planet he's learned to love.

"Pack light. Pack light! [''Finds his rotary buffer''] Oh! Pack ''smart''!"
:—'''Knock Out'''

"Prepare to join your scout... in the Allspark!"
:—'''Megatron's''' final words

"You took my voice. You will never rob anyone, of ''anything'', ever again."
:—'''Bumblebee'''

"I will avenge you, Master!" 
[''Shockwave grabs him''] 
"Starscream, do not be a fool!" 
[''They flee as Starscream resists''] 
"Curse you and your logic!"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Shockwave'''

"Bumblebee..." 
"Your voice..." 
"My voice? What're you g-... My voice!" 
[''grabs '''Ratchet''' in a great big hug''] 
"Ratchet! I have my pipes back!" 
"Errhmm, y-yes! Yes we noticed!"
:—'''Ratchet''', '''Arcee''', and '''Bumblebee'''

"Rrrgh, your elbow articulator is digging into my lateral flexor!" 
"Do you intend to whine for the duration of the voyage?" 
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Shockwave'''

"Ah, such luster." 
''[Autobots stare in disbelief]'' 
"What? I'm joining the winning team."
:—'''Knock Out'''

"Raf..." 
"I know Bee. You don't have to say anything." 
"I never did."
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Raf''' share their last exchange.

"Until we meet again, old friend..."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' says goodbye to '''Ratchet''', and in a way, to us.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Ultra Magnus refers to Soundwave's combat GroundBridging as a "relocation trick", which he had used on Arcee in "[[Orion Pax, Part 1]]", a Predacon bone fragment in "[[Project Predacon]]", and [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] and her [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] in "[[Thirst]]".
* Miko previously used the Apex Armor in "[[Chain of Command (Prime)|Chain of Command]]".
* Jack, Miko, and Raf experienced the effects of crossed GroundBridges firsthand in "[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]".
* The [[Immobilizer]] is seen in a stasis field in the vault, thus accounting for all the weapons left on Cybertron last season.
* The Star Saber was previously seen in the Decepticon vault in "[[Prey (episode)|Prey]]". Despite not making a note of it then, that fact did not escape Smokescreen's notice.
* Bumblebee's formerly-destroyed voicebox was the result of a run-in with Megatron at [[Tyger Pax]], as explained in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 1]]" and the novel, ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''.
* The Autobots fire the Omega Lock into the Well of All Sparks, last seen in flashback in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 1]]".
* This is the second time Knock Out [[Orion Pax, Part 1|has mentioned being on the "winning team"]].
* Wheeljack takes the [[Cybertronian sport#Lobbing|lobbing]] ball with him to Cybertron. It was last seen in "Project Predacon".
* Bumblebee managed to crack Shockwave's eye, making it the second time it has been damaged.
* [[Hangar E]] retains the paint modification it received in [[Persuasion]] to make it look like Hangar F, while the real Hangar F remains destroyed.
* Ratchet once again displays his immense development in character, from a bot not too fond of organics to a relentless protector of humankind.

===Real-world references===
* Raf refers to opening conflicting Space Bridge portals as "crossing the streams", a term from ''[[Ghostbusters]]'' for literally touching the energy streams created by the franchise's signature energy backpacks; a reprise of the same reference from the first time this happened in "Shadowzone".

===Errors===
* Ultra Magnus goes into the battle using his built-in blasters, but in the next scene is lugging around the same handheld cannon he used in "[[Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion]]".
* During the Autobots' attack, Bumblebee deploys his shield to charge forward but Arcee decides to run directly in front of him. Surely she should hide behind his shield if they are charging a Decepticon warship?
* Even though the ship is orbiting Earth, Transformers and objects fall at a rate consistent with Earth-normal gravity outside of the ship.
* When Jack arrives on the ''Nemesis'', Laserbeak (on Soundwave's chest) is missing its left wing.
* When Smokescreen takes a hit from Shockwave before he is able to pass the Star Saber to his leader, he falls backward onto one of the tanks while the Star Saber flies to his left side at a slight angle. After the scene cuts to him against the tanks, the sword has somehow moved a considerable distance further, enough that Smokescreen would have had to purposefully throw it in that direction to get it that far.
* As Bumblebee is blasted by Megatron, the Star Saber falls with him at the same angle, apparently towards the cybermatter pool. Yet when Bumblebee falls in, the Saber clangs to the surface of the Omega Lock rather than in the pool, as its trajectory would suggest.
* Though it makes sense that Megatron and Optimus failed to notice Bumblebee's revival, certainly the assembled Autobots and Decepticons should have, considering Bumblebee would have had to climb out of the cybermatter pool, grab the sword, then walk over to Megatron to stab him with it.
* Knock Out more or less appears out of nowhere when he comments on a restored Cybertron's beauty. He certainly wasn't on the bridge when the Wreckers finally secured it, and they should have noticed if he entered the room.
* Wheeljack picks up the lobbing ball before he enters the GroundBridge, but it disappears after he salutes Agent Fowler and walks through the portal.

===Trivia===
* Between solicitations for upcoming issues of the [[Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic)|''Beast Hunters'' comic]] (which revealed that Cybertron would be restored), the press release for the ''[[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising]]'' movie (which revealed that Megatron was going to die) and a clip shown at the ''Prime'' panel at the San Diego Comic Con and later released online (which revealed that Bumblebee would regain his voice), a well-informed Transfan had pretty much ''every'' surprise of this episode spoiled ''by official sources'' well in advance of its airing. Boo.
* Just before Megatron retrieves the Dark Star Saber from the Omega Lock to use its wave attack to push Optimus off the side, it emits a sound very similar to the [[Star Saber (Armada)|original Star Saber sword]] whenever it was activated.
* While the limited cybermatter created to cyberform Earth was enough to restore Cybertron's core, the surface is still in ruins. Ratchet predicted this much would happen in the previous season, even though he was technically wrong at the time. The original Omega Lock could have restored both the surface and the core.
* Bumblebee was wearing a battle mask over his mouth for the whole series, which is revealed when he retracts it upon discovering he can speak again.
* Despite being exposed to space at various points along the hull, certain areas of the ''Nemesis'' appear to be airtight, specifically the bridge.
* The Omega Lock's [[Living metal|cyber-matter]] was able to fully heal Bumblebee's wounds and restore his voice box. Perhaps Ultra Magnus should have dipped his hand in before they used it to restore Cybertron.
* An extended version of Megatron's death scene is included as a bonus feature on [[Shout! Factory]]'s release of the third season. It features no extra dialogue, but includes several extra shots of Bumblebee stabbing the Star Saber deeper into Megatron as the Decepticon leader fights against the blade and tries to right himself before eventually succumbing.
* The episode's title "Deadlock" refers to a scenario where a conflict never ends due to the opposing parties waiting for the other to make a move... which doesn't really apply here, as the Autobots win the war, rendering the title pretty unfitting for this episode. (However, it does feature both a death and a lock.)

===Foreign localization===
'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Impasse'''" ("Deadlock")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 7|7 December]] [[2013]]

'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La reconstruction'''" ("Reconstruction")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Stillstand'''" ("Deadlock")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 16|16 October]] [[2013]]

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Végjáték'''" ("Endgame")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 18|18 September]] [[2013]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Stallo'''" ("Deadlock")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 6|6 September]] [[2013]]

'''Spanish (Spain)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Punto muerto'''" ("Deadlock")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 3|3 November]] [[2013]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Ultimate Bumblebee (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season 3 Volume 3: Omega Lock ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season 3 Volume 2: Race for Salvation ([[Primal Screen]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Saison 3 Volume 2: L'ultime affrontement (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Staffel 3 Teil 2: Auf zur Rettung (Primal Screen) — English, German, Dutch and French audio. 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Intégrale Saison 3 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — The Complete Season 3 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Die komplette Staffel 3 (Primal Screen) — English, German, Dutch and French audio. 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — The Complete Season 3 (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2016 — ''Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters'' — Season Three Collection (Madman Entertainment) 

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Triangulation

2023-06-29T20:27:21Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 39
|prev=Tunnel Vision
|next=Triage (episode)
|image=Triangulation Starscream Apex armor.jpg
|caption= "I've never really had a taste for this sort of thing, but I must admit... I'm deeply enjoying the suit!"
|title="Triangulation"
|season=2
|season ep=13
|airdate=[[May 12]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[David McDermott]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRGyFzOeR3g
|videosite=YouTube
}}

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

==Synopsis==
[[File:TriangulationDecepticonHighCommand.jpg|left|250px|thumb|'''Soundwave''': Hey, stop by the liquor store on the way back! '''Megatron''': And bring some fragging cheese back! Velveeta! ''You hear me?!?'']]
[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] notes that the second relic is in [[Antarctica]], and [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] volunteers to head there. Megatron warns Dreadwing that he'd better prove himself a more worthy [[second-in-command]] than his predecessors. In the ''[[Harbinger]]'', [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] is about to operate on himself to install the [[transformation cog|T-cog]] of his traitorous [[Starscream clone (Prime)|clone]]. He is clearly nervous to have to perform the procedure alone, when the ship's computer picks up the fact that the [[Decepticon]]s are dispatching teams to four continents. Starscream happily postpones the operation to investigate.

At the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] departs through the [[GroundBridge]] for his relic hunt. [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] announces he's heading for the Antarctic relic, and that [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] will need backup on his mission—[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]. Ratchet is less than pleased at having to contend with the wild card Wrecker, but Optimus affirms that Ratchet would be wise to accept the aid of a seasoned warrior like Wheeljack.

[[File:TriangulationPrimeAndScream.jpg|250px|right|thumb|"You don't want me as your enemy, Starscream. Now shut up and kiss me."]]
Starscream uses a GroundBridge remote control to head to the Antarctic on a [[hoverscooter]]. He's quickly spotted by Dreadwing and some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] who knock him off his hoverscooter. Starscream at first mistakes Dreadwing for [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], and soon has some cuffs slapped on him. Though Starscream is miffed at the irony that he's been apprehended by Megatron's new [[second-in-command]], he's silenced when Dreadwing begins violently pushing him along. As Optimus watches from afar, the group trudges through the snow to where the relic is located, only to find it has already been dug out of the ice and is gone. The Vehicons start searching and find vehicle tracks. They're approached by Optimus, who demands the return of the relic, and after a lengthy standoff. the confrontation turns into a firefight.

After Prime takes out two of the Vehicons and scores a hit on Dreadwing, the Decepticon starts breaking out heavier weapons, and proves to be formidable with a sword. The two 'bots fighting to a draw, they take a dive off a cliff, following which Optimus brings the ice crashing down, burying Dreadwing. Seeing the tables have turned on the Decepticons, Starscream is able to kill the remaining Vehicons. He excitedly proposes that Optimus free him from his cuffs in exchange for him leading the Prime to the relic, but Optimus, already in a bad mood, refuses. To Starscream's disappointment, he is forced to lead Optimus to the relic.

[[File:TriangulationFaceoff.jpg|250px|left|thumb|So a guy voiced by Peter Cullen teams up with a worthy opponent against a nigh-invincible mutual foe and ends up sinking it into the ocean. Did we step into ''Alien Vs. Predator''?]]
The two then take a long walk through the Antarctic. Starscream tries to plead his case, mentioning how he helped Optimus return from his stint as Orion Pax and alerted the Autobots to [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]]. Optimus notes his appreciation for Starscream's help, but makes it clear he knows it was all for Starscream's own self-interests. The two arrive at a human military base, and Optimus prevents Starscream from just waltzing in. Starscream is puzzled as to why they must be so careful around humans when retrieving the relic, but Optimus radios home and gets [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] to evacuate the human base so he can safely retrieve the relic.

Meanwhile, Dreadwing breaks free of the ice and after contemplating the slain Vehicons, heads out to find Prime. With the base clear, Optimus and Starscream venture inside to find the relic still frozen in a chunk of ice. They're interrupted by Dreadwing, who's disgusted by Starscream apparently allying with an Autobot. Starscream quickly jumps ship and claims he was leaving a trail for Dreadwing. While Optimus and Dreadwing fight, an unattended Starscream sets about liberating the relic from the ice, which turns out to be the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]]. Outside, Dreadwing has Optimus on the ropes and is about to strike when Starscream, now wearing the armor and ''much'' more powerful, crashes out of the building to challenge them.

[[File:TriangulationSouthernLights.jpg|250px|right|thumb|An epic fail on Optimus' part. Turn around, dammit!]]
Both Dreadwing and Optimus attack the rogue Decepticon, but he swats them aside, repeatedly. Optimus suggests to Dreadwing that they will need to cooperate to defeat Starscream, and Dreadwing accepts the offer for both of their sakes. While Dreadwing flies around, Optimus slaps one of the Seeker's bombs onto Starscream, but the Apex Armor proves invulnerable even to that. Optimus realizes that Starscream still has a vulnerability—his lack of flight. While Optimus keeps Starscream's attention once more, Dreadwing plants explosives on the ground, and just as Starscream works out that the pair are up to something, the bombs detonate. Starscream disappears into a hole blasted in the ice. With no relic left to claim, Optimus once again pleads for Dreadwing to turn on Megatron and join him. Dreadwing refuses, and after sincerely thanking him for helping him survive the ordeal, promises to terminate him the next time they meet. With no relic to fight over, the two go their separate ways, and Optimus is left in the aurora borealis-bathed tundra to contemplate Dreadwing's final refusal of peace.

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

{{--}}

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

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

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

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

==Quotes==
"Ener-stat. Cross-clamp. Laser scalpel. [[Durabyllium]] drill. And, one slightly damaged but operational T-Cog, courtesy of my traitorous clone. Everything I require to make myself whole. A simple, painless procedure... Nothing to it, really... Provided one possesses the nerve..."
:—'''Starscream''' about to perform self-surgery.

"Were it up to me, I would end this here, and ''now.'' ''*cuffs Starscream*'' "But it is my duty as first lieutenant to Megatron, to render all traitors to my lord and master for due punishment." 
"FIRST LIEUTENANT?! '''THAT'S MY POST!!"''' 
''*Vehicons cock blasters*'' 
"Er... ''was'' my post." 
:—'''Dreadwing''' shows off his current position to a more than disgruntled '''Starscream.'''

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

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

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

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

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

===Transformers references===
*The Apex Armor is a reference to the [[Apex Armor (G1)|item of the same name]] from Generation 1, first introduced with the [[Heroes of Cybertron]] PVC of what in Japan had been [[Ginrai (human)|God Ginrai]], and released as a ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]]'' reissue of the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#ApexArmorPrime|Powermaster Optimus Prime]] toy a year later. Still later, the Apex Armor appeared in the [[IDW Publishing]] ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' miniseries, used by [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]].
*Among the tools Starscream tries to operate on himself with are a [[durabyllium]] drill and a [[laser scalpel]].

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

===Errors===
*When Dreadwing is volunteering to go the Antarctic, Megatron's eyes are out of place when he looks back at him. One is correctly in the corner of his eye but the other isn't, placed as if he were looking slightly left.
*Starscream is missing his manacles during Optimus and Dreadwing's first battle.
*The Apex Armor was established in ''[[Transformers: Exiles|Exiles]]'' as a relic of [[Solus Prime]]; however, Starscream calls it armor of "Decepticon origin".
*In a couple of shots, the parts hanging out of the Apex Armor's shoulders seem to clip through its upper torso.
*Dreadwing picks up both his sword and his complete gun after he recovers from the avalanche, despite the sword forming the handle of the gun.

===Trivia===
*Optimus still hasn't gotten Raf that snowball he promised to give him [[Scrapheap (episode)|the other day.]]
*Unless one counts the recap at the beginning, this is the first episode in which [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] does not make an appearance.
*Dreadwing reveals that he has a sword. While his gun has a bayonet that is very similar to his various toys' swords, this is the first time in-series he has ever used an independent sword.
*Dreadwing seems to want to kill Optimus to avenge his twin, even though it was technically Bumblebee who killed him. He even saw it on Soundwave's monitor.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La Seconde Relique'''" ("The Second Relic")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Allianzen in der Antarktis'''" ("Alliances in the Antarctic")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 13|13 November]] [[2012]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Hyōketsu Henkei! Muteki no Body o Te ni Irero!'''" (氷結変形!無敵のボディを手に入れろ!, "Freezing Transformation! Obtain the Invincible Body!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 29|29 December]] [[2012]]

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Triangulação'''" ("Triangulation")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 19|19 June]] [[2013]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Triangolazione'''" ("Triangulation")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 24|24 October]] [[2012]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Vol. 20 ([[Avex Trax]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Folge 9: Angriff auf Megatron ([[EDEL:kids]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Volume 3: Weapons of Choice ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 2 Vol. 2: Nemesis Prime ([[Primal Screen]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season 2 Vol. 2: Nemesis Prime (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Stagione 2 Vol. 2: Nemesis Prime (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Operation Bumblebee (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Intégrale Saison 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — The Complete Season 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — La Seconda Stagione Completa (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Out of the Past

2023-06-29T19:58:36Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{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"
|season=2
|season ep=17
|airdate=[[August 31]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Mike Johnson]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7WdJYoKsLs
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''Arcee recalls the time she and Cliffjumper discovered Shockwave and Starscream were building a space bridge.'''

==Synopsis==
''The ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' flies through space. On the bridge, [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] is dragged before [[Starscream (WFC)|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 (WFC)|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 (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] is similarly struggling to decode the recovered Iacon database. [[Ratchet (WFC)|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 (WFC)|Soundwave]] suggests taking them down on the planet's surface. Starscream and some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] are soon leading the two prisoners through [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] to a laboratory. Cliffjumper is concerned at the sight of the many tools lying ready to be used, even more so when Starscream introduces them to [[Shockwave (WFC)|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.''
[[Image:Cliffjumper and Shockwave.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.1|"Thumbs up if you think Shockwave is weird!" "0_0" "He's right behind me, isn't he?"]]

Miko recognizes the truth of this advice, but asks Arcee what happened next.
:''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 (WFC)|Arcee]] (2)
*''[[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] (5)''
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (8)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (9)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (10)
*''[[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]] (13)''
|c2=
*''[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (1)''
*''[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (3)''
*''[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (4)''
*''[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] (11)''
*''[[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] (12)''
|c3=
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (7)
}}

==Quotes==
"After I lost my first partner—Tailgate—I pushed everyone away, until Cliffjumper came along." 
"What was he like?" 
"Cliff was... quite the conversationalist."
:—'''Arcee''' tells '''Miko''' about her late partner

"So this is Kaon, huh? Love what you Decepticons have done with the place. The ruins are especially picturesque."
:—'''Cliffjumper'''

"Erm... Shockwave, are you certain you can extract the decryption code without first nullifying our subject's neural net?" 
"I ''invented'' the cortical psychic patch! I am familiar with its idiosyncrasies."
:—'''Starscream''' learns ''very quickly'' that '''Shockwave''' knows what he's doing.

"While it often pains me, I ''try'' to be a team player."
:—'''Starscream''' lies, big surprise

"Only Starscream could fail to dispose of a helpless captive."
:—'''Shockwave'''

"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==
===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).
* Optimus Prime’s message is ''prooooobably'' meant to be the same one that brought the [[Rescue Force Sigma-17|Rescue Bots]] to Earth, but its composition is different. But hey, [[Aligned timeline|squint test.]]
* 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 (episode)|Triage]]".
* Shockwave is revealed to have forcibly used the cortical psychic patch on Arcee, explaining her later reluctance to willingly undergo the procedure during "[[Sick Mind]]".
* As a nod to Cliffjumper's eventual fate, Starscream decides to eliminate Cliffjumper "the old-fashioned way": [[Darkness Rising, Part 1|by eviscerating him with his claws]].

===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 after Megatron departed, much like how his G1-counterpart - and several other counterparts - 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)|Animated]]''.
* Cliffjumper pretends to be an Autobot traitor. In [[Cliffjumper (G1)|another life]], Cliffjumper [[Traitor (episode)|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]].

===Real-world references===
* The episode shares a title with the 1947 film noir {{w|''Out of the Past''}}, directed by {{w|Jacques Tourneur.}}

===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 Starscream and Shockwave are listening to Optimus Prime's transmission, Shockwave is seen on the left of Starscream. When it ends, he's on the right. Of course, he might have changed position while the camera was focused on the Autobots.
* The bottom part of Arcee's head crest is red, but turns silver when she and Cliffjumper are interrogating Starscream. This happens again when they are in the space bridge vortex.
* In this episode, a point is made of the fact the space bridge controls are essential to its correct operation, with Arcee going after the nearby command console, and "[[Orion Pax, Part 3]]" depicting the Earth-based bridge as having operators and maintenance staff. However, in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]", "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]" and "[[Alpha/Omega]]", the bridges are simply remotely controlled from the warship. If the ones in space don't have this as a dependency, why do the Earth-based ones?

===Trivia===
* Cliffjumper is voiced by [[Billy Brown]], whose imitation of [[Dwayne Johnson]] generally sounds quite convincing.
* Shockwave is revealed to be 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 her [[Predatory|encounter]] with Airachnid. This is consistent with comments he makes in the episode "[[Partners (Prime)|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. ''BWAMMMM''.
* The show's writers, not knowing what to do with the character, intended to kill Shockwave off by the end of this episode (à la [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]], and Cliffjumper himself), before coming up with a way to incorporate him into the show's third season.
* Perhaps unsurprisingly due to most of the featured characters using Earth-mode models before visiting Earth, this episode features a solitary instance of transformation: Bumblebee's, upon returning to base. Not even Shockwave, who ''has'' no Earth-based-vehicle-bits on his model, transforms.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Coéquipiers'''" ("Teammates")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Schatten der Vergangenheit'''" ("Shadows from the Past")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 2|2 February]] [[2013]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Tsuioku Henkei! Arcee no Kako'''" (追憶変形!アーシーの過去, "Reminiscent Transformation! Arcee's Past")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 26|26 January]] [[2013]]
:*Shockwave is given a speech quirk, spouting the word "shock" every other time he does something and weaving it into many of his lines, causing him to describe much of what happens as "shocking". For example, when Cliffjumper's blasts don't harm him, he responds with "Shocking, isn't it? That doesn't work on me." This is similar to how [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|''Armada'' Tidal Wave]], who was named Shockwave in Japan, talked. This is also his only appearance in the Japanese broadcast.

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''No Passado'''" ("In The Past")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 25|25 June]] [[2013]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Un salto nel passato'''" ("A Jump in the Past"), "'''Dal Passato'''" (2017 airing, "From the Past")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 7|7 February]] [[2013]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Vol. 22 ([[Avex Trax]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Folge 10: Bulkheads Mission ([[EDEL:kids]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Volume 4: Unclear Objectives ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season 2 Vol. 3: Toxicity ([[Primal Screen]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 2 Vol. 3: La course aux reliques (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Stagione 2 Vol. 3: Il Tox-En (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio. 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Intégrale Saison 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — The Complete Season 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — La Seconda Stagione Completa (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 

[[Category:Adaptations]]
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Out of the Past

2023-06-29T19:58:10Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{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"
|season=2
|season ep=17
|airdate=[[August 31]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Mike Johnson]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7WdJYoKsLs
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''Arcee recalls the time she and Cliffjumper discovered Shockwave and Starscream were building a space bridge.'''

==Synopsis==
''The ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'' flies through space. On the bridge, [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] is dragged before [[Starscream (WFC)|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 (WFC)|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 (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] is similarly struggling to decode the recovered Iacon database. [[Ratchet (WFC)|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 (WFC)|Soundwave]] suggests taking them down on the planet's surface. Starscream and some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] are soon leading the two prisoners through [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] to a laboratory. Cliffjumper is concerned at the sight of the many tools lying ready to be used, even more so when Starscream introduces them to [[Shockwave (WFC)|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.''
[[Image:Cliffjumper and Shockwave.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.1|"Thumbs up if you think Shockwave is weird!" "0_0" "He's right behind me, isn't he?"]]

Miko recognizes the truth of this advice, but asks Arcee what happened next.
:''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 (WFC)|Arcee]] (2)
*''[[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] (5)''
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (8)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (9)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (10)
*''[[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]] (13)''
|c2=
*''[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (1)''
*''[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (3)''
*''[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (4)''
*''[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] (11)''
*''[[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] (12)''
|c3=
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (7)
}}

==Quotes==
"After I lost my first partner—Tailgate—I pushed everyone away, until Cliffjumper came along." 
"What was he like?" 
"Cliff was... quite the conversationalist."
:—'''Arcee''' tells '''Miko''' about her late partner

"So this is Kaon, huh? Love what you Decepticons have done with the place. The ruins are especially picturesque."
:—'''Cliffjumper'''

"Erm... Shockwave, are you certain you can extract the decryption code without first nullifying our subject's neural net?" 
"I ''invented'' the Cortical Psychic Patch! I am familiar with its idiosyncrasies."
:—'''Starscream''' learns ''very quickly'' that '''Shockwave''' knows what he's doing.

"While it often pains me, I ''try'' to be a team player."
:—'''Starscream''' lies, big surprise

"Only Starscream could fail to dispose of a helpless captive."
:—'''Shockwave'''

"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==
===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).
* Optimus Prime’s message is ''prooooobably'' meant to be the same one that brought the [[Rescue Force Sigma-17|Rescue Bots]] to Earth, but its composition is different. But hey, [[Aligned timeline|squint test.]]
* 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 (episode)|Triage]]".
* Shockwave is revealed to have forcibly used the cortical psychic patch on Arcee, explaining her later reluctance to willingly undergo the procedure during "[[Sick Mind]]".
* As a nod to Cliffjumper's eventual fate, Starscream decides to eliminate Cliffjumper "the old-fashioned way": [[Darkness Rising, Part 1|by eviscerating him with his claws]].

===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 after Megatron departed, much like how his G1-counterpart - and several other counterparts - 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)|Animated]]''.
* Cliffjumper pretends to be an Autobot traitor. In [[Cliffjumper (G1)|another life]], Cliffjumper [[Traitor (episode)|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]].

===Real-world references===
* The episode shares a title with the 1947 film noir {{w|''Out of the Past''}}, directed by {{w|Jacques Tourneur.}}

===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 Starscream and Shockwave are listening to Optimus Prime's transmission, Shockwave is seen on the left of Starscream. When it ends, he's on the right. Of course, he might have changed position while the camera was focused on the Autobots.
* The bottom part of Arcee's head crest is red, but turns silver when she and Cliffjumper are interrogating Starscream. This happens again when they are in the space bridge vortex.
* In this episode, a point is made of the fact the space bridge controls are essential to its correct operation, with Arcee going after the nearby command console, and "[[Orion Pax, Part 3]]" depicting the Earth-based bridge as having operators and maintenance staff. However, in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]", "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]" and "[[Alpha/Omega]]", the bridges are simply remotely controlled from the warship. If the ones in space don't have this as a dependency, why do the Earth-based ones?

===Trivia===
* Cliffjumper is voiced by [[Billy Brown]], whose imitation of [[Dwayne Johnson]] generally sounds quite convincing.
* Shockwave is revealed to be 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 her [[Predatory|encounter]] with Airachnid. This is consistent with comments he makes in the episode "[[Partners (Prime)|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. ''BWAMMMM''.
* The show's writers, not knowing what to do with the character, intended to kill Shockwave off by the end of this episode (à la [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]], and Cliffjumper himself), before coming up with a way to incorporate him into the show's third season.
* Perhaps unsurprisingly due to most of the featured characters using Earth-mode models before visiting Earth, this episode features a solitary instance of transformation: Bumblebee's, upon returning to base. Not even Shockwave, who ''has'' no Earth-based-vehicle-bits on his model, transforms.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Coéquipiers'''" ("Teammates")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Schatten der Vergangenheit'''" ("Shadows from the Past")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 2|2 February]] [[2013]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Tsuioku Henkei! Arcee no Kako'''" (追憶変形!アーシーの過去, "Reminiscent Transformation! Arcee's Past")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 26|26 January]] [[2013]]
:*Shockwave is given a speech quirk, spouting the word "shock" every other time he does something and weaving it into many of his lines, causing him to describe much of what happens as "shocking". For example, when Cliffjumper's blasts don't harm him, he responds with "Shocking, isn't it? That doesn't work on me." This is similar to how [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|''Armada'' Tidal Wave]], who was named Shockwave in Japan, talked. This is also his only appearance in the Japanese broadcast.

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''No Passado'''" ("In The Past")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 25|25 June]] [[2013]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Un salto nel passato'''" ("A Jump in the Past"), "'''Dal Passato'''" (2017 airing, "From the Past")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 7|7 February]] [[2013]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Vol. 22 ([[Avex Trax]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Folge 10: Bulkheads Mission ([[EDEL:kids]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Volume 4: Unclear Objectives ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season 2 Vol. 3: Toxicity ([[Primal Screen]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 2 Vol. 3: La course aux reliques (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Stagione 2 Vol. 3: Il Tox-En (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio. 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Intégrale Saison 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — The Complete Season 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — La Seconda Stagione Completa (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 

[[Category:Adaptations]]
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Triangulation

2023-06-29T19:42:08Z

Coopinator: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 39
|prev=Tunnel Vision
|next=Triage (episode)
|image=Triangulation Starscream Apex armor.jpg
|caption= "I've never really had a taste for this sort of thing, but I must admit... I'm deeply enjoying the suit!"
|title="Triangulation"
|season=2
|season ep=13
|airdate=[[May 12]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[David McDermott]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRGyFzOeR3g
|videosite=YouTube
}}

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

==Synopsis==
[[File:TriangulationDecepticonHighCommand.jpg|left|250px|thumb|'''Soundwave''': Hey, stop by the liquor store on the way back! '''Megatron''': And bring some fragging cheese back! Velveeta! ''You hear me?!?'']]
[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] notes that the second relic is in [[Antarctica]], and [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] volunteers to head there. Megatron warns Dreadwing that he'd better prove himself a more worthy [[second-in-command]] than his predecessors. In the ''[[Harbinger]]'', [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] is about to operate on himself to install the [[transformation cog|T-cog]] of his traitorous [[Starscream clone (Prime)|clone]]. He is clearly nervous to have to perform the procedure alone, when the ship's computer picks up the fact that the [[Decepticon]]s are dispatching teams to four continents. Starscream happily postpones the operation to investigate.

At the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] departs through the [[GroundBridge]] for his relic hunt. [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] announces he's heading for the Antarctic relic, and that [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] will need backup on his mission—[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]. Ratchet is less than pleased at having to contend with the wild card Wrecker, but Optimus affirms that Ratchet would be wise to accept the aid of a seasoned warrior like Wheeljack.

[[File:TriangulationPrimeAndScream.jpg|250px|right|thumb|"You don't want me as your enemy, Starscream. Now shut up and kiss me."]]
Starscream uses a GroundBridge remote control to head to the Antarctic on a [[hoverscooter]]. He's quickly spotted by Dreadwing and some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] who knock him off his hoverscooter. Starscream at first mistakes Dreadwing for [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], and soon has some cuffs slapped on him. Though Starscream is miffed at the irony that he's been apprehended by Megatron's new [[second-in-command]], he's silenced when Dreadwing begins violently pushing him along. As Optimus watches from afar, the group trudges through the snow to where the relic is located, only to find it has already been dug out of the ice and is gone. The Vehicons start searching and find vehicle tracks. They're approached by Optimus, who demands the return of the relic, and after a lengthy standoff. the confrontation turns into a firefight.

After Prime takes out two of the Vehicons and scores a hit on Dreadwing, the Decepticon starts breaking out heavier weapons, and proves to be formidable with a sword. The two 'bots fighting to a draw, they take a dive off a cliff, following which Optimus brings the ice crashing down, burying Dreadwing. Seeing the tables have turned on the Decepticons, Starscream is able to kill the remaining Vehicons. He excitedly proposes that Optimus free him from his cuffs in exchange for him leading the Prime to the relic, but Optimus, already in a bad mood, refuses. To Starscream's disappointment, he is forced to lead Optimus to the relic.

[[File:TriangulationFaceoff.jpg|250px|left|thumb|So a guy voiced by Peter Cullen teams up with a worthy opponent against a nigh-invincible mutual foe and ends up sinking it into the ocean. Did we step into ''Alien Vs. Predator''?]]
The two then take a long walk through the Antarctic. Starscream tries to plead his case, mentioning how he helped Optimus return from his stint as Orion Pax and alerted the Autobots to [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]]. Optimus notes his appreciation for Starscream's help, but makes it clear he knows it was all for Starscream's own self-interests. The two arrive at a human military base, and Optimus prevents Starscream from just waltzing in. Starscream is puzzled as to why they must be so careful around humans when retrieving the relic, but Optimus radios home and gets [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] to evacuate the human base so he can safely retrieve the relic.

Meanwhile, Dreadwing breaks free of the ice and after contemplating the slain Vehicons, heads out to find Prime. With the base clear, Optimus and Starscream venture inside to find the relic still frozen in a chunk of ice. They're interrupted by Dreadwing, who's disgusted by Starscream apparently allying with an Autobot. Starscream quickly jumps ship and claims he was leaving a trail for Dreadwing. While Optimus and Dreadwing fight, an unattended Starscream sets about liberating the relic from the ice, which turns out to be the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]]. Outside, Dreadwing has Optimus on the ropes and is about to strike when Starscream, now wearing the armor and ''much'' more powerful, crashes out of the building to challenge them.

[[File:TriangulationSouthernLights.jpg|250px|right|thumb|An epic fail on Optimus' part. Turn around, dammit!]]
Both Dreadwing and Optimus attack the rogue Decepticon, but he swats them aside, repeatedly. Optimus suggests to Dreadwing that they will need to cooperate to defeat Starscream, and Dreadwing accepts the offer for both of their sakes. While Dreadwing flies around, Optimus slaps one of the Seeker's bombs onto Starscream, but the Apex Armor proves invulnerable even to that. Optimus realizes that Starscream still has a vulnerability—his lack of flight. While Optimus keeps Starscream's attention once more, Dreadwing plants explosives on the ground, and just as Starscream works out that the pair are up to something, the bombs detonate. Starscream disappears into a hole blasted in the ice. With no relic left to claim, Optimus once again pleads for Dreadwing to turn on Megatron and join him. Dreadwing refuses, and after sincerely thanking him for helping him survive the ordeal, promises to terminate him the next time they meet. With no relic to fight over, the two go their separate ways, and Optimus is left in the aurora borealis-bathed tundra to contemplate Dreadwing's final refusal of peace.

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

{{--}}

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

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

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

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

==Quotes==
"Ener-stat. Cross-clamp. Laser scalpel. [[Durabyllium]] drill. And, one slightly damaged but operational T-Cog, courtesy of my traitorous clone. Everything I require to make myself whole. A simple, painless procedure... Nothing to it, really... Provided one possesses the nerve..."
:—'''Starscream''' about to perform self-surgery.

"Were it up to me, I would end this here, and ''now.'' ''*cuffs Starscream*'' "But it is my duty as first lieutenant to Megatron, to render all traitors to my lord and master for due punishment." 
"FIRST LIEUTENANT?! '''THAT'S MY POST!!"''' 
''*Vehicons cock blasters*'' 
"Er... ''was'' my post." 
:—'''Dreadwing''' shows off his current position to a more that disgruntled '''Starscream.'''

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

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

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

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

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

===Transformers references===
*The Apex Armor is a reference to the [[Apex Armor (G1)|item of the same name]] from Generation 1, first introduced with the [[Heroes of Cybertron]] PVC of what in Japan had been [[Ginrai (human)|God Ginrai]], and released as a ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]]'' reissue of the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#ApexArmorPrime|Powermaster Optimus Prime]] toy a year later. Still later, the Apex Armor appeared in the [[IDW Publishing]] ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' miniseries, used by [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]].
*Among the tools Starscream tries to operate on himself with are a [[durabyllium]] drill and a [[laser scalpel]].

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

===Errors===
*When Dreadwing is volunteering to go the Antarctic, Megatron's eyes are out of place when he looks back at him. One is correctly in the corner of his eye but the other isn't, placed as if he were looking slightly left.
*Starscream is missing his manacles during Optimus and Dreadwing's first battle.
*The Apex Armor was established in ''[[Transformers: Exiles|Exiles]]'' as a relic of [[Solus Prime]]; however, Starscream calls it armor of "Decepticon origin".
*In a couple of shots, the parts hanging out of the Apex Armor's shoulders seem to clip through its upper torso.
*Dreadwing picks up both his sword and his complete gun after he recovers from the avalanche, despite the sword forming the handle of the gun.

===Trivia===
*Optimus still hasn't gotten Raf that snowball he promised to give him [[Scrapheap (episode)|the other day.]]
*Unless one counts the recap at the beginning, this is the first episode in which [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] does not make an appearance.
*Dreadwing reveals that he has a sword. While his gun has a bayonet that is very similar to his various toys' swords, this is the first time in-series he has ever used an independent sword.
*Dreadwing seems to want to kill Optimus to avenge his twin, even though it was technically Bumblebee who killed him. He even saw it on Soundwave's monitor.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La Seconde Relique'''" ("The Second Relic")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Allianzen in der Antarktis'''" ("Alliances in the Antarctic")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 13|13 November]] [[2012]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Hyōketsu Henkei! Muteki no Body o Te ni Irero!'''" (氷結変形!無敵のボディを手に入れろ!, "Freezing Transformation! Obtain the Invincible Body!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 29|29 December]] [[2012]]

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Triangulação'''" ("Triangulation")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 19|19 June]] [[2013]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Triangolazione'''" ("Triangulation")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 24|24 October]] [[2012]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Vol. 20 ([[Avex Trax]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Folge 9: Angriff auf Megatron ([[EDEL:kids]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Volume 3: Weapons of Choice ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 2 Vol. 2: Nemesis Prime ([[Primal Screen]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season 2 Vol. 2: Nemesis Prime (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Stagione 2 Vol. 2: Nemesis Prime (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Operation Bumblebee (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Intégrale Saison 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — The Complete Season 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — La Seconda Stagione Completa (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Triangulation

2023-06-29T19:40:16Z

Coopinator:

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 39
|prev=Tunnel Vision
|next=Triage (episode)
|image=Triangulation Starscream Apex armor.jpg
|caption= "I've never really had a taste for this sort of thing, but I must admit... I'm deeply enjoying the suit!"
|title="Triangulation"
|season=2
|season ep=13
|airdate=[[May 12]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[David McDermott]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRGyFzOeR3g
|videosite=YouTube
}}

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

==Synopsis==
[[File:TriangulationDecepticonHighCommand.jpg|left|250px|thumb|'''Soundwave''': Hey, stop by the liquor store on the way back! '''Megatron''': And bring some fragging cheese back! Velveeta! ''You hear me?!?'']]
[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] notes that the second relic is in [[Antarctica]], and [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] volunteers to head there. Megatron warns Dreadwing that he'd better prove himself a more worthy [[second-in-command]] than his predecessors. In the ''[[Harbinger]]'', [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] is about to operate on himself to install the [[transformation cog|T-cog]] of his traitorous [[Starscream clone (Prime)|clone]]. He is clearly nervous to have to perform the procedure alone, when the ship's computer picks up the fact that the [[Decepticon]]s are dispatching teams to four continents. Starscream happily postpones the operation to investigate.

At the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] departs through the [[GroundBridge]] for his relic hunt. [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] announces he's heading for the Antarctic relic, and that [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] will need backup on his mission—[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]. Ratchet is less than pleased at having to contend with the wild card Wrecker, but Optimus affirms that Ratchet would be wise to accept the aid of a seasoned warrior like Wheeljack.

[[File:TriangulationPrimeAndScream.jpg|250px|right|thumb|"You don't want me as your enemy, Starscream. Now shut up and kiss me."]]
Starscream uses a GroundBridge remote control to head to the Antarctic on a [[hoverscooter]]. He's quickly spotted by Dreadwing and some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] who knock him off his hoverscooter. Starscream at first mistakes Dreadwing for [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], and soon has some cuffs slapped on him. Though Starscream is miffed at the irony that he's been apprehended by Megatron's new [[second-in-command]], he's silenced when Dreadwing begins violently pushing him along. As Optimus watches from afar, the group trudges through the snow to where the relic is located, only to find it has already been dug out of the ice and is gone. The Vehicons start searching and find vehicle tracks. They're approached by Optimus, who demands the return of the relic, and after a lengthy standoff. the confrontation turns into a firefight.

After Prime takes out two of the Vehicons and scores a hit on Dreadwing, the Decepticon starts breaking out heavier weapons, and proves to be formidable with a sword. The two 'bots fighting to a draw, they take a dive off a cliff, following which Optimus brings the ice crashing down, burying Dreadwing. Seeing the tables have turned on the Decepticons, Starscream is able to kill the remaining Vehicons. He excitedly proposes that Optimus free him from his cuffs in exchange for him leading the Prime to the relic, but Optimus, already in a bad mood, refuses. To Starscream's disappointment, he is forced to lead Optimus to the relic.

[[File:TriangulationFaceoff.jpg|250px|left|thumb|So a guy voiced by Peter Cullen teams up with a worthy opponent against a nigh-invincible mutual foe and ends up sinking it into the ocean. Did we step into ''Alien Vs. Predator''?]]
The two then take a long walk through the Antarctic. Starscream tries to plead his case, mentioning how he helped Optimus return from his stint as Orion Pax and alerted the Autobots to [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]]. Optimus notes his appreciation for Starscream's help, but makes it clear he knows it was all for Starscream's own self-interests. The two arrive at a human military base, and Optimus prevents Starscream from just waltzing in. Starscream is puzzled as to why they must be so careful around humans when retrieving the relic, but Optimus radios home and gets [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] to evacuate the human base so he can safely retrieve the relic.

Meanwhile, Dreadwing breaks free of the ice and after contemplating the slain Vehicons, heads out to find Prime. With the base clear, Optimus and Starscream venture inside to find the relic still frozen in a chunk of ice. They're interrupted by Dreadwing, who's disgusted by Starscream apparently allying with an Autobot. Starscream quickly jumps ship and claims he was leaving a trail for Dreadwing. While Optimus and Dreadwing fight, an unattended Starscream sets about liberating the relic from the ice, which turns out to be the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]]. Outside, Dreadwing has Optimus on the ropes and is about to strike when Starscream, now wearing the armor and ''much'' more powerful, crashes out of the building to challenge them.

[[File:TriangulationSouthernLights.jpg|250px|right|thumb|An epic fail on Optimus' part. Turn around, dammit!]]
Both Dreadwing and Optimus attack the rogue Decepticon, but he swats them aside, repeatedly. Optimus suggests to Dreadwing that they will need to cooperate to defeat Starscream, and Dreadwing accepts the offer for both of their sakes. While Dreadwing flies around, Optimus slaps one of the Seeker's bombs onto Starscream, but the Apex Armor proves invulnerable even to that. Optimus realizes that Starscream still has a vulnerability—his lack of flight. While Optimus keeps Starscream's attention once more, Dreadwing plants explosives on the ground, and just as Starscream works out that the pair are up to something, the bombs detonate. Starscream disappears into a hole blasted in the ice. With no relic left to claim, Optimus once again pleads for Dreadwing to turn on Megatron and join him. Dreadwing refuses, and after sincerely thanking him for helping him survive the ordeal, promises to terminate him the next time they meet. With no relic to fight over, the two go their separate ways, and Optimus is left in the aurora borealis-bathed tundra to contemplate Dreadwing's final refusal of peace.

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

{{--}}

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

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

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

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

==Quotes==
"Ener-stat. Cross-clamp. Laser scalpel. [[Durabyllium]] drill. And, one slightly damaged but operational T-Cog, courtesy of my traitorous clone. Everything I require to make myself whole. A simple, painless procedure... Nothing to it, really... Provided one possesses the nerve..."
:—'''Starscream''' about to perform self-surgery.

"Were it up to me, I would end this here, and ''now.'' 
''*cuffs Starscream*'' 
"But it is my duty as first lieutenant to Megatron, to render all traitors to my lord and master for due punishment." 
"FIRST LIEUTENANT?! '''THAT'S MY POST!!"''' 
''*Vehicons cock blasters*'' 
"Er... ''was'' my post." 
:—'''Dreadwing''' shows off his current position to a more that disgruntled '''Starscream.'''

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

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

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

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

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

===Transformers references===
*The Apex Armor is a reference to the [[Apex Armor (G1)|item of the same name]] from Generation 1, first introduced with the [[Heroes of Cybertron]] PVC of what in Japan had been [[Ginrai (human)|God Ginrai]], and released as a ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]]'' reissue of the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#ApexArmorPrime|Powermaster Optimus Prime]] toy a year later. Still later, the Apex Armor appeared in the [[IDW Publishing]] ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' miniseries, used by [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]].
*Among the tools Starscream tries to operate on himself with are a [[durabyllium]] drill and a [[laser scalpel]].

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

===Errors===
*When Dreadwing is volunteering to go the Antarctic, Megatron's eyes are out of place when he looks back at him. One is correctly in the corner of his eye but the other isn't, placed as if he were looking slightly left.
*Starscream is missing his manacles during Optimus and Dreadwing's first battle.
*The Apex Armor was established in ''[[Transformers: Exiles|Exiles]]'' as a relic of [[Solus Prime]]; however, Starscream calls it armor of "Decepticon origin".
*In a couple of shots, the parts hanging out of the Apex Armor's shoulders seem to clip through its upper torso.
*Dreadwing picks up both his sword and his complete gun after he recovers from the avalanche, despite the sword forming the handle of the gun.

===Trivia===
*Optimus still hasn't gotten Raf that snowball he promised to give him [[Scrapheap (episode)|the other day.]]
*Unless one counts the recap at the beginning, this is the first episode in which [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] does not make an appearance.
*Dreadwing reveals that he has a sword. While his gun has a bayonet that is very similar to his various toys' swords, this is the first time in-series he has ever used an independent sword.
*Dreadwing seems to want to kill Optimus to avenge his twin, even though it was technically Bumblebee who killed him. He even saw it on Soundwave's monitor.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La Seconde Relique'''" ("The Second Relic")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Allianzen in der Antarktis'''" ("Alliances in the Antarctic")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 13|13 November]] [[2012]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Hyōketsu Henkei! Muteki no Body o Te ni Irero!'''" (氷結変形!無敵のボディを手に入れろ!, "Freezing Transformation! Obtain the Invincible Body!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 29|29 December]] [[2012]]

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Triangulação'''" ("Triangulation")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 19|19 June]] [[2013]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Triangolazione'''" ("Triangulation")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 24|24 October]] [[2012]]

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Vol. 20 ([[Avex Trax]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Folge 9: Angriff auf Megatron ([[EDEL:kids]]) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Volume 3: Weapons of Choice ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 2 Vol. 2: Nemesis Prime ([[Primal Screen]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season 2 Vol. 2: Nemesis Prime (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Stagione 2 Vol. 2: Nemesis Prime (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Operation Bumblebee (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Intégrale Saison 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — The Complete Season 2 (Primal Screen) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — La Seconda Stagione Completa (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment) 

[[Category:Prime episodes]]