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Darkest Hour (episode)

2012-11-23T23:51:56Z

Dino-drones: /* Trivia */

{{disambig3|Darkest Hour}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Alloygator

2012-11-20T20:09:45Z

Dino-drones:

{{disambig3|Alligator}}
:''Alloygators are a form of Cybertron wildlife from the [[Transformers: Classics|Classics]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[Image:Gatoraider.jpg|right|150px|thumb|tick tock tick tock tick tock]]
'''Alloygators''' are apparently mean and tough and all that.

==Fiction==
===''Classics''===
While trash-talking with [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], [[Elita One]] claimed the bot who taught her how to fight could disassemble an alloygator with a single strike. This is apparently supposed to be impressive. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

===''Shattered Glass''===
Atomic supermutant alloygators were a project of the <strike>crazy</strike> scientist [[Wheeljack (SG)|Wheeljack]]. During his time on [[Earth]], he was still busy perfecting them. {{storylink|Eye in the Sky}}

===Animated===
[[Gatoraider]] is an alloygator. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II}}

[[Category:Classics]]
[[Category:Mechanimals]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass species]]
[[Category:Cybertronic wildlife]]

Alloygator

2012-11-20T20:09:17Z

Dino-drones:

Ironhide (WFC)

2011-08-01T05:26:55Z

Dino-drones: /* Fiction */

{{faction|autobot|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Ironhide}}
:''Ironhide is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''

[[Image:IronhideWFCArt.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"And that's the bottom line, 'cause Ironhide said so."]]

'''Ironhide''' is a battle hardened veteran, one of the toughest amongst the Autobots. As one of [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus']] oldest and closest friends, Ironhide saw the great potential within Optimus to be more than what he allowed himself to be.

==Fiction==
===''Exodus''===
Ironhide first met Optimus Prime during the prolonged stalemate at [[Praxus]]. Furious at the loss of his home, Ironhide joined the Autobots despite his cynicism regarding Optimus's leadership. It was at Praxus that Optimus was first showed a preference to stand and fight rather than make strategic withdrawals, and Ironhide slowly but surely began to trust in Optimus. [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] commented that Ironhide's "pitiless edge" gave the Autobots a necessary advantage in defeating [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]].

When Megatron invaded [[Teletraan-1]] to steal the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]], Ironhide made an uncharacteristically emotional display of anguish when [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream's]] Seekers shot down [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]], who attempted to ferry the Chamber to safety. As [[Decepticon]]s attempted to claim the Chamber, Ironhide fought one but fell into the crater caused by Omega's impact. He defeated two more who jumped after him, and Optimus lifted him out of the pit, but he fell in again when another Decepticon struck him in the face with a hooked chain. Megatron blasted Optimus, causing him to fall on top of Ironhide, but he ordered his commander to ignore him and stop Megatron.

After the battle, [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] welded Ironhide's face back together. When Optimus proposed leaving Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', Ironhide boarded the ''[[Eight Track (WFC)|Eight Track]]'' with him to distract the Decepticons. Realizing Megatron had a beam aboard ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]'' Station, Ironhide and the Autobots boarded the ship and blew up its [[Dark Energon]] Facility, causing it to crash. He then boarded the completed ''Ark'' and escaped Cybertron through the last [[space bridge]] to the [[Milky Way]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus}}

===''Prime cartoon''===

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Keith Szarabajka]] (English), [[Pietro Ubaldi]] (Italian)

Ironhide led a squad of Autobots to defend the [[Decagon]] during the [[Decepticon]] invasion of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. With the loss of [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Zeta Prime]], Ironhide's old friend Optimus was forced to take command of the Autobots, an act that the old soldier approved, as he was glad that Optimus was finally stepping up to take his rightful place in the Autobot hierarchy. After helping Optimus and his team by clearing a path for them to the Decagon (and taking down two [[Brute (WFC)|Brute]]s, tearing one in half), he continued to lead the others to (successfully) push the Decepticons into retreat.

After Optimus became Optimus '''''[[Prime (rank)|Prime]]''''', Ironhide and [[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]] joined him on the mission to clear the core of Cybertron that was infected with [[Dark Energon]]. Ironhide constantly rebuked the young, aggressive Warpath's shoot-first attitude. Heading to the [[Omega Gate]], the three Autobots found [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] being tortured with Dark Energon. Freeing the massive Autobot, Ironhide joined Optimus and Warpath in protecting [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] long enough to repair Omega to the open the Gate. Heading underground, the three Autobots found [[space slug]]s working to clear the Dark Energon crystals. When they were sealed off in a cavern, another slug came in and killed an attacking Decepticon, to which the old, knowledgeable Ironhide offered the [[universal greeting]], but the slug simply ignored them and moved on with its task. The three Autobots then found a trio of slugs with [[Ion Displacer]] turrets on their backs, and provided cover fire for the slugs as they made their way through Cybertron. Unfortunately, a corrupted space slug attacked the trio, knocking them underground and killing the slugs. Regrouping at the core, they were attacked by the corrupted slug, and managed to defeat it. Unfortunately, the Dark Energon corrupted the [[Primus|Core]], which could only purge the corruption by shutting down all systems, leaving Cybertron uninhabitable and forcing the Transformers to leave Cybertron. Before departing, Ironhide and Warpath witnessed Optimus receive a part of the Core's essence, the [[Matrix of Leadership]].

As the evacuation went underway, Megatron used his orbital station to attacking fleeing transports. A group of [[Aerialbot (WFC)|Aerialbots]] under [[Silverbolt (WFC)|Silverbolt]] managed to shut down the station's cannon, only to learn that the station itself was a Cybertronian named [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]. Ironhide joined Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] in finishing off the monster. Though many Autobots managed to escape, a number of them, Ironhide included, stayed behind to fight against Megatron's schemes. Optimus commissioned the building of a new starship, the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', to take the Autobots from Cybertron, [[Earth|wherever they may go]]. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (DS)===
:''Voice actor:'' Keith Szarabajka (English)
[[Image:WFCDS Ironhide.jpg|thumb|right|120px]]
When the Decepticons started sniffing around an Autobot base, Ironhide sent an [[Autobot rookie]] to find out what they were looking for. Unfortunately, the rookie was killed by Megatron while letting Ironhide know he'd gotten the data links back up and running. Ironhide was captured by the Decepticons at some point and used in Kaon prison to fight Dark Energon-enhanced Decepticons, but presumably later escaped.

Sometime later, Ironhide was contacted by Zeta Prime, who was trying to get hold of Optimus. With the loss of the communications system, Ironhide sent Bumblebee to find Optimus, and a rookie to help Ratchet and [[Air Raid (WFC)|Air Raid]]. Once the rookie had gotten the communication system up and running, Ironhide let him know that he was being reassigned to [[Kup (WFC)|Kup]]'s care. Ironhide then directed Optimus around the base, guiding him to areas the Decepticons had taken over.

Optimus announced they needed to retake Iacon, and Ironhide eagerly told him to lead the way, to which Optimus replied that he was no leader. Despite that, the Autobots retook the Decagon, and Ironhide reported that the defenses were back online. When Ironhide rebuked Bumblebee's suggestion that Zeta Prime's transmissions were leading them into a trap, Bumblebee exploded at him that they'd already lost the war. Optimus's team infiltrated Kaon, where Ironhide was more keen to bash Decepticons than rescue Zeta Prime, until Optimus reminded him of their mission. They found Zeta Prime, but their leader died, and Optimus was subsequently appointed Autobot leader. Optimus sought the services of [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]], whose slow processor and reluctance to help irritated Ironhide, almost leading to a fight between the two of them and forcing Optimus to tell him to stand down. The Autobots rescued [[Swoop (WFC)|Swoop]], which helped sway Grimlock in favor of their cause, though Ironhide still wasn't sure it was a good idea. He took part in a mission to the core, to free it from the Dark Energon harvesters that were irradiating it.

With Cybertron no longer capable of supporting life, the Autobots began to evacuate the planet in Arks, but were attacked by Trypticon Station. Optimus intended to take a strike team up the space bridge to directly assault it, which Ironhide regarded as a suicide mission. Still, he joined the mission, and the station was brought down, but as Bumblebee celebrated their escape, Ironhide pointed out the station was transforming. Trypticon's size gave even Ironhide pause, but he still joined the team that headed for the crash site to take the giant on. At one point, he was pinned down by enemy fire, which the other Autobots helped suppress so he could reach a security access panel. He joined them in defeating Trypticon, and later left Cybertron along with the rest of the Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)}}

===Transformers: Cybertron Adventures===
{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Cybertron Adventures}}

==Toys==
===Prime===
====Cyberverse====
*'''Ironhide''' (Cyberverse Commander, 2012)
**''Accessories:'' 2 cannons
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
*He greeted the space slug with the [[universal greeting]]. [[Warpath (WFC)|Warpath]] had no idea what it was.
*In ''Exodus'', Ironhide has his [[Ironhide (Movie)|cannons]]!
*Ironhide was intended to be part of the initial line-up in ''Transformers: Prime'', but he was replaced by [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] after the writers deemed their characterization closer to him.
*[[Jeff Kline]] said despite having a toy, there were no plans to feature Ironhide in the show... yet.<ref>[http://tformers.com/transformers-botcon-2011-transformers-prime-interview-with-executive-producer-jeff-kline/15863/news.html TFormers BotCon 2011 interview with Kline]</ref>

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Prime Autobots]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Autobots]]