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Cobra Commander issue 5

2024-05-28T02:39:43Z

TBR:

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' #5
|prev=Cobra Commander issue 4
|prev2=Transformers Energon Universe Special story
|next=Destro issue 1
|image=Cobra Commander 5 Cover A.jpg
|caption=All...Hail...COBRA
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[May 22]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=May 2024
|written by=[[Joshua Williamson]]
|art by=[[Andrea Milana]]
|colors by=[[Annalisa Leoni]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editors=[[Sean Mackiewicz]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''He has the power. He has the weapons. And now he has the army. What's next? The world!'''

==Synopsis==
One by one [[M.A.R.S.]] facilities across the country have been attacked and raided, much to the irritation of of [[Destro]], who wishes to know who's responsible. [[Mercer]] reports that he's heard rumors of a new player on the scene, and that the latest attack on their headquarters wasn't about stealing anything, but leaving a message. He brings in the messenger: [[Ripper (G.I. Joe)|Ripper]], whom Destro recognizes as one of the [[Dreadnok]]s. Destro initially believes the biker gang has betrayed him, but Ripper insists that they're victims of the same madman. He then gives Destro a message from their victimizer: an invitation to meet.

Destro arrives at the meeting place, an undisclosed small American town, with Mercer, Ripper, and a squad of M.A.R.S. troops in tow. However, upon their arrival, the town appears to be empty. Suddenly, from out of the ground springs a small laser turret, which quickly eliminates the troops. Mercer insists he and Destro retreat, but the chopper they arrived in is blown up. They are then greeted by their host: [[Cobra Commander]]. Destro orders Mercer to kill the Commander, but before he can choke the life from the masked menace, the Commander insists that Destro hear why he invited him. The Laird reluctantly agrees, much to Mercer and Ripper's chagrin.

The Commander brings them to an underground lab where Dr. [[Laszlo Vandermeer]], the scientist he "rescued" from the Dreadnoks, and a team of researchers experiment with [[Energon]]. The Commander introduces Destro to the doctor, who whispers a plea to kill him. Cobra Commander reveals that he's been watching the many players across the world, all struggling for money and power, and believes they should be united under common leadership. He then unveils one of the experiments they've been working on: powering Destro's [[Battle Android Trooper]]s with Energon. In a demonstration, the supercharged B.A.T. kills dozens of the Commander's recruits with ease. Wishing to gain the power of Energon for himself, Destro agrees to ally himself with the Commander.

The Commander invites them to join him as he changes into the uniform [[Golobulus]] gave him and meets with a collection of his recruits at the town hall. He gives a speech to those in attendance that they were once lost like him, and that they came here looking for purpose. But he found his purpose, and now he will share it with all of them. For together, they are... ''[[Cobra]]!''

In [[Cobra-La]], Golobulus and [[Pythona]] are still reeling from the escape of [[Megatron (G1)|the mechanical monster]]. Entering the Commander's secret lab, they discover the creature's extraterrestrial origin. Fearing the idea that beings from an entirely mechanical world — the antithesis of Cobra-La — are already on Earth, Golobulus decides that they must take their war to the stars, and launches an organic probe to find their [[Cybertron (planet)|home world]]...

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in photos. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|h1=[[M.A.R.S.]]|c1=
* [[Destro]] (1)
* [[Mercer]] (2)
* M.A.R.S. troops (3)

|h2=[[Cobra]]|c2=
* [[Cobra Commander]] (5)
* [[Laszlo Vandermeer]] (6)
* Scientists (7)
* [[Battle Android Trooper]]s (14)
* Cobra recruits (15)

|h3=[[Dreadnok]]s|c3=
* [[Ripper (G.I. Joe)|Ripper]] (4)
* ''[[Zarana]]'' (8)
* ''[[Torch (G.I. Joe)|Torch]]'' (9)
* ''[[Buzzer (G.I. Joe)|Buzzer]]'' (10)

|h4=[[Cobra-La]]|c4=
* [[Golobulus]] (16)
* [[Pythona]] (17)
* [[Royal Guard]]s (18)

|h5=Others|c5=
* ''[[Tomax and Xamot]]'' (11 & 12)
* ''[[Storm Shadow]]'' (13)
}}

==Quotes==

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* This issue jumps ahead an undetermined amount of time from the previous issue to account for Cobra Commander's newfound resources. This story also takes place after the events of ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'', potentially placing it further in the Energon Universe timeline than any other issue (depending on whether or not the [[G.I. Joe Energon Universe Special story|''Energon Universe Special'' story]] takes place after this one or not).
** In further timeline shenanigans, the scene in Cobra-La takes place after Megatron's escape in the [[Transformers Energon Universe Special story]]. Where this places Cobra Commander in the context of the Transformers' timeline remains to be seen.
* The M.A.R.S. R&D facility and corporate headquarters destroyed at the start of the comic were previously seen in issues of ''Duke''.
* Teased in the photos on Cobra's computer are the Crimson Twins Tomax and Xamot and the [[Arashikage]] ninja Storm Shadow, setting up the characters before their debuts in the upcoming ''[[Destro (comic)|Destro]]'' and ''[[Scarlett (comic)|Scarlett]]'' series, respectively.
* Destro references [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]]'s mention of [[Starscream (G1)|a robot that turned into a jet]], recounting the events of ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' [[Transformers (2023) issue 2|#2]], which Destro learned about in [[Duke issue 5|''Duke'' #5]].
* The images of Cybertron Golobulus sees are the same ones we saw back in the [[Cobra Commander issue 1|first issue]].

===G.I. Joe references===
* While the small town they operate out of is never named in the issue, it calls to mind the town of [[Springfield]], frequent base of operations for Cobra in a wide variety of ''G.I. Joe'' media.
*Cobra Commander calls himself a salesman, a reference to his [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] backstory as a used car salesman.
* Dr. Vandermeer is a character from the original ''G.I. Joe'' animated miniseries "The M.A.S.S. Device".
* Cobra Commander finally returns to wearing his classic uniform that he got back in issue one, with two notable additions: the Cobra logo, and the cape and staff he would sometimes wear in the original cartoon.
* Pythona's organic ship is based on a Cobra-La creature-slash-vessel that appeared in ''G.I. Joe: The Movie''.

===Errors===
* As with previous issues, the back cover incorrectly reads "The contents of this booklet is confidential. This unauthorized disclosure of information within is prohibited."

===Other trivia===
* This issue was originally scheduled for [[May 15]].

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:'''
* '''Cover B:'''
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover, by [[Chris Burnham]] & [[Brian Reber]]
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' on explosion background, by
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):'''

<gallery>
File:Cobra Commander 5 Cover A.jpg|
File:Cobra Commander 5 Cover B.jpg|
File:Cobra Commander 5 Cover C.jpg|
File:Cobra Commander 5 Cover D.jpg|
File:Cobra Commander 5 Cover E.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* Five page preview for Destro

===Reprints===
* '''''Cobra Commander Volume 1: Determined to Rule the World''''' ([[June 12]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534398155 / ISBN 978-1534398153 
** Collects issues #1–5.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Cobra Commander V1.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Determined to Rule the World''''' – cover art by [[Andrea Milana]]
</gallery>

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

[[Category:Cobra Commander issues]]

Void Rivals issue 7

2024-03-16T21:20:29Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Void Rivals]]'' #7
|prev=Void Rivals issue 6
|next=Void Rivals issue 8
|prev2=
|image=Void Rivals 7 Cover A.jpg
|caption=Looks like the Void Rivals are being hunted.
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[March 6]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=March 2024
|written by=[[Robert Kirkman]]
|art by=[[Lorenzo De Felici]]
|colors by=[[Patricio Delpeche]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editors=[[Sean Mackiewicz]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Darak and Solila have a long journey across the Wastelands, with no idea that they've become the prey for Zertonia's greatest hunter.'''

==Synopsis==
''Ten years ago, [[Darak]] was working as an [[Edgewalker]], helping construction projects on the edge of [[Agorria]] and the Wastelands of the [[Sacred Ring]]. When a stack of crates topples over and threatens to crush a fellow worker, Darak pushes him out of the way. However, due to the intense gravity near the edge of the Ring, Darak is sent careening over the edge, finding himself in the middle of the Wastelands...''

In the present, [[Solila]] asks if Darak has a plan, and he reveals he's been to the Wastelands before. [[Handroid]] tells them that the quickest path across the Wasteland would take them three months, but their supplies will only last four to six weeks. Darak tells them that they really only need to make it halfway, though he doesn't elaborate on why. Despite Solila's skepticism, the two begin their long trek.

Back in [[Zertonia]], [[Zalilak]] meets with [[Proximus]] in a mental space and tells him about what has occurred with Darak and Solila and asks him to hunt them down before they can reach Agorria. Proximus notes the panic in Zalilak's voice and taunts him, but ultimately agrees to the mission, as they both wish to prevent the coming of [[Goliant]]. Proximus asks the Premier what he'd do if Proximus decided to turn against him, though Zalilak is confident that what happened in their last encounter — and Proximus's current state — will be enough to deter that.

Back in reality, Zalilak orders [[Gulan]] to release Proximus: his body has been mostly destroyed so that he is kept on life support in a healing tank. When Gulan removes him from the tank, cybernetic enhancements recreate his missing body parts and form armor around him. Proximus quickly takes his leave to pursue his hunt. As he leaves, Gulan collapses in fear at what they've just done.

As the rivals' journey continues, Solila asks Darak to tell her more about his vision, but Darak says he's already told her everything he can remember. Handroid surmises that it was likely just a hallucination brought on by the intensity of the [[jump jet]] launch, but Solila is confident that he was chosen by [[Zerta]]. As the two make camp for the night, Solila secretly examines the key she was given by Mistress [[Vill]]... who, back in Zertonia, senses that Solila is on the path to her destiny.

{{--}}

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|h4=[[Agorrian]]s|c4=
* ''Foreman'' (1)
* ''[[Edgewalker]]s'' (2)
* [[Darak]] (3)

|h5=[[Zertonian]]s|c5=
* [[Solila]] (4)
* [[Zalilak]] (5)
* [[Proximus]] (6)
* [[Gulan]] (7)
* [[Keeper of the Light|Keepers of the Light]] (8)
* [[Vill]] (9)

|h6=Others||c6=
* [[Handroid]] (5)
}}

==Quotes==
"Your plan is to... ''die'' halfway to our destination." 
"If I told you, I swear you wouldn't believe me... even ''after'' what we saw on that planetoid where we first met."
:—'''Solila''' and '''Darak'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Darak references their encounter with [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] back in [[Void Rivals issue 1|issue #1]].
* The coming of Goliant was first mentioned in Darak's vision, seen in [[Void Rivals issue 2|issue #2]].
* Mistress Vill first gave Solila the key back in [[Void Rivals issue 5|issue #5]].

===Trivia===
* This is the first issue of ''Void Rivals'' to not feature appearances by any ''Transformers'' characters.

===Covers (6)===
* '''Cover A:''' Proximus stares down Solila and Darak, by [[Lorenzo De Felici]].
* '''Cover B:''' Proximus stands at the edge of the Wastelands, by [[Nate Bellegarde]] and [[Mike Spicer]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Proximus sneaks behind Darak and Solila, by [[André Lima Araújo]] and [[Chris O’Halloran]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Darak and Solila flee from the visage of Proximus, by [[Raúl Allén]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Proximus emerges from a cloud of dust, by [[Gabriel Hernández Walta]].

<gallery>
File:Void Rivals 7 Cover A.jpg|
File:Void Rivals 7 Cover B.jpg|
File:Void Rivals 7 Cover C.jpg|
File:Void Rivals 7 Cover D.jpg|
File:Void Rivals 7 Cover E.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* Explore the Energon Universe in ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' [[Transformers issue 6|#6]], ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' [[Cobra Commander issue 3|#3]], and ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'' [[Duke issue 4|#4]].
* [[Renegade Game Studios]]' ''[[Transformers Deck-Building Game]]'', ''[[Transformers Roleplaying Game]]''
* ''Extremity'' Signature Edition by [[Daniel Warren Johnson]] and [[Mike Spicer]] [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/skyboundent/extremity-signature-edition on Kickstarter]
* Skybound Insiders

===Reprints===

==External links==

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Void Rivals issues]]

Duke issue 1

2023-12-28T23:03:33Z

TBR: /* Errors */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'' #1
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 2
|next=Duke issue 2
|image=Duke 2023 1 cvr.jpg
|caption=A dedicated young man.
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[December 27]], [[2023]]
|coverdate=December 2023
|written by=[[Joshua Williamson]]
|art by=[[Tom Reilly]]
|colors by=[[Jordie Bellaire]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editors=[[Sean Mackiewicz]] & [[Jonathan Manning]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Duke's entire world has been shattered. And if his country won't give him the answers he seeks, he'll find them himself.'''

==Synopsis==
Colonel [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] meets with First Sergeant [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Conrad "Duke" Hauser]]. Once one of the United States Army's finest soldiers, Duke hasn't been the same since he saw his friend, [[Frosting|Tyler "Frosting" Frost]], killed by [[Starscream (G1)|a giant robot that turned into a plane]]. However, Hawk tells Duke his country needs him back, assuming he can stop asking questions. Duke can't abide that, demanding to see the black box from Frosting's plane, but Hawk simply tells him that information is classified. An enraged Duke storms out, vowing find out what that flying robot was and take it out.

Six months later, Duke attends a meeting of alien conspiracy theorists in [[Washington, D.C.]] Though he's unsure he's in the right place, he soon meets Doctor [[Adele Bukhart]], a physicist using the meeting as a front for her own mission. Burkhart tells Duke that she used to be part of a project looking for new sources of clean energy. Burkhart had hoped to harness the power of cosmic elements created during the Big Bang that she believed were hidden on Earth. However, she became concerned that the people she worked for had less noble intentions, planning to use it to design weapons of war. Having heard Duke's story, Burkhart believes he's stumbled onto a high-tech arms race and enlists his help to investigate the company on the edge of said race: [[M.A.R.S.|M.A.R.S. Industries]].

Duke sneaks into the M.A.R.S. offices, discovering a hidden basement where hundreds of advanced weapons and combat vehicles are being built, including [[S.N.A.K.E.|robotic exosuits]], which leads him to conclude M.A.R.S. is responsible for the robot that killed Frosting. However, he is soon discovered and attacked by [[Mercer]]. The pair fight for a bit before more M.A.R.S. security overwhelm Duke and drag him out of the building. Mercer wants to kill Duke since he's seen too much, but [[Destro|his employer]] (watching from a camera hidden in a statue) tells him to stay his hand: his family didn't get this far by killing everyone who poked their nose into their business, and that there are other ways to deal with him.

As Duke heads back to Burkhart's, he calls an unknown contact and leaves a message telling them about what he saw inside M.A.R.S. However, his call is interrupted when he sees inside the meeting: a massacre. Duke finds Burkhart bleeding out and asks her what happened. She tells him a man claiming to be a believer attacked and stole all of her research, save for a single small hard drive. Duke tells her to hold on, but Burkhart uses her dying breath to tell him not to let the drive fall into the wrong hands and to find the truth. At that moment, a squad of police officers swarm the building, ordering Duke to freeze. He tries to de-escalate the situation, but the police open fire on him. Duke flees, jumping out the window of the second story. Though wounded, he slinks off into the night, more determined than ever to get answers.

With Duke now compromised, Hawk is ordered by his superiors to take care of his rogue soldier. His aide, [[Cover Girl|Krieger]], tells him that finding Duke will be impossible. Hawk says that if they want to track one American hero, they’re going to need American heroes. Namely, [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] and [[Rock 'n Roll]]!

{{--}}

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|h1=[[United States military]]|c1=
* [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (1)
* [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (2)
* [[Frosting]] (4)
* [[Cover Girl|Krieger]] (8)
* [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (9)
* [[Rock 'n Roll]] (10)
|h2=[[M.A.R.S.|M.A.R.S. Industries]]|c2=
* [[Mercer]] (6)
* [[Destro]] (7)
|h3=Others|c3=
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (3)
* [[Adele Burkhart]] (5)
}}

==Quotes==
: "I believe [[energon|this]] is the new apple from the tree of knowledge, and there is [[Cobra|a snake]] hoping someone takes a bite out of it."
:—'''Adele Burkhart'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Duke's traumatic encounter with the [[Decepticon]] [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and the death of Frosting was depicted in ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' [[Transformers (2023) issue 2|#2]].
** Frosting's name is also given here as "Tyler Frost," while the art for Transformers #2 had his first name being "Mike". This is likely just a case of a detail that wasn't communicated between different creative teams since it's so minor. Or perhaps his full name is "Mike Tyler Frost"?
* The six-month jump places this story further in the Energon Universe timeline than the concurrently running ''Transformers''. (Possibly further than ''Void Rivals'' as well depending on how long it took [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] to get to [[Earth]] and how long it took [[Darak]] and [[Solila]] to get off the planetoid.)
* One of the conspiracy theorists might be a resident of [[Farmingham]], since they reference [[Optimus Prime (G1)|a massive truck]] standing up.
* Hanging on the wall at the conspiracy theorist meeting is an "I want to believe" poster featuring the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], suggesting that its arrival was more recent and well-known than previously thought.
* Burkhart's goal of deriving a clean energy source from raw elements from space seems to point pretty clearly to [[energon]], continuing the theme of the substance playing a crucial role across the various titles.

===G.I. Joe references===
* The character designs for Duke, Stalker, and Rock 'n Roll are all at least partially based on their ''G.I. Joe Classified Series'' figures.
* Hawk mentions Duke's stubborn and insubordinate brother, a reference to the G.I. Joe member [[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Falcon]], who was portrayed as Duke's younger half-brother in ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'' and younger full brother in the ''G.I. Joe: Renegades'' cartoon.
* As Duke drives to the meeting, we see a stack of books on aliens and unexplained phenomena in his car. One of these books says "[[Doctor Mindbender|Mindbender]]" on the cover, though it's not clear if that is the title or the author.
* Among the conversations of the conspiracy theorists, one bit that is overheard is about "a secret society in the ice," likely a reference to [[Cobra-La]].
* Another tidbit mentions a man ripping his face off to reveal another face which might be a reference to the preeminent master-of-disguise/sometimes shapeshifter of the ''Joe'' mythos, [[Zartan]].
* Doctor Adele Burkhart is a minor supporting character from the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] ''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'' comics, first appearing in the very first issue as a nuclear physicist-turned-whistleblower kidnapped by [[Cobra]] that the Joe team must rescue.
* The most prominently shown of Burkhart's blueprints depicts the [[M.A.S.S. Device]], the teleporter used by Cobra in the 1983 pilot miniseries for the ''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' cartoon. The blueprint's depiction of the device separated into five components is based on the instruction sheet artwork for its [[Build a Figure]] release in the ''G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary'' toyline, which required the purchase of five figure-and-DVD box sets to obtain all the components and assemble [https://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/08/massdevice/ the full device].
* Several of the weapons M.A.R.S. is building are based on classic Cobra vehicles, including [[H.I.S.S. tank]]s, [[F.A.N.G.]]s, [[S.N.A.K.E.]]s, tanks that might be [[C.A.T.]]s, and even a stray [[C.L.A.W.]]
* Mercer is usually depicted as a former [[Cobra Viper]] who defects to join G.I. Joe. However, since G.I. Joe and Cobra have yet to form in the Energon Universe, he is depicted here at the beginning of that journey as an enforcer for [[M.A.R.S.]]
* Both Burkhart and Destro reference the history of M.A.R.S. as a family operation of the McCullen clan, something that dates back to the original file card for the character.
* Burkhart notes that the man who stole her research came all the way from Austrailia. Could we be seeing [[Major Bludd]] in the near future?
* Only identified by her last name, Kreiger is longtime G.I. Joe vehicle expert [[Cover Girl]]. Here she is acting as Hawk's aide, similar to her role in the ''G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra'' film.

===Transformers references===
* One of the conspiracy theorists insists that there are little green men controlling the [[Transformer|alien robots]] from inside their heads, referencing the [[Nebulan]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]].

===Real-world references===
* The "I want to believe" poster mentioned above is based on [[Fox Mulder]]'s poster from ''The X-Files'', with the Ark replacing Mulder's more traditional UFO.

===Errors===
* Hawk's nameplate on his desk should really read "Abernathy," his legal last name, not his cool toy trademark. The same should also go for the nametag on Duke's uniform.
* The back cover of comic is the patterned after a classified file. However, its warning features some grammatical errors, reading: "The contents of this booklet '''is''' confidential. '''This''' unauthorized disclosure of information within is prohibited."

===Other trivia===
* This issue contains a four page preview for ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' [[Cobra Commander issue 1|#1]].
* Like with [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|''Transformers'' #1]], an ashcan copy of this issue was available exclusively at [[New York Comic Con]] 2023 prior to its official release. The ashcan contains uncolored, unlettered pages from both this issue and ''Cobra Commander'' #1, with afterwords from Joshua Williamson, Tom Reilly and [[Andrea Milana]].

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Duke stands tall as Starscream soars through the sky, by Tom Reilly.
* '''Cover B:''' Duke on the battlefield, by [[David Aja]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Duke jumps out the window to escape the SWAT team, by [[Tyler Boss]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Duke on explosion background, by [[Steve Epting]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Starscream towers over Duke, by [[Andrea Sorrentino]].
* '''Cover F (1:100 Copy Incentive Foil):''' Duke atop a defeated Starscream, by [[Jonboy Meyers]].
* '''Cover G:''' Blank sketch cover.
* '''Cover H (1:250 Copy Incentive):''' Duke and [[Baroness]], by [[David Mack]].
* '''Bird City Comics exclusive:''' Duke, by [[John Giang]].
* '''The Comic Mint exclusive:''' SWAT team reflected in Duke's knife, by [[Marco Ferrari]].
* '''Southern Comics Cartel exclusive:''' Duke with Starscream flying overhead, by [[Santa Fung]].
* '''New York Comic Con ashcan cover A:''' ''Duke'' corner box art, by Tom Reilly.
* '''New York Comic Con ashcan Big Clutch/[[eBay]] exclusive:''' ''Cobra Commander'' corner box art with spot foil, by Andrea Milana.

<gallery>
File:Duke 2023 1 cvr.jpg|
File:Duke 1 Cover B.jpg|
File:Duke 1 Cover C.jpg|
File:Duke 1 Cover D.jpg|
File:Duke 1 Cover F.jpg|
File:Duke 1 Cover H.jpg|
File:Duke 1 The Comic Mint Cover.jpg|
File:Duke 1 Southern Comics Cartel Cover.jpg|
File:Duke 1 NYCC Ashcan Cover A.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* The [[Cobra]] threat begins in ''Cobra Commander'' #1!
* Explore the Energon Universe in [[Transformers (2023) issue 4|''Transformers'' #4]] and [[Duke issue 2|''Duke'' #2]].

===Reprints===
* '''''Duke Volume 1''''' ([[June 5]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534398163 / ISBN 978-1534398160 
** Collects issues #1–5.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Duke V1.jpg|'''''Volume 1''''' – cover art by [[Tom Reilly]]
</gallery>

==External links==
*

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

[[Category:Duke issues]]

Transformers (2023) issue 3

2023-12-07T05:11:27Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #3
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 2
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 4
|image=Transformers03A Cover.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[December 6]], [[2023]]
|coverdate=December 2023
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=Daniel Warren Johnson
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editors=[[Sean Mackiewicz]] & [[Jonathan Manning]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''It's Optimus Prime versus Skywarp in a vicious battle, with humankind caught in the crossfire.'''

==Synopsis==
Learning [[Davey|her father]] has been killed, [[Carly]] asks [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] how it happened, and Sparky tells her he was crushed by a giant robot. Carly realizes it must have been [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and begins to tell Sparkplug about her and Spike's discovery of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. Sparkplug desperately asks where [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] is when they are attacked by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]. Sparkplug fires at the robot bird, only to get tossed around the room for his efforts. Laserbeak then corners Carly, but she is rescued by the timely arrival of [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], who delivers a swift kick to Laserbeak's face. As Cliff approaches Carly, however, Sparkplug yells at him to get away before firing a shotgun at the [[Autobot]]'s face. Carly tries to get him to stop, but Sparkplug pulls her into the police car he commandeered and they drive off.

In the ''Ark'', an irritated Starscream berates [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] for not fixing [[Teletraan I|Teletraan 1]]. Soundwave tells him that while they have enough [[energon]], the raw materials they gathered aren’t advanced enough to repair the computer. When Soundwave begins to mention what [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] would do, Starscream slaps him, repeating his order to not say his name. Soundwave receives an alert from Laserbeak and Starscream orders [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] to deal with it.

Sparkplug takes Carly to the veterans' bar. Carly asks why they’re there and Sparkplug tells her that the [[Decepticon]]s are jamming all phone, radio, and internet signals, so they need reinforcements from somewhere. Inside, [[Danny]] and a group of other veterans have heard the explosions and already formed a small militia to defend themselves. Carly tries to tell Sparkplug that they aren't all bad, but Sparkplug says that he's been in war: when the shooting starts, people die. At that moment, Cliffjumper appears in the doorway and Sparkplug unloads a machine gun on him. Skywarp then arrives, which the humans mistake for Cliffjumper having called in reinforcements, and they begin firing on both. On the outskirts of town, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] and Spike see smoke coming from the battle and Optimus quickly heads in to intervene. With Skywarp shaking off the humans' bullets like they're nothing, Danny decides they need something bigger: he and Sparky pull out a bazooka before the bar caves in on itself. Skywarp approaches Cliffjumper for the kill, but Carly tries to step in and defend him, much to Skywarp's amusement. The pair are saved by the timely intervention of Optimus, who rams into Skywarp in his truck mode. Optimus transforms and tells Spike to take cover while he deals with the Decepticon.

The two fight, Skywarp using his teleportation and Optimus using his [[energon-axe]]. Optimus pins Skywarp down and asks him to surrender, but their fight is interrupted by Sparky and Danny firing the bazooka at Optimus, severely damaging his right arm. This allows Skywarp to regain his footing and blast Optimus back. Sparky tells the militia to pour their fire on both of the Cybertronians as Spike runs towards the wounded Optimus... getting caught in the crossfire. Skywarp taunts Optimus as he moves to crush Spike, but Optimus tackles him to the ground. In a moment of desperation, Prime tears off his injured arm, using it as a club to beat Skywarp down. He then picks up Spike, now bleeding profusely from his injury. Sparkplug runs towards Prime, tears streaking his face and a handgun pointed at the Autobot leader, screaming at him to get away from his son. Optimus transforms and tells Sparkplug to come with him; he’s going to save his boy.

{{--}}

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (11)

|c2=
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (3)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (5)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (6)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (7)

|c3=
* [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Carly]] (2)
* [[Danny]] (8)
* [[Jerry (G1)|Jerry]] (9)
* Militia (10)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (12)
}}

==Quotes==
"I've been in '''war''', Carly. It doesn't matter whose team they're on or what glorious cause they fight for. When the shooting starts, people die."
:—'''Sparkplug'''

"Damn, Starscream was right! This is a blast!"
:—'''Skywarp'''

"Your kind have played with this planet '''enough'''. '''''I WILL HAVE NO MORE OF IT!'''''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' right before ripping his own arm off.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* One of the citizens' militia, [[Jerry (G1)|Jerry]], was the same man raving about seeing [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] in the [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|first issue]].

===Transformers references===
* Optimus's iconic [[energon-axe]] first debuted in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]".
* Skywarp swears "by the soul of [[the Fallen]]".

===Real-world references===
* Daniel Warren Johnson hides little references on the license plates of the vehicles and characters' alt-modes:
** The license plate of the police car Sparkplug commandeered has changed, now reading "[https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/murder-falcon Murder Falcon]", the title of one of Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer’s previous Skybound comics.
** As Optimus drives into town, his front license plate reads "DAP", which stands for ''[https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/do-a-powerbomb Do A Powerbomb]'', another Johnson/Spicer Skybound title.
** When Optimus transforms at the end, his license plate also serves as Johnson's signature, with a small "DWJ '23".

===Storytelling notes===

===Errors===

===Other trivia===
* This issue contains a four page preview for ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' [[Cobra Commander issue 1|#1]].
* While it is likely not intentional, the scene of Optimus ripping off his damaged arm and using it as a weapon is similar to a moment where [[Apeface]] does the same in [[Cold War!|issue #49]] of [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|the Marvel series]].

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Optimus Prime vs Soundwave and his cassettes, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover B:''' People cower beneath Optimus Prime and Skywarp rains fire upon him, by [[Taurin Clarke]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover by [[Orlando Aroecena]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Optimus and Skywarp square off, by [[Matías Bergara]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' A defeated Optimus sits in the shadow of Starscream, by [[Nick Dragotta]].

<gallery>
File:Transformers03A Cover.jpg|
File:Transformers03B Cover.jpg|
File:Transformers03C Cover.jpg|
File:Transformers03D Cover.jpg|
File:Transformers03E Cover.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* The [[Cobra]] threat begins in ''Cobra Commander'' #1!

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 1''''' ([[May 7]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534398171 / ISBN 978-1534398177 
** Collects issues #1-6.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 V1.jpg|'''''Volume 1''''' – cover art by [[Daniel Warren Johnson]] and [[Mike Spicer]]
</gallery>

==External links==
*

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

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

Trial of Megatron, Part 3

2023-11-08T21:50:06Z

TBR: /* Act I */

{{apocrypha}}
{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=Animated-TrialOfMegatronPart3.jpg
|ep=45
|prev=Trial of Megatron, Part 2
|title="Trial of Megatron, Part 3"
|airdate=[[August 17]], [[2019]] ([[Unofficial conventions|TFNation 2019]])
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]]
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyMeY7BySl4
|videosite=YouTube}}

'''Megatron makes his ultimate play as he sets the Decepticon capital city, Kaon, on a collision course with Earth.'''
==Synopsis==
===Act I===
[[File:TFAs4 kaon.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|and there he goe's... WE HAVE. '''''LIFDOFF''''']]
Inside [[Trypticon Prison]], [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] is surrounded by Decepticons as [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] gloats. When [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] insists that everyone bow before their leader, a scuffle breaks out amongst the Decepticon troops. Megatron is forced to smack them back into order before explaining that he has learned to speak to the [[Mini-Con]]s. Not wanting to let Megatron escape, Sentinel locks down [[Kaon (polity)#Animated cartoon|Kaon]] with a shield.

Megatron takes this opportunity to reveal that he has no plans to leave the Decepticon capital; after all, it is the state of the ''rest'' of [[Cybertron (planet)#Animated|Cybertron]] which disappoints him. The planet begins to rumble as massive boosters emerge from Trypticon Prison. Kaon tears itself free from the surface and rockets into space, leaving behind a volcanic pit. Many Autobots are trapped in rubble and the [[Sonic Canyons#Animated cartoon|Sonic Canyons]] are destabilized. If nothing is done, they pose a threat to the entire planet.

Meanwhile, [[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]] has been thrown into chaos. The [[Autobot High Council]] instructs [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] to lead his crew and a rescue team led by [[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] to the crater. As part of the mission, they must bring the [[AllSpark#Animated continuity family|AllSpark]] to make a shield, allowing Perceptor's team to work on stabilizing the Sonic Canyons. Simultaneously, [[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus Prime]] is to lead the Elite Guard in pursuit of Kaon; [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] is happy to learn that he will partake in the former operation, rather than the latter. Forced to choose between boarding Omega or the [[Elite Guard]]'s ships, [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] nobly tears off his stripes and rejoins Optimus' crew. In response, Optimus removes his Eternal Flames.

In space, Rodimus makes contact with Megatron, demanding that Sentinel be released. When Megatron refuses, the fleet fires on Kaon. As the Decepticons start to lose power, Megatron uses his sword to cut off Lugnut's [[Punch of Kill Everything]] before asking an oblivious Rodimus for his word that they will not be harmed if he agrees to surrender Sentinel. Once Rodimus deactivates the fleet's weapons, Megatron returns Sentinel using a cannon, with the severed POKE strapped to his head.

===Act II===
Sentinel impacts the ship, and the resulting explosion causes some serious damage. By throwing the stolen [[Technorganic|techno-organic]] Energon into Kaon's fusion reactor, Megatron gives it the boost it needs to escape. [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] identifies Kaon's destination as Earth. Rodimus requests the coordinates of the planet from Optimus, who simply points out that they will not make it there in time. As Optimus' crew begins boarding Omega, [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] is forced to say goodbye to [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]], who is remaining behind on Cybertron. Bumblebee's initial enthusiasm over the mission fades once he learns that Bulkhead will be staying behind at the Energon farm, and they too regretfully part ways. Joining the team is [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]], who is still playing his part as Optimus' bodyguard. Omega Supreme takes off, and transwarps.

Kaon completes its hyperspace jump, arriving in Earth's vicinity, but is closely followed by Omega Supreme. After some encouragement from Ratchet, the Autobot ship transforms into robot mode to open fire. Trypticon brings more cannons to bear and fires back. Optimus notes that this altercation is just another distraction. Ratchet gives him Sentinel's Powermaster armor, allowing him to fly out into space (despite being a little too big for the door). Bumblebee, [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari]], [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]], and Ironhide follow Optimus under the cover of Omega Supreme's fire and touch down on Kaon.

Sari's technopathy lets her determine how to sabotage the ship's surge regulators. Splitting up to carry out the plan, Optimus and Bumblebee go one way while Sari, Jazz, and Ironhide go another. Megatron orders the Mini-Cons to concentrate fire on Omega's head. In response, Ratchet is forced to shut down Omega's higher functions and take manual control, converting him back to ship mode. Aboard Kaon, the Autobots succeed in their plan. With its surge regulators taken out, Kaon suddenly burns through all its fuel. Unfortunately, Optimus and Bumblebee stumble into the cell block, where they are immediately surrounded by several Decepticons.

===Act III===
[[File:Animated-TrialofMegatronPart3-Ramjet's-Death.jpeg|thumb|250px|YEET!]]
Desperately seeking to keep Kaon online, Megatron decides to throw the [[Starscream clone (Animated)|Starscream clone]]s into the fusion reactor so that the AllSpark fragments in their spark chambers can provide the city with power. [[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]], a sycophant to the last, is sure to compliment Megatron on this course of action as he is tossed in. [[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]] claims not to have a fragment of the AllSpark in his spark chamber, but Megatron pays him no heed and hurls the lying clone in too. With power temporarily restored, Megatron directs the ship to the location on Earth with the highest Energon concentration: the greater [[Detroit]] area.

The Decepticon prisoners overpower Optimus and Bumblebee, and throw them into their former cells. Recalling the Decepticons, Megatron tosses [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] and [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] into the reactor. Lugnut jumps in willingly. Even after the sacrifice of its crew, Kaon continues to lose power. Megatron goes to fetch Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, only to be blocked by an armored Ironhide and attacked by Jazz. [[Rattletrap]], who also had been thrown into the cells, vanishes during the battle.

In his Powermaster armour, Optimus stands eye-to-eye with Megatron for the first time. Megatron's swords are unable to penetrate the armor; he tosses aside his [[Fusion cannon#Animated cartoon|fusion cannon]], leading Optimus to do the same with the [[Magnus Hammer]]. They fight hand-to-hand as Kaon descends on [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]] (much to the horror of [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]). Right before it crashes, Optimus manages to fly the Autobots out.

Later, Sari reports that Kaon is sealed shut. Optimus decides that they should remain on Earth to monitor the situation. Ironhide is unsure of the mission, as he has not visited Earth before, but Jazz tells him he'll ''dig it.''

Unseen by all, a hatch on the exterior of Trypticon Prison opens and a Mini-Con peers out...

==Quotes==
"You wanted me to put you on trial! It was just another distraction!" 
"How could I have been so... deceptive?"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' realises he's played into '''Megatron'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s hands.

"All hail Megatron! On your knees, infidel!"
:—'''Lugnut''' pays homage then chastises '''Shockwave'''.

"I must admit my time in prison has severely eroded my patience."
:—'''Megatron''' puts a stop to his underlings' tomfoolery.

"I speak Mini-Con now. I find them much more efficient than my usual unreliable help."
:—'''Megatron''' sasses his minions.

"Sadly, seeing what your leadership has done to this planet, it is no longer worthy of the Decepticons." 
"If that's your attitude, why don't you just leave?" 
"My sentiments exactly..."
:—'''Megatron''' launches Trypticon Prison, to the surprise of '''Sentinel Prime'''.

"Ready to save some lives?" 
"Saving lives, not destroying them... that is how I want to fit in."
:—'''Ratchet''' encourages '''Omega Supreme'''.

"Lugnut, my loyal servant, is there anything you would not do for me...?" 
"Nothing, my liege." 
"Because I really need ''a hand'' right now."
:—'''Megatron''' gets the POKE from '''Lugnut'''.

"Let's go big guy!" 
"Sorry, little buddy. Not this time. There's too much work to be done here. They need me back on the energon farm." 
"I hate long goodbyes..."
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Bulkhead''' part ways.

"I still prefer saving lives." 
"There's about seven billion of them down on that planet you're saving right now."
:—'''Omega Supreme''' is persuaded by '''Ratchet''' to attack Kaon.

"Oh no, not again."
:—'''Scrapper''' watches Kaon bear down on him.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (1)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (6)
*[[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] (7)
*[[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus Prime]] (8)
*[[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] (9)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (10)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (11)
*[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] (12)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (13)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (14)
*[[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] (15)
*[[Rattletrap]] (19)}}
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (2)
*[[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] (3)
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] (4)
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (5)
*[[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]] (17)
*[[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]] (18)
*[[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]] (20)
|c4=
*[[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] (16)
}}

==Notes==
*A full and completed script for this episode was never written, only a detailed outline. Written by Marty Isenberg sometime in (probably) 2008, the outline was converted into an "audio play" for unofficial UK convention [[unofficial conventions|TFNation]] in 2019, featuring almost the entire cast of the cartoon (minus [[Tara Strong]] and [[Judd Nelson]]) reprising their roles. See the [[Transformers Animated season 4|''Transformers Animated'' season 4]] article for more details.

===Continuity notes===
*At a first glance, this episode seems to rack up an unusually high body-count, but it's not exactly clear purely from the outline whether or not the Decepticons who are hurled into the reactor in this episode are actually offlined. Marty Isenberg indicated at TFNation 2019 that at least some of the Decepticons would've returned, and indeed synopses for later episodes in the unproduced fourth season mention appearances by Blitzwing and Shockwave. Further indication that process was not fatal is that we previously saw Megatron power Omega Supreme using the AllSpark fragment in [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]'s head back in "[[TransWarped]]" without killing Starscream.
*Late in the ''Animated'' toyline, Lugnut received an "Atomic" redeco. While this is purely speculative, it's plausible that his dip into the Kaon Reactor in this episode would've been used as an explanation for his changed color scheme had Season 4 been produced.
*Scrapper last appeared in "[[Human Error, Part II]]"; it was established in that same episode that he had been living on Dinobot Island since the events of "[[Three's a Crowd]]".

===Transformers references===
*Among the ships leaving Cybertron in the illustration created for the TFNation reading are the ''[[Alpha Supreme|Axalon]]'' and ''[[Zeta Supreme|Xantium]]'', resembling their [[Axalon (BW)|original]] [[Xantium (G1)|incarnations]] rather than the [[Omega Sentinel (Animated)|Omega Sentinel]]s that share their names. The ''[[Lost Light]]'' is also visible, as it was in Part 2.
*Prime dons the Powermaster armour in this episode. Apparently, Hasbro had pushed for "Powermaster Prime", hoping to get a couple of new ''Animated'' toys out at higher price-points, so Isenberg worked the armour into his pitch.

===Real-world references===
*As in the previous part, the ship from ''{{w|X-Bomber}}'' can be spotted amongst the Cybertronian fleet.
*The appearance of the pit left behind by Kaon was (apparently) to be inspired by the firepits of the planet Apokolips from Jack Kirby's "{{w|Fourth World (comics)|Fourth World}}" comics. Two concept pieces for Kaon itself are included in ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]'', one of which depicts it blasting off from Cybertron while the second is of Kaon after crash-landing in [[Lake Erie]].

===Continuity errors===
*While this episode does show Bulkhead staying on Cybertron to protect the Energon farms from Decepticons, Sari is present on Earth with Optimus' team when it is said in the pitch for season 4 that she would be staying on Cybertron to continue her education and learn more about her origins.

===Trivia===
*[[Judd Nelson]] did not return to reprise his role of Rodimus Prime, whose voice was instead provided for the TFNation reading by Chris Finney.
*According to Isenberg, starting with the show's third season, there had been increasing pressure from the higher-ups to tell darker stories, to bring the show closer in line with other series that had aired on [[Cartoon Network]] at the time (such as ''{{w|Ben 10: Alien Force|Ben 10: Alien Force}}'' and ''{{w|Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|Star Wars: The Clone Wars}})''. Omega Supreme's origins were one product of this.

[[Category:Animated episodes]]
[[Category: Things that don't exist]]

Trial of Megatron, Part 2

2023-11-08T21:48:21Z

TBR: /* Real-world references */ Think this was left in from the Part 1 article?

{{apocrypha}}
{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=Animated-TrialOfMegatronPart2.jpg
|caption=I have nothing ''but'' contempt for this court!
|ep=44
|prev=Trial of Megatron, Part 1
|next=Trial of Megatron, Part 3
|title="Trial of Megatron, Part 2"
|airdate=[[August 17]], [[2019]] ([[Unofficial conventions|TFNation 2019]])
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]]
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48VylJGEHoM
|videosite=YouTube}}

'''As Cybertron comes under attack from a strike force of Decepticons, Megatron uses Sentinel's incompetent authoritarianism—and his own public trial—to his advantage.'''
==Synopsis==
===Act I===
Upon learning of General Obsidian's attack on the [[energon farm]], [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] diverts all power to [[Project Powermaster]]. Unfortunately, at the farm itself, this causes the planetary shields to deactivate. To combat the Decepticons now freely attacking the farm, the workers start using the [[Energon#Animated|energon]] crystals as makeshift grenades. [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] manages to save Trac-Tor from Obsidian, but is injured himself in the process. The Decepticons fly away with a silo of energon.

[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]], having checked over Bulkhead, declares that the Autobot will recover. At that moment, Optimus' team sees [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]]'s endorsement of Sentinel on the news, and turn on him. Sentinel defensively claims that Bumblebee is old enough to make his own choices, and Bumblebee himself states that it was what the [[AllSpark#Animated continuity family|AllSpark]] wanted. Sentinel then presents the young Autobot with [[Elite Guard]] stripes.

Afterwards, Sentinel returns to [[Trypticon Prison]], looking to prise the location of the Decepticon base from [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. A [[Mini-Con]] removes the captive leader's mouthplate, allowing him to speak. Sentinel threatens to use the Mini-Con to rip the location from Megatron's memories if he does not disclose it freely; the Mini-Con extends a nasty-looking spike. Megatron is willing to offer some information, but wants to be given the opportunity to stretch his legs in return. Sentinel gets the Mini-Con to remove the Decepticon's [[stasis cuffs]]. Megatron reveals that the base is located on the fifth moon of [[Chaar#Animated cartoon|Chaar]] but all the while, he is downloading information from the Mini-Con.

Sentinel immediately goes to the [[Project Omega]] lab and demands the Powermaster armor from Ratchet, ignoring the medic's warnings that it is not yet finished. At [[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]], the Autobots board their flagship and prepare to level the Decepticon base. [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] is convinced it is a trap, but Sentinel is having none of it: "Bring it on," he says. [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] joins the armada, reluctant as ever. Sentinel uses Optimus' misgivings as an excuse to saddle him with [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]], and says that his crew is to defend the energon farms. Secretly, Sentinel hopes that they will not get to see any action.

The armada travels to the fifth moon of Chaar and bombs the Decepticon base. A recalcitrant Omega transforms and unleashes his full arsenal. Sentinel, wearing the Powermaster armor and accompanied by Elite Guard troops, storms the base, only to find it deserted. He pounds the rubble with his lance in frustration, causing the Powermaster armor to suddenly overload, which in turn launches Sentinel into an uncontrollable strafing run at his own soldiers. At the last second, Bumblebee speeds up a ramp and uses his [[stinger (weapon)|stinger]]s to sever Sentinel's connection to the armour. At the energon farm, Optimus, Ironhide, and Ratchet see footage from the moon and realise that it was not a trap, but rather a diversion, when a Decepticon warship bears down on them...

===Act II===
[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] and [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] warp in and join the fight, as [[Strika (Animated)|General Strika]] and the rest of [[Team Chaar]] descend on the farm. Having never seen a flying Autobot before, [[Cyclonus (Animated)|Cyclonus]] is impressed by Optimus' jetpack. Sari is eaten by [[Spittor (Animated)|Spittor]], but she manages to blast her way out from the inside. [[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]] arrives and disables everyone's weapons (including Optimus' jetpack) with an EMP shockwave. [[Oil Slick (Animated)|Oil Slick]] prepares to douse the Autobots in [[Cosmic Rust (disease)#Animated cartoon|Cosmic Rust]], only for [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]], [[Dai Atlas (Animated)|Dai Atlas]] and the rest of the [[Cyber-Ninja Corps]] to arrive. When the canister is kicked away from Oil Slick, Optimus ignites the Cosmic Rust, causing a chain reaction with the energon that eliminates all the Decepticons in the refinery.

The [[Autobot High Council]] commends Optimus and grants him the title of the "Eternal Flame", an honour which comes with a fiery new paint job, all while Bumblebee is chagrined. Sentinel is absent for this, as he is too busy yelling at Megatron. Mini-Con guards swarm over the Decepticon leader, who feigns fear even as he now downloads data ''into'' the Mini-Cons. Megatron asks that Sentinel should kill him and get it over with, but Sentinel declares that the Decepticon still has to stand trial. Deliberately planting an idea in Sentinel's mind, Megatron wonders aloud about the kind of grand, theatrical show trial he might be subjected to...

Uplink broadcasts events as they unfold. As Megatron is rolled into the court, [[Rattletrap]] is present as his lawyer. Bumblebee is shunned by his friends. Optimus thinks his new flames look stupid. [[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] brings the trial to order. Sentinel serves as prosecutor, and attempts to begin his opening statement with a list of Megatron's war crimes. However, Rattletrap cuts him off, reminding the court that, at the end of the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], the Decepticons were granted amnesty for their crimes in return for accepting exile. This makes the list of offenses Sentinel is about to read inadmissible.

Sentinel is furious at this, and loudly declares that he thinks it was stupid to grant the Decepticons amnesty in the first place. Alpha Trion admits that he was the one to make the decision at the time, and sides with Rattletrap. Now only able to use evidence from after the Great War, Sentinel turns to Optimus' crew and pleads that they testify against Megatron. Bumblebee tries to back Optimus, but Bulkhead, Ratchet and Sari are not impressed. Sentinel asks Bumblebee to imply that Optimus could have stopped Megatron for good and failed, offering to make him "Bumble Prime" in return.

===Act III===
Optimus, Sari, Bulkhead, and Ratchet each list out Megatron's crimes while on Earth. Meanwhile, inside Trypticon prison, the Mini-Cons' eyes turn red as they swarm the guards and descend via a secret elevator to an operations center with location schematics. After they gather and repair the Decepticon prisoners' weapons, the cell doors open. [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]], [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] and [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] watch in confusion as their cuffs all fall off.

Back at the trial, it is Bumblebee's turn to take the stand. He gives his account of [[Endgame, Part II|Optimus' final battle against Megatron]], initially as though he plans to do as Sentinel asked. As he reaches the climax of the tale, however, Bumblebee's tone shifts and he emphasises the heroism of Optimus' choice to spare the Decepticon leader. Even knowing that it might not salvage his friendships, he declares unwavering support for Optimus.

With no further witnesses, Rattletrap takes the stand again and asks Bumblebee to point out the location of Earth—or "Oith", as he pronounces it—on an official Cybertronian star chart. When Bumblebee points out that Earth is not ''on'' the chart, claiming the planet lies outside Cybertronian space, Rattletrap triumphantly proclaims that it is outside of Cybertronian jurisdiction. Henceforth, Megatron cannot be tried for crimes committed on Earth.

The law-bound Alpha Trion is once again forced to agree and rules in Megatron's favor, threatening to throw out the case entirely when Sentinel reacts in anger. Megatron is wheeled back to his cell; his assault on Optimus Prime's space bridge repair ship was the only charge that stuck. Back in Trypticon Prison, the cellblock goes dark. The Mini-Cons scurry like obedient puppies around Megatron's feet, freeing their new master and affixing his weapons. As the other Decepticons arrive, Sentinel finds himself to be the only bot standing between them and freedom...

==Quotes==
"How could you?" 
"He's a big bot now, he makes his own choices." 
"You sold out Prime for some Elite Guard stripes?!"
:—'''Bulkhead''', '''Sentinel Prime''' and '''Ratchet''' see Bumblebee on television.

"Your datatrax won't lie when the Mini-Cons rip them one by one from your processor!" 
"Not the Mini-Cons... anything but the Mini-Cons... just take me offline. Do not prolong this humiliation one more nanoklik." 
"Much as I'd love to do just that, I can't without first putting you on trial." 
"You mean a public airing of all my crimes against the Autobots—with you standing above me like some grand authority, pointing your accusing finger, calling for my head, basking in the glory as I am taken away to meet my final doom? I'd rather take my chances with the Mini-Cons..."
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' plays into '''Megatron'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s hands.

"That's right! I'm a bot of all trades and I can prove I didn't do it—I mean, that my client didn't do it."
:—'''Rattletrap''' settles into his new job.

"Only testimony related to events after the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]] will be admitted."
:—'''Alpha Trion''' sets the parameters for the titular trial.

"You and your losers—I mean, team—are all I've got right now."
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' asks Optimus for help.

"I'm with Optimus Prime all the way—even if he and my other friends never speak to me again."
:—'''Bumblebee''' proves that his heart is in the right place.

"Proceeding... Could youse point out said planet on dis here official-like Cybertronian Galactic Star Chart?" 
"...It's not on that chart." 
"But how can that be? The Galactic Star Chart lists every planet in Cybertronian space!" 
"Then it must be outside of Cybertronian space..." 
''"Ah-ha!"''
:—'''Rattletrap''' plays his trump card, with a little help from '''Bumblebee'''.

"Assault on a space bridge repair ship, that's all we have on him! Assault on a space bridge repair ship! That's like a ''parking ticket!"''
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' is not happy with the result of Megatron's trial.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (1)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (2)
*Trac-Tor (3)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (6)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (8)
*[[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] (9)
*[[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] (10)
*[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] (11)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (18)
*[[Dai Atlas (Animated)|Dai Atlas]] (19)
*Uplink (20)
*[[Rattletrap]] (21)
*[[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] (22)}}
|c2=
{{collist|2|*Obsidian (4)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (7)
*[[Strika (Animated)|General Strika]] (13)
*[[Cyclonus (Animated)|Cyclonus]] (14)
*[[Spittor (Animated)|Spittor]] (15)
*[[Oil Slick (Animated)|Oil Slick]] (16)
*[[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]] (17)
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] (23)
*[[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] (24)
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (25)}}
|c4=
*[[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] (12)
}}

==Notes==
*A full and completed script for this episode was never written, only a detailed outline. Written by Marty Isenberg sometime in (probably) 2008, the outline was converted into an "audio play" for unofficial UK convention [[unofficial conventions|TFNation]] in 2019, featuring almost the entire cast of the cartoon (minus [[Tara Strong]] and [[Judd Nelson]]) reprising their roles. See the [[Transformers Animated season 4|''Transformers Animated'' season 4]] article for more details.

===Continuity notes===
*The events of past episodes are alluded to during the trial:
**Optimus Prime recounts his crew's first encounter with Megatron, which took place in the series premiere "[[Transform and Roll Out]], Part 1".
**Sari explains how Megatron rebuilt his body, which occurred in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 1]]".
**Bulkhead relates how he was kidnapped by Megatron in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]".
**Ratchet describes the hijacking of Omega Supreme, which happened in "[[TransWarped]], Part 3".
**Lastly, Bumblebee explains Optimus' previous battle against Megatron in "[[Endgame, Part II]]".
*Megatron is able to avoid most of the charges levied against him due to them having occurred outside Cybertronian jurisdiction. However, were the remaining Decepticons captured by Optimus' team to be tried, it's likely they would not have been as lucky.
**Lugnut, Blitzwing, and the [[Sunstorm (Animated)|Starscream]] [[Ramjet (Animated)|clones]] would probably be liable for the hijacking of the [[Steelhaven (Animated)|Elite Guard flagship]], coupled with assault and attempted murder of Sentinel, Jazz, [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]], and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], back in "[[Decepticon Air]]".
**Meanwhile, Shockwave-having served as a double agent on Cybertron-would likely be guilty of espionage and attempted murder for his crushing [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] into a cube in "TransWarped, Part 2". On top of all that, he would also be guilty of murder for the death of [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] in "[[Where Is Thy Sting?]]". Provided proof exists of his murder of [[Highbrow (Animated)|Highbrow]], then the crime would become ''double'' murder.

===Transformers references===
*In the illustration created by TFNation to accompany the scene, the ''[[Lost Light]]'' and the ''Armada'' version of the ''[[Axalon (Armada)|Axalon]]'' can be spotted among the Autobot fleet.

===Real-world references===
*Also seen among the Autobot fleet is the eponymous spacecraft from the tokusatsu series ''{{w|X-Bomber}}''.
===Real-world references===
*''"Before you know it everybody was [[Circuit-Su]] fighting"'' is a play on the song "[[wikipedia:Kung Fu Fighting|Kung Fu Fighting]]".

===Trivia===
[[File:AllSparkAlmanacII-SeasonFourAutobotLine-Up.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|Guess [[Masahiko Yamazaki]] is right about ''Animated'' taking place chronologically before the movie.]]
*While many plot details from the planned fourth season made their way out into ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]'', Marty Isenberg specifically requested that a few be kept back in case the story was ever produced in some capacity. Notably, [[Jim Sorenson]] knew that Rattletrap was to be Megatron's lawyer—a fact which he used while working on the unofficial ''[https://tfnation.com/blog/2017/Presenting%20TRANSFORMERS%20ANIMATED:%20TRIAL%20AND%20ERROR%20-%20an%20original,%20full-length%20graphic%20novel%20exclusively%20available%20at%20TFN2017 Transformers Animated: Trial and Error]'' graphic novel, wherein he deliberately hung a lampshade on Optimus Prime taking Rattletrap's place.
*The "Eternal Flame" granted to Optimus Prime was based on artwork provided to the ''Animated'' production team by Hasbro. The artwork drew inspiration predominantly from the [[live-action film series]], as Hasbro wanted to bring ''Animated'' more in line with what audiences were familiar with from the big screens—but according to Isenberg, the ''Animated'' team ''hated'' the idea of their Optimus Prime having flames. The crack in this episode about the flames being "stupid" is a good example of something included at the outline stage of production that Hasbro would likely have ordered removed from the finished episode.
*The weapons repaired by the Mini-Cons include Shockwave's pulse cannon, Lugnut's [[Punch of Kill Everything|explosive fist]], Blitzwing's shoulder cannons, the Starscream clones' laser cannons, and Megatron's [[sword]]s and [[Fusion cannon#Animated cartoon|fusion cannon]].
*A guard at Trypticon prison (described as sharing a design with the [[Autotrooper (Animated)|Autotrooper]]s) has a single line of dialogue. For the TFNation reading of the outline, the guard's voice was provided by convention staff member Leanne Gilks.

[[Category:Animated episodes]]
[[Category: Things that don't exist]]

Trial of Megatron, Part 2

2023-11-08T21:43:56Z

TBR: /* Act II */

{{apocrypha}}
{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=Animated-TrialOfMegatronPart2.jpg
|caption=I have nothing ''but'' contempt for this court!
|ep=44
|prev=Trial of Megatron, Part 1
|next=Trial of Megatron, Part 3
|title="Trial of Megatron, Part 2"
|airdate=[[August 17]], [[2019]] ([[Unofficial conventions|TFNation 2019]])
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]]
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48VylJGEHoM
|videosite=YouTube}}

'''As Cybertron comes under attack from a strike force of Decepticons, Megatron uses Sentinel's incompetent authoritarianism—and his own public trial—to his advantage.'''
==Synopsis==
===Act I===
Upon learning of General Obsidian's attack on the [[energon farm]], [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] diverts all power to [[Project Powermaster]]. Unfortunately, at the farm itself, this causes the planetary shields to deactivate. To combat the Decepticons now freely attacking the farm, the workers start using the [[Energon#Animated|energon]] crystals as makeshift grenades. [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] manages to save Trac-Tor from Obsidian, but is injured himself in the process. The Decepticons fly away with a silo of energon.

[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]], having checked over Bulkhead, declares that the Autobot will recover. At that moment, Optimus' team sees [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]]'s endorsement of Sentinel on the news, and turn on him. Sentinel defensively claims that Bumblebee is old enough to make his own choices, and Bumblebee himself states that it was what the [[AllSpark#Animated continuity family|AllSpark]] wanted. Sentinel then presents the young Autobot with [[Elite Guard]] stripes.

Afterwards, Sentinel returns to [[Trypticon Prison]], looking to prise the location of the Decepticon base from [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. A [[Mini-Con]] removes the captive leader's mouthplate, allowing him to speak. Sentinel threatens to use the Mini-Con to rip the location from Megatron's memories if he does not disclose it freely; the Mini-Con extends a nasty-looking spike. Megatron is willing to offer some information, but wants to be given the opportunity to stretch his legs in return. Sentinel gets the Mini-Con to remove the Decepticon's [[stasis cuffs]]. Megatron reveals that the base is located on the fifth moon of [[Chaar#Animated cartoon|Chaar]] but all the while, he is downloading information from the Mini-Con.

Sentinel immediately goes to the [[Project Omega]] lab and demands the Powermaster armor from Ratchet, ignoring the medic's warnings that it is not yet finished. At [[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]], the Autobots board their flagship and prepare to level the Decepticon base. [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] is convinced it is a trap, but Sentinel is having none of it: "Bring it on," he says. [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] joins the armada, reluctant as ever. Sentinel uses Optimus' misgivings as an excuse to saddle him with [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]], and says that his crew is to defend the energon farms. Secretly, Sentinel hopes that they will not get to see any action.

The armada travels to the fifth moon of Chaar and bombs the Decepticon base. A recalcitrant Omega transforms and unleashes his full arsenal. Sentinel, wearing the Powermaster armor and accompanied by Elite Guard troops, storms the base, only to find it deserted. He pounds the rubble with his lance in frustration, causing the Powermaster armor to suddenly overload, which in turn launches Sentinel into an uncontrollable strafing run at his own soldiers. At the last second, Bumblebee speeds up a ramp and uses his [[stinger (weapon)|stinger]]s to sever Sentinel's connection to the armour. At the energon farm, Optimus, Ironhide, and Ratchet see footage from the moon and realise that it was not a trap, but rather a diversion, when a Decepticon warship bears down on them...

===Act II===
[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] and [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] warp in and join the fight, as [[Strika (Animated)|General Strika]] and the rest of [[Team Chaar]] descend on the farm. Having never seen a flying Autobot before, [[Cyclonus (Animated)|Cyclonus]] is impressed by Optimus' jetpack. Sari is eaten by [[Spittor (Animated)|Spittor]], but she manages to blast her way out from the inside. [[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]] arrives and disables everyone's weapons (including Optimus' jetpack) with an EMP shockwave. [[Oil Slick (Animated)|Oil Slick]] prepares to douse the Autobots in [[Cosmic Rust (disease)#Animated cartoon|Cosmic Rust]], only for [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]], [[Dai Atlas (Animated)|Dai Atlas]] and the rest of the [[Cyber-Ninja Corps]] to arrive. When the canister is kicked away from Oil Slick, Optimus ignites the Cosmic Rust, causing a chain reaction with the energon that eliminates all the Decepticons in the refinery.

The [[Autobot High Council]] commends Optimus and grants him the title of the "Eternal Flame", an honour which comes with a fiery new paint job, all while Bumblebee is chagrined. Sentinel is absent for this, as he is too busy yelling at Megatron. Mini-Con guards swarm over the Decepticon leader, who feigns fear even as he now downloads data ''into'' the Mini-Cons. Megatron asks that Sentinel should kill him and get it over with, but Sentinel declares that the Decepticon still has to stand trial. Deliberately planting an idea in Sentinel's mind, Megatron wonders aloud about the kind of grand, theatrical show trial he might be subjected to...

Uplink broadcasts events as they unfold. As Megatron is rolled into the court, [[Rattletrap]] is present as his lawyer. Bumblebee is shunned by his friends. Optimus thinks his new flames look stupid. [[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] brings the trial to order. Sentinel serves as prosecutor, and attempts to begin his opening statement with a list of Megatron's war crimes. However, Rattletrap cuts him off, reminding the court that, at the end of the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], the Decepticons were granted amnesty for their crimes in return for accepting exile. This makes the list of offenses Sentinel is about to read inadmissible.

Sentinel is furious at this, and loudly declares that he thinks it was stupid to grant the Decepticons amnesty in the first place. Alpha Trion admits that he was the one to make the decision at the time, and sides with Rattletrap. Now only able to use evidence from after the Great War, Sentinel turns to Optimus' crew and pleads that they testify against Megatron. Bumblebee tries to back Optimus, but Bulkhead, Ratchet and Sari are not impressed. Sentinel asks Bumblebee to imply that Optimus could have stopped Megatron for good and failed, offering to make him "Bumble Prime" in return.

===Act III===
Optimus, Sari, Bulkhead, and Ratchet each list out Megatron's crimes while on Earth. Meanwhile, inside Trypticon prison, the Mini-Cons' eyes turn red as they swarm the guards and descend via a secret elevator to an operations center with location schematics. After they gather and repair the Decepticon prisoners' weapons, the cell doors open. [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]], [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] and [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] watch in confusion as their cuffs all fall off.

Back at the trial, it is Bumblebee's turn to take the stand. He gives his account of [[Endgame, Part II|Optimus' final battle against Megatron]], initially as though he plans to do as Sentinel asked. As he reaches the climax of the tale, however, Bumblebee's tone shifts and he emphasises the heroism of Optimus' choice to spare the Decepticon leader. Even knowing that it might not salvage his friendships, he declares unwavering support for Optimus.

With no further witnesses, Rattletrap takes the stand again and asks Bumblebee to point out the location of Earth—or "Oith", as he pronounces it—on an official Cybertronian star chart. When Bumblebee points out that Earth is not ''on'' the chart, claiming the planet lies outside Cybertronian space, Rattletrap triumphantly proclaims that it is outside of Cybertronian jurisdiction. Henceforth, Megatron cannot be tried for crimes committed on Earth.

The law-bound Alpha Trion is once again forced to agree and rules in Megatron's favor, threatening to throw out the case entirely when Sentinel reacts in anger. Megatron is wheeled back to his cell; his assault on Optimus Prime's space bridge repair ship was the only charge that stuck. Back in Trypticon Prison, the cellblock goes dark. The Mini-Cons scurry like obedient puppies around Megatron's feet, freeing their new master and affixing his weapons. As the other Decepticons arrive, Sentinel finds himself to be the only bot standing between them and freedom...

==Quotes==
"How could you?" 
"He's a big bot now, he makes his own choices." 
"You sold out Prime for some Elite Guard stripes?!"
:—'''Bulkhead''', '''Sentinel Prime''' and '''Ratchet''' see Bumblebee on television.

"Your datatrax won't lie when the Mini-Cons rip them one by one from your processor!" 
"Not the Mini-Cons... anything but the Mini-Cons... just take me offline. Do not prolong this humiliation one more nanoklik." 
"Much as I'd love to do just that, I can't without first putting you on trial." 
"You mean a public airing of all my crimes against the Autobots—with you standing above me like some grand authority, pointing your accusing finger, calling for my head, basking in the glory as I am taken away to meet my final doom? I'd rather take my chances with the Mini-Cons..."
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' plays into '''Megatron'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s hands.

"That's right! I'm a bot of all trades and I can prove I didn't do it—I mean, that my client didn't do it."
:—'''Rattletrap''' settles into his new job.

"Only testimony related to events after the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]] will be admitted."
:—'''Alpha Trion''' sets the parameters for the titular trial.

"You and your losers—I mean, team—are all I've got right now."
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' asks Optimus for help.

"I'm with Optimus Prime all the way—even if he and my other friends never speak to me again."
:—'''Bumblebee''' proves that his heart is in the right place.

"Proceeding... Could youse point out said planet on dis here official-like Cybertronian Galactic Star Chart?" 
"...It's not on that chart." 
"But how can that be? The Galactic Star Chart lists every planet in Cybertronian space!" 
"Then it must be outside of Cybertronian space..." 
''"Ah-ha!"''
:—'''Rattletrap''' plays his trump card, with a little help from '''Bumblebee'''.

"Assault on a space bridge repair ship, that's all we have on him! Assault on a space bridge repair ship! That's like a ''parking ticket!"''
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' is not happy with the result of Megatron's trial.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (1)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (2)
*Trac-Tor (3)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (6)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (8)
*[[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] (9)
*[[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] (10)
*[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] (11)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (18)
*[[Dai Atlas (Animated)|Dai Atlas]] (19)
*Uplink (20)
*[[Rattletrap]] (21)
*[[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] (22)}}
|c2=
{{collist|2|*Obsidian (4)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (7)
*[[Strika (Animated)|General Strika]] (13)
*[[Cyclonus (Animated)|Cyclonus]] (14)
*[[Spittor (Animated)|Spittor]] (15)
*[[Oil Slick (Animated)|Oil Slick]] (16)
*[[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]] (17)
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] (23)
*[[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] (24)
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (25)}}
|c4=
*[[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] (12)
}}

==Notes==
*A full and completed script for this episode was never written, only a detailed outline. Written by Marty Isenberg sometime in (probably) 2008, the outline was converted into an "audio play" for unofficial UK convention [[unofficial conventions|TFNation]] in 2019, featuring almost the entire cast of the cartoon (minus [[Tara Strong]] and [[Judd Nelson]]) reprising their roles. See the [[Transformers Animated season 4|''Transformers Animated'' season 4]] article for more details.

===Continuity notes===
*The events of past episodes are alluded to during the trial:
**Optimus Prime recounts his crew's first encounter with Megatron, which took place in the series premiere "[[Transform and Roll Out]], Part 1".
**Sari explains how Megatron rebuilt his body, which occurred in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 1]]".
**Bulkhead relates how he was kidnapped by Megatron in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]".
**Ratchet describes the hijacking of Omega Supreme, which happened in "[[TransWarped]], Part 3".
**Lastly, Bumblebee explains Optimus' previous battle against Megatron in "[[Endgame, Part II]]".
*Megatron is able to avoid most of the charges levied against him due to them having occurred outside Cybertronian jurisdiction. However, were the remaining Decepticons captured by Optimus' team to be tried, it's likely they would not have been as lucky.
**Lugnut, Blitzwing, and the [[Sunstorm (Animated)|Starscream]] [[Ramjet (Animated)|clones]] would probably be liable for the hijacking of the [[Steelhaven (Animated)|Elite Guard flagship]], coupled with assault and attempted murder of Sentinel, Jazz, [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]], and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], back in "[[Decepticon Air]]".
**Meanwhile, Shockwave-having served as a double agent on Cybertron-would likely be guilty of espionage and attempted murder for his crushing [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] into a cube in "TransWarped, Part 2". On top of all that, he would also be guilty of murder for the death of [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] in "[[Where Is Thy Sting?]]". Provided proof exists of his murder of [[Highbrow (Animated)|Highbrow]], then the crime would become ''double'' murder.

===Transformers references===
*In the illustration created by TFNation to accompany the scene, the ''[[Lost Light]]'' and the ''Armada'' version of the ''[[Axalon (Armada)|Axalon]]'' can be spotted among the Autobot fleet.

===Real-world references===
*Also seen among the Autobot fleet is the eponymous spacecraft from the tokusatsu series ''{{w|X-Bomber}}''.
===Real-world references===
*In the illustration created for TFNation to accompany the scene, the energon transport ship driven by Beachcomber is modeled and colored after the Mystery Machine from ''Scooby-Doo'' lore. Coincidentally, Wyatt worked on ''Scooby-Doo!: Mystery Incorporated'' over a year after ''Animated'' had ended.
*''"Before you know it everybody was [[Circuit-Su]] fighting"'' is a play on the song "[[wikipedia:Kung Fu Fighting|Kung Fu Fighting]]".

===Trivia===
[[File:AllSparkAlmanacII-SeasonFourAutobotLine-Up.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb|Guess [[Masahiko Yamazaki]] is right about ''Animated'' taking place chronologically before the movie.]]
*While many plot details from the planned fourth season made their way out into ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]'', Marty Isenberg specifically requested that a few be kept back in case the story was ever produced in some capacity. Notably, [[Jim Sorenson]] knew that Rattletrap was to be Megatron's lawyer—a fact which he used while working on the unofficial ''[https://tfnation.com/blog/2017/Presenting%20TRANSFORMERS%20ANIMATED:%20TRIAL%20AND%20ERROR%20-%20an%20original,%20full-length%20graphic%20novel%20exclusively%20available%20at%20TFN2017 Transformers Animated: Trial and Error]'' graphic novel, wherein he deliberately hung a lampshade on Optimus Prime taking Rattletrap's place.
*The "Eternal Flame" granted to Optimus Prime was based on artwork provided to the ''Animated'' production team by Hasbro. The artwork drew inspiration predominantly from the [[live-action film series]], as Hasbro wanted to bring ''Animated'' more in line with what audiences were familiar with from the big screens—but according to Isenberg, the ''Animated'' team ''hated'' the idea of their Optimus Prime having flames. The crack in this episode about the flames being "stupid" is a good example of something included at the outline stage of production that Hasbro would likely have ordered removed from the finished episode.
*The weapons repaired by the Mini-Cons include Shockwave's pulse cannon, Lugnut's [[Punch of Kill Everything|explosive fist]], Blitzwing's shoulder cannons, the Starscream clones' laser cannons, and Megatron's [[sword]]s and [[Fusion cannon#Animated cartoon|fusion cannon]].
*A guard at Trypticon prison (described as sharing a design with the [[Autotrooper (Animated)|Autotrooper]]s) has a single line of dialogue. For the TFNation reading of the outline, the guard's voice was provided by convention staff member Leanne Gilks.

[[Category:Animated episodes]]
[[Category: Things that don't exist]]

I Have No Mouth And I Must Starscream

2023-10-06T11:28:11Z

TBR: /* Real-world references */ the arachic spelling is the one used in the reference source

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]] Halloween Special''
|caption=
|image=TFHalloween regcvr.jpg
|title="I Have No Mouth And I Must Starscream"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[September 29]], 2021
|coverdate=September 2021
|written by=[[Dan Watters]]
|art by=[[Beth McGuire-Smith]]
|colors=[[Nahuel Ruiz]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
|continuity=[[2019 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Starscream ventures into the deep Cybertronian wilderness in search of a ghost, only to discover that there are some fates far worse than death...'''

==Synopsis==
Since seizing control of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], the [[Decepticon]]s have had their hands full keeping the city running smoothly: a problem that's only been exacerbated by rumors of [[Autobot]]s lurking in the wilderness, looking to take back the city. In response, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s currently forming a dedicated unit to hunt down and flush out any potential counter-insurgents—the lucky 'bot chosen to head such a taskforce will report to both military and civilian authorities, and will no doubt be hailed as a hero of the revolution... so it should be no surprise that the ever-ambitious [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] has volunteered himself as a way to get ahead. When he approaches Megatron's office, however, he takes a moment to eavesdrop on a conversation between Megatron and [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]; although he's pleased to hear that Megatron's already decided to put Starscream in charge, he's less enthused when Sixshot questions where Starscream's true loyalties lie—Cybertron, the Decepticons, or just himself? Megatron explains to Sixshot that, when Starscream was newly forged, his mentor [[Cryak]] took him on countless expeditions, and although a freak accident left her mortally wounded, he believes that she successfully imbued him with a love for Cybertron's geography and culture before she went [[immersant]]. Sixshot still has doubts, however, and so Megatron sighs and tells him that he'll get [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to do it instead.

A frustrated Starscream stalks from [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Decepticon Headquarters]] and bumps into a terrified [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]], who've returned from a routine patrol with dreadful news: the legend is true! For millennia, Transformer have told tales of a ghost who howls in the night—the disembodied [[spark]] of a dead Cybertronian condemned to wander the wastes in search of a body... and now the two [[Battlecharger]]s have heard its screams with their own ears. Starscream immediately suspects that there's more to this tale than what he's hearing: after all, a canny group of Autobots ''could'' regroup using this ghost story as a cover to keep superstitious Decepticons at bay. While Runamuck and Runabout want to take this straight to Megatron, Starscream has a different idea: one 'bot with an intimate knowledge of the landscape beyond Iacon can sleuth out the problem better than an obvious army. Besides, he adds to himself privately, if he handles the problem alone, he'll ''surely'' land himself the cushy position he's been dreaming of.

Starscream's journey takes him far from Iacon, out into the deep wilderness and, eventually, into an isolated glade of metallic flora as night falls. Alone with his innermost thoughts, Starscream briefly reflects on his time with his mentor, and whether or not the Decepticons are right about his self-serving nature... and, as a result, it's almost a relief when the horrible screams reach his audio receptors. When Starscream follows the screams, however, he doesn't find a ghost at all—instead, he finds one of the [[Voin]]'s ape-like organic servants. Having somehow escaped captivity, the creature's neural cable that usually connects it to its Voin owner has somehow tangled itself up amidst the trunks and stems of the metallic forest, and left it unable to escape. Starscream initially wonders how the creature could've survived for so long without any food, but soon realizes that the cable that trapped it has also somehow been drawing raw [[energon]] up from the planetary surface. Disgusted by the idea of an organic leeching energon from his planet, Starscream unsheathes his knife and approaches the creature; when he does so, however, he discovers that the electrical current coursing through the wire has an unusual reaction with his own spark...

A few seconds later, Starscream regains consciousness, and is horrified to discover that the accident has somehow transferred his spark into the body of the Voin ape! Panicked and disgusted by his predicament, Starscream tries to think rationally; although his new body is wracked by unfamiliar instincts and awash with fear hormones, the Decepticon eventually realizes that he has not ''become'' the organic creature; rather, his spark is somehow trapped within its body. With enough effort, it's even possible to surf from one cell to the next; as he probes the limits of his new form, a familiar voice tells him that he can make the process easier if he visualizes a body for himself. Somewhere in the ape's arteries, Starscream rematerializes, but demands to know who's helping him—when his benefactor obeys his request, however, Starscream recoils in horror... for standing before him is the ''other'' Cybertronian trapped in this body, her spectral form hunched and deformed by her failed immersion: Cryak!

Cryak explains that she chose this hidden glade to go immersant after her accident; her spark gradually returned to the living fabric of Cybertron, and she might've gone on to the next life in peace had a stray Voin ape not trapped itself after blundering into the metal bracken. When the ape went mad with hunger, it bit down on its own cable, and this somehow drew her spark up from her decaying body and into its organic form, stranding both of them between life and death. Cryak screams in the night, in the hopes that someone would investigate and help her, but by probing Starscream's spark she realized that her cries for help have only given rise to a ghost story that keeps travelers away. When Starscream explains that ''his'' body is still here, Cryak agrees to help find it... but not for ''him'' to use. A megacycle of isolation within her fleshy prison has driven her insane: having come to believe that it was a mistake for Cybertronians to ever assume motile forms, she will use Starscream's body to "free" as many Cybertronians from their bodies as she can. But despite what everyone thinks of him, Starscream ''does'' have his limits, and he draws the line at genocide!

The two sparks battle one another as they zip through the poor creature's anatomy—a chase that takes them from the lungs, down to the intestines, and back up into its skull, where the artificial neural link interfaces with the creature's brain. Cryak has more experience navigating her fleshy prison, but Starscream has more combat experience ''and'' the ruthless, clawing will to survive. Starscream catches Cryak, cuts her off from escaping the body, and successfully escapes back into his own body. As Starscream picks himself up off the ground, he considers how best to deal with Cryak. He ''could'' annihilate her with a single blast, or even bring her back to Iacon to try and free her, but then, how could he rob the planet of one of its most enduring legends? Trapped in her animal body, Cryak cannot speak, nor can she even beg for Starscream to put her out of her misery—as Starscream leaves Cryak to her eternal torment, all she can do is scream, and scream, and scream...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=

|c2=
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (1)
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (3)
* [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] (4)
* [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] (5)
* [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (6)

|c4=
* [[Voin]] (2)
* Voin ape (7)
* [[Cryak]] (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"How dangerous might that same passion be if it is directed only towards one's self-interest? I suppose all I'm asking is... what do we think Starscream is '''really''' like?"
:—'''Sixshot'''

"It is true that Starscream used to come here with me often. But since I passed on, he has not been here at all. Not for '''kilocycles'''. He cannot fail to think of me, of course, as he traverses the hills. After all, he knows the wastes are where I returned myself to the land. Oh yes, I said 'I'. Did you not realize that I was telling this story? I, Cryak the dead."
:—'''Cryak''' gets spooky

".. Well, he is used to having '''teeth'''. But to Cybertronians, they are of use only as weapons. And there is such an inconsistency to the materials of this body. What his teeth are now embedded in... the flesh of the gum... is so '''soft'''. How do these biologicals go around with bodies that feel like they might be pulled apart so easily?"
:—'''Cryak'''

"I shall put those '''cannons''' of yours to work, returning as many of my fellow Cybertronians to Primus as I can before they stop me. I will rid them of the horror of legs. Of arms. The misery of limbs and eyes and noses."
:—'''Cryak'''

"I could kill this animal. I could atomize it in under a second, and your spark with it. Or perhaps I could find a way to free you. To unblock that cable and return you to the planet as you always wished. But the myth of the disembodied spark is a part of Cybertron. You understand, don't you? Goodbye, Cryak."
:—'''Starscream'''

"Starscream truly '''does''' love Cybertron. He loves it enough that he would not be the one to rob it of one of its myths. '''That's''' what Starscream is truly like. So he will leave me here, and never return. And never tell anyone what he found. And realizing this, I—the ghost of the wastes—the disembodied spark—begin to scream."
:—'''Cryak'''

"Ook."
:—'''Voin ape'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Starscream's been away from the main [[Transformers (2019 comic)|''Transformers'' comic]] for a while—he last appeared in [[War World: Hunt|issue #28]] recuperating from the injuries he sustained in [[War World: Awakenings|issue #26]] while trying to get into Megatron's good books. The comic doesn't specify when this adventure takes place relative to developments over in ''Transformers'', but a good guess would be that, like the [[Light/Star|2021 annual]], it occurs at some point during the forty-cycle timeskip between issues [[War World: We Are Not Meant To Be Darkness|#30]] and [[Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|#31]].
* In her narration, Cryak explains that [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is the body of [[Primus]], who voluntarily surrendered his physical form to create the metal world. It's possible that Cryak might've been a [[Reversionist]] in life; [[The World In Your Eyes Part Four|''Transformers'' #4]] and ''[[Transformers: Galaxies|Galaxies]]'' [[Gauging the Truth: Part One|#7]] established this as one of the religion's central tenets.

===Transformers references===
* In her anti-organic rant, Cryak notes that it's only a matter of time before Cybertronians begin mimicking organics more closely. Plenty of Transformer subgroups and factions—most notably the [[Pretender]]s, [[Maximal]]s, and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s—have all utilized quasi-organic disguises at some point or another. With several Pretenders appearing in the rebooted universe's first [[Transformers: Wreckers—Tread & Circuits|''Wreckers'' story]], it's possible that Cryak's already too late!

===Real-world references===
* It probably goes without saying that the title of this story homages {{w|Harlan Ellison}}'s {{w|I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream|famous sci-fi novella}}. Perhaps not coincidentally, a minor character in that story was also transformed into a grotesque ape creature.
* The Voin ape's refrain of "Ook" is reminiscent of the {{w|Unseen University#Librarian|Librarian}} of Unseen University, from {{w|Terry Pratchett}}'s ''{{w|Discworld}}'' series, who had accidentally transformed himself into an orang-utang.

===Errors===
* On page one, Starscream passes a Voin and its servants—however, this one is drawn to resemble a heavily-armed "asserter" Voin, using big gorilla-like apes instead of the skinny chimps harnessed by "civilian" Voin. [[The Change In Your Nature Part Four|''Transformers'' #16]] had [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] observe that only a few Cybertronians had ever seen an asserter in action; the specific asserter that showed up in that story was implied to be the first to ever set foot on the metal planet before [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] killed it in [[Rise of the Decepticons: Prisoners|#22]].
* On page nine, the city of "[[Helex (polity)|Helex]]" is misspelled "Helix".
* Cryak's narration notes that the [[Rust Sea]] is a part of Cybertronian mythology, supposedly formed from Primus's own [[nucleon (substance)|nucleon]]. However, [[Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|''Transformers'' #34]] just finished establishing an entirely different, less mythical origin for the Sea of Rust—according to ''that'' story, the sea was formed comparatively recently during the [[Expansion|Age of Expansion]], as a kind of planetary immune response to contain a swarm of destructive [[rust worm]]s. This might be handwaved as her going mad but it's still odd.
* On page twelve, there's a comma missing from Starscream's dialogue.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Regular cover''': Starscream morphs into a Voin ape, homaging [https://comicvine.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/6/67663/6875783-16-variant-full.jpg issue #16 of ''The Immortal Hulk''], by [[Nicole Goux]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Starscream in the wilderness, by [[Livio Ramondelli]]
* '''New York Comic-Con online exclusive cover''': Starscream possessed, by [[Bryan Lee]]

<gallery>
File:TFHalloween regcvr.jpg
File:TFHalloween cvrRI.jpg
File:TFHalloween cvrRE.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[Godzilla]] Rivals: Vs. Mothra''
* ''Road of Bones/Sea of Sorrows''
* ''[[Star Trek]]: The Mirror War''
* ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]: The High Republic Adventures''
* ''[[Batman]]/The Maxx: Arkham Dreams''
* ''[[Transformers/Back to the Future]]''
* ''[[Snake-Eyes]]: Deadgame''
* ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Reborn''
* ''Star Trek: The Next Generation: Mirror Universe Collection''
* ''Mountainhead''
* ''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]''
* ''The Last Ronin'' design archive

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 5: Horrors Near and Far''''' ([[June 8]], [[2022]]) ISBN 168405883X / ISBN 978-1684058839
** Collects [[Transformers (2019 comic)|''Transformers'' (2019)]] issues [[Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|#31]]–[[Lord of Misrule: Enigmatic|36]] & [[Light/Star|Annual 2021]], ''Transformers Halloween Special'', and ''[[Transformers: Wreckers—Tread & Circuits|Wreckers—Tread & Circuits]]'' issues [[Tread & Circuits Part 1|#1]]–[[Tread & Circuits Part 4|4]].
** Bonus material includes alternate covers.
** Hardcover format.

<gallery>
File:TF-IDW-2019v5.jpg|'''''Volume 5: Horrors Near and Far''''' – cover art by [[Cryssy Cheung]]
</gallery>

==External links==
* [https://graphicpolicy.com/2021/09/28/preview-transformers-halloween-special/ Preview]

[[Category:Transformers (2019) issues]]

I Have No Mouth And I Must Starscream

2023-10-06T11:27:12Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]] Halloween Special''
|caption=
|image=TFHalloween regcvr.jpg
|title="I Have No Mouth And I Must Starscream"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[September 29]], 2021
|coverdate=September 2021
|written by=[[Dan Watters]]
|art by=[[Beth McGuire-Smith]]
|colors=[[Nahuel Ruiz]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
|continuity=[[2019 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Starscream ventures into the deep Cybertronian wilderness in search of a ghost, only to discover that there are some fates far worse than death...'''

==Synopsis==
Since seizing control of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], the [[Decepticon]]s have had their hands full keeping the city running smoothly: a problem that's only been exacerbated by rumors of [[Autobot]]s lurking in the wilderness, looking to take back the city. In response, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s currently forming a dedicated unit to hunt down and flush out any potential counter-insurgents—the lucky 'bot chosen to head such a taskforce will report to both military and civilian authorities, and will no doubt be hailed as a hero of the revolution... so it should be no surprise that the ever-ambitious [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] has volunteered himself as a way to get ahead. When he approaches Megatron's office, however, he takes a moment to eavesdrop on a conversation between Megatron and [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]; although he's pleased to hear that Megatron's already decided to put Starscream in charge, he's less enthused when Sixshot questions where Starscream's true loyalties lie—Cybertron, the Decepticons, or just himself? Megatron explains to Sixshot that, when Starscream was newly forged, his mentor [[Cryak]] took him on countless expeditions, and although a freak accident left her mortally wounded, he believes that she successfully imbued him with a love for Cybertron's geography and culture before she went [[immersant]]. Sixshot still has doubts, however, and so Megatron sighs and tells him that he'll get [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to do it instead.

A frustrated Starscream stalks from [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Decepticon Headquarters]] and bumps into a terrified [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]], who've returned from a routine patrol with dreadful news: the legend is true! For millennia, Transformer have told tales of a ghost who howls in the night—the disembodied [[spark]] of a dead Cybertronian condemned to wander the wastes in search of a body... and now the two [[Battlecharger]]s have heard its screams with their own ears. Starscream immediately suspects that there's more to this tale than what he's hearing: after all, a canny group of Autobots ''could'' regroup using this ghost story as a cover to keep superstitious Decepticons at bay. While Runamuck and Runabout want to take this straight to Megatron, Starscream has a different idea: one 'bot with an intimate knowledge of the landscape beyond Iacon can sleuth out the problem better than an obvious army. Besides, he adds to himself privately, if he handles the problem alone, he'll ''surely'' land himself the cushy position he's been dreaming of.

Starscream's journey takes him far from Iacon, out into the deep wilderness and, eventually, into an isolated glade of metallic flora as night falls. Alone with his innermost thoughts, Starscream briefly reflects on his time with his mentor, and whether or not the Decepticons are right about his self-serving nature... and, as a result, it's almost a relief when the horrible screams reach his audio receptors. When Starscream follows the screams, however, he doesn't find a ghost at all—instead, he finds one of the [[Voin]]'s ape-like organic servants. Having somehow escaped captivity, the creature's neural cable that usually connects it to its Voin owner has somehow tangled itself up amidst the trunks and stems of the metallic forest, and left it unable to escape. Starscream initially wonders how the creature could've survived for so long without any food, but soon realizes that the cable that trapped it has also somehow been drawing raw [[energon]] up from the planetary surface. Disgusted by the idea of an organic leeching energon from his planet, Starscream unsheathes his knife and approaches the creature; when he does so, however, he discovers that the electrical current coursing through the wire has an unusual reaction with his own spark...

A few seconds later, Starscream regains consciousness, and is horrified to discover that the accident has somehow transferred his spark into the body of the Voin ape! Panicked and disgusted by his predicament, Starscream tries to think rationally; although his new body is wracked by unfamiliar instincts and awash with fear hormones, the Decepticon eventually realizes that he has not ''become'' the organic creature; rather, his spark is somehow trapped within its body. With enough effort, it's even possible to surf from one cell to the next; as he probes the limits of his new form, a familiar voice tells him that he can make the process easier if he visualizes a body for himself. Somewhere in the ape's arteries, Starscream rematerializes, but demands to know who's helping him—when his benefactor obeys his request, however, Starscream recoils in horror... for standing before him is the ''other'' Cybertronian trapped in this body, her spectral form hunched and deformed by her failed immersion: Cryak!

Cryak explains that she chose this hidden glade to go immersant after her accident; her spark gradually returned to the living fabric of Cybertron, and she might've gone on to the next life in peace had a stray Voin ape not trapped itself after blundering into the metal bracken. When the ape went mad with hunger, it bit down on its own cable, and this somehow drew her spark up from her decaying body and into its organic form, stranding both of them between life and death. Cryak screams in the night, in the hopes that someone would investigate and help her, but by probing Starscream's spark she realized that her cries for help have only given rise to a ghost story that keeps travelers away. When Starscream explains that ''his'' body is still here, Cryak agrees to help find it... but not for ''him'' to use. A megacycle of isolation within her fleshy prison has driven her insane: having come to believe that it was a mistake for Cybertronians to ever assume motile forms, she will use Starscream's body to "free" as many Cybertronians from their bodies as she can. But despite what everyone thinks of him, Starscream ''does'' have his limits, and he draws the line at genocide!

The two sparks battle one another as they zip through the poor creature's anatomy—a chase that takes them from the lungs, down to the intestines, and back up into its skull, where the artificial neural link interfaces with the creature's brain. Cryak has more experience navigating her fleshy prison, but Starscream has more combat experience ''and'' the ruthless, clawing will to survive. Starscream catches Cryak, cuts her off from escaping the body, and successfully escapes back into his own body. As Starscream picks himself up off the ground, he considers how best to deal with Cryak. He ''could'' annihilate her with a single blast, or even bring her back to Iacon to try and free her, but then, how could he rob the planet of one of its most enduring legends? Trapped in her animal body, Cryak cannot speak, nor can she even beg for Starscream to put her out of her misery—as Starscream leaves Cryak to her eternal torment, all she can do is scream, and scream, and scream...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=

|c2=
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (1)
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (3)
* [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] (4)
* [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] (5)
* [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (6)

|c4=
* [[Voin]] (2)
* Voin ape (7)
* [[Cryak]] (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"How dangerous might that same passion be if it is directed only towards one's self-interest? I suppose all I'm asking is... what do we think Starscream is '''really''' like?"
:—'''Sixshot'''

"It is true that Starscream used to come here with me often. But since I passed on, he has not been here at all. Not for '''kilocycles'''. He cannot fail to think of me, of course, as he traverses the hills. After all, he knows the wastes are where I returned myself to the land. Oh yes, I said 'I'. Did you not realize that I was telling this story? I, Cryak the dead."
:—'''Cryak''' gets spooky

".. Well, he is used to having '''teeth'''. But to Cybertronians, they are of use only as weapons. And there is such an inconsistency to the materials of this body. What his teeth are now embedded in... the flesh of the gum... is so '''soft'''. How do these biologicals go around with bodies that feel like they might be pulled apart so easily?"
:—'''Cryak'''

"I shall put those '''cannons''' of yours to work, returning as many of my fellow Cybertronians to Primus as I can before they stop me. I will rid them of the horror of legs. Of arms. The misery of limbs and eyes and noses."
:—'''Cryak'''

"I could kill this animal. I could atomize it in under a second, and your spark with it. Or perhaps I could find a way to free you. To unblock that cable and return you to the planet as you always wished. But the myth of the disembodied spark is a part of Cybertron. You understand, don't you? Goodbye, Cryak."
:—'''Starscream'''

"Starscream truly '''does''' love Cybertron. He loves it enough that he would not be the one to rob it of one of its myths. '''That's''' what Starscream is truly like. So he will leave me here, and never return. And never tell anyone what he found. And realizing this, I—the ghost of the wastes—the disembodied spark—begin to scream."
:—'''Cryak'''

"Ook."
:—'''Voin ape'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Starscream's been away from the main [[Transformers (2019 comic)|''Transformers'' comic]] for a while—he last appeared in [[War World: Hunt|issue #28]] recuperating from the injuries he sustained in [[War World: Awakenings|issue #26]] while trying to get into Megatron's good books. The comic doesn't specify when this adventure takes place relative to developments over in ''Transformers'', but a good guess would be that, like the [[Light/Star|2021 annual]], it occurs at some point during the forty-cycle timeskip between issues [[War World: We Are Not Meant To Be Darkness|#30]] and [[Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|#31]].
* In her narration, Cryak explains that [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is the body of [[Primus]], who voluntarily surrendered his physical form to create the metal world. It's possible that Cryak might've been a [[Reversionist]] in life; [[The World In Your Eyes Part Four|''Transformers'' #4]] and ''[[Transformers: Galaxies|Galaxies]]'' [[Gauging the Truth: Part One|#7]] established this as one of the religion's central tenets.

===Transformers references===
* In her anti-organic rant, Cryak notes that it's only a matter of time before Cybertronians begin mimicking organics more closely. Plenty of Transformer subgroups and factions—most notably the [[Pretender]]s, [[Maximal]]s, and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s—have all utilized quasi-organic disguises at some point or another. With several Pretenders appearing in the rebooted universe's first [[Transformers: Wreckers—Tread & Circuits|''Wreckers'' story]], it's possible that Cryak's already too late!

===Real-world references===
* It probably goes without saying that the title of this story homages {{w|Harlan Ellison}}'s {{w|I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream|famous sci-fi novella}}. Perhaps not coincidentally, a minor character in that story was also transformed into a grotesque ape creature.
* The Voin ape's refrain of "Ook" is reminiscent of the {{w|Unseen University#Librarian|Librarian}} of Unseen University, from {{w|Terry Pratchett}}'s ''{{w|Discworld}}'' series, who had accidentally transformed himself into an orang-utan.

===Errors===
* On page one, Starscream passes a Voin and its servants—however, this one is drawn to resemble a heavily-armed "asserter" Voin, using big gorilla-like apes instead of the skinny chimps harnessed by "civilian" Voin. [[The Change In Your Nature Part Four|''Transformers'' #16]] had [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] observe that only a few Cybertronians had ever seen an asserter in action; the specific asserter that showed up in that story was implied to be the first to ever set foot on the metal planet before [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] killed it in [[Rise of the Decepticons: Prisoners|#22]].
* On page nine, the city of "[[Helex (polity)|Helex]]" is misspelled "Helix".
* Cryak's narration notes that the [[Rust Sea]] is a part of Cybertronian mythology, supposedly formed from Primus's own [[nucleon (substance)|nucleon]]. However, [[Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|''Transformers'' #34]] just finished establishing an entirely different, less mythical origin for the Sea of Rust—according to ''that'' story, the sea was formed comparatively recently during the [[Expansion|Age of Expansion]], as a kind of planetary immune response to contain a swarm of destructive [[rust worm]]s. This might be handwaved as her going mad but it's still odd.
* On page twelve, there's a comma missing from Starscream's dialogue.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Regular cover''': Starscream morphs into a Voin ape, homaging [https://comicvine.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_large/6/67663/6875783-16-variant-full.jpg issue #16 of ''The Immortal Hulk''], by [[Nicole Goux]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Starscream in the wilderness, by [[Livio Ramondelli]]
* '''New York Comic-Con online exclusive cover''': Starscream possessed, by [[Bryan Lee]]

<gallery>
File:TFHalloween regcvr.jpg
File:TFHalloween cvrRI.jpg
File:TFHalloween cvrRE.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[Godzilla]] Rivals: Vs. Mothra''
* ''Road of Bones/Sea of Sorrows''
* ''[[Star Trek]]: The Mirror War''
* ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]: The High Republic Adventures''
* ''[[Batman]]/The Maxx: Arkham Dreams''
* ''[[Transformers/Back to the Future]]''
* ''[[Snake-Eyes]]: Deadgame''
* ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Reborn''
* ''Star Trek: The Next Generation: Mirror Universe Collection''
* ''Mountainhead''
* ''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]''
* ''The Last Ronin'' design archive

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 5: Horrors Near and Far''''' ([[June 8]], [[2022]]) ISBN 168405883X / ISBN 978-1684058839
** Collects [[Transformers (2019 comic)|''Transformers'' (2019)]] issues [[Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|#31]]–[[Lord of Misrule: Enigmatic|36]] & [[Light/Star|Annual 2021]], ''Transformers Halloween Special'', and ''[[Transformers: Wreckers—Tread & Circuits|Wreckers—Tread & Circuits]]'' issues [[Tread & Circuits Part 1|#1]]–[[Tread & Circuits Part 4|4]].
** Bonus material includes alternate covers.
** Hardcover format.

<gallery>
File:TF-IDW-2019v5.jpg|'''''Volume 5: Horrors Near and Far''''' – cover art by [[Cryssy Cheung]]
</gallery>

==External links==
* [https://graphicpolicy.com/2021/09/28/preview-transformers-halloween-special/ Preview]

[[Category:Transformers (2019) issues]]

Ghosts of Cybertron Part 5

2023-09-13T06:22:54Z

TBR: /* Other notes */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers/Ghostbusters]]'' #5
|prev=Ghosts of Cybertron Part 4
|next=
|image=TFGB05-cvrB.jpg
|title="Ghosts of Cybertron Part 5"
|caption=Aw, don't leave yet. Well, listen, maybe if we start dancing, other people will join in!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[October 2]], [[2019]]
|coverdate=October 2019
|written by=[[Erik Burnham]]
|art by=[[Dan Schoening]]
|colors by=[[Luis Antonio Delgado]]
|letters by=[[Christa Miesner]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]] and [[Tom Waltz]]
|continuity=''[[Transformers/Ghostbusters]]''
}}

'''The Autobots and Ghostbusters must work together to save New York City from Megatron and his ghostly Decepticons.'''

==Synopsis==
The battle is on at [[Grosbeak Generating Station]] as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] battles against [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s [[ghost]], his proton-charged [[energon-axe]] keeping the [[Decepticon]] leader at bay. Furious, Megatron shouts for his ghostly followers—[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]—to destroy his old nemesis... but Shockwave refuses, pointing out that they'll ''need'' to work with the Autobots if they have any hope of regaining their corporeal bodies, a sentiment that Soundwave agrees with. Disgusted with his old lackeys, Megatron turns his attention back to his nemesis, berating the Autobot commander for abandoning their homeworld just before [[Gozer]]'s arrival. From the sidelines, the four [[Ghostbusters]] watch as the fight unfolds, but are taken by surprise when they're jumped by Starscream, who wants nothing more than to exact revenge on [[Peter Venkman]]!

Shockwave wonders if they should stop the Air Commander from this rash course of action, but then decides that, after a thousand years as a prisoner of [[Kremzeek]], it would be an entertaining change of pace to ''destroy'' some lesser beings. Assailed by spectral laser fire, the four humans draw their [[proton pack]]s and [[Winston Zeddemore|Winston]] manages to quickly entangle Soundwave—but is unprepared when the Decepticon unleashes his three minions: [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], now reincarnated as slime-spewing phantoms! Though they're briefly sidetracked by the ghostly cassettes, Winston is able to take out Soundwave with a [[ghost trap]], which promptly dissipates his minions, but not before their dispersal leaves Ray covered in slime.

In the meantime, Peter tangles with Starscream, who's intent on making the Ghostbuster pay for humiliating him, while [[Ectotron]] is up against Shockwave, with the Autobot scientist eager to prove his worth in his first real fight. When a blast from the one-eyed Decepticon nearly scorches Peter, however, Starscream is able to break free of the proton stream; although the Decepticon briefly contemplates revenge, the Seeker realizes that he's at a disadvantage and promptly retreats, laughing that one day he'll make Venkman pay. After capturing Shockwave, Peter himself is more interested in watching Optimus duke it out with Megatron. As they fight, Prime tries to reason with Megatron: he wants to help his old foe, telling him that their war is long over... but a punch from the Autobot leader sends Megatron's ghost flying back... directly ''into'' Ectotron!

Now possessing Ectotron's body, Megatron is quick to turn the tables on Optimus Prime—gloating aloud that he knows that Prime would never harm a fellow Autobot, the Decepticon leader uses his newfound corporeality to send Prime to his knees. As the Ghostbusters weigh up their options, Peter notices that Ray's carrying a canister of [[mood slime]], and the four hatch a desperate plan to force Megatron out of their friend's body. Ray shouts for Prime to get Ectotron flat on his back; as Megatron goes in for the kill, Prime is able to flip the possessed Autobot with a surprise kick and pin him down. While he's incapacitated, Ray is able to scramble up and dump the slime into Ectotron's mouth. As Megatron breaks free from Prime's grip, he finds his ghost forced back out of his host, rematerializing in a monstrous new form.

Megatron taunts Prime, by pointing out that his last plan was been short-sighted: why possess an Autobot and destroy Prime when he can simply possess Optimus himself, seize leadership of the Autobots, and assemble a new [[Decepticon Empire]]? Megatron lunges for Prime, but, at the last second, he finds himself restrained by a lone proton beam: a beam that belongs to Ectotron! Ray hurls a trap at the Decepticon leader, and, in a flash of light, Megatron is finally captured.

As the Ghostbusters and their Autobot allies take stock of their victory, Prime announces that he'll be taking the three captured Decepticons with him, rather than letting the Ghostbusters drop them in their containment unit. Prime hopes that they'll find a way to restore them to full corporeality, and then, perhaps, find a way to rehabilitate their old enemies... even Megatron. Ectotron will also be leaving Earth, though he promises that he'll repair the [[Ecto-1]] and the [[Ghostbusters firehouse|firehouse]] before he does. He won't be returning to the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', however, not after learning that ghosts really ''do'' exist—he's got something else planned.

Peter jokes about the possibility of the first intergalactic Ghostbusters franchise; although they don't have a uniform in his size, they ''can'' at least give him a name tag. Ectotron agrees, using his [[nanochromatic camouflage]] to instantly generate one as he explains his plan: the universe might be ''full'' of Cybertronian ghosts that need saving... that is, if Optimus agrees. The Autobot leader graciously does so: Ectotron's adventure has proven himself as both an Autobot ''and'' a Ghostbuster. Ray eagerly speculates about the possibility of ghosts in outer space, but Winston and Peter shut him down—they have ''enough'' problems to deal with down on good old ''terra firma''.

[[Egon Spengler|Egon]] wonders just what Ectotron will find out there, however. Some time later, as the newest Ghostbuster blasts off for new adventures, he's blissfully unaware that someone ''else'' is watching his departure, smirking as the last Cybertronian leaves the [[Solar System]] behind... Starscream!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in a fantasy sequence. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
* [[Ectotron]] (13)
* ''[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]'' (14)
* ''[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]'' (15)
* ''[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'' (16)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (2)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (3)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (4)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (5)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (10)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (11)
* [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (12)

|h3=[[Ghostbusters]]|c3=
* [[Winston Zeddemore]] (6)
* [[Ray Stantz]] (7)
* [[Peter Venkman]] (8)
* [[Egon Spengler]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==
"I feel like we should be doing something." 
"No kidding. If I'd known two robots were gonna fight, I'd'a brought a camera or something."
:—'''Winston''' and '''Peter'''

"You will taste my wrath yet, Pete Venkman!" 
"Does it taste like orange sherbet? That's my '''favorite'''."
:—'''Starscream''' vs. '''Peter'''

"Portable nuclear power, how amusing."
:—'''Shockwave''' forgets that he has a [[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|nuclear reactor in his chest]].

"Analysis: confinement imminent. Strategies: unlikely to succeed. Conclusion: oh, scrap..."
:—'''Soundwave''' analyzes his own entrapment.

"We can't do that. Ectronymous is a sentient living being—organic or not. ...though the autopsy would be fascinating." 
"Egon! We're not going to kill him. He's one of us. You wouldn't try to kill... '''most''' of us."
:—'''Egon''' and '''Ray'''

"Megatron—'''struggling''' is how we learn to '''succeed!'''" 
"How about that? Pop psychology made it to space."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' takes on Megatron while '''Peter''' offers commentary

"I'm not gonna let you dirty up anyone else's body, Megatron! Not while I have the tools to stop it! Er, Ray, you guys—you '''do''' have another trap, right? Please?" "What? Oh, sure. Thought maybe you had a speech going or something to that effect. Didn't want to interrupt."
:—'''Ectotron''' and '''Ray'''

"You kinda want to step on him right now, don't you? Be honest." 
"Well... it '''had''' crossed my mind."
:—'''Peter''' and '''Optimus Prime''' discussing the trapped Megatron

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The canister of [[mood slime]] was one of the many objects Ectotron procured from his interior in the [[Ghosts of Cybertron Part 4|previous issue]].
* Ray recalls the time when they used mood slime to animate the [[Statue of Liberty]], as per the climax of ''{{w|Ghostbusters II}}''; additionally, the slime's ability to exorcise ghosts from possessed bodies was an ability first introduced in that film. Both the 2009 video game and IDW's tie-in media would go on to connect the slime's origin back to the cult of [[Gozer]] from the original film.

===Transformers references===
[[File:Tu-character-art megatron.jpg|thumb|right|"No! Nobody ''ever'' made them like this! I mean, the architect was either a certified genius or an authentic wacko!"]]
* Megatron's possession of Ectotron—and his eventual capture via ghost trap—both feature a purple-outlined partial cross-section of Megatron's internal workings, a screengrab lifted directly from [[The Transformers: The Movie|the 1986 animated film]] during the character's transformation into [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]].
* After being forced out of Ectotron's body, Megatron rematerializes in a new body based on his [[Megatron (WFC)|"Aligned" counterpart]]; more specifically, he takes the form of that version of Megatron as he would have appeared in the cancelled ''[[Transformers Universe]]'' MMORPG. The brilliance of a ghost turning into a character from a dead video game is not lost on us.
* Megatron's fantasy includes a vision of him sitting on Galvatron's throne from "[[Starscream's Ghost]]".
* As Optimus explains his plan to restore the Cybertronian ghosts, Ray points out that "freedom is the right of all sentient beings," one of Prime's most famous catchphrases (causing the genuine article to feel a sense of ''déjà vu''); the Autobot leader, in turn, expresses his hope that by doing so, "[['Til all are one|all will be one again]]."
* Ectotron's shuttle, which he flew to Earth back in [[Ghosts of Cybertron Part 1|issue #1]], had not appeared on-panel prior to this issue, which reveals that it's based off the [[Autobot shuttle|Autobot lifepod]] from the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]."

===Ghostbusters references===
* On cover B, the billboards have various characters and objects from the franchise, including the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man, the Statue of Liberty (which, as mentioned, was animated in ''Ghostbusters II''), Vigo the Carpathian from ''Ghostbusters II'', and Holtzmann from the 2016 {{w|Ghostbusters (2016 film)|reboot}}.

===Real-world references===
* Winston notes that the battlefield reminds him of a ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' cartoon, specifically citing excessive laserfire as the cause; this is presumably a dig at the 1983 cartoon, and its decision to substitute real-world firearms with more family-friendly laser weapons.
* Megatron notes that "there is no trying", referencing the famous quote of [[Yoda]] from ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|The Empire Strikes Back]]''. Venkman even comments on "pop psychology" having made it to space.
* In a non-''Ghostbusters'' reference, the Twitter avatar of ''Transformers'' fan [https://twitter.com/YukonShaun Shaun K] can be seen on a billboard for a hat store on cover B.

===Other notes===
* The comic ends with a note that simply reads "Ectotron will return..."; author [[Erik Burnham]] teased the possibility of a sequel miniseries several times. However, with IDW's loss of the ''Ghosbusters'' license to [[Dark Horse Comics]] in 2022, followed by their loss of the ''Transformers'' license later the same year, any chance of Ectotron's return seems to have given up the ghost.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Egon and the Autobots vs. several Decepticons, by [[Dan Schoening]] and [[Luis Antonio Delgado]], part 5 of a 5-part composite cover
* '''Cover B''': The Ghostbusters and their new friends dance down the streets of New York City, in a homage to the original ''Ghostbusters'' music video, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Optimus and the Ghostbusters, by [[Evan Stanley]]

<gallery>
File:TFGB05-cvrA.jpg
File:TFGB05-cvrB.jpg
File:TFGB05-cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' [[The Change In Your Nature Part One|#13]]
* ''[[Transformers: Galaxies]]'' series
* ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' vol 1 hardcover
* Various IDW ''[[Ghostbusters]]'' collections
* ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' new monthly series
* ''ROM: Dire Wraiths'' 3-issue miniseries
* 35th Anniversary of ''Transformers'' and ''Ghostbusters'' (back cover)

==External links==
* [http://www.flickeringmyth.com/2019/10/comic-book-preview-transformers-ghostbusters-5/ Preview]
*[[wikia:ghostbusters:IDW Publishing Comics- Transformers/Ghostbusters: Ghosts of Cybertron 5|Ghosts of Cybertron 5 at the Ghostbusters Wiki]]

[[Category:Transformers/Ghostbusters issues]]

Prime Time (episode)

2023-08-17T00:59:15Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 22
|image=ESQuintusPrime PrimeTime.jpg
|caption="You see, Mo, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to throw it away?"
|prev=What Dwells Within
|next=Stowed Away, Stoleaways
|title="Prime Time"
|season=1
|season ep=22
|airdate=[[July 28]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writer=[[Isabel Galupo]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[J.J. Conway]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/VeLkFu3lAZu2fZS0vqWOGSsvORV3LxM5/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''With Robby's sickness worsening, Mo wishes she had never touched the [[Emberstone]]...and her wish is granted. .'''

==Synopsis==
[[Mo Malto]] pursues [[Robby Malto|Robby]] as the pair bicycle down a road, pulling to a stop in the middle of a bridge. She tries to talk to her brother but pauses as she sees his [[cyber-sleeve]] and then he turns and silently screams. Mo abruptly wakes up from the nightmare and goes to check on her still-sleeping brother, finding that the infection that has been spreading through his body has progressed. He's later hooked up to a monitoring bed in the [[Dugout]] with the family gathered around, though [[Dot Malto|Dot]] tells them Robby needs rest. While Mo doesn't leave Robby's side, Dot and [[Alex Malto|Alex]] consult with [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] and [[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]], the latter of whom believes the [[Emberstone]] might be able to help the boy. As Alex points out, the Emberstone was lost. The two parents reassure the kids that they'll help Robby get better, but Mo, furious as what she sees as an unkeepable promise, yells at them and runs off. [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] gives chase.

Running through the woods, Mo trips on a branch and spots that her cyber-sleeve seems to be faintly activating. Her cries to [[Quintus Prime]] go unanswered and she loudly wishes she'd never touched the Emberstone, only to realize she's been overheard by Thrash, who sadly drives away. [[Mandroid]] is working in his lab when [[Karen Croft|Croft]] arrives with a crate carrying the Emberstone. As he grabs the artifact, elsewhere Mo's cyber-sleeve starts glowing, and as he installs it in equipment attached to his chest, Mo's cyber-sleeve explodes with light and she passes out. Finding herself in the cave with the Emberstone, she thanks Quintus until her hand passes straight through the artifact. All becomes clear when she sees herself and Robby enter the cave in a replay of events from when they originally found the Emberstone, however this time past-Mo doesn't touch it and only Robby receives as cyber-sleeve. Startled, present-Mo falls into the water and finds herself witnessing a later event where she's talking to Thrash. She observes her past self has no cyber-sleeve, and when past-Thrash asks past-Mo to help him find [[Swindle (ES)|Swindle]], past-Mo refuses. Present-Mo then finds herself at the later fight with Swindle, but this time [[G.H.O.S.T.]] turn up and capture both Swindle and Thrash.

Mo again finds herself shifted in time, now reliving the event where the family was taking shelter from Mandroid's [[Arachnamech]]s in the Emberstone cave. Without Thrash's help, [[Twitch]] is quickly overwhelmed by the mechs, and the Emberstone is knocked into the water by a stray blast, preventing [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]], [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] and [[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] from being born. As the cave collapses, Mo again falls into the water and finds herself watching the simulation of Megatron fighting the powered-up Robby. Megatron is able to overcome Robby, shattering the crystal in his cyber-sleeve and, without a cyber-sleeve, past-Mo is unable to bring Robby back to live. As present-Mo pleads for Quintus to stop, the illusion fades to show an abstract green location. The real Dot and Alex arrive with Robby, non-the-wiser as to where they are or what's happening. Mo tells them what she's been experiencing, and Robby weakly reassures her she was always there for her family in reality. Then everything shatters, dumping the family onto the bridge of a starship which Alex recognizes as Quintus Prime's. Mo again makes an appeal to the Prime, leading to a figure appearing in a blaze of light, however rather than the anticipated Quintus, it's instead Mandroid.

Alex immediately recognizes his old university colleague, Dr. Meridian. Dot observes that the ship is on a crash course for Earth, and Mandroid, eager to end the Maltos, uses his new Emberstone-derived power to speed the ship up. While the two parents attempt to steer the ship, Mo confronts Mandroid and to his surprise, blocks his first blow with her cyber-sleeve. Quintus's power leaps from the Emberstone, empowering the sleeve and allowing her to manifest an energon sword which she uses to fight him. He's eventually able to get the upper hand, shattering the sword, at which point Robby attempts to defend his sister, only for Mandroid to fire a blaster at him and time abruptly stops. Mo walks up to Mandroid and, announcing that he's not worthy, levers the Emberstone from his chest with her reconstituted sword.

The Maltos find themselves back in the abstract landscape with Quintus himself towering over them. Quintus thanks Mo for answering his call and warns her of the trials yet to come. Once Mo puts her hand on Robby's cyber-sleeve, it again glows with power, and the family finally wake up to find themselves in the Dugout with the Terrans waiting anxiously for them to recover. Robby is again in full health, and Mo apologizes for wishing she hadn't touched the Emberstone.

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in dream sequences.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]] (10)
|c2=
*''[[Swindle (ES)|Swindle]]'' (14)
|c3=
*[[Robby Malto]] (1)
*[[Mo Malto]] (2)
*[[Alex Malto]] (3)
*[[Dot Malto]] (11)
*[[Mandroid]] (12)
*[[Karen Croft]] (13)
|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (4)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (6)
*[[Twitch]] (7)
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (8)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (9)
|h5=Others||c5=
* [[Arachnamech]] (15)
* [[Quintus Prime]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"Maybe he ''is'' listening. Mr Quintus Prime? It's me, Morgan Violet Malto. Please, I saw what it was like if I never touched the Emberstone. I'm sorry. Please forgive me and help my family."
:—'''Mo''' makes an appeal to a Prime.

"Prime power isn't something you can steal. It's given, and it's always with you, but you have to be worthy. And you are ''not'' worthy."
:—'''Mo''' confiscates the Emberstone from Mandroid.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* This episode features several altered flashbacks to events from earlier episodes, including "[[Secret Legacy, Part 1]]", "[[House Rules]]", "[[Age of Evolution, Part 1]]", and "[[Disarmed]]".
* The Emberstone was last seen in "[[Age of Evolution, Part 2]]", during which it fell into the water before the cave collapsed. It's not clear how Mandroid or G.H.O.S.T. determined its location, but considering he had several Arachnamechs there at the time, Mandroid may have been able to retrieve its location from their databanks.
* This episode finally explains the connection between Alex and Mandroid, which was previously teased in "[[Traditions]]", "[[Age of Evolution, Part 1]]" and "[[Age of Evolution, Part 2]]".
* Quintus Prime, whose disembodied voice was previously heard in "Secret Legacy, Part 1" and "Age of Evolution, Part 1", makes his first physical appearance.

===Transformers references===
* The symbol of Quintus Prime can be seen on the wall of his ship, which allowed Alex to quickly identify who owns it.

===Real-world references===
* A picture of a young [[Dwayne Johnson]] can be seen in Mo's room.

===Errors===

===Trivia===

[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Arachnamech

2023-08-15T06:52:53Z

TBR:

{{factions|{{factions/icons|custom=Mandroid Insignia.png|cSize=40x40px|cLink=Mandroid}}}}
:''Arachnamechs are drones from the [[Transformers: EarthSpark (franchise)|EarthSpark]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Arachnamech-earthspark-stock.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Hello!"]]
The spider-like drones known as '''Arachnamechs''' make up [[Mandroid|Dr. Meridian]]'s army of minions. Offensively, they can fire homing missiles which allows them to act as mobile turrets, and energized chains capable of restraining even [[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]]. They are intelligent enough to be able to perform complex tasks such as removing limbs, and even seem to possess the ability to display emotions.

==Fiction==
===''EarthSpark'' cartoon===
When a blast of friendly [[Autobot]] fire during the [[Battle of the Bay]] caused Dr. Meridian's lab building to collapse, his Arachnamechs successfully pulled him from the rubble. {{storylink|Age of Evolution, Part 1}}

[[File:EarthSpark-SecretLegacyPt2-ArachnamechPyramid.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"We don't hate you."]]
After relocating to a base near [[Witwicky (town)|Witwicky]] where [[G.H.O.S.T.]] had made their headquarters, Meridian sent his Arachnamechs out on hunting expeditions to attack G.H.O.S.T. convoys in search of Cybertronian tech. A group of them attacked [[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]] while he was fighting [[Swindle (ES)|Swindle]] in a train yard, resulting in the Decepticon managing to escape capture and Optimus obtaining one for further study. That night, a group of them ambushed a G.H.O.S.T. convoy carrying [[Hardtop (ES)|Hardtop]], destroying it and retrieving the captive Decepticon. One Arachnamech followed [[Robby Malto|Robby]] and [[Mo Malto|Mo]] into a cave and was blasted by [[Twitch]], however the video it transmitted back to Meridian alerted him to the existence of her and [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]]. The Arachnamechs removed Hardtop's right arm {{storylink|Secret Legacy, Part 1}} and used it to replace Meridian's own missing arm. A swarm of them attacked Mo and Thrash in Witwicky, but were easily dispatched once Optimus and [[Elita-1 (ES)|Elita-1]] arrived. When Optimus, Elita-1, Megatron and [[Dot Malto]] turned up at his base aiming to rescue Twitch and Thrash, Meridian set his Arachnamech army on them, backed up by a handful of captured Decepticons, but ultimately they only did enough to allow Dr. Meridian to escape. {{storylink|Secret Legacy, Part 2}}

While exploring G.H.O.S.T.'s HQ, Thrash found a barely-functioning Arachnamech in a box. {{storylink|Classified}} Finding his new arm difficult to work with, Meridian sent his Arachnamechs out to find more Cybertronian parts. The Arachnamechs had become enough of a concern to the Autobots that [[Wheeljack (ES)|Wheeljack]] went hunting for the critters in the woods near Witwicky, and with Twitch's help, was able to successfully obtain one. Other Arachnamechs attacked Robby, but he fought them off with [[Alex Malto|his father]]'s help. {{storylink|Traditions}}

When [[Nova Storm (ES)|Nova Storm]] and [[Skywarp (ES)|Skywarp]] returned to the base after failing to obtain Optimus Prime's arm, Meridian had the Arachnamechs restrain them with electrified bonds. The two Decepticons were instead used as bait, luring [[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] and Dot to a location for an ambush, during which the Arachnamechs successfully captured the former Decepticon leader. Nova Storm and Skywarp were again dispatched to try to obtain Optimus's arm, this time with Arachnamech backup. The Arachnamechs followed Twitch, Thrash, Alex and the kids into the subterranean cave where they were disabled by a pulse from the [[Emberstone]]. {{storylink|Age of Evolution, Part 1}} Meridian had the Arachnamechs hunt for Dot when she escaped and began sabotaging his equipment. They found her, but she managed to toss one into a furnace, creating a cloud of purple smoke that alerted the hunting Autobots to the location of Meridian's base. The Arachnamechs attempted to defend Meridian's giant mech against the efforts of the Autobots and their human allies to destroy it, but were ultimately unsuccessful. {{storylink|Age of Evolution, Part 2}}

Megatron and Elita-1 were still cleaning up the naval yard and smashing Arachnamechs when [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] and [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] showed up to interview them over [[alternate mode]]s. During this, one of the Arachnamechs reactivated before stealing the Terrans' camera. Since the camera contained [[transformation cog|sensitive Cybertronian information]], the Terrans had to make sure the Arachnamech would not escape. They eventually succeeded in smashing it, though the camera was also smashed in the process. {{storylink|Outtakes}}

[[Category:Drones]]
[[Category:EarthSpark technology]]

The Immobilizers

2023-08-02T10:48:54Z

TBR:

{{disambig3|Immobilizer}}

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Transformers: Cyberverse]]'' ep 63
|image=Cyberverse-TheImmobilizers-SoundblasterVsVolcanicus.jpg
|caption="All right, everybody freeze! ''Literally!''"
|prev=The Other One
|next=The Perfect Decepticon
|title="The Immobilizers"
|airdate=[[November 6]], [[2021]] (YouTube) [[November 7]], 2021 (Canada) [[November 22]], 2021 (Netflix)
|season=4
|season ep=1
|production company=[[Entertainment One|eOne]]
|writer=[[Zac Atkinson (writer)|Zac Atkinson]] [[Dan Salgarolo]]
|animation studio=[[Boulder Media Studio]]
|director=[[Ehud Landsberg]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdd3tTD1SDU
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''When a gang of Mercenaries time-locks all of Cybertron, Grimlock and a group of new friends must combine their efforts to save the planet.'''

==Synopsis==
In the Tomb of [[Nexus Prime]], [[Arcee (Cyberverse)|Arcee]] and [[Grimlock (Cyberverse)|Grimlock]] happily dart towards the exit with ancient relics in hand, pursued by the gigantic invisible bird that has made the tomb its home. Narrowly dodging booby traps and projectile eggs, the two manage to escape in their [[Autobot shuttle|shuttle]], blasting off towards Cybertron. As they fly, they review the contents of their haul, including the mysterious [[Enigma of Combination]]. Grimlock remarks offhandedly how nice the Enigma will look at the centerpiece for the party he'll be holding after the signing of the [[Treaty of the Wall|peace treaty]] happening that day—which the two realize in a moment of panic that they are now ''very'' late for.

[[File:Cyberverse-s4e1-Autobot and Decepticon symbols.jpg|thumb|left|300px|]]

Indeed, shouts of joy can be heard all across Cybertron over the treaty's impending ratification, with nearly the entire population having gathered along the border wall dividing the planet to celebrate. Parades march through the streets and vendors hock their wares as Cybertronians anticipate the reunification of their people. A delegation of [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s, led by [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Soundwave (Cyberverse)|Soundwave]] respectively, take the stage above the wall as Optimus happily announces the end of the war and the beginning of a new era of peace for for their world. Indeed, it seems everything is going perfectly—until a stream of green energy waves descend from above. Without anyone ever even noticing, all of Cybertron and everyone on it are frozen in place as the waves cover the surface of the planet. The source of the waves is revealed to be an enormous black ship, the captain of which orders the crew to approach the surface.

Arcee and Grimlock arrive back on Cybertron, immediately noticing something is wrong. Confused as to why their friends are all unmoving, they hear the other ship land and arm themselves before splitting up to investigate. As Arcee explores, she notices a [[Buzzsaw (Cyberverse)|Cybertronian bird]] flying by and moves to follow it, radioing Grimlock to follow. The hatch of the black ship opens, and its occupants emerge: the Mercenaries [[Nightbird (Cyberverse)|Nightbird]], [[Bug Bite (Cyberverse)|Bug Bite]], [[Afterburner (Cyberverse)|Afterburner]], [[Doublecrosser (Cyberverse)|Doublecrosser]], and their leader [[Soundblaster (Cyberverse)|Soundblaster]]. As his companion Buzzsaw returns to his chest, Soundblaster gives the order to start ransacking the planet, only to be interrupted by fire from Arcee's gatling blaster. Arcee demands to know what they've done to her friends, only for Soundblaster to demonstrate firsthand by using his [[time blaster]] to freeze Arcee mid-fire like the others, and Bug Bite snatches her blaster for himself. As Soundblaster boards their hovercraft, the Mercenaries grab Arcee and take off towards the celebration.

Grimlock gets worried when Arcee doesn't respond to his calls, only for his fears to be confirmed when he finds her in a pile of frozen bodies. Grimlock swears vengeance, but pauses when he notices voices coming from nearby. Investigating, Grimlock comes across a group of four bots bickering over their next course of action. Assuming them to be the culprits, Grimlock orders them to restore the planet to normal. Caught by surprise, the intruders transform and attack Grimlock, but he quickly overpowers them with his dinosaur mode and a cry of "Me Grimlock!" This shocks the flying robot, who claims that they know who he is. As everyone calms down, the four confirm they too are trying to stop the Mercenaries, calling him "King Grimlock" and sharing a rallying cry that Grimlock recognizes as his own words. The four introduce themselves as [[Sludge (Cyberverse)|Sludge]], [[Snarl (Cyberverse)|Snarl]], [[Slug (Cyberverse)|Slug]] and [[Swoop (Cyberverse)|Swoop]], explaining that their people intercepted one of Grimlock's video logs from his time on prehistoric [[Earth]] and were inspired by his message, taking on forms resembling his [[dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaur]] friends in homage to him. However, the Mercenaries similarly time-locked their planet before looting and destroying it, with the four of them as the only survivors, and they now seek vengeance for their planet and their fallen friend, [[Tiny Arms]]. Now determined, Grimlock demands they take him to the Mercenaries.

The five [[Dinobot (Cyberverse)|Dinobots]] find four of the Mercenaries in the process of vandalizing a wall, and Grimlock orders the others to wait while he handles things. Grimlock charges into battle and seems to be pinned down at first, prompting the others to disobey orders and charge in. Grimlock quickly manages to turn the tide of battle, but before he can finish them off, the other Dinobots make their entrance, only to get hit by Bug Bite's grenades and thrown into Grimlock. Soundblaster arrives on the scene, arming his time blaster, and Grimlock orders the group to retreat, convering their escape as they grab the frozen Arcee and take off in Grimlock's shuttle. Grimlock berates the team for not following his orders, but is interrupted as Snarl picks up the Enigma of Combination. Moving to stop him, Grimlock accidentally bumps the steering mechanism, sending the ship into a spiral. As the group collides with each other, the Enigma of Combination activates and a giant Autobot bursts forth from the spacecraft, crashing to the ground. The five Dinobots emerge from the subsequent dust cloud, realizing that for a moment, they all shared one consciousness.

The Mercenaries arrive at the treaty signing and, with the blessings of their "boss", begin to rob the crowd of their belongings and throw them in their hovercraft's trailer, messing with various bots in the process. As Nightbird claims [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]]'s [[Stormfall Sword]] for herself, Soundblaster mocks the frozen delegates before his attention falls on Soundwave. Elsewhere, Grimlock posits that it was the Enigma of Combination that caused the five of them to form that enormous warrior, which Swoop confirms through a quick [[Witwiki]] search. The five take hold of the Enigma and are once again combined into the mighty [[Volcanicus (Cyberverse)|Volcanicus]]! Unfortunately, the [[combiner]]'s elation is short-lived, as they immediately trip and fall, splitting back into the Dinobots. Grimlock believes that Volcanicus's power could be enough to defeat the Mercenaries, but they will need to learn how to use their new form first, and he constructs a training course to help them practice. Things go poorly at first, with Volcanicus failing to clear any of the obstacles. Grimlock worries if they will ever be ready, but the rallying cheers of the others reinvigorates him and encourages him to try again. This time, Volcanicus easily clears the course, discovering they possess a sword as well. Grimlock is pleased with their success, but that still begs the question of how to defend against being frozen by the time blaster. Swoop claims she can build a quantum field to protect against the time blaster's rays, and the team construct the device using the wreckage from Grimlock's ship. As it proves too large for one bot to carry, Volcanicus instead wields it as a shield.

Soundblaster unfreezes Soundwave's head, leaving him conscious but immobile, and gloats to him about the Mercenaries' many successes. Soundwave is unimpressed and continues to mock his doppelgänger, but Soundblaster refuses to be denied his revenge and yanks [[Laserbeak (Cyberverse)|Laserbeak]] from Soundwave's chest compartment, forcibly inserting the creature into his own. As they drag Soundwave away, Nightbird explains the origin of their grudge to the others: millions of years ago, Soundwave handily defeated Soundblaster in a beatboxing battle at [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|Maccadam's]], bruising his pride and causing him to abandon the Decepticons and Cybertron. As his final revenge for that night, Soundblaster traps Soundwave in an [[infinite resonator]], which will endlessly echo and amplify every sound the Decepticon makes until the sound causes his body to fall apart.

Soundblaster's gloating is interrupted by the sudden arrival of Volcanicus. When the time blaster fails to stop the combiner, Soundblaster orders his team to fire on them from all sides. Despite some initial struggles, Volcanicus holds their own against the Mercenaries, inadvertently destroying the resonator in the process. Now freed, Soundwave attacks, only to be frozen again by Soundblaster. However, this angers Laserbeak, who escapes Soundblaster's chest with Buzzsaw in pursuit. Soundblaster tries to shoot the bird, only to hit Buzzsaw by mistake, and Laserbeak grabs the time blaster and flies off with it, only to lose hold of it in a dogfight with Afterburner. With the time blaster lost, Soundblaster orders the Mercenaries to throw everything they have at Volcanicus, but the combiner takes them all out with a missile barrage and traps them under their own hovercraft trailer.

[[File:Cyberverse-TheImmobilizers-TrypticonSmile.jpg|thumb|300px|right|''Gotta brush my pearly whites So they don't lose their bite-'']]
The Dinobots split back apart and celebrate their victory, and Grimlock orders the Mercenaries to restore all of Cybertron. Soundblaster, however, tells them that the only one who can make that call is "the boss" as he and the other Mercenaries laugh. The Dinobots are confused until a massive figure emerges from the Mercenaries' ship and stomps towards them: the Mercenaries' leader, [[Trypticon (Cyberverse)|Trypticon]]! The titanic Transformer scolds Soundblaster and fires him and his crew for their failure, instead offering to make the Dinobots his new crew and plunder the galaxy after he destroys Cybertron. Grimlock refuses the offer and the Dinobots reform Volcanicus. Trypticon manages to destroy their shield, but the combiner redirects his flames back at him with their sword. Unfortunately, the sword isn't enough to damage him, and Trypticon manages to split them apart again with a swipe of his tail. The tail swipe topples over the trailer, freeing the Mercenaries but destroying Soundblaster's legs. Taking advantage of the opening, the Mercenaries make a full retreat.

Struggling to take down Trypticon, the Dinobots recombine and manage to climb up Trypticon's tail and atop his back. With a mighty leap, Volcanicus brings their sword down in to the nape of Trypticon's neck, piercing it and finally bringing the enormous bot down. Seeing their boss fall, the Mercenaries opt to cut their losses, boarding their ship and leaving the planet. As Volcanicus celebrates their victory, Trypticon reactivates in a burst of flame, knocking Volcanicus to the ground and forcing the Dinobots to separate and scatter. As they attempt to avoid Trypticon's barrage, Swoop spots the time blaster in one of the vendor stands. Acting quickly, Grimlock summons the others and they recombine, dodging Trypticon's fire and grabbing the blaster. As Trypticon announces the rescinding of his employment offer and prepares to step on Volcanicus, the combiner manages to fire the blaster at the last moment, immobilizing Trypticon and finally bringing an end to the battle.

With the threat neutralized, Grimlock congraulates his team on a job well done. Acknowledging how long it would take to un-immobilize everybody individually, Grimlock instead opts to unfreeze [[Wheeljack (Cyberverse)|Wheeljack]] first, who builds a machine to amplify the time blaster's effects on a global scale. The machine is successful, restoring all of Cybertron back to normal, though the machine is destroyed in the process. Despite the confusion of suddenly seeing a giant saurian Transformer in their midst, the remainder of the ceremony goes off without a hitch. With the signing of the treaty, Optimus declares Cybertron is finally at peace, and the wall is deactivated as both Autobots and Decepticons come together in celebration. Grimlock introduces Arcee to his new friends, Laserbeak reunites with Soundwave, and the Dinobots combine once more in jubilation, much to the surprise of those around them.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Arcee (Cyberverse)|Arcee]] (1)
* [[Grimlock (Cyberverse)|Grimlock]] (2)
* Countless generics (4)
* [[Red Five]] (5)
* [[Rack'n'Ruin (Cyberverse)|Rack'n'Ruin]] (7)
* [[Meteorfire (Cyberverse)|Meteorfire]] (9)
* [[Cosmos (Cyberverse)|Cosmos]] (10)
* [[Thunderhowl (Cyberverse)|Thunderhowl]] (11)
* [[Chromia (Cyberverse)|Chromia]] (12)
* [[Jetfire (Cyberverse)|Jetfire]] (13)
* [[Ratchet (Cyberverse)|Ratchet]] (14)
* [[Hot Rod (Cyberverse)|Hot Rod]] (18)
* [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]] (19)
* [[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]] (20)
* [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]] (21)
* [[Clobber (Cyberverse)|Clobber]] (22)
* [[Wheeljack (Cyberverse)|Wheeljack]] (23)
* [[Whirl (Cyberverse)|Whirl]] (24)
* [[Slug (Cyberverse)|Slug]] (36)
* [[Sludge (Cyberverse)|Sludge]] (37)
* [[Snarl (Cyberverse)|Snarl]] (38)
* [[Swoop (Cyberverse)|Swoop]] (39)
* [[Volcanicus (Cyberverse)|Volcanicus]] (40)
* [[Perceptor (Cyberverse)|Perceptor]] (42)

|c2=
* Countless generics (6)
* [[Wildwheel (Cyberverse)|Wildwheel]] (15)
* [[Dead End (Cyberverse)|Dead End]] (16)
* [[Lockdown (Cyberverse)|Lockdown]] (17)
* [[Shadow Striker (Cyberverse)|Shadow Striker]] (18)
* [[Alpha Strike]] (26)
* [[Sky-Byte (Cyberverse)|Sky-Byte]] (27)
* [[Soundwave (Cyberverse)|Soundwave]] (28)
* [[Laserbeak (Cyberverse)|Laserbeak]] (43)
* ''[[Thundercracker (Cyberverse)|Thundercracker]]'' (44)
* ''[[Slipstream (Cyberverse)|Slipstream]]'' (45)
* ''[[Starscream (Cyberverse)|Starscream]]'' (46)
* ''[[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]]'' (47)
* ''[[Bludgeon (Cyberverse)|Bludgeon]]'' (49)
* ''[[Two-headed Seeker]]'' (50)

|h3=[[Mercenary|Mercenaries]]|c3=
* [[Buzzsaw (Cyberverse)|Buzzsaw]] (30)
* [[Nightbird (Cyberverse)|Nightbird]] (31)
* [[Bug Bite (Cyberverse)|Bug Bite]] (32)
* [[Afterburner (Cyberverse)|Afterburner]] (33)
* [[Doublecrosser (Cyberverse)|Doublecrosser]] (34)
* [[Soundblaster (Cyberverse)|Soundblaster]] (35)
* [[Trypticon (Cyberverse)|Trypticon]] (41)

|c4=
* Invisible bird (3)
* [[Singlehorn]] (8)
* Cybertronian birds (29)
* ''[[Maccadam]]'' (48)
}}

==Quotes==
"All it would take is a subatomically-controlled manipulation of the temporal field!" 
"Yeah, what she said! We pound 'em in a field!"
:—'''Swoop's''' plan is misunderstood by '''Sludge'''.

"We stand together in the face of catastrophe with courage and good cheer!"
:—The rallying cry of the '''Dinobots'''

"Oh yeah! Guess it's right in the name!" 
"But we didn't ''enigma''!"
:—'''Snarl''' and '''Sludge''' on the Enigma of Combination's powers.

"Feeling better now?" 
"Not yet, but I'm gonna feel real good when I get my revenge". 
"Revenge? For what?" 
"You know! You remember!" 
"I remember you were annoying, inferior, and easily forgotten."
:—'''Soundwave''' reminds '''Soundblaster''' that he's the master of sick burns.

"''This'' is your boss?!" 
"Boss isn't really an accurate description. I think of myself more as a firm yet fair employer, who expects nothing less than dedicated employees who will always do their best."
:—'''Grimlock''' gets '''Trypticon's''' sales pitch.

"Soundblaster, as team leader, you bear the primary responsibility for this failure. '''YOU ARE FIRED!''' ...And the rest of you are ''also'' fired. Or ''will'' be when I burn this planet down."
:—'''Trypticon''' dismisses the Mercenaries.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*This episode at last sees an end to both the [[Great War (Cyberverse)|Great War]] and the deactivation of the wall dividing Cybertron into Autobot and Decepticon halves, as first seen in "[[Enemy Line]]".
*The last time the two sides attempted to negotiate a peace treaty was in "[[Parley]]".
*The [[Singlehorn]] from "[[Thunderhowl (episode)|Thunderhowl]]" puts in an appearance, transforming and rocketing away just as it did in its debut episode.
*The Dinobots intercepted and were inspired by the last of Grimlock's video logs from prehistoric Earth, originally seen way back in "[[King of the Dinosaurs]]".
*Perceptor seems to have partially fixed his optics after he blew them out when he and Chromia were escaping the Decepticons in "[[Battle For Cybertron I]]". While the lenses themselves are repaired, the optics are not illuminated, suggesting he has still not regained his sight.
*The flashback to Soundblaster and Soundwave's battle seems to take place sometime around the second flashback in "[[Maccadam's]]", as all of the patrons are Decepticons. The two-headed Seeker present also suggests it is after the third flashback in "[[Megatron Is My Hero]]", which showed Shockwave repairing/assembling the bot.
*Megatron does not appear outside of the flashback sequence, as he was killed by [[Megatron X (Cyberverse)|Megatron X]] in the previous episode.

===Transformers references===
* The title is an obvious reference to the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] episode, "[[The Immobilizer]]".
* As usual, all the text in the episode is written in [[Alphabet|Autobot script]], which is used to hide several of the text-based easter eggs listed on this page.
* [[Primus]] is listed in Nexus Prime's omnicom contacts.
* Bug Bite repeatedly refers to Afterburner as a "crummy [[conehead]]".
* Soundblaster's depiction harkens back to his [[Soundblaster (G1)|counterpart]] in the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' cartoon, including being a separate individual from Soundwave, being a high-ranking Mercenary, and having Buzzsaw as his minion. [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]] also appeared as a Mercenary later in the series, while [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]] was labeled a Mercenary in the ''[[Transformers Trading Card Game]]''.
* The Enigma of Combination, the artifact of [[Nexus Prime]], was a key object in the latter years of [[2005 IDW continuity|the first IDW continuity]] and played a major role in the concurrent issues of [[Transformers (2019 comic)|the 2019 ongoing]]. Visually, this Engima trades its comic counterparts' silver and red for a gold and blue paintjob.
*Swoop consults her "Witwiki" database for information on the Enigma of Combination, a pun based on the [[Witwicky (surname)|Witwicky]] family featured in many other ''Transformers'' incarnations. (Fun fact: many years ago, {{SITENAME SHORT}} was nearly given the exact same name!)
**According to [[Randolph Heard]], an earlier draft of the script used the name "TiffWiki" instead. We're genuinely flattered.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We went to Witwiki after we were asked not to have Swoop say TiffWiki!|link=https://twitter.com/RandolphHeard/status/1457004614012661773|name=RandolphHeard|site=Twitter|year=2021|month=11|day=6|(defunct=)}}</ref>
* In addition to the main article, which Swoop quotes word-for-word, Witwiki features various status messages and links for assorted wiki functions (such as "Support", "Related" and "Random") and a side bar listing known combiners; [[Reflector (disambiguation)|Reflector]]'s name appears in that list.
* Another [[The Transformers: The Movie|"Soundwave Superior"]] for the list.
* Upon seeing Volcanicus, Bug Bite exclaims "Great greasy [[Gigatron (disambiguation)|Gigatron]]!" while Afterburner swears by [[The Fallen|Megatronus]].

===Real-world references===
*Arcee and Grimlock being chased by the egg in the cold open is more than a bit evocative of the boulder chase from ''[[Indiana Jones|Raiders of the Lost Ark]]''.
* Three of Nexus Prime's contacts are named "Rob", "Ehud", and "Piotr". These are presumably prop designer [[Robert Brady]], episode director [[Ehud Landsberg]], and art director [[Piotr Bzdura]].
* The signatures on the two petitions at the "Save the Singlehorn" stand are actually a message thanking several online content creators for reviewing ''Cyberverse'' over the years: "[https://www.youtube.com/c/ComodinCam Comodian Cam] {{sic}}, [https://www.youtube.com/c/UltraPrimal UltraPrimal], [https://www.youtube.com/user/dragonkeeper19600 dragonkeeper19600], [[Thew Adams|Threw Adams]] {{sic}}, [https://www.youtube.com/c/RodimusPrimal RodimnsPrimal] {{sic}}, [https://www.youtube.com/c/TransformersAnimatedSeason4 Heyan Carlile] {{sic}}, [https://twitter.com/Jilliansart94 Jillian Jones], thanks for all the review. We love you guys."
* "Witwiki" is, of course, based on the real-life website [[Wikipedia]], including a similar logo design.
* The list of combiners on Witwiki includes the names "Katiatron" and "Patrick-Prime", in reference to series production manager [[Katia Fogarty]] and production coordinator [[Patrick McDonald]] respectively.

===Other trivia===
*Originally scheduled for a November 21st premiere on [[Netflix]], this episode unexpectedly debuted two weeks early on YouTube, something that was only announced literally the day before it happened.
*This episode was split into two 22-minute parts for its iTunes release.
*The Mercenaries' ship uses the same model as the ship Wildwheel rode in on in "[[Wild Wild Wheel]]", albeit with a very different design. This ship also has "tentacles" at the nose that part to reveal the exit hatch, rather than it being built into the side like Wildwheel's.
*The Dinobots adopted their dinosaur modes based off of Grimlock's dinosaur friends that appeared in the video. And yet, there are no ''Velociraptor''s or ''Spinosaur''s among them.
**Furthermore, Snarl's dinosaur mode is based on a ''Stegosaurus'' which didn't, and couldn't, appear among Grimlock's Cretaceous comrades.
*Beginning with this episode, Clobber is voiced by [[Deanna McGovern]] in place of her usual actress, [[Saskia Marx]]
*Multiple actors who were credited under pseudonyms in previous seasons are credited under their real names beginning with this episode, as was the case in ''[[Transformers: Battlegrounds]]''.

===Animation and technical errors===
*Much like in "[[The Scientist]]", the [[Laserbeak (Cyberverse)|Laserbeak]]-type birds all have Decepticon insignia, despite being typical wildlife.
*When Afterburner and Bug Bite begin shooting at Grimlock, Afterburner uses his fellow Conehead [[Dirge (Cyberverse)|Dirge]]'s model.
*When the Mercenaries first arrive at the treaty signing, Bug Bite's feet are clipping through the ground.
*When the Dinobots transform to Volcanicus for the second time, the screen cuts to black for a few seconds. Perhaps this would have been where the credits would appear if the episode was split into four parts?
*When Cosmos is frozen and later unfrozen with Meteorfire, she lacks the Autobot insignia.
*When Clobber hugs Lockdown, she has a Decepticon insignia instead of Autobot.
*Trypticon's name is incorrectly misspelled "Tripticon" in the credits.
*Teletraan-X and Kup are listed in the voice credits, despite not appearing in the episode. The former's name is also misspelled "Teletran X".

===Foreign localization===
'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Os Imobilizadores'''" ("The Immobilizers")
:*''Original airdate:'' November 6, 2021

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Der Time Blaster'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' December 15, 2021
==Home video releases==
*TBA

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

The Immobilizers

2023-08-02T10:42:49Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{disambig3|Immobilizer}}

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Transformers: Cyberverse]]'' ep 63
|image=Cyberverse-TheImmobilizers-SoundblasterVsVolcanicus.jpg
|caption="All right, everybody freeze! ''Literally!''"
|prev=The Other One
|next=The Perfect Decepticon
|title="The Immobilizers"
|airdate=[[November 6]], [[2021]] (YouTube) [[November 7]], 2021 (Canada) [[November 22]], 2021 (Netflix)
|season=4
|season ep=1
|production company=[[Entertainment One|eOne]]
|writer=[[Zac Atkinson (writer)|Zac Atkinson]] [[Dan Salgarolo]]
|animation studio=[[Boulder Media Studio]]
|director=[[Ehud Landsberg]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdd3tTD1SDU
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''When a gang of Mercenaries time-locks all of Cybertron, Grimlock and a group of new friends must combine their efforts to save the planet.'''

==Synopsis==
In the Tomb of [[Nexus Prime]], [[Arcee (Cyberverse)|Arcee]] and [[Grimlock (Cyberverse)|Grimlock]] happily dart towards the exit with ancient relics in hand, pursued by the gigantic invisible bird that has made the tomb its home. Narrowly dodging booby traps and projectile eggs, the two manage to escape in their [[Autobot shuttle|shuttle]], blasting off towards Cybertron. As they fly, they review the contents of their haul, including the mysterious [[Enigma of Combination]]. Grimlock remarks offhandedly how nice the Enigma will look at the centerpiece for the party he'll be holding after the signing of the [[Treaty of the Wall|peace treaty]] happening that day—which the two realize in a moment of panic that they are now ''very'' late for.

[[File:Cyberverse-s4e1-Autobot and Decepticon symbols.jpg|thumb|left|300px|]]

Indeed, shouts of joy can be heard all across Cybertron over the treaty's impending ratification, with nearly the entire population having gathered along the border wall dividing the planet to celebrate. Parades march through the streets and vendors hock their wares as Cybertronians anticipate the reunification of their people. A delegation of [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s, led by [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Soundwave (Cyberverse)|Soundwave]] respectively, take the stage above the wall as Optimus happily announces the end of the war and the beginning of a new era of peace for for their world. Indeed, it seems everything is going perfectly—until a stream of green energy waves descend from above. Without anyone ever even noticing, all of Cybertron and everyone on it are frozen in place as the waves cover the surface of the planet. The source of the waves is revealed to be an enormous black ship, the captain of which orders the crew to approach the surface.

Arcee and Grimlock arrive back on Cybertron, immediately noticing something is wrong. Confused as to why their friends are all unmoving, they hear the other ship land and arm themselves before splitting up to investigate. As Arcee explores, she notices a [[Buzzsaw (Cyberverse)|Cybertronian bird]] flying by and moves to follow it, radioing Grimlock to follow. The hatch of the black ship opens, and its occupants emerge: the Mercenaries [[Nightbird (Cyberverse)|Nightbird]], [[Bug Bite (Cyberverse)|Bug Bite]], [[Afterburner (Cyberverse)|Afterburner]], [[Doublecrosser (Cyberverse)|Doublecrosser]], and their leader [[Soundblaster (Cyberverse)|Soundblaster]]. As his companion Buzzsaw returns to his chest, Soundblaster gives the order to start ransacking the planet, only to be interrupted by fire from Arcee's gatling blaster. Arcee demands to know what they've done to her friends, only for Soundblaster to demonstrate firsthand by using his [[time blaster]] to freeze Arcee mid-fire like the others, and Bug Bite snatches her blaster for himself. As Soundblaster boards their hovercraft, the Mercenaries grab Arcee and take off towards the celebration.

Grimlock gets worried when Arcee doesn't respond to his calls, only for his fears to be confirmed when he finds her in a pile of frozen bodies. Grimlock swears vengeance, but pauses when he notices voices coming from nearby. Investigating, Grimlock comes across a group of four bots bickering over their next course of action. Assuming them to be the culprits, Grimlock orders them to restore the planet to normal. Caught by surprise, the intruders transform and attack Grimlock, but he quickly overpowers them with his dinosaur mode and a cry of "Me Grimlock!" This shocks the flying robot, who claims that they know who he is. As everyone calms down, the four confirm they too are trying to stop the Mercenaries, calling him "King Grimlock" and sharing a rallying cry that Grimlock recognizes as his own words. The four introduce themselves as [[Sludge (Cyberverse)|Sludge]], [[Snarl (Cyberverse)|Snarl]], [[Slug (Cyberverse)|Slug]] and [[Swoop (Cyberverse)|Swoop]], explaining that their people intercepted one of Grimlock's video logs from his time on prehistoric [[Earth]] and were inspired by his message, taking on forms resembling his [[dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaur]] friends in homage to him. However, the Mercenaries similarly time-locked their planet before looting and destroying it, with the four of them as the only survivors, and they now seek vengeance for their planet and their fallen friend, [[Tiny Arms]]. Now determined, Grimlock demands they take him to the Mercenaries.

The five [[Dinobot (Cyberverse)|Dinobots]] find four of the Mercenaries in the process of vandalizing a wall, and Grimlock orders the others to wait while he handles things. Grimlock charges into battle and seems to be pinned down at first, prompting the others to disobey orders and charge in. Grimlock quickly manages to turn the tide of battle, but before he can finish them off, the other Dinobots make their entrance, only to get hit by Bug Bite's grenades and thrown into Grimlock. Soundblaster arrives on the scene, arming his time blaster, and Grimlock orders the group to retreat, convering their escape as they grab the frozen Arcee and take off in Grimlock's shuttle. Grimlock berates the team for not following his orders, but is interrupted as Snarl picks up the Enigma of Combination. Moving to stop him, Grimlock accidentally bumps the steering mechanism, sending the ship into a spiral. As the group collides with each other, the Enigma of Combination activates and a giant Autobot bursts forth from the spacecraft, crashing to the ground. The five Dinobots emerge from the subsequent dust cloud, realizing that for a moment, they all shared one consciousness.

The Mercenaries arrive at the treaty signing and, with the blessings of their "boss", begin to rob the crowd of their belongings and throw them in their hovercraft's trailer, messing with various bots in the process. As Nightbird claims [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]]'s [[Stormfall Sword]] for herself, Soundblaster mocks the frozen delegates before his attention falls on Soundwave. Elsewhere, Grimlock posits that it was the Enigma of Combination that caused the five of them to form that enormous warrior, which Swoop confirms through a quick [[Witwiki]] search. The five take hold of the Enigma and are once again combined into the mighty [[Volcanicus (Cyberverse)|Volcanicus]]! Unfortunately, the [[combiner]]'s elation is short-lived, as they immediately trip and fall, splitting back into the Dinobots. Grimlock believes that Volcanicus's power could be enough to defeat the Mercenaries, but they will need to learn how to use their new form first, and he constructs a training course to help them practice. Things go poorly at first, with Volcanicus failing to clear any of the obstacles. Grimlock worries if they will ever be ready, but the rallying cheers of the others reinvigorates him and encourages him to try again. This time, Volcanicus easily clears the course, discovering they possess a sword as well. Grimlock is pleased with their success, but that still begs the question of how to defend against being frozen by the time blaster. Swoop claims she can build a quantum field to protect against the time blaster's rays, and the team construct the device using the wreckage from Grimlock's ship. As it proves too large for one bot to carry, Volcanicus instead wields it as a shield.

Soundblaster unfreezes Soundwave's head, leaving him conscious but immobile, and gloats to him about the Mercenaries' many successes. Soundwave is unimpressed and continues to mock his doppelgänger, but Soundblaster refuses to be denied his revenge and yanks [[Laserbeak (Cyberverse)|Laserbeak]] from Soundwave's chest compartment, forcibly inserting the creature into his own. As they drag Soundwave away, Nightbird explains the origin of their grudge to the others: millions of years ago, Soundwave handily defeated Soundblaster in a beatboxing battle at [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|Maccadam's]], bruising his pride and causing him to abandon the Decepticons and Cybertron. As his final revenge for that night, Soundblaster traps Soundwave in an [[infinite resonator]], which will endlessly echo and amplify every sound the Decepticon makes until the sound causes his body to fall apart.

Soundblaster's gloating is interrupted by the sudden arrival of Volcanicus. When the time blaster fails to stop the combiner, Soundblaster orders his team to fire on them from all sides. Despite some initial struggles, Volcanicus holds their own against the Mercenaries, inadvertently destroying the resonator in the process. Now freed, Soundwave attacks, only to be frozen again by Soundblaster. However, this angers Laserbeak, who escapes Soundblaster's chest with Buzzsaw in pursuit. Soundblaster tries to shoot the bird, only to hit Buzzsaw by mistake, and Laserbeak grabs the time blaster and flies off with it, only to lose hold of it in a dogfight with Afterburner. With the time blaster lost, Soundblaster orders the Mercenaries to throw everything they have at Volcanicus, but the combiner takes them all out with a missile barrage and traps them under their own hovercraft trailer.

[[File:Cyberverse-TheImmobilizers-TrypticonSmile.jpg|thumb|300px|right]]
The Dinobots split back apart and celebrate their victory, and Grimlock orders the Mercenaries to restore all of Cybertron. Soundblaster, however, tells them that the only one who can make that call is "the boss" as he and the other Mercenaries laugh. The Dinobots are confused until a massive figure emerges from the Mercenaries' ship and stomps towards them: the Mercenaries' leader, [[Trypticon (Cyberverse)|Trypticon]]! The titanic Transformer scolds Soundblaster and fires him and his crew for their failure, instead offering to make the Dinobots his new crew and plunder the galaxy after he destroys Cybertron. Grimlock refuses the offer and the Dinobots reform Volcanicus. Trypticon manages to destroy their shield, but the combiner redirects his flames back at him with their sword. Unfortunately, the sword isn't enough to damage him, and Trypticon manages to split them apart again with a swipe of his tail. The tail swipe topples over the trailer, freeing the Mercenaries but destroying Soundblaster's legs. Taking advantage of the opening, the Mercenaries make a full retreat.

Struggling to take down Trypticon, the Dinobots recombine and manage to climb up Trypticon's tail and atop his back. With a mighty leap, Volcanicus brings their sword down in to the nape of Trypticon's neck, piercing it and finally bringing the enormous bot down. Seeing their boss fall, the Mercenaries opt to cut their losses, boarding their ship and leaving the planet. As Volcanicus celebrates their victory, Trypticon reactivates in a burst of flame, knocking Volcanicus to the ground and forcing the Dinobots to separate and scatter. As they attempt to avoid Trypticon's barrage, Swoop spots the time blaster in one of the vendor stands. Acting quickly, Grimlock summons the others and they recombine, dodging Trypticon's fire and grabbing the blaster. As Trypticon announces the rescinding of his employment offer and prepares to step on Volcanicus, the combiner manages to fire the blaster at the last moment, immobilizing Trypticon and finally bringing an end to the battle.

With the threat neutralized, Grimlock congraulates his team on a job well done. Acknowledging how long it would take to un-immobilize everybody individually, Grimlock instead opts to unfreeze [[Wheeljack (Cyberverse)|Wheeljack]] first, who builds a machine to amplify the time blaster's effects on a global scale. The machine is successful, restoring all of Cybertron back to normal, though the machine is destroyed in the process. Despite the confusion of suddenly seeing a giant saurian Transformer in their midst, the remainder of the ceremony goes off without a hitch. With the signing of the treaty, Optimus declares Cybertron is finally at peace, and the wall is deactivated as both Autobots and Decepticons come together in celebration. Grimlock introduces Arcee to his new friends, Laserbeak reunites with Soundwave, and the Dinobots combine once more in jubilation, much to the surprise of those around them.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Arcee (Cyberverse)|Arcee]] (1)
* [[Grimlock (Cyberverse)|Grimlock]] (2)
* Countless generics (4)
* [[Red Five]] (5)
* [[Rack'n'Ruin (Cyberverse)|Rack'n'Ruin]] (7)
* [[Meteorfire (Cyberverse)|Meteorfire]] (9)
* [[Cosmos (Cyberverse)|Cosmos]] (10)
* [[Thunderhowl (Cyberverse)|Thunderhowl]] (11)
* [[Chromia (Cyberverse)|Chromia]] (12)
* [[Jetfire (Cyberverse)|Jetfire]] (13)
* [[Ratchet (Cyberverse)|Ratchet]] (14)
* [[Hot Rod (Cyberverse)|Hot Rod]] (18)
* [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]] (19)
* [[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]] (20)
* [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]] (21)
* [[Clobber (Cyberverse)|Clobber]] (22)
* [[Wheeljack (Cyberverse)|Wheeljack]] (23)
* [[Whirl (Cyberverse)|Whirl]] (24)
* [[Slug (Cyberverse)|Slug]] (36)
* [[Sludge (Cyberverse)|Sludge]] (37)
* [[Snarl (Cyberverse)|Snarl]] (38)
* [[Swoop (Cyberverse)|Swoop]] (39)
* [[Volcanicus (Cyberverse)|Volcanicus]] (40)
* [[Perceptor (Cyberverse)|Perceptor]] (42)

|c2=
* Countless generics (6)
* [[Wildwheel (Cyberverse)|Wildwheel]] (15)
* [[Dead End (Cyberverse)|Dead End]] (16)
* [[Lockdown (Cyberverse)|Lockdown]] (17)
* [[Shadow Striker (Cyberverse)|Shadow Striker]] (18)
* [[Alpha Strike]] (26)
* [[Sky-Byte (Cyberverse)|Sky-Byte]] (27)
* [[Soundwave (Cyberverse)|Soundwave]] (28)
* [[Laserbeak (Cyberverse)|Laserbeak]] (43)
* ''[[Thundercracker (Cyberverse)|Thundercracker]]'' (44)
* ''[[Slipstream (Cyberverse)|Slipstream]]'' (45)
* ''[[Starscream (Cyberverse)|Starscream]]'' (46)
* ''[[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]]'' (47)
* ''[[Bludgeon (Cyberverse)|Bludgeon]]'' (49)
* ''[[Two-headed Seeker]]'' (50)

|h3=[[Mercenary|Mercenaries]]|c3=
* [[Buzzsaw (Cyberverse)|Buzzsaw]] (30)
* [[Nightbird (Cyberverse)|Nightbird]] (31)
* [[Bug Bite (Cyberverse)|Bug Bite]] (32)
* [[Afterburner (Cyberverse)|Afterburner]] (33)
* [[Doublecrosser (Cyberverse)|Doublecrosser]] (34)
* [[Soundblaster (Cyberverse)|Soundblaster]] (35)
* [[Trypticon (Cyberverse)|Trypticon]] (41)

|c4=
* Invisible bird (3)
* [[Singlehorn]] (8)
* Cybertronian birds (29)
* ''[[Maccadam]]'' (48)
}}

==Quotes==
"All it would take is a subatomically-controlled manipulation of the temporal field!" 
"Yeah, what she said! We pound 'em in a field!"
:—'''Swoop's''' plan is misunderstood by '''Sludge'''.

"We stand together in the face of catastrophe with courage and good cheer!"
:—The rallying cry of the '''Dinobots'''

"Oh yeah! Guess it's right in the name!" 
"But we didn't ''enigma''!"
:—'''Snarl''' and '''Sludge''' on the Enigma of Combination's powers.

"Feeling better now?" 
"Not yet, but I'm gonna feel real good when I get my revenge". 
"Revenge? For what?" 
"You know! You remember!" 
"I remember you were annoying, inferior, and easily forgotten."
:—'''Soundwave''' reminds '''Soundblaster''' that he's the master of sick burns.

"''This'' is your boss?!" 
"Boss isn't really an accurate description. I think of myself more as a firm yet fair employer, who expects nothing less than dedicated employees who will always do their best."
:—'''Grimlock''' gets '''Trypticon's''' sales pitch.

"Soundblaster, as team leader, you bear the primary responsibility for this failure. '''YOU ARE FIRED!''' ...And the rest of you are ''also'' fired. Or ''will'' be when I burn this planet down."
:—'''Trypticon''' dismisses the Mercenaries.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*This episode at last sees an end to both the [[Great War (Cyberverse)|Great War]] and the deactivation of the wall dividing Cybertron into Autobot and Decepticon halves, as first seen in "[[Enemy Line]]".
*The last time the two sides attempted to negotiate a peace treaty was in "[[Parley]]".
*The [[Singlehorn]] from "[[Thunderhowl (episode)|Thunderhowl]]" puts in an appearance, transforming and rocketing away just as it did in its debut episode.
*The Dinobots intercepted and were inspired by the last of Grimlock's video logs from prehistoric Earth, originally seen way back in "[[King of the Dinosaurs]]".
*Perceptor seems to have partially fixed his optics after he blew them out when he and Chromia were escaping the Decepticons in "[[Battle For Cybertron I]]". While the lenses themselves are repaired, the optics are not illuminated, suggesting he has still not regained his sight.
*The flashback to Soundblaster and Soundwave's battle seems to take place sometime around the second flashback in "[[Maccadam's]]", as all of the patrons are Decepticons. The two-headed Seeker present also suggests it is after the third flashback in "[[Megatron Is My Hero]]", which showed Shockwave repairing/assembling the bot.
*Megatron does not appear outside of the flashback sequence, as he was killed by [[Megatron X (Cyberverse)|Megatron X]] in the previous episode.

===Transformers references===
* The title is an obvious reference to the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] episode, "[[The Immobilizer]]".
* As usual, all the text in the episode is written in [[Alphabet|Autobot script]], which is used to hide several of the text-based easter eggs listed on this page.
* [[Primus]] is listed in Nexus Prime's omnicom contacts.
* Bug Bite repeatedly refers to Afterburner as a "crummy [[conehead]]".
* Soundblaster's depiction harkens back to his [[Soundblaster (G1)|counterpart]] in the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' cartoon, including being a separate individual from Soundwave, being a high-ranking Mercenary, and having Buzzsaw as his minion. [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]] also appeared as a Mercenary later in the series, while [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]] was labeled a Mercenary in the ''[[Transformers Trading Card Game]]''.
* The Enigma of Combination, the artifact of [[Nexus Prime]], was a key object in the latter years of [[2005 IDW continuity|the first IDW continuity]] and played a major role in the concurrent issues of [[Transformers (2019 comic)|the 2019 ongoing]]. Visually, this Engima trades its comic counterparts' silver and red for a gold and blue paintjob.
*Swoop consults her "Witwiki" database for information on the Enigma of Combination, a pun based on the [[Witwicky (surname)|Witwicky]] family featured in many other ''Transformers'' incarnations. (Fun fact: many years ago, {{SITENAME SHORT}} was nearly given the exact same name!)
**According to [[Randolph Heard]], an earlier draft of the script used the name "TiffWiki" instead. We're genuinely flattered.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We went to Witwiki after we were asked not to have Swoop say TiffWiki!|link=https://twitter.com/RandolphHeard/status/1457004614012661773|name=RandolphHeard|site=Twitter|year=2021|month=11|day=6|(defunct=)}}</ref>
* In addition to the main article, which Swoop quotes word-for-word, Witwiki features various status messages and links for assorted wiki functions (such as "Support", "Related" and "Random") and a side bar listing known combiners; [[Reflector (disambiguation)|Reflector]]'s name appears in that list.
* Another [[The Transformers: The Movie|"Soundwave Superior"]] for the list.
* Upon seeing Volcanicus, Bug Bite exclaims "Great greasy [[Gigatron (disambiguation)|Gigatron]]!" while Afterburner swears by [[The Fallen|Megatronus]].

===Real-world references===
*Arcee and Grimlock being chased by the egg in the cold open is more than a bit evocative of the boulder chase from ''[[Indiana Jones|Raiders of the Lost Ark]]''.
* Three of Nexus Prime's contacts are named "Rob", "Ehud", and "Piotr". These are presumably prop designer [[Robert Brady]], episode director [[Ehud Landsberg]], and art director [[Piotr Bzdura]].
* The signatures on the two petitions at the "Save the Singlehorn" stand are actually a message thanking several online content creators for reviewing ''Cyberverse'' over the years: "[https://www.youtube.com/c/ComodinCam Comodian Cam] {{sic}}, [https://www.youtube.com/c/UltraPrimal UltraPrimal], [https://www.youtube.com/user/dragonkeeper19600 dragonkeeper19600], [[Thew Adams|Threw Adams]] {{sic}}, [https://www.youtube.com/c/RodimusPrimal RodimnsPrimal] {{sic}}, [https://www.youtube.com/c/TransformersAnimatedSeason4 Heyan Carlile] {{sic}}, [https://twitter.com/Jilliansart94 Jillian Jones], thanks for all the review. We love you guys."
* "Witwiki" is, of course, based on the real-life website [[Wikipedia]], including a similar logo design.
* The list of combiners on Witwiki includes the names "Katiatron" and "Patrick-Prime", in reference to series production manager [[Katia Fogarty]] and production coordinator [[Patrick McDonald]] respectively.

===Other trivia===
*Originally scheduled for a November 21st premiere on [[Netflix]], this episode unexpectedly debuted two weeks early on YouTube, something that was only announced literally the day before it happened.
*This episode was split into two 22-minute parts for its iTunes release.
*The Mercenaries' ship uses the same model as the ship Wildwheel rode in on in "[[Wild Wild Wheel]]", albeit with a very different design. This ship also has "tentacles" at the nose that part to reveal the exit hatch, rather than it being built into the side like Wildwheel's.
*The Dinobots adopted their dinosaur modes based off of Grimlock's dinosaur friends that appeared in the video. And yet, there are no ''Velociraptor''s or ''Spinosaur''s among them.
**Furthermore, Snarl's dinosaur mode is based on a ''Stegosaurus'' which didn't, and couldn't, appear among Grimlock's Cretaceous comrades.
*Beginning with this episode, Clobber is voiced by [[Deanna McGovern]] in place of her usual actress, [[Saskia Marx]]
*Multiple actors who were credited under pseudonyms in previous seasons are credited under their real names beginning with this episode, as was the case in ''[[Transformers: Battlegrounds]]''.

===Animation and technical errors===
*Much like in "[[The Scientist]]", the [[Laserbeak (Cyberverse)|Laserbeak]]-type birds all have Decepticon insignia, despite being typical wildlife.
*When Afterburner and Bug Bite begin shooting at Grimlock, Afterburner uses his fellow Conehead [[Dirge (Cyberverse)|Dirge]]'s model.
*When the Mercenaries first arrive at the treaty signing, Bug Bite's feet are clipping through the ground.
*When the Dinobots transform to Volcanicus for the second time, the screen cuts to black for a few seconds. Perhaps this would have been where the credits would appear if the episode was split into four parts?
*When Cosmos is frozen and later unfrozen with Meteorfire, she lacks the Autobot insignia.
*When Clobber hugs Lockdown, she has a Decepticon insignia instead of Autobot.
*Trypticon's name is incorrectly misspelled "Tripticon" in the credits.
*Teletraan-X and Kup are listed in the voice credits, despite not appearing in the episode. The former's name is also misspelled "Teletran X".

===Foreign localization===
'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Os Imobilizadores'''" ("The Immobilizers")
:*''Original airdate:'' November 6, 2021

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Der Time Blaster'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' December 15, 2021
==Home video releases==
*TBA

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

Scrapmaster

2023-07-20T08:23:24Z

TBR:

[[Image:CodyOnPatrol Scrapmaster.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Engaging SERIOUS MODE.]]

In [[Griffin Rock]]'s hi-tech junkyard, the '''Scrapmaster''' is the preferred method of garbage disposal. Once pieces of junk are tagged by a [[human]], the Scrapmaster goes to work, using its claws to pop items into its mouth where a pair of spinning blades make short work of them.

==Fiction==
===''Rescue Bots'' cartoon===
[[File:IslandOfMisfitTech Scrapmaster scans Cody.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Aw, not again!]]

A prototype Scrapmaster proved to be dangerous to humans, so it was sent to the [[Island of Misfit Tech]]. {{storylink|The Island of Misfit Tech}}

[[Graham Burns]] and [[Boulder (RB)|Boulder]] helped out operating the Scrapmaster. When Cody later crashed his go-kart, [[Rolling Thunder (RB)|Rolling Thunder]] in the junkyard, nanites from his engine swarmed into the Scrapmaster, sending it out of control. Though it cornered the boy, [[Blades (RB)|Blades]] distracted it by throwing a car at it, and Cody was able to get clear. [[Heatwave (RB)|Heatwave]] threw a gas tank at it, but the explosion merely singed it a bit, and it took teamwork to stop the machine. After Boulder severed its tank, the Scrapmaster came to a halt. {{storylink|Cody on Patrol}}

When Heatwave was sent to the Island of Misfit Tech to find [[Cody Burns]], he encountered the prototype Scrapmaster, which swiped his recall tag and was subsequently transported back to Griffin Rock via [[Beam Box]]. It set about trying to destroy everything it saw, with the remaining three Rescue Bots struggling to contain it. When Heatwave, [[Kade Burns|Kade]] and Cody returned from the island, they brought back a [[mechanical bull]] which stomped the Scrapmaster to scrap. {{storylink|The Island of Misfit Tech}}

Graham and [[Jerry (RB)|Jerry]] were using the Scrapmaster to get rid of junk at the junkyard when Chief Burns contacted them to verify that they were sure all the nanites had been purged from it. {{storylink|The Vigilant Town}}

[[Vigil]] temporarily took over the Scrapmaster, using it to push a pile of cars onto Heatwave and Boulder before heading to the laboratory. {{storylink|No Place Like Dome}}
{{--}}
===''Rescue Bots Academy'' cartoon===
[[File:BotBattle Chuck vs Eviscerator.jpg|thumb|250px|SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!]]
The anti-tech defenses on [[Natura Island]] teleported the Rescue Bots to a junkyard where they were menaced by a Scrapmaster. [[Whirl (RBA)|Whirl]] was successful in disabling it by yanking out the battery, though [[Hot Shot (Prime)|Hot Shot]] insisted on plugging the battery back in before they left. {{storylink|Five Little Rescue Bots}}

A Scrapmaster was also part of [[Dig Fest (event)|Dig Fest]]'s Bot Battle event, taking part under the name '''The Eviscerator'''. It was defeated by [[Tough Luck Chuck]] during the event final. {{storylink|Bot Battle}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Rescue Bots''===
[[File:RescueBotstoy Bumblebee and Scrapmaster.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Now you can have fun menacing your other toys with destruction!]]
*'''Bumblebee and Scrapmaster''' (two-pack, 2014)
:This two-pack includes a non-articulated figure of the Scrapmaster. It's packaged with a redeco of [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], who features a color scheme reminiscent of his season 3 ''Prime'' look.

[[Category:Rescue Bots technology]]

Bot Battle

2023-07-20T08:20:38Z

TBR:

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy (cartoon)|Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy]]'' ep 102
|image=BotBattle Chuck vs Eviscerator.jpg
|caption="''I LIKE defects!"'' ''"That's good..."'' ''"I LIKE how they TASTE!"'' ''"That's bad!"''
|prev=Griffin Rock Rocks!
|next=Space Party
|title="Bot Battle"
|season=2
|season ep=50
|production code=250
|airdate=[[June 12]], [[2020]] (UK) [[May 29]], [[2021]] (US)
|production company=[[Allspark Animation]]
|writer=[[Fionn Boland]]
|animation studio=[[Boulder Media Studio]]
|director=[[Ray Quigley]]
}}

'''After dismissing Tough Luck Chuck, Hot Shot decides to enter 'Bot Battle' an all-smashing, all-crashing, Robo-rampage! However, he soon discovers that Chuck may well be his toughest competition.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Chase (RB)|Chase]] finishes his lecture on medical matters and has [[Tough Luck Chuck]] help test the recruits on diagnosing common injuries. Once that's done, he congratulates all six of them on their knowledge, and the five recruits are confused until they realize he's including Chuck. The recruits are later trying to organize even teams for a [[Cube (sport)|Cube]] match and invite [[Cody Burns|Cody]] to join them. Cody points out it's too dangerous for him as a human, and instead suggests Chuck. As he heads off to find Chuck, the recruits are suddenly bombarded by a commercial for [[Dig Fest (event)|Dig Fest]] which is now featuring a "Bot Battle". [[Hot Shot (Prime)|Hot Shot]] is immediately set on entering the event and unsuccessfully tries to convince [[Wedge (RBA)|Wedge]] to do so as well. Chuck arrives to play Cube, but Hot Shot is now set winning Bot Battle instead and when Chuck announces "easy!" to this idea, Hot Shot sarcastically suggests he go enter as well. As the recruits watch the stream from Dig Fest, the MC announces the first competitor — Chuck has used the GroundBridge to head there and enter, having taken Hot Shot literally. The recruits lament that Chuck can't battle other bots, but Hot Shot is confident he can save Chuck ''and'' win.

Hot Shot GroundBridges backstage as Chuck faces off against two other robots, managing to win by virtue of ducking right as the two robots fire, so they take each other out. Hot Shot uses parts to fashion himself a robot disguise so he can enter as well. As part of the last qualifying round, he faces off against [[Scrub-A-Dubber|Vacuumbot]] and [[Fun Droid]] 3 and manages to win when his two opponents take each other out. This just leaves the final, with Hot Shot and Chuck up against [[Scrapmaster|the Eviscerator]]. Hot Shot tells Chuck to get out of there, however as he tries to protect Chuck, the Eviscerator swats him away and slams a claw down on Chuck. Chuck, being a crash test dummy, is built for abuse and successfully defeats the Eviscerator by blinding it and sending it careening into a wall. Chuck is pronounced winner.

Hot Shot returns to the Academy with Chuck and Chuck's winners trophy, at which point the recruits apologize for underestimating Chuck. They present Chuck with a Rescue Bot insignia, and head off to watch footage of Hot Shot being defeated by a vacuum cleaner.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Chase (RB)|Chase]] (1)
*[[Hot Shot (Prime)|Hot Shot]] (3)
*[[Whirl (RBA)|Whirl]] (4)
*[[Wedge (RBA)|Wedge]] (5)
*[[Medix (RB)|Medix]] (6)
*[[Hoist (RB)|Hoist]] (7)
|c3=
*[[Cody Burns]] (8)
*Dig Fest MC (9)
|c4=
*[[Tough Luck Chuck]] (2)
*[[Scrub-A-Dubber|Vacuumbot]] (10)
*Unidentified tracked combatant (11)
*[[Scrapmaster|The Eviscerator]] (12)
*[[Fun Droid]] 3 (13)
|}}

==Quotes==
"Wedge, buddy, you know what we gotta do." 
"Do I?" 
"Just think of it! The roar of the crowd, the rush of [[energon]], the adulation of strangers! We've got to enter Bot Battle."
:—'''Hot Shot''' tries to rope '''Wedge''' into attaining glory.

"Maybe it'll be OK! Maybe Chuck really is gonna-" 
''[Chuck starts dancing]'' 
... win Bot Battle."
:—'''Whirl''' suffers a sudden loss of optimism.

"Beep boop, how do you do, hu-mans."
:—'''Hot Shot''' pretends to be a robot.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Wedge's turn in Dig Fest and his retrieval of the fallen satellite happened back in "[[Dig Fest (episode)|Dig Fest]]".
*The other robot contestants include a [[Scrub-A-Dubber]] as seen in "[[All Washed Up]]", a [[Fun Droid]] as previously seen in "[[Fun Droids]]", and a [[Scrapmaster]] as seen in "[[Five Little Rescue Bots]]".

===Transformers references===
*TBA

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

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

===Trivia===
*Cybertronian on Whirl's HUD as she scans Chuck reads "INJURY", "PROBLEM", "HURT" and the more generic "SEARCHING", "DANGER" and "INFRARED". Speaking of, why are Chuck's insides hot?
*The Dig Fest commercial reuses the background from the commercial in the season 1 episode, and as such the Cybertronian text again reads "CRUSHER" and "WAR ZONE". The nonsense text "BUXJ" appears on top right, while the bottom right text isn't recognizable Cybertronian.
*Hot Shot pretends to be a robot (the non-sentient, human-made kind) to infiltrate Bot Battle. The original Rescue Bots also pretended to be non-sentient machines in ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)| Rescue Bots]]''. He also does so with an exclamation of "[[Robots in Disguise (disambiguation)|Robots in Disguise]]", which is one of the Transformers franchise's taglines, ''as everyone should know by now''.

===Foreign localization===
*TBA

==Home video releases==
{{epstub}}

[[Category:Rescue Bots Academy episodes]]

Disordered Personalities

2023-07-20T08:04:38Z

TBR: /* Transformers references */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'' (2015) ep 55
|image=RiD2015 - Disordered Personalities - The Grid.jpg
|caption=''Go, go, Speed Racer! Go, Speed Racer, Go!''
|prev=Out of the Shadows
|next=Guilty As Charged
|title="Disordered Personalities"
|season=3
|season ep=10
|airdate=[[June 24]], [[2017]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|writer=[[Shannon Eric Denton]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]], [[drop]] (2D)
|director=[[Frank Marino]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdA3l5qhI8k
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''An experiment in combining accidentally causes the Autobots to swap personalities. Stuck in the wrong bodies, the team is called on a mission to defeat the Stunticons in a road race.'''

{{TOCclear}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:TRID S3 E10 DP SC 1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''Adventure's waiting just ahead!'']]
Team Bee stands wired up to some heavily technological machinery which [[Fixit (RID)|Fixit]] thinks will ''probably'' merge them into [[Ultra Bee]]. While the others are apprehensive, [[Grimlock (RID 2015)|Grimlock]] is more interested in watching [[television]], as the [[Crown City Grand Prix]] is about to be broadcast. Fixit fires up the equipment, and the Bee Team are all heartily zapped until Fixit's console starts smoking. Nothing seems to have happened at first, but suddenly [[Drift (RID)|Drift]] starts speaking in Grimlock's voice. It's swiftly obvious the Autobots have swapped bodies — Sideswipe, now occupying [[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]], admires his own body from the outside, it now being occupied by Drift. Strongarm is thrilled to find she's now [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] while Bee himself quickly realizes that he's been transferred into Grimlock's body. While Fixit explains that the controls are fried and he can't switch them back, Grimlock enjoys being a car for a change. Fixit believes the effect will be temporary, and Bee thinks it'll mostly be an annoyance, so long as they don't have any crises to deal with. On cue, [[Denny Clay|Denny]] calls them over to the TV — the Grand Prix has been gatecrashed by four of the [[Stunticon (Prime)|Stunticons]]. The team realize they're going to have to do something about it while still body-swapped. As Bee will be incongruous in dino form (not to mention slow), he puts Strongarm in charge of the mission to stop the 'Cons, and asks Fixit to deal with the television broadcasts so they don't blow their cover in doing so.

[[File:RiD2015 - Disordered Personalities - Casey driving.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''She's gaining on you, so you better look alive! She's busy revvin' up the powerful Mach Five!'']]
Over at the start line, current champ [[Casey (RID)|"Crasher" Casey]] sits confidently at the head of the pack. The Stunticons, behind the other racers, argue over which of them is going to win, much to [[Slashmark]]'s annoyance. As the race begins and the cars speed off, Fixit manages to cut off the television broadcast. In the lead, Casey decides the race is too easy and pops in a beginner Spanish tape to keep herself occupied. The Autobots join the race, and Grimlock immediately zooms ahead, identifying [[Heatseeker]] when the Stunticon calls him a "squishie". Strongarm tries to pull over [[Dragstrip (WFC)|Drag Strip]], who explains he intends to become "Ruler of the Roads" by winning the title. He takes Strongarm's comments about the title not being literal as an attempt to confuse him, and has [[Wildbreak]] knock her into the barrier.

Sideswipe and Drift manage to stop Slashmark, however he evades them by energizing his wheels. Drift tries to deploy his Mini-Cons before realizing he's in Sideswipe's body, and Slashmark taunts the "lawbots" before speeding away. The two Autobots give chase, though Sideswipe is having ongoing problems controlling Strongarm's sirens. Ahead, Casey starts on another lap while continuing her Spanish lesson. Grimlock confronts Drag Strip and manages to deploy [[Jetstorm (RID)|Jetstorm]] and [[Slipstream (RID)|Slipstream]], only for the pair to get a face full of Drag Strip's [[Nitro Booster|nitro-boost]] as the Stunticon speeds away. Closing in on Drag Strip and Wildbreak, Strongarm contacts the others for backup, however the others disregard her orders to her immense frustration.

[[File:TRID S3 E10 DP SC 3.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''He's a demon on wheels! He's a demon, and he's gonna be chasing after someone!'']]
Bumblebee's anxious pacing annoys Fixit, who reveals he's finished fixing the equipment. Bee immediately manages to knock the console flying with his tail.

Drag Strip and Wildbreak discuss how they're probably going to win, but Drag Strip's daydreams of taking command are cut short when they realize that Casey is ahead of them. Strongarm catches up with them and Wildbreak keeps her busy by energizing the road behind him. She again calls for backup. Grimlock is unable to come, as he's having trouble getting the Mini-Cons to undeploy, and Drift and Sideswipe are busy with Slashmark. Strongarm tries dealing with the pair herself, only to be blasted by Drag Strip's boost and ends up hitting the barrier, half-dangling over a long drop. The two Cons move in on Crasher Casey and Wildbreak unleashes a literal wave of energized road which Casey, obliviously musing that she didn't ''remember'' there being a hill at that spot, manages to ride out. As Strongarm laments the state of her mission, Grimlock arrives and helps her back onto the road. Elsewhere, Sideswipe and Drift manage to tackle Slashmark and take him down after Sideswipe blinds him with Strongarm's lights, Drift punching the Stunticon off the cliff.

[[File:TRID S3 E10 DP SC 4.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Here he comes, here comes Speed Racer! He's a demon on wheels.'']]
As Casey heads towards the finish line, the remaining three Stunticons close in. Heatseeker unleashes a pair of guided missiles which streak towards the unaware human, until they suddenly lock on to Sideswipe and Drift coming the other way. The pair swerve around the three Stunticons, who end up being blitzed by their own missiles, leaving Casey to cross the finish line, victorious for the fifth straight year.

Back in the scrapyard, the team reports that the Stunticons all managed to get away in the confusion. Fixit once again fires up the equipment to swap everyone back. The Autobots are all zapped, but in the aftermath they're all back in their own bodies. Everything is fine again, until they discover, as Sideswipe gives Fixit a piece of his mind, that the Mini-Con's consciousness has been swapped into the control panel. While Fixit starts on one of his stories, the others go to get the parts needed for Denny to transfer him back.

{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (1)
*[[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]] (2)
*[[Sideswipe (RID)|Sideswipe]] (3)
*[[Grimlock (RID 2015)|Grimlock]] (4)
*[[Drift (RID)|Drift]] (5)
*[[Fixit (RID)|Fixit]] (8)
*[[Jetstorm (RID)|Jetstorm]] (15)
*[[Slipstream (RID)|Slipstream]] (16)

|c2=
*[[Dragstrip (WFC)|Drag Strip]] (10)
*[[Slashmark]] (11)
*[[Heatseeker]] (12)
*[[Wildbreak]] (13)

|c3=
*[[Russell Clay]] (6)
*[[Denny Clay]] (7)
*[[Casey (RID)|Casey]] (9)
*Security guard (14)
|c4=
}}

==Quotes==
"Is this truly necessary, Bumblebee?" 
"It is if we want to create and control the effect that merges all of us into our Ultra Bee Team Combiner form."
:—'''Drift''' discovers that '''Bumblebee''' is a [[To sell toys|salesman]] at heart

"Y'know, I may not even give the title over to [[Motormaster (WFC)|the boss]] when we get back. If ''I'm'' Ruler of the Roads, what's ''he'' gonna do about it?" 
"Probably run ya over, back up, and then, run ya over again."
:—'''Drag Strip''' and '''Wildbreak''' discuss Motormaster's management style

"Gee, uhh...Sorry about that, Dragstrip." 
"One of these days, Wildbreak. Pow! Right in the grill!"
:—'''Wildbreak''' and '''Drag Strip''' continue their Ralph-and-Ed routine.

==Notes==
[[File:RiD2015 - Disordered Personalities - I Can't Believe It's Not Knock Out.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Why must we be so cruelly teased?]]
===Continuity notes===
*[[Casey (RID)|Casey]] is definitely a jack of all trades, isn't she? Stated to be the [[Rumbledome]]'s champion in "[[The Champ]]", she is also Crown City's greatest road racer.

===Prisoner manifest===
* ''In stasis'': [[Crustacion]], [[Ragebyte]], [[Zorillor]], [[Springload (RID)|Springload]], [[Boostwing]], [[Jacknab]], [[Pilfer]], [[Shadow Raker]]
* ''Known at Large'': [[Heatseeker]], [[Dragstrip (WFC)|Drag Strip]], [[Wildbreak]], [[Slashmark]].

===Transformers references===
* One of the humans' cars in the race uses [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]]'s altmode model.
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]]'s altmode models are used for two of the humans' cars, just with a [[Repaint|different color pallete]].

===Real-world references===
*The Spanish phrases Casey learns include:
**''¿Donde está el baño?'' — "Where is the bathroom?"
**''Mi tío tiene pulgas.'' — "My uncle has fleas."
**''Creo que estoy en un gran problema.'' — "I think I'm in big trouble." (as the Stunticons close in)
**''Me gustaría hacer un poco de surf.'' — "I would like to do a little surfing." (as Wildbreak unleashes the ground wave)

===Trivia===
* This episode premiered at the "Transformers Through the Years" screening event, which was held by the Paley Center for Media in New York City, where it was shown on a large film screen alongside episodes from various Transformers series. The screening took place a week before this episode's official airdate.
* Unlike [[Switcheroo|the last time]] an Aligned cartoon used a body-swapping plot, the characters' voices switch between their bodies.
* Do you have a moment to hear the good word of our Ultra Bee Team Combiner form?

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' '''Échange de personnalités''' ("Exchange of Personalities")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 8]], 2017

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' '''Csere-bere személyiség''' ("Swapped-Around Personality")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 12]], 2017

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2018 — ''Transformers Robots in Disguise: Combiner Force'' — The Golden Knight ([[Beyond Home Entertainment]]) 

[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2015) episodes]]

Wiped Out

2023-07-08T08:37:39Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Transformers: Cyberverse]]'' ep 33
|image=Cyberverse-WipedOut-BoardEscape.jpg
|caption=So here I am! Growing older all the time! Looking older all the time! Feeling younger in my mind!
|prev=Party Down
|next=Ghost Town
|title="Wiped Out"
|airdate=[[September 15]], [[2019]] (Australia/NZ) [[December 6]], 2019 (CN app/website) [[December 14]], 2019 (USA)
|season=2
|season ep=15
|production company=[[Allspark Animation]]
|writer=[[Benjamin Townsend]]
|animation studio=[[Boulder Media Studio]]
|director=[[Jean Texier]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN46-X0Pq60
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''Hot Rod takes Bumblebee and Cheetor spaceboarding through an asteroid field where they encounter Sharkticons.'''

==Synopsis==
In space, [[Hot Rod (Cyberverse)|Hot Rod]] and [[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]] are cleaning the [[Ark (Cyberverse)|''Ark's'']] window from the from the outside, with Hot Rod complaining about how he and Bumblebee are always getting window duty. They soon start teasing each other with their buffers only for the ship to enter an asteroid field. The two quickly retreat back inside, with Hot Rod commenting on the unusually high amount of debris in the field.

Inside the ship, [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]] declares that they have to take a safer route. [[Teletraan-X (Cyberverse)|Teletraan-X]] is able to find one, but mentions that the solar winds are really strong today. That doesn't bother Hot Rod and Bumblebee however as both of them are thinking the same thing with [[Cheetor (Cyberverse)|Cheetor]] unaware as to what they are thinking.

Bumblebee, Hot Rod and Cheetor head to the launch pad to get their [[Solar-Wave Boards|solar-wave boards]] where Hot Rod and Bumblebee explain to Cheetor that they plan to surf the solar winds and asteroids. Cheetor is concerned about leaving the ''Ark'' but Hot Rod reassures him that they will be waiting for it on the other side. This immediately makes Cheetor excited and ready for something 'awesome'.

The three jump out of the ship with Cheetor not particularly enjoying himself. This does not diminish Hot Rod and Bumblebee's fun as they do all sorts of stunts and go through a doughnut-shaped asteroid. They decide to take a break, where they give Cheetor some tips and encouragement. Cheetor is able to balance the solar-wave board by transforming to [[beast mode]], managing to pull off some impressive stunts, impressing both his friends. Not to be outdone, Hot Rod and Bumblebee decide break time is over and recommence surfing, unaware that something is in the debris field.

[[File:CySharkticons.jpg|thumb|250px|Look, those Sharkticons got a vicious streak a mile wide!]]
In the asteroid field, Bumblebee realizes that something is strange about the asteroids and the trio soon realize that the 'asteroids' appear to be the remains of a temple. They manage to rebuild it but before they even get a chance to admire their work, Cheetor hears a crackling noise and they soon realize that a solar wave is heading their way. They try to surf out of there but Cheetor is unable to escape in time.

Cheetor eventually awakens and is greeted by two [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s and is unable to contact Bumblebee and Hot Rod. The big boss of the Sharkticon group greets him and tells him that he is on the turf of [[The Fins]]. Cheetor tries to leave but the Sharkticons aren't to willing to let him leave. Cheetor fights a few of them of and is ready to battle the big boss, but said boss, impressed by Cheetor, decides to draft him, ordering his group to [[The Park]], his subordinates carrying Cheetor with them against his will.

At the Park, Cheetor asks the leader why their world is in pieces, who explains to him that their planet was destroyed and that the Park is the biggest chunk left. However, [[The Tails]] have taken over it, even defacing the statue of Lord [[Gnaw (Cyberverse)|Gnaw]], and now, the Fins are going to take it back with Cheetor's help. The Tails then arrive and reveal that they have a warrior of their own, Bumblebee. Cheetor and Bumblebee are happy that neither of them were wiped out in the solar wave but the Fins and Tails still rush into battle. Then a third Sharkticon group, called themselves [[The Snouts]], enter the battlefield with Hot Rod as their warrior. The battle becomes even more violent and only stops when Cheetor gives a massive growl.

Cheetor points out that they are stronger together than apart. After a moment, all three faction leaders agree and band together to kill the Autobots, sending the trio fleeing back into the asteroid field before the massive form of the ''Ark'' appears. Cheetor quickly boards the ship and returns with the [[AllSpark]], using its power, to the awe of all assembled to restore the [[Sharkticon homeworld]]. Though it does have a few cracks in it, the Sharkticons are content and call a permanent truce between their parties.

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]] (1)
*[[Hot Rod (Cyberverse)|Hot Rod]] (2)
*[[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Cheetor (Cyberverse)|Cheetor]] (6)
|c4=
*[[Teletraan-X (Cyberverse)|Teletraan-X]] (3)
*[[The Fins]] (7)
*[[Jawsy]] (8)
*[[The Tails]] (9)
*[[Backbite (Cyberverse)|Backbite]] (10)
*[[The Snouts]] (11)
*[[Sawtooth (Cyberverse)|Sawtooth]] (12)
}}

==Quotes==
"I'm gonna buff the ugly out of you!"
:—'''Hot Rod''' sasses Bumblebee.

'''Hot Rod:''' "Solar winds?" 
'''Bumblebee:''' "Asteroid field?" 
'''Hot Rod:''' "You thinking what I'm thinking?" 
'''Cheetor:''' "...I do not know what you are thinking."

:—The Autobots prepare to shred.

"The power of the AllSpark restored their homeworld!" 
"Are you sure it's supposed to look like that?" 
"No. But they seem to like it."
:—'''Cheetor''' and '''Hot Rod'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Whereas all past media, and even his figure in the ''Cyberverse'' line, depict him with the standard Sharkticon appearance, Lord [[Gnaw (Cyberverse)|Gnaw]]'s statue depicts him as having a unique appearance based on a Saw Shark. When Lord Gnaw later physically appears in the third season, he resembles a standard Sharkticon like his toy, making this statue a bit of an anomaly.

===Transformers references===
*Gnaw is based off [[Gnaw (G1)|a notable Sharkticon]] introduced in Generation 1.

===Real-world references===

===Trivia===

===Animation and technical errors===

===Other errors===
*It's par the course for sci-fi cartoons, but we're still compelled to point out that sound does not travel in space.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Surf spatial'''" ("Space surf")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 19]], [[2019]]

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Vernichtet'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 14]], 2019

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Nakama o Hitotsu ni'''" (仲間をひとつに, "One Comrade")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 27]], [[2019]]

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Levado pela Onda'''" ("Carried by the Wave")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 24]], 2019

==Home video releases==
*TBA

[[Category:Cyberverse episodes]]

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)

2023-06-12T02:24:49Z

TBR: /* Transformers references */

{{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=$170 million<ref>https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Transformers-Rise-of-the-Beasts-(2023)#tab=summary</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==
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 a 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.

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.

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 (Movie)|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, 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, 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 (Movie)|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 Robertson]] ([[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.

"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.

"Okay, what are the rules?" 
"Bros before hoes."
:—'''Noah''' and '''Kris''' clarify the rules.

"I ain't breaking into a museum for some space robots." 
"What about for friendship?"
:—'''Noah''' and '''Mirage'''

''"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'''.

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

"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 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''' vs 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.

==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, following reshoots to ''Bumblebee'' which served to distance it from prior continuity as directed by [[Michael Bay]]. Promotion for the film has delivered a lot of fuzzy statements and mixed messaging; it appears to be the perspective of director Steven Caple Jr. that it ''is'' a reboot of some description,<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I feel like we have a lot to unravel, because this feels like a true reboot if you will, into the ''Transformers'' franchise, so we're about to see a lot more beyond the Decepticons moving forward.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPr_LLZx2HY&t=354s|site=Black Girl Nerds|title=Steven Caple Jr and Anthony Ramos on Rivalry and War in 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts'|year=2022|month=12|day=01}}</ref> but observes that they are 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> Meanwhile, longtime producer [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] has repeatedly denied that it is a reboot, stating that the film 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> 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 indistinct 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>

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. 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 final Bay film, 2017's ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|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.
*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.
*Optimus Prime's altered ''Bumblebee'' design is 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 [[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 both [[Scourge (G1)|Generation 1 Scourge]] and [[Scourge (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'' Scourge]]; he's a herald of Unicron like G1 Scourge, and transforms into a black truck like ''RID'' Scourge. The various insignia 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]].
*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.
*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. They don't translate to anything specific; the access code Elena assembles simply reads "XQB."
*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.
*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]].
*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.
*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]]". There are also multiple "[['Til all are one]]s."
*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 "Maximaze!", 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]]''.
*When Optimus Prime arrives to help Noah, he enters in a pose similar to his promo render for the [[Transformers The Game|2007 video game]].
*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.
*[[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''.

==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 17th, 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 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}}.
*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 "Errors".
*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 ''[[Spaceballs]]'', ''{{w| A Few Good Men}}'' and ''{{w| Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface}}.''
*Elena sings the TLC song "{{w|Waterfalls (TLC song)|Waterfalls}}" to herself during the flight to Peru. However, see "Errors".
*When meeting Primal, Elena brings up the {{w|Nazca Lines}}, asking if the Maximals were responsible for creating them. 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.
*When Mirage compliments Noah after the car chase, he quotes the line "I like it a lot" from ''Dumb and Dumber''. However, see "Errors".

==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.
*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.
*When Reek yells down the street as Noah and Kris depart, his dialogue does not match with his lips.
*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 of 1994.
*When the Autobots arrive at Cuzco, they land at the citadel of Sacsayhuaman, 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'' Sacsayhuaman.
*When Wheeljack audibly gasps at Noah assuming he can speak Spanish, his mouth is not moving.
*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, who are you?", which does not match with her lips.
*The fight with the brainwashed 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 work 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.
*Elena whimpering in Bumblebee as he drives through hoards of Freezers does not match with her lips.

==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]}}

==Development details==

[[File:TRANSFORMERS-2022.jpg|thumb|Why did it take so long?|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|[[Arcee (G1)|KARR]] [[GEEWUN|NOT BIKE!]]]]
[[File:Stevencaplejr terrorcon cast.jpg|thumb|250px|Actually, [[Megatron (Movie)#Dark of the Moon film|not the first time]] The Transformers meet {{w|Mad Max|Mad Max}}...]]
* 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 (Movie)|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===
* A Decepticon named [[Transit (ROTB)|Transit]] was a character who was planned to appear early in the film, dispatched from a Decepticon-controlled Cybertron to kill Optimus Prime, before himself being killed by Optimus and dumped into the Hudson River alongside numerous other Decepticons who have tried to do the same in the past few years. [[Steven Caple Jr.]] has indicated that the visual effects for much of the sequence were completed prior to its removal—a result of test audiences finding it too dark—and that he intends to release it as a deleted scene via the film's home media release or otherwise.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=One was this Decepticon scene, Transit, that I've been talking about, because Optimus Prime fights Transit at the beginning of the movie—or at least he ''used'' to—and you find out that Optimus Prime wants to go home. That's all he wants to do, and Cybertron's in deep trouble, and this guy Transit was telling him that "we're just here to kill you", AKA "Cybertron's already ours." And it was a really epic fight scene, and then you saw Optimus Prime dump his body in the Hudson River, and all these Decepticons are dead, and you see he's been hunting for the last few years.|link=https://twitter.com/colliderfrosty/status/1666216854996791298|name=Steven Caple Jr. in a Collider interview|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=6|day=6|(defunct=)}}</ref> The entertainment press reported that Transit was voiced by [[John DiMaggio]] for his removed appearance in the film.<ref>[https://ew.com/movies/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-everything-we-know/ "Everything we know about Transformers: Rise of the Beasts"] on Entertainment Weekly</ref> Despite not appearing in the final film, DiMaggio is still credited as Transit.
{{--}}

==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 on a friend of Steven Caple Jr.'s, 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.

===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: Rise of the Beasts''''' (France), '''''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''''' (Mainland 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:'' '''''Трансформеры: Восхождение Звероботов''''' ("Transformers: Rise of the Beastbots")
* ''Ukrainian:'' '''''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)

2023-06-12T02:21:24Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{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=$170 million<ref>https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Transformers-Rise-of-the-Beasts-(2023)#tab=summary</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==
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 a 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.

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.

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 (Movie)|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, 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, 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 (Movie)|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 Robertson]] ([[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.

"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.

"Okay, what are the rules?" 
"Bros before hoes."
:—'''Noah''' and '''Kris''' clarify the rules.

"I ain't breaking into a museum for some space robots." 
"What about for friendship?"
:—'''Noah''' and '''Mirage'''

''"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'''.

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

"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 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''' vs 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.

==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, following reshoots to ''Bumblebee'' which served to distance it from prior continuity as directed by [[Michael Bay]]. Promotion for the film has delivered a lot of fuzzy statements and mixed messaging; it appears to be the perspective of director Steven Caple Jr. that it ''is'' a reboot of some description,<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I feel like we have a lot to unravel, because this feels like a true reboot if you will, into the ''Transformers'' franchise, so we're about to see a lot more beyond the Decepticons moving forward.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPr_LLZx2HY&t=354s|site=Black Girl Nerds|title=Steven Caple Jr and Anthony Ramos on Rivalry and War in 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts'|year=2022|month=12|day=01}}</ref> but observes that they are 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> Meanwhile, longtime producer [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] has repeatedly denied that it is a reboot, stating that the film 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> 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 indistinct 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>

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. 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 final Bay film, 2017's ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|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.
*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.
*Optimus Prime's altered ''Bumblebee'' design is 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 [[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 both [[Scourge (G1)|Generation 1 Scourge]] and [[Scourge (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'' Scourge]]; he's a herald of Unicron like G1 Scourge, and transforms into a black truck like ''RID'' Scourge. The various insignia 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]].
*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.
*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. They don't translate to anything specific; the access code Elena assembles simply reads "XQB."
*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.
*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]].
*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.
*Airazor explains that Unicron imbues his heralds with a "dark energy," which increases his 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]]". There are also multiple "[['Til all are one]]s."
*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 "Maximaze!", 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]]''.
*When Optimus Prime arrives to help Noah, he enters in a pose similar to his promo render for the [[Transformers The Game|2007 video game]].
*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.
*[[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''.

==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 17th, 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 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}}.
*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 "Errors".
*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 ''[[Spaceballs]]'', ''{{w| A Few Good Men}}'' and ''{{w| Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface}}.''
*Elena sings the TLC song "{{w|Waterfalls (TLC song)|Waterfalls}}" to herself during the flight to Peru. However, see "Errors".
*When meeting Primal, Elena brings up the {{w|Nazca Lines}}, asking if the Maximals were responsible for creating them. 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.
*When Mirage compliments Noah after the car chase, he quotes the line "I like it a lot" from ''Dumb and Dumber''. However, see "Errors".

==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.
*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.
*When Reek yells down the street as Noah and Kris depart, his dialogue does not match with his lips.
*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 of 1994.
*When the Autobots arrive at Cuzco, they land at the citadel of Sacsayhuaman, 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'' Sacsayhuaman.
*When Wheeljack audibly gasps at Noah assuming he can speak Spanish, his mouth is not moving.
*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, who are you?", which does not match with her lips.
*The fight with the brainwashed 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 work 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.
*Elena whimpering in Bumblebee as he drives through hoards of Freezers does not match with her lips.

==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]}}

==Development details==

[[File:TRANSFORMERS-2022.jpg|thumb|Why did it take so long?|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|[[Arcee (G1)|KARR]] [[GEEWUN|NOT BIKE!]]]]
[[File:Stevencaplejr terrorcon cast.jpg|thumb|250px|Actually, [[Megatron (Movie)#Dark of the Moon film|not the first time]] The Transformers meet {{w|Mad Max|Mad Max}}...]]
* 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 (Movie)|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===
* A Decepticon named [[Transit (ROTB)|Transit]] was a character who was planned to appear early in the film, dispatched from a Decepticon-controlled Cybertron to kill Optimus Prime, before himself being killed by Optimus and dumped into the Hudson River alongside numerous other Decepticons who have tried to do the same in the past few years. [[Steven Caple Jr.]] has indicated that the visual effects for much of the sequence were completed prior to its removal—a result of test audiences finding it too dark—and that he intends to release it as a deleted scene via the film's home media release or otherwise.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=One was this Decepticon scene, Transit, that I've been talking about, because Optimus Prime fights Transit at the beginning of the movie—or at least he ''used'' to—and you find out that Optimus Prime wants to go home. That's all he wants to do, and Cybertron's in deep trouble, and this guy Transit was telling him that "we're just here to kill you", AKA "Cybertron's already ours." And it was a really epic fight scene, and then you saw Optimus Prime dump his body in the Hudson River, and all these Decepticons are dead, and you see he's been hunting for the last few years.|link=https://twitter.com/colliderfrosty/status/1666216854996791298|name=Steven Caple Jr. in a Collider interview|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=6|day=6|(defunct=)}}</ref> The entertainment press reported that Transit was voiced by [[John DiMaggio]] for his removed appearance in the film.<ref>[https://ew.com/movies/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-everything-we-know/ "Everything we know about Transformers: Rise of the Beasts"] on Entertainment Weekly</ref> Despite not appearing in the final film, DiMaggio is still credited as Transit.
{{--}}

==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 on a friend of Steven Caple Jr.'s, 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.

===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: Rise of the Beasts''''' (France), '''''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''''' (Mainland 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:'' '''''Трансформеры: Восхождение Звероботов''''' ("Transformers: Rise of the Beastbots")
* ''Ukrainian:'' '''''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)

2023-06-10T21:44:07Z

TBR: /* Transformers references */

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)

2023-06-10T21:43:58Z

TBR: /* Transformers references */

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)

2023-06-10T21:43:38Z

TBR: /* Transformers references */

Home, Part 2

2023-03-20T05:00:01Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 18
|image=HashtagVsMandroid HomePart2.jpg

|prev=Home, Part 1
|next=
|title="Home, Part 2"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Mae Catt]], [[Nicole Dubuc]], & [[Dale Malinowski]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[J.J. Conway]], [[Alex Kwan]], & [[Sebastian Montes]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/qT5PinxeumitcqIiZhFaTQTPApjHNoZo/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''The trip to Philly goes from bad to worse with the return of Mandroid'''
==Synopsis==
With the Malto children and [[Terran]]s in tow, [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] races back to the Bot Brawl ring in hopes of finding [[Grimlock (ES)|Grimlock]]. They soon discover however Grimlock has long since left and the arena has been cleared out. Scouting the area, the group discover the remains of [[Brawl (ES)|Brawl]] still hanging from the ceiling. Bumblebee is horrified to discover the Decepticon bruiser has been drained entirely of Energon along with his left arm missing. The moment is interrupted soon by a missile firing from the distance that sets the abandoned arena ablaze.

Coming to their senses, the group is horrified to see [[Mandroid]] emerging from the flames now equipped with Brawl's clawed hand. Accused by [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] of being the one behind Bot Brawl, Mandroid only laughs saying these existed long before him and will exist long after him. When [[Twitch]] tries to reason with Mandroid, saying they're willing to forgive him for their past encounters, he only laughs saying they're the ones who brought their war to his planet and he won't rest until they're all wiped out. Deploying his latest invention against Bumblebee, a series of [[Arachnamech]]-style tentacles that gradually begin draining him of [[Energon]]. To deal with the remaining Terrans, Mandroid sics his Arachmech army on to them, combining into a giant-centipede like creature. With Mandroid departing to finish work on his latest invention, the Terrans and Maltos try to overcome the mechanical monstrosity. During the battle however, Hashtag discovers her Wifi powers grant her not just access to the city's Wifi but the ability to control any piece of technology hooked up to it. Using this to their advantage, the Matlos distract the Arachnamech combiner as they lure it directly into a series oncoming trains controlled via Hashtag that destroys it.

Upon freeing Bumblebee, Hashtag surveys the area to find Mandroid in the upper rafters. Overcome with anger, she leaps up to grab a hold of him only for the mad scientist to scoff at her and place a badge on her chest. Twitch arriving soon after to discover to her horror that Mandroid has placed a control badge similar to the one used on Grimlock on Hashtag, making the Terran another one of his mindless drones. Gleeful at the success of his new invention, Mandroid departs as he orders the subservient Hashtag to make sure she returns to him with her Terran siblings: alive or in pieces. Horrified and reluctant to fight their sister, [[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] takes the fight into the city above as the rest follow though leaving Bumblebee behind to try and regain his strength. Up above, Nightshade finds their attempts to remove the badge controlling their sister useless as this new version has a forcefield preventing it's removal. Meanwhile in Hashtag's inner virtual space, she finds herself locked out of her Wi-fi powers as a digital avatar of Mandroid appears before her saying she's entirely under his control. Mandroid then proceeds to mentally torture Hashtag with images of [[Robby Malto|Robby]], [[Mo Malto| Mo]], and [[Stevie]] saying she's all alone and unwelcomed on Earth. Helpless to stop him, Hashtag is reduced to a quivering mess.

Back in the real world, the mind controlled-Hashtag's powers that hook her up the city's Wifi allow her to throw volley after volley of cars at her siblings. Unsure of what to do, Robby suggest they go get Bee but Twitch refuses saying they can't leave their family behind. Approaching Hashtag alone at first, Twitch is soon joined in hands with her other siblings, vowing they aren't leaving without their sister. United together, Robby and Mo's [[cyber-sleeve]]s being to glow as back at the cave where the [[Emberstone]] was found the waters in the cave to begin to send out a strange energy that seemingly supercharges the Malto and Terrans. As they approach Hashtag using their powers to shield them from her attacks, the Malto family all grab a hold of her as they begin to overcome Mandroid's control of her through their connected sense of family and love for one another. As the digital avatar of Mandroid screams in impotent defiance, Hashtag finally manages regains control of her body. Coming to her senses and seeing the damage she caused, Hashtag begins to apologize before she's stopped by Twitch saying it wasn't her fault.

[[File:MandroidJoinsGHOST HomePart2.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Sleep tight, Decepticons]]
Bumblebee emerges from underground, lamenting how they were never able to find Grimlock and how this Bot Brawl ring likely isn't the only one in operation. Encouraged by words from Robby how that doesn't mean they'll let that stop them from trying to make the world safe for humans and Transformers, Bumblebee tries to depart. However after all he's been through, he finally collapses from a combination of exhaustion and Energon deprivation. Seeing that their mentor is just sleeping, the Maltos depart Philadelphia to get back to [[Witcwicky (place)|Witwicky]] before their parents wakeup. As they roll out with the sun rising, [[Sam (ES)|Sam]] from earlier sees Stevie spray painting over the "Transformers Go Home" graffiti with a more welcoming "Transformers ''Are'' Home". message.

Elsewhere, Mandroid rendezvous with G.H.O.S.T. director [[Agent Croft]]. Revealed to be one who was managing the Bot Brawl ring in Philadelphia, Croft tells Mandroid they'll be working much more closely together from now on, commissioning him to begin constructing more of his new control badges. When saying he'll need test subjects, Croft volunteers him the Decepticon prisoners of G.H.O.S.T. as Mandroid looks around with glee.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] (2)

|c2=
*[[Brawl (ES)|Brawl]] (8)
*[[Hardtop (ES)|Hardtop]] (14)

|c3=
*[[Mo Malto]]
*[[Robby Malto]] (4)
*[[Mandroid]] (9)
*[[Sam (ES)|Sam]] (11)
*[[Stevie]] (12)
*[[Agent Croft|Executive Agent Croft]] (13)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (1)
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (3)
*[[Twitch]] (5)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (7)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (6)

|h5=Others||c5=
*[[Arachnamech]]s (1)
}}

==Quotes==
"Don't listen! They're lying to you!" 
"You're wrong! I was '''never''' alone".
:—'''Mandroid''' gets told by '''Hashtag''' to shove it.

"Maltobots...roll out!"
:—'''Twitch''' puts a new spin on an old favorite.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Mandroid is a lot worse for wear than when he was last seen in "[[Age of Evolution, Part 2]]", coughing up some black substance and having become addicted to Energon. In addition to his disheveled, gaunt, appearance.
* Thrash compares the Terrans temporarily supercharged powers to how he felt after soaking in the waters of the cave from "[[Friends and Family]]", only much greater. Robby and Mo seem however to be turned off by just how powerful it felt.
* The "Maltobots" phrase was first used by Bumblebee in "[[Hashtag: Oops]]" and now seems to have been adopted by Twitch as the group's call-sign.

===Transformers references===

===Real-world references===

===Errors===

===Trivia===
* As with "[[Secret Legacy, Part 2]]" and "[[Age of Evolution, Part 2]]", most online distribution platforms do not list this episode separately from Part 1, instead choosing to combine both parts into a single 44-minute video.
[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Home, Part 2

2023-03-20T04:59:38Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 18
|image=HashtagVsMandroid HomePart2.jpg

|prev=Home, Part 1
|next=
|title="Home, Part 2"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Mae Catt]], [[Nicole Dubuc]], & [[Dale Malinowski]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[J.J. Conway]], [[Alex Kwan]], & [[Sebastian Montes]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/qT5PinxeumitcqIiZhFaTQTPApjHNoZo/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''The trip to Philly goes from bad to worse with the return of Mandroid'''
==Synopsis==
With the Malto children and [[Terran]]s in tow, [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] races back to the Bot Brawl ring in hopes of finding [[Grimlock (ES)|Grimlock]]. They soon discover however Grimlock has long since left and the arena has been cleared out. Scouting the area, the group discover the remains of [[Brawl (ES)|Brawl]] still hanging from the ceiling. Bumblebee is horrified to discover the Decepticon bruiser has been drained entirely of Energon along with his left arm missing. The moment is interrupted soon by a missile firing from the distance that sets the abandoned arena ablaze.

Coming to their senses, the group is horrified to see [[Mandroid]] emerging from the flames now equipped with Brawl's clawed hand. Accused by [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] of being the one behind Bot Brawl, Mandroid only laughs saying these existed long before him and will exist long after him. When [[Twitch]] tries to reason with Mandroid, saying they're willing to forgive him for their past encounters, he only laughs saying they're the ones who brought their war to his planet and he won't rest until they're all wiped out. Deploying his latest invention against Bumblebee, a series of [[Arachnamech]]-style tentacles that gradually begin draining him of [[Energon]]. To deal with the remaining Terrans, Mandroid sicks his Arachmech army on to them, combining into a giant-centipede like creature. With Mandroid departing to finish work on his latest invention, the Terrans and Maltos try to overcome the mechanical monstrosity. During the battle however, Hashtag discovers her Wifi powers grant her not just access to the city's Wifi but the ability to control any piece of technology hooked up to it. Using this to their advantage, the Matlos distract the Arachnamech combiner as they lure it directly into a series oncoming trains controlled via Hashtag that destroys it.

Upon freeing Bumblebee, Hashtag surveys the area to find Mandroid in the upper rafters. Overcome with anger, she leaps up to grab a hold of him only for the mad scientist to scoff at her and place a badge on her chest. Twitch arriving soon after to discover to her horror that Mandroid has placed a control badge similar to the one used on Grimlock on Hashtag, making the Terran another one of his mindless drones. Gleeful at the success of his new invention, Mandroid departs as he orders the subservient Hashtag to make sure she returns to him with her Terran siblings: alive or in pieces. Horrified and reluctant to fight their sister, [[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] takes the fight into the city above as the rest follow though leaving Bumblebee behind to try and regain his strength. Up above, Nightshade finds their attempts to remove the badge controlling their sister useless as this new version has a forcefield preventing it's removal. Meanwhile in Hashtag's inner virtual space, she finds herself locked out of her Wi-fi powers as a digital avatar of Mandroid appears before her saying she's entirely under his control. Mandroid then proceeds to mentally torture Hashtag with images of [[Robby Malto|Robby]], [[Mo Malto| Mo]], and [[Stevie]] saying she's all alone and unwelcomed on Earth. Helpless to stop him, Hashtag is reduced to a quivering mess.

Back in the real world, the mind controlled-Hashtag's powers that hook her up the city's Wifi allow her to throw volley after volley of cars at her siblings. Unsure of what to do, Robby suggest they go get Bee but Twitch refuses saying they can't leave their family behind. Approaching Hashtag alone at first, Twitch is soon joined in hands with her other siblings, vowing they aren't leaving without their sister. United together, Robby and Mo's [[cyber-sleeve]]s being to glow as back at the cave where the [[Emberstone]] was found the waters in the cave to begin to send out a strange energy that seemingly supercharges the Malto and Terrans. As they approach Hashtag using their powers to shield them from her attacks, the Malto family all grab a hold of her as they begin to overcome Mandroid's control of her through their connected sense of family and love for one another. As the digital avatar of Mandroid screams in impotent defiance, Hashtag finally manages regains control of her body. Coming to her senses and seeing the damage she caused, Hashtag begins to apologize before she's stopped by Twitch saying it wasn't her fault.

[[File:MandroidJoinsGHOST HomePart2.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Sleep tight, Decepticons]]
Bumblebee emerges from underground, lamenting how they were never able to find Grimlock and how this Bot Brawl ring likely isn't the only one in operation. Encouraged by words from Robby how that doesn't mean they'll let that stop them from trying to make the world safe for humans and Transformers, Bumblebee tries to depart. However after all he's been through, he finally collapses from a combination of exhaustion and Energon deprivation. Seeing that their mentor is just sleeping, the Maltos depart Philadelphia to get back to [[Witcwicky (place)|Witwicky]] before their parents wakeup. As they roll out with the sun rising, [[Sam (ES)|Sam]] from earlier sees Stevie spray painting over the "Transformers Go Home" graffiti with a more welcoming "Transformers ''Are'' Home". message.

Elsewhere, Mandroid rendezvous with G.H.O.S.T. director [[Agent Croft]]. Revealed to be one who was managing the Bot Brawl ring in Philadelphia, Croft tells Mandroid they'll be working much more closely together from now on, commissioning him to begin constructing more of his new control badges. When saying he'll need test subjects, Croft volunteers him the Decepticon prisoners of G.H.O.S.T. as Mandroid looks around with glee.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] (2)

|c2=
*[[Brawl (ES)|Brawl]] (8)
*[[Hardtop (ES)|Hardtop]] (14)

|c3=
*[[Mo Malto]]
*[[Robby Malto]] (4)
*[[Mandroid]] (9)
*[[Sam (ES)|Sam]] (11)
*[[Stevie]] (12)
*[[Agent Croft|Executive Agent Croft]] (13)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (1)
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (3)
*[[Twitch]] (5)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (7)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (6)

|h5=Others||c5=
*[[Arachnamech]]s (1)
}}

==Quotes==
"Don't listen! They're lying to you!" 
"You're wrong! I was '''never''' alone".
:—'''Mandroid''' gets told by '''Hashtag''' to shove it.

"Maltobots...roll out!"
:—'''Twitch''' puts a new spin on an old favorite.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Mandroid is a lot worse for wear than when he was last seen in "[[Age of Evolution, Part 2]]", coughing up some black substance and having become addicted to Energon. In addition to his disheveled, gaunt, appearance.
* Thrash compares the Terrans temporarily supercharged powers to how he felt after soaking in the waters of the cave from "[[Friends and Family]]", only much greater. Robby and Mo seem however to be turned off by just how powerful it felt.
* The "Maltobots" phrase was first used by Bumblebee in "[[Hashtag: Oops]]" and now seems to have been adopted by Twitch as the group's call-sign.

===Transformers references===

===Real-world references===

===Errors===

===Trivia===
* As with "[[Secret Legacy, Part 2]]" and "[[Age of Evolution, Part 2]]", most online distribution platforms do not list this episode separately from Part 1, instead choosing to combine both parts into a single 44-minute video.
[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Home, Part 1

2023-03-20T04:56:41Z

TBR: /* Transformers references */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 17
|image=GrimlockVsThrashAndJawbreaker HomePart1.jpg
|caption="Welcome to the Pits, Mutherfragger!"
|prev=Warzone
|next=Home, Part 2
|title="Home, Part 1"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Mae Catt]], [[Nicole Dubuc]], & [[Dale Malinowski]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[J.J. Conway]], [[Alex Kwan]], & [[Sebastian Montes]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/qT5PinxeumitcqIiZhFaTQTPApjHNoZo/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''The kids and Terrans sneak out for a night of fun in Philadelphia, but their dreams of visiting the big city transform into a nightmare '''
==Synopsis==
At an underground fighting arena, [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] dukes it out with [[Brawl (ES)|Brawl]] for the amusement of a crowd of humans. Emerging battered but victorious over the Decepticon brute, Bumblebee has little time to rest as his next hulking opponent is called into the arena.

At midnight in [[Philadelphia]], Mo and Robby are revealed to snuck out to the big city to give their [[Terran]] siblings a chance at experiencing more of the world. Overwhelmed by the new opportunities presented by city life the Terrans and Malto children depart in three groups to experience as much of the city as they can with Robby trying to remind everyone to meet back in two hours. Nightshade, having departed alone, follows a man who temporarily accosted the Terrans to discover him trying to commit a mugging. Going into flight-mode, Nightshade rescues the attempted mugging victim and flies off.

As [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]], [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]], and Mo race off they catch the attention of the a woman eyeing them up with interest. Approaching them to see if they're interested in seeing a "wrestling match", she lures the unsuspecting three to an underground fighting arena and forces Jawbreaker into the ring by himself. Meanwhile at a skating park Robby meets up with an old friend, Stevie, who he introduces to [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] and [[Twitch]]. Enjoying themselves for a bit, the two Terrans sister are however shocked to find anti-Transformers graffiti prominently displayed in the park. Hurt by the message and by Stevie's attempts to downplay it as only meaning "Decepticons", the three Malto family members depart. Back with Nightshade, they place their rescue victim down upon a building roof and observes on their purse a "she/they" pronouns badge. Introducing themselves as Nightshade and stating their own pronouns, the young woman introduces herself as Sam. Thanking Nightshade for saving them, Sam surveys the city with Nightshade agreeing with them on it's beauty but lamenting you can never tell on who to trust. When Sam notes they feel safe around other non-binary people, Nightshade takes note of the word "non-binary" and desribes it as a good word for how to desrcibe themselves.

Back at the fighting arena, Jawbreaker is shocked to find his "Bot Brawl" opponent is none other than Bumblebee. Shocked himself to see his former student there, instead of a life-and-death brawl the two decide to give their audience a staged wrestling match instead. Following the short "match" however a new one is quickly scheduled for Bumblebee to face off against the current reigning champion; [[Grimlock (ES)|Grimlock]]. Surprised to see the Dinobot, Bee is initially overjoyed to see his old friend as he's been working undercover to find him since he went missing months ago. The joy however quickly evaporates when Grimlock begins attacking him, seemingly unaware of who Bumblebee is. Rushing in to defend their mentor, Mo takes note of a mysterious badge under Grimlock's chin. Observing all this from the rafters is revealed to be the surviving Dr. Meridian/[[Mandroid]], taking glee at the available spare parts he now has from the losers of the Bot Brawl fights and how he's taken control of the mighty Grimlock. Back in the arena, Mo and the others quickly deduce the chip on Grimlock is what's controlling him, Bee and the Maltos work together to clear an opening for Thrash to disable Grimlock's control badge. Upon being freed from the badge, the Dinobot goes on a rampage in T-Rex mode scaring off the spectators and tearing the arena apart. Deciding to let Grimlock cool off, Bee and the others flee the arena as well.

Back with Robby, Twitch, and Hashtag, Robby assures his Terran sisters not to feel guilty about his disappointment with Stevie and Philadelphia's anti-Transformers bigotry. Soon rejoined by an exuberant Nightshade, they're all surprised to see Bumblebee returning in toe with Mo, Thrash, and Jawbreaker. Bumblebee informs them he has to back to help Grimlock but realizing he needs backup and that he can't wait for [[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus]], he asks the Terrans if they're ready for their first real Autobot mission.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] (1)
*[[Grimlock (ES)|Grimlock]] (3)

|c2=
*[[Brawl (ES)|Brawl]] (2)
*[[Nova Storm (ES)| Nova Storm]] (12)
*[[Frenzy (ES)| Frenzy]] (13)
*[[Laserbeak (ES)|Laserbeak]] (14)

|c3=
*[[Mo Malto]] (3)
*[[Robby Malto]] ((4)
*[[Sam (ES)|Sam]] (10)
*[[Stevie]] (11)
*[[Mandroid]] (15)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (5)
*[[Twitch]] (6)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (7)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (8)
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (9)

|h5=Others||c5=
*[[Arachnamech]]s (16)
}}

==Quotes==

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

===Transformers references===
* Deactivated Transformers hanging helplessly from the ceiling at the Bot Brawls brings to mind what [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] infamously did to the Autobots in the Marvel comics issue, "[[The New Order]]".
* Thrash calling a Time-Out in the fight with Grimlock, and the fact that it actually works, may be a reference to [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire's]] first interaction with Grimlock in [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|MTMTE issue 8]].
* Laserbeak talking isn't unheard of in the franchise but his smarmy wrestling style commentary duo with Frenzy seems to reference his "Statler and Waldorf"-type act with [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] in [[John Barber]]'s ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' comic series.

===Real-world references===
* Bumblebee is billed as from "Parts Unknown" when entering the Bot Brawl arena, "Parts Unknown" being a popular billing for wrestlers who have some sort of mystique to them, associated mainly with {{w|The Ultimate Warrior}}.
* When Jawbreaker enters the Bot Brawl arena, Nova Storm can be seen on the ground in the Family Guy Death Pose.
* One of the moves Bumblebee performs on Jawbreaker in their wrestling match is "The People's Elbow", the signature cocky move of [[Dwayne Johnson|Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson]].

===Errors===

===Trivia===
* As with "[[Secret Legacy, Part 1]]" and "[[Age of Evolution, Part 1]]", most online distribution platforms do not list this episode separately from Part 2, instead choosing to combine both parts into a single 44-minute video.

[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Home, Part 1

2023-03-20T04:55:43Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 17
|image=GrimlockVsThrashAndJawbreaker HomePart1.jpg
|caption="Welcome to the Pits, Mutherfragger!"
|prev=Warzone
|next=Home, Part 2
|title="Home, Part 1"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Mae Catt]], [[Nicole Dubuc]], & [[Dale Malinowski]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[J.J. Conway]], [[Alex Kwan]], & [[Sebastian Montes]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/qT5PinxeumitcqIiZhFaTQTPApjHNoZo/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''The kids and Terrans sneak out for a night of fun in Philadelphia, but their dreams of visiting the big city transform into a nightmare '''
==Synopsis==
At an underground fighting arena, [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] dukes it out with [[Brawl (ES)|Brawl]] for the amusement of a crowd of humans. Emerging battered but victorious over the Decepticon brute, Bumblebee has little time to rest as his next hulking opponent is called into the arena.

At midnight in [[Philadelphia]], Mo and Robby are revealed to snuck out to the big city to give their [[Terran]] siblings a chance at experiencing more of the world. Overwhelmed by the new opportunities presented by city life the Terrans and Malto children depart in three groups to experience as much of the city as they can with Robby trying to remind everyone to meet back in two hours. Nightshade, having departed alone, follows a man who temporarily accosted the Terrans to discover him trying to commit a mugging. Going into flight-mode, Nightshade rescues the attempted mugging victim and flies off.

As [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]], [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]], and Mo race off they catch the attention of the a woman eyeing them up with interest. Approaching them to see if they're interested in seeing a "wrestling match", she lures the unsuspecting three to an underground fighting arena and forces Jawbreaker into the ring by himself. Meanwhile at a skating park Robby meets up with an old friend, Stevie, who he introduces to [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] and [[Twitch]]. Enjoying themselves for a bit, the two Terrans sister are however shocked to find anti-Transformers graffiti prominently displayed in the park. Hurt by the message and by Stevie's attempts to downplay it as only meaning "Decepticons", the three Malto family members depart. Back with Nightshade, they place their rescue victim down upon a building roof and observes on their purse a "she/they" pronouns badge. Introducing themselves as Nightshade and stating their own pronouns, the young woman introduces herself as Sam. Thanking Nightshade for saving them, Sam surveys the city with Nightshade agreeing with them on it's beauty but lamenting you can never tell on who to trust. When Sam notes they feel safe around other non-binary people, Nightshade takes note of the word "non-binary" and desribes it as a good word for how to desrcibe themselves.

Back at the fighting arena, Jawbreaker is shocked to find his "Bot Brawl" opponent is none other than Bumblebee. Shocked himself to see his former student there, instead of a life-and-death brawl the two decide to give their audience a staged wrestling match instead. Following the short "match" however a new one is quickly scheduled for Bumblebee to face off against the current reigning champion; [[Grimlock (ES)|Grimlock]]. Surprised to see the Dinobot, Bee is initially overjoyed to see his old friend as he's been working undercover to find him since he went missing months ago. The joy however quickly evaporates when Grimlock begins attacking him, seemingly unaware of who Bumblebee is. Rushing in to defend their mentor, Mo takes note of a mysterious badge under Grimlock's chin. Observing all this from the rafters is revealed to be the surviving Dr. Meridian/[[Mandroid]], taking glee at the available spare parts he now has from the losers of the Bot Brawl fights and how he's taken control of the mighty Grimlock. Back in the arena, Mo and the others quickly deduce the chip on Grimlock is what's controlling him, Bee and the Maltos work together to clear an opening for Thrash to disable Grimlock's control badge. Upon being freed from the badge, the Dinobot goes on a rampage in T-Rex mode scaring off the spectators and tearing the arena apart. Deciding to let Grimlock cool off, Bee and the others flee the arena as well.

Back with Robby, Twitch, and Hashtag, Robby assures his Terran sisters not to feel guilty about his disappointment with Stevie and Philadelphia's anti-Transformers bigotry. Soon rejoined by an exuberant Nightshade, they're all surprised to see Bumblebee returning in toe with Mo, Thrash, and Jawbreaker. Bumblebee informs them he has to back to help Grimlock but realizing he needs backup and that he can't wait for [[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus]], he asks the Terrans if they're ready for their first real Autobot mission.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] (1)
*[[Grimlock (ES)|Grimlock]] (3)

|c2=
*[[Brawl (ES)|Brawl]] (2)
*[[Nova Storm (ES)| Nova Storm]] (12)
*[[Frenzy (ES)| Frenzy]] (13)
*[[Laserbeak (ES)|Laserbeak]] (14)

|c3=
*[[Mo Malto]] (3)
*[[Robby Malto]] ((4)
*[[Sam (ES)|Sam]] (10)
*[[Stevie]] (11)
*[[Mandroid]] (15)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (5)
*[[Twitch]] (6)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (7)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (8)
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (9)

|h5=Others||c5=
*[[Arachnamech]]s (16)
}}

==Quotes==

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

===Transformers references===
* Deactivated Transformers hanging helplessly from the ceiling at the Bot Brawls brings to mind what [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] infamously did to the Autobots in the Marvel comics issue, "[[The New Order]]".
* Thrash calling a Time-Out in the fight with Grimlock, and the fact that it actually works, may be a reference to [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire's]] first interaction with Grimlock in [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|MTMTE issue 8]].
* Laserbeak talking isn't unheard of in the franchise but his smarmy wrestling style commentary duo with Frenzy seems to reference his "Sadler and Waldorf "-type act with [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] in [[John Barber]]'s ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' comic series.

===Real-world references===
* Bumblebee is billed as from "Parts Unknown" when entering the Bot Brawl arena, "Parts Unknown" being a popular billing for wrestlers who have some sort of mystique to them, associated mainly with {{w|The Ultimate Warrior}}.
* When Jawbreaker enters the Bot Brawl arena, Nova Storm can be seen on the ground in the Family Guy Death Pose.
* One of the moves Bumblebee performs on Jawbreaker in their wrestling match is "The People's Elbow", the signature cocky move of [[Dwayne Johnson|Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson]].

===Errors===

===Trivia===
* As with "[[Secret Legacy, Part 1]]" and "[[Age of Evolution, Part 1]]", most online distribution platforms do not list this episode separately from Part 2, instead choosing to combine both parts into a single 44-minute video.

[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Breakdown (ES)

2023-03-20T04:50:05Z

TBR: /* EarthSpark cartoon */

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Breakdown}}

:''Breakdown is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Transformers: EarthSpark (franchise)|EarthSpark]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:EarthSparkBreakdown SecurityProtocols.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|He's the fastest 'Con alive]]]]

'''Breakdown''' lives up to his Stunticon heritage. He may be on the run from [[G.H.O.S.T.]] now that the war is over, but he won't let being a wanted criminal stop him from getting his thrills by joining any race he can. He's fortunate enough, however, to be joined by his old friend [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] in these races; it's the only time the two wanted Cybertronians have a chance to catch up. They may have ended up on opposite sides of the war, but getting the chance to score another win over his old friend makes up for any bad blood they may have.

==Fiction==
===''EarthSpark'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Roger Craig Smith]] (English)|[[Último de Carvalho]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}

Breakdown and Bumblebee were good friends back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] before the war, the two speed demons races against one another always ending with Breakdown victorious which he took great delight in lording over his friend. When the war between the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s broke out, the two found themselves on opposite sides of the conflict but for the most part remained on amicable terms. Following the end of the war and stranded on Earth with the destruction of the [[Space bridge]], Breakdown had to go on the run to evade capture by the forces of [[G.H.O.S.T.]] He often caught up with Bumblebee, also a fugitive of the law in the post-war world, at races across the world, which Breakdown as usual always won.

At one such race in [[Witwicky (place)|Witwicky]], [[Pennsylvania]], things got serious when Bumblebeee informed Breakdown that G.H.O.S.T. was hot on his trail and were scanning all vehicles partaking in the race for Cybertronian Energon signatures. Enticed, rather than alarmed, by the presence of G.H.O.S.T. Breakdown made a wager with his friend; if Bee could finally beat him in a race, Breakdown would stop partaking in races and lay low but if Breakdown won than he'd get Bumblebee's Energon suppressors that made it much easier for his friend to evade detection by G.H.O.S.T. With Breakdown not relenting, Bumblebee agreed.

Things seemed to first be going swimmingly when G.H.O.S.T. performed an Energon check on Bumblebee that turned up nothing and the human, [[Dot Malto]] pretending to be Bee's driver. However when [[Agent Croft]] ordered a more thorough scan of all the vehicles, Breakdown realized the jig was up and began trying to fight his way out. He came to Bumblebee's aide, forced to reveal himself to save some humans, and two began trying to outrace the G.H.O.S.T. forces in a bid to escape. While making their way towards the closest exit, Breakdown was incapacitated by a shot from [[Agent Croft]]. Taking stock of the situation, Breakdown realized there was no getting out of this and offered his friend one last race. Bumblebee, still focused on getting the both of them out, was taken a back when his friend sped off straight into the direction of the G.H.O.S.T. forces blocking their exit. Taking as many shots as he could, Breakdown used his momentum to hurl Bumblebee over the race track's walls and thus getting his friend to safety. As Bee tried to reach out to get Breakdown, the Stunticon only chuckled and lovingly mocked his friend for still being the slow one as he crashed to the surface beneath him. Knocked out, Breakdown was taken into custody by G.H.O.S.T. {{storylink|Security Protocols}}

==Notes==
* Breakdown's robot mode was designed by [[Nick Roche]].<ref name = "ES2">{{citesocial|quote=So, as far as I remember... Out of the new ones, I worked on the Bot mode for Breakdown, Bot mode for Grimlock... took passes at Nightshade and Dino Grim, but didn't make it (They're mostly Ciro's?) but Shockwave, Hashtag and Tarantulas started as my 2D designs!|link=https://twitter.com/NickRoche/status/1631974068445388803|site=Twitter|name=Nick Roche|year=2023|month=03|day=4}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category: Cartoon-only characters]]
[[Category: EarthSpark Decepticons]]

Warzone

2023-03-18T07:59:00Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 16
|image=ShockwaveVsMegatron Warzone.jpg
|caption=It is my logical opinion that you are sus
|prev=Bear Necessities
|next=Home, Part 1
|title="Warzone"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Greg Johnson]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[Matthew Humphreys]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/VsTWyXy8OBFGnWHlKRvVeeiRHJOdrKMi/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''Megatron gives the Maltos a history lesson on the end of the war...one that becomes all too real.'''

==Synopsis==
''In the final battle of the Transformers War, [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] and [[Optimus Prime (ES)| Optimus]] play hot potato with the [[AllSpark]] as they, and the rest of the Autobots, fight through the Decepticon Army in hopes of returning it to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Intercepting the AllSpark himself from [[Starscream (ES)|Starscream's]] clutches, [[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] just manages to toss the AllSpark back through the Spacebridge portal as Optimus fires off the shot that destroys said Spacebridge, and the AllSpark seemingly along with it.''

In the present, where the former battlefield is now a war memorial, [[Robby Malto|the Malto]] [[Mo Malto|siblings]] and [[Terran|Terrans]] playfully re-enact the final climatic battle but the fun comes to an end when [[Twitch]] tosses the trashcan they were uplaying with at Megatron which he instinctually destroys with his fusion cannon and then seemingly preparing to take aim at the Malto youths. Coming to his senses, Megatron apologizes for scaring them, saying this place brings back painful memories for him. Apologizing themselves for the game possibly being disrespectful to play at a war memorial, the Terrans inquire why he brought them here in the first place, which Megatron only responds with “learn”.

Taking the group to the center of the park where a holographic projection of the AllSpark appears covered in a type of blue flower, Megatron asks the Terrans what they think they’re looking at. After a poorly-timed photo-op by Hashtag, Robby and Mo inform their Terran siblings the flowers are [[Cybertronian remembrance flower]]s that absorb and represent the sparks of Autobots and Decepticons who died in the final battle. Megatron shares with them that the war had reached the point where it was destroying Transformers as a species and he finally became convinced of the error of his way thanks to their mother; [[Dot Malto|Dorothy]], claiming the greater compassion she showed for his own troops than he did reminded him of lost he’d become. Continuing the tour, Megatron then asks what the Terrans know of the AllSpark. Having still only limited info provided by [[Alex Malto|their father]], Megatron explains that as the source of life for all Cybertronians the AllSpark could also be used as a powerful weapon to create legions of new warriors in an instant. It was when the Decepticons moved the AllSpark off of Cybertron, depriving their planet of it’s life source, that Megatron realized the war had entered it’s darkest hour. Following Optimus' orders, Megatron had to sneak behind enemy lines to retrieve the AllSpark

''As Megatron attempts to sneak into the Decepticon’s base to retrieve the AllSpark, he is stopped by [[Shockwave (ES)|Shockwave]]. Trying to get his old friend to see reason, Megatron finds his efforts rebutted as Shockwave only responds all the losses so far will be all be worth it as the Decepticons will rule both Earth and Cybertron. Revealing his ultimate plan of bringing to life a massive [[Protoform]] army currently on Cybertron that will overwhelm the Autobots, Megatron realizes his old friend has gone too far and forcibly shoves Shockwave into a stasis pod while distracted. Shockwave only uttering a spiteful “traitor” insult as he slowly goes into forced stasis. Optimus and Bumblebee soon arrive on the scene, congratulating Megatron for getting the AllSpark, and all three depart to go return it to Cybertron''

Given the totality of the explosion caused when the Spacebridge was destroyed, Megatron’s greatest fear since the end of the war has been that with AllSpark's destruction, Cybertro itself was also destroyed. With the arrival of the Terrans however, his hope now being this new generation will able to find a better way towards the future than either the Autobots or Decepticons could. [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] however can only shake his head and walks off. Meanwhile, in the derelict Decepticon layer beneath the memorial, Shockwave’s stasis tube cracks open allowing the long-forgotten Decepticon to reactivate.

[[File:ShockwaveReawakens Warzone.jpg|thumb|left|300px|''No yesterday / No tomorrow / Just an everlasting now'']]
Thrash sits sullenly overlooking the names of those lost in the Great War as Mo comes to join him. Venting about what he feels is the unfair burden of having to clean up the mess caused by Megatron and the Decepticons in the war despite the fact the Terrans had nothing to do with it. Mo however points it’s probably more he doesn’t want them to fix his mistakes but not to make the same ones. Taken these words to heart, Thrash is ready go back and finish hearing Megatron’s lesson only for the moment to be interrupted by Shockwave blasting his way on the scene. Surveying the environment, Shockwave reacts with horror to see the Spacebridge destroyed and demands to know who’s responsible. Trying to prevent further escalation, Megatron informs Shockwave the war’s been over for years in the time since he was imprisoned. Refusing to listen, Shockwave grabs a hold of Thrash and keeps Megatron and the others at bay with the threat of the [[Immobilizer]]. Curious about these new lifeforms with Megatron, Shockwave performs a mind scan of Thrash only to react with horror and tosses Thrash to the ground, calling the Terran an abomination. Claiming the Terrans are the future of the species, Shockwave only scoffs and says he’ll betray them eventually just as he did the Decepticons and fires a blast at Megatron that sends him flying. [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]], [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]], and Twitch attempt to get Megatron out of the way of a shot from the Immobilizer that only hits them instead, locking them into stasis. An enraged Megatron battles it out with Shockwave with the latter activating both a personal energy shield that entraps the both of them and initiates an overload of the Spacebridge’s old power core chambers.

[[File:StasisLockedShockwave Warzone.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Shockwave's already getting ready for his [[Shockwave_(G1)/toys#Notes|"Shackwave"]] redeco]]

With three of them incapacitated and the power core chamber set to blow, [[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] deduces they might know a way to prevent the explosion and takes Thrash and Robby with them while Mo is ordered to say behind. Rushing into the inner layer of the Spacebridge chamber, Nightshade rushes towards the first wiring they see and tears it out. The power levels of the chamber beginning the drop, Nighshade sighing in relief they weren’t sure that was going to work while Robby and Thrash can only exasperate at such a simple solution. Above ground, Megatron is shot out of the sky by Shockwave and buried under some rubble. Gradually approaching his former leader, Shockwave stops to see Mo vainly trying to move the rubble off of Megatron. Amused, Shockwave offers the child an attempt to leave with Mo only standing definitely as Megatron uses the opportunity to fire off a shot of the Immobilizer at Shockwave, it having been knocked out of the latter’s grip earlier in the fight. Shockwave only snarls in a rage as he’s once again put into forced stasis. With Nightshade, Thrash, and Robby having disabled the rest of the power cores, Megatron uses the Immoblizer to release Hashtag, Twitch, and Jawbreaker.

As the morning approaches, the inert Shockwave is taken away by G.H.O.S.T. and the Terrans ask for one last bit of advice from Megatron before departing. Megatron telling them that there will come a day where they will have to reveal themselves to the world and imploring them to not let whatever disagreements they may have divide them and instead of trying to emulate their Autobot and Decepticon seniors to instead be better than them.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*''[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]]'' (1)
*''[[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]]'' (3)

|c2=
*''[[Shrapnel (ES)|Shrapnel]]'' (2)
*''[[Nova Storm (ES)|Nova Storm]]'' (4)
*''[[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]]'' (6)
*[[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] (7)
*''[[Soundwave (ES)|Soundwave]]'' (8)
*[[Shockwave (ES)|Shockwave]] (16)
|c3=
*''[[Dot Malto]]'' (5)
*[[Mo Malto]] (12)
*[[Robby Malto]] (13)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (9)
*[[Twitch]] (10)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (11)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (14)
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Twitch''': "And now I, Megatron, shall end this war!" 
'''Hashtag''': "You'll have to deal with Starscream first!." 
'''Nightshade''': "Wait!" ''(makes a time out gesture)'' "''You're'' Soundwave! ''I'm'' Starscream!''"

"You think you can just start over? With these lower class hybrids?" 
"''Class''? You have learned nothing!"
:—'''Shockwave''' gets called out by '''Megatron''' over forgetting the Decepticons' origins.

"When the day comes from you to emerge from hiding, expect harsh words from those who do not understand. Standup for yourselves, yes. But remember, do not let your disagreements divide you. The Decepticons and Autobots could have accomplished so much more had we remembered that. Do not do what we did...do better."
:—'''Megatron''' gives some words of advice to the next generation.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Megatron still bears a scar on the left side of his chest where [[Mandroid]] tried to surgically remove his arm in "[[Age of Evolution, Part 2]]".

===Transformers references===
* The [[AllSpark]] and the war fought over its life-giving properties have been a central component of many prior ''Transformers'' series. Its appearance in ''EarthSpark'' most resembles its appearance in the [[live-action film series]].
* Megatron refers to the final battle of the Transformers War with the AllSpark being in Decepticon hands as their "[[darkest hour]]".
* Megatron's disgust over Shockwave's "lower class" comment and his statement that he began the war so that "no one would kneel again" hearkens back to the class-based origins of the [[Great War (disambiguation)|Great War]] in many previous series, most notably the [[Aligned continuity family]] and the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
* The [[Cybertronian remembrance flower]]s that grow from the [[AllSpark]] are based on the flowers that first appear in [[The Not Knowing|issue 44]] of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets The Eye]]'', where they were planted on the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]]'s planet. While their appearance is visually identical, they work slightly differently; each flower represents an Autobot, Deception, and human who died during the battle, and are not linked to particular killers.
*What appears to be Blitzwing and Astrotrain (in space shuttle mode) cameo in some art depicting scenes from the Transformers' war on Earth. They are the only Decepticons featured in it who haven't appeared in the series proper.
* A new version of The Immobilizer is introduced in this episode. It debuted back in the original ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' cartoon and new versions of it showed up in ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime ]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]''. It largely seems to function identically to it's previous incarnations.
*Shockwave's tentacled claw and mind probe is very similar to the [[cortical psychic patch]] that first appeared in the [[Transformers:_Prime (cartoon)|''Prime'']] cartoon, in which it was created by the series' own resident [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]].

===Real-world references===
* Spacebridge Memorial Park seems to take inspiration from the {{w|Vietnam Veterans Memorial}}, specifically the black stone walls with the names of those who died in the war etched on to them.

===Errors===
*

===Trivia===
* For those wondering, none of the Ancient Autobot script on the memorial walls spell anything.

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Kriegsgebiet'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' March 9, 2023

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Zona di guerra'''" ("War zone")
:*''Original airdate:'' March 6, 2023

[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Bear Necessities

2023-03-18T07:57:04Z

TBR: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 15
|image=InfectedMotherBear Bear Necessities.jpg
|caption= ''EarthSpark'' was an unexpected avenue to announce a ''{{w|Cocaine Bear}}'' [[Transformers Collaborative|Collab]]
|prev=Security Protocols
|next=Warzone
|title="Bear Necessities"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writer=[[Isabel Galupo]]
|director= [[Alex Kwan]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/ypr7dyZ9mcDxMIGP4oFDVpaj7cx8dDRr/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''Mother's Day goes wrong when Twitch ends up kidnapping a baby bear, leading to the Maltos to discover a toxic threat in the woods of Witwicky.'''

==Synopsis==

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters

|c3=
* Delivery Man (1)
*[[Alex Malto]] (2)
*[[Dot Malto]] (3)
*[[Robby Malto]] (6)
*[[Mo Malto]] (4)
*[[Agent Croft]] (10)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (5)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (6)
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (7)
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (8)
*[[Twitch]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==
"Happy Mother's Day!" 
"Twitch, did you take a baby from the woods?!" 
"Hmm, when you say like that, it sounds like a bad thing"
:---'''Twitch''' learns about the concept of kidnapping from '''Dot'''.

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

===Transformers references===

===Real-world references===
*"Bear Necessities" is, of course, a reference to the song from the [[Disney]] adaptation of ''{{w|The Jungle Book (1967 film)|The Jungle Book}}''.

===Errors===

===Trivia===
* This is the first episode of the show to feature no [[Autobot]]s or [[Decepticon]]s.
[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Missed Connection

2023-03-18T07:53:27Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 13
|image=NightshadeAndTarantulasArguing MissedConnections.jpg
|caption="[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Octavius_(film_character) Hello, Peter.]"
|prev=Outtakes
|next=Security Protocols
|title="Missed Connection"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writer=[[Mae Catt]]
|director=
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[Matthew Humphreys]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/ODQxAIME9RIDYV7vDZ9OzHSTNJZOMS_t/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''Nightshade's more isolated nature leads them to make an unexpected new friend.'''

==Synopsis==

On a day of no school with most of the whole Malto family enjoying some time outside in the sun, [[Dot Malto|Dot]] wonders where [[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] is. Her question is soon answered with an explosion originating from the [[dugout]] beneath the family barn. All rushing inside to see one of Nightshade's inventions, the "Smart Trainer 5007", going haywire and shooting everything in site. Following [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] taking it out, Nightshade gets to work on a new one and inquires if any of their siblings would like to assist them. With most just going back outside, Dot and [[Alex Malto|Alex]] try to talk to Nightshade, assuring them their siblings do care for them even if they don't share Nightshade's interests. Seeing Nightshade could use some other interests, Alex offers the young Terran a favorite childhood book of his; "Winged Sentinel" by local [[Witwicky (place)|Witwicky]] author, D.E. O'Neil. Enraptured with the fantasy novel about daring heroes, Nightshade sets out to find O'Neil as they feel they have someone they can finally relate to.

Getting O'Neill's last known address thanks to [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]], Nightshade soon finds themself in a desolate graveyard where it turns out the last known address was O'Neill's burial site. Nightshade's attention however is soon taken by an odd lone human in the graveyard telling them to leave. Seeing the human is in fact a hologram, Nightshade follows it into what seems to be a secret laboratory hidden beneath the cemetery filled with Cybertronian and [[G.H.O.S.T.]]. tech. Nightshade is soon attacked by a giant mechanical spider ordering them to stay away from their work. Transforming to his bot mode and revealed to be a Decepticon, they soon realize Nightshade is still in their [[protoform]] body, and thus unaffiliated, and orders the young Terran to leave. Realizing this is rather un-Decepticon-like behavior, Nightshade introduces themself and the Decepticon introducing themselves as Tarantulas. Seeing that Tarantulas is working on some sort of human holographic projector, Nightshade points out that while it was good at projecting an image of a human it lacked the behavioral pattern in order to properly fit in. Nightshade deduces this was because Tarantulas was working from a purely Cybertronian perspective, rather than trying to integrate it with Earth technology. Amazed and pleased with this info, Tarantulas says he'll soon be able to complete this and successfully go into hiding to avoid capture by G.H.O.S.T.

Nightshade hurries back to the Malto farm to get the remains of the Smart Trainer and presents it to Tarantulas as something he can use for the parts to finish his holographic projector. Wondering what the catch is, Nightshades asks if they could provide assistance with working on it. Reluctantly agreeing, Nightshade eagerly rushes back into Tarantulas' lab. Nightshade asks why he would want to hide as a human, Tarantulas explains he'll be able to use the holographic projector to finally leave the Autobot/Decepticon war behind him. Comparing to it using an [[alternate mode]], Tarantulas also opens up the young Terrans eyes about the concept alternate modes; saying they're as much about expressing who you are than it is to "complete yourself". Taken in by these words, Nightshade boasts they'll use theirs to be a scientist and protector. Tarantulas can't but admire Nightshade's strong sense of self at such a young age.

Completing the mobile holographic projector after a day's work, Tarantulas offers Nightshade to come with him believing the war between the Autobots and Decepticons will soon erupt again. Thanking him, Nightshade declines however saying they still have obligations in Witwicky. Back at the Malto farm, Nightshade asks Dot about how the world came to accept Megatron's change of heart. Dot saying everyone deserves a second chance, though when Nightshades inquires about "Decepticons hiding in the shadows", Dot begins to wonder if Nightshade has been secretly meeting other Decepticons. All the while Tarantulas, in the form of his human avatar, can be seen observing them from a distance. Later that night, after misinterpreting a conversation between Dot and Alex, Tarantulas abducts the pair and takes them back to his lair. With the other Terrans and Malto children scrambling, Nightshade sneaks off having correctly realized it was Taranutlas.

Back at Tarantulas' lair he prevents an escape attempt by Dot and Alex, threatening them with a modified G.H.O.S.T. device capable of wiping the memories of organics. Nightshade soon arrives on scene, taking their parents and making a break for it. Tarantulas, doing this because he believes Nightshade is the Malto's prisoner, rushes after Nightshade imploring them to stay. Webbing up Nightshade and preparing to erase the Malto's memories, Nightshade scans the statue of a Sentinel Owl and upgrades their form with a new owl alt-mode. Engaging in a battle with Tarantulas, their newfound power of flight quickly gives them the advantage over the more experienced Tarantulas. With Bumblebee and the other Terrans arriving on scene, Bumblebee attempts to arrest Tarantulas but Nightshade explains this was all one big misunderstanding and asks everyone to give Tarantulas a second chance. Hashtag however soon alerts everyone that a G.H.O.S.T. unit is being dispatched to the area and they need to make a break for it. Seeing that Nightshade and their siblings are in hiding as much as he is, Tarantulas offers to lure G.H.O.S.T. away so the Maltos can escape undetected, saying he wants to make good on the second chance Nightshade is offering him.

Seeing that Tarantulas left behind the holographic projector, Nightshade departs with Alex as Tarantulas races through the forests trying to outpace G.H.O.S.T.'s helicopters.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] (8)

|c2=
*[[Tarantulas (ES)|Tarantulas]] (11)

|c3=
*[[Robby Malto]] (1)
*[[Mo Malto]] (2)
*[[Alex Malto]] (7)
*[[Dot Malto]] (9)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (3)
*[[Twitch]] (4)
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (5)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (6)
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (10)

}}

==Quotes==
"Then behold the Smart Trainer 5007!" 
"Why 5007?" 
"The first 5,006 tried to destroy me."
:—'''Nightshade''' does their best [[Wheeljack (ES)|Wheeljack]] impression when answering '''Twitch's''' question.

"But I don't want an alt-form." 
"You are a Transformer. An another mode is your birthright." 
"I see no need for one. Aren't I sufficient as I am?" 
"Young one, alt-forms aren't meant to complete you as though you have a missing part. They further express who you already are."
:—'''Nightshade''' learns from '''Tarantulas''' there's more to alt-modes than just changing your form.

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

===Transformers references===
* Tarantulas being portrayed as an ultimately sympathetic character was inspired by his depiction in ''[[The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers|Sins of the Wreckers]]''.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://twitter.com/MaeCatt/status/1631772264109838337|quote=More Earthspark episodes have dropped, including some written and story edited by me! As for Ep. 113, I wanted to give a special shout out to @NickRoche, whose impeccable comics featuring the Wreckers inspired me to pitch Tarantulas as that ep's foil to Nightshade.|name=Mae Catt|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=03|day=03}}</ref>

===Real-world references===
* D.E. O'Neil is named in reference to [[Denny O'Neil]].<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://twitter.com/MaeCatt/status/1633001702449381377|quote=That was intentional! I'm a huge fan of Denny O'Neil's work (especially for The Shadow), and given his connection to Transformers, I felt this would be an appropriate way to pay tribute.|name=Mae Catt|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=03|day=07}}</ref>
* "Winged Sentinel", D.E. O'Neil's novel being about a hero themed around a nocturnal flying animal seems like a reference to Denny O'Neill's [[Batman]] work.
* Nightshade's Smart Trainer 5007 bears a strong resemblance to the lightsaber training drone from ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]''.

===Errors===
*

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Warzone

2023-03-12T23:31:16Z

TBR:

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 16
|image=ShockwaveVsMegatron Warzone.jpg
|caption=It is my logical opinion that you are sus
|prev=Bear Necessities
|next=Home, Part 1
|title="Warzone"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Greg Johnson]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[Matthew Humphreys]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/VsTWyXy8OBFGnWHlKRvVeeiRHJOdrKMi/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''Megatron gives the Maltos a history lesson on the end of the war...one that becomes all too real.'''

==Synopsis==
''In the final battle of the Transformers War, [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] and [[Optimus Prime (ES)| Optimus]] play hot potato with the [[AllSpark]] as they, and the rest of the Autobots, fight through the Decepticon Army in hopes of returning it to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Intercepting the AllSpark himself from [[Starscream (ES)|Starscream's]] clutches, [[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] just manages to toss the AllSpark back through the Spacebridge portal as Optimus fires off the shot that destroys said Spacebridge, and the AllSpark seemingly along with it.''

In the present, where the former battlefield is now a war memorial, [[Robby Malto|the Malto]] [[Mo Malto|siblings]] and [[Terran|Terrans]] playfully re-enact the final climatic battle but the fun comes to an end when [[Twitch]] tosses the trashcan they were uplaying with at Megatron which he instinctually destroys with his fusion cannon and then seemingly preparing to take aim at the Malto youths. Coming to his senses, Megatron apologizes for scaring them, saying this place brings back painful memories for him. Apologizing themselves for the game possibly being disrespectful to play at a war memorial, the Terrans inquire why he brought them here in the first place, which Megatron only responds with “learn”.

Taking the group to the center of the park where a holographic projection of the AllSpark appears covered in a type of blue flower, Megatron asks the Terrans what they think they’re looking at. After a poorly-timed photo-op by Hashtag, Robby and Mo inform their Terran siblings the flowers are [[Cybertronian remembrance flower]]s that absorb and represent the sparks of Autobots and Decepticons who died in the final battle. Megatron shares with them that the war had reached the point where it was destroying Transformers as a species and he finally became convinced of the error of his way thanks to their mother; [[Dot Malto|Dorothy]], claiming the greater compassion she showed for his own troops than he did reminded him of lost he’d become. Continuing the tour, Megatron then asks what the Terrans know of the AllSpark. Having still only limited info provided by [[Alex Malto|their father]], Megatron explains that as the source of life for all Cybertronians the AllSpark could also be used as a powerful weapon to create legions of new warriors in an instant. It was when the Decepticons moved the AllSpark off of Cybertron, depriving their planet of it’s life source, that Megatron realized the war had entered it’s darkest hour. Following Optimus' orders, Megatron had to sneak behind enemy lines to retrieve the AllSpark

''As Megatron attempts to sneak into the Decepticon’s base to retrieve the AllSpark, he is stopped by [[Shockwave (ES)|Shockwave]]. Trying to get his old friend to see reason, Megatron finds his efforts rebutted as Shockwave only responds all the losses so far will be all be worth it as the Decepticons will rule both Earth and Cybertron. Revealing his ultimate plan of bringing to life a massive [[Protoform]] army currently on Cybertron that will overwhelm the Autobots, Megatron realizes his old friend has gone too far and forcibly shoves Shockwave into a stasis pod while distracted. Shockwave only uttering a spiteful “traitor” insult as he slowly goes into forced stasis. Optimus and Bumblebee soon arrive on the scene, congratulating Megatron for getting the AllSpark, and all three depart to go return it to Cybertron''

Given the totality of the explosion caused when the Spacebridge was destroyed, Megatron’s greatest fear since the end of the war has been that the AllSpark was destroyed with it, and Cybertron presumably along with it. With the arrival of the Terrans however, his hope now being this new generation will able to find a better way towards the future than either the Autobots or Decepticons could. [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]], who has been repeatedly questioning what any of this has to do with the Terrans, can only shake his head and walks off. Meanwhile, in the underground derelict Decepticon layer beneath the memorial, Shockwave’s stasis tube cracks open allowing the long-forgotten Decepticon to reactivate.

Thrash meanwhile sits sullenly overlooking the names of those lost in the Great War as Mo comes to join him. Venting about what he feels is the unfair burden of having to clean up the mess caused by Megatron and the Decepticons in the war despite the fact the Terrans had nothing to do with it. Mo however points it’s probably more he doesn’t want them to fix his mistakes but not to make the same ones. Taken these words to heart, Thrash is ready go back and finish hearing Megatron’s lesson only for the moment to be interrupted by Shockwave blasting his way on the scene.

Surveying the environment, Shockwave reacts with horror to see the Spacebridge destroyed and demands to know who’s responsible. Trying to prevent further escalation, Megatron informs Shockwave the war’s been over for years in the time since he was imprisoned. Refusing to listen, Shockwave grabs a hold of Thrash and keeps Megatron and the others at bay with the threat of the [[Immobilizer]]. Curious about these new lifeforms Megatron seems to have some relationship with, Shockwave performs a mind scan of Thrash only to react with horror and tosses Thrash to the ground, calling the Terran an abomination. Claiming the Terrans are the future of the species, Shockwave only scoffs and says he’ll betray them eventually just as he did the Decepticons and fires a blast at Megatron that sends him flying. [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]], [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]], and Twitch attempt to get Megatron out of the way of a shot from the Immobilizer that only hits them instead, locking them into stasis. An enraged Megatron battles it out with Shockwave with the latter activating both a personal energy shield that entraps the both of them and initiates an overload of the Spacebridge’s old power core chambers.

[[File:StasisLockedShockwave Warzone.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Shockwave's already getting ready for his [[Shockwave_(G1)/toys#Notes|"Shackwave"]] redeco]]

With three of them incapacitated and the power core chamber set to blow, [[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] deduces they might know a way to prevent the explosion and takes Thrash and Robby with them while Mo is ordered to say behind. Rushing into the inner layer of the Spacebridge chamber, Nightshade rushes towards the first wiring they see and tears it out. The power levels of the chamber beginning the drop, Nighshade sighing in relief they weren’t sure that was going to work while Robby and Thrash can only exasperate at such a simple solution. Above ground, Megatron is shot out of the sky by Shockwave and buried under some rubble. Gradually approaching his former leader, Shockwave stops to see Mo vainly trying to move the rubble off of Megatron. Amused, Shockwave offers the child an attempt to leave with Mo only standing definitely as Megatron uses the opportunity to fire off a shot of the Immobilizer at Shockwave, it having been knocked out of the latter’s grip earlier in the fight. Shockwave only snarls in a rage as he’s once again put into forced stasis. With Nightshade, Thrash, and Robby having disabled the rest of the power cores, Megatron uses the Immoblizer to release Hashtag, Twitch, and Jawbreaker.

As the morning approaches, the inert Shockwave is taken away by G.H.O.S.T. and the Terrans ask for one last bit of advice from Megatron before departing. Megatron telling them that there will come a day where they will have to reveal themselves to the world and imploring them to not let whatever disagreements they may have divide them and instead of trying to emulate their Autobot and Decepticon seniors to instead be better than them.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*''[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]]'' (1)
*''[[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]]'' (3)

|c2=
*''[[Shrapnel (ES)|Shrapnel]]'' (2)
*''[[Nova Storm (ES)|Nova Storm]]'' (4)
*''[[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]]'' (6)
*[[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] (7)
*''[[Soundwave (ES)|Soundwave]]'' (8)
*[[Shockwave (ES)|Shockwave]] (16)
|c3=
*''[[Dot Malto]]'' (5)
*[[Mo Malto]] (12)
*[[Robby Malto]] (13)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (9)
*[[Twitch]] (10)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (11)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (14)
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==

'''Twitch''': "And now I, Megatron, shall end this war!" 
'''Hashtag''': "You'll have to deal with Starscream first!." 
'''Nightshade''': "Wait!" ''(makes a time out gesture)'' "''You're'' Soundwave! ''I'm'' Starscream!''"

"You think you can just start over? With these lower class hybrids?" 
"''Class''? You have learned nothing!"
:-'''Shockwave''' gets called out by '''Megatron''' over forgetting the Decepticons' origins.

"When the day comes from you to emerge from hiding, expect harsh words from those who do not understand. Standup for yourselves, yes. But remember, do not let your disagreements divide you. The Decepticons and Autobots could have accomplished so much more had we remembered that. Do not do what we did...do better."
:—'''Megatron''' gives some words of advice to the next generation.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Megatron still bears a scar on the left side of his chest where [[Mandroid]] tried to surgically remove his arm in "[[Age of Evolution, Part 2]]".

===Transformers references===
* The [[AllSpark]] and the war fought over its life-giving properties have been a central component of many prior ''Transformers'' series. Its appearance in ''EarthSpark'' most resembles its appearance in the [[live-action film series]].
* Megatron refers to the final battle of the Transformers War with the AllSpark being in Decepticon hands as their "[[darkest hour]]".
* Megatron's disgust over Shockwave's "lower class" comment and his statement that he began the war so that "no one would kneel again" hearkens back to the class-based origins of the [[Great War (disambiguation)|Great War]] in many previous series, most notably the [[Aligned continuity family]] and the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
* The [[Cybertronian remembrance flower]]s that grow from the [[AllSpark]] are based on the flowers that first appear in [[The Not Knowing|issue 44]] of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets The Eye]]'', where they were planted on the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]]'s planet. While their appearance is visually identical, they work slightly differently; each flower represents an Autobot, Deception, and human who died during the battle, and are not linked to particular killers.
*What appears to be Blitzwing and Astrotrain (in space shuttle mode) cameo in some art depicting scenes from the Transformers' war on Earth. They are the only Decepticons featured in it who haven't appeared in the series proper.
* A new version of The Immobilizer is introduced in this episode. It debuted back in the original ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' cartoon and new versions of it showed up in ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime ]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]''. It largely seems to function identically to it's previous incarnations.
*Shockwave's tentacled claw and mind probe is very similar to the [[cortical psychic patch]] that first appeared in the [[Transformers:_Prime (cartoon)|''Prime'']] cartoon, in which it was created by the series' own resident [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]].

===Real-world references===
* Spacebridge Memorial Park seems to take inspiration from the {{w|Vietnam Veterans Memorial}}, specifically the black stone walls with the names of those who died in the war etched on to them.

===Errors===
*

===Trivia===
* For those wondering, none of the Ancient Autobot script on the memorial walls spell anything.

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Kriegsgebiet'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' March 9, 2023

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Zona di guerra'''" ("War zone")
:*''Original airdate:'' March 6, 2023

[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Warzone

2023-03-12T23:30:16Z

TBR:

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 16
|image=ShockwaveVsMegatron Warzone.jpg
|prev=Bear Necessities
|next=Home, Part 1
|title="Warzone"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Greg Johnson]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[Matthew Humphreys]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/VsTWyXy8OBFGnWHlKRvVeeiRHJOdrKMi/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''Megatron gives the Maltos a history lesson on the end of the war...one that becomes all too real.'''

==Synopsis==
''In the final battle of the Transformers War, [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] and [[Optimus Prime (ES)| Optimus]] play hot potato with the [[AllSpark]] as they, and the rest of the Autobots, fight through the Decepticon Army in hopes of returning it to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Intercepting the AllSpark himself from [[Starscream (ES)|Starscream's]] clutches, [[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] just manages to toss the AllSpark back through the Spacebridge portal as Optimus fires off the shot that destroys said Spacebridge, and the AllSpark seemingly along with it.''

In the present, where the former battlefield is now a war memorial, [[Robby Malto|the Malto]] [[Mo Malto|siblings]] and [[Terran|Terrans]] playfully re-enact the final climatic battle but the fun comes to an end when [[Twitch]] tosses the trashcan they were uplaying with at Megatron which he instinctually destroys with his fusion cannon and then seemingly preparing to take aim at the Malto youths. Coming to his senses, Megatron apologizes for scaring them, saying this place brings back painful memories for him. Apologizing themselves for the game possibly being disrespectful to play at a war memorial, the Terrans inquire why he brought them here in the first place, which Megatron only responds with “learn”.

Taking the group to the center of the park where a holographic projection of the AllSpark appears covered in a type of blue flower, Megatron asks the Terrans what they think they’re looking at. After a poorly-timed photo-op by Hashtag, Robby and Mo inform their Terran siblings the flowers are [[Cybertronian remembrance flower]]s that absorb and represent the sparks of Autobots and Decepticons who died in the final battle. Megatron shares with them that the war had reached the point where it was destroying Transformers as a species and he finally became convinced of the error of his way thanks to their mother; [[Dot Malto|Dorothy]], claiming the greater compassion she showed for his own troops than he did reminded him of lost he’d become. Continuing the tour, Megatron then asks what the Terrans know of the AllSpark. Having still only limited info provided by [[Alex Malto|their father]], Megatron explains that as the source of life for all Cybertronians the AllSpark could also be used as a powerful weapon to create legions of new warriors in an instant. It was when the Decepticons moved the AllSpark off of Cybertron, depriving their planet of it’s life source, that Megatron realized the war had entered it’s darkest hour. Following Optimus' orders, Megatron had to sneak behind enemy lines to retrieve the AllSpark

''As Megatron attempts to sneak into the Decepticon’s base to retrieve the AllSpark, he is stopped by [[Shockwave (ES)|Shockwave]]. Trying to get his old friend to see reason, Megatron finds his efforts rebutted as Shockwave only responds all the losses so far will be all be worth it as the Decepticons will rule both Earth and Cybertron. Revealing his ultimate plan of bringing to life a massive [[Protoform]] army currently on Cybertron that will overwhelm the Autobots, Megatron realizes his old friend has gone too far and forcibly shoves Shockwave into a stasis pod while distracted. Shockwave only uttering a spiteful “traitor” insult as he slowly goes into forced stasis. Optimus and Bumblebee soon arrive on the scene, congratulating Megatron for getting the AllSpark, and all three depart to go return it to Cybertron''

Given the totality of the explosion caused when the Spacebridge was destroyed, Megatron’s greatest fear since the end of the war has been that the AllSpark was destroyed with it, and Cybertron presumably along with it. With the arrival of the Terrans however, his hope now being this new generation will able to find a better way towards the future than either the Autobots or Decepticons could. [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]], who has been repeatedly questioning what any of this has to do with the Terrans, can only shake his head and walks off. Meanwhile, in the underground derelict Decepticon layer beneath the memorial, Shockwave’s stasis tube cracks open allowing the long-forgotten Decepticon to reactivate.

Thrash meanwhile sits sullenly overlooking the names of those lost in the Great War as Mo comes to join him. Venting about what he feels is the unfair burden of having to clean up the mess caused by Megatron and the Decepticons in the war despite the fact the Terrans had nothing to do with it. Mo however points it’s probably more he doesn’t want them to fix his mistakes but not to make the same ones. Taken these words to heart, Thrash is ready go back and finish hearing Megatron’s lesson only for the moment to be interrupted by Shockwave blasting his way on the scene.

Surveying the environment, Shockwave reacts with horror to see the Spacebridge destroyed and demands to know who’s responsible. Trying to prevent further escalation, Megatron informs Shockwave the war’s been over for years in the time since he was imprisoned. Refusing to listen, Shockwave grabs a hold of Thrash and keeps Megatron and the others at bay with the threat of the [[Immobilizer]]. Curious about these new lifeforms Megatron seems to have some relationship with, Shockwave performs a mind scan of Thrash only to react with horror and tosses Thrash to the ground, calling the Terran an abomination. Claiming the Terrans are the future of the species, Shockwave only scoffs and says he’ll betray them eventually just as he did the Decepticons and fires a blast at Megatron that sends him flying. [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]], [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]], and Twitch attempt to get Megatron out of the way of a shot from the Immobilizer that only hits them instead, locking them into stasis. An enraged Megatron battles it out with Shockwave with the latter activating both a personal energy shield that entraps the both of them and initiates an overload of the Spacebridge’s old power core chambers.

[[File:StasisLockedShockwave Warzone.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Shockwave's already getting ready for his [[Shockwave_(G1)/toys#Notes|"Shackwave"]] redeco]]

With three of them incapacitated and the power core chamber set to blow, [[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] deduces they might know a way to prevent the explosion and takes Thrash and Robby with them while Mo is ordered to say behind. Rushing into the inner layer of the Spacebridge chamber, Nightshade rushes towards the first wiring they see and tears it out. The power levels of the chamber beginning the drop, Nighshade sighing in relief they weren’t sure that was going to work while Robby and Thrash can only exasperate at such a simple solution. Above ground, Megatron is shot out of the sky by Shockwave and buried under some rubble. Gradually approaching his former leader, Shockwave stops to see Mo vainly trying to move the rubble off of Megatron. Amused, Shockwave offers the child an attempt to leave with Mo only standing definitely as Megatron uses the opportunity to fire off a shot of the Immobilizer at Shockwave, it having been knocked out of the latter’s grip earlier in the fight. Shockwave only snarls in a rage as he’s once again put into forced stasis. With Nightshade, Thrash, and Robby having disabled the rest of the power cores, Megatron uses the Immoblizer to release Hashtag, Twitch, and Jawbreaker.

As the morning approaches, the inert Shockwave is taken away by G.H.O.S.T. and the Terrans ask for one last bit of advice from Megatron before departing. Megatron telling them that there will come a day where they will have to reveal themselves to the world and imploring them to not let whatever disagreements they may have divide them and instead of trying to emulate their Autobot and Decepticon seniors to instead be better than them.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*''[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]]'' (1)
*''[[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]]'' (3)

|c2=
*''[[Shrapnel (ES)|Shrapnel]]'' (2)
*''[[Nova Storm (ES)|Nova Storm]]'' (4)
*''[[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]]'' (6)
*[[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] (7)
*''[[Soundwave (ES)|Soundwave]]'' (8)
*[[Shockwave (ES)|Shockwave]] (16)
|c3=
*''[[Dot Malto]]'' (5)
*[[Mo Malto]] (12)
*[[Robby Malto]] (13)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (9)
*[[Twitch]] (10)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (11)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (14)
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==

'''Twitch''': "And now I, Megatron, shall end this war!" 
'''Hashtag''': "You'll have to deal with Starscream first!." 
'''Nightshade''': "Wait!" ''(makes a time out gesture)'' "''You're'' Soundwave! ''I'm'' Starscream!''"

"You think you can just start over? With these lower class hybrids?" 
"''Class''? You have learned nothing!"
:-'''Shockwave''' gets called out by '''Megatron''' over forgetting the Decepticons' origins.

"When the day comes from you to emerge from hiding, expect harsh words from those who do not understand. Standup for yourselves, yes. But remember, do not let your disagreements divide you. The Decepticons and Autobots could have accomplished so much more had we remembered that. Do not do what we did...do better."
:—'''Megatron''' gives some words of advice to the next generation.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Megatron still bears a scar on the left side of his chest where [[Mandroid]] tried to surgically remove his arm in "[[Age of Evolution, Part 2]]".

===Transformers references===
* The [[AllSpark]] and the war fought over its life-giving properties have been a central component of many prior ''Transformers'' series. Its appearance in ''EarthSpark'' most resembles its appearance in the [[live-action film series]].
* Megatron refers to the final battle of the Transformers War with the AllSpark being in Decepticon hands as their "[[darkest hour]]".
* Megatron's disgust over Shockwave's "lower class" comment and his statement that he began the war so that "no one would kneel again" hearkens back to the class-based origins of the [[Great War (disambiguation)|Great War]] in many previous series, most notably the [[Aligned continuity family]] and the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
* The [[Cybertronian remembrance flower]]s that grow from the [[AllSpark]] are based on the flowers that first appear in [[The Not Knowing|issue 44]] of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets The Eye]]'', where they were planted on the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]]'s planet. While their appearance is visually identical, they work slightly differently; each flower represents an Autobot, Deception, and human who died during the battle, and are not linked to particular killers.
*What appears to be Blitzwing and Astrotrain (in space shuttle mode) cameo in some art depicting scenes from the Transformers' war on Earth. They are the only Decepticons featured in it who haven't appeared in the series proper.
* A new version of The Immobilizer is introduced in this episode. It debuted back in the original ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' cartoon and new versions of it showed up in ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime ]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]''. It largely seems to function identically to it's previous incarnations.
*Shockwave's tentacled claw and mind probe is very similar to the [[cortical psychic patch]] that first appeared in the [[Transformers:_Prime (cartoon)|''Prime'']] cartoon, in which it was created by the series' own resident [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]].

===Real-world references===
* Spacebridge Memorial Park seems to take inspiration from the {{w|Vietnam Veterans Memorial}}, specifically the black stone walls with the names of those who died in the war etched on to them.

===Errors===
*

===Trivia===
* For those wondering, none of the Ancient Autobot script on the memorial walls spell anything.

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Kriegsgebiet'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' March 9, 2023

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Zona di guerra'''" ("War zone")
:*''Original airdate:'' March 6, 2023

[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Warzone

2023-03-12T23:28:20Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 16
|image=ShockwaveVsMegatron Warzone.jpg
|prev=Bear Necessities
|next=Home, Part 1
|title="Warzone"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Greg Johnson]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[Matthew Humphreys]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/VsTWyXy8OBFGnWHlKRvVeeiRHJOdrKMi/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''Megatron gives the Maltos a history lesson on the end of the war...one that becomes all too real.'''

==Synopsis==
''In the final battle of the Transformers War, [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] and [[Optimus Prime (ES)| Optimus]] play hot potato with the [[AllSpark]] as they, and the rest of the Autobots, fight through the Decepticon Army in hopes of returning it to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Intercepting the AllSpark himself from [[Starscream (ES)|Starscream's]] clutches, [[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] just manages to toss the AllSpark back through the Spacebridge portal as Optimus fires off the shot that destroys said Spacebridge, and the AllSpark seemingly along with it.''

In the present, where the former battlefield is now a war memorial, [[Robby Malto|the Malto]] [[Mo Malto|siblings]] and [[Terran|Terrans]] playfully re-enact the final climatic battle but the fun comes to an end when [[Twitch]] tosses the trashcan they were uplaying with at Megatron which he instinctually destroys with his fusion cannon and then seemingly preparing to take aim at the Malto youths. Coming to his senses, Megatron apologizes for scaring them, saying this place brings back painful memories for him. Apologizing themselves for the game possibly being disrespectful to play at a war memorial, the Terrans inquire why he brought them here in the first place, which Megatron only responds with “learn”.

Taking the group to the center of the park where a holographic projection of the AllSpark appears covered in a type of blue flower, Megatron asks the Terrans what they think they’re looking at. After a poorly-timed photo-op by Hashtag, Robby and Mo inform their Terran siblings the flowers are [[Cybertronian remembrance flower]]s that absorb and represent the sparks of Autobots and Decepticons who died in the final battle. Megatron shares with them that the war had reached the point where it was destroying Transformers as a species and he finally became convinced of the error of his way thanks to their mother; [[Dot Malto|Dorothy]], claiming the greater compassion she showed for his own troops than he did reminded him of lost he’d become. Continuing the tour, Megatron then asks what the Terrans know of the AllSpark. Having still only limited info provided by [[Alex Malto|their father]], Megatron explains that as the source of life for all Cybertronians the AllSpark could also be used as a powerful weapon to create legions of new warriors in an instant. It was when the Decepticons moved the AllSpark off of Cybertron, depriving their planet of it’s life source, that Megatron realized the war had entered it’s darkest hour. Following Optimus' orders, Megatron had to sneak behind enemy lines to retrieve the AllSpark

''As Megatron attempts to sneak into the Decepticon’s base to retrieve the AllSpark, he is stopped by [[Shockwave (ES)|Shockwave]]. Trying to get his old friend to see reason, Megatron finds his efforts rebutted as Shockwave only responds all the losses so far will be all be worth it as the Decepticons will rule both Earth and Cybertron. Revealing his ultimate plan of bringing to life a massive [[Protoform]] army currently on Cybertron that will overwhelm the Autobots, Megatron realizes his old friend has gone too far and forcibly shoves Shockwave into a stasis pod while distracted. Shockwave only uttering a spiteful “traitor” insult as he slowly goes into forced stasis. Optimus and Bumblebee soon arrive on the scene, congratulating Megatron for getting the AllSpark, and all three depart to go return it to Cybertron''

Given the totality of the explosion caused when the Spacebridge was destroyed, Megatron’s greatest fear since the end of the war has been that the AllSpark was destroyed with it, and Cybertron presumably along with it. With the arrival of the Terrans however, his hope now being this new generation will able to find a better way towards the future than either the Autobots or Decepticons could. [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]], who has been repeatedly questioning what any of this has to do with the Terrans, can only shake his head and walks off. Meanwhile, in the underground derelict Decepticon layer beneath the memorial, Shockwave’s stasis tube cracks open allowing the long-forgotten Decepticon to reactivate.

Thrash meanwhile sits sullenly overlooking the names of those lost in the Great War as Mo comes to join him. Venting about what he feels is the unfair burden of having to clean up the mess caused by Megatron and the Decepticons in the war despite the fact the Terrans had nothing to do with it. Mo however points it’s probably more he doesn’t want them to fix his mistakes but not to make the same ones. Taken these words to heart, Thrash is ready go back and finish hearing Megatron’s lesson only for the moment to be interrupted by Shockwave blasting his way on the scene.

Surveying the environment, Shockwave reacts with horror to see the Spacebridge destroyed and demands to know who’s responsible. Trying to prevent further escalation, Megatron informs Shockwave the war’s been over for years in the time since he was imprisoned. Refusing to listen, Shockwave grabs a hold of Thrash and keeps Megatron and the others at bay with the threat of [[The Immobilizer]]. Curious about these new lifeforms Megatron seems to have some relationship with, Shockwave performs a mind scan of Thrash only to react with horror and tosses Thrash to the ground, calling the Terran an abomination. Claiming the Terrans are the future of the species, Shockwave only scoffs and says he’ll betray them eventually just as he did the Decepticons and fires a blast at Megatron that sends him flying. [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]], [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]], and Twitch attempt to get Megatron out of the way of a shot from the Immobilizer that only hits them instead, locking them into stasis. An enraged Megatron battles it out with Shockwave with the latter activating both a personal energy shield that entraps the both of them and initiates an overload of the Spacebridge’s old power core chambers.

[[File:StasisLockedShockwave Warzone.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Shockwave's already getting ready for his [[Shockwave_(G1)/toys#Notes|"Shackwave"]] redeco]]

With three of them incapacitated and the power core chamber set to blow, [[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] deduces they might know a way to prevent the explosion and takes Thrash and Robby with them while Mo is ordered to say behind. Rushing into the inner layer of the Spacebridge chamber, Nightshade rushes towards the first wiring they see and tears it out. The power levels of the chamber beginning the drop, Nighshade sighing in relief they weren’t sure that was going to work while Robby and Thrash can only exasperate at such a simple solution. Above ground, Megatron is shot out of the sky by Shockwave and buried under some rubble. Gradually approaching his former leader, Shockwave stops to see Mo vainly trying to move the rubble off of Megatron. Amused, Shockwave offers the child an attempt to leave with Mo only standing definitely as Megatron uses the opportunity to fire off a shot of the Immobilizer at Shockwave, it having been knocked out of the latter’s grip earlier in the fight. Shockwave only snarls in a rage as he’s once again put into forced stasis. With Nightshade, Thrash, and Robby having disabled the rest of the power cores, Megatron uses the Immoblizer to release Hashtag, Twitch, and Jawbreaker.

As the morning approaches, the inert Shockwave is taken away by G.H.O.S.T. and the Terrans ask for one last bit of advice from Megatron before departing. Megatron telling them that there will come a day where they will have to reveal themselves to the world and imploring them to not let whatever disagreements they may have divide them and instead of trying to emulate their Autobot and Decepticon seniors to instead be better than them.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*''[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]]'' (1)
*''[[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]]'' (3)

|c2=
*''[[Shrapnel (ES)|Shrapnel]]'' (2)
*''[[Nova Storm (ES)|Nova Storm]]'' (4)
*''[[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]]'' (6)
*[[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] (7)
*''[[Soundwave (ES)|Soundwave]]'' (8)
*[[Shockwave (ES)|Shockwave]] (16)
|c3=
*''[[Dot Malto]]'' (5)
*[[Mo Malto]] (12)
*[[Robby Malto]] (13)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (9)
*[[Twitch]] (10)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (11)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (14)
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==

'''Twitch''': "And now I, Megatron, shall end this war!" 
'''Hashtag''': "You'll have to deal with Starscream first!." 
'''Nightshade''': "Wait!" ''(makes a time out gesture)'' "''You're'' Soundwave! ''I'm'' Starscream!''"

"You think you can just start over? With these lower class hybrids?" 
"''Class''? You have learned nothing!"
:-'''Shockwave''' gets called out by '''Megatron''' over forgetting the Decepticons' origins.

"When the day comes from you to emerge from hiding, expect harsh words from those who do not understand. Standup for yourselves, yes. But remember, do not let your disagreements divide you. The Decepticons and Autobots could have accomplished so much more had we remembered that. Do not do what we did...do better."
:—'''Megatron''' gives some words of advice to the next generation.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Megatron still bears a scar on the left side of his chest where [[Mandroid]] tried to surgically remove his arm in "[[Age of Evolution, Part 2]]".

===Transformers references===
* The [[AllSpark]] and the war fought over its life-giving properties have been a central component of many prior ''Transformers'' series. Its appearance in ''EarthSpark'' most resembles its appearance in the [[live-action film series]].
* Megatron refers to the final battle of the Transformers War with the AllSpark being in Decepticon hands as their "[[darkest hour]]".
* Megatron's disgust over Shockwave's "lower class" comment and his statement that he began the war so that "no one would kneel again" hearkens back to the class-based origins of the [[Great War (disambiguation)|Great War]] in many previous series, most notably the [[Aligned continuity family]] and the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
* The [[Cybertronian remembrance flower]]s that grow from the [[AllSpark]] are based on the flowers that first appear in [[The Not Knowing|issue 44]] of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets The Eye]]'', where they were planted on the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]]'s planet. While their appearance is visually identical, they work slightly differently; each flower represents an Autobot, Deception, and human who died during the battle, and are not linked to particular killers.
*What appears to be Blitzwing and Astrotrain (in space shuttle mode) cameo in some art depicting scenes from the Transformers' war on Earth. They are the only Decepticons featured in it who haven't appeared in the series proper.
* A new version of The Immobilizer is introduced in this episode. It debuted back in the original ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' cartoon and new versions of it showed up in ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime ]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]''. It largely seems to function identically to it's previous incarnations.
*Shockwave's tentacled claw and mind probe is very similar to the [[cortical psychic patch]] that first appeared in the [[Transformers:_Prime (cartoon)|''Prime'']] cartoon, in which it was created by the series' own resident [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]].

===Real-world references===
* Spacebridge Memorial Park seems to take inspiration from the {{w|Vietnam Veterans Memorial}}, specifically the black stone walls with the names of those who died in the war etched on to them.

===Errors===
*

===Trivia===
* For those wondering, none of the Ancient Autobot script on the memorial walls spell anything.

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Kriegsgebiet'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' March 9, 2023

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Zona di guerra'''" ("War zone")
:*''Original airdate:'' March 6, 2023

[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Warzone

2023-03-12T23:27:54Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 16
|image=ShockwaveVsMegatron Warzone.jpg
|prev=Bear Necessities
|next=Home, Part 1
|title="Warzone"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Greg Johnson]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[Matthew Humphreys]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/VsTWyXy8OBFGnWHlKRvVeeiRHJOdrKMi/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''Megatron gives the Maltos a history lesson on the end of the war...one that becomes all too real.'''

==Synopsis==
''In the final battle of the Transformers War, [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] and [[Optimus Prime (ES)| Optimus]] play hot potato with the [[AllSpark]] as they, and the rest of the Autobots, fight through the Decepticon Army in hopes of returning it to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Intercepting the AllSpark himself from [[Starscream (ES)|Starscream's]] clutches, [[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] just manages to toss the AllSpark back through the Spacebridge portal as Optimus fires off the shot that destroys said Spacebridge, and the AllSpark seemingly along with it.''

In the present, where the former battlefield is now a war memorial, [[Robby Malto|the Malto]] [[Mo Malto|siblings]] and [[Terran|Terrans]] playfully re-enact the final climatic battle but the fun comes to an end when [[Twitch]] tosses the trashcan they were uplaying with at Megatron which he instinctually destroys with his fusion cannon and then seemingly preparing to take aim at the Malto youths. Coming to his senses, Megatron apologizes for scaring them, saying this place brings back painful memories for him. Apologizing themselves for the game possibly being disrespectful to play at a war memorial, the Terrans inquire why he brought them here in the first place, which Megatron only responds with “learn”.

Taking the group to the center of the park where a holographic projection of the AllSpark appears covered in a type of blue flower, Megatron asks the Terrans what they think they’re looking at. After a poorly-timed photo-op by Hashtag, Robby and Mo inform their Terran siblings the flowers are [[Cybertronian remembrance flower]]s that absorb and represent the sparks of Autobots and Decepticons who died in the final battle. Megatron shares with them that the war had reached the point where it was destroying Transformers as a species and he finally became convinced of the error of his way thanks to their mother; [[Dot Malto|Dorothy]], claiming the greater compassion she showed for his own troops than he did reminded him of lost he’d become. Continuing the tour, Megatron then asks what the Terrans know of the AllSpark. Having still only limited info provided by [[Alex Malto|their father]], Megatron explains that as the source of life for all Cybertronians the AllSpark could also be used as a powerful weapon to create legions of new warriors in an instant. It was when the Decepticons moved the AllSpark off of Cybertron, depriving their planet of it’s life source, that Megatron realized the war had entered it’s darkest hour. Following Optimus' orders, Megatron had to sneak behind enemy lines to retrieve the AllSpark

''As Megatron attempts to sneak into the Decepticon’s base to retrieve the AllSpark, he is stopped by [[Shockwave (ES)|Shockwave]]. Trying to get his old friend to see reason, Megatron finds his efforts rebutted as Shockwave only responds all the losses so far will be all be worth it as the Decepticons will rule both Earth and Cybertron. Revealing his ultimate plan of bringing to life a massive [[Protoform]] army currently on Cybertron that will overwhelm the Autobots, Megatron realizes his old friend has gone too far and forcibly shoves Shockwave into a stasis pod while distracted. Shockwave only uttering a spiteful “traitor” insult as he slowly goes into forced stasis. Optimus and Bumblebee soon arrive on the scene, congratulating Megatron for getting the AllSpark, and all three depart to go return it to Cybertron''

Given the totality of the explosion caused when the Spacebridge was destroyed, Megatron’s greatest fear since the end of the war has been that the AllSpark was destroyed with it, and Cybertron presumably along with it. With the arrival of the Terrans however, his hope now being this new generation will able to find a better way towards the future than either the Autobots or Decepticons could. [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]], who has been repeatedly questioning what any of this has to do with the Terrans, can only shake his head and walks off. Meanwhile, in the underground derelict Decepticon layer beneath the memorial, Shockwave’s stasis tube cracks open allowing the long-forgotten Decepticon to reactivate.

Thrash meanwhile sits sullenly overlooking the names of those lost in the Great War as Mo comes to join him. Venting about what he feels is the unfair burden of having to clean up the mess caused by Megatron and the Decepticons in the war despite the fact the Terrans had nothing to do with it. Mo however points it’s probably more he doesn’t want them to fix his mistakes but not to make the same ones. Taken these words to heart, Thrash is ready go back and finish hearing Megatron’s lesson only for the moment to be interrupted by Shockwave blasting his way on the scene.

Surveying the environment, Shockwave reacts with horror to see the Spacebridge destroyed and demands to know who’s responsible. Trying to prevent further escalation, Megatron informs Shockwave the war’s been over for years in the time since he was imprisoned. Refusing to listen, Shockwave grabs a hold of Thrash and keeps Megatron and the others at bay with the threat of [[The Immobilizer]]. Curious about these new lifeforms Megatron seems to have some relationship with, Shockwave performs a mind scan of Thrash only to react with horror and tosses Thrash to the ground, calling the Terran an abomination. Claiming the Terrans are the future of the species, Shockwave only scoffs and says he’ll betray them eventually just as he did the Decepticons and fires a blast at Megatron that sends him flying. [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]], [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]], and Twitch attempt to get Megatron out of the way of a shot from the Immobilizer that only hits them instead, locking them into stasis. An enraged Megatron battles it out with Shockwave with the latter activating both a personal energy shield that entraps the both of them and initiates an overload of the Spacebridge’s old power core chambers.

[[File:StasisLockedShockwave Warzone.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Shockwave's already getting ready for his [[Shockwave_(G1)/toys#Notes|"Shackwave"]] redeco]]

With three of them incapacitated and the power core chamber set to blow, [[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] deduces they might know a way to prevent the explosion and takes Thrash and Robby with them while Mo is ordered to say behind. Rushing into the inner layer of the Spacebridge chamber, Nightshade rushes towards the first wiring he sees and tears it out. The power levels of the chamber beginning the drop, Nighshade sighing in relief they weren’t sure that was going to work while Robby and Thrash can only exasperate at such a simple solution. Above ground, Megatron is shot out of the sky by Shockwave and buried under some rubble. Gradually approaching his former leader, Shockwave stops to see Mo vainly trying to move the rubble off of Megatron. Amused, Shockwave offers the child an attempt to leave with Mo only standing definitely as Megatron uses the opportunity to fire off a shot of the Immobilizer at Shockwave, it having been knocked out of the latter’s grip earlier in the fight. Shockwave only snarls in a rage as he’s once again put into forced stasis. With Nightshade, Thrash, and Robby having disabled the rest of the power cores, Megatron uses the Immoblizer to release Hashtag, Twitch, and Jawbreaker.

As the morning approaches, the inert Shockwave is taken away by G.H.O.S.T. and the Terrans ask for one last bit of advice from Megatron before departing. Megatron telling them that there will come a day where they will have to reveal themselves to the world and imploring them to not let whatever disagreements they may have divide them and instead of trying to emulate their Autobot and Decepticon seniors to instead be better than them.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*''[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]]'' (1)
*''[[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]]'' (3)

|c2=
*''[[Shrapnel (ES)|Shrapnel]]'' (2)
*''[[Nova Storm (ES)|Nova Storm]]'' (4)
*''[[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]]'' (6)
*[[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] (7)
*''[[Soundwave (ES)|Soundwave]]'' (8)
*[[Shockwave (ES)|Shockwave]] (16)
|c3=
*''[[Dot Malto]]'' (5)
*[[Mo Malto]] (12)
*[[Robby Malto]] (13)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (9)
*[[Twitch]] (10)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (11)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (14)
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==

'''Twitch''': "And now I, Megatron, shall end this war!" 
'''Hashtag''': "You'll have to deal with Starscream first!." 
'''Nightshade''': "Wait!" ''(makes a time out gesture)'' "''You're'' Soundwave! ''I'm'' Starscream!''"

"You think you can just start over? With these lower class hybrids?" 
"''Class''? You have learned nothing!"
:-'''Shockwave''' gets called out by '''Megatron''' over forgetting the Decepticons' origins.

"When the day comes from you to emerge from hiding, expect harsh words from those who do not understand. Standup for yourselves, yes. But remember, do not let your disagreements divide you. The Decepticons and Autobots could have accomplished so much more had we remembered that. Do not do what we did...do better."
:—'''Megatron''' gives some words of advice to the next generation.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Megatron still bears a scar on the left side of his chest where [[Mandroid]] tried to surgically remove his arm in "[[Age of Evolution, Part 2]]".

===Transformers references===
* The [[AllSpark]] and the war fought over its life-giving properties have been a central component of many prior ''Transformers'' series. Its appearance in ''EarthSpark'' most resembles its appearance in the [[live-action film series]].
* Megatron refers to the final battle of the Transformers War with the AllSpark being in Decepticon hands as their "[[darkest hour]]".
* Megatron's disgust over Shockwave's "lower class" comment and his statement that he began the war so that "no one would kneel again" hearkens back to the class-based origins of the [[Great War (disambiguation)|Great War]] in many previous series, most notably the [[Aligned continuity family]] and the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
* The [[Cybertronian remembrance flower]]s that grow from the [[AllSpark]] are based on the flowers that first appear in [[The Not Knowing|issue 44]] of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets The Eye]]'', where they were planted on the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]]'s planet. While their appearance is visually identical, they work slightly differently; each flower represents an Autobot, Deception, and human who died during the battle, and are not linked to particular killers.
*What appears to be Blitzwing and Astrotrain (in space shuttle mode) cameo in some art depicting scenes from the Transformers' war on Earth. They are the only Decepticons featured in it who haven't appeared in the series proper.
* A new version of The Immobilizer is introduced in this episode. It debuted back in the original ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' cartoon and new versions of it showed up in ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime ]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]''. It largely seems to function identically to it's previous incarnations.
*Shockwave's tentacled claw and mind probe is very similar to the [[cortical psychic patch]] that first appeared in the [[Transformers:_Prime (cartoon)|''Prime'']] cartoon, in which it was created by the series' own resident [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]].

===Real-world references===
* Spacebridge Memorial Park seems to take inspiration from the {{w|Vietnam Veterans Memorial}}, specifically the black stone walls with the names of those who died in the war etched on to them.

===Errors===
*

===Trivia===
* For those wondering, none of the Ancient Autobot script on the memorial walls spell anything.

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Kriegsgebiet'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' March 9, 2023

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Zona di guerra'''" ("War zone")
:*''Original airdate:'' March 6, 2023

[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Warzone

2023-03-12T23:26:52Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 16
|image=ShockwaveVsMegatron Warzone.jpg
|prev=Bear Necessities
|next=Home, Part 1
|title="Warzone"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Greg Johnson]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[Matthew Humphreys]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/VsTWyXy8OBFGnWHlKRvVeeiRHJOdrKMi/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''Megatron gives the Maltos a history lesson on the end of the war...one that becomes all too real.'''

==Synopsis==
''In the final battle of the Transformers War, [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] and [[Optimus Prime (ES)| Optimus]] play hot potato with the [[AllSpark]] as they, and the rest of the Autobots, fight through the Decepticon Army in hopes of returning it to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Intercepting the AllSpark himself from [[Starscream (ES)|Starscream's]] clutches, [[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] just manages to toss the AllSpark back through the Spacebridge portal as Optimus fires off the shot that destroys said Spacebridge, and the AllSpark seemingly along with it.''

In the present, where the former battlefield is now a war memorial, [[Robby Malto|the Malto]] [[Mo Malto|siblings]] and [[Terran|Terrans]] playfully re-enact the final climatic battle but the fun comes to an end when [[Twitch]] tosses the trashcan they were uplaying with at Megatron which he instinctually destroys with his fusion cannon and then seemingly preparing to take aim at the Malto youths. Coming to his senses, Megatron apologizes for scaring them, saying this place brings back painful memories for him. Apologizing themselves for the game possibly being disrespectful to play at a war memorial, the Terrans inquire why he brought them here in the first place, which Megatron only responds with “learn”.

Taking the group to the center of the park where a holographic projection of the AllSpark appears covered in a type of blue flower, Megatron asks the Terrans what they think they’re looking at. After a poorly-timed photo-op by Hashtag, Robby and Mo inform their Terran siblings the flowers are [[Cybertronian remembrance flower]]s that absorb and represent the sparks of Autobots and Decepticons who died in the final battle. Megatron shares with them that the war had reached the point where it was destroying Transformers as a species and he finally became convinced of the error of his way thanks to their mother; [[Dot Malto|Dorothy]], claiming the greater compassion she showed for his own troops than he did reminded him of lost he’d become. Continuing the tour, Megatron then asks what the Terrans know of the AllSpark. Having still only limited info provided by [[Alex Malto|their father]], Megatron explains that as the source of life for all Cybertronians the AllSpark could also be used as a powerful weapon to create legions of new warriors in an instant. It was when the Decepticons moved the AllSpark off of Cybertron, depriving their planet of it’s life source, that Megatron realized the war had entered it’s darkest hour. Following Optimus' orders, Megatron had to sneak behind enemy lines to retrieve the AllSpark

''As Megatron attempts to sneak into the Decepticon’s base to retrieve the AllSpark, he is stopped by [[Shockwave (ES)|Shockwave]]. Trying to get his old friend to see reason, Megatron finds his efforts rebutted as Shockwave only responds all the losses so far will be all be worth it as the Decepticons will rule both Earth and Cybertron. Revealing his ultimate plan of bringing to life a massive [[Protoform]] army currently on Cybertron that will overwhelm the Autobots, Megatron realizes his old friend has gone too far and forcibly shoves Shockwave into a stasis pod while distracted. Shockwave only uttering a spiteful “traitor” insult as he slowly goes into forced stasis. Optimus and Bumblebee soon arrive on the scene, congratulating Megatron for getting the AllSpark, and all three depart to go return it to Cybertron''

Given the totality of the explosion caused when the Spacebridge was destroyed, Megatron’s greatest fear since the end of the war has been that the AllSpark was destroyed with it, and Cybertron presumably along with it. With the arrival of the Terrans however, his hope now being this new generation will able to find a better way towards the future than either the Autobots or Decepticons could. [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]], who has been repeatedly questioning what any of this has to do with the Terrans, can only shake his head and walks off. Meanwhile, in the underground derelict Decepticon layer beneath the memorial, Shockwave’s stasis tube cracks open allowing the long-forgotten Decepticon to reactivate.

Thrash meanwhile sits sullenly overlooking the names of those lost in the Great War as Mo comes to join him. Venting about what he feels is the unfair burden of having to clean up the mess caused by Megatron and the Decepticons in the war despite the fact the Terrans had nothing to do with it. Mo however points it’s probably more he doesn’t want them to fix his mistakes but not to make the same ones. Taken these words to heart, Thrash is ready go back and finish hearing Megatron’s lesson only for the moment to be interrupted by Shockwave blasting his way on the scene.

Surveying the environment, Shockwave reacts with horror to see the Spacebridge destroyed and demands to know who’s responsible. Trying to prevent further escalation, Megatron informs Shockwave the war’s been over for years in the time since he was imprisoned. Refusing to listen, Shockwave grabs a hold of Thrash and keeps Megatron and the others at bay with the threat of [[The Immobilizer]]. Curious about these new lifeforms Megatron seems to have some relationship with, Shockwave performs a mind scan of Thrash only to react with horror and tosses Thrash to the ground, calling the Terran an abomination. Claiming the Terrans are the future of the species, Shockwave only scoffs and says he’ll betray them eventually just as he did the Decepticons and fires a blast at Megatron that sends him flying. [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]], [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]], and Twitch attempt to get Megatron out of the way of a shot from the Immobilizer that only hits them instead, locking them into stasis. An enraged Megatron battles it out with Shockwave with the latter activating both a personal energy shield that entraps the both of them and initiates an overload of the Spacebridge’s old power core chambers.

[[File:StasisLockedShockwave Warzone.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Shockwave's already getting ready for his [[Shockwave_(G1)/toys#Notes|"Shackwave"]] redeco]]

With three of them incapacitated and the power core chamber set to blow, [[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] deduces they might know a way to prevent the explosion and takes Thrash and Robby with him while Mo is ordered to say behind. Rushing into the inner layer of the Spacebridge chamber, Nightshade rushes towards the first wiring he sees and tears it out. The power levels of the chamber beginning the drop, Nighshade sighing in relief they weren’t sure that was going to work while Robby and Thrash can only exasperate at such a simple solution. Above ground, Megatron is shot out of the sky by Shockwave and buried under some rubble. Gradually approaching his former leader, Shockwave stops to see Mo vainly trying to move the rubble off of Megatron. Amused, Shockwave offers the child an attempt to leave with Mo only standing definitely as Megatron uses the opportunity to fire off a shot of the Immobilizer at Shockwave, it having been knocked out of the latter’s grip earlier in the fight. Shockwave only snarls in a rage as he’s once again put into forced stasis. With Nightshade, Thrash, and Robby having disabled the rest of the power cores, Megatron uses the Immoblizer to release Hashtag, Twitch, and Jawbreaker.

As the morning approaches, the inert Shockwave is taken away by G.H.O.S.T. and the Terrans ask for one last bit of advice from Megatron before departing. Megatron telling them that there will come a day where they will have to reveal themselves to the world and imploring them to not let whatever disagreements they may have divide them and instead of trying to emulate their Autobot and Decepticon seniors to instead be better than them.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*''[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]]'' (1)
*''[[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]]'' (3)

|c2=
*''[[Shrapnel (ES)|Shrapnel]]'' (2)
*''[[Nova Storm (ES)|Nova Storm]]'' (4)
*''[[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]]'' (6)
*[[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] (7)
*''[[Soundwave (ES)|Soundwave]]'' (8)
*[[Shockwave (ES)|Shockwave]] (16)
|c3=
*''[[Dot Malto]]'' (5)
*[[Mo Malto]] (12)
*[[Robby Malto]] (13)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (9)
*[[Twitch]] (10)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (11)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (14)
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==

'''Twitch''': "And now I, Megatron, shall end this war!" 
'''Hashtag''': "You'll have to deal with Starscream first!." 
'''Nightshade''': "Wait!" ''(makes a time out gesture)'' "''You're'' Soundwave! ''I'm'' Starscream!''"

"You think you can just start over? With these lower class hybrids?" 
"''Class''? You have learned nothing!"
:-'''Shockwave''' gets called out by '''Megatron''' over forgetting the Decepticons' origins.

"When the day comes from you to emerge from hiding, expect harsh words from those who do not understand. Standup for yourselves, yes. But remember, do not let your disagreements divide you. The Decepticons and Autobots could have accomplished so much more had we remembered that. Do not do what we did...do better."
:—'''Megatron''' gives some words of advice to the next generation.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Megatron still bears a scar on the left side of his chest where [[Mandroid]] tried to surgically remove his arm in "[[Age of Evolution, Part 2]]".

===Transformers references===
* The [[AllSpark]] and the war fought over its life-giving properties have been a central component of many prior ''Transformers'' series. Its appearance in ''EarthSpark'' most resembles its appearance in the [[live-action film series]].
* Megatron refers to the final battle of the Transformers War with the AllSpark being in Decepticon hands as their "[[darkest hour]]".
* Megatron's disgust over Shockwave's "lower class" comment and his statement that he began the war so that "no one would kneel again" hearkens back to the class-based origins of the [[Great War (disambiguation)|Great War]] in many previous series, most notably the [[Aligned continuity family]] and the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
* The [[Cybertronian remembrance flower]]s that grow from the [[AllSpark]] are based on the flowers that first appear in [[The Not Knowing|issue 44]] of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets The Eye]]'', where they were planted on the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]]'s planet. While their appearance is visually identical, they work slightly differently; each flower represents an Autobot, Deception, and human who died during the battle, and are not linked to particular killers.
*What appears to be Blitzwing and Astrotrain (in space shuttle mode) cameo in some art depicting scenes from the Transformers' war on Earth. They are the only Decepticons featured in it who haven't appeared in the series proper.
* A new version of The Immobilizer is introduced in this episode. It debuted back in the original ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' cartoon and new versions of it showed up in ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime ]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]''. It largely seems to function identically to it's previous incarnations.
*Shockwave's tentacled claw and mind probe is very similar to the [[cortical psychic patch]] that first appeared in the [[Transformers:_Prime (cartoon)|''Prime'']] cartoon, in which it was created by the series' own resident [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]].

===Real-world references===
* Spacebridge Memorial Park seems to take inspiration from the {{w|Vietnam Veterans Memorial}}, specifically the black stone walls with the names of those who died in the war etched on to them.

===Errors===
*

===Trivia===
* For those wondering, none of the Ancient Autobot script on the memorial walls spell anything.

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Kriegsgebiet'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' March 9, 2023

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Zona di guerra'''" ("War zone")
:*''Original airdate:'' March 6, 2023

[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Warzone

2023-03-12T23:25:57Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 16
|image=ShockwaveVsMegatron Warzone.jpg
|prev=Bear Necessities
|next=Home, Part 1
|title="Warzone"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Greg Johnson]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[Matthew Humphreys]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/VsTWyXy8OBFGnWHlKRvVeeiRHJOdrKMi/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''Megatron gives the Maltos a history lesson on the end of the war...one that becomes all too real.'''

==Synopsis==
''In the final battle of the Transformers War, [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] and [[Optimus Prime (ES)| Optimus]] play hot potato with the [[AllSpark]] as they, and the rest of the Autobots, fight through the Decepticon Army in hopes of returning it to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Intercepting the AllSpark himself from [[Starscream (ES)|Starscream's]] clutches, [[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] just manages to toss the AllSpark back through the Spacebridge portal as Optimus fires off the shot that destroys said Spacebridge, and the AllSpark seemingly along with it.''

In the present, where the former battlefield is now a war memorial, [[Robby Malto|the Malto]] [[Mo Malto|siblings]] and [[Terran|Terrans]] playfully re-enact the final climatic battle but the fun comes to an end when [[Twitch]] tosses the trashcan they were uplaying with at Megatron which he instinctually destroys with his fusion cannon and then seemingly preparing to take aim at the Malto youths. Coming to his senses, Megatron apologizes for scaring them, saying this place brings back painful memories for him. Apologizing themselves for the game possibly being disrespectful to play at a war memorial, the Terrans inquire why he brought them here in the first place, which Megatron only responds with “learn”.

Taking the group to the center of the park where a holographic projection of the AllSpark appears covered in a type of blue flower, Megatron asks the Terrans what they think they’re looking at. After a poorly-timed photo-op by Hashtag, Robby and Mo inform their Terran siblings the flowers are [[Cybertronian remembrance flower]]s that absorb and represent the sparks of Autobots and Decepticons who died in the final battle. Megatron shares with them that the war had reached the point where it was destroying Transformers as a species and he finally became convinced of the error of his way thanks to their mother; [[Dot Malto|Dorothy]], claiming the greater compassion she showed for his own troops than he did reminded him of lost he’d become. Continuing the tour, Megatron then asks what the Terrans know of the AllSpark. Having still only limited info provided by [[Alex Malto|their father]], Megatron explains that as the source of life for all Cybertronians the AllSpark could also be used as a powerful weapon to create legions of new warriors in an instant. It was when the Decepticons moved the AllSpark off of Cybertron, depriving their planet of it’s life source, that Megatron realized the war had entered it’s darkest hour. Following Optimus' orders, Megatron had to sneak behind enemy lines to retrieve the AllSpark

''As Megatron attempts to sneak into the Decepticon’s base to retrieve the AllSpark, he is stopped by [[Shockwave (ES)|Shockwave]]. Trying to get his old friend to see reason, Megatron finds his efforts rebutted as Shockwave only responds all the losses so far will be all be worth it as the Decepticons will rule both Earth and Cybertron. Revealing his ultimate plan of bringing to life a massive [[Protoform]] army currently on Cybertron that will overwhelm the Autobots, Megatron realizes his old friend has gone too far and forcibly shoves Shockwave into a stasis pod while distracted. Shockwave only uttering a spiteful “traitor” insult as he slowly goes into forced stasis. Optimus and Bumblebee soon arrive on the scene, congratulating Megatron for getting the AllSpark, and all three depart to go return it to Cybertron''

Given the totality of the explosion caused when the Spacebridge was destroyed, Megatron’s greatest fear since the end of the war has been that the AllSpark was destroyed with it, and Cybertron presumably along with it. With the arrival of the Terrans however, his hope now being this new generation will able to find a better way towards the future than either the Autobots or Decepticons could. [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]], who has been repeatedly questioning what any of this has to do with the Terrans, can only shake his head and walks off. Meanwhile, in the underground derelict Decepticon layer beneath the memorial, Shockwave’s stasis tube cracks open allowing the long-forgotten Decepticon to reactivate.

Thrash meanwhile sits sullenly overlooking the names of those lost in the Great War as Mo comes to join him. Venting about what he feels is the unfair burden of having to clean up the mess caused by Megatron and the Decepticons in the war despite the fact the Terrans had nothing to do with the war. Mo however points it’s probably more he doesn’t want them to fix his mistakes but not to make the same ones. Taken these words to heart, Thrash is ready go back and finish hearing Megatron’s lesson only for the moment to be interrupted by Shockwave blasting his way on the scene.

Surveying the environment, Shockwave reacts with horror to see the Spacebridge destroyed and demands to know who’s responsible. Trying to prevent further escalation, Megatron informs Shockwave the war’s been over for years in the time since he was imprisoned. Refusing to listen, Shockwave grabs a hold of Thrash and keeps Megatron and the others at bay with the threat of [[The Immobilizer]]. Curious about these new lifeforms Megatron seems to have some relationship with, Shockwave performs a mind scan of Thrash only to react with horror and tosses Thrash to the ground, calling the Terran an abomination. Claiming the Terrans are the future of the species, Shockwave only scoffs and says he’ll betray them eventually just as he did the Decepticons and fires a blast at Megatron that sends him flying. [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]], [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]], and Twitch attempt to get Megatron out of the way of a shot from the Immobilizer that only hits them instead, locking them into stasis. An enraged Megatron battles it out with Shockwave with the latter activating both a personal energy shield that entraps the both of them and initiates an overload of the Spacebridge’s old power core chambers.

[[File:StasisLockedShockwave Warzone.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Shockwave's already getting ready for his [[Shockwave_(G1)/toys#Notes|"Shackwave"]] redeco]]

With three of them incapacitated and the power core chamber set to blow, [[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] deduces they might know a way to prevent the explosion and takes Thrash and Robby with him while Mo is ordered to say behind. Rushing into the inner layer of the Spacebridge chamber, Nightshade rushes towards the first wiring he sees and tears it out. The power levels of the chamber beginning the drop, Nighshade sighing in relief they weren’t sure that was going to work while Robby and Thrash can only exasperate at such a simple solution. Above ground, Megatron is shot out of the sky by Shockwave and buried under some rubble. Gradually approaching his former leader, Shockwave stops to see Mo vainly trying to move the rubble off of Megatron. Amused, Shockwave offers the child an attempt to leave with Mo only standing definitely as Megatron uses the opportunity to fire off a shot of the Immobilizer at Shockwave, it having been knocked out of the latter’s grip earlier in the fight. Shockwave only snarls in a rage as he’s once again put into forced stasis. With Nightshade, Thrash, and Robby having disabled the rest of the power cores, Megatron uses the Immoblizer to release Hashtag, Twitch, and Jawbreaker.

As the morning approaches, the inert Shockwave is taken away by G.H.O.S.T. and the Terrans ask for one last bit of advice from Megatron before departing. Megatron telling them that there will come a day where they will have to reveal themselves to the world and imploring them to not let whatever disagreements they may have divide them and instead of trying to emulate their Autobot and Decepticon seniors to instead be better than them.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*''[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]]'' (1)
*''[[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]]'' (3)

|c2=
*''[[Shrapnel (ES)|Shrapnel]]'' (2)
*''[[Nova Storm (ES)|Nova Storm]]'' (4)
*''[[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]]'' (6)
*[[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] (7)
*''[[Soundwave (ES)|Soundwave]]'' (8)
*[[Shockwave (ES)|Shockwave]] (16)
|c3=
*''[[Dot Malto]]'' (5)
*[[Mo Malto]] (12)
*[[Robby Malto]] (13)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (9)
*[[Twitch]] (10)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (11)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (14)
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==

'''Twitch''': "And now I, Megatron, shall end this war!" 
'''Hashtag''': "You'll have to deal with Starscream first!." 
'''Nightshade''': "Wait!" ''(makes a time out gesture)'' "''You're'' Soundwave! ''I'm'' Starscream!''"

"You think you can just start over? With these lower class hybrids?" 
"''Class''? You have learned nothing!"
:-'''Shockwave''' gets called out by '''Megatron''' over forgetting the Decepticons' origins.

"When the day comes from you to emerge from hiding, expect harsh words from those who do not understand. Standup for yourselves, yes. But remember, do not let your disagreements divide you. The Decepticons and Autobots could have accomplished so much more had we remembered that. Do not do what we did...do better."
:—'''Megatron''' gives some words of advice to the next generation.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Megatron still bears a scar on the left side of his chest where [[Mandroid]] tried to surgically remove his arm in "[[Age of Evolution, Part 2]]".

===Transformers references===
* The [[AllSpark]] and the war fought over its life-giving properties have been a central component of many prior ''Transformers'' series. Its appearance in ''EarthSpark'' most resembles its appearance in the [[live-action film series]].
* Megatron refers to the final battle of the Transformers War with the AllSpark being in Decepticon hands as their "[[darkest hour]]".
* Megatron's disgust over Shockwave's "lower class" comment and his statement that he began the war so that "no one would kneel again" hearkens back to the class-based origins of the [[Great War (disambiguation)|Great War]] in many previous series, most notably the [[Aligned continuity family]] and the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
* The [[Cybertronian remembrance flower]]s that grow from the [[AllSpark]] are based on the flowers that first appear in [[The Not Knowing|issue 44]] of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets The Eye]]'', where they were planted on the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]]'s planet. While their appearance is visually identical, they work slightly differently; each flower represents an Autobot, Deception, and human who died during the battle, and are not linked to particular killers.
*What appears to be Blitzwing and Astrotrain (in space shuttle mode) cameo in some art depicting scenes from the Transformers' war on Earth. They are the only Decepticons featured in it who haven't appeared in the series proper.
* A new version of The Immobilizer is introduced in this episode. It debuted back in the original ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' cartoon and new versions of it showed up in ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime ]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]''. It largely seems to function identically to it's previous incarnations.
*Shockwave's tentacled claw and mind probe is very similar to the [[cortical psychic patch]] that first appeared in the [[Transformers:_Prime (cartoon)|''Prime'']] cartoon, in which it was created by the series' own resident [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]].

===Real-world references===
* Spacebridge Memorial Park seems to take inspiration from the {{w|Vietnam Veterans Memorial}}, specifically the black stone walls with the names of those who died in the war etched on to them.

===Errors===
*

===Trivia===
* For those wondering, none of the Ancient Autobot script on the memorial walls spell anything.

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Kriegsgebiet'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' March 9, 2023

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Zona di guerra'''" ("War zone")
:*''Original airdate:'' March 6, 2023

[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Outtakes

2023-03-12T23:23:51Z

TBR: /* Real-world references */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 12
|image=Jawbreaker Elita1 Outtakes.jpg
|prev=Hashtag: Oops
|next=Missed Connections
|title="Outtakes"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writer=[[Maasai Singleton]]
|director=
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[Alex Kwan]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/HDJiGAzMT9NN_hzltJzwo0xKUmX9drcY/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''Unsure of how to choose the right alt-mode, Jawbeaker tries to interviews some bots to get their perspective with help from Hashtag.'''

==Synopsis==

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in video footage.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Elita-1 (ES)|Elita-1]] (10)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] (11)
*''[[Nova Storm (ES)|Nova Storm]]'' (12)

|c3=
*[[Alex Malto]] (14)
*[[Mo Malto]] (1)
*[[Robby Malto]] (8)
*[[Dot Malto]] (4)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (13)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (6)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (3)
*[[Twitch]] (7)
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (2)

|h5=Others||c5=
*[[Arachnamech]]s (9)
}}

==Quotes==
"You didn't tell me we were going to see Megatron and Elita-1! They look busy, we should go!" 
"''Psh'', come on. Everybody loves talking to you. Remember how Twitch and Thrash opened up? Come on, come on! Just go for it!"
:-'''Jawbreaker''' gets encouraged by '''Hashtag''' to talk to his elders

"Autobots...work out!"
:-'''Elita''' puts her own spin on her [[Optimus Prime (ES)|boyfriend]]'s catchphrase.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Megatron and Elita are performing cleanup duty at the same naval yard where the battle against Mandroid's giant mech fortress took place in [[Age of Evolution, Part 2]]. The battleship that was flung on top of the warehouse is still there and visible in many shots.
* Megatron has a scar on the side of his chest where [[Mandroid]] attempted to surgically remove his arm.

===Transformers references===
*

===Real-world references===
* Mo and Thrash's giant monster home movie is an obvious reference to [[Godzilla]]. The musical bit that plays during it even evokes the King of the Monsters' signature theme.
* Mo's red-haired humanoid lion action figure seems to reference {{w|Lion-O}} from ''{{w|ThunderCats}}''.

===Errors===
*

[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Hashtag: Oops

2023-03-12T23:22:53Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 11
|image=Hashtag Hashtagoops.jpg
|caption=''And I am a digital girl''
''Living in a digital world''
|prev=Age of Evolution, Part 2
|next=Outtakes
|title="Hashtag: Oops"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Bernard Badion]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[Matthew Humphreys]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/YcuCBi1c_mkMiriGPV47eg6fuceztUzG/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''Hashtag's new altmode gets her and Twitch in trouble when they run afoul of G.H.O.S.T.'''

==Synopsis==
At [[G.H.O.S.T.]] headquarters, [[Executive Agent Croft]] smugly observes [[Skullcruncher (ES)|Skullcruncher]] and [[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]] in their prison cells as some form of experiment is performed on the former that leaves the imprisoned Decepticon in a weakened state as Starscream can only glare defiantly at her through the camera. She’s soon joined by [[Jon Schloder|Agent Schloder]], surprised at her presence. She informs him that she finds G.H.O.S.T.’s Decepticon quota to be low this month and orders him to get out there and, despite his protests, start finding Decepticons regardless if they’re currently a threat.

At the Malto farmstead, [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] calls the new [[Terran|Terrans]] to attention as he begins the first lesson plan of the day; choosing their alt-modes. He finds his efforts interrupted however first by some sass from [[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] and then by [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] being more interested in showing off photos of him she found online of him sporting his classic V.W-inspired alt-mode. Ignoring their laughter, Bumblebee offers to let [[Twitch]] and [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] take the lead on explaining the significance and importance of one’s alt-mode. Nightshade thanks them for the advice but departs saying they’re happy with how they are and have a project that requires their attention. [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] shows more interest but wants to make sure his alt-mode is perfect and not rush it so he departs as well. Left with only Hashtag, Bee lets Twitch take the lead on finding her sister an alt-mode. Still more interested in watching videos on the internet, Twitch hijacks her sister’s phone and runs off saying their going into town, Hashtag following after protesting the barn’s the only place she gets a good Wi-Fi signal.

Hiding out somewhere in a store's parking lot in [[Witwicky (town)| Witwicky]], Twitch tells her sister to gaze around and find the perfect alt-mode for her only to find her sister more concerned with getting a good Wi-Fi connection setup. Seeing this is getting nowhere, Twitch entices Hashtag with the sooner she gets an alt-mode the sooner they can go back home and get back on the Wi-Fi. Taking the bait, Hashtag begins looking around and scans the first thing to her liking; a G.H.O.S.T. Surveillance van. Twitch panics at Hashtag’s choice of alt-mode and tries to get her sister to scan something else only to be interrupted as three G.H.O.S.T. agents enter Hashtag. Mistaking the disguised Terran for their van that she scanned they drive off with Twtich following in hot pursuit. Back at the Malto Farm, Thrash tries to bond with Nightshade and introduces his sibling to [[Fluffy Ears]]. Taken in by the small calf’s cuteness, Thrash offers if there’s anything else he can help Nigtshade which they only responds with if Thrash knows anything about load-bearing timbers…

Back with Twitch and the hijacked Hashtag, Twitch implores her sister to remain calm and that she’ll get them out of this. While on the inside of Hashtag, she finds herself grossed out by the sticky fingers of the agents driving her and begins resisting their attempts to drive her. Coming up on what seems to be the side of a mountain, Hashtag warns Twitch to get out of the way only for Hashtag to go drive through it with seemingly no incident. Perplexed, Twtich learns G.H.O.S.T’s mountain base is shielded by a hologram. Unable to get past it’s security, she radios Bumblebee and alerts of him of the situation.

Meanwhile within G.H.O.S.T.’s base, the three agents who were driving Hashtag hurriedly depart the Terran-disguised van believing it to cursed and muttering they’ll get maintenance to look at it. Alone now, Hashtag finds herself panicking, unsure of how she’ll be able to escape without exposing herself. Alerted that she’s now hooked up G.H.O.S.T.’s internal Wi-fi, Hashtag’s consciousness is taken to some empty void where she’s presented with what looks to be a holographic control panel. Unsure of what she’s even looking at, she starts pressing all the options randomly hoping something will work. Back in the physical world however, Hashtag has completely hacked GHOST’s systems and inadvertently deactivates the containment cells of the many Decepticon prisoners, starting a prison uprising.

Bumblebee arrives on the outskirts of G.H.O.S.T’s mountainside H.Q. and calms the panicking Twitch that she made the right decision calling him. Seeing the hologram shielding deactivate, Bee scouts ahead and sees that the security systems and cameras have all been shutoff. Sneaking in with Twitch, they find Hashtag and throw off the trail of GHOST security forces. With Bee and the Terran sisters reunited they deduce GHOST technical problems was Hashtag herself thanks to her abilities granted new alt-mode. With some encouragement, Hashtag puts these newfound abilities to use to try and find a way for the trio to escape while the guards and Decepticon prisoners are busy distracted fighting one another. Taking temporary refuge in what turns out to be Skullcruncher’s cell, the bestial Decepticon goes into a berserker rampage upon seeing the G.H.O.S.T. agents. Smashing through the mountainside walls, Skullcruncher is soon incapacitated by Twitch as the trio makes a break for it before G.H.O.S.T. agents, lead by Director Croft, arrive to survey the scene.

Arriving back at the Malto farm, Hashtag covers for her big sister by saying Twitch brought her into town to get a new vehicle mode. Impressed at her choice of alt-mode, Dot inquires if that’s seriously all that happened with Bumblebee replying it wasn't anything they couldn’t handle. Asking where Nightshade is, they emerge from the barn to showcase what they’ve been working on all day; a new subterranean base with enough space to accommodate the whole Malto family (Fluffy Ears included). With Hashtag saying she can provide the Wi-Fi for the base, Twitch makes her good on her promise to Hashtag as the two sit down with the rest of the family to watch vides of sneezing puppies.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] (10)

|c2=
*[[Skullcruncher (ES)|Skullcruncher]] (1)
*[[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]] (3)
*[[Soundwave (ES)|Soundwave]] (16)
*[[Hardtop (ES)|Hardtop]] (17)
*[[Bombshell (ES)|Bombshell]] (18)
*[[Shrapnel (ES)|Shrapnel]] (19)

|c3=
*[[Croft|Executive Agent Croft]] (2)
*[[Jon Schloder|Agent Schloder]] (4)
*[[Kwan|Cadet Kwan]] (11)
*[[Conway|Cadet Conway]] (12)
*[[Rosato|Cadet Rosato]] (13)
*[[Bagheri|Agent Bagheri]] (14)
*[[Bala|Agent Bala]] (15)
*[[Mo Malto]] (20)
*[[Robby Malto]] (21)
*[[Dot Malto]] (22)
*[[Alex Malto]] (23)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Twitch]] (5)
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (6)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (7)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (8)
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==
"Okay, focus up. I know it's a little tight in here with all the new member of our t-family but while Robby and Mo are in human school I thought we could talk about the most important part of being a Transformer." 
"Having an adequate space in which to learn and live?"
:-'''Bumblebee''' gets sassed by '''Nightshade'''.

"Come on, trust your big sister, you'll ''love'' having an alt-mode...The sooner you scan a vehicle, the sooner we can get you back home on the Wi-fi!" 
"Ooh, then you can watch videos of sneezy puppies with me. Plus the singing cantaloupe" 
"Deal"
:—'''Twitch''' plays to '''Hashtag's''' weaknesses.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Following her minor appearance in [[Age of Evolution, Part 1]], we learn in this episode that [[Croft|Executive Agent Croft]] and [[Jon Schloder|Agent Schloder]] are siblings.
===Transformers references===
*

===Real-world references===
* The G.H.O.S.T. cadets are all named after storyboard directors on the show—specifically [[Alex Kwan]], [[J.J. Conway]], and [[Jordan Rosato]].
* The sound made when Hashtag connects to Wi-Fi is similar to the dial-up tone.
* Hashtag directly quotes the infamous line "{{w|All your base are belong to us}}" from ''{{w|Zero Wing}}'' when she successfully overtakes G.H.O.S.T's security systems.

===Errors===
*

===Trivia===
*

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Hashtag: Ups'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' March 4, 2023

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La trasformazione di Hashtag'''" ("Hashtag's transformation")
:*''Original airdate:'' March 6, 2023
[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Hashtag: Oops

2023-03-12T23:22:27Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 11
|image=Hashtag Hashtagoops.jpg
|caption=''And I am a digital girl''
''Living in a digital world''
|prev=Age of Evolution, Part 2
|next=Outtakes
|title="Hashtag: Oops"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Bernard Badion]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[Matthew Humphreys]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/YcuCBi1c_mkMiriGPV47eg6fuceztUzG/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''Hashtag's new altmode gets her and Twitch in trouble when they run afoul of G.H.O.S.T.'''

==Synopsis==
At [[G.H.O.S.T.]] headquarters, [[Executive Agent Croft]] smugly observes [[Skullcruncher (ES)|Skullcruncher]] and [[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]] in their prison cells as some form of experiment is performed on the former that leaves the imprisoned Decepticon in a weakened state as Starscream can only glare defiantly at her through the camera. She’s soon joined by [[Jon Schloder|Agent Schloder]], surprised at her presence. She informs him that she finds G.H.O.S.T.’s Decepticon quota to be low this month and orders him to get out there and, despite his protests, start finding Decepticons regardless if they’re currently a threat.

At the Malto farmstead, [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] calls the new [[Terran|Terrans]] to attention as he begins the first lesson plan of the day; choosing their alt-modes. He finds his efforts interrupted however first by some sass from [[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] and then by [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] being more interested in showing off photos of him she found online of him sporting his classic V.W-inspired alt-mode. Ignoring their laughter, Bumblebee offers to let [[Twitch]] and [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] take the lead on explaining the significance and importance of one’s alt-mode. Nightshade thanks them for the advice but departs saying they’re happy with how they are and have a project that requires their attention. [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] shows more interest but wants to make sure his alt-mode is perfect and not rush it so he departs as well. Left with only Hashtag, Bee lets Twitch take the lead on finding her sister an alt-mode. Still more interested in watching videos on the internet, Twitch hijacks her sister’s phone and runs off saying their going into town, Hashtag following after protesting the barn’s the only place she gets a good Wi-Fi signal.

Hiding out somewhere in a store's parking lot in [[Witwicky (town)| Witwicky]], Twitch tells her sister to gaze around and find the perfect alt-mode for her only to find her sister more concerned with getting a good Wi-Fi connection setup. Seeing this is getting nowhere, Twitch entices Hashtag with the sooner she gets an alt-mode the sooner they can go back home and get back on the Wi-Fi. Taking the bait, Hashtag begins looking around and scans the first thing to her liking; a G.H.O.S.T. Surveillance van. Twitch panics at Hashtag’s choice of alt-mode and tries to get her sister to scan something else only to be interrupted as three G.H.O.S.T. agents enter Hashtag. Mistaking the disguised Terran for their van that she scanned they drive off with Twtich following in hot pursuit. Back at the Malto Farm, Thrash tries to bond with Nightshade and introduces his sibling to [[Fluffy Ears]]. Taken in by the small calf’s cuteness, Thrash offers if there’s anything else he can help Nigtshade which they only responds with if Thrash knows anything about load-bearing timbers…

Back with Twitch and the hijacked Hashtag, Twitch implores her sister to remain calm and that she’ll get them out of this. While on the inside of Hashtag, she finds herself grossed out by the sticky fingers of the agents driving her and begins resisting their attempts to drive her. Coming up on what seems to be the side of a mountain, Hashtag warns Twitch to get out of the way only for Hashtag to go drive through it with seemingly no incident. Perplexed, Twtich learns G.H.O.S.T’s mountain base is shielded by a hologram. Unable to get past it’s security, she radios Bumblebee and alerts of him of the situation.

Meanwhile within G.H.O.S.T.’s base, the three agents who were driving Hashtag hurriedly depart the Terran-disguised van believing it to cursed and muttering they’ll get maintenance to look at it. Alone now, Hashtag finds herself panicking, unsure of how she’ll be able to escape without exposing herself. Alerted that she’s now hooked up G.H.O.S.T.’s internal Wi-fi, Hashtag’s consciousness is taken to some empty void where she’s presented with what looks to be a holographic control panel. Unsure of what she’s even looking at, she starts pressing all the options randomly hoping something will work. Back in the physical world however, Hashtag has completely hacked GHOST’s systems and inadvertently deactivates the containment cells of the many Decepticon prisoners, starting a prison uprising.

Bumblebee arrives on the outskirts of G.H.O.S.T’s mountainside H.Q. and calms the panicking Twitch that she made the right decision calling him. Seeing the hologram shielding deactivate, Bee scouts ahead and sees that the security systems and cameras have all been shutoff. Sneaking in with Twitch, they find Hashtag and throw off the trail of GHOST security forces. With Bee and the Terran sisters reunited they deduce GHOST technical problems was Hashtag herself thanks to her abilities granted new alt-mode. With some encouragement, Hashtag puts these newfound abilities to use to try and find a way for the trio to escape while the guards and Decepticon prisoners are busy distracted fighting one another. Taking temporary refuge in what turns out to be Skullcruncher’s cell, the bestial Decepticon goes into a berserker rampage upon seeing the G.H.O.S.T. agents. Smashing through the mountainside walls, Skullcruncher is soon incapacitated by Twitch as the trio makes a break for it before G.H.O.S.T. agents, lead by Director Croft, arrive to survey the scene.

Arriving back at the Malto farm, Hashtag covers for her big sister by saying Twitch brought her into town to get a new vehicle mode. Impressed at her choice of alt-mode, Dot inquires if that’s seriously all that happens with Bumblebee replying it wasn't anything they couldn’t handle. Asking where Nightshade is, they emerge from the barn to showcase what they’ve been working on all day; a new subterranean base with enough space to accommodate the whole Malto family (Fluffy Ears included). With Hashtag saying she can provide the Wi-Fi for the base, Twitch makes her good on her promise to Hashtag as the two sit down with the rest of the family to watch vides of sneezing puppies.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] (10)

|c2=
*[[Skullcruncher (ES)|Skullcruncher]] (1)
*[[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]] (3)
*[[Soundwave (ES)|Soundwave]] (16)
*[[Hardtop (ES)|Hardtop]] (17)
*[[Bombshell (ES)|Bombshell]] (18)
*[[Shrapnel (ES)|Shrapnel]] (19)

|c3=
*[[Croft|Executive Agent Croft]] (2)
*[[Jon Schloder|Agent Schloder]] (4)
*[[Kwan|Cadet Kwan]] (11)
*[[Conway|Cadet Conway]] (12)
*[[Rosato|Cadet Rosato]] (13)
*[[Bagheri|Agent Bagheri]] (14)
*[[Bala|Agent Bala]] (15)
*[[Mo Malto]] (20)
*[[Robby Malto]] (21)
*[[Dot Malto]] (22)
*[[Alex Malto]] (23)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Twitch]] (5)
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (6)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (7)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (8)
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==
"Okay, focus up. I know it's a little tight in here with all the new member of our t-family but while Robby and Mo are in human school I thought we could talk about the most important part of being a Transformer." 
"Having an adequate space in which to learn and live?"
:-'''Bumblebee''' gets sassed by '''Nightshade'''.

"Come on, trust your big sister, you'll ''love'' having an alt-mode...The sooner you scan a vehicle, the sooner we can get you back home on the Wi-fi!" 
"Ooh, then you can watch videos of sneezy puppies with me. Plus the singing cantaloupe" 
"Deal"
:—'''Twitch''' plays to '''Hashtag's''' weaknesses.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Following her minor appearance in [[Age of Evolution, Part 1]], we learn in this episode that [[Croft|Executive Agent Croft]] and [[Jon Schloder|Agent Schloder]] are siblings.
===Transformers references===
*

===Real-world references===
* The G.H.O.S.T. cadets are all named after storyboard directors on the show—specifically [[Alex Kwan]], [[J.J. Conway]], and [[Jordan Rosato]].
* The sound made when Hashtag connects to Wi-Fi is similar to the dial-up tone.
* Hashtag directly quotes the infamous line "{{w|All your base are belong to us}}" from ''{{w|Zero Wing}}'' when she successfully overtakes G.H.O.S.T's security systems.

===Errors===
*

===Trivia===
*

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Hashtag: Ups'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' March 4, 2023

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La trasformazione di Hashtag'''" ("Hashtag's transformation")
:*''Original airdate:'' March 6, 2023
[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Hashtag: Oops

2023-03-12T23:21:33Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 11
|image=Hashtag Hashtagoops.jpg
|caption=''And I am a digital girl''
''Living in a digital world''
|prev=Age of Evolution, Part 2
|next=Outtakes
|title="Hashtag: Oops"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Bernard Badion]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[Matthew Humphreys]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/YcuCBi1c_mkMiriGPV47eg6fuceztUzG/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''Hashtag's new altmode gets her and Twitch in trouble when they run afoul of G.H.O.S.T.'''

==Synopsis==
At [[G.H.O.S.T.]] headquarters, [[Executive Agent Croft]] smugly observes [[Skullcruncher (ES)|Skullcruncher]] and [[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]] in their prison cells as some form of experiment is performed on the former that leaves the imprisoned Decepticon in a weakened state as Starscream can only glare defiantly at her through the camera. She’s soon joined by [[Jon Schloder|Agent Schloder]], surprised at her presence. She informs him that she finds G.H.O.S.T.’s Decepticon quota to be low this month and orders him to get out there and, despite his protests, start finding Decepticons regardless if they’re currently a threat.

At the Malto farmstead, [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] calls the new [[Terran|Terrans]] to attention as he begins the first lesson plan of the day; choosing their alt-modes. He finds his efforts interrupted however first by some sass from [[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] and then by [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] being more interested in showing off photos of him she found online of him sporting his classic V.W-inspired alt-mode. Ignoring their laughter, Bumblebee offers to let [[Twitch]] and [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] take the lead on explaining the significance and importance of one’s alt-mode. Nightshade thanks them for the advice but departs saying they’re happy with how they are and have a project that requires their attention. [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] shows more interest but wants to make sure his alt-mode is perfect and not rush it so he departs as well. Left with only Hashtag, Bee lets Twitch take the lead on finding her sister an alt-mode. Still more interested in watching videos on the internet, Twitch hijacks her sister’s phone and runs off saying their going into town, Hashtag following after protesting the barn’s the only place she gets a good Wi-Fi signal.

Hiding out somewhere in a store's parking lot in [[Witwicky (town)| Witwicky]], Twitch tells her sister to gaze around and find the perfect alt-mode for her only to find her sister more concerned with getting a good Wi-Fi connection setup. Seeing this is getting nowhere, Twitch entices Hashtag with the sooner she gets an alt-mode the sooner they can go back home and get back on the Wi-Fi. Taking the bait, Hashtag begins looking around and scans the first thing to her liking; a G.H.O.S.T. Surveillance van. Twitch panics at Hashtag’s choice of alt-mode and tries to get her sister to scan something else only to be interrupted as three G.H.O.S.T. agents enter Hashtag. Mistaking the disguised Terran for their van that she scanned they drive off with Twtich following in hot pursuit. Back at the Malto Farm, Thrash tries to bond with Nightshade and introduces his sibling to [[Fluffy Ears]]. Taken in by the small calf’s cuteness, Thrash offers if there’s anything else he can help Nigtshade which they only responds with if Thrash knows anything about load-bearing timbers…

Back with Twitch and the hijacked Hashtag, Twitch implores her sister to remain calm and that she’ll get them out of this. While on the inside of Hashtag, she finds herself grossed out by the sticky fingers of the agents driving her and begins resisting their attempts to drive her. Coming up on what seems to be the side of a mountain, Hashtag warns Twitch to get out of the way only for Hashtag to go drive through it with seemingly no incident. Perplexed, Twtich learns G.H.O.S.T’s mountain base is shielded by a hologram. Unable to get past it’s security, she radios Bumblebee and alerts of him of the situation.

Meanwhile within G.H.O.S.T.’s base, the three agents who were driving Hashtag hurriedly depart the Terran-disguised van believing it to cursed and muttering they’ll get maintenance to look at it. Alone now, Hashtag finds herself panicking, unsure of how she’ll be able to escape without exposing herself. Alerted that she’s now hooked up G.H.O.S.T.’s internal Wi-fi, Hashtag’s consciousness is taken to some empty void where she’s presented with what looks to be a holographic control panel. Unsure of what she’s even looking at, she starts pressing all the options randomly hoping something will work. Back in the physical world however, Hashtag has completely hacked GHOST’s systems and inadvertently deactivates the containment cells of the many Decepticon prisoners, starting a prison uprising.

Bumblebee arrives on the outskirts of G.H.O.S.T’s mountainside H.Q. and calms the panicking Twitch that she made the right decision calling him. Seeing the hologram shielding deactivate, Bee scouts ahead and sees that the security systems and cameras have all been shutoff. Sneaking in with Twitch, they find Hashtag and throw off the trail of GHOST security forces. With Bee and the Terran sisters reunited they deduce GHOST technical problems was Hashtag herself thanks to her abilities granted new alt-mode. With some encouragement, Hashtag puts these to uses these newfound abilities to try and find a way for the trio to escape while the guards and Decepticon prisoners are busy distracted fighting one another. Taking temporary refuge in what turns out to be Skullcruncher’s cell, the bestial Decepticon goes into a rage berserker rampage upon seeing the G.H.O.S.T. agents. Smashing all the through the mountainside walls, Skullcruncher is soon incapacitated by Twitch as the trio makes a break for it before G.H.O.S.T’ agents, lead by Director Croft, arrive to survey the scene.

Arriving back at the Malto farm, Hashtag covers for her big sister by saying Twitch brought her into town to get a new vehicle mode. Impressed at her choice of alt-mode, Dot inquires if that’s seriously all that happens with Bumblebee replying it wasn't anything they couldn’t handle. Asking where Nightshade is, they emerge from the barn to showcase what they’ve been working on all day; a new subterranean base with enough space to accommodate the whole Malto family (Fluffy Ears included). With Hashtag saying she can provide the Wi-Fi for the base, Twitch makes her good on her promise to Hashtag as the two sit down with the rest of the family to watch vides of sneezing puppies.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] (10)

|c2=
*[[Skullcruncher (ES)|Skullcruncher]] (1)
*[[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]] (3)
*[[Soundwave (ES)|Soundwave]] (16)
*[[Hardtop (ES)|Hardtop]] (17)
*[[Bombshell (ES)|Bombshell]] (18)
*[[Shrapnel (ES)|Shrapnel]] (19)

|c3=
*[[Croft|Executive Agent Croft]] (2)
*[[Jon Schloder|Agent Schloder]] (4)
*[[Kwan|Cadet Kwan]] (11)
*[[Conway|Cadet Conway]] (12)
*[[Rosato|Cadet Rosato]] (13)
*[[Bagheri|Agent Bagheri]] (14)
*[[Bala|Agent Bala]] (15)
*[[Mo Malto]] (20)
*[[Robby Malto]] (21)
*[[Dot Malto]] (22)
*[[Alex Malto]] (23)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Twitch]] (5)
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (6)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (7)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (8)
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==
"Okay, focus up. I know it's a little tight in here with all the new member of our t-family but while Robby and Mo are in human school I thought we could talk about the most important part of being a Transformer." 
"Having an adequate space in which to learn and live?"
:-'''Bumblebee''' gets sassed by '''Nightshade'''.

"Come on, trust your big sister, you'll ''love'' having an alt-mode...The sooner you scan a vehicle, the sooner we can get you back home on the Wi-fi!" 
"Ooh, then you can watch videos of sneezy puppies with me. Plus the singing cantaloupe" 
"Deal"
:—'''Twitch''' plays to '''Hashtag's''' weaknesses.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Following her minor appearance in [[Age of Evolution, Part 1]], we learn in this episode that [[Croft|Executive Agent Croft]] and [[Jon Schloder|Agent Schloder]] are siblings.
===Transformers references===
*

===Real-world references===
* The G.H.O.S.T. cadets are all named after storyboard directors on the show—specifically [[Alex Kwan]], [[J.J. Conway]], and [[Jordan Rosato]].
* The sound made when Hashtag connects to Wi-Fi is similar to the dial-up tone.
* Hashtag directly quotes the infamous line "{{w|All your base are belong to us}}" from ''{{w|Zero Wing}}'' when she successfully overtakes G.H.O.S.T's security systems.

===Errors===
*

===Trivia===
*

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Hashtag: Ups'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' March 4, 2023

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La trasformazione di Hashtag'''" ("Hashtag's transformation")
:*''Original airdate:'' March 6, 2023
[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Hashtag: Oops

2023-03-12T23:20:06Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 11
|image=Hashtag Hashtagoops.jpg
|caption=''And I am a digital girl''
''Living in a digital world''
|prev=Age of Evolution, Part 2
|next=Outtakes
|title="Hashtag: Oops"
|airdate=[[March 3]], [[2023]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Bernard Badion]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[Matthew Humphreys]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/YcuCBi1c_mkMiriGPV47eg6fuceztUzG/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''Hashtag's new altmode gets her and Twitch in trouble when they run afoul of G.H.O.S.T.'''

==Synopsis==
At [[G.H.O.S.T.]] headquarters, [[Executive Agent Croft]] smugly observes [[Skullcruncher (ES)|Skullcruncher]] and [[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]] in their prison cells as some form of experiment is performed on the former that leaves the imprisoned Decepticon in a weakened state as Starscream can only glare defiantly at her through the camera. She’s soon joined by [[Jon Schloder|Agent Schloder]], surprised at her presence. She informs him that she finds G.H.O.S.T.’s Decepticon quota to be low this month and orders him to get out there and, despite his protests, start finding Decepticons regardless if they’re currently a threat.

At the Malto farmstead, [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] calls the new [[Terran|Terrans]] to attention as he begins the first lesson plan of the day; choosing their alt-modes. He finds his efforts interrupted however first by some sass from [[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] and then by [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] being more interested in showing off photos of him she found online of him sporting his classic V.W-inspired alt-mode. Ignoring their laughter, Bumblebee offers to let [[Twitch]] and [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] take the lead on explaining the significance and importance of one’s alt-mode. Nightshade thanks them for the advice but departs saying they’re happy with how they are and have a project that requires their attention. [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] shows more interest but wants to make sure his alt-mode is perfect and not rush it so he departs as well. Left with only Hashtag, Bee lets Twitch take the lead on finding her sister an alt-mode. Still more interested in watching videos on the internet, Twitch hijacks her sister’s phone and runs off saying their going into town, Hashtag following after protesting the barn’s the only place she gets a good Wi-Fi signal.

Hiding out somewhere in a store's parking lot in [[Witwicky (town)| Witwicky]], Twitch tells her sister to gaze around and find the perfect alt-mode for her only to find her sister more concerned with getting a good Wi-Fi connection setup. Seeing this is getting nowhere, Twitch entices Hashtag with the sooner she gets an alt-mode the sooner they can go back home and get back on the Wi-Fi. Taking the bait, Hashtag begins looking around and scans the first thing to her liking; a G.H.O.S.T. Surveillance van. Twitch panics at Hashtag’s choice of alt-mode and tries to get her sister to scan something else only to be interrupted as three G.H.O.S.T. agents enter Hashtag. Mistaking the disguised Terran for their van that she scanned they drive off with Twtich following in hot pursuit. Back at the Malto Farm, Thrash tries to bond with Nightshade and introduces his sibling to [[Fluffy Ears]]. Taken in by the small calf’s cuteness, Thrash offers if there’s anything else he can help Nigtshade which they only responds with if Thrash knows anything about load-bearing timbers…

Back with Twitch and the hijacked Hashtag, Twitch implores her sister to remain calm and that she’ll get them out of this. While on the inside of Hashtag, she finds herself grossed out by the sticky fingers of the agents driving her and begins resisting their attempts to drive her. Coming up on what seems to be the side of a mountain, Hashtag warns Twitch to get out of the way only for Hashtag to go drive through it with seemingly no incident. Perplexed, Twtich learns G.H.O.S.T’s mountain base is shielded by a hologram. Unable to get past it’s security, she radios Bumblebee and alerts of him of the situation.

Meanwhile within G.H.O.S.T.’s base, the three agents who were driving Hashtag hurriedly depart the Terran-disguised van believing it to cursed and muttering they’ll get maintenance to look at it. Alone now, Hashtag finds herself panicking, unsure of how she’ll be able to escape without exposing herself. Alerted that she’s now hooked up G.H.O.S.T.’s internal Wi-fi, Hashtag’s consciousness is taken to some empty void where she’s presented with what looks to be a holographic control panel. Unsure of what she’s even looking at, she starts pressing all the options randomly hoping something will work. Back in the physical world however, Hashtag has completely hacked GHOST’s systems and inadvertently deactivates the containment cells of the many Decepticon prisoners , leading to a prison uprising.

Bumblebee arrives on the outskirts of G.H.O.S.T’s mountainside H.Q. and calms the panicking Twitch that she made the right decision calling him. Seeing the hologram shielding deactivate, Bee scouts ahead and sees that the security systems and cameras have all been shutoff. Sneaking in with Twitch, they find Hashtag and throw off the trail of GHOST security forces. With Bee and the Terran sisters reunited they deduce GHOST technical problems was Hashtag herself thanks to her abilities granted new alt-mode. With some encouragement, Hashtag puts these to uses these newfound abilities to try and find a way for the trio to escape while the guards and Decepticon prisoners are busy distracted fighting one another. Taking temporary refuge in what turns out to be Skullcruncher’s cell, the bestial Decepticon goes into a rage berserker rampage upon seeing the G.H.O.S.T. agents. Smashing all the through the mountainside walls, Skullcruncher is soon incapacitated by Twitch as the trio makes a break for it before G.H.O.S.T’ agents, lead by Director Croft, arrive to survey the scene.

Arriving back at the Malto farm, Hashtag covers for her big sister by saying Twitch brought her into town to get a new vehicle mode. Impressed at her choice of alt-mode, Dot inquires if that’s seriously all that happens with Bumblebee replying it wasn't anything they couldn’t handle. Asking where Nightshade is, they emerge from the barn to showcase what they’ve been working on all day; a new subterranean base with enough space to accommodate the whole Malto family (Fluffy Ears included). With Hashtag saying she can provide the Wi-Fi for the base, Twitch makes her good on her promise to Hashtag as the two sit down with the rest of the family to watch vides of sneezing puppies.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] (10)

|c2=
*[[Skullcruncher (ES)|Skullcruncher]] (1)
*[[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]] (3)
*[[Soundwave (ES)|Soundwave]] (16)
*[[Hardtop (ES)|Hardtop]] (17)
*[[Bombshell (ES)|Bombshell]] (18)
*[[Shrapnel (ES)|Shrapnel]] (19)

|c3=
*[[Croft|Executive Agent Croft]] (2)
*[[Jon Schloder|Agent Schloder]] (4)
*[[Kwan|Cadet Kwan]] (11)
*[[Conway|Cadet Conway]] (12)
*[[Rosato|Cadet Rosato]] (13)
*[[Bagheri|Agent Bagheri]] (14)
*[[Bala|Agent Bala]] (15)
*[[Mo Malto]] (20)
*[[Robby Malto]] (21)
*[[Dot Malto]] (22)
*[[Alex Malto]] (23)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Twitch]] (5)
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (6)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (7)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (8)
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==
"Okay, focus up. I know it's a little tight in here with all the new member of our t-family but while Robby and Mo are in human school I thought we could talk about the most important part of being a Transformer." 
"Having an adequate space in which to learn and live?"
:-'''Bumblebee''' gets sassed by '''Nightshade'''.

"Come on, trust your big sister, you'll ''love'' having an alt-mode...The sooner you scan a vehicle, the sooner we can get you back home on the Wi-fi!" 
"Ooh, then you can watch videos of sneezy puppies with me. Plus the singing cantaloupe" 
"Deal"
:—'''Twitch''' plays to '''Hashtag's''' weaknesses.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Following her minor appearance in [[Age of Evolution, Part 1]], we learn in this episode that [[Croft|Executive Agent Croft]] and [[Jon Schloder|Agent Schloder]] are siblings.
===Transformers references===
*

===Real-world references===
* The G.H.O.S.T. cadets are all named after storyboard directors on the show—specifically [[Alex Kwan]], [[J.J. Conway]], and [[Jordan Rosato]].
* The sound made when Hashtag connects to Wi-Fi is similar to the dial-up tone.
* Hashtag directly quotes the infamous line "{{w|All your base are belong to us}}" from ''{{w|Zero Wing}}'' when she successfully overtakes G.H.O.S.T's security systems.

===Errors===
*

===Trivia===
*

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Hashtag: Ups'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' March 4, 2023

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La trasformazione di Hashtag'''" ("Hashtag's transformation")
:*''Original airdate:'' March 6, 2023
[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Battle For Cybertron IV

2023-01-12T06:17:23Z

TBR: unneeded link

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Transformers: Cyberverse]]'' ep 40
|image=Cyberverse - Battle for Cybertron IV - Allspark Chamber.jpg
|caption="For centuries we dreamed of gods, spirits, aliens, and intelligence beyond our own. I found them in here, like flowers in a wasteland."
|prev=Battle For Cybertron III
|next=The Loop
|title="Battle For Cybertron IV"
|season=3
|season ep=4
|airdate=[[February 17]], [[2020]] (UK) [[March 6]], 2020 (CN app/website) [[March 15]], 2020 (USA)
|production company=[[Allspark Animation]]
|writer=[[Randolph Heard]]
|animation studio=[[Boulder Media Studio]]
|director=[[Jean Texier]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZN2jPqJ6yA
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''As Bumblebee and Cheetor reach the Well of the Allspark, Megatron makes one final power play.'''

==Synopsis==
In the jungles beneath [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s surface, [[Cheetor (Cyberverse)|Cheetor]] searches for [[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]]. He finds the scout tied up by a diminutive group of mechanical lifeforms who feast on energon, led by a bot calling himself [[Repugnus (Cyberverse)|Repugnus]]. Leaping into action, Cheetor tells Repugnus the [[AllSpark]] has returned, and can sate their hunger. The artifact does so, and in response, Cheetor asks if Repugnus can lead the two Autobots to the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of the AllSpark]]. The little bot agrees, and leads Cheetor away. This leaves Bumblebee momentarily still tied up, until he manages to transform and break loose.

Meanwhile in the Threshold on the surface, [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]] and [[Bludgeon (Cyberverse)|Bludgeon]] continue their sword fight as [[Wheeljack (Cyberverse)|Wheeljack]] enters to find the damaged [[Teletraan-X (Cyberverse)|Teletraan-X]] lying on the floor. Telling the drone to take it easy, Wheeljack prepares to deal with [[Vector Sigma]]. As Windblade continues to hold off Bludgeon, Wheeljack removes a spray can and coats the supercomputer in a mysterious substance. In remembrance of [[Slipstream (Cyberverse)|Slipstream]], Windblade overpowers Bludgeon and kicks him into the substance, which promptly vanishes in a flash of light. A confused Windblade enquires as to what exactly they just did. Wheeljack brings up their time in [[unspace]] and how he figured it would be a neat idea to bottle it up and weaponize it. Therefore, Vector Sigma and Bludgeon are now trapped between universes, forever out of [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]]'s reach. Windblade cheerfully gives [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]] the good news.

Down below, Repugnus and his tribe show Cheetor and Bumblebee to a doorway which will lead them to the Well of the AllSpark. Inside, the two quickly fall down a crevice, while leads to a slide that the two then fall off of. When they come to, they find they have managed to reach their destination. Bumblebee is in awe, not having set foot in the Well since his birth.

Unfortunately, the moment is interrupted by the arrival of [[Shockwave (Cyberverse)|Shockwave]], who declares it appropriate his life will ''end'' in the place it began and several of [[Shockwave's drones|his drones]] swarm into the room. As the AllSpark guardian charges at the Decepticon scientist, Cheetor is quickly subdued and at Shockwave's mercy. Bumblebee grabs Cheetor's fallen spear, and rams it down Shockwave's gun barrel just as he is about to fire. The resulting backlash hurls Shockwave across the room, knocking him out. With the problem momentarily solved, Bumblebee tells Cheetor it is time to finish things. They return the AllSpark to the Well and life begins to return to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].

Back at [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon City]], the Autobots are mopping up the last of the giant Shockwave drones. Optimus begins lecturing Megatron that he has failed, and forcefully stops any Decepticons that attempt to interrupt his pontification. With Vector Sigma gone, Megatron will be unable to prevent the creation of a world where all can live as equals. Megatron does not see the value in such life and declares that if he cannot have the AllSpark... then ''no-one'' can. With that said, he orders Shockwave to destroy the AllSpark.

Down in the Well, Shockwave stirs and progresses over to a discarded device to complete his final mission. As Bumblebee and Cheetor watch, the cycloptic scientist approaches the AllSpark and tells Cheetor he has failed. With that, he activates the device, which extracts Shockwave's [[spark]] and shoots it into the AllSpark. Cheetor notes in horror that Shockwave's spark, which has been steeped in evil, will corrupt and destroy the artifact.

An aura of corruption spreads forth from the Well, reaching all the way to the surface of Cybertron, where a horrified Optimus asks what Megatron has done. Megatron merely responds that he has done the impossible: he has killed the AllSpark.

Cheetor declares he must stop what the Decepticons have done and grabs Shockwave's [[spark extractor]], affixing it to his chest. Telling Bumblebee that it is time to fulfil his destiny, he thanks the Autobot for being his friend. With that, Cheetor activates the spark extractor, sending his spark back to where it came from. After a short fight, Shockwave's corruption is undone and the AllSpark is restored. As Cybertron bursts back to life, Cheetor's voice assures Bumblebee that wherever he goes, Cheetor will be with him in spirit.

As the Autobots watch as their homeworld shines again, Megatron refuses to give up and continues attacking. Optimus sends him flying into the Threshold's corridor, where Megatron is ultimately overwhelmed by the hungry [[Scraplet]]s. An aghast [[Shadow Striker (Cyberverse)|Shadow Striker]] draws her gun on Optimus, but he wordlessly convinces her to lower it. Turning to the crowd of Autobots and Decepticons, Optimus announces the war is over and Cybertron is reborn, to which both sides cheer.

As the planet restores itself, Optimus states that all things transform, and it is up to all of them to make sure it transforms for the better.

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Cheetor (Cyberverse)|Cheetor]] (1)
*[[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]] (3)
*[[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]] (5)
*[[Wheeljack (Cyberverse)|Wheeljack]] (7)
*[[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]] (9)
*Autobot soldiers (11)
*[[Arcee (Cyberverse)|Arcee]] (14)
*[[Grimlock (Cyberverse)|Grimlock]] (15)
*[[Jetfire (Cyberverse)|Jetfire]] (20)
*[[Ratchet (Cyberverse)|Ratchet]] (21)

|c2=
*[[Bludgeon (Cyberverse)|Bludgeon]] (6)
*Giant Shockwave's drones (10)
*[[Shockwave (Cyberverse)|Shockwave]] (12)
*[[Shockwave's drones]] (13)
*[[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] (16)
*[[Sky-Byte (Cyberverse)|Sky-Byte]] (17)
*[[Soundwave (Cyberverse)|Soundwave]] (18)
*[[Seeker (Cyberverse)|Seeker]]s (19)
*[[Alpha Strike]] (22)
*[[Shadow Striker (Cyberverse)|Shadow Striker]] (24)
*Decepticon soldiers (25)

|c4=
*[[Monsterbot (Cyberverse)|Monsterbot]]s (2)
*[[Repugnus (Cyberverse)|Repugnus]] (4)
*[[Teletraan-X (Cyberverse)|Teletraan-X]] (8)
*[[Scraplet]]s (23)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Cheetor:''' I thank you, Repugnus. 
'''Bumblebee:''' ''(sarcastically)'' Yeah, thanks for kidnapping me and trying to steal all of my energon. 
'''Repugnus:''' It was our pleasures.

"I haven't back here since... my life began." 
"Then it is appropriate that you now return... so that I can end your life."
:—'''Bumblebee''' gets caught off guard by '''Shockwave'''.

"Vector Sigma has been destroyed. You will never be able to twist the AllSpark to create creatures of your will. A life in which all can live as equals." 
"Equals?" What kind of life is that? If I can't have the AllSpark, no one will!"
:—'''Optimus''' discovers '''Megatron''' is a sore loser.

"All is as it should be. Cybertron lives again. Wherever Bumblebee goes on Cybertron, Cheetor will be with him."
:—'''Cheetor'''

"Everything in the universe transforms. We can never be sure what will come next. But it is our duty to make sure it transforms... for the better."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Windblade kicks Bludgeon into oblivion in vengeance for Slipstream, who the samurai-bot killed way back in "[[Parley]]".
*The Autobots had their adventure in unspace during "[[The Crossroads]]".

===Transformers references===
*Repugnus and his tiny tribe are physically based on the [[Titan Master]] accessory vehicle included with Generation 1 [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]]' [[Repugnus (G1)#Generations|general retail]] [[Titans Return (toyline)|''Titans Return'']] toy, though everything else about them is entirely new to this continuity.

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

===Other trivia===
*When last we saw Optimus and his troops in the previous episode, they were surrounded by those giant Shockwave drones. Come this episode, and they have been effortlessly disposed of. Guess Megatron was not as prepared as he said he was.
*Likewise, the previous episode's cliffhanger ending made it sure look like Bludgeon was about to kill Windblade in that good ol' cliffhanger fake-out fashion. Maybe she just dodged at the last second?
*Teletraan-X oddly appears to be in working condition after Vector Sigma and Bludgeon are sent into unspace.
*When Shockwave tried to corrupt the AllSpark, he altered his own vibes to have "maximum bad vibes".<ref>"[https://shikai-the-storyteller.tumblr.com/post/613237429097365504/i-absolutely-didnt-go-back-through-and-edit-this Transformers: Cyberverse – Mae Catt Q&A Session (Unedited Edition)]"</ref>

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

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Die Schlacht um Cybertron Teil 4'''"
:*''Alternate Title :'' "'''Kampf um Cybertron'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 19]], 2020

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''A Batalha por Cybertron, Parte 4'''" ("The Battle for Cybertron, Part 4")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 17]], 2021

==Home video releases==
*TBA

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Cyberverse episodes]]

The Deathstone

2023-01-05T11:50:54Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand]]'' Annual 2017
|prev=M.A.S.K. issue 5
|next=Child's Play (M.A.S.K.)
|image=MASKCoverAnnual2017.jpg
|caption=
|title="The Deathstone"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]], [[Ted Adams]]
|published in=[[M.A.S.K. Annual 2017|''M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand'' Annual 2017]]
|date=[[March 15]], [[2017]]
|coverdate=February 2017
|written by=[[David A. Rodriguez]]
|art by=[[Andrew Griffith]]
|colors by=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|letters by=[[Gilberto Lazcano]]
|editor=[[David Hedgecock]]
|editorial assistant=[[David Mariotte]]
|chronology=
}}

'''M.A.S.K. and G.I. Joe join forces to stop a dangerous alien organism from falling into the hands of V.E.N.O.M.'''

==Synopsis==
When the head of the [[Decepticon]] [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] crashes back to [[Earth]], [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] officers [[Scarlett]], [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]], and [[Lifeline (G.I. Joe)|Lifeline]] are sent to recover it. Studying the head to ensure it isn't dangerous, Lifeline notes that Astrotrain's brain module has stopped functioning, but some kind of energy is keeping him alive, as well as causing the plants around him to grow exponentially. Before they can extract the head, they are ambushed by [[V.E.N.O.M.]] agents [[Cliff Dagger]] and [[Vanessa Warfield]]. Dagger repels down from Warfield's [[Manta]] and begins knocking down the Joes. Lifeline manages to slip away in a [[V.A.M.P.]] with the samples he collected, but he is soon ambushed by [[Sly Rax]] on his [[Piranha]], who shoots one of the V.A.M.P.'s tires and sends Lifeline over a cliff.

Lifeline wakes up in the headquarters of [[M.A.S.K.]], being tended to by Stalker and M.A.S.K.'s medic [[Julio Lopez]], much to his chagrin. M.A.S.K. leader [[Matt Trakker]] welcomes him to the base and leads him into the main room, where Scarlett is already discussing the data the Joes collected with [[Gloria Baker]]. Lifeline and Gloria realize that energy comes from a techno-organism that infects its host at a cellular level, then replicates and mutates its DNA. They theorize that it could then be used to "re-program" any organism it comes in contact with, allowing for medical miracles... or disastrous terror. With V.E.N.O.M. having taken off with Astrotrain's head , Matt worries about the danger such a weapon could pose in the hands of V.E.N.O.M.'s leader, [[Miles Mayhem]]. However, Lifeline then discovers that the techno-organism will eventually break down, destroying whatever is infected. Scanning the planet for the same energy signature reveals the locations of the rest of Astrotrain's body: [[Africa]], the [[Arctic Ocean]], and [[Australia]]. The two groups agree to team-up and hunt down the rest of the Decepticon before V.E.N.O.M. does.

M.A.S.K. and the Joes decide to split into three teams to pursue the three pieces. Stalker, [[Tunnel Rat]] and [[Brad Turner]] travel to the [[Congo Basin]], sending the latter two on Brad's [[Condor]] to retrieve the Cybertronian fragment while the former remains as air support. Brad detects Astrotrain's remains inside a cave, but the pair are soon ambushed by Vanessa Warfield. Brad uses his Eclipse [[Mask]] to create a parade of holographic elephants to distract Warfield as they slip into the cave... only to be met by [[Bruno Sheppard]]. Bruno attacks Brad and proceeds to beat him, allowing Tunnel Rat to sneak around and shoot him from behind. Tunnel Rat radios Stalker that they have recovered their piece of Astrotrain.

Meanwhile, Gloria and Julio take the [[Shark]] to the Arctic Ocean alongside [[Deep Six]], but they are beaten to the punch by Sly Rax and the [[Iron Grenadier]]s, indicating that former [[Cobra]] member [[Destro]] has allied with Mayhem. The two groups engage in battle, with Deep Six's [[S.H.A.R.C.]] being destroyed and he is forced to eject. As Deep Six distracts Rax, Julio retrieves the piece of Astrotrain. Rax fires at an old naval mine near Julio, severely injuring him and allowing Rax to take Astrotrain for himself. Gloria and Deep Six retrieve Julio and evac him to M.A.S.K. HQ.

In [[Alice Springs]], Australia, Joe sniper [[Sci-Fi]] has tracked down Miles Mayhem, who is meeting to exchange Astrotrain's head with a most displeased Destro. As Matt and Scarlett fly to his location in the [[Thunderhawk]], they receive a call from Lifeline, who tells him that the only way to save Julio will be to retrieve the head and use the techno-organism to heal him. Matt and the Joes quickly interrupt the meeting; Scarlett engages Cliff Dagger, Sci-Fi takes out Destro's [[Annihilator]] bodyguards, and Matt battles Mayhem's [[Switchblade (M.A.S.K.)|Switchblade]] in the air. In the chaos, Destro decides to cut his losses and slips away, leaving Astrotrain behind. Scarlett uses Dagger's Torch Mask against his boss, maneuvering him so that he engulfs the Switchblade in flames and forcing it down. While Matt wants to go after Mayhem, Scarlett reminds him of the urgency of getting the head to save Julio.

Back at M.A.S.K. HQ, Lifeline implements his procedure on Julio. Matt tells Scarlett he's not sure he made the right call, but she reassures him that doubt is a key part of leadership. Julio makes a full recovery, and Scarlett tells Matt that if M.A.S.K. ever needs G.I. Joe's help, she'd be happy to fly with him again.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[M.A.S.K.]]|c1=
*[[Julio Lopez]] (8)
*[[Matt Trakker]] (9)
*[[Gloria Baker]] (10)
*[[Brad Turner]]/[[Zartan]] (11)

|h2=[[V.E.N.O.M.]]|c2=
*[[Cliff Dagger]] (5)
*[[Vanessa Warfield]] (6)
*[[Sly Rax]] (7)
*[[Bruno Sheppard]] (14)
*[[Miles Mayhem]] (18)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
*[[Scarlett]] (2)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (3)
*[[Lifeline (G.I. Joe)|Lifeline]] (4)
*[[Tunnel Rat]] (12)
*[[Deep Six]] (15)
*[[Sci-Fi]] (19)

|h4=Others|c4=
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]'s corpse (1)
*[[Big Lob]] (13)
*[[Destro]] (15)
*[[Annihilator]]s (17)
}}

==Quotes==
"We don't need guarantees, Lifeline. We're ''M.A.S.K.'' All we need is a shot."
:—'''Matt Trakker''' to '''Lifeline'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*This story's place in continuity is unclear. It can't take place during or, with V.E.N.O.M. out and about, immediately after the first arc of the main ''M.A.S.K.'' series, which was in progress at the time of this story's release; [[M.A.S.K. issue 9|''M.A.S.K.'' #9]] further complicated matters by showing V.E.N.O.M. breaking out of prison and leading directly into [[M.A.S.K. issue 10|''M.A.S.K.'' #10]], the final issue of the series. With the collected volumes of ''M.A.S.K.'' placing it before [[The Origin of V.E.N.O.M. Part 1|issue 6]], we have to assume that V.E.N.O.M. escaped off-panel before this story and got locked up again after it, which would make the "Brad Turner" appearing here actually the shapeshifting [[Zartan]].
*Astrotrain was trisected by [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] back in [[All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|issue #55]] of [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''The Transformers'']]. He was in Jupiter's atmosphere at the time, so we're left to assume the alien organism of this story transported his remains to Earth somehow.
*Hey, it's [[Destro]]! The metal-masked mogul was last seen at the end of ''{{i|G.I. Joe: Snake Eyes, Agent of Cobra|Snake Eyes, Agent of Cobra}}'', back in 2015; it looks like he hasn't been doing too badly for himself since Cobra collapsed.
*The techno-virus found on Astrotrain's body is brought up again in ''[[First Strike]]'' [[First Strike issue 2|#2]].

===M.A.S.K. references===
*This story is a retelling of the pilot episode of the ''M.A.S.K.'' animated series. Of course, G.I. Joe and Astrotrain didn't figure into the original version of the story; here, Astrotrain's head takes the role of the titular "Deathstone". Several scenes and lines of dialogue are lifted directly from the episode.

===G.I. Joe references===
*Several vehicles from across the G.I. Joe franchise appear, including the [[V.A.M.P.]], [[Eaglehawk]], [[S.H.A.R.C.]], and [[Sting Raider]].
*During the Chicago basketball game Tunnel Rat watches, one of the players is [[Big Lob]], aka Bradley J. Sanders, a G.I. Joe member created for the 1987 animated film ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', the same movie that Tunnel Rat debuted in.
*[[Iron Grenadier]]s are said to be piloting the Sting Raiders, making their first appearance since {{i|G.I. Joe vol. 3|''G.I. Joe'' vol. 3}}. A few months later, [[The Iron Klaw|''Revolutionaries'' #4]] would see them appear on-panel as robotic soldiers, under the command of [[Joe Colton|Baron Ironblood]].
*While not referred to by name in the issue, Destro's troops at Alice Springs are recognizable as Annihilators, fulfilling their traditional role as his personal bodyguards.

===Real-life references===
*Sly Rax says "Mischief has been managed", referring to the [[Wikia:c:harrypotter:Marauder's Map|Marauder's Map]] from ''{{w|Harry Potter}}''.
*Julio references the [[USS Enterprise|USS ''Enterprise'']] from ''[[Star Trek]]''.

===Errors===
*Scarlett refers to orders from General [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]], but Hawk hasn't been part of the Joes in IDW continuity since the end of the "{{i|Cobra Command}}" storyline in 2012.
*Brad says that Julio is the "futuristic armor shield or something guy," when Julio's actual Gulliver [[Mask]] power is the ability to make objects grow or shrink.

===Other notes===
*Deep Six wears his rather doofy-looking classic diving suit, rather than the more high-tech and less adorable-looking one that he sported back in {{i|Hearts & Minds issue 3|his ''Hearts & Minds'' spotlight story}}.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Deathstone}}
[[Category:M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand issues]]

Age of Evolution, Part 2

2022-12-17T05:52:27Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 10
|image=Earthspark AOEP2 staredown.jpg
|caption=Mandroid's Moving Castle
|prev=Age of Evolution, Part 1
|next=
|title="Age of Evolution, Part 2"
|airdate=[[November 11]], [[2022]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Nicole Dubuc]] & [[Dale Malinowski]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[J.J. Conway]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/dM2rADnK3nw82eQFOvFP_5IIONiFvtQk/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''The Malto family, including its three newest members, band together to rescue Dot and Megatron from Mandroid.'''

==Synopsis==
As the cave begins to collapse around them, the Maltos guide the new [[Terran]]s towards the exit, only to be cut off by a sudden rockslide that knocks the [[Emberstone]] from [[Mo Malto|Mo]]'s hands into the water. The family is nearly crushed by falling debris, only to be saved by the new Terrans, who recognize them as family thanks to the link from their [[cyber-sleeve]]s. Outside, [[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]] is placing [[stasis cuffs]] on [[Nova Storm (ES)|Nova Storm]] and [[Skywarp (ES)|Skywarp]] while [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] desperately chips away at the rubble. Fortunately, the rubble is pushed away as the Maltos emerge unharmed, and while the Autobots are disappointed at the loss of the Emberstone, it pales in comparison to their joy at seeing more Terrans emerge. Optimus introduced himself, and the kids use their link to identify each of the newcomers: [[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]], [[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]], and [[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]]. However, [[Alex Malto|Alex]]'s feelings are tempered by the knowledge that [[Dot Malto|Dot]] is still in [[Mandroid]]'s clutches. Sensing the others' sadness and fear, the new Terrans offer to help however they can. Knowing [[G.H.O.S.T.]] will be arriving soon to retrieve the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], Optimus suggests they reconvene elsewhere to plan the rescue. At [[Witwicky Donuts]], the group discusses "Operation Terran Horse": the new Terrans will pose as [[Decepticon]]s seeking safe haven from G.H.O.S.T. and the [[Autobot]]s, and offer up Optimus, [[Twitch]] and [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] to Mandroid; when the time comes, they will free themselves and surround Mandroid. Meanwhile, Bumblebee will use the distraction to infiltrate the lab and extract Dot and [[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]]. With the plan decided, the group rolls out.

At Mandroid's lab, he examines the captive Megatron, deciding to take his [[fusion cannon]] for himself first. As the machine begins cutting through Megatron's arm, Dot creeps across the lab's scaffolding, careful to avoid the [[Arachnamech]]s' sensors. Unable to get a message to her family, she severs a cable, cutting the power to Mandroid's laser cutter. He orders his Arachnamechs to pursue her as they begin to cover the lab's interior. Fortunately, the Maltos remember his lab's location from their last encounter and are now approaching it...but unfortunately, Mandroid has anticipated this and moved the entire facility elsewhere. With no leads, the group is forced to split into teams and search at random. Though Alex is concerned for her safety, Bumblebee reassures him that they'll find her, even playing his and Dot's song, "Purple Storm Clouds", to help him feel better. Meanwhile, Dot sees a naval yard through a window and finally gets a cell signal, but the vibration noise from all of Alex's missed texts alerts the Arachnamechs, and they destroy her phone before she can send a message. Dot attempts to escape them, nearly getting thrown into an incinerator, but she manages to throw her attacker in instead, causing a plume of purple smoke to emerge from the factory smokestacks. Seeing the plume of purple smoke from a distance, Alex sees it as a sign and he and Bumblebee speed off to the naval yard, calling the others to follow.

Dot is eventually cornered and restrained as Mandroid finishes repairing the damage to the machine and resumes slicing Megatron's arm. He prepares to have his Arachnamech kill Dot, but they are interrupted as Optimus, Twitch and Thrash enter in chains, flanked by their "captors". Hashtag attempts to pass herself off as Skywarp's former roommate "Sparkleplug", and the Terrans do their best to sell their phony story to Mandroid, despite Nightshade's obvious fear. Not far away, Bumblebee and the Maltos are sneaking through the naval yard, looking for an opening to extract the prisoners. Unfortunately, Mandroid sees right through their story and the fake Decepticon insignia stuck on them, and attacks the impostors. Optimus attempts to intervene, only to be restrained by the Arachnamechs, but Hashtag manages to get a lucky shot off and hits the one holding Dot captive, who in turn frees Megatron. Optimus frees himself as well, and the group begins tearing through the Arachnamechs and the rest of the lab. Now on the back foot, Mandroid decides to take drastic measures and enters a nearby elevator. The ground begins to violently shake beneath them, and those outside watch as the truth is revealed: the factory sits atop a giant mech, one Mandroid is now actively piloting as it emerges from the ground. As the mech shifts, the occupants are thrown from inside and plummet towards the ground, saved during their fall by Megatron and Twitch. As Dot embraces her children and Alex, their reunion is interrupted by Mandroid targeting the group with his mech's frontal laser cannon, and the group runs for cover from its enormous blast.

Optimus forms a new plan: one ground team will focus on providing cover fire, while another team focuses on taking out the mech's cameras so it can't target them. As they split up, Mandroid recognizes Alex and attempts to crush him, but he, [[Robby Malto|Robby]], Mo and Jawbreaker manage to avoid his blows and launch themselves onto the mech's leg. They begin taking out each of the cameras one by one, as Mandroid sends his Arachnamechs to intercept them. Unable to damage the titanic mech, Bumblebee has another idea, and he and Optimus begin wrapping a nearby ship's anchor around its legs. Before Alex and Robby can take out the last camera, they are surrounded by Arachnamechs, only to be saved by Twitch and Megatron's cover fire, giving them the opportunity they need. As Robby attempts to pull the last camera loose, Mandroid tries to attack him, but the chain around his legs throws off the mech's balance, and the force of its shifting dislodges the last camera, sending the Maltos flying along with the Arachnamechs trying to pull the camera back. Twitch destroys their tether and catches her family as they destroy the last camera, but Mandroid continues to attack blindly in the hopes of landing a hit. His wild laserfire manages to clip Megatron, forcing the Decepticon to the ground, and his mech's legs finally prove stronger than the chain, flinging the ship into the air and causing it to crashing down, nearly crushing the Maltos.

As they take cover beneath a nearby warehouse, Optimus declares the cannon to be their next target. Megatron volunteers to take it out, but his arm is too injured from Mandroid's laser cutter and the mech's cannon. Before anyone can stop her, Twitch takes off, dodging weaponsfire as she approaches the cannon. Before a swarm of Arachnamechs can overtake her, they are destroyed as Optimus, Bumblebee, and the rest of her family charge out, ready to have her back. As the cannon targets them and begins charging up, Twitch slices through its cables with her laser swords, causing the aiming mechanism to go haywire and fire right through the mech's front leg. As the Mech begins to explode and Mandroid seethes at his failure, Megatron gives Dot a signal and she fires a cannon shot from the ship right through the mech causing it to topple backwards into the water, erupting into flames as it begins sinking with no sign of Mandroid. Mo introduces Dot to the three new Terrans, whom she thanks and welcomes into the family. Optimus turns to find Megatron nursing his wound and bemoaning that they had no G.H.O.S.T. backup, despite their supposed partnership. Optimus, however, turns Megatron's attention to the happy Malto family, pointing out that ''they'' are the true embodiment of the human-[[Transformer|Cybertronian]] alliance, and a sign of the future they hope to one day achieve.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] (1)
*[[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]] (11)

|c2=
*[[Nova Storm (ES)|Nova Storm]] (10)
*[[Skywarp (ES)|Skywarp]] (12)
*[[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] (13)

|c3=
*[[Alex Malto]] (6)
*[[Mo Malto]] (7)
*[[Robby Malto]] (8)
*[[Mandroid]] (14)
*[[Dot Malto]] (15)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Nightshade (ES)|Nightshade]] (2)
*[[Hashtag (ES)|Hashtag]] (3)
*[[Jawbreaker (ES)|Jawbreaker]] (4)
*[[Twitch]] (5)
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (9)

|h5=Others||c5=
*[[Arachnamech]]s (16)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Nightshade:''' Ooh, may I be the bobblehead? 
'''Optimus:''' Of course. Morgan, can you switch...um... 
'''Mo:''' Nightshade's pronouns are "they/them". 
'''Nightshade:''' "He" or "she" just doesn't fit who I am. 
'''Optimus:''' My apologies. Please switch ''their'' piece.

"Careful, little bird. Too much confidence often ends in rubble."
:—'''Megatron''' gives Twitch some guidance.

"Fine. I'll destroy you all blind! There's enough pests out there that if I swat, I'm bound to hit something!"
:—'''Mandroid''' refuses to give up.

"One thing you gotta learn about this family is..." 
"We do things together!"
:—'''Mo''' and '''Jawbreaker''' have their sister's back.

"Holy smokes! Is every day like this for you?" 
"Only every other day."
:—'''Nightshade''' and '''Robbie'''

"For all our purported partnership, somehow we always bear the scars." 
"Look again, old friend. ''This'' is the human-Cybertronian alliance. G.H.O.S.T. has growing to do, yes, but this is what we can achieve together, for the future of both our species."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus''' look to the future.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The Maltos first check the site of Mandroid's original lab, where they previously encountered him in "[[Secret Legacy, Part 2]]".
* Like the previous episode, this one also continues the hints at Alex and Mandroid's shared past, first implied in "[[Traditions]]".

===Transformers references===
*

===Real-world references===
* "Operation Terran Horse" alludes to the legend of the {{w|Trojan Horse}} and the term's modern metaphorical use as a trick designed to lower someone's guard by masking their intentions.
*Bumblebee's use of the anchor to tie up the mech's legs feels more than a bit evocative of the [[Rebel Alliance]] using [[Snowspeeder]] tow cables to trip an [[AT-AT]] in ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|The Empire Strikes Back]]''.

===Errors===
*

===Trivia===
* Most online distribution platforms, such as [[Paramount+]] and YouTube, do not list this episode separately from [[Age of Evolution, Part 1|Part 1]], instead choosing to combine both parts into a single 44-minute video.
* Nightshade's appearance in this episode marks the first time a character has been identified as non-binary in a ''Transformers'' cartoon. ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]'' previously featured a sort of edge case in the form of [[Acid Storm (Cyberverse)|Acid Storm]], but the character was not intentionally written as such, instead falling into the realm of [[pseudocanon]] via [[authorial intent]] in response to a recurring [[animation error]].

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Le temps de l'évolution - Partie 2'''" ("Evolution Time - Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 9]], 2022

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Az evolúció kora, 2. rész'''" ("The Age of Evolution, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' December 9, 2022
:**Since the language lacks gendered pronouns, Nightshade's character was reinterpreted in the dub. Rather than being non-binary, Nightshade refers to themselves in plural terms, using "we" and "us" instead of "I" and "me" to justify the plural pronoun, and the subject of gender is not brought up at all.

[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Megatron (ES)

2022-12-12T06:14:21Z

TBR: /* Notes */ ("dual-rotored helicopter" would be like a Chinook. The Osprey-esque bird is a tiltrotor)

{{factions|decepticon|ghost|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Megatron}}

:''Megatron is a [[G.H.O.S.T.]]-allied [[Decepticon]] from the [[Transformers: EarthSpark (franchise)|EarthSpark]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:MegatronLiveLaughLove.jpg|thumb|350px|LOOK AT THIS PHOTOGRAPH!]]

'''Megatron''' ''used'' to be the cruel and merciless leader of the Decepticons, who fought against [[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]] and his [[Autobot|Autobots]] across both [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and [[Earth]].

These days, however, he’s reformed. He now works ''with'' Optimus and his Autobots, as well as [[G.H.O.S.T.]], to protect the people of Earth, human and Cybertronian alike. However, that doesn’t mean he follows Optimus blindly. Megatron cares deeply for his former troops, and does NOT appreciate G.H.O.S.T.’s treatment of them. He’s trying to make the best of a bad situation, in the name of peace, but there’s still a bit of tension between the two leaders.

==Fiction==
===''EarthSpark'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Rory McCann]] (English)| [[Gerardo Vásquez]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Dario Oppido]] (Italian), [[Carlos Gesteira]] (Brazilian Portuguese), [[Julien Kramer]] (French)}}

{{charfictionstub|{{storylink|Secret Legacy, Part 1}} {{storylink|Secret Legacy, Part 2}} {{storylink|Moo-ving In}} {{storylink|Decoy (episode)|Decoy}} {{storylink|Age of Evolution, Part 1}} {{storylink|Age of Evolution, Part 2}}}}

==Toys==
===''EarthSpark''===
[[File:TF-Earthspark-Tacticon-Megatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|]]
*'''Megatron''' (Tacticon Assortment, 2022)

:"Tacticon assortment" Megatron is a small figure that converts from a small aircraft into an [[Brick (term)|unposeable]] robot with just a single step controlled by your fingertip.

{{-}}
[[File:Transformers-EarthSpark-Deluxe-Class-Megatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Megatron''' (Deluxe, 2022)
**Accessories: Two-part cannon, left arm for [[Mandroid]]

:Released as part of the first Deluxe Class wave, this Megatron is a show-accurate mold that transforms into a stylized military aircraft. Parts of his vehicle mode engines combine to form his arm cannon. He also comes with a Build-A-Figure piece, in this case; a left arm for Mandroid.
{{-}}
[[File:TF-Earthspark-Warrior-Megatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Megatron''' (Warrior, 2023)
**Accessories: Blaster

:Released as part of the second Warrior Class wave, this Megatron is a somewhat simplified Deluxe scaled figure. His cannon features a deployable blade from its barrel.

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:ES_Megatron_concept_art_-_ArtCup.jpg|thumb|upright=2.0|I thought he looked familiar!]]
*Megatron being an ex-villain, of course, harkens back to his [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|2005 IDW counterpart]]. ''Unlike'' IDW's Megatron, however, this Megatron retains his Decepticon [[insignia]].
** This version of Megatron also draws design elements from his IDW counterpart, as evident from the concept art collage<ref>[https://www.artstation.com/artwork/VyEkYg ArtStation post by ArtCup 21 November 2022</ref> (at right), which includes [[Flame Toys]]' [[Megatron (G1)/merchandise#Flame Toys|model kit]] based on [[Alex Milne]]'s [[:File:RageRage-Megatronappears.jpg|2014 Autobot design]].
* Megs turning into a tiltrotor aircraft is reminiscent of [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' Megatron]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:EarthSpark Decepticons]]
[[Category:G.H.O.S.T.]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]

Shattered Glass II issue 4

2022-12-12T06:11:03Z

TBR: /* Transformers references */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass II]]'' #4
|prev=Shattered Glass II issue 3
|next=Shattered Glass II issue 5
|caption=
|image=IDWSGII 4 cvrA.jpg
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[November 23]], 2022
|coverdate=November 2022
|written by=[[Danny Lore]]
|art by=[[Dan Khanna]]
|inks=[[Gigi Dutreix]]
|colors=[[John-Paul Bove]] and [[Ed Pirrie]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
}}

'''Flamewar struggles to balance her desire for vengeance against the good of the mission as she leads a Decepticon strike force to Metroplex.'''

==Synopsis==
{{note|This story is told in non-linear form. This synopsis presents it in chronological order for ease of reading.}}

''As the war between the evil [[Autobot]]s and heroic [[Decepticon]]s took shape, not all Cybertronians took sides at first. Some, like [[Cannonball (SG)|Cannonball]] and the pirate crew of the ''[[Rising Sea]]'' initially stayed out of the conflict due to his past disagreements with [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]], but there came a time when Cannonball and his crew joined [[Soundwave (SG)|Soundwave]] in a battle to protect [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s [[Titan Net]] from [[Windblade (SG)|Windblade]]'s Titan-killing "Citycrashers". [[Flamewar (SG)|Flamewar]], fanatically loyal to her captain, took on [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus]] alone, ignoring her captain's warnings, and forced Cannonball to sacrifice his life so that his crew could escape. Without their captain, Flamewar and the remaining survivors slipped into a deep despair; during a drunken memorial for Cannonball at a run-down watering hole, however, Megatron approached Flamewar and her compatriots with an offer of employment—join the Decepticons and take back Cybertron from Autobot tyranny. Megatron believes that [[Slipstream (SG)|Slipstream]] is the new leader of the pirates, but this isn't entirely true: she might be their ''nominal'' commander, but the truth is that they go wherever Flamewar goes.''

Years later, Flamewar was a part of Megatron's ill-fated mission to [[Earth]] and present for the final battle against the Autobots. Ultimately, Megatron ordered [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] to get the surviving Decepticons to safety while he stayed behind; although the noble [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] and his followers did what they could to rescue as many Decepticons as possible and limp back to Cybertron, Flamewar had now lost ''two'' leaders, and the experience taught the embittered Decepticon a valuable lesson: never leave a man behind.''

In the present day, an annoyed Flamewar gripes that Megatron still hasn't cleared her or her unit to take on the Autobots in the [[Static Zone]]; while Slipstream urges caution, Flamewar, still fuming about her recent run-in with [[Blaster (SG)|Blaster]], insists that she's ready for action. The pair argue back and forth about Megatron's true strategy before [[Shadow Striker (SG)|Shadow Striker]] finally cuts to the heart of the matter: if neither of them really want to be here, why are they still here? Flamewar admits that Cannonball would never have sat back and waited for the action to come to him—and with that, the crew of the ''Rising Sea'' transform and speed away to find the Autobots.

Out in the Static Zone, the group find [[Metroplex (SG)|Metroplex]]'s frozen form, surrounded by Autobots—including Flamewar's old nemesis, Rodimus. Flamewar immediately announces that she's going to kill Rodimus for everything he's done, Slipstream advises caution... but Flamewar, adamant that she'll do this even if her own teammates won't support her, promptly zooms away to settle her score. Slipstream watches her go, and murmurs that she'll ''always'' be there for her...

At Metroplex's base, Rodimus spies Flamewar on the horizon and springs into action, leaving an irritated [[Wheeljack (SG)|Slicer]] to drag their new prisoner [[Jetfire (SG)|Jetfire]] away to [[Ratchet (SG)|Ratchet]]'s newest base of operations. The pair fight until an artillery shell spirals into the battlefield and sends them both flying—a shell that belongs to [[Hailstorm (SG)|Hailstorm]], who tries to assist until Rodimus shoots him in a turret barrel and triggers a fatal explosion. At that moment, Slipstream swoops in to extricate her teammate from an unwinnable fight; furious and grief-stricken at losing another comrade, Flamewar struggles free and dives back down to finish the job—only for Rodimus to promptly shoot her unconscious.

Flamewar comes to inside the Titan itself... and right next to a shackled [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]], who bellows defiance at his captors as they haul him away for an unspecified "procedure". Flamewar demands to know where he's been taken, and what's to happen to her as well, but Slicer only informs her that she's being kept alive as a bargaining chip. Fortunately, Slipstream's arrived just in time to rescue her friend as she stalls for time. Noticing that Slicer has some attachment to Blaster's severed head, she grabs the body part and demands to know what Ratchet's doing to Optimus—Slicer manages to get out that Ultra Magnus's sinister plans involve Prime's body somehow, but when Slicer leaps for Slipstream, Flamewar lines up a shot and sends the amoral engineer tumbling out of a shattered wall to the ground far below. Flamewar takes stock of this unexpected victory, and remembers her last conversation with Slipstream.

Flamewar decides that she ''could'' pointlessly avenge Megatron and Cannonball and everyone else she's lost... but there's a ''real'' fight underway now, and there'll be plenty of other chances to make up for lost time!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashback. 

{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Decepticon]]s|c1=
* [[Slipstream (SG)|Slipstream]] (1)
* [[Hailstorm (SG)|Hailstorm]] (2)
* [[Barricade (SG)|Barricade]] (3)
* [[Flamewar (SG)|Flamewar]] (4)
* [[Skywarp (SG)|Skywarp]] (5)
* [[Sunstorm (SG)|Sunstorm]] (6)
* ''[[Tracer (SG)|Tracer]]'' (7)
* [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]] (8)
* [[Shadow Striker (SG)|Shadow Striker]] (9)
* [[Hotlink (SG)|Hotlink]] (10)
* [[Soundwave (SG)|Soundwave]] (14)
* ''[[Frenzy (SG)|Frenzy]]'' (16)
* ''[[Thundercracker (SG)|Thundercracker]]'' (19)
* ''[[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]]'' (20)

|h2=[[Autobot]]s|c2=
* [[Wheeljack (SG)|Slicer]] (12)
* [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus]] (13)
* ''[[Windblade (SG)|Windblade]]'' (17)
* [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] (21)
* [[Springer (SG)|Springer]] (22)
* [[Drift (SG)|Drift]] (23)
* [[Tailgate (SG)|Tailgate]] (24)

|c4=
* [[Metroplex (SG)|Metroplex]] (11)
* ''[[Cannonball (SG)|Cannonball]]'' (15)
* [[Jetfire (SG)|Jetfire]] (18)

}}

==Quotes==
"This isn't even really disobeying. This is just... speeding up the timeline."
:—'''Flamewar'''

"If you're not right behind me, then I guess you weren't 'with me' like I thought you were." 
"We're always with you, don't you get it?"
:—'''Flamewar''' and '''Slipstream''''

"I gotcha, Flamewar!" 
"Which one of us do you think is quicker on the draw? Me or '''Hailstorm?'''"
:—'''Hailstorm''' dies to '''Rodimus'''

"You do those experiments on your own people? Sick." 
"I get the feeling you've got a broader idea of 'your own people' than I do." 
"I don't get it." 
"You've '''got''' people. I've got a job."
:—'''Flamewar''' and '''Slicer'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The comic picks up in the immediate aftermath of [[Shattered Glass II issue 2|issue #2]], in which [[Blaster (SG)|Blaster]] led a raid on [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] and used his sonic powers to smash his way through a wall, catching Flamewar off-guard in the process.
* The third flashback takes place immediately after the flashback in '''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (IDW)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Shattered Glass issue 2|issue #2]], in which Megatron deliberately sacrificed himself so that [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]]—wearing his F-15 Earth body from the same flashback—could lead the remaining Decepticons off [[Earth]].

===Transformers references===
* While Flamewar rocketed to stardom during [[Brian Ruckley]]'s tenure on IDW's [[Transformers (2019 comic)|2019 ''Transformers'' reboot]]—in which he famously characterized her as a chaotic terrorist who delighted in trolling her nominal allies—this take on the character hews closer to her depiction in [[BotCon 2014]]'s "[[Hoist the Flag]]" storyline, which depicted her as a new recruit to [[Cannonball (G1)|Cannonball]]'s pirate crew. As we noted in our article for last issue, however, her affiliates are (mostly) mirror-universe members of [[Team Stream]] from the 2019 comics.
* Cannonball himself is based directly on his "Hoist the Flag" incarnation, a retool of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' [[Ratchet (WFC)#Prime|Ratchet]] with a new head and color scheme.
* While in Iacon, Flamewar, Soundwave, and Cannonball fought to defend the city's "[[Titan Net]]", a piece of Titan-related technology that originated in the 2019 ''Transformers'' reboot. They're opposed by, among other characters, [[Windblade (SG)|Windblade]]; rather than a [[cityspeaker]], she and [[Lightbright (SG)|Lightbright]] are "city''crashers''" who deliberately destroy Titans.
* In her conversation with Soundwave, Flamewar namedrops [[Lowload (SG)|Lowload]], a ''Shattered Glass'' version of a [[Lowload (G1)|minor character from IDW's reboot]], as a former member of Cannonball's crew.

===Errors===
* On page two, "[[engex]]" is misspelt "energex".
* On page four, Flamewar's line—"we're not Constructicons"—is missing a period.
* On page eleven, Cannonball's dialogue is also missing a punctuation mark.
* On the first panel on page fifteen, Flamewar's handcuffs are black like the inner parts of her forearms instead of blue.

===Covers (4)===
* '''Cover A:''' Flamewar, by [[Livio Ramondelli]]
* '''Cover B:''' Flamewar's up to mischief, by [[Ashleigh Phillips]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover:''' Metroplex, Megatron, and a perky Flamewar, by [[Josh Burcham]]
* '''Hasbro Pulse exclusive cover:''' Flamewar attacks, by [[Casey Coller]]

<gallery>
IDWSGII 4 cvrA.jpg
IDWSGII 4 cvrB.jpg
IDWSGII 4 cvrRI.jpg
IDWSGII 4 cvrRE.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' #300
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* ''The Rocketeer: The Complete Adventures Deluxe Edition''
* ''Dead Seas''

==External links==
* [https://majorspoilers.com/2022/11/22/preview-transformers-shattered-glass-ii-4/ Preview]

[[Category:IDW Shattered Glass issues]]

Decoy (episode)

2022-12-11T04:52:24Z

TBR: /* Synopsis */

{{disambig2|the ''EarthSpark'' cartoon episode|the soft-rubber toys from Generation 1|Decoy}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 8
|image=EarthSpark-Decoy-Faceoff.jpg
|caption=Staring contests last a lot longer when you don't have the ability to blink.
|prev=Friends and Family
|next=Age of Evolution, Part 1
|title="Decoy"
|airdate=[[November 11]], [[2022]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Isabel Galupo]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|directors=[[Alex Kwan]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/r27C5fQFFRHRExt3s19qIx_WtzHepd0a/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''While the Maltos train with Arcee, an encounter with rogue cassette-bots puts Optimus and Megatron at odds.'''

==Synopsis==
At an abandoned factory, [[Ravage (ES)|Ravage]] is being pursued by [[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]], attempting to recover the ID badge they stole from [[Jon Schloder|Agent Schloder]]. While Prime fires futilely at the wily Decepticon, [[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] is similarly engaged nearby with [[Laserbeak (ES)|Laserbeak]], who swoops in to take the badge from Ravage. Though Megatron manages to momentarily incapacitate Laserbeak, he's interrupted by the arrival of [[Frenzy (ES)|Frenzy]], who lands a sneak attack and grabs the badge before escaping into the nearby forest. As they begin searching for her, Optimus chastises Megatron for going easy on the criminals, but Megatron rebukes him, claiming the theft to be just a childish prank and that the [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|cassette-bots]] are harmless. As Optimus finally grabs Frenzy, she and the other cassette-bots unleash their Tri-Tone ability, creating powerful sonic waves that overwhelm Optimus and Megatron's sensors. Now free, the three resume harassing the two faction leaders, with Megatron refusing to use his [[fusion cannon]] on the small bots.

Meanwhile, [[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] is attempting to teach the [[Terran]]s about using decoys. Unfortunately, [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] and [[Twitch]] fundamentally misunderstand the concept, leading them to simply begin fighting and claiming they each "decoyed" the other. Back at the farm, Bumblebee once again attempts to explain the use of a decoy to distract an enemy, inadvertently rhyming and leading [[Robby Malto|Robby]] and [[Mo Malto|Mo]] to turn the the lesson into a song:

''"Draw the enemy's eye away; Then boom-bang! Ruin their day!"''

However, they're interrupted as Mo receives a phone call from Optimus, asking her to let Bumblebee know his comms aren't working - and he needs backup. The Terrans are eager to join the fight, but Bumblebee declares they're not ready and that someone more experienced—by which he means himself—will need to go. Just as he says this, the group receives an unexpected visitor: [[Arcee (ES)|Arcee]], who's stopped by to check up on Bumblebee. The others are awestruck by Arcee, having heard the stories of her many adventures, while Bumblebee, seeing an opportunity, decides Arcee will be their substitute teacher for the day and drives off. Though momentarily confused, Arcee quickly takes to her new role and gives the four her first lesson: digging trenches.

As Bumblebee arrives, he finds Optimus and Megatron continuing to struggle against the nimble cassette-bots, causing heavy destruction to the factory. Optimus chastises Bumblebee for not sending someone else, worrying about questions that may arise if [[G.H.O.S.T.]] discovers he is alive. Fortunately, Bumblebee packed some spare [[restraining bolt]]s and uses them to catch Frenzy and Ravage, [[mode lock]]ing them in cassette mode and placing them in Optimus's trailer. Megatron retrieves Laserbeak, but refuses to place the last restraining bolt on him, finding its use inhumane, and places him inside with the others. As Bumblebee bolts Laserbeak, Megatron questions G.H.O.S.T.'s treatment of the Decepticons to Optimus, who reminds him of the bargain G.H.O.S.T. made with the Cybertronians and the oath he took, but Megatron declares he wanted to save their people, not imprison them. Their debate is ultimately interrupted by Bumblebee, who reminds them they should be going.

As the exhausted Terrans and humans finally finish digging the trenches, Arcee compliments them on their good work...then tells them to fill the trenches again. This leads to a series of increasingly mundane tasks given by Arcee to the students, including perimeter patrol, hay-stacking, and tractor-polishing, increasingly grating on their nerves. Finally, Twitch has had enough and refuses to continue, with her siblings agreeing and pointing out how much better Bumblebee's instruction was. Arcee stares at them sternly...then laughs, telling them they finally passed her test. Seeing their confusion, Arcee explains that she was trying to teach the kids to speak up if something doesn't feel right, lest they allow others to take advantage of them. When Robby lets slip that the reason Arcee was subbing was because Bumblebee was heading on a mission, Arcee decides that they should all follow.

Things remain tense as Optimus and Megatron transport the prisoners, continuing to debate G.H.O.S.T.'s trustworthiness, with Bumblebee attempting to lighten the mood with stories of training the Terrans. Unbeknownst to any of them, Laserbeak manages to send out a distress signal, and an unknown figure appears behind the convoy as they enter a tunnel, releasing an [[electromagnetic pulse]] that disables the restraining bolts. Now freed, the cassette-bots burst from the trailer and regroup with the figure, revealed to be their master, [[Soundwave (ES)|Soundwave]]. The Decepticon orders the cassette-bots to attack Megatron, leaving him to square off against the three alone while Optimus and Bumblebee attempt to fight Soundwave off. The two [[Autobot]]s are quickly overwhelmed, but help arrives in the form of Arcee and the Maltos. As the Terrans help Megatron, Bumblebee is knocked off a cliff by Soundwave, and his arm becomes trapped under a boulder at the bottom, rendering him immobile. Soundwave transforms to jet mode to finish the trapped Autobot, but is prevented by Arcee, who grabs onto him and forces him to land. Optimus and Megatron follow him down, with Megatron attacking his vengeful former subordinate, while Arcee frees Bumblebee and he runs off to protect the kids.

Back at the top of the cliff, the cassette bots unleash their Tri-Tone attack, putting the Maltos on the back foot. Robby exclaims they need something to block out the sound, prompting Mo to begin singing their song from earlier. As the others join in, even the cassette-bots can't help but sing along with the catchy tune, giving the Terrans an opening to attack. While each cassette-bot is occupied with a different opponent, Bumblebee catches all three off guard, taking them down in short order. Down below, Megatron is temporarily caught off guard by Soundwave calling him a traitor, but he is saved from an oncoming blast by Optimus, and the two reaffirm their commitment to protecting all Cybertronians. Now in sync, Optimus and Megatron work together to overpower Soundwave, as Arcee delivers the final blow and knocks him out.

As the prisoners are loaded into Optimus's trailer, Arcee excitedly talks about all the exciting drills and lessons she intends to put the kids through, but Bumblebee reaffirms that she was just a substitute and that teaching them is ''his'' responsibility. Arcee grins; ''that'' was Bumblebee's test, and he just passed as well. Optimus congratulates Bumblebee on a job well done, though he still orders Bumblebee to write up a full field report as punishment for disobeying orders. As the others drive off, Megatron thanks Optimus for having his back and apologizes what he said. Optimus too apologizes, agreeing to release the cassette-bots if Megatron will vouch for them. Megatron destroys the restraining bolts, warning the cassette-bots not to waste this lone second chance they are being given. As they retreat, Ravage runs back in the opposite direction despite Frenzy's protests.

Later at G.H.O.S.T.'s holding facility, Soundwave is placed in containment. Upon being left alone, he declares the decoy operation was successful and uses his sonic pulses to create a small gap in his cell's barrier...as Ravage emerges from his chest and leaps right through it. Given reconnaissance orders by Soundwave, he takes off, observed with glee by the occupant of the next cell: [[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]]!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
*[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] (8)
*[[Arcee (ES)|Arcee]] (12)
*[[Elita-1 (ES)|Elita-1]] (14)

|c2=
*[[Ravage (ES)|Ravage]] (1)
*[[Laserbeak (ES)|Laserbeak]] (3)
*[[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]] (4)
*[[Frenzy (ES)|Frenzy]] (5)
*[[Soundwave (ES)|Soundwave]] (13)
*[[Starscream (ES)|Starscream]] (15)

|c3=
*[[Mo Malto]] (10)
*[[Robby Malto]] (11)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (7)
*[[Twitch]] (9)

|c5=
*[[Fluffy Ears]] (6)
}}

==Quotes==
"Field report: Twitch still hasn't fallen for my amazing decoy. Fluffy Ears remains cute." 
"And a ''horrible'' source of cover."
:—'''Thrash''' attempts to show off his stealthiness to '''Bumblebee'''.

''(sigh)'' "I miss adults."
:—'''Bumblebee''' needs a break from teaching.

"Optimus, does it not concern you that our human allies control where Decepticons live and what form they take, even in so-called times of peace? This is not freedom."
:—'''Megatron''' calls out Mr. "Freedom is part of my catchphrase" on Decepticon rights.

'''Megatron:''' ''Hah!'' 
'''Optimus:''' Something funny to you, Megatron? 
'''Megatron:''' Just that you cannot trust G.H.O.S.T. with the knowledge of your own scout, yet you are content to deliver every Decepticon you encounter into their hands! 
'''Bumblebee:''' ...doesn't actually sound like he thinks that's funny.

''(hums decoy song)'' "Curse that annoyingly catchy tune."
:—Even the mighty '''Megatron''' isn't immune to earworms.

"Do not make this personal, Soundwave!" 
"It already is."
:—No love lost between '''Megatron''' and '''Soundwave'''.

"What even ''is'' a cassette anyway?"
:—'''Robby''' makes all the old-school fans age another 30 years with just one line.

"Perhaps your leadership style is not so different from my own..." 
"Or maybe you're growing to appreciate mine."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus''', ro-bros for life.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Both Soundwave and Starscream were previously shown among Megatron's troops in [[Alex Malto|Alex]]'s story back in "[[Secret Legacy, Part 1]]"; this is the first time we're getting a look at their "real-world" designs.
* Optimus tells Bumblebee to update [[Teletraan I (ES)|Teletraan I]] with his report, which was last seen in G.H.O.S.T. HQ in "[[Classified]]". Considering G.H.O.S.T. isn't supposed to know Bumblebee is alive, that, uh...may be a little tricky.
* G.H.O.S.T.'s Decepticon holding facility was first introduced in "Classified".

===Transformers references===
* Though Soundwave no longer transforms into a tape deck, his minions all retain the (very large) cassette [[alternate mode]]s of their Generation 1 counterparts; even Robby comments on their dated nature.
* Starscream is voiced by [[Steve Blum]], who previously portrayed [[Starscream (WFC)|a different Starscream]] in the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' cartoons.

===Real-world references===
*

===Animation and technical errors===
*

===Trivia===
* This episode marks the first appearance of a female incarnation of [[Frenzy (disambiguation)|Frenzy]] (and decked out in purple, dodging [[FIRRIB|the whole red/blue thing]]). Notably, she appears on her own rather than accompanied by her usual counterpart [[Rumble (disambiguation)|Rumble]].

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Le leurre'''" ("The Bait")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 7]], 2022

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Köder'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 7]], 2022

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Csalétek'''" ("Bait")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 7]], 2022
:**Though given a high-pitched voice, Frenzy is a male in this dub.

[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Friends and Family

2022-12-11T04:51:09Z

TBR:

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 7
|image=EarthSpark-FriendsAndFamily-MoAndThrash.jpg
|caption=Dihydrogen monoxide: good for your health.
|prev=Traditions
|next=Decoy (episode)
|title="Friends and Family"
|airdate=[[November 11]], [[2022]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writer=[[Brian Hohlfeld]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|director=[[JJ Conway]]
|video=
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''As Mo and Robby start their first day of school, Thrash and Twitch start to experience strange malfunctions.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] has [[Twitch]] and [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] running back and forth, however a malfunction with Thrash's foot causes the Terran to wheel into Twitch, resulting in the pair of them crashing to the ground. As Bumblebee expresses surprise that they're tired already, Twitch's right rotor also triggers randomly, sending her into the nearby wall. They decide it must be a side effect of the jitters [[Mo Matlo|Mo]] and [[Robby Malto|Robby]] are feeling in anticipation of the first day of school. Bumblebee doesn't help their emotional states when he mentions the kids will be making new friends there.

As Mo gets ready for school, [[Dot Malto|her mother]] tries to reassure her and she insists she's fine, though she and Robby engage in some good natured ribbing as the latter appears down the stairs. As they emerge from the house to where the Bots are training, Thrash loses control fully and they have to dive for cover as he barrels towards them in motorcycle mode. He manages to transform just in time to avoid crashing into [[Alex Malto|Alex]] and apologizes for his inadvertent rampage. Twitch suggests she and Thrash could go to school with the humans, but as Dot reminds her, they're supposed to be staying secret.

Robby and Mo arrive at [[Witwicky Charter|school]]. As Mo's teacher, Ms. Landers, is out, [[Smelt|Mr. Smelt]] has her join his class with Robby for the day. The class is seated alphabetically, so Smelt has the existing kids make a space which upsets [[Mischa]]. She attempts to switch seats with Mo so she can continue sitting next to [[Bruno Lowe|Bruno]], only for the teacher to spot the move and chastise Mo. The kids' frustration feeds back to Thrash and Twitch via their emotional link, distracting them from Bumblebee's scouting training. Bee decides instead to try taking the pair on a recon mission to the school, where they listen in on Mo and Robby's conversation with Bruno and Mischa, but when the kids mention having made new friends and Mischa doesn't believe them, Thrash's anger feeds back to Robby. In the car park, Bumblebee is forced to switch to vehicle mode when he's almost discovered by Mr. Smelt and decides it's time to can the mission, driving off as Smelt returns with the principal. Twitch struggles to transform, but eventually succeeds and flies up to the window where Mr. Smelt is having Robby and Mo audition for the school choir. Twitch's malfunctioning rotors cause her to bang repeatedly into the side of the building, resulting in Mo likewise throwing herself into the wall. Before long, both kids are flailing about while the rest of the class laughs. The pair eventually regain control and return to their seats where Bruno and Mischa are impressed with the way they annoyed Mr. Smelt. Their teacher calls for a break.

Heading outside with the other kids, Robby and Mo soon find the Terrans and tell them to go home as their feedback is interfering too much. Once the kids leave, Twitch begins absently drifting off in the wrong direction and, unable to transform, Thrash follows. Mo and Robby arrive home to find Bumblebee setting up targets, and he tells them their Terran siblings missed them. When the two kids realize they can't feel anything through their links, Bumblebee takes them to find Twitch and Thrash. The pair in question are wandering lost in the wilderness somewhere. Bumblebee and the kids arrive at the school and start following the Terrans' footprints. Mo worries the Terrans are mad at them, but they stumble on a happy portrait made of sticks and rocks left by Thrash to mark the trail. After a brief struggle between Bumblebee and a raccoon, the three trackers stumble on a short cut. When the kids observe that that emotions they're getting through the link are almost zombie-like, Bumblebee posits it's because they're low on [[energon]] and is shocked when Robby and Mo reveal that the Terrans have never consumed the substance. The raccoon reappears, so they follow it to where Thrash is lying against a tree, having lost track of Twitch. Bumblebee gives him an energon patch, but it doesn't seem to do much and he wanders off in a zombie-like state, leading them to where a spot where Twitch is randomly blasting the ground. The trio attempt to talk to the Terrans, who turn around, Twitch aiming her blaster at them.

Bumblebee protects the two kids as Twitch's blasts almost bring a tree down on them, but more blasts cause the ground to cave in, and everyone falls in. Bumblebee scans the comatose Terrans, only to find to his shock that they barely have any energon. While Bumblebee looks for a way out, the kids plead with the Terrans to wake up. Noticing the shallow water they're in seems to be reacting with the Terrans, the kids splash them with it and the two Terrans spring back into life. Bumblebee returns and, after hugging Thrash and Twitch, shows them what he's found — ancient Cybertronian text on a cave wall. The group reasons out that since they're from Earth, Twitch and Thrash needed the water in the cave to run instead of energon, though why the water in the cave is special, they can't work out. They emerge from the cave and Bumblebee reveals that Robby and Mo had to skip a pool party with their new school friends to search for the Terrans, who realize that the kids do need time on their own. They head off to the pool party, leaving Bumblebee to make his way home with the raccoon.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] (3)

|c3=
*[[Mo Malto]] (4)
*[[Dot Malto]] (5)
*[[Robby Malto]] (6)
*[[Alex Malto]] (7)
*Students (8)
*[[Smelt|Mr. Smelt]] (9)
*[[Bruno Lowe]] (10)
*[[Mischa]] (11)
*[[Dan (ES)|Principal Dan]] (12)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (1)
*[[Twitch]] (2)

}}

==Quotes==
"Putting targets in the yard, wow this rhyming sure gets hard."
:—'''Bumblebee'''

"Wow! Our teacher is a huge jerk!" 
"What did you call me?!" 
"Ohh, no, not you, Bee. It's feels from Mo and Robby. School is a ''lot''."
:—'''Thrash''' and '''Bumblebee'''

"Let's use those scouting skills! When tracking someone you have to be aware of everything around you, no matter how small." 
"You mean like those Terran footprints you're kneeling on?"
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Mo'''

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

===Transformers references===
*The Cybertron textbook the kids are reading features illustrations of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] as it appeared in the original [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''The Transformers'' cartoon]].

===Real-world references===
*Mo refers to the classic fairy tale "{{w|Hansel and Gretel}}".

===Animation and technical errors===
*Quintus Prime's insignia appears upside-down.

===Trivia===
*The text Bumblebee finds reads "IN TIMES OF NEED HELP SHALL RISE TO YOUR CALL" in Ancient Autobot script, with the insignia of [[Quintus Prime]] next to it.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La famille et les amis'''" ("Family and Friends")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 6]], 2022

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Freunde und Familie'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 6]], 2022

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Egység és kétség'''" ("Unity and Doubt")
:*''Original airdate:'' December 6, 2022
:**The title is wordplay, "''egy''ség és ''két''ség" can also mean "oneness and twoness"

{{epstub}}

[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]

Classified

2022-12-11T04:40:41Z

TBR:

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (cartoon)|Transformers: EarthSpark]]'' ep 5
|image=EarthSpark-Classified-Hiding.jpg
|caption=Honey, I shrunk the Cube
|prev=House Rules
|next=Traditions
|title="Classified"
|airdate=[[November 11]], [[2022]]
|production company=[[Entertainment One]] [[Nickelodeon]]
|writers=[[Nathan Ramos-Park]]
|animation studio=[[Icon Creative Studio]]
|directors=[[Alex Kwan]]
|video=https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/2Ihvjq0stmkgzh6x82PLHlEpyJrCXP3f/
|videosite=Paramount+
}}

'''A G.H.O.S.T. agent mistakenly begins pursuing the Terrans, forcing them to keep a low profile.'''

==Synopsis==
''[[Robby Malto]] creeps through a smoky black void, looking for his [[Terran]] siblings. [[Twitch]] and [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] call out to him, only to be pulled into a truck by a [[G.H.O.S.T.]] agent and carried away before he can catch up to them. Robby attempts to follow, but he is blocked by the enormous form of [[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]], warning him that nothing lasts forever as Robby watches his [[cyber-sleeve]] disappear from his hand...''

Robby wakes with a start from his nightmare as Twitch looks in from his window, offering to look at baby foxes with him to help him calm down. The two head for the woods, but find the foxes' den abandoned, the mother having presumably moved her kits due to their repeated visits. Robby suggests they split up to keep looking, but during his search, he runs into a group of [[G.H.O.S.T.]] agents. Sensing his fear, Twitch doubles back and picks him up, quickly retreating when the agents assume her to be a [[Decepticon]] and start firing on her. The leader chastises his cadets for nearly blasting a human civilian, and decides to leave the capture of the supposed Con in most capable hands he knows—his own.

The next morning, the four Malto children are visiting Dot's ranger station for the first time, and while Twitch, Thrash, and [[Mo Malto|Mo]] are fascinated, Robby is still exhausted and enters a storage room for a nap. His sleep is quickly interrupted, however, when one of the stack of boxes pops out and the G.H.O.S.T. agent from the previous night attempts to squeeze his way through the gap. Panicked, Robby runs back to his mother to warn her, and she orders the kids outside. Dot opens the door, careful to block the intruder from seeing the children, and comes face-to-face with Special Agent [[Jon Schloder]], who entered via a G.H.O.S.T. elevator in the storage room. Schloder informs Dot that she'll be working with him on his mission to find a Decepticon kidnapper terrorizing [[Witwicky (town)|Witwicky]]. Realizing the risk his presence poses to the Terrans, Dot texts the kids orders to go home immediately. As she drives away with Schloder, Robby directs the others on an alternate route to avoid being seen.

As they drive, Scholoder tells Dot that she'll need to undergo G.H.O.S.T. training and that he'll need to go to her house to question her children, despite her protests. She texts the kids once more, this time telling them ''not'' to go home. Mo doesn't understand why Robby seems so nervous, but before they can debate further, the ground opens beneath them and they suddenly fall into a deep hole lined with metal. As a barrier closes above them, Robby realizes they're trapped in an old Decepticon [[hologram pit trap]]. Twitch and Thrash attempt to breach the barrier, but are electrified on contact. As they attempt to find a way out, Twitch lets slip about her and Robby being attacked the previous night, angering Mo that Robby didn't tell her. Robby retorts that he doesn't have to tell her everything, and their negative emotions begin to bleed over to the Terrans via their emotional link. Thankfully, they are interrupted by the arrival of Optimus Prime, who deactivates the barrier and retrieves the children. Optimus explains that he and G.H.O.S.T. have been sweeping the area looking for a dangerous Decepticon. Knowing the Terrans will be taken away if G.H.O.S.T. finds them, he directs the four to hide in his trailer while he transports them somewhere safe.

As Dot and Schloder arrive at the Malto house, she sends a coded message to [[Alex Malto|Alex]] via the doorbell, warning him to hide the bots. Alex orders Bumblebee to hide and quietly assures Dot that the kids are with Optimus as the two do their best to distract Schloder. Unfortunately, Schloder hears the sound of Bumblebee transforming and goes to investigate the barn, only to find a very stylish looking sports car that ''totally'' isn't an [[Autobot]] in disguise. Impressed with the car, Schloder requisitions its use in the search, though Alex insists that he must be the one to drive it. With Alex now escorting him, much to Bumblebee's chagrin, Schloder sends Dot back to the ranger station, ordering her to take the elevator to G.H.O.S.T. HQ to undergo her training.

When Dot arrives for her orientation, where Optimus is waiting for her. Dot is unimpressed by the cheesy brochures, though Optimus claims they are meant as an effort to stem decades of humans fearing [[Transformer]]s, and begins sending her through the incredibly dry orientation sequence, corny promotional video and all. In downtown Witwicky, Bumblebee is none too pleased at running errands for Schloder, but Alex reminds him it's for the sake of keeping Dot and the kids safe. However, Bumblebee refuses to allow Schloder inside with a powdered sugar donut, locking his door then knocking him over when he attempts to force it open.

The Malto kids continue to sit in the trailer, under orders from Optimus not to come out until he says so, but Mo and Robby are still arguing over him keeping his and Twitch's night walks a secret. Their rage causes Thrash to aggressively throw the ball he's playing with, which hits himself and knocks the trailer doors open. Emerging, they realize they are in G.H.O.S.T. headquarters. Though Mo reminds him they were told to stay put, Robby decides to look around. Unfortunately, they are spotted by the cadets from the previous night, who recognize Twitch and begin chasing the Maltos through the facility. Seeing an open room, the kids duck inside and seal the door, relieved to be safe...until they realize they've entered [[Megatron (ES)|Megatron]]'s training room, which activates a high-level training simulation.

Schloder gets a call from the cadets warning him that the Decepticon is loose in their base. Convinced the car is faulty after all the times Bumblebee has messed with him, Schloder flags down a passing old woman for a ride instead, while Bumblebee places a covert call to Optimus. In the simulator, a holographic human calls for help as lasers begin firing on the Maltos. With the door sealed and no phone reception, Mo and Robby's argument comes to a head, with Robby expressing his doubts that things will always work out. Twitch and Thrash realize that they can channel the anger they're feeling into strength like with Thrash's ball, and they begin taking out the various laser armaments. Seeing Twitch and Thrash work together and save them from an oncoming blast, Robby and Mo make amends and call a truce.

As the video finishes, Dot remains unconvinced of G.H.O.S.T.'s intentions given all the secrecy, asking Optimus if he really believes he's on the right side. Optimus admits that G.H.O.S.T. were the only ones who could provide the resources needed to protect the planet after the war, and that he is making the best of a bad situation for the sake of the greater good, which Dot sympathizes with, and the two leave to fetch the kids. In the training room, Twitch keeps the lasers focused on her while Thrash launches himself off a pillar and tosses Robby and Mo up to the holographic human, completing the simulation and restoring the room to normal. The door unlocks, revealing the cadets with their weapons drawn, but Optimus and Dot arrive and he dismisses them, saying he will take care of "arresting the Decepticons". As Dot hugs her children, Optimus receives a call from Bumblebee, warning him that Schloder will be at HQ in moments. By the time Schloder arrives, however, he finds the place empty, as Optimus is already taking the others to a secret exit. On their way, they pass through a secret holding facility containing all of the apprehended Decepticons. A regretful Optimus explains he is trusting Dot with this secret, hoping to one day find a better way to keep the planet safe.

Later that night, Robby knocks on Mo's window and the two move to the barn roof to talk. Robby finally admits to Mo about his nightmares and his fear of losing the Terrans, and that he didn't tell her because he feels its his job as the oldest to be brave. Mo reassures him that he doesn't have to be brave alone, and that fear of loss shouldn't scare him away from caring about people. Their bond reforged, the two go to invite the Terrans to a late-night "monster hunt".

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (ES)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (ES)|Bumblebee]] (12)
*[[Elita-1 (ES)|Elita-1]] (13)

|c2=
*[[Shrapnel (ES)|Shrapnel]] (15)
*[[Bombshell (ES)|Bombshell]] (16)
*[[Skullcruncher (ES)|Skullcruncher]]'' (17)

|c3=
*[[Robby Malto]] (1)
*Nightmare [[G.H.O.S.T.]] agent (4)
*[[Jon Schloder]] (6)
*[[G.H.O.S.T.]] cadets (7)
*[[Mo Malto]] (8)
*[[Dot Malto]] (9)
*[[Alex Malto]] (11)
*Old lady (14)

|h4=[[Terran]]s||c4=
*[[Twitch]] (2)
*[[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]] (3)

|h5=Others||c5=
*[[Mr. Slithers]] (10)
}}

==Quotes==
"With a Decepticon targeting youngsters, they may have heard something from their peers. Playground chatter saved my squad in the Knee-Slapper Valley incident..."
:—'''Schloder''' clearly has some...unique backstory elements.

"Better study hard. There's a test. A tough test. It's called...''life''."
:—'''Schloder''' gives Dot her training orders.

"Don't worry. We'll use your cupholders for drinks, and we won't eat anything with crumbs." 
(Bumblebee revs angrily) 
"''We won't eat anything! Got it!''"
:—'''Alex''' tries to placate Bumblebee.

"'Welcome, new recruit. G.H.O.S.T.'s main focus is human-Autobot relations, creating a safer planet for all. And finding ways that Cybertronians can help Earth's communities. Laugh, then cool pose.' ...oh. ''Ha ha ha!''" (finger guns)
:—'''Optimus''' does his best to follow the script.

"Feel the steel of my third wheel!"
:—'''Thrash''' fights back.

"We make compromises to protect those we care about. I am not proud of this, but I know no better option to keep your planet safe. I promise you, I will never stop seeking one."
:—'''Optimus''' reveals G.H.O.S.T.'s dark secret.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The G.H.O.S.T. agent in Robby's nightmare uses the same character model as the one seen after Mandroid abducts the Terrans in "[[Secret Legacy, Part 2]]".
* Among the objects Thrash finds in G.H.O.S.T. HQ is a barely-functioning [[Arachnamech]], presumably the one that Optimus retrieved in "[[Secret Legacy, Part 1]]".
* Megatron was last seen using the training room in "[[Moo-ving In]]".
* All of the imprisoned Decepticons seen in this episode were apprehended in "Secret Legacy, Part 2".

===Transformers references===
* [[Teletraan I (ES)|Teletraan I]] can be seen when the kids first emerge inside G.H.O.S.T. headquarters.
* Megatron's training simulator difficulty level is set to [[Unicron]] 14.

===Real-world references===
*

===Animation and technical errors===
*

===Trivia===
*

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Secret Défense'''" ("Classified")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 2]], 2022

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Streng geheim'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 2]], 2022

'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Szigorúan titkos'''" ("Top Secret")
:*''Original airdate:'' December 2, 2022

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Confidencial'''" ("Confidential", dubbed-in title), "'''Classificado'''" ("Classified", Paramount+ catalogue title)
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 3]], 2022

[[Category:EarthSpark episodes]]