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Minus One

2013-07-06T12:59:38Z

Zabilac:

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 62
|image=MinusOne-facereflection.jpg
|prev=Evolution
|next=Persuasion
|caption=No, Soundwave. Ratchet does not want to read your copy of Twilight.
|title="Minus One"
|airdate=[[July 5]], [[2013]]
|written by=[[Michael Cassutt]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''The Autobots question a captured enemy for information regarding Megatron's plans.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] explains to [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] that the combination of elements in the [[Cyber Matter]] that was accidentally created in his lab would allow them to [[Eco-structuring|cyberform]] entire planets. [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] mocks what sounds like another "Shockwave plan", until Shockwave grabs him with an angry reminder about how Starscream recently left him to the mercy of the [[Autobot]]s. Megatron does not object as Shockwave forces Starscream's face closer and closer to a jagged protrusion of Cyber Matter. Scrambling for a defense, Starscream notes that his actions made their current situation possible. Shockwave accepts the logic of this and lets Starscream go. Without missing a beat, Megatron asks Shockwave why the Cyber Matter appears so chaotic, and the scientist pledges to correct the instability of the elements. Megatron notes that they will require a launch mechanism from which to use the Cyber Matter, and declares that they will focus their resources on reconstructing the [[Omega Lock]].

[[File:MinusOne-UltraMagnus.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Oh no! My Me Time hand!]]

At the Autobot base, [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] finishes his repair of [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]]' mangled right hand. Due to a lack of equipment and spare parts, the repair consists of an unsightly hook appendage that Ratchet says will be functional, but potentially unfit for battle. [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] tries to assure [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] that Ultra Magnus will overcome this setback. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] bets that the hook will become Magnus' signature, making a comparison to [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]]'s [[voice box]] that the scout doesn't appreciate. Bumblebee buzzes angrily and storms off. [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] explains to [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] and [[Jack Darby|Jack]] that Bumblebee still misses the sound of his old voice. [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] tries to lighten the mood by focusing on the defeat of the [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] cloning project, but [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] reminds them all of [[Predaking (Prime)|the Predacon who recently revealed his abilities in transformation]].

Aboard the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron tells Predaking that they will soon punish the Autobots for destroying his brethren. Predaking vows that revenge will come, but that Project Predacon was only ever a starting point. He says that if Megatron truly wishes to restore [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], this should include resurrecting the entire Predacon race from the remains that lie there, so that Predaking can lead them against their shared enemies. Megatron regards this request with skepticism.

Shockwave reports that they've salvaged the wreckage of the Omega Lock, but that the damage was severe, and Earth technology will be needed to retrofit its systems. Megatron orders Starscream to acquire whatever materials Shockwave requires.

The next day, [[William Fowler|Fowler]] reports that [[Decepticon]]s stole twenty tons of control rods from a nuclear plant during the night. Optimus wonders gravely what they're attempting to build.

Shockwave reports to Megatron that the [[Synthetic Energon|synthetic energon]] formula provided by [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] is incomplete, resulting in the instability of the Cyber Matter. Megatron tells him to complete it quickly, citing the need for enough Cyber Matter to restore Cybertron and cyberform [[Earth]]. Shockwave respectfully asks what the logic is in ruling two planets, to which Megatron replies that the two are linked, one [[Unicron]] and the other [[Primus]], and to rule only one would be ruling neither.

Fowler reports another Decepticon theft in progress. Ratchet opens a [[GroundBridge]], but stops Ultra Magnus when he tries to go through, citing the need for further rehabilitation. Optimus says that Ratchet has the final word in medical matters, to which Ultra Magnus reluctantly agrees. Wheeljack watches the exchange with discomfort.

[[File:MinusOne-staredown.jpg|right|thumb|300px|So, you Autobots about ready to give up yet?]]

The Autobots arrive on the scene and immediately advance on squad of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s, who are carrying away their spoils. [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] emerges from the sky in alt-form, opening a GroundBridge directly in front of the retreating Vehicons. [[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] is deployed, and Optimus transforms and takes to the air with his jet pack to engage them both. The Vehicons escape through the bridge, but Optimus' gatling gun is able to bring Soundwave crashing to the ground. Laserbeak escapes, and Optimus contacts Ratchet to let him know they will be returning with a prisoner.

At the Autobot base, Soundwave finds himself secured to a table. Ratchet notes that the base's shielding will prevent the Decepticon from contacting his ship. Wheeljack gleefully says that they have all the time in the world to make Soundwave talk, and Miko wonders if he even does talk.

On the ''Nemesis'', Starscream asks Megatron if he's worried about what the captive Soundwave might say. Megatron states his confidence in Soundwave's ability to withhold information.

[[File:Soundwave Mocks.jpg|thumb|left|I punch those numbers into my calculator and it makes a happy face.|250px]]
Optimus asks Soundwave why the Decepticons have been stealing human technology. Soundwave mockingly plays back a remix of the question set to music, and punctuates it with a smiley face emoticon on his visor. Optimus threatens a less civil method of interrogation, and Soundwave broadcasts a sonic pulse throughout the room that causes humans and Autobots alike to double over in pain. Ratchet angrily suggests opening Soundwave up to get the information they need, but the Decepticon responds by erasing data directly from his own drives. With a final taunt spoken in his own voice, he says, "Soundwave superior, Autobots inferior." His visor blinks out and he slumps down on the table, off-line. An astonished Ratchet reports that the Decepticon's vital signs are stable, but that he crashed his own drives rather than allow them to be read.

Shockwave locates the only item on Earth with enough raw tonnage to power the rebuilt Omega Lock; a particle collider synchrotron. However, his efforts to complete the synthetic energon formula have met with less success. Megatron recalls that Knock Out obtained the formula from Ratchet, and muses that the simplest solution is to recruit him. Shockwave says that Laserbeak can upload the order to Soundwave after reconnecting with him, but Starscream notes that they don't know the location of the Autobot base. Shockwave recalls that Soundwave kept surveillance records on all the Autobots' human allies, not just the children.

From his car phone, Fowler tells Optimus that he's on his way to a meeting with [[Bryce|General Bryce]] about the recent Decepticon heists, and that he'll be back to the base as soon as possible. Behind the car, Laserbeak follows from the sky.

Megatron orders Predaking to be present at the Decepticons' next objective, as they expect the Autobots will interfere. Predaking says that he looks forward to facing the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] again. This cavalier attitude enrages Megatron, who screams at the Predacon about their dwindling forces. Predaking merely states that he will have to fight twice as hard.

On his way back to the base, Fowler contacts the Autobots and reports that the Decepticons are attacking the Solaris particle collider project at the South Pole. Optimus readies the Autobots for action. Ratchet attempts to hold Ultra Magnus back again, but Wheeljack declares that the commander is ready. Wearily, Ratchet relents and opens a GroundBridge. Optimus commands Bulkhead and Smokescreen to stay behind and help Ratchet guard Soundwave, then he and the others depart. While the younger Bots comment on the prone Decepticon, Ratchet wonders what Megatron wants with a device powerful enough to open a [[black hole]].

Outside, Fowler parks in front of the base, still followed by Laserbeak.

It dawns on Ratchet that enough power to swallow a world could also be enough power to create one. He contacts Optimus at the South Pole and relays his suspicion that Megatron plans to rebuild the Omega Lock. He wonders if they should let him, but Optimus knows Megatron will use the Lock to cyberform Earth as well as Cybertron. Disappointed, Ratchet says he understands.

Just then, Predaking strikes from the sky, firing blasts of flame breath that send the Autobots scattering. Optimus returns fire and orders the Autobots to stop the Decepticons from obtaining the collider while he faces the Predacon alone. As the Autobots race to the Solaris building, Optimus draws his gatling gun and engages in an aerial duel with the Predacon. Optimus pours on the firepower, but is unable to keep the beast at bay. With a final, savage swipe of his tail, Predaking sends Optimus crashing down to the ground far below.

Inside the building, the other Autobots find a squad of Vehicons lying in wait for them. As the two groups exchange fire, Shockwave oversees the retrieval of the particle collider in the next room.

At the Autobot base, Smokescreen is trying to convince Ratchet that they'll restore Cybertron somehow when Fowler walks in. He is followed a moment later by Laserbeak crashing through the window. The [[Deployer (Prime)|Deployer]]'s lasers keep the Autobots at bay long enough for him to sever Soundwave's bonds. Smokescreen returns fire, hitting Laserbeak's wing, but is unable to prevent the bird from reuniting with his master. Soundwave springs back to life and effortlessly dispatches Smokescreen, Bulkhead, and Fowler with his tentacles before advancing on Ratchet.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (6)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (7)
*[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] (8)
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (9)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (10)
*[[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] (11)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (2)
*[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] (3)
*[[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] (15)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (17)
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (18)
*[[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] (19)

|c3=
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (12)
*[[Jack Darby]] (13)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (14)
*[[William Fowler]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"Master! Are you going to allow one lieutenant to harm another? Master?!" 
"I'm thinking."
:—'''Starscream''' discovers that '''Megatron''' has been reading The Hands-Off Manager.

"I am tempted to force you to share my perception of things."
:—'''Shockwave''' really hates or really loves having one eye, as he tells Starscream.

"Exemplary teamwork."
:—'''Megatron''', after Starscream convinces Shockwave not to share his perspective.

"It has taken me quite some time to fully comprehend that Earth and Cybertron have always been linked. Two halves of one whole; Primus and Unicron. And that to rule only one, would be to never truly rule either."
:—'''Megatron''' on the significance of Earth.

"Soundwave superior, Autobots inferior."
:—'''Soundwave''' quotes a little-known line from [[The Transformers: The Movie|an obscure movie]].

"Can't we throw a tarp over him? He's creeping me out." 
"Yeah, it's like he's watching. No matter where you go."
:—'''Bulkhead''' and '''Smokescreen''' are intimidated even by a deactivated Soundwave.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*After the Vehicons get away during the Autobots first call out, the other Autobots sit motionless in vehicle mode while Optimus engages Soundwave and Laserbeak, only transforming after Soundwave is shot down. What are they doing?
*[[Captain Fanzone's car|Fowler must have a bunch of the same car.]] It was wrecked back in "[[Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime]]", but the one he's seen driving sports the same [[license plate]].
*Smokescreen damages Laserbeak's wing, but the damage disappears once Laserbeak reattaches to Soundwave.

===Continuity errors===
*Shockwave was always described as 'incapable' of emotion. But when he threatens Starscream he actually sounds angry, which is uncharacteristic of him even if he 'feels' angry.

===Continuity notes===
* The [[Omega Lock]] was destroyed by Optimus the last time Megatron tried using it to cyberform Earth, in "[[Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour]]".
* Ratchet managed to give Ultra Magnus a replacement hand (well, claw), which was mangled by [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] in the [[Evolution|previous episode]].
* The story of how Bumblebee lost his vocoder was established in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 1]]" and the novel ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''.
* Megatron recalls how the formula for synthetic energon was collected from Ratchet in "[[Stronger, Faster]]".
* Unicron was discovered to be buried within the Earth in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 1]]".

===Transformers references===
* Soundwave paraphrases one of his most famous lines, directly from the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 movie]].

===Trivia===
* Soundwave speaks in his own voice for the first time in the series. And, to the surprise of few, it's a paraphrased quote that originated from the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 movie]]. His voice is the same as his [[Soundwave (G1)|G1 counterpart]] (again provided by [[Frank Welker]]), only with his voice distortion slightly less enhanced. The Soundwave from ''Transformers Animated'' states the same line only backwards, "Autobots inferior, Soundwave superior," in the episode "[[Human Error, Part I]]".
*Ultra Magnus appears unable to use the blaster in his right arm with his hand destroyed.
*Laserbeak carries a complete backup of Soundwave's data banks.
*This is not the first time a human hopelessly tries to use a fire extinguisher against a much more powerful enemy. We last saw Jack try this against Silas' men in "[[Convoy (episode)|Convoy]]".
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Minus One

2013-07-06T12:58:01Z

Zabilac:

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 62
|image=MinusOne-facereflection.jpg
|prev=Evolution
|next=Persuasion
|No, Soundwave. Ratchet does not want to read your copy of Twilight.
|title="Minus One"
|airdate=[[July 5]], [[2013]]
|written by=[[Michael Cassutt]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''The Autobots question a captured enemy for information regarding Megatron's plans.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] explains to [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] that the combination of elements in the [[Cyber Matter]] that was accidentally created in his lab would allow them to [[Eco-structuring|cyberform]] entire planets. [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] mocks what sounds like another "Shockwave plan", until Shockwave grabs him with an angry reminder about how Starscream recently left him to the mercy of the [[Autobot]]s. Megatron does not object as Shockwave forces Starscream's face closer and closer to a jagged protrusion of Cyber Matter. Scrambling for a defense, Starscream notes that his actions made their current situation possible. Shockwave accepts the logic of this and lets Starscream go. Without missing a beat, Megatron asks Shockwave why the Cyber Matter appears so chaotic, and the scientist pledges to correct the instability of the elements. Megatron notes that they will require a launch mechanism from which to use the Cyber Matter, and declares that they will focus their resources on reconstructing the [[Omega Lock]].

[[File:MinusOne-UltraMagnus.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Oh no! My Me Time hand!]]

At the Autobot base, [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] finishes his repair of [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]]' mangled right hand. Due to a lack of equipment and spare parts, the repair consists of an unsightly hook appendage that Ratchet says will be functional, but potentially unfit for battle. [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] tries to assure [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] that Ultra Magnus will overcome this setback. [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] bets that the hook will become Magnus' signature, making a comparison to [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]]'s [[voice box]] that the scout doesn't appreciate. Bumblebee buzzes angrily and storms off. [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] explains to [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] and [[Jack Darby|Jack]] that Bumblebee still misses the sound of his old voice. [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] tries to lighten the mood by focusing on the defeat of the [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] cloning project, but [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] reminds them all of [[Predaking (Prime)|the Predacon who recently revealed his abilities in transformation]].

Aboard the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron tells Predaking that they will soon punish the Autobots for destroying his brethren. Predaking vows that revenge will come, but that Project Predacon was only ever a starting point. He says that if Megatron truly wishes to restore [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], this should include resurrecting the entire Predacon race from the remains that lie there, so that Predaking can lead them against their shared enemies. Megatron regards this request with skepticism.

Shockwave reports that they've salvaged the wreckage of the Omega Lock, but that the damage was severe, and Earth technology will be needed to retrofit its systems. Megatron orders Starscream to acquire whatever materials Shockwave requires.

The next day, [[William Fowler|Fowler]] reports that [[Decepticon]]s stole twenty tons of control rods from a nuclear plant during the night. Optimus wonders gravely what they're attempting to build.

Shockwave reports to Megatron that the [[Synthetic Energon|synthetic energon]] formula provided by [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] is incomplete, resulting in the instability of the Cyber Matter. Megatron tells him to complete it quickly, citing the need for enough Cyber Matter to restore Cybertron and cyberform [[Earth]]. Shockwave respectfully asks what the logic is in ruling two planets, to which Megatron replies that the two are linked, one [[Unicron]] and the other [[Primus]], and to rule only one would be ruling neither.

Fowler reports another Decepticon theft in progress. Ratchet opens a [[GroundBridge]], but stops Ultra Magnus when he tries to go through, citing the need for further rehabilitation. Optimus says that Ratchet has the final word in medical matters, to which Ultra Magnus reluctantly agrees. Wheeljack watches the exchange with discomfort.

[[File:MinusOne-staredown.jpg|right|thumb|300px|So, you Autobots about ready to give up yet?]]

The Autobots arrive on the scene and immediately advance on squad of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s, who are carrying away their spoils. [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] emerges from the sky in alt-form, opening a GroundBridge directly in front of the retreating Vehicons. [[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] is deployed, and Optimus transforms and takes to the air with his jet pack to engage them both. The Vehicons escape through the bridge, but Optimus' gatling gun is able to bring Soundwave crashing to the ground. Laserbeak escapes, and Optimus contacts Ratchet to let him know they will be returning with a prisoner.

At the Autobot base, Soundwave finds himself secured to a table. Ratchet notes that the base's shielding will prevent the Decepticon from contacting his ship. Wheeljack gleefully says that they have all the time in the world to make Soundwave talk, and Miko wonders if he even does talk.

On the ''Nemesis'', Starscream asks Megatron if he's worried about what the captive Soundwave might say. Megatron states his confidence in Soundwave's ability to withhold information.

[[File:Soundwave Mocks.jpg|thumb|left|I punch those numbers into my calculator and it makes a happy face.|250px]]
Optimus asks Soundwave why the Decepticons have been stealing human technology. Soundwave mockingly plays back a remix of the question set to music, and punctuates it with a smiley face emoticon on his visor. Optimus threatens a less civil method of interrogation, and Soundwave broadcasts a sonic pulse throughout the room that causes humans and Autobots alike to double over in pain. Ratchet angrily suggests opening Soundwave up to get the information they need, but the Decepticon responds by erasing data directly from his own drives. With a final taunt spoken in his own voice, he says, "Soundwave superior, Autobots inferior." His visor blinks out and he slumps down on the table, off-line. An astonished Ratchet reports that the Decepticon's vital signs are stable, but that he crashed his own drives rather than allow them to be read.

Shockwave locates the only item on Earth with enough raw tonnage to power the rebuilt Omega Lock; a particle collider synchrotron. However, his efforts to complete the synthetic energon formula have met with less success. Megatron recalls that Knock Out obtained the formula from Ratchet, and muses that the simplest solution is to recruit him. Shockwave says that Laserbeak can upload the order to Soundwave after reconnecting with him, but Starscream notes that they don't know the location of the Autobot base. Shockwave recalls that Soundwave kept surveillance records on all the Autobots' human allies, not just the children.

From his car phone, Fowler tells Optimus that he's on his way to a meeting with [[Bryce|General Bryce]] about the recent Decepticon heists, and that he'll be back to the base as soon as possible. Behind the car, Laserbeak follows from the sky.

Megatron orders Predaking to be present at the Decepticons' next objective, as they expect the Autobots will interfere. Predaking says that he looks forward to facing the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] again. This cavalier attitude enrages Megatron, who screams at the Predacon about their dwindling forces. Predaking merely states that he will have to fight twice as hard.

On his way back to the base, Fowler contacts the Autobots and reports that the Decepticons are attacking the Solaris particle collider project at the South Pole. Optimus readies the Autobots for action. Ratchet attempts to hold Ultra Magnus back again, but Wheeljack declares that the commander is ready. Wearily, Ratchet relents and opens a GroundBridge. Optimus commands Bulkhead and Smokescreen to stay behind and help Ratchet guard Soundwave, then he and the others depart. While the younger Bots comment on the prone Decepticon, Ratchet wonders what Megatron wants with a device powerful enough to open a [[black hole]].

Outside, Fowler parks in front of the base, still followed by Laserbeak.

It dawns on Ratchet that enough power to swallow a world could also be enough power to create one. He contacts Optimus at the South Pole and relays his suspicion that Megatron plans to rebuild the Omega Lock. He wonders if they should let him, but Optimus knows Megatron will use the Lock to cyberform Earth as well as Cybertron. Disappointed, Ratchet says he understands.

Just then, Predaking strikes from the sky, firing blasts of flame breath that send the Autobots scattering. Optimus returns fire and orders the Autobots to stop the Decepticons from obtaining the collider while he faces the Predacon alone. As the Autobots race to the Solaris building, Optimus draws his gatling gun and engages in an aerial duel with the Predacon. Optimus pours on the firepower, but is unable to keep the beast at bay. With a final, savage swipe of his tail, Predaking sends Optimus crashing down to the ground far below.

Inside the building, the other Autobots find a squad of Vehicons lying in wait for them. As the two groups exchange fire, Shockwave oversees the retrieval of the particle collider in the next room.

At the Autobot base, Smokescreen is trying to convince Ratchet that they'll restore Cybertron somehow when Fowler walks in. He is followed a moment later by Laserbeak crashing through the window. The [[Deployer (Prime)|Deployer]]'s lasers keep the Autobots at bay long enough for him to sever Soundwave's bonds. Smokescreen returns fire, hitting Laserbeak's wing, but is unable to prevent the bird from reuniting with his master. Soundwave springs back to life and effortlessly dispatches Smokescreen, Bulkhead, and Fowler with his tentacles before advancing on Ratchet.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (6)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (7)
*[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] (8)
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (9)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (10)
*[[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] (11)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (2)
*[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] (3)
*[[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] (15)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (17)
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (18)
*[[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] (19)

|c3=
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (12)
*[[Jack Darby]] (13)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (14)
*[[William Fowler]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"Master! Are you going to allow one lieutenant to harm another? Master?!" 
"I'm thinking."
:—'''Starscream''' discovers that '''Megatron''' has been reading The Hands-Off Manager.

"I am tempted to force you to share my perception of things."
:—'''Shockwave''' really hates or really loves having one eye, as he tells Starscream.

"Exemplary teamwork."
:—'''Megatron''', after Starscream convinces Shockwave not to share his perspective.

"It has taken me quite some time to fully comprehend that Earth and Cybertron have always been linked. Two halves of one whole; Primus and Unicron. And that to rule only one, would be to never truly rule either."
:—'''Megatron''' on the significance of Earth.

"Soundwave superior, Autobots inferior."
:—'''Soundwave''' quotes a little-known line from [[The Transformers: The Movie|an obscure movie]].

"Can't we throw a tarp over him? He's creeping me out." 
"Yeah, it's like he's watching. No matter where you go."
:—'''Bulkhead''' and '''Smokescreen''' are intimidated even by a deactivated Soundwave.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*After the Vehicons get away during the Autobots first call out, the other Autobots sit motionless in vehicle mode while Optimus engages Soundwave and Laserbeak, only transforming after Soundwave is shot down. What are they doing?
*[[Captain Fanzone's car|Fowler must have a bunch of the same car.]] It was wrecked back in "[[Nemesis Prime (episode)|Nemesis Prime]]", but the one he's seen driving sports the same [[license plate]].
*Smokescreen damages Laserbeak's wing, but the damage disappears once Laserbeak reattaches to Soundwave.

===Continuity errors===
*Shockwave was always described as 'incapable' of emotion. But when he threatens Starscream he actually sounds angry, which is uncharacteristic of him even if he 'feels' angry.

===Continuity notes===
* The [[Omega Lock]] was destroyed by Optimus the last time Megatron tried using it to cyberform Earth, in "[[Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour]]".
* Ratchet managed to give Ultra Magnus a replacement hand (well, claw), which was mangled by [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] in the [[Evolution|previous episode]].
* The story of how Bumblebee lost his vocoder was established in "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 1]]" and the novel ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''.
* Megatron recalls how the formula for synthetic energon was collected from Ratchet in "[[Stronger, Faster]]".
* Unicron was discovered to be buried within the Earth in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 1]]".

===Transformers references===
* Soundwave paraphrases one of his most famous lines, directly from the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 movie]].

===Trivia===
* Soundwave speaks in his own voice for the first time in the series. And, to the surprise of few, it's a paraphrased quote that originated from the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 movie]]. His voice is the same as his [[Soundwave (G1)|G1 counterpart]] (again provided by [[Frank Welker]]), only with his voice distortion slightly less enhanced. The Soundwave from ''Transformers Animated'' states the same line only backwards, "Autobots inferior, Soundwave superior," in the episode "[[Human Error, Part I]]".
*Ultra Magnus appears unable to use the blaster in his right arm with his hand destroyed.
*Laserbeak carries a complete backup of Soundwave's data banks.
*This is not the first time a human hopelessly tries to use a fire extinguisher against a much more powerful enemy. We last saw Jack try this against Silas' men in "[[Convoy (episode)|Convoy]]".
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Chain of Command (Prime)

2013-05-25T22:53:35Z

Zabilac:

{{disambig2|the ''Prime'' episode|the ''Beast Wars'' episode|Chain of Command (BW)}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 58
|prev=Project Predacon
|next=Plus One
|image=ChainOfCommand Miko clobbering time.jpg
|caption=And now every Decepticon in range soils himself with fear.
|title="Chain of Command"
|airdate=[[May 24]], [[2013]]
|written by=[[Mairghread Scott]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Tension builds between Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack as their team faces the return of the Predacon.'''

==Synopsis==
Somewhere in the Arctic, [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] remains frozen solid in ice as the sun rises. Power cells in its body activate, causing the ice to start melting and then crack, until the beast is able to break free completely. The [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] roars and flies away.

[[File:ChainOfCommand Predacon come home.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
Aboard the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] questions the wisdom of allowing [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] to create his cloned Predacon army in such confined quarters. Shockwave reveals that an off-site laboratory has been constructed for this purpose. The warship is rocked by a sudden impact, which turns out to be Predaking landing on the upper hull. Shockwave notes that Predacons have precise homing instincts, but [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] is more impressed by the beast's resilience. He orders Starscream to assume command of it, leaving his terrified first officer alone with the Predacon and out on the hull.

In [[Scotland]], [[Ultra Magnus's ship]] lands on a bluff atop a suspected [[Decepticon]] excavation site. The [[Wrecker]]s emerge, and [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] immediately bolts forward and starts climbing down the cliff to investigate, much to [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Magnus]]'s chagrin. [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] tries to advise caution, but Wheeljack pays no heed. They spot a lone [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] emerging from a cave below, who Wheeljack dispatches with little difficulty. He looks back up to give Ultra Magnus a mocking salute, when an entire squad of Vehicons emerge from the cave and attack. The three [[Autobot]]s make short work of the Decepticons. After the battle, Wheeljack hears a knocking sound coming from inside his chest. Suddenly remembering he has a passenger, he lets [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] out, who begins gasping for air.

[[File:ChainOfCommand stowaway.jpg|thumb|right|250px|You wouldn't believe it, there's, like, three other passed-out kids in here!]]
Back at the ''Nemesis'', Starscream tries unsuccessfully to get Predaking into a cage. He prompts the beast with an [[Energon prod]], and Predaking responds with a blast of flame from its mouth that singes Starscream's crest.

Ultra Magnus demands to know why a human was brought on the mission. Wheeljack cites Miko's accomplishments and states that she's an official Wrecker as far as he's concerned. Bulkhead tries to diffuse the situation by turning Magnus' attention to the now-unguarded cave entrance.

Now having donned the indestructible [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]], Starscream tries again to make Predaking heed his commands. Predaking grasps Starscream's arm in its jaws and shakes him around like a rag doll for a bit before flinging him the length of the room. The "training" is interrupted by Megatron, who orders Starscream to take the Predacon and see why one of the excavation teams has failed to report in.

While the Wreckers explore the cave, Bulkhead tries to keep everyone's spirits up. But Wheeljack, chafing under Ultra Magnus's leadership, is having none of it. He tells Bulkhead he was smart to leave the Wreckers when he did, "before the rust set in". Confused, Miko says she thought Wheeljack was the one who left the Wreckers. Bulkhead says he left first, to join up with [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], and thinks a part of Wheeljack resents him for it. Miko says that you never want to be the one who breaks up the band.

The rock walls suddenly starts to shake as Predaking bursts in, prompting the Autobots to transform and drive deeper into the cave. The Predacon pursues, firing blasts of flame from his mouth, until he encounters a passage too narrow to get through. The Autobots are now trapped in a small enclosure and unable to get a comm link signal so far underground. Bulkhead notices a small opening in the rock above them and tells Miko to climb up the cave wall to freedom. She's reluctant to leave them until Ultra Magnus tasks her with the mission of reaching his ship and contacting Optimus Prime. The Autobots draw their weapons and prepare for Predaking to inevitably break through to their location.

[[File:ChainOfCommand Magnus forges a head.jpg|thumb|left|250px|You want me to put the hammer down?!]]
Miko makes it to surface and rushes over to Magnus's ship, only to find that Starscream and a couple of Vehicons have gotten there first. Starscream brags to his soldiers about how he tamed the Predacon, which is stifled by one of the Vehicons pointing out that he's still wearing the Apex Armor protect himself from it. Buying into his own press, Starscream retracts the armor and lays the condensed relic on a rock.

Predaking finally makes it through to the Wreckers' location and attacks. Ultra Magnus lands a few powerful hits with the the depowered [[Forge of Solus Prime]], but Predaking takes him and Bulkhead out with a wave of its tail. Wheeljack waits for Predaking to attempt another flame blast and tosses a grenade at the beast's open mouth, but the Predacon bats it away with its tail. The explosive device hits the ground and rolls to a rest mere feet from Bulkhead and Ultra Magnus.

Topside, Starscream and the Vehicons are startled by the explosion, which rips a hole in the ground in front of them. While they investigate, Miko makes a run for Magnus's ship, but does not escape Starscream's notice.

In the cave, Predaking bursts free from the rubble caused by the explosion, none the worse for wear. It notices a Predacon fossil lying on the ground, and seeing it brings back a memory of another time and place...

Starscream swipes at Miko, but she's able to avoid him long enough to reach the Apex Armor. Landing on the relic triggers it, and a smaller version of the armor envelops Miko. But before she can put it to use, Predaking appears, dropping the fossil at Starscream's feet. Miko attempts to flee, but Predaking pounces on her.

The Autobots emerge from the rubble below, and Ultra Magnus takes Wheeljack to task for deploying a grenade in an enclosed space. Bulkhead, more concerned with Miko's safety than continuing to play peacemaker, rushes out of the cave to find her.

[[File:ChainOfCommand unhappy Wheeljack.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Wheeljack sees what you did there.]]
Starscream watches with amusement as Predaking hammers Miko and the armor with blasts of flame. Megatron contacts Starscream, who gleefully provides a status report. Megatron orders the immediate return of the beast and the Predacon fossil and tells Starscream he can stay behind to finish the Autobots. Starscream briefly wonders how he'll get the Predacon to follow this order, but Predaking answers the question by knocking him down, grabbing the fossil in its teeth, and flying away. Indignant, Starscream walks over to the scorched crater where Miko lies to retrieve his armor. But Miko springs to life and tosses Starscream away with ease. Miko continues pounding the Decepticons as the Autobots rush onto the scene. Ultra Magnus admits that Wheeljack may have been right about her. Seeing the odds are only getting worse, Starscream orders the Vehicons to retreat, and the three of them transform and fly away. Wheeljack commends Miko and says he wants to remember the Wreckers just as they are right now, "before the rust sets in" once again. With that, he transforms and drives away. Bulkhead sadly notes that Wheeljack just broke up the band.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] (6)
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (7)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (8)

|c2=
*[[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] (1)
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (2)
*[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] (3)
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (4)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (5)

|c3=
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (9)

}}

==Quotes==
'''Ultra Magnus''': Does Wheeljack not comprehend the chain of command? I didn't authorize him to advance without proper cover. 
'''Bulkhead''': I'm sure Jackie's just trying to prove himself now that you and he are serving together again, sir. 
''[Wheeljack gleefully leaps off a cliff]'' 
'''Wheeljack''': Yee-HAH!
:—'''Bulkhead''' tries to frame '''Wheeljack's''' insubordination in the best possible light.

"Wrecker Fact #17?" 
"'Guards never look up'."
:—'''Wheeljack''' and '''Bulkhead''' mock a guard moments before he looks up.

'''Ultra Magnus''': And what could have possibly compelled you to bring the native? 
''[Wheeljack thinks back to just before they left the Autobot base]'' 
'''Miko''': Yo. Can I come with? 
'''Wheeljack''': Why not?
:—'''Wheeljack''' decides it's better to have a human and not need one than need a human and not have one.

'''Ultra Magnus''': Are your circuits impaired, soldier? 
'''Wheeljack''': Prime told you to lead the Wreckers on this one. I assumed he meant all of them.
:—'''Miko's''' Wrecker status is made official.

"Come on, we're all on the same team. Hey, Beast Hunters, right?"
:—'''Bulkhead''' likes the new name. Hey, beats [[Team Prime]].

"It was a challenge, but I managed to tame the savage beast. Taught it to heed my every command." 
"You're not wearing the armor to protect yourself from it?" 
"From my beloved pet? Of course not!"
:—'''Starscream''' puffs himself up to impress a rightfully skeptical '''Vehicon'''.

"What do you know, it does fetch."
:—'''Starscream''' reacts to '''Predaking''' retrieving a Predacon bone.

[Tsk Tsk Tsk Tsk] "Even the strongest armor can't protect the weakest of creatures." 
[Miko stops him from reaching further] "It protected ''you'', didn't it?" 
:—'''Starscream''' gets burned by '''Miko'''

"You do know that I vanquished [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]], don't you?" 
"Big whoop. I snuffed [[Hardshell]]."
:—'''Starscream''' finally gets his "I killed Cliffjumper" boast shut down by '''Miko'''.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*The two large rocks outside Ultra Magnus's ship shift position several times (or the ship does). When Ultra Magnus lands, the forward landing strut is between the two rocks. After they exit the ship, the rock which Starscream places the Apex Armor on later has moved to the opposite side of the landing strut. During a later establishing shot, both rocks have moved a considerable distance back, only to return to their previous position once Miko reaches the surface.
*As Predaking swings Starscream around while in the [[Apex Armor (Prime)|Apex Armor]], the latter's headspike clips through the armor.
*Miko lands on the front side of the Apex Armor, which then forms a shell around her, but it's somehow managed to flip itself into the proper position during Starscream's reaction shot.
*Starscream retains his arm-mounted missile right after firing it at Miko. It disappears when he boasts about killing [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]], only to appear once more as he flees. He must keep them in [[subspace]].

===Contiuity errors===
*Since time is of the essence in retrieving Predacon bone fragments, Ultra Magnus taking his ship instead of using the GroundBridge seems like a rather significant tactical error for someone so insistent on proper protocol and preparation.
*Although the Predacon fossil is seemingly an optic, everyone refers to it as a bone.

===Continuity notes===
*Predaking was GroundBridged to the Arctic by [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] in "[[Rebellion (Prime)|Rebellion]]".
*Ultra Magnus was ordered to lead the Wreckers to Scotland in "[[Project Predacon]]", and picked up the Forge of Solus Prime in the same episode.
*The Apex Armor was recovered by [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] in "[[Darkmount, NV]]".
*Starscream continues to get as much mileage as he possibly can out of killing Cliffjumper in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]".
*Miko killed Hardshell and was inducted into the Wreckers by Wheeljack in "[[Hurt]]".
*Miko is thankful that she did not throw up on Wheeljack's upholstery, as she did with Bulkhead while hiding in his chest compartment in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]".
*Ultra Magnus uses the same type of back hook for the Forge of Solus Prime as Optimus used for the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], the latter having been made by Ratchet in "[[Alpha/Omega]]".
*The Predacon seen by Predaking during his brief memory sequence appears to be [[Skystalker (Prime)|Skystalker]] or another with his [[body-type]].
*Starscream learned Miko's name in "[[Rock Bottom]]".
*Wheeljack recites the first half of the Wrecker motto, "Wreckers don't call for back-up", which was used in "[[Loose Cannons]]". Bulkhead opts not to finish the saying, still trying to keep the peace between him and Ultra Magnus.

===Real-world references===
* Miko's rather haphazard fighting "style" takes some cues from professional wrestling, with numerous drop-kicks and flying tackles, and video games, including what looks to be a "Shoryuken" leaping uppercut from ''Street Fighter II''.

===Transformers references===
*Bulkhead left the Wreckers to join up with Optimus at the Battle of [[Thunderhead Pass]].

===Trivia===
*Wheeljack has a chest compartment like Bulkhead does, allowing him to store a human there in robot mode.
*Made official this episode, the number of [[Verity Carlo|human female Wreckers]] in the Transformers franchise increases by 100%.
*The Predacon fossil uncovered by Predaking is far more mechanical than the bone-like pieces found in prior episodes, appearing to be an intact [[Sensors#Optical sensors|optical sensor]].
*The Apex Armour adjusts its size to fit whoever activates it, including humans.
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Project Predacon

2013-05-18T04:54:51Z

Zabilac:

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

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

==Synopsis==

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

'''Ultra Magnus''': "Um... what's a kilt?" 
'''Optimus Prime''': "Agent Fowler can at times be oblique. I find it best to simply nod and mobilize."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' proves again that the best comedy comes from having no sense of humor.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Wheeljack finds his and Bulkhead's Lobbing ball from "[[Con Job]]" in the rubble of the former Autobot base and brings it back to the new base to continue the fun.
* Ultra Magnus confirms he led the Wreckers back on Cybertron, as in [[Alex Irvine]]'s ''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Exiles|Exiles]]'' novels. However, he also notes that the assignment was given to him by Optimus Prime, and refers to them as "your Wreckers" to Wheeljack, indicating that he had no part in founding the team.
* Megatron reveals that he had an army of Predacon clones commissioned during the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|war for Cybertron]].
* Ratchet returns to work on the synthetic energon formula he last tried replicating in "[[Stronger, Faster]]".

===Continuity Errors===
* While not an outright error, it's worth noting that in this episode Bumblebee states to Smokescreen that it is his own choice whether he graduates from scout to warrior, which contradicts with a [[Masters & Students|former episode]] where it is made clear that Bumblebee has not been made a warrior yet do to Prime's thinking that Bumblebee is not experienced enough in the field. However, it is possible that in the time since then, Bumblebee has matured enough in Prime's eye to become a warrior.
* When Soundwave transforms to robot mode and lands on the clifftop, he's wearing Laserbeak, even though at that point his deployer's separated from him.

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

===Trivia===
* This is one reference-heavy episode, isn't it?
* Fowler says that the truck Optimus scans comes from the military's "MASK division". ''M.A.S.K.'' is one of Hasbro's currently-defunct brands acquired when they bought former competitor Kenner, and one that ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' has has some crossover with in the recent past.
* The opening sequence now has significantly more [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] and Shockwave in it, and also features Prime's new body and Bumblebee's new paint job. There's no Wheeljack, Ultra Magnus, or Smokescreen, though.
* The cloned Predacons all died of old age between the time they were stationed on Earth and when the Decepticons themselves arrived. Unless it's a side effect of the cloning process, that would suggest the Predacons have a much shorter life span than other Cybertronians, including the similarly-animalistic Insecticons.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Project Predacon

2013-05-18T04:51:24Z

Zabilac:

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

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

==Synopsis==

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

'''Ultra Magnus''': "Um... what's a kilt?" 
'''Optimus Prime''': "Agent Fowler can at times be oblique. I find it best to simply nod and mobilize."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' proves again that the best comedy comes from having no sense of humor.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Wheeljack finds his and Bulkhead's Lobbing ball from "[[Con Job]]" in the rubble of the former Autobot base and brings it back to the new base to continue the fun.
* Ultra Magnus confirms he led the Wreckers back on Cybertron, as in [[Alex Irvine]]'s ''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Exiles|Exiles]]'' novels. However, he also notes that the assignment was given to him by Optimus Prime, and refers to them as "your Wreckers" to Wheeljack, indicating that he had no part in founding the team.
* Megatron reveals that he had an army of Predacon clones commissioned during the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|war for Cybertron]].
* Ratchet returns to work on the synthetic energon formula he last tried replicating in "[[Stronger, Faster]]".

===Continuity Errors===
* While not an outright error, it's worth noting that in this episode Bumblebee states to Smokescreen that it is his own choice whether he graduates from scout to warrior, which contradicts with a [[Masters & Students|former episode]] where it is made clear that Bumblebee has not been made a warrior yet do to Prime's thinking that Bumblebee is not experienced enough in the field. However, it is possible that in the time since then, Bumblebee has matured enough in Prime's eye to become a warrior.
* When Soundwave transforms to robot mode and lands on the clifftop, he's wearing Laserbeak, even though at that point his deployer's separated from him.

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

===Trivia===
* This is one reference-heavy episode, isn't it?
* Fowler says that the truck Optimus scans comes from the military's "MASK division". ''M.A.S.K.'' is one of Hasbro's currently-defunct brands acquired when they bought former competitor Kenner, and one that ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' has has some crossover with in the recent past.
* The opening sequence now has significantly more [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] and Shockwave in it, and also features Prime's new body and Bumblebee's new paint job. There's no Wheeljack, Ultra Magnus, or Smokescreen, though.
* The cloned Predacons all died of old age between the time they were stationed on Earth and when the Decepticons themselves arrived. Unless it's a side effect of the cloning process, that would suggest the Predacons have a much shorter life span than other Cybertronians, including the similarly-animalistic Insecticons.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]