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|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 16
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 16
|prev=Shadowzone (episode)
|prev=Shadowzone (episode)
|next=Crisscross
|next=Crisscross (episode)
|image=OperationBreakdown-Consdontbreak.jpg
|image=OperationBreakdown-Consdontbreak.jpg
|caption=Now all he needs is an eye patch and a bottle of scrumpy.
|caption=Now all he needs is [[Metal Attraction|<s>an eye patch and</s>]] a bottle of scrumpy.
|title="Operation: Breakdown"
|title="Operation: Breakdown"
|airdate=[[June 18]], [[2011]]
|airdate=[[June 18]], [[2011]]
|season=1
|season ep=16
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
|production company=[[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjCNgXZ-Xvo
|videosite=YouTube
}}
}}
'''Breakdown is captured by MECH, and the only ones who can save him are... Team Prime.'''
'''Breakdown is captured by MECH, and the only ones who can save him are... Team Prime.'''


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] is fighting [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] in a ghost town on the [[Kamchatka Peninsula]] in Eastern [[Russia]] after the two have a run-in while tracking an energon signature. Though Bulkhead fights valiantly, Breakdown lays him flat with a hammer blow. As Breakdown prepares to finish the unconscious Bulkhead off, he's zapped by a blast of energy from a helicopter, which lands and disgorges [[Silas]] and a pack of [[MECH]] troops. Silas instructs them to take Breakdown. Bulkhead comes around to find Breakdown missing and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] calling out to him on the comm. After he bridges back to base for repairs, everyone's confused about what happened to Breakdown. [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] has an idea who might be behind it.
[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] is fighting [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] in a ghost town on the [[Kamchatka Peninsula]] in Eastern [[Russia]] after the two have a run-in while tracking an energon signature. Though Bulkhead fights valiantly, Breakdown lays him flat with a hammer blow. As Breakdown prepares to finish the unconscious Bulkhead off, he's zapped by a blast of energy from a helicopter, which lands and disgorges [[Silas]] and a pack of [[MECH]] troops. Silas instructs them to take Breakdown. Bulkhead comes around to find Breakdown missing and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] calling out to him on the comm. After he bridges back to base for repairs, everyone's confused about what happened to Breakdown. [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] has an idea who might be behind it.


On the ''[[Nemesis (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] relays news of Breakdown's capture to [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]. Starscream is keen to hunt down the [[human]]s responsible, but Megatron intends to leave Breakdown to his fate for being captured by those weaker.
On the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] relays news of Breakdown's capture to [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. Starscream is keen to hunt down the [[human]]s responsible and bring back Breakdown, but Megatron intends to leave Breakdown to his fate for being captured by those weaker, a decision which leaves Starscream dismayed.


[[Image:OperationBreakdown-WeAreMECH.jpg|thumb|left|300px|"No, Mister Bot, I expect you to die."]]
[[Image:OperationBreakdown-WeAreMECH.jpg|thumb|left|300px|"No, Mister Bot, I expect you to die."]]
Line 23: Line 27:
Breakdown recovers to find himself firmly attached to a metal slab. Silas introduces himself to the captive, who announces that Megatron will never pay a ransom, but Silas reveals they're not after money, just the technology in Breakdown's body.
Breakdown recovers to find himself firmly attached to a metal slab. Silas introduces himself to the captive, who announces that Megatron will never pay a ransom, but Silas reveals they're not after money, just the technology in Breakdown's body.


Fowler fills the Autobots in — his intel has reported MECH activity in the Kamchatka Peninsula. While the other Autobots are happy for MECH to have Breakdown, [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] decides to mount a rescue mission. The others are surprised, and Bulkhead wonders if Optimus believes Breakdown will switch sides if the Autobots rescue him, but Optimus says while that's unlikely, they can't let MECH get Cybertronian technology.
Fowler fills the Autobots in — his intel has reported MECH activity in the Kamchatka Peninsula. While the other Autobots are happy for MECH to have Breakdown, [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] decides to mount a rescue mission. The others are surprised, and Bulkhead wonders if Optimus believes Breakdown will switch sides if the Autobots rescue him, but Optimus says while that's unlikely, they can't let MECH get Cybertronian technology.


Meanwhile, MECH have disengaged Breakdown's pain receptors in preparation for the operation. Silas thanks their captive in advance for the service he is about to do them, and the heavy machinery moves in to take the Decepticon apart.
Meanwhile, MECH have disengaged Breakdown's pain receptors in preparation for the operation. Silas thanks their captive in advance for the service he is about to do them, and the heavy machinery moves in to take the Decepticon apart.


Miko tries to talk Bulkhead into going on the mission, but he's not keen, and Optimus agrees he would not be an asset on the mission. Optimus departs with [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]], [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] and [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]]. Miko looks disappointed, and Bulkhead suggests they watch a movie instead. [[Image:TFPep16DoubleCreatureFeature.jpeg|right|thumb|300px|"I know what'll make you feel better - watching a rip-off of an old Japanese movie!"]]
Miko tries to talk Bulkhead into going on the mission, but he's not keen, and Optimus agrees he would not be an asset on the mission. Optimus departs with [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]], [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] and [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]]. Miko looks disappointed, and Bulkhead suggests they watch a movie instead. [[Image:TFPep16DoubleCreatureFeature.jpeg|right|thumb|300px|"I know what'll make you feel better - watching a rip-off of an old Japanese movie!"]]


Prime's team arrives in the ghost town, to find it deserted. Though Bumblebee spots some vehicle tracks, Ratchet reports he's got an [[energon (fuel)|energon]] trace, and they go to look for the source.
Prime's team arrives in the ghost town, to find it deserted. Though Bumblebee spots some vehicle tracks, Ratchet reports he's got an [[energon]] trace, and they go to look for the source.


Fowler has already fallen asleep in front of ''[[Dinolizard vs. Five-Headed Ape]]''. Miko isn't watching the movie though, as she's disappointed that Bulkhead isn't getting to face down his own arch-enemy. Bulkhead still doesn't want to rescue the 'Con, but Miko points out that if he doesn't, he won't get to have a rematch. Bulkhead takes the [[GroundBridge]] to [[Russia]].
Fowler has already fallen asleep in front of ''[[Dinolizard vs. Five-Headed Ape]]''. Miko isn't watching the movie though, as she's disappointed that Bulkhead isn't getting to face down his own arch-enemy. Bulkhead still doesn't want to rescue the 'Con, but Miko points out that if he doesn't, he won't get to have a rematch. Bulkhead takes the [[GroundBridge]] to [[Russia]].
Line 37: Line 41:
Bulkhead follows a MECH car to a railway tunnel and, weapons primed, ventures inside.
Bulkhead follows a MECH car to a railway tunnel and, weapons primed, ventures inside.


Ratchet hooks Breakdown's eye up to his scanner so they can retrieve the last images it saw, however it turns out that Silas has turned the eye into a two-way video feed. Silas is surprised to see the Autobots, but shows off the work they're doing on Breakdown and points out the bomb the Autobots are standing virtually on top of. Prime's team just manages to get clear before the bomb explodes.
Ratchet hooks Breakdown's eye up to his scanner so they can retrieve the last images it saw, but it turns out that Silas has turned the eye into a two-way video feed. Silas is surprised to see the Autobots, but shows off the work they're doing on Breakdown and points out the bomb the Autobots are standing virtually on top of. Prime's team just manages to get clear before the bomb explodes.


Silas passes on the news to Breakdown that his would-be rescuers are Autobots, much to the captive's confusion. At this point, Bulkhead breaks through an outer door and fights his way through the MECH goons to find Breakdown. Freeing the startled Decepticon, Bulkhead leads the way to the exit, but once outside they're confronted by the bulk of the MECH forces. Bulkhead calls for backup and their pair start fighting in earnest. Silas's 'copter begins firing bursts of energy, and Breakdown in an uncharacteristic act of altruism knocks Bulkhead out of the way of them. The fight continues, but [[MECH Navigator|Silas's copilot]] reports incoming signals, resulting in Silas ordering a general retreat. Arriving, however, is not Optimus's team, but Starscream and a bunch of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s. Starscream orders Breakdown to destroy Bulkhead, and though Breakdown is initially reluctant, Starscream sways him, and he attacks his Autobot rescuer. Bulkhead soundly pummels Breakdown before smashing Starscream and taking out the Vehicons with Breakdown's body. The Decepticons are forced to retreat as Optimus's team finally shows up. Optimus is impressed that Bulkhead has risen above his petty rivalries to rescue Breakdown, but the moment is spoiled by Bulkhead asking if they all saw how he bashed the Decepticons.
Silas passes on the news to Breakdown that his would-be rescuers are Autobots, much to the captive's confusion. At this point, Bulkhead breaks through an outer door and fights his way through the MECH goons to find Breakdown. Freeing the startled Decepticon, Bulkhead leads the way to the exit, but once outside, they're confronted by the bulk of the MECH forces. Bulkhead calls for backup, and the pair start fighting in earnest. Silas's 'copter begins firing bursts of energy, and Breakdown, in an uncharacteristic act of altruism, knocks Bulkhead out of harm's way. The fight continues, but [[MECH Navigator|Silas's copilot]] reports incoming signals, resulting in Silas ordering a general retreat. Arriving, however, is not Optimus' team, but Starscream, who has disobeyed Megatron's orders and brought a squadron of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s. Starscream orders Breakdown to either join the Autobots or get on with destroying Bulkhead, and though Breakdown is initially reluctant, Starscream sways him, and he attacks his Autobot rescuer. Bulkhead soundly pummels Breakdown before smashing Starscream and taking out the Vehicons with Breakdown's body. The Decepticons are forced to retreat as Optimus's team finally shows up. Optimus is impressed that Bulkhead has risen above his petty rivalries to rescue Breakdown, but the moment is spoiled by Bulkhead asking if they all saw how he bashed the Decepticons.


Breakdown pauses short of the ''Nemesis'', where Starscream informs him that he will repay his debt one day... when he must choose between Megatron's leadership and Starscream's.
Breakdown pauses short of the ''Nemesis'', where Starscream informs him that he will repay his debt one day... when he must choose between Megatron's leadership and Starscream's.


Silas records that the information they gained from Breakdown was enough for them to start [[Project Chimera]]...
Meanwhile, Silas records that the information they gained from Breakdown was enough for them to start [[Project Chimera]]...


==Featured characters==
==Featured characters==
Line 49: Line 53:
|c1=
|c1=
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (1)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (1)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (6)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (6)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (8)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (8)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (9)
*[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] (9)
|c2=
|c2=
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (2)
*[[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] (2)
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (11)
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (11)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (12)
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (12)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (13)
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (13)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (15)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (16)
|c3=
|c3=
*[[Silas]] (3)
*[[Silas]] (3)
Line 64: Line 68:
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (5)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (5)
*[[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] (10)
*[[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] (10)
*[[MECH Navigator]] (14)
*[[MECH Surgeon]] (14)
*[[MECH Navigator]] (15)
}}
}}


==Quotes==
==Quotes==
"As much as I'll miss our little reunions...''hammer time''."
:—'''Breakdown''', before being captured by MECH


"As much as I'll miss our little reunions... ''hammer time''."
:—'''Breakdown''' before being captured by MECH


"Full disclosure: We intend to pull you apart. Break you down, if you will."
:—'''Silas''' tells Breakdown what's in store, while making a pun at the same time.


"You're making a very big mistake, little man. When I'm done with you they'll have to scrape you off the floor!"
 
:—'''Breakdown''' promises to make JaAm out of '''Silas'''.
"You're making a very big mistake, little man. When I'm finished with you, they'll have to scrape you off the floor!"
:—'''Breakdown''' threatens Silas




Line 91: Line 99:


"One day, you will repay your debt to me, Breakdown... the day it comes time to choose sides."<br>
"One day, you will repay your debt to me, Breakdown... the day it comes time to choose sides."<br>
“Huh... between ‘Bots and ‘Cons?”<br>
"Huh... between 'Bots and 'Cons?"<br>
“Between myself – and Megatron.”
"Between myself – and Megatron."
:—'''Starscream''' informs a confused '''Breakdown''' of his plans for the future.
:—'''Starscream''' informs a confused '''Breakdown''' of his plans for the future.


==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*Who shut off the groundbridge after Bulkhead entered the Kamchatka Peninsula? There's no way Miko could have pulled that switch by herself. Unless it turns off by it's self after everyone goes through it.


===Continuity errors===
"I ''suggest'' that Megatron never know of this...rescue. You ''do'' want him to think you defeated the puny humans and escaped on your own, ''don't you''?
* Moments after calling Optimus Prime by name and stating that he was expecting Megatron, Silas tells Breakdown about his "would-be rescuers" without moving from the same location from which he had just been talking to them - yet Breakdown seems to have no idea that they were Autobots. How did he not hear the conversation?
:—'''Starscream''' makes '''Breakdown''' an offer he can't refuse.
* Silas has Breakdown's pain receptors shut off so he doesn't make a lot of noise while being operated on. If this is the first Cybertronian they've managed to capture, much less dissect, how would his scientists know how to do such a thing?


===Transformers references===
==Notes==
===Real-world references===
===Foreign dubbing===
* Miko plays the game "Marco Polo" with Bulkhead. Bulkhead later plays the game with MECH.
* ''Dinolizard vs Five-Headed Ape'' is a parody of ''{{w|King Kong vs. Godzilla}}''.  Dinolizard even uses [[Godzilla]]'s roar.
* Breakdown says "{{w|M.C. Hammer|Hammer Time}}". Yeah.
* The {{w|Kamchatka Peninsula}} is an actual place, with heavy volcanic activity. But if the show is placed in 2011, there are no recorded evacuations in 1991 due to volcanic activity.


===Real-world references===
===Errors===
*Miko plays the game "Marco Polo" with Bulkhead. Bulkhead later plays the game with MECH.
* Moments after calling Optimus Prime by name and stating that he was expecting Megatron, Silas tells Breakdown about his "would-be rescuers" without moving from the same location from which he had just been talking to them—yet Breakdown seems to have no idea that they were Autobots. How did he not hear the conversation?
*''Dinolizard vs Five-Headed Ape'' is a parody of ''[[Wikipedia:King Kong vs Godzilla|King Kong vs Godzilla]]''.


===Trivia===
===Trivia===
* MECH can carve up Breakdown with ease with their surgical lasers, but the guns they give their footsoldiers seemingly have no effect on Transformers. Clearly MECH's footsoldiers should be equipped with surgical lasers instead.
* The episode was screened on [[June 4]] at [[BotCon 2011]] before its first airing on television.
*The episode was screened at [[BotCon 2011]] before its first airing on television.
* Miko seems to have [[Shadowzone (episode)|learned her lesson]]: She didn't follow Bulkhead this time.
*This is the first episode of the series that [[Jack Darby|Jack]] hasn't appeared in, leaving Arcee the only character at this point in the series to have appeared in every episode.
* Human death ''must'' have occurred during Bulkhead and Breakdown's outdoor battle with MECH - Breakdown would not have pulled his punches, and even threw a car at a helicopter, causing a midair explosion.
*Starscream got better.
*Miko seems to have [[Shadowzone (episode)|learned her lesson]]: she didn't follow Bulkhead this time.
*Human death ''must'' have occurred during Bulkhead and Breakdown's outdoor battle with MECH. Case in point: Breakdown throwing a car at a helicopter, causing a midair explosion.
*Despite being Breakdown's partner, Knock Out makes no appearance in his episode, leaving the audience to wonder if he didn't know about Breakdown's capture, or didn't care enough to bother rescuing him.
*The [[Wikipedia:Kamchatka Peninsula|Kamchatka Peninsula]] is an actual place, with heavy volcanic activity. But if the show is placed in 2011, there are no recorded evacuations in 1991 due to volcanic activity.
*This episode has displayed a grand difference between Megatron and Starscream as leaders; Megatron has no regard for his servants if they go missing, especially if they're captured by humans, while Starscream values his teammates and is willing to go and rescue them against Megatron's orders. (Of course, Starscream subsequently ''uses'' this as blackmail to ensure Breakdown's loyalty to him against Megatron, but, well, still.)
*Ratchet's vehicular mode is making more frequent appearance now.


==Home video releases==
===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Opération Breakdown'''" ("Operation: Breakdown")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 18|18 December]] [[2011]]
 
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Operation Breakdown'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 6|6 January]] [[2012]]
 
'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''A Breakdown-küldetés'''" ("The Breakdown Mission")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 30|30 January]] [[2012]]
 
'''Indonesian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Penyelamatan Breakdown'''" ("The Saving of Breakdown")
:*''Original airdate:'' 21 September [[2012]]
 
'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Operazione Breakdown'''" ("Operation Breakdown")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 19|19 November]] [[2011]]
:* The Italian translators clearly had a lot of issues with the term "Double Monster Feature": When Miko uses the term the first time, the line got translated as "Who wants to play some Sci-Fi tag game?", implying the term is the title of a videogame; when Bulkhead uses it later in battle, it's instead translated as "Double rations of Sci-Fi".
 
'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' '''Shujutsu Henkei!? Torawareta Hakai Senshi''' (手術変形!?囚われた破壊戦士, "Surgical Transformation!? Imprison the Soldier of Destruction")
:*''Airdate:'' [[July 21|21 July]] [[2012]]
 
'''Korean'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Saengche Lobot Haebu'''" (생체 로봇 해부, "Dissection of the Living Robot")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 18|18 October]] [[2011]]
 
'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' ?
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 26|26 December]] [[2011]]
 
'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Operação Breakdown'''" ("Operation Breakdown")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 20|20 February]] [[2012]]


==External links==
'''Spanish (Spain)'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Operación Breakdown'''" ("Operation Breakdown")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 2|2 June]] [[2012]]


==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One ([[Shout! Factory]])<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One Collection ([[Madman Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Folge 4: Die vierte Dimension ([[EDEL:kids]]) — English and German audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Volume 4: Strength in Numbers (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Staffel 1 - Das Bündnis (EDEL:kids) — English and German audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Vol. 8 ([[Avex Trax]]) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 1 Vol. 4: Une alliance inattendue ([[Universal|Universal Pictures France]]) — English, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Vol. 4: Improbabili alleanze ([[Universal|Universal Pictures IT]]) — English, Italian, Dutch, French and Spanish audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One: Unlikely Alliances ([[Universal|Universal Pictures UK]])<br>
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 1: L'intégrale (Universal Pictures France) — English, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One (Universal Pictures UK)
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season One Collection (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Staffel 1 - Das Bündnis (EDEL:kids) — English and German audio.<br>


[[Category:Prime episodes]]
[[Category:Prime episodes|Operation Breakdown]]

Latest revision as of 22:45, 20 April 2025

« Transformers: Prime ep 16 »

Now all he needs is an eye patch and a bottle of scrumpy.
"Operation: Breakdown"
Season 1
No. in season 16
Production company Hasbro Studios
Airdate June 18, 2011
Written by Steven Melching
Directed by Shaunt Nigoghossian
Animation studio Polygon Pictures
 Watch this episode on YouTube

Breakdown is captured by MECH, and the only ones who can save him are... Team Prime.

Synopsis

[edit]

Bulkhead is fighting Breakdown in a ghost town on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Eastern Russia after the two have a run-in while tracking an energon signature. Though Bulkhead fights valiantly, Breakdown lays him flat with a hammer blow. As Breakdown prepares to finish the unconscious Bulkhead off, he's zapped by a blast of energy from a helicopter, which lands and disgorges Silas and a pack of MECH troops. Silas instructs them to take Breakdown. Bulkhead comes around to find Breakdown missing and Miko calling out to him on the comm. After he bridges back to base for repairs, everyone's confused about what happened to Breakdown. Agent Fowler has an idea who might be behind it.

On the Nemesis, Starscream relays news of Breakdown's capture to Megatron. Starscream is keen to hunt down the humans responsible and bring back Breakdown, but Megatron intends to leave Breakdown to his fate for being captured by those weaker, a decision which leaves Starscream dismayed.

"No, Mister Bot, I expect you to die."

Breakdown recovers to find himself firmly attached to a metal slab. Silas introduces himself to the captive, who announces that Megatron will never pay a ransom, but Silas reveals they're not after money, just the technology in Breakdown's body.

Fowler fills the Autobots in — his intel has reported MECH activity in the Kamchatka Peninsula. While the other Autobots are happy for MECH to have Breakdown, Optimus Prime decides to mount a rescue mission. The others are surprised, and Bulkhead wonders if Optimus believes Breakdown will switch sides if the Autobots rescue him, but Optimus says while that's unlikely, they can't let MECH get Cybertronian technology.

Meanwhile, MECH have disengaged Breakdown's pain receptors in preparation for the operation. Silas thanks their captive in advance for the service he is about to do them, and the heavy machinery moves in to take the Decepticon apart.

Miko tries to talk Bulkhead into going on the mission, but he's not keen, and Optimus agrees he would not be an asset on the mission. Optimus departs with Ratchet, Bumblebee and Arcee. Miko looks disappointed, and Bulkhead suggests they watch a movie instead.

"I know what'll make you feel better - watching a rip-off of an old Japanese movie!"

Prime's team arrives in the ghost town, to find it deserted. Though Bumblebee spots some vehicle tracks, Ratchet reports he's got an energon trace, and they go to look for the source.

Fowler has already fallen asleep in front of Dinolizard vs. Five-Headed Ape. Miko isn't watching the movie though, as she's disappointed that Bulkhead isn't getting to face down his own arch-enemy. Bulkhead still doesn't want to rescue the 'Con, but Miko points out that if he doesn't, he won't get to have a rematch. Bulkhead takes the GroundBridge to Russia.

Prime's team finds the energon reading — it's Breakdown's eye, sitting in the open.

Bulkhead follows a MECH car to a railway tunnel and, weapons primed, ventures inside.

Ratchet hooks Breakdown's eye up to his scanner so they can retrieve the last images it saw, but it turns out that Silas has turned the eye into a two-way video feed. Silas is surprised to see the Autobots, but shows off the work they're doing on Breakdown and points out the bomb the Autobots are standing virtually on top of. Prime's team just manages to get clear before the bomb explodes.

Silas passes on the news to Breakdown that his would-be rescuers are Autobots, much to the captive's confusion. At this point, Bulkhead breaks through an outer door and fights his way through the MECH goons to find Breakdown. Freeing the startled Decepticon, Bulkhead leads the way to the exit, but once outside, they're confronted by the bulk of the MECH forces. Bulkhead calls for backup, and the pair start fighting in earnest. Silas's 'copter begins firing bursts of energy, and Breakdown, in an uncharacteristic act of altruism, knocks Bulkhead out of harm's way. The fight continues, but Silas's copilot reports incoming signals, resulting in Silas ordering a general retreat. Arriving, however, is not Optimus' team, but Starscream, who has disobeyed Megatron's orders and brought a squadron of Vehicons. Starscream orders Breakdown to either join the Autobots or get on with destroying Bulkhead, and though Breakdown is initially reluctant, Starscream sways him, and he attacks his Autobot rescuer. Bulkhead soundly pummels Breakdown before smashing Starscream and taking out the Vehicons with Breakdown's body. The Decepticons are forced to retreat as Optimus's team finally shows up. Optimus is impressed that Bulkhead has risen above his petty rivalries to rescue Breakdown, but the moment is spoiled by Bulkhead asking if they all saw how he bashed the Decepticons.

Breakdown pauses short of the Nemesis, where Starscream informs him that he will repay his debt one day... when he must choose between Megatron's leadership and Starscream's.

Meanwhile, Silas records that the information they gained from Breakdown was enough for them to start Project Chimera...

[edit]

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots Decepticons Humans

Quotes

[edit]

"As much as I'll miss our little reunions...hammer time."

—Breakdown, before being captured by MECH


"Full disclosure: We intend to pull you apart. Break you down, if you will."

—Silas tells Breakdown what's in store, while making a pun at the same time.


"You're making a very big mistake, little man. When I'm finished with you, they'll have to scrape you off the floor!"

—Breakdown threatens Silas


"It's a trap!"
"Would this be a 'roll out' kind of trap?"

—Optimus Prime ackbars and Arcee continues to be genre savvy.


"'Marco!' You're supposed to say 'Polo!'"

—Bulkhead plays with MECH.


"Never run when you can fight."

—Breakdown


"One day, you will repay your debt to me, Breakdown... the day it comes time to choose sides."
"Huh... between 'Bots and 'Cons?"
"Between myself – and Megatron."

—Starscream informs a confused Breakdown of his plans for the future.


"I suggest that Megatron never know of this...rescue. You do want him to think you defeated the puny humans and escaped on your own, don't you?

—Starscream makes Breakdown an offer he can't refuse.

Notes

[edit]

Real-world references

[edit]
  • Miko plays the game "Marco Polo" with Bulkhead. Bulkhead later plays the game with MECH.
  • Dinolizard vs Five-Headed Ape is a parody of King Kong vs. Godzilla. Dinolizard even uses Godzilla's roar.
  • Breakdown says "Hammer Time". Yeah.
  • The Kamchatka Peninsula is an actual place, with heavy volcanic activity. But if the show is placed in 2011, there are no recorded evacuations in 1991 due to volcanic activity.

Errors

[edit]
  • Moments after calling Optimus Prime by name and stating that he was expecting Megatron, Silas tells Breakdown about his "would-be rescuers" without moving from the same location from which he had just been talking to them—yet Breakdown seems to have no idea that they were Autobots. How did he not hear the conversation?

Trivia

[edit]
  • The episode was screened on June 4 at BotCon 2011 before its first airing on television.
  • Miko seems to have learned her lesson: She didn't follow Bulkhead this time.
  • Human death must have occurred during Bulkhead and Breakdown's outdoor battle with MECH - Breakdown would not have pulled his punches, and even threw a car at a helicopter, causing a midair explosion.

Foreign localization

[edit]

French

  • Title: "Opération Breakdown" ("Operation: Breakdown")
  • Original airdate: 18 December 2011

German

Hungarian

  • Title: "A Breakdown-küldetés" ("The Breakdown Mission")
  • Original airdate: 30 January 2012

Indonesian

  • Title: "Penyelamatan Breakdown" ("The Saving of Breakdown")
  • Original airdate: 21 September 2012

Italian

  • Title: "Operazione Breakdown" ("Operation Breakdown")
  • Original airdate: 19 November 2011
  • The Italian translators clearly had a lot of issues with the term "Double Monster Feature": When Miko uses the term the first time, the line got translated as "Who wants to play some Sci-Fi tag game?", implying the term is the title of a videogame; when Bulkhead uses it later in battle, it's instead translated as "Double rations of Sci-Fi".

Japanese

  • Title: Shujutsu Henkei!? Torawareta Hakai Senshi (手術変形!?囚われた破壊戦士, "Surgical Transformation!? Imprison the Soldier of Destruction")
  • Airdate: 21 July 2012

Korean

  • Title: "Saengche Lobot Haebu" (생체 로봇 해부, "Dissection of the Living Robot")
  • Original airdate: 18 October 2011

Polish

Portuguese

  • Title: "Operação Breakdown" ("Operation Breakdown")
  • Original airdate: 20 February 2012

Spanish (Spain)

  • Title: "Operación Breakdown" ("Operation Breakdown")
  • Original airdate: 2 June 2012

Home video releases

[edit]
All releases listed are in English audio unless otherwise noted.
DVD

United States of America 2012 — Transformers Prime — Season One (Shout! Factory)
Australia 2012 — Transformers Prime — Season One Collection (Madman Entertainment)
Germany 2012 — Transformers Prime — Folge 4: Die vierte Dimension (EDEL:kids) — English and German audio.
Australia 2012 — Transformers Prime — Volume 4: Strength in Numbers (Madman Entertainment)
Germany 2012 — Transformers Prime — Staffel 1 - Das Bündnis (EDEL:kids) — English and German audio.
Japan 2012 — Transformers Prime — Vol. 8 (Avex Trax) — Japanese audio only.
France 2013 — Transformers Prime — Saison 1 Vol. 4: Une alliance inattendue (Universal Pictures France) — English, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish audio.
Italy 2013 — Transformers Prime — Vol. 4: Improbabili alleanze (Universal Pictures IT) — English, Italian, Dutch, French and Spanish audio.
United Kingdom 2013 — Transformers Prime — Season One: Unlikely Alliances (Universal Pictures UK)
France 2014 — Transformers Prime — Saison 1: L'intégrale (Universal Pictures France) — English, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish audio.
United Kingdom 2015 — Transformers Prime — Season One (Universal Pictures UK)

Blu-ray

United States of America 2012 — Transformers Prime — Season One (Shout! Factory)
Australia 2012 — Transformers Prime — Season One Collection (Madman Entertainment)
Germany 2012 — Transformers Prime — Staffel 1 - Das Bündnis (EDEL:kids) — English and German audio.

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