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|caption="Listen, this isn't what it looks like..."
|caption="Listen, this isn't what it looks like..."
|title="Operation Bumblebee, Part 1"
|title="Operation Bumblebee, Part 1"
|season=2
|season ep=4
|airdate=[[March 10]], [[2012]]
|airdate=[[March 10]], [[2012]]
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]]
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|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=O9DbMo0uxwc
|videosite=YouTube
}}
}}


Line 17: Line 21:
==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
[[Image:OperationBumblebee1 extractor yoink.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Yoink!]]
[[Image:OperationBumblebee1 extractor yoink.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Yoink!]]
[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] stake out a [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] mining operation overseen by [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]. Optimus isn't about to let Megatron have whatever gave off the signal that led him and Ratchet here, and he confronts Megatron just as the Vehicons break earth and hand the package to him. Megatron advises Optimus to stow his weapons; the device they've unearthed is a deadly [[spark extractor]], capable of sapping the spark from the body of every Cybertronian in its radius. He takes the opportunity to gloat about how Optimus—ahem, ''Orion''—led him to it before stepping through the [[GroundBridge]], and ordering the Vehicons to hold Ratchet and Optimus off. Close by, [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] speeds over a cliff and through the attacking Vehicons, before driving into the GroundBridge. He transforms and grabs the package from Megatron's hand, before turning around and bolting. Megatron runs after him, but upon arriving outside the vortex, finds his troops destroyed and all three Autobots gone.
[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] stake out a [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] mining operation overseen by [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. Optimus isn't about to let Megatron have whatever gave off the signal that led him and Ratchet here, and he confronts Megatron just as the Vehicons break earth and hand the package to him. Megatron advises Optimus to stow his weapons; the device they've unearthed is a deadly [[spark extractor]], capable of sapping the spark from the body of every Cybertronian in its radius. He takes the opportunity to gloat about how Optimus—ahem, ''Orion''—led him to it before stepping through the [[GroundBridge]], and ordering the Vehicons to hold Ratchet and Optimus off. Close by, [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] speeds over a cliff and through the attacking Vehicons, before driving into the GroundBridge. He transforms and grabs the package from Megatron's hand, before turning around and bolting. Megatron runs after him, but upon arriving outside the vortex, finds his troops destroyed and all three [[Autobot]]s gone.


Back at base, Bumblebee brags about his vehicular acrobatics. Ratchet informs Optimus of the reason for the Autobot homing beacon on the device—it was sealed away in Iacon during the war, but was jettisoned offworld when the Decepticons raided the city. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] asks if Optimus remembers if he transcribed any other coordinates, but Optimus regrets that he does not. Ratchet posits that Megatron said he decrypted multiple targets to play havoc with Optimus' psyche.
Back at base, Bumblebee brags about his vehicular acrobatics. Ratchet informs Optimus of the reason for the Autobot homing beacon on the device—it was sealed away in Iacon during the war, but was jettisoned offworld when the [[Decepticon]]s raided the city. [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] asks if Optimus remembers if he transcribed any other coordinates, but Optimus regrets that he does not. Ratchet posits that Megatron said he decrypted multiple targets to play havoc with Optimus' psyche.


On the ''[[Nemesis (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron laments over the loss of the spark extractor, and regrets that he did no more than destroy Bumblebee's voicebox back on Cybertron. [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] reminds Megatron that there are still two contacts on Earth to investigate.
On the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', Megatron laments over the loss of the spark extractor, and regrets that he did no more than destroy Bumblebee's [[voice box]] back on Cybertron. [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] reminds Megatron that there are still two contacts on [[Earth]] to investigate.
   
   
[[Image:OperationBumblebee1 Bumblebee's operation.jpg|thumb|right|250px|'''Doctor''':So what are we transplanting today?<br>'''Silas''': A T-cog--er I mean liver.<br>'''Doctor''':A liver? In a robot?<br>'''Silas''': And?]]
[[Image:OperationBumblebee1 Bumblebee's operation.jpg|thumb|right|250px|'''Doctor''': So what are we transplanting today?<br>'''Silas''': A T-cog--er, I mean liver.<br>'''Doctor''': A liver? In a robot?<br>'''Silas''': And?]]
On the road, Bumblebee sounds off to [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] to rendezvous with him at the coordinates of the new distress beacon. Upon arriving, however, the only device present is an upright beacon. Suddenly, Bumblebee is stunned by a large electrical blast, and he falls unconscious. [[Silas]] and a [[MECH]] team emerge from the shadows, including a [[MECH Surgeon]] who starts work on Bumblebee. Unseen by the troops below, Starscream arrives and transforms on an overlooking cliff. As MECH spots Bulkhead incoming, the surgeon finishes his work, and the team departs in a helicopter. Bulkhead arrives and asks Bumblebee who did it, but Bumblebee doesn't recall. Bulkhead advises pursuit, and transforms to roll—but Bumblebee doesn't. Antsy at the hold-up, Bulkhead asks Bumblebee why he's not transforming, and Bumblebee replies that he can't.
On the road, Bumblebee sounds off to [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] to rendezvous with him at the coordinates of the new distress beacon. Upon arriving, however, the only device present is an upright beacon. Suddenly, Bumblebee is stunned by a large electrical blast, and he falls unconscious. [[Silas]] and a [[MECH]] team emerge from the shadows, including a [[MECH Surgeon]] who starts work on Bumblebee. Unseen by the troops below, Starscream arrives and transforms on an overlooking cliff. As MECH spots Bulkhead incoming, the surgeon finishes his work, and the team departs in a helicopter. Bulkhead arrives and asks Bumblebee who did it, but Bumblebee doesn't recall. Bulkhead advises pursuit, and transforms to roll—but Bumblebee doesn't. Antsy at the hold-up, Bulkhead asks Bumblebee why he's not transforming, and Bumblebee replies that he can't.


Back at base, Ratchet scans Bumblebee and discovers that his [[transformation cog|T-cog]] is missing. The Autobots quickly work out MECH is behind it, and Optimus tells Bumblebee he's going to have to rely on his friends for a while. Bumblebee is very depressed. Optimus is worried about what Megatron might unearth next.
Back at base, Ratchet scans Bumblebee and discovers that his [[transformation cog (biology)|T-cog]] is missing. The Autobots quickly work out MECH is behind it, and Optimus tells Bumblebee he's going to have to rely on his friends for a while. Bumblebee is very depressed. Optimus is worried about what Megatron might unearth next.


[[Image:OperationBumblebee1 Silas meets Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"So, which of us should be called Scarface?"]]
[[Image:OperationBumblebee1 Silas meets Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"So, which of us should be called Scarface?"]]
MECH install Bumblebee's T-cog into the robot they've built, but when they power it up and have it scan a helicopter, the robot is unable to transform. Starscream, who has been spying on them, reveals himself and proposes an alliance. He explains the T-cog requires [[energon]] to work. He intends to supply MECH with information on energon so they can work out a way to find energon deposits.
MECH install Bumblebee's T-cog into the robot they've built, but when they power it up and have it scan a helicopter, the robot is unable to transform. Starscream, who has been spying on them, reveals himself and proposes an alliance. He explains the T-cog requires [[energon]] to work. He intends to supply MECH with information on energon so they can work out a way to find energon deposits.


Bumblebee is making a pain of himself bugging Ratchet, who asks [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] to keep him busy. Unfortunately all of their entertainment reminds Bumblebee of his missing vehicle mode. Raf makes another attempt to make Bumblebee feel better, but is undermined by Arcee and [[Jack Darby|Jack]] racing into the base at high speed. Ratchet has to stop Bumblebee from going out for a walk, but feels guilty at his inability to fix his fellow Autobot.
Bumblebee is making a pain of himself bugging Ratchet, who asks [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] to keep him busy. Unfortunately all of their entertainment reminds Bumblebee of his missing vehicle mode. Raf makes another attempt to make Bumblebee feel better, but is undermined by Arcee and [[Jack Darby|Jack]] racing into the base at high speed. Ratchet has to stop Bumblebee from going out for a walk, but feels guilty at his inability to fix his fellow Autobot. Some time later, Ratchet picks Raf up outside [[Memorial High School|school]], much to the boy's discomfort.
Some time later, Ratchet picks Raf up outside school, much to the boy's discomfort.


[[Image:OperationBumblebee1 Bumblebee runs after Knock Out.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Robots in mirror are closer than they appear.]]
[[Image:OperationBumblebee1 Bumblebee runs after Knock Out.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Robots in mirror are closer than they appear.]]
On monitoring duty, Bulkhead detects a signal, and Bumblebee insists on going with him to investigate.
On monitoring duty, Bulkhead detects a signal, and Bumblebee insists on going with him to investigate.


Raf asks how Bumblebee's voice box was damaged, and Ratchet tells how Bumblebee was captured at [[Tyger Pax]] and given a working over by the Decepticons. Though a [[Ratchet (Prime)|field medic]] saved the scout, it wasn't enough to save his voice box.
Raf asks how Bumblebee's voice box was damaged, and Ratchet tells how Bumblebee was captured at [[Tyger Pax]] and given a working over by the Decepticons. Though a [[Ratchet (WFC)|field medic]] saved the scout, it wasn't enough to save his voice box.


Bulkhead and Bumblebee track the signal to a cave. [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] soon comes barreling out, closely followed by [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]]. While Bulkhead tackles the latter, Bumblebee attempts to chase Knock Out on foot. He soon finds he can't even transform his arms to deploy his guns, and is forced to continue the pursuit by using an old truck as an impromptu go-kart. Unfortunately it loses a wheel, and as Knock Out speeds off with the pilfered device, Bumblebee is sent flying off a cliff.
Bulkhead and Bumblebee track the signal to a cave. [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] soon comes barreling out, closely followed by [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]]. While Bulkhead tackles the latter, Bumblebee attempts to chase Knock Out on foot. He tries to shoot him off the road... only to discover that he can't even transform his arms to deploy his guns, and is forced to continue the pursuit by using an old truck as an impromptu go-kart. Unfortunately it loses a wheel, and as Knock Out speeds off with the pilfered device, Bumblebee is sent flying off a cliff.


==Featured characters==
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (3)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (3)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (7)
*[[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] (7)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (9)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (9)
|c2=
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (2)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (2)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (10)
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (10)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (17)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (18)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (18)
*[[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] (19)
|c3=
|c3=
*[[Jack Darby]] (6)
*[[Jack Darby]] (6)
Line 63: Line 66:
*[[Sierra]] (14)
*[[Sierra]] (14)
*[[Sierra's friend]] (15)
*[[Sierra's friend]] (15)
*[[Vince]] (16)
*[[Starter Guy]] (16)
*[[Vince]] (17)


|c4=
|c4=
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (13)
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (13)
}}
}}


==Quotes==
==Quotes==
[[Image:UrbanaOffendsBumblebee01.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
"The new Urbana 500. It won't just rock your world. It will transform it."
"The new Urbana 500. It won't just rock your world. It will transform it."
:—The '''commercial narrator''' hates Bumblebee.
:—The '''commercial narrator''' hates Bumblebee




"You want to ride with the siren on?"<br>
"Taking the "auto" out of an Autobot is ''so'' not a good thing."
:—'''Miko'''
 
 
"...You want to ride with the siren on?"<br>
"No, thank you."
"No, thank you."
:—'''Ratchet''' attempts to cheer up '''Raf'''.
:—'''Ratchet''' attempts to cheer up '''Raf'''




"Still don't know how you talked me into this. You're worse than Miko."
"Still don't know how you talked me into this. You're worse than Miko."
:—'''Bulkhead''' on Bumblebee's persuasiveness.
:—'''Bulkhead''' on Bumblebee's persuasiveness




"Bumblebee, where's your famous horsepower? Show me some ''speed''!"
"Bumblebee, where's your famous horsepower? Show me some ''speed''!"
:—'''Knock Out''', unintentionally striking a nerve.
:—'''Knock Out''', unintentionally striking a nerve
 
 
"For Primus Sake! Someone keep him occupied so I can get some work done!"
:-'''Bumblebee''' acts like a little kid and Ratchet reminds everyone that he doesnt like to be distracted.


==Notes==
==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* Though Ratchet has standard vehicle instrumentation, the needles don't move, at least while they're in shot. His speedometer is showing a higher reading as they slowly move away from the school than later when they're driving down the street.
===Continuity notes===
===Continuity notes===
*This marks the first mention of Megatron being responsible for destroying Bumblebee's capacity to speak at [[Tyger Pax]], having been established in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'' for the Aligned continuity.
* This marks the first mention of Megatron being responsible for destroying Bumblebee's capacity to speak at [[Tyger Pax]], having been established in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'' for the Aligned continuity.
*Megatron calls Optimus by his pre-Prime name "Orion Pax" from the previous episodes. The three sets of coordinates the Decepticons are investigating here are likewise the fruits of [[Project Iacon]].
* Megatron calls Optimus by his pre-Prime name "Orion Pax" from the previous episodes. The three sets of coordinates the Decepticons are investigating here are likewise the fruits of [[Project Iacon]].
*We first heard about [[Project Chimera]] in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]", the events of which Starscream makes mention of. Here we finally see what the project is—an attempt to create a MECH-designed Transformer.
* We first heard about [[Project Chimera]] in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]", the events of which Starscream makes mention of. Here we finally see what the project is: an attempt to create a MECH-designed Transformer.
*The old pickup truck Bumblebee uses to chase Knock Out was first seen in "[[Convoy (episode)|Convoy]]", and again in "[[Metal Attraction]]".
** Project Chimera's fingers and right shoulder armor look ''very'' similar to Optimus's. We see why in a [[Nemesis Prime (episode)|later episode]].
*MECH's attacks on Breakdown and Arcee are brought up, which happened in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]" and "[[Crisscross]]", respectively.
* The old pickup truck Bumblebee uses to chase Knock Out was first seen in "[[Convoy (episode)|Convoy]]", and again in "[[Metal Attraction]]" and "[[New Recruit]]".
*Starscream compares facial scars with Silas, having gotten his from Arcee in "[[Partners]]".
* MECH's attacks on Breakdown and Arcee are brought up, which happened in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]" and "[[Crisscross (episode)|Crisscross]]", respectively. Starscream also brings up MECH's attack on Breakdown when he meets them face to face.
* Starscream compares facial scars with Silas, having gotten his from Arcee in "[[Partners (Prime)|Partners]]".
* Optimus has finally been repaired from the damage he got in his battle with Megatron in "[[One Shall Fall]]".
* It is revealed that several artifacts were jettisoned into space during the war, explaining why [[Energon Harvester|earlier]] [[polarity gauntlet|devices]] were found on Earth.


===Transformers references===
===Transformers references===
[[Image:OperationBumblebee1 spark extractor.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Behold, the latest handheld gaming system: THE SEGA MATRIX, with the ability to transform into any gaming system in the world, even those NOT made by SEGA!]]
[[Image:OperationBumblebee1 spark extractor.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Behold, the latest handheld gaming system: THE SEGA MATRIX, with the ability to transform into any gaming system in the world, even those NOT made by [[Sega|SEGA]]!]]
*The ''device dú jour'' today is the spark extractor, courtesy of ancient Decepticons. However, unlike the [[spark extractor|original]], this one seems to be more of a bomb-like device, sapping the sparks of everyone in its radius. It might not be a coincidence that the device showed up in an episode written by [[Marty Isenberg]], given that he was one of the two showrunners of the [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|series]] it originated from.
 
*The T-cog is a reference to the [[transformation cog]] of G1 lore. It was first referred to in the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]", in which the lack of a transformation cog meant that [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] was stuck in city mode.
* The ''device du jour'' today is the spark extractor, courtesy of ancient Decepticons. However, unlike the [[spark extractor|original]], this one seems to be more of a bomb-like device, sapping the sparks of everyone in its radius. It might not be a coincidence that the device showed up in an episode written by [[Marty Isenberg]], given that he was one of the two showrunners of the [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|series]] it originated from.
*Ratchet also has to explain to Bumblebee that the Autobots are "Robots In Disguise", which is why he can't leave the base while his T-Cog is missing.
* The T-cog is a reference to the [[Transformation cog (biology)|transformation cog]] of Generation 1 lore. It was first referred to in the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]", in which the lack of a transformation cog meant that [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] was stuck in city mode.
* The reason behind the loss of Bumblebee's voice is near identical to the explanation given for [[Bumblebee (Movie)|another Bumblebee]].
* Ratchet also has to explain to Bumblebee that the Autobots are "[[Robots in Disguise (disambiguation)|Robots In Disguise]]", which is why he can't leave the base while his T-Cog is missing.
* The reason behind the loss of Bumblebee's voice is near identical to the explanation given for [[Bumblebee (Movie)|another Bumblebee]]. In fact, several of the visuals for the flashback scene are lifted almost directly from [[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] ''[[Transformers: Movie Prequel|Movie Prequel]]'' [[Movie Prequel issue 1|issue 1]].


===Real-world references===
===Real-world references===
*Megatron uses the term "mutually assured destruction", a longtime slogan for the effect of nuclear war.  
* Megatron uses the term "mutually assured destruction", a longtime slogan for the effect of nuclear war.  
*Knock Out references Rent-A-Car, a real-world car rental service.
* Knock Out references Rent-A-Car, a real-world car rental service, though given what a generic name it has, this may be a coincidence.
 
===Errors===
* In "[[Darkness Rising, Part 2]]", [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] refers to Bumblebee as a custom muscle car, but in this episode he is revealed to be an apparently-uncustomized [[Urbana 500]].
* Though Ratchet has standard vehicle instrumentation, the needles don't move, at least while they're in shot. His speedometer is showing a higher reading as they slowly move away from the school than later when they're driving down the street.
* When Optimus draws his weapon at the start of the episode, he draws his left cannon. When he charges Megatron he's then wielding his right cannon.
* When Jack drives Arcee into the Autobot Base and puts his foot down, it disappears through the floor.
* [[Orion Pax, Part 1|Again]], Optimus Prime/Orion Pax is referred to as an "ar-KIVE-ist," this time by Bulkhead.
* Bumblebee, Ratchet and Starscream's Cybertronian modes, again, have Earth vehicle kibble.


===Trivia===
===Trivia===
*In a first for the series, Bumblebee's car mode is revealed as the [[Urbana 500]].  
* Bumblebee's car mode is revealed as the [[Urbana 500]].  
*This is the first time a fight has happened ''inside'' the GroundBridge. Seeing as it's quite long, this may explain how in other episodes, characters sometimes exit the GroundBridge in a different order than they entered it.
* This is the first time a fight has happened ''inside'' the GroundBridge. Seeing as it's quite long, this may explain how in other episodes, characters sometimes exit the GroundBridge in a different order than they entered it.
*Bumblebee, Ratchet and Starscream's Cybertronian modes, again, have Earth vehicle kibble.
* Bumblebee's door wings move with his emotions just like with Starscream. They act like animal ears.
*The title is a nod to a Season 1 episode "[[Operation: Breakdown]]".
 
*It was revealed that several artifacts were jettisoned into space during the war, explaining why [[Energon Harvester|earlier]] [[polarity gauntlet|devices]] were found on Earth.
===Foreign localization===
*Bumblebee's door wings move with his emotions just like with Starscream.
'''French'''
*Optimus has finally been repaired from the damage he got in his battle with Megatron in [[One Shall Fall]].
:*''Title:'' "'''Opération Bumblebee, Partie 1'''" ("Operation Bumblebee, Part 1")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Megatron talking about Optimus Prime's "Decepticon shield" is translated literally as "Bouclier Decepticon", but it sounds kinda odd in that situation. The words "écusson", "blason" or "insigne" would have worked better, since "bouclier" refers strictly to the protective equipment.
 
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Operation Bumblebee, Teil 1'''" ("Operation Bumblebee, Part 1")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 25|25 October]] [[2012]]
 
'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Henkei Funō!? Bumblebee SOS'''" (変形不能!?バンブルビーSOS, "Unable to Transform!? SOS Bumblebee")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 27|27 October]] [[2012]]
*This is the first episode to mix up the theme of the titles by putting "Henkei" first.
 
'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Operação Bumblebee, Parte 1'''" ("Operation Bumblebee, Part 1")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 6|6 June]] [[2013]]
 
'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Operazione Bumblebee, Parte 1'''" ("Operation Bumblebee, Part 1")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 11|11 October]] [[2012]]
 
==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two ([[Shout! Factory]])<br>
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Vol. 15 ([[Avex Trax]]) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Folge 7: Orion Pax ([[EDEL:kids]]) — English and German audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Ultimate Bumblebee (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2013 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season 2 Volume 1: Orion Pax ([[Madman Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season 2 Vol. 1: Orion Pax ([[Primal Screen]])<br>
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Saison 2 Vol. 1: Orion Pax (Primal Screen)<br>
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2014 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Stagione 2 Vol. 1: Orion Pax (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Operation Bumblebee (Madman Entertainment)<br>
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Intégrale Saison 2 (Primal Screen)<br>
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — The Complete Season 2 (Primal Screen)<br>
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — La Seconda Stagione Completa (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.
;Blu-ray
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two (Shout! Factory)<br>
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2015 — ''Transformers Prime'' — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment)<br>
 
[[Category:Prime episodes]]
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Latest revision as of 22:23, 18 September 2025

« Transformers: Prime ep 30 »

"Listen, this isn't what it looks like..."
"Operation Bumblebee, Part 1"
Season 2
No. in season 4
Production company Hasbro Studios
Airdate March 10, 2012
Written by Marty Isenberg
Directed by Todd Waterman
Animation studio Polygon Pictures
 Watch this episode on YouTube

Bumblebee questions his worthiness to his team after he is compromised.

Synopsis

[edit]
Yoink!

Optimus Prime and Ratchet stake out a Vehicon mining operation overseen by Megatron. Optimus isn't about to let Megatron have whatever gave off the signal that led him and Ratchet here, and he confronts Megatron just as the Vehicons break earth and hand the package to him. Megatron advises Optimus to stow his weapons; the device they've unearthed is a deadly spark extractor, capable of sapping the spark from the body of every Cybertronian in its radius. He takes the opportunity to gloat about how Optimus—ahem, Orion—led him to it before stepping through the GroundBridge, and ordering the Vehicons to hold Ratchet and Optimus off. Close by, Bumblebee speeds over a cliff and through the attacking Vehicons, before driving into the GroundBridge. He transforms and grabs the package from Megatron's hand, before turning around and bolting. Megatron runs after him, but upon arriving outside the vortex, finds his troops destroyed and all three Autobots gone.

Back at base, Bumblebee brags about his vehicular acrobatics. Ratchet informs Optimus of the reason for the Autobot homing beacon on the device—it was sealed away in Iacon during the war, but was jettisoned offworld when the Decepticons raided the city. Arcee asks if Optimus remembers if he transcribed any other coordinates, but Optimus regrets that he does not. Ratchet posits that Megatron said he decrypted multiple targets to play havoc with Optimus' psyche.

On the Nemesis, Megatron laments over the loss of the spark extractor, and regrets that he did no more than destroy Bumblebee's voice box back on Cybertron. Soundwave reminds Megatron that there are still two contacts on Earth to investigate.

Doctor: So what are we transplanting today?
Silas: A T-cog--er, I mean liver.
Doctor: A liver? In a robot?
Silas: And?

On the road, Bumblebee sounds off to Bulkhead to rendezvous with him at the coordinates of the new distress beacon. Upon arriving, however, the only device present is an upright beacon. Suddenly, Bumblebee is stunned by a large electrical blast, and he falls unconscious. Silas and a MECH team emerge from the shadows, including a MECH Surgeon who starts work on Bumblebee. Unseen by the troops below, Starscream arrives and transforms on an overlooking cliff. As MECH spots Bulkhead incoming, the surgeon finishes his work, and the team departs in a helicopter. Bulkhead arrives and asks Bumblebee who did it, but Bumblebee doesn't recall. Bulkhead advises pursuit, and transforms to roll—but Bumblebee doesn't. Antsy at the hold-up, Bulkhead asks Bumblebee why he's not transforming, and Bumblebee replies that he can't.

Back at base, Ratchet scans Bumblebee and discovers that his T-cog is missing. The Autobots quickly work out MECH is behind it, and Optimus tells Bumblebee he's going to have to rely on his friends for a while. Bumblebee is very depressed. Optimus is worried about what Megatron might unearth next.

"So, which of us should be called Scarface?"

MECH install Bumblebee's T-cog into the robot they've built, but when they power it up and have it scan a helicopter, the robot is unable to transform. Starscream, who has been spying on them, reveals himself and proposes an alliance. He explains the T-cog requires energon to work. He intends to supply MECH with information on energon so they can work out a way to find energon deposits.

Bumblebee is making a pain of himself bugging Ratchet, who asks Raf and Miko to keep him busy. Unfortunately all of their entertainment reminds Bumblebee of his missing vehicle mode. Raf makes another attempt to make Bumblebee feel better, but is undermined by Arcee and Jack racing into the base at high speed. Ratchet has to stop Bumblebee from going out for a walk, but feels guilty at his inability to fix his fellow Autobot. Some time later, Ratchet picks Raf up outside school, much to the boy's discomfort.

Robots in mirror are closer than they appear.

On monitoring duty, Bulkhead detects a signal, and Bumblebee insists on going with him to investigate.

Raf asks how Bumblebee's voice box was damaged, and Ratchet tells how Bumblebee was captured at Tyger Pax and given a working over by the Decepticons. Though a field medic saved the scout, it wasn't enough to save his voice box.

Bulkhead and Bumblebee track the signal to a cave. Knock Out soon comes barreling out, closely followed by Breakdown. While Bulkhead tackles the latter, Bumblebee attempts to chase Knock Out on foot. He tries to shoot him off the road... only to discover that he can't even transform his arms to deploy his guns, and is forced to continue the pursuit by using an old truck as an impromptu go-kart. Unfortunately it loses a wheel, and as Knock Out speeds off with the pilfered device, Bumblebee is sent flying off a cliff.

[edit]

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots Decepticons Humans Others

Quotes

[edit]

"The new Urbana 500. It won't just rock your world. It will transform it."

—The commercial narrator hates Bumblebee


"Taking the "auto" out of an Autobot is so not a good thing."

—Miko


"...You want to ride with the siren on?"
"No, thank you."

—Ratchet attempts to cheer up Raf


"Still don't know how you talked me into this. You're worse than Miko."

—Bulkhead on Bumblebee's persuasiveness


"Bumblebee, where's your famous horsepower? Show me some speed!"

—Knock Out, unintentionally striking a nerve

Notes

[edit]

Continuity notes

[edit]
  • This marks the first mention of Megatron being responsible for destroying Bumblebee's capacity to speak at Tyger Pax, having been established in Transformers: Exodus for the Aligned continuity.
  • Megatron calls Optimus by his pre-Prime name "Orion Pax" from the previous episodes. The three sets of coordinates the Decepticons are investigating here are likewise the fruits of Project Iacon.
  • We first heard about Project Chimera in "Operation: Breakdown", the events of which Starscream makes mention of. Here we finally see what the project is: an attempt to create a MECH-designed Transformer.
    • Project Chimera's fingers and right shoulder armor look very similar to Optimus's. We see why in a later episode.
  • The old pickup truck Bumblebee uses to chase Knock Out was first seen in "Convoy", and again in "Metal Attraction" and "New Recruit".
  • MECH's attacks on Breakdown and Arcee are brought up, which happened in "Operation: Breakdown" and "Crisscross", respectively. Starscream also brings up MECH's attack on Breakdown when he meets them face to face.
  • Starscream compares facial scars with Silas, having gotten his from Arcee in "Partners".
  • Optimus has finally been repaired from the damage he got in his battle with Megatron in "One Shall Fall".
  • It is revealed that several artifacts were jettisoned into space during the war, explaining why earlier devices were found on Earth.

Transformers references

[edit]
Behold, the latest handheld gaming system: THE SEGA MATRIX, with the ability to transform into any gaming system in the world, even those NOT made by SEGA!
  • The device du jour today is the spark extractor, courtesy of ancient Decepticons. However, unlike the original, this one seems to be more of a bomb-like device, sapping the sparks of everyone in its radius. It might not be a coincidence that the device showed up in an episode written by Marty Isenberg, given that he was one of the two showrunners of the series it originated from.
  • The T-cog is a reference to the transformation cog of Generation 1 lore. It was first referred to in the The Transformers episode "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1", in which the lack of a transformation cog meant that Metroplex was stuck in city mode.
  • Ratchet also has to explain to Bumblebee that the Autobots are "Robots In Disguise", which is why he can't leave the base while his T-Cog is missing.
  • The reason behind the loss of Bumblebee's voice is near identical to the explanation given for another Bumblebee. In fact, several of the visuals for the flashback scene are lifted almost directly from IDW's Movie Prequel issue 1.

Real-world references

[edit]
  • Megatron uses the term "mutually assured destruction", a longtime slogan for the effect of nuclear war.
  • Knock Out references Rent-A-Car, a real-world car rental service, though given what a generic name it has, this may be a coincidence.

Errors

[edit]
  • In "Darkness Rising, Part 2", Agent Fowler refers to Bumblebee as a custom muscle car, but in this episode he is revealed to be an apparently-uncustomized Urbana 500.
  • Though Ratchet has standard vehicle instrumentation, the needles don't move, at least while they're in shot. His speedometer is showing a higher reading as they slowly move away from the school than later when they're driving down the street.
  • When Optimus draws his weapon at the start of the episode, he draws his left cannon. When he charges Megatron he's then wielding his right cannon.
  • When Jack drives Arcee into the Autobot Base and puts his foot down, it disappears through the floor.
  • Again, Optimus Prime/Orion Pax is referred to as an "ar-KIVE-ist," this time by Bulkhead.
  • Bumblebee, Ratchet and Starscream's Cybertronian modes, again, have Earth vehicle kibble.

Trivia

[edit]
  • Bumblebee's car mode is revealed as the Urbana 500.
  • This is the first time a fight has happened inside the GroundBridge. Seeing as it's quite long, this may explain how in other episodes, characters sometimes exit the GroundBridge in a different order than they entered it.
  • Bumblebee's door wings move with his emotions just like with Starscream. They act like animal ears.

Foreign localization

[edit]

French

  • Title: "Opération Bumblebee, Partie 1" ("Operation Bumblebee, Part 1")
  • Original airdate: ?
  • Megatron talking about Optimus Prime's "Decepticon shield" is translated literally as "Bouclier Decepticon", but it sounds kinda odd in that situation. The words "écusson", "blason" or "insigne" would have worked better, since "bouclier" refers strictly to the protective equipment.

German

  • Title: "Operation Bumblebee, Teil 1" ("Operation Bumblebee, Part 1")
  • Original airdate: 25 October 2012

Japanese

  • Title: "Henkei Funō!? Bumblebee SOS" (変形不能!?バンブルビーSOS, "Unable to Transform!? SOS Bumblebee")
  • Original airdate: 27 October 2012
  • This is the first episode to mix up the theme of the titles by putting "Henkei" first.

Brazilian Portuguese

  • Title: "Operação Bumblebee, Parte 1" ("Operation Bumblebee, Part 1")
  • Original airdate: 6 June 2013

Italian

  • Title: "Operazione Bumblebee, Parte 1" ("Operation Bumblebee, Part 1")
  • Original airdate: 11 October 2012

Home video releases

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

United States of America 2012 — Transformers Prime — Season Two (Shout! Factory)
Japan 2013 — Transformers Prime — Vol. 15 (Avex Trax) — Japanese audio only.
Germany 2013 — Transformers Prime — Folge 7: Orion Pax (EDEL:kids) — English and German audio.
United States of America 2014 — Transformers Prime — Ultimate Bumblebee (Shout! Factory)
Australia 2013 — Transformers Prime — Season 2 Volume 1: Orion Pax (Madman Entertainment)
Australia 2014 — Transformers Prime — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment)
United Kingdom 2014 — Transformers Prime — Season 2 Vol. 1: Orion Pax (Primal Screen)
France 2014 — Transformers Prime — Saison 2 Vol. 1: Orion Pax (Primal Screen)
Italy 2014 — Transformers Prime — Stagione 2 Vol. 1: Orion Pax (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.
Australia 2015 — Transformers Prime — Operation Bumblebee (Madman Entertainment)
France 2015 — Transformers Prime — Intégrale Saison 2 (Primal Screen)
United Kingdom 2015 — Transformers Prime — The Complete Season 2 (Primal Screen)
Italy 2015 — Transformers Prime — La Seconda Stagione Completa (Primal Screen) — English, Italian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian audio.

Blu-ray

United States of America 2012 — Transformers Prime — Season Two (Shout! Factory)
Australia 2015 — Transformers Prime — Season Two Collection (Madman Entertainment)

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