Stronger, Faster

« Transformers: Prime ep 22
Production company	Hasbro Studios
Airdate	August 14, 2011 (Canada)
Written by	Mairghread Scott
Directed by	Shaunt Nigoghossian
Animation studio	Polygon Pictures

Ratchet 'finalizes' the synthetic energon formula and uses himself as a test subject, but it ends up having some negative side effects.

Synopsis

Ratchet checks out a sample of synthetic energon he's created, watched by Raf. Approving the stability of the energon, Ratchet tries it on a test engine, and it works fine. Raf's keen to try it on Bumblebee, but Ratchet says it'll require more testing first. Meanwhile, the base sensors pick up energon movement, but before Optimus Prime gives the order to roll out, Ratchet warns him about the depleted state of their energon reserves. Once Prime's team rolls out, Ratchet has the idea to try the synthetic energon on himself. He does so, and after spending a short period laying on the floor out cold, is roused by Raf. The synthetic energon appears to be a success, giving him more fuel efficiency and better motor functions.

Meanwhile Prime's team chases Knock Out and Breakdown through an icy canyon. The Decepticons aren't in any hurry to bridge out, as they're trying to "help" the Autobots run out of energon. Some Vehicons flying overhead blast the sheer sides of canyon, causing a rock fall that blocks off the Autobots' path. Arcee manages to drive over it in her motorcycle mode, despite Prime's warnings, and races after the two Decepticons, only to be hit by missiles from the Vehicons. She is swiftly surrounded by Decepticons, and things look grim until Ratchet comes flying through the GroundBridge and begins laying into them with gusto. Knock Out and Breakdown assume that the Ratchet's a new Autobot, but are forced to retreat as Optimus, Bulkhead and Bumblebee come into view, firing at them. Ratchet finishes off the last of the Vehicons, to stunned looks from his teammates.

Back at base, Ratchet reveals his secret to the other Autobots, but Optimus doesn't think it's a good idea to test the synthetic energon on Autobots, and underlines the importance of his job as medic. Some time later, Ratchet's retelling his fight to Bulkhead, and in demonstrating a move, manages to throw his fellow Autobot through a nearby wall. The other Autobots are startled at his new personality. Ratchet goes and injects more of the synthetic energon into himself. When the sensors light up again, Prime prepares to roll out again, but Ratchet volunteers to go along.

As they head through a mountainous area, Ratchet moves ninja-style at the front of the team. They soon find some Vehicons and a miner drilling into a rock face, and Ratchet immediate moves in. When the miner makes a run for it, Ratchet gives chase and knocks him down with a well-thrown rock. The other Autobots find Ratchet forcibly interrogating the miner. Optimus stops him from finishing off the prisoner and begins to lecture him on doing harm where none is necessary, but Ratchet is agitated, believing they should be more pro-active. As the argument heats up, Ratchet even manages to antagonize Arcee by bringing up Cliffjumper, and Prime decides to confine Ratchet to base. Though Ratchet appears to go calmly through the GroundBridge, moments later he charges back out, flattening Bulkhead and racing off. Prime's team returns to base, but is unable to get a fix on Ratchet's signal.

In a Decepticon energon mine, Breakdown is chatting with a miner when Ratchet walks into the cavern. Elsewhere, Megatron shouts at Knock Out for not finding a new energon source, but they're interrupted by Ratchet dropping Breakdown on the floor. Megatron scoffs at the newcomer, until a punch from Ratchet sends him flying. Unfortunately Megatron is made of sterner stuff and gives Ratchet a savage injury, telling Knock Out to take a sample so they can find out how Ratchet got so amped up.

On the bright side, Ratchet is rendered visible to the sensors in the Autobot base, and Optimus, Arcee and Bulkhead use the GroundBridge to attack the mine.

Knock Out finishes taking his sample, and moves in to finish Ratchet off with his circular saw. When the sound of approaching fighting distracts Knock Out, Ratchet takes the opportunity to fight back, resulting in Knock Out's saw getting stuck in the wall. Ratchet promptly grabs the synthetic energon sample and smashes it. Knock Out is outraged, but once more has to retreat as the other Autobots arrive.

Ratchet is hooked up to a drip back at base, and apologizes for his behavior. Optimus points out the new supply of energon they got from the mine, and Ratchet promises to do more testing on the synthetic stuff before using it on Autobots again. Optimus is just thankful they destroyed Knock Out's sample, unaware of the fact that back at the mine, Knock Out has found a single drop of synthetic energon.

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots	Decepticons	Humans
Ratchet (1) Optimus Prime (3) Bumblebee (4) Arcee (5) Bulkhead (6) Cliffjumper (8) (flashback)	Vehicons (7) Breakdown (9) Knock Out (10) Decepticon Miner (11) Megatron (12)	Raf Esquivel (2)

Quotes

"HOOAAH!"

—Ratchet gets a new catchphrase. He needed that.

Ratchet: (clicks as he walks by) How's it hummin'?
Arcee: ... Did he just?
Bulkhead: Stronger, faster, studlier.

—Yeah, he did.

"It's alright - I'm an emergency vehicle!"

—Ratchet, engaging the Decepticons.

Optimus Prime: "A direct assault would only provoke retaliation...and lead to incalculable losses. I will not endanger innocent human lives."
Ratchet: "Yet you seem to have no problem endangering ours! Just ask Cliffjumper! Oh, I forgot! He couldn't be here today!"
Arcee: "That's it!" (Runs toward Ratchet, but Bulkhead holds her back.)
Ratchet: "You know your problem, Optimus? For such a big, strong 'Bot...you're soft. You didn't pound Megatron into scrap when you had the chance! Many chances, in fact!"

—Optimus Prime and Arcee quickly become victims of Ratchet's new personality.

"Yeah; she's kinda domineering and the extra arms are weird, but... I find myself intrigued by her."

—Breakdown chats to a Vehicon about a certain female Decepticon.

Notes

Animation and technical errors

• Bumblebee is shown returning with the other Autobots despite staying at base to operate the groundbridge.
• The sample of synthetic energon Knock Out was holding was only about half full, but when Ratchet picked it up, it was completely full.
• Just before destroying the cylinder of synthetic energon, Ratchet's wound is not shown to be leaking. Mere moments after he's hit the ground, another puddle of energon has formed beneath him.
• Breakdown is knocked out by Ratchet just before he engages Megatron. When the Autobots show up at the end, however, Breakdown has vanished and he isn't shown fleeing with Knock Out.

Continuity notes

• The synthetic energon created in the episode is derived from the formula transcribed by Bulkhead in the previous episode.
• Ratchet's description of the Autobots having fought numerous battles recently is accompanied by flashbacks to various battles from the "Darkness Rising" five-part pilot, among others.

Transformers references

• Ratchet isn't the first person to blind a Decepticon with a torch.
• This episode is somewhat similar to the Beast Wars episode "Gorilla Warfare", where Optimus Primal is made hyper-aggressive by Scorponok's modified Cyberbee.
  • Also, in a role-reversal of the situation of Transformers Animated episode A Fistful of Energon, where Ratchet delivers the Aesop of the dangers of excessive upgrading to a cocky Prowl (namely arrogance and aggression), it is Ratchet this time who exposes himself to excessive drug-use.

Trivia

• The episode was first broadcast on Canada's Teletoon channel.