New Recruit: Difference between revisions
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* The Insecticons seem to die very easily in this episode. Arcee and Bumblebee take out one in a few seconds when last time it took them an [[Tunnel Vision|entire episode]]. | * The Insecticons seem to die very easily in this episode. Arcee and Bumblebee take out one in a few seconds when last time it took them an [[Tunnel Vision|entire episode]]. | ||
* How did Raf know the object crashing into Earth was a Cybertronian escape pod, having never saw one before? | * How did Raf know the object crashing into Earth was a Cybertronian escape pod, having never saw one before? | ||
*Whilst Starscream was browsing the internet, the Bumblebee picture that was removed during a [[One Shall Fall|previous episode]] by | *Whilst Starscream was browsing the internet, the Bumblebee picture that was removed during a [[One Shall Fall|previous episode]] by Raf was seen on the screen as well as the the Bumblebee picture replaced during the beginning of this episode, despite them being removed. | ||
===Continuity notes=== | ===Continuity notes=== | ||
Revision as of 17:05, 10 September 2012
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 Superman meets Superboy for the first time. | ||||||
| "New Recruit" | ||||||
| Production company | Hasbro Studios | |||||
| Airdate | September 7, 2012 | |||||
| Written by | Marty Isenberg | |||||
| Directed by | Vinton Heuck | |||||
| Animation studio | Polygon Pictures | |||||
A Decepticon escape pod lands on Earth and the Autobot Smokescreen emerges, while Starscream uses the Apex Armor to go on a quest for Red Energon.
Synopsis
Raf and Jack cruise the Internet for pictures of Bumblebee to replace with tap-dancing monkey pictures, while Miko forces Bulkhead to exercise so his legs don't atrophy. Jack notices a picture which Raf identifies as a Cybertronian escape pod. Arcee suggests bringing in Wheeljack as Bulkhead still isn't combat-ready, which Ratchet promptly shoots down due to recent events. Optimus orders Ratchet to come along with them instead, as there might be an injured Autobot in the pod. They GroundBridge into the crash site to find it's a Decepticon pod, and they're immediately under attack from their foe. The Vehicons, augmented by Insecticons, turn out to be a challenge, but then a new figure appears running through the trees. The newcomer's fire accidentally hits the energon leaking from the pod, and the Autobots take cover as it explodes, taking out the Decepticons. The over-enthusiastic newcomer happens to be Smokescreen, an Autobot rookie who becomes in awe when he meets the Optimus Prime. The Autobots are initially suspicious, remembering the last time a new Autobot turned up, but Smokescreen's tales of Alpha Trion and guarding the Hall of Records convinces Prime that he is legitimate.
Back at base, Miko's excited to meet the new Autobot. Smokescreen relates the story of the last days of Iacon and how he was captured by Decepticons during the siege, before escaping from a Decepticon transport ship in an escape pod. Smokescreen thinks with him there they'll have the war ended in no time, and Bulkhead drags himself in to show the newcomer how the war is going. Miko volunteers Jack to show Smokescreen around.
In the Harbinger, Starscream searches the Internet for interesting stuff and happens on an image of Red Energon at a construction site.
Jack shows Smokescreen around where the Cybertronian relics and Airachnid are stored. Bulkhead is upset that the others have brought in a replacement for him, but as they point out, Smokescreen is a newbie and needs a lot of training. Raf finds the same Red Energon photo that Starscream did. Smokescreen's keen to go out on the mission, but the others point out his need for training and an alternate mode.
Starscream arrives at the construction site, only to find it deserted and the Red Energon gone.
Smokescreen and Jack scope out vehicles driving near Jasper, and the Autobot is disappointed in the available vehicle forms. Meanwhile, Prime, Arcee and Bumblebee arrive at the dock where the Red Energon's been moved, and discover Starscream is already there. The Decepticon activates the Apex Armor and Optimus sends Arcee and Bumblebee to get the energon while he takes on Starscream. He reports back to base what's happening, and Smokescreen wants to go help, but is overruled by Ratchet.
Having dealt with Optimus, Starscream climbs up the crane after Arcee and Bumblebee. At base, Bulkhead urges Ratchet to let him go help, but Ratchet ignores him until they realize Smokescreen is missing. Ratchet finds him in the storeroom looking at the phase shifter. Meanwhile, Starscream reaches Arcee, only for Optimus to punch him right off the crane. Starscream tries to grab some of the Red Energon on the way down, breaking off a chunk. As Optimus starts hauling up the basket with the energon in it, Starscream grabs the bottom of the crane and tips it. He's interrupted by the arrival of Smokescreen through the GroundBridge. Using the phase shifter, the new Autobot kicks Starscream right out of the Apex Armor. While Smokescreen stands triumphant, Starscream fires off a missile at the crane, the ensuing explosion destroying the Red Energon meteor. Though the Autobots atop it survive, Starscream gets away with a chunk of Red Energon he broke off.
After they return to base, Smokescreen returns the phase shifter and the Apex Armor, after which Optimus officially welcomes him to Team Prime. Bulkhead looks on sadly, and though Miko tries to give him some encouraging words, he turns and limps back down the corridor.
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
Quotes
"The tap-dancing monkey strikes again!"
- —Jack on Raf's latest anti-Bumblebee-sighting hack.
"All these Cons came out of one pod?"
"Humans refer to the phenomenon as a 'clown car'!"
- —Arcee asks a question, and Ratchet offers an explanation.
Miko: What's your story, Smoke? Where did you come from? How did you get here? How many blasters are you packing?
Smokescreen: So these are the lifeforms we're supposed to protect? Are they all like this?
Ratchet: Fortunately not.
- —Smokescreen meets Miko.
"The Red Energon is mine, humans, for you are powerless in the face of the mighty Star- What? Where is it?!"
- —Starscream's melodramatic entrance is deflated.
"Any last words, Smokescreen?"
"Just four—kiss your armor goodbye!"
- —Starscream gets a last warning from Smokescreen before literally getting his tailpipe kicked.
"You aren't the only one sporting a fancy wrist-mounted device!"
- —Starscream on his fancy rockets.
Notes
Animation and technical errors
- As the Autobots run from the upcoming pod explosion, Optimus' arm weapons silently transform back into his hands.
Continuity errors
- As Optimus's report on the situation didn't mention the Apex Armor, how did Smokescreen know he needed the phase shifter?
- The Insecticons seem to die very easily in this episode. Arcee and Bumblebee take out one in a few seconds when last time it took them an entire episode.
- How did Raf know the object crashing into Earth was a Cybertronian escape pod, having never saw one before?
- Whilst Starscream was browsing the internet, the Bumblebee picture that was removed during a previous episode by Raf was seen on the screen as well as the the Bumblebee picture replaced during the beginning of this episode, despite them being removed.
Continuity notes
- Bumblebee has gained more pictures of himself on conspiracy websites since "One Shall Fall".
- The Autobots remember when Wheeljack first arrived and how that turned out.
- Ratchet is still upset at Wheeljack for pulling that "revenge stunt" with Miko in "Hurt".
- Bulkhead is still suffering injuries from "Toxicity", but now he can limp along a bit.
- The spark extractor, immobilizer, phase shifter, and Airachnid are part of Jack's tour.
- Starscream still has the Apex Armor he obtained in "Triangulation". Well, had.
Transformers references
- Smokescreen references Constructicons, Halogen, Alpha Trion, the Elite Guard, and the High Council.
- Optimus recalls Alpha Trion as the master archivist in Iacon's Hall of Records, which was exactly his occupation in Transformers: Exodus.
- Smokescreen bears the Autobot Elite Guard symbol from the Transformers Animated series, and upon scanning an Earth mode, continues the tradition of Smokescreens wearing the number "38".
- In a likely coincidence (but with a chance of being intentional given the "Binder of Revelation"), in the TakaraTomy Prime toyline, some of the Arms Microns have Energon Crystals dubbed "Fast" energon... which are reddish-orange in color, rather like the red speed-imbuing energon introduced in this episode.
- The Decepticon warship Smokescreen was held captive aboard is similar in shape to Jhiaxus' ship, Twilight.
- Smokescreen states that the Elite Guard was more of a boot camp for him, possibly as a reference to the Animated episode "Autoboot Camp".
Real-world references
- Ratchet mentions the human phenomenon of the clown car.
- Starscream searches for information on the internet, or as many refer to it, "The Information Superhighway."
Trivia
- Starscream finds Earth humor funny. Guess Ratchet isn't the only one.
- As usual, the vehicle mode Smokescreen chooses completely matches his body. However, this is the first time a Transformer changes his paint job after getting a new vehicle mode. Specifically, Smokescreen's Elite Guard logos are exchanged for his number 38 and checker racer decal.
- A new kind of Energon has been introduced with the regular, Dark, Synthetic, and Toxic forms, respectively.
