Partners (Prime)
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| "Partners" | ||||||
| Production company | Hasbro Studios | |||||
| Airdate | July 23, 2011 | |||||
| Written by | Mike Johnson | |||||
| Directed by | Vinton Heuck | |||||
| Animation studio | Polygon Pictures | |||||
The team is surprised to learn that Starscream wants to become an Autobot.
Synopsis
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons |
|---|---|
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Quotes
"I have been a fool. Made mistakes. Monumental ones. I now realize I was never destined to be leader, or even an equal partner. And, I am at peace with that. I have gained a clear understanding of my place in the universe. Of who I am. Of who I was always meant to be. STARSCREAM: second in command, humble servant to Lord Megatron. Thank you for listening, Soundwave."
- —Starscream speaks before Soundwave. Like talking to a brick wall.
"Hey partner, heck of a view you got up here. If there's even a small chance your spark is out there listening, well, we could really use you Cliff. Seems like everyday a new Decepticon arrives on the scene. We're outnumbered and outgunned. Yeah, I know what you'd say, "Sounds like a fair fight", and if that's the world we live in, so be it. I just want you to know, I haven't given up. I'm going to find the Con who took you from us."
- —Arcee visiting Cliffjumper's grave, and foreshadowing all at the same time. Multi-tasking.
"Oh you would do well to respect me, Airachnid. Before I joined Megatron, I was Air Commander of a squadron of Energon Seekers."
"On Cybertron, and how many eons ago was that?"
- —Starscream tries to be hot, and gets burned by Airachnid
"Freeze!"
- —Airachnid, a bug with a pun.
"I have been a fool. Made mistakes. Monumental ones. But I have gained a clear understanding of my place in the universe. Of who I am. Starscream: aligned with no side; servant, to no one."
Notes
Animation or technical errors
- For most of his scenes prior, Bumblebee's optics had their center blue piece. Just after Starscream frees himself, Bumblebee is missing this piece again. This has been a common occurrence through the show.
- When Airachnid freezes Prime, his battle mask is drawn back. Next scene, he has it out again.
Continuity errors
Continuity notes
- Starscream recalls how he did away with Cliffjumper in "Darkness Rising, Part 1". And gloats about it too.
- Arcee confirms Megatron's attempt to kill Starscream from "Rock Bottom".
- Tailgate's death is brought up. His death was originally shown via flashback in "Predatory".
Transformers references
- Starscream claims he used to be the leader of Energon Seekers. "Energon Seeker" is the Scientist chassis used by Starscream in the War for Cybertron game.
- Starscream also gives his previous rank as "Air Commander", a title used by the first Starscream.
- The Immobilizer is a weapon previously used by Decepticons, as well as the name for the episode it is featured in.
- The Immobilizer's effects are similar to that of Slo-mo's Allspark timepiece. Bumblebee stopped that weapon too.
- Another Starscream attempted to become an Autobot. He lasted more than one episode.
- This also isn't the first time a Starscream has decided to abandon both factions entirely.
- Bulkhead sarcastically refers to The Fallen.
Foreign dubbing
Real-world references
- "Be still, my beating Spark" is a variation of the human phrase "Be still, my beating heart", which is most often recited after seeing one's romantic interest.
Trivia
- This episode was dedicated to Captain H. L. "Larry" Cullen, Peter Cullen's older brother, who served as a United States Marine in Vietnam and was the primary inspiration for Optimus Prime's voice.
- Soundwave is a very good listener.
- This is the first episode to not feature, or even include, humans.
