Siege episode 1

Siege ep 1 »
"Fractured"
Production company	Allspark Animation
Airdate	July 30, 2020 (Netflix)
Animation studio	Polygon Pictures

Megatron urges Optimus Prime to accept a treaty, while Starscream questions Jetfire's leadership. The Autobots try to recruit Bumblebee to their side.

Synopsis

As a battle rages across Cybertron, Seekers bombard the ground forces, only for one to be shot down by Bumblebee and Wheeljack. Unfortunately, the latter takes a clanking step that leads to the duo being forced to hide from Skywarp. Successfully evading him, Skywarp takes off and Bumblebee chews off his compatriot for his near-fatal giveaway. Bee is then held at gunpoint seemingly leading the two to a dead-end, though once he opens a hidden doorway, Wheeljack stares in amazement. To add to that, they discover a spacebridge, which -- despite Bumblebee's protests -- is activated by Wheeljack. After an arguement, the duo discover that they have been found by a Decepticon patrol, though only Wheeljack is identified as an Autobot. Fortunately for them, Jetfire slices off Starscream's arm just as the Seeker attemps to kill them, prompting an argument between the two cons. Starscream eventually orders the seekers to eliminate Jetfire along with the intruders, who escape while the cons battle with each other. To make matters worse for the Autobots, Megatron chooses this moment to step in, and as an argument heats up, the Decepticon leader orders the intruders executed... Beginning with Wheeljack. At that moment, Optimus drops in, and the faction leaders begin to brawl. It soon becomes apparent that Megatron has the upper hand, but before he delivers the final low, Elita-1 snipes out his weapon and beheads a Seeker, giving the three enough time to escape. To seal the deal, Megatron's party is buried alive, thanks in no small part to Elita's hidden explosives.

At a safe spot, Elita-1 chews out Optimus for the reckless proximity of the explosives, and further scolds Bumblebee for his presence. Although still unwilling to choose as side, Bumblebee grudgingly accompanies the Autobots, having been already branded as an Autobot by the Cons. Passing through a hologram, they make it to a ship, passing several wounded soldiers along the way. Although Elita recommends Optimus refer to medical checks, though the Autobot leader chooses to check in with Ultra Magnus instead. The two butt heads at the topic of tactics and peace with the cons, and as Magnus storms out, Elita has Red Alert examine Wheeljack and Bumblebee. As he examines Bumblebee, everyone present begins lamenting their forced drafting into war, Bee outright refuses to sign up as an Autobot warrior, and leaves with Optimus's pardon while Ultra Magnus watches from the background.

At a Decepticon stronghold, Megatron makes a speech for the cheering masses. Now no longer wanting peace with the Autobots, Megatron brings all Decepticons to power for a rebellion, to the cheer of all while Starscream and Jetfire exchange some banter. As a hooded figure walks towards the stronghold, Megatron informs Jetfire and Starscream on how they'll win the war: by striking Optimus Prime where it hurts his spark. As he does so, the hooded figure marches up to the guards and begins to reveal his identity.

Featured characters

Characters in italic text appear only in flashbacks.

Notes

Transformers references

• Bumblebee and Wheeljack are looking for energon while evading enemies, a plot opener originating in the original Generation 1 cartoon pilot.
• Wheeljack speaks by flashing his "ears", a technique not seen since the original cartoon.
• Bumblebee mentions racing on Velictron, a planet originating in the Cybertron franchise before being adopted in later works.
• Jetfire is first seen as a Decepticon officer, not unlike his IDW and Movieverse counterparts. Much like them, he begins as a loyalist to the cause.
• As he defies Megatron, Wheeljack pulls out a one-liner classic from the franchise's early days (Freedom is the Right of All Sentient Beings).
• Red Alert is an Autobot Medic, much like his Armada and Animated counterparts.

Trivia

• This is the first episode since "Freedom Fighters" to have a half-hour runtime
• Bumblebee appears to be using a heavily G1-inspired character model rather than being based off of an existing toy.
• Jetfire is seen using a forearm-mounted laser sword, a weapon not seen on prior versions of the character.
• For as long as the history of the franchise could recall, this series opens out with an unusually dickish version of Optimus Prime who outright refuses a treaty with the cons, something that many past versions have attempted.
  • Probably because he knows Megatron will never keep his word on the treaty.