Siege episode 1
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| Episode 1 | ||||||
| Production company | Allspark Animation, Rooster Teeth | |||||
| Airdate | July 30, 2020 (Netflix) | |||||
| Written by | George Krstic | |||||
| Director | Takashi Kamei | |||||
| Animation studio | Polygon Pictures | |||||
Weary from war with the Decepticons and desperate for energy, Optimus Prime attempts to recruit an energon scavenger named Bumblebee to the Autobot cause.
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, so when Prime steps in, 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
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Others |
|---|---|---|
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Quotes
"If the Seekers were under my command, you would be dead by my hand."
"You mean that hand?"
- —Starscream got his arm sliced off by Jetfire, but it's Wheeljack who really cut him
"No, I'm not signing up for your fight!"
"I was not asking you to—"
"You were about to."
"Huh...am I that obvious?"
- —Bumblebee is wise to Optimus Prime's game
Notes
Transformers references
- The series opens with Bumblebee and Wheeljack searching for energon while evading enemies, mirroring the first moments of the original Generation 1 cartoon pilot.
- Wheeljack speaks by flashing his "ears", a technique not seen since the original cartoon and briefly in the Bumblebee movie.
- A yellow/black, green/black, and blue/black trio of Seekers appear in the opening scene (the blue one is shot down immediately), but these are not Ion Storm, Acid Storm, and Nova Storm. The real Rainmakers in their real colors show up in Episode 6.
- Bumblebee mentions racing on Velocitron, a planet originating in the Cybertron franchise. The mention is particularly similar to the version seen in the Cyberverse cartoon: a world of leisure, connected to Cybertron by space bridge during the Golden Age, where Bumblebee would occasionally vacation.
- As with many versions of the character, Jetfire starts as a Decepticon. However, unlike most, this Jetfire does not seem troubled by the Cons' extremism at all and, rather than being his old friend separated by conscience, is actually Starscream's brutal commanding officer.
- As he defies Megatron, Wheeljack quotes Optimus Prime's original bio.
- Red Alert is an Autobot medic, much like his Armada and Animated counterparts.
- As has become the standard for his character, Megatron is portrayed as a revolutionary who rebelled against Cybertronian corruption alongside Optimus Prime after ascending from a life in the energon mines and gladiatorial pits. His insistence that his followers were oppressed for how they were born draws parallels to Functionism.
- From its notable mentions of Alpha Trion as a revolutionary leader to Autobots and Decepticons being separate types of Transformers constructed for different purposes, Siege seems to be using elements of the G1 cartoon's Quintesson origin alongside the Aligned-esque conventions that Hasbro has tried to standardize in recent years.
Animation and technical errors
Trivia
- Unlike most of the cast, Bumblebee and Elita-1's designs are based on their appearances in the 2019 IDW continuity rather than any specific toy.
- Jetfire is seen using a forearm-mounted laser sword, a weapon not seen on prior versions of the character.
