Loose Cannons
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| "Loose Cannons" | ||||||
| Production company | Hasbro Studios | |||||
| Airdate | March 24, 2012 | |||||
| Animation studio | Polygon Pictures | |||||
A legendary Autobot returns to Earth to look for a new Decepticon, but Optimus finds that something is not right with the rogue Bot.
Synopsis
Agent Fowler calls the Autobots, furious about another fight with possible collateral damage. Though all of them are present at base, Ratchet posits that the fighters may be infighting Decepticons. However, a video feed shows otherwise, for the two are an unidentified Skyquake-like Decepticon—and Wheeljack ! Though Bulkhead is thoroughly excited, Fowler demands that the situation be handled pronto.
Outside of Omaha, Wheeljack battles it out with the 'Con. Agent Fowler hovers over the scene and demands stoppage, but is fired upon by Wheeljack. The 'Bot is hit in the shoulder, and falls back as Agent Fowler supplies suppressive fire. A GroundBridge opens up, and the Autobots step out. They aid Wheeljack, and fire upon the Decepticon, who takes cover. Agent Fowler flies overhead, and the Decepticon seizes the opportunity to scan his vehicle. He runs toward a gas station, and Wheeljack aims his blasters at him. Despite Optimus and Bulkhead's cautioning, he fires, and the station explodes as the Decepticon transforms and flies off. Though Wheeljack believes that the 'Con—revealed as Dreadwing—rigged it to explode, he is informed otherwise. Though the Wrecker is eager to give pursuit, Optimus tells him that, while on Earth, it would be wise to respect his authority.
Back at base, Ratchet repairs Wheeljack. He apologizes for the collateral damage, but says that his pursuit of Dreadwing warranted it. He starts into the story of his pursuit. Originally, he was looking for Autobot refugees, but when the one he had found— the former Wrecker Seaspray—is blown to bits by one of Dreadwing's bombs, he made it his mission to track the rogue 'Con down. After several solar systems worth of pursuit, Wheeljack caught up with him on Earth. Optimus recounts his own knowledge of Dreadwing—he was a captain of a Seeker armada, and Skyquake's twin. He also infers that Dreadwing's mission is to pay allegiance to Megatron. Wheeljack is eager to get out and kick Dreadwing's tailpipe, but Optimus reels him in, saying that any action taken against the Decepticons must be carefully planned on this foreign planet. This infuriates the Wrecker, who can't fathom the idea of doing nothing. Agent Fowler walks in and admonishes Wheeljack for nearly blowing their cover, and demands that Prime keep a closer watch on his troops. Wheeljack doesn't take well to being called part of the team, and walks off, followed by Bulkhead. Optimus explains Wheeljack's disregard for authority by his inclusion in the Wreckers, a unit that operated outside of normal command.
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans |
|---|---|---|
|
Quotes
"Not this again!"
—Agent Fowler gets carjacked for the third time.
"Sorry Jackie. It's cuz I love ya."
--Bulkhead, opening the floodgates for the fanfics.
Notes
Animation and technical errors
Continuity notes
- This episode features the first on-screen use of the term Terrorcon.
- Soundwave shows scenes of Optimus and Bumblebee's fight with Skyquake in Masters and Students.
- Arcee references Masters and Students and Shadowzone.
Transformers references
- Wheeljack namedrops former Wreckers Impactor, Roadbuster, Rotorstorm, and Pyro. All of these were Wreckers in Generation 1. The first two are traditional Wreckers, and the latter two were introduced as Wreckers in Last Stand of the Wreckers. Seaspray being a Wrecker is a new addition.
- Wheeljack also namedrops Sandokan.
Real-world references
Trivia
- This is Dreadwing's first appearance.
- Agent Fowler needs to stop flying that jet around Decepticons who look like they turn into jets.
