Loose Cannons
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| "Loose Cannons" | ||||||
| Production company | Hasbro Studios | |||||
| Airdate | March 24, 2012 | |||||
| Written by | David McDermott | |||||
| Directed by | Scooter Tidwell | |||||
| 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.
Somewhere mountainous, Dreadwing holds a laser beacon that continues into the sky. The Nemesis arrives, and he boards. Megatron welcomes his loyalty, but Dreadwing reveals that he was brought to Earth with another purpose as well. He says that he and his twin, Skyquake, shared a split spark, and that he could feel across the galaxy when his brother was released from stasis—and when his spark was extinguished. This information is confirmed by Megatron, and Dreadwing vows to make every Autobot on Earth pay. Megatron avows that they will—eventually, under his terms. He advises the Seeker to obey him, for his best interests.
As Wheeljack works on his ship, Bulkhead attempts to change his mind about the planet. Wheeljack lists the comrades they'd lost in battle, but Bulkhead takes is as all the more reason that they must stick together. Wheeljack doubts Optimus's integrity, but Bulkhead stands firmly by him. Inside the Jackhammer, a challenge comes through over the commlink from Dreadwing. Wheeljack straps in to meet the 'Con, and Bulkhead gets in as well. They jet off to meet their challenger.
Dreadwing faces off against Wheeljack, both determined to finish their business. They exchange fire, and Dreadwing runs and jumps into a crevice. The Wrecker gives pursuit, and Dreadwing avails him of the "surprises" he's left—proximity bombs, scattered all throughout the crevice. He dodges them with ease, and pins the 'Con against a dead end. Bulkhead reveals himself atop the crevice, preventing Dreadwing from flying off. However, he has one last trick up his sleeve—one last bomb, placed meters from Bulkhead's position. It explodes, burying the two under the exploded cliff face as he flies off.
At base, Ratchet finds Bulkhead's transmission over a thousand miles away. At Optimus's inquiry, he says that no response has been made.
In the crevice, Optimus helps Wheeljack out of a pile of boulders. Though Optimus acknowledges that he cannot force Wheeljack to obey his orders, he reprimands the rebel for endangering the safety of one of his troops. Ratchet informs Optimus over comm that Bulkhead's signal has moved.
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans |
|---|---|---|
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Quotes
"Not this again!"
- —Agent Fowler gets carjacked for the third time.
Wheeljack: "Wreckers don't need backup—"
Wheeljack and Bulkhead: "They need cleanup!"
- —The remaining Wreckers provide an alternative to "Wreck and Rule!".
"Sorry Jackie. It's cuz I love ya."
- —Bulkhead, opening the floodgates for the fanfics.
"I will be quite surprised if we see Dreadwing again."
- —Megatron putting his faith into his soldier.
Notes
Animation and technical errors
- When the Autobots first return to base, Ratchet is reparing a wound to Wheeljack's left shoulder-plate, when he confronts Dreadwing in the forest, it is no longer there.
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. 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.
- Both Dreadwing and Skyquake are refered to as Seekers.
- Optimus explains how the Wreckers are a separate team faction from the Autobots.
Real-world references
Trivia
- Agent Fowler needs to stop flying that jet around Decepticons who look like they turn into jets.
- Wheeljack finally takes an Earth-based vehicle mode. Seems like he's on Earth to stay.
- Dreadwing's proximity bombs have plates resembling his wings. Perhaps they're his trademark symbol for each location he visits--though it doesn't last when it explodes.
