Darkest Hour (episode)
| The name or term "Darkest Hour" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Darkest Hour (disambiguation). |
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| "Darkest Hour" | ||||||
| Production company | Hasbro Studios | |||||
| Airdate | November 2, 2012 | |||||
| Written by | Steven Melching | |||||
| Directed by | Vinton Heuck | |||||
| Animation studio | Polygon Pictures | |||||
Megatron's plans force Optimus to make a risky decision that could have inescapable consequences for the entire Autobot team.
Synopsis
The two groups stand on Cybertron staring each other down. While the Autobots have the Omega Keys, the Decepticons have Jack, Raf and Miko. Megatron orders Starscream to get ready to expose Jack to Cybertron's toxic atmosphere. Though the kids are ready to sacrifice themselves to save the planet, Optimus Prime isn't, and the Autobots throw down their weapons. Bulkhead hands over his key in exchange for Miko, Bumblebee hands over his for Raf, and Megatron insists that as someone who was entrusted with the Matrix of Leadership, Jack is surely worth two keys, so Arcee and Smokescreen are compelled to hand over their keys. The exchange done, a GroundBridge opens and the Autobots are quickly surrounded by Vehicons.
On Earth, Ratchet gets a call from June Darby, who's unable to find Jack. Ratchet is more concerned with keeping the comm lines clear, unaware that the kids are on Cybertron, where at that moment the Decepticons are activating the Omega Lock. At a touch from Megatron, the lock sends out a beam of energy that restructures and recreates a nearby building to look as good as new. Though Optimus requests he be allowed to take the humans back to Earth, Megatron announces they'll be safer where they are. He has Starscream fire up the space bridge and shoots another beam from the Omega Lock through it. The beam strikes near Jasper, Nevada, where June stops trying to contact Jack to watch the beam strike ground, and Ratchet finds all of the base's systems are disrupted.
Miko doesn't see the problem with the Omega Lock restoring Earth until Optimus points out that the Omega Lock will turn her planet into a metallic world like Cybertron, killing all organic life. As Megatron gloats that he will have two worlds to rule, Optimus finally snaps and grabs the Star Saber. Though Megatron tries to respond with the Dark Star Saber, Optimus neatly cleaves his arm off before stomping on Starscream and striking the Omega Lock with the sword. A massive explosion ensues.
Ratchet's equipment clears up in time to get a transmission from Optimus requesting a space bridge. The Autobots retreat through back to Earth, while Starscream cuts off a quip from Knock Out to suggest he tend to Megatron. Though Starscream is furious at Prime's actions, Megatron laughs as he knows the Autobots will find their base is no longer a safe haven.
Ratchet is aghast as the Autobots return carrying the children, and even more so when they tell him Optimus has destroyed the Omega Lock. While he's pointing out that Optimus has thrown away any hope for a restored Cybertron, the discussion is cut short by a call from Agent Fowler, suggesting they take a look outside. As they step out on top of the mountain, the Autobots see that a huge Cybertronian fortress now stands right on their doorstep. Fowler wonders why they picked Jasper, but as the Nemesis arrives, Optimus realizes that the Decepticons have found the Autobot base. After a speech from Megatron, Starscream and an armada of Vehicons and Insecticons dive to the attack. The Autobots retreat into the base, but Fowler jumps back into his helicopter and flies directly through the oncoming Decepticon formations. While he's soon outgunned and being chased by Vehicons, the Jackhammer streaks into view—Wheeljack has come to lend a hand.
Optimus orders the Autobots to abandon base, splitting up to different parts of the USA. Outside, Fowler avoids more Decepticons only to see the Nemesis moving into position over the Autobot base. The Autobots quickly start moving out through the GroundBridge. June, driving her car along a Jasper road, is attacked by a Vehicon that Fowler destroys before picking her up. Starscream manages to shoot down the Jackhammer which plunges to Earth. As Smokescreen heads out, Optimus tells Ratchet that he will make sure the Decepticons can't follow them, shortly before the medic leaves. Optimus moves to use the Star Saber to destroy the GroundBridge controls, but at that moment his task is rendered mute as the Nemesis fires, destroying the Autobot base in a huge explosion. Megatron and Starscream land among the remains, landing on the Autobot insignia so they can gloat, while a short distance away, Optimus's arm sticks out of the rubble.
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans |
|---|---|---|
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Quotes
"And that's how you wreck a Wrecker!"
- —Starscream bragging as he shoots down Wheeljack's ship.
Notes
Animation and technical errors
- As in previous episodes, Megatron's jet mode retains the fusion cannon even though he no longer has it. Taking it a step further, his transformation appears unaffected by the absence of his right arm.
Continuity notes
- Megatron remembers that Jack was entrusted with the Matrix of Leadership back in "Orion Pax, Part 3".
- Ratchet vaguely references the events of "Hurt" when expressing surprise at Wheeljack's arrival. This also seems to be the reason why no one enlisted his aid for the events of the previous episode.
Transformers references
- "Darkest hour", yet again.
- Megatron commands his troops to "Transform and rise up!", a phrase coined by the Animated Megatron.
- The red panel Megatron activates on the Omega Lock resembles an energon star.
- Starscream refers to the silver jet Vehicons in this episode as his armada.
Real-world references
- The laser used by the Nemesis to destroy the Autobot base is a reference to the city-destroying weapons used by the alien saucers in Independence Day.
