Animation
Liar: His new helmet from Swindle was a Animated interpretation of his G1 Ramjet’s helmet headpiece, since Ramjet was a former ‘Conehead’.
Sycophant: His new helmet from Swindle was an Animated interpretation of the G1 Seeker headpiece with Sycophant’s colour schemes.
Characters
Swindle: He returns, but more of a leader and less of a Arms Dealer. He easily takes command of the captured Decepticons, but is a little bit more manipulative than most of the Cons, particularly to Lugnut. He is willing to help his fellow Decepticons, but not without benefiting himself, such as leaving the Autobot prisoners for spare parts. His selfishness and detachment to his fellow Cons is what helped him escape from Sentinel’s clutches.
Optimus Prime: One of the most advanced character development in the Episode by action alone. His plans are considered to be the least flawed out of everyone and does it so well. His dialogue has also changed too, giving off some sort of cold quality when facing the Decepticons, however, some of that humour still remained when he talked to himself on the vent. Overall, this development in Prime foreshadows the inevitable Decepticon-Autobot war, and, will become the great leader as his previous namesakes.
Sentinel Prime: Though Sentinel was somewhat focused in this Episode, his dialogue and actions alone explains that he is a Bot fearing of losing power, which is why he reverted back into his jerk-self. It is obvious that Sentinel thinks highly of himself, regardless of others being truly better than him, such as Optimus Prime. But that hardhead personality is what flaws him to become a great leader like his previous incarnations were. Though Sentinel isn’t great, he mostly knows what he is doing, and, when he knows what he is doing, he speaks and acts calmly. Could it be that because Sentinel, being so arrogant is actually a defence-mechanism for the fact that he can not keep control of those around him, and to not have the power of Magnus? Or is it because he really is a jerk?
Lugnut: In Megatron’s absence, he becomes the leader, and his leading skills are not bad. However, he can be manipulated by others, such as Swindle, considering that his goal is first and foremost: Finding Megatron.
Blitzwing: A lot of dialogue was thrown in him in this Episode. The Icy Blitzwing is still calm and collected and is the one who took up the leader role after Lugnut’s disappearance. The Hothead Blitzwing is not as headstrong as in previous Episodes, but he is determined to fight any of the Autobots. The Random Blitzwing has cannibalistic qualities, as he will grind up the Autobots into snow cones.
Sari: She became a plot advancement through this Episode, as she repaired and activated the Space Bridge, which may be vital in the Series Finale.
Preceptor: Returning from his cameo in ‘Transwarped’, Preceptor is a member of the Council, stating that it is best to let Cybertron know that Ultra Magnus is injured by Shockwave.
Alpha Trion: He finally speaks, but not in a tone I was expecting. He doubts on the power of Sentinel Prime as Magnus, considering that Ultra is alive. There might not be further back-story to him aside from this cameo.
Bulkhead: Back to the techno-savvy Autobot, but was mostly seen arguing with Sumdac.
Sumdac: Same thing above, but in reverse.
The Starscream Clones: Aside from their small conversation with each other, there is nothing new about them, expect their new head gear.
Jetfire/Jetstorm: Nothing new about them either.
Storyline
Our Episode begins in Sumdac Tower. Prime demands that the Space Bridge should be ready and functional soon , but Sumdac and Bulkhead were arguing over the schematics and calculations, in where Sari intervenes and tells both of them that she should have helped. Sumdac and Bulkhead both tell Sari that she won’t provide much help after the absence of the Key and has no background on the science behind Space Bridges. The two geniuses argue again, and a fed up Sari decides to finish it herself. With the power of the Allspark in her, Sari has fixed and made the Space Bridge operational. Prime asks how she was able to do it, but Sari couldn’t figure that out herself.
Meanwhile, on the Elite Guard Ship, Sentinel Prime interrogates all the captured Decepticons. Lugnut answers that Megatron is unstoppable and everywhere. Sentinel is interrupted by Jazz, saying that the Council wishes to speak to him. Sentinel speaks to Alpha Trion, Preceptor, and Cliffjumper. Preceptor tells Sentinel that Ultra Magnus’ injury shall go public, but Sentinel tells him that they should keep quiet till he returns. Alpha Trion advises Sentinel that him being in power is premature, since Ultra Magnus is still Online. Sentinel explains that the Council should rather concentrate on securing the Decepticons he captured, in which Cliffjumper corrects him, saying that Prowl captured them. Sentinel changes the subject to Shockwave; wanting to know what the Council is doing on capturing the traitor, now in possession of Magnus’ Hammer. The intermission ends, and Sentinel tells Jazz to bring the ship to full power, in which Jazz retaliates, over the fact that all their Energon will be used up. Sentinel demands him to do it, but not without addressing him ‘Commander’ or ‘Sir’ next time. The Twins arrive and Sentinel commands them to take their posts, as they will enter Cybertron by passing an electric field. Jazz continues retaliating, but Sentinel demands him to go forward. The electrical currents enter through the ship, giving a obsolete Decepticon, an upstart. Transformed and refreshed, Swindle awakens. He starts off by unlocking Lugnut’s mouth plate. Lugnut demands Swindle to remove the Stasis Cuffs, but Swindle prefers making a deal with him. Lugnut mentions Megatron, and Swindle happily releases everyone from their Stasis Cuffs. Swindle gives the Decepticons their weapons, in which they are thankful. Back in the Bridge, the ship went through the field perfectly, in where Sentinel commands the Twins to check on the Decepticons. The Cons entered the Bridge, armed and Jazz wonders why they were able to enter without the alarms going off. Swindle explains with his little weapon called the Sonic Jammer 3000, in which he used it to suspend the Twins into Stasis Lock. Lugnut approaches Jazz and Sentinel, preparing his revenge.
On Earth, Optimus receives a Morse code signal. He then uses a computer nearby, where the code was ‘Broken lance’. Optimus figures out that it was Sentinel in trouble.
At the ship, the Decepticons attack Jazz and Sentinel, in where Sentinel continues to give the Morse message to Optimus. Lugnut catches up to Sentinel and attacks, but Swindle stops him. He explains that the ship, even the bots are valuable items, and especially may help them reach Megatron. Lugnut agrees and spares the Autobots.
Back at Earth, Prime needs to enter the Elite Guard ship. Sumdac suggests to use the Space Bridge, and Bulkhead detects some Transwarp energy at the ship. Sari then uses her power to lock the Transwarp energy to the Space Bridge, regardless of the doubts from Sumdac and Bulkhead. The Space Bridge is active and Prime enters through the Transwarp portal.
On the ship, Sycophant and Liar Starscream are in a short conversation while watching the captured Elite Guard. Swindle then offers the two new headgear in order to tell them apart. Out of nowhere, Optimus enters out of Swindle’s Transwarp portal and begins fighting any Decepticon standing. Lugnut mistakes Optimus’ entrance as treachery, but Swindle explains that he contains a Transwarp/Subspace function inside him. Sentinel commands Optimus to finish them off, but Optimus has other plans and drives off in his Alt-Mode, ignoring Sentinel’s other commands. The Cons except Swindle go after Optimus. He Transforms into his Robot Mode and takes the elevator. The Cons catch up and Blitzwing tells Lugnut that Optimus is heading himself into the Energon Chamber. Optimus enters and splits the Energon into Cubes, setting them down inside the elevator. With his axe, Optimus cuts the wires that hold the elevator car. As Blitzwing and Lugnut open the elevator door, the unstable Energon explode above them, but not without exploding below Optimus’ path. He then enters a vent in order to reach Sentinel and the others. Swindle, bored, decides to ditch the prisoners and loot the ship. Shortly, Optimus arrives and rescues the captured Autobots. Sentinel complains about Optimus’ disobedience. The other Cons arrive and Optimus commands Jazz to rewire the decontamination chamber to freeze the Decepticons inside it (While coding a different command). Jazz obeys and runs while Optimus distracts them. Lugnut then uses his P.O.K.E. and creates a hole on the ship.
Now in space, Lugnut prepares for the battle, but Jetstorm and Jetfire take that challenge. The battle commences. Optimus uses his grappler to attach it to the ship. Meanwhile, a dogfight starts between the Clones, Blitzwing, Lugnut, and Safeguard, where the Autobot(s) are taking control.
In the Elite Guard Ship, Swindle is in the Storage Room, stealing the bountiful spare parts, regardless of the action going on outside.
Back in space, the dogfight continues, but Optimus then uses his zip line to obtain Sentinel and spins him around fast enough to throw the Prime to Lugnut. The Decepticon now wanders in space and Sentinel starts complaining again. Seconds later, Blitzwing freezes him and holds Sentinel hostage. Sentinel commands not to surrender, but Optimus does it anyway.
Everyone, except Lugnut return to the ship and the Autobots are contained in the Contamination Chamber. Blitzwing tells them that they lost communication with Lugnut, then tells Optimus to not shout out his plans next time. He starts using the Chamber and begins the freezing process. However, the wires turned to the Bridge itself and the Cons are frozen. The Autobots free themselves and Sentinel was surprised that this was Optimus’ plan all along. Unknown to them, Swindle escapes, with all of their spare parts and weapons. As they regain control of the ship, Sentinel offers Optimus a space at the Elite Guard after he becomes Magnus. He thanks Sentinel for the offer, but Optimus must continue his duties on Earth.
In Earth, Bulkhead is struggling on finding a way for Optimus to return. Sari tries to help, but Sumdac doesn’t think it’s necessary. Sari justifies herself by saying that the Allspark power has increased her intelligence, but Sumdac means that the Elite Guard Ship is right above them, so help is not needed. Optimus and Sentinel salute one another and the ship takes off.
In Cybertron, a parade is set for Sentinel’s return and the captured Decepticons. Sentinel makes his speech to the civilians, promising that he will find and take down Shockwave and is promoted as Magnus.
In space, Lugnut wanders aimlessly, but sheer luck brings him to the Transwarped Ark, where he sees Megatron and Starscream.
There are lots of foreshadowing in the beginning half of this Episode. Here are some hints:
- The Space Bridge in Sumdac Tower
- Prime claiming that Megatron will take control of the Ark
- Sari’s Allspark power
- Shockwave with Ultra Magnus’ Hammer
Sari’s intelligence by the Allspark Key goes back to my earlier Review on Starscream, on how his intelligence increased with one shard of the Allspark shard. With that being proven, the whole Allspark may grant eternal omnipotence and omniscience. Could Megatron have experienced that in that brief moment in ‘Megatron Rising’ before Prime shattered the Allspark? Would he experience that again when all the shards are collected?
There was a lot of shifting leadership between Lugnut and Swindle, as they take their own plans into action. However, what differs them is their own personal reasons to command, but they did have one goal in mind: To get out of the ship. There were also two characters that displayed their leadership qualities: Sentinel and Optimus Prime. Like Swindle and Lugnut, the two Primes have different plans but are after the same goal; to contain the Decepticons and regain control of the ship. Not to mention, that the other Autobots give into Optimus’ commands very well, unlike Sentinel Prime. Blitzwing also became a leader right after the absence of Lugnut.
The interaction between the two Primes shifted again, as Sentinel no longer insults Optimus anymore, but rather prove to him that he is the Boss Bot around here. Optimus has tolerated Sentinel’s complaints much better than before and may have listened to Jazz’ advices on ‘Tuning Out’. One thing that bugs me though is the small salute between the two, because it didn’t seem as fulfilling as it was in ‘Predacons Rising’, but may have that same foreshadow on their futures.
Speaking of Sentinel Prime, now that he has become Magnus, does that mean that Sentinel will walk in the same path as his other incarnations? To die at the hands of the Decepticons? To allow Optimus Prime to lead as intended? There is no way of knowing for sure, since we are only aware of one Bot’s death.
Weapons
Sari: With the Allspark power, Sari’s hands are also used to repair and activate the Space Bridge, even locking it to any Transwarp energy signatures. She also has a vast intelligence, possibly to Cybertronian technology.
Swindle: Below Swindle’s chest lies a Subspace/Transwarp function that could take out any of his weapons at hand and can also storage unlimited amounts of anything. It also functions like a drawer, neat!
Also at hand, Swindle has a remote control device that can remove Stasis Cuffs. He also contains a Sonic Jammer from Quintessa, which can stabilize any alarm system and has a ray that can suspend anyone to Stasis Lock.
Lugnut: We finally see Lugnut use his cannons, that emit a lot of short, circular lasers.
Safeguard: In Alt-Mode Safeguard can create tornadoes by doing multiple barrel rolls.
Optimus Prime: His zip line could be used as a old style slingshot., using a ‘appropriate’ item to throw to the enemy.
Quirks
So many cameos in Cybertron. Can you name them all?
Cybertronian Optical Code? That’s cutting it close, don’t you think?
I’m guessing Swindle is colour-blind to not tell two very distinguishable Starscreams apart?
Quintessa? Nebulos? Pz-Zazz? I’m starting to agree on Sycophant’s observations on the Arms Dealing Industry.
At least in one scene we know where Prime’s Trailer ended up.
Transwarping to the ship and rescuing his friends from a bunch of Decepticons is Prime’s way of having fun.
Sentinel Magnus? Man do the writers sure like to throw those names around.
and WHERE Is the female starscream?!
