Transformers Prime - "Rock Bottom" - Talkback [07/16]

[The Huntsman]

Today @ 7:00 PM ET on The Hub

It's hard to discern much from the episode summary this week, so it's hard to tell how it will turn out, but I'm really looking forward to next week's episode.

The Autobots, Jack and Miko find themselves trapped in a cave.

[Edward15]

I gotta say, this version of Megatron seems to be as savvy as the Animated incarnation. I kind of wish that Starscream was more like Cybertron version. What can I say? I felt that incarnation was the most impressive version.

[The Huntsman]

I gotta say, this version of Megatron seems to be as savvy as the Animated incarnation. I kind of wish that Starscream was more like Cybertron version. What can I say? I felt that incarnation was the most impressive version.

I've never watched Cybertron. Hell, I've never watched anything Transformers prior to this series except for the first Michael Bay movie and an occasional episode of Transformers Animated. However, I really like Starscream. I find myself rooting for him more than I do the Autobots. I kept hoping that he would have actually accomplished something during his brief stint as leader, but I guess part of his character over the years is that he always fails spectacularly. I said I was looking forward to next week's episode - that's because it's about him.

The team is surprised to learn that Starscream wants to become an Autobot.

I'm pretty sure he'll have one scheme or another, but because of his situation with Megatron, I wouldn't mind seeing him perform a face turn and be an Autobot for a few episodes. It's not going to happen, because it never does in any show that used that plot, but some show has to buck the trend eventually.

[HEATXZ]

Great episode :anime:
I like the Megatron and Starscream scenes

[Avengers]

Finally someone got starscream's character right! and megatron is cool, I am glad they explained why starscream is still alive

[Lord Mawdryn]

The scene in which Jack drills through the rock to find Megatron's totally hate-filled face and burning red eyes looking back at him gave me chills...

[Particle_Beam]

I'm pretty sure he'll have one scheme or another, but because of his situation with Megatron, I wouldn't mind seeing him perform a face turn and be an Autobot for a few episodes. It's not going to happen, because it never does in any show that used that plot, but some show has to buck the trend eventually.

Yeah, and he'll probably be killed or something like that at the end of the episode. That's gonna be a shame.

[Avengers]

Yeah, and he'll probably be killed or something like that at the end of the episode. That's gonna be a shame.

That is who starscream is, as long as megs is the one who gets him, you know what I am talking about, that will never happen again hopefully

[Chaos Yoshi Mage]

You know, Starscream did become an Autobot for a while in Transformers: Armada (Starscream being the best part of that show). I enjoyed this one, I've been watching the show on and off, but the most recent episodes have turned me into a regular viewer.

[Neo Yi]

I was actually hesitated with this episode at first, but looking back on it made me realize that this is actually a fairly brilliant episode. It's basically a better version of "Shadowzone". The A plot for the first was boring and uninteresting because I didn't care for the human kids (except Raf). It's B plot with Starscream was the one that kept it engaging, he was the only character holding episode fifteen from crumbling into general awfulness that I felt "Convoy" possessed.

However, as much as I still think Starscream is the best thing about this episode (I'll elaborate in a moment), there's a few moments sprinkled throughout that I loved. Most importantly, Miko. Overall, she's acting impulsive again, but I can't deny that her loyalty to Bulkhead is absolute. When she starts tearing up, my reaction from "Would you shut up and go with Jack already" turned to feeling a degree of pity for her. She silently sobs as she reluctantly goes with Jack, then burst into hysterics over her best friend. It's a nice, subtle, emotional moment that works. It still surprises me because this is coming from Miko, my least favorite character. For all the average writing I criticized this show, this was a great moment.

And I will admit to finally breathing in comfort when Megatron wised up and decided to end Starscream here and now. It's frustratingly regardless because it took him four episodes to do this. It also took him that long to explain why he kept him alive. This is arguably in-character for Megatron. He's a big brute who uses fear and intimidation to gain respect and power; he doesn't have the manipulation of TFA Megatron. If he wanted Starscream to dance like a monkey instead of killing him immediately, well, it makes perfect sense for his personality. But from a storytelling perspective, I still think it's a very dumb move. He logically should have ended him while Starscream was in sickbay back in "Shadowzone". Still, he tried to kill Screamer in this episode, so it's about time.

Plus, his final scene in the episode is chilling, And it culminates on why I love Starscream here. He has so much character. In one episode alone, he displays egotism, hamminess, manipulative, being adorable (when Arcee has him at gun point near the end, he lets out this incredibly cute groan), and importantly, fear. Starscream's had plenty of cowardly moments in the show, but he's always had a exit if things got too hairy. Here, he is literally trapped between a rock and a hard place: one wrong move and he is dead. Steve Blum's acting is to be commended: him begging for mercy as Megatron glares in silence is brilliantly performed and an all around emotional scene. I don't want to feel sorry for Starscream because he is the pivotal sneaky snake who does not deserve it and prior episodes have done nothing to give him sympathy despite it, but I gotta admit, for that ending alone, I really pitied him. Megatron should not keep him alive because it would be a foolish move on his part, but man, did I pity Starscream (he even made that desperate Puppy Dog Face that frustratingly made my fangirl side squirm/squeal).

The sheer level of intensity and emotions made what is an otherwise boring episode great.



...But what was up with Jack able to pilot that Decepticon drill? What? Did the Autobots teach him? I doubt he could operate a human-made drill, I'm suddenly suppose to believe he can work a space alien device with no problems and even stir it without it crashing? I'm suppose to accept this despite no hints whatsoever that he could do this? This doesn't even work for his character - this is Raf's territory. His computer skills may be ungodly, but he could hack into and maneuver the vehicle. I find it hard to accept that Jack can do this. At all.

[The Huntsman]

However, as much as I still think Starscream is the best thing about this episode (I'll elaborate in a moment), there's a few moments sprinkled throughout that I loved. Most importantly, Miko. Overall, she's acting impulsive again, but I can't deny that her loyalty to Bulkhead is absolute. When she starts tearing up, my reaction from "Would you shut up and go with Jack already" turned to feeling a degree of pity for her. She silently sobs as she reluctantly goes with Jack, then burst into hysterics over her best friend. It's a nice, subtle, emotional moment that works. It still surprises me because this is coming from Miko, my least favorite character. For all the average writing I criticized this show, this was a great moment.

I'm not willing to give her - or the show - much credit on that front until they show that she is capable of carrying a lesson from one episode into the next. If she goes back to being the same old Miko, who runs into danger without listening, then I'll actually think less of the series.

[Dudley]

This episode ended up being pretty good, due to the intensity of emotions in this episode. Megatron revealing why Starscream is still alive, Jack meeting Megatron, Starscream in general, and most importantly, seeing a side of Miko that has me hating her a lot less. She really cares for Bulkhead, as if he's her big brother or something, and I think that's really sweet, I doubt she'll stop running into danger, since that's pretty much her thing, but I hope they build on that side we saw of her.

[Gold Guy]

I enjoyed this episode. To be honest, I didn't care much for the Miko/Bulkhead sub-plot, but everything else was top notch. The show's getting really good.

[Neo Yi]

I'm not willing to give her - or the show - much credit on that front until they show that she is capable of carrying a lesson from one episode into the next. If she goes back to being the same old Miko, who runs into danger without listening, then I'll actually think less of the series.

Oh, I won't either and this changes nothing of how I feel for Miko (since she didn't learn her lesson yet again), but credit due where it's due. It was emotionally gripping, heartfelt, and had all the touches of good writing and animation. It stands out more to me because I feel Transformers Prime is so average. I'll take it!

[ABrown]

Good episode, had me on the edge of my seat. I like that in a cartoon. Also, as others have said, it was nice to see Miko in a role that didn't just feature her being annoying.

[GWOtaku]

I completely agree about the good points to the episode, although I also can't escape some "damn it Miko, you caused trouble again!" sentiment. However Jack did a lot to save the day, which is good. The kids being liabilities at times and good partners other times is a balancing act that's clearly integral to the show at this point.

I like how Jack's challenged to do the dishonorable, Deception-esque thing to Megatron but doesn't do it, although it's odd to me that Megatron claims Optimus would definitely finish him off. They are long-time rivals, right? So Megs should know better.

[trance2009]

I completely agree about the good points to the episode, although I also can't escape some "damn it Miko, you caused trouble again!" sentiment. However Jack did a lot to save the day, which is good. The kids being liabilities at times and good partners other times is a balancing act that's clearly integral to the show at this point.

I like how Jack's challenged to do the dishonorable, Deception-esque thing to Megatron but doesn't do it, although it's odd to me that Megatron claims Optimus would definitely finish him off. They are long-time rivals, right? So Megs should know better.

This Megs must have seen Dark of the Moon.

[sparkykandy]

*Shakes head* You'd think that all the trouble that she's been in due to rushing head on into random situations would make Miko stop and think about what she's doing, but I guess not.

Anyways, I was happy to see Megatron start taking a more proactive role. Feels that it's has been quite a while since we've seen him doing something. (Now, if only they could start doing something with Prime. Right now, he's the most bland and boring character of the series.)

And, I am convinced that Starscream is the butt monkey character of the series. Everytime he's been featured, it feels like that something horribly wrong must happen to him. And unless he takes out Soundwave first, he'll never be able to get rid of Megatron.

Last, I do find it kind of amusing that everybody is like: Prime wouldn't do this and such. It's like the writers trying to ensure people this Prime won't be anything like movie Prime or something.

[Gregatron]

I saw this episode today and I liked it.

I've only seen the first 2 episodes and this episode. Is there any place I can watch all of the episodes made so far? The Hub's site only lists 2 episodes.