Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Deadlock

Episode Name: Deadlock
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 3
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
It's the final battle! The Autobots fight to take the warship, save Earth's people, and get the Omega Lock to revive their own planet! And the Decepticons fight to cyber-form Earth and against the Autobots.
It's the final battle, and who knows what will happen...?

Mission Report:
IT'S OVER!
Well, for now. Predaking's still technically out there.
This episode was amazing! Megatron's finally dead... killed by Bumblebee, of all bots! And Bumblebee talked!!! AND Cybertron came back! WOO-HOO...!
The ending was a bit of a killer. It was sad. It's nice that Ratchet decided to stay, but everyone else... I felt like tearing up myself!
But the amount of "amazing" and amazing elements was still very high! I really hope that they do continue the series, or at least the storyline, but compared to the other two Season endings... this was the best one in this series yet.
All in all, this didn't hit 5-Spaceships... but it was still a very enjoyable, amazing, and good episode!

Synthesis

Episode Name: Synthesis
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 3
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
The Autobots initiate their plan to find the Decepticon warship and rescue Ratchet. Ratchet works on the Syth-En formula.
Things will go chaotic...

Mission Report:
I know the summary was pretty lame.
But the episode itself was much better.
It was much more enjoyable, and the story was good. An obvious tactic was used. It was nice that it wasn't skipped.
And it's a "to-be-continued" without the words... except that they're promising the last battle.
I'm pumped and ready for the next episode!
As for this episode... it was a pretty good one!

Persuasion

Episode Name: Persuasion
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 3
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Ratchet has been captured! After failing to save the human device, the Autobots head back to Base to discover their doctor gone. They are trying to figure out what to do.
Meanwhile, Megatron is trying to get the data--or help--he needs from Ratchet. When the cordical physic patch doesn't work, Megatron begins to work his "voodoo"* on Ratchet.
Things are going to be troublesome before they get better...

Mission Report:
Again, not the best episode, but not total trash either.
There were good parts to this episode. One of my faves is when Raf starts acting like Ratchet... that was funny!
And it was interesting to watch how Megatron did his negotiations with, and persuaded, Ratchet to help. There was honesty, yet attacking certain points. Megatron was very clever in his plan. It was very interesting.
And I think they did a good job with the catch-up part of the episode. I had forgotten about Megatron plotting to grab Ratchet, until they couped the scene and his line with the one where Soundwave is approaching Ratchet with crackling wire-things...
But there were lulls and not-so great parts. Some parts of the show were boring.
But this wasn't a total-trash episode. But it wasn't a shining best either.
All in all, this was only an average episode.

*To quote Arcee about Megatron's "make-people-join/stay" tactics in Orion Pax Part 1**
**Transformers Prime, Season 2 

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Minus One

Episode Name: Minus One
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 3
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Megatron makes a new plan to use the newly-discovered cyber matter to rebuild Cybertron and cyber-form Earth. So he begins plans to rebuild the Omega Lock. Stealing human tech is part of the needed plan... so the stealing begins!
On one of the runs, Soundwave is captured. But he's not very helpful, and trouble is going to brew...

Mission Report:
This was undoubtedly a multi-parter, even though the words "To Be Continued" are never used. The episode ends on a cliffhanger!
It was mostly enjoyable, though it had it's average, boring, and not-so-good parts. And there were things I didn't like, and story glitches. And the part where Megatron lost his temper against Predaking... um, yeah, thought that was going to go bad, and was surprised it didn't (by bad, I mean Megatron get slaughtered by an angry Predaking).
However, there were good parts.
There were some shocking parts. For one, Shockwave lost his temper! REALLY, HE DID!!!
Another...
SOUNDWAVE ACTUALLY TALKED!!!
HE DID!!!
The talking part was good.
This was a pretty good episode. 

Monday, September 9, 2013

Evolution

Episode Name: Evolution
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 3
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
The Predacon reveals a deadly secret... he can transform and is actually very intelligent! He wishes to lead his Predacon brethren, when they are ready, for Megatron.
But Megatron is frightened and wary. He knows that when Predaking discovers that his kind is stronger than the Decepticons (especially after the Insecticon Hive and half of Megatron's Vehicon troops have been destroyed during the vampire episode) there's a good chance that Predaking will rebel and take out the Decepticons. So a decision is made to destroy Project Predacon, surprisingly even reinforced by Shockwave.
But the Decepticons can't risk having Predaking knowing it was them setting up the Predacons for destruction. So they set it up so it looks like the Autobots have destroyed them all.
Ultra Magnus is already having trouble at base, and is not especially welcomed among them. But the Autobots are going to have more trouble when they fall into the Decepticons' set-up...

Mission Report:
Not bad! Good thing I saw this after seeing part of Thirst*. They explained some of what we needed to know--that the Insecticon Hive and half of Megatron's troops are gone--which was a good thing. But I did have a couple of questions...
Anyway, the central episode was pretty good. There were good scenes. It wasn't my fave episode, but it was much better than my first Zero-Spaceship episode**.
All in all, much better than Thirst, and a good episode, but not the best.

*Transformers Prime, Season 3
**Thirst

Thirst

Episode Name: Thirst
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 3
Rating: Zero Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
It is discovered that Silas is still alive, and Knock Out has been using him as a test subject for his synthetic Energon experiments. With interference from Starscream, suggesting the use of a little Dark Energon, Silas turns into a Cybertronian version of a vampire!!!
No more review... I couldn't finish the episode.

Mission Report:
This episode went new levels of scary for this series. It was dark and freaky already, with Silas being a test rat. I was a little ticked that he was back... he was dead, and I was enjoying the series without his interference!
But this episode was too scary. The whole "cyber-vampire" thing was scary. And the resulting vampires were scary.
And the special effects were bad news again, though they were good. I couldn't look whenever Vamp-Silas opened his "mouth", and there were not-so comfortable scenes.
It was too much for me, and I couldn't finish the episode.
So, DO NOT WATCH THIS EPISODE! TOO DARK AND SCARY!!!

Plus One

Episode Name: Plus One
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 3
Rating: Three and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Wheeljack actually returns to Base, and is soon heading out with Arcee to find a Preda-bone (Predacon bone). There's some serious discussion on the way.
Meanwhile, Raf discovers a Preda-bone in a museum. Agent Fowler, who's seriously crushing on June Darby, takes said woman out to get it. Problem? Knock Out comes along... and not only takes the Preda-bone, but captures the two humans!
Thanks to Starscream upsetting Predaking, and said Predacon reacting, the Decepticon communication satatellite (sp?) dish is damaged, and Decepticon communications are down.
Things end up being an interesting adventure, but also dangerous to June and Agent Fowler...

Mission Report:
Okay, the end jumbled things for me. There were too many glitches together. Like Knock Out's revelation communication... the Autobots were there too fast, and that scene just seemed wrong.
Then Miko saying a lot of "Jacks" in a way that was too confusing...
Before those two, the "hide and seek/hide and shriek" wandering around the train cars scene took too long and was boring.
And the fact that the pepper spray worked... I would have preferred to know how it worked. Did it really sting Knock Out's eyes, or did it just block the vision? Or both? And how did it clear up and/or get better? That was just a confusing scene.
Well, the end was glitchy and not the greatest for enjoyment. And I didn't totally understand the "romance" scene... yeesh!
However, most of the rest of the show was pretty good... more four-Spaceship material. There were good jokes and funny scenes. However, the Wheeljack and Arcee scenes weren't so great, however.
So, all in all, this wasn't the greatest episode. It did have good scenes, admittedly, but it wasn't one of the best episodes in this series.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Chain of Command

Episode Name: Chain of Command
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 3
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
The Predacon is back! After somehow surviving being frozen, Predaking (what I'll be calling him in this blog so I don't have to say "the Predacon" or "the dragon" every time), comes back home to the Nemesis. He is placed under Starscream's command... much to Starscream's joy ( :) ).
Meanwhile (this is the other half of what started in Project Predacon*), Ultra Magnus, Bulkhead, and Wheeljack head off to check out a Decepticon dig site. Miko secretly tags along (though it gets revealed after a fight). There's tension between Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus, both being Wrecker leaders, having very different ways, and just being plain ol' different from each other. And poor Bulkhead is not in the greatest position.
When Megatron sends Starscream and Predaking to check out the dig site the Ultra Magnus Wreckers are at (since said dig site hadn't reported in), the Wrecker team and Ultra Magnus is going to have some serious trouble...

Mission Report:
WOW!
There were some super-awesome scenes in this episode. The relationship between Starscream and Predaking had me laughing out loud (especially when Predaking is swing Starscream in the A-Pex armor like a chew toy!!! LOL!!!).
And it was extremely awesome watching Miko pound some Decepticon butt! I mean, that was awesome and a half! Miko was acting pretty coolly beforehand, admittedly, but when she was wearing the A-Pex armor herself and kicking Decepticon butt... WOW!!! That was fun, a little of funny, and awesome!!! 
It was very nice to find out that Wheeljack was serious in considering Miko a Wrecker. I wasn't so sure last time, but it seems rock-hard and serious after this episode! I like that!
The ending was a bit of a downer, too. And not all of the episode was super-enjoyable. However, it was fun to watch, and those scenes were pure awesomeness! Plus, there were good jokes sprinkled throughout.
And I didn't totally care for the backstory. It's nice learning Transformers Prime lore, but the story of the Wreckers and the leadership issues... not so fun. And it just felt wrong.
Admittedly, I wasn't hating Ultra Magnus that bad in this episode, but I go with Wheeljack in the not-liking-him department.
All in all, this wasn't one of the best episodes. But the episode wasn't all bad, and it had some of the most awesome scenes in, dare I say, the whole series!!! At least, up to this point! I'll probably re-watch it just for those!

*Transformers Prime, Season 3

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Project Predacon

Episode Name: Project Predacon
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 3
Rating: Three Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Everyone's settling in, getting adjusted, and so forth in their new home and position. Smokescreen is also handling his almost-was-a-Prime problems, issues, and thoughts. By himself, since he (and most likely Optimus Prime) who knows about that almost-becoming-Prime situation.
Optimus finds a bunch of Decepticons digging up Predacon remains... on Earth.
We find out that Megatron has had Shockwave do some Pred' cloning long ago. This army secured Earth for the Decepticons, and then were lost thanks to time. The Autobots figure out that these Predacons have become basis for Earth mythology and Midevial(sp?)-time tales.
And it's not much to figure out that the Decepticons are starting to do cloning plans again! The Decepticons are gathering remains so that Shockwave can get the CNA (basically, it's like DNA for Cybertronians) to clone a new army of Predacons! And he pretty much needs a single strand of said CNA!
Agent Fowler reports two sightings of Decepticon activity. The team splits up (again :) ). This episode follows Optimus, Bumblebee, and Smokescreen as they attempt to stop the Decepticons from getting Predacon CNA...

Mission Report:
THIS is more like it! The theme song's different, and the emphasis on beast and beast hunters is finally coming out more!
Plus, Bulkhead said beast wars! Classic reference!
This episode wasn't the best. The story was okay, and it was sometimes more enjoyable at times than others. There were cool scenes, admittedly, like the one where Soundwave Groundbridges the Predacon tooth into the Nemesis*, and it lands in Megatron's open, and waiting, hand! Admittedly, there were story glitches there, but it was still cool to see!
And all the stuff around Optimus... seeing his new combat powers, him actually scanning a vehicle, seeing his new vehicle mode shoot missiles... just a bunch of cool stuff around him and the new-and-improved him!
And the background storyline and world-building is well done, at least in this case. It shows how the Cybertronian storyline affected Earth, and it did so logically. The scenario they had set up was well-done. I thought that was cool, well-done, and good work on their part. Well done, guys!
So, this episode had its up, and really up and cool, moments, but... it wasn't the best episode. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. It was pretty much average.

*The Decepticon warship

Rebellion

Episode Name: Rebellion
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 3
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
The Autobots attack Darkmount! With the troops scattered with a clever plan, and Agent Fowler and troops waiting for the strike moment, the Autobots aim to take out the fusion cannons on Darkmount... and then take down the fortress itself! And Smokescreen's facing problems with his whole "possibly the next Prime" issues down below the ground while Optimus dies...
One way or the other, the Darkmount Saga is going to end...

Mission Report:
For the time, I'm calling this dark storyline the Darkmount Saga*. And, yes, it's finally over!
This was a highly enjoyable storyline. Admittedly, I'm giddy over the ending, so I might be seeing this as better than I usually would. And I'm going to have to get used to Optimus Prime's new look, but I'm glad OP (Optimus Prime) is still here and kicking (and his face still looks similar enough, which makes me happy!).
Shockwave is going to be a fun character in some ways. We actually saw him ticked! I mean, when his dragon went bye-bye, he went down and kicked some tooty! It was fun seeing an usually emotionless, or next to emotionless bot, ticked off! And then the extreme calm he had when he was escaping the falling debris of Darkmount... HAH!
Oh, and close proximity near the Predacon is affecting Megatron! He basically roared and acted like an animal near Starscream! LOL!
Ultra Magnus, on the other hand... um... Admittedly, I'm being tough on the guy. I don't like too much of his attitude. I will give him this much, however... he can fight! He seems to have his good points. But let's just see how much he can win me over... if he can at all.
Oh, and there's some special effects issues. The whole Alpha Trion scenes... lame!!! Transformers Prime has proven that they can do so much better with special effects. Take The Human Factor**, for example. The too-good special effects were a downer point in their case, but it was still good special effects. And there were better special effects even within the episode... even Darkmount falling was better than what they did for the Alpha Trion series! All Alpha Trion was was a drawing (with some glowing, admittedly), and talking!
Some of you might complain, "But they did this before! Take Alpha/Omega**, for example!" Well, in that episode he was only a message. It makes more sense that Optimus might be talking to a still image. Admittedly, it could have been done better then, but the context was better for that lack of special effects.
Oh, and when are they going to get series with the Beast Hunters theme here? I get finishing the last storyline--and I am super-happy that they did that--but I don't like the Beast Hunters thing popping up in the theme song so often if it's not a huge deal.
But you want the review, don't you?
All in all, very awesome episode, and I'm super glad that the Darkmount Saga is over!!!

*I'm not sure which exact episodes conform into the "Darkmount Saga", but it's at least the first four episodes of this Season! Let's just say it starts mid-or-around Darkest Hour*** and ends here.
**Both episodes from Transformers Prime, Season 2
***Transformers Prime, Season 3 (actually, the last episode!)

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Prey

Episode Name: Prey
Series: Transformers Prime*, Season 3
Rating: Four and a Half Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
The Decepticons release their new addition--a Predacon cloned from fossils--to hunt down Wheeljack. Meanwhile, Ultra Magnus has joined up, and begins helping to find the others. The Harvenger team--Ratchet, Bumblebee, and Raf--are working on stuff within the ship. And Smokescreen is going after the Forge of Solus Prime, hoping it will heal Optimus Prime.
Will everything end up okay?

Mission Report:
Ah... they're back to their ol', good streak! This episode was highly enjoyable.
But I don't like Ultra Magnus too much. Too by-the-book! I really don't like that they're making him leader. Admittedly, there was a time or two that I liked him, but... I don't like him. Let's hope he can change my mind, or someone might be joining his Transformers Animated partner and Sentinel in my favorite-character ratings.
And Optimus's revealation at the end was extremely surprising...
I liked the dragon, however. I know his name is Predaking from the toys, but they haven't revealed it yet. The dragon's involvement made this episode really enjoyable and pretty cool.
And I liked the scene where Shockwave was rubbing the dragon at the end.
Anyway, really good episode all in all.

*I know they've added "Beast Hunters" to the name in this Season, but I'm just going to keep putting just the primary name of the series for the series's name in the place where the series's name goes.

Scattered

Episode Name: Scattered
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 3
Rating: Four Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
Shockwave is back, and quickly becomes First Leutentiant (sp?) of the scientific affairs. Of course, Starscream's upset about this, and starts off a "rivalry". Everyone's doing what they can to survive, and Wheeljack escapes. He joins up with Miko and Bulkhead.
Yeah, another lame summary, I know.

Mission Report:
This was much better. It was more enjoyable. The story was better done, though it had its fair share of glitches and problems. One noticeable one is that Shockwave was able to repair his eye. Too many questions and confusion around that subject.
And there's more happiness and hope in this episode. And we once again see the Harvenger in action. This is going to be fun...!
And the bot that I thought was coming in the last episode has finally shown up! I'm talking about Ultra Magnus! I knew he was coming, but didn't know when. Well, he shows up in this one!
And there's been a bit of a gripe that's finally getting resolved. The whole third Season has been calling itself "Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters". But there was no indication of why in the last episode. Now, at the very end, we are finally seeing why. We don't get a super-great look at the reason, but it's starting to finally start.
Oh, and we get to see Megatron's face in emotions we don't usually see in the last scene! Fun!
And it looks like Wheeljack still considers Miko a Wrecker! I'm not sure if it's official or unofficial (last one meaning he's saying to have fun and make her happy), but it's still cool all the same!
This episode is much better than the first one! ALL RIGHT!!!

Monday, September 2, 2013

Darkmount, NV

Episode Name: Darkmount, NV
Series: Transformers Prime, Season 3
Rating: Two Spaceships

Mission Briefing:
...
Okay, basically aftermath of the last episode. The fortress is now named Darkmount, and Megatron is getting ready to strike at Earth (and trying to feed lies into Agent Fowler's ears). Smokescreen has managed to rescue Optimus, but the Autobot leader is badly wounded. Wheeljack is captured. Bulkhead is using a Wrecker plan to get together back with Wheeljack. Miko is with Bulkhead. Bumblebee, Raf, Arcee, and Jack are trying to head to Jasper. Smokescreen is staying with Optimus, who seems to have lost hope while being severely damaged. Decepticons do stuff. Agent Fowler and June are trying to deal with the situation, including taking care of the refugees from Jasper (who, of course, don't know the truth of the situation). The military is trying to do something, but Darkmount has big, freaking, fusion cannons! And I mean cannons!!! Agent Fowler is trying to keep the military from doing their attack plan, and he's trying to deal with Megatron's lies. Blah-de-blah-blah-blah...

Mission Report:
Yes, I know that was my worst review ever. That's part of the reason why this episode hit so low.
The story was terrible. And, once again, it's an unofficial multi-parter. They don't even use "To Be Continued" anymore!!! ARG!!! And the sudden reappearance of the Phase Shifter... um, not believable enough! Story glitch!!!
And this episode was dark. And there were disturbing parts. And parts that I just didn't like! (These revenues do cross over, especially with the last one).
Oh, and there's more human deaths!!! Again, we don't "see" them die... they're in tanks and vehicles. But you know what happens, and that's not good!
Oh, and there was confusion! Admittedly, I haven't watched or rewatched the last two episodes in Season 2 for a while, so that might be part of it. But there were confusing parts to this episode.
And I'm ticked about the name change!!! The fortress's name was New Kaon! That I remembered clearly enough, and I even checked my last review, and that was the fortress's name! SERIOUSLY!!! They just had to mess up the in-series story! I hate it when that happens! It's just annoying, and makes me ticked!
Admittedly, there was some good parts (reason why this episode didn't get an one or lower). There were at least two good jokes. And the action scene between Jack, Arcee, and the 'Cons was enjoyable.
At the end, there was another story glitch. Guess who's back? Here's a hint... a very good representative of his 1980's self that showed up first in Out Of The Past (Transformers Prime, Season 2).
That's right! Shockwave!
And his appearance shocked me!
*Giggle*... okay, couldn't resist that once I realized the joke, but it's actually very true. It did shock me. I was super surprised when he showed up. Admittedly, I was expecting a certain someone else I knew would show up, so that probably had a lot to do with it.
But, all in all, it looks like Cliffjumper got his hope... Shock's back.
Back to the actual reviewing. This episode was dark, and had story glitches. There were good parts, but... not a good way to start a Season.