History Recap / TransformersPrimeS2E13Triangulation

* BittersweetEnding: With no way yo remove the Apex Armor, he and Dreadwing get rid of Starscream to remove the present threat he presents, though he survives and is able to make his way back to the ''Harbinger'', albeit very slowly. Both decide to part ways and fight later, as the other Iacon relics are still out there for the taking.

* BittersweetEnding: Optimus has a PyrrhicVictory; he escapes alive but is forced to let Starscream keep the Apex Armor because there was no way to physically force it out of him, let alone beat armored him in battle.

* LastSecondChance: Even though Dreadwing's a villain, he's more of a NobleDemon -- and Optimus gives him one more chance to turn his back on Megatron for good. [[UndyingLoyalty He doesn't take it.]]

* PublicSecretMessage: In response to Starscream boasting about the Apex Armor making him invincible, Optimus loudly remarks he's incapable of flight. He does this as a way to tell Dreadwing to start planting bombs on the ground around Starscream.

* SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome: While Starscream now has a new T-Cog and the tools to install it, he lacks the the expertise of Knock Out to run the proceedure, and the nerve to do it by himself.

* BittersweetEnding: Optimus has a PyrrhicVictory; he escapes alive but is forced to let Starscream keep the Apex Armor because there was no way to physically force it out of Starscream let alone beat armored Starscream in battle.

* IdiotBall: Seriously, Optimus and Dreadwing decided to duke it out and leave the rogue Decepticon alone with the relic. They were so asking for that beatdown from Starscream.

* TaughtByExperience: Optimus learned from [[Recap/TransformersPrimeS1E20Partners last time]] how even a restrained Starscream can be a handle if underestimated. Optimus constantly keeps his blaster trained on him and is sure to walk behind him. He only loses sight of Starscream when Dreadwing catches up with them and starts a fight. As noted above, [[IdiotPlot that]] ends badly.

Megatron notes that the second relic is in Antarctica, and Dreadwing volunteers to head there. In the ''Harbinger'', Starscream is about to operate on himself to insert his new T-cog (which he took from his traitorous clone) when the ship's computer picks up the fact that the Decepticons are dispatching teams to four locations. At the Autobot base, Bulkhead departs through the [=GroundBridge=]. Optimus Prime announces he's heading for the Antarctic, and announces that Ratchet will need backup on his mission—Wheeljack. Ratchet is less than thrilled to hear this.

Starscream uses a [=GroundBridge=] remote control to head to the Antarctic on a hoversled. He's quickly spotted by Dreadwing and some Vehicons who knock him off his sled. Starscream at first mistakes Dreadwing for Skyquake, and soon has some cuffs slapped on him. The group trudges through the snow to where the relic is located, to find it has already been dug out of the ice and is gone. The Vehicons start searching and find vehicle tracks. They're approached by Optimus, who demands the return of the relic, and the standoff quickly turns into a firefight. After Prime takes out two of the Vehicons and scores a hit on Dreadwing, the Decepticon starts breaking out heavier weapons, and proves to be formidable with a sword. They take a dive off a cliff, following which Optimus brings the ice crashing down, burying Dreadwing. With Starscream's help, Optimus takes care of the remaining two Vehicons, and demands Starscream lead him to the relic.

Optimus and Starscream take a long walk through the ice and snow until they finally reach a human base. Optimus radios home and gets Agent Fowler to evacuate the human base so he can safely retrieve the relic. Meanwhile, Dreadwing breaks free of the ice and heads out to find Prime. With the base clear, Optimus and Starscream venture inside to find the relic still frozen in a chunk of ice. They're interrupted by Dreadwing. While Optimus and Dreadwing fight, Starscream sets about liberating the relic, which turns out to be the Apex Armor. Outside, Dreadwing has Optimus on the ropes and is about to strike when Starscream, now wearing the armor, crashes out of the building.

Enraged that Starscream would claim what he believed belonged to Megatron, Dreadwing attacked the rogue Decepticon, only for his sword to bounce off the armor. Swatting him away, Starscream attempts to reunite Dreadwing with his twin, only for Optimus to intervene. Starscream turns his attention to the Prime and tosses him aside with ease. Dreadwing fires his cannon at Starscream, but he only staggers a bit before intercepting Dreadwing's strike with his sword and send him flying next to Optimus. Optimus suggests to Dreadwing that they will need to cooperate to defeat Starscream. While Dreadwing flies around, Optimus slaps a bomb onto Starscream, but the Apex Armor proves invulnerable even to that. Optimus realizes that Starscream still has a vulnerability—his lack of flight. While Optimus keeps Starscream's attention once more, Dreadwing plants explosives on the ground, and just as Starscream works out that the pair are up to something, the bombs detonate. Starscream disappears into a hole blasted in the ice. With no relic left to claim, Dreadwing and Optimus go their separate ways, though Dreadwing swears to terminate Optimus next time.

At the bottom of the ocean below, Starscream gleefully returns to his base while for the first time, ''not'' empty-handed.

* BigNo: Dreadwing gives one when he's engulfed in an avalanche caused by Optimus.

* AbsenteeActor: Most of the main cast only make cameo's or at best brief appearances; Optimus, Starscream and Dreadwing are the focus of the episode and are the only ones who really make a difference to the plot.

* MisplacedRetribution: Dreadwing wants to kill Optimus for killing his brother, even though it was Bumblebee who did the deed.

* UngratefulBastard: At least in Starscream's view, he considers Optimus this.

At the bottom of the ocean below, Starscream gleefully walks returns to base while for the first time, ''not'' empty-handed.

* InternalHomage: The scene where Starscream walks from an explosion in an Antarctic research base is [[VideoGame/TransformersPreludeToEnergon not the first time a Starscream has done so]].

At the bottom of the ocean below, Starscream walks along, still protected by the Apex Armor.

* {{Hypocrite}}: Dreadwing is a ''huge'' one. First, he mocks Optimus on having poor aim when [[ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy he also failed to shoot Optimus who was only standing a few feet away]]. Then he gets angry when he believes Starscream has sided with Optimus. Not long after, Dreadwing teams up with Prime, once Starscream obtains the Apex Armor.

* SelfSurgery: At the beginning of the episode, Starscream reluctantly attempts to install a new T-cog into himself without ''any'' sort of anesthesia or sedative.

* SelfSurgery: At the beginning of the episode, Starscream gets ready to install a new T-cog.