Line #2 Recap/TransformersPrimeS2E6LooseCannons


1	---->"Then by the Pit, every last Autobot on this accursed world will pay!"
2	------> - '''Dreadwing'''
3
4	Agent Fowler calls the Autobot base, furious about the collateral damage of a duel between two Cybertronians. Though Ratchet guesses it's Decepticon infighting, a video feed shows a darker-toned Skyquake look-a-like and none other than Bulkhead's old buddy Wheeljack. The team heads out to back up the former Wrecker, while the Decepticon takes Fowler's jet as an alternate mode. As the Decepticon flees, Wheeljack accidentally blows up a gas station trying to take a last shot, leading to Optimus sternly ordering him to return to base with them, much to the rogue's annoyance.
5
6	At base, while Ratchet repairs him, Wheeljack tells of his meeting up with fellow Wrecker Seaspray, only for the latter to be killed by the Decepticon the former was just fighting, who Optimus identifies as Dreadwing, Skyquake's split-Spark twin. Optimus states that like Skyquake, Dreadwing is bound by a code of honor and loyalty to Megatron. Wheeljack is eager to go out for revenge against Dreadwing, but Optimus tries to stem his temper and convince him to join the team under his command. Wheeljack's mood only worsens, not helped by Fowler arriving to chew out the 'Bots further. Wheeljack asserts he's not one of Prime's people, and storms off. Optimus explains to Fowler that the Wreckers were the Autobot equivalent of human black ops teams, with a very high job mortality rate.
7
8	Dreadwing arrives on the ''Nemesis'', and quickly asserts his loyalty and service to his master; however he also seeks confirmation of the death of his twin, who he felt die via their split-Spark. Megatron confirms it, but is sure to add that it was under Starscream's watch, and that he was killed by the Autobots. Dreadwing swears vengeance, but Megatron asserts his command over the seething Seeker, telling him to wait for his order to go after the parties responsible. Much like Wheeljack, Dreadwing is not pleased by having to wait for his vengeance.
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10	Bulkhead meets up with Wheeljack in the ''Jackhammer'', trying to convince him to join the fight on Earth, and that Optimus is "the real deal". Wheeljack scoffs at this, stating that Optimus is just a stuffy figurehead who's all talk and will bail at the sight of trouble. He also laments the deaths of so many of their former Wrecker comrades, but Bulkhead says that just means the remaining Wreckers should band together with Optimus to win the war. Dreadwing calls, challenging Wheeljack to another fight, and Bulkhead is eventually swayed to go along, if nothing else just to back up his rebellious buddy.
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12	Dreadwing and Wheeljack eventually meet and battle, but the Wreckers are tricked into a canyon, where one of Dreadwing's bombs send Bulkhead tumbling down from the top of a cliff, and buries Wheeljack. When Wheeljack surfaces, he finds Optimus (who noticed Bulkhead's signal leaving base) helping him up from the rock pile. Optimus begins to chew out Wheeljack, not for disobeying his command, but for endangering one of ''his'' men. Wheeljack only then notices Bulkhead's abscence, and Ratchet confirms via comm link that the big guy was spirited away by Dreadwing. Optimus and Wheeljack head out in the ''Jackhammer'', where in a moment of vulnerability (and awkardness, with the large Optimus being uncomfortably wedged in the ship), Wheeljack reveals why he prefers a nomadic, solitary lifestyle: "it's less complicated that way."
13
14	The two arrive at Bulkhead's location, where the poor guy is strapped to some crates in a shipping yard, with one of Dreadwing's bombs ticking away on his chest. Wheeljack tries to defuse the bomb, while Optimus takes his leave for other parts. Wheeljack scoffs that Optimus apparently bailed, but Bulkhead knows better. Meanwhile, Dreadwing is contacted by an annoyed Megatron, and reports he's out to destroy Optimus Prime. Megatron warns him that Prime isn't that easy to beat, exasperatedly groaning over how many times he's tried to tell his troops this. Seeing that Dreadwing is determined to see this through, Megatron relents and allows him to continue his plan, but muses to Soundwave that he'll be quite surprised if they see Dreadwing alive after all this.
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16	Dreadwing notices that Optimus is out of sight, and just then Optimus tries to appeal to Dreadwing's honor, but to no avail. The two begin to duke it out in the shipping yard. Bulkhead ends Wheeljack's attempts to defuse the bomb, realizing only Dreadwing can, and is able to tear free from his confinement and make a run for the water. Wheeljack stops him, having accepted that only Dreadwing can defuse the bomb as well. Dreadwing is soon pinned down by a shipping crane by Optimus, and the Autobots try to get him to help. Dreadwing claims he's happy to die and join his twin, but Optimus smells the load of crap and the Seeker relents and defuses the bomb, to Bulkhead's relief. Nonetheless, Dreadwing escapes as bombs go off all over the shipping yard.
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18	On the ''Nemesis'', Megatron is amused at Dreadwing's failure to kill Optimus, but is pleased that he still survived and has learned his lesson, as the Seeker pledges total loyalty to him. Back at the Autobot base, Wheeljack and Optimus make amends, and though he's convinced to stay, the Wrecker refuses a permanent spot on the team, opting instead to explore Earth on his own in a new vehicle mode.
19	----
20	!!Tropes:
21	* AdmiringTheAbomination: Dreadwing's bomb is full of fail-safes, dummy leads, and boobytraps.
22	-->'''Wheeljack:''' It's a work of art.
23	* BatmanGambit: Optimus knows the only one who can defuse the bomb is Dreadwing. Optimus plays cat and mouse with him in order to trap him so that he'll have to defuse the bomb or die. When Dreadwing says he'd gladly die to avenge Skyquake, Optimus and Wheeljack point out they'll all die together and be forever linked in the afterlife.
24	* BrickJoke: "So, who do we call for clean-up?"
25	* TheBusCameBack: Wheeljack is back after a year of absence.
26	* ContainerMaze: The climax of the episode takes place in one.
27	* CoolCar: Wheeljack's new alt-form.
28	* CrazyPrepared: Dreadwing planted a number of bombs on the platform in the event his plan failed and he needed a distraction to escape from the Autobots.
29	* CruelToBeKind: Wheeljack tries to disarm the bomb attached to Bulkhead, but he's getting nowhere. Ultimately, Bulkhead punches him out so that he run off and put some distance between him and the explosion.
30	* DirtyCoward: Subverted. Optimus disappears while Wheeljack tries to disarm the bomb. Wheeljack initially thinks Optimus fled due to the pressure, only to later realize the Prime had a plan.
31	* DivideAndConquer: Megatron explains that this is why he runs such a tight ship.
32	-->"Conflicting agendas will only result in chaos and failure."
33	* EurekaMoment: Wheeljack picks up on the BatmanGambit when he notices the blaster fire is getting closer to his and Bulkhead's location.
34	* FaceDeathWithDignity: Dreadwing is unmoved by the prospect of being destroyed by his own bomb, saying he will gladly die to avenge Skyquake. Optimus retorts he and Wheeljack will gladly die with (an admittedly reluctant) Bulkhead. Seeing Optimus and Wheeljack aren't bluffing causes Dreadwing to relent, as he can't stand the prospect of being forever linked with these three in the afterlife.
35	* AFatherToHisMen: Once again, Optimus shows he cares for his team when he reprimands Wheeljack for endangering Bulkhead.
36	* {{Flashback}}: Soundwave plays back Skyquake's final moments, as well as how Starscream was in command at the time.
37	* FriendToAllLivingThings: Before the bomb goes off, Bulkhead tries to jump in the water. He gives any nearby fish a PreemptiveApology, though Wheeljack ultimately stops him from reaching the water.
38	* GenreBlindness: Lampshaded when Dreadwing says he wants to kill the show's BigGood to earn the BigBad's respect.
39	-->'''Megatron:''' Optimus is not so easily disposed of, as I keep trying to explain to all those who foolishly attempt it.
40	* HellYesMoment: "Jackie's back!"
41	* {{Hero Insurance}}
42	--> '''Wheeljack:''' So... who do we call for cleanup?
43	* HeroicSacrifice: Bulkhead attempts this when he thinks nothing can be done about the bomb strapped to him. Luckily, Wheeljack stops him from going through with it.
44	* HopeSpot: Wheeljack points out that he met with Seaspray in space, an Autobot and fellow Wrecker like him and Bulkhead. Bulk expected an addition to the Autobot ranks... only to learn Decepticon Dreadwing killed Seaspray on his way to join Megatron's army on Earth.
45	* ItsPersonal: Dreadwing arrives on Earth to avenge his twin brother [[KilledOffForReal Skyquake.]]
46	** And Wheeljack pursues him to avenge his fellow Wrecker Seaspray.
47	* NoodleIncident:
48	** Besides recounting what became of Seaspray, Wheeljack name-drops several other Wreckers who died at one time or another over the years: Roadbuster, Pyro, Impactor, and Rotorstorm.
49	** When Bulkhead tells him to just bail before the bomb explodes, Wheeljack says he didn't abandon him during a mission on Sandokan and won't do so now.
50	* OhCrap: Wheeljack when he sees Dreadwing planned ahead and had a bomb placed under the cliff that Bulkhead is now standing on.
51	* OhNoNotAgain: Fowler over a Decepticon once again scanning something he's piloting for a vehicle mode.
52	* PetTheDog: Megatron allows Dreadwing to carry out his plan out of respect for Skyquake, though he privately doubts Dreadwing will prevail or even survive.
53	* PutOnABus: Wheeljack stays on Earth, but he's not ready to fall in line just yet, so he departs to explore the planet.
54	* RevengeBeforeReason: Dreadwing expresses his loyalty to the Decepticon cause, but insists that he came to Earth to avenge his brother Skyquake. After being outwitted and defeated by the Autobots, however, Dreadwing decides to put his loyalty to Megatron front and center.
55	* RunningGag: Once again, a Decepticon gains a vehicle mode by scanning something piloted by Fowler.
56	-->'''Fowler:''' Not this again!
57	* TitleDrop: Well, almost.
58	-->'''Fowler:''' You, loose cannon!
59	* TrapIsTheOnlyOption: Knowing Wheeljack is somewhere listening, Dreadwing goads him to go to a specific set of coordinates. Bulkhead says this is obviously a trap, to which Wheeljack retorts that's never stopped him before and won't now.
60	* UndyingLoyalty: Megatron considers Dreadwing's level of loyalty quite rare.
61	* VillainOfAnotherStory: Dreadwing's exploits as leader of a Seeker armada were notable enough for Optimus to be aware of him.
62	* WhatTheHellHero: Fowler reads Wheeljack the riot act for his recklessness, as well as tells Optimus to keep a tighter leash on his team.
63	* WireDilemma: The bomb attached to Bulkhead has to be disarmed this way, just like movie bombs.
64	* XanatosGambit: After learning Dreadwing chose to pursue the Autobots despite being told not to, Megatron lets him carry on, but only because it is in his favor; Either Optimus dies, Dreadwing dies as an example for insubordination, or Dreadwing retreats, defeated and humbled.

Context Recap / TransformersPrimeS2E6LooseCannons