Art Shift: During Ratchet's Flashback of how the war began. It looks quite nice.
Back Stab: Megatron takes this opportunity to finish off Optimus after defeating Unicron, but stops when he discovers the Autobot leader has forgotten who he is. Megatron decides to take advantage and convince Optimus (now Orion Pax) to leave with him. In a way, Megatron still pulled one over the Autobots.
Back-to-Back Badasses: Pulled off awesomely by Optimus and Megatron against Unicron's antibodies.
The Bad Guy Wins: Thanks to Optimus losing his memories from before he and Megatron severed ties, Megatron convinces them that they are (still) on the same side and bring him back to his ship.
Big "NO!": Unicron right before Optimus uses the Matrix.
Bittersweet Ending: Unicron is defeated and the Earth is safe, but Optimus loses his memories of being a Prime and leaves with his old "friend" Megatron(us).
Combat Pragmatist: Soundwave is clearly much stronger than Airachnid, but rather than simply battering her into submission he tosses her back and lets Laserbeak blast her before pinning her.
Continuity Snarl: Optimus loses his memories of being a Prime and subsequently leaves with Megatron, whose villany he has forgotton... except that in the Aligned continuity, as reestablished by Ratchet's story earlier in this episode, Orion Pax received the matrix and became a true Prime after travelling into the core of Cybertron, deep into the war and well after Megatron turned on him.
Curb-Stomp Battle: Airachnid attempts to take over as the new Decepticon Leader, but Soundwave defies her. They fight, but Airachnid is quickly overpowered and soon surrenders.
Evil vs. Evil: Airachnid vs. Soundwave and Laserbeak.
Flashback: Ratchet narrates one that shows the story of Orion Pax and Megatronus.
I'll Kill You!: Airachnid towards Soundwave as they battle over leadership of the Decepticons.
Airachnid: I'll tear out your spark for that!
I Will Only Slow You Down: As Bulkhead becomes so intoxicated and weakened from the dark Energon of Unicron's antibodies, he slips off the narrow bridge about to plummet to death. Bumblebee catches him in time, but Bulkhead is much too big for Bee to carry. Bulkhead asks Bee to just let him go, and when Bee loses his grip it's Optimus who fortunately is strong enough to pull Bulkhead back up.
Bulkhead: Bee! Let me go! I'll only take you down with me! (Bee persists on gripping him, but loses his grip on Bulkhead's hand until Optimus grabs him) Optimus: I got ya!
In the Back: Soundwave uses Laserbeak to pull this on Airachnid.
Laser-Guided Amnesia: When Optimus gives up the Matrix of Leadership to defeat Unicron, he loses all his memories and reverts mentally back to the time when he was Orion Pax and was friends with Megatron(us).
Mood Whiplash: The human cast watch the breaking news broadcasts on TV reporting the numerous freak weather storms occurring all over the world, until the feed cuts and goes to an off-the-air screen. June lamely tries to break the mood.
June:(turns to Jack, Miko, and Raf) So! Who wants to play a game?
Mr. Exposition: Ratchet reveals to the humans how Optimus Prime and Megatron were once allies (formerly and respectively Orion Pax and Megatronus), what caused the rift between them, what led to the rise of the Decepticons and the Cybertronian War, and how Optimus became the last Prime.
Mythology Gag: Unicron's possession of Megatron gives the Decepticon leader a flame-like aura similar to the Fallen. (Fittingly, the Fallen was Megatronus Prime.)
Neck Lift: Soundwave pulls this on Airachnid while curb-stomping her. Notably, she actually tries to slash him with her spider-legs, but his arms are so long she can't reach anything.
Never Trust a Trailer: The lines “Megatron was an Autobot?” and “Optimus was a ‘con?” we’re shown without context in the trailers.
No Ontological Inertia: When Unicron was defeated, all the natural disasters he was causing on Earth simply disappeared. This includes a giant tidal wave stopping in mid-air and then vanishing.
Oh, Crap!: Both Autobots and Decepticons get this reaction when they realize that Optimus has lost his memories and "switched" sides.
Airachnid when she realizes that Laserbeak has detached from Soundwave.
Pragmatic Villainy: Megatron decides against killing Optimus after seeing he's lost his memories since "Orion" can be of use to him in the future.
Ship Tease: Between June and Agent Fowler, where the latter gave her giant hug after Unicron was defeated, only to let her go in embarrassment.
Unicron: You cannot defeat me, disciple of Primus! I have transcended physical being! By my will alone, all upon this world shall fall into chaos! Optimus: Not while I still function, Unicron! The power of the Matrix will light our Darkest Hour!
Undying Loyalty: Soundwave absolutely refuses to leave Megatron behind and shows Airachnid exactly what happens should she even think to abandon their leader.
We Used to Be Friends: Ratchet reveals that Optimus and Megatron used to share a common goal for Cybertronian equality, but their different ways to achieve it eventually made them the bitter rivals they are today.
Underestimating Badassery: Airachnid note and the other Decepticons present, going by Knock Out and Breakdown's reaction to the battle clearly wasn't expecting Soundwave to be as capable a fighter as he turns out to be. She pays the price for it.
Villain Has a Point: Airachnid brings up a compelling argument that it may not be in the Decepticons' best interest to continue invading Earth due to their numerous defeats and/or Megatron's obsession with Unicron, and tries to convince the army to leave the planet. She would have gotten away with it too, if not for Soundwave getting in the way.
You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: Optimus fries Unicron with the energy blast from the Matrix of Leadership. Megatron responds "Teamwork." and prepares to slash an unconscious Optimus. He gets second thoughts when it turns out Optimus no longer remembers being his enemy.note In the next episode, we see that Megatron chose to spare "Orion" because Orion used to be a database decoder and so his engineering skills will come in use for a project Megatron has in store for him.
