One Shall Rise, Part 3
From Transformers Wiki
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 Why can't we be friends? Why can't we be friends? | ||||||
| "One Shall Rise, Part 3" | ||||||
| Season | 1 | |||||
| No. in season | 26 | |||||
| Production company | Hasbro Studios | |||||
| Airdate | October 4, 2011 (Singapore) October 15, 2011 (USA) | |||||
| Written by | Steven Melching | |||||
| Directed by | Vinton Heuck | |||||
| Animation studio | Polygon Pictures | |||||
 Watch this episode on YouTube
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Jack learns more about Optimus Prime's history on Cybertron while the Autobots continue their battle at the Earth's core.
Contents |
Synopsis
As he leads the Autobots further toward Earth's core, Megatron is again seized by a vision of the planet exploding. He notes how Unicron's strength grows ever greater and continues on. Arcee and Optimus Prime both voice their mistrust of the Decepticon leader, though they have no choice but to follow him. Unbeknownst to them, several strange, mechanical creatures observe the intruders into their dark domain.
Back at base, Ratchet and the humans watch a report that outlines how the planet's chaotic weather continues to spiral out of control. Despite June's efforts to lighten the mood, Fowler insists that something must be done—even if it means contacting his associates at the Pentagon. Fowler makes known his uneasiness about teaming up with Megatron, but Ratchet surprises the humans by explaining how such a situation has happened before. Ratchet relates how Optimus Prime and Megatron were once close friends, in the twilight hours of Cybertron's Golden Age.
Once, I thought the chance to make you laugh
Was all I ever wanted...
And even now,
I wish that God had chose another.
Serving as your foe on His behalf
Is the last thing that I wanted...!
The great Autobot leader was once named Orion Pax, a simple clerk in the Iacon Hall of Records. Learning of Cybertron's past, Orion grew concerned about the corruption affecting high places and the state of inequity in society. He became inspired by the revolutionary words of Megatronus, a gladiator who took his name from one of the thirteen original Primes. Megatronus gained a loyal following through his radical and innovative actions, Soundwave chief among their number. Over time, Megatronus became a mentor figure to Orion Pax and chose to shorten his name as he left the gladiatorial arena for the political one. Megatron appeared before the High Council, now showing his true colors and voicing his ideas for shaping a new Cybertron by violent means, demanding to be named the next Prime. Orion protested against Megatron's warlike suggestions before the Council, moving their sparks and minds as he unknowingly revealed himself to be the one worthy of the title. Megatron severed his ties to Orion and the Council, taking his "Decepticon" followers to begin the war that consumed Cybertron and vowing to claim the legendary Matrix of Leadership for himself. Hoping to reverse the damage that had poisoned the planet, Orion journeyed to Cybertron's Core, where he found himself before the spark of Primus, the creator of all Cybertronians. Primus sensed the purity of Orion's own spark and bestowed upon him the legendary Matrix, transforming him into Optimus Prime.
In the present, Miko and Jack question Optimus's plan to give the Matrix to the Earth's core, asking what could possibly stop Megatron from attempting to claim it for himself now. Ratchet darkly replies that Megatron only intends to save the Earth so that he may conquer it at a later date.
As they near Unicron's spark, Bulkhead begins to feel the draining effects of the Dark Energon. Bumblebee and Arcee help him a short way across the catwalks, but Megatron soon comes to a halt ahead with the realization that Unicron is preparing to expel them. A huge number of Unicron's drones suddenly swarm into view, surrounding Megatron and the Autobots. They engage the drones in a fierce battle, blasting and slashing through their attackers. Arcee is knocked to a lower level, not long before the Dark Energon clouds Bulkhead's vision. He stumbles from the catwalk but manages to grab hold of the edge, and is seized by Bumblebee before he can tumble to his death. Optimus and Megatron fight back-to-back, managing to hold their own against the drones in a spectacular display of effective—if uneasy—teamwork. Bumblebee struggles to hold onto Bulkhead, who insists that the scout lets him go. Optimus seizes Bulkhead just as Bumblebee loses his grip, and hauls him up to safety. As the group quickly becomes overwhelmed, Arcee hitches a ride on one of the drones to catch up with the others and beat a swift retreat with them.
Aboard the Nemesis, Airachnid outlines the questionable nature of their leader's recent behavior. Knock Out asks whether she is suggesting that they abandon Lord Megatron. Airachnid explains how Megatron's undetectable signal implies that he is either offline or at the mercy of Unicron—neither scenario being in the best interests of the Decepticons. She suggests an exodus from Earth and receives no protests from the surrounding Vehicons. However, her order to retreat to Regulon Four is denied by Soundwave, who silently challenges her authority. When he refuses her demand to step aside, she leaps to attack him. Soundwave easily blocks every one of her blows, before lifting her clean into the air. He hurls her back, deploying Laserbeak to stun Airachnid in a sudden sneak attack. Pinned under Soundwave's foot, much to Knock Out's amusement, Airachnid relinquishes command to the intelligence officer.
Back in the Autobot base, Ratchet notes he has lost the others' communication links and life signals, most likely caused by interference from the electromagnetic anomalies. Miko asks how they are supposed to know when the others are ready for pickup if contact is impossible, but Ratchet is prevented from responding by the sound of Jack tapping the GroundBridge key against a railing. Ratchet reveals that the object is actually the Key to Vector Sigma—one of Cybertron's most precious relics. Ratchet then realizes that Optimus entrusted the key to Jack because he did not plan on returning from the planet's core.
Megatron is gripped by yet another painful vision of Unicron whilst he and the Autobots are backed into an enclosed chamber by the attacking drones. Unicron orders him to destroy Optimus. Instead, Megatron saves the Autobot leader by blasting an oncoming drone. He then indicates a closed doorway nearby, stating that Unicron's spark lies just beyond. He explains that to pass through, they must fool Unicron into believing that they pose no danger, and moves his Dark Energon-infused chest up to the door. It opens in response, and Optimus orders the others to remain outside and provide cover fire while he and Megatron advance.
The passageway beyond leads directly into Unicron's spark chamber, where Optimus prepares to expose the Matrix within his chest. Unicron's spark reacts, striking both invaders with its energy. Unicron again orders Megatron to kill Optimus, forcing him to unsheathe his blade and approach the weakened Prime. Megatron struggles against him, declaring himself to be under the command of no-one. His resistance provokes only an onslaught of pain and a furious reaction from the Chaos Bringer.
The volcano outside erupts violently, and the ground enclosing the Autobot base begins to quake. Ratchet tells the humans to take cover, and he moves to shield them from falling debris.
Unicron's spark adopts the appearance of a face as Megatron is seemingly freed from his control. Optimus calls upon the power of the Matrix of Leadership but hesitates as Unicron possesses Megatron's body in a veil of purple flame and declares his own invincibility. Optimus cuts short Unicron's desire to pull the Earth into chaos, and he rises to his feet as he becomes surrounded by a brilliant blue light. Optimus fires the power of the Matrix from his chest directly into Unicron's spark, the resulting wave of energy knocking Megatron back off his feet. His energy drained, Optimus falls to his knees, and Unicron's spark emits a final wail of pain before vanishing into oblivion.
The drones outside suddenly fall from the air, lifeless. The volcano, along with all of the Earth's other natural phenomena, subside back to normality. Ratchet and the humans watch as the monitors flicker online, rejoicing as their team's life signals are all safely re-established. Aboard the Nemesis, however, Soundwave also detects the signature of the Decepticon leader.
Megatron rights himself in Unicron's now-empty spark chamber, inspecting Optimus's steaming body for a moment before unsheathing his blade. Optimus gazes blearily up at the approaching Decepticon, then addresses him as "Megatronus" and asks where they are. Surprised, Megatron retracts his weapon and helps the Autobot to his feet. Bumblebee, Bulkhead and Arcee soon burst through the wall to assist, but Optimus does not recognise them. A GroundBridge suddenly opens nearby; Megatron claims that the Autobots are their sworn enemies and provides cover fire as Optimus heads for the vortex. Optimus blankly meets Bumblebee's devastated gaze for a split second before disappearing through the Bridge. Megatron follows, leaving the shocked Autobots alone in the empty chamber.
Ratchet GroundBridges the team back to base, but is anxious to see that Optimus is not with them. They explain that Optimus is still alive, but did not even know his own name. Ratchet realizes that surrendering the Matrix of Leadership caused their leader to lose not only the wisdom of the Primes but his own memories as well.
Knock Out and the other Decepticons, minus Airachnid, welcome Megatron back aboard the Nemesis. Megatron steps aside to allow Optimus through, and Breakdown automatically moves to attack. Megatron halts him, insisting that this is no way to treat a "long-lost comrade", and declares that Orion Pax is one of them.
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
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Quotes
Raf: Megatron was an Autobot?
Miko: Optimus was a 'Con?!
Ratchet: No, on either count.
- —The kids get confused while Ratchet gets ready to tell a tale.
"You have something to say, Soundwave?"
- —Airachnid asking a rather ironic question to the silent bot.
"Watch out for the quiet ones…"
- —Knock Out after witnessing Soundwave "veto" Airachnid's motion to leave Earth.
"Megatron! Destroy the Prime! I command you!"
"Megatron is commanded by NO ONE!"
- —Unicron and Megatron. Déjà vu.
"You cannot defeat me, disciple of Primus! I have transcended physical being! By my will alone, all upon this world shall fall into chaos!"
"Not while I still function, Unicron! The power of the Matrix shall light our darkest hour!"
"NOOOOO!"
- —Unicron (possessing Megatron's body) is too late to stop Optimus Prime from using the Matrix on him.
"Where are we, Megatronus?"
"Don't you remember, old friend?"
- —Optimus Prime and Megatron with an unexpected twist.
Notes
Continuity notes
- The entire backstory given by Ratchet is an adaptation of the first half of Transformers: Exodus. Plot elements were changed, such as Orion Pax becoming Optimus when he found the Matrix of Leadership, as opposed to when he was assigned the position by the Cybertron High Council. Notably, although the Dark Energon infection of Cybertron's core as seen in Exodus and War for Cybertron is made clear to have happened, the episode only refers to it as "poison", probably to avoid highlighting the incongruity this creates with the characters' lack of familiarity with the substance back at the start of the series.
- Ratchet's statement that Megatron started the war after not being made Prime contradicts the history given in "Darkness Rising, Part 1", where Megatron is said to have split from Optimus during the war. Optimus could have believed that the war began with the initial movement of Megatronus, or Ratchet could be bringing continuity closer to Exodus.
- A point is also made that Megatron "arrogantly demanded to be named Prime." However, in the context of the novel, Megatron viewed Orion being named Prime as a betrayal of his trust.
- Optimus's blade is still broken after the episode "One Shall Fall".
- The tail end of Unicron's final speech (while controlling Megatron's body) echoes Megatron's own words at the end of War for Cybertron Chapter 1: "By my will alone shall Cybertron be restored!"
Transformers references
- Optimus Prime was originally known as Orion Pax, much like his namesake in the episode "War Dawn",
- The Key to Vector Sigma first appeared in The Transformers episode "The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1" and later featured prominently in the first season of Beast Machines.
- Optimus calls upon the Matrix to "light our darkest hour".
- For once, Optimus is the one who gets to say he "still functions", rather than Megatron.
- Airachnid wishes to "set course for Regulon Four".
- Unicron's mind-control on Megatron to destroy Optimus Prime is similar to how Unicron kept torturing Galvatron into destroying Hot Rod in The Transformers: The Movie.
- When Unicron finally succeeds in possessing Megatron, the latter's body is enveloped in a purple, flame-like aura. This hearkens back to another of Unicron's servants, as well as the power-up sequence of a different Megatron.
Animation and technical errors
- The close up of Optimus firing at Unicron's antibodies shows his upper arms clipping through his chest.
Continuity errors
- All of the natural disasters around the world abruptly stop when Unicron is beaten. While it might make sense for the earthquakes to stop, tidal waves wouldn't just suddenly fall apart. Forward momentum doesn't just vanish. Similar problems occur with the tornadoes dissipating and the sky clearing.
- At the Earth's core, the Autobots should experience very little gravity, as the total mass of Earth would be reasonably equally distributed around them and therefore the pull of gravity would be cancelled out. It's possible that they "gravitised" themselves to Unicron as they did to the Spacebridge in Darkness Rising, Part 5, but the episode gives no indication that that's the case.
- Despite entering the tunnel to Unicron's spark chamber only a few seconds before Optimus, Megatron still manages a very hefty lead. By the time Optimus navigates the tunnel that leads into the spark chamber, Megatron is already inside, standing in front of Unicron's spark.
- After defeating Unicron, both Megatron and Optimus are knocked unconscious: Megatron on his back and Optimus on the ground facing away from the other. However, when we see them wake up later, Megatron is on his stomach and Optimus is facing him now.
- Bulkhead is the only Autobot visibly affected by the Dark Energon; previously, Arcee felt dizzy from even a tiny amount on her arm. It could be that she, Bumblebee, and Optimus have built up a level of resistance to the stuff due to their prior exposure, as Bulkhead is the only member of the quartet has hasn't fought zombie-cons or or made direct contact with Dark Energon.
Trivia
- This episode aired in Singapore on October 4, 2011, again preceding its American showing.
- Jack is clearly taking very good care of that Key Optimus gave him... by idly tapping it against a railing.
- This is the first time we've seen Soundwave "get his hands dirty". With how easily he trounces Airachnid, that's probably a good thing for the Autobots.
- According to the flashbacks, Megatron's optics are blue, his fingers, eyebrows, and shoulders less pointy, and his feet are also rather flat until he is rejected by the Council and storms out angrily, obtaining the sharp teeth and red eyes.
- Fowler hugs June. Make of that what you will.
- Once more, the Thirteen Original Primes make an appearance, this time as statue busts in the walls of the High Council's chamber.
- Unlike all other Autobots thus far in the cartoon, Optimus has a distinct Cybertronian robot form, with different kibble, in the flashbacks.
- The same goes for Soundwave - in the image of him standing by Megatronus at the beginning of the latter's movement, he has bulkier limbs and a more simplified torso than his modern form.
- A behind-scenes Internet video released by The Hub featured the voice actors recording the "Megatron was an Autobot? Optimus was a 'Con?" exchange, leading many (surprised) fans to believe this was indeed the case.
Foreign localization
Brazilian
French
- Title: "Dans le cœur d'Unicron" ("In Unicron's Core")
- Original airdate: ?
German
Hungarian
- Title: "Egyikünk állva marad, 3. rész" ("One of Us Remains Standing, Part 3")
- Original airdate: 13 February 2012
Indonesian
- Title: "Satu Harus Bertahan: Kejatuhan Kegelapan" ("One Shall Stand: The Fall of Darkness")
- Original airdate: 4 October 2012
Italian
- Title: "Il risveglio - Terza parte" ("The Awakening - Part Three"), "Uno di loro ascenderà - Parte 3" ("One of them will ascend - Part 3", 2017 airing)
- Original airdate: 24 December 2011
Japanese
- Title: "Fūin Henkei! Orion Pax no Nazo" (封印変形!オライオンパックスの謎, "Sealed Transformation! The Mystery of Orion Pax")
- Original airdate: 29 September 2012
Korean
- Title: "Optimeosu ui Gwageo" (옵티머스의 과거, "Optimus's Past")
- Original airdate: 22 November 2011
Polish
Spanish (Spain)
Home video releases
- DVD
2012 — Transformers Prime — Season One (Shout! Factory)
2012 — Transformers Prime — Season One Collection (Madman Entertainment)
2012 — Transformers Prime — One Shall Stand (Shout! Factory)
2012 — Transformers Prime — Volume 5: One Shall Fall, One Shall Rise (Madman Entertainment)
2012 — Transformers Prime — Folge 6: Die Prophezeiung (EDEL:kids) — English and German audio.
2012 — Transformers Prime — Staffel 1 - Das Bündnis (EDEL:kids) — English and German audio.
2013 — Transformers Prime — Vol. 13 (Avex Trax) — Japanese audio only.
2013 — Transformers Prime — Vol. 5: One Shall Stand (Universal Pictures IT) — English, Italian, Dutch, French and Spanish audio.
2014 — Transformers Prime — Saison 1 Vol. 5: Un seul vaincra (Universal Pictures France) — English, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish audio.
2014 — Transformers Prime — Saison 1: L'intégrale (Universal Pictures France) — English, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish audio.
2014 — Transformers Prime — Season One: One Shall Stand (Universal Pictures UK)
2015 — Transformers Prime — Season One (Universal Pictures UK)
- Blu-ray
2012 — Transformers Prime — Season One (Shout! Factory)
2012 — Transformers Prime — Season One Collection (Madman Entertainment)
2012 — Transformers Prime — Staffel 1 - Das Bündnis (EDEL:kids) — English and German audio.
