My Review of Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters episode 1 Darkmount NV · 4:48pm May 5th
Grading Scale:
A (fantastic episode)
A- (an excellent episode with at least one flaw)
B+ (a great episode with a couple of flaws)
B (a good episode which still could have been better)
B- (a good episode with numerous flaws but still rewatchable)
C+ (a decent episode)
C (eh... it’s not terrible but not good either)
C- (it’s not worth rewatching although it does have good elements)
D+ (a bad episode with a few good things in it)
D (a really bad episode with wasted potential)
D- (a terrible episode with badly written characters and butchered moral)
F (horrible and unwatchable)
Greetings, folks! This is Mr. J back with my first Transformers Prime episode review for today! Sorry, we’re not doing a MLP episode review because I’d like to get into some transformers content—especially the content that I’ve barely covered in my initial review of the series…that being TF Prime: Beast Hunters. So for today, I’m gonna review the first episode of the third season entitled: “Darkmount NV”.
Now, this episode was a good way to showcase how serious things have turned out, and that Megatron was no longer playing around. To give some context, this is after Optimus Prime had all his team ground bridge out of the base before he made sure the Decepticons wouldn’t find them with his own ground bridge panel.
After they annihilated the base, the ‘Cons looked for any signs of Autobot corpses but with no success. They only found Wheeljack barely conscious as he was personally wounded by Starscream’s earlier assault. So Megatron decided to take him in for interrogation.
Um, I’m not sure why he didn’t order his execution right away because at that moment, he firmly believed all the other Autobots are dead, so there was no need to keep him alive for any reason. He was only needed for interrogation after they discovered the Autobots actually escaped before their base was destroyed.
So…that was an awkward sequence of events. Wouldn’t it make sense if they discovered Wheeljack after they realized the Autobots escaped via the ground bridge? In that way, the pacing would flow more clearly and logically.
Moving on, the part where Megatron activated one of the fusion cannons to obliterate the incoming military reinforcements was terrifying to watch. Within seconds, those guys were wiped out, and you can almost hear their faint cries of terror before they’re silenced forever. That was honestly both awesome and horrifying at the same time.
This is how Megatron holds the whole world hostage; neither the government nor the U.S military could do anything to stop him and his Decepticons at that point. So he uses this opportunity to exploit their weaknesses for his advantage. Then he proceeds to utilize his art of deception and propose peace to Agent Fowler…
Claiming that war has brought out the worst of him, he suggests that he coexists with humanity peacefully without causing any more harm since the Autobots are now gone. I’m sorry, but I don’t see why Megatron would even bother with his attempts to deceive humans.
His words would have made a lot of impact if Fowler or any other human actually believed him. But because Fowler is too smart to even trust Megatron, he makes no attempt to make peace with him. What was even the point of writing this into the script? YOU HAVE TAKEN THE WHOLE NATION HOSTAGE, AND YOU THINK YOU CAN BEGUILE THEM?!
I personally would have improved this scene by having Megs point out how powerless humanity is, and propose a choice to Agent Fowler: they can either surrender to the permanent rule of the Decepticons or face their wrath. That’s what Megatron would have and should have done. None of that whole “I’m only here to offer peace!” bullshit.
Now here are some of the dumbest scenes of the whole episode: a vehicon was scanning vehicles for any sign of Autobot life. He saw Bumblebee and scanned him, but because he was sporting a different color scheme, he came out negative. How???
There is absolutely no way that could’ve worked. 1). It’s the exact same car model, and 2). the Autobot energy signature should’ve been picked up. How was that even possible for ‘Bee to escape detection from the ‘Cons?!
Another dumb scene was Arcee leaving Jack completely alone while she had to check to see if that helicopter was a Decepticon or not in a far distance. Girl, you are an advanced alien robot; you should have been able to scan the chopper with your optics and be done with it in 5 seconds or less.
And did Jack seriously think a simply text message wouldn’t alert the ‘Cons of his online activity? Forgive me if I sound nitpicky , but I just hate it when characters act stupid for the sake of the plot. It’s weird that Arcee didn’t scold or remind Jack that any electronic activity is being tracked by the enemy, and he should not have done that.
But hey, at least his mom now knows that her son is alive and well with Arcee.
So despite my issues with this episode, I consider this to be quite a good start to this season. It’s dark, it’s cool, and it doesn’t play around. Our heroes are now in hiding, and they must find a way to get back on their feet before the ‘Cons destroy everyone they love.
I also love how Megatron and Starscream work together in a synchronized fashion now. Starscream is now firmly loyal to Megatron, and the latter accepts the former’s newfound desire to execute his commands with utmost precision. Although I do find it hilarious how Screamer tries a little too hard to remain on Megatron’s good side.
Answer your lord and master! WHERE ARE THIER BODIES?!
The way Megatron looked at him was kinda funny too. We get it, ‘Scream, you’re a changed ‘Con now.
Overall, this episode deserves a B. Despite its flaws, it does a great job showcasing the seriousness of its storyline and the helplessness of our heroes. And things get even worse by the time Shockwave is reintroduced.
Peace out.
Seeing this review just now, I believe you’ve just inspired me with something:
In the future, when I officially come around to rewatching Transformers Prime for the purpose of reviewing it, I’ll be analyzing the show by episode. In this case, work my way from the series premiere to the finale.