Soundwave speaks and Ratchet’s melancholy!! Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Ep. 10 & 11 Recap!!

Following the destruction of Shockwave’s laboratory where he was cloning more Predacons, Shockwave discovers something unique about the Synthetic Energon. Reacting with Cybertronian metal, it can create new metal which can be used for contruction—to rebuild the Omega Lock. This is Megatron’s intentions. With the Omega Lock reconstructed, he can finish what he started at the end of the second season. He can restore Cybertron and cyberform Earth. While gathering materials for the project, Soundwave is captured by the Autobots and taken to their base where he is interrogated. Before the Autobots can gather any information, Soundwave erases his data and shuts himself down. Meanwhile, Fowler arrives with information of Decepticon activity in the Arctic. Bulkhead and Smokescreen are left behind with Ratchet while Optimus Prime and the other head out to stop the Decepticons. Unknown to them, Laserbeak has followed Fowler to their base. He bursts in and reactivates Soundwave. Soundwave easily dispatches Bulkhead and Smokescreen, and then he captures Ratchet.

Ratchet awakens to find himself on the Nemesis. Megatron negotiates with him about helping with finishing the formula for Synthetic Energon. Ratchet refuses, having already deduced that the Decepticon leader intends to rebuild the Omega Lock to repair Cybertron and cyberform Earth. This prompts Megatron to try different tactic. He guides Ratchet through the ship. The scientist in Ratchet can’t be help but be impressed with the technology the Decepticons have developed. Meanwhile, the Autobots battle with the Decepticons at the research facility in the Arctic. Optimus tangles with Predaking while the rest of his team handles the ‘Cons inside and Shockwave. Despite his valiant efforts, Optimus is beaten by Predaking. The Predacon transforms and enters the facility to assist Shockwave and recover the device they needed. On the Nemesis, Megatron appeals to Ratchet’s affection for their home planet in an attempt to convince him to continue his research. As a final bargaining chip—and to Ratchet’s amazement, Megatron reveals a restored Omega Lock. Ratchet accepts though Megatron already knew he would.

First and foremost, who was a happy as I was when Soundwave finally spoke? And he didn’t speak just any line but a classic line from the original animated movie. It was so awesome to hear that cold, Dr. Claw voice again from Frank Welker. It was only a matter of time before Frank reprised the voice again. He has revived Soundwave for the last two live-action films so it was inevitable that he would do so in TF Prime. In the 1986 movie, the line was directed at the Constructicons when they wanted to take over leadership of the Decepticons after Megatron is severely injured in his battle with Optimus Prime. Here, that line—“Soundwave superior; Autobots inferior”—is directed at his captors and rightfully so. He erases his data right in front of them to prevent it from being accessed. Before that, Soundwave has a bit of fun with Optimus first by repeating Optimus’ question via a remix of his voice, and then showing a picture of a ‘smiley’ face.

Other G1 references are made in both episodes. In episode 11 “Persuasion”, Rafael rebuilds a piece of Laserbeak shot off by Smokescreen into a drone which he names Chip, who was Spike’s wheelchair bound friend in the original series. But the overall reference is Megatron’s plan to cyberform Earth. In the original series, he took over New York and began reconstructing it into a new ‘Cybertron’, making the Big Apple resemble their home world.

Ratchet has longed for the return to Cybertron more than any of his fellow Autobots. His dreams were crushed in the second season finale where he learns that Optimus Prime destroyed the Omega Lock to save Earth and he became visibly distraught. When discovers that Megatron intends to repair the Lock, he asks Prime if Megatron should be allowed to do so. Again, he hangs his head in disappointment when Optimus decides against allowing Megatron to repair the Omega Lock for fear that he will use its power to cyberform Earth. When captured by Megatron, Ratchet listens to the Decepticon leader speak passionately about Cybertron and how he wishes to restore it to its former glory. I couldn’t help but be taken aback to the two-part episode “Megatron’s Master Plan” in the original series. The way Megatron sweet talks to Ratchet reminds me of when he persuaded Shawn Burger to help him convince the people of Earth that the Decepticons were the good guys and the Autobots are evil. However, unlike Burger, Ratchet has better judgment and knows Megatron just as well as Optimus Prime does. Their conversation also reminds of the original animated movie where Unicron makes an offer to Megatron to assist him in destroying the Matrix. After much resistance, Megatron accepts Unicron’s terms. However, Megatron was forced into his position. Ratchet is not, but he knows Megatron will extinguish his spark once he has fulfilled his usefulness. His resistance fades away when he sees with his own optics a fully restored Omega Lock. Ratchet couldn’t help but agree to Megatron’s terms, if it means restoring the planet he cares for so much. I cannot wait to see what exactly happens, whether Ratchet will actually complete the formula or formulate a plan of escape.

Soundwave shows his humorous side.

Here the original line from the 1986 movie

In case y’all forgot who Chip Chase was.