Transformers Prime: One Shall Fall - Review

[primus.allspark]

Transformers Prime: One Shall Fall - Review

This is it, the beginning of the end. The Covenant of Primus contains an
ancient Cybertronian prophecy, and with current events culminating as
they are, it would be difficult not to think that the prophecy may finally be
coming true. As the Earth begins to align with it’s fellow celestial spheres
both the Autobots and Decepticons are aware of the covenant’s cryptic
words, especially Megatron. It would appear that just as the Beast Era
Megatron drew deluded conclusions about his role in the Beast Wars, this
version seems to share the same line of thinking. Optimus Prime makes
it his mission to see that Megatron has no part in bringing about more
senseless destruction; but I’ve gotten ahead of myself.

I have been waiting for an episode so epic for months. From the very first
episode so many things have been hinted at, and we’ve seen so little that
actually made me think we’d see a story arch unfold that would deliver
on those subtle promises. Both Optimus Prime and Megatron have been
treated as background characters, Megatron more so at times. Yes we have
seen some of their history slightly mentioned and there are a few episodes
that really showcase Megatron’s natural ability for evil, but nothing on the scale
of what is seen in “One Shall Fall.”

It is revealed that the Decepticons are desperately attempting to finish building
a space bridge, after Fowler notifies the Autobots that they’ve been stealing extremely
high-tech equipment. For the casual Prime viewer this may be puzzling at most,
but not a real problem at the least. Cybertron is dead, why bridge back? For an
army of undead? Perhaps. To bring Unicron into Earth’s orbit? Hmm... now there
is a theory worth entertaining. As several Autobots rush in to put a stop to this
mischief, Bumblebee is away with Raf. Unfortunately this doesn’t mean they’re
out of harm’s way. Megatron happens to spot the two of them on his way
to the high-tech heist, and decides he has the perfect opportunity to take down
a stranded Autobot.

[SPOILERS AHEAD!!!]

Unknown to Megatron, Raf is riding the backseat, and when he opens fire on
Bumblebee, Raf becomes collateral damage. Bumblee ends up taking him to
Ratchet. Here we see Ratchet really shine as a medic. We see that he really cares
about the humans. Jack’s mom is called in, but there isn’t much she can do. It
looks as if Raf is going to die. Fortunately Ratchet’s brilliance amazes everyone
and a risky idea involving normal energon to battle dark energon (inside Raf’s
veins) actually works, saving his life.

[ END OF SPOLIERS]

During the attack on the military base, one of the team is damaged and is
escorted back to Autobot HQ, while Bulkead and Optimus stay behind to get
back what was stolen from the military base.

[ POSSIBLE SPOILERS?]

This is where things got a little weird for me. Optimus Prime, who believes
that life is precious and that freedom a right to be honored for all, suddenly
decides that Megatron must be terminated. I understand his reasoning, but
I don’t see it as part of his true character. How long did it take G1 Prime to
finally kill Megatron? Ok, so he kind of botched the job, but you know what I
mean. It is not Prime’s preferred outcome. He’s not a killer. How did you guys
feel about it?

[END OF SPOILERS]

So where else can this lead? Optimus and Megatron engage in an epic battle.
This is no light battle scene, in fact my girlfriend, who’s only experience with
Transformers is what she’s seen in the films, found it awesome enough to
comment “Optimus Prime is a bad-ass,” and that is truly saying something.

Unfortunately the battle’s outcome is unknown. We shall see what happens
in part 2.

Overall Impressions to follow...

[SPOILER ALERT!!!]

I can describe the episode in a single word; awesome. No, it isn’t perfect.
It’s still nowhere near Beast Wars, and perhaps it never will be, but this is as
close to a good series as we may get (depending on what they do with season
2), so I’m very happy with the choices they have made. Optimus Prime was
a bit out of character in this story, and I don’t care for that. It’s understandable.
He did feel like it was the only option, but did he really try much else?

I have some questions. We still haven’t seen Unicron, except in visions. Is there
any possibility we’ll see him at all before season 2? If so, will he be the epic
planet-eater I so want him to be?

Oh! And what the hell is Unicron’s blood doing in a volcano on Earth?