Masters & Students
From Transformers Wiki
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 "One shall stand, one—" "Yeah yeah, 'one shall fall'. We've all heard it a million times now, Prime." | ||||||
| "Masters & Students" | ||||||
| Season | 1 | |||||
| No. in season | 6 | |||||
| Production company | Hasbro Studios | |||||
| Airdate | February 11, 2011 | |||||
| Written by | David Slack | |||||
| Directed by | Todd Waterman | |||||
| Animation studio | Polygon Pictures | |||||
 Watch this episode on YouTube
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While Skyquake battles Optimus Prime, Starscream recovers the nearly dead Megatron.
Contents |
Synopsis
Starscream reviews the footage of Megatron's destruction and decides to make a rousing speech to the Vehicon troops. When one of the troops questions whether they have any chance of defeating the Autobots without Megatron, Starscream proclaims himself Emperor of Destruction, but is disappointed with the less-than-enthusiastic response from his men. Starscream recalls that there is a Decepticon on the planet who is worthy to follow him.
Optimus Prime is unhappy about how their recent conflict turned out, as he had still hoped to convince Megatron that peace was possible. His conversation with Ratchet is interrupted by an explosion, but it's just Raf's volcano—the kids are working on their science projects with the help of their guardian Autobots. Ratchet's annoyed about the whole matter, but Optimus thinks it's a good opportunity to learn more about Earth. Though Ratchet believes the kids should be learning about Cybertron instead.
Hanging out near a canyon in the desert, Soundwave detects one of the many warriors left on Earth aeons ago to protect the energon deposits. He and Starscream head over to find the lost Decepticon.
Raf and Bumblebee discuss 'Bee's lowly status in the Autobot army. Bumblebee aspires to become part of the warrior class, but Optimus says Bumblebee has much to learn before he can reach that rank. The base sensors detect the Decepticon activity in the desert, so Optimus decides to head out with Ratchet. Ratchet makes a quick excuse that he needs to help the kids with their projects, so Optimus takes Bumblebee instead.
Starscream and Soundwave haul the warrior out of the ground and use an energon cube to revive him, revealing him to be none other than Skyquake. Skyquake announces he still serves Megatron, and he doesn't take kindly to Starscream declaring himself leader. They're interrupted by Optimus, who's familiar with Skyquake from the Battle of Technahar. Optimus tries to talk peace, but Starscream will only agree to a truce if Optimus bows to him. Skyquake's patience has run out, and, knocking Starscream aside, he charges Optimus. Starscream retires to a nearby clifftop with Soundwave and muses that all Decepticons will follow him once Skyquake destroys Prime while under his command. Optimus and Skyquake trade fire, but Bumblebee decides to take the initiative and attacks Skyquake as well. Starscream orders Soundwave to record it all. Optimus observes that Skyquake hasn't yet taken on a vehicle mode, so the two Autobots transform and fall back.
Meanwhile Ratchet is "helping" Raf build a volcano, in that's he's pretty much building it himself, and he intends to help Miko and Jack with their projects also.
Having lost sight of the combatants, Soundwave picks up a Decepticon signal from the location of the space bridge explosion. When he realizes that Soundwave means it's Megatron, Starscream tries to dismiss it as a false signal, but realizes he has to investigate it to keep up appearances. He leaves Soundwave, who surreptitiously dispatches the Minicon from his chest to follow his master.
Agent Fowler investigates the communications coming from the area. He arrives on the scene just as Optimus and Bumblebee have managed to knock Skyquake down, and the Decepticon scans his hi-tech jet. Taking to the air, Skyquake strafes the Autobots below, only for Fowler to attack him in turn. Skyquake fires some heat-seeking missiles at the human, who manages to evade them.
"Wait, what about me?!"
"...bye!"
*Skyquake crashes*
Starscream arrives at the space bridge debris and is disappointed to find Megatron floating in space. The Decepticon leader is barely sustained by a sliver of Dark Energon, which Starscream rips from him. Starscream then spies Soundwave's drone and, realizing he's being watched, is forced to transport Megatron back to the sick bay on the Nemesis.
As the chase below continues, Bumblebee jumps onto Skyquake, who unsuccessfully tries to knock the Autobot off. Optimus asks for Fowler's help, as high above the desert, Bumblebee rips pieces out of Skyquake, sending the Decepticon into a crash dive. Fowler draws alongside so Bumblebee can jump aboard his jet before Skyquake crashes into the ground below. Optimus observes that had Skyquake chosen peace, they would not be burying him.
Back at base, repairs on Bumblebee are complete, and Prime commends him on his performance. The kids arrive back with the news that Ratchet's science projects did not go down well; the Autobot Medic had built Miko a model of Cybertron rather than the solar system, Jack a flying saw, and Raf a volcano that blew a hole right through the school roof. Ratchet is disappointed.
On board the Nemesis, the Decepticons have gotten Megatron into stasis, and Starscream sincerely hopes he gets better.
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans |
|---|---|---|
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Quotes
"If we failed to conquer Earth under Lord Megatron's command, what hope do we have now while the Autobots still defend it?"
"Ah, allow me to be crystal clear: I studied for millennia under our former master, thus I am equipped to lead you—I, Megatron's true heir, Lord Starscream, Emperor of Destruction!"
[Vehicons murmur]
- — The Vehicons find Starscream leaves a lot to be desired.
[Holding up an exhaust pipe] "Maybe it needs one of these doohickeys..."
"You're a motorcycle, Arcee. Shouldn't you know how to build a motorcycle engine?"
"You're a human, Jack. Can you build me a small intestine?"
- — Arcee and Jack attempt to build a motorcycle.
"Awaken, warrior! Rise and serve your new master!"
[wakes up and emerges from stasis] "Skyquake serves only one master!"
"Excellent! Your loyalty and devotion will set a fine example for the troops. No need to be timid, Skyquake. You may bow."
"You fail to grasp my meaning. I am here on a mission, assigned to me by my one master, Megatron."
"Yes, him. Sadly, Megatron is no longer with us."
"Impossible!"
"Why is this so difficult for everyone to accept?"
- —Starscream gives Skyquake a rude awakening.
"Well I'll be a bald eagle..."
- — Agent Fowler, ever the patriot.
"Air superiority achieved!"
- — Skyquake does an impression of Omega Supreme.
"And this time...STAY DEAD!"
- — Starscream pulls off his most hardcore takeover attempt ever!
"Had Skyquake chosen to stray from his master's path, we might not be burying him today."
- — Optimus Prime somberly laments Skyquake's demise.
Notes
Continuity notes
- Optimus claims Skyquake can't transform because he hasn't scanned a vehicle mode yet, yet Skyquake is decked out in Earth-vehicle parts. This falls under "not really an error simply because the same applies to every character in the bloody series", as will be seen in later episodes.
Transformers references
- Starscream styles himself "Emperor of Destruction", the title used in the Japanese continuities for the leader of the Decepticons.
- This is not the first time an incarnation of Megatron has survived a space bridge disaster.
- "If Megatron could not conquer Earth, what chance do we have?"
- The classic transformation sound is clearly heard numerous times in this episode, as opposed to the newer "swooshing" effect used in Prime.
Errors
- The copies of The Jasper Daily that Raf uses to make his paper mache volcano from are printed back-to-front, with the Sports section on the front and the masthead on the back. Since this happened again in "Deus ex Machina", maybe Jasper just really loves their sports?
- Fowler's jet has Skyquake's arms and legs attached as undercarriage. No wonder Skyquake wanted to scan it.
- When Skyquake slashes at Optimus after being knocked into a wall, it leaves a scratch mark visible on Optimus' chest. However, it's no longer there after Skyquake scans Fowler's jet, especially noticeable when Optimus transforms into his truck mode and the windshields seem intact.
- The image displayed on Soundwave's monitor is presumably meant to be the asteroid belt, as the wreckage is too large to be that of the space bridge. However, the asteroid belt lies between Mars and Jupiter, not between Earth and Mars.
- Soundwave is on the ground when Skyquake awakens, but is suddenly on top of the canyon behind them when Starscream retreats.
- Starscream finds Megatron in space because he hears Megatron gasping in pain. However, sound cannot travel in a vacuum. It could be excused as Megatron broadcasting via a radio transmission, but a short time later, Starscream is alerted to the presence of Soundwave's drone by the sound of it flying through space. Even more strange is that when Starscream talks in the explosion site, echoes can be heard. This is, however, a fairly common mistake, especially in children's television.
- In the first shot when a Vehicon gets Starscream's attention during the latter's speech about the loss of Megatron, Starscream's image on the screen is seen turning in the opposite direction, as if giving his back to a camera. In the next sequence, the image on the screen is seen as if the camera were now at the same angle of the viewer.
Trivia
- The name of this episode was spelled "Masters and Students" on the Hub's website.[1]
- This is the first episode in the series to use the full title sequence.
- Fowler's first name is mentioned onscreen for the first time. It had previously been revealed in the credits for "Darkness Rising, Part 3".
- Fowler flies a jet without wearing a jumpsuit, helmet, or oxygen mask. This was later explained in "Grill" as a modification Ratchet had made to Fowler's jet.
- The close-up on Agent Fowler before Bumblebee jumps off his jet is the same used in the sequence where he says "I still got it", only mirrored.
- Adaptations of this episode include a prose version in Optimus Under Threat.
Foreign localization
French
- Title: "Skyquake, le retour" ("Skyquake Returns")
- Original airdate: ?
German
- Title: "Meister und Schüler" ("Masters and Students")
- Original airdate: 28 October 2011
Hungarian
- Title: "Mesterek és tanítványok" ("Masters and Students")
- Original airdate: 16 January 2012
Indonesian
- Title: "Guru dan Murid" ("Masters and Students")
- Original airdate: 10 September 2012
Italian
Japanese
Korean
- Title: "Seuseung gwa Jeja" (스승과 제자, "Masters and Students")
- Original airdate: 13 September 2011
Polish
- Title: ?
- Original airdate: 12 December 2011
Portuguese
- Title: "Alunos e Mestres" ("Students and Masters")
- Original airdate: December 13 2011
Spanish
- Title: "Maestros y Estudiantes" ("Masters and Students")
- Original airdate: 26 November 2011
- This episode was unexpectedly first aired as part of a Transformers: Prime marathon instead of the usual time slot.
Home video releases
- DVD
2011 — Transformers Prime — Hub promotional DVD (Hasbro Studios)
2012 — Transformers Prime — Season One (Shout! Factory)
2012 — Transformers Prime — Folge 2: Meister und Schüler (EDEL:kids) — English and German audio.
2012 — Transformers Prime — Season One Collection (Madman Entertainment)
2012 — Transformers Prime — Volume 2: Unfamiliar Enemies (Madman Entertainment)
2012 — Transformers Prime — Vol. 3 (Avex Trax) — Japanese audio only.
2012 — Transformers Prime — Saison 1 Vol. 2: Terrain miné (Universal Pictures France) — English, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish audio.
2012 — Transformers Prime — Staffel 1 - Das Bündnis (EDEL:kids) — English and German audio.
2012 — Transformers Prime — Stagione 1 Vol. 2: Terre Pericolose (Universal Pictures IT) — English, Italian, Dutch, French and Spanish audio.
2013 — Transformers Prime — Season One: Dangerous Ground (Universal Pictures UK)
2014 — Transformers Prime — Ultimate Bumblebee (Shout! Factory)
2014 — Transformers Prime — Saison 1: L'intégrale (Universal Pictures France) — English, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish audio.
2015 — Transformers Prime — Season One (Universal Pictures UK)
A DVD of "Masters & Students" comes with the entertainment pack containing figures of Optimus Prime, Megatron, Jack, Raf, and Miko. This DVD is also included in the first-wave Prime Cyberverse Commander figures.
- 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.
