Prime Target



The big-game hunter Lord Chumley begins hunting Autobots, and he's gunning for Optimus Prime.


 * Japanese title: "The Target is Convoy"

Detailed synopsis
Over the Arctic, Oktober Guard One is flying an experimental jet, when it is suddenly speared by a submarine under the ice. She ejects, but the plane is captured. It turns out that the plane was stolen by Lord Chumley, a game hunter, who tells his manservant Dinsmoore that he needs one more thing to complete his collection...the head of Optimus Prime. Heading into town, Tracks and Bumblebee spot Blitzwing and Astrotrain and head after them. However, it is actually a trap set by Chumley. Back at the Autobot base, the Autobots are watching a soap opera which is interrupted by a news broadcast about the theft of the plane. Apparently, the Soviet Union is accusing the United States of America of the theft, which the U.S. denies, and the two countries are ready to go to war. Having not heard back from Bumblebee and Tracks, Prime orders to Autobots to search for their friends. However, Chumley has devised several traps for the Autobots and manages to capture Jazz, Beachcomber, Grapple, Blaster, and Inferno, the latter of whom sends a message to Prime about the capture. Not wanting to risk the others, Prime orders the Autobots to return to base. While they regroup, Cosmos sends a message to Prime, saying that he's found the missing bots, who are being held in (poorly designed) traps intended to prevent them from escaping. Chumley himself contacts Prime and requests his presence. Pissed at seeing his friends tortured, Prime overloads Chumley's screen and orders the Autobots to remain at the base.

However, Megatron has been keeping an eye on the events and feels that Chumley, though a flesh creature, may be useful...especially since he's done more in two days than Megatron has done in two years, which Starscream takes the time to point out. Unaware that Chumley is only after Prime, Megatron sends Blitzwing and Astrotrain (surprise, surprise) to make a deal between Chumley and the Decepticons.

Arriving at Chumley's castle, Prime finds himself in a "well researched" mock-up of Cybertron. He unleashes a monster on Prime, but Prime is able to defeat it. Heading down a corridor, Prime finds a young woman imprisoned, but leaves. Astrotrain investigates, and gets trapped in a goo-net intended for Prime. Finally, Chumley sends out a mechanical scorpion (no, not that one), but Prime is shot in the back by Astrotrain and apparently killed. Furious that his prize has been ruined, Chumley takes the Decepticons prisoner. Knowing that Prime is alive, Bumblebee sends their coordinates to the Autobot leader, who enters the castle. A mechanical spider is dispatched, but Prime destroys it and heads into Chumley's control room. Dinsmoore hides in a tank while Chumley frees the Decepticons on the promise that they'll fight the Autobots. The Cons leave him to the mercy of Prime.

The Autobots return the plane to the Soviet Union, with Chumley strapped to the nose. The world thanks Optimus Prime for his efforts in solving the mystery.

Stats

 * Stats

Notable quotes
News Announcer: "We interrupt 'As the Kitchen Sinks' for this special news bulletin." Jazz, Blaster, Beachcomber and Grapple in unison: "Awwwwwwwww..."
 * -- The Autobots do not like to miss their soaps.

"Amazing, a booby trap that actually captures boobies."
 * -- Optimus Prime says "boobies". Hehehehehehehehehehe.

""Bah! Impenetrable! Blitzwing how do you get into these messes?"


 * -- Astrotrain in disgust and disbelief that Blitzwing is in another mess.

""Never trust decepticons flesh creature!"


 * -- Blitzwing explaining to Chumly when you can trust the decepticons.

Animation and/or technical glitches

 * Sideswipe is standing along side with Megatron and Starscream. And we all thought Sunstreaker was the one who would end up defecting.

Continuity errors

 * Errors

Transformers references

 * Though a complete co-incidence, Grapple can be heard yelling, "HEY! Who designed this rattrap?!"

Real-world references

 * Dinsmoor was apparently alive for the Second Boer War. At least, we're assuming it's the second one, since the first one happened in the 1880s. Which means that if he was alive and could remember that one, he must be some sort of super human.

Miscellaneous trivia

 * Several of the Autobots are revealed to be fans of an Earth soap opera entitled As The Kitchen Sinks. Clearly, they've been away from Cybertron too long.
 * Optimus Prime is a "magnificent beast".

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