by Kroze Kresky and Matt Sernaker, Editors

When we last saw Transformers Prime, we were left with the shocking cliffhanger showing the Decepticons waging all out war on earth after finding the Autobot base and completely obliterating it. The Autobots thankfully escaped the destruction… well… all except one…as Optimus stayed behind to make sure everyone else got out safe. Caught within the blast from Megatron’s base, the heroic Autobot saved the day before he had the chance to escape himself. Viewers were left with a final shot of Prime’s lifeless arm sticking out of the rubble as they ended the season. Now get ready to unleash the beast, as Transformers Prime heads into it’s final season with the release of Transformers Prime: BEAST HUNTERS!

“Darkmount, NV” kicks off a new season of adventure for the Robots in Disguise, and wastes no time throwing everyone into the resulting chaos. Megatron put his Decepticon minions to work, sifting through the rubble of the Autobot base to see whatever it is they can recover. Meanwhile back on the ruins of Cybertron, Knockout and Soundwave are gathering up all of the Iacon relics left after the battle from the previous season when they come across something… unexpected. With the Autobots spread across the globe, viewers quickly learn the fates of Bumblebee/Raph, as well as Arcee/Jack, who are on the run and trying to hide from the many Decepticon scouting parties.. With Jack worried about his mother, he proceeds to make the horrible decision to call her with his cell phone… which brings the Vehicons straight to the pair. While it gives us a great fight sequence showing off Arcee and Jack really fighting together as a team (and a brilliant slow motion transformation flip sequence), I cannot overlook how out of character it was for Jack to contact his mom when he knew the consequences.

Towards the end of the episode, Smokescreen appears and pops out of hiding with his Iacon Relic “Phase Shifter” and proceeds to rescue Prime’s body before the Decepticon minions can find it.  Did Optimus survive the blast? You will have to wait until the next exciting episode of Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters to find out!

Overall:

“Darkmount, NV” is a great aftermath episode that shows just how screwed the Autobots really are going into this final season. With no hope in sight for the Autobots, this season starts out looking bleak and pretty dark. While this tone might surprise some, I believe that Transformers Prime has reached its most compelling point to date!

ComicsOnline gives Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters – “Darkmount, NV” 4.5 doomed Autobot leaders out of 5!

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