Kingdom episode 6

« Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy: Kingdom
This ends for all of us. End communication.
Episode 6
Production company	Allspark Animation, Rooster Teeth, Entertainment One
Airdate	July 29, 2021 (Netflix)
Written by	Tim Sheridan
Director	Takashi Kamei
Animation studio	Polygon Pictures
Watch this episode on Netflix

The Autobots and Maximals return to Cybertron—now a dead world. Galvatron and Nemesis Prime wage a final battle to claim the Allspark from Optimus Prime.

Synopsis

Who knew Unicron could fart?

The Ark emerges through the spacebridge from Earth and jumps through several more dotted throughout the galaxy at Optimus Prime's command. Starscream is hauled over to the stasis field to join the other Decepticons. Prowl is impressed by Blackarachnia's stasis technology, but she brushes off his compliment. A terrified Starscream tries to warn the Autobots about the dangers he foresaw from the Golden Disk before the stasis field temporarily deactivates him. As the Ark's crew emerges from the final spacebridge, they are shocked to find themselves in the Dead Universe once again. Ominous purple matter consumes the ship and teleports it to Cybertron in the present day: a metal wasteland trapped in perpetual snowstorms. The Ark violently crash lands on the planet's surface, but the ship's crew thankfully survives the landing, owing to Rhinox initiating the ship's stabilizers before they materialized on Cybertron.

The Autobots, Maximals, and Blackarachnia emerge from the Ark, and Bumblebee stresses the importance of returning the Allspark to its rightful home before Cybertron completely dies. The Matrix within Prime emits an energy beam through the blizzard. Prime orders Bumblebee to salvage any remaining materials and see if any survivors remain in Iacon, and Blackarachnia to keep the prisoners in stasis. Arcee entrusts Prime with the Allspark, who drives off into the snowstorm alone.

A frustrated Bumblebee shortly follows Optimus against his orders and scolds him for taking the Allspark and heading off without back-up. The small Autobot reminds him that it is his duty to provide balance to Optimus's decision-making. Optimus expresses no criticism towards Bumblebee's words and admits he still feels remorse about his part in dooming Cybertron. Bumblebee tells Optimus that accusing himself is unproductive; reviving Cybertron is what Optimus's crew cares about most. Optimus stumbles upon the lifeless husk of Elita-1 and falls to his knees in grief, blaming himself for her demise. Bumblebee gently reminds Optimus of the importance of returning the Allspark to Cybertron, and tells him there's no time to dwell on Elita's sacrifice. Meanwhile in the Ark, Galvatron frees Megatron from his stasis in the Ark and tells him to prepare for the final battle.

"Elita, I've returned with the milk."

Optimus's Matrix beacon guides him to the Allspark temple on Cybertron. When Bumblebee expresses surprise, Optimus reminds him the Allspark is capable of hiding the temple from the naked eye. Bumblebee then responds he was actually referring to the canyon standing between them and the tower—that only an extremely powerful entity could have created. Optimus Prime's vile alter ego Nemesis Prime appears on the opposite side of the crevice, whom Optimus suspects was responsible for the creation of said canyon.

Megatron realizes Galvatron is his future alter ego, but Galvatron brushes off the comparison. Galvatron recounts his creation by his omniscient master Unicron, who tortures him if he even glances at the Allspark. Megatron realizes Galvatron's plan is to seize the Allspark for himself and use it to destroy Unicron. In a rare glimpse of selflessness, Megatron asserts that the Allspark's true purpose is revitalizing Cybertron, and knows that destroying Unicron may come at the expense of his planet. Galvatron couldn't care less about their homeworld's well-being, however, and says Unicron may consider punishing both of them if they don't move quickly.

As Optimus Prime and Bumblebee stare down Nemesis Prime, Optimus realizes that his evil future self converged with the present to take the Allspark from his heroic counterpart. Noticing Bumblebee carrying the Allspark down the cliffside, Nemesis jumps high into the air and rains lasers on the small Autobot, only to be distracted by Optimus returning the volley.

Optimus Primal and Prowl wander into the Ark's Decepticon stasis room, recognizing that a glitch registered in the stasis field. Primal realizes that Megatron is missing from the stasis field—outside the Ark, Megatron and Galvatron rain laser fire on the opposing Autobots and Maximals, and Prowl and Primal shortly engage the enemies. However, Cheetor, Tigatron, and Airazor use their beast modes to gain the upper hand against the two Decepticons, who retreat into the distance. Optimus Primal fears that Galvatron will have heavy backup with him.

As Bumblebee climbs down the face of the cliff, Optimus and Nemesis have a grueling fist fight on the surface, with the latter eventually overpowering his opponent. Nemesis coldly demands the Allspark from Optimus, kicking him down when his heroic former self replies he doesn't have it. Nemesis refuses to take no for an answer, and claims Megatron was just as weak as Optimus is now—prior to his rebirth by Unicron. Seething with hatred for the chaos-bringer, Nemesis reveals his plan to destroy Unicron, leading Optimus to understand why Nemesis needs the Allspark so badly.

Optimus refuses to lower his guard against Nemesis, only to be blasted by Galvatron from afar. As Megatron, Galvatron, and Nemesis Prime stand united, Optimus refuses to give in to his foes' demand for the Allspark. Galvatron tries to disorient Optimus by telling him that his and Nemesis's existence is the result of the Allspark's demise, but Optimus will never give up on restoring Cybertron. Optimus Primal arrives and chimes in that life was miserable under Unicron's presence, and this Cybertron is the home they must protect now.

The united factions of Autobots, Maximals, Decepticons, and Predacons arrive under Primal. Upon hearing Optimus's and Starscream's encouragement to fight for the survival of Cybertron, Megatron turns on his future self with his fusion cannon aimed at his head. However, Nemesis sneak-attacks Megatron, and together with Galvatron they effortlessly fight off the Maximals and Predacons during the ensuing battle.

"Mr Prime, I don't feel so good."
"Galvatron, now's the time for me to say that I think you've been watching way too many Marvel movies."

Having reached the bottom of the trench, Bumblebee spots a door leading to the Temple of the Allspark at the cliff's surface. He begs to be let inside, eventually activating the door to the temple with his emotional pleas—Nemesis senses the Allspark moving into the temple and jumps off to said location. To everyone's awe, the golden spirits of countless deceased Cybertronians descend from the top of the tower and rest on the cliff side. Bumblebee reaches the Allspark's altar and places the Allspark in its rightful place, only for the ancient artifact to seemingly die at the last second. Galvatron and Nemesis leap to attack the Cybertronian spirits, but the spark of Elita-1 uses a mystical power to teleport the malevolent duo away. Elita-1 appears to Optimus, who begs her for forgiveness. Elita tenderly assures him that his actions were ultimately the only option he had, and professes her love for him.

The golden sparks rejoin the Allspark, reviving it and ending Cybertron's eternal winter. With the planet fully restored, the Autobots, Maximals, Decepticons, and Predacons resolve their ongoing war and build a statue depicting a Decepticon and an Autobot soldier standing together, back-to-back. Megatron agrees to end hostilities with the Autobots but refuses to shake Optimus's hand, stating that for now, the world is large enough for them to live apart. As the Decepticons walk away, Starscream warns Blackarachnia that he senses Unicron is still at large, to which Blackarachnia chivalrously replies they will be ready for him as soon as he shows himself.

In the depths of space, Unicron torments Galvatron and Nemesis for their failure. He warns them he has ideas inspired by the Dead Universe, and swallows up the two in his great maw as he reformats them...

'Til all are one.

Featured characters

Characters in italic text appear only as spirits.

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Quotes

Notes

Continuity notes

• Optimus Prime's vision in Earthrise episode 5 finally comes true, as Nemesis Prime faces his past-self in a snow-laden Cybertron. Primal, Predacon Megatron, and the Allspark's recognition of Optimus Prime as "Nemesis" in past episodes is, unsurprisingly, revealed to be due to Optimus Prime becoming Nemesis Prime.
• The spirits emerging from the Allspark from left to right are:
  • A Refraktor, likely a factory worker from Earthrise episode 2, as the next one is...
  • Shamble, who died to be used for the Nemesis in Earthrise episode 2.
  • A Seeker, likely Skywarp, who was murked way back in Siege episode 3.
  • Either Chromia or Moonracer (likely the former), who were killed in Earthrise episode 6 and Siege episode 6 respectively.
  • Elita-1, who was caught in her detonated charge in Earthrise episode 6.
  • Ultra Magnus, who was shot dead in Siege episode 4.
  • Jetfire and a Refraktor (likely Scrapface), who were both caught in the explosion of Earthrise episode 6.
  • Barricade, who was last seen shot by Optimus Prime in Kingdom episode 2, or it could be any 'ol generic.
• Shockwave, the evil buzzard, is obliquely not included in the lineup and does not participate in the inter-faction, living-and-dead moment of unity.
• As the spirits reveal themselves, Blackarachnia looks concerningly to an injured Arcee, possibly since Blackarachnia previously called Arcee 'cute' in Kingdom episode 3.
• Two giant statues are erected in the image of Cog and Refraktor, each body-type being extremely common amongst the generic footsoldiers on both sides.
• Once again, several plots point were foreshadowed in the Kingdom webpage in the form of messages from the future:
  • Bumblebee's message was proven true when he disregarded Optimus' orders and accompanied him, as it was stated that "not all [of his] orders should be followed".
  • Galvatron's message is brought up when he requests Megatron's help, as his past self is believed to be "the key to his liberation".
  • Optimus and Nemesis Prime's messages occur during their fight, as the former will "face the darkest part of himself". Meanwhile, it was stated that Nemesis's "existence will be threatened when Optimus [tries to] fight his dark future".

Continuity errors

Animation and technical errors

• Arcee's right lower arm and hand clip through her chest when she is observing the spirits.
• The English subtitles state that Unicron's final words were "I shall be king again", but the English audio actually states "I shall begin again."

Transformers references

• Unicron is called the "Chaos-Bringer".
• Galvatron says "Die, Autobots!", much like Megatron in The Transformers: The Movie.

Trivia

• While impossible to tell if one of the spirits is Chromia or Moonracer, the official descriptive audio written by Dakota Green calls her Chromia, though the descriptive audio has switched up characters in the past, so who knows.
• According to F.J. DeSanto, the story could have potentially continued in a follow-up series based on the Legacy toyline, but Netflix passed on the pitch.^[1]

Foreign localization

Brazilian Portuguese

• This dub had a particularly noticeable error when the episode was originally released: the entire final scene with Unicron was left almost completely silent, with no dialogue whatsoever. This was corrected in a later date, with all dialogue being properly dubbed and present during the scene.

References