10 Best Episodes Of Transformers Prime (According To IMDb)

Transformers: Prime, running from 2010 to 2013 on The Hub, was an attempt to tie into the Transformers live-action movies directed by Michael Bay, and the two versions share some of the same creative team, such as writing duo Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci.

However, the series wound up finding much greater acclaim and acceptance within the Transformers fandom then the movies ever did, being praised for its gorgeous animation, intense action scenes and the surprisingly mature tone. Continually ranked as one of the best Transformers cartoons since its conclusion, let's take a look at the very best the series had to offer.

10 "Alpha, Omega" (8.7)

After previous episode, "Legacy" ended with Optimus Prime acquiring ancient weapon the Star Saber and dealing the Decepticons a decisive defeat, this episodes opens with him using the sword to commune with his deceased mentor, Alpha Trion. Alpha Trion reveals to Optimus that the Omega Keys, devices capable of restoring Cybertron from its war-damaged state, are hidden on Earth, while at the same time, Megatron journeys to Cybertron in hopes of finding a way to counteract the Star Saber. Filled with great action and nicely setting up the finale arc of Season 2, "Alpha, Omega," earns its high rating.

9 "Inside Job" (8.7)

Captured by Soundwave in previous episode "Hard Knocks," Autobot Smokescreen escapes his captivity on Decepticon warship The Nemesis and escapes with the Omega Keys, giving the Autobots 3 out of 4. The last, however, is in the possession of Starscream; in a deliciously deceitful gambit, he lures the Autobots with the corpse of his clone from a previous adventure, then uses speed-enhancing Red Energon to slip through the portal into their base, stealing all the Omega Keys without the Autobots having time to react. Possibly Prime Starscream's finest hour, this is another worthy episode.

8 "Scattered" (8.7)

Season 2 ended in a dark place for the Autobots, their base destroyed and their team scattered across the USA. Following on from the Season 3 premiere, "Scattered" finds the Autobots gaining some advantages, from Wheeljack escaping Decepticon custody to Ultra Magnus' unexpected arrival on Earth.

However, the Decepticons gain an advantage themselves; the coldly logical scientist Shockwave, last seen in a flashback during Season 2's "Out of The Past," joins the main cast for the series final outing. A fan-favorite, Shockwave's presence in this episode elevates the already story arc.

7 Thirst (8.7)

A masterclass in tonal shifts, "Thirst" manages to both be one of scariest episodes of Transformers and one of the funniest. After Starscream and Decepticon doctor Knock Out experiment with Dark Energon, they create a plague that ravages the crew of The Nemesis, transforming them into vampiric creatures that must drain the Energon of other Transformers to survive. As Starscream and Knock Out struggle to contain the outbreak before Megatron learns of it, the two share some delightful buddy comedy scenes, and prove once and for all to be one of the show's most consistently entertaining pairings.

6 "Darkmount, NV" (8.8)

The opening episode of Season 3, "Darkmount, NV" resolves some loose story threads from the cliffhanger ending of the Season 2 finale, such as the fate of Optimus Prime, where the Autobots and their respective human partners are hiding, and how the town of Jasper, Nevada is faring under Decepticon occupation (spoiler alert: not well). This episode mostly serves to set the stage for what will come later in Season 3, but the stage set is certainly an enticing one.

5 "Regeneration" (8.9)

The penultimate episode of Season 2, the Autobots are still reeling from Starscream's theft of the Omega Keys while the thief himself has used the keys to buy his way back into the Decepticon ranks. However, the Autobots gain an unexpected advantage when Dreadwing, having discovered Starscream's role in the demise of his brother Skyquake, steals the Forge of Solus Prime and gifts it to the Autobots.

From there, Optimus uses the Forge to create a Space Bridge, allowing the Autobots to meet the Decepticons on Cybertron and battle for the keys. However, Megatron, desperate to control Cybertron's future, sinks to depths previously thought unimaginable.

4 "Prey" (8.9)

Following on from "Scattered," Shockwave unveils his latest creation to the Decepticons; a Predacon, a Dragon-like Cybertronian subspecies cloned from fossilized remains. Dwarfing even Megatron, the Predacon is sent to hunt the Autobot stragglers, choosing the reunited Bulkhead and Wheeljack for its debut hunting. After fending off the Predacon, the Autobots regroup and prepare for an assault on Darkmount, while Smokescreen, tending to a critically damaged Optimus, learns his destiny may be grander than he previously thought.

3 "Rebellion" (9)

The immediate follow-up to the previous episode and the conclusion of Season 3's opening arc, "Rebellion" finishes a storyline that was already one of the series' high points and takes it to an entirely new level. The Autobot's commence with a desperate attack on the Decepticon fortress, but when all hope seems lost, a familiar face returns to light the heroes' darkest hour. After being sorely outmatched against the Decepticons for much of the previous episodes, the ending of "Rebellion" is the most triumphant in the entire series.

2 "Deadlock" (9.2)

The Season 3 finale, "Deadlock," ended Transformers Prime on quite a high note, with definitive endings to the series' major plot threads and a clear-cut victory for the Autobots. The episode follows the Autobots directly attacking the Decepticon warship, hoping to prevent their enemies' plans to remake Earth into a second Cybertron.

From jaw-dropping twists, particularly in regards to Megatron and Bumblebee's fates, and emotional farewells between the Autobots and their human friends, this episode fulfilled the promise of Transformers Prime to the end.

1 "Darkest Hour" (9.4)

While happy endings are grand, sometimes audiences like to see the bad guys win. Proof of this is that the only Transformers Prime episode to outrank "Deadlock" is the Season 2 finale, "Darkest Hour." After Optimus is forced to make a difficult choice between Earth and Cybertron, the Decepticons attack the Autobot base and cow the occupants into a retreat. This episode ends with the Decepticons at their highest point in the series; they obliterate the Autobot base, with the final scene of Megatron and Starscream standing triumphant over the Autobot insignia printed on the floor.

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