Tropes:
- A Day in the Limelight: For Optimus, Dreadwing and Starscream. This episode is an intimate look at the three characters' development - it shows how much Optimus has been pushed and what he's willing to do with those he considers a lost cause (Starscream and Megatron), and how he still retains his idealism that peace can be attained with the more honorable Decepticons like Dreadwing. Starscream proves how much of a Heel–Face Revolving Door he is, especially since going rogue - going from antagonizing Dreadwing to sucking up to Optimus to being his enemy once again in a few minutes. Dreadwing gets to show off his integrity and honor once again, and rejects Optimus' offer for redemption for what he claims is the last time.
- Alliterative Name: The Apex Armor.
- Big "NO!":
- Dreadwing gives one when he's engulfed in an avalanche caused by Optimus.
- Starscream shouts this, as he falls through the ice.
- Bittersweet Ending: With no way to remove the Apex Armor, he and Dreadwing get rid of Starscream to remove the present threat he presents, though he survives and is able to make his way back to the Harbinger, albeit very slowly. Both decide to part ways and fight later, as the other Iacon relics are still out there for the taking.
- Continuity Nod: The T-cog Starscream planned to install in himself was taken from his last clone in "Armada".
- Starscream also complains to Optimus for forcing him at gunpoint to lead him to the Apex Armor and after all he's done for the Autobots such as restoring Optimus's memory back in "Orion Pax Part 1". Optimus dismisses he's short of heroic claiming Starscream only did those things for his own gain.
- Enemy Mine: Dreadwing and Optimus team up against Starscream.
- Evil Is Petty: Starscream remarks he'd happily beat Optimus to death just to stop the heroic lectures.
- Exactly What I Aimed At: Optimus supposedly missed Dreadwing when his shot was fired way off its mark. Dreadwing mocks Optimus for missing him at so close a range, but the shot was actually directed at a cliff, causing an avalanche behind him.
- Flynning: Dreadwing's good at this; he twirls around his sword a lot.
- Hair-Trigger Avalanche: Optimus fires a shot into a snowy, icy cliff above Dreadwing.Dreadwing: Your aim is poor.Optimus: That is a matter of perspective.Dreadwing: *gets buried*
- Handicapped Badass: Starscream is unable to transform because he has yet to install the T-Cog into himself. The Apex Armor makes up for this issue with sheer strength and invulnerability.
- Handy Cuffs: Starscream. This backfires on his captors, as he uses the cuffs as a hammer to free the Apex Armor from the ice.
- Hoist by His Own Petard: Subverted. Starscream nearly cuts himself open with a drill to replace his T-cog (which is very dangerous and could have terminated him) but postpones the operation to instead find out why Decepticons are scattering across the globe.
- Hypocrite: Dreadwing is a huge one. First, he mocks Optimus on having "poor" aim when he miserably failed to shoot Optimus only standing a few feet away. Then he gets angry when he believes Starscream has sided with Optimus. Not long after, Dreadwing teams up with Prime, once Starscream obtains the Apex Armor.
- Idiot Ball: Seriously, Optimus and Dreadwing decided to duke it out and leave the rogue Decepticon alone with the relic. They were so asking for that beatdown from Starscream once he equips it.
- Internal Homage: The scene where Starscream walks from an explosion in an Antarctic research base is not the first time a Starscream has done so.
- I Owe You My Life: Because Optimus saved his life during the fight with Starscream, Dreadwing chooses not to continue their battle. He vows, however, to destroy him the next time they meet.
- Last-Second Chance: Even though Dreadwing's a villain, he's more of a Noble Demon — and Optimus gives him another chance to turn his back on Megatron for good. He doesn't take it.
- Makes Us Even: Dreadwing's attitude on sparing Optimus this time, while promising to kill him the next time they meet.
- Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: Starscream saves Optimus from getting sworded by Dreadwing.
- Powered Armor: The Apex Armor. It lets Starscream go toe-to-toe with Optimus and Dreadwing.
- Pragmatic Villainy: Starscream feels Optimus isn't showing him proper respect, reminding him of his help towards the Autobots earlier in the season. Optimus concedes that much, but not without reminding Starscream that he did so for his own agenda and not for noble reasons.
- Public Secret Message: In response to Starscream boasting about the Apex Armor making him invincible, Optimus loudly remarks he's still incapable of flight. He does this as a way to tell Dreadwing to start planting bombs on the ground around Starscream.
- Save the Villain: Optimus crashes into Starscream before the latter can crush Dreadwing.
- Self-Surgery: At the beginning of the episode, Starscream reluctantly attempts to install a new T-cog into himself without any sort of anesthesia.Starscream: A simple, painless procedure. Nothing to it, really, provided one possesses the nerve.
- Sticky Bomb: Optimus plants one on Starscream. It doesn't take.
- Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: While Starscream now has a new T-Cog and the tools to install it, he lacks the the expertise of Knock Out to run the proceedure, and the nerve to do it by himself. There would have been a chance he would unwittingly terminate himself if not for the four signals on the Harbinger screen grabbing his attention.
- Taught by Experience: Optimus learned from last time how even a restrained Starscream can be a handle if underestimated. Optimus constantly keeps his blaster trained on him and is sure to walk behind him. He only loses sight of Starscream when Dreadwing catches up with them and starts a fight.
- Team Rocket Wins: Starscream gets dumped into the ocean, but still walks away with a powerful relic.
- Took a Level in Badass: After alternatively going back and forth through Diminishing Villain Threat, after obtaining the Apex Armor and becoming a Mighty Glacier, Starscream might actually become a serious threat again.
- Ungrateful Bastard: At least in Starscream's view, he considers Optimus this. When Starscream tries ranting on to Optimus for why he "suits" this trope such as aiding the Autobots from time to time as a rogue neutral, Optimus brushes this off saying Starscream only does what's in his best interests.Starscream: What a team we make! I am so glad that you prevailed, Optimus Prime! That wretch, Dreadwing, was going to terminate me! Now, if you could just remove my bonds, I can lead you straight to the relic.Optimus: (points his gun at Starscream) You will lead me there regardless.Starscream: Hmph... you're welcome.
- Walk, Don't Swim: After falling through the ice, Starscream is forced to walk along the ocean floor back to the Harbinger.
- We Will Meet Again: Before departing, Dreadwing promises to kill Optimus the next time they see each other.
- Weapon Twirling: Dreadwing's sword
