AT&T U-Verse has updated there listings with an extended description of "Hard Knocks". It does contain a little bit of spoilerish material.

Hard Knocks
When their desperate efforts to acquire the coveted Omega Keys take an unexpected and frantic turn, Knock Out is able to take advantage of the power of sound while Starscream uses his efforts to focus on the power of hyper-speed.

 

Doesn't hint that KO leaves the Cons so I'm assuming until proven wrong that he doesn't. Also, an episode that continues with the Omega Keys. Sounds like they're going to replace the general relic hunting for a while.

 

So Knockout steals the Sonic Amplifier or what ever it was called?

 

That would be my guess. Unless somebody trips over a clump of yellow Energon next week. (please don't)

 

The Resonance Blaster. I'm thinking that too.

 

It might actually be an Omega Key, but I go with Blaster thing because it has already been introduced into the series.

Or KO got a really good sound system. It would be hilarious if he got the ability to turn into a sound box like G1 Soundwave did.

 

Knockout will conveniently find Periwinkle Energon, which will give him his ability

 

Just wait 'til you see the powers granted by paisley and argyle energon!

 

I'm glad they're letting Knockout use the sound power instead of Soundwave.

I mean giving Soundwave the sound gun is like... giving Breakdown a hammer.

 

^^^ True.  

Sounds interesting...Just wonder if SS and KO will WORK together or at cross purposes?? Hoping all these remaining episodes are as good as today's.

 

Yeah, today's episode was something else.

I like how this appears to be a Decepticons only episode.

 

Maybe he finds a sonic buffer that polishes while transferring sonic powers to the user  

 

We previously saw Breakdown having some thoughts of joining Starscream back in "Operation: Breakdown". I wonder if Breakdown ever told this to Knockout? It would be cool of we get a flashback, supporting the notion that KO is leaving the Cons.

 

This sounds like it'll be a good episode. Too bad it doesn't air for 2 weeks.  

 

I find this reasoning to be highly logical.

 

Okay, cool, KO and Starcream use their new super powers to go find keys and stuff. I wonder how Soundwave will feel if KO steals his Resonance Blaster  

 

So... TF Prime is basically boiling down into Jackie Chan's Adventures? Only "Talisman" is replaced with "Key"?

Well, I reckon.

 

Can't wait.  

Since this appears to be a Knockout-focused episode, I hope they open the episode with Knockout still "operating" on Silasdown. It'd be a shame (though not completely unexpected) if they completely forgot about that particular arc, but I think this would be the perfect opportunity to remind the audience that Silasdown is still in the 'Con's possession. Not the focus on the episode, mind you, just a short 2 minute scene to basically say "Hey, Silasdown is still here and this episode will have a lot of Knockout for you!". I can dream, can't I?

 

When did Breakdown ever "think" of allying himself with Screamer in OPERATION: BREAKDOWN? If remembered correctly, he was forced into attacking Bulkhead at the end because if he didn't then Starscream would no doubt rat him out to Megatron.

 

You cold see that he didn't want to attack him, but yeah, Starscream would have ratted him out, Starscream gave him sort of an offer not really at the end of the episode. But if Breakdown was going to switch I could only see him going Autobot.