Has anyone noted the absence of Insecticons while Shockwave introduces the "ultimate Autobot hunter" to his liege, Megatron?

It didn't occur to me until now that there isn't one among them until now--we only see Megatron, Knock Out, Soundwave, Starscream and three or so Vehicons (cars, not jets) standing/sitting opposit of Shockwave and the Predacon. What happened to the Insecticons?

I wonder if we're seeing the introduction of the Predacons because of Airachnid and her strong connection to [the Insecticons]. If she does indeed join the Autobots, her defection would be a tremendous blow to the Decepticons as she alone would be in a position to turn things upside down. Should she continue what she started before stasis, she could bring down the Nemesis, limiting Megatron and his forces to their alternate modes and Ground Bridging, not to mention giving the Autobots some much need firepower or at least foot soldiers.

A downed Nemesis could also explain why the Decepticons are on Cybertron and not Earth.

 

I don't see Airachnid joining the Autobots

But I do see her taking control of the Insecticons and having that big bad bug army everyone apparantly wanted.

 

15 seconds isn't enough footage to make most of those leaps in logic.

Just because we didn't see them, doesn't mean they weren't somewhere else. Do you ever see Insecticons in most shots of the bridge of Nemesis? How do you know they were on Cybertron, since the last episode ended with a giant cybertronian FORTRESS on Earth?

And what connection to the Predacons? They are all (thus far) some flavor of dragon, haven't seen any Predacon insects yet (not that Hasbro won't market some in the toyline, but thus far not in the show)

Again, just a LOT of big leaps without much information and a WHOLE lot of supposition and wishful thinking.

 

It has been made clear many times that the 15 second clip takes place on Earth, in Megatrons new fortress.

 

I doubt Megatron would be cool enough to give the entire decepticons the day off to meet the Predacons. They have jobs to do in the New Fortress.

 

since when did insecticons hang out in the main decepticon rooms anyway? the either walked around hallways janking vehicons or sleeping together on the ceiling. if airachnid is back then that is a great reason for there to be no insecticons.

 

Well where were the Jet Vehicons too? I just saw standard Vehicons in the citadel. The Insecticons are probably somewhere else in the fortress. I mean the fortress is huge.

 

Agreed. This feels like another "Shockwave is not gonna survive 'Out of the Past' because the following episode's description doesn't mention him" situation again.

The "connection" is between Airachnid and the Insecticons, suggesting a reason as to why the Predacons are being brought in (e.g. Airachnid has caused the Insecticons to abandon Megatron).

 

She may not—I hope she does, however. The story between her, Arcee and the Autobots would be quite interesting. With talk of Autobots and Decepticons switching sides, she might be one of those that does. She doesn’t want to return to the Decepticons and I don’t think they want her back either. Alone, she’s screwed and with no means off the planet, she’d do well to side with the Autobots. Though if she’s with the Insections, she’ll never truly be alone.

46 seconds maybe short, but the video alone isn’t the only reason why I said what I did. Megatron has beaten the Autobots. He has a fortress on Cybertron and Earth, not to mention a mobile fortress and innumerable troops. What does Megatron need with an “ultimate Autobot hunter” if he’s already won?

I’m simply suggesting a scenario in which such a need becomes necessary?

No, but they were present during the final battle. While Hurt may have shown them being a bit reclusive aboard the Nemesis, we saw them in later episodes walking about the ship—why would they be on the bridge doing those duties when Megatron already has Vehicons doing jobs?

I don’t see the Predacons as being introduced during the very first episode of season three, why would they? The Autobots are beat and on the run, right? Megatron’s forces and mobile fortress should be more than enough to hunt them down right? Of course won’t be the case given the new subtitle and characters joining the cast, but something needs to change for these hunters to be necessary.

I just find it odd that we see a variety of Decepticons standing before Shockwave and the new Decepticons, save one. We’re even given a sense of scale, with its shadow towering over them. As the Insecticons appear to be the largest trooper, it makes sense to put them in the shot too to show scale:/

Oops! That “them” should have read Insecticons, sorry about that—error corrected.

Maybe we’re seeing different clips. The 46 clip I watched doesn’t make clear where Megatron and his troops are. Where was it made clear many times?

 

The Insecticons do seem a bit territorial, but we have seen them moving about the ships halls, outside of their hive aboard the ship.

Jet Vehicons are Vehicons, as far as the show is concerned. Only Takara calls them Jet Vehicons.

This.

 

To me, that "intro of Predaking" clip seemed generic in the first place. Not sure why, it just does.

 

The Insecticons generally stick to their little hive when they were aboard the Nemesis. So they're either crowded up in the ship still, or simply settling into a new little hive in the fortress. Given they seemed to be expecting Shockwave and some monsters, Megatron probably didn't want any territorial disputes between these more feral 'Cons.

 

I wonder if that thought even crossed his mind. His impatience is shown through his tapping, he looked like he wanted something and he wanted it now, though I guess anything's possible at this point, however 

 

He wasn't impatient he was just tapping his fingers to a mad sweet guitar riff he had in his mind.

 

Wonder if its the new theme...

 

It's just too short a clip to be jumping to any sort of conclusion. For one thing there were dozens upon dozens of insecticons when Airachnid initially found them. Yet in most episodes outside of the usual battle sequence we never see more then 4 or 5. I just think they are off somewhere in the ginormous fortress Megs just slapped onto Earth's surface making a new hive for themselves.

Why no flying vehicons? Who knows they could just be off patrolling or doing some other meaningless task. They really aren't required in Megs throne room. Even on the Nemesis I don't ever recall seeing them on the bridge, they usually were just out and about the hallways. It just seems like the standard vehicon performs the usual day to day bits on the bridge. You'd certainly wouldn't want the insecticons doing it since they are essentially muscle bound brutes. Really would you ask Bulkhead to perform some sort of intricate surgery to repair vital components of the ground bridge. Of course not because that's not really what he's good at.

As for Airachnid, who knows what if anything will become of her. The writers could simply say yeah she was killed in the explosion of the Autobot base. I really HIGHLY doubt she would ever join the Autobots. She may not like Megatron, but she cares less for the autobots. If anything she probably would go off and do her own thing again. I doubt she would regain control of the Insecticons. There's a slight possibility, but I doubt it would happen. They bow to those who are stronger. Soundwave kicked her butt, what shot does she have against Megatron really.

 

This wasn't a question asked by anyone...

What Soundwave did doesn't matter. Physical strength has nothing to do with her strong mental connection to them--she's able to control the entire hive with nothing more than her mind. She was (still is) [their] queen.

 

They're not gone.

 

There was some talk in past threats questioning where were the Insecticons and Airachnid during Shocks introducing Predacon.

Although I don't think the Insecticons are totally gone but Airachnid is questionable.

(Who knows the Insecticons could be beating up Airachnid but that's a wait and see)

Granted if Airachnid would join the autobots it would definitely would be challenging for the Decepitcons due to her influence on the Insecticons.

(I do not see Airachnid joining the autobots, unless she's desperate to get away from Megs)

As a whole the clip was very short and basic which leads to much speculation on what will happen within season 3.

 

You don't think she's desperate? Prior to being put in stasis, she tried to kill Megatron, again. Megatron isn't likely to play nice around her, neither is Starscream.

With Megatron's forces stronger now than before she went into stasis, I think she should be very worried. You don't?

 

probably because insecticons smell bad