Who is Knockout and Why is Knockout?

[@emperorkumquat]

Subtitles are available! Donate to the Transformers Prime fan game: ko-fi.com/emperorkumquat/gallery My social media links are here: beacons.ai/emperor_kumquat/

[@Maizi291]

I love your work and video too thank you for making about knockout. He is my most favorite cool character. But can make breakdown please he is my favorite character too. And angina I love your voice too and the work keep it up my man

[@Alina87967]

Can you please help me? I want to read IDW but I don't know where to start.

[@C.L.G._Artisa]

@@Maizi291 - If you're asking for a character analysis on Breakdown, the analysis video already exists on his channel. 👍✨

[@Maizi291]

@@C.L.G._Artisa okay👌

[@occam7382]

Now we just need a analysis like this on all the named characters in Transformers: Prime. Well, the ones you haven't done already, anyway.

[@TheDaxter11]

I think Knockouts reasons for swapping sides go beyond "Shut it, you!". Ever since Shockwave, Knockout had been pushed to the side. He was being treated lesser, had his post stripped from him, was being treated as just an errand boy. In his own words, "Knockout fetch this, Knockout do that, it wasn't that long ago I was _running_ this lab". Then when Megatron was demanding to know what was going on in the Terrorcon episode, Starscream instantly shifted the blame entirely on Knockout. Even if Megatron wasn't completely buying Starscreams bullshit for a second, that still must have hurt, or at the very least just pissed him off. By "Shut it, you!" Knockout had probably had enough. He tried to help Starscream again, but he was rude to Knockout one last time. To me, the face Knockout makes after Starscream tells him to shut up isn't him revaluating his life choices, its him looking back at how he was treated in the Decepticons, and how he no longer had the one bot (Breakdown) who was actually a genuine friend to him among them anymore. Plus Ratchets politeness, actually thanking Knockout for helping in a task, even if Ratchet was just trying to make absolute certain he wasn't being sussed out. He knew the Autobots were polite with each other, and especially with the Decepticons crumbling he didn't see a reason to stay with them any longer. Edit: Bonus for Knockout, humans get to keep on going. He might not have shown any interest in humans themselves, but he clearly loves our media and vehicles. If we don't go, those things don't go.

[@Nano-Otaku]

Yeah! I fully agree with you.

[@joshdillon9637]

This is kind of the way I looked at things too. "Shut it, you!" was just the last straw for Knockout after a long list of slights.

[@heckyeahponyscans]

Another example of this is when Knock Out offers to take a relic (one of the Keys maybe?) to the vault and Megatron is like "As though I'd trust YOU with it?" and the camera lingers on Knock Out's expression.

[@USSWisconsin]

Like when ratchet says "thank you" knockout seems shocked then says "you're welcome" in a less aggressive tone than usual

[@diypropsmodels7064]

Yeah he love human film and automobile 🤣🤣🤣

[@kaisipe412]

Breakdown is pretty much the only friendly con. He actually takes time to be friendly with vehicon workers

[@Epsilon-18]

He probably sees himself as one of them, albeit more important.

[@lazydroidproductions1087]

Textbook narcissist, average Joe, but way more important than the other average joes

[@lornbaker1083]

The vehicons are the only ones that also have a ground convenience alt mode & The only decepticon who has a name next to his friend. Breakdown who is not even a ground conveyance designed for speed and precision. He probably sees the ground conveyance vehicles. As the only decepticons that he can probably associate with because he understands the pain, they can't fly. They're considered to be foot soldiers. To be simply sent out on mass and be destroyed. He probably feel sorry for them. Because he knows if it wasn't for his own intelligence Speed and skill , he probably would be no different than them. So he cares. I mean who else does he have to talk with star ? I mean, when you're only friend in an evil. Military organization is the dude who's literally trying to usurp. The guy who's currently in charge. You're kind of already in a bad position as it is. The fact that he would probably try to find solace with others like himself, It's just only natural. When you're in pain and suffer, and you don't try and seek solace. Amongst people who have not understood your pain and suffering. You seek it among those who have experienced the same thing that you have. And when you consider how the vehicles of the decepticon army are treated , especially those who can't fly. A kind of becomes obvious why he cares about them. They are his people. Star scream has his own personal flying force of elite guard. What does knockout have a bunch of purple sport cars? Who between the 50000 of them? Probably don't have enough brain cells to equal the amount of horsepower. One single engine of them could produce. Brain cells which they all apparently need to Share with one another. Which is the only reason why I can explain their inefficiency in combat despite their overwhelming numbers. Either that or they truly are clone pressed creatures despite having individual personalities and thus are severely weakened from the moment of their very creation. Chicken , which is why all it takes is a simple punch to the face or a Weak plasma shot to the chest to take them out

[@mitchellbambam5926]

Everyone always asks “who is Knockout?” but nobody ever asks “how is Knockout?”

[@PurpleLogicYT]

I'll do you one better: "Why is Knockout?"

[@mannofdober873]

Everyone always asks "how is Knockout?" but nobody ever asks "how is Knockout's paint job?"

[@Rainy_weather4948]

@@mannofdober873 Knockout: It's fine flesh-bag! Me: Anddddd always will be!

[@andrebrown9580]

I have a better how are you feeling knockout

[@yeetyee6952]

💅

[@sparkswipe3549]

God damn did Knockouts voice actor do an AMAZING job

[@HOLDENPOPE]

Fun fact: He voiced Vincent Volaju from Cowboy Bebop.

[@justjoshua5759]

And also jack smith. Aka stans dad in American dad

[@DipperPines1986]

He voiced Timmy Turner's father

[@Gear_Strike]

He‘s in the 1996 pop tarts commercial

[@supergiganprime54]

And he voiced Red alert in transformers armada for the ps2

[@Lucas-be5so]

To me that one line from knokcout that stands out was "You scratched my paint?! Prepare for surgery"

[@Karlos1234ify]

Had Starscream not shifted blame onto Knockout in “Thirst”, he wouldn’t have left the Decepticons. Knockout had considered Starscream a friend. By that point, he stop considering Starscream as a friend

[@superkid5485]

Even tho they had some time in that one room and they got awkward 😂

@@superkid5485 that was before Starscream shifted the blame.

[@superkid5485]

@ you mean it was knockout Exactly Whatt!

[@barsnacker]

A bit more than that...

[@SarahGambill-sl9dl]

Knockout is not starscream's friend remember . He's nobody's friend

[@15oClock]

Knockout's sudden character shift at the end feels entirely mercenary. He carries little of the Decepticon ideology with him; he only switched sides when he weighed the odds and realized retaking the Nemesis would be a generally bad idea. He's probably just as shallow an Autobot as he was a Decepticon, though he definitely can't get away with cruelty.

[@eenn78]

Thats what I always thought. if they had taken the ship they wouldn't have stood any better than if they didn't have it

[@orion_paxx]

I mean yeah he said that in the show

[@saagabragi6938]

Yes

[@ursidae97]

Exactly. I'm certain that was the prime team leaving rid something to work with and build a story. They were saying We're leaving the universe in your hands, task 1, redeem Knockout, make him see the error of his ways, and become a real Autobot. And then the rid team said, Who? Knockout? Nah we ain't doing that.

[@ottol.c.1784]

@@ursidae97Yeah, one of my main gripes with Robots in Disguise is that we don’t get to see what happened to some very important characters in Prime. We have no idea what happened to Airachnid, Knockout, Shockwave, Predaking, Skylinx, or Darksteel. They were kinda just swept under the rug.

[@superxavxii421]

Knockout AKA, the deception that the show runners literally never wanted to kill. And for good reason. Knockout should stay online in every continuity he's in, lol.

[@b1njjj95]

The showrunners knew there would be riots if they killed off KO. 🤣🤣 They already killed off a lot of good characters throughout the show, so killing KO would have definitely put them in hot water.

[@joshuakim5240]

Knockout and Starscream made such an amazingly entertaining disaster duo that it it feels off whenever they're not being scheming idiot narcissists together in other continuities that aren't Prime.

[@zexalcommander7036]

"For the most creative use of a shield generator in a supporting role, the winner is....Knockout!" Knockout I think was one of the first Decepticon characters I actually liked as a kid, never before had I thought I'd be cheering for a Decepticon

[@bbqgiraffe3766]

the writers really went "yeah but what if we added a twink"

[@fluffywhompus]

When creating him they just said “just pimp him out”

[@flyingfoamtv2169]

i thought that was starscream

[@bbqgiraffe3766]

@@flyingfoamtv2169 ur so right

[@cathacks_exe]

more like a flamboyant gym hunk

[@futurecar6750]

@@bbqgiraffe3766Oofff starscream gives such brat vibes sometimes it’s kinda hot 🥴 and knockouts quotes are kinda out there sometimes 😳

[@metalrob6713]

*Watches Transformers Prime for the plot* THE PLOT:

[@ArcTrooper269]

The fact that the Medic & Scientist of the group is a Friendly Flamboyant dude instead of the Cold & Rcaional One is JUST PEAK CLEVER WRITTING

[@mutecryptid]

The tendency of transformers fans to attach themselves to fanon so deeply. It’s pretty unique as far as fandoms go in uniformity, to where we collectively shift a character based on the traits we want from the character

[@saribeepo.o5111]

I think that's because many of the characters (Decepticons in particular) are put in situations and do things that suggest far greater depth than the writers take them. It's often to the point where one can arguably suggest that the writers did a poor job in neglecting to expand. As a situational example, Starscream coming to Breakdown's aid, and the suggestion that the time would come that Breakdown might have to choose a side between him and Megatron. This was just dropped, can anyone feasibly suggest this makes sense? Knock Out having no concern over Breakdown is another one. We all know it's just because they are the Decepticons, and not because it's good writting or even that it's being true to the character (shall we talk about Starscream blowing up bunker 'E'). ... Canon or Fandom, at the end of the day are really only separated by who convinced Hasbro to pay them to write. Some fan work is crap, some is better than the canon.. regardless I tend to think while it is important to keep straight which is which, I give more credit to talent, and solid world/character building then who managed to rub the right elbows. Perhaps a better example of that is the series that was supposed to be a sequel to Armada, but the principle still applies.

[@ty23uywra]

Your profile is a Potoo Bird. You have good taste.

[@erasedkarma]

@@saribeepo.o5111 I mean the entire point of both sides in prime was to show the extremes. The Decepticons and Autobots we saw were the worst of the worst or best of the best. The show didn't need excess things like a narcissist mourning someone else who was essentially a tool for protection. They didn't try and make a grey area for the majority of the show is was light vs dark good vs evil.

[@IcarusMundi]

Knockout is Knockout. He cannot be explained.

[@Karlos1234ify]

Starscream: Fliers fly straight, land vehicles however

[@zara-hope5518]

Maybe he did cry when Breakdown died but if he showed any sorrow others would see him as a weak target so he hides it. Plus the reason why he didn't feel any sympathy to cylas breakdown was because it wasn't Breakdown any more it was this disgusting thing using his body in Knockout's mind he is avenging for what M.E.C.H did to the one he cared and loved.

[@AutisticMan2004]

That does seem to be the way the fan stories write him on the rare occasion when that comes up and I do personally like the idea

[@nessie968]

I personally think he's not the type to cry. And unpopular opinion, it's entirely fine; not everyone expresses and processes emotion the same. He probably takes nothing in his life too seriously. Doesn't mean he can't feel emotion, but it feels like he either lacks empathy, or represses his emotions heavily. Which makes sense when you realize that repressed grief can turn into anger; which he displayed towards Cylas. It's also entirely in character for him to only seek revenge when it's safe for him.

[@ursidae97]

Or perhaps he didn't have a real bond with Breakdown in this continuity and he was really only with him for his body.

[@EnergyBurst2]

I always just kinda chalked it up to the fact that it's a war that's been going on for a long time so it's just something he was used to/prepared for eventually and was juts numb to losing comrades by the time we meet him.

[@mateothewizard]

And this is why I appreciate the comics for continuing his character by just a smidge. At least then, he showed some compassion. Hell, he left his home planet Velocitron, populated by typically speedy bots, so he could make Breakdown more comfortable, as he faced discrimination for being a slower bot. That? That’s adorable. He was willing to give up even the tiniest bit of his comfort to attend to his Conjunx’s needs. If only they made him as caring and not making everything about him self-absorbed. They could’ve even pulled the trope that his “selfishness” was a facade and have some episodes of development showing him having genuine moments of care and interest shining through that mask. But you can pretty much judge Prime Knockout by his “book cover”. They were so concerned on showing their chemistry too, but couldn’t bother with that.

[@moonwhooper]

I have to read them now

[@SarahGambill-sl9dl]

He's not a compassion 1. He's a sociopath decepticon .and he deserves 2 b a town humiliation and bullied.

[@Syrasruse]

Knockout is love, Knockout is life

[@bharathv5020]

I Fear Someone will make this into a fanfiction . and in the starting story a Aston Martin V12 Vanquish would come to a Suburban Home at Night That i Definitely would bet

[@kariqdatmenace6642]

One of the greatest transformers characters to ever be created we love this sassy decepticon doctor the and only "knockout"

[@DayDream_Soot]

Knockout actually showed genuine concern towards his patients, and was even seen looking concerned when starscream threw a con off of a platform. He just couldn't do anything verbally.

[@choushi06]

The only one that cared for my baby Knockout was still just Breakdown He cared for the medic, assisted him, helped him, buffed him everytime his partner got his paintjob stained, guess Break was his only true friend after all the stuff happened around them ... man I wanna cry, seeing my boy got mistreated and ignored after the appearance of Shockwave literally cut my heart into 2, KO's so clear my fav character in the whole series, I'm not even lying. I admire, adore and love every single aspect of him Can't even tell how is he doing in RID, this is absolute pain for someone who craves KO badly like me😭WAAAAAHH

[@SapphireStar23]

A fun and entertaining character. I always enjoy myself when I see KO on screen.

[@chibi_moibee2529]

Knockout unironically helped me find out who I am 😭 He is an icon, and even though he really was somewhat shallow in TFP, fanfics and the comics can help him 🙏

[@b1njjj95]

Agreed. The fanfics definitely help flesh out his character further and put him in interesting scenarios. Despite him not really interacting with the human children in TFP, I've read some fanfics where he interacts with them and they are quite interesting. Despite his disgust for the _fleshies,_ I feel like eventually he would learn to find them tolerable and interesting, and would want to learn more about them.

[@kitthekat04]

Same 😭

[@joshdillon9637]

@@b1njjj95 He already finds them interesting. He participates in street races against them and goes to drive-in movies.

[@b1njjj95]

@@joshdillon9637 I know

[@violetrose8779]

@@b1njjj95 in the fanfic i read it has knockout eventually love humans after joining the autobots and even start his own racing career on earth

[@NobodyMan0]

I feel about Knockout the same way I feel about Himuro from Aggretsuko: I don’t care how shallow the writing is, the guy steals the spotlight in all the best ways.

[@clodolcmidnights837]

“WHERE IS KNOCKOUT” “BETTER QUESTION, WHO IS KNOCKOUT” “BETTER QUESTION, WHY IS KNOCKOUT” The only thing I could think of when reading that title

[@thereptiledurppy6703]

I loved KO so much in Prime!! Since Steve Blum is voicing Starscream in TF EarthSpark, maybe KO will return too since his VA voiced the teacher in ep 7!!

[@tashafrancis8999]

Maybe the teacher is Knockout

[@thereptiledurppy6703]

@@tashafrancis8999 robots in disguise 😂

[@ariadnefrolich7243]

Well Breakdown showed up in the show.....

[@vincent3363]

the fact that he didn't care about being pushed into different roles is what made him survive that long also i would loved to see knockout paired with soundwave a noisy character with a silent classy styled charater would work well I think

[@joshdillon9637]

"Transformers has been shy about showing same-gender romance" Transformers Prime was pretty shy about showing ANY romance, which is exactly how I like it.

[@LJCastano]

I mean, they don’t really do romance to begin with.

[@TheRealandOnlyMrE]

No one wants that in Transformers.

[@ursidae97]

They could also have been a clear romance with cliffjumper and Arcee but they didn't.

[@chaoticcow4357]

Yeah! It also makes the evasion of queer subjects more understandable, meanwhile with other franchises/series its.. questionable. i honestly admire transformers for not focusing on romance, every affectionate touch or action is just affectionate within the franchise, which is something you rarely see. It also normalizes platonic affection. I was so happy to see Arcee and Optimus Prime hold hands during a risky situation, and not have that handholding be something romantic, just something to comfort one another. Of course, there's nothing wrong with readers and watchers finding romantic tones in certain actions, but its just nice to look at the interactions between characters at the base level, which is platonic affection.

[@LJCastano]

@@chaoticcow4357 seriously I really really enjoy how they target relationships with Transformers how while they are a thing in rare cases it’s extremely rare and we only have like 10 examples total because it’s looked at as kind of a malfunction or glitch for transformers since they’re not supposed to feel that way, which I feel like is completely fine and really adds to their robotic design for combat existence

[@theeleviathan7197]

I always figured Breakdown and Knockouts relationship was more of a symbiosis, Knockout needed a strong arm and maybe Breakdown liked the idea of not having to do much because he was a doctors assistant. Like Even being an assistant is a higher position then just another soldier. That's what it felt like to me anyway, and would explain why Knockout didn't care that much.

[@ursidae97]

Plus imagine the sex

[@lazydroidproductions1087]

I feel like the line in Knockout’s introduction is more to imply that while yes he is a doctor, he’s more experienced as a torturer

[@what_u_pizdish]

Something about Knockout and his emotions... Watching this moment (seeing Sylas as Breakdown and after that) in original dub more times really gets me into realization... Of some sort of shallowness in Knockout's character. I did not want to see it when I was younger, then tried to deny (because I liked him too much xd) and finally began the journey of reanalyzing every character in the show. But there was one little difference... That Knockout I'm more used to is the russian dub one. And he sounds softer and seems more emotional. Sometimes, I'll say, a lot more emotional than the original, but not in a bad way. And I can say this about other characters too (but Starscream's VA nailed everything just perfect, almost as good as Steve Blum in my opinion). I like KO any way, and I love learning more about my favourite characters. Thank you for an amazing video!✨

[@SuperGamefreak18]

I feel like Knockout is opportunistic overall versatile in his skills, he works best as the medic because no one works as a medic. I also think Knockout was affected by breakdown's death, and was likely one of the reasons he decided to switch sides, and well his response to Breakdown's state, he might not react like an autobot but that still screamed horror and shock to me from a vain person anyway. I feel like he cares for his allies but not at the same level as an autobot. Also Megatron even liked breakdown, remember when he killed him, it was because he disobeyed an order and was close to actually killing starscream. As evil as megatron is he expects order in his troops, and this megatron isnt AS fire happy as most of his counterparts when it comes to underlings.

[@ellorasg4525]

Knockout was very loved because he showed self acceptance. Something we all wished we could do with ourselves.

[@joslyncarter4813]

10:50 - 11:00 Starscream actually showed more care for Breakdown than Knockout did. Which doesn't seem realistic to me. He should've cared as much about him if not more. Can't necessarily blame Knockout's lack of concern on him being a Decepticon either. Starscream is also a Decepticon, but he he did value Breakdown. He would've saved him from Silas and his men if Bulkhead hadn't beat him to it.

[@b1njjj95]

Right??? That part always bothered me. Especially considering the fact that cannonically Knockout and Breakdown are married, so you would think that it would be KO that insisted on coming to his rescue, or at least gather a team of people to rescue him.

[@joslyncarter4813]

@@b1njjj95 Yes. They were very close. Regardless of continuity, they are "ride or dies" - inseparable. I'm am with Kumquat. You would think they would've shown KO petitioning Starscream, especially since he was 2nd in command, to save Breakdown.

[@jackofalltradeshermes]

@@b1njjj95 no they aren't. That's in IDW comics, not aligned continuity

[@b1njjj95]

@@jackofalltradeshermes Okay, but it's still implied in TFP that they are a thing, even if they aren't married in that universe.

[@DubDubDilluc]

@@b1njjj95 Hasbro confirmed that KO and his partner, BD are gay, so most likely.

[@heckyeahponyscans]

I think that some of the scenes are supposed to hint at deeper feelings. Like, he doesn't cry for Breakdown, but he is pleased that he gets to enact revenge on Silas. "Breakdown would be tickled." That's about the only time we see him eager to do something job-related. And then later in the series it turns out he's been tormenting Silas for months(?). He also blinded Silas in the same eye that Breakdown lost to MECH in "Operation Breakdown."

[@fluffywhompus]

I don’t know why but I feel like it shows just how close knockout and breakdown are that he would know if breakdown would be happy at what knockout was doing to Silas, also could explain why he dosent really feel bad about experimenting on breakdowns body

[@hemang6254]

Knockouts my favourite too!

[@j0j0thefan]

Knockout supremacy

[@zsocca4914]

Everything Knock Out does becomes clear if you analyze him as a textbook narcissist. He is shallow because narcissists are unable to form genuine deep relationships and tend to push their friends around without being emotionally invested in them. A narcissist will also betray any group in a blink if it no longers serves them so Knock Out didn’t join the Autobots because he realized the Decepticons were wrong and he wanted to change, but because - as he himself said - the other group was the winning team. As someone who has lived with a narcissist before, I can firmly confirm he checks almost all narcissistic traits both in speech, behavior and actions so there is no problem with the writing in his case, he is a perfect representation of a narcissist. He would be a menace to be in any kind of relationship with and I do not recommend anyone trusting such a person in real life.

[@scoutravenson3641]

I think Knockout is just surviving as best he can. He acts as he thinks other Decepticons expect or want him to. He pretends to be a better killer than Doctor at first, pretends to scheme for power, but in the end he’s a devoted physician and cares about the sanctity of life. Also I think his friend/possible lover Breakdown is more jaded and worn down by the war and thus a bad influence on him. I feel like his progression to Autobot is natural and makes perfect sense.

[@SunSTRK3]

I feel like he did care for breakdown, but wasnt able to show it cause anytime a decepticon has been nice to one another or to an autobot (like dreadwing or breakdown) they had died .

[@ursidae97]

I feel like seeing Breakdown for the first time in bad shape alone could have been the moment to show that before he was revealed to be Silas.

[@leslie5764]

It’s such a shame they had to get rid of both Breakdown and Dreadwing because their VAs were too expensive. Would have loved to see them join the Autobots.

[@KathrenGacha]

IKR!!! Their deaths hit me HARD!!! And Dreadwing's death just packed more emotion the Breakdown's. Idk, can't explain well in words

[@leslie5764]

@@KathrenGacha I think it’s bc he knew it was his end as well. He couldn’t bring himself to join the autobots but couldn’t fight for the decepticons anymore, either.

[@juicepox_x]

I really wish we would have gotten more of knockout grieving over breakdown or just anything else between them. The writters missed a big opportunity to make him even more likeable. Oh well, at least he’s still hot- I mean what?

[@NotlostMoon]

I interpret the side-switch more as just, like he says, picking the winning side.

[@fluffywhompus]

Yea that’s basically his last line in the show where he said “I picked the winning team” kinda shows how he didn’t really have deception beliefs and just chose whatever side was winning at the time

[@davidvasquez08]

How many roles do you have? Knockout: I’m good in any role Me: That’s good 👍🏽

[@ursidae97]

He's versatile

[@swerve2swag]

No one, Knockout: "Sweet rims, you're reaaalll heavy duty" bro violated a prime

[@-Darkstalker-]

Knockout is brave

[@fluffywhompus]

Bro just catcalled a prime 💀

[@helloiwanttootakeoverthewo3217]

Knockout is the only character in the show with plot armor cause he’s the only character that can survive injuries SO GREAT.

[@Ironluke_2001]

Going in expecting it to be one minute like the others. Checks the full runtime: *(over 17 minutes)* Me: "Unexpected, *but not unwelcomed."*

[@teni1239]

bc knockout is special

[@Youraverageartist874]

@@teni1239and the best

[@KathrenGacha]

@@teni1239 anything else and I would've closed it XD

[@diegodankquixote-wry3242]

Knockout might originally been called "Lugnut" according to promos or breakdown might have originally been a new version of animated Lugnut instead of a new version of g1 Breakdown. Maybe knockout was envisioned to be more like Cybertron Lugnutz. Who knows. Regardless I'm glad we live in a timeline where both of the bullets were dodged.

[@diegodankquixote-wry3242]

By the way, I worship animated lugnut. I'm just glad he wasn't treated like breakdown got and knockdown doesn't share the same name because lugnut would have been a terrible name for knockout's character.

[@MaskRobloxOfficial]

I GARANTUEE Knockout's voice actor had ALOT of fun recording his lines

[@Knock0u7-Starscream]

I found out there's actually a flower called a Knockout Rose it's a member of the Drift Rose family and can get something called rust, What the heck?🤣 And I have a plan for a future fanfic where Knock Out turns on the Autobots and join my OC Hummingbird and Starscream as some of the main villains I'm actually planning to have them win.

[@urmomisgay916]

I have a theory with the whole dead friend thing Knockout was silently grieving and not showing it, at all. He was hiding his feelings in fear he might get punished and he was determined to stay alive, so he had to push his friend's death to the side.

[@bb_ue]

That is literally just a fanon explanation

[@CDNBreadDogs]

I don't think Knockout was entirely sure of Breakdowns death, as the humans had taken his body. Knockout probably spent months just thinking Breakdown was somewhere alive, maybe captive, hence why when he first sees Silas-Breakdown his first question was "where have you been" and then "what happened to you?" Implying he never actually believed Breakdown to be dead. And he does sound mighty pissed when he realizes Breakdown died and is now being piloted like a machine

[@fluffywhompus]

Yea I though of that too, if he really beloved that breakdown was dead then his first question would have been “wait your alive!?” Or something questioning if he was really dead or not

[@Ryder-a-Blaze]

Knockout was always my favourite character in Prime

[@Xvicity101]

Character: knockout Character traits: Juicy Most memorable line: "juicy" Color: juicy Weapons: juicy Rival: juicy Veical mode: juicy Faction: juicy Gender: juicy Voice: juicy Roll: juicy

[@sirembrum49thegreatmoth2]

JUICY 😩

[@hillbillywizard497]

Knockout gives me "Combat Field Medic" vibes. A "stitch you back together" more than "fix you up" kind of medical professional.

[@switchprocontrollersplatoo7240]

Seeing two transformers kissing was something I was not prepared for at all

[@fluffywhompus]

I was so flabbergasted at the sight of knockout and breakdown kissing that I got knocked into another dimension

[@warfangalphawolf3697]

You can here the anger in knockout's voice when he asks Megatron to allow him to return the favor for Breakdowns death

[@Redrosetheautobot]

Knockout is one of those characters where you love them no matter what they do or what they say

[@Karah]

I just figured he was the medic for the decepticons. Because if the Autobots have Ratchet as their medic, the decepticons should have one too-

[@WindySilver]

I love this kind of character analyses. While I'd noted the lack of reactions to what happened to Breakdown in Operation Breakdown and Crossfire, I never batted much of an eye to him scheming with Starscream and then completely dropping it. Now that I think about it, he's probably quite opportunistic, scheming with Starscream when it's safe and when Megatron comes back to good health and beats 'Scream within inches of his life, he quickly drops back into being a medic who does other stuff too because it's far safer and because as simply the ship's only medic he's far more untouchable due to being too valuable for Megatron to beat up.

[@Solarstormflare]

i love knockout so much he's my fave tf of all time

[@SIRHOPP3R]

Knock Out and Breakdown were always my favs throughout childhood hahaa, had all the toys!!

[@la_void9750]

I always love knockouts He was funny. He might have been the only decepticon to ever stand toe to toe against Optimus and survive his battle from him.

[@BugattiONE666]

I think the reason the ship had no doctor, is because if you were wounded they generally didnt care, u either kept fighting or died. Once its megatron however, he actually mattered

[@shadowmarauder6033]

Knockout is a great & lovable character, but his weakness is one seen throughout the show: his personality was stagnant, to where he didn’t react like he should or did things that he shouldn’t. Another example is Arcee learning to overcome revenge multiple times. However I don’t blame the staff & writers for this. With how much infighting their was in production for this show, many character arcs were rushed or dropped altogether with little time to compensate character-wise. To explain why Knockout had so many roles & jobs, he might’ve studied to become a jack-of-all-trades doctor & scientist, being good in various fields but never becoming a master at them fully.

[@MintTea2005]

If Knockout isn’t ever in a live action movie I will at least be glad to know that in one of many alternate universes there may be a Knockout in a live action transformers film..

[@zara-hope5518]

Hmm I think he is actually a Velcitronian who was stranded on Cybertron when the council destroyed the space bridges and he became a low caste, the reason he cared about his frame and has a love of racing is it's because they are the only things he has of his home and well I believe that Breakdown was sold to the wreckers but Ultra Magnus was told he was a new member and that he chose to join them it was only after he met and fell in love with Knockout that he had the strength in his mind and spark to leave. well that's my theory at least.

[@inesatt1313]

Love him and he's craftier than he looks His Laser Digits are proof And yes I am the one who pointed it out No lies

[@theredlemon9977]

I love how the sound of starscream disconnecting his cable is the same as tf2 medic's medigun sound

[@emmat2276]

"Ze healing izn't az rewarding az da hurting" 🕊️

[@eanna3781]

So did you just wake up one morning and look at the Knockout Body Pillow and go "Why are you gay?"

[@fluffywhompus]

Bro I can’t with this 😭

[@_Knockout_1.0]

(͡⁠°⁠‿⁠ ͡⁠°⁠)

[@orcastrike7750]

“Vain queer-coded Decepticon doctor” is not a phrase I ever expected to hear in my lifetime

[@HOLDENPOPE]

I kind of like how many different things Knockout does, from racing to sciencing. I know it shows they didn't know what to do with him, but I think it unintentionally fleshes him out more.

[@fluffywhompus]

I feel like it shows how he can adapt to any situation he is in wether he wants to or not

[@kaisipe412]

I like to think he has a high understanding of biology from dissection

[@Suhoputnaya_Akula]

I noticed that many fans underestimate Knockout. At least partly thanks to him, Cybertron is alive. If he hadn't returned for synthetic energon and restored its formula, it's not a fact that planet could have been revived so soon. Let Knockout be one of the weakest transformers and the lowest male character, but among 3 scientists he is the most combat-ready. He has 4 types of weapons, he is very mobile. And if in a fight against Optimus, Knockout shows himself better than Starscream and vehicons, this is a reason for Megatron to think about combat skills of his soldiers. Imagine that "RID 2015" does not exist (but exist is Fracture, because he is the best decepticon of this bad cartoon). If Knockout has become an autobot, then he needs to change, not necessarily completely. As I believe, the most suitable companions for him would be Arcee and Smokescreen. Arcee and Knockout have almost the same circumstances of death of their partners, and their relationship will be greatly strengthened when both encounter Arachnid and neutralize her (let's be honest, this outcome of events is one of the most expected for fans). Smokescreen is a more responsive, cheeky and young version of Knockout, the scout will quickly find a common language with the doctor. One of the best ways to show the Knockout's change is loss of the left eye in previously mentioned fight with Arachnid. Doctor will have many wounds that will be healed by Ratchet, but instead of a new eye, he will prefer an eye patch. So Knockout will prove to autobots that he has really changed and wants to be worthy member of team. And it will also be a tribute to Breakdown who lost right eye.

[@franilovic4139]

I think that knockout was the only decepticon who did not want to cyberform earth because he enjoyed racing and doing other human activities like watching movies

[@AUselessHumanCalledSarah]

I am very proud to say I am a knockout Stan even tho I am not adoring him much these months because of optimus prime, ah, knockout, he was the character who introduced me to transformers prime and he sure is a great character! This video was good to just realize and notice some interesting things about knockout and he's character in the show, he is such a charming character and a bit iconic looking, we all can know the many reasons why the fandom/community LOVES him I hope he can appear more on recent shows or comics or toys, or any references of him anything! This video is a very great look on knockout Emperor kumquat you're doing good content as always! Can't wait for more mercy content also

[@MogusMasterSaikawa22]

would be great to see him again haha

[@kuitaranheatmorus9932]

simply Knockout is one of my favorite character from the Prime and just overall he's funny, also this video was very awesome :D hope you had a great day

[@jr9529]

Honestly I think the "shut up you!" Was just the last straw lol

[@russellharrell2747]

Knockout: and this is where I would put my show accurate figure…IF I HAD ONE!’

[@Майрук]

I think he was supposed to be a jack-of-all-trades doctor. He doesn't know the complicated stuff on most themes. That is the reason why he gets pushed aside when Shockwave and Rchet arrive. He likes racing, kinda like a hobby.

[@saagabragi6938]

TFP's incoherence was such a thing. More shows should actually be at least vaguely planned out before they start, like ATLA.

[@thenarrator4549]

I like how you talked about the issues about issues with Knockout's depth and character arc through the show but still evened it out by talking about how funny he is and how much fans love him. I never was Knockout's biggest fan, mainly because I thought he took the role that should have belonged to Breakdown and I don't like vain characters.

[@dillydraws]

fun fact. at 13:55 Knockout disappears for a frame

[@DragonStar524]

Starscream and Knockout are the epitome of "Work Colleagues"

[@lunacanyonrose8436]

I watched Transformers Prime probably around 7 years old and it was the first Transformers media I consumed. Knockout has always been my favorite because he was such a fun character to watch. Seeing a video analysis that exposes how shallow his actual character writing was in Transformers Prime honestly made me realize why I ended up with a lot of my head canons for him lol. He was great in TFP but he has so much more potential. Great video again! I love your content

[@TealFirefox4387]

I always felt Knockout did feel some grief when Breakdown went missing. Predominantly due to his diaologe to Megatron when he brings Cylus aboard the Nemesis and when he dragged Cylus off at the end of the episode. Maybe by that point he had managed to prosses his grief and move on. Or perhaps he was keeping those feelings to himself hiding his sorrow behind his vanity and flamboyance. Then when cyluse emerges having defilled his partners corspe it reopens the wound of losing Breakdown. And then when Cylus fails Megatron Knowckout is gleefully eager to torture Cylus for his transgressions.

[@sewing3049]

I feel like the lack of reactions about breakdown of was to try, and avoid what happened anyways, which was them being shipped

[@RobloxianWatar]

“I got something better!” “The heck is Knockout??”

[@AmelpsXett]

i think his reaction to Breakdown death is actually very good. Its not because he's evil or uncarring, he's just a decepticon. Seeing death was normal his whole life, compared to autobots who only got to see it during the war, when they're in the rush. Ther reason he didnt care about him being kidnapped is because he never really thought he can get into any danger that can result in his death

[@baileypalmer103]

Love this guy. Whoever decided the deceptions needed a flamboyant fruitcake on the team was a genius

[@shyspy8397]

This might be a hot take but I think that G1 Breakdown and Knockout would have been a better ship dynamic than the Prime version of Breakdown

[@zawasske]

Ohh, could you elaborate? I didn't know Knockout was in g1

[@shyspy8397]

@@zawasskeell technically there not the same character it’s one of those two different characters with the same name situation that this franchise loves to do but basically Breakdown was a member of the Stunticons and was characterised as incredibly paranoid and I felt like that would have made for a more interesting dynamic than what we got.

[@zawasske]

@@shyspy8397 ohh yea,would be fun

[@firewing5592]

Yes make Knockout a Stunticon it would be great

[@fluffywhompus]

Haven’t gotten that far in the gen1 series but definitely, while I can understand why the writers made their dynamic they way they did due to breakdowns VA becoming too expensive there dynamic really isn’t good or healthy for a full fledged relationship but definitely do well as just friends in prime

[@everest5718]

I think it’s important to distinguish Canon and Fanon, but I think the fanon version of Knockout that emerged after the series was an interesting character. He’s pretty flexible when it comes to who he can be, aside from the basic things like his vanity or being a doctor. The only fanon idea I don’t really like is the idea of Knockout not actually having medical knowledge. I know it’s a funny/interesting idea to some, that the Decepticons became so desperate that they got someone with barely enough knowledge to be their CMO, but I think it’s much more interesting if he’s genuinely knowledgeable on repairing bots but has an opposite persona to Ratchet - charming and charismatic, but also sadistic and brutal.

[@lamlily154]

For some reason I keep wondering about how megatron in the aligned continuity he went from a tank to a jet (if I’m forgetting something please tell me)

[@Epsilon-18]

No no, this is a norm in the fandom.

[@barryallen2240]

1: Tanks aren't very good at finding Dark Energon in space 2: Based on Starscream's comments I think the T-Cog's "Memory" can likely be overwritten with a new form

[@fluffywhompus]

Didn’t he start out as a gun then turned into a tank?

[@Rubywing4]

Wow, I never realized how shallow Knock Out's character really is in the show. Even Starscream seems to care more about Breakdown than Knock Out, Breakdown's own PARTNER, actually does. Starscream: "Aren't you sad that your partner is dead and taken over by a human?" Knock Out: "Not really." And then Starscream simply tells him to shut up in the movie while trying to basically save everyone on the ship from the zombie Predacons approaching (mostly himself, but the others are a bonus), and then Knock Out betrays their supposed developing friendship. Starscream just wants someone to rant to and listen to his troubles, and Knock Out doesn't even care. And people say Starscream is the worst person in Prime. Not hating on Knock Out, of course, he's still a sexy shmuck, I just keep feeling bad for poor Screamer who wants friends and love but doesn't know how and gets nothing, while KO is perfectly content not caring about others and just wants to survive by siding with the winners. I tend to write KO as a bit more caring in my fics than he actually seems to be, but I think that's perfectly fine. I also thought the title was funny with "Why is Knockout?" XD

[@jaredohlstein7355]

Knock Out = best Decepticon

[@shauryamukherjee3399]

Whenever I see knock out In an episode, the episode just gets better

[@Haah_lah]

K.O is the frist waifu/husbu in tfp

[@cfogarty07]

If I wrote knockout I would have put him as a jack of all trades and have him take opportunity whenever it presents itself but doesn’t care.

[@Skwabadoodles]

Knockout is a icon

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodGeek99]

Hes awesome, espically his voice lol