The annual hunt for Filipino monster the Wakwak is a chance for the Moltos to bond. But Alex’s kids want nothing to do with it and out in the woods, Manifold’s arachnobots are on the hunt…

Once again the show cleverly puts the youth of its leads and the nature of family at the heart of the show. Jon Jon Briones’ Alex gets a lot to do here and it’s all great. Briones gives Alex a gentle air but never a foolish one. He’s honest and sweet and crucially, secure in himself. The bond with Bumblebee he forms this episode explores that and it’s the best work Briones and Pudi have done to date on the show. Plus the Eskrima stick-fighting beatdown he and Robby put on the Arachnabots is a great action beat that also keeps family and tradition front and centre.

But this episode is a chance for Kathleen Khavari and Michael T. Downey to shine too. Khavari’s Twitch has always been deeply likable and here she gets a lot to do. Feeling the need to join in the family traditions but not really fitting in, her alienation is sincere and touching. Her friendship with Michael T. Downey’s Wheeljack brings it all to the fore too as the amiable Autobot scientist is reinvented as a charming, old timey loner who isn’t quite sure about how to be around another people. Twitch’s alt form is one of his drones and their journey from strangers to him welcoming the name ‘Dad2’ is really sweet.

Verdict: Earthspark is doing a fantastic job of balancing all its various themes and this is the best episode yet. Definitely a tradition worth continuing. 10/10

Alasdair Stuart