I'm a well read grad student who's bluntly honest about all things, although I try to be most honest about myself.
But it turns out I do. This was a bittersweet look at Sideswipe, his relationship with Sunstreaker, and his relationship with Arcee. (I also didn't realized I shipped them until now, and I do, really hard.)
It didn't end where I thought I would, and yet it's the most perfect ending to Sideswipe's storyline here. More touching and thoughtful than this series has been in my opinion, and this kind of issue is why I never discount Barber, even though a rough patch with this series.
I'm finding myself interested more in Sideswipe, Jazz, and Thundercracker than in the title character. I wish this wasn't so focused on Optimus, to be honest, as I usually am neutral about him, but dislike him given what he's done in this continuity.
But, yes, I will most definitely be picking up number ten!