To be honest how many people in the cinema read "Defiance?" Outside of TF fans so it was probably neglected.
That's what I found really disheartening in ROTF lack of back story on the new robots. I really wanted to see more of Sideswipe and the other new Autobots. I mean come on Volt was only around so he could jumpstart PrimeI don't need to know everything but some quality screen time with the new guys would've been nice.
I agree John Turtorro stole the show in ROTF, he was oddly out of place in the 1st film but really slotted in well in ROTF.