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Energon Grid (episode)

2011-09-10T21:02:44Z

109.151.179.229: /* Trivia */

{{disambig2|the ''Energon'' episode|the protective planetary shield|energon grid}}
{{episode|
|series=Energon
|ep=14
|prev=Kicker Beware!
|next=Rodimus Friend or Foe?
|title="Energon Grid"
|japanese=エネルゴングリッド発動
|romaji=Energon Grid Hatsudō
|translation=Energon Grid Engaged
|image=E14_titlecard.jpg
|caption=Because the ''Armada'' grid is so passé.
|production code=
|production company=[[TV Tokyo]], [[Nihon Ad Systems|NAS]]
|writer=[[Akira Okeya]]
|director=[[Naoki Ōhira]]
|animation studio=[[Actas Inc.|Actas]], [[Studio A-CAT]] (3D)
|airdate=[[April 9|9 April]] [[2004]] (Japanese) [[July 1]], 2004 (English)
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy]]
}}

'''Megatron creates three giant comets and launches them at the Earth, intending to devastate the planet.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Unicron]]'s body shakes and rattles, as [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] struggles to create several cucumber-shaped "comets" to destroy [[Earth]] and the [[Autobot]]s, inspired by [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]]'s attempt to crush the Autobots with the mobile fortress on the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]. Scorponok is angry that he's not leading the mission, as [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] and the others push the comets toward [[Earth]]. [[Alpha Quintesson|Alpha Q]] observes and speculates that this will destroy the whole planet... making it easy for him to collect the [[Energon (Energon)|energon]].

[[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] detects the three comets approaching. Scorponok wonders why they aren't using the warp gate; Tidal Wave replies that the purpose of the attack is to strike fear into the [[human]]s.

[[Image:Energon-Cel-Megatron-Straining.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Megatron strains so hard the CGI renderer can't keep up.]]

The Autobots work to get the [[energon grid]] fully operational before the comets arrive in six hours. [[Lunar City]] is protected, and the troops move on to [[Ocean City]]. Soon only [[Desert City]] remains, but the tower output there isn't at full strength yet. [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]], [[Misha Miramond|Misha]] and [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]] wait for the fireworks.

Megatron decides that once all the humans are dead, he wants their [[spark]]s brought to him, so he can create a new batch of soldiers. [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] tells him that won't work.

[[Brian Jones (Energon)|Dr. Jones]] still can't locate the problem, so Kicker and Misha head to [[Desert City]] aboard [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], with Ironhide following. Jetfire lifts Kicker and Ironhide up to the suborbital portion of the tower.

As the reformatted [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] remains bound to the wall, Megatron laughs in anticipation of Earth's destruction and the Autobots' fear. Demolishor reflects that he's becoming mad with his own power, but when Megatron asks, he simply offers up that [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s destruction will be a good thing.

[[Image:Energon-Optimus-And-Dr-Jones.jpg‎|200px|thumb|right|C'mon, gizza lookee!]]

Prime and [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] meet up with Jetfire in space. If the grids fail, Lunar City will be the front line, and the Autobots will have to stop the comets themselves. Alpha Q watches and speculates that they can't possibly do it, and that the energon will be his soon.

Ironhide lowers Kicker deep into the darkness of the tower, noting as he does that if they don't fix the problem, it's all over. Ironhide wonders why humans bother struggling to survive when they have such short lives; Kicker replies that it's just part of being alive, and that every human wants to live as long as possible. Ironhide doesn't quite get it.

Suddenly, Kicker sees something in the darkness. Ironhide's lights reveal a pair of blue-colored [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon]]s, who attack. Ironhide shoots down their [[energon weapon]]s. Alpha Q tells "[[Blackout (Terrorcon)|Blackout]]" that he must not shoot at the human and the Autobot...a voice that Kicker hears. Alpha Q reviews Ironhide and Kicker's conversation.

[[Image:Energon-Rodimus-Into-Torpedo.jpg‎|200px|thumb|left|Geronimo!]]

Kicker reports in to Misha, who sends a [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] to check out the problem. Ironhide and Kicker suddenly see several inert [[Omnicon]]s below the two Terrorcons. They deduce that there was a battle; Misha says they can't get there in time, and Kicker will have to handle it.

The comets have passed [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], so Prime's team prepares to engage them.

Kicker takes Ironhide's [[energon star]], reasoning that it will lure the Terrorcons out. When they fail to follow, he realizes that they're damaged and can't fly, so he leaps down to them. They open fire, hitting Ironhide.

The comets are nearly to Earth. Megatron and Demolishor arrive to watch the show, the latter not so happy about it. At Lunar City, [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] orders the city's defenses to attack the passing comet; Prime's team also attacks, though it seems to be doing little good.

[[Image:Energon-Kicker-Feed-Terrorcons.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Eat up, my pretties...]]

Kicker offers the energon star to the Terrorcons, saying that they just need a little help. Alpha Q is intrigued.

Suddenly, Hot Shot and Prime see a fleet of blue-hued Terrorcons approaching... led by [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]]! The creatures smash into the comet, breaching its hull; Rodimus enters and destroys it from within. Megatron responds by deciding to smash the other two into Earth.

The Terrorcons eat the energon and self-heal; Kicker calls in to Misha. Outside, the other two are approaching. Prime's team magically glows with the power of energon, and tries to push them away. Megatron observes with delight, as tidal waves begin to rise on Earth. Dr. Jones orders Prime's team to clear out, as the grid activates just in time, destroying the comets. The [[Decepticon]]s retreat under fire from Ocean City, and the Autobots enjoy the fireworks.

Kicker senses a ship of unknown origin, landing near the city. He realizes it's come to pick up the two stray Terrorcons. It lifts off into the sky and through the grid. Ironhide realizes it's a [[Transformer|Cybertronian]] ship and wonders who's piloting it; Kicker votes to just let them go, certain that it's a friend, possibly Rodimus. Ironhide reveals that he put a homing device on one of the Terrorcons, which he regards as a great joke on Kicker, prompting Kicker to kick him.

Alpha Q wonders why he helped the Autobots, and how Rodimus controls the Terrorcons; he decides that Kicker is the key to the energon.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] (8)
* [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] (9)
* [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]] (11)
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] (14)
* [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]] (15)
* [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] (16)
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (17)
* [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]] (16)

|c2=
* [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] (1)
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] (2)
* [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] (3)
* [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Snow Cat]] (4)
* [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] (5)

|c3=
* [[Carlos Lopez]] (7)
* [[Brian Jones (Energon)|Brian Jones]] (10)
* [[Misha Miramond]] (12)
* [[Kicker Jones]] (13)

|c4=
* [[Alpha Quintesson]] (6)
* [[Blackout (Terrorcon)|Blackout]] (14)
* [[Blackout (Terrorcon)|Divebomb stealth drones]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==
"Once we've destroyed the Earth, collect the energon and bring me all of the ''humans''' sparks as well. I think I'm going to use them to create a new batch of soldiers for my army." 
"But, sir. You can't do that." 
"Why not?" 
"Well, the humans' spark is fragile." 
"WHAT?! Impossible! Their spark's not eternal?" 
"One life. That's ''all'' they've got." 
"Bahh. Then they really ''are'' poorly designed." 
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Demolishor''' <s>bring you your dose of nonsensical dialog</s> discuss the drawbacks of human anatomy.

"Whoah. That's ''amazing!''" 
"It's the ''power of energon.''"
:—'''Ironhide''' and '''Kicker''' watch a Terrorcon self-heal, and really really really want you to buy those toys.

==Notes==
===Lost in translation===
* The dub adds in a lot of explication about Megatron's plan in the early scenes, which were mostly silent for ''Super Link''.
* Alpha Q wonders if it's right to allow Earth to be destroyed, a point lost in the dub.
* The dub changes the Desert City tower's output from 10 percent to 70 percent—quite a difference.
* Demolishor tells Megatron that humans don't ''have'' sparks, and that if they die, that's it for them. Megatron replies that they're an inferior species. The dub warps this conversation around a bit, making it sound rather nonsensical (see quotes above).
* In ''Super Link'', Megatron more pointedly asks Demolishor if he still has feelings for Earth.
* Ironhide and Kicker's conversation on the nature of human life isn't changed much for the dub, but the dub omits Kicker likening his own life to the glow of fireworks, thereby diminishing a running theme of the episode.
* Misha responds to Kicker that she ''already'' sent Skyblast(s) to investigate, thereby explaining where the inert Omnicons came from. The dub mutates this into her saying she ''will'' send Omnicons, only to say a second later that her group can't get there in time.
* The dub no longer explicitly state that one of the comets has pulled ahead of the other two, though it remains discernible from the animation... sorta.
* Alpha Q's closing self-conversation is more a debate on whether he wants to help the Autobots and protect the Earth. The dub makes this somewhat less clear.

===Pain count===
* "Uh?": 17
* Stock footage: 2
* Energon is great: 2
* We've gotta: 1
* Take it Easy: 1
* No way: 1
* What's going on: 1
* Aw, great: 1

===Animation and technical errors===
* Megatron is not voiced by David Kaye in this episode, but [[Richard Newman]]—which is somewhat more inexplicable than normal because Newman was not otherwise part of the ''Energon'' dub cast.
* Kicker tells Ironhide to hold the ''light'' steady, when it's the ''rope'' that's moving around. The same error repeats in ''Super Link''.

===Continuity errors===
* A comical moment relies on Ironhide barely managing to grab hold of Jetfire as he flies up the tower, in defiance of all the Transformers' previously-demonstrated ability to fly just about anywhere.
* If the Terrorcons are draining the tower's energon, why do they need to be given energon to heal themselves?
* Kicker and Ironhide never did anything to actually fix the tower (on screen, at least).

===Trivia===
*As Jetfire arrives at Desert City, one of the Omnicons in the background is rather amusingly kicking his legs around as he's pulled up by a cable.
*The autobots seem REALLY unenthusiastic at seeing the legendary [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]] that has apparently been gone for 8,000 years.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2004 — ''Transformer: Super Link'' — Volume 004 ([[Interchannel]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Energon'' — The Ultimate Collection ([[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]])

[[Category:Energon episodes]]

Mouthplate

2011-09-10T11:48:05Z

109.151.179.229: /* Notes */

[[Image:Optimus face.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I am smiling on the outside, but crying on the inside... not that you could tell anyway.]]
Instead of regular human facial features, some Transformers have what looks like a plate affixed to their lower jaw, usually covering up to their nose. While no official name exists for these, they are usually called ''''mouthplates''' ' or ''''faceplates'''' (despite a 'regular' face once being described as a faceplate in the TV series). Two of the most famous examples are those of [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'s [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]. Sufferers of [[Primus apotheosis]] often affix themselves with unnecessary faceplates to better emulate their idol.

In earlier series, a Transformer's mouthplate moved when they spoke, as if there were a working jaw underneath. In [[Victory (cartoon)| Victory]], [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] and the [[Unicron Trilogy]], however, it remains static.

Certain Transformers who sport mouthplates do have regular mouths underneath. Sometimes these mouthplates are even retractable, either in full or partially, to reveal their mouths.

==Fiction/Toylines==
===Generation 1===
[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] featured a prominent mouthplate in both [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|toy]] form (as do all [[Action Master|other]] [[SCF|G1-based]] [[Revoltech|toyline]] [[Robot Heroes|versions]]). The 20th Anniversary figure featured a mouthplate that was movable via a button on the back of his head that slightly lowered the spring-supported mouthplate to recreate the talking action seen in the cartoons.

[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] had a similar mouthplate, but no apparent nose (whether any of his assumed face is visible or not is debatable, considering how visor-esque his eyes are). Like Optimus, both his cartoon and [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|toy]] form had the mask. No toys have yet been made with a moving mask feature.

[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s mouthplate was unique in that it was fixed, even in the cartoon. Instead of a movable mouthplate, you knew Wheeljack was speaking because his "ears" flashed.

Many early toys had mouthplates that were simply disregarded in favor of mouths in fictional appearances (barring the occasional toy-accurate rendering). [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] in particular had a mask in [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|toy]] form, but not in cartoon or [[Marvel Comics|comic]] form. A rare reissue of the toy features a [[Show-accuracy|cartoon-accurate]] face, however, as do most toys of him since. Conversely, as Goldbug, he featured a mask in both cartoon and toy form.

On the other hand, [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] has a faceplate on the cartoon even though his toy has a mouth.

[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] in his newly reborn body from the Japanese continuity also feature a mouthplate.{{storylink|Hybrid Style Convoy Black Version}}

[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] sometimes has a mouthplate and sometimes he doesn't.

===Beast Wars===
[[Optimus Primal]] was shown to have a mouthplate which would slide into place when he entered battle. This was used to reconcile the presence of an actual mouth on his animation model with the lack thereof on his toy. Later [[Retool|retoolings]] of the toy reflected the animation model.

===Cybertron===
The [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] animation model displays a similar setup to Optimus Primal, with a mouthplate that slides into place when entering [[Super Mode]]. However in this case the toy reflects this, featuring a gimmick that allows the face to display either configuration.

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Bumblebeebattlemask.jpg|left|200px|thumb|25 years before someone realized his toy has no face.]]
In [[The War Within]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] was depicted as having a removable face mask with mouthplate that resembled the original sculpt of his toy. In [[War Within: The Dark Ages|The Dark Ages]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] was given a similar treatment with a flip-up faceguard. The [[Titanium Series]] release of this character design featured the faceguard, but it was not removable. [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] was depicted with a removable face mask like Bumblebee's in the ongoing Generation 1 series.
{{-}}

===IDW comics continuity ===
In [[Stormbringer (comics)|Stormbringer]], Jetfire has a removable mask with mouthplate as part of his battle gear. This feature was included in the [[Classics (2006)|Classics]] toy of this character design.
Most recently in [[All Hail Megatron]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] himself revealed he has a retractable mouthplate much like his [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Movie counterpart]]. This would be the first time in an official story that the G1 version<ref>Although [[Don Figueroa|the artist]] himself doesn't consider him to be a G1 version.[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=143991#143991]</ref> of the character is portrayed as being able to remove his mouthplate, revealing that he does have a mouth underneath it (which he uses to eat some energon).

===Live-action ''Transformers'' movies===
[[Image:ROTF Prime mouthplate shatter.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Megatron did that just to piss off the [[GEEWUN|purists]]. He's that evil.]]
[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] is depicted as having a combat mouthplate which closes over his normal mouth to protect his face. To date, only one of Prime's [[Robot Heroes]] figurines, Buster Optimus Prime, and the Battle Hooks redeco display his face and mouth, while all other merchandise features the plate. [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] also has a mouthplate, seen very briefly. [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] has two pieces that rest on the top of his head normally but slide down and clamp together over his whole face in battle. Bumblebee's faceplate has a very insectoid appearance, crediting his name. [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] has a visor that protects his upper-face in combat. Ironhide also has a mouthplate similar in appearance to Optimus Prime's as shown in some concept art, however he has never officially used it on film.

In ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Optimus Prime's faceplate is smashed to pieces when he is kicked in the face by [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], but it is replaced when he combines with [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]]. While not noticeable in the film, [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]]'s [[Human Alliance]] toy confirms he has an extra layer of armor plating (which was thought to be his actual face) protecting his main face.

===''Transformers Animated''===
Most of the Autobots in [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]]'s crew have retractable faceplates. Optimus, [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] each have one. [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] has one, too, though his is unique in that it covers his whole face. Among the Decepticons, [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]] has a non-retractable mouthplate, much like his [[Soundwave (G1)|G1 predecessor]]'s. Optimus' mouthplate flaps up and down when he talks, just like that of G1 Optimus, but none of the others' do.

===''Transformers Prime''===
[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] each have a mouthplate that they slide into place over their faces whenever they enter battle.

==Notes==
* Fan commentator [[Dave Edwards|Zobovor]] nicknamed these distinctive items "'''woobers'''" (crediting the term to a younger relative), and the name became popular with some fans.
* Both the [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|''Armada'' Optimus Prime]] and the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|''20th Anniversary'' Optimus Prime]] toys have mouthplates that can move up and down when a button located on their heads is depressed, even though Armada Prime's mouthplate never moved in the series itself. Additionally, the ''20th Anniversary'' toy has teeth (or possibly a speaker grille) hidden behind the mouthplate, in reference to Optimus Prime's battle-damaged appearance in the [[Generation 2 (Marvel comic)|''Generation 2'' comics]], though this detail cannot be seen without disassembling the entire head (or just looking down with it pulled down really far).
* The lack of a full-time mouthplate [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|on]] [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|certain]] [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|characters]] has, in the past, been known to result in [[GEEWUN|certain]] [[Ruined FOREVER|reactions]] from the fandom. Oh well.

==Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category:Transformer anatomy]]