Shell program

2010-11-07T08:22:39Z

118.209.62.60: /* Beast Machines Cartoon */

:''A shell program is a [[Spark]]-manipulating control program from the [[Beast Era]] portion of the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Shell program.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Who says "Asteroids" is not about life and death?]]
A '''shell program''' is a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]-designed personality altering program that can be installed within a Transformer to change the way they act. A shell program can even compel a Transformer to behave in ways diametrically opposed to what they would do without the shell program.
{{-}}
==Fiction==
===''Beast Wars'' cartoon===
Upon the landing of each [[stasis pod]], the [[Maximal|Maximals]] and Predacons would both rush to the scene in hopes of recruiting the [[protoform]] inside to their team. The protoforms were Maximals by default, but the Predacons were able to turn some by implanting shell programs before waking the protoform up. [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] joined the Predacons through this scheme. ([[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] and [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] joined without being reprogrammed.) Rhinox's brief stint as a Predacon was not explicitly explained, but may have also been the result of a shell program. {{storylink|Dark Designs (episode)|Dark Designs}}

Eventually, despite her shell program, Blackarachnia decided to side with the Maximals. When hidden code in her shell program began to threaten her life, the Maximals attempted to remove it entirely, a procedure which was very dangerous for her. [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] then conducted a strange kind of virtual, videogame-style "search and destroy" mission within Blackarachnia to accomplish this. Sadly, a safeguard that [[Tarantulas]] included in the program terminated her before Rhinox could finish the removal. (She was then revived "magically" by the [[Transmetal driver]].)

===''Beast Machines'' Cartoon===
[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] utilized the sparks of [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]], [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], and [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] to power shell programs giving life to the original three [[Vehicon general|Vehicon generals]].
Each of these programs seemed to have personalities the exact opposite of the spark (i.e. Thrust a dark, brooding type as opposed to Waspinator's wimpy personality, Tankor is a dumb buttface opposed to Rhinox's superior intelligence, and Jetstorm is a cold hearted murderer opposed to Silverbolt's chivalry). [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] and [[Strika (BM)|Strika]], however, did not appear to be altered in this manner.

[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Beast Wars]]

A Tale of Two Heros

2010-11-05T15:51:58Z

118.209.62.60: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode|
|series=Energon
|series2=Superlink
|ep=18
|prev=The Return of Demolishor
|next=Battle Stations
|title=A Tale of Two Heros
|japanese=対決! ふたりのコンボイ
|romaji=Taiketsu! Futari no Convoy
|translation=Confrontation! Two Convoys
|image=E18_titlecard.jpg
|caption=Facepalm!
|production code=
|production company=[[TV Tokyo]], [[Nihon Ad Systems|NAS]]
|writer=[[Akira Okeya]]
|director=[[Mitsuru Kawasaki]]
|animation studio=[[Actas Inc.|Actas]], [[Studio A-CAT]] (3D)
|airdate=[[May 7|7 May]] [[2004]] (Japanese) [[July 3]], 2004 (English)
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy]]
}}

'''Ironhide follows Rodimus, determined to find out more about the mysterious Alpha Q.'''

==Summary==
Aboard the ''[[Miranda II]]'', the Autobots have tracked the tracer signal to a Decepticon warp point.

Alpha Q freaks out in light of the recent [[energon (Energon)|energon]] theft. Scorponok offers to get more, using his position in Megatron's ranks... and Rodimus.

Kicker is worried about a Decepticon attack, and "that Unicron thing". Suddenly, they see an approaching ship, flying a flag (literally) with the AutoBrand—Rodimus's ship!

Rodimus opens a channel, asking permission to come aboard. Hot Shot, naturally, [[Rodimus: Friend or Foe?|isn't too happy about this]], but can't offer any proof to the others that anything's amiss.

[[Image:Energon-Optimus-And-Rodimus.jpg|left|230px|thumb|A dream is born, double prime!]] Rodimus lays it out: he wants Prime not to destroy Unicron, and focus on defeating Megatron instead. He tells Optimus that Unicron can create new life, such as the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon]]s created by Alpha Q, and that it's only dangerous in the wrong hands. Prime isn't buying it, but Rodimus tells him that Unicron consumed Alpha Q's planet.

Kicker asks Inferno how Rodimus and Optimus know each other. Inferno tells him a story that doesn't answer the question.

Rodimus says that the consumed planets can be re-created. Prime still thinks it's too dangerous. Rodimus leaves... and as he does, Ironhide overhears him and Prowl discussing what they're going to tell Alpha Q.

Kicker finds Ironhide watching Rodimus's ship depart, and deduces that he plans to track him back to Alpha Q's location. The ''Miranda II'' powers up. Ironhide doubts if he should go by himself, since he's spent his whole life following others, but a pep talk from Kicker gets him going; Kicker lends him the [[Energon Saber]]. Optimus solemnly watches Rodimus's ship depart.

[[Image:Energon-Ironhide-Teary-Hand-Drawn.jpg|230px|thumb|What is this, 1994?]]Rodimus is well aware of his stowaway, but decides to let him be for now.

The Autobots get their first look at Unicron. Hot Shot notices Ironhide's absence and figures out that he's gone to do something foolhardy. Kicker confirms it, and notes that Hot Shot must surely understand, given his past. Hot Shot does understand... and immediately reports it to Optimus. Prime isn't worried.

Rodimus's ship approaches Unicron's head and enters, as Ironhide grows more and more worried.

Within Unicron, Megatron is delighted to hear a report from Starscream that a ship has been sighted, and orders Starscream to do nothing. When the titan is activated, Optimus will be its first victim!

The Decepticons immediately attack the ''Miranda II''. As Prime goes to counter-attack, Kicker tells Misha to release all the energon, to help Ironhide. Or a small chunk.

Within Unicron, Ironhide comes to his senses and begins tracking Rodimus. Alpha Q observes him and frets, but Rodimus tells him not to worry. Alpha Q sends Scorponok to bring in the stowaway. Ironhide follows an opening door, and finds himself in a warehouse full of Terrorcon eggs. They hatch, of course, unleashing a swarm of Cruellock drones on him.

[[Image:Energon-Ironhide-Infiltration.jpg‎|left|230px|thumb|Alpha Quintesson tries to imitate Sauron]] Misha sends out a chunk of energon, which Kicker tosses into space. As the Terrorcons swarm toward it, Inferno blows it up, annihilating them.

The drones steal Ironhide's [[energon star]], but he fights his way free... and finds himself facing Scorponok. He demands to know where Alpha Q is, and peppers Scorponok with questions. They struggle. Ironhide punches him, and somehow knocks himself out. Scorponok agrees to take him there. He brings the unconscious Autobot into Alpha Q's chamber, to Rodimus's horror.

The Autobots have driven off their attackers, and vow to be ready next time. Megatron gloats that they don't have a clue what they're in store for...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] (1)
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
* [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]] (6)
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] (7)
* [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]] (9)
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (10)
* [[Prowl (Energon)|Prowl]] (11)
* [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] (15)

|c2=
* [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] (4)
* [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] (16)
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] (17)
* [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Snow Cat]] (18)
* [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] (19)
* [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] (20)

|c3=
* [[Kicker Jones]] (6)
* [[Misha Miramond]] (8)

|c4=
* [[Alpha Quintesson]] (3)
* [[Scattor (Energon)|Scattor]] (12)
* [[Skyboom (Energon)|Skyboom]] (13)
* [[Wreckage (Energon)|Wreckage]] (14)
* [[Divebomb (Energon)|Divebomb drones]] (21)
* [[Cruellock|Cruellock drones]] (22)
}}

==Quotes==
"''You're being stubborn. '''PROWL!''' Let's go.''" 
:—'''Rodimus''' throws a sort of low-key tantrum.

"''Uh, it's like, I've always lived my life following someone else around. Maybe it's time I saw what I can do on my own. Do you understand what I mean, Kicker?''" 
"''I know exactly how you feel. I'm ''always'' being told what to do. If you have to do this on your own, then go for it!''" 
"''Yeah. I will.''" 
"''Come on, what are you waiting for? This is your chance, get on with it!''" 
:-'''Kicker''' orders '''Ironhide''' to think for himself.

==Notes==
===Pain count===
* "Uh?": 10
* Stock footage: 1
* We need/they want energon: 2
* "Gimme a break": 1
* "You can't be serious": 1
* "I know what you mean": 1

===Lost in translation===
Nothing major or devastating, but this episode is rife with examples of the dub team just not paying attention:

* It starts almost immediately, as Optimus advises that they've tracked the Decepticons' "warp signal", and warns the others that the Decepticons have probably set up a defensive line to defend Unicron and a battle will happen as soon as they emerge from warp. The dub mangles this into the Autobots ''detecting'' a Decepticon warp point, in clear contradiction to the animation, which shows that they're ''already in warp space''. The dub also omits the important point that they're heading for Unicron, instead having Prime just say "we don't want to walk into a trap".
* In ''Super Link'', Scorponok doesn't propose to use Rodimus for the mundane task of retrieving more energon, but for ''re-taking Unicron's body'', since it's apparently going to be finished soon.
* Kicker's question is originally about the ''relationship'' between Optimus and Rodimus. The dub transmangulates this into "how do they know each other"; this turns Inferno's answer, correctly translated, into a non sequitur.
* In ''Super Link'', Inferno further elaborates that the two leaders don't see eye-to-eye, and that their ways of living are not compatible; Misha describes them as two heroes who walk different paths. The dub dumbs this down to Misha saying "they really are heroes, aren't they", somewhat at odds with the dramatic background music.
* The dub replaces Megatron's implied intention to attack ("we should go ahead and start the fun") with him telling Starscream not to attack. This makes it very odd when the very next scene is... the Decepticons attacking the Autobots.
* The purpose of Scorponok and the Terrorcons attacking Ironhide is to test his strength (thus showing if he can be of some use to Alpha Q), not to "see if he can be trusted" per the dub.
* Megatron's final lines are a dub addition; ''Super Link'' just has him laughing ominously.

===Animation and/or technical glitches===
* The dub budget was so cheap, they couldn't afford an "e" for the title card. [[Scorpinok|(Not]] [[Imprisoned Inferno|again.)]] This was not fixed for the DVD release. However, the DVD menus and case have the correct spelling.
* Kicker says "It's hard to tell what his intentions are!" without moving his mouth. (Despite appearances, the dialog is not a dub addition; the error repeats in ''Super Link''.)
* Prowl is ''tiny'' compared to Rodimus, as they prepare to leave the ''Miranda II''. They should be nearly the same height.
* Some odd editing, as Prime reacts to something off-screen, then immediately goes into his combination sequence, without the viewer ever learning what he was reacting to.

===Continuity errors===
* Hot Shot says that he doesn't "know how, but I think Rodimus is somehow involved with Unicron"; that he doesn't have proof, just a feeling. He apparently was not paying attention when Rodimus [[Rodimus: Friend or Foe?|previously laid out directly, specifically and in great detail his involvement with Alpha Q and Unicron]]. Perhaps it's that blaster shot he took at close range just moments later.
* Kicker urges Ironhide to hurry and transform as Rodimus leaves. But they're in space. Ironhide remains in robot mode the rest of the episode.
* A second later, Kicker produces the Energon Saber out of nowhere.
* It's not a terrible leap of logic to figure out that Ironhide's gone to follow Rodimus, but how does Hot Shot figure out that he's heading for ''Unicron''? The mention of Unicron is another dub artifact.

===References===
* In an obvious ''Star Wars'' homage, Jetfire looks at Unicron and comments "Look at the size of that thing!" It'd be a bit less nonsequitur if it was his first reaction, but by that time he's already made several other comments.
* Kicker references the time that Hot Shot single-handedly "stormed that Decepticon base", which could be a nod to the events of the ''Armada'' episode "[[Credulous]]" or "[[Dash (episode)|Dash]]".

===Trivia===
*Ironhide complains that he's been walking for what seems like hours. Guess he forgot that he turns into an automobile.
*The final battle is... not really there. The Decepticons swoop in once, then are never seen again. Optimus combines and takes off, then is not seen again till the battle is over. Inferno blows up some Terrorcons, who weren't shown until it was time for them to die. All the while, Kicker floats around outside the ship, not doing much of anything.
*There's another hand-drawn moment in this episode, which illustrates just how lackluster ''Energon's'' CGI really is. When Kicker encourages him to go after Rodimus, Ironhide displays the robotic equivalent of getting teary-eyed. This sort of minor shaking was done pretty much constantly back in ''Beast Wars'', but over ten years later it's apparently too difficult to animate.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2004 — ''Transformer: Super Link'' — Volume 005 ([[Interchannel]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Energon'' — The Ultimate Collection ([[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]])

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tale of Two Heros}}
[[Category:Energon episodes]]

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Shell program

A Tale of Two Heros