Divide and Conquer

2010-03-29T11:27:15Z

119.111.86.74:

{{disambig2|the Generation 1 cartoon episode|the Marvel UK comic|Divide and Conquer!}}
{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=6
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=6
|prev2=Roll for It
|next2=S.O.S. Dinobots
|image=FHE-DivideAndConquer.jpg
|caption="And I, Starscream, am now leader of the Autobots!"
|title="Divide and Conquer"
|production code=#700-03
|airdate=[[October 20]], 1984
|written by=[[Donald F. Glut]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''The Autobots must journey to Cybertron to retrieve a vital piece of technology to save the life of the critically wounded Optimus Prime.'''

:''Japanese title:'' SOS! サイバトロン (''SOS! Cybertron'')
{{TOCclear}}
==Synopsis==
[[Image:DivideandConquer MegatronENEMY poster.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Join the guys we shoot at, now!]]

[[Earth]] factories are busily preparing weaponry for use against the [[Decepticon]] menace. [[Chip Chase]] is inspecting one such facility, where the administrators hope he can develop new methods to improve the efficiency of weapons production. The Decepticon [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] suddenly attack the factory, breaching its walls and landing inside. They begin draining the factory of its energy, but have not noticed Chip, who sends out a distress signal to the [[Autobot]]s.

[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] are on a search mission, fruitlessly looking for any trace of the Decepticon [[Space Bridge]]. Prime intercepts Chip's call for help, and orders the Autobots at the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] to meet him at the munitions plant. Prime arrives at the scene first, and is outnumbered three-to-one. A stray shot hits one of the massive computer banks, which begins a critical meltdown and overload. Prime attempts to shield the humans from the inevitable explosion with his own body. The blast tears through Prime, and the Decepticons take advantage of his weakened state to nail him. Prime collapses under fire.

[[Image:Divide and conquer.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Ohhh, that's REALLY gonna leave a mark on the Matrix.]]

The Seekers hear the approach of the other Autobots, and following [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s orders, retreat with the [[energon cube]]s. The Autobots find Prime's badly damaged form and take it back to base. Prime’s power relays are fused. His mobility limited. His speech… slow… and labored. Part replacement… essential….

Wanting to confirm Prime's condition, Megatron dispatches [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] to the Ark to spy on [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s efforts to repair Prime. Optimus's [[electropulse]] is fading. At Megatron’s command, Laserbeak attacks the incredibly vulnerable Prime, tearing into his exposed chest cavity and causing a tremendous explosion.

[[Image:DivideandConquer shutupHuffer.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Shut up, Rattrap.]]

It's more smoke and sparks than fiery blast, and Prime survives the explosion, though his energy is fading fast. His very [[laser core]] is at risk of snuffing out, and Ratchet needs a [[cosmotron]] to keep his Prime's energy levels from draining. Wheeljack only knows of one in existence, but it is in his shop back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], which the Decepticons had placed under a computerized lock. The Autobots need to get back to their homeworld and pick this lock. Naturally, Chip Chase is the only one of them familiar enough with Cybertronian computers to make this possible.

[[Image:DivideandConquer Farewellwarrior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|If I tell you go, then you GO!]]

Chip uses [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] to do what Optimus could not: triangulate the likely coordinates for the Space Bridge’s next appearance. Following Chip’s detective work, the Autobots drive into the woods and discover the Space Bridge site. [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] oversee the transport of a shuttle module filled with Energon cubes, with a hapless [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]-type soldier sent to pilot it across the gulf of interstellar space. With the Autobots' arrival, a fray breaks out–and so does a sudden thunderstorm.

[[Image:DivideandConquer Rainmakerclouds.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Red clouds in morning, Autobots take warning]]

Surprisingly, Megatron (who has been monitoring the battle) orders the Decepticons to let the Autobots win. The thunderstorm has given him an idea, but he does not elaborate. The Autobots—[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Bluestreak]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]—drive into the Space Bridge and are teleported to [[Decepticon Headquarters (Cybertron)|Shockwave’s base]]. They blast their way past a shocked Shockwave and into Cybertron’s streets. Megatron orders the [[Rainmaker]]s to destroy the Autobot infiltrators with [[acid rain]].

At [[Wheeljack's workshop]], Chip works his way past the locking mechanism, and Ironhide instantly finds the cosmotron. Outside, a trio of Seekers somehow seed the clouds over the workshop so they produce incredibly debilitating acid rain.

[[Image:DivideandConquer Starscreampowerfist.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"SHIIIINING FINGEEEEER!"]]

The acid rain shorts the circuitry of the Autobots, who collapse at the touch of the deadly downpour. Chip is immune to the rain’s effects, and implores the Autobots to continue. Trailbreaker musters up the energy to project his force-field, sheltering the Autobots from the rain, giving their automatic repair systems time to kick in. Bluestreak fires some blasts into the clouds overhead, dispersing the rainmaking seekers and the toxic clouds. Rejuvenated, the Autobots return to Shockwave’s tower and ride the Space Bridge back to Earth.

On Earth, Megatron recognizes that without Prime, the conquest of the Autobots is a foregone conclusion. He leads an attack on the Ark. The Autobots recognize the hopeless battle up ahead, but Spike musters up his courage, grabs [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]'s rifle, and rallies the troops. He even manages to inspire perpetual downer [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] to take charge.

[[Image:DivideandConquer Bring It.jpg|left|150px|thumb|"You talking to me? You talking to me? I don't see no one else here!"]]

An enormous battle breaks out in front of the Ark, just as the Autobot mission returns from Cybertron. Chip and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] race the cosmotron to Prime. Optimus emerges in time to personally challenge Megatron and soundly beats him, forcing the Decepticon leader to yield. With Megatron down, a self-satisfied Starscream orders the Decepticons to retreat.

{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (6)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (7)
* [[Bluestreak]] (8)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (9)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (12)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (13)
* [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (19)
* [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (20)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (21)
* [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (22)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (24)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (25)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (26)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (9)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (32)

|c2=
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (2)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (3)
* [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (4)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (5)
* [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (16)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (17)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (18)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (27)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (28)
* [[Rainmaker]]s (29-31)
** [[Acid Storm]] (29)
** Blue Rainmaker (30)
** Yellow Rainmaker (31)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (33)

|c3=
* [[Chip Chase]] (1)
* [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (13)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (14)
}}

==Quotes==
"Heh, I wonder if I'll ever get used to that."
:—'''Sparkplug''' witnessing the Autobots transform

"He's doomed. I know it. I can feel it in my [[databank]]."
:—'''Huffer''', hoping the best for a dying Prime.

"They sure don't build 'em like that anymore."
:—'''Sparkplug''', commenting on the fact Optimus Prime is still alive after ''his chest explodes''.

"Just like [[Sherlock Holmes]] with floppy disks!"
:—'''Spike''', hopelessly over his head when it comes to computer talk.

"No one's ever really disabled as long as he has courage."
:—'''Chip Chase''', and that’s one to grow on.

"I'm sorry, Spike. Sometimes nothing you do makes any difference."
:—'''Sparkplug''' to Spike, which, if you don't read as the general you, is actually kind of mean and funny.

"We can't go down without ''trying!'' Prime would want us to go for it, no matter what the odds! Well, are you with me, or do I fight this battle alone?"
:—'''Spike''' gives an inspirational battle rally to the Autobots after taking Jazz's gun.

"Is there anyone in the universe who will challenge the might of Megatron?"<br>
"There is one, Megatron! I, Optimus Prime, challenge you!"
:—'''Megatron''' is scared to death by a now healthy '''Optimus Prime'''.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
[[Image:DivideandConquer Factoryguardworkers.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Note the standard issue army hardhats]]
* Due to a mix-up in animation models, the green-uniformed human soldiers protecting the weapons factory in one shot turn into hard-hat wearing factory workers in another shot.

* A teleporting Skywarp is mistakenly colored with Starscream's colors, and then Thundercracker's colors.
**To make matters worse, in the Japanese dub of this scene, Skywarp is also ''voiced'' by Starscream so that ''he'' is the one who teleports.

[[Image:DivideandConquer slopedPrime.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Prime in his seldom-used "aerodynamic" alternate mode.]]

* A peculiar design in one shot has Optimus Prime's cab face sport a 45-degree slope.

* Starscream's voice is not electronically enhanced when he reacts to Optimus Prime barreling into the factory.

* When the Autobots are shown talking to Optimus Prime, and later arriving at the factory, Bumblebee is the only yellow Autobot shown. However, when the Autobots transform to go to the factory, Sunstreaker is shown transforming instead of Bumblebee.

* Because the background art moves around to simulate a camera tilt, the foreground animation of Optimus Prime's trailer receding into the background looks instead like it is [[Size changing|shrinking into nothingness]] in [[Subspace|midair]].

* Skywarp has the wrong voice (and an unusually fat head) when he accuses Laserbeak of being "chicken".

* Brawn is shown standing inside when he enters the room where Optimus Prime is being worked on.

* There is a big nasty S-shaped hair in the center of the screen as Wheeljack describes his shop on Cybertron.

* At the Space Bridge site, the camera pans across the scenery, but a painted foreground tree travels with the move, making it look like the tree is mobile.

* Four Reflectors are shown when preparing the Space Bridge (though it could be argued it is a separate Reflector-like Decepticon).

* Rumble blinks out for a few moments when the Autobots arrive at the Space Bridge.

* In the shot of him still holding the tree after Megatron tells him to let the Autobots win, and emerging from Ironhide's deep freeze, Starscream is colored like Thundercracker.

* As Shockwave and a Reflector soldier unload the Space Bridge's shipment of Energon cubes, the Energon is not filled with an illumination effect, and appears as solid black bars.

* The nitrogen pack that Ironhide uses in Shockwave's control center is labeled "NITRGEN". And Ironhide should not have to use a pack anyway, since he has a built in liquid nitrogen projector.

* A fourth Decepticon jet is shown when the Decepticons exit their base to attack the Autobots. Later, an extreme close-up of one of the jets' weapons shows a red "rainmaker".

[[Image:Ironhideinblack.jpg|right|150px|thumb|So ''that's'' why [[Ironhide (Movie)|Movie Ironhide]] is black.]]

* When the Autobot away team races back to Shockwave’s tower, Ironhide is painted with Trailbreaker's colors, making him resemble a Diaclone incarnation of his toy.

* After returning to Earth, Bluestreak emerges from the Space Bridge painted as Prowl, but without police lights.

* In the carnage of the battle, a prone form of Ironhide is colored with Ratchet's white and red hue (Ratchet's inside the ''Ark'') and Sideswipe has Shockwave's colors.

* Optimus Prime's mouthplate moves when Megatron concedes defeat.

===Continuity errors===
* It is unclear how Chip knows Skywarp's missile is of the heat-seeking variety before it does anything to suggest such.
* Optimus Prime somehow deflects the heat-seeking missile by hitting its ''warhead'' with his arm.
* Superhuman Spike:
** Spike rather effortlessly hefts Jazz's six-foot-long metal gun around.
** Spike survives being tackled by Ravage, the first of his [[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1|many]] [[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2|clashes]] [[Fire on the Mountain|with]] him.
* Superhuman <s>Spike</s> Chip:
** Chip somehow knows how to find the Space Bridge better than Optimus can, since Chip thinks to use Teletraan I, a tactic that somehow escaped Prime.
** Chase can crack a Cybertronian lock (apparently by just punching in every possible four-digit code combination until he stumbles on the right one.)
** Chip is immune to Cybertronian acid rain.
* Megatron's order to let the Autobots win really makes no logical sense. If his soldiers had beaten them, they had have been just as out of the way, and if they did not he could still try his acid rain plan.

===Continuity notes===
* Gadgets and powers:
** The Autobot Matrix of Leadership is nowhere to be found on Prime's chest when Wheeljack and Ratchet are repairing him.
** Reflector can emit a light that shorts out optic sensors.
** Reflector displays an odd ability in this episode: he can absorb his fellow units into his body.
** Ironhide's wrists can emit liquid glop launchers that trap the Decepticons to the surface with a thick adhesive.
** Autobots have built-in repair systems.
** Sideswipe is capable of emitting a smokescreen from his chest ... for little effect.
** Optimus Prime displays the unusual ability to fire energy beams out of his optics... right into Megatron's face.
* The Space Bridge, which first appeared in "[[Transport to Oblivion]]," reappears in this episode.
* The tetrahedron seeker jets return; they first appeared in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1|More Than Meets The Eye, Part 1]]."
* The Transformers have a personal battle code where customs dictate personal challenges be settled in personal combat.
* This is the only episode where Laserbeak displays any cowardice, a trait described in his original tech spec bio and usually associated with the character.

===Real-world references===
[[Image:DivideandConquer LaserbeakonBrawns shoulder.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Laserbeak disguised as Brawn's dandruff]]
* A cosmotron is a real-world particle physics accelerator.

===Trivia===
[[Image:DivideandConquer SympatheticDecepticon.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Poor guy.]]
* Brawn really is a dumbass to not notice Laserbeak sitting on his shoulder.

* Cybertron has an atmosphere breathable by humans.

* The Reflector-type Decepticon warrior that Starscream forces to pilot the Space Bridge transport has an oddly sympathetic and very human-sounding voice.

* The scene in which Shockwave opens fire on the Autobots when they first arrive on Cybertron was edited out of the Japanese version for time.

* The chapter stops on the Rhino DVD version of this episode are Opening / Weapon Factories / Off to Cybertron / New Age of Decepticons / Fight For Optimus / Optimus Saved!

==Home video releases==
{{note|All releases listed are in English audio unless otherwise noted.}}
[[Image:DivideAndConquerBetamax.jpg|right|180px|thumb|More or less antiquated than the TF storybooks that came with records? You decide!]]
;VHS
*1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 5: "Divide and Conquer" ([[Family Home Entertainment]])
*1995 — ''The Transformers'' — The Autobots vs. The Decepticons ([[Malofilm]])
*1995 — ''Transformers'' — Autobots vs. Decepticons (Malofilm) — French audio only.

;Laserdisc
*1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.

;DVD
*2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only.
*2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume Two ([[Maverick Entertainment]])
*2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Maverick Entertainment)
*2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition ([[The Original Transformers|Kid Rhino]])
*2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume Two (Kid Rhino)
*2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]])
*2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]])
*2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome)
*2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part One (Metrodome)
*2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)
*2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 01: Stagione Uno Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio.
*2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (Metrodome)
*2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment)
*2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]])
*2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)

==External links==
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/divide_and_conquer.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Divide and Conquer