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Tracks (G1)

2012-06-15T03:48:50Z

67.177.77.209: /* Generation 1 */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Tracks}}

:''Tracks is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Tracksg1.jpg|right|350px|thumb|If God had wanted Tracks to multiply, he would have given him the Creation Matrix and luscious lips. But he only gave him the luscious lips.]]

'''Tracks''' is a little bit of a narcissist, according to his Autobot buddies, and it's hard for him to stay lighthearted and gay under such criticism. He attributes it to jealousy, since few Autobots are so well-endowed with a sleek, muscular, and tastefully decorated sports car mode as his.

The truth is, Tracks's armament is considerable. In the wink of an eye, he can erect his hardened launcher shafts and deploy two flaming incendiary missiles. These projectiles are heat-seeking, seeking out warm Decepticon bodies and striking hard in sensitive places. With his long and powerful "blinding" [[black beam gun]], which negates light, he strikes his enemies in the darkness. Whether defending [[San Francisco]] or displaying his trademark moves in [[Dancitron]], Tracks is one fantastically flamboyant fighter!

Tracks can even fly like a butterfly by deploying his secret, hidden wings from their protective closet.

He should be a dangerous opponent, but his concern with preserving his stylish appearance and poor ability to work with fellow Autobots hampers him. Often he simply cruises the metro area alone all night, looking for Decepticons worthy of his attentions. Tracks may not always get along with his friends, but he knows his enemies. He knows them very well, indeed.

His [[Action Master partner]] is [[Basher]].

{{bigquote|Keep San Francisco clean—LEAVE!|Tracks to the Asteroid bird alien|"[[The Secret of Omega Supreme]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael McConnohie]] (English), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese), [[Carlos Nieto]] (Latin American)

[[Image:DinobotIsland2 Tracks robotmode.jpg|thumb|left|250px|How this show lasted this far without me, I'll never know.]]
Tracks was one of several Autobots who appeared out of nowhere one day. He listened in as [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] reported the discovery of [[Dinobot Island (G1)|an island full of dinosaurs]]. Following another [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] mishap at base, Tracks helped with repairs. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}} He, [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] were sent out to intercept and drive back a pirate ship that had appeared through a temporal anomaly due to Megatron's interference on the temporally displaced [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]]. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}} Tracks took part in a game of basketball with the Dinobots, and failed to stop [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] from making a slam dunk. As Prime observed that Tracks was in need of maintenance, and he admitted that he'd had a deuce of a time trying to get an appointment with [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]. As it turned out, Hoist and [[Grapple]] had somehow fallen in with the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to build Grapple's [[Solar Power Tower]]. Tracks was part of the mission to see what was going on, and ended up fighting [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Following the Autobot victory, he helped dig through the ruins of the tower to find Grapple and Hoist. {{storylink|The Master Builders}}

[[Image:MMP1 Tracks fires black beam gun.jpg|thumb|right|240px|And I said "let there be dark!"]]
When the Decepticons attacked a new solar power plant in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], Tracks took to the air and blasted [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] with his black beam gun. In retaliation, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] rammed Tracks, knocking the Autobot out of the sky. The Decepticons retreated, much to the delight of the [[human]]s present. Tracks complained about the annoying cheering noise they were making. He was happy enough to take part in [[Autobot Day]], until an incriminating video (faked by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] of course) was shown and the crowds turned against the Autobots. They retreated to Headquarters, but a short time later, the authorities turned up to arrest them and put them on trial. The verdict was swiftly delivered, and the Autobots forced to leave the planet on a spaceship provided by [[Shawn Berger]]. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1}} Locked on course to the [[Sun]], the Autobots abandoned ship and used [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] to return to [[Earth]], where the Decepticon plot had already been revealed. The Autobots freed the enslaved humans and chased off the Decepticons. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} After the theft of the [[Voltronic Galaxer]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and Tracks reported from the field that they hadn't detected any Decepticon activity. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

[[Image:G1MakeTracks TracksRaoul.jpg|left|240px|thumb|It's not what it looks like, honestly!]]
Tracks and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] assisted the [[New York City|New York]] Police Department's Crime Buster program by parking themselves in a seedy, run-down neighborhood to entice car thieves to steal them, then capturing the thieves and their buyer. Back at [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s garage, Tracks opined that New York City was exhilarating and that they could remain there forever as far as he was concerned, to the amusement of the other Autobots. Annoyed at their attitude, Tracks took off for a joyride, but almost immediately fell prey to a gang of would-be car thieves who shot out Tracks' tires as he tried to run them off the road. Crashing into a streetlight, Tracks was badly damaged and unable to transform. Fortunately, the car thief with a heart of gold, [[Raoul]], happened by and decided to take possession of Tracks, who quickly revealed he was no ordinary badly damaged dark blue Corvette Stingray with a giant flaming logo on his hood.

Together, the pair tailed the [[Geddis brothers]] to a Decepticon installation in the [[Pine Barrens]], where the Constructicons were converting stolen cars. When an electrical fault disabled Tracks during the course of the investigation, Raoul came to his rescue, and they both fled through the woods, eventually running into some more Autobots. Tracks joined Bumblebee, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] in defending downtown from the stolen vehicles, converted into drones by the Decepticons, and was appalled when they damaged the Chrysler Building. Tracks and Raoul took part in the assault on the Decepticon base, however Megatron grabbed the young human. Tracks announced that if Raoul was harmed, there'd be trouble, but the threat proved unnecessary, as Raoul made use of a can of spray paint to escape. At Prime's invitation, Tracks demolished the base with a few well-placed shots. Later, he volunteered Raoul to help [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] fix all the cars that the Decepticons had messed with. {{storylink|Make Tracks}}

[[Image:QuestForSurvival Inferno puts out Tracks.jpg|thumb|right|260px|But this is!]]
Tracks was part of a disastrous attempt to stop the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] from eating Earth crops. [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] set him on fire, forcing Inferno to put him out. Tracks bravely fought on until [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] called a retreat and they returned to Headquarters for repairs. Some time later, after Cosmos had become trapped by an infestation of [[Morphobot]]s, Tracks took part in rescue efforts. As [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] used his music to repel the creatures, Tracks and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] helped hook Cosmos up to Hoist. Unfortunately during the subsequent fight with the Decepticons, the [[robotic insecticide]] was destroyed, leaving them with no weapon against the Insecticon army. It all turned out okay, as said army was eaten by the Morphobots anyway. Tracks watched as the Morphobots were launched into space to wreck some other planet's ecology. {{storylink|Quest for Survival}}

[[Image:SecretOmegaSupreme Tracks is alarmed.jpg|thumb|left|230px|Tracks Threatens his Hand: Part 1]]
When [[San Francisco]] was threatened by an [[Asteroid bird alien|alien bird creature]], Tracks risked his life in battle to defend the city until [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] arrived to drive it off. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} Following Megatron's disappearance, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] took over a sports stadium and had the Constructicons build a maze leading to it. Tracks, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] attempted to traverse the maze, only to get totaled by Blitzwing and built into a throne. Fortunately Hoist came to the rescue and fixed them all up in time to witness Megatron's return and the downfall of Blitzwing and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. The four repaired Autobots jokingly arranged themselves into a throne for Optimus afterwards. Optimus declined their kind offer. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}}

Whilst out on a supply run with Bumblebee, Tracks opined that Optimus Prime had sent him out on this task to show the humans that Autobots didn't just have strength, but refinement as well. When Bumblebee sharply pointed out his comrade's lack of humility, Tracks replied that he feared ''some'' Autobots had much to be humble about. Together, they watched a storefront television report by [[Hector Ramirez (G1)|Hector Ramirez]] on the disappearance of a [[Daina|top secret Soviet jet]], for which blame was placed on the [[United States of America]]. Bumblebee suspected Decepticon involvement, which was convenient, as Tracks saw Astrotrain and Blitzwing lurking about nearby. The Autobots gave chase, only to discover the 'Cons were holographs projected by the big game hunter [[Chumley|Lord Chumley]], and the pair were quickly subdued. After several more Autobots were captured, the imprisoned hostages were forced to run through several cruel and unusual torture devices. Tracks in particular was forced to race around a small, spiked track while laser cannons fired at him. {{storylink|Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target}}

[[Image:G1Auto-Bop Tracks girl.jpg|right|230px|thumb|"Eeek, Mr. Tracks, can I have your autograph?" "Sure thing, baby."]]
Tracks and Blaster were reunited with Raoul when the human and [[Bop Crew]] were being chased by [[Furg]]'s gang outside of the [[Dancitron]] night club. Tracks stylishly defeated the thugs by arcing his laser fire horizontally, simultaneously destroying several of the weapons wielded by Furg's men. As he did so, he noticed that one of the gang members was a man dressed in a business suit. The Autobots decided to investigate further.

Inside the club, Tracks declined to dance with some girls, and [[Stylish man|another patron]] asked him where he could "get those threads" (meaning Tracks's robot body). As Tracks left, remarking that Dancitron wasn't ''his'' kind of club, he noted that there were more out-of-place humans, including a housewife in a bathrobe and a garbage man. Tracks and Blaster came to Raoul's aid again when the driver of a train in which the humans were traveling was "activated' by [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and accelerated the train to unsafe speeds. Later, Tracks and Raoul were attacked by brainwashed "workers" at a construction site for something large and mysterious. Bravely risking his paint job, Tracks protected Raoul from red-hot rivets fired by a brainwashed construction worker.

[[Image:Trackscruc2.jpg|left|260px|thumb|Tracks forgot his safeword.]]
Returning to the club, Tracks was lured into a trap by the mind-controlled [[Poplock]] and [[Rocksteady]]. Barely evading Starscream's attack, Tracks was assaulted by the rest of the club's patrons and chained up to the sound system, where the Decepticons hoped the music would eventually shake him apart. After Raoul de-hypnotised the club patrons by getting them slightly wet, the humans freed Tracks, who proceeded to take off after the fleeing Starscream. Crazy like a fox, Tracks seeded the clouds above the mysterious construction site, causing rain to fall down on the hypnotised workers, totally ruining Starscream's plan forever. Knowing that despite his good looks, he was outgunned and outpowered, Tracks used his superior agility to trick Starscream into flying into the half-constructed building and damaging himself when the Decepticon failed to avoid obstructions. With the Decepticons defeated, Tracks and Blaster destroyed the mysterious building. Grateful to the Bop Crew for saving his life, Tracks had Blaster help them out by acting as the boom box for their curbside breakdance sessions, to the latter's horror. {{storylink|Auto-Bop}}

[[Image:HoistGoesHollywood Sunstreaker Tracks masks.jpg|right|240px|thumb|"What are the chances? The only two Autobots marching and we turned up wearing the same outfit."]]
After Hoist was hired to be in a film, a number of other Autobots got wind of it and decided to volunteer their services as well. Tracks and the others impressed the [[Attack of the Alien Robots director|director]] enough that he cast them, and Tracks ended up as a stunt vehicle, flying into a fake brick wall. The Autobots were dissatisfied with their assigned roles and told Hoist to try and pull some strings. The director decided to rethink the movie, and had Tracks and the others dressed as "evil alien robots". Tracks confessed he felt like a fool, but refused to quit. While shooting another scene, the pyrotechnics turned out to be bigger than expected, and the Autobots were nearly blown up. The shoot had been sabotaged by the Decepticons, who were after film of Dirge, who had crashed while carrying a device stolen from [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s [[Wheeljack's workshop|workshop]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After the affair was resolved, Tracks and the other Autobots decided not to be a part of the movie business after all. {{storylink|Hoist Goes Hollywood}}

Later, Tracks was one of several Autobots facing off against the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] near the [[Seattle-Tacoma area]] when Megatron was using the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] to transform the land into metal. He was rammed by [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] into a boulder and flipped over. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

Tracks was one of several Autobots who participated in the [[Europa 2000]], a charity race from Paris to Istanbul which, if the Autobots won, would have netted them a million dollars, which they would give to charity. Tracks was disdainful of the arrogant American driver [[Auggie Cahnay (G1)|Auggie Cahnay]] and his suped-up [[Symultech Industries]] car. During the race, Tracks tried to contact the other Autobots, only to find out they had been disabled by the Stunticons in Megatron's quest to stop the Autobots from interfering with his plans for the [[Pearl of Bahoudin]]. Teamed up with Cahnay and [[Teranova|a scientist who mysteriously disappeared]] during the course of the battle, the Autobots defeated [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and destroyed the Pearl. {{storylink|Trans-Europe Express}}

[[Image:Masquerade Tracks firing.jpg|thumb|left|230px|... And Part 2]]
After [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] was abducted by the Decepticons, Tracks was one of the Autobots who volunteered to go on the rescue mission, and was subsequently struck down with [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]]. Fortunately a cure was soon forthcoming. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} He also took part in the defense of Headquarters during a Decepticon attack. Megatron soon retreated, not because of anything the Autobots did, but because he had realised that Starscream was behind everything. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} Tracks helped defend a human city from the Insecticons, however a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] plan saw the Autobots searching for a component to get the [[space bridge]] working so they could reach Cybertron. They eventually tracked the component down, only to find the Insecticons had chewed it up. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

Tracks was part of a responsive strike against a series of Stunticon raids on human compounds. He took to the air at one point, prompting [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] to remark that his flying car mode was "droll". In retaliation for this unwarranted remark, Tracks blinded Dead End with his black light gun, which caused the Decepticon to drive into the car-crushing fists of [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]. {{storylink|Masquerade}}
{{-}}

====''Story of Binaltech''====
When the Decepticons unleashed Cosmic Rust on Earth, Tracks was one of the many Autobots infested with the virus. As [[Earth Defense Command]] created the Binaltech Project in order to help the Autobots, Tracks was one of the first patients to undergo transference into an [[electro-cell]] powered new body. With the help of his fellow Binaltech Autobots (Smokescreen, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]]), Tracks and his new powers were used to drive the Decepticons off the planet. He remained part of the soldiers based at Autobot City on Earth.

Tracks apparently now had the power to change and update his paint job at will. Thrilling. Simply thrilling.

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
[[Image:JHeadmasters09Tracks.jpg|thumb|"Look, I'll stop asking you to fix my every little nick and scratch, '''I swear!'''" "KIYAAAAAAAA!"]]
Some time before the Transformers' war left Cybertron, Tracks briefly engaged the Decepticons with his comrades. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Years onward, Tracks was seen on Earth working with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. Alongside [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], he was dispatched to intercept invading Decepticons and prevent them from interfering with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s search for the Matrix. The group was not actually seen to confront anyone. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}} Later, while defending Cybertron, Tracks got kicked in the face ''really hard''... by [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]. Uh, heat of the moment? {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}}

{{-}}
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Skidsgrapplesmokescreenhoisttracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|I was rebuilt out of better spare parts than the rest of you!]]
Tracks was (re?)constructed on Earth by the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when the Autobots' forces were depleted using the [[mind bank]], his mind downloaded into a new body from a memory crystal. He attended [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s field training exercise on human culture—rock and roll wasn't quite Tracks's taste, but when the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] tried to steal and convert sonic energy from the concert, surface-to-air combat with the enemy seemed quite a bit more enjoyable for him. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} On a later mission, he attempted to help [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] prevent [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] from being reawakened by the Decepticons, but the mistrustful human armed forces kept them at bay long enough for [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to revive his leader. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} [[Image:RockNRollOut-Tracksdriver.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Oh, well that just makes too much sense.]] ''Shortly thereafter, Tracks joined [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] in protecting [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] from Soundwave and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. He and Smokescreen actually managed to hold their own against [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] for a short period of time. {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}'' Tracks also was part of the Autobot strike on [[Wyoming base|Decepticon headquarters]] which allowed Bumblebee to record Devastator's transformation and combination sequence, giving the Autobots a chance to replicate the unique gestalt technology. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''The Autobots experienced a major setback when Optimus Prime, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] dematerialized before their eyes at a meeting, seemingly atomized in seconds. Matters only became more pressing when [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Decepticon commander of 2006, arrived in the present, kidnapped [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and co-opted the Constructicons for his own purposes. Goaded into rash action by their friend's distress, the Autobots rushed into battle with the new warriors. Tracks stood shoulder to shoulder with [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], Ironhide, and Smokescreen against Galvatron, but the future Decepticon just laughed and voluntarily allowed them to unload their firepower on him. Staser bolts, high-density lasers, thermal charges, fracture rockets... all hit Galvatron dead center, and all did absolutely nothing. To add injury to insult, he then beat the helpless Tracks and his comrades into a pulp for good measure.''

''Beyond desperate, the Autobots actually stooped to reviving Megatron from where Galvatron had left him to rust earlier, and working with him to concoct a strategy against their common foe. Their gambit was somewhat successful, as Tracks and the Autobots managed to capture Galvatron's lieutenant, [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], with Megatron's aid. When Tracks and the others went for a prisoner exchange to get Jazz back, however, they found that Galvatron had lobotomized their friend and turned him into a rampaging zombie. Jazz disabled Tracks and the others for a time, and they only woke up into time to wander into the climax, when [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and the future ''Autobots'' destroyed Galvatron's new space cannon in a massive explosion, convincing him to return the future empty-handed. Needless to say, the Autobots were glad when Optimus Prime and the others miraculously returned after Galvatron and his men returned the future, reversing the mass-substitution effect. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

[[Image:DarkStar-BlotTracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Throw out your hands, stick out your tush, hands on your hips, give 'em a push!]]

Tracks and the Autobots became much less involved in Earth affairs when [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] assumed control of the army after Prime's death and took the Ark back out into space. Tracks was trapped on the moon for some time with the combined crews of the Ark and Steelhaven after a Decepticon attack damaged their transport. {{storylink|Totaled!}} He was later deactivated while battling the combined Decepticon armies in the Arctic, when he received an unexpected acid bath from [[Blot (G1)|Blot]]. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

{{-}}
=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:MakinTracks-Tracks.jpg|left|thumb|250px|We have the same reaction to ''Glee.'']]
''In his [[Body Shop]] at Autobot Earthbase, Wheeljack was attempting to revive Tracks, but Grimlock kept sabotaging his efforts, hoping to move efforts towards Autobots he thought were more deserving. Not only did he fail to stop the reconstruction, Optimus Prime ended up assigning Tracks to Earthforce, to Grimlock's eternal regret. {{storylink|Makin' Tracks!}} Later on, he joined the other Autobots in hunting [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], who had kidnapped their human ally, [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin Spoon]]. The other [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] tried to stop them, and did manage to derail several others, but Tracks and Bumblebee got Motormaster to separate from his trailer (apparently he can do that..?) and then led [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] into knocking their own leader off the road. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}''

{{-}}

====Generation 2====
Tracks was operating out of [[Autobase]] on Earth after the Autobots began confronting the threat of the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronians]]. When [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] agreed to join forces with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prime]], Tracks began working closely with the Decepticon [[Rotor Force]] members [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] and [[Manta Ray (G2)|Manta Ray]]. It's possible his friendship and influence had something to do with their interest in switching sides. {{storylink|Total War!}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Tracks was an active member of the Autobot forces as far back as the days of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. He attended the ceremony that turned Optronix into Optimus Prime, and witnessed their new leader deal with three Decepticon assassins. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1|The War Within #1}} He served with the Autobots for several million years until the time of the [[Great Shutdown]], working with Prowl's faction during the Dark Ages. {{storylink|Fragmentation}}

Afterwards, Tracks seemed to lapse into semi-retirement while other Autobots worked towards establishing a new unified Cybertronian government with the Decepticons. He was seen among the general populace observing the Anti-Prime propaganda [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] was pumping out through the cortex. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} He eventually recognized the rotten core of their alliance with Shockwave, though, and formed a resistance cell with [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] and the [[Triple Changer]]s. They and their [[Minibot]] allies joined the major offensive alongside Optimus Prime, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and the other cells, which ultimately overthrew Shockwave's control. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
Tracks was among the ranks of a team of Autobots led by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], waiting for [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]]'s hostages to escape so that they could assault the Decepticon base. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4}} When the opportunity arose, they headed into the fray alongside human reinforcements from [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], eventually defeating the Decepticon army. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

===''TransTech''===
Tracks (in his [[Binaltech]] body) is one of countless "offworlders" residing in [[Axiom Nexus]]. {{storylink|Gone Too Far}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
Tracks was among the Autobots who battled the Decepticons on Earth millions of years ago, until an ice age forced them to hide underground, powered down. He was reactivated in the mid-19th century when the Autobots learned that the Decepticons had woken up. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:SpotlightJazz-promise.jpg|left|300px|thumb|He's too pretty (and too 1985) to die!]]

In the early days of the war, Tracks was among the new Autobot soldiers lined up to be inspected by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Old Ways}}

On his very first combat mission, Tracks' unit was attacked and he was the only survivor. He was rescued by [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], who was being tracked by the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. The Predacons pinned the two down, but thanks to bravery and trickery by Jazz, three of the 'cons were disabled. When Jazz faced off alone against the remaining two, Tracks overcame his doubts and cowardice and attacked [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]], knocking them both unconscious. Jazz battled [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] alone and was saved by a shuttle crew of [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], who repaired the two Autobots and took them back to base. Tracks didn't know Jazz's identity until later, but he knew what it meant to be an Autobot. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}}

During the battle for [[Sherma Bridge]] early in the war, Tracks and all other combatants dropped what they were doing to watch the first duel between Optimus Prime and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}}

Four million years ago, Tracks was present at a victory celebration after the Autobots halted a major Decepticon energon convoy. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

In the modern day, both Tracks and Jazz ended up as part of Optimus Prime's forces on [[Earth]], only to be defeated in battle with [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and unceremoniously dropped on the ruins of Cybertron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} There, they had to fend against the [[Insecticon swarm]] while [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] tried to repair Optimus Prime. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}} At one point during their stay on the planet, Tracks boosted his comrades' spirits by telling them the story about how Jazz had heroically saved him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}} Unfortunately, the positive emotions didn't seem to last, and everyone was back to brooding before long. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4|All Hail Megatron #4}} When the crew of the ''[[Trion]]'' crashlanded on Cybertron, Tracks listened to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s tale about how it happened. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}} He wanted to know when [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] got scary. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}}

Tracks later defended the Autobot base against a massive swarm attack. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}} The battle didn't go in their favor, but thankfully they were saved by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}} Omega ferried Tracks and the rest back to Earth, where they battled the Decepticons in [[New York City]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}}

Two years later, Tracks defected alongside [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], as they were afraid that [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] might arrest the Autobots on Earth due to various recent events. The four left to join [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s team instead, only to come under attack from [[Skywatch]]. Upon seeing [[Campolongo]] take out Beachcomber, Tracks raised his gun at the human in panic and anger, but Hoist stopped him from firing. He tried to run for it, but didn't make it far before being stuck in vehicle mode and captured. {{storylink|A Rude Awakening}}

Eventually, Skywatch realized that the Autobots were good guys and formed an alliance with them, freeing Tracks in the process. He and the other Autobots fled the Skywatch base after a Decepticon attack, were chased by angry humans for a while, then were soundly defeated in battle with a newly upgraded Megatron. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies}}

Tracks was present at the Autobot base when Hot Rod (now calling himself Rodimus) showed up to warn everyone that Cybertron, which was habitable again, had been conquered by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. The Autobots quickly left Earth to reclaim their home planet. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix}} Once they arrived, it turned out Galvatron was using [[Kimia Facility]] to attack the planet. Led by [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], Tracks and the other Autobot fliers attacked Kimia and fought with the many [[Sweep]]s defending it. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers}}

===''Wings Universe''===
During the [[Battle of Autobot City]], Tracks was part of a team which took down [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] after the Decepticon breached [[Autobot City]]. They had to retreat when the Constructicons fought back. {{storylink|A Flash Forward}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Tracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Some looks just don't go out of fashion, my dear.]]
*'''Tracks''' (Autobot Car, 1985, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''44''', '''TFC-4'''
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", 2 missile launchers, missile launcher mount, 4 missiles

: The original Tracks toy transforms into a blue [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Corvette Stingray]] with a large flame decal on his hood. Tracks's vehicle mode can achieve a [[Transportation mode|flight mode]] via two flip-out wings and attachable rocket launchers. In robot mode, Tracks is armed with a long rifle that covers most of his lower arm, and the two white rocket launchers are now mounted above his head. The rifle can also attach to his back for storage or for additional weaponry in flight mode.

[[Image:RoadRage-toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Flaming hot.]]

: The European version of Tracks, released by Hasbro's newly acquired [[Milton Bradley]] subsidiary, was initially available in red, based on the original ''[[Diaclone]]'' color scheme (the toy is also featured in red on the mural scene on the back of 1985 Transformers packaging). In fact, it is believed (based on very plausible evidence) that this red Tracks, as well as the rest of the last-minute second wave of MB-branded Transformers toys released in 1985, was actually a ''Diaclone'' toy originally released by French company [[Joustra]] taken out of its packaging, given a [[rubsign]] and put in an MB Transformers box when Hasbro/MB acquired Joustra's still unsold ''Diaclone'' stock.<ref name="mbjoustra">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/mb-transformers-part-4/ "MB Transformers: Part 4"] at 20th Century Toy Collector.</ref> When Hasbro's name replaced the MB branding on European Transformers packaging, many of the MB-branded toys were re-released in the new packaging. The "Hasbro"-branded version of Tracks now sported the same blue color as his US counterpart.<ref name="maz">[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/eurous_frame.php?art=mb "Milton Bradley and the Transformers Red Tracks" at TF-1.com]</ref>

: This mold was used to make [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]], an [[e-HOBBY]] [[exclusive]] redeco based on the red European version.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
*'''Tracks''' (Classic Hero, 1991)
: Tracks was re-released in Europe in 1991 as part of the ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' line, again in his standard blue Transformers color scheme.

{{-}}{{Anchor|ActionMaster}}
[[Image:AMTracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|As if ''I'' would be seen wearing ''that''.]]
*'''Tracks with Basher''' (Action Master, 1991)
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", "Basher" partner/backpack

: This version of Tracks was a European exclusive, sculpted to resemble his cartoon appearances more closely. As with all [[Action Master]]s, he cannot transform, but is highly articulated by the standards of the time. He came with small tank [[Action Master partner|partner]] named [[Basher]], who forms a battle helmet/backpack for Tracks (or any other Action Master), colored in bright green and baby blue. Tracks is compatible with all Action Master vehicles and accessories.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1991/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Action Master Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

[[Image:BlackTracksToy.jpg|thumb|300px|From the people who brought you "Caddyblack", "Blackdraft", and "Black Kramer vs. Kramer"]]
*'''Black Tracks''' (2002)
**''Accessories:'' "Black Beam Gun", 2 missile launchers, missile launcher mount, 4 missiles

:A [[redeco]] of the original Tracks, Black Tracks was offered as part of a contest connected to the release of the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Comics]]'' manga compilation. 300 Black Tracks figures were awarded through this contest.

:The figure was apparently inspired by a rare black redeco of the ''Diaclone'' Corvette Stingray mold that was only available in Finland from the R-Kioski store chain there.(!).

::*''[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/pretf/blacktracks_template.html More info on TF Black Tracks and the Finnish Diaclone Black Corvette Stingray at TF-1.com]''

{{-}}

===Transformers Collection===
*'''Tracks''' (2002)
: Tracks was reissued by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] on [[September 27]] of 2002 as part of their "book-box" ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' series of [[Generation 1 reissues|reissues]].

===Commemorative Series===
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (2003)
: Tracks was reissued by [[Hasbro]] as part of the [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series V]]'', now officially named "Autobot Tracks" for trademark reasons.

===Alternators/Binaltech===
[[Image:BTTracks toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|You can colour me blue, you can colour me yellow, but I will still be that most excellent fellow.]]
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (2004, 2006)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''5'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/blaster

:The ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators/Binaltech]]'' toy of Tracks transforms into a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Corvette Z06]] featuring opening doors, an opening hood with an engine block underneath, a realistic interior and a "steering" mechanism that makes the front wheels move in unison. Amusingly enough, his rocket launchers are stored next to the passenger and driver seats.

: In robot mode, Tracks greatly resembles his Generation 1 self, though with one major difference: The roof of his actual car no longer forms the front of his chest. Instead, he has a [[Kibble#.22Faux-parts.22|pseudo-car-roof]] chest piece that folds down. His large shoulder pads, formed from the rear halves of the car, give the impression of the wings his original toy had. He is armed with his double-barreled engine gun, two pairs of double-barreled, slide-out wrist blasters, and two shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, making him the most heavily armed ''Alternators'' toy.

: Tracks was first released in Japan under [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''Binaltech'' line with a yellow paint job. The Hasbro version was initially also intended to be released in yellow first, with a [[Variant#Running changes|running change]] to blue intended to come out later. However, when problems with the yellow plastic were discovered at the [[prototype|test shot]] stage, Hasbro decided to scrap the yellow version and released the toy in blue from the get-go. There is no evidence that the yellow Hasbro version ever made it to the packaging stage, therefore any [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|rumors]] that the toy was shipped to stores and then recalled are unsubstantiated. A blue ''Binaltech'' variant was later also released to match the Hasbro version, which retroactively replaced the yellow version as the "main" color variant in Takara's promotional material for the line (even though the blue version's packaging and [[instructions|instruction booklet]] still depict the yellow version).

: The main difference between the Japanese and US releases is that the Japanese ''Binaltech'' versions are constructed of die-cast metal for the majority of the car body panels, which are also fully painted. The blue version of ''Binaltech'' Tracks also came with a large reproduction of his original hood flame sticker. This sticker was eventually released with Hasbro's own ''Alternators'' [[Swerve (G1)#Alternators|Swerve]], a [[retool]] of Tracks with a new head.

: Due to only shipping in two [[wave]]s, Tracks initially ended up as one of the rarer ''Alternators'' toys. When Hasbro tried to relaunch the line in 2006, a re-released Tracks (with no changes other than the different packaging) was part of the first wave of the new assortment. Ironically, the re-released Tracks ended up as a [[shelfwarmer]] this time around.

: This sculpt was more significantly retooled to make ''Alternators'' [[Ravage (G1)|Battle Ravage]].

: The original prototype for Tracks (seen in the Takara [[stock photography|stock photos]] on the toy's packaging and in the instruction booklet) featured a spring-loaded trigger mechanism for the arm cannons, which was changed to the final toy's manually deployed cannon mechanism starting with the test shot stage.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/AltTracks/tracks.htm More information on Alternators Tracks at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on yellow Binaltech Tracks at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Transformers (2010)===
[[Image:TF2010_deluxe_TurboTracks.jpg|thumb|300px|Gee, that handheld clip-on launcher [[Wheeljack (G1)|looks familiar.]]]]
*'''Turbo Tracks''' (Deluxe, 2010/2011)
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 black gun/clip-on launcher

: Part of the fifth wave of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] Deluxe class toys, Turbo Tracks transforms from a blue sports car into a winged robot. Tracks comes with three [[C joint|C clip]] weapons, one of which can be handheld, while the missile launchers clip behind his head, a callback to his G1 toy. He can also assume a flying car mode by folding out the wings in car mode and moving the missile launchers from under the doors to tabs on a rotatable flipout panel just behind the rear window. This configuration frees up the launchers' clips, allowing [[Cyberverse]] accessories to be attached. His main gun can then attach to his underside. As part of the first wave of the "[[Reveal the Shield]]" promotion, he sports a [[Rubsign]].

:Turbo Tracks was redecoed into [[BotCon 2012]] [[Tracks (SG)|Tracks]] and retooled into ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys|Wheeljack]], ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and ''Timelines'' [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/Tracks/tracks.htm More information on Turbo Tracks at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===United===
{{picsneeded|United toy}}
*'''Autobot Tracks''' (Deluxe, 2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''UN-13'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 white clip-on missile launchers, 1 "black beam gun"/clip-on launcher

:''[[Transformers United|United]]'' Autobot Tracks is a redeco of ''Transformers'' (2010 toyline) Turbo Tracks. ''United'' Tracks features a more detailed paint deco, including metallic blue paint on his blue plastic panels, a Generation 1-style flame hood symbol and painted rear trunk grille and tailpipes. The yellow paint on Turbo Tracks' chest is unpainted on the United version, and the yellow paint on Turbo Tracks' waist is now silver. United Tracks has light blue painted eyes to Turbo Tracks' unpainted smoky gray. United Tracks also has a more detailed rear in car mode, featuring painted exhausts, a silver grill detail, as well as the painted taillights like on Turbo Tracks. Unlike a good portion of Turbo Tracks figures, the red paint on United Tracks' face comes all the way up to the crest of his helmet. Despite all these changes, the two figures have identical (or nearly identical) plastic colors. As with all ''United'' versions of the ''Transformers'' (2010) toys, Tracks lacks a heat-sensitive rub sign, replacing it with a [[tampograph]]ed Autobot sigil.

:The Japanese Instructions show to flip down the rear tires while the car is in Flight Mode.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
{{picsneeded}}
* '''Cybertron Hero Collection 22''' (Decoy multi-pack, 1985)

: In Japan, a red rubber mini-figure of Tracks was available in part of a [[Decoy|massive multi-pack of similar mini-figurines]]. The number etched into his back is the sum total of his [[tech spec]] ratings, as these figurines were used as game pieces for a variety of ''Transformers'' board games in which this number had some meaning to how the game was played or something.

*'''Tracks''' (Decoy, 1987)
**''Decoy number'': '''15'''

: The [[Hasbro]] [[Decoy]] release of the Tracks game piece is almost identical to the Japanese version, except the number on his back is a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]].
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[Image:1985MuralRedTracks.jpg|thumb|225px|I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way.]]
*As mentioned above, the red ''[[Diaclone]]'' version of Tracks appears on Hasbro's 1985 packaging mural (along with several other toys in early or unused color schemes). What makes this particular appearance stranger than the rest is the red Tracks' depiction – apparently confronting [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and shooting at [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] – which implies the artist thought proto-Tracks was a [[Decepticon]].
* It is frequently joked amongst Transformers fans that Tracks is homosexual, although the character has not actually demonstrated any romantic interest in other male characters. All his romantic interest was focused squarely on himself. An ''Auto-sexual'', if you will.
* Voice actor [[Michael McConnohie]] claims Tracks is not gay. He chose the voice of Thurston J. Howell III from ''Gilligan's Island'', played by [[wikipedia:Jim Backus|Jim Backus]], as the basis for Tracks' snooty voice and mannerisms. McConnohie refers to Tracks's [[Accents|manner of dialect as a "Harvard Lockjaw"]].
* Tracks appeared in one of five original Generation 1 [[public service announcement]]s, warning kids not to steal cars, even if it's just for joy-riding. He seems to have a ''thing'' for carjackers, that Tracks.
* In later years, toys sporting the name "Tracks" require an additional prefix for [[trademark]] reasons, hence making the official name "'''Autobot Tracks'''" or "'''Turbo Tracks'''".
* Chevrolet initially denied Hasbro and Takara the license for the Z06 Corvette that was going to be released as part of the [[Transformers: Alternators| Alternators]] line. Thus, Hasbro and Takara came up with an auxiliary plan for Tracks, this time as another "well-known American sports car", a Dodge Viper. Eventually, though, Chevrolet had a change of mind and granted Hasbro and Takara the license for the Corvette design after all. As a result, the Viper mold was slightly redesigned, was given a new head sculpt, and ultimately ended up as [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] instead (called "Side Swipe" for trademark reasons). Control drawings for the Viper as Tracks, sporting a Tracks head sculpt and a different transformation for the doors, allowing them to more closely resemble Tracks's G1 wings, are depicted in the Japanese ''Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide'' book.
* He's not gay. '''Seriously.''' We can't stress this enough.
* Not that there's anything wrong with that.
* But really. He's not gay.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Tracks''' (トラックス ''Torakkusu'')
*''French:'' '''Le Sillage''' (Canada, "The Trail")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Vagány''' ("Tough guy")
*''Italian:'' '''Puma'''
*''Portuguese:'' '''Rasto''' (Portugal comic, "Track"), '''Trilho''' (Brazil comic, "Track")
*''Russian:'' '''Krah''' (Крах, "Failure")

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Tracks Tracks' Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]

Day of the Machines

2012-06-15T03:40:27Z

67.177.77.209: /* Animation or technical glitches */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=25
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=74
|prev2=Attack of the Autobots
|next2=Scramble City: Mobilization
|series3=''[[Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=29
|prev3=Attack of the Autobots
|next3=Enter the Nightbird
|image=Dayofmachinesprimeandtorq.jpg
|caption=Big Brother is watching you!
|title="Day of the Machines"
|production code=#700-24
|airdate=[[October 10]], 1985
|written by=[[David Wise]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''Megatron's latest scheme involves using the most powerful computer on Earth to control machinery remotely.'''

:''Japanese title:'' コンピュータの反乱 (''Computer no Hanran'', "The Rebellion of the Computer")
:''Brazilian title:'' '''Dia das Máquinas''' ("Day of the Machines")
:''Italian title:'' '''Il giorno delle macchine''' ("Day of the machines")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Dayofmachinesmegsinacase.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"Megatron! What are you doing in my [[Laserbeak (Animated)|cousin's]] house?!"]]

[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (the former disguised in a guitar case!) not-so-silently infiltrate [[Quantum Laboratories]], a top-secret facility where the world’s most powerful computer, [[TORQ III]], is housed. Megatron reprograms the computer with his own personality and gives it the power to control remotely dangerous machines of all types through the use of "[[Remote Control Circuit Linker]] cards."

At the same time, scientist Dr. [[Paul Gates]] of Quantum Labs muses with a colleague about the dangers of machine sentience and that, in the wrong hands, TORQ III might be too powerful. Since Fate is both cruel and timely, the very scenario they were discussing comes true when TORQ III locks them in their office and announces that he’s taking over.

Megatron is using TORQ and the circuit linker cards to remotely control fleets of [[oil tanker]]s. This alerts [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]], who notifies [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. Prime then receives Dr. Gates’ distress signal; Gates fills him in on TORQ III’s rebellion and asks to be rescued.

[[Image:Dayofmachinesautossurround.jpg|right|225px|thumb|The Autobots play "Monkey in the Middle" with a bunch of Brawls.]]

[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] are assigned to investigate the tankers, and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] tags along. Prime leads a group to Quantum Labs, where they immediately come under attack by machines controlled by TORQ. Overwhelmed, Prime orders in the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] (minus [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]) to come help, and they smash, chomp and melt down all of the machines. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] makes his usual pompous comment about having to save Prime’s bacon when things get rough. Afterward, Prime rescues Dr. Gates and they advance toward the buildings, meeting lots of resistance from TORQ’s machines.

Meanwhile, Hound, Spike and Skyfire sneak aboard an oil tanker and infiltrate the [[Decepticon]]s' oil platform. Their attack falls short when Spike is captured and they are forced to surrender.

After smashing more remote-controlled machines at Quantum, Prime decides to explore inside TORQ’s maze-like complex alone. As Optimus moves in closer, one of the machines places a circuit linker card on him, making him Torq’s slave, and he is brought into the computer’s domain. But—surprise, surprise—Prime rips the card off his body, saying it was a dead circuit linker he placed in the robot’s claw, and he disables TORQ with a well-placed punch to the control panel. At the oil platform, Soundwave senses TORQ's demise; Megatron takes over control of the tankers with a gargantuan remote control device.

[[Image:DayOfMachines Megatron remote control.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"So this is what a human Cell Phone looks like."]]

Dr. Gates lends the Autobots a high-speed hydrofoil to reach the Decepticons. Back at the oil platform, Spike has hatched an idea to use an electromagnet (which happened to be in their cell) to immobilize [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]. Skyfire easily smashes through the cell door and Hound disables the force dome that was protecting the platform. The rest of the Autobots arrive and a battle ensues. Prime faces down Megatron and manages to wrest a remote control device from his hands, then tosses it back to him. Megatron lands on it, crushing it, and comes back up spitting mad. He retaliates by activating the self-destruct mechanism on the platform.

The [[Autobot]]s escape, but Prime stays behind to find Hound, Skyfire and Spike. He rips apart the platform deck, revealing the missing team members, and Skyfire flies them out of danger.

Finally, Prime says goodbye to Dr. Gates, who makes a parting comment about machines being unreliable, and then quickly retracts the statement when he realizes his gaffe. The Autobots laugh at the ungrateful human's hubris.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] (10)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (11)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (12)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] (13)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (15)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (16)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (17)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (18)
* [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] (19)
* [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (20)
* [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (21)
* [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (22)

|c2=
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (2)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (3)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (4)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (8)
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (9)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (25)
* [[Hook (G1) |Hook]]

|c3=
*Security guard (1)
* Dr. [[Andrews]] (6)
* Dr. [[Paul Gates]] (7)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (14)
* [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (23)
* Oil tanker captain (24)

|c4=
* [[TORQ III]] (5)
}}

==Quotes==
"Illegal access! Illegal access!" 
"It certainly is."
:—'''TORQ III''' is reprogrammed by '''Megatron'''

"Good grief. More bad news. This isn’t one of our shining days."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' as TORQ's machines surround his troops.

"We help! ...Hmm. Always get Autobots out of messes they get into."
:—'''Grimlock''' laments at yet another Autobot bungle he is called upon to resolve. Forcefully.

"It's a safe bet those doors are locked." 
"Fortunately, I have a delicate lock-picking technique."
:—'''Dr. Gates''' and '''Optimus Prime''', right before Prime "delicately" blasts his way into TORQ's building.

"Come and get me you metal-headed dumb-dumb." 
"That's one stupid Decepticon."
:—'''Skyfire''' and '''Hound''' accurately assess Frenzy's level of intelligence.

"What do you say, guys? Can you bash it down?" 
"With a smile on our lip components!"
:—'''Spike''' and '''Hound''' discuss the finer points of Cybertronian facial structure.

"I'll take that transmitter, please." 
"The transmitter is mine!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' is always polite. '''Megatron''', not so much.

"You took the word right out of my mouth. It was in there with my foot."
:—'''Dr. Paul Gates''' after he tells the ''Autobots'' that all machines are unreliable.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
* As the security guard closes the Lost and Found cage's gate, his hand phases through the cage door.
* Soundwave's cassette door is blue instead of white before he releases Laserbeak.
* The access hatch in Megatron's head simply appears out of nowhere on his forehead, and likewise vanishes after closing.
* There's no evidence of the bizarre war machines in the Hall of TORQ when Megatron and Soundwave arrive. They suddenly appear once they're needed for the plot.
* After Megatron attaches the first Circuit Linker card, TORQ appears with his original neutral face rather than his reprogrammed "evil" face.
* The sign on the front of Dr. Gates' building reads "Research and Develop'''e'''ment".
* Teletraan I has the radio-transmission muffle on its voice as it reports the oil tanker movements to Optimus Prime.
* Prime comments that the tankers are converging near [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon Headquarters]], but the graphics show them in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Decepticon HQ is somewhere near the Pacific coast.
* After he transforms, Prime's cab wheels are somehow in ''front'' of his trailer. (Sure is a pretty sequence otherwise, though!)
* Prowl's face changes from gray to white as he turns to look at Wheeljack after the first commercial break.
* Snarl's tail is white instead of gold as he smashes the tank.
* Slag sure does spend a long time staring at the machines, growling and very pointedly moving his mouth. Was he supposed to have some dialog? As his mouth clearly appears to say ("All right, let's see how you do against my fire.) Sludge does nearly the same thing before Prime uses him as a ladder.
* Prime's whole face is the same blue color as his helmet as he offers the humans a lift down from their window.
* "Personnel" is spelled with only one "n" on the TORQ Project's building sign.
* Is that supposed to be Hook lowering the cargo pipe onto the tanker? 'Cause he's colored yellow instead of green, and has an inexplicably radioed-in voice, and isn't quite on-model, and he never actually transforms, and... maybe it's not supposed to be Hook. Hound does however refer to him by name.
* Laserbeak's feet aren't fully drawn as he carries Spike past the camera.
* Laserbeak is shown outside the force field as he flies over Hound. He should be inside.
* Skyfire's chest cockpit is white instead of blue as he drops his gun.
* Sideswipe's head is colored red instead of black as he flees from a Torq-controlled machine.
* The claws holding Sideswipe's wrists just kind of randomly let him go for no reason.
* Prime's eyes are red instead of blue as the tentacle machine drags him toward its spinny things.
* Soundwave reports that "ORQ" {{sic}} is no longer functional.
* The Decepticons sure take their time getting yanked back by the electromagnet, whose effect should be instantaneous. It also doesn't seem to bother the Autobots, who run right through the spot where the Decepticons were standing when the magnet grabbed them.
* Hound's missile, supposedly removed by the Decepticons, is suddenly back in place as they run out of the cell. (In a nice bit of continuity, his launcher does remain empty after he destroys the force field generator.)
* Soundwave's optics are white when he notifies Megatron that the force field is down.
* Sparkplug is suddenly standing, unsheltered, in the middle of the Autobots, who were in a raging firefight just seconds before.
* Skyfire's chest is missing his Autobot symbol as he and Hound react to the platform's explosions. The same error repeats in the episode's closing scene.
* The bottom of Prime's waist is about twice its normal size as he and the other Autobots react to Dr. Gates' "unreliable" comment.

===Continuity errors===
* Dr. Gates' friend walks around with a remote that can open a single filing cabinet. In Dr. Gates' office, no less!
* Considering how easily they move around the complex, blowing holes in stuff, it's not at all clear why the Decepticons needed to go through the trouble of sneaking into the place in their alternate modes.
* How do the remote linker cards grant control of machines just by being hooked to random parts of them, not their computer circuits?
* Since when do oil tankers travel in enormous fleets? Is this World War II?
* The Dinobots disappear from the story after their one battle, despite the fact that the Autobots meet more resistance before they reach TORQ III. Also curious is Swoop's total absence.
* Hound and Skyfires' cell has a bunch of scrap metal and a usable magnet in it...for some reason.
* Hound and Skyfire suddenly have their weapons back after busting out of the "cell."
* Prime claims that he inserted a dead circuit linker into the claw of TORQ's "friend". However, the animation basically allows no opportunity for this to happen. Furthermore, the circuit linker that he took from Sparkplug earlier sure didn't appear to be "dead"!
* Superhuman Spike: Spike picks up a metal electro-magnet which is nearly as big as he is.

===Continuity notes===
* Gadgets and powers:
** Megatron's gun mode actually shrinks to a human adequate scale, the only time we see him do this.
** Skyfire once again uses his jet-with-legs half-transformation.
** Ironhide destroys one of TORQ's machines by ''walking right through the blast'' it's emitting and sticking his finger in its hose. He is old because he is '''hard'''!
** Hound fires his shoulder missile for the first and only time ever.
* This is one of Optimus Prime's shining episodes. He defeats TORQ III almost singlehandedly; he destroys Megatron's remote control device and foils the tanker stealing plan; and he saves Spike, Skyfire and Hound from sinking with the oil platform. No wonder he's in charge!

===Real-world references===
* Pre-Megatron TORQ III bears some passing resemblance to Oz, the Great and Powerful!
* Paul Gates, the scientist of Quantum Labs, could be a nod to the co-founders of Microsoft, Paul Allen and Bill Gates.

===Trivia===
* The original name for this episode was "The Machine Rebellion". {{fact}}
* This is the only episode in which both Skyfire and the Dinobots appear.
* Like a handful of other Season 2 episodes ("[[Autobot Spike]]", "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]"), this one begins with a short narrative voiceover from [[Victor Caroli]]. Unlike the others, this one actually conveys some information that isn't immediately conveyed by the animation (namely, what Quantum Laboratories does.)
* Script writer David Wise had previously used the concept of a computer able to remote-control machinery being taken over by a villain in a ''He-Man and the Masters of the Universe'' episode also named "Day of the Machines". The same episode also featured a small energy-based creature and Man-At-Arms shrinking himself to fix the computer.
*This is one of two episodes (the other being "[[Attack of the Autobots]]") not initially aired in Japan during the run of ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]''. The episode was eventually dubbed in 1990 and released on [[Pioneer]]'s laserdisk set of the series. As such, it was retroactively added to the series official episode list as episode 74, a numbering reflected in ''[[Transformers Generations]]''.
*Having been dubbed several years after ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' had ended, not all the original cast members were able to return. [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (originally voiced by [[Ken Shiroyama]]), [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (originally voiced by [[Kōki Kataoka]]) and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (originally voiced by [[Osamu Saka]]) were replaced by [[Katsumi Suzuki]].

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — English and Japanese audio.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1: Vol. 2 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Bumper Collection Special (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 03: Stagione Due Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)

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

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

The Ultimate Doom, Part 3

2012-03-28T22:50:27Z

67.177.77.209: /* Technical or animation glitches */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=13
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=68
|prev2=The Ultimate Doom, Part 2
|next2=Earth's Greatest Crisis
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=43
|prev3=The Ultimate Doom, Part 2
|next3=B.O.T. (episode)
|image=Ultimate Doom 3 Autobots fire.JPG
|caption=Autobots, transform and kick some diodes!
|title="The Ultimate Doom, Part 3"
|production code=#700-10
|airdate=[[November 17]], 1984
|written by=[[Leo D. Paur]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''As Cybertron's orbit ravages Earth, the Autobots take the fight to the Decepticons.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 破滅の日 PART III (''Hametsu no Hi PART III'', "Day of Destruction PART III")
:''Latin American title:'' La Destrucción Máxima, Parte III
:''Serbian title:'' '''Судњи дан, трећи део''' (''Sudnji dan, treći deo'', "Judgment day, part 3")
:''Italian title, dub 1:'' '''La resa dei conti''' ("The last stand")
:''Italian title, dub 2:'' '''Destino finale - III''' ("Final Destiny - III")
==Synopsis==
[[Image:Ultimate Doom 3 Autobots Cybertron.JPG|left|150px|thumb|Not the friendliest homecoming.]]

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], a brainwashed [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] sounds an alarm on [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]]. As [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] attempt to destroy them, [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] rescue them. Heading to Wheeljack's lab, they review the [[hypno-chip]] data they've gained.

[[Image:SurfsUp.jpg|right|150px|thumb|This sort of embarrassment is why they finally just recruited Seaspray.]]

On Earth, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] is overseeing the construction of a large hydroelectric generator that will allow the Decepticons to harvest more energy. [[Doctor Arkeville]] is becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Megatron's disregard of his interests, and feels that [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] may be more sympathetic. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] leads [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (on surfboards) to the generator, where their wipeout prevents them from being able to stop the Decepticons from leaving in a [[Decepticon shuttle|shuttle]] carrying [[energon cube]]s. Arkeville is left to die, but Starscream saves him, having his own plans for the scientist.

On Cybertron, Wheeljack develops a device that should disrupt the hypno-chips' control over the humans. Spike attempts another rescue of his father, but is discovered by Shockwave. However, Wheeljack's device works as planned, and the Autobots flee back to Earth with Sparkplug, who is now freed from Decepticon control.

[[Image:Ultimate Doom 3 Bumblebee Tarzan.JPG|left|150px|thumb|Jungle Love Bug]]

On an island, Megatron is overseeing the loading of a shuttle with energon cubes while [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] goes to see if he can direct the humans away from the ship. Nearby, Starscream's own experiments in draining neural energy from Arkeville have failed to fill a single energon cube. Megatron discovers them and prepares to execute Starscream for treason (again). However, Mirage manages to direct the humans away from the shuttle, and Prime orders an attack. The Decepticons outnumber the Autobots, but Skyfire and company soon arrive to even the odds as well as to free the slaves from the Decepticons' control. However, Cybertron comes into view of the island, causing a tidal wave, and Megatron flees in the shuttle for Cybertron.

[[Image:Ultimate Doom 3 Cybertron leave.JPG|right|150px|thumb|Im in ur atmosfeer, thretin ur ecksistance.]]

Spike declares that they just need to knock Cybertron out of Earth's orbit, but Prowl says that they'd need the equivalent of ten billion astroliters of energy to do that. Suddenly, Prime realizes that the [[energon]] on board the shuttle could theoretically be enough to move Cybertron. Prime orders the Autobots to shoot Megatron's shuttle. The plan works, with the energon on board moving Cybertron away from Earth.

Back on the island, Spike remarks to Optimus that Megatron appears to be gone for good, but the Autobot leader, knowing his mortal enemy's survival rate, is not so sure. In space, Megatron comes back online and flies away from the wreckage of the shuttle, vowing revenge.

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (1)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (2)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] (9)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (10)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (11)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (13)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (14)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (15)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (16)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (17)
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (26)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (28)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (29)

|c2=
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (5)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (6)
*Dark Blue [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] (7)
*Light Blue Seeker (8)
*[[Watchdog (G1)|Watchdogs]] (12)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (19)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (20)
*[[Viewfinder]] (by himself) (21)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (24)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (25)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (25)
*Green Seeker (27)
*Thundercracker-colored seekers
*Skywarp-colored seekers
*Starscream-colored seekers

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (3)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (4)
*[[Doctor Arkeville]] (18)
}}

==Quotes==
"Take them!" 
"I don't 'take' so easy."
:—'''Soundwave''' and '''Brawn'''

"Prepare for termination!" 
"Prepare for a very large ''headache!''
:—'''Shockwave''' vs. '''Brawn'''

"You cannot get out!" 
''[Shockwave unleashes a massive blast, but blows a hole in the wall instead of Skyfire]'' 
"I can now!"
:—'''Shockwave''' and '''Skyfire'''

"All the comforts of home...if you liked living in an auto-robotic factory."
:—'''Wheeljack''', on [[Wheeljack's workshop|his workshop]]

"My slaves will be caught in the tidal wave!" 
"I thought humans ''liked'' to play in the ocean!"
:—'''Dr. Arkeville''' teaches '''Megatron''' an important fact about human anatomy.

"Surf's up! And I'm talkin' UP!" 
:—'''Bluestreak''' spots an approaching tsunami

"Thanks, guys, for not giving up on me. Especially you, Spike." 
"Dad, it's like you taught me: You never quit on the people you love." 
"Mushy, but true."
:—'''Sparkplug''' and '''Spike''' have a touching father-son moment, with an addendum by '''Brawn'''.

"You're not pushing slaves around this time."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', preparing to open a [[Kremzeek]] brand can of whup-ass.

==Notes==
===Technical or animation glitches===
* In his opening recap narration, [[Victor Caroli]] mispronounces Dr. Arkeville's name as "Ark-vill".
* Both Spike and Sparkplug were wearing their signature hard hats at the end of last episode, but are missing them now.
* Bumblebee's nose is yellow as Brawn tells Spike they need to roll out.
* As Shockwave melts Brawn's girder, Brawn's mouth moves, but there's no dialog. (It sure looks like he's mouthing a shocked obscenity, though!)
* Wheeljack is missing the orange on his chest as Spike takes shelter behind his leg.
* Wheeljack's transformation sound doesn't play till after he's transformed.
[[Image:SoundwaveButtonUD3.jpg|thumb|right|200px| GAH! Don't do that on camera! ]]
* As the Autobots escape from Decepticon HQ, Soundwave's Decepticon insignia is missing in two successive shots.
* Shockwave's eye isn't flashing as he says "You cannot get out!"
…When Skyfire says " I can now"', his mouth does not move with the dialogue.
* The two Seekers guarding the entrance of [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Decepticon Headquarters]] are shown with Starscream and Thundercracker's color schemes.
* Wheeljack's roof is plain white as the tetrajets appear above him.
* The two tetrajets that chase the Autobots first have the same color schemes as Thundercracker and Skywarp; however, when Skyfire is shooting at them, they're both colored like Skywarp. In the same shot, Skyfire's red has become blue, and his whites have become red.
* When Skyfire blasts one of the tetrajets, both of them are colored like Thundercracker.
* When Spike says, "More Watchdogs on our tail, Wheeljack!", Wheeljack follows up by replying, "We've gotta lose them!" Spike smiles in reply to this sentence, not the next one, which is "My workshop's just ahead". Perhaps Wheeljack was supposed to say: "We're ''gonna'' lose them!".
* Wheeljack's chest (ie, his roof) is again missing its colors in the overhead shot of his lab.
* As Wheeljack studies the mind control program, the side of Trailbreaker's chest is colored as though it were a windshield, and only the front side of Wheeljack's "ears" flash.
* Prime's faceplate doesn't move as he reports his sensor readings to Ironhide.
* During his "Surf's up" lines, Bluestreak has only one door and one missile launcher.
* The generator Megatron throws at Starscream changes its relative size mid-air. It is initially almost as big as Megatron himself, but becomes only about as big and as wide as Starscream's chest.
* Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
** The establishing shot of the surfing Autobots shows only five 'bots (Prime, Ironhide & Ratchet, Jazz, and either Prowl or Bluestreak.) Prowl ''and'' Bluestreak are shown in the same shot a moment later, making six total. Most successive shots show only 3 or 4 surfing bots. We finally see all six as the tidal wave pursues them down the [[sea funnel]].
** There's plenty of time for Mirage and Cliffjumper to join the group as they travel to the island, but the addition of ''just'' those two seems a bit odd. Where are Sunstreaker, Gears, Sideswipe, etc. during all this?
* Ironhide's helmet rim is gray instead of red as he turns to look at the oncoming tidal wave.
* The inside of Prime's cheek guards are gray instead of blue as he announces that they're almost there.
* As Prowl grouses about Megatron's energon supply, Jazz has some weird extra lines on his optic visor.
* The area around Starscream's cockpit is colored the same orange as the cockpit itself as he rises from the ocean to collect Dr. Arkeville.
* Reflector's voice comes in its usual triplicate form... even though there's only one of him present.
* Wheeljack is missing his Autobot insignia as he reports to Optimus.
* Wheeljack's ears are waaaay too small as he proposes field testing the anti-hypnochip device.
* Spike slightly phases through a wall just before Shockwave lights him up.
* The two Seekers that accompany Shockwave just can't make up their minds who they want to be:
** As Shockwave reaches to pick up Spike, the two generic Seekers behind him have been replaced by two Skywarps.
** As the Autobots show up, the two Skywarps have become a Thundercracker and a pine-green generic.
** As the Autobots escape, the two Seekers are colored as Thundercracker and Starscream.
** And then one of them is Skywarp again as he fires after the escaping Autobots.
* Spike has no pupils as he reacts to his father pulling a gun on him.
[[Image:Tud3 wheeljack little present.jpg|thumb|right|200px|"Well, we don't need Aquaman any more."]]
* As Wheeljack activates the hypno-chip-un-hypnotizer, Bumblebee is represented by a yellow-colored Cliffjumper.
* Shockwave's eye doesn't flash as he orders "After them!"
* Skyfire's cockpit canopy is colored white instead of blue as he appears over the Autobots.
* Only the front side of Wheeljack's "ears" flash as he radios Skyfire.
* The background music overlaps the scene transition as the Autobots prepare to leave Cybertron.
* Mirage's invisibility power is strangely portrayed in this episode; he merely turns ''transparent'', and also lacks the usual glowing prism and energy sound effect as he activates his power. They get both the sound and the effect correct when he reappears in Act 3.
* Megatron is missing his Decepticon symbol as he appears behind Starscream.
* As Prime announces his intention to attack, Prowl is colored like Skywarp. Prime's waist is also unusually huge.
* Skywarp's cockpit is black instead of orange as Megatron says "A fool's ploy".
* In what is otherwise a beautiful depiction of his robot mode, Rumble is missing his mouth after he blasts Mirage.
* Gray helmet rims on Ironhide again as he advises Cliffjumper to save his ammo.
* Prowl's doors are all-black instead of half-black as he says they're outnumbered.
* Wheeljack's ears don't flash as he announces the coming of "independence day".
* The energon cubes dropped by the slaves are a strange translucent yellow-white-purple, rather than the usual solid glowing pink-purple. In the same shot, we cannot see the torso of the fat mustached slave through the energon cube that he's carrying... but we ''can'' see his feet through the cube after he drops it.
* The chunks of earth falling into Rumble's [[earthquake (event)|earthquake]] crevasse have grass that disappears and reappears between frames.
* Bumblebee's side is colored like glass as he observes the approaching crevasse.
* When Thundercracker launches to follow Megatron, he's a much darker blue than usual.
* The exploding energon cubes are shown against a completely black background. Even if they're in an unlit cargo compartment, the cubes themselves should illuminate the space.
* A series of "natural disaster" shots is recycled from Part 1 as Megatron's ship explodes... including one of Prime talking to himself, this time without any dialog to go with his moving mouthplate.
* The last shot of orbital Cybertron once again includes clouds ''behind'' the orbiting planet.
* Wheeljack is missing his orange chest colors as the Autobots brush themselves off.
* Optimus is missing the horizontal lines on his tummy grille as Spike takes stock of the day's work.

===Continuity errors===
* As seen last episode, Ironhide is part of the Autobot rescue party that boards Skyfire and arrives on Cybertron, only to disappear immediately after. In this episode, we see that he actually stayed behind on Earth.
* Soundwave's presence on Cybertron is not inexplicable — there's no reason he couldn't just fly there, and later have flown back to Earth before Cybertron was knocked out of its orbit. But it's a bit odd for him to have made the trip for no obvious reason or explanation.
* When we last saw [[Wheeljack's workshop]] in "[[Divide and Conquer]]", it was sealed by a computerized Decepticon lock. This time, the Autobots just drive right into it, no problem.
[[Image:SpikeshockwaveUD3.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Shockwave investigates the [[Aerialbots over America!|pivotal question]] of how well humans bounce.]]
* Superhuman Spike:
** Survives being dropped from shoulder height by Shockwave.
** Can lift Optimus's giant metal rifle.
* Holy crap, how freaking stupid ''is'' Starscream? With a whole planet going crazy with energy sources all around him—storms, earthquakes, volcanoes, tidal waves—he makes the bizarre decision to try and suck energon out of a human's brain. He further decides to do this ''right under Megatron's nose''. His attempts to convert Doctor Arkeville's neural energy into energon fail, of course; what this says about the intelligence of both scientists is debatable.
* As [[Carnage in C-Minor|often]] [[The Transformers: The Movie|happens]], the Autobots' claim to be outnumbered is a bit dubious. There are 8 Autobots (Prime's surfer six, plus Mirage & Cliffjumper) against only Megatron, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Rumble, and a couple of Reflectors.
* Prime's comment to Prowl ("If we lose now, Cybertron's next orbit will tear the earth apart!") doesn't make much sense, and calls out the same total lack of strategy that the Autobots had in the last episode - namely, they aren't doing or planning ''anything'' to actually make Cybertron go away.
* Prime really does just kind of sit there and let Megatron run off into his spaceship.
* Did Spike and Prowl both hit on the idea of blowing up Megatron's ship, and just not actually ''say'' so? Or were they both hoping to ''shoot'' Cybertron out of its orbit?
* Wouldn't blowing up Megatron's ship be a good idea anyway? Why were they just letting him go?
* Megatron is able to survive an explosion which had enough energy to shift the orbit of Cybertron. Considering previous evidence of his durability, how he could survive a planet-moving blast is a mystery.
* Wouldn't a giant explosion just wreck both planets, rather than neatly pushing one of them away?
*And for that matter, if the explosion pushed Cybertron away, why wasn't Earth moved in the opposite direction?

===Rhino DVD errors===
[[Image:Tud3 mirage rhino fix.jpg|right|thumb|315px]]

* In several of Shockwave's speaking scenes, the glow from his eye is missing while some are managed by overlays added.
* Only one segment of Wheeljack's "ears" flash as he delivers his "We figured you might be getting lonesome" line.
* As Skyfire is shooting at the Decepticons while saying his house cleaning line, the laser fire out of his gun is missing but the sound can still be heard.
* When Mirage reappears inside the Decepticon ship, a piece of missing footage in the production master Rhino were using meant he actually ''didn't'' reappear. Rhino actually took a crack at fixing this, though, but the "fix" constituted taking a ghastly, high-contrast, low-res, single-frame figure from another version of the episode and primitively copy-pasting it into the scene. To accomplish this, they even had to pause the scene; the slaves in the background stop moving when the pasting begins.
* As he observes Skyfire's approach, [[:Image:Wheresmyface.jpg|Prowl's face disappears]], leaving only his helmet.
* Skywarp is colored as a second Thundercracker as the pair follows their retreating leader from the island.
{{-}}

===Continuity notes===
[[Image:Watchdog tud3.jpg|thumb|right|200px| ]]
[[Image:Shockwavelightdoom3.jpg|right|200px|thumb|''Hello'', my face is up here?]]

* Wheeljack's place on Cybertron, previously seen in "[[Divide and Conquer]]", is shown again.
* A couple of [[Watchdog (G1)|Decepticon cars]] are shown in this episode, but it's not clear if they are Transformers. They seem to be similar to Jazz in Cybertronian vehicle mode, but are colored similar to the Reflector bots.
* Gadgets and powers:
** Rather than the hydrofoils they were using just two episodes ago, the Autobots are now traveling the oceans on motor-powered surfboards.
** Both Prime and Ironhide have "early warning scanners" which can detect mountain-sized tidal waves just slightly over the horizon. Man, those aren't very effective scanners.
** Rumble can extend his optic visor to make it function like binoculars.
** Shockwave can light up his chest like a searchlight. It's not clear if this is meant to be some kind of force field holding Spike in place, or if Spike just stops due to some deer-in-the-headlights psychological effect.
** Megatron transforms and fires at Skyfire unassisted... which kinda puts the lie to all those sarcastic fan claims that his gun mode is oh-so-totally-useless without someone to fire him. Of course, he also does this ''in the show's title sequence'', so it really shouldn't be such a surprise. (Granted, title sequences also give us things like flying Autobots and Insecticons swimming around in lava, so their relevance is debatable.)

===Real-world references===
* Prowl's line "Ask, and you shall receive!" is from the Gospel of John in the New Testament.
* Starscream's dramatic proclamation "I shall return!" is a popular TV trope referring to the famous speech of [[wikipedia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_MacArthur#Escape_to_Australia_and_Medal_of_Honor|U.S. General Douglas MacArthur upon his retreat from the Philippines in World War II]].
* ''Star Wars'' sound effects:
** ''Millennium Falcon'' engine burst as Starscream grabs Dr. Arkeville and escapes from the island.
** TIE Fighter engine and some ''Falcon'' engine whine as Skywarp and Thundercracker strafe the Autobots.
** An igniting lightsaber serves as the sound of an energon cube being dropped by the freed slaves.
** ''Falcon'' engine whine as the Seekers depart the island.

===Trivia===
*This episode is subtitled "Revival" in scripts and other official materials.
*This episode, along with five others, can be unlocked in the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|PS3/Xbox 360]] versions of the [[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|Revenge of the Fallen video game]]. For some unknown reason, this version of the episode makes use of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Generation 2]]'' broadcast's audio, as the [[Cybernet Space Cube]] can be heard throughout without the Cube's visuals.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 2: "The Ultimate Doom" ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1996 — ''The Transformers'' — The Ultimate Doom ([[Malofilm]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2001 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Villains: The Ultimate Doom ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2001 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Villains: The Ultimate Doom ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume One ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume Three (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 02: Stagione Uno Parte Seconda ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/the_ultimate_doom_part_3.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ultimate Doom, Part 3}}
[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

Aerial Assault

2012-02-16T00:24:58Z

67.177.77.209: /* Animation or technical glitches */

{{episode
|image=Giantpurplegriffon.jpg
|caption=MERV GRIFFIN!!!!!
|series=G1toon
|ep=58
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=46
|prev2=Hoist Goes Hollywood
|next2=Trans-Europe Express
|series3=''[[Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=45
|prev3=B.O.T. (episode)
|next3=Cosmic Rust (episode)
|title="Aerial Assault"
|written by=[[Douglas Booth]]
|production code=700-57
|airdate=[[December 10]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''Slingshot and Skydive go undercover to discover who is responsible for the theft of planes in the Middle East.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 突撃エアーボット (''Totsugeki Airbot'', "Charge, Airbots")
:''Italian title, dub 1:'' '''Rotta di collisione''' ("Collision course")
:''Italian title, dub 2:'' '''Assalto aereo''' ("Aerial assault")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Aerialassault.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Hey, look, no arms!]]

In an unnamed Middle Eastern country,<ref>The country is retconned to be [[Iran]] in ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II]]''.</ref> the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] are searching for clues to a group that is stealing planes. After flying over a bazaar (in which is a [[Swindle (G1)|hauntingly familiar jeep]] being driven by a suspicious man loading equipment), the Aerialbots receive a distress call. Heading into a nearby canyon, they are attacked by the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], and [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] ends up being buried within a cave by [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]. However, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] arrive and drive off the [[Decepticon]]s. After unearthing Slingshot, the [[Autobot]]s return to a nearby air base for repairs. Slingshot is fixed, but his weapons systems have been damaged, and he needs a new console from the [[Ark (G1)|base]]. [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] gets the idea to let himself serve as bait, which [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], in his infinite wisdom, believes is a good idea, and Slingshot decides to join as well. As night comes, the two Aerialbots are soon stolen by the plane-nappers, but they are disassembled and their [[radio transmitter]]s are disabled.

[[Image:AerialAssault Slightshot newchest.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Retooling gone badly wrong.]]

Transporting their ill-gotten planes in laundry trucks, the plane-nappers manage to get past security, but are followed by a young boy named [[Jumal|Hassan]]. Getting into the truck carrying the Aerialbots' nose cones, he meets up with them and identifies the man heading this operation as [[Ali (Sunbow)|Ali]]. As it turns out, Ali has deposed Prince Jumal, the young ruler of the country, and has allied with [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to create both [[plane drone]]s for conquering the oil fields of the [[Middle East]], and a...[[Giant Purple Griffin]] that will...do...stuff. As the convoy reaches the Palace, the Decepticons begin reassembling the planes, but the Aerialbots cause themselves to short-circuit, leaving their parts free to be reassembled. They manage to get everything except Slingshot's chest plate, but Hassan manages to borrow the front grill assembly from a car that Prince Jumal owned.

[[Image:AerialAssault Onslaughtheadinsand.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Onslaught's head in the sand serves subtly as a scathing rebuke of isolationism as foreign policy.]]

As the Decepticons prepare to mobilize, Skydive and Slingshot manage to contact the other Aerialbots, who come to help. Meanwhile, Hassan has slipped aboard the...fortress to steal a new weapons console for Slingshot. As the Aerialbots arrive, Blast Off, [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]], and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] take control of the drone forces. The Aerialbots are able to dispatch the drones and their commanders, so [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] decides to off them himself, only to be stopped by Slingshot. Blast Off orders the Combaticons to [[Transformation|transform]] into [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. Slingshot bravely tries to prevent the merge, as [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]]'s absence prevents his own team from merging into [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]. Eventually, Bruticus forms after Slingshot is thrown into the head of the now mobile...fortress. Hassan gets a weapon console to Slingshot, frees them, then heads to attack Bruticus. Fireflight finally arrives, and the Aerialbots form Superion and damage the...fortress, causing it to crash into an oil field. Superion separates into his Aerialbot components, causing the diving Bruticus to fall into the oil field. The Aerialbots then set fire to the field, forcing the Decepticons to retreat.

At the palace, the Aerialbots are trying to figure out what to do with Ali and what he did with Prince Jumal, only to discover that Hassan ''is'' Prince Jumal. He explains that Slingshot may keep the new chest plate as a gift, as Jumal's hobby is fixing old junk cars. Slingshot feels honored...till he thinks that Jumal is calling him a piece of junk.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (6)
* [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (7)
* [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (8)
* [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (9)
* [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (10)
* [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (16)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (17)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (18)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (19)
* [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (25)

|c2=
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (4)
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (11)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (12)
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (13)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (14)
* [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (15)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (20)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (21)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (22)
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (23)
* [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (24)

|c3=
* Auto parts merchant (1)
* [[Jumal|Hassan/Prince Jumal]] (2)
* [[Ali (Sunbow)|Ali]] (3)
* Ali's henchmen (5)
}}

==Quotes==
"About time too. That high altitude was making me dizzy."
:–Thankful for a reason to land, '''Silverbolt''' reveals he's still afraid of heights.

"On my way to a turkey shoot. Isn’t that right, turkeys?"
:–'''Blast Off'''

"Megatron, you promised me world domination!” 
"You’ll be lucky if I let you live, fool!"
:–'''Ali''' pushes his luck with '''Megatron'''

"Hey. Did you just call me a... junker?" 
"Don't worry, Slingshot. No matter what you're made of, you'll always be a Rolls Royce to me!"
:—'''Slingshot''' and '''Jumal'''

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
[[Image:Slingshot undercover.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Hmm let's see... Autobot symbol... nope, nothing suspicious to see here!]]
* While towing Slingshot from the canyon, Optimus' cab windows are red.
* After Ratchet repairs him, the top of Slingshot's head is orange. In the next shot, it's white. It changes from one to the other throughout the episode.
* Slingshot flips his new Rolls Royce grill chest plate over, and its backside matches his original chest design, but colored gray. After this scene, however, his chest has its normal coloration.
* When Megatron is ordering Blast Off, Ramjet, and Vortex to attack Silverbolt and Air Raid, Onslaught transforms into a very small anti-aircraft truck.
* An odd sound editing error clips the end off of Onslaught's line "So I can blast him into oblivion!" and the start of Onslaught's following line, "Combaticons unite and transform into Bruticus!"
* Rumble is shown alternatively with ''one'' missile on his back and nothing on his back throughout the episode. After the Aerialbots blow up the oil field, he suddenly has ''two'' missiles on his back for the only time.
* When Fireflight finally arrives to help the rest of the Aerialbots against Bruticus, he is colored entirely black.
* Ramjet has Dirge's color scheme in the scene just after the griffin starts firing on the Aerialbots.
* During the final scene, Slingshot's first few lines are mouthed by Air Raid (then Air Raid speaks his lines as normal).
* During the final scene, when Slingshot and Prince Jumal are discussing the Rolls Royce grille Slingshot was using as a chest plate, the grille appears and disappears into thin air several times.

===Continuity errors===
* This episode was produced and aired well out of sequence. Most visibly, the Combaticons appear, placing the episode chronologically after "[[The Revenge of Bruticus]]". It also presumably occurs after "[[War Dawn]]", because the Aerialbots have no problem fighting Decepticons ''and'' aren't jerks towards humans.
* Optimus Prime, Jazz, Ratchet and Hoist disappear from the episode after Ratchet repairs Slingshot. If they're in the Middle East already and there are Decepticons in the area, why don't they stick around for a while? They could have helped during the final battle.
* Nobody in the "laundry" truck notices Hassan coming up behind them in his motorcycle.
* Skydive and Slingshot are shown to be disassembled to the point where only a small portion of their cockpit remains in the laundry bin. Yet when Hassan finds them, they transform into their full torso, even sporting their nosecones which were clearly removed.
** Later on when Blast-off inspects them, they are no longer in the bins, and are now suddenly composed of the entire front half of their jet forms, as a retroactive correction to the earlier scene.
* For a piece of equipment so vital to Slingshot that it prevents him from joining the battle, the weapon console seems to have little to no use in the griffin. Even after Hassan removes the console, the griffin shows no detrimental effects, as it can still use its weapons, as well as being able to fly without issue.
* We never learn the reason for Fireflight's protracted absence.
* No reason is given for Megatron to give his fortress the form of a griffin.
* The prince's compound sits next to an oil drilling rig, yet we never see the Decepticons make energon cubes.
* Why can't the Autobots just shoot the rocks trapping Slingshot?

===Trivia===
* Deleted scenes in this episode include Hassan reconstructing Slingshot and Skydive to disguise them as refrigerators to get them past the border guards; the trucks transporting the jet parts breaking down in the desert and some camels being stolen to tow them when Swindle refuses to do so; and Swindle discovering the Aerialbots, being knocked out and having his memory banks wiped so he forgets they were there.
* The Giant Purple Griffin has become one of the most mocked creations in Trans[[fandom]].
* In this episode, [[Ed Gilbert]] takes over the role of Superion from [[Frank Welker]], who voiced him briefly in "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2]]".
* For some reason, quite a few [[fandom|fans]] misremember this episode as being set in [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]], a country that didn't get identified by name until season 3.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2001 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Exclusively from Blockbuster ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 7 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 06: Stagione Due Parte Quarta ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

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

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]