MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Swoop (Animated)

2010-05-23T14:28:21Z

74.89.49.46:

{{factions|autobot}}{{picsneeded|Beast mode.}}
{{disambig3|Swoop}}
:''Swoop is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:TFAnimated Swoop.jpg|right|256px|thumb|Gatchaman!]]
'''Swoop''' is a ''Pteranodon'' [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobot]]. He prefers his nice, quiet island to the mainland, but doesn't say no to crossing over for the odd battle. Not only is it fun to see humans scatter at the sight of him, bashing Decepticons with his flaming [[wikipedia:Flail (weapon)|flail]] is more fun than bashing trees.

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
Swoop made his appearance along with the other Dinobots, but neither he nor [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]] spoke. He battled the Autobots but like the others ended up trapped in tar, before being relocated to Dinobot Island by Prowl and Bulkhead. He also did not [[Transformation|transform]], as he didn't know it was possible until [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] discovered ''he'' could. {{storylink|Blast from the Past}}

[[Image:Aniswoopflail.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Me Swoop give you head start..."]]
He was later forced by the villain [[Meltdown (Animated)|Meltdown]] to kidnap [[Sari Sumdac]] and attack her would-be rescuers, [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]]. Once Meltdown was trapped and unable to hurt him, he demonstrated he'd learned to transform and joined his fellow Dinobots in threatening the acid-thrower. However, before Meltdown could be hurt, Swoop's attention was diverted to [[Colossus Rhodes]] and two of Meltdown's mutants, and he and the other Dinobots beat up on them instead. {{storylink|Survival of the Fittest}}

He would later be found along with his fellow Dinobots by [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]], Prowl and Bulkhead to see if they would help fight against the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. However, Grimlock refused to fight with the [[Autobot|Autobots]], saying that they would destroy robots. Optimus then replied to Grimlock that the Dinobots were robots themselves. Swoop promptly began following to the letter Grimlock's order to destroy all robots, starting with Grimlock. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

When Optimus, [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Autobot Commander Ultra Magnus]], and [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Planetary Bitch Sentinel Prime]] went to find the Ark, they intruded on Swoop's territory and gave him a big ass-kicking which a slightly big jerk like him deserves. However, he was scared off by Ultra Magnus and his electrical powers. {{storylink|The Elite Guard}}

When his friend Grimlock had a large spike in his toe, he went on a rampage, which he tried to prevent, but to no avail. Prowl managed to reluctantly use [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet's]] [[EMP]] Blaster (which he was borrowing) before anything was damaged. When Prowl told him he would be okay and Bulkhead took the spike out of his toes, he was very relieved. {{storylink|A Fistful of Energon}}

[[Image:Dinobots Meltdown Black Friday.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Me Swoop thought boxed chocolates too cliché, but contents still have gooey centre."]]
He returned once again with his fellow Dinobots, working for [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]]. He, Grimlock and Snarl were ordered to fetch Meltdown from prison for her, so that she could be [[Along Came a Spider|rid of her organic half]]. It was revealed that the Dinobots worked for her due to her feminine ways. Grimlock fought and beat both Swoop and Snarl to prove that he loved Blackarachnia most. Blackarachnia then used her mimic ability to steal Grimlock's [[Fire-breath|fire-breathing]] power and proceeded to incinerate Swoop and Snarl. Despite this, they still worked for her later, as they helped both Optimus and Grimlock by defeating [[Fusion creature|Meltdown's mutants]] once again. Unlike Grimlock, Swoop seemed indifferent to the fact that Blackarachnia then left them all. {{storylink|Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday}}

Swoop later found the female spider, who asked him to deliver the fugitive [[Wasp]] for her. He agreed and took the fugitive to the island, with the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]] soldiers [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]], [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], and Sentinel Prime still on his tail. However, he managed to evade their pursuit and brought Wasp back to Meltdown's lab. Later, he and the others were guarding the way to the lab when they encountered the Jet twins. Swoop faced them, but was ultimately defeated. {{storylink|Predacons Rising}}

Swoop and Grimlock later kicked out Snarl when he decided to be the pet of a [[Scrapper (Animated)|Constructicon castaway]] that arrived on the island. {{storylink|Human Error, Part II}}

===Titan Magazines===
Swoop can ''talk!'' {{storylink|Dino-MIGHT!}}

[[Image:TitanSwoop.jpg|left|200px|thumb|He's not speaking to you either.]]

Later on, a Rage virus infection stopped him from showing this power of speech. He instead turned violent and attacked Grimlock, hovered around for [[Afterburn]] to stand on, and threw [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] into mud. Not that big a rage then. {{storylink|Ratchet & Grimlock Are DEAD?}}

Later still, a huge row between him and Grimlock over a TV program saw Swoop booted out of the Dinobots. On his way to join the Autobots, he buzzed past a [[United States Military|USAF]] plane and so got a bollocking from Prime when he landed, causing him to leave in a huff. However, soon the Autobots needed aerial assistance to stop a rogue stealth bomber, and Bumblebee convinced Swoop to help by <strike>reminding him that he owed them for the Rage virus thing</strike> appealing to his <strike>sense of team spirit</strike> ego. He successfully stopped the bomber, saving Detroit and proving to the Autobots that he was awesome.

And all that while only talking ''once'' (and off-panel at that) due to being in a huff!{{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Divebomb}}
{{--}}
==Toys==
===Animated===
[[Image:Deluxeanimatedswoop.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Swoop looms, like a [[vast predatory bird]]...]]
*'''Swoop''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TA-19'''
**''Accessories'': Flail

: Part of the fourth wave of ''Animated'' Deluxes, Swoop transforms into a robotic pteranodon. His relatively simple transformation results in a startlingly [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] robot mode (albeit with longer legs in pteranodon mode). He comes with a flail weapon which can be stored under his foot in beast mode. The weapon seems to have an abandoned gimmick where pushing in the bottom of the ball would activate pop-out flames. Apparently, it was abandoned after the realization that if a child swallowed the weapon, the flames popping out would make the kid's esophagus worse for wear. However, this gimmick can somewhat be reactivated with a small modification [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/radicons-customs/208812-tutorial-animated-swoops-flaming-mace.html], allowing the flames to be ''partially'' revealed. A slightly more complex modification can be done to allow the flames to raise to '''full height''' when they pop out[http://mattbooker.info/2009/01/05/sos-dinobot-part-1/], resulting in the inner curve of the flames matching the curve of the ball[http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/1531/flamingmorningstar.png]—a look which indicates this is much closer to the original intention.
Swoop's eyes are engineered for [[light-piping|piping]], but are painted blue.

==Notes==
* According to ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac]]'', Swoop was named by Blackarachnia.

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/Swoop/swoop.htm Swoop at TFU.info]

[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Dinobots]]

Nanosec

2010-05-22T20:12:24Z

74.89.49.46: /* Animated cartoon */

{{disambig2|the supervillain|the episode introducing said supervillain|Nanosec (episode)}}

:''Nanosec is a [[human]] from the [[Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:NanosecModel.jpg|right|thumb|200px|I'll be with you in a me!]]

'''Nanosec''' (real name '''Nino Sexton''') is one of the petty criminals littering [[Detroit]]. Originally nothing more than a small-time larcenist, a chance encounter with an experimental speed-enhancing suit developed by [[Sumdac Systems]] has turned him into the fastest thief in the Motor City.

Though initially his speed suit caused him to age fully into decrepitude, you can't keep a bad dude down and Nino Sexton is no exception. Back on the streets at speeds that turn heads, he's gained a second chance at crime, and perhaps even a first chance at... [[Slo-Mo|love.]]

{{bigquote|I ain't ''nobody's'' errand-boy...uuunless the price is right.|Nanosec resists [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]'s offer for about two seconds|"[[Nanosec (episode)|Nanosec]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor'': [[Brian Posehn]] (English), [[Gunnar Helm]] (German), [[Takehito Koyasu]] (Japanese)

[[Image:NanosecAge.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Moral of Nanosec's story: Bumblebee's [[spark]] is cold.]]

General no-goodnik Nino Sexton pulled a minor heist and discovered that [[Isaac Sumdac]]'s new [[Police drone|automated Detroit police force]] are colossally stupid. Aiming to make a clean getaway, he attempted to steal a [[Bumblebee (Animated)|cute little yellow car]], only to discover that not all robots are that dumb. At first the young Autobot showed off, running rings around him. However, an argument broke out between Bumblebee and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]], giving Nino the chance to escape. Bulkhead stopped him, but the Autobot apparently didn't realize the fragility of the wooden boardwalk they were on, destroying it and sending the two robots into the drink. Saved from falling by [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]], Nino was sent straight to jail.

[[Image:TFA_Nanosec_Bumblebee_Nino_Sexton.JPG|thumb|right|200px|So if the Psycho Mantis doll can control other's bodies, and the Sorrow's one can reanimate corpses, then what does this one do?]]
After [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] manipulated Sumdac Systems' computers to post Nino's bail, he also had them deliver a prototype speed-enhancing suit to the newly freed crook. Realizing his good fortune, Nino did what anyone sensible would do: He went on a crime spree. Taking the ''nom de guerre'' of "Nanosec" overheard from a theft victim ("It just disappeared...in a nanosec!"), Sexton soon found that when moving at high speeds, he could receive communications from his robotic benefactor. Megatron offered him access to Isaac Sumdac's bank account in exchange for a heist to acquire [[Destronium|a substance]] to rebuild Megatron's body from one of Sumdac's laboratories, to be delivered within ten minutes of it being taken from the lab.

Though the heist itself went flawlessly, Nanosec was hotly pursued by the Autobots as he made his way to his new boss. Due largely to Bumblebee's haywire new turbo boosters causing him to careen around out of control, Nanosec was repeatedly able to escape capture. Finally, Bumblebee noticed the aging effects of Nanosec's superspeed, and using his new boosters, literally ran the vigorous villain into a geriatric state. ''Harsh'', Bumblebee.

Once the now-explosive substance was hurled into the upper atmosphere, the withered thief was taken into police custody. {{storylink|Nanosec (episode)|Nanosec}}

[[Image:NanosecSUV.jpg|right|thumb|My name is Nino Sexton. I'm the fastest man alive. I'm ''Nanosec''. And I hope you're insured.]]
Nino found his second wind, and even his youth again and began a new crime spree. As before the Autobots gave chase, but he received aid from an unseen admirer in keeping them off of his tail. Before long she revealed herself to be the newly minted villain [[Slo-Mo]], and from there it was love at first maniacal cackle, due in no small part to the fact that it was she who had restored his boyish vigor. Going along with her idea for a new criminal syndicate, his dreams of owning a large screen television were briefly realized, then thwarted by the police surrounding him and his cohorts. His new ladyfriend received an anonymous tip, and they peeled out in a posh, roomy Hummer. Once again following Slo-Mo's lead he engaged in a heist of a Sumdac Systems factory, speedily stealing components to impress and woo her. It all turned sour when their [[Swindle (Animated)|getaway car]] turned out to be a fink that locked up his speed harness, but that creep got his in the end. Unfortunately so did Nino, leading to his re-arrest. {{storylink|SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy}}

[[Category: Animated characters]]
[[Category: Cartoon-only characters]]
[[Category: Humans]]
[[Category: Supervillains]]
[[Category: Thieves]]

Takehito Koyasu

2010-05-22T20:11:15Z

74.89.49.46: /* Roles */

[[Image:Takehito Koyasu.jpg|right|250px|thumb|I look awesome.]]
'''Takehito Koyasu''' (子安武人 ''Koyasu Takehito''), born [[May 5]], 1967 in Yokohama, is a Japanese voice actor and the creator of the hilariously awful anime Knight Hunters ''(Weiss Kreuz)''. He has provided voices for hundreds of anime series.

==Roles==
===''Beast Wars''===
* [[Optimus Primal|(Gorilla) Convoy]]

===''Beast Wars II''===
* Convoy (in ''[[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger]]'')

===''Beast Machines''===
* Convoy

===Transformers Animated===
*[[Nanosec]]

==External Links==
* [http://www.koyasutakehito.com/ Star Chamber]
* [http://www.marine-e.co.jp/actor/koyasu/index.htm Marine Entertainment]

[[Category:Japanese voice actors|Koyasu, Takehito]]

Keiji Fujiwara

2010-05-22T00:31:08Z

74.89.49.46: /* Roles */

[[Image:Fujiwara keiji.gif|right|thumb|]]
'''Keiji Fujiwara''' (藤原啓治 ''Fujiwara Keiji'') is a Japanese voice actor born on [[October 5]], 1964, better known for his [[human]] roles such as Maes Hughes in ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' and Reno in ''Final Fantasy VII''.

He is dreamy.

==Roles==
===''Beast Wars''===
* [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]]

===''Micron Legend''===
* [[Scavenger (Armada)|Devastor]]

===''Transformers Animated''===
*[[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]]

{{stub}}

[[Category:Japanese voice actors|Fujiwara, Keiji]]

Grimlock (Animated)

2010-05-22T00:29:56Z

74.89.49.46: /* Animated cartoon */

{{Factions|autobot}}{{disambig3|Grimlock}}
:''Grimlock is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:TFAnimated Grimlock.jpg|right|256px|thumb|Some people got collar and cuffs, me Grimlock got collar and brass knuckles.]]
'''Grimlock''' is a ''Tyrannosaurus rex'' in charge of a small, three-mech group of dinosaur transformers known as the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]]. Born from a fusion of Earth and Cybertronian technology, with some [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] intervention thrown in, he's a force to be reckoned with. A little short on brains (at first he didn't actually realise he was a Transformer) and a lot short on temper, Grimlock's answer to a problem is usually the simplest: squash it, slash it, bite it, burn it, or eat it.

Physically, Grimlock is one of the most powerful Transformers, with enough brute strength to give even the likes of Megatron pause for thought. In his beast mode, his powerful jaws and flame breath give him excellent short- and long-range combat abilities, while his flaming sword is an effective weapon in robot mode. Factor in his temper, and facing Grimlock can be a terrifying experience.

Currently, Grimlock and his fellow Dinobots are living on [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|an island]] in Lake Erie, hidden there by [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] from the rest of the world. But don't think he's not willing to come to the mainland, find the biggest 'Con around and feed 'em their own chassis after he's eaten his fill of it. After all, him Grimlock badass.

{{bigquote|No one tell me Grimlock how to fight!|Grimlock, rebel without a cause|"[[Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[David Kaye]] (English), [[Dieter Memel]] (German), [[Mario Zucca]] (Italian), [[Keiji Fujiwara]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Grimlockanimatedinskin.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Cars shot me T-rex, out come me Grimlock! Him [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] sure blew it.]]
Grimlock, [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]], and [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]] were originally theme park animatronic displays that [[Isaac Sumdac]] upgraded with the help of [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] and a flash of [[spark]] from the [[AllSpark Key]]. When they came online, Grimlock dubbed himself the Dinobot leader, despite Megatron's commands. However, [[Tutor Bot]] brought up videos on how cars use fossil fuels. Grimlock believed this to mean that cars ate [[dinosaur]]s, and Megatron convinced them to destroy the "fossil feeders", including the only thing worse than cars...cars and trucks that turn into robots.

[[Image:Grimlockanimatedbeastmode.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Me Grimlock beginning to [[Repeat Performance!|hate black sticky stuff!]]]]
As the Dinobots raged against the machines, the Autobots drew them away from the city towards a park. Finally getting out of his funk, [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] managed to throw them into a parking lot that their fire breath had melted into tar, trapping the Dinobots. After their defeat, they were imprisoned in an energy cage and were scheduled for meltdown. Believing they had life and were not just some mindless machines, [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] freed the Dinobots with the help of Bulkhead and secretly relocated them to an island.

Dwelling within the peaceful forest, Grimlock dubbed cars and trucks bad, but nature good—until two birds pooped on him. Redubbing
nature stupid, Grimlock expected the two birds to fight like Dinobots, but they escaped! Tail twitching and stomach opening, Grimlock [[Transformation|transformed]], shocking Snarl and Swoop. He drew a [[Sword|huge, blazing sword]] and decided he liked the results. {{storylink|Blast from the Past}}

He was later forced by the villain [[Prometheus Black|Meltdown]] to attack Sari's would-be rescuers, Prowl and Bulkhead. Once Meltdown
was trapped and unable to hurt him, he demonstrated he'd learned to transform and joined his fellow Dinobots in threatening the
acid-thrower. However, before Meltdown could be hurt, Grimlock's attention was diverted to [[Colossus Rhodes]] and two of Meltdown's mutants, and he and the other Dinobots beat up on them instead. {{storylink|Survival of the Fittest}}

Shortly after this, the Autobots learned that the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] were mobilizing, and Bulkhead spilled the beans on the Dinobots' location. Seriously pissed, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Prime]] had them take him to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]], where he tried to convince the Dinobots to help them fight the Decepticons. Grimlock was...uninterested, to say the least. He told Prime that Dinobots didn't need robots to fight, but that they would destroy robots. When Prime pointed out that the Dinobots ''were'' robots, this seemed to compel them to fight each other. When Grimlock gives an order, the Dinobots carry it out without question. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

[[Image:Animated cartoon Grimlock Sentinel Prime.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Me Grimlock say you jerk!]]
When Optimus brought [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel]] to see [[Autobot ship (Animated)|his damaged ship]], which had crashed into Dinobot Island as a result of [[Megatron Rising - Part 2|a recent Decepticon attack]], the Dinobots showed up. Optimus advised the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guardsbots]] that as long as the Dinobots weren't provoked, they wouldn't attack. Sentinel thought they were just primitive scrap heaps and acted like it. Grimlock responded by transforming, taking out his sword and knocking the jerk flying. Alas, neither he nor the other Dinobots could withstand the elemental lightning summoned by Ultra Magnus, Bot of Thunder. {{storylink|The Elite Guard}}

[[Image:T-Rex Ambush Predator.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Prowl learned T-rex defensive tactics from ''Jurassic Park''. Sadly, Grimlock never watched that movie.]]
Later, reports reached the Autobots of rampages on Dinobot Island, and Optimus sent Prowl and Bulkhead, the only two Autobots the Dinobots accepted, to investigate. Prowl's disbelief at the idea that the territorial but relatively peaceful Dinobots would be going on rampages was quickly dispelled when a furious Grimlock burst from the bushes and charged. He easily thrashed the two Autobots, and in his rage would have roasted a nest full of baby birds if Prowl hadn't used [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]'s loaned [[EMP]] generator to drop the massive beast. But a blast that would have knocked out an Autobot for a while merely dropped Grimlock for a moment, and a few seconds later, he began to wake up. Upon examination, it was revealed that Grimlock had a large piece of metal embedded in his foot, and the pain had driven him mad. Prowl used the EMP generator to loosen the shard while Bulkhead yanked it out, and an exhausted Grimlock collapsed and allowed the Autobots to fix him up. {{storylink|A Fistful of Energon}}

[[Image:TFA Black Friday ME GRIMLOCK IN LOVE.jpg|left|180px|thumb|I, Grimlock, am hot-headed when in love, wot.]]
When [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] washed ashore after the defeat of Megatron, the Dinobots took her in as one of their own. Ever the [[wikipedia:Alpha_(biology)|alpha male]], Grimlock was quick to remind Swoop and Snarl that "Spider-Lady like me Grimlock best" (he was taller than them), and was not above using violence to drive the point home. After Blackarachnia discovered Meltdown's genetic research, she had the Dinobots take Meltdown from prison. When the Autobots arrived to investigate, Prowl and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] were poisoned with venom, and Grimlock accompanied Optimus Prime to the mainland to help him find the [[Genetic modifier|genetic thingy]] that Meltdown needed.

[[Image:Animated Black Friday Grimlock Prime Powell.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Me Grimlock will love you and hug you and feed you and pet you and hug you and love you and call you George.]] Grimlock refused to listen to Prime's claims that Blackarachnia was using them, and he tore through the city to show the "puny humans" that "Dinobots rule". Arriving at [[Sumdac Tower]], Grimlock threatened [[Porter C. Powell]] with becoming lunch, which convinced the businessman to surrender the modifier. When the two Autobots returned to the island, Meltdown turned the tables on them, planning to remove Blackarachnia's technological half and leave him with an organic Transformer. To delay Grimlock and Prime, Meltdown sicced [[Fusion creature|his experiments]] on them. Grimlock nearly burned down half the forest while fighting "bad bat", but the other Dinobots arrived and helped them defeat the monsters while Prime put out the fire. After Prime defeated Meltdown, Blackarachnia urged him to hold her, causing Grimlock to attack Prime in jealousy. However, it was a trick to allow Blackarachnia time to escape, as Prime had predicted. Practically in tears, Grimlock begged Blackarachnia to return, saying he loved her, but all for naught. {{storylink|Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday}}

He later looked on as an oil rig with the Constructicons appeared out of nowhere and exploded off Dinobot Island. {{storylink|Three's a Crowd}}

Grimlock and the Dinobots once again fall under Blackarachnia's sway. After having Swoop abduct [[Wasp]] she orders the Dinobots to stand guard. Sentinel Prime, along with [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] and [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]], sneak onto Dinobot Island to retrieve Wasp. Sentinel tells the Jet twins to create a diversion to get the Dinobots away from the enterance so he can sneak into Blackarachnia's lab. Grimlock is tricked into chasing Jetstorm and was [[to sell toys|defeated off camera]]. {{storylink|Predacons Rising}}

Later when Sari went to get the help of the Dinobots to fight [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]], Grimlock and Swoop refused to help her. When she asked about Snarl, Grimlock tells her they kicked him out after he decided to become [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]'s pet. {{storylink|Human Error, Part II}}

===Titan Magazines===
[[Image:Titan23_Grimlockvsswoop.jpg|left|200px|thumb|ONLY ME GRIMLOCK have speaking parts!]]

One day, it was raining really badly and making Grimlock's joints all stiff. Grimlock hate that! Then [[Sari Sumdac|that small girl thing]] came to Dinobot Island; Grimlock almost ate her as a trespasser, but then she said the Dinobots could stay in the Autobots' base until it stopped raining and all they had to do in return was hit [[Starscream (Animated)|some annoying guy]] and [[Starscream clone (Animated)|his clones]]. Plus, he got a souvenir in the form of a ripped off clone arm. Sari Grimlock's friend!

[[Simon Furman|Grimlock]] thinks there should be clones of ''him'' as the world needs more Grimlock! {{storylink|Dino-MIGHT!}}

Another day, the other Dinobots were sick and it made them attack Grimlock! Grimlock get hurt! Grimlock send an distress signal to other Autobots by means unknown! Small girl thing save him with [[AllSpark Key|even smaller glowy thing]], so he not eat her. {{storylink|Ratchet & Grimlock Are DEAD?}}

Bah! Swoop keep questioning Grimlock! ''HOW DARE'' he disagree with Grimlock! Grimlock kick Swoop out of Dinobots! Bah! How dare Swoop... oh, cows ''do'' give milk like Swoop said? Well... Swoop still sucks, shut up Snarl! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Divebomb}}
{{--}}

===Animated shorts===

[[Image:BulkheadandGrimlock.gif|thumb|right|210px|Me Grimlock like fetch, lets play again. Did me Grimlock really just say that?]]

Grimlock eagerly played fetch with Bulkhead using a tree. [[Animation error|Then it disappeared]]. {{storylink|Bulkhead Plays with Grimlock}}

{{-}}
==Toys==
===Animated===
[[Image:Grimlock Animated Toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Me Grimlock like. But want crown accessory.]]
*'''Grimlock''' (Voyager, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TA-17'''
**''Accessories'': Flaming sword

: Part of the third wave of ''Animated'' Voyagers, Grimlock transforms into a robotic [[Popular beast alternate modes|tyrannosaurus rex]] with a spring-loaded chompy-jaw. A mechanized switch in the right robot-mode wrist interacts with a spring-loaded feature in his fiery sword, revealing pop-out flames when the wrist is tilted. Purely by coincidence, a peg on his left leg is the exact right size to serve as a [[Powerlinx]] port for any [[Mini-Con]].

: The [[Instruction booklet|instruction sheet]] for this toy has an error in step two, in which his mid-back region (with the three hash marks on either side) is shown as both unfolding backwards to form part of his feet ''and'' staying where it is. Also, the call-out on the back of the packaging that claims his flame-sword doubles as a mouth-mounted jet of flame breath totally lies.

: Some Grimlocks have been reported with legs that are impossible to shorten into arms for robot mode. Others contract, but the two halves of the thighs/shoulders start to separate when they do. Others still have no problem. It looks like a quality control issue rather than a running change to fix the problem, as the most recently bought Grimlocks still suffer with this issue.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/Grimlock/grimlock.htm More information on Grimlock at TFU.info]''

[[Image:Animated-toy_Goldfire_Grimlock.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Recession? What recession? Me Grimlock just Goldman-Sachs executive.]]
*'''Goldfire Grimlock''' (Voyager, 2010?)
**''Accessories'': Flaming sword

: Goldfire Grimlock appears to be a redeco of his Voyager toy, sporting a gold and black color scheme, with a few silver parts too. Me, Grimlock, King!

{{uncertaintoy}}

{{-}}


[[Image:ActivatorGrimlock.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Tonight, on Jurassic Fight Club: Nanotyrannus!]]
*'''Grimlock''' (Activator, 2008)

: Part of the third assortment of [[Activators]], this is a smaller, simplified version of the larger Grimlock toy. He features a spring-loaded [[Autotransform|auto-transformation]] from beast to robot mode.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/ActGrimlock/grimlock.htm More information on Activators Grimlock at TFU.info]''

[[Image:Animated-toy_FireblastGrimlock.JPG|right|300px|thumb|Me Grimlock not [[The Fallen|Fallen]], Me Grimlock King!]]
*'''Fireblast Grimlock''' (Activator, 2009)

: A fiery redeco of Activators Grimlock with details based on cracked volcanic rock.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/ActFireblastGrimlock/grimlock.htm More information on Fireblast Grimlock at TFU.info]''

{{--}}

==Notes==
* Grimlock took his name by forming a portmanteau out of a sentence spoken by Megatron: "My prospects are '''grim''', '''lock'''ed in this prison of a lab." Who knew he had it in him? For the entirety of seasons 1 and 2, he was the only Dinobot in the cartoon to have a name. This changed when Snarl finally received his name from Scrapper in mid-season 3. (Swoop wasn't named in the show at all.)
* He's still the only ''Animated'' Dinobot actually to speak. He may not talk pretty, but maybe he deserves some credit for making it THAT far.
* Yes, his Italian voice actor is the same as [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]].
* And so's his Japanese! He even shares the same speech pattern of saying 'Dah' a lot.

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/Grimlock/grimlock.htm Grimlock at TFU.info]

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Dinobots]]

Grimlock (Animated)

2010-05-22T00:27:38Z

74.89.49.46: /* Notes */

{{Factions|autobot}}{{disambig3|Grimlock}}
:''Grimlock is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:TFAnimated Grimlock.jpg|right|256px|thumb|Some people got collar and cuffs, me Grimlock got collar and brass knuckles.]]
'''Grimlock''' is a ''Tyrannosaurus rex'' in charge of a small, three-mech group of dinosaur transformers known as the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]]. Born from a fusion of Earth and Cybertronian technology, with some [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] intervention thrown in, he's a force to be reckoned with. A little short on brains (at first he didn't actually realise he was a Transformer) and a lot short on temper, Grimlock's answer to a problem is usually the simplest: squash it, slash it, bite it, burn it, or eat it.

Physically, Grimlock is one of the most powerful Transformers, with enough brute strength to give even the likes of Megatron pause for thought. In his beast mode, his powerful jaws and flame breath give him excellent short- and long-range combat abilities, while his flaming sword is an effective weapon in robot mode. Factor in his temper, and facing Grimlock can be a terrifying experience.

Currently, Grimlock and his fellow Dinobots are living on [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|an island]] in Lake Erie, hidden there by [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] from the rest of the world. But don't think he's not willing to come to the mainland, find the biggest 'Con around and feed 'em their own chassis after he's eaten his fill of it. After all, him Grimlock badass.

{{bigquote|No one tell me Grimlock how to fight!|Grimlock, rebel without a cause|"[[Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[David Kaye]] (English), [[Dieter Memel]] (German), [[Mario Zucca]] (Italian)

[[Image:Grimlockanimatedinskin.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Cars shot me T-rex, out come me Grimlock! Him [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] sure blew it.]]
Grimlock, [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]], and [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]] were originally theme park animatronic displays that [[Isaac Sumdac]] upgraded with the help of [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] and a flash of [[spark]] from the [[AllSpark Key]]. When they came online, Grimlock dubbed himself the Dinobot leader, despite Megatron's commands. However, [[Tutor Bot]] brought up videos on how cars use fossil fuels. Grimlock believed this to mean that cars ate [[dinosaur]]s, and Megatron convinced them to destroy the "fossil feeders", including the only thing worse than cars...cars and trucks that turn into robots.

[[Image:Grimlockanimatedbeastmode.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Me Grimlock beginning to [[Repeat Performance!|hate black sticky stuff!]]]]
As the Dinobots raged against the machines, the Autobots drew them away from the city towards a park. Finally getting out of his funk, [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] managed to throw them into a parking lot that their fire breath had melted into tar, trapping the Dinobots. After their defeat, they were imprisoned in an energy cage and were scheduled for meltdown. Believing they had life and were not just some mindless machines, [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] freed the Dinobots with the help of Bulkhead and secretly relocated them to an island.

Dwelling within the peaceful forest, Grimlock dubbed cars and trucks bad, but nature good—until two birds pooped on him. Redubbing
nature stupid, Grimlock expected the two birds to fight like Dinobots, but they escaped! Tail twitching and stomach opening, Grimlock [[Transformation|transformed]], shocking Snarl and Swoop. He drew a [[Sword|huge, blazing sword]] and decided he liked the results. {{storylink|Blast from the Past}}

He was later forced by the villain [[Prometheus Black|Meltdown]] to attack Sari's would-be rescuers, Prowl and Bulkhead. Once Meltdown
was trapped and unable to hurt him, he demonstrated he'd learned to transform and joined his fellow Dinobots in threatening the
acid-thrower. However, before Meltdown could be hurt, Grimlock's attention was diverted to [[Colossus Rhodes]] and two of Meltdown's mutants, and he and the other Dinobots beat up on them instead. {{storylink|Survival of the Fittest}}

Shortly after this, the Autobots learned that the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] were mobilizing, and Bulkhead spilled the beans on the Dinobots' location. Seriously pissed, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Prime]] had them take him to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]], where he tried to convince the Dinobots to help them fight the Decepticons. Grimlock was...uninterested, to say the least. He told Prime that Dinobots didn't need robots to fight, but that they would destroy robots. When Prime pointed out that the Dinobots ''were'' robots, this seemed to compel them to fight each other. When Grimlock gives an order, the Dinobots carry it out without question. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

[[Image:Animated cartoon Grimlock Sentinel Prime.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Me Grimlock say you jerk!]]
When Optimus brought [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel]] to see [[Autobot ship (Animated)|his damaged ship]], which had crashed into Dinobot Island as a result of [[Megatron Rising - Part 2|a recent Decepticon attack]], the Dinobots showed up. Optimus advised the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guardsbots]] that as long as the Dinobots weren't provoked, they wouldn't attack. Sentinel thought they were just primitive scrap heaps and acted like it. Grimlock responded by transforming, taking out his sword and knocking the jerk flying. Alas, neither he nor the other Dinobots could withstand the elemental lightning summoned by Ultra Magnus, Bot of Thunder. {{storylink|The Elite Guard}}

[[Image:T-Rex Ambush Predator.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Prowl learned T-rex defensive tactics from ''Jurassic Park''. Sadly, Grimlock never watched that movie.]]
Later, reports reached the Autobots of rampages on Dinobot Island, and Optimus sent Prowl and Bulkhead, the only two Autobots the Dinobots accepted, to investigate. Prowl's disbelief at the idea that the territorial but relatively peaceful Dinobots would be going on rampages was quickly dispelled when a furious Grimlock burst from the bushes and charged. He easily thrashed the two Autobots, and in his rage would have roasted a nest full of baby birds if Prowl hadn't used [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]'s loaned [[EMP]] generator to drop the massive beast. But a blast that would have knocked out an Autobot for a while merely dropped Grimlock for a moment, and a few seconds later, he began to wake up. Upon examination, it was revealed that Grimlock had a large piece of metal embedded in his foot, and the pain had driven him mad. Prowl used the EMP generator to loosen the shard while Bulkhead yanked it out, and an exhausted Grimlock collapsed and allowed the Autobots to fix him up. {{storylink|A Fistful of Energon}}

[[Image:TFA Black Friday ME GRIMLOCK IN LOVE.jpg|left|180px|thumb|I, Grimlock, am hot-headed when in love, wot.]]
When [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] washed ashore after the defeat of Megatron, the Dinobots took her in as one of their own. Ever the [[wikipedia:Alpha_(biology)|alpha male]], Grimlock was quick to remind Swoop and Snarl that "Spider-Lady like me Grimlock best" (he was taller than them), and was not above using violence to drive the point home. After Blackarachnia discovered Meltdown's genetic research, she had the Dinobots take Meltdown from prison. When the Autobots arrived to investigate, Prowl and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] were poisoned with venom, and Grimlock accompanied Optimus Prime to the mainland to help him find the [[Genetic modifier|genetic thingy]] that Meltdown needed.

[[Image:Animated Black Friday Grimlock Prime Powell.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Me Grimlock will love you and hug you and feed you and pet you and hug you and love you and call you George.]] Grimlock refused to listen to Prime's claims that Blackarachnia was using them, and he tore through the city to show the "puny humans" that "Dinobots rule". Arriving at [[Sumdac Tower]], Grimlock threatened [[Porter C. Powell]] with becoming lunch, which convinced the businessman to surrender the modifier. When the two Autobots returned to the island, Meltdown turned the tables on them, planning to remove Blackarachnia's technological half and leave him with an organic Transformer. To delay Grimlock and Prime, Meltdown sicced [[Fusion creature|his experiments]] on them. Grimlock nearly burned down half the forest while fighting "bad bat", but the other Dinobots arrived and helped them defeat the monsters while Prime put out the fire. After Prime defeated Meltdown, Blackarachnia urged him to hold her, causing Grimlock to attack Prime in jealousy. However, it was a trick to allow Blackarachnia time to escape, as Prime had predicted. Practically in tears, Grimlock begged Blackarachnia to return, saying he loved her, but all for naught. {{storylink|Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday}}

He later looked on as an oil rig with the Constructicons appeared out of nowhere and exploded off Dinobot Island. {{storylink|Three's a Crowd}}

Grimlock and the Dinobots once again fall under Blackarachnia's sway. After having Swoop abduct [[Wasp]] she orders the Dinobots to stand guard. Sentinel Prime, along with [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] and [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]], sneak onto Dinobot Island to retrieve Wasp. Sentinel tells the Jet twins to create a diversion to get the Dinobots away from the enterance so he can sneak into Blackarachnia's lab. Grimlock is tricked into chasing Jetstorm and was [[to sell toys|defeated off camera]]. {{storylink|Predacons Rising}}

Later when Sari went to get the help of the Dinobots to fight [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]], Grimlock and Swoop refused to help her. When she asked about Snarl, Grimlock tells her they kicked him out after he decided to become [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]'s pet. {{storylink|Human Error, Part II}}

===Titan Magazines===
[[Image:Titan23_Grimlockvsswoop.jpg|left|200px|thumb|ONLY ME GRIMLOCK have speaking parts!]]

One day, it was raining really badly and making Grimlock's joints all stiff. Grimlock hate that! Then [[Sari Sumdac|that small girl thing]] came to Dinobot Island; Grimlock almost ate her as a trespasser, but then she said the Dinobots could stay in the Autobots' base until it stopped raining and all they had to do in return was hit [[Starscream (Animated)|some annoying guy]] and [[Starscream clone (Animated)|his clones]]. Plus, he got a souvenir in the form of a ripped off clone arm. Sari Grimlock's friend!

[[Simon Furman|Grimlock]] thinks there should be clones of ''him'' as the world needs more Grimlock! {{storylink|Dino-MIGHT!}}

Another day, the other Dinobots were sick and it made them attack Grimlock! Grimlock get hurt! Grimlock send an distress signal to other Autobots by means unknown! Small girl thing save him with [[AllSpark Key|even smaller glowy thing]], so he not eat her. {{storylink|Ratchet & Grimlock Are DEAD?}}

Bah! Swoop keep questioning Grimlock! ''HOW DARE'' he disagree with Grimlock! Grimlock kick Swoop out of Dinobots! Bah! How dare Swoop... oh, cows ''do'' give milk like Swoop said? Well... Swoop still sucks, shut up Snarl! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Divebomb}}
{{--}}

===Animated shorts===

[[Image:BulkheadandGrimlock.gif|thumb|right|210px|Me Grimlock like fetch, lets play again. Did me Grimlock really just say that?]]

Grimlock eagerly played fetch with Bulkhead using a tree. [[Animation error|Then it disappeared]]. {{storylink|Bulkhead Plays with Grimlock}}

{{-}}
==Toys==
===Animated===
[[Image:Grimlock Animated Toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Me Grimlock like. But want crown accessory.]]
*'''Grimlock''' (Voyager, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TA-17'''
**''Accessories'': Flaming sword

: Part of the third wave of ''Animated'' Voyagers, Grimlock transforms into a robotic [[Popular beast alternate modes|tyrannosaurus rex]] with a spring-loaded chompy-jaw. A mechanized switch in the right robot-mode wrist interacts with a spring-loaded feature in his fiery sword, revealing pop-out flames when the wrist is tilted. Purely by coincidence, a peg on his left leg is the exact right size to serve as a [[Powerlinx]] port for any [[Mini-Con]].

: The [[Instruction booklet|instruction sheet]] for this toy has an error in step two, in which his mid-back region (with the three hash marks on either side) is shown as both unfolding backwards to form part of his feet ''and'' staying where it is. Also, the call-out on the back of the packaging that claims his flame-sword doubles as a mouth-mounted jet of flame breath totally lies.

: Some Grimlocks have been reported with legs that are impossible to shorten into arms for robot mode. Others contract, but the two halves of the thighs/shoulders start to separate when they do. Others still have no problem. It looks like a quality control issue rather than a running change to fix the problem, as the most recently bought Grimlocks still suffer with this issue.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/Grimlock/grimlock.htm More information on Grimlock at TFU.info]''

[[Image:Animated-toy_Goldfire_Grimlock.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Recession? What recession? Me Grimlock just Goldman-Sachs executive.]]
*'''Goldfire Grimlock''' (Voyager, 2010?)
**''Accessories'': Flaming sword

: Goldfire Grimlock appears to be a redeco of his Voyager toy, sporting a gold and black color scheme, with a few silver parts too. Me, Grimlock, King!

{{uncertaintoy}}

{{-}}


[[Image:ActivatorGrimlock.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Tonight, on Jurassic Fight Club: Nanotyrannus!]]
*'''Grimlock''' (Activator, 2008)

: Part of the third assortment of [[Activators]], this is a smaller, simplified version of the larger Grimlock toy. He features a spring-loaded [[Autotransform|auto-transformation]] from beast to robot mode.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/ActGrimlock/grimlock.htm More information on Activators Grimlock at TFU.info]''

[[Image:Animated-toy_FireblastGrimlock.JPG|right|300px|thumb|Me Grimlock not [[The Fallen|Fallen]], Me Grimlock King!]]
*'''Fireblast Grimlock''' (Activator, 2009)

: A fiery redeco of Activators Grimlock with details based on cracked volcanic rock.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/ActFireblastGrimlock/grimlock.htm More information on Fireblast Grimlock at TFU.info]''

{{--}}

==Notes==
* Grimlock took his name by forming a portmanteau out of a sentence spoken by Megatron: "My prospects are '''grim''', '''lock'''ed in this prison of a lab." Who knew he had it in him? For the entirety of seasons 1 and 2, he was the only Dinobot in the cartoon to have a name. This changed when Snarl finally received his name from Scrapper in mid-season 3. (Swoop wasn't named in the show at all.)
* He's still the only ''Animated'' Dinobot actually to speak. He may not talk pretty, but maybe he deserves some credit for making it THAT far.
* Yes, his Italian voice actor is the same as [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]].
* And so's his Japanese! He even shares the same speech pattern of saying 'Dah' a lot.

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/Grimlock/grimlock.htm Grimlock at TFU.info]

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Dinobots]]

Axel Transformers

2010-05-16T00:54:33Z

74.89.49.46: /* References */

{{song
|title=Axel Transformers
|japanese=
|translation=
|image=Axel Transformers.jpg
|caption=
|series=[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)#Japanese release|Animated]]
|position=ending theme
|performer=[[Rey]]
|composer=[[Kenji Terazono]], [[Kenta Harada]]
|lyrics=Kenta Harada
|arrangement=Rey
}}

"'''Axel Transformers'''" is the [[Japanese themes|ending song]] to the Japanese release of the [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)#Japanese release|''Animated'']] cartoon.

==Lyrics==
{{note|The lyrics on this page have been translated more idiomatically than literally.}}
===TV size edit===
{|width=100%|
|valign=top|

====Original Japanese====

|valign=top|

====Rōmaji transliteration====

|valign=top|

====English translation====

|}

===Full version===
{|width=100%|
|valign=top|

====Original Japanese====

|valign=top|

====Rōmaji transliteration====

|valign=top|

====English translation====

|}

==Single release==
[[Image:Axel Transformers single.jpg|thumb|150px|]]
;Track listing
#"Axel Transformers"
#"[[Alive a Soldier]]"
#"Axel Transformers (off vocal)"
#"Alive a Soldier (off vocal)"

'''Release date:''' [[May 12]], [[2010]] 
'''Label:''' [[Lantis|Lantis Co., Ltd.]] 
'''Prod. code:''' LACM-4709 
'''ASIN:''' B0037NIA0Y
{{--}}

===Album releases===
This song has yet to be released on any soundtrack albums.

==References==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7O1jPGuSJo TV size outro] at YouTube
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM4PwroMh_Y Music video] at YouTube
{{stub}}
[[Category:Japanese theme songs]]

Fumihiko Tachiki

2010-05-15T22:24:10Z

74.89.49.46:

'''Fumihiko Tachiki''' (立木文彦 ''Tachiki Fumihiko'') is a Japanese voice actor and narrator born [[April 29]], 1961 in Nagasaki, Japan. Known for his low voice, he was originally a blues singer before taking up voice acting, rising to prominence in such roles as Kenpachi Zaraki in ''Bleach'', Yuuichi Kirisaki in ''Yakitate! Japan'', Sloth in ''Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood'', and of course, Gendo Ikari in ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'', as well as the narrator (and belt voice) of ''Kamen Rider W''. Along with [[Toshiyuki Morikawa]], he is part of the musical group 2HEARTS.

==Voice roles==
===Generation 1===
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] ([[The Rebirth]] only)

===Transformers Animated===
* [[Prometheus Black|Prometheus Black/Meltdown]]

==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0846192/ Fumihiko Tachiki] at the Internet Movie Database
*[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=1465 Fumihiko Tachiki] at Anime News Network
[[Category:Japanese voice actors]]

Fumihiko Tachiki

2010-05-15T21:40:53Z

74.89.49.46:

'''Fumihiko Tachiki''' (立木文彦''Tachiki Fumihiko'') is a Japanese voice actor and narrator born [[April 29]], 1961 in Nagasaki, Japan. Known for his low voice, he was original a blues singer before taking up voice acting, rising to prominence in such roles as Kenpachi Zaraki in ''Bleach'', Yuuichi Kirisaki in ''Yakitate! Japan'', Sloth in ''Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood'', and of course, Gendo Ikari in ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'', as well as the narrator (and belt voice) of ''Kamen Rider W''. Along with [[Toshiyuki Morikawa]], he is part of the musical group 2HEARTS.

==Voice roles==
===Generation 1===
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] [[The Rebirth]] only)

===Transformers Animated===
* [[Prometheus Black|Prometheus Black/Meltdown]]

==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0846192/ Fumihiko Tachiki] at the Internet Movie Database
*[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=1465 Fumihiko Tachiki] at Anime News Network

Fumihiko Tachiki

2010-05-15T21:40:34Z

74.89.49.46:

'''Fumihiko Tachiki''' (立木文彦''Tachiki Fumihiko'') is a Japanese voice actor and Narrator born [[April 29]], 1961 in Nagasaki, Japan. Known for his low voice, he was original a blues singer before taking up voice acting, rising to prominence in such roles as Kenpachi Zaraki in ''Bleach'', Yuuichi Kirisaki in ''Yakitate! Japan'', Sloth in ''Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood'', and of course, Gendo Ikari in ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'', as well as the narrator (and belt voice) of ''Kamen Rider W''. Along with [[Toshiyuki Morikawa]], he is part of the musical group 2HEARTS.

==Voice roles==
===Generation 1===
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] [[The Rebirth]] only)

===Transformers Animated===
* [[Prometheus Black|Prometheus Black/Meltdown]]

==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0846192/ Fumihiko Tachiki] at the Internet Movie Database
*[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=1465 Fumihiko Tachiki] at Anime News Network

Fumihiko Tachiki

2010-05-15T21:39:17Z

74.89.49.46: New page: '''Fumihiko Tachiki''' (立木文彦''Tachiki Fumihiko'') is a Japanese voice actor and Narrator born April 29, 1961 in Nagasaki, Japan. Known for his low voice, he was original a bl...

'''Fumihiko Tachiki''' (立木文彦''Tachiki Fumihiko'') is a Japanese voice actor and Narrator born [[April 29]], 1961 in Nagasaki, Japan. Known for his low voice, he was original a blues singer before taking up voice acting in the 1980s, rising to prominence in such roles as Kenpachi Zaraki in ''Bleach'', Yuuichi Kirisaki in ''Yakitate! Japan'', Sloth in ''Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood'', and of course, Gendo Ikari in ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'', as well as the narrator (and belt voice) of ''Kamen Rider W''. Along with [[Toshiyuki Morikawa]], he is part of the musical group 2HEARTS.

==Voice roles==
===Generation 1===
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] [[The Rebirth]] only)

===Transformers Animated===
* [[Prometheus Black|Prometheus Black/Meltdown]]

==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0846192/ Fumihiko Tachiki] at the Internet Movie Database
*[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=1465 Fumihiko Tachiki] at Anime News Network

Toshiyuki Morikawa

2010-05-15T21:35:26Z

74.89.49.46:

[[Image:Toshiyuki Morikawa.JPG|right|thumb|250px|Imagine him voicing for a crossover series that involves several of his characters having a conversation.]]
'''Toshiyuki Morikawa''' (森川智之 ''Morikawa Toshiyuki'') is a Japanese voice actor and singer born [[January 26]], 1967 in Kanagawa, Japan. Some of his anime roles include Naraku in ''InuYasha'' and Dio in ''Casshern Sins'', but he's also performed plenty of famous dub roles, often providing the Japanese voice for Keanu Reeves, Brad Pitt and Ewan McGregor. Along with [[Fumihiko Tachiki]], he is part of the musical group 2HEARTS.

Morikawa also voiced [[Spider-Man]] in the 1994 ''Spider-Man'' cartoon and [[Venom (Crossovers)|Venom]] in ''Spider-Man 3''. How about that.

==Roles==
===''Beast Wars''===
*[[Ravage (G1)|Jaguar]]

==External links==
*[http://www.artsvision.co.jp/data.php?id=715 Official profile] at ArtsVision ''(Japanese)''
*[http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/2hearts/ 2HEARTS] official website ''(Japanese)''
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0605452/ Toshiyuki Morikawa] at the Internet Movie Database
*[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=692 Toshiyuki Morikawa] at Anime News Network

{{DEFAULTSORT:Morikawa, Toshiyuki}}
[[Category:Japanese voice actors]]

The Thrill of the Hunt

2010-05-15T00:47:24Z

74.89.49.46: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|series2=AniJapan
|image=TFA Thrill Hunt Ratchet Lockdown reunion.JPG
|caption=Sadly, no tumbleweeds.
|ep=7
|ep2=5
|prev2=Sound and Fury
|next2=Home Is Where the Spark Is
|title="The Thrill of the Hunt"
|airdate=[[January 19]], [[2008]] (US) [[May 1]], [[2010]] (JP)
|written by=[[Andrew Robinson]]
|directed by=[[Ben Jones]] [[Shunji Ōga|Shunji Oga]]
|animation studio= [[The Answer Studio]]}}

'''While Autobots encounter a mysterious muscle car creating havoc in Detroit, Ratchet keeps flashing back to his "tour of duty" in the Great Autobot-Decepticon Wars.'''

:''Japanese title:'' ぬぐえない記憶 (''Nuguenai Kioku'', "Unwipeable Memories")
:''German title:'' "'''Der Kopfgeldjäger'''" ("The Bounty Hunter")
:''Polish title:'' "'''Gorączka polowania'''" ("The Thrill of the Hunt")

==Synopsis==
While debating the ethical dilemma of an auto parts store with [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]'s old war wound tingles, making him think that trouble's ahead. Just then, the lights in the city go out, and the trio is confronted by a spiked muscle car with red headlamps. Thinking it's a human out for a joyride, the [[Autobot|Autobots]] go after the car. At a critical moment in the chase, Ratchet experiences a flashback to his days in the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]]….

[[Image:Ratchetanimatedthrill.jpg|left|170px|thumb|PTSD-bait in the making.]]

''Field tech Ratchet is in the middle of a war zone with a Decepticon barrage falling down around him. Communicating with [[Supreme Commander]] [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]], he says he found the object of his mission, an Autobot intelligence officer named [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]]. She is badly damaged and in need of immediate repair. Ratchet uses his [[EMP]] generator to deactivate her temporarily, allowing him to replace her leg, despite Arcee's concern that the EMP could wipe her [[memory core]].''

Ratchet flashes back into the present and is nearly run over by the muscle car, but is pushed out of the way by Bumblebee. The Autobots regroup at headquarters and Optimus inquires of Ratchet's well-being, but the crusty old bot doesn't want to talk. Meanwhile, the [[Television|TV]] news is broadcasting a live, high-speed chase between the police and the strange car, and Ratchet experiences another flashback.

[[Image:Lockdown both hands.jpg|right|170px|thumb|SUCKER-PUNCH!]]

''In the middle of the repair to Arcee, Ratchet loads her up and starts to evacuate the area, only to be caught and smacked down by a bounty hunter.''

Ratchet's thoughts are snapped back into the present as the Autobots begin the chase after the muscle car anew. Ratchet finally recognizes the muscle car as an old nemesis, [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]]. The past haunts him again….

''Ratchet and Arcee are now prisoners of Lockdown, who explains his work as a bounty hunter and his lack of allegiance to either side in the war. He also says he has a fondness for taking weapons and parts from his quarry as trophies and upgrades. This time, he's taken Ratchet's EMP generator.''

Flash-forward to the present, where Prime finally forces Lockdown to stop. The bounty hunter incapacitates Prime with the EMP weapon, and they both disappear. In his hideout, Lockdown explains to a tied-up Optimus Prime about the bounty on his head for killing [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. Optimus explains that he didn't kill the [[Decepticon]], but Lockdown insists doesn't care as long as he gets his bounty. Then he gets to work on removing Prime’s grapplers and installing them in his own body.

The Autobots scan the city for Prime, but don't have much luck until [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] finds that Lockdown's [[Death's Head (Animated)|ship]] is sitting in the middle of the old downtown area, cloaked as an ordinary warehouse. Before they roll out, Ratchet refuses to join the rescue mission, though without explanation.

[[Image:TFA Thrill Hunt Prowl Lockdown.JPG|left|170px|thumb|Everybody was kung-fu fighting! Those cats were fast as lightning.]]

Finished with his chop job on Optimus, Lockdown converses with [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]], who is evidently the one who put the price on Prime's head. Lockdown requests payment, but Blitzwing wants results first. If those satisfy him, then the upgrade reward will satisfy Lockdown. The Autobots arrive at Lockdown's ship and attack. Lockdown dispatches [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and Bumblebee without much trouble. Prowl is a bit harder for Lockdown to handle until the bounty hunter drops him with an EMP blast. Before he can take any more trophies, Ratchet arrives and confronts Lockdown. The bounty hunter recognizes the old bot as the source of his EMP generator, and Ratchet vows that he'll never take another another trophy again, but the medic too falls to the EMP. However, when Lockdown thinks he's beaten the doc-bot, Ratchet reveals he was playing dead, being immune to the effects of his own weapon, and throws Lockdown around with his magnetic powers, knocking him unconscious. Inside Lockdown’s ship, Ratchet finds Prime and frees him, but Lockdown—himself "playing possum" after Ratchet's attack—stops them from leaving. Ratchet takes him out again, and once the bounty hunter’s pinned down, Ratchet forcibly removes the parts Lockdown stole from Prime. He remarks that he would have used his EMP generator to remove them painlessly, but he no longer has it. Lockdown offers to return the generator if Ratchet will use it. The act brings on another flashback.

''In order to avoid interrogation from Megatron, Arcee asks Ratchet to use his EMP generator on her to wipe her memory core, which contains critical access codes for the Autobots. When Ratchet and Lockdown struggle for the device, it overloads and goes off. Ratchet and Arcee leave Lockdown's ship just before some part of it detonates, but when Ratchet inquires of her condition, Arcee doesn't know who she is or where they are, a result of the EMP blast.''

[[Image:TFA Thrill Hunt Ratchet EMP Generator ship.JPG|right|170px|thumb|She cannae take the pressure!]]

In the present, Ratchet mockingly asks Lockdown if he wants the generator to ease his pain, while Lockdown tightens his grip on a rod. As Ratchet moves to take the EMP generator back, Lockdown prepares to strike, but Ratchet hits Lockdown with a magnetic blast before he can do so. Ratchet denounces Lockdown for turning a medical tool into a weapon and zaps Lockdown's ship. He then escapes with Optimus as the ship crashes into a river.

Back at headquarters, Ratchet repairs Prime’s grapplers and then finally opens up to Optimus about his war experiences.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (3)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (5)
*[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] (6)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (7)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (8)

|c2=
*[[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] (4)
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (9)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (10)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Ratchet''': Augh, it's primitive. It's barbaric. There ought to be a law against it! 
'''Optimus Prime''': It's just an auto supply store, Ratchet. 
'''Ratchet''': You mean they actually sell spare parts on the open market? What kind of malfunction would be crass enough to buy this stuff? 
'''Bumblebee''': Hey, guys, check out my new horn!
:—Evidently, Bumblebee is crass enough.

'''Hothead Blitzwing''': You have Optimus Prime? Hand him over at once! That Autobot will pay for what he did to our leader! 
'''Lockdown''': Yeah, speaking of payment, I'm gonna need mine first. 
'''Icy Blitzwing''': Patience, my bounty-hunting friend. You will not be disappointed with your upgrades, provided I am not disappointed with your results. 
'''Random Blitzwing''': Ooooh! I wanna see him turn into a fire truck! Can I? Can I, ha-ha, can I? Ahahahahahahahaha!
:—Blitzwing, Blitzwing and Blitzwing negotiate with Lockdown.

"I'm impressed. It's been eons since the last time anyone got the drop on me." 
"The next time will be much sooner!"
:—'''Lockdown''' and '''Prowl''' engage in some [[A Fistful of Energon|foreshadowing]].

"I'm not good with names and faces, but I never forget a trophy."
:—'''Lockdown''', best buddy of Kraven and the Predator.

"Time was I'd use my EMP generator to do this painlessly. Too bad I don't have it anymore."
:—'''Ratchet''', right before ripping Prime's grapplers out of Lockdown's arm, forgetting children are watching.

"How're you healing?" 
"Arm's as good as new, thanks to you." 
"That wasn't what I meant." 
"Let's just say I have a much better appreciation for what you went through back in the day and why you don't wanna remember it." 
"It's not that I don't want to remember. I have to remember… for those who can't." 
"Still, I don't suppose it hurts to talk about it sometimes… with a trusted friend." 
"So, what do you wanna know?"
:—'''Ratchet''' and '''Optimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Continuity errors===
* During the news broadcast sequence, if the EMP is enough to shut off the lights in Lockdown's wake, how are the pursuing police vehicles not affected? Is he just projecting the EMP out to both sides?

===Animation errors===
* After Bulkhead says "Hey no fair!" Ratchet transforms into robot mode and skids on the ground. At that point, Ratchet's pupils are black, but when he stops skidding, they turn white.
* Blitzwing changes from Hothead to Icy personality abruptly and without either a transition animation or a sound effect.

===Transformers references===
* Bumblebee's new horn plays the traditional melody of the phrase "Ro-bots in Dis-guise"!

===Japanese version===

===Real-world References===
* The TV anchorman seen in this episode appears to be an ''Animated'' version of [[wikipedia:Ron_Burgundy|Ron Burgundy]]. Stay classy, Cybertron.
* Ratchet's line, "Don't call me sir. I work for a living," is a common sentiment of sergeants and other non-commissioned officers in the armed forces.
* Ratchet's other line, "I'm a medi-bot, not a field commander!" is based on Dr. McCoy's oft-repeated line from [[wikipedia:Star_Trek|''Star Trek'']], "I'm a doctor not a…".

===Trivia===
*This episode reveals how the right half of Ratchet's chevron got broken and why his left arm has a missing piece. Both were caused by Lockdown. However, it would seem that it [[The Arrival issue 3#"'Bots of Science"|wasn't the first time his chevron snapped off]].
*[[Susan Blu]] reprises her role of Arcee from the Generation 1 cartoon series.
*This is the first episode in which we see ''Animated'' Cybertron, albeit in a flashback.
*This is also the first episode to not feature any of the main [[human]] cast.
*This episode seems to refute [[Fandom|fans]] who had worried the series would be too kid-oriented, as it features a heavy atmosphere, post-traumatic shock, guilt, suggested torture, and quite obvious pain being inflicted by a good guy on a villain, pretty much for no other reason but revenge.
*As Prime and Ratchet talk at the end, you hear the saddest rendition of "More than Meets The Eye" ever.
*Prowl's wheels make the same noise as Lockdown's chainsaw.
*Blitzwing's face-swapping feature makes a different noise in this episode than in other episodes.

==Home video releases==
;DVD
*2008 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Season One ([[Transformers Animated (cartoon)/home video|Paramount]]) — English and Spanish audio.
*2008 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Volume One: Blast from the Past (Paramount) — English and German audio.
*2008 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Volume Eins: Drachenkämpfer (Paramount) — English and German audio.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thrill of the Hunt}}
[[Category:Animated episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]

Katsuyuki Konishi

2010-05-08T16:29:45Z

74.89.49.46: /* Roles */

[[Image:KatsuyukiKonishi.jpg|right|thumb|"'''WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM?!'''"]]
'''Katsuyuki Konishi''' (小西克幸 ''Konishi Katsuyuki'') is a Japanese voice actor born [[April 21]], 1973 in Wakayama, Japan. He is known for roles such as Haji in ''Blood +'', Volfogg in ''GaoGaiGar'' and most recently Kamina in ''Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann''.

==Roles==
===Super Link===
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Grand Convoy]]
*[[Cliffjumper (Energon)|Overdrive]]

===Revenge of the Fallen===
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]

===Animated===
*[[Angry Archer]]

==External links==
*[http://www.kenproduction.co.jp/list/konishi_2.html Ken Production profile] (Japanese)
*[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=780 Katsuyuki Konishi] at Anime News Network

[[Category:Japanese voice actors|Konishi, Katsuyuki]]

Angry Archer

2010-05-08T16:28:47Z

74.89.49.46:

:''Angry Archer is a [[human]] from the [[Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:AngryArcher01.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Look, it's the Mad Archer!" "ANG-GU-REE! ANG-GU-REE! I AM THE ANG-GU-REE ARCHER!" "Whatever."]]
What, ho! Dost thou ponder the curious countenance of yon emerald-clad highwayman? 'Tis that villain of greatest renown, the '''Angry Archer'''! (real name '''Aaron A. Archer''') Armed with naught but his wits, his trusty bow, and a profusion of wizardly-empowered arrowheads, the Angry Archer is the very scourge of olde [[Detroit|Detroit town]]!

{{bigquote| We steal from the rich and give to the poor. Namely, ''ourselves''|Angry Archer on his career choices|[[Garbage In, Garbage Out]]|}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
{{Idw-tfa}}
:''Vocal thespian:'' [[Jeff Glen Bennett]] (English), [[Kaspar Eichel]] (German), [[Katsuyuki Konishi]] (Japanese)

[[Image:AngryArcher02.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Forsooth! 'Tis the Emerald Mechanism! Who shall lay waste to yonder festival whilst not being perceived! Hast thou ever witnessed the Turtle get doooown?]]
The Angry Archer didst reveal himself from within the shadows of the night. Dropping down on a passing horseless carriage, he bade its occupants stand and deliver. Howe'er, the local enforcers of the law didst vex him with their approach. This worried him not, for a swift rescue carriage was passing. Latching on't, he didst away with glee. But, forsooth, the carriage didst [[Transformation|shift form]] to become [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|a metal giant]], who defeated the Archer with reckless abandon.

Whilst the Angry Archer pled that he desired naught but fame and fortune, flying cameras arrived anon to record his humiliating fate. The metal giant then didst mock him most cruelly, advising the Archer he would have to settle for fame. Oh, what a twisted move by the fickle hand of fate. {{storylink|Home Is Where the Spark Is|Home Is Whither Thine Ember Is}}

''At a later date, the Angry Archer attempted to abscond with one of many horseless carriages. Howe'er, after a [[Bumblebee (Animated)|golden carriage]] shifted form into a saffron champion, he fled the scene and was apprehended by yon [[Wraith|ghostly knight]].{{storylink|Attention Surplus Disorder|He Who Craveth Vanity Shall Meet his Undoing}} The Archer's fancy for horseless carriages wert rightly piqued, and for the nonce he availed himself of a truly colossal coach forged in the likeness of the most powerful [[Bulkhead (Animated)|mail-plated behemoth]] he had e'er beheld. But alas, the Archer had aspired beyond his natural station, for his armored chariot proved slow and unwieldy.{{storylink|The Insincerest Form of Flattery|Thy Sweet Words Art Bespoke With Forked Tongue}}''

[[Image:Wreck-garangryarcher.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Prithee, good Sir Rubbish-Cart, dost thou dare to engage in such foolishness?]]
The Angry Archer was next espied fleeing from constables with his latest ill-gotten finery. His escape was madeth easier when said constables literally ran into [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|Wreck-Gar]] and wer't dashed rightly senseless. The Archer convinced the clockwork squire to journey with him and help with future roguish gallantry, and did even give him his new appellation. Alas, yon giant couldst not distinguish a difference 'twixt jewels, tools, and spools, so much of the bounty would ne'er be seen again. In their next sortie to lay low an armored coach, the two highwaymen ran afoul of yet more [[Ratchet (Animated)|celestial]] [[Bumblebee (Animated)|knights]], who convinced the tractable trash-toting titan to turn 'gainst the valiant Archer. The befuddled behemoth didst then try to "catch" his former cohort by hurling him high into yon blue sky. When danger reared its ugly head, the Archer turned his tail and fled. {{storylink|Garbage In, Garbage Out|What Thou Casteth into the Midden, Thou Shalt Receive}}

The Angry Archer didst later sortie to [[Society of Ultimate Villainy|form a sacred order with like-minded knaves]], namely a [[Nanosec|velocity craving dervish]], a [[Professor Princess|cherubic maiden]] and a [[Slo-Mo|comely wench commanding mastery over Father Time himself]]. The merry band allied with [[Swindle (Animated)|a merchant of dubious caliber]] who offered them a stout sailing vessel's weight in treasure for their larcenous services. But ho, their benefactor was a [[Decepticon|celestial dark knight]] whose whims wouldst bring bloody rapine. Thus disadvantaged, they didst ally with yon [[Bumblebee (Animated)|saffron champion]] to avenge their wrongs. But, forsooth, they broke this pact when their quest was achieved, and were jailed by [[Carmine Fanzone|the city constable]]. {{storylink|SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy|Order of the Tournament Chariot}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
* This character's name and face are a play on Transformers design director [[Aaron Archer]]. The initial designs were conceived by [[Cartoon Network]] without Archer's awareness, and his original name would have been "Aaron the Archer," then "Aaron the Angry Archer."

* Once he learned of the character, the only change Aaron requested was to make the Archer left-handed, like Aaron himself. The Archer appears to be ambidextrous, though.

* His anachronistic robotic left hand was added to point out that even such a historically immersed character would still be taking advantage of future Detroit's advanced technology.

* The Angry Archer's arrowhead arsenal <s>ancludes</s> '''i'''ncludes....
** Magnetic grappling lines
** Laser cutters
** Steel fists
** Grenades

* He's also a parody of Robin Hood, Hawkeye, the [[wikipedia:Green Arrow|Green Arrow]], and other archer-themed supercharacters, if you hadn't noticed.

* Angry Archer's voice is Jeff Bennett's [[wiki:John Cleese|John Cleese]] voice, which he's used for characters in other cartoons, including Lord Bravery (Legally, it's Lord Smoked Meats and Fishes) from ''[[wiki:Freakazoid|Freakazoid]]''.

* His theme music is evocative of the sound of a medieval harpsichord.

[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Fiction-only characters]]
[[Category:Humans]]
[[Category:Supervillains]]

Angry Archer

2010-05-08T16:28:12Z

74.89.49.46: /* Animated cartoon */

:''Angry Archer is a [[human]] from the [[Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:AngryArcher01.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Look, it's the Mad Archer!" "ANG-GU-REE! ANG-GU-REE! I AM THE ANG-GU-REE ARCHER!" "Whatever."]]
What, ho! Dost thou ponder the curious countenance of yon emerald-clad highwayman? 'Tis that villain of greatest renown, the '''Angry Archer'''! (real name '''Aaron A. Archer''') Armed with naught but his wits, his trusty bow, and a profusion of wizardly-empowered arrowheads, the Angry Archer is the very scourge of olde [[Detroit|Detroit town]]!

{{bigquote| We steal from the rich and give to the poor. Namely, ''ourselves''|Angry Archer on his career choices|[[Garbage In, Garbage Out]]|}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
{{Idw-tfa}}
:''Vocal thespian:'' [[Jeff Glen Bennett]] (English), [[Kaspar Eichel]] (German), [[Konishi Katsuyuki]] (Japanese)

[[Image:AngryArcher02.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Forsooth! 'Tis the Emerald Mechanism! Who shall lay waste to yonder festival whilst not being perceived! Hast thou ever witnessed the Turtle get doooown?]]
The Angry Archer didst reveal himself from within the shadows of the night. Dropping down on a passing horseless carriage, he bade its occupants stand and deliver. Howe'er, the local enforcers of the law didst vex him with their approach. This worried him not, for a swift rescue carriage was passing. Latching on't, he didst away with glee. But, forsooth, the carriage didst [[Transformation|shift form]] to become [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|a metal giant]], who defeated the Archer with reckless abandon.

Whilst the Angry Archer pled that he desired naught but fame and fortune, flying cameras arrived anon to record his humiliating fate. The metal giant then didst mock him most cruelly, advising the Archer he would have to settle for fame. Oh, what a twisted move by the fickle hand of fate. {{storylink|Home Is Where the Spark Is|Home Is Whither Thine Ember Is}}

''At a later date, the Angry Archer attempted to abscond with one of many horseless carriages. Howe'er, after a [[Bumblebee (Animated)|golden carriage]] shifted form into a saffron champion, he fled the scene and was apprehended by yon [[Wraith|ghostly knight]].{{storylink|Attention Surplus Disorder|He Who Craveth Vanity Shall Meet his Undoing}} The Archer's fancy for horseless carriages wert rightly piqued, and for the nonce he availed himself of a truly colossal coach forged in the likeness of the most powerful [[Bulkhead (Animated)|mail-plated behemoth]] he had e'er beheld. But alas, the Archer had aspired beyond his natural station, for his armored chariot proved slow and unwieldy.{{storylink|The Insincerest Form of Flattery|Thy Sweet Words Art Bespoke With Forked Tongue}}''

[[Image:Wreck-garangryarcher.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Prithee, good Sir Rubbish-Cart, dost thou dare to engage in such foolishness?]]
The Angry Archer was next espied fleeing from constables with his latest ill-gotten finery. His escape was madeth easier when said constables literally ran into [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|Wreck-Gar]] and wer't dashed rightly senseless. The Archer convinced the clockwork squire to journey with him and help with future roguish gallantry, and did even give him his new appellation. Alas, yon giant couldst not distinguish a difference 'twixt jewels, tools, and spools, so much of the bounty would ne'er be seen again. In their next sortie to lay low an armored coach, the two highwaymen ran afoul of yet more [[Ratchet (Animated)|celestial]] [[Bumblebee (Animated)|knights]], who convinced the tractable trash-toting titan to turn 'gainst the valiant Archer. The befuddled behemoth didst then try to "catch" his former cohort by hurling him high into yon blue sky. When danger reared its ugly head, the Archer turned his tail and fled. {{storylink|Garbage In, Garbage Out|What Thou Casteth into the Midden, Thou Shalt Receive}}

The Angry Archer didst later sortie to [[Society of Ultimate Villainy|form a sacred order with like-minded knaves]], namely a [[Nanosec|velocity craving dervish]], a [[Professor Princess|cherubic maiden]] and a [[Slo-Mo|comely wench commanding mastery over Father Time himself]]. The merry band allied with [[Swindle (Animated)|a merchant of dubious caliber]] who offered them a stout sailing vessel's weight in treasure for their larcenous services. But ho, their benefactor was a [[Decepticon|celestial dark knight]] whose whims wouldst bring bloody rapine. Thus disadvantaged, they didst ally with yon [[Bumblebee (Animated)|saffron champion]] to avenge their wrongs. But, forsooth, they broke this pact when their quest was achieved, and were jailed by [[Carmine Fanzone|the city constable]]. {{storylink|SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy|Order of the Tournament Chariot}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
* This character's name and face are a play on Transformers design director [[Aaron Archer]]. The initial designs were conceived by [[Cartoon Network]] without Archer's awareness, and his original name would have been "Aaron the Archer," then "Aaron the Angry Archer."

* Once he learned of the character, the only change Aaron requested was to make the Archer left-handed, like Aaron himself. The Archer appears to be ambidextrous, though.

* His anachronistic robotic left hand was added to point out that even such a historically immersed character would still be taking advantage of future Detroit's advanced technology.

* The Angry Archer's arrowhead arsenal <s>ancludes</s> '''i'''ncludes....
** Magnetic grappling lines
** Laser cutters
** Steel fists
** Grenades

* He's also a parody of Robin Hood, Hawkeye, the [[wikipedia:Green Arrow|Green Arrow]], and other archer-themed supercharacters, if you hadn't noticed.

* Angry Archer's voice is Jeff Bennett's [[wiki:John Cleese|John Cleese]] voice, which he's used for characters in other cartoons, including Lord Bravery (Legally, it's Lord Smoked Meats and Fishes) from ''[[wiki:Freakazoid|Freakazoid]]''.

* His theme music is evocative of the sound of a medieval harpsichord.

[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Fiction-only characters]]
[[Category:Humans]]
[[Category:Supervillains]]

Jeff Kline

2010-05-04T00:43:24Z

74.89.49.46:

'''Jeff Kline''' is, alongside [[Alex Kurtzman]] and [[Roberto Orci]], one of the "show runners" for ''[[Transformers: Prime]]''<ref>[http://adage.coverleaf.com/advertisingage/20100503?pg=64#pg64 Advertising Age article announcing Kline's involvement]</ref>. Presumably he is a producer on the show, as both Kurtzman and Orci are.

Kline's previous credits include series development work for ''Extreme Ghostbusters'', ''Men in Black: The Series'', ''Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot'', ''Godzilla: The Series'' and ''Jackie Chan Adventures''. His more recent work includes serving as an executive producer on, er, a number of ''Winnie the Pooh''-related programs. Bother?

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0458807/ Jeff Kline at IMDB]

[[Category: Producers]]

Blitzwing (Animated)

2010-05-01T16:55:17Z

74.89.49.46: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Blitzwing}}
:''Blitzwing is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:AniBlitzwingPromoModel.jpg|right|250px|thumb|That's far enough, Dr. Jones.]]
'''Blitzwing''' not only has three modes (robot, jet, and tank), he also has three alternate personalities (an "Icy" cold strategist, a short-tempered "Hothead", and a total "Random" nutcase) along with the faces rattling around in his head to go with them.<ref>Blitzwing's three personas are named "Icy", "Hothead" and "Random" on his [[Character model|model]] sheets.</ref> He's as liable to have a conversation with himself as he is to say a word to his fellow Decepticons. Pretty much the only thing that keeps him in line is that all three of his personalities are scared to death of [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]].

Blitzwing's "dominant", Icy personality is represented by a long, blue face with a monocle and speaks with quiet disdain. His easily angered Hothead personality has a wide, red face, is gap-toothed, and tends to react angrily with violent threats towards almost anyone. Finally, his Random personality's face looks like nothing so much as a black jack-o'-lantern, and may toss out bad puns and jokes, children's nursery rhymes, or random non sequiturs, mostly followed by hysterical laughter. All three personalities speak with a pronounced German [[Accents|accent]] and apparently he has trouble flying in a straight line.

Blitzwing's armament varies depending upon which personality is dominant at the time. His calculating personality has an arsenal of ice weaponry, while the Hothead predictably can turn up the heat. When his third personality is foremost, nearly anything can be dished out from either of his vehicle modes. Blitzwing's alt-mode is likewise usually dependent on which aspect is dominant at the time. His cold side uses the jet, his angry side uses the tank, and his insane side can use either. However it seems that if he changes personality while in his alt mode, that alt will change with him, and if that's a jet to tank change, he'll fall right out of the sky.

{{quote|Ze name iz Blitzwing, [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|insect]]—remember it! Cause it's ze last thing you're gonna hear before I—express my feelings in song!|Blitzwing switching personalities like we switch shoes|"[[Transform and Roll Out]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
{{Idw-tfa}}
:''Voice actor:'' [[Bumper Robinson]] (English), [[Yūichi Nagashima]] (Japanese), [[Rainer Doering]] (German), [[Giorgio Bonino]] (Italian), [[Wellington Lima]] (Portuguese)

[[Image:Animated blitzwing faces1.JPG|left|125px|thumb|"So Arnold, Dietrich, and Blot walk into a bar..."]]

Long after the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]] ended and the Decepticon went into hiding, [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] experimented upon Blitzwing, rebuilding him into a Triple Changer and giving him the fractured mind he is known for today. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}}

Blitzwing was aboard the [[Nemesis (Animated)|''Nemesis'']] with the other Decepticons at the time of the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]]'s re-discovery. He partially froze [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]]'s arm, commenting on how her demeanor was as unpleasant as her organic beast mode. When Blackarachnia advised him to blow it out his actuator, Blitzwing angrily demanded that she refer to him by his proper name, or else he would...''express his feelings in song!'' His out-of-tune rendition of "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" got all the Decepticons arguing until Megatron entered, prompting Blitzwing to fall silent with the rest.

When it became clear the ''Nemesis'' was going to crash into an exploding space bridge, Blitzwing fled in an escape pod. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}

''After Megatron's disappearance, the Decepticons held a funeral at [[New Kaon]]. Blitzwing gave the eulogy, in which he vowed that they would destroy the [[Autobot]]s responsible for their leader's demise...and then paint mustaches on their faceplates. [[Lugnut]] was angry with the service, declaring that Megatron was alive and would return. When Blitzwing pointed out evidence to the contrary, Lugnut destroyed the statue of Megatron that Blitzwing had built. This angered Blitzwing, who'd spent six deca-cycles building it, and initiated an exchange of fire between him and Lugnut.'' {{storylink|Dispatches}}

Blitzwing placed a bounty on [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]], intending to punish him for destroying Megatron. Fifty stellar cycles later, the bounty hunter [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] contacted Blitzwing, saying he had Prime. Blitzwing promised that Lockdown would receive payment once Blitzwing received Prime — then his random side asked if he could ''please, please, please'' see Prime turn into a firetruck. {{storylink|The Thrill of the Hunt}} ''His conversation was cut short however, when an enraged Lugnut slammed his face into the monitor for daring to commune with the bounty hunter. The pair began scrapping, and things were only made worse when [[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] showed up, taking the opportunity to sell each of them a wide variety of weapons so they could pummel each other. It eventually culminated in him selling the pair of them doomsday weapons and unbreakable nemesis shields. Realizing they were being played, Lugs and Blitz put aside their anger, beat the holy hell out of Swindle and made friends again.'' {{storylink|The Arrival issue 5#Everything Must Go|Everything Must Go}}

[[Image:LugnutBlitzwingNemesis.JPG|right|200px|thumb|"This was Megatron's ship!" "Oh, cool! Maybe my DVD collection's still in there."]]

Some time after this, Blitzwing and Lugnut followed a beacon to the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]] to find the wreckage of the ''Nemesis''. Noting that [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] was bad at parking, Blitzwing also remembered that this quadrant was the last time they received an update from Lockdown. Concluding that the Autobots responsible for killing Megatron were nearby, the duo went to Earth. Landing at a construction site, the two had similar problems determining the dominant species on Earth as the Autobots did, mistaking Earth's automatons and machines for sentient beings. Lugnut's attempt to interrogate a crane ended up getting Blitzwing hit by the wrecking ball, which convinced the Decepticons to do a more time honored tactic—blow stuff up and hope it forces the Autobots to come out. It worked. During the battle with the Autobots, [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] were hard pressed to avoid Blitzwing's energy blasts, but his freeze beam did get Bumblebee off his feet. When Lugnut demanded information on Megatron's location, the Autobots mentioned that he had "turned into a fireball somewhere over [[Cleveland (city)|Cleveland]]". Naturally, Lugnut was displeased, and he used his [[Punch of Kill Everything|super-punch]] to floor the Autobots—and bury himself and Blitzwing under the rubble. When Blitzwing unburied himself, he irritatedly reminded Lugnut of his oft-repeated request for a little warning before the punch.

Having observed the battle over a live feed, Megatron opted to radio Lugnut exclusively, leaving Blitzwing struggling to work out what exactly was going on. Blitzwing believed Lugnut was only listening to voices in his head, so Lugnut had to take him along forcibly. Uncertain of the number and strength of the Autobots' "reinforcements" (the Detroit Police Department), the pair scanned Earth vehicles for disguises so they could lay low. Icy Blitzwing wanted to scan a fighter jet, while Hothead wanted a tank. After a brief argument, Random suggested that they scan both. That evening, the two Decepticons followed the Autobots to [[Lake Erie]], where Blitzwing froze the lake. When the Autobots submerged, he followed them in tank form. Blitzwing was lured by the Autobots towards [[Teletran-1|their ship]] and blasted by one of its weapons systems. He and Lugnut were left fragmented but functional and floated to the surface, only to be met by Starscream, who offered to repair them in exchange for a pledge of undying allegiance. {{storylink|Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found}}

[[Image:Megatron Rising 1 Ratchet Blitzwing Key.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Oooh, Autobot-cicles, fresh out of the freezer!]]
Apparently, they chose to serve under Starscream, but still were bickering with each other. When Lugnut began receiving internal transmissions from Megatron again, Starscream was confused, and Blitzwing explained that it was a "technical glitch" that happened. A lot. When Starscream learned that Lugnut thought he was talking to Megatron, he felt threatened and scanned Lugnut, detecting the signals. Starscream ordered both Lugnut and Blitzwing to find the [[AllSpark Key]] while he himself tracked the transmissions.

At the moment, the AllSpark Key was in the hands of [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]. Blitzwing used his ice guns to freeze Ratchet and rip off the arm that was carrying the Key. Afterward, they went to [[Sumdac Tower]] to find Megatron. In the process of greeting him, they revealed Megatron's true Decepticon nature to [[Isaac Sumdac|Prof. Sumdac]]. Blitzwing, now understanding what had been going on with Lugnut, inserted the Key into Megatron's head, restoring their true leader. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

[[Image:Megatron Rising 2 Blitzwing tank crash.jpg|right|200px|thumb|He's just as aerodynamic as the next tank.]]
As Megatron proceeded to beat up the Autobots, Blitzwing and Lugnut decided not to intervene and kept an eye on Professor Sumdac instead. When Megatron called his loyal troops to him, Blitzwing looked on as his leader made an example of Starscream. The Decepticons took to the air, locating and attacking the Autobots' ship as it travelled from the lake to the Tower, then from the Tower to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]], where it was shot down. Blitzwing split off to tackle Prowl, Ratchet and Bumblebee, before being brought down by a combined EMP burst. As Blitzwing rolled around and shelled the Autobots, Prowl noticed that Blitzwing's personalities were connected to his alternate modes and powers. By this time, Blitzwing was back in the air, but Bumblebee taunted the Triple Changer enough that Hothead Blitzwing took over, transformed from jet to tank—and fell into the lake. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2}}

[[Image:TFA Blitzwing Jet Altmode.jpg|left|200px|thumb|I'm gunning for you, Snoopy.]]
The Decepticons set up a base in a mine containing carbon deposits, which would block their energy signatures so they could recover from their encounter with the Autobots without detection. When Megatron announced his new plan to conquer [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Blitzwing felt the plan was crazy, as neither he nor Lugnut had any idea how they would get there. He changed his mind when Megatron explained that they would build their own [[space bridge]] using the specs Megatron had downloaded from [[Teletran-1]] during one of the encounters with the Autobots. However, they would need the captured Prof. Sumdac to help them, as the specs were incomplete. {{storylink|The Elite Guard}}

After Isaac Sumdac developed a device that shielded their energy signatures from Autobot sensors, Blitzwing and Lugnut went to retrieve a tachyon transmitter from the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard's]] [[Steelhaven (Animated)|ship]]. When they presented it to Megatron, Starscream appeared, tried to kill Megatron—and was killed by Megatron. However, Starscream appeared to survive, and Blitzwing spent the rest of the evening dumping Starscream's body into the river...repeatedly. The next day, Blitzwing and Megatron responded to an AllSpark energy signature which turned out to be a trap laid by Starscream. Blitzwing and Megatron then pursued the traitor, offlining him again. {{storylink|Mission Accomplished}}

Blitzwing was later sent by Megatron to track down an AllSpark fragment, with an oddly disappearing energy signature. He froze [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and much of the surrounding landscape, destroyed a bridge, [[Captain Fanzone|Captain Fanzone's]] [[Captain Fanzone's car|car]], and [[Master Disaster|Master Disaster's]] truck before [[Sari Sumdac]] managed to make him leave using Master Disaster's remote. {{storylink|Velocity}}

Blitzwing and Lugnut wound up stuck with the dirty work, collecting supplies for the construction of the space bridge. Foiled by the Autobots, they tried again the next day, hauling heavy trailers up a hill. Blitzwing's foot slipped, and he was nearly offlined by the trailer sending him careening towards a wall. Bracing for impact, his demise was interrupted by the intervention of [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] and [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]. Seeing a good opportunity in the brawny Constructibots, he tricked them into hauling the two trailers to the mine. Though Lugnut stated that Megatron would never stand for this, he reassured the huge Decepticon that the two newcomers would be offlined as soon as the work was done. True to his word, Blitzwing was about to have Lugnut dispatch the hapless bots when Megatron stepped in. He had bigger plans for them. {{storylink|Rise of the Constructicons}}

[[Image:TFA Sari no one home Blitzwing Ratchet hostage.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Verrry interesting...but shtupid.]]
When the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicons]] resurfaced, Megatron dispatched Blitzwing to bring them back to the mine, giving him some oil to entice them, and instructing the Triple Changer not to engage the Autobots. During his search, Blitzwing came across the Autobots. Although his Icy personality wanted to continue the search, his Hothead and Random personality decided to engage them. During the battle, Blitzwing utterly dominated the Autobots, and eventually took Ratchet hostage. At that point, Megatron ordered Blitzwing to disengage and resume his search. Finally locating the Constructicons, Blitzwing offered the two the oil barrels he was carrying, and led them back to base. {{storylink|Sari, No One's Home}}

Soon after the space bridge was near completion, the Autobots found the Decepticons' hideout and attempted to stop them. Blitzwing and Lugnut attacked the Autobots invading their underground base, but they ended up getting [[Stasis cuffs|stasis cuffed]] by [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]]. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part I}} Blitzwing was later retrieved by Scrapper and joined in on the attack on [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]]. His Hothead side was unimpressed with the gargantuan Autobot, and he vowed to damage Omega Supreme so badly he'd need a GPS locator to help him find his still-attached exhaust port. Omega was equally unimpressed with the verbal posturing and headbutted Blitzwing to the horizon. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}}

[[Image:FiveServosOfDoom-CapturedDecepticons.jpg|thumb|left|200px|"So, how often do you transform them for display?"]]
When [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] hired Lockdown to capture Decepticons for him, Blitzwing was one of the bounty hunter's early victims. He was subsequently locked up in the Elite Guard flagship alongside [[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]] and Swindle, and had mouth clamps placed on each of his faces to keep him quiet. {{storylink|Five Servos of Doom}}

As the Elite Guard headed back to Cybertron with their prisoners, they navigated the ship through an energy storm in outer space, causing a stray bolt of energy to hit the ship and free Swindle, who had been left unrestrained. The greedy Decepticon immediately released Blitzwing and the others from their bonds and provided them with new weaponry. Led by Lugnut, the Decepticons defeated and captured the crew, only for Optimus Prime to transwarp into the ship and release them. The ensuing battle took place outside the ship, where Blitzwing froze Sentinel Prime and threatened to blast his head off if the other Autobots didn't surrender. The plan was a success, and the captured Autobots were led into their own decontamination unit to be frozen. (Blitzwing's crazy side also wanted them grinded up into snowcones.) However, this was the Autobots' plan all along, as [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] had tampered with the freeze-gas pipes, causing Blitzwing, Sunstorm and the [[Ramjet (Animated)|Liar Starscream]] to be frozen instead. The three Decepticons were subsequently recaptured and brought to Cybertron, where Sentinel Prime displayed them during his [[Magnus]]-promotion parade. {{storylink|Decepticon Air}}

==Toys==
===Animated===
[[Image:Ani blitz.JPG|right|250px|thumb|"WHY IS IT GETTING SO CROWDED IN HERE?!" "Oh, wait, it's me." ''"And me! AHAHAHAHAAA!!!"'']]
*'''Blitzwing''' (Voyager, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TA-13'''
**''Accessories'': 2 "flame" missiles

: Blitzwing transforms into a futuristic "Mech-Warrior"-ish tank with two large, spring-loaded anti-aircraft-like guns, and a fighter jet that loosely resembles the Northrop Grumman F-14 Tomcat. His tank-cannons become the jet's thrusters. The robot mode has three faces, which can be switched around via a knob on the back of the head. Surprisingly against the [[For safety reasons|norm]], Blitzwing's pointy nosecone is molded from rigid plastic. He has a pair of panels on his forearms which are spring-loaded to be able to lie flush in his vehicle modes, yet make his arms wider in robot mode (as they tend to be rather flat without them).

: Sadly, his cannons cannot tilt forward over his shoulders when in robot mode. Though promotional photos showed the figure with a gold traditional Decepticon insignia, the final toy used the movie variant in the tampograph.

[[Image:Blitzwinganimatedtoyfaces.jpg|left|250px|thumb|So people who buy enough toys to display them in every mode have to buy five of this guy, right?]]
: Blitzwing also has a minor [[misassembly]] problem, in that his upper arms are swapped. This is the reason his wings cannot press down flush with the rest of the jet fuselage. This can be fixed by pulling off his arms, unscrewing the one screw visible on either forearm, then separating the upper arms and switching them, which makes for a much improved jet mode.
{{-}}{{anchor|McD}}

[[Image:TFAnimated_McDonalds_Blitzwing.jpg|right|200px|thumb|No one's ever really insane so long as he has courage!]]
*'''Blitzwing''' (McDonald's Happy Meal toys, 2009)

: A very simplified (but well painted!) version of Blitzwing that has abandoned his triple changer aspect for simplicity's sake. Although this toy sports Blitzwing's "Icy" face, he transforms into "Hothead"'s tank mode.

{{--}}

==Notes==
* When developing the character who would become Blitzwing, [[Marty Isenberg]] originally envisioned a character who could change into anything. Obviously enough, that idea proved unworkable in toy terms, so art director [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] proposed using [[Sixshot]] for the role. When Hasbro deemed a [[Six Changer]] to be too expensive, the Triple Changer Blitzwing was finally settled upon instead.<ref name="artstory">http://www.cvcomics.com/artandstory/?p=242 Art & Story interview with Marty Isenberg]</ref> As fate would have it, Hasbro designer [[Eric Siebenaler]] had been itching to do a face-swapping Blitzwing since 2005. <ref>Blitzwing's long design history was detailed at [[BotCon 2008|BotCon 2008's]] Hasbro Design panel.</ref>
* His German accent was a last-minute improvisation by voice actor [[Bumper Robinson]], inspired by the character's name, that went on to influence his entire robot mode aesthetic; once Robinson had been cast in the role, Blitzwing was subsequently designed to "make him look really German"<ref name="artstory"/>, with his helmet an obvious nod to a World War II-era [[wikipedia:Stahlhelm|Stahlhelm]] helmet and goggles.
* Blitzwing's face-changing [[gimmick]] was in part inspired by [[wikipedia:Man-E-Faces|Man-E-Faces]] from ''Masters of the Universe.''<ref>According to [[Hasbro]] employees speaking at the 2007 Comic-ConInternational.</ref> He's not the first Transformers toy to feature multiple rotating faces; [[Alpha Quintesson]], inspired by the five-faced Generation 1 [[Quintesson]]s, holds that distinction. The fiction-only character [[Violen Jiger]] also had three faces that spoke in different tones.
* According to the Allspark Almanac, Blitzwing wasn't always the [[Triple Changer]] we know now him as today. His current state came about as a result of being rebuilt by [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] after the Great War, to increase his versatility. This process, however, also had the side effect of giving him three distinct personalities, something [[Springer (Animated)|hinted at earlier]] by [[Derrick Wyatt]].
*In the Japanese dub of the series, Blitzwing speaks with a stressed ''American'' accent, rather than a German one, with his "Icy" personality speaking with a very proper American accent and his "Hothead" personality even spouting English words such as "Hey!", "Now", and ending many sentences with "Man!"

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/Blitzwing/blitzwing.htm Blitzwing at TFU.info]

[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]

TransWarped

2010-05-01T16:51:36Z

74.89.49.46: /* Part I */

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=TFA TransWarped Sari hands.jpg
|caption="WhY mY hAnDs HuRt?"
|prev=A Bridge Too Close, Part II
|next=Three's a Crowd
|ep=30, 31 and 32
|title="TransWarped"
|airdate=[[March 14]], 2009
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]] [[Michael Ryan]] [[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Matt Youngberg]] [[Yoshio Frank Chatani]] [[Tetsuro Moronuki]] [[Yutaka Kagawa]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
}}
'''In the aftermath of the battle at the mine, Sari and her father’s relationship takes a strange turn; the Autobots have their work cut out for them trying to contact Cybertron; and Megatron and Starscream find a new opportunity'''

==Synopsis==
===Part I===
[[Image:TransWarpedRodimusCosmicRust.jpg|thumb|left|180px|No fair, I just got here!]]

Somewhere along the outer rim of the galaxy, a contingent of [[Autobot]]s led by [[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus Prime]] defends [[space bridge 687-030]] against the [[Decepticon]]s' "[[Team Chaar]]", led by [[Strika (Animated)|Strika]]. She, [[Oil Slick (Animated)|Oil Slick]] and [[Cyclonus (Animated)|Cyclonus]] strafe [[Brawn (Animated)|Brawn]], [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] and [[Hot Shot (Animated)|Hot Shot]], badly injuring Hot Shot's leg and forcing team medic [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] to perform an amputation. Before she can do so, however, she is swallowed up by [[Spittor (Animated)|Spittor]], who explosively vomits her back at her team. Rodimus contacts the [[Elite Guard]] for backup, but the Autobot forces are spread much too thin, defending space bridges from Decepticon attacks all across the galaxy. Oil Slick and Cyclonus proceed to take down Brawn and Ironhide, leaving Rodimus on his own, at which point Blackout arrives and all but finishes the fight with a huge electromagnetic pulse. Rodimus still has some fight left in him, but it drains away when Oil Slick offlines him with a vial of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]]. Strika contacts [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], who informs her that nobody is to TransWarp to the planet until [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] himself arrives. But Megatron was supposed to be there megacycles ago...

[[Image:TransWarpedStarscreamsScream.jpg|thumb|right|180px|I'mma firin' my lazhar!.]]

Off in the depths of space, the disembodied head of [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] attempts to remove Megatron's stasis cuffs with his teeth as the Decepticon leader berates him all the while. As Starscream begins bellowing back at Megatron, the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] fragment in his forehead begins to glow, and he undergoes a surprising transformation: His mouth converts into a sonic blaster that shoots the cuffs clean off Megatron's wrists. There is no time for the two villains to celebrate, however, as the giant form of [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] materializes above them. But after a moment, Megatron realizes that the colossus is offline...

[[Image:TransWarpedProtoform.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Hush little baby, don't say a word. Sumdac's gonna build you a mockingbird.]]

On [[Earth]], as the Autobots return to [[Detroit]], [[Isaac Sumdac|Professor Sumdac]] explains [[Sari Sumdac|Sari's]] origins to her as best he can, revealing that he discovered her in his laboratory years ago, in the form of a small, liquid metal robot. Sari finds the story hard to believe, and her strained patience reaches its end when the group returns to [[Sumdac Tower]] and confronts [[Porter C. Powell]] and [[Henry Masterson]]. Powell tries to smooth things over with Isaac, but Masterson's belligerent attitude dispels any attempts at peace, which is further ruined when he demands the Autobots return his Headmaster, or "heads will roll". Having entered the lab from the elevator behind them, Optimus picks up Masterson and asks for clarification on his threat. Isaac immediately fires both Powell and Masterson, but Masterson refuses to vacate the premises, and Powell takes another shot at Sari's disputed parentage. In a moment of anger, Sari's hands transform into energy projectors that hurl the two men into the building's elevator. This newest revelation pushes Sari over the edge, and she walks out on the man she can no longer even think of as her father, returning to the Autobots' base with her "fellow robots". While [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] examines Sari—deducing that she's basically human, but partially Cybertronian—Prowl departs to carry out some research of his own. With Ratchet lost in his memories of [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]], [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] head back to the Decepticons' destroyed mine base to salvage some equipment that will let them contact Cybertron and inform the Autobots there of the traitor in their midst.

On a small planetoid somewhere in space, [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] is still trapped in a cement blob with Starscream's [[Thundercracker (Animated)|egomaniacal]] and [[Skywarp (Animated)|cowardly]] clones. Blurr proposes using sonic pulses to dissolve the glue, and the egomaniac takes the idea for his own and successfully frees them. Blurr immediately speeds off, launching into space and literally running across the galaxy, ricocheting off everything in his path (including the egomaniac) to get back to Cybertron and inform the Elite Guard of Megatron's invasion plan.

Megatron and Starscream force their way into Omega Supreme's body, but this action brings the giant Autobot back online, and his internal systems immediately seize the Decepticons. Megatron exploits Omega's simple processor and convinces the titan to take him back to Cybertron "to face justice". Omega transforms back into ship mode and TransWarps off toward Cybertron.

Back on Earth, Bumblebee and Bulkhead are searching through the ruins of the mine when Bumblebee discovers a [[Plasmadynamic thruster|plasmadynamic thruster]] space bridge component that abruptly TransWarps him away. While Bulkhead is wondering where his buddy went, he is suddenly attacked by Henry Masterson, who recovered his Headmaster unit and Starscream's headless body from the mine the night before.

At Sumdac Tower, Prowl shadows Sumdac into his laboratory, quickly accesses his computers, and scans the scientist in an attempt to learn more about Sari's origins. Ratchet is having distinctly less luck back at the Autobot base, where Sari refuses to let him perform an exploratory surgery. The whole unpleasant affair reminds Ratchet of his past on Cybertron, when he performed open-processor surgery on Arcee and discovered she was carrying the codes that were key to the creation of Omega Supreme. Prime snaps Ratchet out of his flashback with the news that he cannot contact Bumblebee and Bulkhead, and Ratchet heads out to the mine to investigate.

[[Image:TFA TransWarped Headmaster Starscream power up.jpg|thumb|right|180px|[[A Bridge Too Close, Part II|Here we go again...]]]]
With the other Autobots busy, Optimus Prime tries to patch up the Sumdac family feud by surreptitiously opening a comm channel to Professor Sumdac's laboratory and explaining loudly and at length to Sari that he is going to take her to [[Burger Bot]]. Sumdac catches on and heads out to meet them there, but Sari is furious at being set up and refuses to talk to him. Unfortunately, the Headmaster soon arrives, having picked up Prime's phone call through bugs left in Sumdac Tower, and threatens to unleash t0t47 0wN4ge!

===Part II===
[[Image:TFAni TransWarped Headmaster PWN3D.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Heads out.]]
Optimus Prime engages the Headmaster, binding him with his grapplers and dragging him around the Burger Bot parking lot before taking a moment to usher the Sumdacs to safety behind a dumpster. The fight carries the two combatants to an overhead roadway and back, with the Headmaster eventually downing Prime with a slab of concrete. Sumdac is forced to take action, and he hides Sari within the dumpster so that he can draw the Headmaster's attention and keep her safe. Touched by this, Sari unleashes her energy projectors on the Headmaster in defence of her father, though they do little to the villain other than draw his attention. Prime rejoins the battle just in time, ramming the villain in truck mode and goading the Headmaster into trying to transform Starscream's body as well. Infuriated by Prime's claim that a n00b such as he would find it difficult, the Headmaster tries to meet the challenge... only to find his Headmaster unit squeezed clean off Starscream's body by the transformation process. As Starscream's lifeless carcass spirals off into the river, the Headmaster is apprehended by Prime and handed over to [[Captain Fanzone]].

Back at Sumdac tower, Prowl reveals his findings to Prime, Sari and Sumdac: He believes that the body Sumdac found in his lab was, in fact, a Cybertronian [[protoform]] that scanned Professor Sumdac's genetic data. Sari takes the revelation in stride, although everyone else remains mystified as to how a protoform wound up on Earth in the first place. There is no time to dwell on the subject, however, as Ratchet radios Prime to inform him of Bulkhead's injuries and Bumblebee's disappearance.

Out in space, Omega Supreme re-emerges from TransWarp, and his systems all power down, having been sapped of energy by the effort of the teleport. Megatron attempts to escape from the confines of the giant Autobot's body, but without his weapons, he is unable. Starscream's new sonic blaster is similarly ineffective, and Megatron instead schemes to take control of Omega's very body.

[[Image:TFAni TransWarped Blurr Crushed.jpg|180px|right|thumb|"We... are going... to die!"]]
On Cybertron, Shockwave (in the form of Longarm Prime) is informed by [[Cliffjumper (Animated)|Cliffjumper]] that the space bridge network has been shut down to prevent a Decepticon invasion of the planet. Suppressing his frustration, Shockwave is promptly presented with an outlet for his anger when Blurr comes streaking out of the sky and crashes at his feet. Blurr informs him of the double-agent on Cybertron, whom he plans to identify by cross-referencing his voice-print with the Cybertron intelligence database, and Shockwave immediately attacks the speedster, intent on silencing him before his cover can be blown. Blurr streaks off into a series of nearby corridors, but his speed fails to carry him beyond Shockwave's reach: Using a control console, Shockwave seals off the tunnels, and Blurr is crushed between two walls.

Back on Earth, Ratchet's treatment of Bulkhead is interrupted by Sari, who volunteers use of her Key to fix the larger Autobot's wounds. Ratchet is indignant, insisting that just because something is new, it doesn't make it better, but Bulkhead requests the Key. While Sari goes to work on Bulkhead's injuries, the sullen medic is overtaken by his memories; he recalls the creation of Omega Supreme and how he was partnered with the newborn titan to serve as his mentor, teacher and friend. Ratchet is roused from his unpleasant trip down memory lane when discussion turns to the whereabouts of Bumblebee, and before long, Bulkhead figures out that the plasmadynamic thruster has TransWarped Bumblebee off across the galaxy. Bulkhead suggests using a retrieval beacon generator recovered from the mine ruins to pinpoint Bumblebee's location, and Sari uses her Key to fix it before Ratchet can even begin examining it.

Aboard Omega Supreme, Megatron uses his stasis cuffs to "hotwire" Omega's body and bring it back online. However, when the light from Omega's "headlights" falls upon a nearby asteroid, Megatron and Starscream are shocked to see the rock react to the light, transforming into a humanoid monster that immediately attacks the ship! As more asteroids transform around him, Omega TransWarps away to safety...only for Bumblebee, cruising on the tail end of Omega's TransWarp field, to materialize in his place, right in the midst of the rock creatures! The largest creature swallows the tiny Autobot with a single gulp.

Simultaneously, on Earth, Bulkhead locks in on Bumblebee's position and teleports him back, but the rock creature he is inside comes with him and is immediately driven to a rampage by the blinding light of the [[Sun]]. Optimus Prime detects Bumblebee's signature within the creature, and the Autobots prepare to give chase as the alien stomps off through the city. Prowl is rather taken aback to see Ratchet wearing his EMP generator on his arm once more, while Prime has to deal with Sari's demands that she be allowed to join them in the fight now that she has powers. Prime refuses, and the Autobots zoom off after the rock monster, but Sari won't take no for an answer and is struck with inspiration: Give herself an upgrade! Sari concentrates, and a port opens in her chest, into which she inserts her Key...and in an explosion of energy, Sari's whole body transforms into a taller, older form, suited in combat armor!

[[Image:TFAni TransWarped Screamer Hotwire OmegaSupreme.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Name: Starscream Function: Jumper Cable]]
Meanwhile, Megatron has discovered that Omega Supreme has again expended all his power, and his stasis cuffs do not have the energy left to rectify the situation. He grabs Starscream's head and jams it into the circuits, where the traitor's AllSpark fragment energizes Omega's systems once more.

[[Image:TransWarpedBumblebeeSari.jpg|thumb|right|180px|So, kids, don't play with too many knives!]]
Back in Detroit, the Autobots are attempting to figure out how to stop the rock creature without hurting Bumblebee, when the upgraded Sari comes streaking onto the scene on jet skates. As the Autobots look on in shock, Sari begins attacking the alien with arm-blades and an energy-hammer that morph out of her arms. A single strike of the hammer reduces the alien to boulders, freeing Bumblebee, who is immediately struck by Sari's new look, but then shouts a warning: The smaller boulders surrounding the pair have transformed into small creatures. But the creatures pose no threat to Sari, and she pounds them into pebbles. As Sari basks in her triumph, Ratchet realizes with horror that she has used the Key on herself. The elderly Autobot's concern is soon proven valid, as the Key overloads Sari's systems, and she loses control of her body. With Sari attacking everything and everyone around her, the Autobots attempt to stop her with a variety of non-lethal strategies, but Sari counters everything they throw at her, including Prowl's processor-over-matter technique. Even as Prime and Sari tell Bumblebee to keep back, the young Autobot races to his friend's side...only for the out-of-control Sari to stab him through the chest! Frozen for a horrific moment, Bumblebee is then hurled back by an energy discharge, and the light dims from his optics...

===Part III===
Ratchet leaps to Bumblebee's aid, but without Sari's Key, Bulkhead fears his little buddy is done for. Ratchet denies that he requires the key to do his job, but his memories of when he was forced to place the dying Omega Supreme in stasis haunt him as he begins to operate on Bumblebee.

[[Image:TFAni TransWarped Ratchet Repairs Bumblebee.jpg|left|thumb|180px|Operator, what's the number for Nine-One-One?]]
Sari, meanwhile, is storming through the city streets, causing objects to explode when she comes into contact with them, and the Autobots head after her, seeking to remove the Key in hopes of bringing her back under control. They corral her with a wall of steel girders, affording Prowl the chance to get the drop on her and rip the Key from her chest, but Sari continues to rampage. With Bumblebee fading, Ratchet goes back on his previous claim and requests the Key be brought to him, but when Prowl complies, he discovers that the energy of the Key has been completely drained. Prowl assures Ratchet that he can accomplish the task without the Key, and the old medic gravely takes up the challenge and manages to bring Bumblebee back online.

Back with Sari, Prime and Bulkhead, Sari's energies are growing increasingly more out of control, as the street beneath her explodes with every step she takes. Bulkhead suggests just trying to "hold it in," but when Sari tries, things get even worse, as she begins to glow with so much energy that she is on the verge of exploding. Optimus summons Ratchet so that he can use his EMP generator to take Sari down, and while Ratchet is hesitant to do so, Sari begs him to stop her. Ratchet fires, and Sari collapses, her energy fading.

[[Image:TFAni TransWarped LongArm Cliffjumper Cube.jpg|right|thumb|180px|Kid's meal premiums aren't what they used to be.]]
On Cybertron, Longarm Prime has Cliffjumper dispose of the crushed remains of Blurr and is then contacted by Megatron. Learning that the space bridge network is down and that the Earth-based Autobots are poised to blow Shockwave's cover, Megatron orders the Decepticons to cease their attacks on the space bridges so that he can solve both problems his own way. Team Chaar receive the transmission and fall back, much to the Elite Guard's surprise.

In the Autobots' base, Ratchet completes a rewiring of Sari's systems, bypassing the circuits that caused her to run out of control. Professor Sumdac soon arrives, having been informed of the location of the base by Optimus Prime. The Autobots are a little upset by this, but Prime makes it clear that there are to be no more secrets in this "family". The Autobots step outside the plant to give the Sumdacs some time together, and are in the middle of catching Bumblebee up on recent events when the small Autobot suddenly begins to glow with TransWarp energies once more. Bulkhead quickly deactivates the plasmadynamic thruster, but the source of the TransWarp wave the thruster was picking up soon becomes apparent, as Omega Supreme materializes in the sky overhead. Much to the Autobots' surprise, the titan fires upon them before transforming to robot mode, revealing a projected image of Megatron's face upon his visor! The Decepticon leader is in complete control of Omega's body and begins attacking the Autobots, forcing Optimus Prime to consider unleashing an uncontrollable Sari on the giant. Before resorting to this desperate last resort, the Autobots attempt to lure Megatron away from the city. Ratchet even upgrades Bumblebee's stingers to a more powerful battle grade for the mission.

[[Image:TFAni TransWarped Prowl Megs OSFight.jpg|left|thumb|180px|I'm going to have to put you on the game grid.]]
Taking refuge in the nearby river, the Autobots attack Omega's legs, forcing open an access hatch through which Prime and Prowl enter Omega's body. Battling Omega's internal defences, Prowl taps into Omega's processor in order to help him fight off Megatron's control, and they succeed in forcing Megatron out of the system. Prime engages Megatronin order to keep Prowl safe, but as their battle rages, Starscream seizes control of Omega's mind and forcibly disconnects Prowl from Omega's processor. Prime and Prowl are unceremoniously ejected from Omega Supreme's body, but Starscream is not finished there; he uses Omega's internal defences to seize Megatron, and resumes attacking the Autobots all around him. Megatron manages to talk Starscream into an alliance, suggesting they forget Earth and conquer Cybertron together. Starscream struggles to activate Omega's TransWarp system, and while his attention is occupied with this task, Omega's consciousness fights its way to the surface and begs Ratchet to shut him down again. Ratchet regretfully unleashes his EMP generator upon Omega, but it has no effect, and Starscream transforms Omega into starship mode in order to begin the TransWarp. Bulkhead and Bumblebee hit upon the idea to plant the plasmadynamic thruster on Omega Supreme, and they hand it off to Prime to complete the task. Prime plants the thruster at the last second before Omega disappears into TransWarp, and Ratchet catches Prime with his magnets as he falls out of the sky.

Back at the Autobot base a little later, Sari comes to and admits to Ratchet that he was right about taking it slow. Sumdac apologizes for holding back the truth from Sari for so long, and Bumblebee thanks Ratchet for saving his tailpipe. Unfortunately, Bulkhead brings the mood down by reminding everyone that they still have to find a way to contact Cybertron.

[[Image:TFA TransWarped lost in space.JPG|thumb|right|180px|[[Ripped Up Space]]]]
On Cybertron, [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] holds an Autobot council and announces that all the evidence points to a double agent on Cybertron. Longarm Prime implicates escaped convict [[Wasp]], and Ultra Magnus instructs [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] and [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] to put together a unit to hunt the fugitive down. Magnus also notes that he has to make contact with Optimus's crew on Earth, and Longarm hastily demands that all contact with them be filtered through him, responding to the council's wary looks by adding that it will be purely for security reasons.

In the sky above Cybertron, Omega Supreme materializes, and Starscream howls with glee...only for the Autobot spaceship to TransWarp away immediately to another random point in space...and another...and another...
{{--}}
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Hot Shot (Animated)|Hot Shot]] (2)
*[[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] (3)
*[[Brawn (Animated)|Brawn]] (4)
*[[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] (7)
*[[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus Prime]] (9)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (10)
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (11)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (12)
*[[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] (17)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (18)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (19)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (20)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (21)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (22)
*[[Mainframe (Animated)|Mainframe]] (27)
*[[Highbrow (Animated)|Highbrow]] (28)
*[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] (29)
*[[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] (31)
*[[Wheeljack (Animated)|Wheeljack]] (33)
*[[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] (34)
*[[Cliffjumper (Animated)|Cliffjumper]] (36)
*[[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] (37)
|c2=
*[[Cyclonus (Animated)|Cyclonus]] (1)
*[[Oil Slick (Animated)|Oil Slick]] (5)
*[[Strika (Animated)|Strika]] (6)
*[[Spittor (Animated)|Spittor]] (8)
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime / Shockwave]] (13)
*[[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]] (14)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (15)
*[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (16)
*[[Skywarp (Animated)|Skywarp]] (30)
*[[Thundercracker (Animated)|Thundercracker]] (32)
|c3=
*[[Isaac Sumdac]] (24)
*[[Headmaster (Animated)|The Headmaster]] (25)
*[[Porter C. Powell]] (26)
*[[Captain Fanzone]] (35)
|c4=
*[[Sari Sumdac]] (23)
*[[Rock creature]]s (38)
}}

==Quotes==
"'Bulkhead' and 'genius' in the same sentence? I'll never get used to that."
:—'''Bumblebee''' shows his high opinion of his best friend.

"I'll warn them even if I have to run halfway across the galaxy to Cybertron to do it!" 
:—'''Blurr''', who apparently does just that.

"Sari, I don't pretend to fully understand humans, but from what I've seen, being a father is far more than a simple organic bond. It has much more to do with the spark. With the heart."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' muses on the nature of family. Sadly, the [[fandom]] desires more [[Relatives|concrete answers]].

"Prepare for TOT! Total Ownage Time!"
:—'''Headmaster''' to Optimus Prime and the Sumdacs.

"You taught me to protect like an Autobot, but all I did was destroy like a Decepticon." 
"We do what we must, even if it sometimes doesn't make sense." 
:—'''Omega Supreme''' and '''Ratchet''', before the former is put into modified stasis

'''Ratchet''': Omega, what are you doing?! Don't you recognize your old friend?! 
'''Megatron''': The question should be, "Don't you recognize your old enemy?" 
'''Optimus Prime''': Megatron?! 
'''Megatron''': Ah, then you ''do'' remember my name. Pity I can't remember yours.
:—The Autobots learn that Megatron has taken control of Omega Supreme

"It appears you and I are destined to battle aboard this ship once more, Autobot." 
"Bring it on, Decepticon."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime'''

"Starscream too powerful. Please, shut me down! I want to sleep again." 
"I already had to use this thing once today when I didn't want to. Don't make me use it again." 
"We do what we must, even if it sometimes doesn't make sense."
:—'''Omega Supreme''' tries to convince '''Ratchet''' to use his EMP Generator

"Someday I really have to learn how to fly."
:—Someday will come [[Endgame, Part I|soon]], '''Optimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Technical or animation errors===
* When Megatron is first seen in space, parts of his helmet are miscolored red.
* Just before Omega Supreme is activated Ultra Magnus accompanies High Brow and Ratchet on a lift, in this shot the part of the Magnus Hammer's handle is missing.
* When Sari removes her key in order to place it in the homing beacon generator, the string doesn't actually go over her head... It just phases through her neck. Somehow.
* The damage to Starscream's body disappears during the commercial break.
* When Bumblebee tells Sari to watch out, her back kibble disappears for a moment. It reappears in the next shot.
* Once the key has been removed from Sari, the string attached to it mysteriously reappears.
* When Ratchet is talking to Bumblebee about Sari's condition, the side of his head is miscolored white.
* When Blackout attacks Rodimus, his chest is miscolored gray.
* After Bumblebee is slashed, there's a red spot on Bulkhead with an Autobot symbol inside it.

===Continuity errors===
* Megatron finds both of his rotors/swords after being freed from the stasis cuffs, despite leaving ''at least'' one behind when he was sucked into the space bridge in "A Bridge Too Close".
* When Bumblebee gets blown away in "Part II" after being stabbed by Sari, he lands on his back. When we cut back to him in "Part III", he appears on his side.
* Bumblebee’s rocket boosters seemingly appear out of nowhere. With Ratchet's upgrading of his stingers and now this, it seems that <s>Hasbro</s> the Autobots have gotten over their "Upgrades are bad, m'kay" phase. Spending two seasons out-gunned will probably do that to you.
* Sentinel is back in his Earth body, despite being shown in his Cybertronian body during "[[Autoboot Camp]]".
* If Sumdac was wearing gloves at the time he touched the protoform, how did it get his DNA? For that matter, how did Sari end up female?
*It is revealed that the streak of white in Isaac's hair came from the shock he received when he approached the protoform that would become Sari. Pay no attention to the streak in the hair of his younger self appearing in "[[Transform and Roll Out]]", please...

===Continuity notes===
*As Sari dismisses Isaac Sumdac's story of her origin, she suggests that he should have told her how he found her "in a cabbage patch", or how "the stork" brought her. Similar ideas were suggested by Professors Bumblebee and Bulkhead in "[[The Return of the Headmaster]]". In that episode, the professors also suggested that Sari was really a robot, that she came to Earth in an egg, or that she could have fallen through a portal, ''all'' of which seem to have some nugget of truth to them: She ''is'' part-robot, she was contained in a strange pod, and she appeared in Sumdac's lab out of thin air. ''Foreshadowing!''
*After Sari mentions those theories, Optimus Prime recalls how Sari told him of human manufacturing, which occurred in "[[Transform and Roll Out]]".
*Starscream says Omega Supreme is "more powerful than I imagined...well, not AllSpark-powerful...", in reference to his use of the same phrase to describe the AllSpark way back in "Transform and Roll Out!"

===Transformers references===
*Bar Oil Slick, every member of the new squads harkens back to a previous series. Rodimus, Ironhide, Brawn and Cyclonus are heavily based off their Generation One counterparts. Red Alert and Hot Shot take after their Unicron Trilogy incarnations. Spittor and Strika are both modeled after Beast Era characters, and Blackout's design is heavily influenced by the live-action movie version.
*While lecturing her on taking it slow with her powers, Ratchet says that there's "more than meets the vis-scanners" on having powers, a clear reference to the time-honored Transformers tagline "[[More than Meets the Eye (disambiguation)|more than meets the eye]]".
*Arcee's open head [[:Image:Spotlight Arcee b.jpg|looks ''waaay'' too much]] like [[Alex Milne]]'s cover for [[IDW Publishing]]'s "[[Spotlight: Arcee]]" to be a coincidence.
*Blurr races along a Saturn-style planetary ring, as [[Blurr (G1)|his namesake]] had done in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)#Season 3|Generation 1 season 3]] opening credits.
*The building in which the [[Autobot High Council]] have their meeting looks [[Metroplex (G1)|somewhat familiar]].
*Blackout seems to have retained his seismic stomp that was used by his [[Blackout (Movie)|movie counterpart]].
*Team Chaar gets its name from [[Chaar|the planet of the same name]].

===Real-world references===
* Megatron tells Optimus, "You have persistence, Autobot. I hate persistence." This is based on Lou Grant's well-known dialogue from the first episode of ''[[:wikipedia:The Mary Tyler Moore Show|The Mary Tyler Moore Show]]''—"You know what, you've got spunk! … I hate spunk!"
* Sari's transformation sequence upon absorbing the power of the key is a nod to the transformation sequence of the title robot in ''Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann''.
* Sari's use of a large hammer, sending it down with her buttocks in the air, references back to... about ninety billion different anime shows. Although they usually involve an upskirt of sorts that's very thankfully absent here.
* As Sari dismisses Isaac Sumdac's story of her origin, she suggests that he should have told her how he found her "in a cabbage patch", which is a reference to [[:wikipedia:Cabbage Patch Kids|popular 80s toy]].

===Trivia===
*[[Derrick J. Wyatt]] confirmed via. Twitter after the show aired that like the series pilot, "[[Transform and Roll Out]]", "TransWarped" was made "as one 70 minute movie", although it was also cut into 22-minute episodes for syndication.<ref>[[Derrick J. Wyatt]] — http://twitter.com/DerrickJWyatt/status/1329673450 — "We made it as one 70 minute movie, but it has also been cut into three 22s".</ref> Unlike the pilot, however, "TransWarped" counts as three episodes out of the thirteen alotted for the show's third season. While Cartoon Network aired all three episode in movie form for their premiere, Canadian network YTV opted to debut them in episodic form, airing only the first two in a double-bill, and then screening the final part the following week.
* The creatures that turn into rocks may be a reference to the Rock Lords from the [[Tonka GoBots]] movie ''[[wikipedia:GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords|GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords]]''
*Starscream gains a "sonic scream" as a head-mounted weapon in this episode. Coincidentally (or not?), in the initial [[Cartoon Network]] press release for Transformers Animated, Starscream's profile claimed that he had a sonic scream he could use to send foes spinning through the air. This ability is never seen again.
*The Headmaster's appearance in this episode marks the only time a human villain is used in Season 3. And even then, he's relatively minor compared to a Decepticon-controlled Omega Supreme.
*In his last line, Shockwave seems to forget to use his American accent. Probably because he's getting worried about getting caught.
*This episode marks the first live appearance of Cybertron.
*This episode marks the last time Blurr, Thundercracker, and Skywarp appear in the series.
*This is also the last appearance of 'Longarm's' crane mode. All subsequent appearances of Shockwave involve him transforming only into his Decepticon tank mode.

==Home video releases==
This episode has yet to be released on home video.

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transwarped}}
[[Category:Animated episodes]]

TransWarped

2010-05-01T16:50:56Z

74.89.49.46: /* Part I */

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=TFA TransWarped Sari hands.jpg
|caption="WhY mY hAnDs HuRt?"
|prev=A Bridge Too Close, Part II
|next=Three's a Crowd
|ep=30, 31 and 32
|title="TransWarped"
|airdate=[[March 14]], 2009
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]] [[Michael Ryan]] [[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Matt Youngberg]] [[Yoshio Frank Chatani]] [[Tetsuro Moronuki]] [[Yutaka Kagawa]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
}}
'''In the aftermath of the battle at the mine, Sari and her father’s relationship takes a strange turn; the Autobots have their work cut out for them trying to contact Cybertron; and Megatron and Starscream find a new opportunity'''

==Synopsis==
===Part I===
[[Image:TransWarpedRodimusCosmicRust.jpg|thumb|left|180px|No fair, I just got here!]]

Somewhere along the outer rim of the galaxy, a contingent of [[Autobot]]s led by [[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus Prime]] defends [[space bridge 687-030]] against the [[Decepticon]]s' "[[Team Chaar]]", led by [[Strika (Animated)|Strika]]. She, [[Oil Slick (Animated)|Oil Slick]] and [[Cyclonus (Animated)|Cyclonus]] strafe [[Brawn (Animated)|Brawn]], [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] and [[Hot Shot (Animated)|Hot Shot]], badly injuring Hot Shot's leg and forcing team medic [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] to perform an amputation. Before she can do so, however, she is swallowed up by [[Spittor (Animated)|Spittor]], who explosively vomits her back at her team. Rodimus contacts the [[Elite Guard]] for backup, but the Autobot forces are spread much too thin, defending space bridges from Decepticon attacks all across the galaxy. Oil Slick and Cyclonus proceed to take down Brawn and Ironhide, leaving Rodimus on his own, at which point Blackout arrives and all but finishes the fight with a huge electromagnetic pulse. Rodimus still has some fight left in him, but it drains away when Oil Slick offlines him with a vial of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]]. Strika contacts [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], who informs her that nobody is to TransWarp to the planet until [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] himself arrives. But Megatron was supposed to be there megacycles ago...

[[Image:TransWarpedStarscreamsScream.jpg|thumb|right|180px|I'mma firin' my lazha!.]]

Off in the depths of space, the disembodied head of [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] attempts to remove Megatron's stasis cuffs with his teeth as the Decepticon leader berates him all the while. As Starscream begins bellowing back at Megatron, the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] fragment in his forehead begins to glow, and he undergoes a surprising transformation: His mouth converts into a sonic blaster that shoots the cuffs clean off Megatron's wrists. There is no time for the two villains to celebrate, however, as the giant form of [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] materializes above them. But after a moment, Megatron realizes that the colossus is offline...

[[Image:TransWarpedProtoform.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Hush little baby, don't say a word. Sumdac's gonna build you a mockingbird.]]

On [[Earth]], as the Autobots return to [[Detroit]], [[Isaac Sumdac|Professor Sumdac]] explains [[Sari Sumdac|Sari's]] origins to her as best he can, revealing that he discovered her in his laboratory years ago, in the form of a small, liquid metal robot. Sari finds the story hard to believe, and her strained patience reaches its end when the group returns to [[Sumdac Tower]] and confronts [[Porter C. Powell]] and [[Henry Masterson]]. Powell tries to smooth things over with Isaac, but Masterson's belligerent attitude dispels any attempts at peace, which is further ruined when he demands the Autobots return his Headmaster, or "heads will roll". Having entered the lab from the elevator behind them, Optimus picks up Masterson and asks for clarification on his threat. Isaac immediately fires both Powell and Masterson, but Masterson refuses to vacate the premises, and Powell takes another shot at Sari's disputed parentage. In a moment of anger, Sari's hands transform into energy projectors that hurl the two men into the building's elevator. This newest revelation pushes Sari over the edge, and she walks out on the man she can no longer even think of as her father, returning to the Autobots' base with her "fellow robots". While [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] examines Sari—deducing that she's basically human, but partially Cybertronian—Prowl departs to carry out some research of his own. With Ratchet lost in his memories of [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]], [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] head back to the Decepticons' destroyed mine base to salvage some equipment that will let them contact Cybertron and inform the Autobots there of the traitor in their midst.

On a small planetoid somewhere in space, [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] is still trapped in a cement blob with Starscream's [[Thundercracker (Animated)|egomaniacal]] and [[Skywarp (Animated)|cowardly]] clones. Blurr proposes using sonic pulses to dissolve the glue, and the egomaniac takes the idea for his own and successfully frees them. Blurr immediately speeds off, launching into space and literally running across the galaxy, ricocheting off everything in his path (including the egomaniac) to get back to Cybertron and inform the Elite Guard of Megatron's invasion plan.

Megatron and Starscream force their way into Omega Supreme's body, but this action brings the giant Autobot back online, and his internal systems immediately seize the Decepticons. Megatron exploits Omega's simple processor and convinces the titan to take him back to Cybertron "to face justice". Omega transforms back into ship mode and TransWarps off toward Cybertron.

Back on Earth, Bumblebee and Bulkhead are searching through the ruins of the mine when Bumblebee discovers a [[Plasmadynamic thruster|plasmadynamic thruster]] space bridge component that abruptly TransWarps him away. While Bulkhead is wondering where his buddy went, he is suddenly attacked by Henry Masterson, who recovered his Headmaster unit and Starscream's headless body from the mine the night before.

At Sumdac Tower, Prowl shadows Sumdac into his laboratory, quickly accesses his computers, and scans the scientist in an attempt to learn more about Sari's origins. Ratchet is having distinctly less luck back at the Autobot base, where Sari refuses to let him perform an exploratory surgery. The whole unpleasant affair reminds Ratchet of his past on Cybertron, when he performed open-processor surgery on Arcee and discovered she was carrying the codes that were key to the creation of Omega Supreme. Prime snaps Ratchet out of his flashback with the news that he cannot contact Bumblebee and Bulkhead, and Ratchet heads out to the mine to investigate.

[[Image:TFA TransWarped Headmaster Starscream power up.jpg|thumb|right|180px|[[A Bridge Too Close, Part II|Here we go again...]]]]
With the other Autobots busy, Optimus Prime tries to patch up the Sumdac family feud by surreptitiously opening a comm channel to Professor Sumdac's laboratory and explaining loudly and at length to Sari that he is going to take her to [[Burger Bot]]. Sumdac catches on and heads out to meet them there, but Sari is furious at being set up and refuses to talk to him. Unfortunately, the Headmaster soon arrives, having picked up Prime's phone call through bugs left in Sumdac Tower, and threatens to unleash t0t47 0wN4ge!

===Part II===
[[Image:TFAni TransWarped Headmaster PWN3D.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Heads out.]]
Optimus Prime engages the Headmaster, binding him with his grapplers and dragging him around the Burger Bot parking lot before taking a moment to usher the Sumdacs to safety behind a dumpster. The fight carries the two combatants to an overhead roadway and back, with the Headmaster eventually downing Prime with a slab of concrete. Sumdac is forced to take action, and he hides Sari within the dumpster so that he can draw the Headmaster's attention and keep her safe. Touched by this, Sari unleashes her energy projectors on the Headmaster in defence of her father, though they do little to the villain other than draw his attention. Prime rejoins the battle just in time, ramming the villain in truck mode and goading the Headmaster into trying to transform Starscream's body as well. Infuriated by Prime's claim that a n00b such as he would find it difficult, the Headmaster tries to meet the challenge... only to find his Headmaster unit squeezed clean off Starscream's body by the transformation process. As Starscream's lifeless carcass spirals off into the river, the Headmaster is apprehended by Prime and handed over to [[Captain Fanzone]].

Back at Sumdac tower, Prowl reveals his findings to Prime, Sari and Sumdac: He believes that the body Sumdac found in his lab was, in fact, a Cybertronian [[protoform]] that scanned Professor Sumdac's genetic data. Sari takes the revelation in stride, although everyone else remains mystified as to how a protoform wound up on Earth in the first place. There is no time to dwell on the subject, however, as Ratchet radios Prime to inform him of Bulkhead's injuries and Bumblebee's disappearance.

Out in space, Omega Supreme re-emerges from TransWarp, and his systems all power down, having been sapped of energy by the effort of the teleport. Megatron attempts to escape from the confines of the giant Autobot's body, but without his weapons, he is unable. Starscream's new sonic blaster is similarly ineffective, and Megatron instead schemes to take control of Omega's very body.

[[Image:TFAni TransWarped Blurr Crushed.jpg|180px|right|thumb|"We... are going... to die!"]]
On Cybertron, Shockwave (in the form of Longarm Prime) is informed by [[Cliffjumper (Animated)|Cliffjumper]] that the space bridge network has been shut down to prevent a Decepticon invasion of the planet. Suppressing his frustration, Shockwave is promptly presented with an outlet for his anger when Blurr comes streaking out of the sky and crashes at his feet. Blurr informs him of the double-agent on Cybertron, whom he plans to identify by cross-referencing his voice-print with the Cybertron intelligence database, and Shockwave immediately attacks the speedster, intent on silencing him before his cover can be blown. Blurr streaks off into a series of nearby corridors, but his speed fails to carry him beyond Shockwave's reach: Using a control console, Shockwave seals off the tunnels, and Blurr is crushed between two walls.

Back on Earth, Ratchet's treatment of Bulkhead is interrupted by Sari, who volunteers use of her Key to fix the larger Autobot's wounds. Ratchet is indignant, insisting that just because something is new, it doesn't make it better, but Bulkhead requests the Key. While Sari goes to work on Bulkhead's injuries, the sullen medic is overtaken by his memories; he recalls the creation of Omega Supreme and how he was partnered with the newborn titan to serve as his mentor, teacher and friend. Ratchet is roused from his unpleasant trip down memory lane when discussion turns to the whereabouts of Bumblebee, and before long, Bulkhead figures out that the plasmadynamic thruster has TransWarped Bumblebee off across the galaxy. Bulkhead suggests using a retrieval beacon generator recovered from the mine ruins to pinpoint Bumblebee's location, and Sari uses her Key to fix it before Ratchet can even begin examining it.

Aboard Omega Supreme, Megatron uses his stasis cuffs to "hotwire" Omega's body and bring it back online. However, when the light from Omega's "headlights" falls upon a nearby asteroid, Megatron and Starscream are shocked to see the rock react to the light, transforming into a humanoid monster that immediately attacks the ship! As more asteroids transform around him, Omega TransWarps away to safety...only for Bumblebee, cruising on the tail end of Omega's TransWarp field, to materialize in his place, right in the midst of the rock creatures! The largest creature swallows the tiny Autobot with a single gulp.

Simultaneously, on Earth, Bulkhead locks in on Bumblebee's position and teleports him back, but the rock creature he is inside comes with him and is immediately driven to a rampage by the blinding light of the [[Sun]]. Optimus Prime detects Bumblebee's signature within the creature, and the Autobots prepare to give chase as the alien stomps off through the city. Prowl is rather taken aback to see Ratchet wearing his EMP generator on his arm once more, while Prime has to deal with Sari's demands that she be allowed to join them in the fight now that she has powers. Prime refuses, and the Autobots zoom off after the rock monster, but Sari won't take no for an answer and is struck with inspiration: Give herself an upgrade! Sari concentrates, and a port opens in her chest, into which she inserts her Key...and in an explosion of energy, Sari's whole body transforms into a taller, older form, suited in combat armor!

[[Image:TFAni TransWarped Screamer Hotwire OmegaSupreme.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Name: Starscream Function: Jumper Cable]]
Meanwhile, Megatron has discovered that Omega Supreme has again expended all his power, and his stasis cuffs do not have the energy left to rectify the situation. He grabs Starscream's head and jams it into the circuits, where the traitor's AllSpark fragment energizes Omega's systems once more.

[[Image:TransWarpedBumblebeeSari.jpg|thumb|right|180px|So, kids, don't play with too many knives!]]
Back in Detroit, the Autobots are attempting to figure out how to stop the rock creature without hurting Bumblebee, when the upgraded Sari comes streaking onto the scene on jet skates. As the Autobots look on in shock, Sari begins attacking the alien with arm-blades and an energy-hammer that morph out of her arms. A single strike of the hammer reduces the alien to boulders, freeing Bumblebee, who is immediately struck by Sari's new look, but then shouts a warning: The smaller boulders surrounding the pair have transformed into small creatures. But the creatures pose no threat to Sari, and she pounds them into pebbles. As Sari basks in her triumph, Ratchet realizes with horror that she has used the Key on herself. The elderly Autobot's concern is soon proven valid, as the Key overloads Sari's systems, and she loses control of her body. With Sari attacking everything and everyone around her, the Autobots attempt to stop her with a variety of non-lethal strategies, but Sari counters everything they throw at her, including Prowl's processor-over-matter technique. Even as Prime and Sari tell Bumblebee to keep back, the young Autobot races to his friend's side...only for the out-of-control Sari to stab him through the chest! Frozen for a horrific moment, Bumblebee is then hurled back by an energy discharge, and the light dims from his optics...

===Part III===
Ratchet leaps to Bumblebee's aid, but without Sari's Key, Bulkhead fears his little buddy is done for. Ratchet denies that he requires the key to do his job, but his memories of when he was forced to place the dying Omega Supreme in stasis haunt him as he begins to operate on Bumblebee.

[[Image:TFAni TransWarped Ratchet Repairs Bumblebee.jpg|left|thumb|180px|Operator, what's the number for Nine-One-One?]]
Sari, meanwhile, is storming through the city streets, causing objects to explode when she comes into contact with them, and the Autobots head after her, seeking to remove the Key in hopes of bringing her back under control. They corral her with a wall of steel girders, affording Prowl the chance to get the drop on her and rip the Key from her chest, but Sari continues to rampage. With Bumblebee fading, Ratchet goes back on his previous claim and requests the Key be brought to him, but when Prowl complies, he discovers that the energy of the Key has been completely drained. Prowl assures Ratchet that he can accomplish the task without the Key, and the old medic gravely takes up the challenge and manages to bring Bumblebee back online.

Back with Sari, Prime and Bulkhead, Sari's energies are growing increasingly more out of control, as the street beneath her explodes with every step she takes. Bulkhead suggests just trying to "hold it in," but when Sari tries, things get even worse, as she begins to glow with so much energy that she is on the verge of exploding. Optimus summons Ratchet so that he can use his EMP generator to take Sari down, and while Ratchet is hesitant to do so, Sari begs him to stop her. Ratchet fires, and Sari collapses, her energy fading.

[[Image:TFAni TransWarped LongArm Cliffjumper Cube.jpg|right|thumb|180px|Kid's meal premiums aren't what they used to be.]]
On Cybertron, Longarm Prime has Cliffjumper dispose of the crushed remains of Blurr and is then contacted by Megatron. Learning that the space bridge network is down and that the Earth-based Autobots are poised to blow Shockwave's cover, Megatron orders the Decepticons to cease their attacks on the space bridges so that he can solve both problems his own way. Team Chaar receive the transmission and fall back, much to the Elite Guard's surprise.

In the Autobots' base, Ratchet completes a rewiring of Sari's systems, bypassing the circuits that caused her to run out of control. Professor Sumdac soon arrives, having been informed of the location of the base by Optimus Prime. The Autobots are a little upset by this, but Prime makes it clear that there are to be no more secrets in this "family". The Autobots step outside the plant to give the Sumdacs some time together, and are in the middle of catching Bumblebee up on recent events when the small Autobot suddenly begins to glow with TransWarp energies once more. Bulkhead quickly deactivates the plasmadynamic thruster, but the source of the TransWarp wave the thruster was picking up soon becomes apparent, as Omega Supreme materializes in the sky overhead. Much to the Autobots' surprise, the titan fires upon them before transforming to robot mode, revealing a projected image of Megatron's face upon his visor! The Decepticon leader is in complete control of Omega's body and begins attacking the Autobots, forcing Optimus Prime to consider unleashing an uncontrollable Sari on the giant. Before resorting to this desperate last resort, the Autobots attempt to lure Megatron away from the city. Ratchet even upgrades Bumblebee's stingers to a more powerful battle grade for the mission.

[[Image:TFAni TransWarped Prowl Megs OSFight.jpg|left|thumb|180px|I'm going to have to put you on the game grid.]]
Taking refuge in the nearby river, the Autobots attack Omega's legs, forcing open an access hatch through which Prime and Prowl enter Omega's body. Battling Omega's internal defences, Prowl taps into Omega's processor in order to help him fight off Megatron's control, and they succeed in forcing Megatron out of the system. Prime engages Megatronin order to keep Prowl safe, but as their battle rages, Starscream seizes control of Omega's mind and forcibly disconnects Prowl from Omega's processor. Prime and Prowl are unceremoniously ejected from Omega Supreme's body, but Starscream is not finished there; he uses Omega's internal defences to seize Megatron, and resumes attacking the Autobots all around him. Megatron manages to talk Starscream into an alliance, suggesting they forget Earth and conquer Cybertron together. Starscream struggles to activate Omega's TransWarp system, and while his attention is occupied with this task, Omega's consciousness fights its way to the surface and begs Ratchet to shut him down again. Ratchet regretfully unleashes his EMP generator upon Omega, but it has no effect, and Starscream transforms Omega into starship mode in order to begin the TransWarp. Bulkhead and Bumblebee hit upon the idea to plant the plasmadynamic thruster on Omega Supreme, and they hand it off to Prime to complete the task. Prime plants the thruster at the last second before Omega disappears into TransWarp, and Ratchet catches Prime with his magnets as he falls out of the sky.

Back at the Autobot base a little later, Sari comes to and admits to Ratchet that he was right about taking it slow. Sumdac apologizes for holding back the truth from Sari for so long, and Bumblebee thanks Ratchet for saving his tailpipe. Unfortunately, Bulkhead brings the mood down by reminding everyone that they still have to find a way to contact Cybertron.

[[Image:TFA TransWarped lost in space.JPG|thumb|right|180px|[[Ripped Up Space]]]]
On Cybertron, [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] holds an Autobot council and announces that all the evidence points to a double agent on Cybertron. Longarm Prime implicates escaped convict [[Wasp]], and Ultra Magnus instructs [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] and [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] to put together a unit to hunt the fugitive down. Magnus also notes that he has to make contact with Optimus's crew on Earth, and Longarm hastily demands that all contact with them be filtered through him, responding to the council's wary looks by adding that it will be purely for security reasons.

In the sky above Cybertron, Omega Supreme materializes, and Starscream howls with glee...only for the Autobot spaceship to TransWarp away immediately to another random point in space...and another...and another...
{{--}}
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Hot Shot (Animated)|Hot Shot]] (2)
*[[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] (3)
*[[Brawn (Animated)|Brawn]] (4)
*[[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] (7)
*[[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus Prime]] (9)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (10)
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (11)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (12)
*[[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] (17)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (18)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (19)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (20)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (21)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (22)
*[[Mainframe (Animated)|Mainframe]] (27)
*[[Highbrow (Animated)|Highbrow]] (28)
*[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] (29)
*[[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] (31)
*[[Wheeljack (Animated)|Wheeljack]] (33)
*[[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] (34)
*[[Cliffjumper (Animated)|Cliffjumper]] (36)
*[[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] (37)
|c2=
*[[Cyclonus (Animated)|Cyclonus]] (1)
*[[Oil Slick (Animated)|Oil Slick]] (5)
*[[Strika (Animated)|Strika]] (6)
*[[Spittor (Animated)|Spittor]] (8)
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime / Shockwave]] (13)
*[[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]] (14)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (15)
*[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (16)
*[[Skywarp (Animated)|Skywarp]] (30)
*[[Thundercracker (Animated)|Thundercracker]] (32)
|c3=
*[[Isaac Sumdac]] (24)
*[[Headmaster (Animated)|The Headmaster]] (25)
*[[Porter C. Powell]] (26)
*[[Captain Fanzone]] (35)
|c4=
*[[Sari Sumdac]] (23)
*[[Rock creature]]s (38)
}}

==Quotes==
"'Bulkhead' and 'genius' in the same sentence? I'll never get used to that."
:—'''Bumblebee''' shows his high opinion of his best friend.

"I'll warn them even if I have to run halfway across the galaxy to Cybertron to do it!" 
:—'''Blurr''', who apparently does just that.

"Sari, I don't pretend to fully understand humans, but from what I've seen, being a father is far more than a simple organic bond. It has much more to do with the spark. With the heart."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' muses on the nature of family. Sadly, the [[fandom]] desires more [[Relatives|concrete answers]].

"Prepare for TOT! Total Ownage Time!"
:—'''Headmaster''' to Optimus Prime and the Sumdacs.

"You taught me to protect like an Autobot, but all I did was destroy like a Decepticon." 
"We do what we must, even if it sometimes doesn't make sense." 
:—'''Omega Supreme''' and '''Ratchet''', before the former is put into modified stasis

'''Ratchet''': Omega, what are you doing?! Don't you recognize your old friend?! 
'''Megatron''': The question should be, "Don't you recognize your old enemy?" 
'''Optimus Prime''': Megatron?! 
'''Megatron''': Ah, then you ''do'' remember my name. Pity I can't remember yours.
:—The Autobots learn that Megatron has taken control of Omega Supreme

"It appears you and I are destined to battle aboard this ship once more, Autobot." 
"Bring it on, Decepticon."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime'''

"Starscream too powerful. Please, shut me down! I want to sleep again." 
"I already had to use this thing once today when I didn't want to. Don't make me use it again." 
"We do what we must, even if it sometimes doesn't make sense."
:—'''Omega Supreme''' tries to convince '''Ratchet''' to use his EMP Generator

"Someday I really have to learn how to fly."
:—Someday will come [[Endgame, Part I|soon]], '''Optimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Technical or animation errors===
* When Megatron is first seen in space, parts of his helmet are miscolored red.
* Just before Omega Supreme is activated Ultra Magnus accompanies High Brow and Ratchet on a lift, in this shot the part of the Magnus Hammer's handle is missing.
* When Sari removes her key in order to place it in the homing beacon generator, the string doesn't actually go over her head... It just phases through her neck. Somehow.
* The damage to Starscream's body disappears during the commercial break.
* When Bumblebee tells Sari to watch out, her back kibble disappears for a moment. It reappears in the next shot.
* Once the key has been removed from Sari, the string attached to it mysteriously reappears.
* When Ratchet is talking to Bumblebee about Sari's condition, the side of his head is miscolored white.
* When Blackout attacks Rodimus, his chest is miscolored gray.
* After Bumblebee is slashed, there's a red spot on Bulkhead with an Autobot symbol inside it.

===Continuity errors===
* Megatron finds both of his rotors/swords after being freed from the stasis cuffs, despite leaving ''at least'' one behind when he was sucked into the space bridge in "A Bridge Too Close".
* When Bumblebee gets blown away in "Part II" after being stabbed by Sari, he lands on his back. When we cut back to him in "Part III", he appears on his side.
* Bumblebee’s rocket boosters seemingly appear out of nowhere. With Ratchet's upgrading of his stingers and now this, it seems that <s>Hasbro</s> the Autobots have gotten over their "Upgrades are bad, m'kay" phase. Spending two seasons out-gunned will probably do that to you.
* Sentinel is back in his Earth body, despite being shown in his Cybertronian body during "[[Autoboot Camp]]".
* If Sumdac was wearing gloves at the time he touched the protoform, how did it get his DNA? For that matter, how did Sari end up female?
*It is revealed that the streak of white in Isaac's hair came from the shock he received when he approached the protoform that would become Sari. Pay no attention to the streak in the hair of his younger self appearing in "[[Transform and Roll Out]]", please...

===Continuity notes===
*As Sari dismisses Isaac Sumdac's story of her origin, she suggests that he should have told her how he found her "in a cabbage patch", or how "the stork" brought her. Similar ideas were suggested by Professors Bumblebee and Bulkhead in "[[The Return of the Headmaster]]". In that episode, the professors also suggested that Sari was really a robot, that she came to Earth in an egg, or that she could have fallen through a portal, ''all'' of which seem to have some nugget of truth to them: She ''is'' part-robot, she was contained in a strange pod, and she appeared in Sumdac's lab out of thin air. ''Foreshadowing!''
*After Sari mentions those theories, Optimus Prime recalls how Sari told him of human manufacturing, which occurred in "[[Transform and Roll Out]]".
*Starscream says Omega Supreme is "more powerful than I imagined...well, not AllSpark-powerful...", in reference to his use of the same phrase to describe the AllSpark way back in "Transform and Roll Out!"

===Transformers references===
*Bar Oil Slick, every member of the new squads harkens back to a previous series. Rodimus, Ironhide, Brawn and Cyclonus are heavily based off their Generation One counterparts. Red Alert and Hot Shot take after their Unicron Trilogy incarnations. Spittor and Strika are both modeled after Beast Era characters, and Blackout's design is heavily influenced by the live-action movie version.
*While lecturing her on taking it slow with her powers, Ratchet says that there's "more than meets the vis-scanners" on having powers, a clear reference to the time-honored Transformers tagline "[[More than Meets the Eye (disambiguation)|more than meets the eye]]".
*Arcee's open head [[:Image:Spotlight Arcee b.jpg|looks ''waaay'' too much]] like [[Alex Milne]]'s cover for [[IDW Publishing]]'s "[[Spotlight: Arcee]]" to be a coincidence.
*Blurr races along a Saturn-style planetary ring, as [[Blurr (G1)|his namesake]] had done in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)#Season 3|Generation 1 season 3]] opening credits.
*The building in which the [[Autobot High Council]] have their meeting looks [[Metroplex (G1)|somewhat familiar]].
*Blackout seems to have retained his seismic stomp that was used by his [[Blackout (Movie)|movie counterpart]].
*Team Chaar gets its name from [[Chaar|the planet of the same name]].

===Real-world references===
* Megatron tells Optimus, "You have persistence, Autobot. I hate persistence." This is based on Lou Grant's well-known dialogue from the first episode of ''[[:wikipedia:The Mary Tyler Moore Show|The Mary Tyler Moore Show]]''—"You know what, you've got spunk! … I hate spunk!"
* Sari's transformation sequence upon absorbing the power of the key is a nod to the transformation sequence of the title robot in ''Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann''.
* Sari's use of a large hammer, sending it down with her buttocks in the air, references back to... about ninety billion different anime shows. Although they usually involve an upskirt of sorts that's very thankfully absent here.
* As Sari dismisses Isaac Sumdac's story of her origin, she suggests that he should have told her how he found her "in a cabbage patch", which is a reference to [[:wikipedia:Cabbage Patch Kids|popular 80s toy]].

===Trivia===
*[[Derrick J. Wyatt]] confirmed via. Twitter after the show aired that like the series pilot, "[[Transform and Roll Out]]", "TransWarped" was made "as one 70 minute movie", although it was also cut into 22-minute episodes for syndication.<ref>[[Derrick J. Wyatt]] — http://twitter.com/DerrickJWyatt/status/1329673450 — "We made it as one 70 minute movie, but it has also been cut into three 22s".</ref> Unlike the pilot, however, "TransWarped" counts as three episodes out of the thirteen alotted for the show's third season. While Cartoon Network aired all three episode in movie form for their premiere, Canadian network YTV opted to debut them in episodic form, airing only the first two in a double-bill, and then screening the final part the following week.
* The creatures that turn into rocks may be a reference to the Rock Lords from the [[Tonka GoBots]] movie ''[[wikipedia:GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords|GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords]]''
*Starscream gains a "sonic scream" as a head-mounted weapon in this episode. Coincidentally (or not?), in the initial [[Cartoon Network]] press release for Transformers Animated, Starscream's profile claimed that he had a sonic scream he could use to send foes spinning through the air. This ability is never seen again.
*The Headmaster's appearance in this episode marks the only time a human villain is used in Season 3. And even then, he's relatively minor compared to a Decepticon-controlled Omega Supreme.
*In his last line, Shockwave seems to forget to use his American accent. Probably because he's getting worried about getting caught.
*This episode marks the first live appearance of Cybertron.
*This episode marks the last time Blurr, Thundercracker, and Skywarp appear in the series.
*This is also the last appearance of 'Longarm's' crane mode. All subsequent appearances of Shockwave involve him transforming only into his Decepticon tank mode.

==Home video releases==
This episode has yet to be released on home video.

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transwarped}}
[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Transformers Evo.

2010-05-01T04:29:13Z

74.89.49.46: /* Single release */

{{song
|title=TRANSFORMERS EVO.
|japanese=
|translation=
|image=Transformers Evo OP.jpg
|caption=
|series=[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)#Japanese release|Animated]]
|position=opening theme
|performer=[[JAM Project]]
|composer=[[Hironobu Kageyama]]
|lyrics=Hironobu Kageyama
|arrangement=[[Daisuke Kikuta]]
}}
"'''TRANSFORMERS EVO.'''" is the [[Japanese themes|opening song]] to the Japanese release of the [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)#Japanese release|''Animated'']] cartoon.

==Lyrics==
{{note|The lyrics on this page have been translated more idiomatically than literally.}}
===TV size edit===
{|width=100%|
|valign=top|
====Original Japanese====
闇の彼方静寂を引き裂き 
地球の眠り呼び起こすのは 
どいつだ?

ほら目の前邪悪な魂達 
逃げ場は無いまっすぐに受け止めろ! 
サムワン・テルズ・ミー「弱気」や「恐れ」を消去して 
僕らは意識組み替える

その手を強く握り 
互いの絆信じて 
戦え!

:さぁオール・アィ・キャン・ドゥ
:アンド・オール・ユー・キャン・ドゥ
:羽ばたけトランスフォーム
:その胸貫く怒りを力に変え
:今オール・アィ・キャン・ドゥ
:アンド・オール・ユー・キャン・ドゥ
:輝けトランスフォーム
:進化のステージへ
:タッチ・アンド・ゴー!

|valign=top|
====Rōmaji transliteration====
Yami no kanata seijaku wo hikisaki 
Hoshi no nemuri yobiokosu no wa 
Doitsu da?

Hora me no mae jaaku na tamashiitachi 
Nigeba wa nai massugu ni uketomero! 
Someone tells me "yowaki" ya "osore" wo shōkyo shite 
Bokura wa ishiki kumikaeru

Sono te wo tsuyoku nigiri 
Tagai no kizuna shinjite 
Tatakae!

:Saa All I can do
:And all you can do
:Habatake Transform
:Sono mune tsuranuku ikari wo chikara ni kae
:Ima All I can do
:And all you can do
:Kagayake Transform
:Shinka no Stage e
:Touch and go!

|valign=top|
====English translation====
Out in the darkness, someone is rending the silence 
Awakening this planet from its sleep 
Who is it?

Look, evil spirits are right before you 
There's nowhere to run, so take 'em straight on! 
Someone tells me to erase my "worries" and "fear" 
We reconstruct our minds

Clench your fists strongly 
Believe in the bonds between us 
And fight!

:So all I can do
:And all you can do
:Is flap your wings and transform
:Turn the anger piercing your heart into strength
:Now all I can do
:And all you can do
:Is shine and transform
:To the stage of evolution
:Touch and go!
|}

===Full version===
{|width=100%|
|valign=top|
====Original Japanese====
闇の彼方静寂を引き裂き 
地球の眠り呼び起こすのは 
どいつだ?

ほら目の前邪悪な魂達 
逃げ場は無いまっすぐに受け止めろ! 
Someone tells me 「弱気」や「恐れ」を消去して 
僕らは意識組み替える

その手を強く握り 
互いの絆信じて 
戦え!

:さぁ All I can do
:And all you can do
:羽ばたけ Transform
:その胸貫く怒りを力に変え
:今 All I can do
:And all you can do
:輝け Transform
:進化のステージへ
:Touch and go!

耳を住ませ！新たなる「始まり」 
なぜ時代は僕らを試すんだろう 
未知のエリア覚醒されたパワー 
光放ち究極のレベル目指せ！

誰もが幾多の試練をクリアして 
現在の自分を乗り越える 
苦難の道を進め！ 
無限の進化信じて 
戦え！

:さあ All I can do
:And all you can do
:飛び立て Transform
:受けた身体の傷跡さえ誇りにして
:今 All I can do
:And all you can do
:戦え Transform
:進化の道を
:Get and go!

その手を強く握り 
互いの絆信じて 
戦え!

:さぁ All I can do
:And all you can do
:羽ばたけ Transform
:その胸貫く怒りを力に変え
:今 All I can do
:And all you can do
:輝け Transform
:進化のステージへ
:Touch and go!

|valign=top|
====Rōmaji transliteration====
Yami no kanata seijaku wo hikisaki 
Hoshi no nemuri yobiokosu no wa 
Doitsu da?

Hora me no mae jaaku na tamashiitachi 
Nigeba wa nai massugu ni uketomero! 
Someone tells me "yowaki" ya "osore" wo shōkyo shite 
Bokura wa ishiki kumikaeru

Sono te wo tsuyoku nigiri 
Tagai no kizuna shinjite 
Tatakae!

:Saa All I can do
:And all you can do
:Habatake Transform
:Sono mune tsuranuku ikari wo chikara ni kae
:Ima All I can do
:And all you can do
:Kagayake Transform
:Shinka no Stage e
:Touch and go!

Mimi wo sumase! Aratanaru "hajimari" 
Naze jidai wa bokura wo tamesu'n darou? 
Michi no Area kakusei sareta Power 
Hikari hanachi kyūkyoku no Level mesaze!

Daremo ga ikuta no shiren wo Clear shite 
Ima no jibun wo norikoeru 
Kunan no michi wo susume! 
Mugen no shinka shinjite 
Tatakae!

:Saa All I can do
:And all you can do
:Tobitate Transform
:Uketa karada no kizuato sae hokori ni shite
:Ima All I can do
:And all you can do
:Tatakae Transform
:Shinka no michi wo
:Get and go!

Sono te wo tsuyoku nigiri 
Tagai no kizuna shinjite 
Tatakae!

:Saa All I can do
:And all you can do
:Habatake Transform
:Sono mune tsuranuku ikari wo chikara ni kae
:Ima All I can do
:And all you can do
:Kagayake Transform
:Shinka no Stage e
:Touch and go!

|valign=top|
====English translation====
Out in the darkness, someone is rending the silence 
Awakening this planet from its sleep 
Who is it?

Look, evil spirits are right before you 
There's nowhere to run, so take 'em straight on! 
Someone tells me to erase my "worries" and "fear" 
We reconstruct our minds

Clench your fists strongly 
Believe in the bonds between us 
And fight!

:So all I can do
:And all you can do
:Is flap your wings and transform
:Turn the anger piercing your heart into strength
:Now all I can do
:And all you can do
:Is shine and transform
:To the stage of evolution
:Touch and go!

Listen closely! It's a new "beginning" 
Why do you think this age is testing us? 
Power is awakened in an unknown area 
Unleash the light, aim for the ultimate level

We will all clear a series of trials 
And overcome what we are now 
Forward down the path of distress! 
Believe in infinite evolution 
And fight! 

:So all I can do
:And all you can do
:Is take off and transform
:Turn all the scars left on your body into marks of pride
:Now all I can do
:And all you can do
:Is battle on and transform
:Down the road of evolution
:Get and go!

Clench your fists strongly 
Believe in the bonds between us 
And fight!

:So all I can do
:And all you can do
:Is flap your wings and transform
:Turn the anger piercing your heart into strength
:Now all I can do
:And all you can do
:Is shine and transform
:To the stage of evolution
:Touch and go!
|}

==Single release==
[[Image:Transformers Evo single.jpg|thumb|150px|Hahahaha look at that one dude! He is so serious and his wig is SO BAD.]]
;Track listing
#"TRANSFORMERS EVO."
#"[[Praise Be to Decepticon|PRAISE BE TO DECEPTICON]]"
#"TRANSFORMERS EVO. （off vocal）"
#"PRAISE BE TO DECEPTICON （off vocal）"

'''Release date:''' [[April 21]], [[2010]] 
'''Label:''' [[Lantis|Lantis Co., Ltd.]] 
'''Prod. code:''' LACM-4705 
'''ASIN:''' B0037NIA0O
{{--}}

===Album releases===
This song has yet to be released on any soundtrack albums.

==Notes==
*For some reason, the on-screen subs for the cartoon's opening transliterates all the English words into katakana while the CD's lyric sheet uses a mix of Japanese and English text. Since these are both official media, that's also what we've done here.
*This [[title sequence#Japanese version|title sequence]] uses completely original animation and features no recycled footage from the show.
**To say that this intro has little to do with the actual show would be an understatement. [[Ironhide (Animated)|Some]] [[Arcee (Animated)|characters]] with small roles within the series as a whole get lots of exposure in the video, while more [[Jazz (Animated)|prominent]] [[Lugnut|ones]] are only briefly seen, and [[Sari Sumdac|one]] particularly important character is completely absent. Rather than focusing on [[Detroit]], the intro seems to jump all over the globe, such as [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]], [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] in front of the Flatiron Building in [[New York City]], [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] on the Great Wall of [[China]], [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] in [[Egypt]], Ironhide in [[Australia|Sydney]], [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] fighting [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] in Osaka, [[Japan]], and [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] appearing in [[Washington, D.C.]]
**[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] seems to power up with [[burning justice]], and for some reason, a [[Cloaked mystery villain|strange, evil character]] appears at the beginning the video.
**For those who have not seen the show, the intro spoils a '''lot''' of things, including [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]]'s relation to Elita-1, [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]'s embedded [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] shard, [[Starscream clone (Animated)|his clones]], [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]]'s appearance, Blackarachnia's control of the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]] and even [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm]]'s betrayal, as [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] fights him rather than Shockwave.
*During the interval after the phrase 'Get and Go', a chant going "Defeat Decepticon!" can be heard.

==References==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWjXcmBjJXg TV size intro] at YouTube
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw6Qr1aP1SA Full version with rōmaji lyrics] at YouTube

[[Category:Japanese theme songs]]

Transform and Roll Out

2010-04-09T17:13:31Z

74.89.49.46: /* Japanese version (Part 1) */

{{disambig2|the [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]] multi-part episode|the command|roll out}}
{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|series2=
|image=TFA_TFandRollout_AutobotHeroes.jpg
|caption=''Epic''
|next=Home Is Where the Spark Is
|next2=Sound and Fury
|ep=1, 2 and 3
|next=Home Is Where the Spark Is
|title="Transform and Roll Out"
|airdate=[[December 26]], [[2007]] (US) [[April 3]], [[April 10]], [[April 17]], 2010 (JP)
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]]
|directed by= [[Matt Youngberg]] [[Yutaka Kagawa]] [[Minoru Yamaoka]] [[Makoto Fuchigami]]
|animation studio= [[Mook]]}}
'''When a small crew of maintenance Autobots comes into possession of the powerful AllSpark, a battle with their long-forgotten enemies sends them crashing toward a strange, distant planet known as... ''Earth.'''''

:''Japanese title (Part 1):'' 新章! トランスフォーマー (''Shinshō! Transformer'', "A New Chapter! Transformers")
:''Japanese title (Part 2):'' 英雄、その名はオートボット (''Eiyū, sono na wa Autobot'', "The Heroes Are Called Autobots")
:''Japanese title (Part 3):'' オールスパークの秘密 (''AllSpark no himitsu'', "Secret of the AllSpark")
:''German title:'' "'''Transformieren und Abfahrt'''"
:''Polish title:'' "'''Transformacja i jazda'''" ("Transform and Roll Out")

==Synopsis==
===Part 1===
In deep, deep space, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] watches a history vid of the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], prompting [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] to complain about him watching that "junk" when the other members of the crew need assistance. Prime wonders if they were designed for more than repairing [[space bridge]]s. The two 'Bots transform into their vehicle modes and head out into the asteroid field.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout TheAllsparkdiscovered.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Well... at least there's no mass-shifting.]]
Outside, [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]], dangling from a high rock by his wrecking ball (and becoming quite queasy in the process), is freed by [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], who also ends up taking a tumble. Bumblebee complains about the sheer amount of rocks blocking the space bridge node, and one is shattered unexpectedly by [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]]'s throwing star. Prime gives his troops a speech about teamwork (which Prowl moans at theatrically), but at that point the space bridge lights up, sending rocks and Autobots flying. Fancy footwork by Optimus saves each of his teammates from the debris, and a well-aimed grappling line shuts down the bridge. With his subordinates stunned at their leader's skills, Prime is forced to admit he trained at [[Autobot Academy|Cybertron's military academy]]. Bumblebee's query as to what the heck he's doing on a nowhere maintenance assignment is left unanswered as they notice something glowing in the rubble.

Prime clears away the debris to reveal a large, chest-like object. Ratchet is horrified and immediately demands they throw it back into the space bridge, but an alert from [[Teletran-1]] announces the arrival of a signature consistent with the long-lost [[Decepticon]]s. Ratchet then insists they take the object and just get out of there post-haste.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Decepticonship.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Yes, this is a scout ship. Way to go, Magnanimous.]]
On board [[Teletran-1|their ship]], Ratchet finally reveals what they've found: the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]], the source of all Transformer life that was lost centuries ago. Optimus, worried about the oncoming Decepticon signal, contacts the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]] for help. After taking a bit of snark from [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]], Optimus reveals what they found, which shuts Sentinel up fast. Sentinel then puts the crew through to [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]], who tells Optimus Prime to stay put while they send reinforcements... and not to worry about that Decepticon thing. Optimus, considering this to be a really stupid move, orders the crew to start booking it out of there.

[[Image:Ani crew.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Scotty, engage!]]
This proves wise, as the signal is indeed a Decepticon ship—a [[Nemesis (Animated)|command ship]], in fact. The identification markings are ones that Optimus and Ratchet recognize, meaning its commander can only be one person: [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], leader of the Decepticons. On board the Decepticon ship, [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] doubts the AllSpark is aboard the Autobot ship and declares Megatron a fool. [[Lugnut]] denounces Starscream as a traitor, while [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] calls Lugnut an idiot for his blind loyalty and [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] just acts... well, crazy. The Decepticons continue to bicker at each other until Megatron enters, shutting up all of them. The Decepticons chase the Autobot ship, and Starscream volunteers to board them. Megatron quickly shoots that idea down. Just before he leaves, Starscream wishes his commander "luck" with a pat on the back... affixing a bomb to Megatron in the process.

Megatron makes his way to the Autobots' ship and begins to melt his way through its hull. Optimus uses external manipulator arms to grapple with Megatron, until the bomb detonates, sending the ship careening uncontrollably into a space bridge node, which explodes after they go through the gate. Starscream begins to make a speech declaring himself the new Decepticon leader, but the other three have abandoned ship, noting that the fireball from the space bridge explosion is only getting larger. Too late, Starscream realizes the trouble he's in...

An unknown distance away, the Autobot ship reappears above a [[Earth|small blue and green planet]]. Prime checks on his troops, but Megatron has gotten aboard, having survived the explosion, but at the cost of his right arm. Prime uses his grappling line to shut off the gravity, making it more difficult for Megatron to fight. All five Autobots face off against the Decepticon, but he's too strong (though Prowl does manage to cut off Megatron's damaged arm). Prime and Megatron both end up in the storage bay where the AllSpark is... and as the ship enters the atmosphere, Prime is able to blow the hatch and kick the screaming Megatron out of the ship.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Arkatmosphere.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Oddly familiar.]]
On a small farm, a young boy hears a thud and runs to where something has landed in a not-too-distant field. He is shocked to find a robotic head staring lifelessly up at him.

Meanwhile, Prime orders his team into emergency stasis pods to prepare for a crash-landing. He manages to steer the ship away from the city below and gets to a stasis pod just before the ship plunges into [[Lake Erie]].

Fifty years later, [[Detroit]] is once again a thriving city, but instead of manufacturing automobiles, robots are the city's stock-in-trade. [[Isaac Sumdac]] is talking to a public school class taking a tour of his facilities, which gets interrupted by Isaac's daughter, [[Sari Sumdac]], and her robot dog, [[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]]. As Sari is carted off to her lessons by a [[Tutor Bot|robot tutor]], Isaac shows the school kids a nanotech lab, just in time to witness a roach infused with microbots grow out of control and start consuming everything in sight. Isaac tries to keep things calm, but the monster bursts out of the lab...

===Part 2===
[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Firefighters monster.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Yeah, watering it will surely stop the beast.]]
The monster continues to grow, absorbing just about everything it touches to increase its size and power. In the process, it destroys a lot of the factory. [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]], the S.W.A.T team, the fire department, ambulances, and robot drones arrive, but the creature absorbs several of the responding vehicles, too. Fanzone uses a bazooka-type weapon and destroys the beast, despite Sumdac's objection. This protest proves well-founded, as the remnants of the creature start flowing back together again, save for one piece that drops into the nearby lake and works its way down to the Autobots' ship, its nanites seeking the absorbable technology there. It infiltrates via a small breach in the outer hull, but thankfully, the ship's intruder alert systems are functional and awaken the Autobots before any damage is done. Examining the situation, they decide to have Teletran-1 give them Earth forms so they can blend in and help out. A probe is launched into the chaos and scans various vehicles, including an ambulance, a police motorcycle, an armored personnel carrier, a fire truck, and [[Captain Fanzone's car]]. Everyone deploys except Ratchet, who remains behind to analyze the sample of alien material.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Autobots.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Avengers, ASSEMBLE!]]
During the fight, Bulkhead and Bumblebee spot Sari trying to wrest her security key from Sparkplug's mouth. Mistaking which is owner and which is pet, they approach her, but Bulkhead's greeting only scares her away. She quickly gets nabbed by the monster, but Bumblebee saves her, earning her trust and friendship. Prowl attempts to take on the bug-slug by himself, against Prime's orders, and gets absorbed. Prime orders Ratchet to join them in battle to save Prowl, but the old veteran insists that finding a "cure" code to neutralize the nanites' programming makes more sense than coming out and getting trashed. A somewhat chastened Prime agrees, and Ratchet soon delivers the goods. However, the new program must be uploaded by direct contact—meaning from inside the monster. This means the smallest, fastest one of them has to do it. Bumblebee reluctantly takes on the task. The beast has been using some of Prowl's absorbed intelligence and comm link tech, though, so it knows what they're planning and is now smart enough to fight back. Despite this, Bumblebee succeeds in delivering the code, and the bug dissolves into a dusty shower of deactivated nanites. Prowl is soon uncovered, but he's suffered grave wounds and must be taken back to the Autobots' ship for repairs. Sari pesters Bumblebee to be taken along, and her new friend reluctantly agrees, since there's no time to make her go away quietly.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Sari followedmehome.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Bumblebee, having a pet is a big responsibility.]]
Once on board, Sari's refusal to stay still and quiet causes 'Bee some embarrassment. He quickly and discreetly ejects her into a ventilation port and joins the others. However, the port opens onto a shaft that takes Sari right to the chamber where the AllSpark is being kept. Curious, she touches it, and it reacts to her, sending its energies into her security card key and reconfiguring it into [[AllSpark Key|a key of another sort entirely]]. Prime finds her almost immediately thereafter, but with no time left to spare away from Prowl, he has to bring her back with him to the repair table. Ratchet's prognosis is bleak, but the [[AllSpark Key]] abruptly reacts, glowing and tugging her toward Prowl. Bumblebee, seeming to grasp what's happening, helps her onto the table, and as she approaches, her Key reshapes itself to fit into a slot on Prowl's chest. She inserts it, and with a burst of energy, the Autobot ninja is whole again. The Autobots then take Sari home and, after a brief misunderstanding, are made heroes and are even invited to a ceremony.

In outer space, Starscream sits aboard the damaged but functional Decepticon ship, babbling that he will find the AllSpark, even though he's been attempting it on his own for the last fifty solar cycles. The ship's computers then detect the traces of AllSpark-like energy in action, and Starscream learns where the Autobots are...
{{-}}
===Part 3===
[[Image:Sariprime.jpg|right|150px|thumb|INSERT WHAT WHERE?!]]
The Autobots are later seen trying to fit in. Bulkhead gets firsthand experience in traffic jams, some birds mistake Prowl for the statue of the [[wikipedia:Hazen_S._Pingree|bald guy]] next to him, Bumblebee learns how organics fuel up, and Ratchet can't get a stasis nap without getting a dozen or so parking tickets. Optimus Prime remarks that the Autobots are programmed to respect life, which they always understood to stem from the AllSpark, but as organics are life, they must respect and protect them too. Optimus also expresses curiosity about how little organics are made. Sari's whispered explanation leaves him rather... shocked. The Autobots make a new home base out of a building Sari's dad got out of a merger, an abandoned auto factory that Bumblebee describes as a real fixer-upper—a REAL fixer-upper. All of a sudden, they get alerted to a fire. The Autobots proceed to douse the blaze and save its victims, no problem, unaware they are being watched by Starscream.

The next day, during the inauguration ceremony for the Sumdac [[Fully Automated Rapid Transit System]] (F.A.R.T.S., for short), Starscream enters Earth's atmosphere and takes on a group of fighter jets. He destroys all but one, which he scans. As the civilians and Autobots watch the aerial display of the [[Crimson Angels]], Isaac Sumdac notices there is an extra jet present that he didn't hire. That one jet then leaves the formation and streaks toward the ceremony platform, where it transforms into Starscream, who fires his null-ray cannons at the Autobots.

After a short fight, which the Autobots lose, Starscream knocks out Bumblebee and takes him, Isaac, the mayor, and Capt. Fanzone hostage in the F.A.R.T.S. train, flying it to the top of a very tall tower. He demands that the Autobots deliver the AllSpark if they want him to release the train car. The Autobots don't trust him, but don't want to risk human lives, so Sari offers a plan, but they ignore her. She continues to tell a sob story until the Autobots listen. The Autobots proceed with her plan, and Prowl and Sari fly up to the transit pod to rescue the hostages while the other Autobots keep Starscream busy. Once Starscream realizes what's happening, he takes a brief beating but recovers quickly. Starscream then throws the train—thus keeping his end of the deal—with Sari, Prowl, and Bumblebee on top of/in it. Between Bumblebee's agility and Prowl's thrusters, Sari is rescued and the train lands without much damage. The Autobots then challenge Starscream to a friendly game of Keep Away, during which Starscream almost gets the AllSpark, but Bulkhead gets it instead, because he said he got it. A furious Starscream unleashes a devastating, prolonged (as in nearly 12 seconds) null-ray blast on the Autobots, briefly knocking them all senseless.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Prime SS Allsparkactivates.jpg|left|150px|thumb|In the old days, The Touch would have started playing now.]]
With the Autobots down, Starscream takes the AllSpark from Optimus and blows a couple of blocks of Detroit right off the map. Not ready to give up, Optimus climbs all the way up a building to get it back from Starscream, which Starscream doesn't see coming because he was too busy gloating. After a quick back-and-forth exchange of possessing it, both grab it at the same time. As they struggle, the AllSpark opens and emits a strange energy wave that blasts Starscream away.

The explosion has left Prime dangling precariously, and he takes a tremendous plummet to the pavement. He notes weakly that he now knows what it feels like to be a hero, then dies, but Sari uses the AllSpark Key to revive him.<ref>[[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|This is something of an Optimus Prime record]]: Dead after only three episodes, revived a mere 75 seconds later. Way to go.</ref> The Autobots later go about fixing up Detroit, earning the enduring gratitude of the citizenry. Professor Sumdac is also grateful, for the Autobots saved him and Sari, but he fears what will happen if the Autobots—not to mention the rest of the world—were to discover the source of his robotic empire.

Unseen by Sumdac, one of the [[Sensors|optics]] of his source of technology glows in a darkened room. Megatron still functions...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|
c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (2)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (5)
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (6)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (7)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (8)
*[[Lugnut]] (9)
*[[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] (10)
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (11)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (12)

|c3=
*[[Isaac Sumdac]] (13)
*[[Daniel Witwicky (Animated)|Daniel]] (14)
*[[Spike Witwicky (Animated)|Spike]] (15)
*[[Carly Witwicky (Animated)|Carly]] (16)
*[[Sari Sumdac]] (17)
*[[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] (18)

|c4=
*[[Teletran-1]] ()
*[[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]] ()
*[[Tutor Bot]] ()
*[[Burger Bot]] ()}}

==Quotes==
"Do you ever get the feeling that you were programmed for something more than just repairing space bridges?" 
"I got a diagnostics program that can delete that feeling like a bad line of code."
:—'''Optimus Prime''''s dreams are crushed to a fine powder by '''Ratchet'''

"Wow, Megatron, you're even uglier at this angle!"
:—'''Bumblebee''' is about to realize there are some things you should never, EVER, say to a Decepticon.

"Hi, I'm Bumblebee!" 
"I'm Sari." 
''(thinking she said I'm sorry)'' "Oh, don't be, I like my name."
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Sari''' are off to an awkward start.

"Y'know, all things considered, fixin' space bridges wasn't such a bad gig."
:—'''Bumblebee''', just before embarking on the plan to dissolve the bug monster

"Uh...am I going to be able to ''breathe'' down there?" 
"Oh, sure! ...What's 'breathe'?"
:—'''Sari''' is in good hands with '''Bumblebee'''

"And to think, Ultra Magnus told me not to be a hero. Is this what it was like in your day?" 
"The Decepticons didn't leave us very much to cheer about."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Ratchet''' at the ceremony

"Enjoy it while you can, 'heroes.' You're about to take a fall."
:—'''Starscream''', watching a news report on the Autobots

"Give up the AllSpark or give up the Earth. How am I supposed to decide?" 
"Heroes are the ones who make the hard choices."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Ratchet''' after Starscream makes his ultimatum

"Let go, Autobot!" 
"Never! The AllSpark is life!" 
"Then, let it end yours!"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Optimus Prime''', fighting over the AllSpark

"So, this... is what it feels like... to be a hero."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', just before dying

"Fixing bridges? Isn't this where we started out?"
:—'''Bumblebee''', as the Autobots clean-up the city

==Home releases==
[[Image:Animatedshort01.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Meet the Press lives on through our young ones.]]
"Transform and Roll Out" was released to DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment on June 17, 2008. The DVD includes all three episodes of the pilot movie and two all-new animated shorts. [[Career Day|The first short]] features Optimus Prime attempting to give a speech at [[Black River Elementary School]]'s career day, but being repeatedly interrupted by nagging questions from [[Daniel Witwicky (Animated)|some little kid]] and overwhelming cheers for him to transform. [[Evel Knievel Jump|The second]] features Bumblebee messing up one of Prowl's cool stunts. Together, the two shorts run just under three minutes.

Target sold an [[exclusive]] version of the DVD with a special bonus disc that included the episode "[[Home Is Where the Spark Is]]."

All three episodes were also condensed and re-told in the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] paperback "cine-manga" style book ''[[Transformers Animated Volume 1]]''.
{{-}}

==Notes==
===Japanese version (Part 1)===
*The episode begins with the [[Otoboto family]] telling the viewers to watch in a well-lit room (to prevent seizures and damage to your eyesight, you know).

*As the [[title sequence]] begins, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] asks how everyone is doing, then introduces himself as leader of the Autobots. When he realizes nobody knows who he is, he ''assures'' them that he's leader of the Autobots. Then the [[Transformers Evo.|theme song]] starts.

* '''Cut:''' Ratchet and Optimus's conversation as they walk down a hall, where Prime refers to feeling like being meant for "more than just repairing space bridges", and Ratchet's snarky response about deleting that feeling "like a bad line of code".

* '''Cut:''' Ratchet responding to Bumblebee's "old man" comment with a smack upside the head and the retort of "I may have one foot in the scrapheap, but I can still hear!".

*The usual cries of "Transform!" and attack names are added in. ([[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]]'s "stingers" are now called "Energy Stingers", for instance.) Perhaps most annoyingly, ''every single thing Optimus does'' has the prefix of "Ultra" added to it. In the span of ten seconds, he goes through his "Ultra Anchor", "Ultra Axe" and "Ultra Net" attacks.

* '''Cut:''' After shutting down the space bridge, the following sequence where Ratchet is repairing Bumblebee, them commenting about Optimus's moves, Optimus reluctantly admitting that he used to train at the Academy, and Bumblebee saying that he should've been with the Elite Guard.

*[[Teletran-1]] now speaks as though "she" is in a state of perpetual orgasm.

*When the Autobots first happen upon the ''[[Nemesis (Animated)|Nemesis]]'' and all freak over [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], a new [[scene transition]] is added when transitioning into the discussion between the Decepticon forces. A guitar riff of the classic Generation 1 scene transition music is even used.

*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]]'s "hothead" persona now speaks with a thick American accent, spouting English words like "Hey!" and "Man!"

*New [[commercial bumper]]s have been crafted, featuring stock art of the characters with their voice actors screaming their name, followed by "Transform!"

*'''Cut:''' [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]'s entire speech on the bridge ("This is a dark day...") followed by him getting caught in the explosion was cut for time.

*When Bulkhead tumbles into Optimus, following his line "A little warning would have helped!", he screams out "Mommyyyyyyy!" Yeah, Japanese Bulkhead ain't so smart.

*'''Cut:''' After Megatron is kicked from the ship, the establishing shots of Paw Paw (the street sign, the outside of the barn and the scroll across [[Isaac Sumdac]]'s lab) have been cut for time.

*'''Cut:''' Following Prime's line "Not until I've steered us clear of this populated sector!", the brief scenes of the Autobots being sealed in their stasis pods have been cut for time.

*'''Cut:''' As soon as the ship crashes into Lake Eerie and leaves a stream of upturned water on the surface, the scenes of the ship sinking and Teletran-1 "initiating emergency stasis" on the pods as they turn grey have been cut for time. The episode resumes at the long shot of the sinking ship slowly coming toward the camera, with a new voice-over of Teletran-1 telling the Autobots "good night".

*'''Cut:''' As Isaac Sumdac narrates the history of Detroit and automaton manufacturing, the scene of the trash-collecting automaton has been cut.

*'''Cut:''' The scenes of [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]] pulling the bubblegum off her face, eating it, the crowd reacting in disgust, Isaac Sumdac reacting in frustration, the kid asking Sari what its like to grow up around robots and [[Tutor Bot]] hauling Sari off have been cut for time.

*'''Cut:''' After the cockroach absorbs the nanobot liquid, all the scenes involving Isaac Sumdac explaining the nanobots to the children and the children looking through microscopes at the nanobots have been cut for time. The episode resumes at the roach growing bigger.

*'''Cut:''' The close-up of Isaac Sumdac saying "Nothing to be concerned about, children!" and the kid remarking that "This accident doesn't look too happy" have been cut for time. The episode resumes with the roach crashing through the window behind him.

*The Otoboto Family segment features [[Hiroyuki Otoboto]] telling his son, [[Tatsuya Otoboto]], about ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]'', complete with clips from "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". Mr. Otoboto then produces a complete set of ''Animated'' Autobot toys. Tatsuya is thrilled, but wouldn't ya know it? [[Megumi Otoboto|Mrs. Otoboto]] comes in with dinner! During mealtime conversation, Mrs. Otoboto makes the mistake of using the word "transform", which inevitably causes Tatsuya to start talking about Transformers, much to the amusement of his father and the annoyance of his older sister, [[Yūka Otoboto|Yūka]]. Tatsuya then causes a "freeze frame" so that he can introduce himself and his family (messing with his father's glasses in the process for his own amusement). Oddly, despite being "frozen", everyone proceeds to blink. As time resumes its normal pace, Hiroyuki wonders what happened to his glasses. He then digs into his dinner, except, oh no! It's too hot! ''Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!''

*During the "next episode" segment, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee proceed to have an argument. Bumblebee thinks Optimus' name is too long, and hard to remember. Bumblebee suggests that [[Convoy]] would be better, but Prime shoots the idea down immediately. Bumblebee opts to call him "Oputi" since it has fewer syllables. Prime refuses to be called such a name (more fitting for a dog), so Bumblebee settles on "Pu-Pu" after "Opura" is also rejected. Prime refuses that too, thinking it sounds cute, but that it would be hard not to instinctively laugh at it. Bumblebee then tricks Prime into answering to it, which frustrates him even ''further''. The argument proceeds ''past'' the "next episode" segment and straight into the sponsor cards.

===Animation or technical glitches===
* Megatron's vehicle mode was depicted flying upside-down, or backwards, or possibly both. To be fair, in space, there is no up and down (and to be even fairer, it's really hard to tell from the toys exactly what ''is'' the front of Megatron's Cybertronian spaceship mode), but that does not excuse the fact that any propulsion system used would be in the ''back'' of the mode.

*When the Autobot get into the stasis pods, Prime, Bulkhead, and Ratchet are on the left side, with Bumblebee, Prowl, and an empty pod on the right, in that order. Yet when they get out later in the episode, Prime, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead are on the left, and the empty one, Prowl, and Ratchet on the right.

* As pre-Earth Prime enters the chamber which will re-format his body into his Earth mode, he walks past Ratchet, who is drawn mostly in his pre-Earth mode, except for the fact that his Cybertronian gut is replaced with his ambulance gut. In the next scene, Ratchet is properly drawn, pre-Earth gut and all.

* When Sari says to the Autobots it is okay to put down their hands, Bulkhead's face is black.

* When Starscream tackles Optimus Prime through a building as the Autobot tries to escape with the AllSpark, Optimus's axe is missing from Starscream's left wing. It reappears moments later for Optimus to retrieve it.

* In at least one scene, Starscream's Earth-form wing is shown with a spike, in the same manner as his Cybertronian body.

===Continuity errors===
* The train Starscream blasts from the tower falls toward the ground very, very slowly.

* When we first meet Starscream, he states that he has been searching for the AllSpark for fifty ''solar'' cycles. In later episodes, a solar cycle is equivalent to a day and a ''stellar'' cycle is used for years. This is the only time a solar cycle has been used to reference years, so either Starscream entered some sort of temporal anomaly or someone messed up. For more <s>confusion</s> information, See [[Cycle|this page]].

* Sumdac is using Megatron's hand as a chair. However, he seems to be using the right hand, which was blown up by Starscream. (It ''could'' have fallen off the Autobots' ship, as it was still clinging to the hull when last seen, but that seems unlikely.)

===Transformers references===
* The title of the episode itself is a [[Roll out|reference to past Transformers lore]].

* Footage from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|G1 cartoon]] episodes "[[War Dawn]]" and "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]" is used as history tapes detailing the events of the first [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], millions of years prior. [[Canon|This]] has been confirmed as purely an in-joke, and should not be taken as linking ''Animated'' to G1, continuity wise.

* The [[Teletran-1|Autobot ship]] here bears a distinct resemblance to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], albeit with a colour scheme more reminiscent of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. (As we learn [[A Bridge Too Close, Part II|much later]], there is [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|a very good reason for that]].)

* Bumblebee says "[[Rattrap|We're all gonna die.]]"

* Sari's robotic dog [[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]] is likely named after either [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] from G1, the ''Armada'' Mini-Con [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]], or both.

[[Image:Spikecarlydanielanimated.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Twenty years later, and they're still overdressed.]]
* Characters resembling [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], [[Carly]], and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] are seen at a hot dog stand, purchasing some sort of futuristic bunless wieners-on-a-stick. The characters went on to become recurring figures in the background cast of the show, and in "[[Garbage In, Garbage Out]]" it was revealed that their names were... [[Spike Witwicky (Animated)|Spike]], [[Carly Witwicky (Animated)|Carly]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (Animated)|Daniel Witwicky]].

* When Optimus Prime dies, his body fades to grays, just as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Generation 1 Optimus Prime]] did in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. His spark chamber opens in much the same manner as well.

* Teletran-1 (spelled with only one "a" in this universe) dispatches a small satellite very similar to the [[Sky Spy]] satellite used on occasion by the Autobots in the ''Generation 1'' cartoon. The glowing energy "boxes" with which it scans vehicles for the Autobots to transform into are lifted wholesale out of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]".

* At one point, Bulkhead refers to Optimus as "Boss-bot", echoing an epithet used for ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] by the [[Fuzor]] [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]].

===Notes===
* In this episode, [[Tutor Bot]] tries to teach Sari about the [[wikipedia:Smoot-Hawley_Tariff_Act|Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act]], a major economic blunder of the 1930s.
* Bumblebee's voice is slightly different in this episode from how it sounds later, as is Lugnut's voice, which seems very metallic.
* When Prowl gets birdpooped on, he is standing next to a statue of [[wikipedia:Hazen_S._Pingree|Hazen S. Pingree]], four-term mayor of Detroit and one-time governor of Michigan. In real life, the statue is located in Detroit's Grand Circus Park.
* A refurbished Michigan Central Station makes an appearance as the site for the dedication of Detroit's rapid transit system. The real-life station (abandoned since the '80s) was featured in the [[Transformers (2007)|2007 live-action movie]].
* When mocking the Autobots, Starscream actually calls Megatron "the great Megatron" without any sarcasm. Apparently, he'll only give a sincere compliment to his leader when he's insulting something else. Either that or he's just trying to make ''himself'' sound more impressive by building up the reputation of the one he's defeated.
* When Optimus comes back to life, he asks, "Is this the [[Well of All Sparks]]?" and Sari answers, "No, it's Detroit." This is an allusion to the movie ''Field of Dreams'', in which Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) asks Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner), "Is this Heaven?" and Ray answers, "No, it's Iowa."
* According to responses at a panel at BotCon 2008, the unfortunate acronym for Fully Automated Rapid Transit System was totally unintentional...which makes it that much funnier.
* Ratchet is able to use his front windshield as a video screen.
* Several elements present in this opener were changed/dropped in the main series, including expressive vehicle modes, the replacement of solar cycles with stellar cycles in terminology, the recolouring of Ratchet's magnetism from yellow to pink, and Sari's Key changing shape. However, the expressions on vehicle mode were briefly used again by [[Wasp]] in the episode [[Predacons Rising]].
* During [[Sari Sumdac|Sari's]] "conversation" with the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]], it shows her the faces of Ultra Magnus, Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Starscream, then the Cybertronian [[Alternate mode|vehicle modes]] for Optimus and Ratchet, the AllSpark's case and the [[Teletran-1|Autobots' ship]]. Then Sari unknowingly shows the AllSpark a man in a suit, a woman, a boy, the planet [[Earth]], pyramids, purple flowers, a horse, an aircraft with a giant cloud coming from the back, a cell and a DNA strand. The woman has dark skin and red hair like Sari.
* This movie was (lovingly) lampooned at the [[MSTF]] panel for [[BotCon 2008]], along with "[[War Dawn]]", the episode from which most of the "history vid" footage was taken.
* It's Detroit. There are guns everywhere. Why are the humans using ''water'' to take down the monster?
* In this episode, Starscream's engines use a sound effect borrowed from ''The Phantom Menace'': the sound made by Sebulba's podracer engines.

==Home video releases==
;DVD
*2008 — ''Transformers Animated'' — The Battle Begins ([[Pack-in material|Hasbro]]) — Part 1 only.
*2008 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Transform and Roll Out ([[Transformers Animated (cartoon)/home video|Paramount]]) — English and Spanish audio (NTSC version) / English and German audio (PAL version).
*2008 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Transformieren und Abfahrt (Paramount) — English and German audio.

== Footnote ==
<references/>

[[Category:Animated episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]

Transform and Roll Out

2010-04-09T16:53:40Z

74.89.49.46: /* Japanese version (Part 1) */

{{disambig2|the [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]] multi-part episode|the command|roll out}}
{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|series2=
|image=TFA_TFandRollout_AutobotHeroes.jpg
|caption=''Epic''
|next=Home Is Where the Spark Is
|next2=Sound and Fury
|ep=1, 2 and 3
|next=Home Is Where the Spark Is
|title="Transform and Roll Out"
|airdate=[[December 26]], [[2007]] (US) [[April 3]], [[April 10]], [[April 17]], 2010 (JP)
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]]
|directed by= [[Matt Youngberg]] [[Yutaka Kagawa]] [[Minoru Yamaoka]] [[Makoto Fuchigami]]
|animation studio= [[Mook]]}}
'''When a small crew of maintenance Autobots comes into possession of the powerful AllSpark, a battle with their long-forgotten enemies sends them crashing toward a strange, distant planet known as... ''Earth.'''''

:''Japanese title (Part 1):'' 新章! トランスフォーマー (''Shinshō! Transformer'', "A New Chapter! Transformers")
:''Japanese title (Part 2):'' 英雄、その名はオートボット (''Eiyū, sono na wa Autobot'', "The Heroes Are Called Autobots")
:''Japanese title (Part 3):'' オールスパークの秘密 (''AllSpark no himitsu'', "Secret of the AllSpark")
:''German title:'' "'''Transformieren und Abfahrt'''"
:''Polish title:'' "'''Transformacja i jazda'''" ("Transform and Roll Out")

==Synopsis==
===Part 1===
In deep, deep space, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] watches a history vid of the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], prompting [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] to complain about him watching that "junk" when the other members of the crew need assistance. Prime wonders if they were designed for more than repairing [[space bridge]]s. The two 'Bots transform into their vehicle modes and head out into the asteroid field.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout TheAllsparkdiscovered.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Well... at least there's no mass-shifting.]]
Outside, [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]], dangling from a high rock by his wrecking ball (and becoming quite queasy in the process), is freed by [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], who also ends up taking a tumble. Bumblebee complains about the sheer amount of rocks blocking the space bridge node, and one is shattered unexpectedly by [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]]'s throwing star. Prime gives his troops a speech about teamwork (which Prowl moans at theatrically), but at that point the space bridge lights up, sending rocks and Autobots flying. Fancy footwork by Optimus saves each of his teammates from the debris, and a well-aimed grappling line shuts down the bridge. With his subordinates stunned at their leader's skills, Prime is forced to admit he trained at [[Autobot Academy|Cybertron's military academy]]. Bumblebee's query as to what the heck he's doing on a nowhere maintenance assignment is left unanswered as they notice something glowing in the rubble.

Prime clears away the debris to reveal a large, chest-like object. Ratchet is horrified and immediately demands they throw it back into the space bridge, but an alert from [[Teletran-1]] announces the arrival of a signature consistent with the long-lost [[Decepticon]]s. Ratchet then insists they take the object and just get out of there post-haste.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Decepticonship.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Yes, this is a scout ship. Way to go, Magnanimous.]]
On board [[Teletran-1|their ship]], Ratchet finally reveals what they've found: the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]], the source of all Transformer life that was lost centuries ago. Optimus, worried about the oncoming Decepticon signal, contacts the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]] for help. After taking a bit of snark from [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]], Optimus reveals what they found, which shuts Sentinel up fast. Sentinel then puts the crew through to [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]], who tells Optimus Prime to stay put while they send reinforcements... and not to worry about that Decepticon thing. Optimus, considering this to be a really stupid move, orders the crew to start booking it out of there.

[[Image:Ani crew.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Scotty, engage!]]
This proves wise, as the signal is indeed a Decepticon ship—a [[Nemesis (Animated)|command ship]], in fact. The identification markings are ones that Optimus and Ratchet recognize, meaning its commander can only be one person: [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], leader of the Decepticons. On board the Decepticon ship, [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] doubts the AllSpark is aboard the Autobot ship and declares Megatron a fool. [[Lugnut]] denounces Starscream as a traitor, while [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] calls Lugnut an idiot for his blind loyalty and [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] just acts... well, crazy. The Decepticons continue to bicker at each other until Megatron enters, shutting up all of them. The Decepticons chase the Autobot ship, and Starscream volunteers to board them. Megatron quickly shoots that idea down. Just before he leaves, Starscream wishes his commander "luck" with a pat on the back... affixing a bomb to Megatron in the process.

Megatron makes his way to the Autobots' ship and begins to melt his way through its hull. Optimus uses external manipulator arms to grapple with Megatron, until the bomb detonates, sending the ship careening uncontrollably into a space bridge node, which explodes after they go through the gate. Starscream begins to make a speech declaring himself the new Decepticon leader, but the other three have abandoned ship, noting that the fireball from the space bridge explosion is only getting larger. Too late, Starscream realizes the trouble he's in...

An unknown distance away, the Autobot ship reappears above a [[Earth|small blue and green planet]]. Prime checks on his troops, but Megatron has gotten aboard, having survived the explosion, but at the cost of his right arm. Prime uses his grappling line to shut off the gravity, making it more difficult for Megatron to fight. All five Autobots face off against the Decepticon, but he's too strong (though Prowl does manage to cut off Megatron's damaged arm). Prime and Megatron both end up in the storage bay where the AllSpark is... and as the ship enters the atmosphere, Prime is able to blow the hatch and kick the screaming Megatron out of the ship.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Arkatmosphere.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Oddly familiar.]]
On a small farm, a young boy hears a thud and runs to where something has landed in a not-too-distant field. He is shocked to find a robotic head staring lifelessly up at him.

Meanwhile, Prime orders his team into emergency stasis pods to prepare for a crash-landing. He manages to steer the ship away from the city below and gets to a stasis pod just before the ship plunges into [[Lake Erie]].

Fifty years later, [[Detroit]] is once again a thriving city, but instead of manufacturing automobiles, robots are the city's stock-in-trade. [[Isaac Sumdac]] is talking to a public school class taking a tour of his facilities, which gets interrupted by Isaac's daughter, [[Sari Sumdac]], and her robot dog, [[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]]. As Sari is carted off to her lessons by a [[Tutor Bot|robot tutor]], Isaac shows the school kids a nanotech lab, just in time to witness a roach infused with microbots grow out of control and start consuming everything in sight. Isaac tries to keep things calm, but the monster bursts out of the lab...

===Part 2===
[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Firefighters monster.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Yeah, watering it will surely stop the beast.]]
The monster continues to grow, absorbing just about everything it touches to increase its size and power. In the process, it destroys a lot of the factory. [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]], the S.W.A.T team, the fire department, ambulances, and robot drones arrive, but the creature absorbs several of the responding vehicles, too. Fanzone uses a bazooka-type weapon and destroys the beast, despite Sumdac's objection. This protest proves well-founded, as the remnants of the creature start flowing back together again, save for one piece that drops into the nearby lake and works its way down to the Autobots' ship, its nanites seeking the absorbable technology there. It infiltrates via a small breach in the outer hull, but thankfully, the ship's intruder alert systems are functional and awaken the Autobots before any damage is done. Examining the situation, they decide to have Teletran-1 give them Earth forms so they can blend in and help out. A probe is launched into the chaos and scans various vehicles, including an ambulance, a police motorcycle, an armored personnel carrier, a fire truck, and [[Captain Fanzone's car]]. Everyone deploys except Ratchet, who remains behind to analyze the sample of alien material.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Autobots.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Avengers, ASSEMBLE!]]
During the fight, Bulkhead and Bumblebee spot Sari trying to wrest her security key from Sparkplug's mouth. Mistaking which is owner and which is pet, they approach her, but Bulkhead's greeting only scares her away. She quickly gets nabbed by the monster, but Bumblebee saves her, earning her trust and friendship. Prowl attempts to take on the bug-slug by himself, against Prime's orders, and gets absorbed. Prime orders Ratchet to join them in battle to save Prowl, but the old veteran insists that finding a "cure" code to neutralize the nanites' programming makes more sense than coming out and getting trashed. A somewhat chastened Prime agrees, and Ratchet soon delivers the goods. However, the new program must be uploaded by direct contact—meaning from inside the monster. This means the smallest, fastest one of them has to do it. Bumblebee reluctantly takes on the task. The beast has been using some of Prowl's absorbed intelligence and comm link tech, though, so it knows what they're planning and is now smart enough to fight back. Despite this, Bumblebee succeeds in delivering the code, and the bug dissolves into a dusty shower of deactivated nanites. Prowl is soon uncovered, but he's suffered grave wounds and must be taken back to the Autobots' ship for repairs. Sari pesters Bumblebee to be taken along, and her new friend reluctantly agrees, since there's no time to make her go away quietly.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Sari followedmehome.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Bumblebee, having a pet is a big responsibility.]]
Once on board, Sari's refusal to stay still and quiet causes 'Bee some embarrassment. He quickly and discreetly ejects her into a ventilation port and joins the others. However, the port opens onto a shaft that takes Sari right to the chamber where the AllSpark is being kept. Curious, she touches it, and it reacts to her, sending its energies into her security card key and reconfiguring it into [[AllSpark Key|a key of another sort entirely]]. Prime finds her almost immediately thereafter, but with no time left to spare away from Prowl, he has to bring her back with him to the repair table. Ratchet's prognosis is bleak, but the [[AllSpark Key]] abruptly reacts, glowing and tugging her toward Prowl. Bumblebee, seeming to grasp what's happening, helps her onto the table, and as she approaches, her Key reshapes itself to fit into a slot on Prowl's chest. She inserts it, and with a burst of energy, the Autobot ninja is whole again. The Autobots then take Sari home and, after a brief misunderstanding, are made heroes and are even invited to a ceremony.

In outer space, Starscream sits aboard the damaged but functional Decepticon ship, babbling that he will find the AllSpark, even though he's been attempting it on his own for the last fifty solar cycles. The ship's computers then detect the traces of AllSpark-like energy in action, and Starscream learns where the Autobots are...
{{-}}
===Part 3===
[[Image:Sariprime.jpg|right|150px|thumb|INSERT WHAT WHERE?!]]
The Autobots are later seen trying to fit in. Bulkhead gets firsthand experience in traffic jams, some birds mistake Prowl for the statue of the [[wikipedia:Hazen_S._Pingree|bald guy]] next to him, Bumblebee learns how organics fuel up, and Ratchet can't get a stasis nap without getting a dozen or so parking tickets. Optimus Prime remarks that the Autobots are programmed to respect life, which they always understood to stem from the AllSpark, but as organics are life, they must respect and protect them too. Optimus also expresses curiosity about how little organics are made. Sari's whispered explanation leaves him rather... shocked. The Autobots make a new home base out of a building Sari's dad got out of a merger, an abandoned auto factory that Bumblebee describes as a real fixer-upper—a REAL fixer-upper. All of a sudden, they get alerted to a fire. The Autobots proceed to douse the blaze and save its victims, no problem, unaware they are being watched by Starscream.

The next day, during the inauguration ceremony for the Sumdac [[Fully Automated Rapid Transit System]] (F.A.R.T.S., for short), Starscream enters Earth's atmosphere and takes on a group of fighter jets. He destroys all but one, which he scans. As the civilians and Autobots watch the aerial display of the [[Crimson Angels]], Isaac Sumdac notices there is an extra jet present that he didn't hire. That one jet then leaves the formation and streaks toward the ceremony platform, where it transforms into Starscream, who fires his null-ray cannons at the Autobots.

After a short fight, which the Autobots lose, Starscream knocks out Bumblebee and takes him, Isaac, the mayor, and Capt. Fanzone hostage in the F.A.R.T.S. train, flying it to the top of a very tall tower. He demands that the Autobots deliver the AllSpark if they want him to release the train car. The Autobots don't trust him, but don't want to risk human lives, so Sari offers a plan, but they ignore her. She continues to tell a sob story until the Autobots listen. The Autobots proceed with her plan, and Prowl and Sari fly up to the transit pod to rescue the hostages while the other Autobots keep Starscream busy. Once Starscream realizes what's happening, he takes a brief beating but recovers quickly. Starscream then throws the train—thus keeping his end of the deal—with Sari, Prowl, and Bumblebee on top of/in it. Between Bumblebee's agility and Prowl's thrusters, Sari is rescued and the train lands without much damage. The Autobots then challenge Starscream to a friendly game of Keep Away, during which Starscream almost gets the AllSpark, but Bulkhead gets it instead, because he said he got it. A furious Starscream unleashes a devastating, prolonged (as in nearly 12 seconds) null-ray blast on the Autobots, briefly knocking them all senseless.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Prime SS Allsparkactivates.jpg|left|150px|thumb|In the old days, The Touch would have started playing now.]]
With the Autobots down, Starscream takes the AllSpark from Optimus and blows a couple of blocks of Detroit right off the map. Not ready to give up, Optimus climbs all the way up a building to get it back from Starscream, which Starscream doesn't see coming because he was too busy gloating. After a quick back-and-forth exchange of possessing it, both grab it at the same time. As they struggle, the AllSpark opens and emits a strange energy wave that blasts Starscream away.

The explosion has left Prime dangling precariously, and he takes a tremendous plummet to the pavement. He notes weakly that he now knows what it feels like to be a hero, then dies, but Sari uses the AllSpark Key to revive him.<ref>[[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|This is something of an Optimus Prime record]]: Dead after only three episodes, revived a mere 75 seconds later. Way to go.</ref> The Autobots later go about fixing up Detroit, earning the enduring gratitude of the citizenry. Professor Sumdac is also grateful, for the Autobots saved him and Sari, but he fears what will happen if the Autobots—not to mention the rest of the world—were to discover the source of his robotic empire.

Unseen by Sumdac, one of the [[Sensors|optics]] of his source of technology glows in a darkened room. Megatron still functions...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|
c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (2)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (5)
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (6)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (7)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (8)
*[[Lugnut]] (9)
*[[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] (10)
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (11)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (12)

|c3=
*[[Isaac Sumdac]] (13)
*[[Daniel Witwicky (Animated)|Daniel]] (14)
*[[Spike Witwicky (Animated)|Spike]] (15)
*[[Carly Witwicky (Animated)|Carly]] (16)
*[[Sari Sumdac]] (17)
*[[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] (18)

|c4=
*[[Teletran-1]] ()
*[[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]] ()
*[[Tutor Bot]] ()
*[[Burger Bot]] ()}}

==Quotes==
"Do you ever get the feeling that you were programmed for something more than just repairing space bridges?" 
"I got a diagnostics program that can delete that feeling like a bad line of code."
:—'''Optimus Prime''''s dreams are crushed to a fine powder by '''Ratchet'''

"Wow, Megatron, you're even uglier at this angle!"
:—'''Bumblebee''' is about to realize there are some things you should never, EVER, say to a Decepticon.

"Hi, I'm Bumblebee!" 
"I'm Sari." 
''(thinking she said I'm sorry)'' "Oh, don't be, I like my name."
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Sari''' are off to an awkward start.

"Y'know, all things considered, fixin' space bridges wasn't such a bad gig."
:—'''Bumblebee''', just before embarking on the plan to dissolve the bug monster

"Uh...am I going to be able to ''breathe'' down there?" 
"Oh, sure! ...What's 'breathe'?"
:—'''Sari''' is in good hands with '''Bumblebee'''

"And to think, Ultra Magnus told me not to be a hero. Is this what it was like in your day?" 
"The Decepticons didn't leave us very much to cheer about."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Ratchet''' at the ceremony

"Enjoy it while you can, 'heroes.' You're about to take a fall."
:—'''Starscream''', watching a news report on the Autobots

"Give up the AllSpark or give up the Earth. How am I supposed to decide?" 
"Heroes are the ones who make the hard choices."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Ratchet''' after Starscream makes his ultimatum

"Let go, Autobot!" 
"Never! The AllSpark is life!" 
"Then, let it end yours!"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Optimus Prime''', fighting over the AllSpark

"So, this... is what it feels like... to be a hero."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', just before dying

"Fixing bridges? Isn't this where we started out?"
:—'''Bumblebee''', as the Autobots clean-up the city

==Home releases==
[[Image:Animatedshort01.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Meet the Press lives on through our young ones.]]
"Transform and Roll Out" was released to DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment on June 17, 2008. The DVD includes all three episodes of the pilot movie and two all-new animated shorts. [[Career Day|The first short]] features Optimus Prime attempting to give a speech at [[Black River Elementary School]]'s career day, but being repeatedly interrupted by nagging questions from [[Daniel Witwicky (Animated)|some little kid]] and overwhelming cheers for him to transform. [[Evel Knievel Jump|The second]] features Bumblebee messing up one of Prowl's cool stunts. Together, the two shorts run just under three minutes.

Target sold an [[exclusive]] version of the DVD with a special bonus disc that included the episode "[[Home Is Where the Spark Is]]."

All three episodes were also condensed and re-told in the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] paperback "cine-manga" style book ''[[Transformers Animated Volume 1]]''.
{{-}}

==Notes==
===Japanese version (Part 1)===
*The episode begins with the [[Otoboto family]] telling the viewers to watch in a well-lit room (to prevent seizures and damage to your eyesight, you know).

*As the [[title sequence]] begins, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] asks how everyone is doing, then introduces himself as leader of the Autobots. When he realizes nobody knows who he is, he ''assures'' them that he's leader of the Autobots. Then the [[Transformers Evo.|theme song]] starts.

* '''Cut:''' Ratchet and Optimus's conversation as they walk down a hall, where Prime refers to feeling like being meant for "more than just repairing space bridges", and Ratchet's snarky response about deleting that feeling "like a bad line of code".

* '''Cut:''' Ratchet responding to Bumblebee's "old man" comment with a smack upside the head and the retort of "I may have one foot in the scrapheap, but I can still hear!".

*The usual cries of "Transform!" and attack names are added in. ([[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]]'s "stingers" are now called "Energy Stingers", for instance.) Perhaps most annoyingly, ''every single thing Optimus does'' has the prefix of "Ultra" added to it. In the span of ten seconds, he goes through his "Ultra Anchor", "Ultra Axe" and "Ultra Net" attacks.

* '''Cut:''' After shutting down the space bridge, the following sequence where Ratchet is repairing Bumblebee, them commenting about Optimus's moves, Optimus reluctantly admitting that he used to train at the Academy, and Bumblebee saying that he should've been with the Elite Guard.

*[[Teletran-1]] now speaks as though "she" is a comely madame.

*When the Autobots first happen upon the ''[[Nemesis (Animated)|Nemesis]]'' and all freak over [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], a new [[scene transition]] is added when transitioning into the discussion between the Decepticon forces. A guitar riff of the classic Generation 1 scene transition music is even used.

*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]]'s "hothead" persona now speaks with a thick American accent, spouting English words like "Hey!" and "Man!"

*New [[commercial bumper]]s have been crafted, featuring stock art of the characters with their voice actors screaming their name, followed by "Transform!"

*'''Cut:''' [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]'s entire speech on the bridge ("This is a dark day...") followed by him getting caught in the explosion was cut for time.

*When Bulkhead tumbles into Optimus, following his line "A little warning would have helped!", he screams out "Mommyyyyyyy!" Yeah, Japanese Bulkhead ain't so smart.

*'''Cut:''' After Megatron is kicked from the ship, the establishing shots of Paw Paw (the street sign, the outside of the barn and the scroll across [[Isaac Sumdac]]'s lab) have been cut for time.

*'''Cut:''' Following Prime's line "Not until I've steered us clear of this populated sector!", the brief scenes of the Autobots being sealed in their stasis pods have been cut for time.

*'''Cut:''' As soon as the ship crashes into Lake Eerie and leaves a stream of upturned water on the surface, the scenes of the ship sinking and Teletran-1 "initiating emergency stasis" on the pods as they turn grey have been cut for time. The episode resumes at the long shot of the sinking ship slowly coming toward the camera, with a new voice-over of Teletran-1 telling the Autobots "good night".

*'''Cut:''' As Isaac Sumdac narrates the history of Detroit and automaton manufacturing, the scene of the trash-collecting automaton has been cut.

*'''Cut:''' The scenes of [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]] pulling the bubblegum off her face, eating it, the crowd reacting in disgust, Isaac Sumdac reacting in frustration, the kid asking Sari what its like to grow up around robots and [[Tutor Bot]] hauling Sari off have been cut for time.

*'''Cut:''' After the cockroach absorbs the nanobot liquid, all the scenes involving Isaac Sumdac explaining the nanobots to the children and the children looking through microscopes at the nanobots have been cut for time. The episode resumes at the roach growing bigger.

*'''Cut:''' The close-up of Isaac Sumdac saying "Nothing to be concerned about, children!" and the kid remarking that "This accident doesn't look too happy" have been cut for time. The episode resumes with the roach crashing through the window behind him.

*The Otoboto Family segment features [[Hiroyuki Otoboto]] telling his son, [[Tatsuya Otoboto]], about ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]'', complete with clips from "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". Mr. Otoboto then produces a complete set of ''Animated'' Autobot toys. Tatsuya is thrilled, but wouldn't ya know it? [[Megumi Otoboto|Mrs. Otoboto]] comes in with dinner! During mealtime conversation, Mrs. Otoboto makes the mistake of using the word "transform", which inevitably causes Tatsuya to start talking about Transformers, much to the amusement of his father and the annoyance of his older sister, [[Yūka Otoboto|Yūka]]. Tatsuya then causes a "freeze frame" so that he can introduce himself and his family (messing with his father's glasses in the process for his own amusement). Oddly, despite being "frozen", everyone proceeds to blink. As time resumes its normal pace, Hiroyuki wonders what happened to his glasses. He then digs into his dinner, except, oh no! It's too hot! ''Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!''

*During the "next episode" segment, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee proceed to have an argument. Bumblebee thinks Optimus' name is too long, and hard to remember. Bumblebee suggests that [[Convoy]] would be better, but Prime shoots the idea down immediately. Bumblebee opts to call him "Oputi" since it has fewer syllables. Prime refuses to be called such a name (more fitting for a dog), so Bumblebee settles on "Pu-Pu" after "Opura" is also rejected. Prime refuses that too, thinking it sounds cute, but that it would be hard not to instinctively laugh at it. Bumblebee then tricks Prime into answering to it, which frustrates him even ''further''. The argument proceeds ''past'' the "next episode" segment and straight into the sponsor cards.

===Animation or technical glitches===
* Megatron's vehicle mode was depicted flying upside-down, or backwards, or possibly both. To be fair, in space, there is no up and down (and to be even fairer, it's really hard to tell from the toys exactly what ''is'' the front of Megatron's Cybertronian spaceship mode), but that does not excuse the fact that any propulsion system used would be in the ''back'' of the mode.

*When the Autobot get into the stasis pods, Prime, Bulkhead, and Ratchet are on the left side, with Bumblebee, Prowl, and an empty pod on the right, in that order. Yet when they get out later in the episode, Prime, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead are on the left, and the empty one, Prowl, and Ratchet on the right.

* As pre-Earth Prime enters the chamber which will re-format his body into his Earth mode, he walks past Ratchet, who is drawn mostly in his pre-Earth mode, except for the fact that his Cybertronian gut is replaced with his ambulance gut. In the next scene, Ratchet is properly drawn, pre-Earth gut and all.

* When Sari says to the Autobots it is okay to put down their hands, Bulkhead's face is black.

* When Starscream tackles Optimus Prime through a building as the Autobot tries to escape with the AllSpark, Optimus's axe is missing from Starscream's left wing. It reappears moments later for Optimus to retrieve it.

* In at least one scene, Starscream's Earth-form wing is shown with a spike, in the same manner as his Cybertronian body.

===Continuity errors===
* The train Starscream blasts from the tower falls toward the ground very, very slowly.

* When we first meet Starscream, he states that he has been searching for the AllSpark for fifty ''solar'' cycles. In later episodes, a solar cycle is equivalent to a day and a ''stellar'' cycle is used for years. This is the only time a solar cycle has been used to reference years, so either Starscream entered some sort of temporal anomaly or someone messed up. For more <s>confusion</s> information, See [[Cycle|this page]].

* Sumdac is using Megatron's hand as a chair. However, he seems to be using the right hand, which was blown up by Starscream. (It ''could'' have fallen off the Autobots' ship, as it was still clinging to the hull when last seen, but that seems unlikely.)

===Transformers references===
* The title of the episode itself is a [[Roll out|reference to past Transformers lore]].

* Footage from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|G1 cartoon]] episodes "[[War Dawn]]" and "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]" is used as history tapes detailing the events of the first [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], millions of years prior. [[Canon|This]] has been confirmed as purely an in-joke, and should not be taken as linking ''Animated'' to G1, continuity wise.

* The [[Teletran-1|Autobot ship]] here bears a distinct resemblance to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], albeit with a colour scheme more reminiscent of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. (As we learn [[A Bridge Too Close, Part II|much later]], there is [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|a very good reason for that]].)

* Bumblebee says "[[Rattrap|We're all gonna die.]]"

* Sari's robotic dog [[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]] is likely named after either [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] from G1, the ''Armada'' Mini-Con [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]], or both.

[[Image:Spikecarlydanielanimated.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Twenty years later, and they're still overdressed.]]
* Characters resembling [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], [[Carly]], and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] are seen at a hot dog stand, purchasing some sort of futuristic bunless wieners-on-a-stick. The characters went on to become recurring figures in the background cast of the show, and in "[[Garbage In, Garbage Out]]" it was revealed that their names were... [[Spike Witwicky (Animated)|Spike]], [[Carly Witwicky (Animated)|Carly]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (Animated)|Daniel Witwicky]].

* When Optimus Prime dies, his body fades to grays, just as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Generation 1 Optimus Prime]] did in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. His spark chamber opens in much the same manner as well.

* Teletran-1 (spelled with only one "a" in this universe) dispatches a small satellite very similar to the [[Sky Spy]] satellite used on occasion by the Autobots in the ''Generation 1'' cartoon. The glowing energy "boxes" with which it scans vehicles for the Autobots to transform into are lifted wholesale out of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]".

* At one point, Bulkhead refers to Optimus as "Boss-bot", echoing an epithet used for ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] by the [[Fuzor]] [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]].

===Notes===
* In this episode, [[Tutor Bot]] tries to teach Sari about the [[wikipedia:Smoot-Hawley_Tariff_Act|Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act]], a major economic blunder of the 1930s.
* Bumblebee's voice is slightly different in this episode from how it sounds later, as is Lugnut's voice, which seems very metallic.
* When Prowl gets birdpooped on, he is standing next to a statue of [[wikipedia:Hazen_S._Pingree|Hazen S. Pingree]], four-term mayor of Detroit and one-time governor of Michigan. In real life, the statue is located in Detroit's Grand Circus Park.
* A refurbished Michigan Central Station makes an appearance as the site for the dedication of Detroit's rapid transit system. The real-life station (abandoned since the '80s) was featured in the [[Transformers (2007)|2007 live-action movie]].
* When mocking the Autobots, Starscream actually calls Megatron "the great Megatron" without any sarcasm. Apparently, he'll only give a sincere compliment to his leader when he's insulting something else. Either that or he's just trying to make ''himself'' sound more impressive by building up the reputation of the one he's defeated.
* When Optimus comes back to life, he asks, "Is this the [[Well of All Sparks]]?" and Sari answers, "No, it's Detroit." This is an allusion to the movie ''Field of Dreams'', in which Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) asks Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner), "Is this Heaven?" and Ray answers, "No, it's Iowa."
* According to responses at a panel at BotCon 2008, the unfortunate acronym for Fully Automated Rapid Transit System was totally unintentional...which makes it that much funnier.
* Ratchet is able to use his front windshield as a video screen.
* Several elements present in this opener were changed/dropped in the main series, including expressive vehicle modes, the replacement of solar cycles with stellar cycles in terminology, the recolouring of Ratchet's magnetism from yellow to pink, and Sari's Key changing shape. However, the expressions on vehicle mode were briefly used again by [[Wasp]] in the episode [[Predacons Rising]].
* During [[Sari Sumdac|Sari's]] "conversation" with the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]], it shows her the faces of Ultra Magnus, Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Starscream, then the Cybertronian [[Alternate mode|vehicle modes]] for Optimus and Ratchet, the AllSpark's case and the [[Teletran-1|Autobots' ship]]. Then Sari unknowingly shows the AllSpark a man in a suit, a woman, a boy, the planet [[Earth]], pyramids, purple flowers, a horse, an aircraft with a giant cloud coming from the back, a cell and a DNA strand. The woman has dark skin and red hair like Sari.
* This movie was (lovingly) lampooned at the [[MSTF]] panel for [[BotCon 2008]], along with "[[War Dawn]]", the episode from which most of the "history vid" footage was taken.
* It's Detroit. There are guns everywhere. Why are the humans using ''water'' to take down the monster?
* In this episode, Starscream's engines use a sound effect borrowed from ''The Phantom Menace'': the sound made by Sebulba's podracer engines.

==Home video releases==
;DVD
*2008 — ''Transformers Animated'' — The Battle Begins ([[Pack-in material|Hasbro]]) — Part 1 only.
*2008 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Transform and Roll Out ([[Transformers Animated (cartoon)/home video|Paramount]]) — English and Spanish audio (NTSC version) / English and German audio (PAL version).
*2008 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Transformieren und Abfahrt (Paramount) — English and German audio.

== Footnote ==
<references/>

[[Category:Animated episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]

Transform and Roll Out

2010-04-09T15:15:33Z

74.89.49.46: /* Japanese version (Part 1) */

Transform and Roll Out

2010-04-09T15:14:08Z

74.89.49.46: /* Japanese version (Part 1) */

{{disambig2|the [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]] multi-part episode|the command|roll out}}
{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|series2=
|image=TFA_TFandRollout_AutobotHeroes.jpg
|caption=''Epic''
|next=Home Is Where the Spark Is
|next2=Sound and Fury
|ep=1, 2 and 3
|next=Home Is Where the Spark Is
|title="Transform and Roll Out"
|airdate=[[December 26]], [[2007]] (US) [[April 3]], [[April 10]], [[April 17]], 2010 (JP)
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]]
|directed by= [[Matt Youngberg]] [[Yutaka Kagawa]] [[Minoru Yamaoka]] [[Makoto Fuchigami]]
|animation studio= [[Mook]]}}
'''When a small crew of maintenance Autobots comes into possession of the powerful AllSpark, a battle with their long-forgotten enemies sends them crashing toward a strange, distant planet known as... ''Earth.'''''

:''Japanese title (Part 1):'' 新章! トランスフォーマー (''Shinshō! Transformer'', "A New Chapter! Transformers")
:''Japanese title (Part 2):'' 英雄、その名はオートボット (''Eiyū, sono na wa Autobot'', "The Heroes Are Called Autobots")
:''Japanese title (Part 3):'' オールスパークの秘密 (''AllSpark no himitsu'', "Secret of the AllSpark")
:''German title:'' "'''Transformieren und Abfahrt'''"
:''Polish title:'' "'''Transformacja i jazda'''" ("Transform and Roll Out")

==Synopsis==
===Part 1===
In deep, deep space, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] watches a history vid of the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], prompting [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] to complain about him watching that "junk" when the other members of the crew need assistance. Prime wonders if they were designed for more than repairing [[space bridge]]s. The two 'Bots transform into their vehicle modes and head out into the asteroid field.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout TheAllsparkdiscovered.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Well... at least there's no mass-shifting.]]
Outside, [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]], dangling from a high rock by his wrecking ball (and becoming quite queasy in the process), is freed by [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], who also ends up taking a tumble. Bumblebee complains about the sheer amount of rocks blocking the space bridge node, and one is shattered unexpectedly by [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]]'s throwing star. Prime gives his troops a speech about teamwork (which Prowl moans at theatrically), but at that point the space bridge lights up, sending rocks and Autobots flying. Fancy footwork by Optimus saves each of his teammates from the debris, and a well-aimed grappling line shuts down the bridge. With his subordinates stunned at their leader's skills, Prime is forced to admit he trained at [[Autobot Academy|Cybertron's military academy]]. Bumblebee's query as to what the heck he's doing on a nowhere maintenance assignment is left unanswered as they notice something glowing in the rubble.

Prime clears away the debris to reveal a large, chest-like object. Ratchet is horrified and immediately demands they throw it back into the space bridge, but an alert from [[Teletran-1]] announces the arrival of a signature consistent with the long-lost [[Decepticon]]s. Ratchet then insists they take the object and just get out of there post-haste.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Decepticonship.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Yes, this is a scout ship. Way to go, Magnanimous.]]
On board [[Teletran-1|their ship]], Ratchet finally reveals what they've found: the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]], the source of all Transformer life that was lost centuries ago. Optimus, worried about the oncoming Decepticon signal, contacts the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]] for help. After taking a bit of snark from [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]], Optimus reveals what they found, which shuts Sentinel up fast. Sentinel then puts the crew through to [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]], who tells Optimus Prime to stay put while they send reinforcements... and not to worry about that Decepticon thing. Optimus, considering this to be a really stupid move, orders the crew to start booking it out of there.

[[Image:Ani crew.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Scotty, engage!]]
This proves wise, as the signal is indeed a Decepticon ship—a [[Nemesis (Animated)|command ship]], in fact. The identification markings are ones that Optimus and Ratchet recognize, meaning its commander can only be one person: [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], leader of the Decepticons. On board the Decepticon ship, [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] doubts the AllSpark is aboard the Autobot ship and declares Megatron a fool. [[Lugnut]] denounces Starscream as a traitor, while [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] calls Lugnut an idiot for his blind loyalty and [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] just acts... well, crazy. The Decepticons continue to bicker at each other until Megatron enters, shutting up all of them. The Decepticons chase the Autobot ship, and Starscream volunteers to board them. Megatron quickly shoots that idea down. Just before he leaves, Starscream wishes his commander "luck" with a pat on the back... affixing a bomb to Megatron in the process.

Megatron makes his way to the Autobots' ship and begins to melt his way through its hull. Optimus uses external manipulator arms to grapple with Megatron, until the bomb detonates, sending the ship careening uncontrollably into a space bridge node, which explodes after they go through the gate. Starscream begins to make a speech declaring himself the new Decepticon leader, but the other three have abandoned ship, noting that the fireball from the space bridge explosion is only getting larger. Too late, Starscream realizes the trouble he's in...

An unknown distance away, the Autobot ship reappears above a [[Earth|small blue and green planet]]. Prime checks on his troops, but Megatron has gotten aboard, having survived the explosion, but at the cost of his right arm. Prime uses his grappling line to shut off the gravity, making it more difficult for Megatron to fight. All five Autobots face off against the Decepticon, but he's too strong (though Prowl does manage to cut off Megatron's damaged arm). Prime and Megatron both end up in the storage bay where the AllSpark is... and as the ship enters the atmosphere, Prime is able to blow the hatch and kick the screaming Megatron out of the ship.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Arkatmosphere.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Oddly familiar.]]
On a small farm, a young boy hears a thud and runs to where something has landed in a not-too-distant field. He is shocked to find a robotic head staring lifelessly up at him.

Meanwhile, Prime orders his team into emergency stasis pods to prepare for a crash-landing. He manages to steer the ship away from the city below and gets to a stasis pod just before the ship plunges into [[Lake Erie]].

Fifty years later, [[Detroit]] is once again a thriving city, but instead of manufacturing automobiles, robots are the city's stock-in-trade. [[Isaac Sumdac]] is talking to a public school class taking a tour of his facilities, which gets interrupted by Isaac's daughter, [[Sari Sumdac]], and her robot dog, [[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]]. As Sari is carted off to her lessons by a [[Tutor Bot|robot tutor]], Isaac shows the school kids a nanotech lab, just in time to witness a roach infused with microbots grow out of control and start consuming everything in sight. Isaac tries to keep things calm, but the monster bursts out of the lab...

===Part 2===
[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Firefighters monster.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Yeah, watering it will surely stop the beast.]]
The monster continues to grow, absorbing just about everything it touches to increase its size and power. In the process, it destroys a lot of the factory. [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]], the S.W.A.T team, the fire department, ambulances, and robot drones arrive, but the creature absorbs several of the responding vehicles, too. Fanzone uses a bazooka-type weapon and destroys the beast, despite Sumdac's objection. This protest proves well-founded, as the remnants of the creature start flowing back together again, save for one piece that drops into the nearby lake and works its way down to the Autobots' ship, its nanites seeking the absorbable technology there. It infiltrates via a small breach in the outer hull, but thankfully, the ship's intruder alert systems are functional and awaken the Autobots before any damage is done. Examining the situation, they decide to have Teletran-1 give them Earth forms so they can blend in and help out. A probe is launched into the chaos and scans various vehicles, including an ambulance, a police motorcycle, an armored personnel carrier, a fire truck, and [[Captain Fanzone's car]]. Everyone deploys except Ratchet, who remains behind to analyze the sample of alien material.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Autobots.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Avengers, ASSEMBLE!]]
During the fight, Bulkhead and Bumblebee spot Sari trying to wrest her security key from Sparkplug's mouth. Mistaking which is owner and which is pet, they approach her, but Bulkhead's greeting only scares her away. She quickly gets nabbed by the monster, but Bumblebee saves her, earning her trust and friendship. Prowl attempts to take on the bug-slug by himself, against Prime's orders, and gets absorbed. Prime orders Ratchet to join them in battle to save Prowl, but the old veteran insists that finding a "cure" code to neutralize the nanites' programming makes more sense than coming out and getting trashed. A somewhat chastened Prime agrees, and Ratchet soon delivers the goods. However, the new program must be uploaded by direct contact—meaning from inside the monster. This means the smallest, fastest one of them has to do it. Bumblebee reluctantly takes on the task. The beast has been using some of Prowl's absorbed intelligence and comm link tech, though, so it knows what they're planning and is now smart enough to fight back. Despite this, Bumblebee succeeds in delivering the code, and the bug dissolves into a dusty shower of deactivated nanites. Prowl is soon uncovered, but he's suffered grave wounds and must be taken back to the Autobots' ship for repairs. Sari pesters Bumblebee to be taken along, and her new friend reluctantly agrees, since there's no time to make her go away quietly.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Sari followedmehome.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Bumblebee, having a pet is a big responsibility.]]
Once on board, Sari's refusal to stay still and quiet causes 'Bee some embarrassment. He quickly and discreetly ejects her into a ventilation port and joins the others. However, the port opens onto a shaft that takes Sari right to the chamber where the AllSpark is being kept. Curious, she touches it, and it reacts to her, sending its energies into her security card key and reconfiguring it into [[AllSpark Key|a key of another sort entirely]]. Prime finds her almost immediately thereafter, but with no time left to spare away from Prowl, he has to bring her back with him to the repair table. Ratchet's prognosis is bleak, but the [[AllSpark Key]] abruptly reacts, glowing and tugging her toward Prowl. Bumblebee, seeming to grasp what's happening, helps her onto the table, and as she approaches, her Key reshapes itself to fit into a slot on Prowl's chest. She inserts it, and with a burst of energy, the Autobot ninja is whole again. The Autobots then take Sari home and, after a brief misunderstanding, are made heroes and are even invited to a ceremony.

In outer space, Starscream sits aboard the damaged but functional Decepticon ship, babbling that he will find the AllSpark, even though he's been attempting it on his own for the last fifty solar cycles. The ship's computers then detect the traces of AllSpark-like energy in action, and Starscream learns where the Autobots are...
{{-}}
===Part 3===
[[Image:Sariprime.jpg|right|150px|thumb|INSERT WHAT WHERE?!]]
The Autobots are later seen trying to fit in. Bulkhead gets firsthand experience in traffic jams, some birds mistake Prowl for the statue of the [[wikipedia:Hazen_S._Pingree|bald guy]] next to him, Bumblebee learns how organics fuel up, and Ratchet can't get a stasis nap without getting a dozen or so parking tickets. Optimus Prime remarks that the Autobots are programmed to respect life, which they always understood to stem from the AllSpark, but as organics are life, they must respect and protect them too. Optimus also expresses curiosity about how little organics are made. Sari's whispered explanation leaves him rather... shocked. The Autobots make a new home base out of a building Sari's dad got out of a merger, an abandoned auto factory that Bumblebee describes as a real fixer-upper—a REAL fixer-upper. All of a sudden, they get alerted to a fire. The Autobots proceed to douse the blaze and save its victims, no problem, unaware they are being watched by Starscream.

The next day, during the inauguration ceremony for the Sumdac [[Fully Automated Rapid Transit System]] (F.A.R.T.S., for short), Starscream enters Earth's atmosphere and takes on a group of fighter jets. He destroys all but one, which he scans. As the civilians and Autobots watch the aerial display of the [[Crimson Angels]], Isaac Sumdac notices there is an extra jet present that he didn't hire. That one jet then leaves the formation and streaks toward the ceremony platform, where it transforms into Starscream, who fires his null-ray cannons at the Autobots.

After a short fight, which the Autobots lose, Starscream knocks out Bumblebee and takes him, Isaac, the mayor, and Capt. Fanzone hostage in the F.A.R.T.S. train, flying it to the top of a very tall tower. He demands that the Autobots deliver the AllSpark if they want him to release the train car. The Autobots don't trust him, but don't want to risk human lives, so Sari offers a plan, but they ignore her. She continues to tell a sob story until the Autobots listen. The Autobots proceed with her plan, and Prowl and Sari fly up to the transit pod to rescue the hostages while the other Autobots keep Starscream busy. Once Starscream realizes what's happening, he takes a brief beating but recovers quickly. Starscream then throws the train—thus keeping his end of the deal—with Sari, Prowl, and Bumblebee on top of/in it. Between Bumblebee's agility and Prowl's thrusters, Sari is rescued and the train lands without much damage. The Autobots then challenge Starscream to a friendly game of Keep Away, during which Starscream almost gets the AllSpark, but Bulkhead gets it instead, because he said he got it. A furious Starscream unleashes a devastating, prolonged (as in nearly 12 seconds) null-ray blast on the Autobots, briefly knocking them all senseless.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Prime SS Allsparkactivates.jpg|left|150px|thumb|In the old days, The Touch would have started playing now.]]
With the Autobots down, Starscream takes the AllSpark from Optimus and blows a couple of blocks of Detroit right off the map. Not ready to give up, Optimus climbs all the way up a building to get it back from Starscream, which Starscream doesn't see coming because he was too busy gloating. After a quick back-and-forth exchange of possessing it, both grab it at the same time. As they struggle, the AllSpark opens and emits a strange energy wave that blasts Starscream away.

The explosion has left Prime dangling precariously, and he takes a tremendous plummet to the pavement. He notes weakly that he now knows what it feels like to be a hero, then dies, but Sari uses the AllSpark Key to revive him.<ref>[[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|This is something of an Optimus Prime record]]: Dead after only three episodes, revived a mere 75 seconds later. Way to go.</ref> The Autobots later go about fixing up Detroit, earning the enduring gratitude of the citizenry. Professor Sumdac is also grateful, for the Autobots saved him and Sari, but he fears what will happen if the Autobots—not to mention the rest of the world—were to discover the source of his robotic empire.

Unseen by Sumdac, one of the [[Sensors|optics]] of his source of technology glows in a darkened room. Megatron still functions...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|
c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (2)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (5)
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (6)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (7)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (8)
*[[Lugnut]] (9)
*[[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] (10)
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (11)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (12)

|c3=
*[[Isaac Sumdac]] (13)
*[[Daniel Witwicky (Animated)|Daniel]] (14)
*[[Spike Witwicky (Animated)|Spike]] (15)
*[[Carly Witwicky (Animated)|Carly]] (16)
*[[Sari Sumdac]] (17)
*[[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] (18)

|c4=
*[[Teletran-1]] ()
*[[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]] ()
*[[Tutor Bot]] ()
*[[Burger Bot]] ()}}

==Quotes==
"Do you ever get the feeling that you were programmed for something more than just repairing space bridges?" 
"I got a diagnostics program that can delete that feeling like a bad line of code."
:—'''Optimus Prime''''s dreams are crushed to a fine powder by '''Ratchet'''

"Wow, Megatron, you're even uglier at this angle!"
:—'''Bumblebee''' is about to realize there are some things you should never, EVER, say to a Decepticon.

"Hi, I'm Bumblebee!" 
"I'm Sari." 
''(thinking she said I'm sorry)'' "Oh, don't be, I like my name."
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Sari''' are off to an awkward start.

"Y'know, all things considered, fixin' space bridges wasn't such a bad gig."
:—'''Bumblebee''', just before embarking on the plan to dissolve the bug monster

"Uh...am I going to be able to ''breathe'' down there?" 
"Oh, sure! ...What's 'breathe'?"
:—'''Sari''' is in good hands with '''Bumblebee'''

"And to think, Ultra Magnus told me not to be a hero. Is this what it was like in your day?" 
"The Decepticons didn't leave us very much to cheer about."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Ratchet''' at the ceremony

"Enjoy it while you can, 'heroes.' You're about to take a fall."
:—'''Starscream''', watching a news report on the Autobots

"Give up the AllSpark or give up the Earth. How am I supposed to decide?" 
"Heroes are the ones who make the hard choices."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Ratchet''' after Starscream makes his ultimatum

"Let go, Autobot!" 
"Never! The AllSpark is life!" 
"Then, let it end yours!"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Optimus Prime''', fighting over the AllSpark

"So, this... is what it feels like... to be a hero."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', just before dying

"Fixing bridges? Isn't this where we started out?"
:—'''Bumblebee''', as the Autobots clean-up the city

==Home releases==
[[Image:Animatedshort01.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Meet the Press lives on through our young ones.]]
"Transform and Roll Out" was released to DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment on June 17, 2008. The DVD includes all three episodes of the pilot movie and two all-new animated shorts. [[Career Day|The first short]] features Optimus Prime attempting to give a speech at [[Black River Elementary School]]'s career day, but being repeatedly interrupted by nagging questions from [[Daniel Witwicky (Animated)|some little kid]] and overwhelming cheers for him to transform. [[Evel Knievel Jump|The second]] features Bumblebee messing up one of Prowl's cool stunts. Together, the two shorts run just under three minutes.

Target sold an [[exclusive]] version of the DVD with a special bonus disc that included the episode "[[Home Is Where the Spark Is]]."

All three episodes were also condensed and re-told in the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] paperback "cine-manga" style book ''[[Transformers Animated Volume 1]]''.
{{-}}

==Notes==
===Japanese version (Part 1)===
*The episode begins with the [[Otoboto family]] telling the viewers to watch in a well-lit room (to prevent seizures and damage to your eyesight, you know).

*As the [[title sequence]] begins, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] asks how everyone is doing, then introduces himself as leader of the Autobots. When he realizes nobody knows who he is, he ''assures'' them that he's leader of the Autobots. Then the [[Transformers Evo.|theme song]] starts.

* '''Cut:''' Ratchet and Optimus's conversation as they walk down a hall, where Prime refers to feeling like being meant for "more than just repairing space bridges", and Ratchet's snarky response about deleting that feeling "like a bad line of code".

* '''Cut:''' Ratchet responding to Bumblebee's "old man" comment with a smack upside the head and the retort of "I may have one foot in the scrapheap, but I can still hear!".

*The usual cries of "Transform!" and attack names are added in. ([[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]]'s "stingers" are now called "Energy Stingers", for instance.) Perhaps most annoyingly, ''every single thing Optimus does'' has the prefix of "Ultra" added to it. In the span of ten seconds, he goes through his "Ultra Anchor", "Ultra Axe" and "Ultra Net" attacks.

* '''Cut:''' After shutting down the space bridge, the following sequence where Ratchet is repairing Bumblebee, them commenting about Optimus's moves, Optimus reluctantly admitting that he used to train at the Academy, and Bumblebee saying that he should've been with the Elite Guard.

*[[Teletran-1]] now speaks as though "she" is in a state of perpetual orgasm.

*When the Autobots first happen upon the ''[[Nemesis (Animated)|Nemesis]]'' and all freak over [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], a new [[scene transition]] is added when transitioning into the discussion between the Decepticon forces. A guitar riff of the classic Generation 1 scene transition music is even used.

*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]]'s "hothead" persona now speaks with a thick American accent, spouting English words like "Hey!" and "Man!"

*New [[commercial bumper]]s have been crafted, featuring stock art of the characters with their voice actors screaming their name, followed by "Transform!"

*'''Cut:''' [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]'s entire speech on the bridge ("This is a dark day...") followed by him getting caught in the explosion was cut for time.

*When Bulkhead tumbles into Optimus, following his line "A little warning would have helped!", he screams out "Mommyyyyyyy!" Yeah, Japanese Bulkhead ain't so smart.

*'''Cut:''' After Megatron is kicked from the ship, the establishing shots of Paw Paw (the street sign, the outside of the barn and the scroll across [[Isaac Sumdac]]'s lab) have been cut for time.

*'''Cut:''' Following Prime's line "Not until I've steered us clear of this populated sector!", the brief scenes of the Autobots being sealed in their stasis pods have been cut for time.

*'''Cut:''' As soon as the ship crashes into Lake Eerie and leaves a stream of upturned water on the surface, the scenes of the ship sinking and Teletran-1 "initiating emergency stasis" on the pods as they turn grey have been cut for time. The episode resumes at the long shot of the sinking ship slowly coming toward the camera, with a new voice-over of Teletran-1 telling the Autobots "good night".

*'''Cut:''' As Isaac Sumdac narrates the history of Detroit and automaton manufacturing, the scene of the trash-collecting automaton has been cut.

*'''Cut:''' The scenes of [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]] pulling the bubblegum off her face, eating it, the crowd reacting in disgust, Isaac Sumdac reacting in frustration, the kid asking Sari what its like to grow up around robots and [[Tutor Bot]] hauling Sari off have been cut for time.

*'''Cut:''' After the cockroach absorbs the nanobot liquid, all the scenes involving Isaac Sumdac explaining the nanobots to the children and the children looking through microscopes at the nanobots have been cut for time. The episode resumes at the roach growing bigger.

*'''Cut:''' The close-up of Isaac Sumdac saying "Nothing to be concerned about, children!" and the kid remarking that "This accident doesn't look too happy" have been cut for time. The episode resumes with the roach crashing through the window behind him.

*The Otoboto Family segment features [[Hiroyuki Otoboto]] telling his son, [[Tatsuya Otoboto]], about ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]'', complete with clips from "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". Mr. Otoboto then produces a complete set of ''Animated'' Autobot toys. Tatsuya is thrilled, but wouldn't ya know it? [[Megumi Otoboto|Mrs. Otoboto]] comes in with dinner! During mealtime conversation, Mrs. Otoboto makes the mistake of using the word "transform", which inevitably causes Tatsuya to start talking about Transformers, much to the amusement of his father and the annoyance of his older sister, [[Yūka Otoboto|Yūka]]. Tatsuya then causes a "freeze frame" so that he can introduce himself and his family (messing with his father's glasses in the process for his own amusement). Oddly, despite being "frozen", everyone proceeds to blink. As time resumes its normal pace, Hiroyuki wonders what happened to his glasses. He then digs into his dinner, except, oh no! It's too hot! ''Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!''

*During the "next episode" segment, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee proceed to have an argument. Bumblebee thinks Optimus' name is too long, and hard to remember, and Prime somewhat agrees. Bumblebee suggests that [[Convoy]] would be better, but Prime shoots the idea down immediately. Bumblebee opts to call him "Oputi" since it has fewer syllables. Prime refuses to be called such a name (more fitting for a dog), so Bumblebee settles on "Pu-Pu" after "Opura" is also rejected. Prime refuses that too, thinking it sounds cute, but that it would be hard not to instinctively laugh at it. Bumblebee then tricks Prime into answering to it, which frustrates him even ''further''. The argument proceeds ''past'' the "next episode" segment and straight into the sponsor cards.

===Animation or technical glitches===
* Megatron's vehicle mode was depicted flying upside-down, or backwards, or possibly both. To be fair, in space, there is no up and down (and to be even fairer, it's really hard to tell from the toys exactly what ''is'' the front of Megatron's Cybertronian spaceship mode), but that does not excuse the fact that any propulsion system used would be in the ''back'' of the mode.

*When the Autobot get into the stasis pods, Prime, Bulkhead, and Ratchet are on the left side, with Bumblebee, Prowl, and an empty pod on the right, in that order. Yet when they get out later in the episode, Prime, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead are on the left, and the empty one, Prowl, and Ratchet on the right.

* As pre-Earth Prime enters the chamber which will re-format his body into his Earth mode, he walks past Ratchet, who is drawn mostly in his pre-Earth mode, except for the fact that his Cybertronian gut is replaced with his ambulance gut. In the next scene, Ratchet is properly drawn, pre-Earth gut and all.

* When Sari says to the Autobots it is okay to put down their hands, Bulkhead's face is black.

* When Starscream tackles Optimus Prime through a building as the Autobot tries to escape with the AllSpark, Optimus's axe is missing from Starscream's left wing. It reappears moments later for Optimus to retrieve it.

* In at least one scene, Starscream's Earth-form wing is shown with a spike, in the same manner as his Cybertronian body.

===Continuity errors===
* The train Starscream blasts from the tower falls toward the ground very, very slowly.

* When we first meet Starscream, he states that he has been searching for the AllSpark for fifty ''solar'' cycles. In later episodes, a solar cycle is equivalent to a day and a ''stellar'' cycle is used for years. This is the only time a solar cycle has been used to reference years, so either Starscream entered some sort of temporal anomaly or someone messed up. For more <s>confusion</s> information, See [[Cycle|this page]].

* Sumdac is using Megatron's hand as a chair. However, he seems to be using the right hand, which was blown up by Starscream. (It ''could'' have fallen off the Autobots' ship, as it was still clinging to the hull when last seen, but that seems unlikely.)

===Transformers references===
* The title of the episode itself is a [[Roll out|reference to past Transformers lore]].

* Footage from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|G1 cartoon]] episodes "[[War Dawn]]" and "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]" is used as history tapes detailing the events of the first [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], millions of years prior. [[Canon|This]] has been confirmed as purely an in-joke, and should not be taken as linking ''Animated'' to G1, continuity wise.

* The [[Teletran-1|Autobot ship]] here bears a distinct resemblance to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], albeit with a colour scheme more reminiscent of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. (As we learn [[A Bridge Too Close, Part II|much later]], there is [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|a very good reason for that]].)

* Bumblebee says "[[Rattrap|We're all gonna die.]]"

* Sari's robotic dog [[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]] is likely named after either [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] from G1, the ''Armada'' Mini-Con [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]], or both.

[[Image:Spikecarlydanielanimated.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Twenty years later, and they're still overdressed.]]
* Characters resembling [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], [[Carly]], and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] are seen at a hot dog stand, purchasing some sort of futuristic bunless wieners-on-a-stick. The characters went on to become recurring figures in the background cast of the show, and in "[[Garbage In, Garbage Out]]" it was revealed that their names were... [[Spike Witwicky (Animated)|Spike]], [[Carly Witwicky (Animated)|Carly]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (Animated)|Daniel Witwicky]].

* When Optimus Prime dies, his body fades to grays, just as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Generation 1 Optimus Prime]] did in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. His spark chamber opens in much the same manner as well.

* Teletran-1 (spelled with only one "a" in this universe) dispatches a small satellite very similar to the [[Sky Spy]] satellite used on occasion by the Autobots in the ''Generation 1'' cartoon. The glowing energy "boxes" with which it scans vehicles for the Autobots to transform into are lifted wholesale out of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]".

* At one point, Bulkhead refers to Optimus as "Boss-bot", echoing an epithet used for ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] by the [[Fuzor]] [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]].

===Notes===
* In this episode, [[Tutor Bot]] tries to teach Sari about the [[wikipedia:Smoot-Hawley_Tariff_Act|Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act]], a major economic blunder of the 1930s.
* Bumblebee's voice is slightly different in this episode from how it sounds later, as is Lugnut's voice, which seems very metallic.
* When Prowl gets birdpooped on, he is standing next to a statue of [[wikipedia:Hazen_S._Pingree|Hazen S. Pingree]], four-term mayor of Detroit and one-time governor of Michigan. In real life, the statue is located in Detroit's Grand Circus Park.
* A refurbished Michigan Central Station makes an appearance as the site for the dedication of Detroit's rapid transit system. The real-life station (abandoned since the '80s) was featured in the [[Transformers (2007)|2007 live-action movie]].
* When mocking the Autobots, Starscream actually calls Megatron "the great Megatron" without any sarcasm. Apparently, he'll only give a sincere compliment to his leader when he's insulting something else. Either that or he's just trying to make ''himself'' sound more impressive by building up the reputation of the one he's defeated.
* When Optimus comes back to life, he asks, "Is this the [[Well of All Sparks]]?" and Sari answers, "No, it's Detroit." This is an allusion to the movie ''Field of Dreams'', in which Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) asks Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner), "Is this Heaven?" and Ray answers, "No, it's Iowa."
* According to responses at a panel at BotCon 2008, the unfortunate acronym for Fully Automated Rapid Transit System was totally unintentional...which makes it that much funnier.
* Ratchet is able to use his front windshield as a video screen.
* Several elements present in this opener were changed/dropped in the main series, including expressive vehicle modes, the replacement of solar cycles with stellar cycles in terminology, the recolouring of Ratchet's magnetism from yellow to pink, and Sari's Key changing shape. However, the expressions on vehicle mode were briefly used again by [[Wasp]] in the episode [[Predacons Rising]].
* During [[Sari Sumdac|Sari's]] "conversation" with the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]], it shows her the faces of Ultra Magnus, Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Starscream, then the Cybertronian [[Alternate mode|vehicle modes]] for Optimus and Ratchet, the AllSpark's case and the [[Teletran-1|Autobots' ship]]. Then Sari unknowingly shows the AllSpark a man in a suit, a woman, a boy, the planet [[Earth]], pyramids, purple flowers, a horse, an aircraft with a giant cloud coming from the back, a cell and a DNA strand. The woman has dark skin and red hair like Sari.
* This movie was (lovingly) lampooned at the [[MSTF]] panel for [[BotCon 2008]], along with "[[War Dawn]]", the episode from which most of the "history vid" footage was taken.
* It's Detroit. There are guns everywhere. Why are the humans using ''water'' to take down the monster?
* In this episode, Starscream's engines use a sound effect borrowed from ''The Phantom Menace'': the sound made by Sebulba's podracer engines.

==Home video releases==
;DVD
*2008 — ''Transformers Animated'' — The Battle Begins ([[Pack-in material|Hasbro]]) — Part 1 only.
*2008 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Transform and Roll Out ([[Transformers Animated (cartoon)/home video|Paramount]]) — English and Spanish audio (NTSC version) / English and German audio (PAL version).
*2008 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Transformieren und Abfahrt (Paramount) — English and German audio.

== Footnote ==
<references/>

[[Category:Animated episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]

Transformers Evo.

2010-04-08T20:58:45Z

74.89.49.46: /* Notes */

Transform and Roll Out

2010-04-04T17:50:34Z

74.89.49.46: /* Japanese version (Part 1) */

{{disambig2|the [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]] multi-part episode|the command|roll out}}
{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=TFA_TFandRollout_AutobotHeroes.jpg
|caption=''Epic''
|next=Home Is Where the Spark Is
|ep=1, 2 and 3
|next=Home Is Where the Spark Is
|title="Transform and Roll Out"
|airdate=[[December 26]], 2007
|written by=[[Marty Isenberg]]
|directed by= [[Matt Youngberg]] [[Yutaka Kagawa]] [[Minoru Yamaoka]] [[Makoto Fuchigami]]
|animation studio= [[Mook]]}}
'''When a small crew of maintenance Autobots comes into possession of the powerful AllSpark, a battle with their long-forgotten enemies sends them crashing toward a strange, distant planet known as... ''Earth.'''''

:''Japanese title (Part 1):'' 新章! トランスフォーマー (''Shinshō! Transformer'', "A New Chapter! Transformers")
:''Japanese title (Part 2):'' 英雄、その名はオートボット (''Eiyū, sono na wa Autobot'', "The Heroes Are Called Autobots")
:''German title:'' "'''Transformieren und Abfahrt'''"
:''Polish title:'' "'''Transformacja i jazda'''" ("Transform and Roll Out")

==Synopsis==
===Part 1===
In deep, deep space, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] watches a history vid of the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], prompting [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] to complain about him watching that "junk" when the other members of the crew need assistance. Prime wonders if they were designed for more than repairing [[space bridge]]s. The two 'Bots transform into their vehicle modes and head out into the asteroid field.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout TheAllsparkdiscovered.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Well... at least there's no mass-shifting.]]
Outside, [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]], dangling from a high rock by his wrecking ball (and becoming quite queasy in the process), is freed by [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], who also ends up taking a tumble. Bumblebee complains about the sheer amount of rocks blocking the space bridge node, and one is shattered unexpectedly by [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]]'s throwing star. Prime gives his troops a speech about teamwork (which Prowl moans at theatrically), but at that point the space bridge lights up, sending rocks and Autobots flying. Fancy footwork by Optimus saves each of his teammates from the debris, and a well-aimed grappling line shuts down the bridge. With his subordinates stunned at their leader's skills, Prime is forced to admit he trained at [[Autobot Academy|Cybertron's military academy]]. Bumblebee's query as to what the heck he's doing on a nowhere maintenance assignment is left unanswered as they notice something glowing in the rubble.

Prime clears away the debris to reveal a large, chest-like object. Ratchet is horrified and immediately demands they throw it back into the space bridge, but an alert from [[Teletran-1]] announces the arrival of a signature consistent with the long-lost [[Decepticon]]s. Ratchet then insists they take the object and just get out of there post-haste.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Decepticonship.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Yes, this is a scout ship. Way to go, Magnanimous.]]
On board [[Teletran-1|their ship]], Ratchet finally reveals what they've found: the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]], the source of all Transformer life that was lost centuries ago. Optimus, worried about the oncoming Decepticon signal, contacts the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]] for help. After taking a bit of snark from [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]], Optimus reveals what they found, which shuts Sentinel up fast. Sentinel then puts the crew through to [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]], who tells Optimus Prime to stay put while they send reinforcements... and not to worry about that Decepticon thing. Optimus, considering this to be a really stupid move, orders the crew to start booking it out of there.

[[Image:Ani crew.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Scotty, engage!]]
This proves wise, as the signal is indeed a Decepticon ship—a [[Nemesis (Animated)|command ship]], in fact. The identification markings are ones that Optimus and Ratchet recognize, meaning its commander can only be one person: [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], leader of the Decepticons. On board the Decepticon ship, [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] doubts the AllSpark is aboard the Autobot ship and declares Megatron a fool. [[Lugnut]] denounces Starscream as a traitor, while [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] calls Lugnut an idiot for his blind loyalty and [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] just acts... well, crazy. The Decepticons continue to bicker at each other until Megatron enters, shutting up all of them. The Decepticons chase the Autobot ship, and Starscream volunteers to board them. Megatron quickly shoots that idea down. Just before he leaves, Starscream wishes his commander "luck" with a pat on the back... affixing a bomb to Megatron in the process.

Megatron makes his way to the Autobots' ship and begins to melt his way through its hull. Optimus uses external manipulator arms to grapple with Megatron, until the bomb detonates, sending the ship careening uncontrollably into a space bridge node, which explodes after they go through the gate. Starscream begins to make a speech declaring himself the new Decepticon leader, but the other three have abandoned ship, noting that the fireball from the space bridge explosion is only getting larger. Too late, Starscream realizes the trouble he's in...

An unknown distance away, the Autobot ship reappears above a [[Earth|small blue and green planet]]. Prime checks on his troops, but Megatron has gotten aboard, having survived the explosion, but at the cost of his right arm. Prime uses his grappling line to shut off the gravity, making it more difficult for Megatron to fight. All five Autobots face off against the Decepticon, but he's too strong (though Prowl does manage to cut off Megatron's damaged arm). Prime and Megatron both end up in the storage bay where the AllSpark is... and as the ship enters the atmosphere, Prime is able to blow the hatch and kick the screaming Megatron out of the ship.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Arkatmosphere.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Oddly familiar.]]
On a small farm, a young boy hears a thud and runs to where something has landed in a not-too-distant field. He is shocked to find a robotic head staring lifelessly up at him.

Meanwhile, Prime orders his team into emergency stasis pods to prepare for a crash-landing. He manages to steer the ship away from the city below and gets to a stasis pod just before the ship plunges into [[Lake Erie]].

Fifty years later, [[Detroit]] is once again a thriving city, but instead of manufacturing automobiles, robots are the city's stock-in-trade. [[Isaac Sumdac]] is talking to a public school class taking a tour of his facilities, which gets interrupted by Isaac's daughter, [[Sari Sumdac]], and her robot dog, [[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]]. As Sari is carted off to her lessons by a [[Tutor Bot|robot tutor]], Isaac shows the school kids a nanotech lab, just in time to witness a roach infused with microbots grow out of control and start consuming everything in sight. Isaac tries to keep things calm, but the monster bursts out of the lab...

===Part 2===
[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Firefighters monster.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Yeah, watering it will surely stop the beast.]]
The monster continues to grow, absorbing just about everything it touches to increase its size and power. In the process, it destroys a lot of the factory. [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]], the S.W.A.T team, the fire department, ambulances, and robot drones arrive, but the creature absorbs several of the responding vehicles, too. Fanzone uses a bazooka-type weapon and destroys the beast, despite Sumdac's objection. This protest proves well-founded, as the remnants of the creature start flowing back together again, save for one piece that drops into the nearby lake and works its way down to the Autobots' ship, its nanites seeking the absorbable technology there. It infiltrates via a small breach in the outer hull, but thankfully, the ship's intruder alert systems are functional and awaken the Autobots before any damage is done. Examining the situation, they decide to have Teletran-1 give them Earth forms so they can blend in and help out. A probe is launched into the chaos and scans various vehicles, including an ambulance, a police motorcycle, an armored personnel carrier, a fire truck, and [[Captain Fanzone's car]]. Everyone deploys except Ratchet, who remains behind to analyze the sample of alien material.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Autobots.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Avengers, ASSEMBLE!]]
During the fight, Bulkhead and Bumblebee spot Sari trying to wrest her security key from Sparkplug's mouth. Mistaking which is owner and which is pet, they approach her, but Bulkhead's greeting only scares her away. She quickly gets nabbed by the monster, but Bumblebee saves her, earning her trust and friendship. Prowl attempts to take on the bug-slug by himself, against Prime's orders, and gets absorbed. Prime orders Ratchet to join them in battle to save Prowl, but the old veteran insists that finding a "cure" code to neutralize the nanites' programming makes more sense than coming out and getting trashed. A somewhat chastened Prime agrees, and Ratchet soon delivers the goods. However, the new program must be uploaded by direct contact—meaning from inside the monster. This means the smallest, fastest one of them has to do it. Bumblebee reluctantly takes on the task. The beast has been using some of Prowl's absorbed intelligence and comm link tech, though, so it knows what they're planning and is now smart enough to fight back. Despite this, Bumblebee succeeds in delivering the code, and the bug dissolves into a dusty shower of deactivated nanites. Prowl is soon uncovered, but he's suffered grave wounds and must be taken back to the Autobots' ship for repairs. Sari pesters Bumblebee to be taken along, and her new friend reluctantly agrees, since there's no time to make her go away quietly.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Sari followedmehome.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Bumblebee, having a pet is a big responsibility.]]
Once on board, Sari's refusal to stay still and quiet causes 'Bee some embarrassment. He quickly and discreetly ejects her into a ventilation port and joins the others. However, the port opens onto a shaft that takes Sari right to the chamber where the AllSpark is being kept. Curious, she touches it, and it reacts to her, sending its energies into her security card key and reconfiguring it into [[AllSpark Key|a key of another sort entirely]]. Prime finds her almost immediately thereafter, but with no time left to spare away from Prowl, he has to bring her back with him to the repair table. Ratchet's prognosis is bleak, but the [[AllSpark Key]] abruptly reacts, glowing and tugging her toward Prowl. Bumblebee, seeming to grasp what's happening, helps her onto the table, and as she approaches, her Key reshapes itself to fit into a slot on Prowl's chest. She inserts it, and with a burst of energy, the Autobot ninja is whole again. The Autobots then take Sari home and, after a brief misunderstanding, are made heroes and are even invited to a ceremony.

In outer space, Starscream sits aboard the damaged but functional Decepticon ship, babbling that he will find the AllSpark, even though he's been attempting it on his own for the last fifty solar cycles. The ship's computers then detect the traces of AllSpark-like energy in action, and Starscream learns where the Autobots are...
{{-}}
===Part 3===
[[Image:Sariprime.jpg|right|150px|thumb|INSERT WHAT WHERE?!]]
The Autobots are later seen trying to fit in. Bulkhead gets firsthand experience in traffic jams, some birds mistake Prowl for the statue of the [[wikipedia:Hazen_S._Pingree|bald guy]] next to him, Bumblebee learns how organics fuel up, and Ratchet can't get a stasis nap without getting a dozen or so parking tickets. Optimus Prime remarks that the Autobots are programmed to respect life, which they always understood to stem from the AllSpark, but as organics are life, they must respect and protect them too. Optimus also expresses curiosity about how little organics are made. Sari's whispered explanation leaves him rather... shocked. The Autobots make a new home base out of a building Sari's dad got out of a merger, an abandoned auto factory that Bumblebee describes as a real fixer-upper—a REAL fixer-upper. All of a sudden, they get alerted to a fire. The Autobots proceed to douse the blaze and save its victims, no problem, unaware they are being watched by Starscream.

The next day, during the inauguration ceremony for the Sumdac [[Fully Automated Rapid Transit System]] (F.A.R.T.S., for short), Starscream enters Earth's atmosphere and takes on a group of fighter jets. He destroys all but one, which he scans. As the civilians and Autobots watch the aerial display of the [[Crimson Angels]], Isaac Sumdac notices there is an extra jet present that he didn't hire. That one jet then leaves the formation and streaks toward the ceremony platform, where it transforms into Starscream, who fires his null-ray cannons at the Autobots.

After a short fight, which the Autobots lose, Starscream knocks out Bumblebee and takes him, Isaac, the mayor, and Capt. Fanzone hostage in the F.A.R.T.S. train, flying it to the top of a very tall tower. He demands that the Autobots deliver the AllSpark if they want him to release the train car. The Autobots don't trust him, but don't want to risk human lives, so Sari offers a plan, but they ignore her. She continues to tell a sob story until the Autobots listen. The Autobots proceed with her plan, and Prowl and Sari fly up to the transit pod to rescue the hostages while the other Autobots keep Starscream busy. Once Starscream realizes what's happening, he takes a brief beating but recovers quickly. Starscream then throws the train—thus keeping his end of the deal—with Sari, Prowl, and Bumblebee on top of/in it. Between Bumblebee's agility and Prowl's thrusters, Sari is rescued and the train lands without much damage. The Autobots then challenge Starscream to a friendly game of Keep Away, during which Starscream almost gets the AllSpark, but Bulkhead gets it instead, because he said he got it. A furious Starscream unleashes a devastating, prolonged (as in nearly 12 seconds) null-ray blast on the Autobots, briefly knocking them all senseless.

[[Image:TFA TFandRollout Prime SS Allsparkactivates.jpg|left|150px|thumb|In the old days, The Touch would have started playing now.]]
With the Autobots down, Starscream takes the AllSpark from Optimus and blows a couple of blocks of Detroit right off the map. Not ready to give up, Optimus climbs all the way up a building to get it back from Starscream, which Starscream doesn't see coming because he was too busy gloating. After a quick back-and-forth exchange of possessing it, both grab it at the same time. As they struggle, the AllSpark opens and emits a strange energy wave that blasts Starscream away.

The explosion has left Prime dangling precariously, and he takes a tremendous plummet to the pavement. He notes weakly that he now knows what it feels like to be a hero, then dies, but Sari uses the AllSpark Key to revive him.<ref>[[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|This is something of an Optimus Prime record]]: Dead after only three episodes, revived a mere 75 seconds later. Way to go.</ref> The Autobots later go about fixing up Detroit, earning the enduring gratitude of the citizenry. Professor Sumdac is also grateful, for the Autobots saved him and Sari, but he fears what will happen if the Autobots—not to mention the rest of the world—were to discover the source of his robotic empire.

Unseen by Sumdac, one of the [[Sensors|optics]] of his source of technology glows in a darkened room. Megatron still functions...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|
c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (2)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (5)
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (6)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (7)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (8)
*[[Lugnut]] (9)
*[[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] (10)
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (11)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (12)

|c3=
*[[Isaac Sumdac]] (13)
*[[Daniel Witwicky (Animated)|Daniel]] (14)
*[[Spike Witwicky (Animated)|Spike]] (15)
*[[Carly Witwicky (Animated)|Carly]] (16)
*[[Sari Sumdac]] (17)
*[[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] (18)

|c4=
*[[Teletran-1]] ()
*[[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]] ()
*[[Tutor Bot]] ()
*[[Burger Bot]] ()}}

==Quotes==
"Do you ever get the feeling that you were programmed for something more than just repairing space bridges?" 
"I got a diagnostics program that can delete that feeling like a bad line of code."
:—'''Optimus Prime''''s dreams are crushed to a fine powder by '''Ratchet'''

"Wow, Megatron, you're even uglier at this angle!"
:—'''Bumblebee''' is about to realize there are some things you should never, EVER, say to a Decepticon.

"Hi, I'm Bumblebee!" 
"I'm Sari." 
''(thinking she said I'm sorry)'' "Oh, don't be, I like my name."
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Sari''' are off to an awkward start.

"Y'know, all things considered, fixin' space bridges wasn't such a bad gig."
:—'''Bumblebee''', just before embarking on the plan to dissolve the bug monster

"Uh...am I going to be able to ''breathe'' down there?" 
"Oh, sure! ...What's 'breathe'?"
:—'''Sari''' is in good hands with '''Bumblebee'''

"And to think, Ultra Magnus told me not to be a hero. Is this what it was like in your day?" 
"The Decepticons didn't leave us very much to cheer about."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Ratchet''' at the ceremony

"Enjoy it while you can, 'heroes.' You're about to take a fall."
:—'''Starscream''', watching a news report on the Autobots

"Give up the AllSpark or give up the Earth. How am I supposed to decide?" 
"Heroes are the ones who make the hard choices."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Ratchet''' after Starscream makes his ultimatum

"Let go, Autobot!" 
"Never! The AllSpark is life!" 
"Then, let it end yours!"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Optimus Prime''', fighting over the AllSpark

"So, this... is what it feels like... to be a hero."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', just before dying

"Fixing bridges? Isn't this where we started out?"
:—'''Bumblebee''', as the Autobots clean-up the city

==Home releases==
[[Image:Animatedshort01.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Meet the Press lives on through our young ones.]]
"Transform and Roll Out" was released to DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment on June 17, 2008. The DVD includes all three episodes of the pilot movie and two all-new animated shorts. [[Career Day|The first short]] features Optimus Prime attempting to give a speech at [[Black River Elementary School]]'s career day, but being repeatedly interrupted by nagging questions from [[Daniel Witwicky (Animated)|some little kid]] and overwhelming cheers for him to transform. [[Evel Knievel Jump|The second]] features Bumblebee messing up one of Prowl's cool stunts. Together, the two shorts run just under three minutes.

Target sold an [[exclusive]] version of the DVD with a special bonus disc that included the episode "[[Home Is Where the Spark Is]]."

All three episodes were also condensed and re-told in the [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] paperback "cine-manga" style book ''[[Transformers Animated Volume 1]]''.
{{-}}

==Notes==
===Japanese version (Part 1)===
*The episode begins with the [[Otoboto family]] telling the viewers to watch in a well-lit room (to prevent seizures and damage to your eyesight, you know).

*As the [[title sequence]] begins, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] asks how everyone is doing, then introduces himself as leader of the Autobots. When he realizes nobody knows who he is, he ''assures'' them that he's leader of the Autobots. Then the [[Transformers Evo.|theme song]] starts.

* '''Cut:''' Ratchet and Optimus's conversation as they walk down a hall, where Prime refers to feeling like being meant for "more than just repairing space bridges", and Ratchet's snarky response about deleting that feeling "like a bad line of code".

* '''Cut:''' Ratchet responding to Bumblebee's "old man" comment with a smack upside the head and the retort of "I may have one foot in the scrapheap, but I can still hear!".

*The usual cries of "Transform!" and attack names are added in. ([[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]]'s "stingers" are now called "Energy Stingers", for instance.) Perhaps most annoyingly, ''every single thing Optimus does'' has the prefix of "Ultra" added to it. In the span of ten seconds, he goes through his "Ultra Anchor", "Ultra Axe" and "Ultra Net" attacks.

* '''Cut:''' After shutting down the space bridge, the following sequence where Ratchet is repairing Bumblebee, them commenting about Optimus's moves, Optimus reluctantly admitting that he used to train at the Academy, and Bumblebee saying that he should've been with the Elite Guard.

*[[Teletran-1]] now speaks as though "she" is in a state of perpetual orgasm.

*When the Autobots first happen upon the ''[[Nemesis (Animated)|Nemesis]]'' and all freak over [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], a new [[scene transition]] is added when transitioning into the discussion between the Decepticon forces. A guitar riff of the classic Generation 1 scene transition music is even used.

*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]]'s "hothead" persona now speaks with a thick American accent, spouting English words like "Hey!" and "Man!"

*New [[commercial bumper]]s have been crafted, featuring stock art of the characters with their voice actors screaming their name, followed by "Transform!"

*'''Cut:''' [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]'s entire speech on the bridge ("This is a dark day...") followed by him getting caught in the explosion was cut for time.

*When Bulkhead tumbles into Optimus, following his line "A little warning would have helped!", he screams out "Mommyyyyyyy!" Yeah, Japanese Bulkhead ain't so smart.

*'''Cut:''' After Megatron is kicked from the ship, the establishing shots of Paw Paw (the street sign, the outside of the barn and the scroll across [[Isaac Sumdac]]'s lab) have been cut for time.

*'''Cut:''' Following Prime's line "Not until I've steered us clear of this populated sector!", the brief scenes of the Autobots being sealed in their stasis pods have been cut for time.

*'''Cut:''' As soon as the ship crashes into Lake Eerie and leaves a stream of upturned water on the surface, the scenes of the ship sinking and Teletran-1 "initiating emergency stasis" on the pods as they turn grey have been cut for time. The episode resumes at the long shot of the sinking ship slowly coming toward the camera, with a new voice-over of Teletran-1 telling the Autobots "good night".

*'''Cut:''' As Isaac Sumdac narrates the history of Detroit and automaton manufacturing, the scene of the trash-collecting automaton has been cut.

*'''Cut:''' The scenes of [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]] pulling the bubblegum off her face, eating it, the crowd reacting in disgust, Isaac Sumdac reacting in frustration, the kid asking Sari what its like to grow up around robots and [[Tutor Bot]] hauling Sari off have been cut for time.

*'''Cut:''' After the cockroach absorbs the nanobot liquid, all the scenes involving Isaac Sumdac explaining the nanobots to the children and the children looking through microscopes at the nanobots have been cut for time. The episode resumes at the roach growing bigger.

*'''Cut:''' The close-up of Isaac Sumdac saying "Nothing to be concerned about, children!" and the kid remarking that "This accident doesn't look too happy" have been cut for time. The episode resumes with the roach crashing through the window behind him.

*The Otoboto Family segment features [[Hiroyuki Otoboto]] telling his son, [[Tatsuya Otoboto]], about ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]'', complete with clips from "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". Mr. Otoboto then produces a complete set of ''Animated'' Autobot toys. Tatsuya is thrilled, but wouldn't ya know it? [[Megumi Otoboto|Mrs. Otoboto]] comes in with dinner! During mealtime conversation, Mrs. Otoboto makes the mistake of using the word "transform", which inevitably causes Tatsuya to start talking about Transformers, much to the amusement of his father and the annoyance of his older sister, [[Yūka Otoboto|Yūka]]. Tatsuya then causes a "freeze frame" so that he can introduce himself and his family (messing with his father's glasses in the process for his own amusement). Oddly, despite being "frozen", everyone proceeds to blink. As time resumes its normal pace, Hiroyuki wonders what happened to his glasses. He then digs into his dinner, except, oh no! It's too hot! ''Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!''

*During the "next episode" segment, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee proceed to have an argument. Bumblebee is confused, as he thought that Optimus Prime's name was supposed to be "Convoy". Prime assures him that his new name is his real name, but Bumblebee thinks it's too long. Bumblebee opts to call him "Oputi" since it has fewer syllables. Prime refuses to be called such a name (more fitting for a dog), so Bumblebee settles on "Pu-Pu" after "Opura" is also rejected. Prime is okay with the last one until he realizes how nasty it sounds and rejects the moniker with rage. The argument proceeds ''past'' the "next episode" segment and straight into the sponsor cards.

===Animation or technical glitches===
* Megatron's vehicle mode was depicted flying upside-down, or backwards, or possibly both. To be fair, in space, there is no up and down (and to be even fairer, it's really hard to tell from the toys exactly what ''is'' the front of Megatron's Cybertronian spaceship mode), but that does not excuse the fact that any propulsion system used would be in the ''back'' of the mode.

*When the Autobot get into the stasis pods, Prime, Bulkhead, and Ratchet are on the left side, with Bumblebee, Prowl, and an empty pod on the right, in that order. Yet when they get out later in the episode, Prime, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead are on the left, and the empty one, Prowl, and Ratchet on the right.

* As pre-Earth Prime enters the chamber which will re-format his body into his Earth mode, he walks past Ratchet, who is drawn mostly in his pre-Earth mode, except for the fact that his Cybertronian gut is replaced with his ambulance gut. In the next scene, Ratchet is properly drawn, pre-Earth gut and all.

* When Sari says to the Autobots it is okay to put down their hands, Bulkhead's face is black.

* When Starscream tackles Optimus Prime through a building as the Autobot tries to escape with the AllSpark, Optimus's axe is missing from Starscream's left wing. It reappears moments later for Optimus to retrieve it.

* In at least one scene, Starscream's Earth-form wing is shown with a spike, in the same manner as his Cybertronian body.

===Continuity errors===
* The train Starscream blasts from the tower falls toward the ground very, very slowly.

* When we first meet Starscream, he states that he has been searching for the AllSpark for fifty ''solar'' cycles. In later episodes, a solar cycle is equivalent to a day and a ''stellar'' cycle is used for years. This is the only time a solar cycle has been used to reference years, so either Starscream entered some sort of temporal anomaly or someone messed up. For more <s>confusion</s> information, See [[Cycle|this page]].

* Sumdac is using Megatron's hand as a chair. However, he seems to be using the right hand, which was blown up by Starscream. (It ''could'' have fallen off the Autobots' ship, as it was still clinging to the hull when last seen, but that seems unlikely.)

===Transformers references===
* The title of the episode itself is a [[Roll out|reference to past Transformers lore]].

* Footage from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|G1 cartoon]] episodes "[[War Dawn]]" and "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]" is used as history tapes detailing the events of the first [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], millions of years prior. [[Canon|This]] has been confirmed as purely an in-joke, and should not be taken as linking ''Animated'' to G1, continuity wise.

* The [[Teletran-1|Autobot ship]] here bears a distinct resemblance to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], albeit with a colour scheme more reminiscent of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. (As we learn [[A Bridge Too Close, Part II|much later]], there is [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|a very good reason for that]].)

* Bumblebee says "[[Rattrap|We're all gonna die.]]"

* Sari's robotic dog [[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]] is likely named after either [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] from G1, the ''Armada'' Mini-Con [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]], or both.

[[Image:Spikecarlydanielanimated.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Twenty years later, and they're still overdressed.]]
* Characters resembling [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], [[Carly]], and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] are seen at a hot dog stand, purchasing some sort of futuristic bunless wieners-on-a-stick. The characters went on to become recurring figures in the background cast of the show, and in "[[Garbage In, Garbage Out]]" it was revealed that their names were... [[Spike Witwicky (Animated)|Spike]], [[Carly Witwicky (Animated)|Carly]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (Animated)|Daniel Witwicky]].

* When Optimus Prime dies, his body fades to grays, just as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Generation 1 Optimus Prime]] did in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. His spark chamber opens in much the same manner as well.

* Teletran-1 (spelled with only one "a" in this universe) dispatches a small satellite very similar to the [[Sky Spy]] satellite used on occasion by the Autobots in the ''Generation 1'' cartoon. The glowing energy "boxes" with which it scans vehicles for the Autobots to transform into are lifted wholesale out of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]".

* At one point, Bulkhead refers to Optimus as "Boss-bot", echoing an epithet used for ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] by the [[Fuzor]] [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]].

===Notes===
* In this episode, [[Tutor Bot]] tries to teach Sari about the [[wikipedia:Smoot-Hawley_Tariff_Act|Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act]], a major economic blunder of the 1930s.
* Bumblebee's voice is slightly different in this episode from how it sounds later, as is Lugnut's voice, which seems very metallic.
* When Prowl gets birdpooped on, he is standing next to a statue of [[wikipedia:Hazen_S._Pingree|Hazen S. Pingree]], four-term mayor of Detroit and one-time governor of Michigan. In real life, the statue is located in Detroit's Grand Circus Park.
* A refurbished Michigan Central Station makes an appearance as the site for the dedication of Detroit's rapid transit system. The real-life station (abandoned since the '80s) was featured in the [[Transformers (2007)|2007 live-action movie]].
* When mocking the Autobots, Starscream actually calls Megatron "the great Megatron" without any sarcasm. Apparently, he'll only give a sincere compliment to his leader when he's insulting something else. Either that or he's just trying to make ''himself'' sound more impressive by building up the reputation of the one he's defeated.
* When Optimus comes back to life, he asks, "Is this the [[Well of All Sparks]]?" and Sari answers, "No, it's Detroit." This is an allusion to the movie ''Field of Dreams'', in which Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) asks Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner), "Is this Heaven?" and Ray answers, "No, it's Iowa."
* According to responses at a panel at BotCon 2008, the unfortunate acronym for Fully Automated Rapid Transit System was totally unintentional...which makes it that much funnier.
* Ratchet is able to use his front windshield as a video screen.
* Several elements present in this opener were changed/dropped in the main series, including expressive vehicle modes, the replacement of solar cycles with stellar cycles in terminology, the recolouring of Ratchet's magnetism from yellow to pink, and Sari's Key changing shape. However, the expressions on vehicle mode were briefly used again by [[Wasp]] in the episode [[Predacons Rising]].
* During [[Sari Sumdac|Sari's]] "conversation" with the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]], it shows her the faces of Ultra Magnus, Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Starscream, then the Cybertronian [[Alternate mode|vehicle modes]] for Optimus and Ratchet, the AllSpark's case and the [[Teletran-1|Autobots' ship]]. Then Sari unknowingly shows the AllSpark a man in a suit, a woman, a boy, the planet [[Earth]], pyramids, purple flowers, a horse, an aircraft with a giant cloud coming from the back, a cell and a DNA strand. The woman has dark skin and red hair like Sari.
* This movie was (lovingly) lampooned at the [[MSTF]] panel for [[BotCon 2008]], along with "[[War Dawn]]", the episode from which most of the "history vid" footage was taken.
* It's Detroit. There are guns everywhere. Why are the humans using ''water'' to take down the monster?
* In this episode, Starscream's engines use a sound effect borrowed from ''The Phantom Menace'': the sound made by Sebulba's podracer engines.

== Footnote ==
<references/>

[[Category:Animated episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]

Devastator (ROTF)

2010-03-26T18:51:34Z

74.89.49.46: /* Legends Class toys */

{{factions|decepticonfilm}}
{{disambig3|Devastator}}

:''Devastator is a [[Decepticon]] [[Combiner]] from the [[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:ROTF_Devastator_promo.jpg|thumb|400px|[[City of Steel|King Kong]] ain't got nothin' on me!]]

Whether he's formed from six, seven, or even nine [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]]s, '''Devastator''' is a giant among giants. He is in fact so huge that his body simply cannot support itself when carrying his weight upright, forcing him to lumber on all fours.

Devastator is a tormented being, his very formation wracking his component Constructicons with pain and stressing them to the breaking point both physically and mentally. The imperfect fusion process produces a mind that's very much less than the sum of its parts; rage and pain are all he knows, pushing aside whatever intelligence he might possess. Devastator relies on almost pure instinct in battle.

Devastator is named after [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron's]] unwithstandable and terrifyingly destructive [[Devastator Winds]], due to his intimidating strength. Devastator can also create powerful gravity wells by generating an artificial [[black hole]] with his [[Vortex Grinder]], located in his mouth.<ref>Devastator's [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/Battle-Bios.cfm Battle Bio] at Hasbro.com</ref> Nearby objects are drawn into his gaping mouth to be crushed.

Devastator is made up of:
*[[Scavenger (ROTF)|Scavenger]] (torso)
*[[Hightower (ROTF)|Hightower]] (left arm)
*[[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]] (right leg)
*[[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]] (head)
*[[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] (left leg)
*[[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]] (right arm)
;Sometimes omitted
*[[Overload (ROTF)|Overload]] (lower waist)
*[[Unknown Constructicon dump truck|Yellow dump truck]] (left leg)
*[[Unknown Constructicon shovel|Second bulldozer]] (left hand)

==Fiction==
===IDW ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comics===

Devastator (the Devastator? ''A'' Devastator?) was involved in a battle with [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sidewipe]], thousands of years ago. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 2}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:Voice actor: [[Frank Welker]] (English), [[Yasuyoshi Hara]] (Japanese)
[[Image:Devastator-ROTFvsLeoSpitz.jpg|thumb|left|300px|He's like a giant puppy! Who wants to eat you.]]

Upon arrival in [[Egypt]], the Constructicons that made up Devastator combined and attacked [[Leo Spitz]], [[Seymour Simmons]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]], and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]. It rampaged through the construction facility, sucking up anything not anchored down, such as sand, cars, and Mudflap. Despite the powerful vacuum, Mudflap held out for a while before being sucked further in. Seeking vengeance, Skids clambered up Devastator for revenge. However, Mudflap had survived, and he blasted a hole through the giant Decepticon's head to climb out before further attacking the combiner and slowing it down.

[[Image:ROTF Devastator death.jpg|thumb|right|275px|Hi ho, hi ho-HOLY SLAG!]]

[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] yelled Devastator's name from atop the [[Great Pyramid of Giza]] to end the twins' distraction. Devastator clambered out the construction pit and grappled his way to the peak of the pyramid, where he used his turbine breath to suck up the stones that hid the [[solar harvester]] inside. By this point, Simmons had made his way to the pyramid, and he radioed a nearby navy ship to fire its experimental [[rail gun]], which had been developed based on studies of Megatron during his captivity at [[Hoover Dam]]. The gun's projectile hit Devastator, blasting off an arm and making him lose his balance, causing him to shatter into many pieces as his body tumbled down the pyramid. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Fred Tatasciore]] (English)
====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
=====Autobot campaign=====
[[Image:ROTFgame_360PS3PC_Devastatorbattle.jpg|thumb|300px|Don't think about how out of scale the limbs are...and lets sink in the awesomeness of this picture.]]

After the Autobots defeated Megatron and [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], the Decepticons' ultimate weapon, Devastator, was unleashed upon [[Cairo]]. [[William Lennox|Major Lennox]]'s [[NEST]] forces as well as the local military were unable to hold back the titanic Decepticon, and were relegated to a supporting role once the Autobots arrived in the city. However, NEST helicopters provided invaluable assistance by laser-painting critical weapons subsystems for the Autobots to attack, such as his back-mounted missile launchers, his hip-mounted cannons and his arm-mounted guns, before they could attack his head-mounted armored node. Once the node was breached, Devastator collapsed in the streets of Cairo. {{Storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Revenge of the Fallen===
====Legends Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF Devastator ezcollectiondx.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The one you will actually buy.]]
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (Legends, 2009)

:Like the on-screen combiner, but unlike the Supreme class Devastator toy, the Legends class Devastator comprises seven Constructicons, including the elusive [[Overload (ROTF)|Overload]], each with individual robot modes. Because of this, he is a lot more complex than the Supreme class toy, with a more "layered" look than his movie counterpart had. Devastator is (roughly) Deluxe sized while standing up. The only real drawback he has is that he almost has no articulation. But hey, you can't have everything, right?

:In [[Hasbro]]'s markets, Devastator will be available as a store-[[exclusive]] set, packaged in a currently-unique clear box in gestalt mode. A huge two-sided instruction sheet explains transformation in both directions from gestalt to vehicles and vehicles to robots, with the curious note that "Some poses may require hand support". In the United States and in Canada, the exclusive lies with [[Walmart]]. In the United Kingdom, the set is (to date) only available through Argos.

:In [[Japan]] the Constructicon team members are available individually. Unlike the usual EZ collection toys, the Constructicons are not blind packed but packed in much the same way as Hasbro Legends class releases.

{{-}}
[[Image:Image-ROTF Devastator ezcollectiondxG1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Bet yer ''green'' with envy.]]

*'''EZ Collection Devastator - G1 Colors Version''' (Legends, 2010)
:Takara will reissue the seven Legend class Constructicons in G1 inspired green and purple color schemes. Quick! Cancel those Hasbro orders you made! He even comes packaged in the same clear box set the Hasbro version used.

{{-}}

====Combiner Class toys====
[[Image:ROTF Devastator combiner toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Actually movie accurate... [[Overload (ROTF)|NOT.]]]]
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RD-16'''

:Devastator is formed from the combination of six transforming construction vehicle toys that do not have individual robot modes. Unlike [[Duocon|prior]] [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Energon|cases]] of this format, Devastator's vehicles represent separate Transformers, [[Scavenger (ROTF)|and]] [[Rampage (ROTF)|most]] [[Long Haul (ROTF)|of]] [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|them]] have other non-combiner toys that ''do'' have robot modes.

:Despite the figure's complex appearance(from the front anyway), the limbs' transformations into combined mode are rather simple. Fortunately, this makes him a lot easier to muck with than some of the other larger-scale ''Revenge of the Fallen'' toys. This is good, because Devastator is ENORMOUS. His smallest limbs (his legs) are the size of Deluxe-class toys, and his largest components are bigger than Leader-class toys. While the legs can not be swapped (unless for some reason you want a backwards walking Devastator), the arms can be swapped around.

[[Image:ROTF_Supreme_Devastator_japanese.jpg|thumb|left|150px|You've got red on you.]]

:The toy's electronics are all in the Mixmaster component. Pressing the button makes Devastator's mouth open and activates voice clips and engine sounds, as well as green lights in his mouth and eyes. Pressing the button for a few seconds activates his "Vortex grinder". However, the button trigger is so sensitive that he ''never shuts up''. In Devastator mode, his mouth can be locked into the open position by clicking his lower jaw sections into the large tank treads that form his shoulders. His mouth is enormous, and it lights up all pretty and green. He can easily swallow any Legends-class toy and spit it out the other side by opening up the back of his head. Covering Devastator's head when separating him from the torso and turning him back into Mixmaster's vehicle mode activates the transformation noise, and after that somehow makes engine stalling noises without pulling the trigger.

:Sadly, Devastator has a hard time standing on all four of his limbs, and is most stable standing on his hind legs. This is mainly because the most weight is located in the head, and his fingers are not made to hold that weight. He will also look straight to the ground unless you lock his head in place with the lower jaw.

:The Japanese [[TakaraTomy]] release of this figure has extra paint applications on Devastator's face, for a better resemblance to the final CG model.
{{-}}

====Mega Power Bots====
[[Image:ROTF MegaPowerBots Devastator.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Not a Power Rangers Megazord.]]
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (2009)

: [[Mega Power Bots]] Devastator is a simple toy for younger children, featuring plenty of playing sounds and flashing lights. His limbs have limited swivel articulation and do not detach into separate vehicles. He has a distinctly more humanoid stature than normal.

: Unlike regular [[Power Bots]], and unlike other portrayals of the character in general, Devastator features a transformation! It consists of putting his arms up and laying him flat on his stomach, which lets him roll around using the wheels on his limbs.

: Pressing down the Decepticon shield on his crotch (!) spins the vortex in his chest, lights up his eyes and makes him utter one of many Welker-recorded phrases, including [[Transformers: The Movie|"Prepare for extermination!"]], "Crush Autobots!" and "I am Devastator!" Pressing on the crane of his excavator arm makes a cannon blast sound effect, while pressing the cab of his loader arm turns the scoop into claws.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Revenge of the Fallen===
====Burger King====
[[Image:ROTFMerchandise-BurgerKingDevastator.jpg|right|200px|thumb|What? No wrecking ball testicles? LAME. ]]
*'''Constructin' Devastator''' (2009)
:Burger King Devastator consists of five parts — a head and body, and simplified versions of the vehicle modes for Long Haul, Scrapper, Rampage and Hightower, which connect to the torso on [[ball joint]]s. The generic connectors mean that they can be attached in any configuration, however the intended layout is marked with letters from A to D. The ball joints are loose enough to allow limited articulation.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/BKDevastator/devastator.htm More information on Devastator at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

{{-}}
====RPMs - Robot Powered Machines====
=====Track Set=====
[[Image:ROTF RPM Devastator Showdown Playset.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Rejected name: Escape The Teabag.]]
*'''Devastator Showdown''' (2009)
**'''Includes:''' [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] [[Mini-Vehicle]].

:The Devastator Showdown track set is a [[retool]] of the ''Indiana Jones'' race track. This playset is compatible with the other Hot Wheels-like miniature cars. It fires the car on a track to an area that (when a car goes over it) releases a "wrecking ball" and the Devastator head lights up and makes sounds. The wrecking ball will follow the car down the track until the tracks stop.

:Yes, that means he fires his testicles at you.

{{-}}

====Robot Heroes====
*'''Desert Devastation''' (Multi-pack, 2009)

[[Image:rotf_desertdevastation_rh.jpg|right|thumb|300px|D'awwwvstator.]]

:"Desert Devastation" Devastator is a super-sized ''[[Robot Heroes]]'' figure, at least twice as big as other toys in the line. He is only available in a multi-pack with [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] in their vehicle modes and [[William Lennox]].

{{Comingsoontoy}}

==Notes==

{{quote|[[Steven Spielberg|Spielberg]] saw [Devastator] and said, 'This is (expletive) awesome!' It's always nice when you can make him swear.|[[Michael Bay]]|"[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-04-01-transformers-first-look_N.htm First look: Robo-brawlers big, small in new 'Transformers']" in ''USA Today'' ([[April 3]], [[2009]])}}

[[Image:ROTF Devastator and components concept art.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"Six?! What happened to seven?!" "Just kidding."]]
* In the film, none of Devastator's components are shown as individual Transformers. This might vaguely justify why the components of his Supreme class toy lack individual robot modes.

* Devastator's final CGI head differed from that used for his promotional images, including more red panels and several pulleys and wires, four highly pronounced horns, and a trio of throat gears lit like a furnace, instead of a single, complex vortex machine that is lit green like his eyes.

* In the film, there are ''nine'' vehicles that form Devastator! A [[Unknown Constructicon shovel|yellow bulldozer]] is seen unfolding and is then scooped up by Devastator's left arm, which has been formed by Hightower. Another [[Unknown Constructicon dump truck|yellow dump truck]] lines up next to Rampage and helps him form the leg. This means two things: It explains why Devastator's left arm has scoops on it while Hightower's vehicle mode has no such equipment, and also why none of the Devastator toys are movie-accurate.
** Hasbro's [[Hasbro_Q%26A/December_2009:_Answers|''official'' line]] is that there are seven Constructicons that form Devastator.

* Devastator is made up of 52,632 geometric pieces and 11,716,127 polygons. The total length of all the pieces is 13.84 miles. <ref>Robertson, Barbara (2009). Weighty Matters. Computer Graphics World, 32(7), 20-29</ref>

* Devastator is made up of 6467 total textures, taking up 32 gigabytes of computer space. <ref>Robertson, Barbara (2009). Weighty Matters. Computer Graphics World, 32(7), 20-29</ref>

* When Devastator punches the pyramid, its hand is traveling at 390 miles per hour. <ref>Robertson, Barbara (2009). Weighty Matters. Computer Graphics World, 32(7), 20-29</ref>

[[Image:Devastator-ROTFenemyscrotum.jpg|right|thumb|250px|NSFW]]
* Devastator's got [[Humanization#Questionable body parts|brass balls]]. Exactly ''how'' is pretty questionable; even the crane Hightower would only have one wrecking ball as a counterweight. When Hasbro was asked if there ever will be a Devastator toy with wrecking balls, they replied straight out "no".

:* The Devastator Showdown track set does, however, feature one wrecking ball that chases cars down the track. Hmmm.

* According to [[Shawn Kelly]], the [[ILM]] lead animator for ''Revenge of the Fallen'', Devastator caused a computer to catch fire spontaneously and its insides to melt. <ref>''Nickelodeon Magazine'', issue 153, published June 2009</ref> One assumes he was exaggerating for the purposes of publicity, as it is improbable for modern computers to actually catch fire under operations for which they are designed, such as rendering an extremely complex model. The special features on the DVD do (indirectly) show one of the computers blowing, with lots of black smoke and the poor animator (and his keyboard) covered in soot. (This was all done as a prank, leading to said animator asking "What the hell, man?") Not quite melting, but still.

*Interestingly, despite the supreme class toy being formed from vehicles similar to his [[Devastator (G1)|''Generation 1'' counterpart]] (dump truck, bulldozer, front end loader, crane, excavator, mixing truck), none of them form the same component in both versions.

*In [[Transformers Generations 2009]], volume 3, a very early Devastator mock-up is pictured that places more emphasis on height than width (being rather creepily lanky) and includes among other things, a [[Blackout (Movie)|Sikorsky]] helicopter as a component. It was [[kitbash]]ed together from various figures from other lines, including some from Spawn and Kamen Rider.

* Massive Black's concept art is totally different from the film version: a red mining truck forms the torso, an excavator and timber harvester form the arms, and the legs are formed by a military plow and bulldozer. The resulting robot is human in posture.<ref>[http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2483869&postcount=2179 Massive Black post of their ROTF concept art]</ref>

*Devastator has a [[tongue]], which is cool and disturbing-looking at the same time.

*According to a [[catalog]] included with ROTF toys, the ONLY way for the Autobots to defeat Devastator is by combining Optimus Prime and Jetfire.

*Given that the film establishes multiple sets of Constructicons, it seems entirely possible that more than one "Devastator" could be formed.

*Devastator was in an early draft of [[Reign of Starscream]], but was dropped at Hasbro's request.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/members/mowry-73165.html#vmessage167559]</ref>

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Combined forms]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Constructicons]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]

Carmine Fanzone

2010-03-26T16:34:14Z

74.89.49.46:

:''Carmine Fanzone is a [[human]] from the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Captainfanzone.jpg|right|200px|thumb|NYPD Bluestreak]]
Captain '''Carmine Fanzone''' is the apparent head of the [[Detroit]] police department. He hates machines, but in an "I'm old" sort of way rather than being evil or anything. However, despite his oft-repeated mantra of "''This'' is why I hate machines/robots" whenever some device in his vicinity goes on the fritz (often with comedic, embarrassing results), he's pragmatic enough to make use of technology when needed. For example, he's a world champion at yelling at subordinates through megaphones for added effect. And firing heavy weaponry at [[Dinobot (Animated)|rampaging robots]].

Despite his endless battle with the march of progress and general poor luck, Fanzone is a good cop, dedicated to protecting the people of his city, even if he dislikes certain demographics. He's also not a bad guy to have in a brawl. He doesn't ''completely'' trust the [[Autobot|Autobots]], but he's at least assured that they mean well and, like him, are here to protect and serve the people of Detroit. He just wishes that they'd stop destroying so much of the city in the process.

Along with machines, he also hates lawyers and kids, but most of all, he hates tech support for machines.

{{bigquote|A technophobe is someone who ''fears'' technology. ''Does '''this''' look like '''fear to you'''?!''|Captain Fanzone smashes a phone to define his worldview to [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]]|"[[Survival of the Fittest]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
{{Idw-tfa}}
:''Voice actor:'' [[Jeff Glen Bennett]] (English), [[Nobuo Tobita]] (Japanese), [[Axel Lutter]] (German)

It was the beginning of a bad day when Captain Fanzone got a call for all units to respond to [[Sumdac Systems]] down by Lake Erie. (It was in the middle of his lunch break.) Taking command of the assembled emergency units, Fanzone quickly realized that they were in over their heads fighting a rampaging cybernetic bug-slug, and he ordered all humans to fall back and allow the drones to deal with the creature. When he noticed four cars refusing to fall back, he demanded to know who they were...at which point he realized [[Prowl (Animated)|a cop bike]] had no driver, and [[Captain Fanzone's car|his own car]] was among the group. It got even weirder when it turned out they were [[Transformer|alien robots]], but [[Sari Sumdac|some little girl]] managed to talk the cops down from shooting at the invaders.

Several days later, Fanzone, the Mayor, [[Isaac Sumdac]], and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|that robot that looks like his car]] were taken hostage by [[Starscream (Animated)|an evil jet]], but were saved by the aforementioned little girl and the cop bike. As the cop bike took him down, Fanzone declared that this is why he hates machines. Thankless primate. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}

Fanzone was courted by [[Prometheus Black]], who hoped to use the Captain's mistrust of machines in general and Sumdac products in specific to win his company a contract with the Detroit police department. However, once he saw the berserk rage that [[Colossus Rhodes]] displayed when smashing up the parking lot of an arena, he decided he didn't much like Black's biotechnology either. Not long after, he presided over a demonstration of new Sumdac models which proved to still have a few bugs in the system. Sumdac mentioned that these models had much better recognition systems, thus avoiding a repeat of "the unfortunate incident with the Captain's wife". However, sabotage courtesy of the newly minted supervillain Meltdown ensured that the new robots were still far from ready for prime-time. {{storylink|Total Meltdown}}

[[Image:Fanzone.jpg|left|200px|thumb|It's amazing what you can find on eBay these days...]]
When police responded to the rampage of the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]], Captain Fanzone arrived and asked how bad it was into his megaphone...to an officer who was standing right next to him. The officer pointed at the rampaging robots, as [[Snarl (Animated)|a mechanical triceratops]] sent a car flying through the air, which hit Fanzone's car, crushing it. Captain Fanzone remained completely unmoved, then grabbed a bazooka from a nearby officer and fired at the triceratops...which promptly ate the projectile. Fanzone again proclaimed his dislike of machines. {{storylink|Blast from the Past}}

After [[Nanosec]]'s defeat by the [[Autobot|Autobots]], Fanzone took the suddenly elderly supervillain into custody. {{storylink|Nanosec (episode)|Nanosec}}

Captain Fanzone accompanied a number of DPD officers to a military base where the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] and [[Lugnut]] had been sighted. He was quite miffed to find that the two giant alien robots had apparently vanished into thin air, unaware that the two had adopted [[Earth]] modes and were hiding in plain sight, and with very odd color schemes. {{storylink|Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found}}

[[Image:TFA Survival Fittest Fanzone Grimlock.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Fanzone knew he shouldn't have booked that vacation to Jurassic Park...]]
Captain Fanzone was brought in to lead the investigation regarding Sari Sumdac's disappearance and probable kidnapping. In questioning the Autobots, he was somewhat dubious as to the merits of teaching a little girl "ninja nerve blows." After noticing suspicious behavior from Prowl and Bulkhead, he resolved to follow the two Autobots and pursued them in a (increasingly leaking) submersible. Luckily, Fanzone arrived on [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|the island]] safely, though his vessel crumbled into pieces. Nature proved almost more hostile to the Captain than technology, ultimately resulting in him getting trapped in quicksand and requiring rescue from the very individuals he was shadowing. Grudgingly going along with them, he uncovered Prometheus Black's plan to genetically alter Sari into a biotechnological shapeshifter. His outrage was brief, however, as the mad scientist dropped him into a gladiatorial arena and sicced [[Fusion creature|his failed experiments]] on the Captain and Prowl. Forced to team up to survive, the Autobot earned the Captain's respect and trust as they fought their way out of the research facility. {{storylink|Survival of the Fittest}}

And then that trust was destroyed along with a good portion of Detroit after [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]'s [[Megatron Rising - Part 2|rampage]]. When an [[Steelhaven (Animated)|alien ship]] landed in Detroit, Fanzone told the Autobots to stay away, lest something worse happen. When it turned out to be the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]], Fanzone was resigned to the fact that the Autobots would have to deal with them. While the Autobots aboard the alien ship, he refused Sari Sumdac's plea to go to their aid. Once [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] stepped out and told them they were Autobots, Fanzone appeared mildly relieved—until [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|a missile carrier]] and [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|a jerk monster truck]] rolled right after Prime, with the later vehicle denting Fanzone's car. Why did it have to be robots? {{storylink|The Elite Guard}}

During a press conference with [[Augustus Edsel|Mayor Edsel]] and the monster truck named Sentinel Prime, Fanzone received a phone call from what he believed was a woman reporting on Decepticon activity. Heading to old Detroit, Sentinel Prime condescendingly told the humans to stay away. Later, he was on hand to arrest [[Headmaster (Animated)|Henry Masterson]], only for [[Porter C. Powell]], the new CEO of Sumdac Systems, to arrive and point out that Masterson had committed no real crimes, as robots weren't protected by law, not to mention that the incident occurred on a boat in international waters between the [[United States]] and [[Canada]]. Reluctantly, Fanzone released Masterson. This is why he hates businessmen. {{storylink|The Return of the Headmaster}}

[[Image:Swingset.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Fanzone agreed to help as long as someone gave him a push.]]
With the prospect of being recalled to Cybertron, the Autobots had the dilemma of who was going to care for Sari after the mean old businessman put her out on the streets. First on their list of grade-A trustworthy humans was Captain Fanzone. Granted, the list was short and also included Prometheus Black and Nino Sexton. In an effort by the Autobots to get the two humans to bond, Sari discussed with Fanzone the merits of being able to stay up as late as she likes, as well as her need for a very large allowance.

Captain Fanzone breathed a sigh of relief when the Autobots got to stay. Sari said they could still hang out. {{storylink|Mission Accomplished}}

The captain was close by when a breakdown in human-robot relations occurred during the Autobots' assistance with a garbage strike. Breaking up the confrontation between a curmudgeonly citizen and the similarly curmudgeonly [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]], he advised the veteran Autobot that he needed to work on his people skills. When someone like Fanzone says this, you really ought to worry. {{storylink|Garbage In, Garbage Out}}

While pursuing some of the racers of ''[[Street Demon]]'' show, Fanzone managed to arrest two of them who'd been driven off the road by [[Blurr (Animated)|a blue car]] when the Autobots provided assistance to the drivers. Interrogating one (and serving as both [[Prowl (G1)|good cop]] ''and'' [[Barricade (Movie)|bad cop]]), he learned where the next race would be. As he headed downtown, he was surprised when Bumblebee drove up alongside and opened his door, and Sari Sumdac told him to jump into the car—at which point he noticed [[Blitzwing (Animated)|a fighter jet]] shooting missiles at him. Fanzone jumped into Bumblebee, where Sari revealed that [[Master Disaster]] was controlling the blue car with some sort of remote control. After the aforementioned blue car won a mid-air game of chicken with the jet, Bumblebee removed the two humans, then went to fight the Decepticon. As Master Disaster tried to sneak away, Fanzone placed him under arrest. {{storylink|Velocity}}

{{storylink|SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy}}

After Meltdown was abducted from jail, Fanzone was called in to investigate. While at the scene, Fanzone encountered Porter C. Powell, who immediately blamed Sari and the Autobots for Meltdown's escape, and was shown a recorded conversation they had with Meltdown as proof. Suspicious, Fanzone asked him how he obtained that recording, which was met with an evasive response from Powell. After Powell pompously demanded that he provide him with police protection, Fanzone ignored him and walked off. Later that night, Fanzone received a call from Powell, informing him that a robbery had been committed by the Autobots, though the only thing they took was Meltdown's [[genetic modifier]]. Turned out that the robbery and Meltdown's escape were caused by their [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|"Spider-Lady Friend"]] blackmailing the Dinobots and Optimus Prime into helping her and the Autobots returned the genetic modifier back to Powell, albeit melted and damaged beyond repair. An irate Powell demanded that Fanzone arrest the Autobots for endangering his life, but Fanzone, already fed up with Powell at this point, said he was going to get some sleep and walked away, but not before telling Powell to do the same or he'd arrest him for being a public nuisance. {{storylink|Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday}}

After Optimus Prime defeated [[Headmaster (Animated)|Headmaster]], Fanzone showed up mutely to arrest him. {{storylink|TransWarped}}

When the [[Constructicons (Animated)|Constructicons]] (under [[Dirt Boss (Animated)|new management]]) started their oil-racketing gig, Fanzone asked whether Bulkhead knew the [[Mixmaster (Animated)|rude]] [[Scrapper (Animated)|oil guzzlers]] in question. When Bulkhead admited so and claimed that they were simply good bots that fell in with [[Decepticons|the wrong crowd]], Fanzone told Bulkhead to tell his 'good bots' that he does not appreciate illegal horseplay in his town, especially if it's by machines. {{storylink|Three's a Crowd}}

Fanzone was given a [[Sound Wave]] for Christmas, with the note "A machine even you could love". It proceeded to take over his mind. Meanwhile, in a virtual world, Bumblebee stole virtual-Fanzone's car.

Upon the real [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]]'s defeat, Fanzone was freed. {{storylink|Human Error, Part II}}

When the police heli-drones started malfunctioning, Fanzone went to Sumdac Tower to complain to Isaac Sumdac in person. All he found was Ratchet trying to work use Bulkhead's Space Bridge to find [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]]. Then said heli-drones appeared and started attacking Fanzone. Fortunately, his life was saved when the Space Bridge activated and sucked Fanzone out of harm's way. Problem was, it sent him to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], a planet inhabited completely by robots. Things did not turn better when [[Flareup (Animated)|one robot]] encouraged [[Grandus (Animated)|her large friend]] to step on him. Fanzone's life was saved when Ratchet, who had also jumped through the Space Bridge, showed up. Unfortunately for Fanzone, all of Cybertron was anti-organic, thanks to their new leader, Sentinel 'Magnus'. He was apprehended by Sentinel and was a witness to the Autobot Council's debate whether or not they should fire on Omega Supreme. When Ratchet's disagreement with Sentinel caused him to be branded as a traitor, Fanzone provided a decent distraction with a loud (and disgusting) sneeze.

Ratchet and Fanzone escaped to the underground tunnels, only to find someone had been living there for a while: a tall one-eyed Decepticon that Ratchet identified as [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]]. When Shockwave revealed his plans to steal Omega Supreme's access codes, the two bots had a tussle and Shockwave got away. Fortunately, Fanzone knew where to go: to [[Rattletrap|the guy in town who dealt in false documents]]. Ratchet and Fanzone were able to convince him to give them an access card to the Cybertron Central Infirmary. When those codes turned out bogus, Jazz, who Fanzone knew had been tailing them since the tunnels, gave them a genuine keycard. Then Ratchet showed them what they were fighting over: [[Arcee (Animated)|a comatose robot dame]]. However, they had just led Shockwave to her. Fanzone demanded an explanation of why she was so important. Ratchet briefly told him how he and Arcee were captured by [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] when Ratchet was transporting her and the activation codes she carried, only for her memory to be wiped by Ratchet's EMP generator. Ratchet then put Fanzone and Arcee into the room, only for Shockwave to break into the room, bury Fanzone in rubble, and fly off with Arcee.

Later, [[Alpha Trion (Animated)|two]] [[Perceptor (Animated)|of]] the Autobot Council provided Ratchet and Fanzone a Space Bridge ride home. The moment was slightly soured by Ratchet refusing to give Sentinel the Magnus Hammer and jumping through the Space Bridge with Fanzone. Back on Earth, Fanzone loudly complained about how he had been "mixed up in a war, nearly stepped on, blasted, buried in rubble, and possibly zapped into space" and was now an accomplice in intergalactic grand theft. Then Ratchet destroyed a malfunctioning heli-drone and Fanzone called it even. Then Jazz came through the Space Bridge so he could join the Earth Autobots, much to Fanzone's annoyance. {{storylink|This Is Why I Hate Machines}}

{{charstubfiction}}

==Notes==
* According to [[Marty Isenberg]], Captain Fanzone was named after Detroit native [[wikipedia:Carmen_Fanzone|Carmen Fanzone]], a neighbor of his and a former player for the Chicago Cubs. Due to the relative scarcity of Fanzones in Michigan, the real Fanzone had to sign a waiver before the character could be used. The real Carmen Fanzone also doesn't look or sound anything like the ''Animated'' one.

[[Image:TFA Fanzone open eyes.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Fanzone can open his eyes. Experience has just taught him that he won't like what he sees.]]
* Fanzone's ability to open his eyes seems to vary from episode to episode. In many episodes (seemingly the ones animated by [[The Answer Studio]]) his eyes are permanently closed... which does match the stock [[character model]] seen above, granted, but probably isn't how he's supposed to be 24/7.

* Captain Fanzone is so slow to adopt new technology that he has a [[wikipedia:rotary_dial|rotary dial]] cell phone...and he even has problems with that.

* His car has been crushed several times, yet it continues to show up to be crushed again. He must have good insurance.

* Fanzone's extended family, including his wife and mother-in-law, have been alluded to on a number of occasions, but have yet to make an actual appearance. Given that it's been implied that the other Fanzones are just as susceptible to "unfortunate incidents" with technology as the captain himself is, that's probably just as well.

* Fanzone is actually the first human [[This Is Why I Hate Machines|ever to set foot on Cybertron]] in the ''Animated'' universe.

{{DEFAULTSORT: Fanzone, Carmine}}
[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Cartoon-only characters]]
[[Category:Humans]]
[[Category:Security officers]]

Meltdown (Animated)

2010-03-26T15:58:05Z

74.89.49.46: /* Animated cartoon */

{{disambig3|Meltdown}}
:''Prometheus Black is a [[human]] from the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Meltdownaproch.jpg|right|275px|thumb|Look what you've done! I'm melting! I'm melting!]]
'''Prometheus Black''' is an entrepreneur and business rival of [[Isaac Sumdac]]. Whereas [[Sumdac Systems]] focuses on robotics, Black's company [[Biotech Unbound]] is devoted to (of course) biotechnology. His constant loss of business in favor of Sumdac's [[automaton]]s has left Black bitter toward machines, especially the [[Transformer|sentient kind]]. While attempting to develop a new corrosive that would melt [[Autobot]] armor, Black fell victim to a laboratory accident that transformed him into the supervillain '''Meltdown'''.

Driven quite frankly bonkers, Black was left able to secrete an acidic liquid that melts anything he touches, and which can be fired in jets from his palms. Unable to "turn off" his powers, Black constantly secretes acid, and must wear protective suits that allow him to walk about and manipulate objects without melting them.

He employs shrimp/giant and altogether biochemical freak [[Colossus Rhodes]].

He also looks good in a pimp suit, which is the best superpower ever.

{{quote|Who better than the daughter of my arch-rival, the bane of my existence, the simpering fool who is unworthy to lick the mud off the heels of my platform-shoes—booga-looga-looga-looz—Professor Isaac Sumdac? Poetic, no?|—Meltdown vents some spleen regarding [[Isaac Sumdac]] and then gets [[Dancitron|his funk on]]|"[[Survival of the Fittest]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Peter Stormare]] (English), [[Rainer Doering]] (German)

[[Image:TFA Prometheus Black.JPG|left|150px|thumb|"Oh, no. Promotheus." "''Prom'''e'''theus!]]
Prometheus Black's biotechnology business was highly successful because it played off the citizens of [[Detroit|Detroit's]] fear of <strike>illegal immigrants</strike> robots stealing their jobs. Much of his money was made on makeovers of some of the city's less physically gifted individuals, but he finally staged a promotion aimed at getting himself a contract with the city's police force. Pitting the seemingly frail old man Colossus Rhodes against [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]], he hoped to win the support of [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] by showcasing the strength-inducing powers of his nano-technological steroids. Unfortunately, Rhodes proceeded to rampage out of control in the parking lot, convincing Fanzone to recommend canceling all of Black's contracts with the city, leaving Black financially ruined.

[[Image:Meltdown anim closeup.jpg|right|150px|thumb|The goggles...they do nothing!]]
In the wake of the parking lot brawl, Black discovered a small piece of Bumblebee's armor, which had been knocked off during the fight, coated in the Autobot's hydraulic fluid. Seeking to prove the superiority of his bio-tech creations over the Autobots, he fused the fluid with his steroids, creating an acid that would melt Transformer armor. Black presented his findings to his venture capital backers' representative, [[Porter C. Powell]], but Powell refused to supply him with any further money or test subjects. Enraged, Black smashed a rack of test tubes and beakers, scattering his acid across the laboratory. As the acid began eating through the counters and floor of the lab and alarms started blaring, Black inhaled the steroid-infused fumes as he staggered for the exit, and began to secrete acid through his pores.

Driven insane by the accident and now calling himself "Meltdown", Black donned a protective suit and decided to take his revenge on Sumdac, first by sabotaging a display of Sumdac's [[police drone]]s. Not content with simply damaging his rival's reputation, Meltdown next broke into [[Sumdac Tower]], intending to do away with Sumdac permanently. Thankfully, Bumblebee was able to save Sumdac at the eleventh hour, and proceeded to lure Meltdown to the ground floor of the tower, where he was trapped in a [[force field]] by [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]. {{storylink|Total Meltdown}}

[[Image:TFA Survival Fittest Meltdown panic.JPG|left|175px|thumb|Fanzone was right,he is one seriously twisted fruit cake.]]

When Meltdown next surfaced, he and Colossus Rhodes discovered the [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobots' island]], where Meltdown used his acidic powers to force the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]] into servitude. Additionally, Meltdown's encounter with the Autobots had left him thinking: if a robot could [[Transformation|transform]], why not a human being? Meltdown began concentrating on developing a "human transformer", but [[Fusion creature|his early experiments]] (one involving his lawyer) were failures, and he decided to try again, this time with a child. He sent [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]] to kidnap [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]], Isaac's daughter, but [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]], [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and Captain Fanzone's interference not only put a stop to his plan, but freed the Dinobots... whose first decision was to try and rend Meltdown limb from limb. Prowl gave him a choice: Dinobots or prison. Surprise, surprise, he chose prison. {{storylink|Survival of the Fittest}}

Meltdown was visited in prison by Sari, who wanted him to help provide evidence she could use against his old business partner, Porter C. Powell. That discussion was fruitless, but a few minutes later, the Dinobots had a lot more success in breaking into the prison and kidnapping Meltdown at the behest of their new "friend", [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]]. The shifty cyborg knew of Meltdown's genetic research and ordered him to cure her of her organic contamination.

[[Image:TFA Black Friday Meltdown melts.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Evil does not die... it... evolves.]]
Meltdown played along, explaining that he required a special [[genetic modifier]] from his old laboratory to successfully purge Blackarachnia's organic half. The device was retrieved by [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] and a blackmailed [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]], but as he strapped Blackarachnia down before beginning the process, Meltdown revealed that he would not be purging her organic half, but instead ridding her of her mechanical side, in his latest attempt to create an organic Transformer. Prime managed to disrupt the experiment and rescue Blackarachnia. During the scuffle, Meltdown was hit by a massive energy discharge from the genetic modifier, and his body was melted away into a completely liquid state, leaking out of his containment suit and draining through the floor. His remains were left behind by Optimus, who believed him to be gone for good, but in reality, the villain was anything but. A short time later, his now-liquid body began reconstituting itself. {{storylink|Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*Meltdown and Prometheus Black were originally conceived as separate characters. Meltdown and [[Nanosec]] would have been two of several bio-engineered humans made by Black.
*Thus far, Meltdown is the only human villain to inflict grievous, often spark-threatening injury to any of the main cast, as well as hold his own in a fight against them on a fairly even level. He nearly melted off Bulkhead's arm and almost off-lined Bumblebee in "[[Total Meltdown]]", tormented the Dinobots into submission while critically injuring Bulkhead in "[[Survival of the Fittest]]", would have turned Blackarachnia into a [[Mutant (BW)| mutant]] and might have killed Optimus if the genetic modifier hadn't liquified him in "[[Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday]]".
*And he still gets owned by [[Carmine Fanzone|a human]].
*Although the final scene of "Black Friday" leaves open the possibility of a return, Meltdown is never seen again in the series.

[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Cartoon-only characters]]
[[Category:Humans]]
[[Category:Supervillains]]

Prometheus Unbound

2010-03-26T15:56:07Z

74.89.49.46:

{{episode
|series=BMtoon
|ep=16
|image=PrometheusUnbound title.jpg
|caption="Oh no. Promotheus." "''Prom'''e'''theus!"
|title="Prometheus Unbound"
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[February 23]], 2000
|written by=[[Marv Wolfman]]
|directed by=[[Sebastian Brodin]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''The Maximals infiltrate Megatron's fortress, but are betrayed by their new friend.'''

:''French title:'' '''Prométhée''' ("Prometheus")
:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Promethéus''' ("Prometheus")
:''Japanese title:'' 怪物のお目覚め (''Kaibutsu no o Mezame'', "The Monster's Awakening")
:''Spanish title:'' '''Prometeo Liberado'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:PrometheusUnbound Noble moon.jpg|left|thumb|200px|''Even a bot who is pure of spark and says his prayers by night may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the metal moon is bright.'']]
A giant Cybertronian moon passes (rumbles, actually) overhead. [[Noble]] howls at it, much to the consternation of the distant [[Maximal]]s—their new friend has run off yet again. [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] blames the team's treatment of the newcomer. [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] gently defends their actions as being for Noble's own good. "And ours," [[Rattrap]] adds.

[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] is vaguely unsettled by Noble; Rattrap is freaked out. Nightscream doesn't take this well, and storms off with [[Optimus Primal|Optimus]] in pursuit. Rattrap and Blackarachnia note unhappily that Noble is probably heading for "the same place as the last five nights".

[[Image:PrometheusUnbound Nightscream Savage bound.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Invasion of the Metal Pod People]]
Noble is furiously banging on the doors to [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s [[Council Citadel|citadel]] when Nightscream and Optimus arrive; he transforms to Savage form when they confront him, then continues trying to claw his way in. A bunch of snaking cables worm out to attack Nightscream when he tries again to stop Savage—and Savage knocks him out of their way. The cables envelope and constrain him, and the Maximals peel him free to find him back in Noble form.

Noble seems confused about how he got there, and says the Maximals should lock him away. But Optimus defends him, saying he saved Nightscream even in his Savage guise. Rattrap isn't buying it. Nightscream nastily puts Rattrap back in his place, saying he knows what it's like to be alone.

As usual, Optimus calms things down, focusing the team on finding the missing Sparks. The group prepares to infiltrate the citadel to look for clues. Noble wants to help, saying he's been drawn here for a reason, but Optimus refuses—they're going to have enough to worry about. Nightscream supports Noble, but Optimus doesn't budge, and Nightscream storms off.

Rattrap plugs in and the doors slide open. Rattrap is restrained from rushing in by Blackarachnia, as Optimus reveals a destructive force field across the entryway. A quick shot to the control panel takes it out. Too easy—this was the trap they were ''meant'' to find. The group enters… and Noble, some distance away, turns and sprints through the doorway. A pursuing Nightscream follows just as it closes.

Optimus is ticked off, but Noble says he couldn't help himself, and seems to be having trouble controlling himself.

As Rattrap begins a search for the security shut-off, Noble takes off running for the control room… and promptly steps on a floor sensor, activating a field of floating mines. The Maximals freeze, but just then Noble's eyes glow red, and he morphs back into Savage, setting off a string of the mines. KaBOOM!

The group groaningly gets to its feet, and Rattrap chews out Nightscream for dragging Noble along. They hear distant roaring, and split up—Nightscream and Optimus hunt for Savage; Rattrap heads for the throne room, with Cheetor and Blackarachnia on backup. As the two groups proceed, both Savage and Noble watch from the shadows.

[[Image:PrometheusUnbound Rattrap harness.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Rattrap soon stumbled on Megatron's copy of "Two girls, one cup".]]
Nightscream hears Savage's roaring and takes off after him. Meanwhile, Savage change back to Noble and opens the doors to Megatron's throne room. "Success!" he says blissfully, as he sees Megatron's empty control harness. Noble begins leaping across the floating jigsaw puzzle bridge. He loses his grip on one, falling. Nightscream and Optimus arrive, and go after him.

Rattrap and company arrive a moment later, and stare at the drifting pieces of floating bridge. Cheetor and Blackarachnia go first and offer the less-mobile Rattrap assistance in getting to the harness. He plugs in, and the bridge assembles itself under their feet. Screens of data assemble before Rattrap. He begins searching, but everything's encrypted. Optimus encourages haste as he arrives with Nightscream and Noble—and the latter's gentle meekness abruptly disappears.

[[Image:PrometheusUnbound Noble holds rattrap.jpg|right|thumb|200px|After seeing Revenge of the Fallen, Noble took it upon himself to see if Transformers really did have balls of steel.]]
Noble exults in being in the throne room, then spots Rattrap in the harness and immediately morphs to Savage. The Maximals realize he can control his changes. Savage blasts Rattrap out of the harness. Immediately, the bridge deconstructs and alarms go off. Tentacled [[Spark extractor]]s slither out of the walls. The group (including Savage) makes quick work of them, and Rattrap gets back into the harness as Savage morphs back to Noble, standing next to the harness. Rattrap starts to show gratitude for Noble being back in control—but Noble yanks him out by the tail and, in a dramatically backlit scene, tosses him away. He enters the harness himself, but nothing happens.

Noble realizes he can't interface while in an organic body. He leaps clear, grabs two Spark extractors, and applies them to… himself. A furiously burning orange Spark emerges, and the body collapses. The Spark enters the control harness, and shoots up the wires as Megatron's voice cackles: "Free… at last. Free at last!"

[[Image:PrometheusUnbound Grand Mal awakens.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Megatron forgot to turn down his headlights again.]]
The Maximals charge outside to see the [[Grand Mal|giant Megatron head]] now fully animated. Megatron delightedly explains that "Noble" was just a ruse, his gigantic eyes glowing in synch with his words. Nightscream is crushed. Megatron explains further: "For an eternity, I slaved to free myself from the organic material contaminating my otherwise perfect technological body. I finally succeeded in separating the two, but my Spark remained with the wrong half—the organic half. I knew that the answer to curing myself lay inside my citadel—but as an organic beast, I could never hope to enter it and survive. Which is why I needed ''you''… Nightscream. Naive. Headstrong. And utterly malleable. You proved the perfect pawn… and now in gratitude, I will free ''you'' from your organic bodies."

The big floating head fires a beam into the planet, and all systems come back on-line—including the drone army, which storms to the attack. As the others fight them off, Rattrap opens up a panel, and Optimus orders a retreat. Nobody objects as the badly outnumbered group scurries underground.

The Maximals lament their faux victory. Nightscream is still shattered, and Rattrap offers his sincere sympathy.

Back in the empty citadel, Noble's eye opens, and he stirs with a growl….

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Rattrap]] (2)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (3)
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] (4)
*[[Optimus Primal]] (5)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (6)

|h2=[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s
|c2=
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (7)
*[[Tank Drone|Tank Drones]] (8)
*[[Sonic Attack Jet|Sonic Attack Jets]] (9)
*[[Motorcycle Drone|Motorcycle Drones]] (10)

|c4=
*[[Noble]] (1)

}}

==Quotes==
'''Rattrap''': Oh, again we gotta play dogcatcher? 
'''Nightscream''': Maybe if we try treating him less like an animal and more like a person, he wouldn't want to escape. 
'''Cheetor''': Maybe so, Nightscream. But until Noble learns to control his Savage side, we have to restrain him for his own good. 
'''Rattrap''': ''(to Blackarachnia)'' Not to mention ours.
:—The Maximals discussing '''Noble's''' nightly escapes.

"I can't say why, but something about him gives me the creeps." 
"Well, let me see. Is it his eyes? The hair? Or maybe it's his little tendency to keep turning into a giant, wigged-out, flesh-eating ''gila monster''!"
:—'''Blackarachnia''' and '''Rattrap''' on Noble.

'''Rattrap''': Eh, where do you think Fido's going this time? 
'''Blackarachnia''': Gee, let me think...''the same place as the last five nights?''
:—Rattrap's not the only one who's talented at sarcasm.

"Are we unclear on the concept of 'no'?"
:—'''Optimus Primal'''

"Told you draggin' along the dragon was a mistake, but did you listen? No!"
:—'''Rattrap'''

''(After Savage has escaped into Megatron's citadel).'' 
'''Cheetor''': We better find him before he destroys the whole place, along with any hope of finding those sparks. 
'''Optimus Primal''': We'll split up. Nightscream, you and I will hunt for Savage. Rattrap, head for the throne room and tap into the mainframe. Cheetor and Blackarachnia, watch his tail. 
'''Blackarachnia''': Oh, the glamorous assignment.
:—'''Blackarachnia''' continues to display her razor-sharp wit.

'''Cheetor:''' "Something's following us." 
'''Rattrap:''' "Aw, man, I sure hope it ain't Savage." 
'''Blackarachnia:''' "You better hope it is. Anything else is bound to be worse." 
'''Rattrap:''' "Oh, brighten my day."
:—The good news just keeps coming for Rattrap

"Must be the maid's day off."
:—'''Rattrap''' regarding the state of the citadel

"Hey guys, how do you like the new housecoat?" 
"Frumpy, but functional."
:—'''Rattrap''' tries on Megatron's control harness and '''Blackarachnia''' gives her opinion.

'''Rattrap''': ''(using Megatron's control harness)'' Now, ok, let's see, got it, got it, get it, got it... 
'''Cheetor''': You searching for those missing sparks? 
'''Rattrap''': No, I'm reading the Sunday funnies... ''What do you think I'm doing?!''
:—'''Rattrap''' hacking '''Megatron's''' database.

"Ok, who ordered the charbroiled rat?"
:—'''Rattrap''' after being blasted out of Megatron's control harness by Savage.

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" 
"Past experience?"
:—'''Blackarachnia''' and '''Cheetor'''

"For an eternity, I slaved to free myself from the organic material contaminating my otherwise perfect technological body. I finally succeeded in separating the two, but my Spark remained with the wrong half—the organic half. I knew that the answer to curing myself lay inside my citadel—but as an organic beast, I could never hope to enter it and survive. Which is why I needed you…Nightscream. Naive. Headstrong. And utterly malleable. You proved the perfect pawn." 
"NOOO!" 
"And now in gratitude, I will free you from your organic bodies!" 
:-'''Megatron''' adds insult to injury for '''Nightscream''' and prepares to add further injury to the Maximals.

==Notes==
===Technical or animation errors===
*Glitch

===Continuity errors===
*The Maximals don't revert to their beast forms as usual after being knocked out by the mines.

===Transformers references===
*Rattrap describes Megatron's [[Grand Mal|big floating head]] as a tribute to [[Unicron]].

===Real-world references===
*''Prometheus Unbound'' is the title of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus_Unbound_%28Aeschylus%29| an incomplete play] by Aeschylus, which inspired a play [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus_Unbound_%28Shelley%29|of the same name] by Percy Shelley. Both concern Prometheus, a character in Greek mythology who stole fire from Mount Olympus and gave it to humans; as punishment, he was cast into Hades and tied to a rock, where an eagle ate his liver every day. Megatron in ''Beast Machines'' seems to see himself as a figure akin to Prometheus, bringing the 'gifts' of freedom from organic matter, individuality, and consciousness; as well as technological perfection, to all of Cybertron. Up until now, he has been going to increasing lengths to purge himself of his own organic components, which he sees as a contamination of his mechanical purity; being trapped in a purely organic body as a result thus mirrors Prometheus' torment in Hades. The act of freeing his spark form Noble's body and bringing it to a purely technological existence is compared to Prometheus breaking free from his bond in order to confront Zeus. In Aeschylus' play, Prometheus and Zeus eventually reconcile; in Shelley's, Zeus is cast down, freeing humans and gods from his tyranny. Both of the endings foreshadow [[Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future|the final episode]].

==External links==
*Link

[[Category:Beast Machines episodes]]