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More than Meets the Eye, Part 2

2012-04-17T00:17:03Z

76.127.234.7: /* Animation and technical errors */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=2
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=2
|prev2=More than Meets the Eye, Part 1
|next2=More than Meets the Eye, Part 3
|series3=''[[Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=2
|prev3=More than Meets the Eye, Part 1
|next3=More than Meets the Eye, Part 3
|image=More Than Meets Part 2.jpg
|caption=Oil is a burnin' thing, and it makes a fiery ring.
|title="More than Meets the Eye, Part 2"
|production code=4024
|airdate=[[September 18]], 1984
|written by=[[George Arthur Bloom]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|packaged with=[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Optimus Prime]]
}}

'''The Decepticons continue raiding Earth's energy sources, including Sherman Dam and the Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:MTMtE Part2 Greetings.jpg|left|150px|thumb|"Are you Samuel James Witwicky, descendant of Archibald Witwicky?" "No." "Oops, sorry, my bad." [Throws him back in the water]]]

The fire at the off-shore oil rig continues to grow. Poor [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] is caught in some girders, but is freed by [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]. Not so easy to extricate are the humans [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and [[Sparkplug Witwicky]]. As [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] grapples with the debris trapping the workers, [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] put out the fire. Rescued by Prime, Spike and Sparkplug introduce themselves to the [[Autobot]]s, offering their terrestrial knowledge to help them.

[[Image:MTMtE Part2 Spike Soundwave.jpg|right|150px|thumb|A legacy of Stupid Human Tricks begins here.]]

Their newfound human friends return with the Autobots to their headquarters. As Spike explores the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], he finds a small cassette player and brings it in with him, setting it aside. Little does he realize he has brought [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] into Autobot Headquarters. Soundwave and his minion [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] begin using [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] to locate [[Earth]]'s most plentiful energy resources. Meanwhile Spike enjoys a tour of the headquarters and some sunset joyriding with [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]. Returning to the base, Spike spots Soundwave's intrusion and sounds the alarm. Soundwave escapes, but the Autobots catch Ravage, thanks to [[Gears (G1)|Gears]]' infrared light.

Soundwave briefs [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] on his findings. Megatron decides to attack [[Sherman Dam]], causing a tidal wave to increase the dam's output. The next day, the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] arrive at the dam. [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] dives into the river and activates his piledrivers to whip the river into dangerous rapids. The energy output is detected by Teletraan I, and the Autobots rush there to stop the Decepticons.

[[Image:MTMte Part2 Autobotsrally.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Raise your hand, raise your haaaand—if you're sure!]]

With the river at its peak, the Decepticons begin producing [[Energon cube|energon cubes]]. The Autobots arrive, and a battle ensues. Hound dives into the river to stop Rumble's quaking, and the two scuffle in the depths, with the Autobot coming off worse. [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] help divert the course of the river to save a nearby neighborhood from being flooded. Megatron and Optimus Prime duel with [[Energy weapon|energy melee weapons]] atop Sherman Dam while exchanging insults. Megatron knocks Prime into the rapids (the latter was distracted by Spike's shouts for help) and he and his Decepticons escape with their spoils.

[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] helps pull Prime from the river. The Autobots regroup and vow to stop the Decepticons as they continue their activities across the land... but apparently don't do a very good job of it at ''all''. The space cruiser they are developing is almost complete, and they are one more energy raid away from having enough fuel to return to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Unfortunately, the impudent [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] feels the need to test some of the energon cubes. His wasteful experimenting forces the Decepticons to now make two trips. Their first destination, the [[ruby crystal mines of Burma]]. These plans are overheard by Trailbreaker, Spike and Sparkplug, who are eavesdropping on the Decepticons.

[[Image:Mtmte2 witwickys and trailbreaker.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Trailbreaker deploys his combat bird bath.]]

As Trailbreaker returns to Autobot headquarters to relay the news, the trio are attacked by a pair of generic [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. Sparkplug radios for help, which comes in the form of [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]. Sunstreaker uses a vehicle-mode cannon to give one of the Seekers a small scratch on its wing, prompting the two jets to retreat.

The Decepticons are soon in Burma, pulling [[Ruby crystal|energetic rubies]] from the Earth's crust. The Autobots wait for them outside the mine. Wheeljack has developed a powerful and compact explosive. Bumblebee and Sparkplug volunteer to plant the charge in the mine. They do so, but are caught by [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] as they make their escape.

Concerned that Sparkplug and Bumblebee haven't returned, Optimus Prime drives up the mine's entrance and dispatches [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] into the mine. The explosive detonates, and the blast knocks Prime off his wheels, sending him tumbling down the mountainside.

'''[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3|To be continued...]]'''

{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (1)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (2)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (6)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (7)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (8)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (10)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (11)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (12)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (13)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (14)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (16)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (17)
* [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (18)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (19)
* [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (20)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (27)
* [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (29)
* [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] (30)

|c2=
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (9)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (15)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (21)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (22)
* [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (23)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (24)
* [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (25)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (26)
* [[Orange Recordicon‎]] (28)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (4)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (5)
}}

==Quotes==
"For someone who doesn't like to fight, heh, you're not bad, Mirage!"
:—'''Cliffjumper''' complimenting Mirage after he helped fight off Skywarp and Thundercracker

"You destroy everything you touch, Megatron!" 
"Because everything I touch is food for my hunger, my hunger for power!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' banter while fighting on top of Sherman Dam

"You're old, Megatron. Yesterday's model—ready for the scrap heap!" 
"We'll see who's ready for the scrap heap!" 
"Junk! That's what you are, ''junk''!" 
"''Silence''!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' insults '''Megatron''' during their battle

"Don't push me, Megatron, my desire for power is as great as yours!" 
"Power flows to the one who knows ''how''. Desire alone is not enough." 
"Time makes all things possible. I can wait."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Megatron''', foreshadowing several repetitive scenes in the future

"Let's give Megatron a little present." 
"Heh. Maybe we oughtta wrap him up and put a little bow on him."
:—'''Skywarp''' and '''Thundercracker''' on capturing Bumblebee. Not seen: Bumblebee's humiliated weeping.

==Notes==
===Non-final premises===
[[Image:G1 cartoon Autobots fly.JPG|thumb|right| ]]
As part of the series pilot, this episode features some conventions and details which would be changed for the series proper:
* The Autobots can all fly in robot mode.
* [[Corey Burton]] employs a different voice for Brawn, one that is higher and more hoarse-sounding than the "correct" version that will appear in later episodes. The same voice pops up again in "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]" (after Skyfire catches a falling Brawn).
* Mirage gets a different sound effect for his disappearing abilities (which would actually be used again in "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 3]]").
* Wheeljack acquires a bit of southern accent in the third act of this episode. Oddly, he already had his finalized voice in the previous episode, and indeed, shows no real signs of the accent in his sparing lines during this episode's first two acts. Consequently, fans have speculated that voice actor [[Chris Latta]] was trying to differentiate the voice from his Sparkplug voice, as they ''are'' pretty identical, and he only begins to affect the accent when Wheeljack and Sparkplug share a scene.
* The "next time" preview refers to the three episodes collectively as "The Transformers". They would later be rechristened "More than Meets the Eye" (obviously!)

===Animation and technical errors===
* In the recap of "Part 1" at the beginning of the episode, a scene is shown in which Optimus Prime is trying to lift a grate trapping Spike and Sparkplug. However, in "Part 1", the grate was orange, while in the recap that same grate is shown as gray.
* Huffer's trapped arm does not appear to actually connect to his torso.
* As Huffer and Brawn converse, Brawn's lips move for Huffer's line, "Let's take off."
* Prime's running lights are drawn as rectangular instead of round as he explains the Decepticons to Spike and Sparkplug.
* After picking up Soundwave, Spike runs into the Ark carrying his rucksack slung over his shoulder. In the next shot, the rucksack has vanished.
* Soundwave's eject button is one of the most common coloring errors of the whole series. Based on his toy, it's supposed to be white in the cartoon, but almost as often as not, the colorists simply colored it the same blue as the rest of him:
** Soundwave's eject button and cheek guards are both blue instead of white as he returns to robot mode.
** Blue button as he swipes at Spike.
** And after he plays back the Sherman Dam info.
** And as Megatron pontificates about the [[ruby crystal]]s. (Cheek guards too.)
* Brawn's helmet is a bit too light as he watches Soundwave retreat.
* As the Autobots try to capture Ravage, several voices don't correspond to any actual Autobots.
* When Gears transforms, his blue parts change to red, leaving him as an all-red truck.
* Gears and Hound are also extremely tiny in their vehicle modes in the next shot, as a titanic Optimus Prime walks up behind them.
* Soundwave is missing all his yellow stripes as he plays back Teletraan I's info on Sherman Dam.
* When arriving at the dam, Optimus Prime speaks the line "We've got to work fast", but Prowl is shown talking.
* One of the neighbors that Ironhide and Bumblebee rescue appears to be a woman in a pink dress...who is waving and moving as a ''man''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s voice says, "Thanks, neighbor!"
* When Optimus orders his troops to head to the power plant, he has a gray eyeband instead of two blue optics.
[[Image:Reflector in red.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hey! That's my color scheme!]]
* As the Autobots blast into the power plant, they shoot down both Starscream and a Reflector colored like Starscream.
* As Starscream prepares his strange slingshot thing, one of his wing stripes becomes transparent. His wings are also mounted much higher on his back than normal.
* As Soundwave and the Reflectors fill energon cubes in a grassy meadow, there is a registration error that causes Soundwave's lower half to vanish several frames before the foreground content is meant to block it.
* The second purple jet to leave the Black Diamond mine does so alone, but when he drifts back into the shot, he's got a Rumble and a Reflector with him.
* Soundwave's visor switches from white to red and back as he and Megatron ride the elevator.
* Both he and Megatron are missing their insignia as they elevator reaches the bottom.
* While the Reflectors are stacking energon cubes, the energon cubes are translucent enough to see the background (and to see that the Reflectors' legs weren't animated).
[[Image:G1toon starscream laser turret.jpg|thumb|200px|They were only counting on having to fight three Autobots back home.]]
* Starscream's leg is disconnected from his body as he fires his cannon.
* Starscream's collar is yellow as he asks "What's the difference?"

* Half of Starscream's collar is yellow again during "I can wait".
* The microphone that Sparkplug uses to radio the Autobots changes appearance between shots; it looks like a microphone in closeup, but more like a [[:wikipedia:Simon_(game)|Simon]] toy when Sparkplug is holding it.
* One gun, many lasers:
** The two generics who attack Trailbreaker shower him with a dozen or more lasers, despite having only two guns apiece.
* After Sunstreaker shoots one of the generics and Spike's comment, Sideswipe's shown to have a weapon in the same place as Sunstreaker's, with smoke pouring from the end.
* The ends of the ruby collection tubes are closed like test tubes, leaving the falling crystals nowhere to go.
* Prime's right antenna disappears as he points at the mine entrance.
[[Image:Weirdstreak.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Ratchet and Bluestreak just came back from the helmet salon.]]
* In the establishing shot of the Autobots outside the Burma ruby mines, Ratchet's head is black and gray. When the shot is repeated, Bluestreak's head is yellow, making his head resemble Bumblebee's.
* Only the front of Wheeljack's "ears" flash as he shows off his new explosive.
* Sideswipe's helmet is red instead of black as Bumblebee transforms in front of him.
* Starscream's face is white instead of gray as Bumblebee and Spike spy on the 'cons.
* As Thundercracker faces Sparkplug, his wing insignia are rendered as purple rectangles. As he joins Skywarp to double-team Bumblebee, they're missing completely.
* Jazz's helmet and hand are mostly white instead of black as he worries about Bumblebee.
*Between the time that Hound is shown fighting Rumble and Rumble climbing out of the river, Rumble can also be seen with the Decepticons inside the power plant.

===Continuity errors===
[[Image:G1 cartoon Autobot letters.JPG|right|200px|thumb|"Okay, Spike, here's your next Cybertronian lesson!" "Uh...for a...good...time...call..." "Whoops! Wrong screen!"]]
* Brawn uses a blow torch to free Huffer's oil-soaked arm, and somehow, it doesn't catch fire.
* For some reason, Sunstreaker and Cliffjumper are just sitting around in the repair bay in automotive form.
[[Image:AirWarriors MTMtE.jpg|thumb|right|200px| ]]
[[Image:GenericDecepticons MTMTE.jpg|thumb|right|200px|"Rumble, Rumble, Rumble, Rumble, eject. Operation: crowd filler."]]
* This episode totally shatters the previous episode's consistent cast of Decepticons, which was clearly shown to be Megatron, Soundwave, 3 jets, 3 Reflectors, and 3 tapes. To pad out the Decepticon ranks, a horde of generic Decepticons just starts appearing out of nowhere:
** A light purple-gray jet is standing behind Thundercracker after the Decepticons land at the dam.
** As Reflector compresses the energon cubes, there are ''four'' Reflector robots, as well as three Rumbles. The real Rumble is, at this point, still underwater, fighting with Hound. Rumble shows up in two more subsequent shots as well, including one where he's the only guy in the shot!
** And then it all goes to hell after the Sherman Dam sequence. Two purplish jets are with Thundercracker in the snow. Then a subsequent pan shot shows ''four'' light blue jets, ''three'' light purple jets, and ''two Thundercrackers''.
** At the Black Diamond mine: three purple jets, and a slate blue Rumble.
** The assembled strike force: two Skywarps, two Thundercrackers, four Rumbles in yellow, orange, bright blue and slate blue, and ''seven'' Reflectors.
** Two lavender and one slate blue jet answer Megatron's order to "Scramble!"
** A shot of the Decepticons in flight shows a total of ''twenty-seven'' robots.
** Two generics even get their own scripted appearance, attacking Trailbreaker, complete with speaking parts!
** After all that, there's not much point in noting 2 blues and 2 lavenders loading ruby crystals, is there?
** 6 generic jets plus Starscream as Bumblebee and Spike observe the 'cons mining the crystals.
* Megatron's definition of "tidal wave" is a bit wonky, considering that Rumble doesn't really make one huge wave. Of course, we wouldn't expect ''aliens'' to have a perfect grasp of the English language.
* When Spike tells Jazz that there's trouble at Sherman Dam, the screen shows what is presumably Cybertronian text. Spike shouldn't be able to read this.
* Likewise, the dam worker says "she's gonna blow" (twice!) in reference to the crumbling dam. The dam might crack, fail, or give way, but neither the dam nor the generators are likely to ''explode''.
* Superhuman Spike:
** A shot of Sherman Dam shows us that the water behind it (where Rumble is making his earthquake) is clearly hundreds of feet deep. Somehow, Spike just leaps right into it to rescue Hound. The water is also ''ragingly'' turbulent in the previous shot, yet perfectly still once Spike is actually in it.
** He then has no trouble at all moving a big boulder that's pinning Hound in place.
** It must be hereditary. Sparkplug survives being punched directly in the ribcage and into a stone wall by Thundercracker. He should be wall-pizza after that. Spike also is no worse for wear after Rumble whacks him across the face. A blow like the one Rumble gives Spike should have shattered Spike's skull.
[[Image:Rubycrystalminesofburma.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Thus explaining why Burma was the dominant world superpower in 1984.]]
* Why does Megatron yell to his troops to "Follow me!" when he's getting bashed around by Prime?
* One of the shots of filling energon cubes appears to take place in a forest, with no machinery of any type in sight. Are they stealing energy from trees?
* A few shots from Starscream's little cannon drain a whole gigantic stack of energon cubes. Are the cubes really ''that'' paltry?
* The likelihood of rubies being a viable power source, let alone "the richest source of energy on the face of the Earth", is questionable. Apparently Megatron is not yet familiar with the bizarre physics of cartoon Earth, where all kinds of super-powered crystals are just sitting around waiting for someone to sap energy out of them.
* Sparkplug claims to have previously worked in the ruby mine, which, while not thoroughly implausible, seems unlikely for an American oil rig worker/mechanic.
* Wheeljack tells Sparkplug that the bomb timer is 60 seconds. All the views of the countdown timer show it decreasing at approximately two units per second, meaning that the bomb would go off in about 30 seconds.

===Rhino DVD release===
* Hound is part of the group that leaps into the air. However, in the next shot, Hound is on the ground by the river with Spike.

===Continuity notes===
[[Image:Mtmte2 ironhide diverting river.jpg|thumb|right|200px| ]]
[[Image:Mtmte2 shermandam.jpg|thumb|right|200px| ]]
* Gadgets and powers:
** Brawn uses a retractable welding tip to cut Huffer free. This same hooked welding tip seems to be fairly standard Autobot equipment, showing up in many future episodes, attached to many different 'bots.
** Trailbreaker's "force shield" is fired from a three-pronged wrist-gun.
** Wheeljack can shoot a fire extinguishing chemical of some sort from his retracted wrist.
** Jazz uses a retractable grappling hook that slides out of his wrist (with a little pulse-glow of energy, no less.) This gadget will show up a couple more times in this and the next episode.
** Soundwave gives us the most overt instance of size-changing we've yet seen.
** A couple of stock powers make their debut, as Hound demonstrates his holograms and Mirage turns invisible.
** Gears displays his infrared. Well, actually, it's just a red light. Don't tell anyone.
** Jazz and Prowl can both fire energy-net things out of their wrists. Prowl will repeat this ability in "[[Attack of the Autobots]]".
** "The <s>noal</s> null ray" actually does what it's supposed to this time, shutting down some generators when Starscream shoots them with it.
** When Hound submerges to pursue Rumble, he drops a face shield into place, implying he may be susceptible to water.
** Ironhide has a mounted cannon in the back of his van. It's heavily based on the similar cannon that his toy's repair bay has.
** Starscream owns a [[Slingshot (weapon)|slingshot]] and uses some unidentified crystal as ammunition.
** In one of the series' most inexplicably well-remembered scenes, Megatron and Optimus both deploy glowing, semi-solid energy weapons from their wrists: a morning star and an axe, respectively.
** Trailbreaker can deploy a roof-mounted radar dish to listen in remotely on the 'cons.
[[Image:Roller deploy.jpg|thumb|right|200px| ]]
* Early in the episode, the scene is shown changing from the Ark to a similar-looking shack nearby. This shack appears to have the same construction as the Ark itself, but is not a part of the ship. It is almost never seen again, except in the episodes "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 2]]" and "[[The Autobot Run]]".
* As he returns to tape mode to enter Teletraan I, Ravage's missiles disappear in a glowing flash.
* According to Starscream, 1,750,000 KiloWatts is not enough electrical power to make energon cubes!
* The script that Teletraan I displays differs significantly from the Ancient Autobot language the Decepticons find in "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]". It's also rather different from the Ancient Cybertronian that [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] finds on the control panel of the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]] in "[[The Rebirth, Part 1]]". One might reasonably fanwank it by saying that Jazz is reading the modern version of these languages.
* Optimus deploys Roller for the first time. He's gray, based on an earlier iteration of the toy, rather than the blue of the US release.

===Real-world references===
* [[Burma]] is a country in southeast Asia, currently known to the United Nations as Myanmar. It is, indeed, particularly rich in rubies, and is the source of 90% of the world's supply of the gems.

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Die Rückkehr'''" (''Generation 2'', "The Return")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[May 7]], [[1994]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title,:'' "'''La miniera di rubini'''" ("The Ruby Mine"), "'''Molto più di quel che appare - II'''" (2008 dub, "More than Meets the Eye - II")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Ruby Crystal no Himitsu'''" (ルビークリスタルの秘密, "Secret of the Ruby Crystals")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 13]], [[1985]]
::*'''Cut:''' After Spike picks up Soundwave outside and runs off, a few seconds are shaved off of him disappearing off screen. The long shot of him running through the entrace of the Ark is cut, as are the first few seconds of him running down the hall of the Ark with Soundwave clutched in his right hand.

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Mais do Que Os Olhos Veem Parte 2'''" (Brazil, "More than Meets the Eye part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Ne vsjo tak prosto (Chast' 2)'''" (Не всё так просто (Часть 2), "Not All Is So Simple (Part 2)")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Serbian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Više nego što se vidi drugi deo'''" (''Generation 2'', Више него што се види други део, "More than Meets the Eye Part 2"), "'''Sile zla drugi deo'''" (''Generation 2'', Силе зла други део, "Forces of Evil Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Trivia===
* Deleted scenes from the original script to this episode include Spike and Jazz tapping Teletraan I into "the Emergency Alert System", leading to it detecting the trouble at Sherman Dam; Trailbreaker covering Ironhide as the older 'bot uses his adhesives to seal the cracks in the dam; the two nameless Decepticon jets appearing in robot mode, standing guard at the Decepticon base, where they spot Trailbreaker and the Witwickys driving by and decide to pursue them; and Bumblebee and Sparkplug facing two Decepticon guards at the mine entrance, who Bumblebee paralyzes with a stun ray from his headlights. Other differences include Bumblebee teaming up with ''Wheeljack'', rather than Ironhide, to carve the trenches that break up the raging river; in accordance, Wheeljack's alternate mode is described as a "van", which, coupled with several other awkward or incorrect alternate mode descriptions in the "More than Meets the Eye" scripts, suggests that complete finalized details on the Transformers' alternate modes hadn't been provided to the writer yet.
* The dam sequence was adapted for the UK comic story "[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!]]" in issues #29-30, and also released as a set of [[View-Master]] reels. The weapons used by Prime and Megatron would be immortalized in toy form several times, and even get a bit of an [[homage]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action movies]], where Prime thrice wields orange-glowing bladed [[Dual Energon Swords|energy]] [[Energon Hooks|weapons]] in all three films, including an [[Energon-axe|axe]], while Megatron uses a [[Mace|flail]] in the first film.
* Much of the character animation in this episode is pleasingly fluid, with some rather dynamic transformations. Decepticons in particular do lots of flips as they transform.
* Bumblebee's mission is hilarious. He transforms to car mode, drives about twenty feet, returns to robot mode, stands outside the mine and says "Come on, let's go inside." Well, what ''else'' were you planning there, 'Bee?
*Storyboard artist [[Wendell Washer]] has [http://www.wendellwasher.com/samples/storyboards/transda2/sbdtrd2-005.htm sample storyboards] from the opening scene of this episode up on his web site.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 1: "More than Meets the Eye" ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1986 — ''The Transformers'' — Arrival from Cybertron ([[Video Gems|A.M.T. Video Gems]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1988 — ''The Transformers'' — Arrival from Cybertron ([[Video Gems|V.I.P. Video Gems]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1991 — ''The Transformers'' — Arrival from Cybertron ([[Video Gems|Little Gems Junior Video Club]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: Generation 2'' — More than Meets the Eye ([[Malofilm|Seville Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2001 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Exclusively from Blockbuster ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers: Generation 2'' ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume Two (Sony Wonder) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume One (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — The Best of ''The Transformers'' (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Episodes (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 01: Stagione Uno Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — More than Meets the Eye (Shout! Factory) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/more_than_meets_the_eye_part_2.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]
*[http://zobovor.tripod.com/more_than_meets_the_eye_part_2_bloopers.html Zobovor's Bloopers list]

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

This Is Why I Hate Machines

2011-11-12T23:07:39Z

76.127.234.7: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|series2=AniJapan
|image=TFAni ThisisWhyIHateMachines Fanzone Crowd.jpg
|caption=
|ep=40
|ep2=37
|prev2=Decepticon Air
|next2=Endgame, Part I
|title="This Is Why I Hate Machines"
|caption=This is what hell looks like to Captain Fanzone.
|airdate=[[May 9]], [[2009]]
|written by=[[Rob Hoegee]]
|directed by=[[Kalvin Lee]] [[Yutaka Hirata]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]}}

'''A space bridge accident sends Ratchet and Captain Fanzone to Cybertron, right as the Decepticon controlled Omega Supreme arrives.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:TFA ThisIsWhyIHateMachines Fanzone SpaceBridge.jpg|thumb|200px|left|That's it! I'm firing my travel agent.]]
[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] is trying to calibrate the newly constructed [[space bridge]] properly to begin the hunt for [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]]. Unfortunately, [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]]'s advanced notation system of adhesive note papers leaves something to be desired. [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] chooses that moment to step off [[Sumdac Tower]]'s elevator, engaged in a spirited discussion with [[Sumdac Systems]] technical support over some malfunctioning police drones. Fanzone has come to take up the matter with [[Isaac Sumdac]] himself, but before he can start looking for the scientist, a pair of police drones catch up to him and open fire with lethal force. Now dodging gunfire while the oblivious Ratchet continues to sort through Bulkhead's notes, Fanzone grows progressively more irate until the space bridge suddenly activates, having located Omega Supreme's transwarp signature. Ratchet looks up just in time to see the hapless Fanzone being sucked into the space bridge portal, and, deciding that this probably isn't a good thing, opts to follow.

[[Image:ThisIsWhyIHateMachines-Glyphandothers.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Just robot asses as far as the eye can see.]]

Fanzone finds himself unceremoniously dumped in the middle of a large city on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], a situation he's less than thrilled about. A crowd of Autobots freaks out at the presence of the horrifying organic lifeform. Nearly stepped on by the immense [[Grandus (Animated)|Grandus]] at the urging of a [[Flareup (Animated)|friend]], Fanzone is rescued by the timely arrival of Ratchet. Fanzone wants to return home immediately, but Ratchet insists that while they're on Cybertron, they may as well hit up [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]]. To his dismay, his favorite watering hole has been shut down, along with other "subversive" gathering places, by order of [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]]. After watching one of Sentinel Prime's propaganda videos, the pair are soon approached by the Elite Guard, and Sentinel Prime demands to know how they have been able to get to Cybertron with space bridge travel locked down. Ratchet angrily explains that they didn't use the space bridge network, but rather piggybacked on Omega Supreme's transwarp signature. Sentinel, well-informed as always, laughs off Ratchet, thinking that Omega Supreme had been decommissioned centuries ago. He is immediately proven wrong as the looming shape of Omega Supreme's robot form appears in the Cybertronian skies.

Above the city, aboard Omega's inert body, [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] muses on this (glorious!) moment for the [[Decepticon]]s: those who were once driven away from Cybertron in exile are now poised over it in one of its greatest weapons. As [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] points out that they have no means actually to ''use'' said weapon, [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] comes to Megatron's defense, saying that with the [[plasma dynamic thruster]] removed, the Decepticons have control over Omega's navigational systems, transformation, and free access to the ship. Starscream points out that they have no control over the weapons systems, but Megatron rebuffs him with the revelation that he still has a spy on Cybertron who can fetch him the access codes to Omega Supreme. On cue, [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] contacts the Decepticons, saying that he knows of another means to the get the codes, only needing time to get to it. Starscream comments that this will only work if the Cybertronian defense cannons don't shoot them out of the sky, but Megatron doubts that they would fire on one of the greatest symbols of Autobot military strength.

Meanwhile, Sentinel advocates that they fire the Cybertronian defense cannons on one of the greatest symbols of Autobot military strength. This understandably does not go over well with several prominent members of the [[Autobot High Council]], to say nothing of Omega Supreme's former mentor, Ratchet, who warns that destroying Omega with the amount of transwarp energy currently stored within him could cause a blast that would wipe out Cybertron itself. [[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] rebuff Sentinel and inform him to wait for the council's decision. Ratchet warns Sentinel that there will be consequences if Omega is harmed, and Sentinel prepares to lock up Ratchet and Fanzone, but they make a break for it when Fanzone fakes a sneeze. The Elite Guard pursue the two, but lose them outside the [[Metroplex (Animated)|Metroplex]]. Sentinel orders Jazz to continue searching, while he and the twins head to [[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]] to prepare the defense cannons, as Sentinel intends to attack regardless of the Council's decision.

Meanwhile, Ratchet and Fanzone take refuge in the forgotten network of maintenance tunnels beneath the city, which have been sealed for quite some time, but soon realize that someone ''else'' has been hiding in the tunnels quite recently. The occupant of that hideout is revealed to be none other than the double-agent [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]], who nearly gets the jump on the duo, still armed with the stolen [[Magnus Hammer]]. Ratchet fights back, surmising that Shockwave wishes to hack his processor to get the access codes to Omega Supreme, but Shockwave scoffs at this, revealing that he plans to go right to the original source: [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]]! Horrified, Ratchet loses his concentration, allowing Shockwave to hurl him aside and escape.

At Fortress Maximus, Sentinel's diverting of all but essential [[Energon]] has not gone unnoticed, and Perceptor contacts him for an explanation. Sentinel says that the Elite Guard is simply preparing to attack if the Council gives the okay, and Alpha Trion informs him that they will have a decision shortly. As the council continues to deliberate a course of action, Sentinel Prime orders [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] to arm the weapons of the Elite Guard's base and aim at Omega Supreme. Lugnut advocates that they leave Omega's body and retaliate, something Starscream agrees to for different reasons, but Megatron silences them, claiming he has a reason for exposing their position. Shockwave then contacts Megatron to inform him that he has acquired clearance codes to enter the facility holding Arcee.

[[Image:TFA-ThisIsWhyIHateMachines-UltraMagnusSparkSupport.jpg|thumb|200px|left|"Is it water on the knee?" "A whole bucket, see?" "A Charley Horse, it's true!" "I'm the doctor for YOU!"]]
Fanzone puts his cop instincts to work and quickly tracks down the local stoolie, [[Rattletrap]], the bot who gave Shockwave the clearance codes. With a little organic coercion, the pair are able to force an access card from Rattletrap, but when they attempt to use it, they discover that the codes are bogus. Just as they make this discovery, [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] steps from the shadows to offer them his aid. He has finally had it with Sentinel Prime's attitude, and he gives Fanzone and Ratchet a functioning access card. The duo quickly locate Arcee, only to find that they have inadvertently led Shockwave right to her. A running firefight ensues as Ratchet tries to get Arcee to safety while Shockwave pursues them, and the battle carries them to the medical bay in which [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] is convalescing. Thinking that Ratchet is out of commission after a blow from the Magnus Hammer, Shockwave decides to finish the job on Ultra Magnus and turns his back on his fallen foe. Ratchet is still very much alive and kicking, however, and he downs Shockwave with a blast from his [[electromagnetic pulse]] generator, allowing him to reclaim the Magnus Hammer from the Decepticon's clutches. Of course, Sentinel Prime chooses that moment to enter the room, and he promptly leaps to the conclusion that Ratchet is trying to do away with Ultra Magnus. This distraction offers Shockwave the time he needs to escape with Arcee, which prompts Sentinel to issue the command to fire on Omega Supreme. Fortress Maximus opens fire, but Omega transwarps out of the path of the blast, which shoots off harmlessly through the sky.

A short while later, the council and Elite Guard see Ratchet and Fanzone to the [[space bridge nexus]] so that they can return to [[Earth]]. Alpha Trion chastises Sentinel for his actions, making it clear that if it was up to him alone, Sentinel wouldn't be Magnus for a second longer. Trion extends his thanks to Ratchet and Fanzone, but Ratchet sees little reason to celebrate, as the Decepticons now have Arcee. Perceptor tries to assure Ratchet that the damage done to Arcee's processor is irreversible, but Ratchet is not cheered up at the prospect. Just before they enter the space bridge, Sentinel orders Ratchet to hand over the Magnus Hammer, but Ratchet refuses, telling him they will give it back to its rightful owner, Ultra Magnus, when he is repaired. Before Sentinel can object, Ratchet and Fanzone dart off through the space bridge. Sentinel is about to pursue them, but Jazz blocks his path and offers to go in his stead. Ratchet and Fanzone are not happy to see Jazz when he appears in front of them, but Jazz explains that he is unable to condone Sentinel's actions any more and is deserting to join the Autobots on Earth.

[[Image:TFAni ThisisWhyIHateMachines Arcee Earth.jpg‎|thumb|200px|right|Insert ''2001: A Space Odyssey'' instrumental here.]]
Out in space, Omega Supreme rematerializes close to Earth's [[moon (moon)|moon]]. Aboard the dormant Autobot, Shockwave bows before Megatron and abandons his [[electronic paint job]] so that he can finally serve his leader under his true colors. Megatron bids his "most loyal servant" to rise, sending Lugnut into fits of silent, quivering rage—much to Starscream's amusement. On the other side of the bridge, the ''conscious'' Arcee lies upon a table and looks out at the Earth below, quietly whispering Ratchet's name...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Freeway (Animated)|Freeway]] (4)
*[[Carrera (Animated)|Carrera]] (5)
*[[Huffer (Animated)|Huffer]] (6)
*[[Sedan (Animated)|Sedan]] (7)
*[[Glyph (Animated)|Glyph]] (8)
*[[Bumper (Animated)|Bumper]] (9)
*[[Tap-Out (Animated)|Tap-Out]] (10)
*[[Powerglide (Animated)|Powerglide]] (11)
*[[Grandus (Animated)|Grandus]] (12)
*[[Flareup (Animated)|Flareup]] (13)
*[[Steeljaw (Animated)|Steeljaw]] (14)
*[[Zaur]] (15)
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (16)
*[[Autotrooper]] (21)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (22)
*[[Tracks (Animated)|Tracks]] (23)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (24)
*[[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] (25)
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] (26)
*[[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] (27)
*[[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] (28)
*[[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] (29)
*[[Rattletrap]] (30)
*[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] (31)

|c2=
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] (17)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (18)
*[[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] (19)
*[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (20)
*[[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] (32, flashback)

|c3=
*[[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] (2)

|c4=
*[[Copterdrone]]s (3)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Security Bot''': ''Halt. You are in violation of Criminal Code 30114. Lethal force has been authorised.'' 
''[Security bots open fire]'' 
'''Fanzone''': Hey! Ow! Hey! 
'''Ratchet''': Think you have it bad? I got to decipher ''Bulkhead''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> handwriting! And those claws of his aren't exactly designed for penbotship.
:—As the Security Bots try to kill Captain Fanzone, Ratchet shows the depth to which he does not care.

"I'd be a happy man if I never see another—"''[Fanzone takes in his surroundings]''"...''robot''?"
:—'''Captain Fanzone''' enters his own personal hell, and its name is Cybertron.

"I can't believe we're on Cybertron! Of all the places we transwarped, this is great!"
:—'''Ratchet''', happy for the first time since...well, since we've seen him.

"Citizens of Cybertron, Decepticons are in our midst! Neighbours, friends, even ''your own model'' can be a spy! Do your duty and report any suspicious activity to the Elite Guard immediately." 
"...what is this scrap?!" 
"For your protection, all potentially subversive gathering places remain closed. Curfew remains in effect. Remember, Decepticons will stop at nothing to destroy our way of life! Don't let THIS ''[picture of Ultra Magnus on [[spark support]]]'' happen to you. As your Magnus, I will continue to defeat the Decepticon scourge and bring peace and security to Cybertron! I'm Sentinel Prime, and I approve of this message." 
"No-good glory-hog's got a lot of steel. It was [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] who caught those 'Cons!"
:—'''Sentinel Prime'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s propaganda film, with commentary by '''Ratchet'''

"Cybertron. At last, our ultimate goal is at our feet. And here we stand, aboard its ultimate weapon." 
"Now, wouldn't it be nice if we could actually figure out how to use it!" 
:—'''Megatron''' has a moment, which '''Starscream''' ruins.

'''Megatron''': No Autobot would be foolish enough to fire upon their greatest weapon. 
'''Sentinel Prime''': I say we fire on Omega Supreme! 
:-Even '''Megatron''' can't predict what goes on in '''Sentinel Prime's''' head.

'''Perceptor''': Sentinel Prime, please explain why all but essential Energon has been diverted to Fortress Maximus. 
'''Alpha Trion''': Need we remind you that the Council is still deliberating? 
'''Sentinel Prime''': As acting Magnus, I must be ready to strike should Omega... should Megatron make a move against us. 
'''Alpha Trion''': Very well. We will inform you of our decision shortly.
:—Sentinel Prime reveals his secret dream of blowing up Omega Supreme and covers it up neatly.

"How'd you know about this bot?" ''[indicating Rattletrap]'' 
"Ehh. There's one in every town." 
:—'''Ratchet''' learns a little more about how '''Captain Fanzone''' works.

"This is why I hate machines." ''[looks at Sentinel Prime]'' "Certain machines more than others."
:—'''Captain Fanzone'''

'''Captain Fanzone''': I get mixed up in a war, nearly stepped on, blasted, buried, and possibly zapped into space, and now, you've just made me an accomplice to INTERGALACTIC GRAND THEFT!! 
'''Police Drone:''' Halt. You are under arrest. 
''(Ratchet blows it up with his magnetic powers)'' 
'''Captain Fanzone''': Let's say we call it even.
:—Captain Fanzone complains about the worst day of his life and then blows it off.

==Notes==

===Animation or technical errors===
[[Image:Bulkhead's_postit_notes.jpg|right|thumb|200px|"No TV and no beer make Homer something something"?]]
* All of Bulkhead's post-its say the exact same thing.
* A few of the laser blasts that the drone fires at Captain Fanzone (before he gets sucked up by the Space Bridge) are out of sync with the animation of the strafing drone.
* Shockwave's head model changes randomly throughout the episode in shape, size and in the positioning of his optic.
* When Shockwave holds up the Magnus Hammer and starts generating lightning, its handle is only half as long as usual.
* When Sentinel Prime first sees Omega Supreme, his shoulder pads end up behind the circle around his neck.

===Continuity notes===
* Parade footage from "[[Decepticon Air]]" is used in Sentinel's little propaganda video. (See said episode for the list of cameos within.)
* Ratchet remarks that [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] was the one to capture the Decepticon prisoners, as seen in "[[Five Servos of Doom]]".
* Ratchet's flashback uses footage from "[[The Thrill of the Hunt]]", giving Lockdown a brief "appearance" in this episode.

===Transformers references===
* Captain Fanzone's arrival on Cybertron treats us to another crowd scene full of cameos, some of which we haven't seen before. Notable newbies in this crowd include [[Glyph (Animated)|Glyph]], [[Bumper (Animated)|Bumper]] and his white recolor [[Sedan (Animated)|Sedan]], [[Steeljaw (Animated)|Steeljaw]], [[Zaur]] and robot-mode [[Grandus (Animated)|Grandus]]. We also get a closer look at [[Carrera (Animated)|Carrera]], but only from behind, as he talks to an unnamed blue-and-tan female robot.
* Ratchet's favorite hangout is [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]].
* The Autobot Council's headquarters is known as "the [[Metroplex (Animated)|Metroplex]]", and the Elite Guard's battle station is "[[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]]".
* At the end of the episode, Shockwave utilizes an [[electronic paint job]] to reveal his "true colors", represented by a [[Target]] [[exclusive]] [[redeco]] reminiscent of his [[Shockwave (G1)|Generation 1 namesake]]'s color scheme.
*Rattletrap's design and speech pattern are modelled after [[Rattrap]].

===Foreign dubbing===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Voila pourquoi je hais tant les machines'''" ("This Is Why I Hate Machines")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Fanzone, Cybertron-Sei e Iku'''" (ファンゾーン、サイバトロン星へ行く, "Fanzone Goes to the Planet Cybertron")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 11|11 December]] [[2010]]
::*New [[stock footage]] for Megatron in his Earth form as he doles out the warning.

===Real-world references===
*Sentinel Prime's broadcast was based on [[wikipedia:The Red Scare|The Red Scare]] during the Cold War. The broadcast concludes with him saying "I'm Sentinel Prime, and I approve of this message."—in the style of contemporary [[President of the United States|political campaign ads]].
*Sentinel's insistence that he is the one who "makes the tough decisions" and insistence that any questioning of his orders is tantamount to treason is probably some kind of statement about [[Mission Accomplished|some''one'' or some''thing'']], but we'll leave it at that.
*Shockwave's slow, deadpan delivery of "I'm afraid I can't let you do that" is a reference to the menacing supercomputer HAL from Stanley Kubrick's ''[[wikipedia:2001 (film)|2001: A Space Odyssey]]'', who also featured an unblinking single red eye.
* When Ratchet and Fanzone are headed to Maccadam's, they stop in front of a building which appears to have Target's trademark "bull's-eye" logo.
* Ratchet retorts to Shockwave about taking the activation codes from his "cold, offline processor", similar to one of Charlton Heston's most famous quotes in support of the NRA. He'd previously used a similar line in [[Megatron Rising - Part 1]].

===Trivia===
*This is the first, and only, episode in which [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] does not appear at all.
*There is oxygen on Cybertron.
*This episode marks the last appearances of Jetfire, Jetstorm, Ultra Magnus and Captain Fanzone in the series.
*Arcee wasn't actually offline at the end of the flashbacks in "The Thrill of the Hunt"—although she was amnesiac, she could stand, talk and take in her surroundings. This implies that it was the vivisection of her head in the "[[TransWarped]]" flashbacks in an attempt to retrieve the activation codes for Omega Supreme which caused the "damage to her circuitry" that Perceptor called "completely irreversible", and meant she was left, comatose, in a hospital bed for millions of stellar cycles.
*Everything has to be [[Megatron Rising - Part 1|"cold and offline"]] with Ratchet, doesn't it?

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

[[Category:Animated episodes]]