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A Prime Problem

2008-04-03T21:18:57Z

76.15.132.91:

{{episodenav|g1|season=2|11|prev=Enter the Nightbird|next=The Core}}
{{episodenav|SRLFtoon|22|prev=The Insecticon Syndrome|next=City of Steel}}

[[Image:Prime Problem title shot.JPG|thumb|350px|But which one of them is the ''real'' writer of this episode? WE'LL SETTLE THIS WITH A RACE!]]

'''Megatron creates a clone of Optimus Prime to lure the Autobots to their doom.'''

*'''Japanese title:''' "Two Optimus Primes"

==Summary==
The Decepticons discover a new power source in a crevasse in the [[Earth]]. They determine the fissure is filled with [[corlonium crystals]], which make anything electronic that they touch go ka-boom unless insulated. They locate [[Increcibly Tall Rocket|a temporary operations base]] nearby, and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] hatches a plan that he hopes will lead the Autobots into the crevasse and certain death.

[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the Autobots show up at the scene shortly, but before they can learn more about the lights, they are attacked by a Decepticon squad led by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. With some well-aimed shots, [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] knocks Prime over a cliff and puts him out of commission, then takes holographic pictures of him that Megatron uses to create a remote-controlled clone.

[[Image:Primedeux.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Double your pleasure...]]
The clone leads the Autobots back to base and causes some awkward moments when he doesn’t know the names of his troops nor how to use [[Teletraan 1]]. The situation is complicated further when the real Prime shows up. The Autobots are ready to shoot him as an impostor, but [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] stops them.

Both Primes are put through tests—sharpshooting and a race—to determine which is the real one. The results are rather inconclusive. That’s what you get for letting [[Spike Witwicky|Spike]] be in charge.

Tricked by false energy readings, the Autobots give up on finding out who is their real [[Prime (rank)|leader]] and instead head back to the crystal crevasse in order to stop what they think will be an imminent explosion. They are assaulted (again) by a Decepticon attack. Starscream stops everyone in the midst of battle and challenges the Optimus Prime clone to a one-on-one battle. They fight, and in the middle of declaring that he’s won, Starscream gets blown apart by one shot from clone Prime’s gun.

Now convinced that the clone is the real thing after the battle, the Autobots follow the clone to the crevasse, ignoring the warnings from the real Optimus. But before they are led to their doom, [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] pulls up from the crevasse and reveals the truth.

[[Image:Primespike.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Prime rubs Spike's head for good luck.]]
Earlier, he and Spike infiltrated the Decepticon base and overheard Megatron’s plan regarding the Prime clone, the mock battle with a fake Starscream, and the dangerous nature of the crystals. And now Megatron is holding Spike captive.

The clone says to disregard Windcharger’s report and Spike’s plight, and orders the Autobots forward into the crevasse. Ironhide declares the clone to be the fake, because the real Prime would save Spike. The Autobots shoot the fake Optimus into oblivion and follow Prime on a rescue mission. The Decepticons make a run for it in [[Incredibly Tall Rocket|a rocket]] and drop Spike in mid-air, but he’s rescued by [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and reunited with Optimus Prime, who then pets Spike like a puppy. The end.

{{-}}

==Stats==
'''Original airdate:''' October 2, 1985

'''Production number:''' 700-26

'''Written by:''' [[Dick Robbins]] and [[Bryce Malek]]

===Featured Characters===
(''Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobots]]
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticons]]
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human|Humans]]
! style="background:#FFEEB8" | Others
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |

| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |

| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" | '''Regulars'''
* [[Spike Witwicky]]

'''Guests'''
*

| style="background:#FFEEB8" valign="top" |

|}

==Notable quotes==
"All the danger you can handle is already here, Floptimus Prime!"
:—'''Starscream''' comes up with a clever insult.

"It's just such ignorance which forever relegates you to the ranks of underlings, Starscream!"
:—'''Megatron'''

"I'm sorry there are only three of you. Clobbering less then four Decepticons at a time is boring."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

''"Laserbeak... you tin-foil turkey!"''
:—'''Optimus Prime''' dishes out the trash talk like a pro

'''Fake Prime:''' “Bumblebee, come over here. The computer is not responding to my input.... Bumblebee, I'm speaking to you.”<br>
'''Ironhide:''' “You talking to me?”<br>
'''Fake Prime:''' “Of course.”<br>
'''Ironhide:''' "But I'm Ironhide, Prime.” <br>
'''Fake Prime:''' "I meant Ironhide, naturally."
:—The fake '''Optimus Prime''' totally flubs '''Ironhide''''s name, even though Ironhide's the only other one there, and the Southern-fried lug still doesn't get it...

"I don't mind hitting the dirt, but I don't enjoy eating it!"
:—'''Gears'''

"Is it really you, Optimus Prime? I mean <i>really?</i>" <br>
"Yes, Spike. This time I am definitely me. Or I. Myself. Oh, whoever I am. Put it there, partner."
:—A cautious but hopeful '''Spike''' questions '''Optimus Prime''', who doesn't do the best job of keeping a sentence together.

==Other notes==

===Animation and/or technical glitches===
* In a dialogue flub, Optimus calls Trailbreaker "Trailblazer". Later he calls Spike "Splik". Makes you wonder if the Autobots destroyed the right one.
* As he and Spike climb the mountain and spot Laserbeak, Windcharger is sporting a red Decepticon symbol.
* After the fake Starscream is destroyed by the fake Optimus, Starscream is seen standing next to the other Decepticons.
*Starscream sports a red symbol in some scenes.
*in one scene starscream's decepticon symbol is upside down.
===Continuity errors===
* Anyone else notice that Powerglide isn't seen until the very end? Shows up right after the fake Prime kills the fake Starscream.

===Transformers references===
* This episode has the first appearances of [[Powerglide]] and [[Warpath]]. However, no explanation of their origins is made.

===Real-world references===
* References

===Miscellaneous trivia===

* This episode marks the first and last appearance of the [[Auto-Scout]], a cassette drone launched by Soundwave.

* Notice that when both Primes get X-rayed, neither one possesses an Autobot Matrix of Leadership in his chest cavity. Mind you, this was before the Matrix was introduced in the cartoon.

* Testing to see which Prime is fake by road races and sharpshooting contests (instead of, say, quizzing them on the names and histories of the Autobots) is fairly dumb.

* Apparently, Megatron doesn't know the names of the Autobots beyond Prime. After a few million years, that's just embarrassing...

* Laserbeak is pretty hardcore. Optimus is easily able to overpower Starscream, Thundercracker, and Skywarp with his bare hands, yet a few blasts from Laserbeak take him down. Laserbeak also manages to open a pretty nice can of whoop-ass on Starscream when Starscream tries to run away.

===Keywords===
(''separate by commas and link each one so a page can be created for it if it does not already exist'')

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

[[Category: Generation 1 episodes|Prime Problem]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Scourge (Cybertron)

2008-03-14T22:50:22Z

76.15.132.91:

{{disambig3|Scourge}}

:''Scourge is a [[Decepticon]] and an [[autobot]] from the [[Jungle Planet]] in the [[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]] portion of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] continuity family.''

[[Image: Map-Scourge.jpg|thumb|290px|Why do my shoulders hurt people?]]

'''Scourge''' believes in survival of the fittest and the rule of the mightiest. Not coincidentally, he sees himself as the top of both these categories. A former student of the now-peaceful [[Backstop]], he is savage and brutal, and now holds the [[Jungle Planet]] firmly in his steel jaws. Still, his sense of honor shows that somewhere beneath the exterior of the tyrant, some decency beats in his spark, it just needs to find a way out.

He also apparently looks up (rather down) to one of the humans, [[Lori]]; because even though she is small, she is brave enough to stand up to big old Scourge. Scourge refers to her as 'little sister'. And let's face it, she must have pretty big cojones to do that.

:''Japanese name'': '''Flame Convoy'''
:''Hungarian name'': '''Ostor'''

==Fiction==
===''Cybertron''===
===Animated continuity===
:''Voice Actor:'' [[Trevor Devall]] (US) [[Norio Wakamoto]] (Japan)

[[Image:Cybertron_Scourge_past_peoplesuffer.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Scourge never stops bragging]]

Long ago, Scourge was a student training under the tutelage of the wise [[Backstop]]. Frustrated by the lawlessness of his homeworld, as well as the weak rulers' lack of backbone in dealing with the many criminal elements that preyed upon the people of the land, Scourge turned his back on his master's teachings and waged a revolutionary war against the rulers of the land, with one message: bend to his will or be destroyed. Scourge's immense strength and force of arms saw him seize power over the Jungle Planet, but over time, his lofty ideal of bringing peace and safety to a chaotic land gave way to merely maintaining order under his iron fist. {{Storylink|Honor}}

Years later, two strange beings dared enter the grounds of his temple. The leader, calling himself [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], claimed that he was in search of the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s, which could save the universe from a [[Grand Black Hole|Black hole]] left in the wake of [[Unicron|some mythical god's]] destruction. {{Storylink|Search}} Soon afterwards, another (smaller) [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|outlander]] arrived, telling much the same story as the Decepticons did, except claiming that Megatron had no intention of saving the universe. He joined the Decepticons but Bud, Lori and Coby turned him to the side of good so he could represent the Jungle planet during his fight against Galvatron along with Metroplex, Evac, Override, and Optimus Prime.

{{-}}

==Toys==
===''Cybertron''===
*'''Scourge''' (Ultra, 2005)
:''Japanese ID number'': '''GD-07'''

:''Cybertron'' Scourge transforms into a robotic dragon, coloured mostly dark brown and orange with red and purple highlights. He has head, neck, tail and leg articulation in this beast mode, with a moving jaw. Pressing the yellow button on his neck activates a electronic roaring sound and red LED in his head. Inserting a Cyber Planet Key into the slot on his back activates a ''Generation 1'' transformation sound effect and flips out two smaller dragon heads along hide his neck. Pressing the yellow button on his neck now activates a laser blast sound (along with the LED lights).

: In robot mode, Scourge is imposingly large, though unfortunately has somewhat limited articulation compared to other figures in the ''Cybertron'' toyline. He is armed with a massive axe formed from his tail which can be held in either fist. Inserting a Cyber Planet Key in robot mode is the same as in beast mode.

: Scourge comes with a gold-bordered Jungle Planet Cyber Key, with the Cyber Key code '''u2m8''' tampographed on the back.

*'''Flame Convoy - Sky Lynx Edition''' (Ultra, 2005)

: A Japanese [[Lucky Draw]] exclusive item, this extremely rare version of Flame Convoy had a colour scheme based (conceptually) on ''Generation 1'' [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], and shipped in a plain white version of his retail box.

*'''Scourge''' (Legends of Cybertron, 2005)

: An extremely simplied version of Scourge, Legends-class Scourge has limited articulation and his tail cannot detach to form his trademark axe.

: This mold was used to make ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' [[Trypticon]].

*'''Cryo Scourge''' (Ultra, 2006)

: Cryo Scourge is a predominantly blue redeco based upon ''Robots in Disguise'' [[Cryotek]].

: Cryo Scourge's packaging marks him as a [[Triple Changer]] for his ability to pop up the two extra heads. ... Yeah, we don't buy it either.

===Attacktix===
*Scourge (Booster, 2006)
: ''Attacktix ID number'': '''TF07'''
:Faction: Decepticon
:Class: Specialist
:Special: Recruit - 12/26 (46%) success ratio
:Point Cost: 20
:Base Speed: 8
:Attack Type: Striker (Axe)

:Scourge is a surprisingly small [[Attacktix]] figure considering the massive and powerful character he's based on. His small axe, small base and low speed make him relatively ineffective against more powerful Star Wars and Marvel strikers.

:Scourge's recruit power allows you to summon a trooper into play from your backups.

==Trivia==
* The toy's instructions and the show's CGI model depict the yellow spike on Scourge's axe as sticking straight up, parallel to the handle, but the molded detail on the toy indicates that it's supposed to be positioned at a right angle to the handle - it's the opposite, narrow end of the axe blade, y'see.

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Decepticon/Scourge/scourge.htm Scourge at TFU.info]

{{charstub}}
[[Category: Attacktix]]
[[Category: Cybertron characters]]
[[Category: Decepticons]]
[[Category: Turncoats]]
[[Category: Triple Changers]]
[[Category: Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category: Jungle Planet]]
[[Category: Legends of Cybertron]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Call of the Wild

2008-02-25T22:10:42Z

76.15.132.91:

{{picsneeded}}

'''The Predacons steal the rectifier coil from the Maximal base, which causes the Maximals to revert into a more feral state.'''

{{episodenav |BW |season=1 |19 |prev=Spider's Game |next=Dark Voyage}}

==Summary==
A cheetah enthusiastically chases at some wildlife, when the ground around it breaks up and it is sent falling into hot lava. Before the cat gets burned, the sequence ends, revealed to be a dream of Cheetor's. Cheetor awakens from his nightmare in time to hear the alarms triggered by a Predacon assault. Dinobot takes Cheetor outside to battle the attackers.

Primal exits the Maximals' control room via the roof hatch, but Waspinator and Terrorsaur grab a piece of Maximal hardware and retreat with the other Predacons. A well-placed rocket from Megatron prevents Primal from chasing the fliers. Airazor is just able to catch the Maximal leader before he's harmed from an impact with the ground, but lowering Primal after taking a hit from Terrorsaur seriously taxes Airazor's systems. On the upside, the Predacons are no longer attacking.

Inside the base, recuperating, the Maximals suddenly feel the harmful effects of Energon build-up. Rhinox explains that without the [[rectifier coil]] the Predacons stole, the Maximals will be stuck in Beast Mode. Meanwhile, the Predacons, after an uncharacteristically successful mission, enjoy a hearty laugh together.

Days later, Rhinox interrupts a dream Primal has (of being a real ape) to mention that Predacons are still haunting the local area. Rattrap suffers frustration from his Beast Mode's diminutive size and limb length. Primal and Rattrap almost get into a fight with each other, their minds suffering from bestial traits leaking into their personalities, but Rhinox lays down the line. Once the Preds leave, the Maximals take some much-needed slumber and hope Tigatron soon arrives to teach his allies how to tolerate being stuck as animals.

In his dreams, Primal is tormenting by eyes glowing in the dark. Dinobot dreams of hunting animals from the wrong continent, and Rattrap dreams of rat stuff. The dreams overpower their respective dreamers, and the Maximals awaken, trapped in the mindsets of the creatures whose forms they wear. The animals all eventually exit their base. Their foes' intellects gone, Megatron and the Predacons begin their hunt.

Airazor exits the [[CR Chamber]] to meet Tigatron in the empty Maximal base. Tigatron resolves to reform his Maximal companions before they're killed, while Airazor has her own mission. She heads to the unoccupied Predacon base, deftly dodging the automated defenses. Inside, the rectifier coil is under no protection she can't destroy.

In the jungle, Tigatron comes to face the feral Cheetor and Rhinox. The two follow him for reasons their animal minds don't comprehend. Next Tigatron recruits Optimus primal into his party, and finally Dinobot and Rattrap. His friends gathered, Tigatron speaks to the dormant minds of his friends. He explains how the schism that exists between the Maximal's two modes is a side effect of a programming block, and as long as that program exists, the animal and Maximal identities will never reach cohesion. Now embracing the beasts within, the restored Maximals are ready to "Slag some bot!"

Primal swings Megatron off of his throne as the two Maximal cats tackle the two Predacon goons who were carrying their leader. Dinobot's raptor mode conquers Blackarachnia. Rhinox knocks over a tree to ground the Predacon fliers, and a ratball special puts Rattrap into position to pump gunfire into Terrorsaur. After the Predacons start to feel the effects of Energon build-up, Megatron orders a retreat.

==Quotes==
"Hunting from the air with automatic weapons—now ''that's'' a sport!"
: -— '''Terrorsaur'''

"She stoops to conquer!"
: -— '''Airazor'''

"Rat...robot. Rat...robot. I'm a robot ''and'' a rat! Yeahh, I ''like'' it!"<br>
"Hrmf, I do not see why."
: -- '''Rattrap''' and '''Dinobot'''

==Stats==
'''Writers:''' [[Bob Forward]]<br>
'''Original Air Date:''' January 7, 1997

'''Characters (in order of appearance):''' [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]], [[Tarantulas]], [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]], [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]], [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]], [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], [[Waspinator]], [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]], [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]], [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]], [[Tigatron]]

==Notes==
* In his beast dream, Dinobot is chasing a ''Parasaurolophus''. While his toy bios and a previous statement from Rattrap seem to establish that Dinobot's beast mode is a ''Velociraptor'', scaled up to match Dinobot's size, that would make Dinobot's Mongolian beast mode quite a traveler in order to hunt instinctively a North American Hadrosaur—which, by the way, was waaay to small for a ''Parasaurolophus''. (It couldn't have been a juvenile, because it's sporting a distinct crest only characteristic of adults.)
* This episode may or may not get its title from the name of a song by Deep Purple or a novel by Jack London.
* This episode explores many themes that several of the same characters would later explore in ''[[Beast Machines]]''. The idea of the Maximals taking on more bestial personalities because of their beast modes is used in the episode "[[Forbidden Fruit]]". A similar concept would have been touched on in the unproduced ''Beast Wars'' episode "[[A Greater Ape]]".

[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>