Ghost in the Machine (G1)

2008-04-09T21:55:23Z

86.148.247.58: /* Other notes */

{{episodenav|g1|season=3|15|prev=Nightmare Planet|next=Webworld}}

[[Image:GhostMachine Starscream Scourge Unicron.JPG|thumb|350px|Screw you guys, i'm going home.]]
Set on regaining a physical body, the [[spark|ghost]] of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] possesses [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and makes a deal with the [[Unicron|devil]].

==Detailed synopsis==
On [[Chaar]], the [[Decepticon]]s are following [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], when Starscream's ghost appears and possesses Scourge. Despite his better efforts, Starscream forces Scourge to fire on Galvatron, then flees with [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] in pursuit. Cyclonus follows as far as [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], where he breaks off, assuming that Scourge has defected to the [[Autobot]]s. But that is not Starscream's goal. He instead flies to the severed head of [[Unicron]]. Using Scourge to reactivate the Dark God, Starscream offers his services in exchange for a new body. Unicron agrees to restore him to life in exchange for three labors. The first labor is to bring [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[Sensors#Optic sensors|eyes]] to Unicron. With nowhere else to go, Scourge agrees to serve Unicron.

[[Image:Dirge AlmostDeath.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Galvatron settles an old score with the wall.]]

On Earth, [[Kup]] arrives for an inspection of [[Autobot City]], when Scourge and Starscream make their move. Destroying Metroplex's security system, the two Decepticons steal the eyes, but [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Spike Witwicky]] cause Scourge to drop one, shattering it. Fleeing, Metroplex [[Transformation|transform]]s, but cannot see, and begins firing on the Autobots. However, a photon bomb disables Metroplex, causing him to crash. Lacking one eye, the two head back for Chaar, where they dispatch the [[Battlecharger]]s, outwit Starscream's [[Seeker|former soldier]]s, and steal one of [[Trypticon]]'s eyes. In addition, Starscream posses [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] to serve as their ride home, where Astrotrain is left to the mercy of the Autobots. Upon learning of what happened, Galvatron reacts in a rational, controlled manner...for Galvatron.

Pleased with his new eyes, Unicron informs Starscream and Scourge of their next labor: bring Trypticon to Unicron (should have told them that before they left). Starscream heads to complete the task. Meanwhile, [[Hot Rod|Rodimus Prime]] interrogates Astrotrain, who claims not to remember what happened, but [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] reveals that Unicron has his eyes back! [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] takes [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]], and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] to investigate, but Unicron drives them off. Scourge is becoming nervous, but Unicron warns his creation that he can take what he has given. On Chaar, Galvatron orders the Battlechargers and [[Conehead]]s to locate Starscream and Scourge, only for Trypticon to transform, under Starscream's control, and depart, with the Decepticons in pursuit.

As the Autobots prepare for the Decepticon assault, Unicron commands Starscream to remove Trypticon's [[transformation cog]] and place it in Unicron. The Decepticons arrive and attack, but Starscream uses Trypticon to disable their weapons. As the Decepticons flee, Unicron commands his minions complete the third labor—connect Unicron's head to Cybertron, making it his new body. Scourge decides to book it, and Starscream is left to complete the task. Scourge tries to warn Galvatron, but he doesn't care. Scourge then heads to the Autobots, and warns them of Unicron's intentions.

Within Trypticon, the Battlecharges and the Coneheads disable Starscream's control over Trytpicon, so Starscream demands his body to complete the labors. Unicron restores his body, but Starscream (surprise, surprise), tells Unicron to connect himself to Cybertron. However, the Autobots manage to plant some [[Energon cube]]s on Unicron's head. They detonate the [[Energon]], causing Unicron's head to return to orbit and Starscream to go flying. Thrown past the Decepticons, Galvatron orders them to fire on Starscream. When their shots begin hitting him, Cyclonus wonders why Starscream's ghost has lost control.

On Cybertron, Rodimus agrees to allow Scourge and Astrotrain to leave, in exchange for their help. He then tells the Autobots of their new mission to retrieve Metroplex's eye, but then reveals that he was joking, saying that the eyes were probably destroyed in the explosion.

Unseen by the Autobots, Unicron's eye twinkles in night...

==Stats==
'''Original airdate:''' Tuesday October 21, 1986

'''Episode #:''' 82

'''Product Code:''' 700-100

'''Written by:''' [[Joey Kurihara Piedra]], [[Michael Charles Hill]]

===Featured characters===
[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]],
[[Unicron]],
[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]

==Notable quotes==
"DESTROY HIM! HE'S LOST HIS MIND!"
:{{m-}} '''Galvatron''', calling [[Scourge (G1)|the kettle]] black.

"Aerialbots! Wait for...umm...nevermind."
:{{m-}} '''Warpath''' getting left behind.

"Where are my eyes?!"
:{{m-}} '''Metroplex'''

"First, you two let Scourge and Starscream steal one of Trypticon's eyes. And then you two allowed Astrotrain to be used as their escape vehicle. So Scourge is helping Starscream voluntarily, and you four were unable to stop them! Well, all I can say is...BWWWAAAAAAA!"
:{{m-}} '''Galvatron''', showing his usual eloquence.

"Why did Galvatron have you attack Cybertron all by yourself? Are you stupid or just obedient?"
:{{m-}} '''Rodimus Prime''' to Astrotrain

"I don't have to show you no stinking passes."
:{{m-}} '''Starscream''' (see [[wikipedia:Stinking badges|Stinking badges]])

"Starscream! You're a dead mechanism!" <br>
"Of course I'm dead, Galvatron! But not for much longer. And then are you going to be sorry!" <br>
"I'm already sorry!" <br>
:{{m-}} '''Galvatron''' and '''Starscream'''.

"Wait, since when do ghosts tumble out of control through space?"
:{{m-}} '''Cyclonus'''

==Other notes==

===Animation and/or technical glitches===

* After Rodimus jokes about recovering Metroplex's eyes from Unicron, Hot Spot is shown with Ultra Magnus's color scheme.
* In the last seconds of the episode, there are two Ultra Magnuses, one of them in the wrong colors.

===Continuity errors===
*Although undoubtedly big, Metroplex and Trypticon's eyes should be ''way'' too small for Unicron to use as like-for-like replacements.
*When Scourge approaches Galvatron he says, "Galvatron, don't shoot!" Galvatron states he couldn't even if he wanted to, because [[Trypticon]] neutralized their weapons. Yet, when Starscream's out of control body flies past him, he begins firing on him.

===Transformers references===
*First appearance of [[Runabout]].
*This episode marks the last appearances of [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], [[Warpath]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in the series.
*This episode is the second appearance of Starscream's ghost. He first appearance was in the G1 episode "[[Starscream's Ghost]]". His ghost makes a third appearance in the ''[[Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Possession]]" in which he takes over [[Waspinator]].

===Miscellaneous trivia===

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

==External links==

[[Category: Generation 1 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>

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Ghost in the Machine (G1)