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Reproduction

2010-06-11T23:43:53Z

92.3.185.139: /* Resurrection */

[[Image:MangaDinoforceBabies.jpg|right|250px|thumb|HOW IS BABBY FORMED?]]
Various reproduction methods for the Transformers species have been demonstrated across various continuities.

==Mechanical construction==
Sometimes, new Transformers are simply built from scratch, and that's all it takes. A suitable Transformer body is constructed, and when finished and turned on, it just springs to life.
===Generation 1===
====Cartoon continuity====
Two notable examples of this type of reproduction appear in the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|''Generation 1'' cartoon]]: when [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and company create the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}} and later when the temporarily super-intelligent [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] creates the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]]. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}.

[[Image:SOSDinobots buildingSludge.jpg|left|180px|thumb|"I've been workin' on the Dinobot, all the live long day..."]]
The Dinobots are initially very simple mentally and are ordered to be deactivated because they are too dangerous. Wheeljack then develops a set of crown-like devices to place on the Dinobots which greatly enhances their intellect, although they are still "dumb" and child-like compared to the other Autobots. The Technobots, on the other hand, are immediately fully functional, and some of them are even ''smarter'' than average Transformers. If one were to take these facts as canonically meaningful (rather than simply the whims of the writers of those episodes), it could be guessed that programming a functional Transformer brain from scratch is extremely difficult, such that even Wheeljack is not up to the job. Temporarily super-genius Grimlock may be the only one capable. However, one must also note that the Dinobots were built and programmed to be as similar to dinosaurs as possible, including the limited intelligence; the Technobots, however, were built by Grimlock with intelligence in mind, as it was the only way to counter [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]]' brute power.

At least on the surface, this "built from scratch" approach runs counter to claims in other episodes of the show that [[Vector Sigma]] is needed to create new Transformer life. (See below.) However, since Vector Sigma is presented as being a supercomputer and not a "magical" device like the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comics']] [[Creation Matrix]], it could fall in with the speculative statements above regarding Grimlock and Wheeljack. Perhaps Vector Sigma is simply an advanced enough computer that it is capable of constructing a working mind.

====IDW comics continuity====
[[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] are created by Decepticon scientists after many failed attempts. The failed attempts lived on and were collectively known as [[Insecticon swarm|"the swarm"]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron}}

== Infusion ==
[[Image:Creation Matrix 65.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Go on, rub it and make a wish...]]
In other stories, once a new Transformer body has been built, it must still be infused with life (what the fiction from the Beast era and after would gloss as a [[spark]]) from a "god-like" outside source. In the ''Generation 1'' cartoon, this source is Vector Sigma; in the Marvel comics, it is the Creation Matrix, which houses the essence of [[Primus]], the Transformers' creator-god. In the [[Beast Era|Beast era]] cartoons, sparks arrive from the [[Allspark]], perhaps through Vector Sigma. (In many continuities, each Transformer's life force is a fragment of Primus's own.) The [[Movie (franchise)|live-action movie]] continuities function with the [[AllSpark (Movie)|AllSpark]] being the source of infusion as well, though in that case, "living" and "sentient" are not quite the same thing. (See: [[Allspark Mutation]].)

[[Image:VectorSigmaG1.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Vector Sigma holds "Disco Night" every Friday at 11 pm.]]
In the [[Young Corgi]] book ''[[Desert of Danger]]'', Hot Rod refers to his creation after the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' left Cybertron as when he was "matrixed".<ref>[http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~sstoneb/tf/books/corgi-adv/desert/22.html Desert of Danger, Page 22.]</ref> How exactly this would have happened if Optimus Prime was aboard the ''Ark'' with the Matrix at the time is unknown, but one option might be the [[Matrix Flame]].

The Matrix Flame is an artifact which allows Transformers on Cybertron to access the power of the Matrix even when it is no longer on Cybertron. Literally a flame, it is used to breathe life in the super warrior [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] in the UK comics. The flame is somehow linked to the Matrix, and when the Matrix is transported to another dimension during "[[Target: 2006]]", the flame goes out, forcing the Autobots on Cybertron to investigate.

The [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' guide provides yet another method of infusion. According to the guide, in Dreamwave continuity, Transformers generally begin life as a skeletal mass of partially formed circuits—a [[Protoform]]. These are kept in stasis pods filled with nurturing nutrient gel. They can be built to certain specifications or be fairly general, allowing the robot to form naturally upon introduction of a spark. Sparks, and hence life, usually come from the Matrix, ''BUT'', if the Matrix is absent, life can be granted by attuning the protoform to an energy wavelength similar to the Matrix and then applying a concentrated burst of energon. This alternative is rarely used, as it is extremely resource-consumptive, requiring restrictively high amounts of energon.<ref>[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]] #8, "Cybertron: Protoforms" (2003)</ref>

[[Image:Allspark movie.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"RESISTANCE IS FUTILE."]]
The Movie continuity's [[AllSpark (Movie)|AllSpark]] works by infusion as well, just on an even more impressive scale. It is capable of infusing any inanimate machine with life and simultaneously altering its structure so that it is capable of transforming into a Cybertronian-style robot. The [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] fragments spread across Detroit in the ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' continuity show the same ability to alter non-living machines into new Transformers (as well as unrelated powers like slowing time and remote controlling other Cybertronians.) Although, outside of the toy biographies for certain characters, the AllSpark in the movie merely creates non-sentient, animalistic life-forms out of ordinary machines, rather than fully developed Cybertronians. Suggesting that maybe, the Cybertronians 'evolved' over time. This is further hinted at by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] when, whilst responding to [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]'s comment about humans being primitive and violent, he responds; "Were we so different?"

'''''See also:''' [[Sacred implement]]''
{{-}}
== Resurrection ==
[[Image:Pmoptimusprimedeath.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Give ne ny face.]]
Though not quite the same as reproduction, a copy of the mind or essence of a previously living Transformer may be introduced into a new body and, through some vague process, return that Transformer to life. This occurs when [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] creates the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] in the ''Generation 1'' cartoon, and in the comic when Prime uses copies of the minds of existing Cybertronians to create the second-series Autobot cars on [[Earth]]. Another example from the comic occurs when Optimus Prime himself is returned to life merely by inputting a human's [[floppy disk]] copy of his mind into a new body.

A variation on this theme is [[Unicron]]'s ability to create new Robotic life. In the cartoon continuity, Unicron rebuilds [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], though it is unclear if these are the same being. Less ambiguous is the creation of [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and the [[Sweeps]] from the apparently dead remains of [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]. In Marvel comic book continuity, Unicron exhibits a similar ability, fashioning three servants named [[Hook, Line, and Sinker]] from the remains of non-Cybertronian robots attempting to flee him. Some fans have speculated that the creation of the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] by super-genius [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] was aided in some fashion by Unicron's presence.

In his ending to the ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)|Beast Wars Transmetals]]'' video game, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] uses "a prototype cloning device, based on transreplication technology" to clone the deactivated Generation 1 Decepticons on the Ark into new protoform bodies, thus reviving them without altering the timeline (and erasing himself) by effectively doubling each robot.

This is included as a means of reproduction because it seems likely from the dialogue that the Autobot cars created via copied minds by Prime on Earth still existed on Cybertron when he left, meaning that if they survived the intermediate 4 million years, two of each of these individuals now exist.

In the [[Unicron Trilogy]] story "[[Linkage (comic)|Linkage]]", [[Redline]] and [[Falcia]] combine energy from their [[Spark frame|spark frames]] in order to create a new body for the mind/soul of [[Twirl]] to inhabit after her [[Mini-Con storage panel]] is destroyed in battle. This leads to an interesting relationship between Twirl and Falcia. (See "Familial relationships", below.)

== Budding ==
[[Image:G2issue5-PowerandtheGlory-BuddingSteps.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Budding doesn't look like much fun at ALL. It looks like Aliens versus Predator all over again.]]
The [[Generation 2 (Marvel Comics)|''Transformers: Generation 2'' comic]] introduced the concept of asexual "budding". Bubbles and lesions of apparently liquid metal form on a robot's chest, accompanied by energy discharge. The process grows more intense, until a large mass of liquid metal bursts free from the chest and slowly forms into a [[protoform]]-like blank figure, and then solidifies into a full Transformer. Illustrations suggest that this is something of a communal event, with others surrounding the budding robot in a circle.

[[Image:TNA.gif|left|150px|thumb|With the right early screening, even pegwarming might some day be preventable.]]
It was revealed that (in the Marvel continuity at least) early Transformers reproduced this way until they reached the population level Primus desired. At this turning point, the practice stopped and all memory of it was erased. When the [[Cybertronian Empire]] (possibly under influence of the [[Liege Maximo]]) rediscovered and revived the process sometime during the 4 million years after the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'''s loss, the successive generations of robots produced were increasingly less sentient and emotional (as Primus's lifeforce was apparently spread thinner and thinner between them), and the lifeform called the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]] was created as a byproduct.

It is established here that Transformers do have genetic material (the Transformer equivalent of DNA) within their cellular structures. (Yes, they also apparently have cellular structures—who knew?) This genetic material is passed down from "parent" to "child" through budding. Its make-up is seen in the picture at left. (Apparently, its design is not taught in the Transformer equivalent of high school Biology, as Megatron does not recognize what he's looking at until Perceptor explains.) This genetic material and basic Transformer cellular structure is also passed to the Swarm. Later, in [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]], Transformer genetic material is given the designation [[CNA]], and it is what is altered by the malevolent Jhiaxus to create female Transformers.

The other notable fact is that Transformers who have undergone the budding process retain some sort of primal link to their offspring, thus even though they are galaxies apart, the ''Generation 1'' Decepticon [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] doubles over in pain when his descendant [[Mindset]] is destroyed, and the Liege Maximo says he would know if his descendant, Megatron, were to die.

== Sexual reproduction ==
[[Image:Tfreprod marvel28.jpg|left|150px|thumb|"Film the birth?" "No, got some great footage of the conception, though!"]]
Despite most continuities having male and female genders (gender being a mental and social classification, as opposed to "sexes", a physical distinction) and a definite, strong history of romance existing between these genders, there is little canonical evidence for Transformers reproducing sexually. (Though admittedly, there isn't a lot of direct evidence for [[Human|humans]] reproducing sexually in most Transformers media, which is, after all, aimed towards kids.)

In the ''Generation 1'' cartoon, the male Transformer - [[female Transformer]] romance could perhaps be explained as an artifact of [[Quintesson]] mental programming very closely echoing the organic life forms the Transformers were built to serve.

On only two occasions in Generation 1 do we get a hint of male and female Transformer romance leading to the formation of family units and the creation of offspring. The first is subtle: [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]'s backstory in some versions mentions his crashing on Quintessa with his parents. The second is more explicit: At the end of the Japanese [[Victory (manga)|''Victory'' manga]], we find out that [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]] and his forces have been fighting all this time for the sake of their/the families living on top of the [[Planet-Destroying Fortress]], among which the [[Dinoforce]]'s [[Baby Dinoforce|children]]. Awww.

Apart from this, the best case for sexual reproduction in the species could probably be made from ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', where [[Rattrap]] makes numerous off-color remarks throughout the series, especially directed at [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. These comments strongly hint at something sex-like among Transformers, though it could, of course, be merely recreational rather than reproductive.

It is unknown what effect the ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' [[reformatting]] of Transformers into [[technorganic]] beings, which are equal parts organic life and mechanical structure down to a cellular level, has on their reproductive options. It is conceivable but unexplored whether this new form of Transformer life could reproduce sexually.

During a dream-like vision, Blackarachnia and Silverbolt meet in an ethereal state, and the two appear to "merge" their sparks, which may be as close to sexual intercourse as Transformers get, perhaps a more spiritual act than physical.

[[Image:Sariprime.jpg|right|120px|thumb|At that moment, Optimus realizes that there are some questions best left unanswered.]]

The [[Transformers (2007)|2007 motion picture]] once again brings up questions about the possibility of a less-than-mechanical form of reproduction. The first and most obvious of these implications comes from [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet's]] less-than-tactful observation of "the [[Sam Witwicky|boy]] want[ing] to mate with the [[Mikaela Banes|female]]." Although his grasp of the concept could stem merely from a familiarity with organic species in general, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime's]] mention of [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] killing their father, in some related material, does suggest Transformers have some understanding of family units.

In the ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' continuity, it seems clear that Transformers do not reproduce sexually. [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] appears stunned when [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]] tells him where human babies come from, and later brings up the inconsistency when Sari's own origins are revealed.

On the flip-side, in IDW continuity, female Transformers are specifically created by [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]. By altering fundamental [[CNA]], Jhiaxus introduced gender to the species from a malevolent curiosity about what would happen. The depth of the change in this case is unknown; is it limited to appearance and mentality or does it go deeper? If he was truly trying to see how females would affect the evolution of the species it is possible Arcee was created with the capability for some analog of sexual reproduction in mind, but given his abandonment of the experiment and Arcee's resultant unbalanced mental state it seems unlikely the depth of the change will be explored.
{{-}}

== Familial relationships ==
[[Image:PrimeDirective4 Cover SunstreakerSideswipe.jpg|left|150px|thumb|The Doublemint Twins they're not.]]
One confusing aspect of this apparent lack of sexual reproduction is the canonical use of genealogical terminology to describe certain relationships. The most common of these is when two Transformers regard each other as siblings: "brothers" (e.g. ''Generation 1's'' [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] or ''Robots in Disguise'''s [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]]) or "sisters" ([[Roulette]] and [[Shadow Striker (Universe)|Shadow Striker]]).

Again, the Dreamwave ''More than Meets the Eye'' guide provides a partial possible answer. According to the guide, when a spark naturally splits as it's being introduced to a protoform, it creates two robots who are "brothers", such as Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. When such a spark division is artificially induced, the pair created are referred to as "[[Cloning|clones]]". (This definition of "brother" may or may not apply to RID Prime and Magnus, whose brotherhood was said to result from the special circumstance of having been created simultaneously by Alpha Trion).

However, the "[[Beast Era|Beast era]]" widened the issue of reproduction with Rattrap referring to his "great-aunt" [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and in general the practice of Maximals and Predacons referring to the Autobots and Decepticons as their respective "ancestors", as well as themselves as being their "descendants", implying a direct genetic (for want of a better term) lineage. Various sources of debatable canonicity suggest that [[Optimus Primal]] is specifically descended from [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], usually through the phrase "[his] ancestor Optimus Prime".

In the absence of sexual reproduction, the use and meaning of these genealogical references is difficult to explain. One possible explanation might be a situation such as when [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] is brought to life in ''Beast Wars''. Her [[spark]] and [[protoform]] are heavily damaged, and [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] allows some of his parts to be used as replacements while [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] guides the procedure. To compare to humans, this is something like assisting with childbirth and donating blood or organs. It is unlikely that this happened enough to cause "descendants" as they are described, however. The term may also be used in an ideological sense or even a technological sense, much as the CD or MP3 player is, in a way, a "descendant" of the gramophone.

[[Image:Twirl-Baby.jpg|250px|right|thumb|So, think Social Services handle cases like these often?]]
Other family designations exist as well. [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] has "parents" that were lost in his crash on [[Quintessa]], according to some background material. The aforementioned Mini-Con Twirl very specifically calls Falcia her "mother" (which Falcia ''hates'') and seems to treat Redline like a father, since the two's spark frame energies went into constructing her physical form. In the ''Armada'' cartoon, [[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]] refers to [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] as his brother after Hot Shot saves his life, suggesting at least an understanding of the concept; on the other hand, the ''Armada'' cartoon is originally Japanese, and in Japan, 'brother' and 'sister' can be used as terms of affection or respect to an unrelated person. The [[Unicron Trilogy]] universe has also used the term "cousin" for certain Transformers on occasion. The Japanese Generation 1 ''Victory'' manga features Decepticon wives and children. Even the live-action movie features an Optimus and Megatron who are brothers, and it is mentioned in the related Nintendo DS game that Megatron "took the spark" of their father.

'''''See also:''' [[Relatives]]''

== Toys ==
[[Image:Classics cosmos concept.gif|right|250px|thumb|Echography of a sadly aborted Transformer.... Yes, those things happen.]]
In the real-life continuity, when two toy manufacturing companies love each other very much, [[Hasbro|one of them]] may start shooting Transformer design propositions to the [[TakaraTomy|other one]]. There, during several months of gestation, engineers will work on those designs, which will be developed into functional and manufacturable Transformers. Once the Transformer is ready to be produced, its design will be sent to marketing and ultimately to the chain manufacturer for the delivery. Voilà! A new Transformer is born!
{{-}}

==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Transformer culture]]

The Burden Hardest to Bear

2010-06-08T23:20:03Z

92.3.185.139: /* Featured characters */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=93
|series2=2010
|ep2=28
|prev2=The Face of the Nijika
|next2=Daniel's Adventure
|image=Matrix burden 2.jpg
|caption=You found me beautiful, once.
|title="The Burden Hardest to Bear"
|production code=700-114
|airdate=[[November 19]], 1986
|written by=[[Michael Charles Hill]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''Overwhelmed by the burdens of leadership, Rodimus Prime doesn't care too much when the Decepticons steal the Matrix of Leadership away from him.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 重すぎた使命 (''Omo Sugi ta Shimei'', "The Mission Too Heavy")
:''German title:'' '''Die Last der Verantwortung''' ("The Burden of Responsibility")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:BurdenHardest Defensor Bruticus.jpg|left|200px|thumb|So, uh... If what it looks like is about to happen happens... does it count as an orgy?]]

At dawn, the people of [[Japan]] are awakening to do their daily tasks: fishing, going to shrines, and sword practice. Then, the [[Decepticon]]s show up to cause random trouble.

[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Predaking]] begin harassing a few fishermen, but are chased off by [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]. [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] tries to ram a train head on (real smart) only to have the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] drive him away. [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] fight it out, when [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and the [[Sweep|Sweeps]] arrive, but are driven off by Rodimus, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. However, instead of thanking the [[Autobot|Autobots]] for saving many lives, the government of Japan is very upset, saying that the Autobots frightened people and ruined business (thankless bipeds). When [[Marissa Faireborn]] arrives and brings more problems to Rodimus, the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] loses patience, [[Transformation|transforms]], and drives off. Kup explains that Rodimus is merely strained under the burden of command, much like [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] was in his early days as leader, and Marissa decides to follow him, to let him have someone to talk to.

[[Image:Matrix burden 1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Galvatron takes the brown acid.]]

Meeting up on the highway, however, the two are attacked by [[Wildrider]] and [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]], who knock Marissa into a lake and force Rodimus off a cliff. When they inspect Rodimus, they find the Matrix. Realizing that [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] will be ''really'' happy, they steal it and return to [[Chaar]]. In his throne room, Galvatron inserts the Matrix into his cannon, but instead of making it even more powerful like he had hoped, visions of the [[Ancient Autobots]] (including Optimus Prime himself) seep out of the barrel and demand that Galvatron return the Matrix. Galvatron orders [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] to destroy the Matrix, believing it better to be destroyed if the Decepticons can't have it. Scourge, however, inserts the Matrix into himself, and becomes more powerful... but at a startling price.

[[Image:BurdenHardest Hot Rod recover.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Augh... can't get the mental image of Bruticus/Defensor out!]]

Meanwhile, the Autobot leader wakes up, to learn that he's reverted to Hot Rod. [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] argue that they should go after the Decepticons, but Hot Rod feels that the Matrix isn't worth it, and jets off. Real smart idea, Roddy. On Chaar, Scourge challenges Galvatron, defeating him and Cyclonus easily, before leading the Decepticons off to Earth. Galvatron and Cyclonus still function, and set off in pursuit in the ''[[Revenge (G1)|Revenge]]''.

[[Image:BurdenHardest Hot Rod retrieves matrix.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Yoink!]]

On Earth, Hot Rod, while watching a martial arts class, gets some perspective and some wisdom from the Kendo instructor, and realizes that he needs to get the Matrix back. Meanwhile, Scourge arrives in Japan with his forces, tossing around the Autobots. Broadside tosses him to the ground and he frightens an elderly woman. One of the Kendo students comes to her aid, attacking Scourge with a sword and he begins to chase the pair. He corners them in a blind alley, only for Hot Rod to arrive. Shocked at the changes the Matrix has wrought in Scourge, Hot Rod defeats the Decepticon and reclaims the Matrix, becoming Rodimus Prime once more. Galvatron and Cyclonus find a less powerful, and very frightened, Scourge. And they are none too happy with him...

As the Decepticons retreat, Rodimus realizes that he must deal with his missing part, as have those who came before him. Kup reminds him that no matter who carries the Matrix, he will retain that part forever.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (1)
* [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (8)
* [[Slingshot]] (9)
* [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (10)
* [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (11)
* [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (12)
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (13)
* [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (14)
* [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (21)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime/Hot Rod]] (22)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (23)
* [[Ancient Autobots]] (34)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (35)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (36)
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (37)

|c2=
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (2)
* [[Predaking]] (3)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (4)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (5)
* [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (6)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (7)
* [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (15)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (18)
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (19)
* [[Sweep|Sweeps]] (20)
* [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (24)
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (25)
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (26)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (27)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (28)
* [[Wildrider]] (30)
* [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (31)
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (32)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (38)
* [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (39)
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (40)
* [[Drag Strip]] (41)
* [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (42)

|c3=
* Kendo teacher (16)
* Kendo student (17)
* [[Marissa Faireborn]] (29)
}}

==Quotes==
"Eh, you've had worse times." 
"Yeah, when do they get better? That's what ''I'' wanna know."
:—'''Kup''' and '''Rodimus'''

"[[wikipedia:Second_City_Television|He done blowed up real good]]."
:—'''Wildrider''', master of grammar

"You dropped it, didn't you? You broke the Matrix, didn't you?!"
:—'''Galvatron'''

"Aren't you getting a little carried away here? I'm still me, you're still you: Matrix, schmatrix."
:—'''Hot Rod''' is flippant after losing a hand-me-down.

"I...still...function..."
:—'''Cyclonus''' in a call-back to [[The Transformers: The Movie]]

"We're too late, Galvatron! Scourge has already launched his assault!" 
"He doesn't know the meaning of the word assault, but he's going to learn!"
:—'''Cyclonus''' and '''Galvatron'''

"Oh no, we're trapped! We'll be killed!" 
"Remarkable! The woman is clairvoyant!" 
:-'''Scourge''' mocks his intended victim.

"The Matrix did this to you? Then I have to take it back. I see now it is my obligation. I belong to it... as much as it belongs to me."
:—'''Hot Rod'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s realization at last.

"Well, son of a gun. Found that missing part, huh?" 
"Not just the Matrix, Kup, a missing part of... myself."
:—'''Kup''' and '''Rodimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
* When Rodimus is reverted back to Hot Rod, he's still occasionally drawn using Rodimus Prime's [[Character model]].
* For some reason, the EDC letters on Marissa Faireborne's shoulder has been replaced with "AOC".
* When Galvatron is about to put the Matrix in his cannon, [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] are among the Decepticons present, and are shown to be the same size as Galvatron.
* Galvatron's throne changes color and design multiple times throughout one scene.
* When Hot Rod regains the Matrix, he sticks it into his chest without opening a compartment for it.
* In one scene where Optimus Prime is shown among the ancient Autobots, he is colored completely blue.
* The version of this episode on the [[Shout! Factory]] DVDs features a glitch with an unstable horizontal line appearing at the top of the picture throughout the episode. The error appears to be on the episode's master copy, as the version included on the [[Kid Rhino]] DVDs has the picture slightly zoomed in order to avoid showing the offending line.

===Continuity errors===
* Just before he quits the Autobots, Hot Rod states that "this war has been going on now for a few dozen millennia". Back in "[[War Dawn]]", we learned that the Third Cybertronian War started nine million years ago, which is about ''750'' dozen millennia... assuming, of course, that we want to take Hot Rod's pointedly off-handed remark as being based on historical accuracy, which is kind of a stretch for a guy who's at the end of his rope and sarcastically railing about "the known universe and its outlying suburbs".

===Transformers references===
* When Galvatron inserts the Matrix into his cannon, he says "Now, [['Til all are one|all shall become one]], under Galvatron's rule!"
* Optimus Prime is among the Ancient Autobots.
* This episode marks the last appearance of Springer and Broadside in US continuity.

===Japanese version===

* When they recover the Matrix of Leadership, [[Issei Masamune|the Narrator]] mistakenly identifies [[Wildrider]] and [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] as [[Runabout]] and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]].

===Trivia===
* While the episode order can vary, it's a little funny that the episode about Rodimus finally getting used to being leader of the Autobots was followed by the episode in which Optimus returns to replace him.
* When Scourge starts mutating, at one point it looks like he's... crying?
* Wildrider seems to now have a very bad Southern accent.
* This episode marks the first time in Transformers fiction that the word [[Slag (slang)|Slag]] is used as an insult.
* Isn't it convenient that Scourge launches his attack on Earth in Japan, where the Autobots happen to be located?
* The voice acting for several Japanese characters in this episode employs a very stereotypical Western view of Asian people and their pronunciation of English words.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2000 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume 11: The Decepticon Possession ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 2 & Season 4 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 3 and Season 4 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 5: Series 3.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season's Three & Four {{sic}} (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2010 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)

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

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burden Hardest to Bear}}
[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

United Kingdom

2010-06-08T23:12:49Z

92.3.185.139:

[[image:UK Grimlock.gif|frame|''And did those feet in ancient time...'']]
The '''United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland''' (also '''Region 2''') is a strange, possibly allegorical, land where pants are called trousers, underwear are called pants, women run the government, Batman kidnaps children, state-sponsored media is popular instead of elitist, vinegar is a condiment, and they have good rock and roll.

Also, they spell things funny and their bizarro-DVD's won't play in U.S. DVD players. ''Spooky''.

:''Official Japanese name:'' '''Gureto Buriten oyobi Hokubu Airurando Rengo Ôkoku''' (グレートブリテン及び北部アイルランド連合王国)
:''Alternate Japanese names:'' '''Eikoku''' (英国) / '''Igirisu''' (イギリス)<ref>The names "Eikoku" and "Igirisu" technically only refer to England, but are more often used to represent to the UK as a whole.</ref>

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics===
====Generation 1====
{{note|Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.}}
[[Image:Man of iron and knights.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Oh bollocks, an immigrant! Kick him out! ''British Jobs for British Workers!''"]]
Some time in the past, the [[Man of Iron (Autobot)|Man of Iron]] and his [[Navigator]] came to [[Earth]] while searching for the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and left their ship beneath the area that would one day become [[Stansham]]. There they remained, though the Man of Iron would occasionally leave the ship to visit the surface - in 1017 he encountered [[human]]s, including [[Godwin the Strongarm]] and [[Aethelric]], and a further two sightings were recorded.

In 1984 a beacon from the ship attracted the attention of the earthbound [[Autobot]]s and they took a [[Ark shuttlecraft|shuttle]] to the United Kingdom to investigate. Upon arrival, [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] kidnapped a human named [[Sammy Harker]] to provide the Autobots with intelligence about the local area, but they were attacked by the [[Decepticon]]s, who had also followed the beacon to its source.

As battle raged above Stansham Castle, the Man of Iron emerged from his ship once more, only to be blown up by [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]. Jazz destroyed the ship (inadvertently killing the Navigator) and the [[Transformer]]s left the United Kindgom. {{storylink|Man of Iron (story)|Man of Iron}}

''About a year later they would return, seeking the source of an energy transmission that caused aspects of their personalities to reverse. Tracing the signal to a secret research facility Jazz and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] fought over [[Zeke Heilmann]], a human who was stealing the core of [[PARD]] for his own nefarious purposes. In the ensuing battle both Zeke and the device were destroyed by Jazz.'' {{storylink|To a Power Unknown!}}

''By 1987, the country was the home of the [[Europe|European]] branch of international anti-terrorism taskforce [[Action Force (team)|Action Force]]; their field leader [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] was an English soldier. They ended up battling alongside [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] and [[Centurion (Marvel)|Centurion]] against a raging [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] ([[Straxus (G1)|or so they thought]]) in [[London]]'s docklands. Centurion and Megatron fell into the [[River Thames]].'' {{storylink|Ancient Relics!}}

''[[Richard Branson]] attempted to fish out the remains, only for [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] to swipe his catch.'' {{storylink|Salvage!}}

In 1990, Shockwave emerged from the sea off the coast of [[Blackpool]] where he paused only to squash a tramp and his dog before leaving for [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] to spy on [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} He later set up his Decepticon dissident base there. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

====Fleetway Generation 2 comics====
[[Image:London_war_without_end_uk.jpg|left|thumb|200px|London, after England loses a football game.]]

In 1994, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] led his forces to attack London with the intention of attracting [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. The damage to the city was severe; even the Houses of Parliament were bombed. Optimus defeated Bludgeon only to face a returned Megatron, who handed his [[Anatomic euphemism|skidplate]] to him. Before he could finish off his old adversary, Megatron was attacked by Bludgeon's troops and Optimus was rescued by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. The arrival of Jazz's group forced Megatron to escape with Starscream and Prime declared victory, though he advocated that the Autobots vacate the area to escape any human retaliation. {{storylink|War Without End (issue)|War Without End}} {{storylink|War Zone}}
{{-}}
====Marvel Generation 2 comics====
[[London]] was one of the cities hit in the Decepticons' global slaughter. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}}

===Generation 1 cartoon===
====American continuity====
[[Image:Raiderdragonvsautobots.jpg|right|200px|thumb|[[Dragon|Dragons]] are quite common throughout the UK.]]

[[Starscream (G1)|A]] [[Rumble (G1)|group]] [[Ravage (G1)|of]] [[Ramjet (G1)|Decepticons]], the Autobots [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]. ended up time-travelling to England in the 6th Century. Starscream got involved in a spat between local [[Sir Wigend du Blackthorne]] and [[Sir Aetheling the Red]] before seizing control from the former and attempting to conquer the latter's fiefdom, as well as messing about with history by creating gunpowder in Europe centuries early. Luckily, Spike and the Autobots stopped him.

We also learned England possesses the time-travelling site known as [[Dragon Mound]], that plate armour existed ''far'' earlier than stuffy historians and their "facts" would tell us, and that [[Dragon|dragons existed naturally in England]]. {{storylink|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court}}

In the 20th Century the country had the dubious honour of big-game hunter and national stereotype [[Lord Chumley]] causing an international incident when he stole a [[Daina|top secret Soviet jet]]. The Autobots sorted it out and made a mess of his castle. {{storylink|Prime Target}}
{{-}}
====Japanese continuity====
[[Image:Roadking masterforce.jpg|left|200px|thumb|A British sports star. Not pictured: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8141300.stm the News Of The World tapping his phone].]]

Strangely, by this point in time, Britain was covered with the type of thick fog that hadn't been seen since the 1950s. It's almost like someone hadn't done any research.

[[Sixshot]] blackmailed the UK to hand over its energy or he would devastate London. It didn't, so he did. {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}}

The [[Godmaster]] [[Lightfoot]], heir to [[British Motors]], was born in Britain. His father was unable to start a car company in England and so moved to that land of enterprise, [[Canada]]. {{storylink|Lightfoot: A Dramatic Encounter}} Champion racer and fellow Godmaster [[Road King]] also originated from the UK, having the nickname "the British Wolf".

Flight 308 from [[Mont Porte]] was captured by [[Blood]] off the coast of England, in the Strait of Dover. {{storylink|Kidnapping!? The Targeted Jumbo Jet}} Violating UK airspace was apparently a laugh, as the Decepticon [[Godmaster]] jets [[Hydra (Masterforce)|Hydra]] and [[Buster (Masterforce)|Buster]] had fun zooming over London at high speeds before heading on to [[Japan]]. {{storylink|Super Warriors - The Godmaster Brothers}}
{{-}}

===Young Corgi===

The United Kingdom would presumably be part of the [[Federation of Western Europe]], something the EEC will turn into in the near future of 2000. {{storylink|Battle Beneath the Ice}}

===Unicron Trilogy===

====Energon====

In the peaceful inter-war period, the Autobots built [[Plains City]] in England. It wasn't actually on a plains. {{storylink|Unicron Trilogy guidebooks}}

====Cybertron====

While looking for the [[Omega Lock]], the Autobots dug up around an ancient druid site. The area briefly became a battleground when [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] and [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] attacked. {{storylink|Space}}

Later, Starscream's [[Ancient Decepticon]] army swarmed in the skies of the nation, spreading panic. {{storylink|Invasion}}

===Live-action ''Transformers'' movie continuity===
====IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics====

[[Image:RotF Bendy Bus Prime.jpg|thumb|300px|right|]]

[[Diego Garcia]], a British overseas territory and home to a joint UK-[[United States military|US]] military base, was used as a training facility for [[NEST]] and base for Autobots. {{storylink|Alliance issue 3}} British armed forces eventually became part of NEST and helped destroy the Decepticon [[Overcast (Movie)|Overcast]]. {{storylink|Alliance issue 4}}

====Titan Magazines====

The Orkney Islands are home to a NEST base, and noted as a forward operating location. The base contains a training facility for Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.4|New Tricks}}

====''Revenge of the Fallen'' film====

An unknown number of British Army soldiers served in NEST, at least one who would get killed in battle. [[Graham|SASF Agent Graham]], a special forces operative, was part [[William Lennox|Major Lennox]]'s NEST command structure; like most of NEST, he trusted the Autobots. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)}}

====Merchandise====

[[Bendy-Bus Prime]] landed in [[London]] and took the form of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Articulated_buses_in_London a bendy bus].

===Shattered Glass===

The British want to invade the United States. Boo, hiss! Don't be too concerned, though. The queen knows that bombing land she wants to conquer is VERY counter-productive. Wonder why no one else thought of that. {{storylink|Eye in the Sky}}

==Notes==
* By strange coincidence, a number of Transformers (including the entire planet of [[Gigantion]]) have accents identical to some of those in the United Kingdom!
* In 2009 Gordon Brown, [[Democracy|the Prime Minister]], made a public appeal for [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] to come and solve the country's problems, to which the Conservative Party responded Brown had "more in common with the Decepticons".<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/4208838/Browns-hero-is-Transformer-Optimus-Prime.html Daily Telegraph report]</ref> (This probably makes the Liberal Democrats the [[Mini-Con]]s and the BNP [[The Fallen]]...)
* The UK has produced several Transformers comics, including the long running [[Marvel Comics|Marvel UK]] ''Transformers'' title, which reprinted (sometimes with edits) American Marvel comics and created new stories around them. It's never had the same success yet, though it has made comics based on [[Generation 2 (Fleetway comic)|Generation 2]], [[Armada (Panini comic)|Armada]], [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|the live-action films]], and [[Transformers Animated (Titan)|Animated]]. If that wasn't enough transforming robots, it also published a strip based on [[Tonka GoBots|the GoBots]] under their ''Robo Machine'' branding!<ref>http://counter-x.net/gobots/comic/robo_machines/</ref>
* The UK also produced "strategically shaved ape" [[Simon Furman]], who's been known to write the odd Transformers-related thing.
* The word "[[Slag (disambiguation)|slag]]" is considered offensive in the UK (you wouldn't want your sister to be described as one). This has caused [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|some]] TV shows to be (very badly) edited to avoid use of the term (although strangely not [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|all]]), and at least one [[Snarl (Animated)|character name]] change on both sides of the Atlantic.
* We have DVD boxsets of [[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]], [[The_Headmasters_(cartoon)|Headmasters]], [[Super-God_Masterforce_(cartoon)|Masterforce]], [[Victory_(cartoon)|Victory]] and [[Enter_the_New_Supreme_Commander%2C_Dai_Atlas!|Zone]] and you Yanks still don't. Ahhh ha ha ha HA.
* The UK is still waiting for more than two super-cheap DVDs for Beast Wars though. :(

== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}

{{stub}}

[[Category:European countries]]
[[Category:Generation 1 locations]]
[[Category:Generation 2]]
[[Category:Headmasters franchise]]
[[Category:Masterforce locations]]
[[Category:Movie locations]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen locations]]