MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

City of Steel (episode)

2010-02-10T19:49:32Z

95.69.55.117:

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=19
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=23
|image=AutobotsNYC.jpg
|caption=Start spreading the news...
|title="City of Steel"
|production code=#700-18
|airdate=[[October 17]], 1985
|written by=[[Douglas Booth]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''The Decepticons invade New York City.'''

:''Japanese title:'' スチールシティ (''Steel City'')

==Synopsis==
[[Image:CityofSteel ESB sinking.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Where will you be... the Day after Tomorrow.]]

Over New York City, [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] flies into the [[Decepticon]]s' underground base. The [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] are digging a hole in the ceiling and the Autobots don't have a clue. After hours of digging, the Constructicons manage to sink the [[Empire State Building]] underground.

The [[Autobot]]s finally get wind of this and head to the city. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] plan to meet the rest of the Autobots at [[Central Park]]. However, Laserbeak spots them and reports back to [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. He plans to give the Autobots a surprising welcome.

At Central Park, the Autobots are ambushed by Soundwave and his crew, whilst underground the Constructicons inform Megatron that they're directly underneath Optimus Prime. Megatron orders them to dig while Optimus Prime is fighting [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]]. Taken by surprise, Prime falls into the Decepticons' underground base where Megatron severs his [[motor relay]]s, making him powerless. Megatron then threatens the remaining Autobots that unless they leave he will melt the Autobot leader down to scrap. He also shows them his master plan, which is to rebuild New York into [[New Cybertron]]. The Constructicons raise the Empire State building back up, but now it looks like a Cybertronian fortress. Forced to leave the city, the Autobots are gloomy until [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] comes up with a plan to get into the city undetected.

[[Image:CityofSteel Prime head.JPG|right|200px|thumb|"Aquaman calling all sea creatures!"]]

Seemingly victorious, Megatron gloats over Prime's still body. However, Megatron is still worried that Optimus Prime might try something and orders [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] to disassemble him, which he does with a handy energy blade. After Optimus is turned into a pile of parts, Megatron picks up his head and reactivates Optimus so he can gloat. Prime responds that even though he's in pieces he will still fight. Prime then activates his arms and trips up Megatron. Megatron orders the Constructicons to dispose of Prime's body, but he gets to keep the head.

Spike, Bumblebee, Ratchet, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] enter the City through the sewers in the hope of rescuing Prime undetected. Elsewhere, the Constructicons are very pleased with themselves for what they did with Prime's left over body parts. They have special plans for his right arm and weapon.

[[Image:Alligatorprime.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"What is it, Aquaman?"]]

While scanning for Prime, Hound is confused because his scans show Prime was behind them when before he was ahead. Mirage then spots a giant robot alligator (dubbed the [[Alligatorcon]]) and the Autobots run away. They trap it in a train and send it and the train packing. When they reach the underground base they find Prime's head and reattach his circuits so he can speak. Prime then activates his legs remotely to come to him and the rest of the Autobots figure out that the Alligatorcon was made up of Prime's parts. After capturing it, Ratchet reassembles Prime, minus the right arm. Now that Optimus is safe, the Autobots attack. The Decepticons have turned half of New York City into New Cybertron, complete with killer [[Battle taxi|taxis]], and they're using Prime's arm as a weapon on top of their fortress. The taxis go for Bumblebee, [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], but Prime runs them down.

[[Image:BumblebeelovesNY.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Of course you do...]]

After breaking through the Decepticon defenses, Optimus Prime, Ironhide and Ratchet plan to scale the fortress to reclaim Prime's arm. Bumblebee and Spike plan to help by distracting Megatron and Soundwave. Megatron orders an air strike, but when [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] is downed, the Constructicons become [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and he follows Prime's team up the building. Meanwhile, Spike and Bumblebee manage to sneak in and annoy Megatron, by calling him Megaklutz, and tricking him into destroying the device that controlled Prime's arm. Outside Devastator captures Prime and knocks Ironhide and Ratchet into the fortress. [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] then comments that the whole thing reminds him of King Kong as he tries to assist with his remote controlled helicopters. Spike then informs Prime that his arm is no longer controlled by Megatron, and Prime takes the opportunity to use it against Devastator. After Devastator gets hit Prime falls but is saved by Ironhide and Ratchet and as usual the Decepticons retreat.

Now the city is saved, Prime is back together and Bumblebee got a souvenir (a 'I heart NY' bumper sticker). The Autobots [[roll out]] and return home.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (11)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (12)
*[[Bluestreak]] (13)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (14)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (17)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (18)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (19)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (20)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (21)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (22)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (23)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (30)

|c2=
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (2)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (3)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (4)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (5)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (6)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (7)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (8)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (9)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (10)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (24)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (25)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (26)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (27)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (29)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (31)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (32)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (15)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"I didn't join this outfit to be a dump truck!"
:—'''Long Haul,''' commenting on his alternate mode.

"I feel like I'm in some messy swamp, not under the biggest city in North America."
:—'''Ratchet''', trudging through the sewers of New York.

"It sickens me to say it, Reflector, but this one time I have to hand it to Megatron. The place is finally starting to feel like home."
:—'''Starscream''' agrees with one of Megatron's plans, which heralds the coming of the apocalypse.

Look out! More Decepticans ahead!
No problem, bro! Just follow my lead!

Sunstreaker following Sideswipe's way to escape from the battle taxis!

"I may not have a weapon, but I can still transform and roll!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''', preparing to crush the battle taxis.

"O-hoo-hoo-hoo, here they come! Auto-Auto-Autobots!"
:—'''Mix-Mix-Mixmaster!'''

"Say 'uncle' or I'll shove your nose in your afterburner!" 
"Uncle, UNCLE!" 
"Gee, I didn't know Decepticons had uncles!"
:—'''Sideswipe''' lovingly deals with '''Starscream'''. He's obviously been practicing his [[jet judo]].

"You'll never catch us, Megaklutz!" 
"Megaklutz! You dare to insult me in my own command post?!"
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' daring to insult '''Megatron''' in his own command post.

"It will take more than your puny arm to stop Devastator!" 
"Right. Which is why it's lucky the hand at the end of that arm... is holding a gun!"
:—'''Devastator''' reels as '''Optimus Prime''' points out the single flaw in the gestalt's otherwise brilliant tower-climbing plan.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
As a Season 2 AKOM episode, "City of Steel" features the standard character model oddities:
* Soundwave's backpack is gray instead of blue.
* Megatron's gun barrel is dark gray instead of light gray.
* Prime's backpack is white.
* The "disk" on Bumblebee's back is dark gray instead of yellow.

As an AKOM episode in general, "City of Steel" features an absurd number of straight-ahead animation mistakes:
* Laserbeak's beak is the same dark gray as his head as he flies through the sewers.
* It's not without precedent, but Soundwave usually has to push his shoulder button to open his chest compartment. As Laserbeak returns, it opens of its own accord. In the same shot, Soundwave's shoulder button is dark blue instead of light gray.
* As Scavenger rolls past Soundwave, he starts growing larger before he even begins to climb the ramp that's supposed to be bringing him closer to the camera's point of view. At the end of the same pan shot, Hook's head is green instead of black.
* Scavenger's cab window is green instead of white as he rides the lift.
* There is ''no way in Hell's Kitchen'' that dinky little scissor lift is strong enough to support the weight of the Empire State Building.
* Bumblebee's fists are light gray instead of dark gray as Prime orders the Autobots to transform.
* Wheeljack's team is ''vastly'' oversized as they cruise past the Statue of Liberty.
* For some reason, Prime's voice is muffled as if it's a radio transmission as the Autobots drive along the highway.
* There appears to be a total of ten Constructicons working on the Empire State Building.
* Laserbeak's beak is dark gray (again) as he reports the Autobot sighting. He also has a little bird tongue!
* Soundwave's shoulder cannon is red and Megatron's face is a darker gray than usual as Megatron laughs about his "terminal welcome" joke.
* Frenzy's mouth isn't moving as he says "Can be hazardous".

[[Image:Tinybluestreak.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Baby Bluestreak watches in horror as Giganticus Prime commences his rampage.]]

* As the Autobots transform, a truly mind-boggling layering error results in a tiny Bluestreak standing in front of a normal-sized Ratchet and Ironhide, next to a Devastator-sized Optimus.
* Ironhide doesn't so much get knocked down by Frenzy and Rumble's earthquake attack as he does just walk along and randomly fall over. His back is colored light gray instead of dark gray in the sequence.
* When Scavenger is beating the bucket of his vehicle mode against the ceiling below Central Park, a misplaced cel means the cracks that are supposed to be forming in the ceiling appear ''in front'' of his arm instead.
* As usual in the cartoon universe, metal cracks, splits and crumbles just like rock.
* In a long shot of the Autobot/Decepticon battle in Central Park, Bumblebee is inexplicably grappling with Bluestreak while Ratchet fights Reflector.
* The back of Soundwave's legs are white instead of blue as Prime picks him up.
* In the Central Park sequence, Scavenger's vehicle mode is ''huge'', towering over Megatron and with a bucket significantly larger than Optimus.
* Prime falls a long way into the Decepticon base, but in the previous shot, he was standing on Scavenger's shovel. When Prime finally lands on the base's floor, Scavenger is there waiting for him.
* Prime's "motor relays" are right there in his stomach-grille? Wha? (AKOM shows Jazz having critical circuits in his car-mode grille in "The Core", as well.)
* Soundwave's shoulder button is blue again as he presses it to communicate with Megatron. The sound effect that plays is usually reserved for an opening hatch or door. And Soundwave doesn't usually have to push that particular button to radio someone.
* The shot of the submerged Empire State Building is recycled from the earlier scene (ten Constructicons, remember?) Two of the tiny figures shown are supposed to be Megatron and Soundwave, but they're both shown to be on the surface by that point.
* The scene freezes for several seconds as the rebuilt Empire State Building is about to be raised above ground, complete with non-moving clouds of dust and smoke. After the building is raised, the same shot is recycled, showing it back down in the ground.
* Ironhide is dark gray instead of red as the Autobots cross the Brooklyn Bridge.
* Spike says "take a left", but the Autobots take a ramp that goes right.
* As Megatron gloats over Prime, Mixmaster is colored like Bumblebee.
* A layering error has Megatron's hand passing in front of Prime's smokestack, which is much closer to the camera. Result: a visually microscopic Megatron.
* Prime's eye-flashes don't quite line up with his optics.
* Scrapper's mouthplate isn't moving as he carries Optimus Prime's arm.
* For all their reaction to the Alligatorcon, the Autobots sure aren't in any hurry to get away from it. They stroll away at a very leisurely pace.
* Scrapper has Sideswipe's voice as he says the "riding down their own grave" line.
* Starscream has only one wing insignia as he admires the cityscape.
* What the heck were Prime's legs supposed to be, anyway? Part of [[Starscream's Ghost|a crypt]] or something? They're just standing there in a tunnel when Prime summons them.
* Ratchet's voice is more like Gears' as he says the "don't let go" line.
* One of the series' most infamous dialog screwups happens as the Autobots wrestle with the [[Alligatorcon]]. Mirage and Ratchet say, in perfect synch, "This alligator is big and heavy!" Prime then responds with the sage observation: "From the looks of it, I'd say a little of both." The scene appears to be the result of an editing and directorial snafu. Prime should be responding to the Autobots' previous lines: "Now we've got him!" "Or should I say, we've got ''you''?" "I'd say a little of both!" And the combined Ratchet and Mirage line was likely intended to be a series of ad libs as the Autobots struggle with the Alligatorcon, rather than a straight line delivered before Prime's line.
* Prime's telekinetic waves change from wide circles, to a narrow band. The narrow band finds its way to.... nothing. It then snaps off with a really loud sound effect.
* Ratchet's mouth disappears for a split second as he finishes repairing Prime.
* One of Prime's chest windows, and one of his exhaust stacks, are among the leftover parts as he stands up.
* Wheeljack's ears aren't flashing as he says "This sure isn't little old New York anymore".
* As Megatron and Soundwave zero in on the Autobots on their monitor, Prime has both his arms.
* Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
** Jazz suddenly shows up for a single shot as the Autobots scatter from Prime's rifle fire.
* Hound and Bluestreak get two sequential transformation effects as they change to car mode, with a slight pause between them, instead of one continuous sound.
* Don't Hound and Bluestreak look where they're going when they drive? There's this huge hole in the street and they just drive right into it.
* Scrapper's voice comes out of nowhere to say the "A train" line to Hound and Bluestreak.
* The first shot of Frenzy driving the train shows him colored like Rumble.
* The car-mode Autobots just kind of float over the battle taxis. How'd they do that?
* How long's it take for the animators to forget that truck-mode Prime is missing an arm? Only one shot! He's intact for his entire ramming sequence against the taxis and the Constructicons. Only when he rolls up to Ironhide and transforms is his bumper/arm missing again.
* As he rams the Constructicons' position, one of Prime's headlights isn't colored white. Of course, it shouldn't be there at all, being part of his missing arm.
* Lots of missing Seeker insignias as the Decepticon jets launch their attack.
* Is Megatron supposed to be touching the blue button on his belly to radio Scrapper? 'Cause he totally misses it.
* Scrapper's voice is a bit off as he gives the order to combine. It's not quite as bad as before, but still not the correct hoarse rasp.
* Devastator's scale is always an issue, but he's ''really'' oversized here, smashing an entire multi-story building aside with a single blow. Man, [[Dreamwave]] must've [[Prime Directive issue 4|really loved]] this dorky episode, huh?
* Two Laserbeak cassettes (red details) leave Soundwave's chest. One should be Buzzsaw, with gold details. The condors don't get a transformation sound effect as they convert to robot form.
* Devastator has two eyes instead of an eyeband as he holds Optimus, and again as he fends off the helicopters.
* Why is Wheeljack upset? Devastator didn't manage to touch his helicopters!
* Does Prime really have to telekinetically control his ''rifle''? Wouldn't pulling the trigger suffice?
* As is normal when a good guy's life is at stake, Devastator falls for an absurdly long time. He's moving incredibly slowly as he passes Ironhide and Ratchet.

===Continuity errors===
* Laserbeak's shoot-to-enter door system seems rather improbable, or at least pointlessly complicated. In particular, how does the manhole cover know to land right back on top of the entrance?

* Let's not even get into the plausibility of lowering a thousand-foot building into the ground, rebuilding it for beings several times the size of a human, and then rebuilding it ''again'' into its original form. Ditto for the rest of Manhattan, actually.

* Prime has telekinetic control of his body parts! He can make his severed arms float up into the air to knock over Megatron, and "activating" his legs consists of somehow making them come magically tumbling through the air to him.

* With all the freaking huge cannons that the Decepticons installed, it's Prime's firearm that's the big cause for panic?

* Megatron, ensconced in his headquarters, responds to a comment of Spike's while Spike is riding down the street inside Bumblebee. How could he possibly hear what he said?

* Why on earth do the Decepticon jets just fly right through their own building? If the idea is that the Autobots shot them and made them lose control, the animation completely fails to show it.

* Spike's "Now, Bumblebee!" line is ridiculous filler. The elevator door opens, they step into Megatron's headquarters, Megatron and Soundwave are right there in front of them... when ''else'' were they going to enact their brilliant plan? And how come Megatron's HQ has no security system to keep them out to begin with?

* Where did Wheeljack find two missile-equipped helicopters?

* Megatron retreats, saying "The Autobots may have destroyed our city of New Cybertron"... but the Autobots really have done nothing of the sort.

* Why didn't the Constructicons find the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] when they took apart Prime?

* Even more curious, how is it that Optimus can survive being reduced to a talking head, when the much lesser damage he took in [[The Transformers: The Movie]] was enough to kill him? Is this because he was supposedly "disassembled", for the most part, rather than damaged?

===I Love New York errors===
* The opening pan from the Hudson River shows the Chrysler Building ''south'' of the Empire State Building. It should be north. Both buildings are ''way'' too far south relative to the Twin Towers.
* "Meet us in Central Park" is an incredibly vague order, considering the size of the place.
* The Autobots don't really stop ''in'' Central Park; there's buildings on two sides of them. No traffic or pedestrians, though. Or sidewalks.
* As the Decepticons prepare to raise it back into position, the Empire State Building is drawn as if it borders a park.
* The Brooklyn Bridge is more than just three lanes wide. It also does not have an exit ramp at mid-span.
* Oh, man. Spike went swimming in the East River in 1985? He ''is'' a super-human.
* It could just be chalked up to Hound's optimism, but most subway tracks don't end at a river.

===Continuity notes===
* Powers and gadgets:
** Wheeljack and company all use their hydrafoils to cross New York Harbor.
** Hook uses a <s>lightsaber</s> laser sword to disassemble Prime.
** Then of course, there's Prime's bizarre telekinetic limb control.

===Real-world references===
[[Image:CityofSteel-Hook'slightsaber.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Let the hate flow through you.]]
[[Image:Devastatorkingkong.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Giant: check. Empire State Building: check. But no beauty.]]

* ''Star Wars'' sound effects:
** Laserbeak uses a whole series of ''Star Wars'' effects as he rockets over Manhattan, including a ''Millennium Falcon'' engine noise, the [[TIE Fighter]] engine roar (several times), the TIE Fighter ambient cockpit noise, and the sound of an X-Wing diving to attack the Death Star.
** Hook's <s>lightsaber</s> ''laser sword'' ignites with the sound of Luke deflecting the seeker ball's bolts aboard the ''Millennium Falcon''.
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] climbs the Decepticons' "improved" version of the [[Wikipedia:Empire State Building|Empire State Building]], very similarly to [[wikipedia:King Kong|King Kong]], as Wheeljack rather heavy-handedly points out.
* The alligatorcon is likely an allusion to the persistent rumors of alligators living in New York City's sewers.
* Various New York landmarks are seen and/or mentioned: the Twin Towers, the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Woolworth Building (visible as the first Autobots leave Manhattan), the Brooklyn Bridge. Hound mentions Park Avenue, Madison Avenue, and Lexington Avenue.
* Scrapper invites the Autobots to "[[wikipedia:Take the A Train|Take the A Train]]".
* The final shot in this episode shows Bumblebee with an "[[wikipedia:I Love New York|I &hearts; NY]]" bumper sticker, part of a famous promotional campaign.

===Trivia===
* Along with "[[The Core]]" and "[[The Autobot Run]]", this episode is one of a trio animated by [[AKOM]], showcasing the Constructicons and featuring distinctively bright and "cartoonish" art and animation, lots of use of stock poses, a somewhat more juvenile plot and script than normal, and a common set of animation model oddities (listed above).

* Though it is widely regarded in the [[fandom]] as his normal way of speaking, this is in fact the only time Mixmaster's speech oddity ("Right right right. Mega Mega Megatron!") ever shows up.

* When Megatron warns the Autobots against interfering with his plans, he refers to a "minicon" as a unit of measurement. This term would be later used as the name for the [[Mini-Con]]s, a race of small Transformers (primarily) from the [[Unicron Trilogy]]

* AKOM avoids [[The Core|screwing up]] Devastator's combination sequence by ''not actually showing it''. The pieces of Devastator just fly in from off-screen, already formed.

* This was one of several episodes subjected to the [[MSTF]] treatment at [[BotCon 2000]].

==Home video releases==
* ''[[The Original Transformers]]'' — Volume 1: Prime Threat (VHS, 1999)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/city_of_steel.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]
*[[User:repowers]] [http://builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/s-cityofsteel.html rips this episode to tiny pieces in a September 2000 review]

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]

The Ultimate Doom, Part 3

2010-02-10T19:35:38Z

95.69.55.117:

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=13
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=68
|image=Ultimate Doom 3 Autobots fire.JPG
|caption=Autobots, transform and kick some diodes!
|title="The Ultimate Doom, Part 3"
|production code=#700-10
|airdate=[[November 17]], 1984
|written by=[[Leo D. Paur]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''As Cybertron's orbit ravages Earth, the Autobots take the fight to the Decepticons.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 破滅の日 PART III (''Hametsu no Hi PART III'', "Day of Destruction PART III")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Ultimate Doom 3 Autobots Cybertron.JPG|left|150px|thumb|Not the friendliest homecoming.]]

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], a brainwashed [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] sounds an alarm on [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]. As [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] attempt to destroy them, [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] rescue them. Heading to Wheeljack's lab, they review the [[hypno-chip]] data they've gained.

[[Image:SurfsUp.jpg|right|150px|thumb|This sort of embarrassment is why they finally just recruited Seaspray.]]

On Earth, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] is overseeing the construction of a large hydroelectric generator that will allow the Decepticons to harvest more energy. [[Doctor Arkeville]] is becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Megatron's disregard of his interests, and feels that [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] may be more sympathetic. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] leads [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], and [[Bluestreak]] (on surfboards) to the generator, where their wipeout prevents them from being able to stop the Decepticons from leaving in a [[Decepticon shuttle|shuttle]] carrying [[Energon cube|energon cubes]]. Arkeville is left to die, but Starscream saves him, having his own plans for the scientist.

On Cybertron, Wheeljack develops a device that should disrupt the hypno-chips' control over the humans. Spike attempts another rescue of his father, but is discovered by Shockwave. However, Wheeljack's device works as planned, and the Autobots flee back to Earth with Sparkplug, who is now freed from Decepticon control.

[[Image:Ultimate Doom 3 Bumblebee Tarzan.JPG|left|150px|thumb|Jungle Love Bug]]

On an island, Megatron is overseeing the loading of a shuttle with energon cubes while [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] goes to see if he can direct the humans away from the ship. Nearby, Starscream's own experiments in draining neural energy from Arkeville have failed to fill a single energon cube. Megatron discovers them and prepares to execute Starscream for treason (again). However, Mirage manages to direct the humans away from the shuttle, and Prime orders an attack. The Decepticons outnumber the Autobots, but Skyfire and company soon arrive to even the odds as well as to free the slaves from the Decepticons' control. However, Cybertron comes into view of the island, causing a tidal wave, and Megatron flees in the shuttle for Cybertron.

[[Image:Ultimate Doom 3 Cybertron leave.JPG|right|150px|thumb|Im in ur atmosfeer, thretin ur ecksistance.]]

Spike declares that they just need to knock Cybertron out of Earth's orbit, but Prowl says that they'd need the equivalent of ten billion astroliters of energy to do that. Suddenly, Prime realizes that the [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] on board the shuttle could theoretically be enough to move Cybertron. Prime orders the Autobots to shoot Megatron's shuttle. The plan works, with the energon on board moving Cybertron away from Earth.

Back on the island, Spike remarks to Optimus that Megatron appears to be gone for good, but the Autobot leader, knowing his mortal enemy's survival rate, is not so sure. In space, Megatron comes back online and flies away from the wreckage of the shuttle, vowing revenge.

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (1)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (2)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] (9)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (10)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (11)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (13)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (14)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (15)
*[[Bluestreak]] (16)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (17)
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (26)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (28)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (29

|c2=
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (5)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (6)
*Dark Blue [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] (7)
*Light Blue Seeker (8)
*[[Watchdog (G1)|Watchdogs]] (12)
*[[Frenzy (G1) |Frenzy|
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (20)
*[[Viewfinder]] (by himself) (21)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (24)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (25)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (25)
*Green Seeker (27)
*Thundercracker-colored seekers
*Skywarp-colored seekers
*Starscream-colored seekers

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (3)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (4)
*[[Doctor Arkeville]] (18)
}}

==Quotes==
"Take them!" 
"I don't 'take' so easy."
:—'''Soundwave''' and '''Brawn'''

"Prepare for termination!" 
"Prepare for a very large ''headache!''
:—'''Shockwave''' vs. '''Brawn'''

"You cannot get out!" 
''[Shockwave unleashes a massive blast, but blows a hole in the wall instead of Skyfire]'' 
"I can now!"
:—'''Shockwave''' and '''Skyfire'''

"All the comforts of home...if you liked living in an auto-robotic factory."
:—'''Wheeljack''', on [[Wheeljack's lab|his workshop]]

"My slaves will be caught in the tidal wave!" 
"I thought humans ''liked'' to play in the ocean!"
:—'''Dr. Arkeville''' teaches '''Megatron''' an important fact about human anatomy.

Look at Megatron! I'm gonna blast his smile of his face plate!
No, Cliffjumper. That will in danger the humans!

- Optimus Prime holding Cliffjumper, before he and the others can attack Megatron!

"Surf's up! And I'm talkin' UP!" 
:—'''Bluestreak''' spots an approaching tsunami

"Thanks, guys, for not giving up on me. Especially you, Spike." 
"Dad, it's like you taught me: You never quit on the people you love." 
"Mushy, but true."
:—'''Sparkplug''' and '''Spike''' have a touching father-son moment, with an addendum by '''Brawn'''.

"You're not pushing slaves around this time."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', preparing to open a [[Kremzeek]] brand can of whup-ass.

==Notes==
===Technical or animation glitches===
* In his opening recap narration, [[Victor Caroli]] mispronounces Dr. Arkeville's name as "Ark-vill".
* Both Spike and Sparkplug were wearing their signature hard hats at the end of last episode, but are missing them now.
* Bumblebee's nose is yellow as Brawn tells Spike they need to roll out.
* As Shockwave melts Brawn's girder, Brawn's mouth moves, but there's no dialog. (It sure looks like he's mouthing a shocked obscenity, though!)
* Wheeljack is missing the orange on his chest as Spike takes shelter behind his leg.
* Wheeljack's transformation sound doesn't play till after he's transformed.
[[Image:SoundwaveButtonUD3.jpg|thumb|right|200px| ]]
* As the Autobots escape from Decepticon HQ, Soundwave's Decepticon insignia is missing in two successive shots.
* Shockwave's eye isn't flashing as he says "You cannot get out!"
* The two Seekers guarding the entrance of [[Decepticon Headquarters (Cybertron)|Decepticon Headquarters]] are shown with Starscream and Thundercracker's color schemes.
* Wheeljack's roof is plain white as the tetrajets appear above him.
* The two tetrajets that chase the Autobots first have the same color schemes as Thundercracker and Skywarp; however, when Skyfire is shooting at them, they're both colored like Skywarp. In the same shot, Skyfire's red has become blue, and his whites have become red.
* When Skyfire blasts one of the tetrajets, both of them are colored like Thundercracker.
* When Spike says, "More Watchdogs on our tail, Wheeljack!", Wheeljack follows up by replying, "We've gotta lose them!" Spike smiles in reply to this sentence, not the next one, which is "My workshop's just ahead". Perhaps Wheeljack was supposed to say: "We're ''gonna'' lose them!".
* Wheeljack's chest (ie, his roof) is again missing its colors in the overhead shot of his lab.
* As Wheeljack studies the mind control program, the side of Trailbreaker's chest is colored as though it were a windshield, and only the front side of Wheeljack's "ears" flash.
* Prime's faceplate doesn't move as he reports his sensor readings to Ironhide.
* During his "Surf's up" lines, Bluestreak has only one door and one missile launcher.
* Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
** The establishing shot of the surfing Autobots shows only five 'bots (Prime, Ironhide & Ratchet, Jazz, and either Prowl or Bluestreak.) Prowl ''and'' Bluestreak are shown in the same shot a moment later, making six total. Most successive shots show only 3 or 4 surfing bots. We finally see all six as the tidal wave pursues them down the [[sea funnel]].
** There's plenty of time for Mirage and Cliffjumper to join the group as they travel to the island, but the addition of ''just'' those two seems a bit odd. Where are Sunstreaker, Gears, Sideswipe, etc. during all this?
* Ironhide's helmet rim is gray instead of red as he turns to look at the oncoming tidal wave.
* The inside of Prime's cheek guards are gray instead of blue as he announces that they're almost there.
* As Prowl grouses about Megatron's energon supply, Jazz has some weird extra lines on his optic visor.
* The area around Starscream's cockpit is colored the same orange as the cockpit itself as he rises from the ocean to collect Dr. Arkeville.
* Reflector's voice comes in its usual triplicate form... even though there's only one of him present.
* Wheeljack is missing his Autobot insignia as he reports to Optimus.
* Wheeljack's ears are waaaay too small as he proposes field testing the anti-hypnochip device.
* Spike slightly phases through a wall just before Shockwave lights him up.
* The two Seekers that accompany Shockwave just can't make up their minds who they want to be:
** As Shockwave reaches to pick up Spike, the two generic Seekers behind him have been replaced by two Skywarps.
** As the Autobots show up, the two Skywarps have become a Thundercracker and a pine-green generic.
** As the Autobots escape, the two Seekers are colored as Thundercracker and Starscream.
** And then one of them is Skywarp again as he fires after the escaping Autobots.
* Spike has no pupils as he reacts to his father pulling a gun on him.
[[Image:Tud3 wheeljack little present.jpg|thumb|right|200px| ]]
* As Wheeljack activates the hypno-chip-un-hypnotizer, Bumblebee is represented by a yellow-colored Cliffjumper.
* Shockwave's eye doesn't flash as he orders "After them!"
* Skyfire's cockpit canopy is colored white instead of blue as he appears over the Autobots.
* Only the front side of Wheeljack's "ears" flash as he radios Skyfire.
* The background music overlaps the scene transition as the Autobots prepare to leave Cybertron.
* Mirage's invisibility power is strangely portrayed in this episode; he merely turns ''transparent'', and also lacks the usual glowing prism and energy sound effect as he activates his power. They get both the sound and the effect correct when he reappears in Act 3.
* Megatron is missing his Decepticon symbol as he appears behind Starscream.
* As Prime announces his intention to attack, Prowl is colored like Skywarp. Prime's waist is also unusually huge.
* Skywarp's cockpit is black instead of orange as Megatron says "A fool's ploy".
* In what is otherwise a beautiful depiction of his robot mode, Rumble is missing his mouth after he blasts Mirage.
* Gray helmet rims on Ironhide again as he advises Cliffjumper to save his ammo.
* Prowl's doors are all-black instead of half-black as he says they're outnumbered.
* Wheeljack's ears don't flash as he announces the coming of "independence day".
* The energon cubes dropped by the slaves are a strange translucent yellow-white-purple, rather than the usual solid glowing pink-purple. In the same shot, we cannot see the torso of the fat mustached slave through the energon cube that he's carrying... but we ''can'' see his feet through the cube after he drops it.
* The chunks of earth falling into Rumble's [[earthquake (event)|earthquake]] crevasse have grass that disappears and reappears between frames.
* Bumblebee's side is colored like glass as he observes the approaching crevasse.
* When Thundercracker launches to follow Megatron, he's a much darker blue than usual.
* The exploding energon cubes are shown against a completely black background. Even if they're in an unlit cargo compartment, the cubes themselves should illuminate the space.
* A series of "natural disaster" shots is recycled from Part 1 as Megatron's ship explodes... including one of Prime talking to himself, this time without any dialog to go with his moving mouthplate.
* The last shot of orbital Cybertron once again includes clouds ''behind'' the orbiting planet.
* Wheeljack is missing his orange chest colors as the Autobots brush themselves off.
* Optimus is missing the horizontal lines on his tummy grille as Spike takes stock of the day's work.

===Continuity errors===
* As seen last episode, Ironhide is part of the Autobot rescue party that boards Skyfire and arrives on Cybertron, only to disappear immediately after. In this episode, we see that he actually stayed behind on Earth.
* Soundwave's presence on Cybertron is not inexplicable -- there's no reason he couldn't just fly there, and later have flown back to Earth before Cybertron was knocked out of its orbit. But it's a bit odd for him to have made the trip for no obvious reason or explanation.
* When we last saw [[Wheeljack's workshop]] in "[[Divide and Conquer]]", it was sealed by a computerized Decepticon lock. This time, the Autobots just drive right into it, no problem.

[[Image:SpikeshockwaveUD3.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Shockwave investigates the [[Aerialbots over America!|pivotal question]] of how well humans bounce.]]
* Superhuman Spike:
** Survives being dropped from shoulder height by Shockwave.
** Can lift Optimus's giant metal rifle.
* Holy crap, how freaking stupid ''is'' Starscream? With a whole planet going crazy with energy sources all around him -- storms, earthquakes, volcanoes, tidal waves -- he makes the bizarre decision to try and suck energon out of a human's brain. He further decides to do this ''right under Megatron's nose''. His attempts to convert Doctor Arkeville's neural energy into energon fail, of course; what this says about the intelligence of both scientists is debatable.
* As [[Carnage in C-Minor|often]] [[The Transformers: The Movie|happens]], the Autobots' claim to be outnumbered is a bit dubious. There are 8 Autobots (Prime's surfer six, plus Mirage & Cliffjumper) against only Megatron, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Rumble, and a couple of Reflectors.
* Prime's comment to Prowl ("If we lose now, Cybertron's next orbit will tear the earth apart!") doesn't make much sense, and calls out the same total lack of strategy that the Autobots had in the last episode - namely, they aren't doing or planning ''anything'' to actually make Cybertron go away.
* Prime really does just kind of sit there and let Megatron run off into his spaceship.
* Did Spike and Prowl both hit on the idea of blowing up Megatron's ship, and just not actually ''say'' so? Or were they both hoping to ''shoot'' Cybertron out of its orbit?
* Wouldn't blowing up Megatron's ship be a good idea anyway? Why were they just letting him go?
* Megatron is able to survive an explosion which had enough energy to shift the orbit of Cybertron. Considering previous evidence of his durability, how he could survive a planet-moving blast is a mystery.
* Wouldn't a giant explosion just wreck both planets, rather than neatly pushing one of them away?
*And for that matter, if the explosion pushed Cybertron away, why wasn't Earth moved in the opposite direction?

===Rhino DVD errors===
[[Image:Wheresmyface.jpg|thumb|right|200px|After the whole [[The Ultimate Doom, Part 1|rescue-Sparkplug debacle]], Prowl found he'd really lost face with Prime.]]
* Only one segment of Wheeljack's "ears" flash as he delivers his "We figured you might be getting lonesome" line.
* As he observes Skyfire's approach, Prowl's face disappears, leaving only his helmet.
* Skywarp is colored as a second Thundercracker as the pair follows their retreating leader from the island.

===Continuity notes===
[[Image:Watchdog tud3.jpg|thumb|right|200px| ]]
[[Image:Shockwavelightdoom3.jpg|right|200px|thumb|''Hello'', my face is up here?]]

* Wheeljack's place on Cybertron, previously seen in "[[Divide and Conquer]]", is shown again.
* A couple of [[Watchdog (G1)|Decepticon cars]] are shown in this episode, but it's not clear if they are Transformers. They seem to be similar to Jazz in Cybertronian vehicle mode.
* Gadgets and powers:
** Rather than the hydrofoils they were using just two episodes ago, the Autobots are now traveling the oceans on motor-powered surfboards.
** Both Prime and Ironhide have "early warning scanners" which can detect mountain-sized tidal waves just slightly over the horizon. Man, those aren't very effective scanners.
** Rumble can extend his optic visor to make it function like binoculars.
** Shockwave can light up his chest like a searchlight. It's not clear if this is meant to be some kind of force field holding Spike in place, or if Spike just stops due to some deer-in-the-headlights psychological effect.
** Megatron transforms and fires at Skyfire unassisted... which kinda puts the lie to all those sarcastic fan claims that his gun mode is oh-so-totally-useless without someone to fire him. Of course, he also does this ''in the show's title sequence'', so it really shouldn't be such a surprise. (Granted, title sequences also give us things like flying Autobots and Insecticons swimming around in lava, so their relevance is debatable.)

===Real-world references===
* ''Star Wars'' sound effects:
** ''Millennium Falcon'' engine burst as Starscream grabs Dr. Arkeville and escapes from the island.
** TIE Fighter engine and some ''Falcon'' engine whine as Skywarp and Thundercracker strafe the Autobots.
** An igniting lightsaber serves as the sound of an energon cube being dropped by the freed slaves.
** ''Falcon'' engine whine as the Seekers depart the island.

===Trivia===
*This episode is subtitled "Revival" in scripts and other official materials.
*This episode, along with five others, can be unlocked in the [[Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|PS3/Xbox 360]] versions of the [[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|Revenge of the Fallen video game]]. For some unknown reason, this version of the episode makes use of the ''[[Generation 2 (cartoon)|Generation 2]]'' broadcast's audio, as the [[Cybernet Space Cube]] can be heard throughout without the Cube's visuals.

==External links==
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/the_ultimate_doom_part_3.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ultimate Doom, Part 3}}
[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]