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Roll for It

2011-08-24T18:23:53Z

96.238.131.248:

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=5
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=5
|prev2=Transport to Oblivion
|next2=Divide and Conquer
|series3=''[[Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=26
|prev3=Transport to Oblivion
|next3=Changing Gears
|image=FHERollForItComic01.jpg
|caption=Chip doesn't look very concerned. Seriously, not at all.
|title="Roll for It"
|production code=#700-02
|airdate=[[October 13]], 1984
|written by=[[Douglas Booth]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''The Decepticons seek a powerful antimatter formula, and the Autobots with their new human ally Chip Chase try to stop them.'''

:''Japanese title:'' メガトロンの帰還 (''Megatoron no Kikan'', "The Return of Megatron")
:''German title:'' Die geheime Anti-Materie Formel (''The Secret Anti-Matter Formular'')
:''German Generation 2 title:'' Ein Held namens Chip (''A Hero called Chip'')
:''Russian title:'' Поехали! (''Poyekhali!'', "Let's go!")
:''Serbian title:'' Велики преокрет (''Veliki preokret'', "Great vicissitude")
:''Italian title, dub 2:'' '''Un nuovo amico''' ("A new friend")
:''Italian title, dub 2:'' '''In marcia per la vittoria''' ("March off for the victory")
{{TOCclear}}
==Synopsis==
[[Image:RollForIt Bluestreak cannonfire.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Bluestreak, we need energon stars, quick!]]

[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], still in command of the [[Decepticon]]s after [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s disappearance in the [[Space Bridge]], leads [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] in attacking a hydroelectric power generator. The Autobots respond quickly, as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] arrives with an assault team. The battle is short, as a thrown piece of equipment destroys the Decepticon store of [[energon cube]]s. With little to show for their efforts, the Decepticons retreat. Optimus Prime sends [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] to follow them.

[[Image:RollForIt Spacebridge recieves.jpg|right|150px|thumb|A storm approaches.]]

Meanwhile, on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Megatron resumes contact with Earth. Despite his absence, Megatron commands that their scheduled attack on an antimatter laboratory will continue as planned in five billion astroseconds. The battle-damaged [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] set out to find repair parts in the interim, to be ready for the attack, while Megatron boards the Space Bridge for transit back to Earth.

[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] drives [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Chip Chase]] to the isolated antimatter laboratory where Chip works. As the security guard punches the access code to let them in, his actions are carefully spied on by [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]], who is perched outside in camera mode snapping shots. Inside the massive lab, Chip and Spike are greeted by [[Alcazar|Doctor Alcazar]], who gives Chase a 5.25-inch [[floppy disk]] that will enable Chip’s home computer to interface with the one at the lab.

[[Image:RollForIt Bumblebeeattacked.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Yes and no, it's Laserbeak!]]

As Bumblebee drives away, he is attacked by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]. Spike directs Bumblebee to take cover in the underground parking garage. With Bumblebee having escaped, Megatron realizes Optimus Prime might be tipped off to their laboratory attack. Rather than wait for Starscream and his team, Megatron orders an immediate strike.

Bumblebee drives Chip home, where the young scientist hopes to warn the lab of the impending attack. Bumblebee tries to call in Prowl and Bluestreak as backup, but they're tied up attacking Starscream’s group, who are raiding the Ace Aircraft Factory for parts.

Megatron's attack group arrives at the antimatter laboratory. Reflector punches in the access code, and the Decepticons march inside. Doctor Alcazar receives Chip's online warning at the last possible moment, and succeeds in erasing the antimatter formula from his computer. Megatron detects that Alcazar has uploaded the formula to someone else. He lets Alcazar go.

[[Image:RollForIt ProwlshootsRavage.jpg|right|150px|thumb|BAD KITTY!]]

In the aircraft factory, Prowl is injured by Soundwave's blasts, and his [[battle computer]] goes offline. Desperate, Prowl scans for another online computer to hook up to. Traversing the phone lines, his signals find Chip's computer, which has also received Doctor Alcazar's antimatter formula. Chip assumes control of Prowl, using his desktop terminal to guide Prowl through combat maneuvers. With Chip in command, Prowl takes control of one of the surplus jets, and fires its rockets at the Decepticons. Starscream and his cohorts flee the battle.

[[Image:RollForIt FloppyDisk destruction.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Holy crap, man.]]

Megatron determines where Alcazar sent the formula, and communicates the location to Starscream and his team. Soundwave dispatches [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to retrieve Chip. Chip memorizes the antimatter formula and destroys all evidence of it just as Ravage breaks in to his house and fetches him. The Decepticons take Chip to the antimatter laboratory, where the Autobots are just arriving. Prime sees that the Decepticons have a human hostage, and begins formulating a plan involving [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]. These deceptive Autobots are able to outsmart perimeter guard Rumble with their holographic ruses, allowing them and Bumblebee to sneak past.

[[Image:RollForIt SoundwavescansChip.jpg|right|150px|thumb|The [[AllSpark]]. WHERE IS IT?!]]

Inside, Soundwave uses his scanning abilities to extract the formula from Chip's brain. Megatron orders Chip disposed of, and begins creating antimatter with the equipment in his lab. Just as Thundercracker moves in to terminate Chip, the infiltrating Autobots attack. Bumblebee and Spike rescue Chip, and the Autobots race away, taking Chip to safety.

Next, Optimus strikes, driving through the lab walls and unleashing his warriors. But it may be too late, as Megatron throws an antimatter-powered energon cube at the Autobots, creating a tremendous explosion.

[[Image:RollForIt Sunstreak JetJudo.jpg|left|150px|thumb|And you thought surfing the roof of a boxcar was cool.]]

Injured Autobots emerge from the devastated laboratory. Prime orders a retreat to headquarters, so that his soldiers can tend to badly needed repairs. The Autobots limp back to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], where [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] immediately get to work. Chip laments his inability to keep the antimatter formula from falling into Megatron’s hands, but [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] tries to console him. He’s got a plan for the formula, and could use Chip and Spike's help.

[[Image:RollForIt Megatron chestycubes.jpg|right|150px|thumb|[[Breastforce]] Megatron.]]

The next day, the Decepticons, powered by antimatter energon cubes, attack Autobot headquarters. Megatron turns into pistol mode, and Starscream fires his antimatter-bolstered bolts into the Autobot ranks. Prime manages to knock the pistol from Starscream's grip, and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] recovers the weapon. Just then, Chip affixes a control device onto Skywarp's ankle, a transmitter that enables [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] to take control of the Decepticon warrior.

Under Autobot control, Skywarp begins shooting randomly into the countryside, and Megatron's antimatter ignition temperature reaches near critical. He transforms into robot mode and expels the remaining antimatter energon from his body. It detonates, devastating the Decepticon forces. Megatron orders a retreat, but swears vengeance. Meanwhile, the Autobots congratulate Chip for his heroics.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (6)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (7)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (8)
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (9)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (14)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (20)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (21)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (22)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (23)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (24)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (25)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (26)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (27)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (28)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (30)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (1)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (2)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (3)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (4)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (10)
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (11)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (12)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (13)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (17)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (19)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (15)
*[[Chip Chase]] (16)
*[[Alcazar]] (18)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (29)
}}

==Quotes==
"Can the chat and start kickin' pig-iron!"
:—'''Brawn''', heading into battle.

"Starscream! Thundercracker! You two look like Optimus Prime ran you through a laser-powered trash compactor!"
:—'''Megatron''', observing the damaged condition of his men

"Leadership my sine function."
:—'''Starscream''' after hearing Thundercracker's remark on Megatron's leadership.

"Stealing the antimatter formula is gonna be a piece of oil cake!"
:—'''Reflector''', thinking he is (they are?) clever.

"I don't like the idea of Megatron getting the antimatter formula. He can't be trusted!" 
"Sure can't, [[manifold]]-mouth!"
:—'''Starscream''' gripes and '''Bluestreak'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s potty mouth slang

"Now ''this'' is a human after my own central processor!"
:—'''Prowl''', commenting on Chip's computer-control.

"There's no one here! I must have static in my rectifiers." 
"Now that's the smartest thing you've said all day!" 
(flattered) "R-really? ...Hey, what's going on!"
:—'''Rumble''', hoodwinked by '''Mirage''' and Hound

"Gosh! You guys look like the guests of honor at a 50-car pile-up!"
:—'''Sparkplug Witwicky''', upon seeing the battle-damaged Autobots return to base.

"I get the feeling our [[jet judo]] needs a little more work."
:—'''Sunstreaker''' to Sideswipe after their failed bid to stop the Seekers.

"You may not be an Autobot, but when you rolled for broke back there you sure could've fooled me."
:—'''Bumblebee''' congratulating Chip.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
* Thundercracker is repeatedly depicted with Skywarp’s colors in the opening scene, or in some cases, with Starscream’s hue.
* Starscream's head is light gray instead of dark gray as he transforms and lands in the power plant.
* In the next shot, as Soundwave lands, Starscream's face is white instead of medium gray.
* As the plant worker calls for help, Starscream has gone from Soundwave's right side to his left, and Thundercracker has become Skywarp.
* As Soundwave prepares energon cubes, the interior of his chest-compartment is not illustrated, instead showing a solid wall of blue.
* Brawn's head is almost entirely yellow instead of gray as Cliffjumper bounces off of him.
* As Starscream raises the generator over his head, the whole side of Brawn's vehicle body is colored windshield-blue—metal panels and all.
* Starscream's air intakes are missing as Prime wrestles the generator away from him.
* The tip and cockpit area of Starscream's nosecone is red as he flies away from the power plant.
* When Soundwave runs through what appears to be a chainlink volleyball net, the net is animated as if the background art is sliding, but the background is sitting still; the result is that the net seems to move ''toward'' Soundwave.

*As Soundwave escapes, Prowl transforms and gives chase, followed by Bluestreak. However, in the next shot, it's Bluestreak who knocks Soundwave over, even though Prowl was in the lead.

* After Starscream catches Soundwave, he pulls alongside Thundercracker... who has Starscream's colors.

* Bluestreak transforms to robot mode and shoots the jets. When Prime walks up to him and Prowl, however, ''Prowl'' is the one in robot mode, standing next to car-mode Bluestreak. The next shot shows a closeup of Bluestreak in robot mode again... then back to the previous shot with Prowl in robot mode.

* Bluestreak doesn't move his mouth as he chuckles at Prime's order to not bite off more than he can chew.

*When Prowl (who was Bluestreak a second ago) transforms and drives off after the retreating Decepticons, he runs over Optimus Prime's foot. What a dick.

* Behind him, an "engine vibration" effect for Bluestreak has him strangely jiggling.

* Casey Kasem seems to have misparsed Bluestreak's "Come on, Prowl" as a statement of incredulity, which would make sense if he was reacting a statement by Prowl—but it's ''Optimus'' who just warned him not to take on too much.

* Starscream's air intakes are gray instead of red as Thundercracker scorns him.

[[Image:RollForIt securityguardconsole.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Please enter the square root of 685."]]

* Improbable viewpoints:
** While in [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Decepticon Headquarters]] on Cybertron, Megatron gets a traveling view of Starscream and Thundercracker flying in jet mode on Earth.

* Shockwave's "ears" are purple instead of gray as Megatron lectures Starscream and Thundercracker. Megatron's symbol is a maroon red instead of purple.

* As they do barrel rolls, Thundercracker is a much deeper shade of blue than normal, and Starscream's air intakes are light gray instead of red.

* When he lauds Megatron's leadership, Thundercracker's left air intake is blue instead of gray.

* Shockwave's eye doesn't flash as he wishes Megatron a safe journey.

* The security guard's mouth doesn't move as he says "Welcome back".

*The security guard’s access panel has digits 1-9 and a variety of mathematical commands (?!), yet lacks a zero.

* After he lands on the lab compound's wall, the tops of Reflector's torsos are light gray instead of purple. The error repeats in the last shot of him flying away.

* Bumblebee is abnormally small as he walks behind Chip and Spike, not more than eight feet tall.

*Bumblebee is drawn all sorts of ''wrong'' when the professor talks about Chip at the laboratory. For one scene, his roof chest becomes humongous, the Autobot symbol on it becomes mutilated, and his head looks squatter than usual. In the next scene, when he says "...and I thought you were just another pretty face", his forehead, nose and eyes are drawn rather oddly; his nose has no indentation at the top.
[[Image:Diskette.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The most powerful storage media ever created by mankind.]]
* The lab's computer is weird. It loads floppy disks backwards...unless the good doctor is befuddled and inserted the disk the wrong way.
* When Laserbeak attacks, Bumblebee is in the desert. An instant later, he's in a city (complete with underground parking.)

* The damage that Laserbeak inflicts on the parking garage just appears out of nowhere, with no lasers or explosions.

*When Megatron orders the attack on the laboratory, the Decepticon insignia on his chest is missing.
* As Megatron leads his crew to attack the lab, they are all shown using foot thrusters, in contradiction to the Decepticons' normally unexplained means of flight.
* When Bumblebee radios Prowl and Bluestreak, his voice is modulated as if coming over the radio... even though the scene is the inside of his own cabin.
*When they enter the jets' base, Prowl's and Bluestreak's Autobot insignias are not shown. When Bluestreak delivers his 'manifold-mouth' line, Prowl's mouth is also moving.
* Thundercracker is colored as Skywarp when he delivers his "You don't have Prime and Brawn" line.
* As Starscream raises his arm to fire, his weapon is mounted on the front of his shoulder, rather than the side. (Either that or he twisted his arm at an impossible angle.)
* As the Decepticons land at the lab, Rumble's voice is heard laughing; however, it isn't electronically modulated, making him sound like a creepy old man.
*The security access door code is 2-9-5 when the security guard punches it and 4-7-2 when Reflector punches it in.
* When Bluestreak delivers his "not so fast" line, his crest (red) and gauntlets (dark gray) are all light gray. He also gets Megatron's fusion cannon sound effect for his laser blast.
* Prowl has white tires as he says his "my own central processor" line.
* When the jet Prowl takes a ride on fires missiles at the Decepticons, everything (inclusive of scaffolding, barrels and other jets) behind them is utterly vaporised, despite all logic dictating that there should be at least some debris. The walls of the hangar, however, remain unblemished.
*When the Decepticons are fleeing the jets' base, Skywarp (who hasn't been shown before, except as a miscolored Thundercracker) appears besides Thundercracker and Starscream. Soundwave's tape door lacks its yellow outline as he retrieves Ravage.
* As Megatron orders Starscream to retrieve the formula, Thundercracker is the same toy-based dark blue as before. In the next shot, the front and back of Starscream's nosecone is red again. Alternate color models, perhaps?
* When he lands in the street, the top of Starscream's air intake is gray instead of red.
*The shot of Soundwave ejecting Ravage to retrieve Chip is supposed to take place outdoors, but the background art is that of the hangar interior seen earlier.
[[Image:RollForIt Chip Chase banners.jpg|thumb|right|200px|He's graduated how many times now?]]
* When we see Chip's room through the window, he has a college pennant that reads USC, an odd choice for Chip. Later, his room has two different college pennants, one with the letters [[wikipedia:California State University, Northridge|CSUN]] and another with YAL (likely Yale, with the 'e' obscured by the SUN pennant).
*Ravage breaks through Chip's front door, taking most of a side window with him. After he opens Chip's bedroom door and absconds with the human, he leaps through the now-repaired side window, and the front door is undamaged as well.
* Ravage's leap over Soundwave is physically impossible as drawn; it only works due to some layer fudging—specifically, if Ravage were high enough to pass over Soundwave's shoulder, he would not then immediately land 20 feet directly below Soundwave's shoulder, on Starscream's fuselage. In the same shot, Soundwave's eject button is blue instead of white.
*Soundwave’s line of dialogue, "Excellent, Ravage" is heard without [[Scott Brownlee]]'s sound processing, so that voice actor [[Frank Welker]]’s "Dr. Claw" voice is audible.
* Chip's street must be the width of an interstate, as both jets can easily fit in a single lane. In fact, Thundercracker only takes up ''half'' of the lane!
*When Spike is shown in Bumblebee while the Autobots are on the highway, Spike's hair is blond instead of brown. Did he have a five-second dye job or something?
* Prime has whitewall tires as he orders the Autobots to "transform for action".
* Soundwave's insignia is missing after he extracts the formula from Chip's mind.
* Mirage's verbal jabs at Rumble come as though he were right next to him, despite being some distance away and in a constantly-changing location.
* Soundwave's mask is overdrawn as he kneels to activate the computer, giving him the appearance of having two large eyes.
* Megatron is missing the two polygons on either side of his chest in the thrice-recycled shot of him giving orders to the Decepticons.
* For some reason, Mirage's voice is radio-muffled as he say "Hold it right there!"
* Starscream is once again holding one of his arm-weapons in his hand as he threatens Bumblebee and the humans.
* The window that the escaping Autobots smash through is still intact after they crash through it.
*When Megatron throws the antimatter energon cube, it is first colored black (meaning someone forgot to apply the glowing backlight effect), and then it's portrayed as empty (meaning someone forgot to color it in at all).
* Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
** The group that bursts into the lab includes Sunstreaker, Jazz, Ratchet, Prowl and/or Bluestreak, and Hound. The group shown emerging from the lab is Prime, Trailbreaker, Ironhide, Bluestreak, and Wheeljack.
** Ratchet is shown as both a member of Prime’s attack group, and also waiting for them to return at the Ark.
* As Trailbreaker and Prowl transform, they show no damage until they reach vehicle mode, at which point various cracks appear out of nowhere.


* Wheeljack's "ears" flash orange in this episode, instead of their usual blue.
*When the Decepticons are loading the antimatter-powered energon cubes, two Starscreams are shown (one as a jet being loaded with energon cubes, and one as a robot listening to Megatron).
* As he watches the Autobots gab and natter, Ratchet's head crest is white instead of gray. In the same pan, Sideswipe's shoulder is white instead of red.
* In the shot of Prime giving his big speech, the blue of Prime's eyes was apparently drawn on the same layer as his faceplate, because when his mouthplate moves, his eyes flash from blue to white and back in perfect synch with it!
* Sunstreaker's windshield is yellow instead of white-blue as he delivers his "jet judo" line.
* Wheeljack's launcher is beige instead of light gray as he flees from the Seekers' fire.
* The sky background behind Starscream is missing as he catches gun-mode Megatron; it appears half-way through the shot, replacing a generic blue background.
* Starscream is missing his wing insignia as he fires Megatron and rants about how invincible he is.
* During his "now or never" lines, only the front of Wheeljack's ears flash.
* Skywarp yells for "helllp!" in Rumble's voice.
* Megatron's face is mostly black as he transforms out of gun mode.
* Sunstreaker's mouth doesn't move as he congratulates Chip.

===Continuity errors===
* The "anti-matter" that the Decepticons create... can't really be anything of the sort. If it was, the entire laboratory, not to mention Megatron himself, would have been obliterated instantly. And anti-matter doesn't really have an "ignition temperature". Certainly the shots that Megatron fires can't be anti-matter, as it would completely annihilate anything it hit including his fusion cannon the second it was fired.
* When the security guard initially greets Chip, he is voiced by [[Chris Latta]]. A second later, when he welcomes Chip back to the lab, he is now voiced by [[Dan Gilvezan]], who performs all the character's remaining lines.
* Reflector is shown watching for the password to enter the lab. Considering how often the Decepticons are seen to just blast their way into whatever facility they want, the stealthy approach is unusual.
* Laserbeak's attack makes no sense. At this point, Spike, Bumblebee and Chip have nothing of value to the Decepticons, and attacking them (as Megatron points out!) merely serves to tip off the Autobots to the Decepticons' interest in the lab.
[[Image:RollForIt TheInternets.jpg|200px|thumb|right|64K of memory, but it can control an alien space robot.]]
* Chip's keyboard-based control of Prowl's elaborate movements seems highly improbable.
* Dropping their disguises ''before'' they enter the lab doesn't seem very clever on Mirage and Hound's part.
* [[Corey Burton]] uses a slightly different voice for Sunstreaker this episode, lacking the character's usual sharp, nasal tone. At least one line ("When we're done with 'em") sounds like it was read by Michael Bell.

* The USC pennant, possibly standing for the [[wikipedia:University of Southern California|University of Southern California]], which as an institution with a reputation as a 'party school' is an odd choice for somebody as academically accomplished as Chip; it might be the [[wikipedia:University of South Carolina|University of South Carolina]], although this is unlikely, as largely only people in the Carolinas call that university "USC." However, the apparent [[wikipedia:Yale University|Yale]] pennant that appears later seems like a good fit for somebody of Chip's talent.
*While Chip tries desperately to contact Doctor Alcazar via his computer, he never tries with the piece of equipment right next to his computer: his telephone.
*As noted above, the college pennants in Chip's room change between scenes. But why does he have pennants from three different universities?
* Flying Autobots:
** This early in the series, the "Autobots can't fly" convention hadn't quite been settled upon. Prowl makes an improbably huge leap at the jet plant.
** Bumblebee flies into the lab behind a distracted Rumble.
** Sunstreaker and Sideswipe fly out to defend Autobot Headquarters. At least Sideswipe has a rocket pack!
* Superhuman Chip:
**When the Decepticons visit Chip's house to steal the antimatter formula, Chip memorizes the code...AND RIPS A FLOPPY DISK APART WITH HIS BARE HANDS. If that doesn't seem like a tremendous feat of strength, try doing so yourself (...if you can find one...) Chip must have absolutely tremendous upper body strength.
** Ravage uses Chip as a battering ram to bash out an entire window of his house. Chip survives the experience without so much as a scratch.
* If Mirage leaves footprints as he walks toward the lab... shouldn't Hound also be leaving footprints? (Mirage, of course, is the only Transformer who ''ever'' leaves footprints, and ''only'' when he's invisible.)
* How can Megatron hear Sunstreaker ("We've gotta get those energon cubes before it's too late") when there's a whole solid wall between them?
* Spike's attack on Skywarp... doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Was he supposed to be making a hole to provide access for Wheeljack's device?
* Superhuman Spike:
** Spike is still in Skywarp's grasp when gun-mode Megatron flies out of his hand. A second later, Skywarp is visible among the Decepticons laid low by the exploding antimatter cubes. So... how did Spike get free and survive that massive explosion?

===Continuity notes===
* The Space Bridge, which first appeared in "[[Transport to Oblivion]]", reappears in this episode. It's much more stable now; Megatron just strolls in and takes a trip home.
* Gadgets and powers:
**Bumblebee can reconfigure his interior to accommodate Chip’s wheelchair and turn his door into an entry ramp.
** Bumblebee also demonstrates the ability to actually transform into vehicle mode ''around'' humans, taking them in as passengers.
** Prowl uses a pair of head-antenna to contact Chip's computer.
** Soundwave demonstrates his mind-reading abilities, extracting the anti-matter formula from Chip's brain by placing his fingers on his head.
** Megatron can detect specific computer activity by placing his hand over the machine.
** Soundwave bizarrely activates the lab computer by zapping it with an energy beam from his fingertip... which lights up his ''entire arm''.
** Thundercracker, who was loaded with energon cubes, transforms and materializes two of the cubes in his hands, one of many instances lending credit to the fandom theories of [[subspace]] and the like.
**The para-sail like parachute used by Mirage in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3]]" is shown again, this time used by Sideswipe and Sunstreaker.
** And of course, Hound uses his hologram abilities (to disguise himself as a boulder rolling across the desert), and Mirage becomes invisible (doing so without the usual glowing trapezoid surrounding him.)
* Megatron orders the jets to meet him in "five billion astroseconds"—time enough for them to replace some parts and have a short battle. Last episode, a mere "6,000 astroseconds" was an intolerably long wait for the space bridge to re-open, and time enough for a whole series of side adventures. Next episode, the space bridge will materialize "within 72 billion astroseconds", seeming to imply that this is not too long a time.
* Megatron's use of the anti-matter cubes would seem to be a sidelong callback to one of his tech spec abilities, wherein he can use the anti-matter of an inter-dimensionally linked black hole to create a highly destructive attack.
[[Image:Prim Cola Sign.JPG|thumb|right|200px| ]]
*Signage in the city includes an ad for [[Prim Cola]].
* Chip’s phone number is 94-7244. Strangely, he doesn't answer when you call him.
* The Decepticons are never shown losing the antimatter formula, yet they seem to have abandoned its use in future episodes.

===Real-world references===
* Cliffjumper uses the phrase "your friendly neighborhood Decepticon wreckers," a paraphrase of [[Spider-Man]]'s self-given nickname.
* The antimatter formula includes handwritten screens with the following written on them:

AH ONNAG HOSHII

DOKOKANI ee ONN

AGA ORANKNAA

KYOUMO HAYO KA

EETE NEYO

….. El HABARA

….. MOU DOUTEI

….. SUTETAKAI

….. SONOUTHI

….. TORUKO IKO

….. UZE

This appears to be a Japanese staff joke, as in English the text roughly translates:
"Gah, I need a woman. Ain't there any hot babes around? Let's call it a day, get home quick and hit the sack. Hey, Habara (a common Japanese name, certainly a staff member), did you pop your cherry yet? Let's go hit a [[wikipedia:Soapland|Turkish bath]] (a kind of brothel) some time."

===Japanese version===
Original airdate: [[August 3]], [[1985]]
*'''Cut:''' When Spike and Chip pull up to the laboratory in Bumblebee, the scene following the guard saying "Welcome back", typing the 7 into his number pad and everything up through his line, "Well, I never met an Aw-toh-bawt before", have been cut. The sequence resumes at the group approaching the green door and the line, "Let me get you through our security doors".

===Notes===
[[Image:RollForIt droopyDecepticonjets.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Maybe if we're lucky, Dad won't notice why we're gone!"]]
*In several scenes in this episode, all of the Transformers are drawn using different, more stylised animation models. In particular, the Decepticon jets seen near the beginning are sleeker, more detailed and have a drooping nosecone similar to ''Cybertron'' [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]]'s SU-35 fighter mode. Other scenes have stylized shading, angles, and poses, such as the strange poses used by the flying Decepticons at the episode's end.
*Soundwave screams like a little girl.
*In one part, Starscream calls Megatron "The Anti-Matter Gun" instead of his name. Why?
*This was one of twelve episodes of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]] released as audio adventures by the [[Germany|German]] company [[Karussell|Karussell Musik und Video]].

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 6: "Roll for It" ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1995 — ''The Transformers'' — The Autobots vs. The Decepticons ([[Malofilm]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1995 — ''Transformers'' — Autobots vs. Decepticons (Malofilm) — French audio only.

;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.

;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume Two ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume One (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — Box-Set (3DVDs) ([[Flex Media]]) — German audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Box-Set (2DVDs) (Flex Media) — German audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 01: Stagione Uno Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — More than Meets the Eye (Shout! Factory) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)

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

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

Transport to Oblivion (episode)

2011-08-24T18:17:14Z

96.238.131.248:

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=4
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=4
|prev2=More than Meets the Eye, Part 3
|next2=Roll for It
|series3=''[[Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=25
|prev3=Fight or Flee
|next3=Roll for It
|image=FHE-TransportToOblivion.jpg
|caption="What a fool Megatron is, Ratchet!" "Yeah, we won't have anyone '''to''' pray to until [[Yesterday's Heroes!|1989!]]"
|title="Transport to Oblivion"
|production code=#700-01
|airdate=[[October 6]], 1984
|written by=[[Bryce Malek]] [[Dick Robbins]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''After months in hiding, the Decepticons return and have a new method for moving energon cubes to Cybertron.'''

:''Japanese title:'' スペースブリッジ作戦 (''Supēsu Burijji Sakusen'', "Operation: Space Bridge")
:''German title:'' Die Weltraumbrücke (''The Spacebridge'')
:''German Generation 2 title:'' Reise nach Cybertron (''Journey to Cybertron'')
:''Russian title:'' '''Дорога в никуда''' (''Doroga v nikooda'', "Road to Nowhere")
:''Serbian title:'' '''Путовање у заборав''' (''Putovanje u zaborav'', "Voyage into oblivion")
:''Italian title, dub 1:'' '''Il ponte spaziale''' ("The Space Bridge")
:''Italian title, dub 2:'' '''Passaggio verso l'oblio''' ("Passage to the oblivion")
{{TOCclear}}
==Synopsis==
[[Image:TransporttoOblivion Decepticon-shaped rock.jpg|left|150px|thumb|The Shadow knows....]]

The [[Decepticon]]s have not been seen in months and are presumed dead by the [[Autobot]]s. That doesn't stop a twitchy [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] from blasting a rock that vaguely resembles a Decepticon. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] is also not completely convinced of the Decepticons' demise. Unknown to the Autobots, the Decepticons are in fact still alive and have constructed an [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|undersea fortress]] out of their [[Victory (G1)|crashed ship]] under the ocean.

Meanwhile, on Cybertron, an energy-depleted [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] attempts to make contact with [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. Shockwave succeeds in his attempt and informs Megatron that the [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] reserves on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] are almost depleted. He also tells him of the newly-constructed [[Space Bridge]].

The Decepticons head out again to collect more energy. Their first target is a solar power plant. [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] scare off the workers and secure the generators for energon creation.

[[Image:TransporttoOblivion Cliffjumper attacks Megatron.jpg|right|150px|thumb|If Megatron were human, that'd be really painful.]]

While cruising the city, [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] encounter a traffic jam—the cause of which is a city-wide blackout. Both decide they need to head back to base to check in. [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] shows that the blackout has spread across the city. Optimus has Teletraan survey the surrounding power stations. At the solar plant, Optimus sees Megatron.

Optimus puts together a small strike team consisting of [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], Cliffjumper, [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] to take care of the Decepticon raid (the rest of the force are out on patrol). The Autobots arrive and drive off the Decepticons, but not before they manage to steal a large amount of energy. During the battle, Ironhide is injured while saving Optimus from an attack.

[[Image:TransporttoOblivion Spacebridge theory.jpg|left|150px|thumb|The rebel base will be in firing range in 4 minutes...]]

Back at base, Ironhide is worked on by Ratchet and [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], but his pride is more wounded then his chassis. Wanting to know how they plan to get the energon to Cybertron, Optimus sends Bumblebee out on recon to search for signs of the Decepticons in the surrounding area; Spike offers to go with him.

The two stumble upon the location of the Space Bridge and witness the Decepticons' first failed attempt to transport a small vehicle across space. Bumblebee and Spike attempt to leave, but are captured before they can report back. Megatron decides to use his two captives as pilots for the shuttle to help keep it on its course to Cybertron.

[[Image:TransporttoOblivion Bumblebee escapes.jpg|right|150px|thumb|That's what happens when you drive your car too close to Area 51.]]

Bumblebee and Spike are placed in the second test vehicle and sent toward the Space Bridge portal, but the Decepticons run out of time and the alignment between Cybertron and [[Earth]] passes. The Bridge can't be reactivated for 3,000 astro-seconds. While the Decepticons grouse about the delay, Bumblebee transforms into his car mode and smashes free of the transport vehicle. Spike is recaptured immediately. Bumblebee manages to evade them for a short time but is also recaptured. Megatron alters Bumblebee's memory chips so he can lead the Autobots into a trap.

Bumblebee returns to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and tells the gathered Autobots that Spike has been captured. They head for the Space Bridge, but Bumblebee has given them an incorrect location. The false location leads them to a cave where the Decepticons, tipped off by Laserbeak, have been waiting in ambush.

[[Image:TransporttoOblivion Bumblebee rescues Spike.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Spike performed his own stunts.]]

The battle is cut short as the dimensional alignment between Cybertron and Earth recurs, allowing for Space Bridge transport. The Decepticons leave, but not before Megatron blasts the cave, sealing the Autobots within. During the battle, Bumblebee is injured and Ratchet discovers that a bank of Bumblebee's memory chips have been altered. The Autobots soon learn the true location of the Space Bridge and once free of the cave, roll out.

The Autobots engage the Decepticons once more at the true location of the Space Bridge, managing to rescue Spike and destroy the shipment of energon. As the battle nears its conclusion, Megatron is knocked into the active Space Bridge and is presumed destroyed. [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] assumes command and orders a retreat. But within [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|the Decepticon base]] on Cybertron, Megatron emerges intact from the Space Bridge, and swears vengeance on his enemies.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (2)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (3)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (10)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (12)
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (13)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (14)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (15)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (19)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (21)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (22)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (23)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (4)
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (5)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (6)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (7)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (8)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (9)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (16)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (18)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (20)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (11)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (17)
}}

==Quotes==
'''Cliffjumper:''' "Don't worry, Megatron. I'll get them after I've taken care of YOU!" 
(Cliffjumper punches Megatron downstairs. This has no effect, and he is brushed aside like a rag doll.) 
'''Megatron:''' "WHO will take care of me?" 
'''Optimus Prime:''' "I will, Megatron."
:—Megatron gets put in his place for picking on the short one.

'''Skywarp:''' "Starscream! Behind you!" 
(Starscream turns to see Cliffjumper and Gears running towards him) 
'''Cliffjumper:''' "Too late, Starscream!" 
'''Starscream:''' "It's never too late, Autobot." 
[''calmly raises his left arm and fires'']

"No more backtalk, or I'll short your mouth circuit."
:—'''Ratchet'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s bedside manner toward Ironhide.

"How're we gonna get out of this?" 
"By the skin of our teeth!" 
"I didn't know human teeth had skin!"
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Spike'''

"The Autobots robbed me of my victory, but they have not seen the last of Megatron. I shall be avenged!"
:—'''Megatron''', for the first time, but not the last.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
* Maybe not an error, but definitely odd: The establishing shots of [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon Headquarters]] are two completely different matte paintings that show the exact same thing.
* A strange establishing shot meant to convey the transition of an Earth-bound scene to one set on Cybertron shows a whole bunch of gray planets near each other, then suddenly cuts to the stock shot of Cybertron. It's possible this was meant to be a pan across our solar system, showing the Moon and then Saturn, but what it actually portrays is more like three moons orbiting a distant ringed planet unlike any in our [[Solar System]].

[[Image:TransporttoOblivion colourchanging Ed.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Black-White-Black]]

* The animated glow behind Shockwave when he is communicating to Megatron is mis-aligned with his body.
* Ed, a solar power plant worker, has his skin change color from one shot to the next. He's first seen as an African-American when his coworker tells him to turn the radio down. When he turns to face the radio in the next shot, he's white. As he backs away from Soundwave's transformation, he's black again, possibly suffering from a rapid (but intermittent) form of [[wikipedia:Vitiligo|Vitiligo]].
[[Image:Soundwave jesus.jpg|thumb|right|200px|So Soundwave and Laserbeak [[Warrior School!|use their alternate forms to sneak into an industrial facility and take it over]]...]]

* A glow effect surrounds Soundwave as he enlarges out of his tape player form. While it is clearly a deliberate artistic choice, this effect is never again seen for Soundwave's transformations.
* Cliffjumper and Gears' voices can clearly be heard among the panicked power plant workers.
[[Image:TransporttoOblivion fillingcubes.jpg|thumb|right|200px|...and the Decepticons [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|re-establish contact with Cybertron]], and [[The Bridge to Nowhere!|build a space bridge]], and [[Rock and Roll-Out!|start making energon cubes]]...]]
[[Image:Trans to ob megs spacebridge.jpg|thumb|right|200px|...and the whole thing ends with [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|Megatron getting tossed into his own space bridge and unceremoniously launched to Cybertron]]. Did [[Bob Budiansky]] watch this episode or what?]]

* As the Decepticons start filling energon cubes, the background cubes filled by Skywarp are layered in front of the foreground cubes filled by Starscream.
* When Jazz slams on his brakes during the traffic jam, the car in front of him is green. When he backs up to leave, the car is blue and a different model.
* On-screen [[Engrish]]:
** The signage in the city includes some rather odd phrases: Par, Bolo Bulue, Spu Rashu, Bolve, Fee, Mascot, IOU, April, AGF, Bell.
** When Optimus Prime is using Teletraan I to survey nearby power stations, the map on the screen is labeled "EVE ISLAND".
** Teletraan's readout screen has a number of lost-in-translation typographical errors. It reads: SOLOR POWE STATION #001; CAPACITY: 80 %; PURRENT PRODUCTION: 0%.
* During Optimus' close-up when he says "Megatron lives.", the background is of a cloudy sky instead of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark's]] interior.
* When the Autobots crash through the skylight, Cliffjumper is colored like Bumblebee.
* Skywarp has the wrong voice as he says his "Hurry it up!" and "Starscream! Behind you!" lines.
* As Megatron gloats over Optimus Prime's defeat and prepares to transform into gun mode, he says "Soundwave—Prime is target, Soundwave! FIRE!", an awkward-sounding line that appears to have been hastily edited to remove some dialog. Additionally, Megatron orders Soundwave to fire him before he even finishes transforming.
* After Ironhide is shot protecting Optimus Prime, Prowl's gun is black.
* When the Decepticons are leaving the power station, Skywarp is seen flying away twice.
* Laserbeak's caws and cries are not electronically modulated and are much more bird-like than the synthetic trill that would become his standard vocalization later in the series.
* The Autobots storming into the power plant at the battle's end do not have the standard Autobot laser fire sound effects.
* As the space bridge powers up for its first test, the light effects at the back of the ring pass in front of the test vehicle, which is inside the ring.
* Amid the rocks and debris sucked up into the space bridge, the test vehicle can be seen rising...then falling back down again!
* Bumblebee and Spike clearly withdraw from the edge of the river canyon, yet Bumblebee is standing right at the edge again when he transforms (a convenient conceit, so he can fall down and be captured).
* The sides of Starscream's air intakes are gray instead of red when Megatron restrains him from attacking Bumblebee.
* As Megatron says that Bumblebee and Spike have "volunteered", a glint of light plays across his optics. The sound guys mistook this for a powered light-up effect and inserted a sound effect accordingly.
* The animation of test run #2 is recycled from the first test run...which means that the test vehicle is shown inside the ring, even though it shouldn't be there.
* When Shockwave says, "Test run number two aborted," the animation is of Megatron speaking.
* Starscream's thighs are dark gray instead of light gray as he and Megatron fire on the fleeing Bumblebee.
* Skywarp and Starscream get the same not-standard-issue laser sound effect that the Autobots at the power plant had.
* As the Autobots are waiting for Bumblebee and Spike's return home, Cliffjumper is colored as Bumblebee.
* Upon arriving, Bumblebee says that "''Pike'' was taken by the Decepticons!" Maybe it's [[The Insecticon Syndrome|a nickname]]?
* Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
** Four red(dish) cars are among the group leaving Autobot Headquarters. Ironhide and Cliffjumper should be red; the third could be Gears. The fourth is either a miscolored Prowl or Jazz, leaving the group one man short.
** Best guess is that it's Jazz who is missing from that last shot, because he's also missing from the lineup of Autobot cars outside the cave. His voice shows up once the group enters the cave...but he's not actually ''seen'' until after the first commercial break.
** Brawn, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, and Trailbreaker all appear at various points during the battle in the cave and its aftermath, despite not being part of the group that arrives and leaves the cave.
* As often happens, Soundwave's chest is suddenly see-through transparent when he's playing back a tape report.
* Prowl's car form is horrifically off-model when Ironhide asserts that Bumblebee is never wrong. Gears isn't much better and is missing some of his red coloration as well. When off-model Prowl transforms, his missing headlights and bumper appear out of nowhere.
* Megatron's fusion cannon is white instead of black as he threatens to finish Ironhide and Prime.
* Megatron's wrist blaster disappears instantly after he fires it.
* Starscream is holding one of his arm-mounted weapons in his hand as Megatron orders him to blast the cave entrance open.
* After Megatron blasts the cave shut (again) and returns to robot mode, blue sky can be seen between Starscream's arms and torso, in the space where his wings should be. Possibly the artists thought his wings were attached to his arms instead of his back.
* Ironhide's cheek guards are gray instead of red as he patches himself up after the cave battle.
* Ratchet announces that Bumblebee's memory banks have been altered, despite not doing any work near or inspection of his head. All he does is weld 'Bee's chest for a brief second.
* Megatron's face is black as he listens to Shockwave's instructions about the space bridge.
* As Ravage guards Spike, the energy cage is layered over Ravage's neck, even though he is closer to the camera's point of view.
* Spike makes a very strange gesture as the energy cage disappears, seemingly rubbing a rock in the background as if he were wiping it off. Not only is it strange, it's also spatially impossible, as the "rock" is actually the ground below him, meaning he's just making a random wiping motion in the air.
* Soundwave's shadow over Spike disappears a second before the shot ends.
* As Megatron coaches Spike, Soundwave is missing his Decepticon insignia. Megatron's own insignia is missing its central crest.
* When the space bridge opens for the third time (with Spike as the driver), the inside of the ring is bizarrely misdrawn; the outlines and edges of the bridge ring do not line up correctly, resulting in [http://www.blifaloo.com/illusions/impossible.php impossible shapes].
* Megatron's eyes are blue instead of red as he punches buttons on the space bridge console.
* Ironhide is suddenly toting a HUGE green bazooka cannon laser gun thing when the Autobots attack the space bridge. He's never had this weapon before or since.
* After Megatron falls into the [[space bridge]], two successive shots feature Skywarp in Starscream's color scheme, resulting in two Starscreams appearing on screen at once.
* Starscream is missing his back wing insignia as he takes off.
* As the space bridge beam arrives on Cybertron, the beam is layered in front of the bridge receiver tower that it's supposed to be entering.

===Continuity errors===
* At the end of the previous episode, the Autobot ship was being refueled and repaired in preparation for the imminent return of the Autobots to Cybertron. At the beginning of this episode, their journey home seems to have been all but forgotten. Apparently, they left the lights on and the battery died, and there wasn't another interstellar spaceship available for a jump start.
* It certainly took Cliffjumper long enough to notice the Decepticon-shaped rock outside the base.
* This is the only time Autobot Headquarters is ever depicted as being near a cliffside overlooking the ocean.
* In the opening scenes, Optimus seems pretty certain that the Decepticons have survived... yet he still seems shocked when Megatron reappears.
* Speaking of which, could the Decepticons really have built this whole huge underwater fortress without anybody noticing their activities?
* If Shockwave is "losing power", then he really shouldn't be up on the roof of [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Decepticon Headquarters]] shooting at nothing. The animation fails to convey that he had any sort of target or that a battle was occurring.
* Shockwave is clearly the most loyal soldier in all of creation. He's still trying to communicate with Megatron ''four million years after he disappeared'' and clearly expects an answer. What would it take to convince Shockwave that Megatron is actually dead??
* There doesn't appear to be any purpose to Soundwave sneaking into the power station in tape player mode. Megatron just marches right in about five seconds after Soundwave launches his attack.
* A ''solar'' power station would not need generators.
* Again, if Prime is shocked to find that Megatron is alive, it doesn't make a lot of sense for over half the Autobots to be on patrol.
* Ratchet and Sparkplug are working on Ironhide outside, in the desert sand, even though Ratchet has a (presumably) sanitary medical center for such things.
* Given that Starscream is a highly sophisticated living machine, it seems unlikely that he would have to look at his (notably unadorned) wrist to count down five seconds accurately.
* Would it really have killed Bumblebee to stop for half a second to let Spike get inside, instead of making him run alongside?
* Jazz is somehow able to use a stalagmite as a bat to knock back a null ray blast at Starscream.
* Optimus Prime's foot gets caught in a boulder for no apparent reason. In one shot, he's just standing around after helping Ironhide; in the next, he's suddenly stuck.
* It's a totally [[The Agenda (Part III)|stock cartoon trope]], but really, how many times can one cave be blasted open and shut? (Two times each in this episode.)
* Megatron can't possibly be dumb enough to think that Prime and company couldn't just blast their own way out of the cave, yet he declares that sealing the cave means "the end of Prime and the Autobots".

===Continuity notes===
* This episode does a fair bit to establish the status quo for the rest of Season 1 and all of Season 2:
** The Decepticons are shown to have converted their crashed space cruiser into the vast [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon Headquarters]] complex.
** The Decepticons re-establish contact with Cybertron.
** The 'Cons make their first use of the [[space bridge]], a device that will feature in many future episodes. The space bridge's erratic performance and seemingly random opening times and locations would feature in a few more episodes, but would largely be downplayed.
* The generic hard rock/big band song makes its debut in this episode; the guitar section is featured as source music played by both Jazz and Soundwave.
* Prime's casual reference to "the entire city losing power" might be construed by continuity hounds as meaning that the traffic jam that Spike and Bumblebee run into is in [[Central City (Earth)|Central City]], a city later demonstrated to be close to, and have some legal jurisdiction over, the land where Autobot Headquarters is located. That might be giving the continuity editors too much credit, however.
* This episode continues the trend of Cybertron being located outside the [[Milky Way]] galaxy, as Shockwave refers to the space bridge as an "intergalactic transport system".
* Gadgets and powers:
** When Cliffjumper opens fire on the rock formation, he is carrying Jazz's gun.
** Ratchet describes Starscream's fire as "a concussion blast" (it's supposed to be a null ray.)
** Ratchet has a [[laser scalpel]] (or something similar) that emerges from his forearm. Later, he uses a less focused device that slides out of his wrist.
** Megatron has a chest-mounted hose-like memory scrambler... and a gauntlet-launched saw blade... and a wrist laser.
**Starscream apparently wears a wristwatch. Who knew?
** Watching Bumblebee make his scrambled report, Laserbeak uses a head-mounted retractable microphone. Later episodes (and the Movie) would have a video camera in the same spot instead.
** Ratchet has a wrist-based net launcher, that fires a Pac-Man shaped net (which for some reason brings down Laserbeak.)
** Optimus Prime's laser rifle has a variable focus barrel that allows him to shoot a needle-beam blast.
** The blue button on Megatron's tummy blinks to show him communicating with Shockwave. [[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Later]], it would be the two trapezoids on his pecs that blinked.
* What makes Starscream the leader? Megatron fell into the space bridge! '''[[S.O.S. Dinobots|'''> >]]'''

===Real-world references===
* ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
** Laserbeak is a one-bot ''Star Wars'' effects gallery. He launches from his spy mission with the sound of the Death Star's superlaser obliterating the planet Alderaan.
** He then arrives at the Decepticon Headquarters docking tower with the sound of the ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' arriving at the Rebel Base on Yavin IV, followed by a repeat of the Death Star/Alderaan effects.
** He then flies into Soundwave's chest with another burst of ''Millennium Falcon'' engines.

===Japanese version===
Original airdate: [[July 27]], [[1985]]
*'''Cut:''' After Prime discovers that Megatron still lives and orders the Autobots to assemble, following the symbol transition, the role call of Ironhide through Gears is cut. The sequence resumes at his lines about half the force being out on patrol.

*'''Cut:''' After Megatron gets his "power boost" and punches Prime in the face, the following scene of Starscream lifting Energon cubes, getting shot at, shooting Ratchet and Prowl, Cliffjumper and Gears attacking him, and his line "It's never too late, Autobot" before firing on them have all been cut. The sequence resumes at his transforming to jet mode and flying off with Skywarp.

===Notes===
[[Image:TransporttoOblivion Cliffjumper attacks Megatron.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Right in the gonads!]]
*In an unusual directorial choice, the second and third acts of this episode lack most of the usual flip-symbol [[scene transition]]s, instead using a series of ''Star Wars''-like transition effects (iris out, triangular wipes, radar screen wipe, etc.)
*The third act also features a one-time-only bit of background music as the Decepticons retreat from the cave.
*Seriously, Cliffjumper charges Megatron and punches him in the junk! That takes bearings of chrome steel.
*This was one of twelve episodes of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]] released as audio adventures by the [[Germany|German]] company [[Karussell|Karussell Musik und Video]].

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 7: "Transport to Oblivion" ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume Two ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume One (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — The Best of ''The Transformers'' (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — Box-Set (3DVDs) ([[Flex Media]]) — German audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Box-Set (2DVDs) (Flex Media) — German audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 01: Stagione Uno Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — More than Meets the Eye (Shout! Factory) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)

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

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]