The Rebirth, Part 3

2010-09-02T16:36:42Z

99.52.74.201: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode
|image=Rebirth 3 title shot.JPG
|caption="Uh, I know this was Megatron's usual line, but...RETREAT!"
|series=G1toon
|ep=98
|title="The Rebirth, Part 3"
|written by=[[David Wise]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|production code=6701-3
|airdate=[[November 11]], 1987
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''The battle for the Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber comes to an end.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 銀河最大の危機 (''Ginga saidai no kiki'', "The Biggest Crisis of the Galaxy")
:''German title:'' "'''Die Wiedergeburt, Teil 3'''" ("The Rebirth, Part 3")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Rebirth 3 Decepticons Hive.JPG|left|150px|thumb|"You mean you don't like the whole master idea, Mighty Galvatron?" "OF COURSE I DON'T! HOW DID YOU THINK I'D REACT?!"]]

With the arrival of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], the [[Autobot]]s scatter, but [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] are captured. As the [[Decepticon]]s depart in Scorponok, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] orders the Autobots to move out. However, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] insists on letting him and [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] remain behind. Though Optimus believes that Spike is their only hope if [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] should activate the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]], he relents.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s forces are fighting off the Decepticons, but the tide is turned when the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster]]s arrive, allowing Galvatron to claim victory. [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] explain what happened on [[Nebulos]], but Galvatron is so disgusted that he's on the verge of reducing all of them to [[scrap]]. However, [[Zarak (Nebulan)|Zarak]] explains that he has the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber|Key]], and has control over Scorponok. Though still disgusted, Galvatron agrees to at least talk, while ordering a new [[planetary engine]] he installed on Cybertron to be activated. They prepare to torture Daniel, but Arcee gives them the Key.

[[Image:Rebirth 3 Earth Cybertron.JPG|right|150px|thumb|"They're going to collide!" "No, they're going to combine into a Duocon!"]]

Heading for Cybertron, Optimus receives a vision from the [[Spark|spirit]] of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], telling the Autobot leader to preserve the key at all costs. However, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] inform Prime that Cybertron has disappeared. Realizing Galvatron's intentions, Optimus orders the shuttle to head for [[Earth]]. On Cybertron, which has entered the [[Solar system|Sol system]], Galvatron reveals that he intends to activate the Plasma Energy Chamber, and let the [[Plasma energy|energy]] spread out and cause the [[sun]] to nova, destroying Earth and Cybertron. On Nebulos, Spike and Cerebros locate the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]]'s city, and begin using long-abandoned controls to begin modifying the city.

[[Image:Rebirth 3 FortMax Scorponok.JPG|left|150px|thumb|Scale be damned.]]

Landing on Cybertron, the Autobots discover that their comrades have had their [[power pack]]s removed, and their lives will end if they do not get immediate [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. The Nebulans think that they should just destroy the Key, lest the released energy reach Nebulos. However, Prime remains adamant, explaining that [[Vector Sigma]] has a plan. Unwilling to take the risk, the Nebulans simply abandon the Autobots and head to destroy the key, pursued by the weaponless and headless Autobots. However, they are attacked by the Decepticons, who are preparing to leave. Just then, Spike and Cerebros arrive in the Hive's converted city, which [[Transformation|transforms]] into [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], with Spike and Cerebros as its components. Fort Max engages Scorponok, causing the Decepticons and the Hive to flee. Spike and the Nebulans deactivate the Plasma Energy Chamber, but not before it sends a wave of energy into the sun.

[[Image:Rebirth 3 Cybertron gold.JPG|right|150px|thumb|The second golden age made Cybertron shrink.]]

Working quickly, Spike and the Nebulans begin preparing Vector Sigma to absorb the excess solar energy. Pumping it straight into the supercomputer, it directs the energy into Cybertron's storage capacitors, resulting in the complete revitalization of Cybertron. As Cerebros reactivates, he begs Spike to deactivate him, no longer wishing to endure the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. However, Spike tells him that Cybertron has been revitalized. Optimus declares that the Headmasters and Targetmasters are to become the guardians of Nebulos, and to destroy the Hive's machines. When this is done, Cerebros will become the guardian of Nebulos, and live in peace.

However, Scorponok survived the destruction, and it is obvious that Galvatron and Zarak do not see eye to eye. Galvatron plans to raid hundreds of worlds and destroy Cybertron, then conquer the universe, but Zarak doubts that Galvatron will be the ruler of the galaxy. As the would-be tyrants bicker, Nebulos stands free, while Cybertron begins a second [[Golden Age]] under the rule of Optimus Prime and the Autobots.

[['Til all are one]].

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] (2)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (4)
* [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (5)
* [[Pointblank]] (6)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (11)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (12)
* [[Brainstorm]] (13)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (14)
* [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (15)
* [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] (16)
* [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (17)
* [[Chase (G1)|Chase]] (23)
* [[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] (24)
* [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] (25)
* [[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]] (26)
* [[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]] (27)
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (33)
* [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (39)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (40)
* [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (41)
* [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (42)
* [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (43)
* [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (44)
* [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (45)
* [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] (58)
* [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (59)
* [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (69)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (70)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] (71)
* [[Scattershot]] (72)
* [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]] (73)
* [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] (74)

|c2=
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (1)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (7)
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (8)
* [[Misfire]] (9)
* [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (10)
* [[Skullcruncher]] (18)
* [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (21)
* [[Apeface]] (22)
* [[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] (28)
* [[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]] (29)
* [[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (30)
* [[Hun-Gurrr]] (31)
* [[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (32)
* [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (34)
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (35)
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (36)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (37)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (38)
* [[Triggerhappy]] (46)
* [[Weirdwolf]] (47)
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (68)

|c3=
* [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] (19)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (20)

|c4=
* [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]] (48)
* [[Fracas]] (49)
* [[Vorath]] (50)
* [[Blowpipe (G1)|Blowpipe]] (51)
* [[Monzo]] (52)
* [[Aimless]] (53)
* [[Spasma]] (54)
* [[Caliburst (G1)|Caliburst]] (55)
* [[Grax]] (56)
* [[Zarak (Nebulan)|Zarak]] (57)
* [[Pinpointer (G1)|Pinpointer]] (60)
* [[Gort]] (61)
* [[Stylor]] (62)
* [[Arcana]] (63)
* [[Duros]] (64)
* [[Peacemaker]] (65)
* [[Spoilsport]] (66)
* [[Firebolt]] (67)
}}

==Quotes==
"Decepticons... prepare to face... Fortress Maximus!"
:—'''Fortress Maximus''' speaking for the first and only time in Generation 1—with a voice reminiscent of Patrick Allen.

"And we've got to get this oversized shopping center in the air. Now!"
:—'''Galvatron''', in reference to '''Scorponok's''' city mode.

"The Golden Age of Cybertron has come again, Cerebros. Thanks to you and Spike. You don't have to fight anymore."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"It's a miracle we finally got this flying junkpile of yours stablized." 
"You were the idiot who opened the Plasma Energy Chamber, Galvatron." 
"SILENCE! There's much to do. We will attack other planets, we will suck them dry, we will rebuild a planet a hundred times more powerful than Cybertron! And I will rule the galaxy!" 
"Who will rule the galaxy?" 
"MEE! It is my destiny!" 
"We shall see, Galvatron. We shall see..."
:—'''Galvatron''' and '''Zarak''' close the series.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
[[Image:Cybersmallverysmall.JPG|right|150px|thumb|AKOM's wonderful sense of scale]]
* In numerous surface shots, Cybertron is ''incredibly'' small, with the curve of the planet's surface visible in the same shot as the characters.
* When Optimus Prime sees Alpha Trion holding the key to the plasma energy chamber, the key changes shape while he is holding it; it's edged when he's holding it normally and changes into a triangle when he's holding it up.
* When Prime's shuttle lands on Cybertron, Earth looms in the background. However, the animation cell of the planet has been laid over a series of background buildings instead of behind them, giving the impression that Earth and Cybertron have collided.
* When Cyclonus captures Optimus and the others, Vortex is miscolored as Blades.
* As Galvatron observes the Autobots' escape from Scorponok, Optimus' boots are completely white.
* When Spike turns to tell the Nebulons to remove their exo-suits, [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] and [[Brainstorm]] in their (human sized) robot modes can be seen right behind him. According to Spike, it's supposed to be [[Gort]] and [[Arcana]], who correctly appear in the next scene.
* As the Autobots celebrate their victory, Bumblebee shows up. Right next to Goldbug.
* When Daniel transforms into Arcee's head at the end of the episode, he's still wearing his exosuit in the shot where he's inside her head.
* In the final scene on Nebulos, the Headmasters are Optimus's size.

===Continuity errors===
* Why did Galvatron get the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] to construct the rocket engine when he has the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]?
* Spike is able to construct a complex, super powerful Transformer single-handedly out of an entire city using alien technology in what may be no more than mere hours. This may be normal for Transformers to do, but Spike...?
* When Galvatron thinks he's won, Ultra Magnus and the Protectobots attack... including [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], who is wielding a gun and firing away with the rest of them. It's one of many times that First Aid has been shown to fight, despite stating in "[[The Ultimate Weapon]]" that he doesn't believe in fighting and literally won't raise a weapon to save his life.
* When Ultra Magnus and the Protectobots attack Galvatron, Magnus says "Keep on him men, he's almost finished!" If that's so, why did they stop firing just to gaze at Scorponok if Galvatron was "almost finished" instead of kept firing while they had the chance?
* Chromedome claims that the Autobot Headmasters are "stuck being vehicles without their heads", yet Hardhead was seen moving around and firing his Shatterblasters in dual wield fashion(!) in the [[The Rebirth, Part 2|previous episode]] for some time after Duros disconnected. Perhaps the automatic transformation into vehicle mode following a Headmaster pilot's disconnection can be delayed somewhat?
* Shouldn't Cybertron's close proximity to Earth cause the planet to tear itself apart, as it did in "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 2|The Ultimate Doom]]"? Prime seems blissfully unconcerned about it.
* Galvatron acts like the 10-minute delay he sets on the plasma energy chamber will give him and the Decepticons time to escape from the destruction of the entire solar system. They even try to get into Scorponok so they can fly away. Scorponok was never said to have any kind of warp-factor flight, and the nearest known [[warp gate]] was around [[Pluto]].

===Continuity notes===
* Apparently, [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] can't see in his alternate mode, given his dialogue exchange with Spike at the end of the episode. His alternate mode, by the by, is basically a tiny version of Fort Max's city mode.

===Real-world references===
* The Nebulans reverse the polarity of Galvatron's rocket thruster, a reference to the "reverse the polarity of the neutron flow" catchphrase from [[Wikipedia:Doctor Who|Doctor Who]].<ref>[http://princeospace.blogspot.com/2009/08/dude-i-have-doctor-who-connection.html Post on David Wise's blog]</ref>
* Its not the only time [[Megatron (G1)|some]][[Flame (Marvel)|one]] decided to [[Legion of the Lost!|turn Cybertron]] into a [[Meltdown!|mobile starship]].

===Trivia===
* This is the final episode of the original cartoon.
* Had The Rebirth been the five-parter that was originally intended, the show would have ended with 100 episodes.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 1987 — ''Transformers'' — Die Wiedergeburt (Dritter Teil) ([[Polyband]]) — German audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1988 — ''Transformers'' — Headmasters: The Rebirth (Parts, 1, 2 & 3) ([[Tempo Video]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1989 — ''Transformers'' — Headmasters / The Return of Optimus Prime (Tempo Video) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1991 — ''Transformers'' — Headmasters / The Return of Optimus Prime / Cosmic Rust (Tempo Video) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1998 — ''The Transformers: Generation 2'' — Rebirth: The Movie ([[Malofilm|Behaviour Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2001 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Heroes: The Rebirth ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1996 — ''Transformers: The Headmasters'' Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — English and Japanese audio.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2001 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Heroes: The Rebirth ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — The Rebirth: Parts 1-3 ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 2 & Season 4 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 3 and Season 4 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2005 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 6: Series 4 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season's Three & Four {{sic}} (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2010 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/the_rebirth_part_3.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

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

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The Rebirth, Part 3