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Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5

2011-10-18T17:51:09Z

Claret: /* Real-world references */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=70
|series2=2010
|ep2=5
|prev2=Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4
|next2=Thief in the Night
|title="Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5"
|image=FFOD5_Galvatron_lever.jpg
|caption=How can he possibly resist the diabolical urge to pull the lever that could erase his very existence?
|airdate=[[September 19]], 1986
|written by=[[Flint Dille]]
|production code=700-90
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''With Earth and Cybertron under joint Decepticon-Quintesson assault, the Autobots raise a last stand against their old enemies... and the race which created them.'''

:''Japanese title:'' クインテッサ星人の陰謀 (''Quintessa Seijin no Inbō'', "Conspiracy of the Quintessons")
:''German title:'' "'''Die fünf Gesichter der Finsternis, Teil 5'''" ("The five Faces of Darkness, Part 5")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:FFOD5 Decepticons attack.JPG|left|150px|thumb|Galvatron, can he join my armada?]]

The [[Decepticon]]s open a sortie against the [[Autobot]]s on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and the initial attack took out the whole defense system. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] tells the others to go, while he holds them off. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] says that Magnus's courage will be remembered. Unsaid is the possibility that there will be no one to remember it. From their ship, the [[Quintesson]]s calculate that it will take less than a day to completely defeat the Autobots. After all, they've given [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] something worth fighting for...

On Earth, the new Decepticon battle station heads for [[Ark (G1)|Autobot headquarters]]. [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] lead a counter offensive, but their efforts are stymied when the station [[Transformation|transforms]] into [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. Warpath orders [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] to activate the defense systems, but Trypticon causes [[Mount St. Hilary|the volcano]] to collapse on the ship, destroying it. With his task there complete, Trypticon heads to his next target: [[Autobot City]].

[[Image:FFOD5 Predacons.JPG|right|150px|thumb|Know that there are five Predacons. The other guys are posers!]]

On [[Io]], [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] hurries to rescue [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], and [[Marissa Faireborn]] from certain death from the natives. However, the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] arrive to steal the [[Transformation cog|Transformation Cog]] intended for [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. Initially, the Predacons turn out to be all bark with no bite. However, they merge into [[Predaking]], and manage to disorient Wheelie, Blurr, and Faireborn. However, Sky Lynx attacks Predaking, and causes him to separate. Sky Lynx orders the others to board him, and Wheelie discovers the cog.

Meanwhile, Galvatron orders [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] to give a status report to the Quintessons. However, Blitzwing overhears that the Quintessons don't have the [[Decepticon Matrix]]. What's worse, they want the [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] to pull a [[large switch]] which will deactivate the [[Transformer]]s all over the galaxy. Blitzwing tries to tell Galvatron, but the psychotic [[Decepticon leader]] merely beats him. Blitzwing realizes that there is one other option...side with the Autobots to stop the Quintessons.

[[Image:FFOD5 Metroplex Trypticon.JPG|left|150px|thumb|Godzilla vs. Megazord!]]

On Earth, Trypticon has arrived at Autobot City, but Wheelie is able to get the cog to Pipes, who installs it in Metroplex. Coming online, Metroplex and Trypticon throw down. Their battle extends into another city (which everyone manages to evacuate from). Finally, Metroplex manages to overwhelm Trypticon, and throws Trypticon a great distance, where he lands in the ocean and sinks.

On Cybertron, Blitzwing, Rodimus Prime, and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] manage to stop the Sharkticons, but Galvatron, thinking the switch is the key to the Decepticon Matrix, pulls it. With the Transformers offline, the Quintessons land on Cybertron. As the Quintessons enjoy how great it is to be home, Spike grabs Rodimus' weapon, and destroys the lever. Reactivating, an incredibly angry Galvatron begins chasing the Quintessons, who manage to escape. Galvatron then prepares to fight Rodimus, but Blitzwing pulls his weapon on Galvatron, telling him that this has to end. Galvatron banishes Blitzwing from the Decepticons, and orders the Decepticons to retreat.

[[Image:FFOD5 Rodimus victory speech.JPG|right|150px|thumb|Optimus would have given a more rousing speech.]]

Rodimus notes that the battle is over for now, but the Autobot leader also notes that the Transformers may well have met their greatest enemies...
{{-}}

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (5)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (6)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (8)
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (9)
* [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (12)
* [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] (13)
* [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (14)
* [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (15)
* [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (16)
* [[Outback (G1)|Outback]] (17)
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (18)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (19)
* [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (20)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (21)
* [[Eject]] (22)
* [[Rewind]] (23)
* [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (24)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (26)
* [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (27)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (30)
* [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (31)
* [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (32)
* [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (33)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (48)
* [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] (49)

|c2=
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (1)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (2)
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (3)
* [[Sweep]]s (4)
* [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (11)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (28)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (29)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (34)
* [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (35)
* [[Headstrong]] (36)
* [[Tantrum]] (37)
* [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (38)
* [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (39)
* [[Predaking]] (30)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (31)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (32)
* [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (33)
* [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (34)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (35)
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (38)
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (36)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (37)
* [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (39)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (40)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (41)
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (42)
* [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (43)
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (44)
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (45)
* [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (46)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (47)

|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (7)
* [[Marissa Faireborn]] (25)

|c4=
* [[Quintesson]]s (10)
* [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] (35)

}}
==Quotes==
"Olé, sucker!" 
:—'''Wheelie''' the bullfighter!

"Mighty Galvatron, there is no Decepticon Matrix!" 
[''smacks him away''] "Tell it to the Autobots!"
:—'''Blitzwing''' gets some inspiration from '''Galvatron'''

"Faster, Pipes, faster faster faster faster faster! You gotta work faster because if you don't Trypticon's gonna stomp us and that's why we're gonna get..." 
"Blurr...shut up!"
:—'''Pipes''' gives '''Blurr''' an idea.

"This planet's not big enough for the both of us." 
"Me crush Metroplex!"
:—'''Metroplex''', the gung-ho cowboy, meets '''Trypticon''', the ravaging dinosaur.

"We Transformers have looked into the face of our creators...and seen the face of an enemy."
:—'''Rodimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
[[Image:Cyclonus oddity armadaesque.jpg|thumb|right|150px| ]]
* During the recap, Galvatron's "Very well, Junkions" line is not flanged.
* In the opening pan, the entire Decepticon army seems to be made up of randomly recoloured Sweeps and Cyclonuses. Among the more visible examples are Sweeps colored like Breakdown and Wildrider.
* Rodimus's spoiler ridge is colored yellow instead of orange as Kup laments the loss of the defense system.
* Springer changes places between shots, going from Magnus's right to directly behind him (and back again when the first shot is recycled.)
* As Magnus turns to open fire, the foreshortening of his arm is bizarrely misdrawn.
* As Galvatron continues to descend and fire, an extra Cyclonus appears in Dirge's colors, alongside the actual Cyclonus.
** A Dirge-colored Cyclonus strafes Cybertron after the first commercial break.

* The click sound of the button pushed by the Quintesson to activate his monitor doesn't coincide with the actual push of the button.
* The Quintessons' view of Earth initially shows partly cloudy skies... then Trypticon just appears out of nowhere against the same sky. We'll be kind and not count this monitor view under "Improbable Viewpoints".
* Warpath neither moves his faceplate nor flashes his cheek blinkers when he speaks.
[[Image:FFoD5 MiniVehicles.jpg|thumb|right|250px| ]]
* Swerve disappears after the initial shot of the Autobot ambush, and is replaced by Beachcomber.
* The view of Trypticon smoking and damaged is set against a starry night sky, despite the scene occurring during the daytime.
[[Image:Giantscamper.jpg|thumb|right|250px| ]]
* An establishing shot of Metroplex shows him sitting in the desert all by himself, without [[Autobot City]] anywhere in sight. He also has Scamper sitting in his "garage", drawn to toy-based scale... which means he'd be a hundred foot long car.
* Sky Lynx flies behind a smooth, featureless reddish celestial body. If it's supposed to be Io, it's ''waaaaaay'' too small, not more than a couple hundred feet across. In fact it's too small to be a regular round body.
* Io has changed colors; an establishing shot shows it to be red instead of the gray it was last time. Of course, the ''real'' Io actually ''is'' red.
* In the first shot of Blurr, Wheelie, and Marissa fighting the lipoles, none of them is standing on Io's surface.
* Also, Marissa's ship is intact, but it was blown up in the previous episode.
* Improbable viewpoints:
** How does Blaster get an eye-level view of Marissa fighting on Io?
* When Wheelie loses the transforming cog, three of the next four shots are shown against a blue sky with clouds, rather than the night sky of Io.
* Once again, the animation fails to convey that the lipoles are an actual threat.
* In the second shot of Warpath's team of [[Mini Vehicle]]s outside Autobot Headquarters, Beachcomber is colored like Wildrider.
* Powerglide gets a descending-pitch transformation sound as he changes to his plane mode and takes off. Launching aerial Transformers normally get the rising-pitch version.
* The Constructicons watching Trypticon on the hill are much larger than they should be.
* Scrapper's faceplate changes from grey to red as he listens to Bonecrusher.
* Five Autobots drive toward Trypticon, but the next shot shows only three getting kicked away.
* Pipes and Swerve seem to be firing lasers right out of their windshields.
* As Trypticon approaches the Ark, it only has two engines sticking out rather than three.
* As the Autobots watch Trypticon walk off, Warpath's back is grey rather than red.
* The sound effect for the shot that Trypticon fires at the camera lags behind the shot itself.
[[Image:Cycloni ffod5.jpg|thumb|right|250px| ]]
* Cyclonus and his Armada:
** Four Cyclonuses are shown strafing Cybertron after the first commercial break.
** The next shot shows two Cycloni.
** While retreating from Cybertron, there are five Cyclonuses flying with Galvatron.
* Ultra Magnus punches Ramjet, who spirals out of control. When he hits a wall and explodes, he's colored like Dirge. The error is particular visible since Dirge himself gets the same punch-and-explode treatment a second later.
* When Galvatron transforms to fire on Ultra Magnus, his arm cannon flies off screen, and a new one comes out of his head to take its place in cannon mode. (Again!)
* Magnus and Galvatron's voices are muffled as if they were speaking by radio, even though there's no reason for them to do so. Dirge and Ramjet suffer from a similar though less obvious effect in the same scene.
* Bumblebee and Powerglide are briefly visible fighting alongside Perceptor against the Sweeps on Cybertron, despite being on Earth at the time.
* Streetwise has a red chest (Red Alert's color scheme?) as he stands next to Perceptor and Slingshot, firing.
* As he delivers the "Meet your fate valiantly, Autobots!" line, Perceptor's Autobot logo is all grey rather than just a grey outline.
* Blitzwing's voice isn't properly flanged as he acknowledges Galvatron's command to report to the Quintessons.
* Throughout the episode, the area around Blitzwing's Decepticon symbol changes. Sometimes it has lines above and below it, sometimes only above, sometimes none. Sometimes red, sometimes purple.
* In the establishing shot before Sky Lynx arrives, Marissa and the 'bots aren't even trying to fight off the lipoles! Incidentally, Io's gone back to being gray.
* Sky Lynx's first transformation sequence lacks any transformation sound.
* The squawks that Sky Lynx lets loose after transforming are not by his voice actor! (The whole animal noise shtick for him would be dropped after this episode.)
* The Predacons get some bizarre use of the transformation noise. It plays as they emerge from the balls of fire that carried them to Io (a means of transport that they never used again.)
* Headstrong and Tantrum arrive carrying their guns, but a second later they charge into battle with their swords. They then proceed not to use either weapon.
* Sky Lynx's transporter section transforms to lynx mode, but is back in transporter mode when Blurr and Marissa run away from it.
* Headstrong's beast mode head has a huge swath of black on it in two different shots.
* Blurr lacks a transformation noise as he changes modes to cross the canyon.
* Predaking gets the transformation sound ''every time he moves''.
* Sky Lynx's transporter section lacks the transformation sound as it converts to lynx mode again. Apparently, Predaking sucked up all the transformation noises from the whole scene.
* When Predaking fires his foot weapons, a laser emerges. The weapon's effect, however, is shown as a windstorm.
* Sky Lynx's combining sequence is a little messed up; his lynx legs are shown unfolding, but since his lower half was already in lynx mode, they should be unfolded already.
* Predaking's head is on backwards as Sky Lynx wraps his tail around it.
* As Trypticon approaches Autobot City, the city is shown in a barren desert. It had [[The Transformers: The Movie|previously been shown]] to be located in a lush mountain valley, and is shown that way again at the end of the episode.
* Slingshot is seen running about in Autobot City as it transforms, even though he was last seen on Cybertron with Perceptor.
* As Blaster despairs over Sky Lynx's absence, his helmet is white instead of red.
* Scrapper's mouthplate continues moving even as Mixmaster gives the order to fire. (And why is Mixmaster giving the orders, anyway?)
* As the Autobots exit Sky Lynx, the transforming cog is shown as a large gear wheel, instead of an orb-shaped device. Sky Lynx's windows aren't colored in, either.
* Night sky is shown behind Marissa as she orders Blurr to "stop babbling"...
** And again behind Blurr as he prepares for his "lateral"...
** And again behind the cog as Wheelie throws it to Sky Lynx...
** And again behind Sky Lynx as he flattens the Decepticon lineup...
* As Blurr throws the cog, Thrust flies past in Laserbeak's colors. This was probably intended to be Laserbeak himself, since Thrust just got swatted.
* As the Constructicons try to tackle Wheelie, they're shown on a metal floor, despite the preceding and following shots being shown in the desert. Motormaster likewise goes from desert to metal floor as he accidentally tackles Bonecrusher.
[[Image:FFOD5_Insecticons.png|right|thumb|200px|Maybe Cyclonus ''was'' [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. Or [[Insecticon clone|a clone.]]]]
* When Wheelie faces off against the big line of Decepticon troops, all three Insecticons are present, including two Shrapnels. Bombshell's eyes aren't colored in. Blast-off and Swindle are also in the lineup, despite appearing on Cybertron at the start of the attack there.
**When Sky Lynx jumps over/through the lined up Decepticons, the second Shrapnel is replaced by Soundwave.
* It's an AKOM episode, so watch for Soundwave's white backpack as Sky Lynx flattens him.
* Sky Lynx clearly throws the cog horizontally, yet it somehow arcs so high that Trypticon can't catch it. As Trypticon lunges for the cog, it's the size of his fist -- the same fist that easily held Outback earlier in the episode.
* When the Autobots are celebrating the safety of the transformation cog after the little game of catch with the Decepticons, two Constructicons and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] are seen "raising the roof" along with them. Slingshot shows up again, too, along with a generic model colored like Dead End.
* Metroplex is back in city mode as Trypticon prepares to stomp him.
* The hand that topples Trypticon does not come from the actual location where Metroplex's arms are stored in city mode.
* When Metroplex transforms, Autobot City is nowhere in sight.
* Metroplex's single line is delivered in a different voice than that of his later appearances.
* Who knew Trypticon was so aerodynamic? After Metroplex throws him, he falls ''up'' in the second shot of him sailing over the landscape.
* The late Ratchet is among the Autobots cheering Metroplex's victory, in Blaster's colors. And is that ''another'' Ratchet in the background?
* The [[large switch]] stops glowing after the Sharkticons arrive.
* For some reason, a view of Cybertron is used as an establishing shot for Earth.
[[Image:FFoD Part5 Frozen Metroplex.jpg|thumb|right|250px| ]]
* Blitzwing is shown with a purple Autobot insignia while being offered membership in their ranks by Rodimus Prime.
* Spinger and Arcee are shown among the frozen Autobots on Earth, despite being on Cybertron. Sludge is shown in the same shot in Grimlock's colors (and possibly with Grimlock's head.)
* As the Quintessons venture onto Cybertron, a frozen Sweep is shown with red (pink?) wings.
* A second later, the Quintessons walk past a frozen [[Rewind]] (or [[Eject]]), drawn at the size of an ordinary Transformer and colored like [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]].
* The energy beams of the fleeing Quintessons don't line up with their bodies.
* As the Quintessons blast off in the escape pod, we see a group of generic Transformers who look a lot like those seen in Rodimus's flashback during the previous episode!
* Mixmaster and Scrapper are seen on Cybertron as the Quintessons escape, despite the Constructicons being on Earth.
* Sky Lynx is far too small as he and the others watch Rodimus on screen.
* Although both the [[Kid Rhino]] and [[Shout! Factory]] versions of this episode contain the correct unique opening titles for the story (one of only two parts of "Five Faces of Darkness" on DVD that do), the Shout! version incorrectly uses the soundtrack to the standard season three opening as now found on the broadcast masters to all five parts.

===Continuity errors===
* The opening pan over Cybertron shows it with two moons, even though Unicron ostensibly devoured both of Cybertron's moons during ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. One moon appears again as the Quintessons make their battle projection.
* Kup says that "that blast took out the whole defense system". But it wasn't a ''blast''; it was a crashing space ship.
* Spike retains his superhuman capabilities, surviving a blast that trashes the room he's in and sends his Autobot friends flying.
* Powerglide notes that Trypticon has "''another'' transform," but at this point he's only seen it in the battle platform mode.
* So if everyone actually retreated to Level 2, per Rodimus's order, then who are all those Decepticons firing at? How long would it take them to gang up and overpower Magnus, if he's really the only one left?
* The answer comes a moment later, when Perceptor and company are seen to have ignored that order.
[[Image:G1 FFODPart5 UltraMagnus punch Dirge.jpg|thumb|right|250px| ]]
* Dirge and Ramjet both appear to explode rather fatally after Magnus punches them. Both will nevertheless show up alive and well in later episodes. Considering they were already seen eaten by Unicron in the Movie, this is not so surprising.
* Despite the absence of the transforming cog, both Autobot City ''and'' Metroplex are showing transforming to their respective battle station modes. Apparently, Metroplex only needs the cog to change into robot mode.
* Most of the battle on Cybertron is shown happening on the surface, with no ceilings and blue night skies, despite Rodimus's order to retreat below ground. Yet Blitzwing still flies underground to report to Galvatron.
* Most of the Constructicon's appearances shows that Scrapper leads the team, so why the hell is Mixmaster giving the orders?
* There appears to be a human city quite close to Autobot city, but previously in the [[The Transformers: The Movie|Movie]], there were no signs or suggestions of a human city being nearby. In addition, this poses the question of why the Autobots or humans built their cities so near to each other despite the fact that Autobot City is often under attack by Decepticons.
* Superhuman Spike has amazingly little trouble hoisting Rodimus's gun onto his shoulder.
* Speaking of which, the gun disappears after Spike shoots the switch, but several shots later Rodimus suddenly has it again.

===Continuity notes===
* Pipes cites the late Optimus Prime and quotes his catchphrase, "Transform and [[roll out]]!"
* Gadgets and powers:
** Bumblebee is shown with a rooftop cannon in vehicle mode during the first attack run on Trypticon. The weapon appears to be based on that of Outback.
* Galvatron makes reference to his last meeting with Ultra Magnus, on the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]].
* This episode is the first and only appearance of Tailgate. Swerve would later appear briefly in "[[Forever Is a Long Time Coming]]".

===Real-world references===
* ''Star Wars'' sound effects:
** Laserbeak and Thrust emerge from Trypticon's chest with the sound of the ''Millennium Falcon'''s engine burst.

*It must be more than coincidence that the force attacking the city-scale Trypticon is made up entirely of characters from the Mini Vehicle range (plugging the new Decepticon's playset potential).

===Trivia===

* Just from the episode alone, it's impossible to tell who the line "It'll be passing above us soon" is being spoken by, as it doesn't correspond to any of the known voices of the Autobots present. This just left Swerve and Tailgate as possible candidates for the line (since neither was ever seen to speak any other lines, it could have been either of them). The episode's script would later confirm that the line belonged to Tailgate, and was delivered by the eternally overlooked [[Ted Schwartz]].

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1990 — ''The Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness ([[Family Home Entertainment]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1990 — ''The Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness (Family Home Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness: Parts 1-5 ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1: Vol. 1 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 3 and Season 4 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 4: Series 3.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season's Three & Four {{sic}} (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2010 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/five_faces_of_darkness_part_5.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2

2011-10-17T19:03:08Z

Claret: missing planes comment in animation glitches

{{episode
|image=Aerialbots group.jpg
|caption=Optimus, remind us why this is a good idea again?
|series=G1toon
|ep=57
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=43
|prev2=The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1
|next2=Sea Change
|title="The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2"
|written by=[[David Wise]]
|production code=700-56
|airdate=[[November 26]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''To counter the new Stunticons, the Autobots create the Aerialbots, but the new team members aren't so sure about the Autobot cause.'''

:''Japanese name:'' ベクターシグマの鍵 PART II (''Vector Sigma no Kagi PART II'', "The Key of Vector Sigma PART II")
:''Italian title, dub 1:'' '''La nascita degli Aerialbots''' ("Birth of the Aerialbots")
:''Italian title, dub 2:'' '''La chiave di Vector Sigma - II''' ("The key of Vector Sigma - II")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:KeyVectorSigma Alpha merge.JPG|left|200px|thumb|It's not a mystical experience, you morons! My hand's stuck! HELP! GET ME DOWN FROM HERE!]]
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the Autobots are busy converting old drone rockets into [[Earth]] planes. Once their redesigns are complete, they take the ships to [[Vector Sigma]]. However, without the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], which is in the possession of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], they cannot activate the supercomputer and give Cybertronic personalities to the new bots. [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], however, intends to activate it by merging his lifeforce with the computer. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] tries to stop him, but Alpha Trion merges with the supercomputer. It gives life to the new Aerialbots: [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]], [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]], and [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]].

[[Image:KeyVectorSigma2 Omega boom.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Vulnerability to plot: disturbing.]]

The Autobots and Aerialbots prepare to leave, but Alpha Trion gives Optimus a warning: the Key to Vector Sigma will have different properties on Earth, which could destroy the planet. However, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] overhears this. Heading back to the surface, the Autobots and Aerialbots encounter more [[Centurion droid]]s, but the Aerialbots are able to get them to [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. Omega returns them to Earth, but suddenly explodes.

[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], and [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] begin working to restore Omega, while the Autobots and Aerialbots head toward the base with the [[superfuel]]. Shockwave contacts Megatron, informing him of the recent developments on Cybertron, and the Key's power, so Megatron decides to run some tests. At the base, the [[human]]s believe that the Autobots attacked them, and open fire. Slingshot is pissed, but [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] reminds them that they are simply confused. Suddenly, they detect high speed movement. Optimus initially believes that it's [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and the [[Seeker (body-type)|jets]], but it's the Stunticons, who quickly overwhelm the Autobots, forcing the Aerialbots to take to the air. Slingshot is attacked by [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]. Silverbolt goes to save him, but suddenly panics. Megatron, still testing the Key, orders the Stunticons to return to base.

[[Image:KeyVectorSigma2 key metal.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Turns everything it touches into lifeless metal. Just like Nickelback.]]

However, during the tests, [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] trips and drops the Key, causing it to discharge its energy... turning the ground below it into metal. Megatron realizes that the Key can not only give life to machines, but also turn organic matter into metal. He now has a new plan—convert Earth into a new Cybertron.

Back at the base, the Aerialbots are unimpressed with the Autobots and disgusted with the humans they are supposed to defend. Optimus confronts Silverbolt about his panic, and learns that Silverbolt is afraid of heights. In a questionable command decision, Optimus appoints Silverbolt to be Aerialbot leader, hoping it will give him something to focus on other than fear. Soon, [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] detects the energy emissions from the Key, and its result. The [[Decepticon]]s are heading toward [[Seattle]], and the Autobots roll out. Meanwhile, Silverbolt attempts to convince the Aerialbots to return to the [[Ark (G1)|base]], saying that if they're the best, they should run the place. He shows them that the Decepticons will destroy them, showing how bad they are. He also shows the humans' capacity for compassion, letting them see how Sparkplug continues to work on Omega while Ratchet goes to recharge. Convinced, the Aerialbots move out.

[[Image:KeyVectorSigma2 Superion Menasor.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Say hello to my little friend.]]

Near Seattle, the Stunticons are overwhelming the Autobots, with Optimus Prime about to be crushed to death, when the Aerialbots arrive and save the Autobot leader. Megatron and Optimus reveal their last aces in the hole, ordering the Stunticons and Aerialbots to form [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], respectively. Menasor has the strength advantage, but Omega Supreme arrives, and turns the tide. The Decepticons retreat with the Key, but Silverbolt races after Megatron, knocking the Key from his hand and switching to robot mode to destroy it. Silverbolt believes he's about to go splat, but Slingshot manages to save him. The Aerialbots are convinced to join the Autobots, while Optimus appears convinced that Alpha Trion made the right choice.

{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
* [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (2)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (3)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (4)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (5)
* [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (6)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (7)
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (9)
* [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (10)
* [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (11)
* [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (12)
* [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (13)
* [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (24)
* [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (26)
* [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (27)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (28)
* [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (30)

|c2=
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (14)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (15)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (16)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (17)
* [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (18)
* [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] (19)
* [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (20)
* [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] (21)
* [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (22)
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (29)

|c3=
* Army General (24)
* [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (25)

|c4=
* [[Vector Sigma]] (8)
* [[Centurion droid]]s (23)
}}

==Quotes==
[[Image:Omega cybertron.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Did you bring me any souvenirs?]]
"He gave himself up just so we could have some jets? That's nuts!" 
"No. ''One'' Autobot gave his life so that ''six'' could be born. He made a choice...the kind of choice I hope they'll be able to make when the time's right."
:—'''Blaster''' and '''Optimus Prime''' on the sacrifice of Alpha Trion to create the Aerialbots. Prime approves of the kamikaze concept, apparently.

"And we're sworn to protect these bird brains?"
:—'''Slingshot''', on humans

"Somebody ought to revoke those dudes' driver licenses." 
"Those guys are out of their cotton picking heads!"
:—'''Blaster''' and '''Ironhide''' after their first encounter with the Stunticons.

"He's afraid of heights, can you believe it? And you call yourself a jet."
:—'''Slingshot''' figures out Silverbolt's phobia

Skydive: "The robot ran out of power ..." 
Air Raid: "...but the human is still working! Where does he get his energy?" 
Silverbolt: "From his wellspring of concern for an Autobot. Are you ''getting the point yet?'' We owe the ''Autobots'' our ''liiivvees!''"
:—'''Silverbolt''' sets the Aerialbots straight about a couple of things.

"Aerialbots, show 'em what you've got!" 
"NO! It can't be!" 
"Surprise, Megatron! Meet Superion!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' introduces the shocked '''Megatron''' to the first Autobot combiner.

"So long, cruel world!"
:—'''Silverbolt''' after destroying the Key to Vector Sigma

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
* As Alpha Trion merges with Vector Sigma, two of Blaster's buttons suddenly merge into one.
* Vector Sigma clearly has the key stuck in the side of it when it creates the Aerialbots.
* The donor planes are missing whilst Optimus gives his request for the Aerialbots' personalities.
* Fireflight is entirely blocked by Optimus Prime's head during his introduction line. Down in front!
* In the scene where Shockwave contacts Megatron in-flight, Breakdown is colored as Silverbolt.
* As the Aerialbots leave the Ark, Silverbolt is missing his right arm.
* Blaster appears to deliver Ironhide's "Those guys are out of their cotton-pickin' heads" line.
* When Ironhide argues with Slingshot about the Decepticons retreating, his waist looks somewhat like a...skirt...until Optimus intercedes, at which point it disappears for a moment before returning to its normal design.
* Later, as Slingshot tells Ironhide that the Aerialbots don't need the Autobots, the symbol on Ironhide's chest overlaps with the area near his waist.
* When Teletraan I gives the Decepticons location, Teletraan says they are around Seattle, Tacoma, which is two cities, instead of the Seattle, Washington. Also the state of Washington isn't in Teletraan's screen during the explanation.
* In the same sequence, Optimus' smoke stacks are drawn mid-way down his shoulders.
* Slingshot appears to deliver Silverbolt's line about responsibility, and then Silverbolt continues gesticulating randomly while Slingshot delivers a lengthy retort.
* As Blaster says, "This is slaughter!," Optimus' headlights are red (with a strange pattern of panel lines) instead of white.
* On the [[Kid Rhino]] version of this episode that uses the original pre-broadcast film elements, once the key is destroyed towards the end, the forest is shown turning into metal, rather than returning to normal. This shot was corrected on broadcast, and the [[Shout! Factory]] version restores the corrected shot from the broadcast master.

===Continuity errors===
* The Autobots are in a rush to rebuild Omega Supreme, correct? So why in the world does Optimus Prime have Wheeljack - a fix-it man - come with him to visit the Earth naval base? Shouldn't Wheeljack be at headquarters, trying to help to rebuild Omega? He can be briefly seen helping Ratchet after the fight with the Stunticons.
* Megatron said that the Key To Vector Sigma "de-energizes matter, turning it into metal". If that's the case, wouldn't turning the whole planet into metal wipe out all the energy on it, making this "New Cybertron" less valuable than the legitimate Cybertron? We know Megatron is a maniacal leader, but he's acting a bit too much like Galvatron here.
* Teletraan I alerts Optimus to Megatron's use of the key, and somehow gets a visual from ''right in front'' of Megatron. Somehow Megatron doesn't notice any cameras filming him.
* Menasor picks up a building and smashes Superion with it. Hope the attack happened on a weekend, 'cause otherwise a bunch of people just ''died''!

===Transformers references===
* This is [[The Key|not the last]] you'll hear of the Key to Vector Sigma. The Key, and, in particular, its ability to transform organic material into techno-matter play a key role in the events of ''[[Beast Machines (franchise)|Beast Machines]]''.
===Real-world references===
* The sound effect used for Omega Supreme's brain pulses is the same one used for the [[Dalek]] control rooms in all episodes of ''[[Doctor (G1)|Doctor Who]]'' since 1963. It had previously been used in [[Microbots]].

===Trivia===
*The tank vehicles seen at the army base are the M.O.B.A.T. and the Armadillo from the ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' animated series.
*The Aerialbots conclude that humans are worthless after watching [[television]]. Should this tell us something?
*During the script stage, this episode had the sub-title "Fury of the Aerialbots".
*In this episode, Superion and Menasor are voiced by [[Frank Welker]] and [[Roger C. Carmel]] respectively, but from their next appearances onwards, the characters were both recast with new voices ([[Ed Gilbert]] and [[Regis Cordic]], again respectively).
*The shooting scripts for both installments of this two-parter contain several "deleted scenes" which expand greatly upon some of the more significant events in the story. In this episode:
**Omega Supreme repairs himself after his battle with Shockwave (deleted from Part 1, although this episode contains a vestigial reference to it, when Ironhide says remarks: "Now all we've gotta do is hope that Shockwave didn't get the better of Omega Supreme!"), but is only able to do a rudimentary job, noting that his personal survival is "highly improbable." It is ''this'' which causes Omega to explode upon his return to Earth—he willingly puts himself in danger to bring the Autobots back so they can stop the Stunticons.
**Later in the episode, when the Aerialbots watch as Sparkplug works to repair Omega, Sparkplug turns on the young punks, explaining what caused Omega to explode, making them realize what he did for them, and what they owe the Autobots. This is very much in contrast to the complete non sequitur of the finished episode, in which the fact that Sparkplug can continue working when Ratchet can't, and then Silverbolt makes the Aerialbots somehow realize that they owe the Autobots their lives.
**Additionally, there are some extended scenes of Prime reaffirming that there are six Aerialbots, to squash the subtlety of the hint at Superion, and the Aerialbots watching more television.
* This is the last appearance of Sparkplug Witwicky.
* This is one of the very few episodes where Megatron insults Soundwave. Even then, Soundwave tripping on a branch ultimately leads to what Megatron believes to be an phenomenal discovery.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1986 — ''The Transformers'' — The Key to Vector Sigma & War Dawn ([[Video Gems|A.M.T. Video Gems]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1988 — ''The Transformers'' — The Key to Vector Sigma & War Dawn ([[Video Gems|V.I.P. Video Gems]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1991 — ''The Transformers'' — The Key to Vector Sigma ([[Video Gems|Little Gems Video Club]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2000 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume 4: The Key to Vector Sigma ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 7 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 06: Stagione Due Parte Quarta ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (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]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)

==External links==
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/the_key_to_vector_sigma_part_2.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}
[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]