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Race

2015-07-13T20:11:30Z

Cyclonus: /* Trivia */

{{episode
|series=Cybertron
|ep=14
|series2=Galaxy Force
|ep2=15
|title="Race"
|japanese=バドとホップの都会旅行
|romaji=Bud to Hop no Tokairyokō
|translation=Bud and Hop's Trip to the City
|image=Cyb_ep14_override_victorious.jpg
|caption= Insert Speed Racer reference here.
|production code=
|production company=[[TV Aichi]], [[We've]], [[Tōkyū Agency]]
|writer=[[Kazuhisa Sakaguchi]]
|director=[[Masashi Nagao]]
|animation studio=[[GONZO]]
|airdate=[[April 16]], [[2005]] (Japanese) [[September 17]], 2005
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy cartoon timeline|Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''While the great race kicks into high gear on Velocitron, Bud and Lori go undercover on Earth, and Starscream recruits a new Decepticon.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Cyb ep14 secret mission.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2]]

On [[Velocitron]], the great race for the [[Planet Cup]] has finally begun! [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] and [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] battle it out for the lead, while the other [[Autobot]]s keep an eye on [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] and [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]]. [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] blocks the two goons' path, while [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] and [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] watch them from behind. The two trouble-makers allow the Autobots to pass...but only so they can fire on them from behind! The explosions catch Hot Shot's attention, but Prime encourages him to leave things to the other Autobots and for him to focus on winning.

Video of the race is transmitted to the Autobots [[Earth]], where it proves to be the only entertainment available for [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], who is caught in a traffic jam in the city, having been sent there on a mission with [[Lori Jiménez|Lori]] and the [[Recon Mini-Con Team]] by [[Vector Prime]]. Bud is not happy to be in the noisy, cramped city, but Lori is thrilled to be back in her element. Once they get out of the traffic jam, Jolt leads the team to a university campus to search for a strange gear-shaped artifact, but when they try to sneak inside, a security guard chases after them.

[[File:Cyb ep14 little red wagon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|haw haw.]]

Back with the race, Ransack transforms to [[robot mode]] and leaps on top of Crumplezone, using his new position to launch a spring that hooks onto Optimus Prime's rear end. The spring catapults Ransack ahead of the Autobots, where he unleashes a smokescreen that allows Crumplezone to sneak up to join him. The pair then switch positions, with Crumplezone riding on top of Ransack! They draw up level with Hot Shot and Dirt Boss, and are able to cause the two racers to crash into each other, allowing them to pull ahead. Hot Shot recovers from his spin first, and gives chase.

[[File:Cyb ep14 mudflap recruited.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Typical, the two guys with Generation 1 counterparts bully the new character.]]

Also watching the race from Earth are [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]], who are soon contacted by [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. When Megatron instructs Starscream to go to Velocitron and aid Crumplezone and Ransack, Starscream refuses point-blank and Megatron silently terminates their communication links. Thundercracker is shocked at his actions, but Starscream intimates that it is time for them to start making some decision for themselves, and their first one is to approach the civilian Autobot, [[Mudflap (Cybertron)|Mudflap]]. A fight immediately breaks out between Thundercracker and Mudflap, but Starscream steps in to stop the brawl and offers Mudflap membership in the [[Decepticon]]s. Unable to fathom humans and discontented with life on Earth in general, Mudflap is swayed by Starscream's honeyed words and agrees. Switching his symbol to a Decepticon [[insignia]], Mudflap hops aboard Thundercracker and is taken back to the [[fire dimension]], leaving Starscream to cackle to himself at the beginning of the "fall of Megatron".

[[File:Cyb ep14 kids meet suzuki.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|So, what do you think of the caption?]]

Meanwhile, Bud and Lori manage to evade the campus security guard by ducking into a room. No sooner do they have time to observe that the room is a mess before someone else enters, and the pair quickly dive into a supply closet. Their hiding place is immediately discovered when the female professor who has just entered spills a cup of orange juice and opens the closet in search of cleaning supplies. Surprisingly enough, she takes this quite well, introduces herself as Professor [[Lucy Suzuki]], and even shows the kids her collection of strange archaeological artefacts, which she believes to be alien in origin. One of the pieces turns out to be the object Bud and Lori are looking for, so the kids quickly excuse themselves and depart. Lucy is poised to go after them before she gets a phone call from the front desk to inform her that [[Mike Franklin|someone from the government]] is here to see her urgently...

[[File:Cyb ep14 feeling flat.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Crumplezone and Ransack hass planzzz]]

Back on Velocitron, Crumplezone and Ransack use their lead to blast out a bridge, leaving Dirt Boss and all the Autobots behind them unable to proceed. Optimus helps Hot Shot clear the gap by driving off the edge into mid-air and using his cannons as a ramp for Hot Shot to vault off of, making it safely to the other side. Dirt Boss, meanwhile, goes off road, and quickly closes the gap on Crumplezone and Ransack, crashing down on top of them from above and flattening them down into the asphalt. While all this excitement goes on, Override crosses the finish line in first place, and Hot Shot then uses his [[Cyber Key]] Power to take second, securing his position in the next heat of the race.

Across the galaxy on [[Animatron|Jungle Planet]] , [[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]] entreats [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] to listen to [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]]'s pleas. Unfortunately, Overhaul's gruff, confrontational manner means that the "discussion" doesn't go very well, almost immediately degenerating into a face-off between the two...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] (2)
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]] (8)
*[[Clocker (Cybertron)|Clocker]] (9)
*[[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] (10)
*[[Vector Prime]] (11)
*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (12)
*[[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] (14)
*[[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] (15)
*[[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]] (17)
*[[Six-Speed]] (18)
*[[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] (20)
*[[Snarl (Cybertron)|Snarl]] (29)
*[[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] (31)
*[[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]] (32)

|c2=
*[[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] (3)
*[[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] (6)
*[[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] (7)
*[[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] (22)
*[[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (23)
*[[Mudflap (Cybertron)|Mudflap]] (24)
*[[Undermine (Cybertron)|Undermine]] (27)
*[[Brimstone (Cybertron)|Brimstone]] (28)
*[[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] (30)

|c3=
*[[Coby Hansen]] (13)
*[[Bud Hansen]] (16)
*[[Lori Jiménez|Lori]] (19)
*Campus guard (21)
*[[Lucy Suzuki]] (25)
*[[Mike Franklin]] (26)

|c4=
*Race announcer (1)
}}

==Quotes==
"My theory... is that the item... is in a ''room''."
:—Elementary, my dear '''Bud'''!

"Has Crumplezone overheated and mistaken Ransack for his little red wagon?"
:—'''Race announcer''' after Crumplezone jumps upon Ransack

"You rode on ''my'' back!"
:—'''Crumplezone''', on why he is riding Ransack

"What's weeth zeez humans, anyway? Zey are one bunch of deesorderly cats, eh?"
:—Zut alors! '''Mudflap''' is French! Why? Dang if we know!

"Ask yourself, friend, why is Optimus Prime so concerned with humans? Shouldn't the focus be on us? Do you enjoy a life suffering humans?" 
"No. I don't." 
"Just join with me, and you will no longer have to worry about trivial human problems!" 
"But... you are evil. So is Megatron." 
"That, Mudflap, is an unfortunate misunderstanding! The Decepticons and the Autobots want the same thing! We all live in the same universe. ''We're'' just trying to save it with a more ''direct'' method." 
"Hmmm..." 
"You ''know'' I'm right." 
"...we should come first! Forget the humans! I'll join!"
:—'''Starscream''' wins over '''Mudflap'''

==Notes==
===Differences with ''Galaxy Force''===

This episode features no notable changes from the ''Galaxy Force'' version, beyond the usual modifications and extensions made to dialogue and music.

===Transformers references===
*The ''Galaxy Force'' version of "[[Ship]]" had Vector Prime inform the kids he had something for them to do while he was on Velocitron. While it's not directly stated, evidently, this mission was the task in question.
*Thundercracker says of Mudflap, "This guy's about as neighborly as a hungry [[Tigatron]]!"
*The mysterious government operative previously appeared in "[[Hidden]]" and "[[Collapse]].

===Real-world references===

*Bud dubs Jolt "Double-Oh-Zero", a variation of famous spy [[Wikipedia: James Bond|James Bond]]'s codename, Double-Oh-Seven (the joke is also in ''Galaxy Force'', though the term used is "0099"). Bud later does his best impression of Bond-as-played-by-[[wikipedia:Sean Connery|Sean Connery]], referring to a "Miss Pennymoney" (a reference to Bond's eternally unrequited love interest, Miss Moneypenny).
*Hotshot says "I've got a long way to go and a short time to get there"; a clear reference to the popular Jerry Reed song 'Eastbound And Down" which was featured in the equally as popular action film 'Smokey and the Bandit' starring Burt Reynolds.

===Trivia===
*"Race" was the last episode of ''Cybertron'' to premiere on [[Cartoon Network]] in 2005; following its broadcast, the series moved to [[Kids' WB]] and switched to a daily broadcast, beginning with the debut of the first two episodes of the series, "[[Fallen (episode)|Fallen]]" and "[[Haven]]", which Cartoon Network had originally skipped.
*The unknown actor who replaced [[Ryan Hirakida]] as Bud in "[[Hero (episode)|Hero]]" continues to voice the character in this episode.
*Ransack is somehow able to bear Crumplezone's weight without appreciably slowing down. What is ''in'' that guy's Energon?
*Megatron is still being nursed back to health in a green filter-like bubble after damages he sustained at the end of the episode 'Ship'.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2005 — ''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 04 ([[Victor Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Cybertron'' — The Ultimate Collection ([[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]])

[[Category:Cybertron episodes]]

Race

2015-07-13T20:09:38Z

Cyclonus:

{{episode
|series=Cybertron
|ep=14
|series2=Galaxy Force
|ep2=15
|title="Race"
|japanese=バドとホップの都会旅行
|romaji=Bud to Hop no Tokairyokō
|translation=Bud and Hop's Trip to the City
|image=Cyb_ep14_override_victorious.jpg
|caption= Insert Speed Racer reference here.
|production code=
|production company=[[TV Aichi]], [[We've]], [[Tōkyū Agency]]
|writer=[[Kazuhisa Sakaguchi]]
|director=[[Masashi Nagao]]
|animation studio=[[GONZO]]
|airdate=[[April 16]], [[2005]] (Japanese) [[September 17]], 2005
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy cartoon timeline|Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''While the great race kicks into high gear on Velocitron, Bud and Lori go undercover on Earth, and Starscream recruits a new Decepticon.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Cyb ep14 secret mission.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2]]

On [[Velocitron]], the great race for the [[Planet Cup]] has finally begun! [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] and [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] battle it out for the lead, while the other [[Autobot]]s keep an eye on [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] and [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]]. [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] blocks the two goons' path, while [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] and [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] watch them from behind. The two trouble-makers allow the Autobots to pass...but only so they can fire on them from behind! The explosions catch Hot Shot's attention, but Prime encourages him to leave things to the other Autobots and for him to focus on winning.

Video of the race is transmitted to the Autobots [[Earth]], where it proves to be the only entertainment available for [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], who is caught in a traffic jam in the city, having been sent there on a mission with [[Lori Jiménez|Lori]] and the [[Recon Mini-Con Team]] by [[Vector Prime]]. Bud is not happy to be in the noisy, cramped city, but Lori is thrilled to be back in her element. Once they get out of the traffic jam, Jolt leads the team to a university campus to search for a strange gear-shaped artifact, but when they try to sneak inside, a security guard chases after them.

[[File:Cyb ep14 little red wagon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|haw haw.]]

Back with the race, Ransack transforms to [[robot mode]] and leaps on top of Crumplezone, using his new position to launch a spring that hooks onto Optimus Prime's rear end. The spring catapults Ransack ahead of the Autobots, where he unleashes a smokescreen that allows Crumplezone to sneak up to join him. The pair then switch positions, with Crumplezone riding on top of Ransack! They draw up level with Hot Shot and Dirt Boss, and are able to cause the two racers to crash into each other, allowing them to pull ahead. Hot Shot recovers from his spin first, and gives chase.

[[File:Cyb ep14 mudflap recruited.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Typical, the two guys with Generation 1 counterparts bully the new character.]]

Also watching the race from Earth are [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]], who are soon contacted by [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. When Megatron instructs Starscream to go to Velocitron and aid Crumplezone and Ransack, Starscream refuses point-blank and Megatron silently terminates their communication links. Thundercracker is shocked at his actions, but Starscream intimates that it is time for them to start making some decision for themselves, and their first one is to approach the civilian Autobot, [[Mudflap (Cybertron)|Mudflap]]. A fight immediately breaks out between Thundercracker and Mudflap, but Starscream steps in to stop the brawl and offers Mudflap membership in the [[Decepticon]]s. Unable to fathom humans and discontented with life on Earth in general, Mudflap is swayed by Starscream's honeyed words and agrees. Switching his symbol to a Decepticon [[insignia]], Mudflap hops aboard Thundercracker and is taken back to the [[fire dimension]], leaving Starscream to cackle to himself at the beginning of the "fall of Megatron".

[[File:Cyb ep14 kids meet suzuki.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|So, what do you think of the caption?]]

Meanwhile, Bud and Lori manage to evade the campus security guard by ducking into a room. No sooner do they have time to observe that the room is a mess before someone else enters, and the pair quickly dive into a supply closet. Their hiding place is immediately discovered when the female professor who has just entered spills a cup of orange juice and opens the closet in search of cleaning supplies. Surprisingly enough, she takes this quite well, introduces herself as Professor [[Lucy Suzuki]], and even shows the kids her collection of strange archaeological artefacts, which she believes to be alien in origin. One of the pieces turns out to be the object Bud and Lori are looking for, so the kids quickly excuse themselves and depart. Lucy is poised to go after them before she gets a phone call from the front desk to inform her that [[Mike Franklin|someone from the government]] is here to see her urgently...

[[File:Cyb ep14 feeling flat.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Crumplezone and Ransack hass planzzz]]

Back on Velocitron, Crumplezone and Ransack use their lead to blast out a bridge, leaving Dirt Boss and all the Autobots behind them unable to proceed. Optimus helps Hot Shot clear the gap by driving off the edge into mid-air and using his cannons as a ramp for Hot Shot to vault off of, making it safely to the other side. Dirt Boss, meanwhile, goes off road, and quickly closes the gap on Crumplezone and Ransack, crashing down on top of them from above and flattening them down into the asphalt. While all this excitement goes on, Override crosses the finish line in first place, and Hot Shot then uses his [[Cyber Key]] Power to take second, securing his position in the next heat of the race.

Across the galaxy on [[Animatron|Jungle Planet]] , [[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]] entreats [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] to listen to [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]]'s pleas. Unfortunately, Overhaul's gruff, confrontational manner means that the "discussion" doesn't go very well, almost immediately degenerating into a face-off between the two...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] (2)
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]] (8)
*[[Clocker (Cybertron)|Clocker]] (9)
*[[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] (10)
*[[Vector Prime]] (11)
*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (12)
*[[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] (14)
*[[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] (15)
*[[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]] (17)
*[[Six-Speed]] (18)
*[[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] (20)
*[[Snarl (Cybertron)|Snarl]] (29)
*[[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] (31)
*[[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]] (32)

|c2=
*[[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] (3)
*[[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] (6)
*[[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] (7)
*[[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] (22)
*[[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (23)
*[[Mudflap (Cybertron)|Mudflap]] (24)
*[[Undermine (Cybertron)|Undermine]] (27)
*[[Brimstone (Cybertron)|Brimstone]] (28)
*[[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] (30)

|c3=
*[[Coby Hansen]] (13)
*[[Bud Hansen]] (16)
*[[Lori Jiménez|Lori]] (19)
*Campus guard (21)
*[[Lucy Suzuki]] (25)
*[[Mike Franklin]] (26)

|c4=
*Race announcer (1)
}}

==Quotes==
"My theory... is that the item... is in a ''room''."
:—Elementary, my dear '''Bud'''!

"Has Crumplezone overheated and mistaken Ransack for his little red wagon?"
:—'''Race announcer''' after Crumplezone jumps upon Ransack

"You rode on ''my'' back!"
:—'''Crumplezone''', on why he is riding Ransack

"What's weeth zeez humans, anyway? Zey are one bunch of deesorderly cats, eh?"
:—Zut alors! '''Mudflap''' is French! Why? Dang if we know!

"Ask yourself, friend, why is Optimus Prime so concerned with humans? Shouldn't the focus be on us? Do you enjoy a life suffering humans?" 
"No. I don't." 
"Just join with me, and you will no longer have to worry about trivial human problems!" 
"But... you are evil. So is Megatron." 
"That, Mudflap, is an unfortunate misunderstanding! The Decepticons and the Autobots want the same thing! We all live in the same universe. ''We're'' just trying to save it with a more ''direct'' method." 
"Hmmm..." 
"You ''know'' I'm right." 
"...we should come first! Forget the humans! I'll join!"
:—'''Starscream''' wins over '''Mudflap'''

==Notes==
===Differences with ''Galaxy Force''===

This episode features no notable changes from the ''Galaxy Force'' version, beyond the usual modifications and extensions made to dialogue and music.

===Transformers references===
*The ''Galaxy Force'' version of "[[Ship]]" had Vector Prime inform the kids he had something for them to do while he was on Velocitron. While it's not directly stated, evidently, this mission was the task in question.
*Thundercracker says of Mudflap, "This guy's about as neighborly as a hungry [[Tigatron]]!"
*The mysterious government operative previously appeared in "[[Hidden]]" and "[[Collapse]].

===Real-world references===

*Bud dubs Jolt "Double-Oh-Zero", a variation of famous spy [[Wikipedia: James Bond|James Bond]]'s codename, Double-Oh-Seven (the joke is also in ''Galaxy Force'', though the term used is "0099"). Bud later does his best impression of Bond-as-played-by-[[wikipedia:Sean Connery|Sean Connery]], referring to a "Miss Pennymoney" (a reference to Bond's eternally unrequited love interest, Miss Moneypenny).
*Hotshot says "I've got a long way to go and a short time to get there"; a clear reference to the popular Jerry Reed song 'Eastbound And Down" which was featured in the equally as popular action film 'Smokey and the Bandit' starring Burt Reynolds.

===Trivia===
*"Race" was the last episode of ''Cybertron'' to premiere on [[Cartoon Network]] in 2005; following its broadcast, the series moved to [[Kids' WB]] and switched to a daily broadcast, beginning with the debut of the first two episodes of the series, "[[Fallen (episode)|Fallen]]" and "[[Haven]]", which Cartoon Network had originally skipped.
*The unknown actor who replaced [[Ryan Hirakida]] as Bud in "[[Hero (episode)|Hero]]" continues to voice the character in this episode.
*Ransack is somehow able to bear Crumplezone's weight without appreciably slowing down. What is ''in'' that guy's Energon?
*The green filter that tinges Megatron's brief communication with Starscream indicate that he's still in his unexplained regeneration bubble-thingy, as seen in the previous episode. This is the last we see of this little oddity; at the start of the next episode, he rolls up in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] and no mention is made of it again. It ''does'' seem a bit similar to his means of regeneration in [[Darkness (episode)|a later episode]]...(A possible explanation is that Megatron's power is constantly increasing throughout the series, so when he is injured in later episodes, he can recover without the regenerative bubble.) Another theory is that Megatron was being restored to full health after being almost destroyed in the episode 'Ship'.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2005 — ''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 04 ([[Victor Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Cybertron'' — The Ultimate Collection ([[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]])

[[Category:Cybertron episodes]]

Race

2014-01-02T13:40:18Z

Cyclonus: /* Real-world references */

{{episode
|series=Cybertron
|ep=14
|series2=Galaxy Force
|ep2=15
|title="Race"
|japanese=バドとホップの都会旅行
|romaji=Bud to Hop no Tokairyokō
|translation=Bud and Hop's Trip to the City
|image=Cyb_ep14_override_victorious.jpg
|caption=
|production code=
|production company=[[TV Aichi]], [[We've]], [[Tōkyū Agency]]
|writer=[[Kazuhisa Sakaguchi]]
|director=[[Masashi Nagao]]
|animation studio=[[GONZO]]
|airdate=[[April 16]], [[2005]] (Japanese) [[September 17]], 2005
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy cartoon timeline|Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''While the great race kicks into high gear on Velocitron, Bud and Lori go undercover on Earth, and Starscream recruits a new Decepticon.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Cyb ep14 secret mission.jpg|left|thumb|220px]]

On [[Velocitron]], the great race for the [[Planet Cup]] has finally begun! [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] and [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] battle it out for the lead, while the other [[Autobot]]s keep an eye on [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] and [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]]. [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] blocks the two goons' path, while [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] and [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] watch them from behind. The two trouble-makers allow the Autobots to pass...but only so they can fire on them from behind! The explosions catch Hot Shot's attention, but Prime encourages him to leave things to the other Autobots and for him to focus on winning.

Video of the race is transmitted to the Autobots [[Earth]], where it proves to be the only entertainment available for [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], who is caught in a traffic jam in the city, having been sent there on a mission with [[Lori]] and the [[Recon Mini-Con Team]] by [[Vector Prime]]. Bud is not happy to be in the noisy, cramped city, but Lori is thrilled to be back in her element. Once they get out of the traffic jam, Jolt leads the team to a university campus to search for a strange gear-shaped artifact, but when they try to sneak inside, a security guard chases after them.

[[File:Cyb ep14 little red wagon.jpg|thumb|220px]]

Back with the race, Ransack transforms to robot mode and leaps on top of Crumplezone, using his new position to launch a spring that hooks onto Optimus Prime's rear end. The spring catapults Ransack ahead of the Autobots, where he unleashes a smokescreen that allows Crumplezone to sneak up to join him. The pair then switch positions, with Crumplezone riding on top of Ransack! They draw up level with Hot Shot and Dirt Boss, and are able to cause the two racers to crash into each other, allowing them to pull ahead. Hot Shot recovers from his spin first, and gives chase.

[[File:Cyb ep14 mudflap recruited.jpg|left|thumb|220px|Typical, the two guys with Generation 1 counterparts bully the new character.]]

Also watching the race from Earth are [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] and [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]], who are soon contacted by [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. When Megatron instructs Starscream to go to Velocitron and aid Crumplezone and Ransack, Starscream refuses point-blank and Megatron silently terminates their communication links. Thundercracker is shocked at his actions, but Starscream intimates that it is time for them to start making some decision for themselves, and their first one is to approach the civilian Autobot, [[Mudflap (Cybertron)|Mudflap]]. A fight immediately breaks out between Thundercracker and Mudflap, but Starscream steps in to stop the brawl and offers Mudflap membership in the [[Decepticon]]s. Unable to fathom humans and discontented with life on Earth in general, Mudflap is swayed by Starscream's honeyed words and agrees. Switching his symbol to a Decepticon [[insignia]], Mudflap hops aboard Thundercracker and is taken back to the [[fire dimension]], leaving Starscream to cackle to himself at the beginning of the "fall of Megatron".

[[File:Cyb ep14 kids meet suzuki.jpg|thumb|220px|So, what do you think of the caption?]]

Meanwhile, Bud and Lori manage to evade the campus security guard by ducking into a room. No sooner do they have time to observe that the room is a mess before someone else enters, and the pair quickly dive into a supply closet. Their hiding place is immediately discovered when the female professor who has just entered spills a cup of orange juice and opens the closet in search of cleaning supplies. Surprisingly enough, she takes this quite well, introduces herself as Professor [[Lucy Suzuki]], and even shows the kids her collection of strange archaeological artefacts, which she believes to be alien in origin. One of the pieces turns out to be the object Bud and Lori are looking for, so the kids quickly excuse themselves and depart. Lucy is poised to go after them before she gets a phone call from the front desk to inform her that [[Mike Franklin|someone from the government]] is here to see her urgently...

[[File:Cyb ep14 feeling flat.jpg|left|thumb|220px]]

Back on Velocitron, Crumplezone and Ransack use their lead to blast out a bridge, leaving Dirt Boss and all the Autobots behind them unable to proceed. Optimus helps Hot Shot clear the gap by driving off the edge into mid-air and using his cannons as a ramp for Hot Shot to vault off of, making it safely to the other side. Dirt Boss, meanwhile, goes off road, and quickly closes the gap on Crumplezone and Ransack, crashing down on top of them from above and flattening them down into the asphalt. While all this excitement goes on, Override crosses the finish line in first place, and Hot Shot then uses his [[Cyber Key]] Power to take second, securing his position in the next heat of the race.

Across the galaxy on [[Animatron|Jungle Planet]] , [[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]] entreats [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] to listen to [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]]'s pleas. Unfortunately, Overhaul's gruff, confrontational manner means that the "discussion" doesn't go very well, almost immediately degenerating into a face-off between the two...
{{-}}
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] (2)
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]] (8)
*[[Clocker (Cybertron)|Clocker]] (9)
*[[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] (10)
*[[Vector Prime]] (11)
*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (12)
*[[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] (14)
*[[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] (15)
*[[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]] (17)
*[[Six-Speed]] (18)
*[[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] (20)
*[[Snarl (Cybertron)|Snarl]] (29)
*[[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] (31)
*[[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]] (32)

|c2=
*[[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] (3)
*[[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] (6)
*[[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] (7)
*[[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] (22)
*[[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (23)
*[[Mudflap (Cybertron)|Mudflap]] (24)
*[[Undermine (Cybertron)|Undermine]] (27)
*[[Brimstone (Cybertron)|Brimstone]] (28)
*[[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] (30)

|c3=
*[[Coby Hansen]] (13)
*[[Bud Hansen]] (16)
*[[Lori]] (19)
*Campus guard (21)
*[[Lucy Suzuki]] (25)
*[[Mike Franklin]] (26)

|c4=
*Race announcer (1)
}}

==Quotes==
"My theory... is that the item... is in a ''room''."
:—Elementary, my dear '''Bud'''!

"Has Crumplezone overheated and mistaken Ransack for his little red wagon?"
:—'''Race announcer''' after Crumplezone jumps upon Ransack

"You rode on ''my'' back!"
:—'''Crumplezone''', on why he is riding Ransack

"What's weeth zeez humans, anyway? Zey are one bunch of deesorderly cats, eh?"
:—Zut alors! '''Mudflap''' is French! Why? Dang if we know!

"Ask yourself, friend, why is Optimus Prime so concerned with humans? Shouldn't the focus be on us? Do you enjoy a life suffering humans?" 
"No. I don't." 
"Just join with me, and you will no longer have to worry about trivial human problems!" 
"But... you are evil. So is Megatron." 
"That, Mudflap, is an unfortunate misunderstanding! The Decepticons and the Autobots want the same thing! We all live in the same universe. ''We're'' just trying to save it with a more ''direct'' method." 
"Hmmm..." 
"You ''know'' I'm right." 
"...we should come first! Forget the humans! I'll join!"
:—'''Starscream''' wins over '''Mudflap'''

==Notes==
===Differences with ''Galaxy Force''===

This episode features no notable changes from the ''Galaxy Force'' version, beyond the usual modifications and extensions made to dialogue and music.

===Transformers references===
*The ''Galaxy Force'' version of "[[Ship]]" had Vector Prime inform the kids he had something for them to do while he was on Velocitron. While it's not directly stated, evidently, this mission was the task in question.
*Thundercracker says of Mudflap, "This guy's about as neighborly as a hungry [[Tigatron]]!"
*The mysterious government operative previously appeared in "[[Hidden]]" and "[[Collapse]].

===Real-world references===

*Bud dubs Jolt "Double-Oh-Zero", a variation of famous spy [[Wikipedia: James Bond|James Bond]]'s codename, Double-Oh-Seven (the joke is also in ''Galaxy Force'', though the term used is "0099"). Bud later does his best impression of Bond-as-played-by-[[wikipedia:Sean Connery|Sean Connery]], referring to a "Miss Pennymoney" (a reference to Bond's eternally unrequited love interest, Miss Moneypenny).
*Hotshot says "I've got a long way to go and a short time to get there"; a clear reference to the popular Jerry Reed song 'Eastbound And Down" which was featured in the equally as popular action film 'Smokey and the Bandit' starring Burt Reynolds.

===Trivia===
*"Race" was the last episode of ''Cybertron'' to premiere on [[Cartoon Network]] in 2005; following its broadcast, the series moved to [[Kids' WB]] and switched to a daily broadcast, beginning with the debut of the first two episodes of the series, "[[Fallen (episode)|Fallen]]" and "[[Haven]]", which Cartoon Network had originally skipped.
*The unknown actor who replaced [[Ryan Hirakida]] as Bud in "[[Hero (episode)|Hero]]" continues to voice the character in this episode.
*Ransack is somehow able to bear Crumplezone's weight without appreciably slowing down. What is ''in'' that guy's Energon?
*The green filter that tinges Megatron's brief communication with Starscream indicate that he's still in his unexplained regeneration bubble-thingy, as seen in the previous episode. This is the last we see of this little oddity; at the start of the next episode, he rolls up in vehicle mode and no mention is made of it again. It ''does'' seem a bit similar to his means of regeneration in [[Darkness (episode)|a later episode]]...(A possible explanation is that Megatron's power is constantly increasing throughout the series, so when he is injured in later episodes, he can recover without the regenerative bubble.)

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2005 — ''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 04 ([[Victor Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Cybertron'' — The Ultimate Collection ([[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]])

[[Category:Cybertron episodes]]

Energon Grid (episode)

2013-12-04T12:29:20Z

Cyclonus:

{{disambig2|the ''Energon'' episode|the protective planetary shield|energon grid}}
{{episode|
|series=Energon
|ep=14
|prev=Kicker Beware!
|next=Rodimus Friend or Foe?
|title="Energon Grid"
|japanese=エネルゴングリッド発動
|romaji=Energon Grid Hatsudō
|translation=Energon Grid Engaged
|image=E14_titlecard.jpg
|caption=Because the ''Armada'' grid is so passé.
|production code=
|production company=[[TV Tokyo]], [[Nihon Ad Systems|NAS]]
|writer=[[Akira Okeya]]
|director=[[Naoki Ōhira]]
|animation studio=[[Actas Inc.|Actas]], [[Studio A-CAT]] (3D)
|airdate=[[April 9|9 April]] [[2004]] (Japanese) [[July 1]], 2004 (English)
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy]]
}}

'''Megatron creates three giant comets and launches them at the Earth, intending to devastate the planet.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Unicron]]'s body shakes and rattles, as [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] struggles to create several cucumber-shaped "comets" to destroy [[Earth]] and the [[Autobot]]s, inspired by [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]]'s attempt to crush the Autobots with the mobile fortress on the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]. Scorponok is angry that he's not leading the mission, as [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] and the others push the comets toward [[Earth]]. [[Alpha Quintesson|Alpha Q]] observes and speculates that this will destroy the whole planet... making it easy for him to collect the [[energon]].

[[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] detects the three comets approaching. Scorponok wonders why they aren't using the warp gate; Tidal Wave replies that the purpose of the attack is to strike fear into the [[human]]s.

[[File:Energon-Cel-Megatron-Straining.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Megatron strains so hard the CGI renderer can't keep up.]]

The Autobots work to get the [[energon grid]] fully operational before the comets arrive in six hours. [[Lunar City]] is protected, and the troops move on to [[Ocean City]]. Soon only [[Desert City]] remains, but the tower output there isn't at full strength yet. [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]], [[Misha Miramond|Misha]] and [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]] wait for the fireworks.

Megatron decides that once all the humans are dead, he wants their [[spark]]s brought to him, so he can create a new batch of soldiers. [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] tells him that won't work.

[[Brian Jones (Energon)|Dr. Jones]] still can't locate the problem, so Kicker and Misha head to [[Desert City]] aboard [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], with Ironhide following. Jetfire lifts Kicker and Ironhide up to the suborbital portion of the tower.

As the reformatted [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] remains bound to the wall, Megatron laughs in anticipation of Earth's destruction and the Autobots' fear. Demolishor reflects that he's becoming mad with his own power, but when Megatron asks, he simply offers up that [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s destruction will be a good thing.

[[File:Energon-Optimus-And-Dr-Jones.jpg‎|200px|thumb|C'mon, gizza lookee!]]

Prime and [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] meet up with Jetfire in space. If the grids fail, Lunar City will be the front line, and the Autobots will have to stop the comets themselves. Alpha Q watches and speculates that they can't possibly do it, and that the energon will be his soon.

Ironhide lowers Kicker deep into the darkness of the tower, noting as he does that if they don't fix the problem, it's all over. Ironhide wonders why humans bother struggling to survive when they have such short lives; Kicker replies that it's just part of being alive, and that every human wants to live as long as possible. Ironhide doesn't quite get it.

Suddenly, Kicker sees something in the darkness. Ironhide's lights reveal a pair of blue-colored [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon]]s, who attack. Ironhide shoots down their [[energon weapon]]s. Alpha Q tells "[[Blackout (Terrorcon)|Blackout]]" that he must not shoot at the human and the Autobot...a voice that Kicker hears. Alpha Q reviews Ironhide and Kicker's conversation.

[[File:Energon-Rodimus-Into-Torpedo.jpg‎|200px|thumb|left|Geronimo!]]

Kicker reports in to Misha, who sends a [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] to check out the problem. Ironhide and Kicker suddenly see several inert [[Omnicon]]s below the two Terrorcons. They deduce that there was a battle; Misha says they can't get there in time, and Kicker will have to handle it.

The comets have passed [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], so Prime's team prepares to engage them.

Kicker takes Ironhide's [[energon star]], reasoning that it will lure the Terrorcons out. When they fail to follow, he realizes that they're damaged and can't fly, so he leaps down to them. They open fire, hitting Ironhide.

The comets are nearly to Earth. Megatron and Demolishor arrive to watch the show, the latter not so happy about it. At Lunar City, [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] orders the city's defenses to attack the passing comet; Prime's team also attacks, though it seems to be doing little good.

[[File:Energon-Kicker-Feed-Terrorcons.jpg|200px|thumb|Eat up, my pretties...]]

Kicker offers the energon star to the Terrorcons, saying that they just need a little help. Alpha Q is intrigued.

Suddenly, Hot Shot and Prime see a fleet of blue-hued Terrorcons approaching... led by [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]]! The creatures smash into the comet, breaching its hull; Rodimus enters and destroys it from within. Megatron responds by deciding to smash the other two into Earth.

The Terrorcons eat the energon and self-heal; Kicker calls in to Misha. Outside, the other two are approaching. Prime's team magically glows with the power of energon, and tries to push them away. Megatron observes with delight, as tidal waves begin to rise on Earth. Dr. Jones orders Prime's team to clear out, as the grid activates just in time, destroying the comets. The [[Decepticon]]s retreat under fire from Ocean City, and the Autobots enjoy the fireworks.

Kicker senses a ship of unknown origin, landing near the city. He realizes it's come to pick up the two stray Terrorcons. It lifts off into the sky and through the grid. Ironhide realizes it's a [[Transformer|Cybertronian]] ship and wonders who's piloting it; Kicker votes to just let them go, certain that it's a friend, possibly Rodimus. Ironhide reveals that he put a homing device on one of the Terrorcons, which he regards as a great joke on Kicker, prompting Kicker to kick him.

Alpha Q wonders why he helped the Autobots, and how Rodimus controls the Terrorcons; he decides that Kicker is the key to the energon.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (8)
* [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] (9)
* [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]] (11)
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] (14)
* [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]] (15)
* [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] (16)
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (17)
* [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]] (16)

|c2=
* [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] (1)
* [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (2)
* [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] (3)
* [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Snow Cat]] (4)
* [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] (5)

|c3=
* [[Carlos Lopez]] (7)
* [[Brian Jones (Energon)|Brian Jones]] (10)
* [[Misha Miramond]] (12)
* [[Kicker Jones]] (13)

|c4=
* [[Alpha Quintesson]] (6)
* [[Blackout (Terrorcon)|Blackout]] (14)
* [[Blackout (Terrorcon)|Divebomb stealth drones]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==
"Once we've destroyed the Earth, collect the energon and bring me all of the ''humans''' sparks as well. I think I'm going to use them to create a new batch of soldiers for my army." 
"But, sir. You can't do that." 
"Why not?" 
"Well, the humans' spark is fragile." 
"WHAT?! Impossible! Their spark's not eternal?" 
"One life. That's ''all'' they've got." 
"Bahh. Then they really ''are'' poorly designed." 
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Demolishor''' <s>bring you your dose of nonsensical dialog</s> discuss the drawbacks of human anatomy.

"Whoah. That's ''amazing!''" 
"It's the ''power of energon.''"
:—'''Ironhide''' and '''Kicker''' watch a Terrorcon self-heal, and really really really want you to buy those toys.

==Notes==
===Lost in translation===
* The dub adds in a lot of explication about Megatron's plan in the early scenes, which were mostly silent for ''Super Link''.
* Alpha Q wonders if it's right to allow Earth to be destroyed, a point lost in the dub.
* The dub changes the Desert City tower's output from 10 percent to 70 percent—quite a difference.
* Demolishor tells Megatron that humans don't ''have'' sparks, and that if they die, that's it for them. Megatron replies that they're an inferior species. The dub warps this conversation around a bit, making it sound rather nonsensical (see quotes above).
* In ''Super Link'', Megatron more pointedly asks Demolishor if he still has feelings for Earth.
* Ironhide and Kicker's conversation on the nature of human life isn't changed much for the dub, but the dub omits Kicker likening his own life to the glow of fireworks, thereby diminishing a running theme of the episode.
* Misha responds to Kicker that she ''already'' sent Skyblast(s) to investigate, thereby explaining where the inert Omnicons came from. The dub mutates this into her saying she ''will'' send Omnicons, only to say a second later that her group can't get there in time.
* The dub no longer explicitly state that one of the comets has pulled ahead of the other two, though it remains discernible from the animation... sorta.
* Alpha Q's closing self-conversation is more a debate on whether he wants to help the Autobots and protect the Earth. The dub makes this somewhat less clear.

===Pain count===
* "Uh?": 17
* Stock footage: 2
* Energon is great: 2
* We've gotta: 1
* Take it Easy: 1
* No way: 1
* What's going on: 1
* Aw, great: 1

===Animation and technical errors===
* Megatron is not voiced by David Kaye in this episode, but [[Richard Newman]]—which is somewhat more inexplicable than normal because Newman was not otherwise part of the ''Energon'' dub cast.
* Kicker tells Ironhide to hold the ''light'' steady, when it's the ''rope'' that's moving around. The same error repeats in ''Super Link''.

===Continuity errors===
* At the start of the episode, where Megatron forges large comets from Unicron, Snowcat (the reformatted Cyclonus) can be seen pushing one of the comets towards Earth. Later, Snowcat is seen still bound to the walls inside Unicron.
* A comical moment relies on Ironhide barely managing to grab hold of Jetfire as he flies up the tower, in defiance of all the Transformers' previously-demonstrated ability to fly just about anywhere.
* If the Terrorcons are draining the tower's energon, why do they need to be given energon to heal themselves?
* Kicker and Ironhide never did anything to actually fix the tower (on screen, at least).

===Trivia===
*As Jetfire arrives at Desert City, one of the Omnicons in the background is rather amusingly kicking his legs around as he's pulled up by a cable.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2004 — ''Transformer: Super Link'' — Volume 004 ([[Interchannel]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Energon'' — The Ultimate Collection ([[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]])

[[Category:Energon episodes]]