MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Fire on the Mountain (episode)

2025-12-29T15:11:10Z

D-Unit: /* Continuity errors */

{{disambig3|Fire on the Mountain}}

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=9
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=63
|prev2=Fire in the Sky
|next2=A Plague of Insecticons
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=49
|prev3=Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2
|next3=Countdown to Extinction (episode)
|image=Fire on the mountain.jpg
|caption="I don't understand it, baby. This has never happened to me before, honest."
|title="Fire on the Mountain"
|season=1
|season ep=9
|production code=#700-06
|airdate=[[December 22]], [[1984]]
|written by=[[Douglas Booth]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzq3C4hkfNE
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''The Decepticons uncover the Crystal of Power in Peru, and the Autobots resurrect Skyfire to stop them.'''

==Synopsis==
While patrolling a refinery, [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] spot [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] and [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] stealing steel. The [[Decepticon]]s get away with the loot by collapsing the refinery behind them. The Autobots report back to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], who is puzzled about the Decepticons' motives. The [[Autobot]]s launch a [[Sky Spy]] to home in on any Decepticon activity, and the satellite picks up strange energy readings in the [[Peru]]vian [[Andes Mountains|Andes]].

[[File:Crystalofpower.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Almost ablaze, still you don't feel the heat]]
There, the Decepticons have followed an [[Inca]]n legend to an ancient temple that rests on a shaft leading deep into the [[Earth's core]], capped by the [[Crystal of Power]]. With the metal acquired by Starscream, the Decepticons have fashioned a weapon frame to accommodate the crystal. [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] spots the Sky Spy, and [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] tests the weapon by blowing the satellite out of the sky. The metal, however, proves inadequate and melts with exposure to the raw energy unleashed from the Earth's core. Starscream tries to shift blame to Thundercracker for the faulty metal, but Megatron blames them both and has them stay behind at the temple while he soars to a nearby mining town to find replacement metal.

The nearby Peruvian mining town is abuzz with the sudden show of power from the ancient temple. A reactionary elder proclaims that long-forgotten gods have come back to punish them, but her more level-headed granddaughter, [[Luisa]], realizes that someone must have uncovered the fabled Crystal of Power.

[[File:G1 FireontheMountain Sideswipe piledriving.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Freud would have had a field day with this.]]
In the [[Arctic]], [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] are jackhammering through the ice to resurrect the fallen warrior [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]]. The massive jet emerges from the ice and transforms into [[robot mode]]. Wheeljack immediately assigns him to fly back to Autobot headquarters to pick up Brawn and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] before heading down to the Andes Mountains.

In short order, Skyfire is in the Andes, closing in on the Decepticons. Windcharger and Brawn skydive from the jet, tangling with [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] and [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] while Skyfire goes to investigate the strange energy readings from the Incan temple. While the smaller Autobots are able to hold their own against Megatron's lieutenants, the Decepticon leader proves too powerful for them and they scatter. Windcharger desperately calls for Skyfire to return while Brawn bites off more than he can chew in the form of an angered Megatron.

[[File:FireontheMountain SoundwaveMegsgun.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Men were shot down for the sake of fun 
Or just to hear the noise of their .44 guns]]
Skyfire zooms in to the rescue and gracefully airlifts Brawn and Windcharger from the thick of Decepticon danger. Skyfire quickly returns to the Ark to pick up some reinforcements and streaks back to Peru. He deposits the Autobots near the mining town to take care of Megatron while he goes to investigate the Incan temple.

The Autobots stop Megatron, Reflector and Soundwave mid-raid, with Brawn having the ball-bearings enough to swipe Megatron's [[Fusion cannon|arm cannon]] and blast the Decepticon leader with his own weapon! Laserbeak steals back the weapon and Megatron swears vengeance. He has gathered a metal strong enough for the Crystal, and requests that [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] come to retrieve it, adding further insult to Thundercracker and Starscream who are left guarding the temple.

[[File:Brawnfusioncannon.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Good grief, it's a running gag.]]
A stray blast during the battle nearly drops an electrical tower on top of Luisa, but she is saved by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and Bumblebee. Luisa quickly explains that these "evil creatures" have stolen the Crystal of Power. She leads Bumblebee and Spike to a secret entrance in the temple. Soundwave detects their presence, and dispatches Ravage to follow them.

Meanwhile, Thundercracker spots Skyfire skulking about the temple. The Decepticon warrior is torn; if he blasts Skyfire, Starscream is likely to take all the credit. Conversely, if he lets Skyfire destroy the Crystal-based weapon, perhaps Starscream can take the blame. Starscream overhears Thundercracker plotting, and blasts Skyfire. He then blackmails Thundercracker to do his bidding, lest Starscream reveal to their leader just how uncertain Thundercracker's loyalties can be.

The Decepticons load up their stolen steel with Skywarp's help and depart. To cover their exit, Megatron blasts a nearby mountain, creating a deadly rockfall that threatens the mining town.

The Autobots use their firepower to reduce the falling boulders to pebbles, saving the village. Meanwhile, Megatron returns to the temple, where he successfully tests a new weapon frame that can handle the power of the crystal. Bumblebee, Spike and Luisa surreptitiously arrive in the temple, spotting the inert form of Skyfire. Spike starts repairing the fallen warrior, just as Ravage pounces. Bumblebee tries holding off the Decepticon jaguar while Spike works as fast as he can.

[[File:G1 FireontheMountain Spike Luisa BB.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|There are [[Bumblebee (Movie)|some]] out there who understand what Bumblebee's about to go through.]]
The rest of the Autobots arrive at the temple, but Megatron pins them down with devastating firepower from his weapon frame cannon. The Autobots are able to outflank Megatron, and the tide of battle is turned by Skyfire, freshly repaired by Spike. Skyfire strafes the weapons frame, destroying it and unleashing the power of the mountain. The Decepticons retreat, and Thundercracker takes fleeting pleasure in seeing Megatron and Starscream fail.

That night, Wheeljack caps the fire stream with a new invention that can contain the power that the crystal formerly held in check. The Autobots celebrate their victory while Bumblebee and Spike drive Luisa back to the mining town, where she promises to introduce Bumblebee to her brother's convertible, Juanita.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (3)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (7)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (12)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (15)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (16)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] (17)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (18)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (19)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (20)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (21)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (22)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (24)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (25)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (27)
}}
|c2=
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (1)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (2)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (8)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (9)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (10)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (11)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (13)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (23)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (26)
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (6)
*[[Luisa]] (14)
}}

==Quotes==
"Looks more like stealing to me… and I'm talking steel!"
:—'''Brawn''' confronts the Decepticons with fists and horrible puns.

"Awww, hexagonal nuts!"
:—'''Trailbreaker''', after he and Brawn totally fail to stop the Decepticons.

"It's cold enough to freeze the ailerons off a [[titanium moose-bot]]!"
:—'''Sideswipe'''

'''Soundwave:''' "The Autobot jet is afraid to fight!" 
'''Brawn:''' "Wrong again, you dipstick tapedeck!" 
'''Windcharger:''' "We just didn't want him to spoil ''our'' fun!"

"Have fun playing crystal nurse, Screamer! Byyyye!"
:—'''Skywarp''', being a jerk.

"Fate, schmate. It isn’t over yet, Megabum!"
:—'''Trailbreaker''', after Megatron prematurely gloats of imminent victory.

"Optimus ol' buddy, this is what separates the Autobots from the robot chickens!" 
"Ain’t no one calling me a robot chicken!"
:—'''Ironhide''' and '''Brawn''' don't know what Adult Swim has planned for their kind in 20 years.

"What’s the matter, fearless leader? You and Starscream look real geeky!"
:—'''Thundercracker''', being a jerk.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* Revised script submitted by Douglas Booth: 2nd July 1984
* Initial, toy-based "Jetfire" model completed: 3rd July 1984, approved on July 11th (for this episode). Final Skyfire model completed in late August and shipped to Toei in [[Heavy Metal War]] model pack.
* Script revised by [[Ron Friedman]]: 9th July 1984
* Returned to the US for telecine: 10th December 1984

===Continuity notes===
[[File:G1 FireontheMountain SS chestmissiles.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Starscream's dreaded boob bombs.]]
* This episode references "[[Fire in the Sky]]", the previous (and first) episode that Skyfire appeared in.
* Gadgets and powers:
** Starscream has a dozen rockets in hidden chest compartments. This ability will appear again in "[[Full Throttle Scramble Power!]]". The feature was later immortalized in toy form for Starscream's ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' incarnation through clip-on accessories, and again as part of his ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' figure, this time actually incorporated into the figure.
** Soundwave conceals a tricorder-like scanning device in his left wrist, which was later incorporated into ''his'' Masterpiece toy as a clip-on part. Presumably the Masterpiece toy-designers really like this episode.
** The latest device to come out of Laserbeak's head is the microphone-like thing. It's not clear what purpose it serves, as Laserbeak then broadcasts his findings to Megatron via pulsewaves that come out of his ''eyes'', of all things.
** Brawn has a retractable claw that can extend in his car mode.

[[File:Megatron&crystalofpower.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Seriously, in the cartoon world, crystals are the [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2|most]] [[The God Gambit|powerful]] [[A Prime Problem|things]] [[Fire in the Sky|ever]].]]
* While the concept makes no sense in real-world terms, this is the second time in almost as many episodes that a greenish crystal has been linked to the Earth's core.

* Skywarp refers to Starscream by the nickname "Screamer" in this episode, a nickname used again by Streetwise in the late Season 2 episode "[[B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.]]".

* Fans have long cited this episode when discussing the improbability of Brawn's death in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', observing that Brawn had previously survived direct hits from Megatron's gun mode in this episode... but it simply ain't so. Brawn ''dodges'' every shot that comes from Megatron. It's actually ''Soundwave'', using his own standard weapon, who shoots Brawn in the head to no effect. Not that we're questioning the indestructibility of the all-powerful Brawn, of course.

* This is the only episode to play on Thundercracker's uncertain loyalties, a trait called out in his original [[bio]]. However, the official [[Sunbow Productions|Sunbow]] synopsis for the episode indicates that it was originally going to take the idea even further:

::"The Autobots arrive to stop [the Decepticons], and Jetfire tries to convince a beleaguered Thundercracker to switch loyalties and join the Autobots. He is caught and wounded by Starscream. Spike, with the help of a local native girl, goes to his rescue, and Jetfire--with a little assist from Thundercracker--turns away the Decepticons and destroys the "Crystal of Power."<ref>http://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible/#069</ref>

[[File:Fireonthemountain soundwave vs brawn round1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Better get used to this, Soundwave.]]

*Had the audio gaffe mentioned below not taken place, this episode would mark the only instance of Thundercracker using his sonic boom powers in the entire cartoon, as the Decepticons retreat at the end of the episode. The power will ''actually'' be used by Megatron in "[[Heavy Metal War]]".

* This episode begins a mini-tradition of Bluestreak [[The Ultimate Doom, Part 2|shooting]] [[Brainstorm!|down]] Laserbeak.

* '''Brawn vs. Soundwave''', Round 1: Brawn flies Soundwave into a mountainside! Brawn 1, Soundwave 0 [[The Ultimate Doom, Part 3|>>]]

===Real-world references===
* The title of this episode may be a reference to the Grateful Dead song of the same name.
* The Transformers visit Peru, an ancient Incan temple, and a <s>steel manufacturing</s> mining village where everyone speaks heavily accented English.
* ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
** Laserbeak pursues Windcharger with a [[TIE Fighter]] engine roar, and fires on him with the sound of the [[Death Star]] super laser firing. After the commercial break, he gets more TIE sounds along with some ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engines, during several different shots.
** Megatron launches to attack Brawn with another ''Falcon'' engine burst. The roar continues into the next shot as the sound of Skyfire's jets.
** ''Falcon'' engine whine as Laserbeak dives to retrieve Megatron's fusion cannon from Brawn, and again as Bluestreak and Windcharger jump out of the way, and again as Laserbeak starts chasing Bumblebee.
** More TIE engine as Laserbeak continues harassing Bumblebee, along with Death Star superlaser/Alderaan exploding.
** ''Falcon'' engine burst as Skywarp leaves the temple, and ''Falcon'' engine whine as he arrives at the battle site.
** ''Falcon'' whine as Laserbeak perches on Megatron's shoulder.

===Animation or technical errors===
* Coloring errors:
[[File:Fire on the Mountain red Trailbreaker.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Oh no! Trailbreaker has been infected with the [[Hate Plague]]!]]
** When Brawn tells Trailbreaker the jets are Decepticons, Trailbreaker is fully red.
**One of Thundercracker's intakes are blue.
**Only one of Starscream's "boobs" is colored its proper gray as he reminds Thundercracker of who is in charge.
** The back of Brawn's backpack is yellow after he transforms to [[robot mode]].
** The blue color of Trailbreaker's eyeband kind of drips down onto his face while the steel plant is collapsing around him.
** Brawn's helmet is light gray as he watches Teletraan's screen.
** Soundwave has a white leg as he follows Megatron down the pyramid's staircase.
** Starscream's eyes are blue as he drags the weapon frame over to Megatron. His Decepticon wing emblems are also red.
** Starscream has extra yellow bits above and below his canopy as Megatron helps him to his feet.
** The lower "cheeks" of Megatron's Decepticon symbol aren't colored in just before he transforms to fire on Brawn.
** Megatron's gun mode is entirely white as Soundwave grasps him two-handed, right before the first commercial break.
** Ironhide is colored gray in the aerial shot of the Autobots approaching the <s>steel mill</s> mining town.
** As Starscream rebukes Thundercracker, his air intake is the same dark gray as his helmet, instead of red.
** Rumble's eyeband isn't colored in as the Decepticons fly out of the <s>steel mill</s> mining town.
** Bumblebee's nose is yellow as he tells Spike he can't hold Ravage off much longer.
** In the shot where Megatron's cannon shots are going wild, Starscream's leg is colored Brawn-green.
** In the wide shot of the temple top, Ironhide's head is gray instead of red; the colorists might have gotten him mixed up with Windcharger.
** Megatron's fusion cannon is light gray instead of black as Prime hoists and throws him.
* As Brawn confronts Starscream and Thundercracker, the Decepticons switch places between shots.
* After the Sky Spy explodes, we can still see a picture of the pyramid on Teletraan I's screen.
* As Wheeljack encourages Sideswipe, the glow of his right ear isn't quite aligned with the ear itself.
* As he first bursts to the surface encased in ice, Skyfire's (vaguely drawn) profile looks a lot more like his toy than his animation model, with separate booster jets and a rounded cockpit.
* When Sideswipe says "It's Skyfire", he speaks in a raspy voice that is vaguely similar to Scrapper's voice, even though Scrapper won't appear for another seven episodes.
* The parts of Skyfire's tail end that light up as he activates his jets don't actually correspond to his jet thrusters.

[[File:FireOnTheMountain Windcharger vehiclemode.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The legs on the animator's Windcharger toy would never stay folded up. Your wiki editors can sympathize.]]
* Someone must have been drawing Windcharger's car mode straight off his toy. As he flees from Laserbeak, his rear section, which is his folded-up feet, is not aligned with the rest of his car body... a problem very commonly found on his toy.
* Soundwave fires on Brawn with his own gun, but with Megatron's cannon sound effect.
* Skyfire's engines don't glow throughout the whole sequence of him rescuing Brawn and Windcharger.
* Ironhide and Ratchet have crazy huge side windows as they drive alongside Prime. The same error (and animation?) pops up again in "[[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction]]".
* When Optimus Prime rams Megatron through the wall, the inside of the wall momentarily becomes bright white for some reason, while the view through the newly created hole shows apparent nighttime outside.
* Flying Autobots:
** Bluestreak and Windcharger get an engine-burst noise as they leap out from beneath the collapsing transmission tower.
** Brawn gets a flight sound as he leaps the final distance between him and Starscream.
** Ironhide gets the same treatment as he leaps to attack Megatron.
** And then Prime also gets the same sound effect as he tackles Megatron.
* Bluestreak's mouth isn't moving as he delivers his "watch the birdie" line.
* Soundwave's eject button is on the wrong side (his right shoulder) as he ejects Ravage.
* Thundercracker's weapon barrel has almost no interior as he threatens Skyfire.
* When Megatron follows Starscream and Thundercracker out of the pyramid, his Decepticon emblem disappears for a moment.
* As Trailbreaker says his "isn't over yet" line, his leg is red instead of black. Then Wheeljack pops out of the rubble from the spot where Sunstreaker was buried a moment ago.
* One gun, many lasers:
** No fewer than five laser beams are shown flying at Windcharger when Laserbeak isn't on-screen. Even if you count his eye beams, Laserbeak only has four guns.
** As the battle gets fully underway, four laser beams are shown coming from Megatron's crystal weapon.
** Starscream only has two guns to fire at Brawn, but three lasers are shown streaking past him as he runs up the stairs.
* After Skyfire revives, he doesn't have the exterior damage to his chest. Spike was barely able to get Skyfire's interior damage fixed before Ravage batted Bumblebee away and tried to attack the humans. As he transforms to [[alternate mode|jet mode]], Skyfire also has an odd blue panel on his undercarriage which is not normally present.
* When Starscream lands on the temple and starts firing at Brawn and Windcharger, his lasers are Autobot orange instead of Decepticon pink. The next shot shows the usual pink lasers hitting Windcharger.
* As Reflector and Soundwave fire from the cover of the ruins, Reflector is using a tiny gun mode Shockwave as his weapon!
* In the wide shot a second later, ''all'' the lasers are colored Decepticon pink, even though some are supposed to be Autobot shots.
*When Skyfire swoops over Soundwave and Reflector and destroys their stone bunkers, both the lasers hitting their targets and the explosions are missing, so it appears the walls just fall apart.
* The crystal cannon's barrel isn't hollow as Megatron aims it at Prime and Ironhide.
* Starscream's dialogue as he whines about Thundercracker making that "awful thunder noise" as the Decepticons retreat indicates that Thundercracker was supposed to be using his sonic boom powers in the scene (see "continuity notes", above). In practice, only the standard Decepticon jet engine sound effect is heard, no louder than normal.
* The Autobots get a ridiculously loud sound effect for the act of turning on their headlights.
* Bumblebee has no interior when he opens his door to offer Spike and Luisa a lift.

===Continuity errors===
* Skyfire's resurrection is one of the cartoon's most infamously problematic bits of continuity:
** Skyfire was left for dead and mourned as such in his previous, debut appearance in "[[Fire in the Sky]]". Now, suddenly, it just takes Sideswipe's pistons to dig him up out of the ice, and Wheeljack isn't the slightest bit surprised to find him alive and well. Why didn't they just dig him up right after he crashed? They only dug him up when they needed a ride?
** As no mention is made of how they get to the North Pole, on the face of it, the episode makes it appear that Wheeljack and Sideswipe have ''driven'' there, calling into question why, if they can make such a large journey this way, the Autobots can't simply drive to South America instead of requiring Skyfire to fly them. Notably, however, per their [[bio]]s, both Wheeljack and Sideswipe are two of the very small number of Autobots capable of independent flight (Sideswipe via his [[jet pack|rocket pack]], Wheeljack via jets in his arms), so it seems logical that the scriptwriter selected them for this scene as they could have flown themselves to the Arctic. Of course, nothing explicitly indicates this in the episode itself.
** Presumably as a result of some kind of miscommunication in production, Sideswipe is seen using an actual hand-held jackhammer to unearth Skyfire, rather than his customary built-in arm-mounted jackhammers.
**Sideswipe and Wheeljack weren't present in the episode where Skyfire met the Autobots, but he knows both of them (referring to Wheeljack by name), then Wheeljack tells him to go pick up Brawn and Windcharger, who Skyfire also shouldn't know.
* The Decepticons leave the temple to attack the mining town. En route, they're attacked by Brawn and Windcharger and drive them off. Skyfire then flies all the way back to Autobot Headquarters, picks up the rest of the Autobots, flies all the way back to Peru... and the Decepticons have apparently just reached the mining town like five minutes earlier.
* Rumble leaves with Megatron, Soundwave and a Reflector to acquire new/better metal, but is nowhere to be seen during the battle with Brawn and Windcharger.
* Soundwave was last seen at the <s>steel mill</s> mining town battle, but suddenly pops up outside the temple to send Ravage after Bumblebee and the humans.
* The energy that threatens to blow up the entire mountain is erupting from the plinth on which the crystal was installed, ''inside'' the temple. Why, then, do the Autobots install a cap on the ''roof'' of the temple, instead of in the same spot where the crystal was previously installed?

===Rhino DVD release===
[[File:Fitm dvd broadcast.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|You call this restoration?]]
The Rhino DVD version of this episode uses a number of erroneous takes as the basis of its remastered animation. As a result, the DVD introduces several animation errors that were not present in the broadcast version:
* Trailbreaker, Brawn, and Starscream are colored red, brown, and purple (respectively) in their introductory shots. In addition, the shadows underneath Trailbreaker and Brawn are missing.
* Several laser effects were redone for the broadcast version.
* The Crystal of Power is missing its shine effects when Megatron first encounters it.
* Laserbeak's eyes are missing their glow in one shot.
* In one shot of Megatron showing off his invention to Thundercracker and Starscream, Rhino applies a mask over the scene to isolate Megatron from a heavily cleaned-up background. This change was done poorly, though, as the mask is seen wobbling around Megatron as he talks.
* The shot of Windcharger and Brawn jumping out of Skyfire is choppier in Rhino's version.
* When Prime bashes Megatron into the wall, the background inexplicably disappears.
* In one shot of Spike and Luisa inside of Bumblebee, the sky background behind them is moving in the Rhino version when it shouldn't be.
* When Skywarp mocks Starscream for having to guard the Crystal, he is colored like Thundercracker.
* Skywarp and Starscream are missing from the shot where they blast Skyfire off of the temple.
* When Starscream and Thundercracker carry Skyfire's inert form, Skyfire has Skywarp's colors.
* "Skyfire is an excellent catch!" In the first shot, Megatron steps up to stand next to Thundercracker (who has a white-instead-of-blue wingtip); in the second shot, Thundercracker has been replaced by Starscream. This is one of a handful of Rhino errors not corrected by the later [[Shout! Factory]] DVD release.
* The sky is blue instead of orange when the Autobots approach the temple.
* When Skyfire is about to destroy the cannon, it already appears to be melted to slag.
* When Skyfire strafes the crystal-powered weapon, he momentarily has Skywarp's colors.
* In addition, several scenes in the episode appear to have been taken straight from the broadcast master, judging by their poor quality. This may have been done to cover up scenes that were entirely missing from the workprints that Rhino was using.

The chapter stops for this episode on the Rhino DVD include: Opening / Stolen Steel / It's Skyfire / To The Mining Town / Visiting Decepticon / Invention Works

===Trivia===
[[File:FireontheMountain Optimus pats Skyfire.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Just good friends.]]
* Luisa's name is never spoken in the episode.
* A hissing sound effect (like the sound of air escaping from a canister) is heavily used in this episode, especially when a character is jumping or taking off into the air. It's never used in such a manner again. {{fact}}
*This was one of the six episodes featured on the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|console game]], and the three on the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (PSP)|PSP game]], though it is in ''astonishingly'' low quality.
* When the Hub re-aired season 1 and 2, this episode was left out the first time
* After Skyfire flies the Autobots to Peru, Optimus Prime pats him on the nosecone affectionately. It seems he doesn't recall that section is Skyfire's robot mode crotch.
* During the original recording of the episode, Skyfire was referred to by his original name of Jetfire, but due to his [[Jetfire (G1)#Why "Skyfire"?|name change]], several lines had to be re-recorded prior to airing. Clips of these original recordings later surfaced in early 2017.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4jM2nittQk Transformers Fire On The Mountain Extended and Deleted Scene Audio - YouTube]</ref>

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Le feu dans la montagne'''" ("The fire in the mountain")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*About the European French dub:
:::*Starscream calls Thundercracker "Thunder". Later in the episode, Megatron uses his full name "Thundercracker".
:::*When Spike wishes good luck to Skyfire, there is a radio effect on his voice for some reason.

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Il segreto degli Incas'''" ("Secret of the Incas")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Megatron's laugh when preparing to attack the Autobots with the weapon was not dubbed, so you can see him moving his mouth without saying anything.

:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Fuoco sulla montagna'''" ("Fire on the mountain")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Inca no Hihō'''" (インカの秘宝, "Incaic Jewel")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 3]], [[1986]]
::*The Japanese ordering of this episode places it toward the end of the series. This was done as it featured Skyfire prominently and with his toy being of [[Bandai]] design (and not sold in Japan as a Transformer), that caused some legal concerns amongst Takara (many of Skyfire's smaller scenes in other episodes were cut entirely). Though the episodes featuring him as a main characters were eventually shown, the scripts were not reworked to adjust to the new chronological placement, simply being more or less direct translations of the original English versions.
::*'''Cuts:'''
:::* After Brawn declares, "It's fightin' time", the following overhead shot of Starscream and Skywarp fleeing the room is cut. The sequence resumes at the close-up of Starscream saying "Correction, Autobot...".
:::* After Starscream and Thundercracker take-off with the materials, the following scene of Brawn and Trailbreaker crawling out of the rubble, lamenting that they lost the steel and rolling out for headquarters have been cut.
:::* The close-up of Spike's head and his line, "Uh oh, it's picking up a weird energy reading from those ruins", and the monitor shot displaying the ruins, have been cut. The sequence picks up at Laserbeak flying through the air.
:::* When Megatron and the Decepticons take off for the mining town in Peru, the following scene of them flying through the air and Megatron's line, "Any who stand in our way will be demolished", have been cut.
:::* After Skyfire tells everyone to buckle-up and blasts off for Peru, the following scene of him flying over the Peruvian mountains has been cut.
:::* The scene panning over the mountain road leading to the metal forging facility has been cut.
:::* During the attack on the Decepticons at the metal forging facility, the scene of Megatron slowly marching forward as laser beams bounce off him has been cut. The sequence resumes at his lines, "Skywarp, I have created a steel alloy...".
:::* The scene of Starscream and Thundercracker carrying Skyfire's unconscious body has been cut. The sequence resumes at the close-up of Skyfire's head as he's being dropped.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Shāndǐng zhī Huǒ '''" (山顶之火, "Fire on the Top of the Mountain")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Fogo na Montanha'''" ("Fire on the Mountain")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Skhvatka na vershine'''" (Схватка на вершине, "The Engagement at the Very Top")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 30]], [[1995]]

'''Serbian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Vatrena planeta'''" (Ватрена планета, "Fiery Planet")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 8: "Fire on the Mountain" ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1997 — ''The Transformers'' — War of the Dinobots ([[Malofilm]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume One ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume Two (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 2 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 02: Stagione Uno Parte Seconda ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==References==
<references />

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P86g8dN2qmeXl36XLe-MootrJof7g95w/view?usp=drive_link Full episode script, revised by Doug Booth, with memos and insert pages]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1FzYHjnRjuKTVesZj7ZiNFLePZf37iE9t Full episode script as revised by Ron Friedman 9th July 1984]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cQj-QHd7sbWQLXAPr7UdyT5mNsOHg6de/view?usp=drive_link Model sheets and background layouts]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]

The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)

2025-10-05T12:26:24Z

D-Unit: /* Continuity notes */

{{disambig2|the cartoon episode|the mobile game event|The Secret of Omega Supreme (Legends)}}
{{episode
|image=Omega Supreme tears up.jpg
|caption=His real name is Ralph.
|series=G1toon
|ep=46
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=35
|prev2=Quest for Survival
|next2=The Gambler
|title="The Secret of Omega Supreme"
|season=2
|season ep=30
|written by=[[David Wise]]
|production code=700-45
|airdate=[[November 6]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Unknown Generation 1 animation studios|Unknown]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxSuO3yb4C4
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''When the Constructicons begin mining on a distant asteroid, Optimus Prime calls on Omega Supreme for assistance, only for a long-standing enmity between Omega and the villains to come to light.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Secretomegachatinwoods.jpg|left|thumb|"Paradise: visited. Self: Never visited."]]

A rocket ship bursts out of the ocean and travels into space, landing on an asteroid and then directing the hunk of rock into Earth orbit. A door on the rocket opens, revealing the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], who step out and signal [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] of their success. The Decepticon leader intends to mine the asteroid for the energy-rich ore inside.

During his own orbit of the Earth, [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] catches sight of the operation and reports in to Autobot headquarters. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] contacts [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] for help. During a one-on-one chat, Optimus senses that Omega is holding a grudge against the Constructicons and demands an explanation. Omega complies in normal speech.

[[File:Omegadefendscrystalcity.jpg|thumb|A rare instance of seeing his tank.]]

''On Cybertron, Omega Supreme is a good-natured, friendly [[Guardian robot|Guardian Robot]]. One of his assignments is guarding the [[Crystal City]], the creation of his friends, the Constructicons. Unfortunately, they are altered by Megatron's [[Robosmasher]] and permanently changed into Decepticons. The Constructicons then trick Omega into leaving his post, and during his absence, they destroy the city. After losing his friends, his job and his city all in the same day, Omega swears he will first help his friends recover and then will get vengeance on Megatron.''

[[File:Robo-Smasher and Omega Supreme.jpg|left|thumb|Devastator and Robosmasher vs Omega. The 'Cons are doomed.]]

''For weeks, Omega tracks the Constructicons, until he captures them and tries to reprogram them. At first, it appears that they have been restored, but on their way home, the Robosmasher corners them. The Constructicons form [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and wrestle Omega into the Robosmasher's clutches. The machine goes to work at reprogramming Omega; he is able to pull away in the middle of the process, but the experience leaves him scarred and emotionally barren except for his desire for vengeance against his former friends. He chases after them for millions of years and finally finds them on Earth.''

Knowing that Omega's judgement might be clouded fighting the Constructicons, Optimus orders him to remain on Earth unless Prime himself gives the order to head to the asteroid. Omega acknowledges Prime's order.

In space, Cosmos gets a sample of the ore from the asteroid and brings it back to headquarters. [[Teletraan I]] determines that the ore is organic in nature. Prime has just ordered Omega to destroy the asteroid, and now he regrets that decision. His further attempts to contact Omega fail because the huge Autobot is bent on revenge.

Once on the asteroid, the vengeful Omega immediately attacks his enemies, wildly smashing open a huge fissure. The entire asteroid breaks in two like an egg, hatching an [[asteroid scorpion|alien creature]], which flies toward Earth.

The creature heads straight toward Earth and begins to destroy [[San Francisco]]. Powerglide, Ironhide, Smokescreen, Tracks and Beachcomber move to stop it, but fail after several attempts.

[[File:Omegasupreme&creature.jpg|left|thumb|"Objective: Catch them all."]]

Omega is still attacking the Constructicons, their battle having moved from the asteroid to the Earth, when Prime tracks him down. He demands that Omega stop his attack and instead clean up the mess he created by releasing the creature. Prime tells Omega that only he can save Earth by luring the monster back to its food supply on the asteroid. When the Constructicons escape, Omega threatens Optimus, but the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] refuses to back down and reminds Omega of his past.

Finally, Omega concedes to Prime's authority and heads off. He confronts the creature and leads it back to the asteroid, where it eats its fill and then flies off into space, never to be seen again.

In the meantime, Prime uncovers Megatron's ore-processing facility and singlehandedly destroys it.

At the end of the day, Optimus thanks Omega for fulfilling his duty. Both Optimus and Omega express hope that he might one day regain some of the feelings that he lost.{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (8)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (11)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (12)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (13)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (14)
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] (18)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (20)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (21)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (22)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (23)

|c2=
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (1)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (2)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (3)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (4)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (5)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (6)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (7)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (9)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (10)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (17)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (24)

|c4=
*[[Robodoctor]] (15)
*[[Gyronian Sentry|Robosmasher victim]] (16)
*[[asteroid scorpion|Asteroid beast]] (19)
}}

==Quotes==
"That asteroid may be new fuel for Megatron. The Constructicons are mining—" 
"Constructicons?! Constructicons: Enemies. Enemies die!" 
"This is a military mission, not a vendetta, Omega." 
"Results: Same!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Omega Supreme'''

"Quit squirming! This is for your own good! HAHAHAHHAHAHAH!"
:—'''Devastator''' parrots Omega's words back at him while holding him down for the Robosmasher to reprogram him.

"Megatron failed. I lived...but changed. Since then, I feel only hate for the Constructicons."
:—'''Omega Supreme''' reveals the results of his betrayal to Prime.

"Revenge: soon. Anticipation: high. Vengeance: GOOD!"
:—'''Omega Supreme''' after being ordered to remove the Constructicons from the asteroid in orbit of the planet.

"Well, aren't you going to stop that thing before it chews up your precious planet Earth?" 
"Creature lives. ''You'' die!"
:—'''Scrapper''' and '''Omega Supreme'''

"Keep San Francisco clean—leave!"
:—'''Tracks''' to the monster.

"What—eh—if we all just split up—" 
"Then he'd hunt us down one at a time." 
"Then I say we ''unite!''"
:—'''Bonecrusher ''' and '''Scrapper''' debate how to deal with Omega Supreme.

[[File:SecretOmegaSupreme Tracks is alarmed.jpg|thumb]]
"Relax, man. Remember, we're all one with the universe." 
"We're about to become one with the pavement! Duck!"
:—'''Beachcomber''' and '''Tracks''', as the creature is attacking.

"Perhaps someday, you'll see that there are more important things in life than revenge." 
"Possibility: Growing."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Omega Supreme''' see a little hope for future therapy.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft script submitted: 4th April 1985
* Main dialogue recording: 17th April 1985
* [[Arthur Burghardt]] pickup session: 26th April 1985
* First draft storyboards completed: 13th May 1985
* Storyboards slugged: 15th May 1985 (by [[Gwen Wetzler]])
* Final storyboard revision: 5th June 1985

===Continuity notes===
[[File:SecretofOmega devastator vs omega.jpg|thumb]]
[[File:SecretOmegaSupreme Robo-Smasher victim.jpg|thumb]]
*As with the other new characters introduced in Season 2 up to this point, Omega Supreme simply turned up with no explanation in his first appearance in "[[Blaster Blues]]". In this episode however, we actually get an account as to where he came from: he made his way to Earth once he discovered the Constructicons were there.
*We get a pretty consistent scale reference for Devastator and Omega Supreme; Devastator almost comes up to Omega's shoulders.
*Several ancient Transformers are shown, including Robodoctor and a mustachioed [[Gyronian Sentry|Robosmasher victim]]. The latter, originally an unnamed [[generic]], was retroactively identified as a [[Gyronian Sentry]] when he (they, as it turns out) appeared in the [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|Collectors' Club magazine]] comic "[[Battle Lines]]".
*This is one of the first times we see that it is "day time" on Cyberton, usually it is always night.
*We also see [[Crystal City]], though as depicted, it's more like a medium-sized building than a city.
*Where's the trailer go?:
**When Prime transforms to summon Omega Supreme, he fills the camera... conveniently blocking our view of his trailer behind him. In the next wide shot of Prime, the trailer's nowhere to be seen.
*Apparently Omega can consciously alter his speech patterns, and chooses to speak in his usual manner of his own accord.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Omega can use his gun arm to reprogram robots! Or at least he ''tries'' to.

===Real world references===
*The Decepticon refinery is ten miles north of {{w|Mount MacKenzie}}, which is a real volcanic peak in [[British Columbia]], [[Canada]]. (Although British Columbia has both a {{w|Mount Mackenzie}} AND a Mount MacKenzie, the [[dialogue script]] uses the latter spelling.)
*San Francisco makes an appearance in Act 3, along with a pyramidal building that's presumably supposed to be the Transamerica Pyramid, and the (very badly proportioned) Golden Gate Bridge.
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine burst as the retrorockets engage to relocate the asteroid.
**Deactivating [[lightsaber]] as the Decepticon docking tower rises from the sea.
**Diving [[X-wing Fighter]]s as Cosmos takes off after stealing some ore.
**[[Death Star]] superlaser and ''Falcon'' engine burst as the Constructicons transform and take off from the asteroid.
**Superlaser again as they flee from the splitting asteroid.

===Animation and technical errors===
*The episode is completely inconsistent about the size of the asteroid. Per the opening shots, the Constructicons should be visible as little black dots in a full view of the asteroid. Later, it's barely big enough for Omega Supreme to stand on.
*As the asteroid is flown towards Earth, it's moving ''sideways'' relative to the rocket engines that are supposed to be pushing it!
*Coloring errors:
**As the Constructicons ride out on their lift, Scavenger's arms are white instead of green, and Scrapper's chest is green instead of purple.
**When Soundwave appears (replacing Sideswipe), his chest door is rimmed in white instead of gold.
**After Optimus sends Cosmos back to the asteroid for the first time, the top of Powerglide's face is colored yellow instead of gray (and his faceplate doesn't move as he speaks).
**As Powerglide watches Prime walk out, his right shoulder/wing is miscolored gray like his arm.
**Megatron's gun barrel is dark gray as he acknowledges his new Robosmashed trooper.
**Scrapper's chest is gray again as he transforms to con Omega into leaving.
**The light gray bits on Scavenger's face are colored dark gray as Scrapper says "Let's go to work!"
**"Then, I learned..." - Omega's torso is yellow where it should be mostly gray.
**After he forms, Devastator's forehead is purple instead of light gray.
**Several times when listening to Omega's story, the plate connected to Optimus' neck is blue when it should be red.
**Tracks' hood flames are all red as he and the other Autobots drive along; there should be some yellow.
**When Tracks first opens fire on the alien, his head is blue instead of white.
**Prime's got some extra gray on his chest as he talks to Omega on the bridge.
*When Megatron replies to Hook's transmission, Sideswipe (an Autobot) is standing to his right. When the camera angle switches, he is replaced by Soundwave.
*After Megatron gives him his orders, Astrotrain just stands there for several seconds before speaking.
*For some reason, as Cosmos observes the Constructicons working in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] on the asteroid, a beeping truck horn is heard!
*In several shots during the episode, the bottom of Optimus' faceplate is triangular when it should be squared off.
*In a closeup shot of Omega walking back to Crystal City, his shoulders are waggling back and forth much faster than the rate of his footfalls.
*Throughout most of the flashback, Bonecrusher is missing.
*As the Constructicons revert to [[robot mode]] in front of Omega, they get the "wrong" [[Transformation#The noise|transformation sound]] (descending pitch, usually used for robot-to-vehicle.)
*After the Constructicons get Robosmashed, there is a shot of Omega Supreme in front of the Crystal City, then a short panning shot of the Constructicons approaching the Crystal City without Omega Supreme in front of it.
*The animation and backgrounds make it a bit unclear how far away Omega Supreme went from the Crystal City. It looks like he just went down the street and back, and he could have seen whether there was an attack from right where he was.
*In any number of distant views of Omega Supreme, his head isn't fully drawn or colored - such as the opening shot of Act 2, when he's got a gray blob where his face should be, or when he stands up after swearing revenge.
*"The worst was yet to come" - Omega's face shield is drawn extending all the way to the top of his head, which is likewise drawn abnormally high.
*The second time Crystal City is shown blowing up, it's a totally different sequence than the first time. (Unreliable narrator alert?!)
*It may be a stylistic choice, but as Omega runs toward the ruined city, there's no background, just flat ground and orange sky. The same thing happens as Omega's tank mode drives up to blast a hole in the ground.
*"Get back! It's a trap!" After Hook's warning (which lacks its electronic flanging), the Constructicons just sit there for several seconds, doing nothing.
*The ''clunk'' sound effects to indicate the Constructicon falling into the crater keep happening while none of them are actually falling.
*Scavenger is the second to fall into the crater, but then he's at the end of the line when Omega starts pushing the remaining Constructicons in.
*"I...I feel sane again!" - All the Constructicons are weirdly misshapen.
*After Omega Supreme has reprogrammed the Constructicons back and encounters the Robosmasher again, the buildings on either side of them just sort of disappear into the orange background as they walk. They and the ground also continue to move when he and the Constructicons have stopped walking.
*When Omega spots the Robosmasher, an audio error clips off part of his line. The result: "Robosmatcareful. I don't want it to get you guys again."
*When Omega Supreme is talking about Megatron giving the Constructicons a "new form", the sky behind him is the orange sky seen in the Cybertron flashbacks.
*Hook's crane arm is purple instead of green as he falls into the crater.
*When Omega Supreme is removing the Robosmasher from his head, his left forearm is disconnected from his upper arm.
*The background music wavers a couple of times:
**As the Constructicons make their getaway on Cybertron.
**As Omega switches off his radio.
*Hook's feet are white instead of green after Astrotrain lands.
*Improbable viewpoints:
**Prime brings up an image of Omega standing in the forest.
**Teletraan provides Prime with a nice shot of the creature descending to Earth, and the asteroid after it's split in half. Not ''impossible'' for the Sky Spy to have gotten, but... that's a busy Sky Spy.
[[File:Secretomegafightscons.jpg|thumb|Sure, fire at the rocket whose top half is a cannon. Good plan.]]
*Omega is in such a hurry, his rocket section takes off with the gantry tower still attached to it! In a bizarre bit of continuity, it's still shown as he makes his attack on the Constructicons. Well, that's one less bit for him to magically summon up out of thin air when he transforms.
*Scrapper's voice is missing its electronic flanging as he taunts Omega.
*Hook is shown on Earth when Megatron is testing the ore, despite appearing in the battle against Omega Supreme in the scenes immediately before and after this one.
*Did Megatron actually say "energy juice"? Yes. Yes, he did.
*Cosmos's arm is drawn backwards as he and Prime watch the creature on Teletraan's screen.
*When the alien hatches, its cavity in the asteroid vanishes. Later it returns when Teletraan displays the asteroid.
*The [[Golden Gate Bridge]] is shown in several shots to have three towers, instead of the two it has in reality.
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
**The San Francisco squad is clearly shown to be only Ironhide, Tracks, Beachcomber and Powerglide, but Smokescreen suddenly is with them when his smoke gimmick is needed.
*As Scrapper and Bonecrusher debate splitting up, both their helmets are light gray instead of dark gray. Scrapper's visor is also light gray instead of red; part of his forehead is colored red instead.
*Devastator's second combination sequence is a mess. The animators seem to have forgotten to remove the stationary images of Scrapper, Bonecrusher and Mixmaster from the background; the result is that there are ''nine'' Constructicons on-screen in the first half of the sequence, with duplicates of the first three seemingly morphing out of Hook, Long Haul and Scavenger.
*As he convinces Omega to stop the alien, Optimus is missing the Autobot logo on his shoulder.
[[File:G1 cartoon San Francisco.JPG|thumb|San Francisco? That's in America, right? And everything in America looks like New York, right?]]
*In an establishing shot of San Francisco, nearly all of the cars are colored yellow on one side and green on the other. Plus, they're all the same models.
*For a major U.S. city, San Francisco is [[Tunnel Vision (episode)|astonishingly empty]], with only the aforementioned establishing shot depicting any kind of human inhabitation; even then we don't see any actual humans, we just assume the (identical) cars are being driven by them.
*A cel layering error results in a tiny Omega Supreme rocket swooping past the creature as Tracks and Beachcomber attempt to fend it off. Then the alien's cry is clipped off by an audio error, and ''then'' Tracks and Beachcomber simply vanish from the frame (they don't duck - they disappear!)
*A recycled shot shows the alien descending and firing from the open sky, but its laser has no sound effect, and it was flying at street level in the previous shot.
*The shot of Megatron, Hook and Starscream at the refinery is reused three times. The first time, Hook shouldn't be there; the third time, Megatron should be looking through some giant binoculars, as shown in the next shot.
*Megatron is reacting in alarm, and his console glowing as if about to explode, before Optimus has even fired a shot.
*The shot of Prime standing near the Decepticon base after launching his attack is recycled a moment later - but it doesn't match the audio at all. Optimus is heard firing off several shots, while he's shown just standing there with his rifle smoking. The same shot of the exploding base is shown three times almost in a row; the third time another of Prime's shots is heard, but again no laser beam is shown.

====Rhino DVD release====
The [[Rhino Entertainment|Kid Rhino]] (and subsequently, [[Shout! Factory]]) release of this episode differs from the original broadcast master in a few instances, due to the broadcast master featuring some oddities that are likely due to poor video editing during its production:

*As Omega Supreme relates his tale to Optimus, the Rhino version of the episode pans down to Omega once, before cutting to the next shot, ultimately leading up to a panning shot introducing Crystal City which holds for a couple of seconds at the end of the shot. The broadcast master pans down to Omega twice, repeating the same shot in quick succession, with the additional time accounted for by trimming the ending of the panning shot presenting Crystal City.
*As Omega Supreme catches up with the Constructicons and blasts a hole in the ground for them to fall into, the Rhino version features a sequence of recycled shots of the Constructicons driving in their vehicle modes and Omega running towards them. It seems that these shots may have been repeated to cover for missing animation. Supporting evidence for this can be found in the broadcast master, where the footage simply freezes after the hole in the ground is created, cutting to a still image of Mixmaster turning a corner while the soundtrack continues. After a few seconds of frozen picture, the footage starts up again and synchronizes with the soundtrack.

===Continuity errors===
*"The Secret of Omega Supreme" established a second origin story for the Constructicons. Per Omega's tale, the originally benevolent group existed on Cybertron millions of years ago; Megatron rewrote the Constructicons' programming, turning them into a combining force for evil, and they subsequently travelled to Earth via starship and joined up with Megatron there. This story contradicts Megatron's assertion (in "[[Heavy Metal War]]") that the Constructicons were built on Earth. It's not impossible to smooth the error down by conjecturing that he could have been referring to their current bodies, but that's certainly not what was originally intended. The Constructicons' origin would be further complicated by a flashback in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" in which ''they'' are shown creating ''Megatron''! The conflicting origins have become notorious as one of the biggest continuity errors in the series.
*The Constructicons' character models were not reworked in the slightest for Omega's flashback. Therefore, they are consistently seen with Decepticon symbols despite not yet being Decepticons, and they have Earth alternate modes despite not yet being on Earth. Whether due to an intentional choice to avoid confusing young viewers, an oversight or simple cost-cutting is unknown.
*They're even called "Constructicons" despite not yet being Decepticons!
*Megatron orders Astrotrain to depart for the asteroid, and specifies "space shuttle mode" - what ''other'' mode could he possibly use? It's not like [[Wikipedia:Galaxy Express 999|his train mode can fly]] or anything.
*Optimus Prime refers to Omega Supreme as the Autobot besides Cosmos capable of spaceflight, but [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] had already made multiple space flights. In real-life terms, Skyfire had been removed from the show by this point.
*Prime doesn't seem to hear Omega Supreme walk up to him until he's literally right next to him, despite his literally earth-shaking footsteps.
[[File:G1 GuardianRobots WarDawn.jpg|thumb|"YOU were one of the Guardian Robots? How come you're not blue?"]]
*This episode brings up some issues regarding the reprogramming of Transformer minds:
**According to both Omega Supreme and Optimus Prime, the reprogramming effects of Megatron's Robosmasher can never be reversed, but in "[[The Core]]", [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] and [[Chip Chase]] were able to sway the Constructicons to the Autobots' side with [[dominator disk]]s.
**Why does Omega Supreme hate the Constructicons if they were forced to obey Megatron? Shouldn't Omega Supreme's vendetta be against Megatron and not the Constructicons?
*From all appearances, Megatron attacks the Constructicons inside Crystal City. How'd he get in there? Wasn't Omega supposed to be, y'know, guarding it and stuff?
*Optimus Prime's surprise at Omega Supreme's role as a Guardian Robot is odd, since - as we'll see in "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]" - ''he looks just like a Guardian Robot''.
[[File:Asteroid bird alien firing.jpg|thumb|If Floro Dery didn't design this, I'll eat an asteroid.]]
*Cosmos clambers up Astrotrain to steal a rock, then slips and falls, jarring Astrotrain... who simply sits immobile while Cosmos makes his getaway. This might be Astrotrain simply not noticing... but later, Prime's dialogue indicates that Cosmos ''was'' spotted, but nothing in the animation conveys it.
*Even though it's a tiny sliver of rock by cosmic standards, the creature's "egg" is depicted as having Earth-like gravity; enough so that Cosmos falls heavily when he slips off Astrotrain's wing.
*The [[asteroid scorpion|alien creature]] is supposed to be organic... but it sure doesn't look the part. Not only does it have mechanically smooth limbs, it can shoot lasers out of its tail!
*As usual in the series, major roadways are empty when the Autobots need to fight. Here, the Golden Gate Bridge has no cars on it throughout the episode, including at the end when Optimus and Omega have their little chat!

===Trivia===
* The uncharacteristic eloquence displayed by Omega Supreme in this episode was actually the result of writer David Wise being unaware of Omega's normal speech pattern and scripting the episode with normal dialogue. This was due to the speech pattern being created by freelance writer [[Larry Strauss]] in the "[[Blaster Blues]]" script, submitted on [[March 13]]th, 1985. By the time the show's [[Bryce Malek|story]] [[Dick Robbins|editors]] decided to approve Omega's speech pattern for all future dialogue, David Wise had likely either partly or fully completed his script for this episode, submitted [[April 4]]th. The editors were forced to insert Optimus Prime's request for Omega to "talk like a normal Autobot" to make the flashback work.
* This episode's animation plays out as though the budget ran out half-way through. While early on we get lovely shots like Omega looming over Prime and Astrotrain launching from Decepticon headquarters, later on, multiple shots are recycled, to increasingly nonsensical effect. Omega's capture of the Constructicons, for example, contains two different shots we saw just a couple of scenes back. The refinery establishing shot is reused 3 times, and Prime's attack on the refinery reuses the same explosion 3 times in a row.
* For reasons unknown, Hook appears to be leading the Constructicons in the present-day sequences. He reports to Megatron twice and directs his teammates throughout their work on the asteroid. In the flashback sequences, however, Scrapper leads, as usual.
* Ironhide {{w|facepalm}}s!

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Le secret d'Oméga Suprême'''" ("The Secret of Omega Supreme")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Megatron does not precise to Astrotrain "Space shuttle mode", making Astrotrain's pause before speaking even longer compared to the original version.
::*The dialogue between Optimus Prime and Cosmos as the latter spies on the Constructicons on the asteroid is missing from the dub.
::*At the Autobot base, Cosmos starts his report with "Cosmos to base!", despite being in front of Optimus Prime.
::*While in English, Optimus Prime says to Cosmos "Cosmos! Head back up there and get me some solid information.", in the dub he is way more angry and screams "Cosmos! You will only come back here when you'll have solid information, and not hypothetical!". This is the [[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2#Foreign Localization|second time]] French dub Optimus Prime bullies Cosmos...
::*Hook's line "Get back! It's a trap!" is absent from the dub.
::*Throughout the episode, Astrotrain is only referred to as "the Astrotrain" by all the characters, like if he was only a simple transport. Even Megatron talks about "the Astrotrain" before telling him to be ready.

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Il segreto di Megarobot'''" ("The Secret of Omega Supreme")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*At the beginning of Omega Supreme's flashback, he misnames the Decepticons as the Constructicons. Hence, after saying that the Constructicons are causing problems on Cybertron... he meets his old pals, the Constructicons, and have a friendly talk... erm...
::**Well, actually, it look like he calls them "Excavator" instead of the usual "Escavator" but... whatever...
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Il segreto di Omega Supreme'''" ("The Secret of Omega Supreme")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Omega Supreme no Himitsu'''" (オメガ・スプリームの秘密, "The Secret of Omega Supreme")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[March 7]], [[1986]]
::*'''Cut:''' The few seconds of frozen footage in the original U.S. broadcast master is worked around simply by cutting out the offending part, resulting in a continuous sequence of animated shots with no interruption.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Dàlì Jīn'gāng de Mìmì '''" (大力金刚的秘密, "The Secret of Omega Supreme")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''O Segredo do Ômega Supremo'''" ("The Secret of Omega Supreme")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1986 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 12: "The Secret of Omega Supreme", "War Dawn", "A Plague of Insecticons" ([[Family Home Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 5 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 10 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 05: Stagione Due Parte Terza ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FsPrI_Ukx7WCGyWGQ8UhVhIXi0_h3DMp/view?usp=sharing Full episode script]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1r_Jbhbr20-EqZE3CZLCflE7cObgFOg40 Episode dialogue script]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/16hZHpssv3xa8ARTdNkKfyjjlj-Wur2CE/view?usp=drive_link Episode model sheets]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/p/the-transformers-mp-700-45-secret-of.html Gallery of finalised storyboards]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Secret of Omega Supreme}}
[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]

The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2

2025-01-24T18:43:33Z

D-Unit: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|series=G1toon
|series2=2010
|ep=95
|ep2=32
|prev2=The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1
|next2=Four Warriors Come out of the Sky
|image=ReturnOptimusPrime2 Matrix open.JPG
|caption=Hmm, this looks familiar...
|title="The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2"
|season=3
|season ep=30
|production code=700-116
|airdate=[[February 25]], 1987
|teleplay by=[[Michael Charles Hill]]
|story by=[[Cherie Wilkerson]] and [[Marv Wolfman]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]], [[Studio Look]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEr_OK8xD1c
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''Optimus and a handful of Autobots make a desperate bid to recover the Matrix, in the hopes that a cure for the Hate Plague can be found.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Primeandjessicamorgan.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Chip Chase, is that you?]]
Within [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] has been fully restored to life by [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] and [[Klementia|a Quintesson survivor]] of the rampant [[Hate Plague]] that's infecting the universe. Prime demands to know what has happened during his time on the [[Transformer afterlife|other side]]. Sky Lynx recaps the events that had conspired to bring him back, including [[Jessica Morgan]]'s valiant play to save him from total destruction, the discovery of the Hate Plague spores, and the trap laid out by [[Mark Morgan|Jessica's father]] and her partner [[Gregory Swofford]] to infect the [[Autobot]]s with the spores in revenge, which ultimately spiraled out of control. It was thought by [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus]], before his infection, that Prime would know what it would take to stop the plague. Prime asks who is available, and learns of the Autobots injured battling [[Superion (G1)|Superion]].

The survivors are brought back to Autobot City, where the [[Quintesson]] manages to reactivate them, completely rebuilding [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] into Goldbug. When Goldbug asks what the plan is, Prime admits that he doesn't have a plan. Without the accumulated wisdom within the [[Matrix of Leadership]] (which now resides in Rodimus), he doesn't have a clue as to where to start. That is, until Jessica comes forward with the experimental alloy that she, her father, and Gregory had worked on, which proved strong enough to block the spores. Theoretically, coating Optimus with this alloy would protect himself from the spores' infection and allow him to get close enough to Rodimus to extract the Matrix from him. However, all remaining alloy samples were stolen by the Decepticons. The Autobots decide to retrieve the metal.

[[File:ReturnOptimusPrime2 crazycons.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|Cyclonus and Scourge each spent 2,000 XP to create the Level 7 Flame Barrier spell. Unfortunately, Galvatron has Protection from Fire with Permanency effect.]]
Meanwhile, on [[Chaar]], [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] is pinned down by his own mutinously diseased soldiers, unable to fight back against their maddening ferocity... until Optimus and his team arrive to save the day, convincing Galvatron that it would be in his best interest to join in an alliance with them. As is his way, however, the Decepticon leader is suspicious of Optimus's motives, especially when he learns they need the alloy he stole, but cannot get a reason for it out of them. He agrees to join in and leads Optimus and his gang down a series of boobytrapped tunnels, their numbers dwindling from the tunnel's natural hazards and the infected Decepticon mob behind them, until only Optimus, Galvatron, Sky Lynx, and Jessica arrive at the alloy's hiding place. Unfortunately, Jessie accidentally lets slip their plan to coat Optimus with the metal after confirming there would be enough of it to do the job, prompting Galvatron to turn on Optimus in hopes of using the process on himself, but he is soon subdued by Sky Lynx. Under coercion, Galvatron loads the alloy onto Prime's trailer but doesn't notice that an infected [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] has managed to sneak in, infecting Jessica in the process. Jessica, in turn, infects Galvatron, forcing Sky Lynx and Optimus to flee back to Earth.

[[File:ReturnOptimusPrime2 Primes duel.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|So I guess Rodimus is a bottom... to Ultra Magnus?]]
Once on Earth, Optimus is coated with the alloy, and sets out to find Rodimus. He finds him taking down infected Transformers with reckless glee, and attempts to reason with him, which fails. Unwilling to hurt his successor, Prime lures Rodimus to a nearby auto shop, attempting to peacefully subdue and talk Rodimus into helping him, but the Hate Plague is overriding any effort to do so, forcing Optimus to knock Rodimus out and take the Matrix back by force.

Back at Autobot City, Optimus dives into the Matrix to question the elders of the past in reverse chronological order (of their history) to try and find out any information on the spores. The spirit of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] warns him that if he travels too far, he risks becoming lost within the Matrix itself. During Prime's journey, the Quintesson that revived him notices a troop of infected Transformers attempting to get in, and manages to temporarily shut them out, giving Optimus the time he needs to finally find his answer. He learns that, in a period of pre-Cybertronian history, the Plague ''has'' visited the planet before, but was contained and sealed inside the star Jessica and Gregory found it in using sheer wisdom, though even back then, no one had the wisdom to destroy the spores, and now that it has spread so much throughout the galaxy, it's doubtful that anyone has the wisdom to even contain them again. Optimus then realizes that a source of raw wisdom may be available to destroy the infection once and for all: the accumulated wisdom within the Matrix of Leadership.

The infected Transformers finally break into the base, and corner the Quintesson, who begs them to stop. Galvatron grabs a metal pole, intending to impale Prime. However, Prime's chest opens to reveal a glowing Matrix, surprising the Transformers. Asking it to "light our [[darkest hour]]", Optimus Prime releases the energy of the Matrix of Leadership, which spreads across the world and across the universe, and totally eradicates the Plague.

Some while later, in Autobot City, a remorseful Gregory and Jessica's father offer deep apologies to the Autobots, while Galvatron, in a rare moment of calm, shakes his old enemy's hand, proclaiming that Prime has earned his respect and that "there will be no war today." Rodimus (now once more Hot Rod, without the Matrix within him) notes that the Matrix is now empty, its wisdom supposedly lost in order to stop the plague. Optimus, however, disagrees; they have all become a little wiser, now, and although the Matrix is indeed empty of wisdom, it is up to them from then on to fill it again with their knowledge and experience. Optimus, once again the Autobot leader, orders his troops to "Transform and [[roll out]]".

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (2)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (6)
*[[Chase (G1)|Chase]] (7)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (8)
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] (10)
*[[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] (11)
*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] (12)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee/Goldbug]] (13)
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (14)
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (15)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime/Hot Rod]] (26)
*[[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]] (27)
*[[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]] (28)
*[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (29)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (31)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (32)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (33)
|c2=
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] (16)
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] (17)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] (18)
*[[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] (19)
*[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] (20)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (21)
*[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (22)
*[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (23)
*[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (24)
*[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (25)
|c3=
*[[Jessica Morgan]] (4)
*[[Gregory Swofford]] (5)
*[[Mark Morgan]] (34)
|c4=
*[[Klementia|Quintesson judge]] (3)
*[[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] (9)
*[[It]] (30)
}}

==Quotes==
"We need a plan! Okay, Optimus, what's the plan?" 
"I... have no plan."
:—'''Goldbug''' and '''Optimus Prime''', the latter of whom is not exactly inspiring confidence

"[[Roll out|Autobots, transform and roll out]]!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''', getting back into the swing of things.

"Fools, I am your leader! ... It's no use. You're all crazed!"
:—'''Galvatron''' fighting his infected and insane troops. The irony fairy just had a coronary.

"Have I no friends left?!" 
"Well, well, what have we here?" 
"Looks like something the cat dragged in."
:—'''Galvatron''' is no longer so impressive to '''Cyclonus''' and '''Predaking'''

[[File:ReturnOptimusPrime2 Prime Galvatron.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|"Come on, Optimus, why can't we be friends?"
 "When we first met, you shot me and my girlfriend. You make a bad first impression."]]

[[File:Roop2 prime vs prime.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"NO ONE is innocent!" ...especially not after this series of screencaps.]]

"Come on, Optimus, tell me! Why do you want this metal? How will it be used? Why is it so precious?" 
"I've explained it to you." 
"You told me it was important, but you didn't tell me why!" 
"That's because I know you too well, Galvatron."
:—'''Galvatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' resuming their same old song and dance

"I don't need you anymore, Optimus. So much for your resurrection!"
:—'''Galvatron''', same song, different tune

"I don't want to hurt you, Rodimus!" 
"Don't worry, Optimus, you won't! HAHAHAHAH!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Rodimus Prime''' throw down.

"No more games, Rodimus! Innocent lives are at stake!" 
"''No one'' is innocent!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Rodimus Prime''' throw down some more... right before Optimus clocks him.

"Now, light our darkest hour!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''', proving that destiny and Chosen Ones mean nothing when pitted against letters from angry kids and parents.

"There will be no war today, Optimus Prime. You have earned Galvatron's respect."
:—'''Galvatron''', totally sane for the first time since... ever

"The wisdom of the ages! It's lost!" 
"No, not lost. We're all a little wiser now." 
"But the Matrix is empty!" 
"It's up to all of us to fill it again—with the wisdom we accumulate from this moment on. Autobots, transform and roll out!"
:—'''Hot Rod''' and '''Optimus Prime'''

==Season 5==
{{note|When this episode was rebroadcast in [[The Transformers (cartoon)#Season 5|the fifth season]] of ''The Transformers'', it contained new bookending segments with original story material.}}
[[File:GetThatMicrophoneOuttaMyFace.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4]]
[[Tommy Kennedy|Tommy]] meets with [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] ("The greatest fighter in the galaxy") in the barren wasteland to continue their interview for the [[Autobot City News]]. Optimus takes exception to being called a "fighter", as he doesn't agree that fighting is always the solution. In fact, in order to cure the galaxy of the [[Hate Plague]], he had to find a solution ''other'' than fighting...

With the tale concluded, Optimus asks Tommy if he'd like to help him refuel [[Sky High (Pretender)|Sky High]]. Tommy is psyched to participate in such a "privilege" and signs off his report. He then clings to Prime's head as they blast off into space.
{{--}}

==Notes==
===Production information===
* Final script: 24th November 1986

===Continuity notes===
[[File:It wireframe.gif|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"Excuse me sir! Do you have Prince Albert in a can? You do?? Well, you better let the poor guy out! WUHAH! WUHAH!
WUHAH!"]]
*Prime says of Galvatron: "That's because I know you too well..." As this is the first time Optimus has really met Galvatron (apart from a brief firefight while being a half-alive quasi-zombie in "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]"), it seems that he's able to recognize his [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|old foe]], despite the change in name and appearance. Optimus likely learned of Galvatron's identity while Galvatron briefly possessed the Matrix in "[[The Burden Hardest to Bear]]".
*Furthering the sense that the Throttlebots were thrown into this two-parter at the last minute, the only dialogue they receive comes in this episode: a collection of generic barely-on-screen shouts delivered by [[Frank Welker]] ("Smash Rodimus!") and [[Jack Angel]] ("After him!") that aren't attributed to any individual members of the group. Dedicated performers would later be cast to play the individual Throttlebots in "[[The Rebirth, Part 1]]".
*Optimus's journey through the Matrix gives us a look at some of its early bearers. It almost goes without saying that these robots don't resemble any of the ones we saw back in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]". Moving backward in time, they include:
**A broad-faced 'bot with prominent cheek guards
**A slimmer, decrepit-looking 'bot in similar colors - the ancient rhyming Autobot from "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]".
**A heavily-bearded 'bot - the original "military hardware" (pre-'''Decepticon'''!) design from "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]".
**A wireframe-style entity referred to in the script as "[[It]]", bearing a strong resemblance to a Quintesson Judge's Death head. A version of this design appeared previously in Rodimus Prime's dream sequence in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]".
*Upon entering the Matrix of Leadership, the first Autobot that Optimus Prime encounters is Rodimus Prime; then he converses with Alpha Trion. The latter's appearance there is somewhat puzzling, as it was [[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2|previously established]] (and [[The Rebirth, Part 2|later reiterated]]) that he had merged with Vector Sigma. Alpha Trion's presence makes even ''less'' sense considering that it was clearly stated in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" that he had never taken the Matrix for himself, thus eliminating the possibility that a "backup copy" of himself had somehow been "uploaded" into it. A variety of later fiction would, indirectly, offer explanations centering around the connection between the [[Transformer afterlife|Allspark]], the Matrix, Vector Sigma and Primus. In Alpha Trion's case he's in the afterlife, which one can communicate with through both the Matrix and Vector Sigma. Rodimus's presence is more murky, but can be accounted for by the notion of the Matrix as a gateway to the Allspark.
*Optimus using the Matrix to cure the Hate Plague bears more than a passing resemblance to when Rodimus Prime used the Matrix to destroy [[Unicron]] in [[The Transformers: The Movie|''The Movie'']]. They've even got "[[The Touch]]" playing in the background.
*In Japanese continuity, the events of [[The Great Transformer War issue 3|issue 3]] of ''[[The Great Transformer War]]'' take place shortly after this episode, helping to bridge the gap between it and "[[Four Warriors Come out of the Sky]]", the first episode of ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]''.

===Real-world references===
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**A mix of [[TIE Fighter]] and [[X-wing Fighter|X-Wing]] engines as Sky Lynx rescues the Quintesson during the recap.
**The sound of the darting [[Wikia:Starwars:Marksman-H training remote|Marksman-H training remote]] can briefly be heard as Prime's chest pops open to unleash the Matrix's power.

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:Goldbugtroop1.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.85|Goldbug Prime.]]
*The chair Optimus was sitting on is missing at the beginning of the episode.
*Optimus's fog lights are entirely red, even at the bulbs, which should be yellow or white.
*The recap animation shows Prime's body being pulled out of his ship with several cables. While this idea makes perfect sense, no cables were used during the actual event last episode.
*As Sky Lynx recaps last episode's events, the animation shows the exploding detonator/asteroid/planet/whatever-else-the-script-has-retconned-it-into-being... while he describes the ''star'' going nova. Granted, it's repeating the same goof as the previous ep.
*When the small group of Autobots is restored, Steeljaw's paws are over the side of the table in one shot and beside him in the next shot.
*In his first full body shot, Goldbug's head is drawn off-model, with pointier horns, smaller eyes and a much simpler mouthplate that looks more like Optimus Prime's than Goldbug's zigzag-shaped plate.
*As he speaks with the group, the closeups of Optimus's face from the side have the panel on the left side of his head in gray instead of blue. The long shots don't show his mouth plate moving as he speaks.
*During Blurr's "let's go!" rambling, the Quintesson wobbles around a bit.
*After Kup suggests the Autobots steal the metal back, Steeljaw (who's very close to the camera) is Rampage colored like Steeljaw.
*When Optimus Prime kneels down to talk to Jessica Morgan, Goldbug's feet (in the background) are colored gray instead of gold, even though his shins are still gold.
[[File:Roop kup and prime.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*When the small group of Autobots is restored, Optimus suddenly has his rifle back, though he wasn't holding it in the previous shots.
*As the group "rolls out," Kup is shown driving backward (unless he turns around after the scene transition...).
*The red squares are missing from the tops of Galvatron's shoulders in several shots. His chin is gray in some and dark gray in others as well.
*The Autobots on Charr transform to robot mode with the descending-pitch transformation noise, rather than the ascending-pitch version that usually goes with car-to-robot transformations.
*Optimus's rifle has the basic Autobot gun sound effect rather than its usual sound effect.

*As Optimus drives through the cave, his trailer is missing its Autobot symbol.
*Just before he transforms inside the cave, Optimus' bumper and grille are red instead of gray.

*In the distant shot of the Autobots, just before the [[Chaarantula|spider]] approaches them, Blaster appears to have Blast Off's colors.
*Some shots show the crest on Optimus's helmet framed in gray, while others (such as during his "know you too well" line) have it framed in blue.
*A close-up of Jessica reacting to the spider's approach shows her without her exo-suit, which she is shown wearing immediately before and after.
*Blaster's forehead is red instead of white in the following shot.
*As the energy leeches drop on Optimus, his fog lights are long cylinders rather than short triangles.
*Just before getting infected, Blaster has no lines on his switch plate.
*"We have to get out of here!" - Optimus's faceplate is misaligned with his helmet.
*When Galvatron shoots the top of the cave the second time, some of the rocks stay in mid-air.
*When they enter the Decepticon lab, Galvatron is taller than Optimus. In most other shots, he's shorter than Optimus.
*As Jessica discovers the alloy in the lab, Optimus is missing the Autobot symbol on his shoulder.
*After she makes the discovery, a shot shows the sides of Optimus' midsection in white instead of red.
*When Galvatron is threatening Optimus after they find the heat-resistant metal, Galvatron's cannon has a trigger on it.
*When escaping after Galvatron is infected, Optimus and his cab are colored entirely white (as if already coated in the resistant metal!)
*The establishing shot of Autobot City shows it more off-model than ever: It's colored entirely white or gray instead of the usual gold or maroon color, all the tall towers seem unusually short, the turret is either facing inward or missing its barrel, and all the ramps as well as the river that should be right in front of it are missing.
*Searchlight and Chase fire their first few laser shots at Rodimus without any sound effects. Their first shots are purple, but in the next shot they're firing orange lasers.
*During the subsequent fighting, nobody gets the right sound effect; the Throttlebots and Rodimus all use a non-standard laser sound.
*When he first meets Optimus, Rodimus is missing his Autobot symbol.
*The subsequent shots show Rodimus as semi-transparent.
*As Rodimus drives out of the junkyard a few moments later, he floats above the ground.
[[File:Hate Plague Rodimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|]]
*Rodimus's gun fires yellow shots at times and purple shots in others. And what happened to his rifle?
*As Optimus grapples with Rodimus, Rodimus's Autobot logo disappears in a few frames.
*The inside of Rodimus' mouth is gray as he delivers the "no one is innocent!" line.
[[File:ReturnOptimusPrime2 Alpha Trion miscolored.jpg‎|thumb|upright=1.4|Trust the Gorton's fisherbot!]]
*The close-up of Optimus aboard the newly infected Sky Lynx shows a standard non-infected coloration behind him.
*The ceiling of the junkyard plant has beams framing the glass, yet the beams disappear when Sky Lynx crashes through them.
*Sky Lynx ''also'' disappears after crashing through the glass.
*As Optimus struggles with Rodimus the second time, Optimus's Autobot logo is framed in white in some shots, black in others.
*When Optimus takes the Matrix from Rodimus, the "glow" from the Matrix lags behind the Matrix itself when he raises it up. Rodimus's chest cavity is also a huge chasm, rather than the usual Matrix-sized compartment.
*In the next shot, Rodimus is laying there with his chest suddenly closed again.
*When Optimus is talking to Alpha Trion, Alpha Trion is miscolored. He's grey, slate blue and orange when shown from the front, and entirely orange when shown from the side. He should be grey, dark red and dark blue. It seems the colorists confused him with the Custodiobot from "[[Surprise Party]]".
*When Headstrong and Tantrum get smushed by the doors, they cry out in generic, distinctly non-Predacon voices.
*When Optimus activates the Matrix, its handles disappear. They're back again in the next shot.
*Jessica's facial appearance in this episode is different than it was in Part 1.
*"The wisdom of the ages... lost." - Hot Rod has a Decepticon symbol on his chest.
*In the same shot, Optimus Prime's thigh is miscolored.
*"But the Matrix is empty!" - Hot Rod has the extra lines on his face that accompany his incarnation as Rodimus.
*As Optimus is explaining that the Matrix must be refilled with the future wisdom, he is colored as if he still has the heat-resistant metal on him.
*In the same shot, Hot Rod looks bigger than Optimus even though he should be much smaller (especially now that he's not Rodimus anymore).
*In the last shot of the episode, Optimus is missing his smoke stacks, the front of his cab has the gray stripes but the sides do not, and his trailer is again missing its Autobot logo; meanwhile, Blurr clips into Kup and his front end disappears from the frame.

===Continuity errors===
*Optimus's last line in Part 1 was "This time, no force in the universe can stop me." His first line here is "''Now'', no force in the universe ''will'' stop me."
*Sky Lynx is in two parts at the beginning. He was the full walking bird at the end of the last episode.
*After Sky Lynx's recap, Optimus is seen getting up from a table and walking over to where he was a minute earlier. There was no table behind him in previous shots, and no reason for him to lay down for a moment.
*So....how ''exactly'' does Sky Lynx know every single detail of what happened in the previous episode? He wasn't even there when half of those recapped events took place!
*Given that the Autobots are in a rush to save the galaxy, why did the Quintessons take the time to retool Bumblebee into Goldbug?
*How did Kup know that Rodimus had been contaminated? He was deactivated by Superion before that happened, and wasn't around for Sky Lynx's recap.
* Wouldn’t the Autobots and Decepticons have to worry about Trypticon getting infected?
*The alloy is heat-resistant to the point of surviving a supernova in the [[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1|previous episode]]. Yet it now can be melted down to coat Optimus Prime with it.
*A machine is used to coat Optimus Prime with this superheated alloy. What was ''it'' made out of, and why wasn't that material used?
*And did anyone manage to explain how heat resistance works against spores? What exactly do the writers think {{w|spore}}s are?
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
**The Transformers wounded by [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (and listed by Sky Lynx) included Steeljaw and Wheelie. At the Autobot lab, Wheelie is replaced by Blaster.
**Steeljaw is revived at the Autobot City lab, but not seen afterwards.
*Continuing the confusion started by the combiners last episode, the infected Decepticons work ''together'' to fight Galvatron and the others, instead of attacking each other.
*Worse, when outnumbered by the Autobots, Cyclonus orders the other Decepticons to retreat, and they follow his command.
*Sky Lynx doesn't help during the spider attack, even though he ''can'' fly.
*Where's the trailer go?
**Optimus is coated in the alloy in robot mode. How does his trailer get coated?
**For that matter, where's the trailer been hanging out for the past couple of years since Optimus died, and how did he get back together with it? It just kinda rolls in as usual when he first transforms.
*Goldbug, Kup and Blaster get infected without being touched; in fact they don't even try to avoid it. Sky Lynx was right next to them but doesn't get infected. Huh?
[[File:Rodimus Matrix Chamber FFOD DA TROOP.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|One toy, four variants.]]
*Sky Lynx suddenly grows a pair of hands to pick up Galvatron's [[particle cannon]] with. Even if they're supposed to be his bird-mode legs (which they appear to be based on), what is he standing on?
*Shouldn't Jessica's full-body exo-suit protect her from direct contact and infection?
*After Jessica Morgan and Galvatron are infected, Optimus and Sky Lynx speed off. Jessica makes a jump for Sky Lynx and briefly clings onto his tail before losing her grip, yet Sky Lynx ''still'' doesn't get infected.
*Come to think of it, how do Optimus and Sky Lynx escape Charr? They're in a cave with only one way out. Aren't there partial cave-ins in their path? Wouldn't the other infected Autobots and Decepticons be directly in their path?
*How do the support beams in the junkyard plant hold Optimus and Rodimus' weight?
*Rodimus's Matrix chamber opens via a pair of rectangular swing-out doors much like Optimus' chamber. In "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4," the door opened in the middle of the flame on his chest. In "Dark Awakening", it hinged across the left side of the flame, and the whole design opened to reveal the chamber.
*When Optimus puts the Matrix into his chest, he puts it in ''lengthwise''. Surely his months of deactivation haven't made him forget how the thing sat in his chest for ''millions of years''?
*The infected Transformers work ''together'' to find Optimus Prime, instead of attacking each other.
*"It" tells Prime that "a wise man was able to contain the spores, but...no one had the wisdom to [destroy them]." The implication seems to be that a smart dude figured out a way to control the spores. Yet Prime - and the plot - proceed to interpret this as meaning that "wisdom" is like some kind of laser beam spore-cleaning agent - just point it at the spores and pull the trigger!
*In the movie, the Matrix took up the top half of Optimus' chest compartment and was behind a flip-up panel. Here, it fills in the whole (now hollow) cavity with no panel or other electronics to be seen.
*How exactly did Jessica get off [[Chaar]]?
[[File:Swafford&morganG1.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"Take our hands! Please!" "Make it your faces and we'll talk."]]
*And what are she and Gregory Swofford doing in [[Moscow]] by the time they're cured of the Hate Plague? It's not just a case of an accidentally recycled background from the previous shot (which did depict actual Russians being cured of the Hate Plague)—even though both shots feature onion domes reminiscent of Saint Basil's Cathedral, they're definitely different background paintings. So... what gives?
*How did they get the alloy ''off'' Optimus Prime? And why would they want to, if it's so resilient? (Unless... they just painted over the alloy?)
*The timing of the last scene is odd. It's long enough after the cure is unleashed for Optimus to have the metal removed or painted over, and for Kup, Hot Rod, Ultra Magnus, and the three humans to arrive at Autobot City. Yet Galvatron is still hanging around, and both he and Hot Rod speak as though the previous scene's events just happened.
**Interestingly, Galvatron is consistently portrayed without his cannon in this scene.
*Does anyone else think that Dr. Swofford and Morgan get off waaaaay too easy at the end of the episode? They ''willingly'' unleash the hate plague that causes widespread devastation (and probably death) across not just the world but the entire galaxy, just to spite the Autobots, and they get off by just saying "sorry"? (Then again, we don't actually ''see'' Optimus shaking their hands. Burn!)

===Trivia===
[[File:DialogueScriptTROOPOrionPax.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|So this is odd.]]
*Following the average-for-[[Toei Animation]] Part 1, this episode's artwork quality is among the series' best, with loads of detailed shading, the same pink-glowing-smoke-explosions seen in ''Transformers: The Movie'', and characters generally on-model and well-drawn.
*The portion of "The Touch" that plays includes the line about "Hell breaking loose," an unusually strong word for an American '80s TV cartoon. Guess the censors were looking elsewhere that day. (Amusing timing as a bamboozled Galvatron says "What is this?", seemingly in reaction to the song replacing the show's usual background music!)
*The [[Sunbow Productions]] cast list entry for this episode lists Orion Pax as appearing. A flashback to Optimus Prime's early days that was removed for time constraints, you might think? No. According to the [[dialogue script]] for the episode, Orion Pax was originally going to be the one to ask Prime why he had returned to the Matrix! Presumably, someone on staff caught the error early enough, as Pax's line in the final cut went to Alpha Trion. (The dialogue script also misspells "Trion" as "Tion", for that matter.)
*[[Jack Angel]] takes over as the voice for Cyclonus following the death of [[Roger C. Carmel]].
*This is the final episode of the original American G1 cartoon to be animated by Toei; the remaining episodes would be animated by [[AKOM]]. Toei would later return to animate all the Japanese-exclusive G1 sequel series.
*Prime's appearance in the alloy coat gives him a strong resemblance to Ultra Magnus's unused unarmored form.
*The Quintesson's voice changes from the first episode. It's still the same voice actor, but in the first part, his voice is higher-pitched and whiny, in Part 2, he sounds like a gravelly old man.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (European French broadcast and DVD release):'' "'''Le retour d'Optimus Prime, partie 2'''" ("The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2")
:*''Title (Canadian French broadcast):'' "'''Le retour d'Optimus, partie 2'''" ("The Return of Optimus, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Concerning the European French dub:
:::*This episode was most likely dubbed later than the first part, the dubbing team being slightly different. Guests characters like Jessica and Gregory do not keep their voice actors from the first part, which reinforces the idea that the episode was not dubbed on the same day.
:::*The [[Déclic Images]] edition of this episode modified the introduction. They used the last scenes from previous episodes and put Sky Lynx's line on the shot with Optimus' silhouette, and Optimus' answer on his close-up. Then the flash-back narrated by Sky Lynx starts. The [[UFG Junior]] edition used the original broadcast version, with the correct images. However, the first lines are removed and replaced by the narrator giving us the title of the episode.
:::*This is the last time we hear [[Henry Djanik]] in the show. He has been present since ''[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]'', but will not be present for the 4th season. The same goes for [[François Leccia]], who joined the team during early season 2.
:::*Sky Lynx misses the part about the ship during his storytelling, he goes from the saving by Jessica and Swofford to them testing the spores.
:::*New made-up names are created this episode. While in the original version, Sky Lynx names Kup, Wheelie, Blurr, Steeljaw and Bumblebee, the French dub says "Baril" (most likely Kup), "Villa" (Wheelie?), "Blurro" (Blurr) and "Balbee" (the regular name of Bumblebee in seasons 1-2). Steeljaw is not named.
:::*The annoyed grunts from the Quintesson being told that he will be helping are dubbed by an enthusiastic "Count on me!".
:::*Goldbug's line "I've gone beyond being just plain old Bumblebee, I'm a gold bug!" is dubbed by "I'm not the little Bumblebee anymore! Not only do I have a heart of gold, but I'm made of gold!". As a result, Optimus Prime's line "From now on, that's exactly who you'll be, Goldbug!" is replaced by "From now on, we will call you another way! Why not ''Dorédic''?".
:::*Optimus Prime firstly says ''le'' Matrix, but for the rest of the episode it will be ''la'' Matrix.
:::*Kup calls the exosuit an "exotanic suit".
:::*Optimus Prime's line "I've got you!" when he catches Galvatron are dubbed by Optimus making some effort grunts and someone with the voice of [[Georges Atlas]] (who dubs Kup and a Quintesson in this episode) saying "And here we go!".
:::*Galvatron's laugh after saying that the Autobots can't fly are dubbed by a strange "Ooooooooh".
:::*Like Optimus Prime did in ''[[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction]]'', Galvatron's laugh after the web incident are replaced by some weird noises from [[Serge Lhorca]], making it sound like Galvatron is in great pain or struggles to do something.
:::*Optimus Prime does not name Kup and Sky Lynx.
:::*When Optimus Prime tells Rodimus Prime that "Madness has infected the entire galaxy, the Autobots, the Decepticons, the humans", instead of saying "the humans", he says "the humanus", whatever that means.
:::*[[Olivier Destrez]], who was the voice of Spike in season 1 before leaving the team, and who made a cameo in ''[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]'' as Slingshot, comes back to dub the few lines of Gregory Swofford, despite not dubbing him in the first part.
:::*"Light our darkest hour" had already been translated in three different ways in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie|The Movie]]'', but a ''fourth'' version is created here, maybe the most ridiculous one: while opening the Matrix, Optimus Prime says "And now, it's time to cheer ourselves up!".

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' '''Die Rückkehr von Optimus Prime, Teil 2''' ("The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (first dub):'' "'''Il ritorno di Commander, Parte 2'''" ("The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Optimus's line: «I must travel into the Matrix» is not dubbed, so you can see him moving his mouthplate without saying anything.
:*''Title (second dub):'' "'''Il ritorno di Optimus Prime, Parte 2'''" ("The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' コンボイの復活パート2 (''Convoy no Fukkatsu Part 2'', "The Resurrection of Convoy Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 25]], [[1987]]
::*The Japanese version of this episode has an alternate ending. After Optimus Prime and the Autobots ride off into the sunset and "The Touch" ends, the music changes to "[[Transformer 2010|TRANSFORMER 2010]]" by [[Shō Hirose]] and the scene shifts to a montage of all the major characters from the series.
::*This montage replaces the "[[Secret Files of Teletraan II]]" segment focusing on [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] used in the US broadcast. The Ultra Magnus "Secret Files" segment was never used in the Japanese broadcast of the series.
::*Following this episode, Japanese cartoon continuity diverges from the Western continuity. Rather than lead into "[[The Rebirth]]" three-parter, Japanese continuity instead continues in their domestically produced series, ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Transformers: The Headmasters]]''.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Qíngtiānzhù Fùhuó (Xià)'''" (擎天柱复活(下),"Optimus Prime Resurrects, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1987 — ''The Transformers'' — The Return of Optimus Prime ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 1987 — ''Transformers'' — Die Rückkehr von Optimus Prime (Zweiter Teil) ([[Polyband]]) — German audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1988 — ''Transformers'' — The Return of Optimus Prime: Optimus Prime the Ultimate Robot ([[Tempo Video]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1989 — ''Transformers'' — Headmasters / The Return of Optimus Prime (Tempo Video) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1991 — ''Transformers'' — Headmasters / The Return of Optimus Prime / Cosmic Rust (Tempo Video) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2000 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume 7: The Return of Optimus Prime ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 2 & Season 4 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 3 and Season 4 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 5: Series 3.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2005 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 23 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2005 — ''Transformers'' — Le Retour d'Optimus Prime ([[UFG Junior]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season's Three & Four {{sic}} (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2010 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gwsuGqt1c_-0NWqiEB4ufvzbVZHatnrK Episode script, finalised 24th November 1986, missing pages 12-18]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}
[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]

The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2

2025-01-24T18:42:55Z

D-Unit: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|series=G1toon
|series2=2010
|ep=95
|ep2=32
|prev2=The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1
|next2=Four Warriors Come out of the Sky
|image=ReturnOptimusPrime2 Matrix open.JPG
|caption=Hmm, this looks familiar...
|title="The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2"
|season=3
|season ep=30
|production code=700-116
|airdate=[[February 25]], 1987
|teleplay by=[[Michael Charles Hill]]
|story by=[[Cherie Wilkerson]] and [[Marv Wolfman]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]], [[Studio Look]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEr_OK8xD1c
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''Optimus and a handful of Autobots make a desperate bid to recover the Matrix, in the hopes that a cure for the Hate Plague can be found.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Primeandjessicamorgan.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Chip Chase, is that you?]]
Within [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] has been fully restored to life by [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] and [[Klementia|a Quintesson survivor]] of the rampant [[Hate Plague]] that's infecting the universe. Prime demands to know what has happened during his time on the [[Transformer afterlife|other side]]. Sky Lynx recaps the events that had conspired to bring him back, including [[Jessica Morgan]]'s valiant play to save him from total destruction, the discovery of the Hate Plague spores, and the trap laid out by [[Mark Morgan|Jessica's father]] and her partner [[Gregory Swofford]] to infect the [[Autobot]]s with the spores in revenge, which ultimately spiraled out of control. It was thought by [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus]], before his infection, that Prime would know what it would take to stop the plague. Prime asks who is available, and learns of the Autobots injured battling [[Superion (G1)|Superion]].

The survivors are brought back to Autobot City, where the [[Quintesson]] manages to reactivate them, completely rebuilding [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] into Goldbug. When Goldbug asks what the plan is, Prime admits that he doesn't have a plan. Without the accumulated wisdom within the [[Matrix of Leadership]] (which now resides in Rodimus), he doesn't have a clue as to where to start. That is, until Jessica comes forward with the experimental alloy that she, her father, and Gregory had worked on, which proved strong enough to block the spores. Theoretically, coating Optimus with this alloy would protect himself from the spores' infection and allow him to get close enough to Rodimus to extract the Matrix from him. However, all remaining alloy samples were stolen by the Decepticons. The Autobots decide to retrieve the metal.

[[File:ReturnOptimusPrime2 crazycons.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|Cyclonus and Scourge each spent 2,000 XP to create the Level 7 Flame Barrier spell. Unfortunately, Galvatron has Protection from Fire with Permanency effect.]]
Meanwhile, on [[Chaar]], [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] is pinned down by his own mutinously diseased soldiers, unable to fight back against their maddening ferocity... until Optimus and his team arrive to save the day, convincing Galvatron that it would be in his best interest to join in an alliance with them. As is his way, however, the Decepticon leader is suspicious of Optimus's motives, especially when he learns they need the alloy he stole, but cannot get a reason for it out of them. He agrees to join in and leads Optimus and his gang down a series of boobytrapped tunnels, their numbers dwindling from the tunnel's natural hazards and the infected Decepticon mob behind them, until only Optimus, Galvatron, Sky Lynx, and Jessica arrive at the alloy's hiding place. Unfortunately, Jessie accidentally lets slip their plan to coat Optimus with the metal after confirming there would be enough of it to do the job, prompting Galvatron to turn on Optimus in hopes of using the process on himself, but he is soon subdued by Sky Lynx. Under coercion, Galvatron loads the alloy onto Prime's trailer but doesn't notice that an infected [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] has managed to sneak in, infecting Jessica in the process. Jessica, in turn, infects Galvatron, forcing Sky Lynx and Optimus to flee back to Earth.

[[File:ReturnOptimusPrime2 Primes duel.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|So I guess Rodimus is a bottom... to Ultra Magnus?]]
Once on Earth, Optimus is coated with the alloy, and sets out to find Rodimus. He finds him taking down infected Transformers with reckless glee, and attempts to reason with him, which fails. Unwilling to hurt his successor, Prime lures Rodimus to a nearby auto shop, attempting to peacefully subdue and talk Rodimus into helping him, but the Hate Plague is overriding any effort to do so, forcing Optimus to knock Rodimus out and take the Matrix back by force.

Back at Autobot City, Optimus dives into the Matrix to question the elders of the past in reverse chronological order (of their history) to try and find out any information on the spores. The spirit of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] warns him that if he travels too far, he risks becoming lost within the Matrix itself. During Prime's journey, the Quintesson that revived him notices a troop of infected Transformers attempting to get in, and manages to temporarily shut them out, giving Optimus the time he needs to finally find his answer. He learns that, in a period of pre-Cybertronian history, the Plague ''has'' visited the planet before, but was contained and sealed inside the star Jessica and Gregory found it in using sheer wisdom, though even back then, no one had the wisdom to destroy the spores, and now that it has spread so much throughout the galaxy, it's doubtful that anyone has the wisdom to even contain them again. Optimus then realizes that a source of raw wisdom may be available to destroy the infection once and for all: the accumulated wisdom within the Matrix of Leadership.

The infected Transformers finally break into the base, and corner the Quintesson, who begs them to stop. Galvatron grabs a metal pole, intending to impale Prime. However, Prime's chest opens to reveal a glowing Matrix, surprising the Transformers. Asking it to "light our [[darkest hour]]", Optimus Prime releases the energy of the Matrix of Leadership, which spreads across the world and across the universe, and totally eradicates the Plague.

Some while later, in Autobot City, a remorseful Gregory and Jessica's father offer deep apologies to the Autobots, while Galvatron, in a rare moment of calm, shakes his old enemy's hand, proclaiming that Prime has earned his respect and that "there will be no war today." Rodimus (now once more Hot Rod, without the Matrix within him) notes that the Matrix is now empty, its wisdom supposedly lost in order to stop the plague. Optimus, however, disagrees; they have all become a little wiser, now, and although the Matrix is indeed empty of wisdom, it is up to them from then on to fill it again with their knowledge and experience. Optimus, once again the Autobot leader, orders his troops to "Transform and [[roll out]]".

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (2)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (6)
*[[Chase (G1)|Chase]] (7)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (8)
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] (10)
*[[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] (11)
*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] (12)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee/Goldbug]] (13)
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (14)
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (15)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime/Hot Rod]] (26)
*[[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]] (27)
*[[Freeway (G1)|Freeway]] (28)
*[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (29)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (31)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (32)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (33)
|c2=
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] (16)
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] (17)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] (18)
*[[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] (19)
*[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] (20)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (21)
*[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (22)
*[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (23)
*[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (24)
*[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (25)
|c3=
*[[Jessica Morgan]] (4)
*[[Gregory Swofford]] (5)
*[[Mark Morgan]] (34)
|c4=
*[[Klementia|Quintesson judge]] (3)
*[[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] (9)
*[[It]] (30)
}}

==Quotes==
"We need a plan! Okay, Optimus, what's the plan?" 
"I... have no plan."
:—'''Goldbug''' and '''Optimus Prime''', the latter of whom is not exactly inspiring confidence

"[[Roll out|Autobots, transform and roll out]]!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''', getting back into the swing of things.

"Fools, I am your leader! ... It's no use. You're all crazed!"
:—'''Galvatron''' fighting his infected and insane troops. The irony fairy just had a coronary.

"Have I no friends left?!" 
"Well, well, what have we here?" 
"Looks like something the cat dragged in."
:—'''Galvatron''' is no longer so impressive to '''Cyclonus''' and '''Predaking'''

[[File:ReturnOptimusPrime2 Prime Galvatron.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|"Come on, Optimus, why can't we be friends?"
 "When we first met, you shot me and my girlfriend. You make a bad first impression."]]

[[File:Roop2 prime vs prime.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"NO ONE is innocent!" ...especially not after this series of screencaps.]]

"Come on, Optimus, tell me! Why do you want this metal? How will it be used? Why is it so precious?" 
"I've explained it to you." 
"You told me it was important, but you didn't tell me why!" 
"That's because I know you too well, Galvatron."
:—'''Galvatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' resuming their same old song and dance

"I don't need you anymore, Optimus. So much for your resurrection!"
:—'''Galvatron''', same song, different tune

"I don't want to hurt you, Rodimus!" 
"Don't worry, Optimus, you won't! HAHAHAHAH!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Rodimus Prime''' throw down.

"No more games, Rodimus! Innocent lives are at stake!" 
"''No one'' is innocent!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Rodimus Prime''' throw down some more... right before Optimus clocks him.

"Now, light our darkest hour!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''', proving that destiny and Chosen Ones mean nothing when pitted against letters from angry kids and parents.

"There will be no war today, Optimus Prime. You have earned Galvatron's respect."
:—'''Galvatron''', totally sane for the first time since... ever

"The wisdom of the ages! It's lost!" 
"No, not lost. We're all a little wiser now." 
"But the Matrix is empty!" 
"It's up to all of us to fill it again—with the wisdom we accumulate from this moment on. Autobots, transform and roll out!"
:—'''Hot Rod''' and '''Optimus Prime'''

==Season 5==
{{note|When this episode was rebroadcast in [[The Transformers (cartoon)#Season 5|the fifth season]] of ''The Transformers'', it contained new bookending segments with original story material.}}
[[File:GetThatMicrophoneOuttaMyFace.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4]]
[[Tommy Kennedy|Tommy]] meets with [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] ("The greatest fighter in the galaxy") in the barren wasteland to continue their interview for the [[Autobot City News]]. Optimus takes exception to being called a "fighter", as he doesn't agree that fighting is always the solution. In fact, in order to cure the galaxy of the [[Hate Plague]], he had to find a solution ''other'' than fighting...

With the tale concluded, Optimus asks Tommy if he'd like to help him refuel [[Sky High (Pretender)|Sky High]]. Tommy is psyched to participate in such a "privilege" and signs off his report. He then clings to Prime's head as they blast off into space.
{{--}}

==Notes==
===Production information===
* Final script: 24th November 1986

===Continuity notes===
[[File:It wireframe.gif|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"Excuse me sir! Do you have Prince Albert in a can? You do?? Well, you better let the poor guy out! WUHAH! WUHAH!
WUHAH!"]]
*Prime says of Galvatron: "That's because I know you too well..." As this is the first time Optimus has really met Galvatron (apart from a brief firefight while being a half-alive quasi-zombie in "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]"), it seems that he's able to recognize his [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|old foe]], despite the change in name and appearance. Optimus likely learned of Galvatron's identity while Galvatron briefly possessed the Matrix in "[[The Burden Hardest to Bear]]".
*Furthering the sense that the Throttlebots were thrown into this two-parter at the last minute, the only dialogue they receive comes in this episode: a collection of generic barely-on-screen shouts delivered by [[Frank Welker]] ("Smash Rodimus!") and [[Jack Angel]] ("After him!") that aren't attributed to any individual members of the group. Dedicated performers would later be cast to play the individual Throttlebots in "[[The Rebirth, Part 1]]".
*Optimus's journey through the Matrix gives us a look at some of its early bearers. It almost goes without saying that these robots don't resemble any of the ones we saw back in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]". Moving backward in time, they include:
**A broad-faced 'bot with prominent cheek guards
**A slimmer, decrepit-looking 'bot in similar colors - the ancient rhyming Autobot from "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]".
**A heavily-bearded 'bot - the original "military hardware" (pre-'''Decepticon'''!) design from "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]".
**A wireframe-style entity referred to in the script as "[[It]]", bearing a strong resemblance to a Quintesson Judge's Death head. A version of this design appeared previously in Rodimus Prime's dream sequence in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]".
*Upon entering the Matrix of Leadership, the first Autobot that Optimus Prime encounters is Rodimus Prime; then he converses with Alpha Trion. The latter's appearance there is somewhat puzzling, as it was [[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2|previously established]] (and [[The Rebirth, Part 2|later reiterated]]) that he had merged with Vector Sigma. Alpha Trion's presence makes even ''less'' sense considering that it was clearly stated in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" that he had never taken the Matrix for himself, thus eliminating the possibility that a "backup copy" of himself had somehow been "uploaded" into it. A variety of later fiction would, indirectly, offer explanations centering around the connection between the [[Transformer afterlife|Allspark]], the Matrix, Vector Sigma and Primus. In Alpha Trion's case he's in the afterlife, which one can communicate with through both the Matrix and Vector Sigma. Rodimus's presence is more murky, but can be accounted for by the notion of the Matrix as a gateway to the Allspark.
*Optimus using the Matrix to cure the Hate Plague bears more than a passing resemblance to when Rodimus Prime used the Matrix to destroy [[Unicron]] in [[The Transformers: The Movie|''The Movie'']]. They've even got "[[The Touch]]" playing in the background.
*In Japanese continuity, the events of [[The Great Transformer War issue 3|issue 3]] of ''[[The Great Transformer War]]'' take place shortly after this episode, helping to bridge the gap between it and "[[Four Warriors Come out of the Sky]]", the first episode of ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]''.

===Real-world references===
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**A mix of [[TIE Fighter]] and [[X-wing Fighter|X-Wing]] engines as Sky Lynx rescues the Quintesson during the recap.
**The sound of the darting [[Wikia:Starwars:Marksman-H training remote|Marksman-H training remote]] can briefly be heard as Prime's chest pops open to unleash the Matrix's power.

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:Goldbugtroop1.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.85|Goldbug Prime.]]
*The chair Optimus was sitting on is missing at the beginning of the episode.
*Optimus's fog lights are entirely red, even at the bulbs, which should be yellow or white.
*The recap animation shows Prime's body being pulled out of his ship with several cables. While this idea makes perfect sense, no cables were used during the actual event last episode.
*As Sky Lynx recaps last episode's events, the animation shows the exploding detonator/asteroid/planet/whatever-else-the-script-has-retconned-it-into-being... while he describes the ''star'' going nova. Granted, it's repeating the same goof as the previous ep.
*When the small group of Autobots is restored, Steeljaw's paws are over the side of the table in one shot and beside him in the next shot.
*In his first full body shot, Goldbug's head is drawn off-model, with pointier horns, smaller eyes and a much simpler mouthplate that looks more like Optimus Prime's than Goldbug's zigzag-shaped plate.
*As he speaks with the group, the closeups of Optimus's face from the side have the panel on the left side of his head in gray instead of blue. The long shots don't show his mouth plate moving as he speaks.
*During Blurr's "let's go!" rambling, the Quintesson wobbles around a bit.
*After Kup suggests the Autobots steal the metal back, Steeljaw (who's very close to the camera) is Rampage colored like Steeljaw.
*When Optimus Prime kneels down to talk to Jessica Morgan, Goldbug's feet (in the background) are colored gray instead of gold, even though his shins are still gold.
[[File:Roop kup and prime.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*When the small group of Autobots is restored, Optimus suddenly has his rifle back, though he wasn't holding it in the previous shots.
*As the group "rolls out," Kup is shown driving backward (unless he turns around after the scene transition...).
*The red squares are missing from the tops of Galvatron's shoulders in several shots. His chin is gray in some and dark gray in others as well.
*The Autobots on Charr transform to robot mode with the descending-pitch transformation noise, rather than the ascending-pitch version that usually goes with car-to-robot transformations.
*Optimus's rifle has the basic Autobot gun sound effect rather than its usual sound effect.

*As Optimus drives through the cave, his trailer is missing its Autobot symbol.
*Just before he transforms inside the cave, Optimus' bumper and grille are red instead of gray.

*In the distant shot of the Autobots, just before the [[Chaarantula|spider]] approaches them, Blaster appears to have Blast Off's colors.
*Some shots show the crest on Optimus's helmet framed in gray, while others (such as during his "know you too well" line) have it framed in blue.
*A close-up of Jessica reacting to the spider's approach shows her without her exo-suit, which she is shown wearing immediately before and after.
*Blaster's forehead is red instead of white in the following shot.
*As the energy leeches drop on Optimus, his fog lights are long cylinders rather than short triangles.
*Just before getting infected, Blaster has no lines on his switch plate.
*"We have to get out of here!" - Optimus's faceplate is misaligned with his helmet.
*When Galvatron shoots the top of the cave the second time, some of the rocks stay in mid-air.
*When they enter the Decepticon lab, Galvatron is taller than Optimus. In most other shots, he's shorter than Optimus.
*As Jessica discovers the alloy in the lab, Optimus is missing the Autobot symbol on his shoulder.
*After she makes the discovery, a shot shows the sides of Optimus' midsection in white instead of red.
*When Galvatron is threatening Optimus after they find the heat-resistant metal, Galvatron's cannon has a trigger on it.
*When escaping after Galvatron is infected, Optimus and his cab are colored entirely white (as if already coated in the resistant metal!)
*The establishing shot of Autobot City shows it more off-model than ever: It's colored entirely white or gray instead of the usual gold or maroon color, all the tall towers seem unusually short, the turret is either facing inward or missing its barrel, and all the ramps as well as the river that should be right in front of it are missing.
*Searchlight and Chase fire their first few laser shots at Rodimus without any sound effects. Their first shots are purple, but in the next shot they're firing orange lasers.
*During the subsequent fighting, nobody gets the right sound effect; the Throttlebots and Rodimus all use a non-standard laser sound.
*When he first meets Optimus, Rodimus is missing his Autobot symbol.
*The subsequent shots show Rodimus as semi-transparent.
*As Rodimus drives out of the junkyard a few moments later, he floats above the ground.
[[File:Hate Plague Rodimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|]]
*Rodimus's gun fires yellow shots at times and purple shots in others. And what happened to his rifle?
*As Optimus grapples with Rodimus, Rodimus's Autobot logo disappears in a few frames.
*The inside of Rodimus' mouth is gray as he delivers the "no one is innocent!" line.
[[File:ReturnOptimusPrime2 Alpha Trion miscolored.jpg‎|thumb|upright=1.4|Trust the Gorton's fisherbot!]]
*The close-up of Optimus aboard the newly infected Sky Lynx shows a standard non-infected coloration behind him.
*The ceiling of the junkyard plant has beams framing the glass, yet the beams disappear when Sky Lynx crashes through them.
*Sky Lynx ''also'' disappears after crashing through the glass.
*As Optimus struggles with Rodimus the second time, Optimus's Autobot logo is framed in white in some shots, black in others.
*When Optimus takes the Matrix from Rodimus, the "glow" from the Matrix lags behind the Matrix itself when he raises it up. Rodimus's chest cavity is also a huge chasm, rather than the usual Matrix-sized compartment.
*In the next shot, Rodimus is laying there with his chest suddenly closed again.
*When Optimus is talking to Alpha Trion, Alpha Trion is miscolored. He's grey, slate blue and orange when shown from the front, and entirely orange when shown from the side. He should be grey, dark red and dark blue. It seems the colorists confused him with the Custodiobot from "[[Surprise Party]]".
*When Headstrong and Tantrum get smushed by the doors, they cry out in generic, distinctly non-Predacon voices.
*When Optimus activates the Matrix, its handles disappear. They're back again in the next shot.
*Jessica's facial appearance in this episode is different than it was in Part 1.
*"The wisdom of the ages... lost." - Hot Rod has a Decepticon symbol on his chest.
*In the same shot, Optimus Prime's thigh is miscolored.
*"But the Matrix is empty!" - Hot Rod has the extra lines on his face that accompany his incarnation as Rodimus.
*As Optimus is explaining that the Matrix must be refilled with the future wisdom, he is colored as if he still has the heat-resistant metal on him.
*In the same shot, Hot Rod looks bigger than Optimus even though he should be much smaller (especially now that he's not Rodimus anymore).
*In the last shot of the episode, Optimus is missing his smoke stacks, the front of his cab has the gray stripes but the sides do not, and his trailer is again missing its Autobot logo; meanwhile, Blurr clips into Kup and his front end disappears from the frame.

===Continuity errors===
*Optimus's last line in Part 1 was "This time, no force in the universe can stop me." His first line here is "''Now'', no force in the universe ''will'' stop me."
*Sky Lynx is in two parts at the beginning. He was the full walking bird at the end of the last episode.
*After Sky Lynx's recap, Optimus is seen getting up from a table and walking over to where he was a minute earlier. There was no table behind him in previous shots, and no reason for him to lay down for a moment.
*So....how ''exactly'' does Sky Lynx know every single detail of what happened in the previous episode? He wasn't even there when half of those recapped events took place!
*Given that the Autobots are in a rush to save the galaxy, why did the Quintessons take the time to retool Bumblebee into Goldbug?
*How did Kup know that Rodimus had been contaminated? He was deactivated by Superion before that happened, and wasn't around for Sky Lynx's recap.
* Wouldn’t the Autobots and Decepticons have to worry about Trypticon getting infected?
*The alloy is heat-resistant to the point of surviving a supernova in the [[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1|previous episode]]. Yet it now can be melted down to coat Optimus Prime with it.
*A machine is used to coat Optimus Prime with this superheated alloy. What was ''it'' made out of, and why wasn't that material used?
*And did anyone manage to explain how heat resistance works against spores? What exactly do the writers think {{w|spore}}s are?
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
**The Transformers wounded by [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (and listed by Sky Lynx) included Steeljaw and Wheelie. At the Autobot lab, Wheelie is replaced by Blaster.
**Steeljaw is revived at the Autobot City lab, but not seen afterwards.
*Continuing the confusion started by the combiners last episode, the infected Decepticons work ''together'' to fight Galvatron and the others, instead of attacking each other.
*Worse, when outnumbered by the Autobots, Cyclonus orders the other Decepticons to retreat, and they follow his command.
*Sky Lynx doesn't help during the spider attack, even though he ''can'' fly.
*Where's the trailer go?
**Optimus is coated in the alloy in robot mode. How does his trailer get coated?
**For that matter, where's the trailer been hanging out for the past couple of years since Optimus died, and how did he get back together with it? It just kinda rolls in as usual when he first transforms.
*Goldbug, Kup and Blaster get infected without being touched; in fact they don't even try to avoid it. Sky Lynx was right next to them but doesn't get infected. Huh?
[[File:Rodimus Matrix Chamber FFOD DA TROOP.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|One toy, four variants.]]
*Sky Lynx suddenly grows a pair of hands to pick up Galvatron's [[particle cannon]] with. Even if they're supposed to be his bird-mode legs (which they appear to be based on), what is he standing on?
*Shouldn't Jessica's full-body exo-suit protect her from direct contact and infection?
*After Jessica Morgan and Galvatron are infected, Optimus and Sky Lynx speed off. Jessica makes a jump for Sky Lynx and briefly clings onto his tail before losing her grip, yet Sky Lynx ''still'' doesn't get infected.
*Come to think of it, how do Optimus and Sky Lynx escape Charr? They're in a cave with only one way out. Aren't there partial cave-ins in their path? Wouldn't the other infected Autobots and Decepticons be directly in their path?
*How do the support beams in the junkyard plant hold Optimus and Rodimus' weight?
*Rodimus's Matrix chamber opens via a pair of rectangular swing-out doors much like Optimus' chamber. In "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4," the door opened in the middle of the flame on his chest. In "Dark Awakening", it hinged across the left side of the flame, and the whole design opened to reveal the chamber.
*When Optimus puts the Matrix into his chest, he puts it in ''lengthwise''. Surely his months of deactivation haven't made him forget how the thing sat in his chest for ''millions of years''?
*The infected Transformers work ''together'' to find Optimus Prime, instead of attacking each other.
*"It" tells Prime that "a wise man was able to contain the spores, but...no one had the wisdom to [destroy them]." The implication seems to be that a smart dude figured out a way to control the spores. Yet Prime - and the plot - proceed to interpret this as meaning that "wisdom" is like some kind of laser beam spore-cleaning agent - just point it at the spores and pull the trigger!
*In the movie, the Matrix took up the top half of Optimus' chest compartment and was behind a flip-up panel. Here, it fills in the whole (now hollow) cavity with no panel or other electronics to be seen.
*How exactly did Jessica get off [[Chaar]]?
[[File:Swafford&morganG1.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|"Take our hands! Please!" "Make it your faces and we'll talk."]]
*And what are she and Gregory Swofford doing in [[Moscow]] by the time they're cured of the Hate Plague? It's not just a case of an accidentally recycled background from the previous shot (which did depict actual Russians being cured of the Hate Plague)—even though both shots feature onion domes reminiscent of Saint Basil's Cathedral, they're definitely different background paintings. So... what gives?
*How did they get the alloy ''off'' Optimus Prime? And why would they want to, if it's so resilient? (Unless... they just painted over the alloy?)
*The timing of the last scene is odd. It's long enough after the cure is unleashed for Optimus to have the metal removed or painted over, and for Kup, Hot Rod, Ultra Magnus, and the three humans to arrive at Autobot City. Yet Galvatron is still hanging around, and both he and Hot Rod speak as though the previous scene's events just happened.
**Interestingly, Galvatron is consistently portrayed without his cannon in this scene.
*Does anyone else think that Dr. Swofford and Morgan get off waaaaay too easy at the end of the episode? They ''willingly'' unleash the hate plague that causes widespread devastation (and probably death) across not just the world but the entire galaxy, just to spite the Autobots, and they get off by just saying "sorry"? (Then again, we don't actually ''see'' Optimus shaking their hands. Burn!)

===Trivia===
[[File:DialogueScriptTROOPOrionPax.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|So this is odd.]]
*Following the average-for-[[Toei Animation]] Part 1, this episode's artwork quality is among the series' best, with loads of detailed shading, the same pink-glowing-smoke-explosions seen in ''Transformers: The Movie'', and characters generally on-model and well-drawn.
*The portion of "The Touch" that plays includes the line about "Hell breaking loose," an unusually strong word for an American '80s TV cartoon. Guess the censors were looking elsewhere that day. (Amusing timing as a bamboozled Galvatron says "What is this?", seemingly in reaction to the song replacing the show's usual background music!)
*The [[Sunbow Productions]] cast list entry for this episode lists Orion Pax as appearing. A flashback to Optimus Prime's early days that was removed for time constraints, you might think? No. According to the [[dialogue script]] for the episode, Orion Pax was originally going to be the one to ask Prime why he had returned to the Matrix! Presumably, someone on staff caught the error early enough, as Pax's line in the final cut went to Alpha Trion. (The dialogue script also misspells "Trion" as "Tion", for that matter.)
*[[Jack Angel]] takes over as the voice for Cyclonus following the death of [[Roger C. Carmel]].
*This is the final episode of the original American G1 cartoon to be animated by Toei; the remaining episodes would be animated by [[AKOM]]. Toei would later return to animate all the Japanese-exclusive G1 sequel series.
*Prime's appearance in the alloy coat gives him a strong resemblance to Ultra Magnus's unused unarmored form.
*The Quintesson's voice changes from the first episode. It's still the same voice actor, but in the first part, his voices is higher-pitched and whiny, in Part 2, he sounds like a gravelly old man.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (European French broadcast and DVD release):'' "'''Le retour d'Optimus Prime, partie 2'''" ("The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2")
:*''Title (Canadian French broadcast):'' "'''Le retour d'Optimus, partie 2'''" ("The Return of Optimus, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Concerning the European French dub:
:::*This episode was most likely dubbed later than the first part, the dubbing team being slightly different. Guests characters like Jessica and Gregory do not keep their voice actors from the first part, which reinforces the idea that the episode was not dubbed on the same day.
:::*The [[Déclic Images]] edition of this episode modified the introduction. They used the last scenes from previous episodes and put Sky Lynx's line on the shot with Optimus' silhouette, and Optimus' answer on his close-up. Then the flash-back narrated by Sky Lynx starts. The [[UFG Junior]] edition used the original broadcast version, with the correct images. However, the first lines are removed and replaced by the narrator giving us the title of the episode.
:::*This is the last time we hear [[Henry Djanik]] in the show. He has been present since ''[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]'', but will not be present for the 4th season. The same goes for [[François Leccia]], who joined the team during early season 2.
:::*Sky Lynx misses the part about the ship during his storytelling, he goes from the saving by Jessica and Swofford to them testing the spores.
:::*New made-up names are created this episode. While in the original version, Sky Lynx names Kup, Wheelie, Blurr, Steeljaw and Bumblebee, the French dub says "Baril" (most likely Kup), "Villa" (Wheelie?), "Blurro" (Blurr) and "Balbee" (the regular name of Bumblebee in seasons 1-2). Steeljaw is not named.
:::*The annoyed grunts from the Quintesson being told that he will be helping are dubbed by an enthusiastic "Count on me!".
:::*Goldbug's line "I've gone beyond being just plain old Bumblebee, I'm a gold bug!" is dubbed by "I'm not the little Bumblebee anymore! Not only do I have a heart of gold, but I'm made of gold!". As a result, Optimus Prime's line "From now on, that's exactly who you'll be, Goldbug!" is replaced by "From now on, we will call you another way! Why not ''Dorédic''?".
:::*Optimus Prime firstly says ''le'' Matrix, but for the rest of the episode it will be ''la'' Matrix.
:::*Kup calls the exosuit an "exotanic suit".
:::*Optimus Prime's line "I've got you!" when he catches Galvatron are dubbed by Optimus making some effort grunts and someone with the voice of [[Georges Atlas]] (who dubs Kup and a Quintesson in this episode) saying "And here we go!".
:::*Galvatron's laugh after saying that the Autobots can't fly are dubbed by a strange "Ooooooooh".
:::*Like Optimus Prime did in ''[[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction]]'', Galvatron's laugh after the web incident are replaced by some weird noises from [[Serge Lhorca]], making it sound like Galvatron is in great pain or struggles to do something.
:::*Optimus Prime does not name Kup and Sky Lynx.
:::*When Optimus Prime tells Rodimus Prime that "Madness has infected the entire galaxy, the Autobots, the Decepticons, the humans", instead of saying "the humans", he says "the humanus", whatever that means.
:::*[[Olivier Destrez]], who was the voice of Spike in season 1 before leaving the team, and who made a cameo in ''[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]'' as Slingshot, comes back to dub the few lines of Gregory Swofford, despite not dubbing him in the first part.
:::*"Light our darkest hour" had already been translated in three different ways in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie|The Movie]]'', but a ''fourth'' version is created here, maybe the most ridiculous one: while opening the Matrix, Optimus Prime says "And now, it's time to cheer ourselves up!".

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' '''Die Rückkehr von Optimus Prime, Teil 2''' ("The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (first dub):'' "'''Il ritorno di Commander, Parte 2'''" ("The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Optimus's line: «I must travel into the Matrix» is not dubbed, so you can see him moving his mouthplate without saying anything.
:*''Title (second dub):'' "'''Il ritorno di Optimus Prime, Parte 2'''" ("The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' コンボイの復活パート2 (''Convoy no Fukkatsu Part 2'', "The Resurrection of Convoy Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 25]], [[1987]]
::*The Japanese version of this episode has an alternate ending. After Optimus Prime and the Autobots ride off into the sunset and "The Touch" ends, the music changes to "[[Transformer 2010|TRANSFORMER 2010]]" by [[Shō Hirose]] and the scene shifts to a montage of all the major characters from the series.
::*This montage replaces the "[[Secret Files of Teletraan II]]" segment focusing on [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] used in the US broadcast. The Ultra Magnus "Secret Files" segment was never used in the Japanese broadcast of the series.
::*Following this episode, Japanese cartoon continuity diverges from the Western continuity. Rather than lead into "[[The Rebirth]]" three-parter, Japanese continuity instead continues in their domestically produced series, ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Transformers: The Headmasters]]''.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Qíngtiānzhù Fùhuó (Xià)'''" (擎天柱复活(下),"Optimus Prime Resurrects, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1987 — ''The Transformers'' — The Return of Optimus Prime ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 1987 — ''Transformers'' — Die Rückkehr von Optimus Prime (Zweiter Teil) ([[Polyband]]) — German audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1988 — ''Transformers'' — The Return of Optimus Prime: Optimus Prime the Ultimate Robot ([[Tempo Video]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1989 — ''Transformers'' — Headmasters / The Return of Optimus Prime (Tempo Video) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1991 — ''Transformers'' — Headmasters / The Return of Optimus Prime / Cosmic Rust (Tempo Video) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2000 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume 7: The Return of Optimus Prime ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 2 & Season 4 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 3 and Season 4 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 5: Series 3.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2005 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 23 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2005 — ''Transformers'' — Le Retour d'Optimus Prime ([[UFG Junior]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season's Three & Four {{sic}} (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2010 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gwsuGqt1c_-0NWqiEB4ufvzbVZHatnrK Episode script, finalised 24th November 1986, missing pages 12-18]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}
[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]

Starscream's Ghost

2025-01-11T15:21:03Z

D-Unit: /* Animation and technical errors */

{{episode|
|series=G1toon
|series2=2010
|ep=75
|ep2=7
|prev2=Thief in the Night
|next2=Dark Awakening (episode)
|image=G1 StarscreamsGhost AHHHHH.jpg
|caption="Ebenezer Ooooctaaaane! You must pick a mode and stick to it!"
|title="Starscream's Ghost"
|season=3
|season ep=10
|production code=700-95
|airdate=[[October 2]], 1986
|written by=[[Megeen McLaughlin]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHP5krp4uec
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''On the run from the Decepticons, Octane seeks asylum on Cybertron, where he encounters the ghost of Starscream, who is still scheming in death.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:G1 StarscreamsGhost SpaceDynamite.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Clearly, Homeland Security is earning its budget.]]
Exiled from the [[Decepticon]]s, the former Decepticon [[Octane]] now makes a living freighting scrap metal from planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]] for the [[Autobot]]s. However, his past catches up to him when a vengeful Galvatron hires an alien bounty hunter, the [[Skuxxoid]], to assassinate Octane. Just after he leaves Junk, Octane's cargo ship is destroyed by a bomb planted by his would-be assassin. Fortunately Octane is merely blown away from the explosion and is rescued by a passing transport ship.

[[File:G1 StarscreamsGhost Combaticonstalkers.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Who would have thought [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] could keep quiet?]]
Enraged by this failure, [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] dispatches the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] to track and eliminate the exile. Fearing for his life, Octane takes refuge with the Autobots on [[Earth]] and seeks the advice of his friend [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]], who at first doesn't believe him. When they are ambushed and the Combaticons concentrate on Octane while leaving Sandstorm alone, however, the Autobot is convinced and the pair escape Earth in an [[Autobot shuttle]].

[[File:G1 StarscreamsGhost Diningout.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Why'd you take me here, man? This bar has the ugliest hookers in space."]]
The two [[Triple Changer]]s stop and refuel at a neutral alien space station and use the time to discuss the situation at the adjoining diner. The Skuxxoid, having either tracked them there or anticipated their arrival, poses as the host and ushers them into the diner. As they enter, some seated customers get in a fight, knocking their own table over. Octane and Sandstorm nonchalantly right the table and have a seat, and soon a waitress delivers a plate of [[energon]] appetizers. As they eat, Octane tells Sandstorm that Galvatron wants him dead because he had stolen [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and tried to become the most powerful Decepticon. Meanwhile, the Skuxxoid tries several times to kill Octane but is thwarted by a farcical series of mishaps. In frustration, he finally charges at his target from behind and jumps onto his shoulders, pounding his head repeatedly to little effect. Octane grabs the alien and demands to know who hired him. When the Skuxxoid says he was hired by Galvatron, Octane decides to go deeper into hiding.

[[File:StarscreamCryptMarker1.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Octane's a leg man.]]
He is followed to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] by [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]], and the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]]. When the attacking Decepticons pin him down, he seeks shelter in what appears to be a large drainage pipe, but turns out to be the secret entrance to a [[Decepticon Crypt]]. While there, he encounters the [[ghost]] of [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], who conspires with Octane to take control of Cyclonus. Successful, Starscream then proceeds to "capture" the runaway Octane. However, they are pursued by the Autobots, intent on protecting Octane. [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus]] confronts "Cyclonus", and when he hears his voice, he recognizes him as Starscream instantly. Starscream promises Rodimus a "bonus" if he lets them go, and Rodimus agrees, to the other Autobots' confusion.

When "Cyclonus" brings the cowering Octane back to [[Chaar]], Galvatron is initially furious that the exile was not destroyed. But "Cyclonus" convinces Galvatron that the traitor should be interrogated for any information he might have learned amongst the Autobots. "Cyclonus" puts on a show of torturing Octane, who eventually relents and volunteers a "secret". The two conspirators take Galvatron to a location where Rodimus Prime appears to be alone and vulnerable. Galvatron attacks him and a short battle ensues, but he pauses when he realizes that several more Autobots have come out of hiding and all have their guns trained on him. Rodimus Prime waves to "Cyclonus" and Octane as they abandon Galvatron and fly away.

[[File:G1 StarscreamsGhost Cyclonuswrecked.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"DAMN YOU, TACO BELL!"]]
"Cyclonus" and Octane return to Chaar and lounge on Galvatron's throne, gloating about their successful ambush. But their mood is quickly spoiled by the appearance of a battered and vengeful Galvatron. Starscream reveals his identity to the Decepticon leader, who fires at him just as he exits Cyclonus's body. The gut-shot Cyclonus mumbles that the last thing he remembers is being in the Decepticon Crypt. Galvatron orders Cyclonus to be repaired, and Scourge acknowledges the command... then giggles with Starscream's voice as an image of the ghost becomes slightly visible over him.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
*[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] (5)
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] (15)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] (16)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (17)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (18)
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (19)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (20)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (21)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (22)
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] (23)
|c2=
*[[Octane]] (2)
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] (3)
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (6)
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (7)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (8)
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] (11)
*[[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] (12)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] (13)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (14)
|h3=Others|c3=
*[[Junkyard (G1)|Junkyard]] (1)
*[[Skuxxoid]] (4)
*Alien serving wench (9)
*Alien tentacle guy (10)
}}

==Quotes==
"Hurry, hurry, hurry! Head on up and moooove 'em out! Come on down to Cybertron! A day without scrap metal is like a breakfast without sunshine!"
:—'''Junkyard'''

"Ehh, I'd probably be a jerk too if I was made of junk."
:—'''Octane''', apparently having forgotten that he ''is'' a jerk.

[''Taps Octane on the shoulder''.] "It's your old buddy, ''Starscream''! AHAHAHAHAHA!" 
"Just a shadow of my former self. Don't you think?" 
"STAAARRRRRSCCCRRREEEEAAAAAMMMM!"
:—'''Ghost Starscream''' and '''Octane''' have a less than warm reunion.

[''Autobots shoot at Decepticons in air''.] 
"They've spotted us!" 
[''muttering''] "Whatever would we do without a powerful intellectual like ''you'' along?" 
:—'''Octane''' to '''Cyclonus/Starscream''' who is thrilled by the remark.

"Okay, that's it!" 
"I'm still hungry!" 
"Oh, this? I picked it up on Mars." 
"Ahaha, you mean without a paddle?" 
"Well, I ''thought'' the water was safe to drink." 
"Is he with us? We gotta get movin'!" 
:—A group of diner patrons have the most nonsensical conversation ever while unintentionally thwarting one of the Skuxxoid's assassination attempts.

[[File:Starscream'sGhost Skuxxoid.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
"Take THAT, you overgrown tin can, and that, and THAT, and—I didn't WANT this job, I HAD to take it! I've got a wife and kids! I HAVE to deactivate you! Look, a guy's got to make a living, don't you understand?!"
:—‘Easy, '''Skuxxoid''', we don't want to hear your life story!

"He must be hiding in the crypt." 
"Good. Then we won't have to take him anywhere when we're done."
:—'''Cyclonus''' and '''Scourge'''

[[File:StarscreamsGhost Sweeps.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
'''Scourge''': You! Go down that shaft! 
'''Whining Sweep''': How come I gotta do the dirty work? 
'''Scourge''': You! See if the traitor is hiding down there! 
'''Cowardly Sweep''': No way! If you're so fired up to know what's going on, ''you'' go down there! 
'''Scourge''': YOU LEAD! 
'''Politely Declining Sweep''': I wouldn't want anyone thinking that I question you as a leader, but sorry. 
'''Cyclonus''': ''I'' question your leadership skills, Scourge. The last one in there will face ''me''! 
''[The Sweeps jump into the shaft.]'' 
'''Cyclonus''': You have much to learn. 
'''Scourge''': Yes, that is true. 
'''Cyclonus''': Now, ''DIVE!'' 
:—'''Scourge''', the Sweeps and '''Cyclonus''' debate entering the Crypt.

"Come out and die like a warrior! How dare you disgrace your ancestors by cowering like a pocket computer! He's worse than the Sweeps! Come out and face your fate like the powerful Decepticon you once were, not like the miserable excuse for a Decepticon you have become!"
:—'''Cyclonus''', after spotting Octane hiding behind somebody's marker

"Yes... we will interrogate him. Even if it's not informative, it will be ''fun''!"
:—'''Galvatron'''

"I'll never tell! (Hey, you got pretty close that time.)" 
''[Snicker]'' "You'd better before they discover your bad acting!"
:—'''Octane''' and '''Cyclonus/Starscream''' during their faux interrogation

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
[[File:ThundercrackerCryptMarker1.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*This episode is the first appearance of Starscream's ghost. He'll reappear in the follow-up episode "[[Ghost in the Machine (G1)|Ghost in the Machine]]" (though the details don't quite line up).
**Outside the original cartoon, ghost Starscream would also appear in [[The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 4|the 4th issue]] of [[The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers|the 2010 manga]] and in the ''[[Transformers: The Battle of the Star Gate|The Battle of the Star Gate]]'' manga, and a decade later in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Possession]]". He's also put in more recent appearances in issues of the ''[[Information Administration Teletraan 15 Go! Go!]]'' comics, [[Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|''Kiss Players'' radio drama]], the ''[[Transformers × Evangelion]]'' online story as the "[[Angel]]"-[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|scream]], and the Facebook blog "[[Tornado - Decepticon Saboteur]]".
**The ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Bad Spark]]" would explain Starscream's "ghost": the [[spark]] of Starscream possesses a mutation which has rendered it indestructible.
*The creature that eats the Skuxxoid's gun paraphrases an old favorite line of the Insecticons: "A little heavy on the photons."
*The Decepticons have a dark sense of humor. Starscream's marker in the Decepticon crypt consists of nothing but his boots, in apparent "homage" to his death in ''The Transformers: The Movie'', wherein his legs were the only part of him not seen crumbling to ash.
**Three markers in the crypt are recycled from the Decepticon [[Hall of Heroes]] where Starscream's coronation took place: [[Bloodron]] appears behind Octane, [[Floron]] is in the hallway Cyclonus walks down, and [[Murdron]] is is next to Bloodron when Cyclonus finds Octane. Although these characters were unnamed on-screen, their names were revealed years later on a piece of [[Floro Dery]] concept art for the Hall.
**Other markers in the crypt include [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]], [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], and, apparently, [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (or [[Prophetic dead Decepticon|someone with similar mannerisms]]).
**For some reason, the Decepticon Crypt is accessed via a drainage grate.
*The freighter Octane uses at the start of this episode is apparently a common Autobot design, as one is seen entering Cybertron as the Decepticons make their second attempt on Octane's life.
[[File:G1 StarscreamsGhost PRON.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Grab your dipstick and double-click...]]
*The [[Cheesecake robot|female robot]] Octane ogles on his internets looks surprisingly like [[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]]... but with much larger... shoulder pads. Yes.
*This is the first and the last time Cyclonus is seen serving as Galvatron's personal transport after ''Transformers: The Movie''.
*Powers and gadgets:
**When Octane and Sandstorm transform and go off joyriding, for some reason Sandstorm constantly emits huge clouds of exhaust fumes. It's presumably a skewed interpretation of his bio ability to whip up "blinding sandstorms", which he actually uses correctly to evade the Combaticons.
**Sandstorm's cockpit is evidently large enough for Octane to operate him in robot mode. (In animation terms, Octane basically shrinks to fit inside him.)
*In the year 2006, the Skuxxoid uses the high-tech explosive dynamite.

===Real world references===
*The unnamed Junkion offers up a few pop culture references:
**"Head 'em up and move 'em out" is a common reference to cowboy culture; it was made particularly famous as part of the theme to ''Rawhide''.
**"A day without scrapmetal is like a breakfast without sunshine" plays on an old ad campaign for orange juice: "Breakfast without orange juice is like a day without sunshine."
**"Best to you each morning" is likewise an old Kellogg's cereal ad slogan.
*Starscream gets in a bizarre one of his own after he takes over Cyclonus' body. When Octane asks "is that you in there?", Starscream replies "only my metal polisher knows for sure." This borrows from an old Clairol hair color ad which featured the tagline "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCrEyOWAEVw only her hairdresser knows for sure.]"
*The famous ''Star Trek'' door slide sound can be heard as the hatch on Octane's ship closes behind him.
*Sandstorm borrows the same helicopter blade sound effect used for Cop-Tur in ''Challenge of the Go-Bots''.
**Likewise, Cyclonus and the Sweeps use the two most common Go-Bot laser sound effects as they first open fire on Octane.
*''Star Wars'' sound effects:
**When Cyclonus/Starscream fires on Sandstorm (and again when Galvatron blasts Cyclonus), the laser sound is sampled from ''[[Star Wars (film)|The Empire Strikes Back]],'' when [[C-3PO]] is shot to pieces by a Stormtrooper. The sample fails to cut out 3PO's cry of "No!", and his voice can heard in this episode and each time the sound effect is used again, in "[[Only Human]]" and "[[The Rebirth, Part 1]]".<ref>[http://zobovor.tripod.com/starscreams_ghost_bloopers.html Starscream's Ghost bloopers] on Zobovor's site.</ref>

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:Starscreams-Ghost-Cyclonus-Robot-mode-alt-design.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|We could also criticize the all-over-the-map vocal performance of Roger Carmel, but he actually sounds pretty awesome.]]
This episode was assigned to and produced by AKOM,<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/TheRoboplasticApocalypse/photos/a.2329350367103600/2329351747103462/?type=3&theater "The Transformers" status update document identifying "Starscream's Ghost" as an AKOM episode, photograph by the Roboplastic Apocalypse on Facebook]</ref> but was evidently subcontracted to an additional [[Unknown Generation 1 animation studios|unidentified studio]], as the quality of the animation is leagues ahead of the usual AKOM fare. However, it still features noticeable errors.
*When first seen, [[Junkyard (G1)|Junkyard]] is drawn in [[Scrapheap (G1)|Scrapheap]]'s colors.
*Rodimus Prime, Galvatron, and Cyclonus all appear pretty-much-consistently in their outdated character models and colour schemes. Only in a few rear-view shots does Cyclonus appear with his finalised design (such as in the scene where he "interrogates" Octane), suggesting this studio had the up-to-date ''rear view'' character model to hand, but not the front-facing one.
*Everybody gets big sexy lips - first Octane, then Sandstorm, then Cyclonus as the episode rolls on. While possible, whether or not that unidentified studio AKOM used was the same one that Toei used for "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]" is anyone's guess.
*Cyclonus has ''huge'' eyebrows in the crypt scenes. His eyebrows and chin are also colored dark purple, rather than the normal pale purple.
*Cyclonus and Rodimus both have colored mouths, to match their helmets: purple and red, respectively.
*When Galvatron is shown giving orders to have Octane destroyed, he's missing from the shot - so the Skuxxoid is quaking in fear before an empty throne!
[[File:Starscreams-ghost-animation-error-scary-chair.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|The scariest chair in the entire galaxy!]]
*As the Skuxxoid approaches the scrap conveyor, robots colored like Ultra Magnus, Kup and Sandstorm are shown where Octane and the Junkion should be.
*The thruster-glows on Octane's ship disappear after takeoff. Technically correct, since the ship shouldn't need to keep thrusting once it's in space, but not consistent with the way ships usually operate in the cartoon.
*Octane's robot pinup girl appears on a small monitor that wasn't there when we saw the full console a couple of shots earlier.
*While Octane is walking with Sandstorm outside Autobot City, he trips and falls over a rock. The rock actually jumps in front of Octane's foot causing him to fall down. Can't this guy catch a break?
*Coloring errors:
**Blast Off's forehead is colored as though it were an optic visor.
**Brawl's mouthplate is colored gray instead of brown as the smoke engulfs him.
**Starscream's back cowling is colored cockpit yellow as he walks up behind Cyclonus.
**Silverbolt has a red cockpit as he dives to attack.
**Rodimus's helmet rims are orange instead of red as he orders the Decepticons to be encircled.
**The center of Rodimus's spoiler is yellow instead of orange during and after the fight with Galvatron.
*Sudden starry night:
**After Octane gets up and the pair begin to walk again, the background is of deep space, even though they are on Earth.
*After Onslaught and Blast Off observe Octane and Sandstorm fly off, Onslaught (who should be in command) begs Blast Off (the one who can fly) for permission to pursue... in Blast Off's voice. It seems somebody accidentally switched who was speaking which line at the storyboard or animation stage.
*Wrong lasers:
**The standard Autobot and Decepticon lasers sound effects are MIA for this episode. The Combaticon lasers use one sound effect; Cyclonus and the Sweeps - and later the Autobots - use a variety of old science fiction stock sound effects for their weapons, some of which were standard sound effects on ''Challenge of the Go-Bots''. (See also Real World References, above.)
*Autobot City's wall is very, very low—low enough for Octane and Sandstorm merely to jump over when the Combaticons fire upon them.
*The commercial bumpers have a few extra seconds' worth of music in this episode.
*The Skuxxoid's laser pistol has a sight as he arms it, but is sightless when he aims it at Octane. The sight reappears in subsequent shots.
*Octane reacts to the attacking Decepticons long before they actually emerge from the smoke cloud.
*When the Decepticons attack Octane on Cybertron, some of the laser fire coming towards Octane is coloured gold, like Autobot lasers.
*After smacking Scourge, Cyclonus returns to jet mode with no transformation sound.
*The back of Starscream's legs are colored light blue as he creeps up behind Cyclonus in the Crypt.
*Cyclonus destroys the bars in the grate, causing Octane to fall down the chute. Later, as Cyclonus and the Sweeps approach the damaged grate, its bars are fully intact.
*The fleeing Decepticons simply appear out of thin air on the monitor, while the background behind them remains unchanged.
*A layering error has the Aerialbots shooting at Sandstorm!
[[File:G1 StarscreamsGhost BackwardsKup.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|"Kup, there's something wrong with your optics!" "They're fine, Magnus; [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] fixed 'em yesterday." "...Ratchet's dead, Kup."]]
*Silverbolt is drawn with four engines when the Aerialbots go after Cyclonus/Starscream's group.
*When the Autobots counter-attack in an attempt to rescue Octane, Kup is shown arriving at the battle driving ''backwards''.
*One of the Sweeps just hangs around behind Rodimus while Starscream and Octane take off.
*During Octane's "interrogation," Octane mouths Starscream's laugh.
*When Octane and the possessed Cyclonus are sitting around Decepticon headquarters discussing Galvatron's fate, Octane is shown mouthing Starscream's question, and Cyclonus is drawn mouthing Octane's response. It also seems lines are reversed, as when Galvatron enters he says "Seen the last of who, Cyclonus?", when Octane was the one who said the line he is responding to.

===Continuity errors===
*For some reason Autobot City appears to be deserted, as nobody comes out to investigate the battle with the Combaticons.
*Sandstorm and Octane are shown to be friends, when Sandstorm's only prior appearance was when we met him on the planet Paradron, far removed from the war for millions of years. It is possible they met between episodes, but it is strange nonetheless.
*The "energon" served on board the alien space station/space trucker rest stop is drawn and coloured as small orange wedges, rather than the traditional glowing purple cubes.

*Humanizing:
**The Combaticons cough when they're surrounded by Sandstorm's dust clouds... even though none of them have mouths!
**As Octane stuffs his face with "energon", he makes repeated "gulping" sound effects.
*The Autobot freighter leaves a cloud of smoke... in space. (It suddenly appears when the Decepticons need to use it for cover.)
*As Octane wanders through the crypt, he looks at the statue of a generic robot and paraphrases Dirge's catchphrase about "Death comes to he who crosses me" (a cut line from ''The Transformers: The Movie'', actually used in "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]"). Only problem is, Dirge isn't dead! Despite being eaten by Unicron in the movie, and blowing up in "Five Faces", he shows up in several subsequent episodes. Even if he ''were'' killed in one or the other of these instances, when would the Decepticons have had a chance to build a memorial to him, as they didn't control Cybertron after the Unicron battle? And why doesn't the statue look like him in the first place?
*A Sweep comments that Cyclonus "sounds like Starscream", to which Scourge replies "No need to be insulting." Starscream mutters "You will suffer for that!" in response... but it's several shots and lines of dialog afterwards, breaking the flow and making it seem like he's addressing Sandstorm, who he just shot down. It's even more unfortunate since this one line seems to be setting up Starscream's later possession of Scourge - at the end of this episode and again in its sequel.
*A script glitch has Galvatron asking "You mean WHAT, old friend?" and Starscream replying "Who do you think I mean?" In keeping with the previous lines, Galvatron should have asked ''who''.

===Trivia===
[[File:TVMagazineStarscreamsGhost1.jpg|right|upright=0.85|thumb|Hey, remember that episode where Blitzwing fought Starscream's ghost? That was awesome.]]
*Several clues indicate that this episode was originally scripted to feature [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] in Octane's role, following on from the conclusion of "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]", in which Blitzwing was banished from the Decepticons and offered a place among the Autobots by Rodimus Prime (though he declined):
**An internal Sunbow cast document for this episode lists Blitzwing, not Octane.<ref>[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DCXj0yn4CM-wmVe0WpdlcWv9u7x0KcHJ/view Sunbow cast list], at the [https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/p/mp-700-transformers-part-2-1986-1987.html Sunbow and Marvel Productions script/storyboard archive].</ref>
**When Octane relates the reasons for his banishment, he quotes verbatim Galvatron's words to Blitzwing, that he would "never be welcome in the ranks of the Decepticons again".
**The events of "[[Thief in the Night]]" are used to provide a reason for Octane's banishment, but that episode was produced and aired ''after'' this episode, suggesting this episode was re-written during production, taking inspiration from the later episode (Beau Weaver's delivery of Octane's lines as he recounts the events of "Thief" sound notably rushed, as if being squeezed into a space in the audio where they did not originally exist). The fit is notably not a perfect one: "Thief" did not end with Octane on bad terms with Galvatron, and neither episode offers any explanation for why Octane is on friendly terms with the Autobots, whereas Blitzwing going to them for protection would've been following up on Rodimus' offer from "Five Faces of Darkness."
**A piece of artwork in Japan's ''[[TV Magazine]]'' shows Blitzwing being accosted by the specter of Starscream.
**When Octane first sees Starscream, he is paralyzed in terror halfway between truck and robot mode. Starscream even remarks that he needs to be "straightened up". This reflects Blitzwing's on-package [[bio]], which states that he "often gets stuck in mid-transformation."<ref>Blitzwing's on-package bio, [http://www.botchthecrab.com/archive/decoder.asp?CharName=Blitzwing&ImgURL=/archive/techspecs/decepticon/1985/ts_blitzwing.jpg scan at botchthecrab.com]</ref>
**In slightly more circumstantial territory, Starscream calls Octane "old friend," Octane displays familiarity with Thundercracker, and Sandstorm refers to Octane as an 'older model'—comments that are not necessarily ''incongruous'', but which do all fit better with Blitzwing, who was part of the show's cast back when Starscream and Thundercracker were alive, and whose toy is a year older than Octane and Sandstorm's, than they do with Octane.
**So, ''why'' was Octane swapped out for Blitzwing? Simply put, it's almost certainly because [[to sell toys|his toy was new]]. Though Blitzwing was still on shelves in 1986, he'd had plenty of promotion in season 2, and Octane's only other advertisment in the show was "Thief in the Night," indicating the older toy got bumped for the newer one.
*This episode's [[dialogue script]] ascribes all of Sandstorm's dialogue to [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]. While it's tempting to think that, like Octane, his character was consciously switched (to feature a toy promoted by only [[Fight or Flee (episode)|one other episode]] in the series), this script was evidently written up using the ''finished episode'', rather than the actual recording script, so it's probably just a transcription error; the aforementioned early cast list that includes Blitzwing instead of Octane has the role filled by Sandstorm.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/38be154a237a9aa3?pli=1 Alt.toys.transformers post about script errors]</ref>
*Two of the alien patrons of the diner were originally for the episode "[[Chaos (episode)|Chaos]]", though due to script changes, they were not used until "Starscream's Ghost".
*This was one of twelve episodes of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]] released as audio adventures by the [[Germany|German]] company [[Karussell|Karussell Musik und Video]].
*This episode has an especially humorous tone, with quippy dialogue and wacky events such as Octane tuning into robo-porn and the Skuxxoid clumsily failing to kill him multiple times.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (European French broadcast):'' "'''Le fantôme de Starscream'''" ("Starscream's Ghost")
:*''Title (Canadian French broadcast):'' "'''Le fantôme d'Égo'''" ("Starscream's Ghost")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*This episode is one of those that has never been released on DVD in French.
::*Concerning the European French dub:
:::*Despite [[Albert Augier]] being present to dub other characters, Starscream is dubbed by [[Georges Atlas]]. He gives him a "ghost" voice, delivering all his lines in a monotonous tone.
:::*Sandstorm's line "You ate it that time" and Octane's answer "Oh yeah?" are dubbed by "So, does that make you happy?" and Octane laughing.
:::*Octane's line "Eat my dust!" and Sandstorm's answer are simply dubbed by Octane saying "What do you think of that?".
:::*The crowd sounds of the space station are missing, it is very calm.
:::*Octane states that he ''eliminated'' Trypticon. That would make him a rather formidable opponent.
:::*When telling Octane that he will be safe on Cybertron, Sandstorm uses "vous" instead of "tu", making it sound like he talks to both Octane and the Skuxxoid. Indeed, he used "tu" with Octane in all previous scenes.
:::*In order to not pronounce Thundercracker's name, Octane simply says "I should hide somewhere else".
:::*When Octane hears the sounds, he says "I hope it's Sweep", like if Sweep was a character's name.
:::*The scene in which Starscream/Cyclonus pretends to torture Octane has not been dubbed correctly, they removed the "fake" effect. Between two "I won't talk", Octane says "He was great!" for some reason, and Cyclonus' line about Octane's bad acting is even replaced with "This is going to end badly for you if you continue".
:::*Before transforming, Galvatron tells Rodimus Prime "Enough, Optimus!". However, he says Rodimus a few seconds later after being kicked.

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Der Geist von Starscream'''" ("The Ghost of Starscream")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (first dub):'' "'''Caccia al traditore'''" ("Traitor Hunt")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Octane's line: «Uh, how's the food here?» becomes: «Come here, let's look at the menu». Saying "come here" doesn't make a lot of sense here.
::*In this episode, Aerialbots are called "Arialbot".
:*''Title (second dub):'' "'''Il fantasma di Starscream'''" ("Starscream's Ghost")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' スタースクリームの幽霊 (''Starscream no Yūrei'', "Starscream's Ghost")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 26]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Sǐbùgānxīn de Hóngzhīzhū '''" (死不甘心的红蜘蛛, "Unresigned Starscream's Ghost")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Prizrak Skandalista'''" (''Призрак Скандалиста'', "Starscream's Ghost")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Duch Starscreama'''" (''Starscream's Ghost")
:*''Voice Over Lector: Stanisław Olejniczak(?)''
:*''VHS Release: Dromader''

===Toys inspired by this episode===
[[File:GhostStarscream toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Wait a minute. Since when do ghosts have painted metal chests?]]
*'''Starscream Ghost Version''' (e-Hobby Exclusive, 2001)
**''ID number:'' '''22'''
**''Accessories:'' Left & right fists, 2 missile launchers, 2 null rays, 2 cluster bombs, left & right wings, left & right tail fins, left & right tail wings, landing gear

: Available concurrently with the 2001 reissue of the original Generation 1 Starscream figure, "Starscream Ghost Version" is an [[e-HOBBY]] [[exclusive]] ''[[The Transformers: Collector's Edition|Collector's Edition]]'' redeco of the 2001 Starscream reissue, cast almost entirely in translucent plastics (except for those parts made of die-cast metal) in homage to Starscream's tenure as a ghost in the third season of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]]. To make the toy further match Starscream's cartoon appearance, it features a notably lighter shade of blue, and a translucent orange cockpit as opposed to the traditional smoky grey. The toy came in unique monochrome-blue window box packaging featuring [[CGI]] artwork of Starscream.
{{-}}

[[File:Masterpiece ghost starscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Oh sure. Make a Transformer from the line that has some of the most complex figures ever cast ENTIRELY out of translucent plastic. Great idea.]]
*'''Starscream Ghost Version''' (2010)
**''ID number:'' '''MP-3G'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 null rays, 2 missile racks, Doctor Arkeville pilot figurine, gun clip, two-piece display stand

:Cast almost entirely in translucent plastic, this "Ghost Version" ''Masterpiece'' figure is yet another callback to Starscream's spectral tenure from the Generation 1 cartoon. When purchased from [[e-HOBBY]], buyers will receive an [[MP-3G Destron Air Commander / Starscream Ghost Ver.|exclusive comic]] packaged with the figure.

:Like Gentei Ghost Starscream, Masterpiece Ghost Starscream is cast in light purple translucent plastic instead of just colorless clear plastic like the G1 Ghost Starscream figure.

:This figure was also released in [[Australia]], as an [[exclusive]] through [[Toys"R"Us]], in late [[2010]].

:Surprisingly Ghost Starscream comes with the same sticker sheet as the original MP-3 Starscream, only with the numbering designation changed.
{{-}}

[[File:Henkei ghost starscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Starscream's transparency; sometimes it isn't just figurative.]]
*'''Starscream Ghost Version''' (Deluxe, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' 2 missile launchers (left and right), 2 missiles
:Available only as a mail-away exclusive offered through ''[[Transformers Generations 2009 Volume 2]]'' that was released in November 2009, this redeco of Starscream is the second in the character's history to pay homage to his time as a ghost in the third season of the Generation 1 cartoon by casting him almost entirely in traslucent colored plastic. Parts of the figure made in softer plastic, like his thighs, remain opaque.

:Starscream Ghost Version uses the altered version of the ''Classics'' Starscream mold that originated with Classics [[Skywarp (G1)/toys|Skywarp]] and was last seen with [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]] (down to the 2006 copyright date stamped on it), rather than the modified version first used on ''Universe'' Starscream and the iterations that followed ([[#Universe (2008)|see below]]). He has the date K0409 (11/04/2009) etched into the inside of his leg.
{{-}}

[[File:QTransformers ClearStarscream.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.67]]
*'''Clear Starscream''' ([[January 30]], 2016)

:Clear Starscream is a clear plastic redeco of the original ''Q-Transformers'' mold given away at [[Toys"R"Us]] stores with purchases of 5 or more ''Q-Transformers'' toys, and was limited to 3000 pieces. In the announcement for the toy, Starscream himself points out its resemblance to the "ghost mode" he's always getting toys of.
{{-}}

[[File:UW-toy StarscreamGhost.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|So if he gets shot in limb mode, does the combiner get phantom pain?]]
*'''Grand Galvatron''' (Multi-pack, [[April 30]] [[2016]])
**''ID number:'' '''UW-06'''
**''Accessories'': Double-barreled blaster, hand/foot/gun

:''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' "Ghost Starscream" is a new-head [[retool]]ing of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Generations|Skydive]], transforming into a made-up fighter jet that looks like a cross between an F-16 and an F-18. Like so many other "ghost" Starscream figures, he is cast almost completely in translucent plastics.

: As a Deluxe-sized ''Unite Warriors'' figure, he can form the leg or arm of any ''Combiner Wars''-style Combiner or into one of [[Godbomber#Legends|''Legends'' Godbomber]]'s legs, but is normally associated with [[Grand Galvatron#Unite Warriors 2|Grand Galvatron]]. As such, his large (non-firing) double-missile-launcher accessory can convert into either a hand or foot for combiner forms.

: He was sold in an [[TakaraTomy Mall]] exclusive giftset of Grand Galvatron along with [[Cyclonus (G1)/toys#Unite Warriors|Tactician Cyclonus]], [[Thrust (Armada)#Unite Warriors|Curse Armada Thrust]], [[Breakdown (WFC)#Unite Warriors 2|Zombie War Breakdown]], and [[Roller (G1)#Unite Warriors 2|Wandering Roller]].
{{-}}

[[File:LG57-GhostStarscream.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I'm still '''[[Starscream (Animated)|ahead]]''' of the game Megatron!]]
*'''Octone (Octane)''' ([[December 30]], [[2017]])
**''ID number'': '''LG57'''

:''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' Ghost Starscream is a semi transparent redeco/retool of ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Titan Master [[Nightbeat (G1)#Titans Return|Nightbeat]], featuring a new faceplate. His Headmaster form is designed to invoke the look of his ghost form. He comes as an accessory with Octone, homaging this episode with the aforementioned transparency. The stock photography shows that, in order to differentiate him in control of the body from Octone, the shoulder and head pylons should both be moved up instead of leaving them down. This might be an attempt to replicate Starscream's iconic shoulder pylons and head embellishments.
{{-}}

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1987 — ''Transformers'' — Starscream's Ghost / The Nightmare Planet / The Ghost in the Machine ([[St. Michael Video Library]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1991 — ''Transformers'' — Starscream's Ghost / Fight or Flee ([[Tempo Video]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1: Vol. 2 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 3 and Season 4 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 4: Series 3.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season's Three & Four {{sic}} (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2010 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==References==
<references />

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20230326212953/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-3/synopses/700-95.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]

Chaos (episode)

2025-01-11T14:48:29Z

D-Unit: /* Continuity notes */

{{disambig3.5|the Generation 1 cartoon episode|the alien creature featured in the episode|Chaos (alien)|Chaos}}
{{episode|
|series=G1toon
|series2=2010
|ep2=11
|prev2=The Killing Jar (episode)
|next2=Madman's Paradise
|image=G1 Chaos.JPG
|caption=Kup discovers a very distant cousin (twice removed) of [[Godzilla|that big green, fire-snortin' lizard]].
|ep=72
|title="Chaos"
|season=3
|season ep=7
|production code=700-92
|airdate=[[September 30]], 1986
|written by=[[Paul Davids]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbATwtlvPzI
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''A discovery on Goo forces Kup to face a demon from his past.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Chaos Blastoff Skuxxoid.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Give me your snack, kid."]]

Near Goo, a [[Skuxxoid]] is using a bazooka to fire strange crystals at random pieces of junk. However, [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] spots him and they start firing at each other. Cornering the Skuxxoid on Goo, Blast Off demands to know with what he was being shot. The Skuxxoid shows him the crystals. He says that they are hard to find, but he knows where the planet is.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] is telling a story about one of his encounters with an [[Ick-Yak]] to [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]]. An Ick-Yak had cornered Kup on [[Dread (planet)|Dread]], but Kup managed to trick it into walking into the quick-mud. Grimlock says he heard that a monster named [[Chaos (alien)|Chaos]] lived on Dread, and asks Kup if that's true. Kup freaks out and tells Grimlock never to speak of Chaos again. However, [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] contacts Cybertron, telling them of a discovery he made. Using [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], the [[Autobot]]s go to investigate. On [[Goo 8739-B|Goo]], they discover a destroyed [[Earth Defense Command]] station. Grimlock is shocked, as the station was made of the strongest metal in the galaxy. Kup, however, recognizes what did it: [[Death crystal]]s. The Autobots ask what death crystals are, but Kup is hesitant. At that moment, Blast Off appears with [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] riding on him, firing death crystals. Escaping on Sky Lynx, the two [[Transformer]] shuttles play a game of cat and mouse, until Runamuck destroys a comet, allowing Sky Lynx to escape.

[[File:Chaos Kup prisoners.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Kup finds all the UK exclusive characters.]]

After escaping, the Autobots demand answers. Kup explains that one hundred-thousand years ago, when he was on Dread, he was captured by [[Orb]]s, a slaver race. He was forced to work in the death crystal mines under extremely hazardous conditions, facing attacks by wrecks of [[shrikebat]]s. Kup managed to sneak away from his work detail, heading into the caves, where he found a group of imprisoned robots. As he was preparing to free them, Chaos appeared. Kup was so frightened that he fled, leaving the robots behind. He's never forgiven himself for leaving those other robots behind, and now the [[Decepticon]]s know about the death crystals. The Autobots resolve to stop the Decepticons before disaster should strike.

[[File:Chaos Kup Predacons.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Kup's early years as a Lion Tamer weren't going too well]]

On Dread, it turns out that [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] is not content to use them merely as ammunition—he's building a [[Death crystal cannon|cannon]] that will fire death crystals at Cybertron, destroying the planet with one shot. Landing away from the Decepticon camp, Kup takes Blurr to do some recon. During their search, the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] arrive, with [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] and [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] taking on Kup, with the others knocking Blurr into the quick-mud (which has the benefit of shutting him up). Grimlock, Wheelie, and Wreck-Gar head to help, while Sky Lynx separates. Heading for the two Autobots, Grimlock mauls Razorclaw as Wheelie and Wreck-Gar fire, while Sky Lynx rescues Blurr from the mud. As the Predacons retreat to inform Galvatron, Sky Lynx follows to further investigate.

[[File:Chaos Kup enters cave.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|"What's in there?" "Only what you take with you."]]

Heading for the camp, the other Autobots arrive to attack the Decepticons, and the Predacons form [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], managing to get a lucky shot on Sky Lynx. Kup is trapped in the mines of [[Queeg Mountain]] due to a random shot, and immediately goes to find Chaos. Finding imprisoned robots, he frees them, just as Chaos arrives. The beast has death crystals embedded into his skin, but Kup has a plan. Using another opening in the volcano, Kup leads the robots to freedom, and uses Galvatron's death crystal cannon on Chaos, which also causes the volcano to erupt. Sky Lynx manages to rescue the Autobots, who flee into space. Sky Lynx has been injured, but Kup is sure that he'll be okay. It actually reminds him of the time he was riding the shuttle ''[[Jonagar]]'' and was trapped in a [[space whale]]. As the other Autobots bemoan another tale, Grimlock commands them to be quiet, as he loves Kup's war stories.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] (3)
*[[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] (4)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] (5)
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (6)
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (7)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (8)

|c2=
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (2)
*[[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (9)
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] (12)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (13)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (14)
*[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (15)
*[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (16)
*[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (17)
*[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (18)
*[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] (19)

|c4=
*[[Skuxxoid]] (1)
*[[Dread slaves]] (10)
*[[Chaos (alien)|Chaos]] (11)
}}

==Quotes==
[[File:Chaos SkyLynx liftoff.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|"Look, up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a lynx! It's Sky Lynx!"]]

"This could be the galaxy-busting case I've been waiting to sink my sensors into."
:—'''Kup''', thinking he's [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]].

"Secret-keepers always weepers! Tell a friend or heads will bend!"
:—'''Wheelie''' starts getting violent.

"Sky Lynx! If he's come after the cannon, he's gonna get himself obliterated!" 
"Obliterated? By you grubby Predacons? That'll be the day!"
:—'''Tantrum''' and '''Sky Lynx''' trade barbs.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft script submitted: 12th April 1986
* Revised script submitted: 28th April 1986
* Script finalised by [[Flint Dille]]: 29th April 1986
* Dialogue recording: 19th May 1986
* First draft storyboards completed: 4th June 1986

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Ick-Yak01.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*This is the second time that Kup would narrate an encounter with an [[Ick-Yak]]. He first mentions them in [[The Transformers: The Movie|the movie]].
*The Ick-Yak was not the only monster Kup mentioned in the movie to make an appearance. The bat creatures that harried Kup and the other slaves were labeled "[[shrikebat]]s" on their [[character model]]s.
*Galvatron orders the Predacons to merge into Predaking before sending them off to get the Autobots, but when they encounter the Autobots, they are back in their individual beast modes.
*When Kup first mentions Dread, Grimlock asks about the rumors of Chaos living there; Kup tells the Dinobot to forget he ever heard the name. Later, Kup mentions Chaos, and Grimlock asks who that is. Apparently he took Kup's instructions a little ''too'' literally.
*Having learned from [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3|their previous adventure on Goo]], the Autobots send Blurr to "shut off the goo" so they can walk on the planetoid's surface.
*Predaking shows some rather flagrant on-screen size-changing - he forms, then grows visibly larger.
*Sky Lynx's cabin includes a pair of piloting yokes. Apparently he can be piloted like a standard ship, as Wreck-Gar and Blurr are shown manning them.
*Predaking uses a snazzy purple lightsaber in this episode to slice off a boulder and cave in the Autobots.

===Real-world references===
*Wreck-Gar's quips and quotes are mostly generic:
**He paraphrases cigarette health warnings with the "Nine out of ten doctors and the surgeon general agree, that death crystals can be hazardous to your health."
**He laments getting shot with a cry of "Zip-Lock bag not locking!"
*The story of Jonagar and the space whale is a thinly papered version of the Biblical story of {{w|Jonah|Jonah and the Whale}}.
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine burst both times that Sky Lynx takes off from Goo's surface.
**Diving [[X-wing Fighter|X-Wings]] and [[TIE Fighter]] roar as Blast Off and Sky Lynx chase through the planetary ring system, and again as Sky Lynx transforms to his separate modes on Dread, and again as he takes off for his "recon mission". If one listens very closely during the latter, at the very end of the sound, the sound of Darth Vader's breathing and the TIE engine when heard from inside can be picked out.
**''Falcon'' engine whine as the Predacons return from their fight with Sky Lynx.
**Clashing and sparking [[lightsaber]]s as Predaking slices a boulder loose.

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:Chaos Kup Blurr piloting ship.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Distinguishing characteristics of a non-AKOM episode: 1) Doesn't suck.]]
The animation and artwork is among the show's best. Characters are consistently drawn and colored; they're generally well proportioned and on-model. Minor details abound: characters stay in the correct relative positions between shots, Kup hangs on to his detector device during the battle until he puts it down, Headstrong paws the ground before charging, and Blurr even gets his blurred visual trail effect, which every other episode forgot about.
*There's an odd silent moment at around 3:13, as the computer beeps and blurbs without any dialogue. This space was originally occupied with dialogue from [[Casey Kasem]] as [[Teletraan II]], which was deleted after he departed the series following behind-the-scenes issues on "[[Thief in the Night]]". One of Kasem's lines actually does survive, that of Imprisoned Robot #2, who begs, "We've got to get back to our home planet!"
*Coloring errors:
**Kup's helmet rims are the same light gray as his face as Blurr transforms lands on Goo.
**As Kup and Blurr exit Sky Lynx on the planet, Kup's Autobot symbol is purple instead of red.
**Sky Lynx is missing all his red bits just before he transforms on Goo - they're colored white and blue instead.
**Tantrum's head becomes all-black as he transforms into Predaking form, then returns to its correct red.
**Predaking's eyeband is the same orange as his helmet when he first forms; combined with how low his helmet sits, it makes it look like he doesn't have a face at all!
**Blurr's helmet flashes between light and dark blue as he sinks into the swamp.
**Headstrong's beast legs are yellow instead of black as the Predacons return from their first fight with the Autobots.
**As he says, "Commence hunting season!," Galvatron's Decepticon symbol is red instead of purple. This happens again just after Sky Lynx passes by him.
**Just before firing the crystals at Chaos, the triangles under Kup's eyes are the same color as his eyes (they should be white like the rest of his face). The same error occurs several shots later, as Wheelie worries about getting Sky Lynx patched up.
*Blast Off's vehicle form is swollen up like a balloon, and missing its tailfin, as Runamuck tells him to dive lower.
*A whole series of shots repeats after the first commercial break. Mostly it's just characters shooting at each other, but in one, Kup puts aside his detector and dodges a death crystal blast - meaning he puts the detector down twice in a row!
*As Kup remembers his first encounter with Chaos (over 100,000 years ago), there's a camera pan over the slaves in the mine. Later, when we first see that Galvatron is on the planet, the ''same pan'' is played in reverse. In fact, almost every scene from Kup's story is recycled to show the present day. Not much changes on Dread, apparently.
*Blurr sinks entirely into the mud puddle, but he's half out of it and is able to grab Sky Lynx a few shots later.
*As he delivers the "9 out of 10 Autobots" line, Wreck-Gar only has 6 fingers extended.
*When Kup frees the imprisoned robots, one of them, round in shape, keeps appearing and disappearing between frames.

===Continuity errors===
*Kup has his early model (the one used for flashbacks in this episode) in the present while examining the damage on Goo. He is colored gray like he should be in the present.
*Just as the voicing of minor characters took a hit in consistency after the Movie, so too did the appearance of the series' various planets. Primarily, this means Cybertron and [[Chaar]], which both appear in many episodes. In this episode, Cybertron's actually moderately consistent with its pre-Movie appearance, but it is shown with two moons. The pre-Movie episodes never showed it with any moons at all, while the Movie showed at least three - though the dialog and action implied only two, both devoured by Unicron. The existence of other moons was vaguely hinted at by [[Victor Caroli]] in the prologue to ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Wasn't [[Goo 8739-B|Goo]] destroyed in a [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4|previous episode]]? Of course, this might not have been #8739-B.
*Kup sure extrapolates a lot of info from Wreck-Gar's short and cryptic statements about what's been happening on Goo!
*Kup and three slaves are saved by Sky Lynx, but what about the rest of the slaves still on the planet? They've still got Galvatron, Astrotrain and the Predacons to deal with, if they weren't burned to a crisp by the lava!
*We get that the damage caused by the cannon was bad, but Sky Lynx's monitor shows the whole planet belching a plume smoke ''into space''.

===Trivia===
[[File:Chaos Kup's jailbreak.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*This episode would be the last time [[Casey Kasem]] would ever voice a character in ''Transformers''. He can briefly be heard as one of the robot slaves in Kup's first flashback to Chaos, screaming, "We have to return to our home planets!" The voice actor call sheet for this episode shows that he performed for Teletraan II, only to have his lines deleted.
[[File:Kup model comparison Chaos.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Note his knees, belt and backpack.]]
*Like most movie characters, Kup had an alternate [[character model]]. In "Chaos", the animators cleverly used the alternate model for Kup's flashbacks.
*An early title for the episode (as well as the titular antagonist) was "Mayhem".
*The early script also called for organic alien slaves, who even had character models developed. The final, aired version replaced these organic slaves with robots. [[Jim Sorenson]] posted their designs on his [http://boltax.blogspot.com/2008/11/blogging-is-right-of-all-sentient.html blog]. These models appeared in the episode only very briefly, in one shot, as Kup frees the prisoners (pictured); they were later reused for two members of a party of aliens who rescue [[Octane]] after he gets stranded in space in "[[Starscream's Ghost]]".
*One of the escaping slaves is just a gray sphere! A [[ballobot]], perhaps?

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Chaos'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*This is one of the only episodes whose two different dubs (France and Canada) have survived time.
::*Concerning the European French dub:
:::*Usually, Blurr talks like any other robot in the French dub. However, just for one phrase (the one about being a team), [[Albert Augier]] makes him talk very fast like in the original version. He does not continue and goes back to normal speed after this.
:::*Galvatron's phrase "Predacons! Merge to become Predaking!" is dubbed by "Predacon! Hurry up, I need you!", like if Predacon was the name of Predaking. Again, later in the episode, when Galvatron says the exact same phrase in the original version, the dub says "Predacon, you need to get in position right now!".
:::*The grunting sounds of the Predacons are absent. The same goes for the sounds of the bats.
:::*Kup actually ''names'' some robots!! Wheelie (despite saying "Whilee"), Grimlock, and... "Unican" ? Wreck-Gar has been called "Attilus" in the ''Five Faces of Darkness'' episodes.
:::*Blurr's gibberish has been dubbed in two different ways as he sinks in the mud, before and after the commercial bumper. Before, he says "Don't let me sink any further, I'm too young to die!" and after the break he says "One can't just leave a worthy Autobot in a situation like this!".
:::*After being called "Salvatron" and "Sky Lynx" before, Sky Lynx is called "Stylynx" throughout this episode.
:::*Kup precises how he managed to get out of the Space Whale, he actually found a way to make it sneeze a dozen times.
::*Concerning the Canadian French dub:
:::*There is a little harsh cut during the scene between Kup and Grimlock who wants Kup to tell the story. He says "Me Grimlock says-" and it cuts on Kup's sad face.
:::*Wheelie's line "Secret-keepers always weepers! Tell a friend or heads will bend!" is dubbed by "Grimlock is angry, I think you should tell everything, otherwise he will get angry!".
:::*When talking to Predaking, Galvatron uses "vous", which means either that he continues to consider Predaking as 5 distinct robots, or that he uses the very polite formula.
:::*Like in the European dub, Blurr's gibberish has been dubbed in two different ways as he sinks in the mud, before and after the commercial bumper. Before, he says "Help me, help me, help me! I feel like I'm sinking and if I sink further, I'm going to take my ''(incomprehensible)'' and I-" and after the break he says "Please, I sink deeper and deeper, the deeper I sink, the more I disappear, I don't like it when the ''(incomprehensible)''".
:::*After telling that Sky Lynx has been hurt from the fighting, he adds "We have to patch him up, otherwise he'll bleed, won't he?".

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Tödliche Kristalle'''" ("Deadly Crystals")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (first dub):'' "'''Il mostro Caos'''" ("Chaos the Monster")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*When the spaceship makes noise because of the death crystal, in this dub the noise is not present. Still, Grimlock claims that the ship is making noise... are you hearing things, Grimlock?
:*''Title (second dub):'' "'''Caos'''" ("Chaos")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*The title suggests the name of the monster being "Caos", making this a rare case in which a character is called by its Italian name rather than the English one in this dub.

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''デスクリスタル'''" (''Death Crystal'')
:*''Original airdate:'' [[January 30]], [[1987]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Hùndùn Guài'''" (混沌怪, "Chaos Monster")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''O Caos'''" ("The Chaos")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1: Vol. 1 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 3 and Season 4 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 4: Series 3.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 15 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season's Three & Four {{sic}} (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2010 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20230305021917/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-3/synopses/700-92.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=151ZJRSG43lnImKg2vsIfNGOSfV9DsSRK Voice actor call sheet and dialogue script]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]

Make Tracks

2022-09-19T17:58:59Z

D-Unit: /* Continuity notes */

{{disambig2|the Generation 1 cartoon episode|the Marvel UK comic story with a similar title|Makin' Tracks!}}
{{episode
|image=Maketracksraoul.jpg
|caption="I really think we should exchange insurance." "Nah, nah man, it's fine. You can totally buff that out. And that's ''supposed'' to be on fire."
|series=G1toon
|ep=43
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=33
|prev2=The God Gambit
|next2=Quest for Survival
|title="Make Tracks"
|airdate=[[October 30]], 1985
|written by=[[David Wise]]
|production code=#700-42
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Unknown Generation 1 animation studios|Unknown]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4O0At12xIo
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''The Transformers go to New York, and Tracks makes a friend.'''

==Synopsis==
In [[New York City]], two thugs carjack a familiar looking car, which also has a stereo sitting in the front seat. Heading to a chop shop, the punks try to sell the car...at which point the car turns into [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], and the stereo turns into [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]]. The chop shop head, [[Winston]], tries to run, when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] arrives. Winston vainly tries to shoot Optimus as the actual police arrive and arrest him.

The [[Autobot]]s are helping the NYPD in a crime busting program, but their [[Great War (G1)|never ending war]] is also on Prime's mind. The Autobot leader is convinced that the [[Decepticon]]s are nearby, plotting mischief, as they are prone to do, but the Autobots just can't find them. Heading back to [[Sparkplug Witwicky]]'s garage, Tracks is enjoying the city so he decides to go for a drive, while [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] go out on patrol.

[[File:G1MakeTracks TracksRaoul.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Naughty boy. Spankings for you.]]
Tracks has a run-in with some more punks and scares them off, but one of the punks shoots a tire out, causing Tracks to crash. Unable to [[Transformation|transform]] or call the garage, he is found by young [[Raoul]], who drags him to an alley and plans to sell him to the [[Geddis brothers]]. Once he learns that Tracks is alive, he decides to fix him up, but he's still planning on selling him. Raoul accidentally cuts a wire that connects Tracks' computer to his body and silences the Autobot, but reconnects it. (That's one important wire.)

On patrol, Seaspray is disgusted with what the humans have dumped in the East River (aren't we all). Cosmos swoops down to inspect an accident, which Huffer and Hoist help clear up. They update Prime, who is getting worried about Tracks.

Back at the alley, Raoul is done, and is having second thoughts about selling Tracks. The Geddis brothers arrive and start to rough up Raoul, only for Tracks to transform and "ask" them to stop. The Geddis brothers flee, mentioning how shocked they are that a Transformer is attacking them. Tracks and Raoul follow, Tracks having deduced that they must be dealing with the Decepticons. They lose the Geddis brothers, but Raoul knows their main garage is down by the wharf. Heading there, Tracks and Raoul follow the legion of stolen cars.

[[File:Maketracksstarscreammall.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Starscream knows the best way to avoid lines on [[Black Friday (event)|Black Friday]]: rob the store on Thanksgiving.]]
Above them, Powerglide spots [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], and follows him. Powerglide and Cosmos chase the [[Air Commander]] into a human mall, only for Starscream to threaten the civilians and escape. Prime calculates that Starscream is heading for the [[Pine Barrens]] in [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]], and the Autobots roll out.

Somewhere in the Pine Barrens, the Geddis brothers are working with the Decepticons to provide them with 500 stolen cars. The Geddis brothers demand their million dollar payment. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] shows them the business end of the [[fusion cannon]], and one of the brothers fires off a few shots at Megatron. A single blast from Megatron sends the Geddis brothers running. Tracks tries to contact Prime, but his radio is still damaged, so he decides to get up close and personal, seeing what Megatron intends. When he discovers that the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] are intending to dismantle the cars, Tracks attempts to flee, only for the wire connecting his computer to sever again. Tracks is placed on the conveyor belt with the other cars ready for demolition.

[[File:Maketracksprimewatches.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Prime defeated Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, and death itself...but the traffic of New York horrified him more than anything.]]
Realizing Tracks is in danger, Raoul reveals himself to the Decepticons and says he placed a bomb in his car. Megatron allows him to disarm it, but instead Raoul reconnects the wire that reactivates Tracks and the pair bail. [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] sends [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] to hunt and kill, and Tracks is running out of power. He tells Raoul to run, but [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]], [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] arrive and drive [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|the two cassettes]] off.

Back at the garage, Tracks and Raoul fill the Autobots in on what's happening, just as the Autobots discover first-hand that the rebuilt cars are heading into New York. Prime, Blaster, and [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] defend the Washington Bridge, as Tracks, Bumblebee, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], and Sideswipe defend the [[Chrysler Building]], while [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], Huffer, and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] defend another part of the city. Just when the Autobots believe they have the upper hand, the cars transform into [[Robot Conversion Troop|gun-wielding drones]], presenting a severe tactical deficiency.

[[File:Maketracksspraymegatron.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"Uh, I came in for a dental appointment, not surgery."]]
Ratchet realizes that the drones are being remotely controlled, and that the Jersey base is the source. Blaster jams the control frequency, allowing the Autobots time to break off to attack the Decepticon base. Raoul tries to take a crow bar to the controls of the car drone factory. However, Megatron captures Raoul, and orders the Autobots to surrender. Raoul opens a panel on Megatron's chest, and uses a spray paint can to short circuit the Decepticon leader. Rumble orders a retreat back to the [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|base]] before Starscream can declare himself the new leader. The Autobots destroy the factory, causing the drone army to shut down.

[[File:Make-Tracks_Drone_Transformation.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|The coolest episode McGuffin yet, and they get barely over 2 minutes of screen time.]]
At Sparkplug's garage, the poor fleshling predicts that it will take weeks to restore the cars to their original configuration, even with Ratchet, Hoist, and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]]'s help. Raoul takes that as his cue to leave, only for Tracks to "volunteer" Raoul for repair duty.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (1)
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (6)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (8)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (9)
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (10)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (11)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (12)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (13)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (23)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (24)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (25)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (26)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (27)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (28)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (29)
}}
|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (16)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (17)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (19)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (20)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (21)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (22)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (30)
*[[Robot Conversion Troop]]s (TBA)
|c3=
*Car Thief 1 (2)
*Car Thief 2 (3)
*[[Winston]] (5)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (7)
*[[Raoul]] (14)
*[[Geddis brothers]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==
"Well, nobody seems to want you, so that makes you mine."
:—'''Raoul''' demonstrating a very lax understanding of property law as he steals Tracks.

"Look, I've been shot at, smashed up, and stolen three times tonight, and I'm in a most foul humor."
:—'''Tracks'''. Some days, it just doesn't pay to be an ambiguously gay car.

"That car... talks!" 
"You've got a mind like a steel trap."
:—'''Raoul''' and '''Tracks'''

"First time in my life I try to steal a car, and I get one with a big mouth."
:—'''Raoul''' discovers karma.

"How do you do, Starscream? Not very well, I hope!"
:—'''Cosmos''' introduces himself with laser blasts.

"Attention, Soundwave: Uh-oh!"
:—'''Starscream''' just wanted Soundwave to know he's okay.

"I have no desire to be carved up into Auto-sushi!"
:—'''Tracks''' somehow knows what sushi is.

"They don't look all that smart to me. Ha! Their aim's not too good either." 
"Maybe, but they've got us outnumbered. Fire!"
:—'''Blaster''' and '''Optimus Prime''' on the drones.

"Let us stomp out these cheap imitations!"
:—'''Tracks''' disapproves of [[knockoff]]s.

"I'll teach you to mess with the [[Chrysler Building]]!"
:—'''Tracks''' to the drones.

"Throw down your weapon, Prime!"
:—'''Megatron''', about to experience his most humiliating defeat yet.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft script: 11th March 1985
* Script revised by [[Ron Friedman]]: 14th March 1985

===Continuity notes===
[[File:MakeTracks Seaspray communicator.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*According to this episode, Sparkplug has a set of warehouses/garages in New York that can hold 200 cars and a makeshift Autobot base (complete with a copy of Teletraan I!).
*Raoul would appear again in "[[Auto-Bop]]".
*Tracks can be disabled by cutting ''one'' wire. It just happens to be right under his hood, which is one of the more vulnerable places on an Autobot's body.
*Raoul has some balls. He just walks up while Tracks is about to be destroyed and starts threatening Megatron, who acts like nothing is out of the ordinary and starts arguing with Rauol instead of just stepping on him.
*Megatron can be disabled by a ''can of spray-paint''.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Seaspray uses a common wrist communicator to radio in, accompanied by a blinking light on his chest.
** When Tracks decides to go undercover, the Autobot symbol on his hood flashes briefly and then vanishes. And indeed, his insignia remain hidden afterward while he infiltrates the stolen-car caravan.

===Real-world references===
[[File:MakeTracks Chrysler Building.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
[[File:Maketracks tftm.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Metaformers: The Reference]]
*Tracks comments on the cliché of loving New York, which is a reference to the {{w|I Love New York|famous New York advertising campaign}}. This ad was also seen earlier in the season in "[[City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel]]".
*Though it's not named, the bridge battle seems to occur on the George Washington Bridge.
*Tracks identifies the Chrysler Building for us (as do several of the omnipresent signs.)
*The backgrounds in this episode are absolutely ''loaded'' with signs (the animators appear to have used Tokyo as a model as much as NYC.) Quite a few advertise actual real-world brand names. Many are illegible, but some can be read:
**Most notably, in two different scenes (basically using the same background), a movie theater can be shown advertising ''[[The Transformers: The Movie (fictional)|The Transformers: The Movie]]''. (More specifically, it advertises both "Transformers: The Transformers: The Movie" and "Transformer: The Transformer: The Movie".)
**The opening pan includes "FD Rum Appliances", "Life Life", "Star", "Victoria Hotel", "Lido", and "Astoria". That last one shows up again later - Powerglide flies by it when he is reporting in to Prime. While presumably done to reference the famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, Astoria is also, coincidentally enough, the name of the girl who'll fall for Powerglide in "[[The Girl Who Loved Powerglide]]".
**In the pan that introduces the two car thief punks: "Night"
**As they drive Tracks away: "Stano Bar", "Mugen Nightclub", "William(?) Intercom Portraits". "Stano Bar" and "Mugen" repeat a couple of shots later - were the punks just driving around the block?? Tracks later returns to this spot when he encounters the trio of thugs.
**As Tracks hits the street lamp: "Restaurant Luncheonette", "BB Club", "Gold Steak(?)", "Portr(aits?)"
**As Raoul laments his car thieving luck: "New York Holidays", "Astoria Hotel", "Crown", "Automat", "Imporded" [''sic''], "Banana", and "Night Clove".
**As Cosmos swoops down: "Huston", "Apollo", "Kilimanjaro", "Las Vegas", "Jamiaca(?) Academy". Also briefly visible is a truck based on Prime's [[alternate mode]].
**As he careens around 5 feet above the street: "Canadian Club", "Dallas Starclub", "Amazon", and a pickup with "Ford" on the tailgate and mudflaps.
**As Tracks first pursues the Geddis Brothers: "Casablanca", "Abba Cafe", "Victoria restaurant"
**Visible alongside the TF:TM marquis: "Victoria" (another theater), "Toshiba", "Admiral Television Appliances"
**As the car chase continues: "Cuba Dance", "Dolce", "Fashion Show", "Forker Garbo", "Victoria Hotel" (apparently the most omnipresent chain in the city), "Dragons Club", "Angels Orion", "Hollono".
**Through Tracks' windshield: "Hitchco(ck)", "Devar", "Champ El"
**As Tracks launches into the sky: "Academy", "Cuba", "Ballad Opera", "[[Dallas]]", "Kentucky", "Canterbury", "Las Vegas", "Capone", "Alexander", "Acapolco", "Caracas".
**As they spot the Geddis' escaping car: "Camus" "Academy" "Casanova" "Country Club", "Dallas Ang(?)".
**After Tracks lands: "French Can Can Casinofolie Fokker Game", "Ceylon", "Diamond Game Casablanca Hustle Hot".
**As Starscream first dodges from Powerglide: "Angel Hotel", "Time Bell", "Hyway"
**As Starscream dives after Powerglide: "Angel Hotel", "Yesterday", "Club Honey Boy", "Sunny Girl", "Broad", "Sting Man", "Happy", "Sun Shine", "Momo Club"
**After Cosmos joins the battle: "Canadian", "Brazillion", "(Hol)iday In", "General Hospital"
**On the outside of the mall: "Clothing Original", "Accessory bargain sale", "Man and Woman Shoes Center", "Alexander", "Benelux Fashion"
**As the drones approach Bumblebee and company: "Caniiland", "Body Building", "Danube", "Beef Steak", "Hitchcock", "Clumos", "Crown Hotel", "Casino Game"
**As the drones explode a second later: "Parking", "Casino", "(?)rcheri", "Reff(?) Cine Stands", "Inmaxfactor"
*For maybe the first time in the whole series, a human's normal handgun makes bullet-shooting noises, when the car thief fires at Optimus outside the garage.
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**Tracks takes off with a lengthy ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine roar.
**Lots of [[Death Star]] defense lasers during the final firefight.

===Animation and technical errors===
*As the cop car arrives at the garage, its back door opens - but is shown to be hinged at the back instead of the front.
*As Blaster throws the punks on the ground, one of them clips through the police officers.
*The animators never seemed to get a good grasp on the design of Tracks' car mode, and this episode puts it on full display. For example, as he leaves Sparkplug's garage, he's drawn with over-sized tires and squished doors. Also, his rear end is completely made up, featuring single square taillights instead of the double circular taillights of the real Chevrolet Corvette Tracks's toy is based on, among other inaccuracies.
*Rauol restores Tracks' computer stuff, but in two behind-the-hood shots, the blinking lights are missing.
*As Prime activates a screen to contact Powerglide, the screen's initial static is wider than the screen itself.
*When Hoist hauls the damaged '4WD' (which is actually a sedan car) away, he drives floating mid-air into the background.
*Tracks' flying car mode is shown with nothing but 2 wings rotating out from under his chassis. Normally it's a full transformation with tailfins and some alterations to his back half.
*Starscream's first line appears to be cut off; he says "Attention Soundwave" even though Soundwave is not part of the story at this point, then goes "Uh oh" as he notices Powerglide following him.
*Starscream's shots at Powerglide use the Autobot laser sound effect.
*Coloring errors:
**Starscream's canopy is all-yellow as he pursues Powerglide, instead of having a grey cowling at the end.
**Sideswipe is colored as Soundwave twice — once in an overhead shot at the Autobot base, and again when the Autobots charge towards Megatron's building.
**The sides of Blaster's helmet are white as he transforms on the bridge.
*After Cosmos strafes Starscream, the details from the front of his ship mode are repeated on his back. Later, in the mall, they will be drawn on the back of his [[robot mode]] as well.
[[File:Maketracksstarscreammall.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*Starscream, Powerglide, and Cosmos have no trouble fitting in a shopping mall, walking right in through the main doors. They even run up (what must be an incredibly wide) escalator!
*"He must be hiding somewhere!" - Cosmos is a couple of heads taller than Powerglide. Normally he'd be about the same height or a bit shorter.
*Cosmos gets no transformation sound as he lands with the damaged elevator car.
*The first time we see Megatron, his gunbarrel is on the left side of his back. In the next shot, it's (correctly) on the right side.
*The other stolen cars randomly appear and disappear as Tracks rides the conveyor belt into the Decepticon building.
*As Tracks, low on power, kicks Raoul out to handle the Decepticons in robot mode, his car door opens backwards (hinged at the rear).
*The start of Teletraan's warning to Prime is cut off. Tracks then says "The Decepticon cars - they're here!" with the same radio muffling that is normally applied to Teletraan.
*When leaving to intercept the drones, Tracks is supposed to walk in front of Optimus, toward the camera; but he's layered behind Optimus therefore appears to be ''taller'' than Prime for a moment.
*Ratchet and Blaster's first shots aren't aligned with the barrels of their guns.
*All of the Decepticon drones are identical, right down to the color scheme, despite transforming from cars of wildly different makes and colors.
*As Blaster notes, "They don't look all that smart to me," Optimus Prime is the one shown to be speaking.
*The bridge fight has several errors: Sometimes the ground is smooth, while other times it has rectangular lines; several times, the drones and the Autobots are drawn with a sky background where the bridge towers should still be shown; and as Blaster activates his jammer, the cable wires disappear.
*Blaster activates his jamming frequency using the same switch the thieves pressed at the beginning of the episode to turn on his radio.
*The animations for muzzle flashes and lasers in this episode are very different and of a much lower quality than in most of the previous episodes (for instance, we usually see only the flashes and not the beams in closeups). The sound effects are different also, including Ironhide's weapon sounding like a chain gun, among other things.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:MakeHoistHuffer.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|C'mon, it's not any worse than [[The Transformers: The Movie|Devastator forming inside of Astrotrain]], or [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2|the Autobots boarding Silverbolt like human passengers]], or [[Quest for Survival|Cosmos having an ejection chamber that can fit all of his passengers]].]]
[[File:MakeTracks Scrapper sword.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Despite the special car-shaped cake, no-one attended Scrapper's birthday.]]
*After pointedly professing that he doesn't understand all of Tracks' fancy computer stuff, why the heck does Raoul just reach in and cut a random wire?
*And why DOES Tracks have such an easily reached vulnerability right under his hood?
*During the fender bender traffic jam, Hoist is seen riding in Huffer's cab. For scale reference, Huffer is ''shorter'' than Hoist in robot mode.
*The Geddis brothers rough up Raoul at midnight. Some time later, Powerglide and Cosmos harass Starscream in a shopping mall that's doing a pretty decent amount of business. Even in New York City, the malls don't stay open ''that'' late.
*Speaking of the mall, Starscream must be incredibly stealthy since all the mall patrons are oblivious to his presence. No one is screaming or running, and in fact people are just sitting down at tables or casually looking over ledges. You'd think by now they would realize that when a Decepticon appears, you don't want to hang around.
*Fighting against two flight capable Autobots, Starscream escapes... into the air?
*Hook, in a strangely stilted voice, says that "we are ready to ''re-''convert this final batch of vehicles, Megatron." ''Re-''conversion implies the cars had previously been converted, and the Constructicons were either converting them ''back'' or converting them ''again''.
*All the advanced technology at the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]' disposal, technical know how to build transforming drones...and [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] is using a ''[[sword]]'' to slice the cars in half? And how does slicing them in half make them easier to convert into drones?
*Raoul must have a Doraemon-style inner-jacket pocket. There is no bulge or any other indication he is carrying a can that large... it basically materializes out of nowhere.
*And how did he know exactly what button opens Megatron's chest?

===Trivia===
*The [[New York City]] of this episode, while still a cartoon, is a lot more grimy and grungy than [[City of Steel (episode)|the last time we saw it]] (some might say more true to life.) It's got stolen cars, gangs, punks, a river full of garbage, traffic jams, and an overall darkness that fits with the 1980s perception of the city.
*Raoul refers to Ravage and Rumble as "scuzbombs". This was likely a euphemistic version of "scumbag" - a word then considered obscene (and unprintable in mainstream comic books of the time) because of its association with condoms. Isn't the evolution of language wonderful?
*Even given that 500 cars have been stolen and it's late at night, there seems to be a severe lack of traffic (in the streets and on the bridge) in New York City. The Autobots and the drones are the only vehicles/robots we see towards the end of the episode.
*Tracks has a subtly different color model to normal in this episode: his white parts are a stark, bright white, instead of greyish off-white, his wheels are the same grey as his arms and legs, instead of their normal near-black, and he has black windows in robot mode instead of the usual clear/off-white. This alternate color scheme reappears in "[[The Secret of Omega Supreme]]".
*One new commercial bumper debuts in this episode: [[Hook (G1)|Hook]].

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (Canadian and European French broadcasts):'' "'''Les voitures volées'''" ("The Stolen Cars")
:*''Title (European French DVD release):'' "'''Faire des pistes'''" ("To Make Tracks")
::*The original broadcast title was mistakenly given to [[Auto Berserk]]. Moreover, "Faire des pistes" makes absolutely no sense in French and is just a very litteral translation of the original title.
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Battaglia per New York'''" ("Battle for New York")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Sulle tracce di Tracks'''" ("On the Trail of Tracks")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Senshi Tracks'''" (戦士トラックス, "Tracks the Warrior")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 21]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Gēnzōng Zhuījī '''" (跟踪追击, "Chase & Track")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Nastoyashchaya droozhba'''" (Настоящая дружба, "The Real Friendship")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
[[File:MP25-Tracks.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Straight off your TV screen.]]
*'''''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' MP-25 [[Tracks (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Tracks]] ([[TakaraTomy]], 2015)'''
:A ''Masterpiece'' figure of Tracks that includes a non-transforming boombox accessory that represents [[Blaster (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Blaster]]'s alternate mode, as well as a minifigure of [[Raoul#Masterpiece|Raoul]], with his clothes specifically in the color scheme seen in "Make Tracks" (although his skin is pale like in "[[Auto-Bop]]").
{{-}}

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1994]] — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1998]] — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[2001]] — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2003]] — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 5 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2004]] — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 7 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2006]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2007]] — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] [[2009]] — ''Transformers'' — Volume 05: Stagione Due Parte Terza ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2011]] — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2014]] — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-42.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lvCfES27ZSdoCXRcTlI6IkOnlO1nqygH/view?usp=sharing First draft script, submitted 11th March 1985]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lTa2fxrkDpMypac1dFa1OLQh_hPy99US Full episode script, as revised by Ron Friedman 14th March 1985]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]

Make Tracks

2022-09-15T01:59:47Z

D-Unit: /* Continuity notes */

{{disambig2|the Generation 1 cartoon episode|the Marvel UK comic story with a similar title|Makin' Tracks!}}
{{episode
|image=Maketracksraoul.jpg
|caption="I really think we should exchange insurance." "Nah, nah man, it's fine. You can totally buff that out. And that's ''supposed'' to be on fire."
|series=G1toon
|ep=43
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=33
|prev2=The God Gambit
|next2=Quest for Survival
|title="Make Tracks"
|airdate=[[October 30]], 1985
|written by=[[David Wise]]
|production code=#700-42
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Unknown Generation 1 animation studios|Unknown]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4O0At12xIo
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''The Transformers go to New York, and Tracks makes a friend.'''

==Synopsis==
In [[New York City]], two thugs carjack a familiar looking car, which also has a stereo sitting in the front seat. Heading to a chop shop, the punks try to sell the car...at which point the car turns into [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], and the stereo turns into [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]]. The chop shop head, [[Winston]], tries to run, when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] arrives. Winston vainly tries to shoot Optimus as the actual police arrive and arrest him.

The [[Autobot]]s are helping the NYPD in a crime busting program, but their [[Great War (G1)|never ending war]] is also on Prime's mind. The Autobot leader is convinced that the [[Decepticon]]s are nearby, plotting mischief, as they are prone to do, but the Autobots just can't find them. Heading back to [[Sparkplug Witwicky]]'s garage, Tracks is enjoying the city so he decides to go for a drive, while [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] go out on patrol.

[[File:G1MakeTracks TracksRaoul.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Naughty boy. Spankings for you.]]
Tracks has a run-in with some more punks and scares them off, but one of the punks shoots a tire out, causing Tracks to crash. Unable to [[Transformation|transform]] or call the garage, he is found by young [[Raoul]], who drags him to an alley and plans to sell him to the [[Geddis brothers]]. Once he learns that Tracks is alive, he decides to fix him up, but he's still planning on selling him. Raoul accidentally cuts a wire that connects Tracks' computer to his body and silences the Autobot, but reconnects it. (That's one important wire.)

On patrol, Seaspray is disgusted with what the humans have dumped in the East River (aren't we all). Cosmos swoops down to inspect an accident, which Huffer and Hoist help clear up. They update Prime, who is getting worried about Tracks.

Back at the alley, Raoul is done, and is having second thoughts about selling Tracks. The Geddis brothers arrive and start to rough up Raoul, only for Tracks to transform and "ask" them to stop. The Geddis brothers flee, mentioning how shocked they are that a Transformer is attacking them. Tracks and Raoul follow, Tracks having deduced that they must be dealing with the Decepticons. They lose the Geddis brothers, but Raoul knows their main garage is down by the wharf. Heading there, Tracks and Raoul follow the legion of stolen cars.

[[File:Maketracksstarscreammall.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Starscream knows the best way to avoid lines on [[Black Friday (event)|Black Friday]]: rob the store on Thanksgiving.]]
Above them, Powerglide spots [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], and follows him. Powerglide and Cosmos chase the [[Air Commander]] into a human mall, only for Starscream to threaten the civilians and escape. Prime calculates that Starscream is heading for the [[Pine Barrens]] in [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]], and the Autobots roll out.

Somewhere in the Pine Barrens, the Geddis brothers are working with the Decepticons to provide them with 500 stolen cars. The Geddis brothers demand their million dollar payment. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] shows them the business end of the [[fusion cannon]], and one of the brothers fires off a few shots at Megatron. A single blast from Megatron sends the Geddis brothers running. Tracks tries to contact Prime, but his radio is still damaged, so he decides to get up close and personal, seeing what Megatron intends. When he discovers that the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] are intending to dismantle the cars, Tracks attempts to flee, only for the wire connecting his computer to sever again. Tracks is placed on the conveyor belt with the other cars ready for demolition.

[[File:Maketracksprimewatches.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Prime defeated Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, and death itself...but the traffic of New York horrified him more than anything.]]
Realizing Tracks is in danger, Raoul reveals himself to the Decepticons and says he placed a bomb in his car. Megatron allows him to disarm it, but instead Raoul reconnects the wire that reactivates Tracks and the pair bail. [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] sends [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] to hunt and kill, and Tracks is running out of power. He tells Raoul to run, but [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]], [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] arrive and drive [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|the two cassettes]] off.

Back at the garage, Tracks and Raoul fill the Autobots in on what's happening, just as the Autobots discover first-hand that the rebuilt cars are heading into New York. Prime, Blaster, and [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] defend the Washington Bridge, as Tracks, Bumblebee, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], and Sideswipe defend the [[Chrysler Building]], while [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], Huffer, and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] defend another part of the city. Just when the Autobots believe they have the upper hand, the cars transform into [[Robot Conversion Troop|gun-wielding drones]], presenting a severe tactical deficiency.

[[File:Maketracksspraymegatron.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"Uh, I came in for a dental appointment, not surgery."]]
Ratchet realizes that the drones are being remotely controlled, and that the Jersey base is the source. Blaster jams the control frequency, allowing the Autobots time to break off to attack the Decepticon base. Raoul tries to take a crow bar to the controls of the car drone factory. However, Megatron captures Raoul, and orders the Autobots to surrender. Raoul opens a panel on Megatron's chest, and uses a spray paint can to short circuit the Decepticon leader. Rumble orders a retreat back to the [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|base]] before Starscream can declare himself the new leader. The Autobots destroy the factory, causing the drone army to shut down.

[[File:Make-Tracks_Drone_Transformation.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|The coolest episode McGuffin yet, and they get barely over 2 minutes of screen time.]]
At Sparkplug's garage, the poor fleshling predicts that it will take weeks to restore the cars to their original configuration, even with Ratchet, Hoist, and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]]'s help. Raoul takes that as his cue to leave, only for Tracks to "volunteer" Raoul for repair duty.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (1)
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (6)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (8)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (9)
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (10)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (11)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (12)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (13)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (23)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (24)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (25)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (26)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (27)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (28)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (29)
}}
|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (16)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (17)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (19)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (20)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (21)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (22)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (30)
*[[Robot Conversion Troop]]s (TBA)
|c3=
*Car Thief 1 (2)
*Car Thief 2 (3)
*[[Winston]] (5)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (7)
*[[Raoul]] (14)
*[[Geddis brothers]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==
"Well, nobody seems to want you, so that makes you mine."
:—'''Raoul''' demonstrating a very lax understanding of property law as he steals Tracks.

"Look, I've been shot at, smashed up, and stolen three times tonight, and I'm in a most foul humor."
:—'''Tracks'''. Some days, it just doesn't pay to be an ambiguously gay car.

"That car... talks!" 
"You've got a mind like a steel trap."
:—'''Raoul''' and '''Tracks'''

"First time in my life I try to steal a car, and I get one with a big mouth."
:—'''Raoul''' discovers karma.

"How do you do, Starscream? Not very well, I hope!"
:—'''Cosmos''' introduces himself with laser blasts.

"Attention, Soundwave: Uh-oh!"
:—'''Starscream''' just wanted Soundwave to know he's okay.

"I have no desire to be carved up into Auto-sushi!"
:—'''Tracks''' somehow knows what sushi is.

"They don't look all that smart to me. Ha! Their aim's not too good either." 
"Maybe, but they've got us outnumbered. Fire!"
:—'''Blaster''' and '''Optimus Prime''' on the drones.

"Let us stomp out these cheap imitations!"
:—'''Tracks''' disapproves of [[knockoff]]s.

"I'll teach you to mess with the [[Chrysler Building]]!"
:—'''Tracks''' to the drones.

"Throw down your weapon, Prime!"
:—'''Megatron''', about to experience his most humiliating defeat yet.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft script: 11th March 1985
* Script revised by [[Ron Friedman]]: 14th March 1985

===Continuity notes===
[[File:MakeTracks Seaspray communicator.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*According to this episode, Sparkplug has a set of warehouses/garages in New York that can hold 200 cars and a makeshift Autobot base (complete with a copy of Teletraan I!).
*Raoul would appear again in "[[Auto-Bop]]".
*Tracks can be disabled by cutting ''one'' wire. It just happens to be right under his hood, which is one of the more vulnerable places on an Autobot's body.
*Rauol has some balls. He just walks up while Tracks is about to be destroyed and starts threatening Megatron, who acts like nothing is out of the ordinary and starts arguing with Rauol instead of just stepping on him.
*Megatron can be disabled by a ''can of spray-paint''.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Seaspray uses a common wrist communicator to radio in, accompanied by a blinking light on his chest.
** When Tracks decides to go undercover, the Autobot symbol on his hood flashes briefly and then vanishes. And indeed, his insignia remain hidden afterward while he infiltrates the stolen-car caravan.

===Real-world references===
[[File:MakeTracks Chrysler Building.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
[[File:Maketracks tftm.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Metaformers: The Reference]]
*Tracks comments on the cliché of loving New York, which is a reference to the {{w|I Love New York|famous New York advertising campaign}}. This ad was also seen earlier in the season in "[[City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel]]".
*Though it's not named, the bridge battle seems to occur on the George Washington Bridge.
*Tracks identifies the Chrysler Building for us (as do several of the omnipresent signs.)
*The backgrounds in this episode are absolutely ''loaded'' with signs (the animators appear to have used Tokyo as a model as much as NYC.) Quite a few advertise actual real-world brand names. Many are illegible, but some can be read:
**Most notably, in two different scenes (basically using the same background), a movie theater can be shown advertising ''[[The Transformers: The Movie (fictional)|The Transformers: The Movie]]''. (More specifically, it advertises both "Transformers: The Transformers: The Movie" and "Transformer: The Transformer: The Movie".)
**The opening pan includes "FD Rum Appliances", "Life Life", "Star", "Victoria Hotel", "Lido", and "Astoria". That last one shows up again later - Powerglide flies by it when he is reporting in to Prime. While presumably done to reference the famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, Astoria is also, coincidentally enough, the name of the girl who'll fall for Powerglide in "[[The Girl Who Loved Powerglide]]".
**In the pan that introduces the two car thief punks: "Night"
**As they drive Tracks away: "Stano Bar", "Mugen Nightclub", "William(?) Intercom Portraits". "Stano Bar" and "Mugen" repeat a couple of shots later - were the punks just driving around the block?? Tracks later returns to this spot when he encounters the trio of thugs.
**As Tracks hits the street lamp: "Restaurant Luncheonette", "BB Club", "Gold Steak(?)", "Portr(aits?)"
**As Raul laments his car thieving luck: "New York Holidays", "Astoria Hotel", "Crown", "Automat", "Imporded" [''sic''], "Banana", and "Night Clove".
**As Cosmos swoops down: "Huston", "Apollo", "Kilimanjaro", "Las Vegas", "Jamiaca(?) Academy". Also briefly visible is a truck based on Prime's [[alternate mode]].
**As he careens around 5 feet above the street: "Canadian Club", "Dallas Starclub", "Amazon", and a pickup with "Ford" on the tailgate and mudflaps.
**As Tracks first pursues the Geddis Brothers: "Casablanca", "Abba Cafe", "Victoria restaurant"
**Visible alongside the TF:TM marquis: "Victoria" (another theater), "Toshiba", "Admiral Television Appliances"
**As the car chase continues: "Cuba Dance", "Dolce", "Fashion Show", "Forker Garbo", "Victoria Hotel" (apparently the most omnipresent chain in the city), "Dragons Club", "Angels Orion", "Hollono".
**Through Tracks' windshield: "Hitchco(ck)", "Devar", "Champ El"
**As Tracks launches into the sky: "Academy", "Cuba", "Ballad Opera", "[[Dallas]]", "Kentucky", "Canterbury", "Las Vegas", "Capone", "Alexander", "Acapolco", "Caracas".
**As they spot the Geddis' escaping car: "Camus" "Academy" "Casanova" "Country Club", "Dallas Ang(?)".
**After Tracks lands: "French Can Can Casinofolie Fokker Game", "Ceylon", "Diamond Game Casablanca Hustle Hot".
**As Starscream first dodges from Powerglide: "Angel Hotel", "Time Bell", "Hyway"
**As Starscream dives after Powerglide: "Angel Hotel", "Yesterday", "Club Honey Boy", "Sunny Girl", "Broad", "Sting Man", "Happy", "Sun Shine", "Momo Club"
**After Cosmos joins the battle: "Canadian", "Brazillion", "(Hol)iday In", "General Hospital"
**On the outside of the mall: "Clothing Original", "Accessory bargain sale", "Man and Woman Shoes Center", "Alexander", "Benelux Fashion"
**As the drones approach Bumblebee and company: "Caniiland", "Body Building", "Danube", "Beef Steak", "Hitchcock", "Clumos", "Crown Hotel", "Casino Game"
**As the drones explode a second later: "Parking", "Casino", "(?)rcheri", "Reff(?) Cine Stands", "Inmaxfactor"
*For maybe the first time in the whole series, a human's normal handgun makes bullet-shooting noises, when the car thief fires at Optimus outside the garage.
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**Tracks takes off with a lengthy ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine roar.
**Lots of [[Death Star]] defense lasers during the final firefight.

===Animation and technical errors===
*As the cop car arrives at the garage, its back door opens - but is shown to be hinged at the back instead of the front.
*As Blaster throws the punks on the ground, one of them clips through the police officers.
*The animators never seemed to get a good grasp on the design of Tracks' car mode, and this episode puts it on full display. For example, as he leaves Sparkplug's garage, he's drawn with over-sized tires and squished doors. Also, his rear end is completely made up, featuring single square taillights instead of the double circular taillights of the real Chevrolet Corvette Tracks's toy is based on, among other inaccuracies.
*Rauol restores Tracks' computer stuff, but in two behind-the-hood shots, the blinking lights are missing.
*As Prime activates a screen to contact Powerglide, the screen's initial static is wider than the screen itself.
*When Hoist hauls the damaged '4WD' (which is actually a sedan car) away, he drives floating mid-air into the background.
*Tracks' flying car mode is shown with nothing but 2 wings rotating out from under his chassis. Normally it's a full transformation with tailfins and some alterations to his back half.
*Starscream's first line appears to be cut off; he says "Attention Soundwave" even though Soundwave is not part of the story at this point, then goes "Uh oh" as he notices Powerglide following him.
*Starscream's shots at Powerglide use the Autobot laser sound effect.
*Coloring errors:
**Starscream's canopy is all-yellow as he pursues Powerglide, instead of having a grey cowling at the end.
**Sideswipe is colored as Soundwave twice — once in an overhead shot at the Autobot base, and again when the Autobots charge towards Megatron's building.
**The sides of Blaster's helmet are white as he transforms on the bridge.
*After Cosmos strafes Starscream, the details from the front of his ship mode are repeated on his back. Later, in the mall, they will be drawn on the back of his [[robot mode]] as well.
[[File:Maketracksstarscreammall.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*Starscream, Powerglide, and Cosmos have no trouble fitting in a shopping mall, walking right in through the main doors. They even run up (what must be an incredibly wide) escalator!
*"He must be hiding somewhere!" - Cosmos is a couple of heads taller than Powerglide. Normally he'd be about the same height or a bit shorter.
*Cosmos gets no transformation sound as he lands with the damaged elevator car.
*The first time we see Megatron, his gunbarrel is on the left side of his back. In the next shot, it's (correctly) on the right side.
*The other stolen cars randomly appear and disappear as Tracks rides the conveyor belt into the Decepticon building.
*As Tracks, low on power, kicks Raoul out to handle the Decepticons in robot mode, his car door opens backwards (hinged at the rear).
*The start of Teletraan's warning to Prime is cut off. Tracks then says "The Decepticon cars - they're here!" with the same radio muffling that is normally applied to Teletraan.
*When leaving to intercept the drones, Tracks is supposed to walk in front of Optimus, toward the camera; but he's layered behind Optimus therefore appears to be ''taller'' than Prime for a moment.
*Ratchet and Blaster's first shots aren't aligned with the barrels of their guns.
*All of the Decepticon drones are identical, right down to the color scheme, despite transforming from cars of wildly different makes and colors.
*As Blaster notes, "They don't look all that smart to me," Optimus Prime is the one shown to be speaking.
*The bridge fight has several errors: Sometimes the ground is smooth, while other times it has rectangular lines; several times, the drones and the Autobots are drawn with a sky background where the bridge towers should still be shown; and as Blaster activates his jammer, the cable wires disappear.
*Blaster activates his jamming frequency using the same switch the thieves pressed at the beginning of the episode to turn on his radio.
*The animations for muzzle flashes and lasers in this episode are very different and of a much lower quality than in most of the previous episodes (for instance, we usually see only the flashes and not the beams in closeups). The sound effects are different also, including Ironhide's weapon sounding like a chain gun, among other things.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:MakeHoistHuffer.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|C'mon, it's not any worse than [[The Transformers: The Movie|Devastator forming inside of Astrotrain]], or [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2|the Autobots boarding Silverbolt like human passengers]], or [[Quest for Survival|Cosmos having an ejection chamber that can fit all of his passengers]].]]
[[File:MakeTracks Scrapper sword.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Despite the special car-shaped cake, no-one attended Scrapper's birthday.]]
*After pointedly professing that he doesn't understand all of Tracks' fancy computer stuff, why the heck does Raoul just reach in and cut a random wire?
*And why DOES Tracks have such an easily reached vulnerability right under his hood?
*During the fender bender traffic jam, Hoist is seen riding in Huffer's cab. For scale reference, Huffer is ''shorter'' than Hoist in robot mode.
*The Geddis brothers rough up Raoul at midnight. Some time later, Powerglide and Cosmos harass Starscream in a shopping mall that's doing a pretty decent amount of business. Even in New York City, the malls don't stay open ''that'' late.
*Speaking of the mall, Starscream must be incredibly stealthy since all the mall patrons are oblivious to his presence. No one is screaming or running, and in fact people are just sitting down at tables or casually looking over ledges. You'd think by now they would realize that when a Decepticon appears, you don't want to hang around.
*Fighting against two flight capable Autobots, Starscream escapes... into the air?
*Hook, in a strangely stilted voice, says that "we are ready to ''re-''convert this final batch of vehicles, Megatron." ''Re-''conversion implies the cars had previously been converted, and the Constructicons were either converting them ''back'' or converting them ''again''.
*All the advanced technology at the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]' disposal, technical know how to build transforming drones...and [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] is using a ''[[sword]]'' to slice the cars in half? And how does slicing them in half make them easier to convert into drones?
*Raoul must have a Doraemon-style inner-jacket pocket. There is no bulge or any other indication he is carrying a can that large... it basically materializes out of nowhere.
*And how did he know exactly what button opens Megatron's chest?

===Trivia===
*The [[New York City]] of this episode, while still a cartoon, is a lot more grimy and grungy than [[City of Steel (episode)|the last time we saw it]] (some might say more true to life.) It's got stolen cars, gangs, punks, a river full of garbage, traffic jams, and an overall darkness that fits with the 1980s perception of the city.
*Raoul refers to Ravage and Rumble as "scuzbombs". This was likely a euphemistic version of "scumbag" - a word then considered obscene (and unprintable in mainstream comic books of the time) because of its association with condoms. Isn't the evolution of language wonderful?
*Even given that 500 cars have been stolen and it's late at night, there seems to be a severe lack of traffic (in the streets and on the bridge) in New York City. The Autobots and the drones are the only vehicles/robots we see towards the end of the episode.
*Tracks has a subtly different color model to normal in this episode: his white parts are a stark, bright white, instead of greyish off-white, his wheels are the same grey as his arms and legs, instead of their normal near-black, and he has black windows in robot mode instead of the usual clear/off-white. This alternate color scheme reappears in "[[The Secret of Omega Supreme]]".
*One new commercial bumper debuts in this episode: [[Hook (G1)|Hook]].

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (Canadian and European French broadcasts):'' "'''Les voitures volées'''" ("The Stolen Cars")
:*''Title (European French DVD release):'' "'''Faire des pistes'''" ("To Make Tracks")
::*The original broadcast title was mistakenly given to [[Auto Berserk]]. Moreover, "Faire des pistes" makes absolutely no sense in French and is just a very litteral translation of the original title.
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Battaglia per New York'''" ("Battle for New York")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Sulle tracce di Tracks'''" ("On the Trail of Tracks")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Senshi Tracks'''" (戦士トラックス, "Tracks the Warrior")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 21]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Gēnzōng Zhuījī '''" (跟踪追击, "Chase & Track")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Nastoyashchaya droozhba'''" (Настоящая дружба, "The Real Friendship")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
[[File:MP25-Tracks.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Straight off your TV screen.]]
*'''''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' MP-25 [[Tracks (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Tracks]] ([[TakaraTomy]], 2015)'''
:A ''Masterpiece'' figure of Tracks that includes a non-transforming boombox accessory that represents [[Blaster (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Blaster]]'s alternate mode, as well as a minifigure of [[Raoul#Masterpiece|Raoul]], with his clothes specifically in the color scheme seen in "Make Tracks" (although his skin is pale like in "[[Auto-Bop]]").
{{-}}

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1994]] — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1998]] — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[2001]] — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2003]] — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 5 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2004]] — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 7 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2006]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2007]] — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] [[2009]] — ''Transformers'' — Volume 05: Stagione Due Parte Terza ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2011]] — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2014]] — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-42.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lvCfES27ZSdoCXRcTlI6IkOnlO1nqygH/view?usp=sharing First draft script, submitted 11th March 1985]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lTa2fxrkDpMypac1dFa1OLQh_hPy99US Full episode script, as revised by Ron Friedman 14th March 1985]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]

Ghost in the Machine (G1)

2022-09-02T13:20:46Z

D-Unit: /* Continuity notes */

{{disambig3|Ghost in the Machine}}
{{episode|
|series=G1toon
|series2=2010
|ep=80
|ep2=16
|prev2=Fight or Flee (episode)
|next2=Webworld
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=22
|prev3=Masquerade
|next3=The Ultimate Weapon
|image=GhostMachine Starscream Scourge Unicron.JPG
|caption=Screw you guys, I'm going home.
|title="Ghost in the Machine"
|production code=700-100
|airdate=[[October 21]], 1986
|written by=[[Joey Kurihara Piedra]] [[Michael Charles Hill]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgCa2IVYnqg
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''Set on regaining a physical body, the ghost of Starscream possesses Scourge and makes a deal with the devil.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:GhostMachine Scourge approaches Unicron.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Your ''break''fast, Sir!]]

On [[Chaar]], the [[Decepticon]]s are following [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]], when [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]]'s ghost appears and possesses [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]]. Despite his better efforts, Starscream forces Scourge to fire on Galvatron, then flees with [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] in pursuit. Cyclonus follows as far as [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], where he breaks off, assuming that Scourge has defected to the [[Autobot]]s. But that is not Starscream's goal. He instead flies to the severed head of [[Unicron]]. Using Scourge to reactivate the Dark God, Starscream offers his services in exchange for a new body. Unicron agrees to restore him to life in exchange for three labors. The first labor is to bring [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[Sensors|eyes]] to Unicron. With nowhere else to go, Scourge agrees to serve Unicron.

[[File:GhostMachine Metroplex eye explode.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|There are no eye-drops for this.]]

On Earth, [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] arrives for an inspection of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], when Scourge and Starscream make their move. Destroying Metroplex's security system, the two Decepticons steal the eyes, but [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] cause Scourge to drop one, shattering it. Fleeing, Metroplex [[Transformation|transforms]], but cannot see, and begins firing on the Autobots. However, a photon bomb disables Metroplex, causing him to crash. Lacking one eye, the two head back for Chaar, where they dispatch the [[Battlecharger]]s, outwit Starscream's [[Seeker (body-type)|former soldiers]], and steal one of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s eyes. In addition, Starscream possesses [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] to serve as their ride home, where Astrotrain is left to the mercy of the Autobots. Upon learning of what happened, Galvatron reacts in a rational, controlled manner... for Galvatron.

[[File:Dirge AlmostDeath.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Galvatron settles an old score with the wall.]]

Pleased with his new eyes, Unicron informs Starscream and Scourge of their next labor: bring Trypticon to Unicron (should have told them that before they left). Starscream heads off to complete the task. Meanwhile, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] interrogates Astrotrain, who claims not to remember what happened, but [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] reveals that Unicron has his eyes back! [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] takes [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]], and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] to investigate, but Unicron drives them off. Scourge is becoming nervous, but Unicron warns his creation that he can take what he has given. On Chaar, Galvatron orders the Battlechargers and [[Conehead]]s to locate Starscream and Scourge, only for Trypticon to transform, under Starscream's control, and depart, with the Decepticons in pursuit.

As the Autobots prepare for the Decepticon assault, Unicron commands Starscream to remove Trypticon's [[transformation cog]] and place it in Unicron. The Decepticons arrive and attack, but Starscream uses Trypticon to disable their weapons. As the Decepticons flee, Unicron commands his minions to complete the third labor—connect Unicron's head to Cybertron, making it his new body. Scourge decides to book it, and Starscream is left to complete the task. Scourge tries to warn Galvatron, but he doesn't care. Scourge then heads to the Autobots, and warns them of Unicron's intentions.

[[File:GhostMachine Unicron starscream jumpers.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Refusing to call AAA, Starscream prepares to jumpstart Unicron.]]

Within Trypticon, the Battlechargers and the Coneheads disable Starscream's control over Trypticon, so Starscream demands his body to complete the labors. Unicron restores his body, but Starscream (surprise, surprise), tells Unicron to connect himself to Cybertron. However, the Autobots manage to plant some [[energon cube]]s on Unicron's head. They detonate the [[energon]], causing Unicron's head to return to orbit and Starscream to go flying. Thrown past the Decepticons, Galvatron orders them to fire on Starscream. When their shots begin hitting him, Cyclonus wonders why Starscream's ghost has lost control.

On Cybertron, Rodimus agrees to allow Scourge and Astrotrain to leave, in exchange for their help. He then tells the Autobots of their new mission to retrieve Metroplex's eye, but then reveals that he was joking, saying that the eyes were probably destroyed in the explosion.

Unseen by the Autobots, Unicron's eye twinkles in the night...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (with [[Scamper]]) (9)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (10)
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] (11)
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (13)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (14)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (15)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (16)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (17)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (18)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (19)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] (26)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (27)
*[[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] (28)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (29)
*[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (30)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (31)
*[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] (cameo) (33)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (1)
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] (2)
*[[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] (3)
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] (4)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] (5)
*[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (6)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (7)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (20)
*[[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] (21)
*[[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (22)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (23)
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (24)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (25)
*[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (32)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (12)

|c4=
*[[Unicron|Unicron's head]] (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"THERE IS NO REASONING WITH HIM! DESTROY HIM! HE'S LOST HIS MIND!"
:—'''Galvatron''', calling [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|the kettle]] black.

"Decepticon intruders IN MY BRAIN!"
:—'''Metroplex''', on the perils of being city-sized.

"First, you two let Scourge and Starscream steal one of Trypticon's eyes. And then you two allowed Astrotrain to be used as their escape vehicle. So Scourge is helping Starscream voluntarily, and you four were unable to stop them! Well, all I can say is...BWWWAAAAAAA!"
:—'''Galvatron''', giving his outburst a rare preamble.

"Why did Galvatron have you attack Cybertron all by yourself? Are you stupid or just obedient?"
:—'''Rodimus Prime''', getting sassy with Astrotrain

"I don't have to show you no stinking passes."
:—'''Starscream''' has picked up some {{w|Stinking badges|Earth culture}}.

"Starscream! You are a dead mechanism!" 
"Of course I'm dead, Galvatron! But not for much longer. And then are you going to be sorry!" 
"I'm already sorry!"
:—'''Galvatron''' and '''Starscream''', bickering like [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|old times]].

"Unicron! If you want the connection made, you'd better give me a new body now!" 
"You shall have it." 
''(Unicron shoots lasers from his eyes, and Starscream's body is reformed)'' 
"I live again!" 
"Now, do my bidding. Complete the connection!" 
"Ha! Do it yourself!"
:—'''Unicron''' bet on the wrong pony, and '''Starscream''' just loves being a prick.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
:—'''Starscream''' auditions for the latest ''Star Wars'' movie.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
[[File:G1toon starscreams last appearance.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right]]
[[File:GhostMachine Decepticon execution.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|"Death comes to me. It just doesn't ''stay''."]]
*This episode is the second appearance of Starscream's ghost. His first appearance was in the G1 episode "[[Starscream's Ghost]]". His ghost makes a third appearance in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Possession]]" in which he takes over [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]].
**Starscream is last seen tumbling away through space in his new body, damaged from Galvatron's attacks but still very much alive. This is sometimes seen as a point of conflict with his appearance as a ghost in the ''Beast Wars'' episode "[[Possession]]". Fans have reconciled this by speculating that he died again off-screen, or else traveled through time to the ''Beast Wars'' era (and back) before this episode took place chronologically. Alternatively, the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon does not follow strictly from any specific Generation 1 continuity, allowing the "error" to be dismissed entirely.
*The explosive that Scourge and Starscream use is a [[Photon charge]]. Hey, Hot Rod mentioned those in [[The Transformers: The Movie|the movie]]!
*Speaking of dying, Dirge's appearance here - clearly scripted and complete with a single spoken line - rather flagrantly contradicts his two "deaths" and his seeming appearance in the Decepticon crypt.
*Only appearance of [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]].
*Of all the Transformers Starscream is seen possessing in both this episode and "[[Starscream's Ghost]]", Scourge is the only one who puts up a fight for control of his own body and retains his memories of what happened while "under the influence". (This is admittedly inconsistent with the ending of the prequel to this episode, however.)
*Unicron displays the ability to electrocute the Autobots inside his head and expel them through his neck.
*Unicron off-handedly tells Scourge that "what I have given you, I can also take away", in reference to his creation of Scourge during the events of the movie.
*When the coneheads and Battlechargers run for their lives, Galvatron orders his troops to "hunt them down like the Marconian dogs". What?
*The Autobots plant "[[Energon]] explosives" to blow Unicron's head away.
*For some reason, all of the combiner teams in the episode only have two members present. When Galvatron addresses the Predacons in the first scene, it's only Razorclaw and Headstrong. When Kup later tells Powerglide and Warpath to find the Aerialbots, it's only Skydive and Silverbolt. Later on Cybetron when the Protecobots shoot down Astrotrain, it is only Hot Spot and Groove.

===Real-world references===
*The title's literal meaning obviously applies to the events of the episode, but the phrase has a history in philosophical discourse. It was {{w|Ghost in the machine|coined as a pejorative}} against the {{w|Mind-body dichotomy|mind-body split}} of {{w|René Descartes|Cartesian}} dualism, and by the time this episode was made, it had also been used as the title of {{w|The Ghost in the Machine|a book}} and {{w|Ghost in the Machine (album)|a rock album}}.
*Starscream delivers the line, "I don't have to show you no {{w|Stinking badges|stinking passes}}".
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine burst as Scourge smashes his way out of Metroplex.
**[[TIE Fighter]] roar as Silverbolt dives back toward Metroplex after the explosion, and again as Starscream exits Trypticon's body.
**[[X-wing Fighter|X-wing]] diving whine as Scourge flees from Unicron.
**[[Lightsaber]] hum as Unicron recreates Starscream.
**[[Death Star]] superlaser as Scourge and Astrotrain make their exit.

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:GhostMachine Magnus with hands on hips.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
[[File:GhostintheMachine-Scourgealt.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*Wrong color models used by AKOM include:
**Rodimus and Galvatron are both consistently colored using outdated color models; Rodimus's shoulder indentations are red instead of white, his pelvis-windshield details are white instead of light burgundy, and his gun is red instead of black, while Galvatron has pale purple "underpants."
**Cyclonus's eyebrows are purple. His chin is still grey, though.
**And of course the movie-original characters have colored mouths: purple for Galvatron, red for Ultra Magnus.
**Scourge is consistently shown with the outdated "head-sticking-up" model of his hovercraft form.
**The circle on Bumblebee's back is black instead of yellow.
*"There is no reasoning with him!" - Galvatron's head clips through his cannon barrel.
*Headstrong has Galvatron's cannon sound effect as he opens fire on Scourge.
*"He is a traitor! Give him no quarter!" - Headstrong is colored with Breakdown's color scheme.
*Scourge disappears into the sky... then is shown cruising along at ground level for a lengthy shot, then disappears into the sky ''again''.
*Unicron's helmet was all gold [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1|the last time we saw it]]. Now it's blue with gold horns.
*After entering Unicron, Scourge/Starscream lands and walks forward for several seconds. The scrolling background behind him isn't long enough to make it through the whole shot, however - at one point it abruptly jumps back to the start.
*As he says, "Only three?," Starscream's eyes are suddenly huge.
*Scamper, shown at toy-based scale in one of Metroplex's vehicle bays as Sky Lynx lands, is HUGE, dwarfing the shuttle.
*In the next shot, Sky Lynx takes off again, but Kup and Spike are gone. And so is the giant Scamper!
*Kup and Spike enter Metroplex through an upward-sliding door... which disappears into a solid doorframe, with no gap to actually accommodate the door.
*Blaster's voice is missing its usual reverb effect.
[[File:GhostintheMachine blaster startled.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*The Autobots react a little too quickly to Blaster accidentally turning on some music - the music and their laughter all occur at the same instant.
*As Blaster warns Kup, Kup's mouth is hanging wide open for no real reason. It's also colored the same light gray as his face.
*When Scourge first approaches Metroplex's eye, it's almost as big as he is. Later it's small enough for him to carry with ease.
[[File:GhostInTheMachine Bumblebee huge wheels.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Top this Putt-Putt.]]
*When Bumblebee and Spike discover Scourge stealing Metroplex's eyes, Bumblebee has enormous wheels.
*Bumblebee gets the wrong transformation sound effect (descending pitch) as he returns to robot mode.
*Just before setting the charge inside Metroplex, Scourge's eyes are green instead of red.
*"I don't see any enemy" - Silverbolt is the one speaking, but both he and Skydive mouth the line.
*After the bomb goes off, the next shot of the inside of Metroplex shows a star background on his monitor. A few shots later, it's the usual Earth sky.
*Metroplex has "regular" small eyes as he stumbles around firing, rather than his usual large goggles.
*An explosion comes out of each of Metroplex's eyes... without actually shattering his eyes or causing any visible damage.
*As Scourge exits Astrotrain/Starscream to dig out Metroplex's eye, he's still carrying Trypticon's eye. It disappears in the next shot.
*As he re-enters Astrotrain/Starscream, Scourge just sort of clips into him through a solid wall.
*When Galvatron is chewing out the four henchmen, Runamuck and Runabout switch places between the shot from behind and the following panning shot across their guilty faces.
[[File:GhostMachine Blurr violated airspace.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*In a layering error, the "Unidentified craft" warning message that flashes up on Blurr's screen overlays his head.
*In his first several shots, Hot Spot has a mouth on his faceplate. It disappears between shots as he prepares to fire on Astrotrain.
[[File:G1 GhostintheMachine Groove lockedloaded.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*Groove has a totally different voice for his one line ("Locked and loaded!"), sounding somewhat like Beachcomber. Usually, he sounds more like a higher-pitched Trailbreaker.
*In the panning shot of the Autobots as Rodimus Prime asks Astrotrain if he's "stupid or just obedient," Rodimus' mouth doesn't move. In addition, the visual of space on the viewscreen behind them doesn't move with the pan.
*When he accuses Astrotrain of stealing Metroplex's eyes, Magnus's whole face is blue.
*As Rodimus realizes that Unicron has his eyes again, rough pencil marks are visible on him and Magnus.
*In the second shot of Sky Lynx approaching him, Unicron's eyes are missing again. Unicron is also shown in front of some massive hunk of space debris that's far bigger than he is.
*During Scourge's attack on him, Sky Lynx has a Decepticon symbol on his nose.
*Hot Spot says, "Look out, Scourge!" with the emphasis of the line suggesting that he's addressing Scourge, when he's actually reacting to Scourge.
*As he berates his troops, the tops of Galvatron's shoulders are missing their red squares.
*As Magnus's team floats through space, Springer is colored as Kup.
*When Trypticon approaches Unicron, Scourge is standing in Unicron's mouth. He vanishes between shots, however, and Unicron's mouth goes from having a hollow inside to being a solid gray field.
*Galvatron's squad includes three Divebombs. (One of them, along with a Sweep, is obliterated a moment later!)
*As Scourge is brought to Rodimus, an overhead shot shows Ultra Magnus with circular cogs on his shoulders instead of the usual white pillars.
*When Galvatron shoots at Starscream, his cannon sounds like a regular Decepticon laser.
*When Rodimus shakes Magnus's hand, Magnus has an Autobot symbol on his left shoulder. He should only have one on his right shoulder.
*As Rodimus jokes about recovering Metroplex's eyes from Unicron, a reaction shot shows Magnus's other (right) shoulder. This ''should'' have an Autobot symbol, but doesn't!
*The next shot shows a solid wall behind Rodimus even though he's still standing in front of the display (showing space).
*Rodimus's mouth isn't moving when he says "Just kidding."
*After Rodimus jokes about recovering Metroplex's eyes from Unicron, Hot Spot is shown with Ultra Magnus's color scheme.

===Continuity errors===
*While Scourge makes a respectable attempt at fighting off Starscream's control of his body in this episode, he displayed no such strength of will when he was possessed by the latter at the end of "[[Starscream's Ghost]]".
*Cyclonus won't go near Unicron's head because that would alert the Autobots, but they don't seem to notice Scourge approaching it.
*Putting one wire back together is enough to reactivate Unicron's mind! You'd think a body-consuming explosion would have done more serious damage.
*Powerglide's appearance seems to contradict "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]", where he was among a fleet of Autobot ships getting blown up by the Quintessons. But considering the Aerialbots were also blown up, and recalling AKOM's propensity for grabbing whatever random animation model off the shelf, it's probably ''that'' episode which contains the error. (It would also be a serious violation of the cartoon's ethos to kill off ''any'' main character, especially one with a toy on the shelf.)
*And incidentally, Powerglide is implied to be one of the "Aerialbots" in both Silverbolt and Warpath's lines in the scene where they take off together. Though this may seem like less of an error retroactively in light of [[Combiner Wars (franchise)|recent events]].
[[File:Gitm kup and screamer.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*Starscream enters Kup's body and somehow immediately causes an explosion in a random wall that blows out Metroplex's ''entire'' security system.
*Following that scene, Scourge is already in Metroplex. Nobody noticed him fly to Earth? What happened to the Earth Defense Command satellites?
*What is Trypticon doing on that random planet? And why doesn't he notice Scourge stealing his eye?
*Although undoubtedly big, Metroplex and Trypticon's eyes should be ''way'' too small for Unicron to use as like-for-like replacements.
*Flying Autobots:
**Magnus's team flies out of Sky Lynx and into Unicron's head with no obvious means of propulsion.
*Why don't the Autobots just blast Unicron's repaired circuits as soon as they enter his head?
*When Scourge approaches Galvatron he says, "Galvatron, don't shoot!" Galvatron states he couldn't even if he wanted to, because Trypticon neutralized their weapons. Yet, when Starscream's out of control body flies past him, he begins firing on him.
*Why doesn't Rodimus just jump inside Unicron's head and open the Matrix again?
*The plot seems to forget that Trypticon is still hanging out on Cybertron at the end of the episode! Once Starscream loses his control over him, he just vanishes from the story.

*Warpath and Bumblebee appear (for one shot each) on the Autobots' base on Cybertron at the end of the episode. Is there some reason why they made the trip there from Earth?



===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Le fantôme dans la machine'''" ("Ghost in the Machine")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Der Geist im Roboter'''" ("The Ghost inside the Robot")
:*''Title (Generation 2 dub):'' "'''Starscream kehrt zurück'''" ("Starscream Returns")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Lo spettro nella macchina'''" (First dub, "The Phantom in the Machine"), "'''Il fantasma nella macchina'''" (Second dub, "The Ghost in the Machine")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' スタースクリームの復活 (''Starscream no Fukkatsu'', "Starscream's Revival")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[March 13]], [[1987]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Guǐhún Zuòsuì '''" ('鬼魂作祟, "Ghost Haunt")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Prizrak v mashine'''" (''Призрак в машине'', "Ghost in the Machine")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1987 — ''Transformers'' — Starscream's Ghost / The Nightmare Planet / The Ghost in the Machine ([[St. Michael Video Library]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1989 — ''Transformers'' — A Ghost in the Machine / Heavy Metal Wars ([[Tempo Video]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1989 — ''Transformers'' — The Action Adventure Collection II (Tempo Video) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2000 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume 11: The Decepticon Possession ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 2 & Season 4 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 3 and Season 4 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 4: Series 3.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — The Best of ''The Transformers'' (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Episodes (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — Le Fantôme dans la Machine ([[UFG Junior]]) — Canadian French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season's Three & Four {{sic}} (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2010 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-3/synopses/700-100.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1okGS61tLlN0p6U1E_7natShpk9K5ClG4 Episode dialogue script]
[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

Day of the Machines

2022-08-07T01:28:58Z

D-Unit: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=25
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=74
|prev2=Attack of the Autobots (episode)
|next2=Scramble City: Mobilization
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=29
|prev3=Attack of the Autobots (episode)
|next3=Enter the Nightbird
|image=Dayofmachinesprimeandtorq.jpg
|caption=Big Brother is watching you!
|title="Day of the Machines"
|production code=#700-24
|airdate=[[October 10]], 1985
|written by=[[David Wise]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG5GwNKW1RE
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''Megatron's latest scheme involves using the most powerful computer on Earth to control machinery remotely.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Dayofmachinesmegsinacase.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|"Megatron! What are you doing in my [[Laserbeak (Animated)|cousin's]] house?!"]]
[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (the former disguised in a guitar case!) not-so-silently infiltrate [[Quantum Laboratories]], a top-secret facility where the world’s most powerful computer, [[TORQ III]], is housed. Megatron reprograms the computer with his own personality and gives it the power to control, from remote distances, dangerous machines of all types through the use of "[[Remote Control Circuit Linker]] cards."

At the same time, scientist Dr. [[Paul Gates]] of Quantum Labs muses with a colleague about the dangers of machine sentience and that, in the wrong hands, TORQ III might be too powerful. Since Fate is both cruel and timely, the very scenario they were discussing comes true when TORQ III locks them in their office and announces that he’s taking over.

Megatron is using TORQ and the circuit linker cards to remotely control fleets of [[oil tanker]]s. This alerts [[Teletraan I]], who notifies [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. Prime then receives Dr. Gates’ distress signal; Gates fills him in on TORQ III’s rebellion and asks to be rescued.

[[File:Dayofmachinesautossurround.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|The Autobots play "Monkey in the Middle" with a bunch of Brawls.]]
[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] and [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] are assigned to investigate the tankers, and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] tags along. Prime leads a group to Quantum Labs, where they immediately come under attack by machines controlled by TORQ. Overwhelmed, Prime orders in the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] (minus [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]) to come help, and they smash, chomp and melt down all of the machines. [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] makes his usual pompous comment about having to save Prime’s bacon when things get rough. Afterward, Prime rescues Dr. Gates and they advance toward the buildings, meeting lots of resistance from TORQ’s machines.

Meanwhile, Hound, Spike and Skyfire sneak aboard an oil tanker and infiltrate the [[Decepticon]]s' [[oil rig|oil platform]]. Their attack falls short when Spike is captured and they are forced to surrender.

After smashing more remote-controlled machines at Quantum, Prime decides to explore inside TORQ’s maze-like complex alone. As Optimus moves in closer, one of the machines places a circuit linker card on him, making him Torq’s slave, and he is brought into the computer’s domain. But—surprise, surprise—Prime rips the card off his body, saying it was a dead circuit linker he placed in the robot’s claw, and he disables TORQ with a well-placed punch to the control panel. At the [[oil rig|oil platform]], Soundwave senses TORQ's demise; Megatron takes over control of the tankers with a gargantuan remote control device.

[[File:DayOfMachines Megatron remote control.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|"So this is what a human Cell Phone looks like."]]
Dr. Gates lends the Autobots a high-speed hydrofoil to reach the Decepticons. Back at the [[oil]] platform, Spike has hatched an idea to use an electromagnet (which happened to be in their cell) to immobilize [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]]. Skyfire easily smashes through the cell door and Hound disables the force dome that was protecting the platform. The rest of the Autobots arrive and a battle ensues. Prime faces down Megatron and manages to wrest a remote control device from his hands, then tosses it back to him. Megatron lands on it, crushing it, and comes back up spitting mad. He retaliates by activating the self-destruct mechanism on the platform.

The [[Autobot]]s escape, but Prime stays behind to find Hound, Skyfire and Spike. He rips apart the platform deck, revealing the missing team members, and Skyfire flies them out of danger.

Finally, Prime says goodbye to Dr. Gates, who makes a parting comment about machines being unreliable, and then quickly retracts the statement when he realizes his gaffe. The Autobots laugh at the ungrateful human's hubris.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Teletraan I]] (10)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (11)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (12)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] (13)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (15)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (16)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (17)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (18)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] (19)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (20)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (21)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (22)
|c2=
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (2)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (3)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (4)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (8)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (9)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (25)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]]?
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (26?)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (27?)
|c3=
*Security guard (1)
*[[Carl Andrews]] (6)
*[[Paul Gates]] (7)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (14)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (23)
*Oil tanker captain (24)
|c4=
*[[TORQ III]] (5)
}}

==Quotes==
"Illegal access! Illegal access!" 
"It certainly is."
:—'''TORQ III''' is reprogrammed by '''Megatron'''

"We help! ...Hmm. Always get Autobots out of messes they get into."
:—'''Grimlock''' laments at yet another Autobot bungle he is called upon to resolve. Forcefully.

"It's a safe bet those doors are locked." 
"Fortunately, I have a delicate lock-picking technique."
:—'''Dr. Gates''' and '''Optimus Prime''', right before Prime "delicately" blasts his way into TORQ's building.

"What do you say, guys? Can you bash it down?" 
"With a smile on our lip components!"
:—'''Spike''' and '''Hound''' discuss the finer points of Cybertronian facial structure.

[[File:DayofMachines PaulGates.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|I have the vapors!]]
"You took the word right out of my mouth. It was in there with my foot."
:—'''Dr. Paul Gates''' after he tells the ''Autobots'' that all machines are unreliable.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft script: 29 November 1984
* Script revised by [[Ron Friedman]]: 6 December 1984

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Skyfire Gerwalk.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|You did this on purpose Hasbro!]]
[[File:Dotm ironhide pull my finger.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Hey, pull my finger......Okay you can let go now.]]
*Grimlock starts to show some annoyance about having to save the Autobots all the time, a sentiment also noted in "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]" It'll finally come to a head in "[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1|Desertion of the Dinobots]]".
*Gadgets and powers:
**Megatron's gun mode actually shrinks to a human adequate scale, the only time we see him do this.
**Megatron apparently can now reprogram things using an [[R2-D2]] style antenna implanted in his forehead.
**He never gets a chance to fire it, but during the first act of the episode, Ironhide wields a hand-held gun based on his toy's missile launcher.
**Skyfire [[A Plague of Insecticons|once again]] uses his jet-with-legs half-transformation.
***Hound and Spike are forced to exit out of his ''crotch'' in this mode however.
**Ironhide destroys one of TORQ's machines by ''walking right through the blast'' it's emitting and sticking his finger in its hose. He is old because he is '''hard'''!
**Hound fires his shoulder missile for the first and only time ever.
**Prowl fires one of his [[acid pellet]]s.
*This is one of Optimus Prime's shining episodes. He defeats TORQ III almost singlehandedly; he destroys Megatron's remote control device and foils the tanker stealing plan; and he saves Spike, Skyfire and Hound from sinking with the [[oil]] platform. No wonder he's in charge!
*Barring a shot of his vehicle mode in "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]" (which may be an animation error), this is Skyfire's last appearance in the original cartoon, and certainly his last speaking role.

===Real-world references===
[[File:G1 TORQ III.JPG|thumb|upright=1.1|Pay no attention to that 'bot behind the curtain!]]
*Pre-Megatron TORQ III bears some passing resemblance to Oz, the Great and Powerful, though probably owes more to HAL from ''2001: A Space Odyssey''.
*It's probably no coincidence that the computer scientist Paul Gates' name is a mashup of {{w|Paul Allen}} and {{w|Bill Gates}}, co-founders of {{w|Microsoft}} who were beginning to get a lot of [http://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19840416,00.html media coverage at the time.]

===Animation and technical errors===
*As the security guard closes the Lost and Found cage's gate, his hand phases through the cage door.
*Coloring errors:
**Soundwave's cassette door is blue instead of white before he releases Laserbeak.
**Prowl's face changes from gray to white as he turns to look at Wheeljack after the first commercial break.
**Snarl's tail is white instead of gold as he smashes the tank.
**Is that supposed to be Hook lowering the cargo pipe onto the tanker? 'Cause he's colored yellow instead of green, and has an inexplicably radioed-in voice, and isn't quite on-model, and he never actually transforms, and... maybe it's not supposed to be Hook. Hound does however refer to him by name.
**Prime's whole face is the same blue color as his helmet as he offers the humans a lift down from their window.
**Prime's eyes are red instead of blue as the tentacle machine drags him toward its spinny things And throws it to a nearby building.
**Skyfire's chest cockpit is white instead of blue as he drops his gun.
**Sideswipe's head is colored red instead of black as he flees from a Torq-controlled machine.
**Soundwave's optics are white when he notifies Megatron that the force field is down.
*The access hatch in Megatron's head simply appears out of nowhere on his forehead, and likewise vanishes after closing.
*There's no evidence of the bizarre war machines in the Hall of TORQ when Megatron and Soundwave arrive. They suddenly appear once they're needed for the plot.
*After Megatron attaches the first Circuit Linker card, TORQ appears with his original neutral face rather than his reprogrammed "evil" face.
*The sign on the front of Dr. Gates' building reads "Research and Develop'''e'''ment".
*Teletraan I has the radio-transmission muffle on its voice as it reports the [[oil tanker]] movements to Optimus Prime.
*Prime comments that the tankers are converging near [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon Headquarters]], but the graphics show them in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Decepticon HQ is somewhere near the Pacific coast.
*After he transforms, Prime's cab wheels are somehow in ''front'' of his trailer. (Sure is a pretty sequence otherwise, though!)
*Peter Cullen gives Optimus Prime his Ironhide accent when he orders the Autobots to shoot out the vehicles' tires.
*Slag sure does spend a long time staring at the machines, growling and very pointedly moving his mouth. His missing dialogue:
**"You relatives of Slag, maybe? Say Hello, "Cousin"? No "Hello"? O.K., this gonna be fun!"
*Sludge does nearly the same thing before Prime uses him as a ladder:
**"Uh, Sludge be elevator!"
*"Personnel" is spelled with only one "n" on the TORQ Project's building sign.
*Laserbeak's feet aren't fully drawn as he carries Spike past the camera.
*Laserbeak is shown outside the force field as he flies over Hound. He should be inside.
*The claws holding Sideswipe's wrists just kind of randomly let him go for no reason.
*Soundwave reports that "ORQ" {{sic}} is no longer functional.
*The Decepticons sure take their time getting yanked back by the electromagnet, whose effect should be instantaneous. It also doesn't seem to bother the Autobots, who run right through the spot where the Decepticons were standing when the magnet grabbed them.
*Hound's missile, supposedly removed by the Decepticons, is suddenly back in place as they run out of the cell. (In a nice bit of continuity, his launcher does remain empty after he destroys the force field generator.)
*Sparkplug is suddenly standing, unsheltered, in the middle of the Autobots, who were in a raging firefight just seconds before.
*Skyfire's chest is missing his Autobot symbol as he and Hound react to the platform's explosions. The same error repeats in the episode's closing scene.
*The bottom of Prime's waist is about twice its normal size as he and the other Autobots react to Dr. Gates' "unreliable" comment.
*In the final shot, Skyfire and Prowl are pretty much the same height.

===Continuity errors===
*Dr. Gates' friend walks around with a remote that can open a single filing cabinet. In Dr. Gates' office, no less!
*The scientists should probably have debated the ethics of creating a computer capable of controlling the whole world ''before'' creating a computer capable of controlling the whole world.
*Considering how easily they move around the complex, blowing holes in stuff, it's not at all clear why the Decepticons needed to go through the trouble of sneaking into the place in their [[alternate mode]]s.
*How do the remote linker cards grant control of machines just by being hooked to random parts of them, not their computer circuits?
*Since when do oil tankers travel in enormous fleets? Is this World War II?
*Sparkplug is not with the Autobots in the beginning or during the battle when they arrive at Quantum Labs. He shows up out of nowhere to tell Gates about the circuit linkers, and then disappears from the episode.
*Megatron's subtle approach at the complex also vanishes when it comes to taking over the tankers. Teletraan is alerted to the sudden worldwide redirection of tankers en masse, which could have been avoided had Megatron diverted one or two at a time.
*The Dinobots disappear from the story after their one battle, despite the fact that the Autobots meet more resistance before they reach TORQ III. Also curious is Swoop's total absence.
**In an extended scene in the shooting script,<ref>[http://boltax.blogspot.com/2016/10/transformers-scripts.html Transformers Scripts - Disciples of Boltax]</ref> once Optimus Prime rescues the two scientists with Sludge's boost, Grimlock asks if the Autobots need any more help, Optimus Prime indicates they have everything under control, and Grimlock orders the Dinobots away "till next time Autobots get in nickel-plated pickle!", enjoying his own joke.
*Hound and Skyfire's cell has a bunch of scrap metal and a usable magnet in it...for some reason.
*Hound and Skyfire suddenly have their weapons back after busting out of the "cell."
*Prime claims that he inserted a dead circuit linker into the claw of TORQ's "friend". However, the animation basically allows no opportunity for this to happen. Furthermore, the circuit linker that he took from Sparkplug earlier sure didn't appear to be "dead"!
*Superhuman Spike: Spike picks up a metal electro-magnet which is nearly as big as he is.
*Considering Megatron had a device that could control the tankers after TORQ was shut down, taking over TORQ doesn't appear to have even been necessary in the first place.

===Trivia===
*The original name for this episode was "The Machine Rebellion". {{fact}}
*Like a handful of other Season 2 episodes ("[[Autobot Spike]]", "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]"), this one begins with a short narrative voiceover from [[Victor Caroli]]. Unlike the others, this one actually conveys some information that isn't immediately conveyed by the animation (namely, what Quantum Laboratories does.)
*Script writer David Wise had previously used the concept of a computer able to remote-control machinery being taken over by a villain in the ''He-Man and the Masters of the Universe'' episode also named "Day of the Machines". Elements from that ''He-Man'' episode would be further [[David Wise#Recycle-o-matic|cannibalized]] by Wise for the ''Transformers'' episodes "[[Microbots]]" and "[[Kremzeek!]]". Later, the Wise-written ''Defenders of the Earth'' episode "Audie and Tweak" reused elements of this story, namely a TORQ III lookalike (an evil supercomputer personified by a giant ugly face on a screen) that remotely Influences other machines and dares the heroes to enter its lair. Wise's ''New Adventures of Speed Racer'' episode "B.O.S.S." recycled these ideas once more, depicting a cybernetic villain installing remote command devices on other machines to control them. And lastly(?), his ''Mighty Ducks'' episode "The Return of Dr. Droid" recycled story elements yet again, with an evil computer that takes control of various machines and makes them attack the heroes.

===Foreign localization===
'''Brazilian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Dia das Máquinas'''" ("Day of the Machines")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''French'''
:*''Title (European French broadcast):'' "'''La rébellion de la machine'''" ("The Rebellion of the Machine")
:*''Title (Canadian French broadcast):'' "'''Le jour des machines'''" ("Day of the Machines")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Il giorno delle macchine'''" ("Day of the machines")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
:*Skyfire is misnamed as Trailbreaker in the first dub.

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Computer no Hanran'''" (コンピュータの反乱, "The Rebellion of the Computer")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[1990]] (released straight to video)
::*This is one of two episodes (the other being "[[Attack of the Autobots (episode)|Attack of the Autobots]]") not initially aired in Japan during the run of ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]''. The episode was eventually dubbed in 1990 and released on [[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer]]'s {{w|LaserDisc}} set of the series. As such, it was retroactively added to the series official episode list as episode 74, a numbering reflected in ''[[Transformers Generations (guidebook)|Transformers Generations]]''.
::*Having been dubbed several years after ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' had ended, not all the original cast members were able to return. [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (originally voiced by [[Ken Shiroyama]]), [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (originally voiced by [[Kōki Kataoka]]) and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (originally voiced by [[Osamu Saka]]) were replaced by [[Katsumi Suzuki]].
::*Due to having been released straight-to-video, this is one of the few episodes of ''The Transformers'' not to have been edited for time in Japan. As such, Japanese DVD and laserdisc releases include an optional English audio track for the episode.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Jīqìrén Shídài '''" (机器人时代, "The Era of Robot")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1995]] — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1999]] — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — English and Japanese audio.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[2001]] — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2002]] — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1: Vol. 2 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2003]] — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2004]] — ''Transformers'' — Bumper Collection Special (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2006]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2007]] — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] [[2008]] — ''Transformers'' — Volume 03: Stagione Due Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2009]] — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2011]] — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2014]] — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-24.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1t1jWkUUek45xXCAqMJExYMn2s9safmPe Digital restoration of first draft script, originally submitted 29th November 1984]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1jQ9MxVmcZ39mhPJDGbSb20DiQ5Gia0vD Full episode script, as revised by Ron Friedman 6th December 1984]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

Trans-Europe Express

2022-08-06T22:31:55Z

D-Unit: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode
|image=TransEuropeExpress riding Wildrider.jpg
|caption=Wir fahr'n fahr'n fahr'n auf dem Stunticon
|series=G1toon
|ep=60
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=47
|prev2=Aerial Assault
|next2=Cosmic Rust (episode)
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=51
|prev3=Countdown to Extinction (episode)
|next3=City of Steel (episode)
|title="Trans-Europe Express"
|written by=[[David Wise]]
|production code=700-59
|airdate=[[December 23]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0YtvwNsHFE
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''In a plot to obtain a Cybertronian weather-controlling device, the Decepticons stage a fake race across Europe.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Trans-Europe Express race begins.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|This has got to be the widest track ever.]]
[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] is looking for the [[Pearl of Bahoudin]], and goes on a rampage through [[Istanbul]] to find the one person who knows where it is. After interrogating the sage [[Abdul Ben-F'aisal]], whom Megatron finds in Istanbul, and kidnapping archeologist [[Teranova|Professor Teranova]], Megatron finally zeros in on the location in the [[Galata Valley]] and has the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] digging to retrieve it.

Meanwhile, the [[Europa 2000]] is underway, and among the drivers in the race are the [[Autobot]]s: [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]. They are hoping to win the million dollar grand prize to give to charity. Also in the competition is [[Auggie Cahnay (G1)|Auggie Cahnay]], America's top driver, whose car is a custom design from [[Symultech Industries]]. The engine is made of a new energy-resistant alloy, and the Autobots have been instructed to keep an eye on Auggie, as his car may be a target for the [[Decepticon]]s. This is easier said than done, as Auggie's personality and driving style are both a bit uncouth, and it's not long before he's rubbing everyone the wrong way. At one point, Bumblebee literally has to yank him out of his car to criticize his behavior.

[[File:Trans-europe-express-stunticons-sideswipe-sunstreaker.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
Aware of their proximity to the finish line, Megatron sends the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] to take out the Autobots and steal Auggie's car. [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] and his group successfully put everyone but Bluestreak, Bumblebee, and Tracks out of commission and make off with the vehicle. While trying to evade the Stunticons, Bluestreak stumbles across Professor Teranova, who snuck away from the Decepticon camp and now explains to him what Megatron is up to. The Pearl of Bahoudin is a powerful jewel that can cause "worldwide disaster". The three remaining Autobots regroup along with Auggie, who insists on going with them to get his car back. They speed through the finish line, winning the race; though the race announcer eagerly anticipates their return for an interview, they keep right on going to the Decepticon camp.

[[File:TransEuropeExpress Bumblebee snatching pearl.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"I need to feed Bumblebee from the palm of my hand, or else he will get angry."]]
Tracks, Bumblebee, and Bluestreak locate the Decepticons as Megatron finds the Pearl of Bahoudin. Megatron reveals to the Autobots that the content of the Pearl is, in fact, the power core of a weather satellite from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] that crashed on Earth millions of years ago. Unearthed and exposed to the atmosphere in the 14th century, its power caused terrible storms that threatened to destroy the land until a Persian seer encased it in a golden, bejeweled shell. Using the parts from Auggie's car, Megatron plans to build a device that will utilize the jewel's power to control the elements and rain destruction down on anyone who stands in his way.

[[File:BumblebeePearl.JPG|right|upright=1.1|thumb|"By the power of Greyskull!"]]
The Autobots are attacked, though Bumblebee snatches the Pearl from Megatron. Seeing that they are outnumbered and outgunned, Bumblebee opens the Pearl, releasing its power and causing a massive twister that scatters everyone. The Pearl core itself is sucked up and lost in the storm. Megatron orders a retreat, saying that they can watch from the safety of their home base while the Earth is destroyed from the core's power. They leave behind [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], who proves to be more than a match for the three smaller Autobots. Auggie jumps in his car and takes off, seemingly to run away, but really to drive his car off a nearby cliff and into Menasor's head, delivering a crippling blow and knocking out the giant. Bumblebee has himself sucked up into the twister so that he can catch up with the Pearl. He finally scores a successful shot and destroys the jewel.

After things calm down, the Autobots conclude that Megatron must have set up the race from the beginning to snag Auggie's car, meaning that there's no prize money for anyone. Auggie remarks that he should take the gold casing of the jewel as payment for his destroyed car, but instead gives it to the Autobots to sell for charity, before walking off with a grudging farewell. Meanwhile, the race announcer is still waiting for that interview with the winners... but everyone else has gone home.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (8)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (9)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (10)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (11)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (12)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (15)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (16)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (2)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (6)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (18)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (19)
*[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (20)
*[[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] (21)
*[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (22)
*[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (23)
*[[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] (24)
*[[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (26)
|c3=
*Turk No.1 (3)
*Turk No.2 (4)
*[[Abdul Ben-F'aisal]] (5)
*Announcer (7)
*[[Auggie Cahnay (G1)|Auggie Cahnay]] (13)
*Race official (14)
*[[Teranova]] (17)
*Race commentator (25)
}}
==Quotes==
''[Megatron and Soundwave smash their way into the sage's home]'' 
'''Abdul Ben-F'aisal''': So, you've come at last. 
'''Megatron''': You have five seconds to tell me the location of— 
'''Abdul Ben-F'aisal''': The Pearl of Bahoudin? I know. 
'''Megatron''': If you know so much, then you know it would be unwise to refuse me. 
'''Abdul Ben-F'aisal''': You have caused enough damage in Istanbul for one day. The legends say the Pearl is buried in the [[Galata Valley]], near the [[Alibey River]]. 
'''Megatron''': You have been wise to oblige me. 
'''Abdul Ben-F'aisal''': Perhaps. But...once you have dug up the Pearl, you may not find it so easy to put back...
:—Warning [[Masquerade|duly noted, Abdul. And IGNORED.]]

[[File:Trans-Europe Express Bumblebee road rage.JPG|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Lesson of the day: Never call Bumblebee short.]]
[[File:TransEuropeExpress DeadEnd carjack.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Everybody gets a turn!]]
"There's only one charity I care about: ME! I want that million bucks!"
:—'''Auggie Cahnay''', born to win

''[Bumblebee yanks Auggie right out of his fancy car and holds him aloft.]'' 
'''Bumblebee''': Listen, you! Didn't anybody ever tell you about fair play? 
'''Auggie Cahnay''': I'm gonna win that million bucks! 
'''Bluestreak''': Keep driving like that, and you won't live long enough to win it. Not that that would be any great tragedy, but some decent people might get hurt! 
''[Bumblebee drops Auggie onto the ground.]'' 
'''Auggie Cahnay''': I got a race to win! 
''[Auggie jumps into his car and drives off.]'' 
'''Bumblebee''': What a creep.
:—Bumblebee and Bluestreak totally road-rage the asshole Auggie Cahnay.

"So help me, if one more of those metal maniacs gets in my way..." ''[Motormaster blocks Auggie's way, and Dead End pulls the human out of his car.]'' "That does it, and I'm not takin' it anymore!" 
"That's right, 'cause ''we're'' taking your car."
:—'''Auggie Cahnay''' is car-jacked by '''Dead End'''.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* We get a brief flashback to the crash of the [[Nemesis (G1)|Decepticon starship]]; its jungle crash site is reasonably consistent with the ship's location as shown in "[[Microbots]]".
* This episode has the final appearances of Bluestreak, Smokescreen and Sunstreaker with spoken dialogue. From here on, all of their appearances are as silent cameos.
* This episode is one of four prior to the 1986 movie in which [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] does not appear.
* Symultech Industries, the company that custom-built Auggie's car, would later be mentioned in [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]]'s ''[[Transformers: Alternators#Binaltech|Binaltech]]'' story. According to Dead End's system description, Symultech was responsible for building the body that was originally intended for Sunstreaker, but ended up getting hijacked by the Decepticons to create ''Binaltech'' Dead End.
* Much is made of the "weird metal" that Auggie's car's engine is made out of... but at no point is the metal actually ''named''. The [[dialogue script]] has Wheeljack propose in a deleted line that it's "triple-adamantium" (misspelled as "admantium"), which Auggie refuses to comment on. Confirmed comic geek David Wise was surely thinking of [[Wolverine (Marvel)|Wolverine]] when he wrote that line.
* [[Auggie Cahnay (RID)|Auggie Cahnay]] is mentioned in the American dub of the 2001 [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|the 2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon]] episode "[[Skid Z's Choice]]". There, he is stated as having been deceased, and [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] is seemingly possessed by his spirit. Likewise, that episode features a race called the [[Europa 400]], supposedly named after the [[Europa 2000]] from this episode.

===Real-world references===
[[File:TransEurope Istanbul.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.1|A flawless portrayal of Istanbul circa 1985, we're sure.]]
* According to writer [[David Wise]],<ref>http://therealmtoys.com/wordpressorg/5708/vintage-interview-david-wise/</ref> the title of this episode was directly taken from the {{w|Kraftwerk}} {{w|Trans-Europe Express (album)|album of the same name}} (which in turn is named after the former international railway service, more correctly known as {{w|Trans Europ Express}}).
* Megatron's first interrogation victim "swears by the beard of the Prophet", that prophet presumably being [[Muhammad]]. A moment later, the second interrogatee mentions a mosque.
* ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
** [[X-wing Fighter|X-Wing]] engine whine and [[TIE Fighter]] roar as Megatron and Soundwave leave Abdul Ben-F'aisal's home and land at the valley.
** [[Death Star]] slamming door sound is used when Soundwave ejects Rumble.
** Deflected Seeker bolts and clashing [[lightsaber]]s as the Pearl is exposed to the atmosphere in Megatron's flashback.
** More lightsaber sounds as Bumblebee cracks open the Pearl's casing.

===Animation and technical errors===
* When Megatron fires a warning shot at his second interrogation victim, a missile-launching sound effect is used instead of the usual fusion cannon sound.
* Coloring errors:
** As Megatron asks the mystic about the pearl, his ab controls are uncolored.
** In the first shot of his scanning the valley for the pearl, Soundwave's chest is missing its gold frame. Two shots later, his arms are missing their red stripes. And the sound effect for his chest opening should be the "Star Trek door" effect, but since that's used for the scanner, a different sound plays.
** "There's only one charity I care about" - Tracks' rear window section (behind his head) is gray; only the top portion should be gray, while the rest should be blue.
*** The same error repeats much later, in the close shot of the three surrounded Autobots.
**** And a third time as the Autobots react to Auggie driving away.
** Smokescreen's forehead crest is blue instead of yellow as he and Tracks transform.
** In the overhead shot of the race's start, Tracks' whole roof is yellow.
** Sideswipe has light gray tires just before he and Sunstreaker get blown off the road.
** Dead End's head has too many yellow bits just before he transforms back to [[Alternate mode|car mode]].
** "This'll shake you off!" - Wildrider is light gray instead of his usual dark gray.
** After Scavenger picks up the Pearl's energy readings, Megatron's Decepticon sigil is colored red.
** As Dead End takes Auggie's car out of Motormaster, the "eyes" on Megatron's Decepticon symbol are painted in purple (they should be gray).
** As Bluestreak jumps to avoid Breakdown, his chest is almost entirely black. Breakdown's Decepticon sigil is coloured red.
** As Megatron and the other Decepticons chase after Bumblebee, Megatron's feet are coloured grey like the front of his legs.
** When Menasor initially marches up to the Autobots, Bluestreak is colored like Prowl.
*** The error repeats as the trio is cornered by Menasor.
** "The Pearl is lost!" - Soundwave's forehead has some white on it that shouldn't be there.
** Bluestreak's eyes are red instead of blue as he climbs the cliff to escape Menasor; when he turns to leap onto Menasor's arm, part of his hood/chest is missing.
** As Menasor prepares to smash the cornered Autobots, his inner arms are purple instead of light gray. Of course, they really shouldn't be there at all: Dead End and Drag Strip aren't supposed to ''attach to'' Menasor's arms; they're supposed to ''be'' his arms.
* When Wheeljack scans Auggie's car, the engine is located in the back. However, when the Decepticons try to remove the engine, all the work is being done in the car's front.
* As they transform to join the race, half of the Autobots (Bumblebee, Wheeljack and Bluestreak) have the ascending pitch sound effect instead of the descending effect.
[[File:Simultech car.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Someone's overcompensating for something.]]
* As Bumblebee catches up to Wheeljack and the camera angle changes to an overhead shot, the crookedly drawn background of the road continually edges close to Wheeljack, then pulls back as the animation loops, creating the impression that the image is jerking back and forth. In the same shot, Wheeljack is missing his green hood details.
* In the first shot of Scavenger and Scrapper, they both have misdrawn heads, and Scavenger's legs are fused together.
* As Soundwave reports to Megatron about the race, he has two eyes instead of the usual red visor.
* After running Bumblebee off the road, Auggie can be seen driving through a pack of cars that has the sheer cliff face on the right side of the screen, despite having just driven on a road that had the cliff edge on the left side. Additionally, Wildrider and a deformed Jazz are visible in the pack of human-driven cars.
* The reversed cel and background problems continue as Auggie pulls away from the rest of the drivers, but are fixed as Bumblebee and Bluestreak catch up to Auggie.
* As the Stunticons appear in Sunstreaker's rearview mirror, they continue rising from behind the horizon until they are floating above the road.
* In the overhead shot of the Stunticons surrounding Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, Dead End moves under Sideswipe.
* Dead End's first shot uses Megatron's fusion cannon sound effect. After the commercial break, it has the usual (correct) Decepticon laser sound effect.
* Reversed cel problems continue during Wheeljack and Motormaster's chase scene. When Wheeljack initially appears on the location, the Black Sea is on the left side of the screen as he drives up the road, but as the chase progresses, the sea is now on the right side of the screen, as if they had turned around during the chase or were driving on the opposite coastline.
* Motormaster makes a U-turn on a two-lane cliffside highway. While this kind of crazy driving was specifically shown and explained to be part of the Stunticons' abilities, Motormaster actually achieves it by driving into the shot, shrinking in the process, until he's small enough relative to the background matte to make the turn!
* Tracks's scan of the Stunticons has Wild Rider labeled as "WIRD RIDER."
* After Drag Strip pushes Auggie's car into Motormaster's trailer, as the trailer door closes, Drag Strip's Decepticon sigil turns into a purple blob.
* Scavenger reports that "Hey! There's something glowing down here!", but no such thing is seen in the animation.
* When Bluestreak picks up Auggie from the side of the road, Professor Teranova is not present inside the Autobot. Yet when the Autobots arrive at the site of the Pearl's excavation, Teranova can be seen exiting Bluestreak along with Auggie.
* During Megatron's retelling of the Pearl's history, as the villagers dig it up in the fourteenth century, the animation depicts it as already having the "pure gold protective casing" that was made for it afterwards.
* When Breakdown hits the cliff after missing Bluestreak, despite an explosion being animated, no sound is heard.
* Megatron's mouth doesn't move when Bumblebee grabs the Pearl right out of his hand. Of course, he also just stands there while Bumblebee drives right up to him, leaps up onto his arm and grabs Pearl.
* After Menasor smashes the ground to stop Bumblebee from escaping with the Pearl, a large crack forms in the earth, yet it vanishes when Bumblebee reacts to the Pearl rolling away.
* As Megatron and the Decepticons fly away from the battle, Sideswipe is shown next to Megatron (it should probably be Soundwave). The same error happened in "[[The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme]]".
* When the Autobots react to Auggie's apparent escape, Bluestreak is animated mouthing Tracks's line.
* When Auggie jumps from his car (from the ''passenger side''), he is not wearing his helmet, but it reappears after Menasor is defeated.
* Auggie's car isn't nearly as long as it should be when it crashes into Menasor.
* Menasor starts falling over before Auggie's car actually hits him.
* Superhuman Auggie:
** After leaping from his car onto the cliff edge, Auggie lets go and drops about 30 feet onto solid rock, but lands on his feet like it's nothing.
* As Bumblebee drives towards the tornado, he's layered incorrectly. It looks like he's driving above the ground for a moment.
* The gold casing around the pearl clearly cracks in half, yet as Auggie and the Autobots walk away from the battle, it's back together (and still making the sound effect as if the pearl is still in it!).

===Continuity errors===
* Professor Teranova frees himself with some kind of lamp device that the 'cons have left sitting around... but we have no idea what the thing actually is or why it's there or anything.
* Somehow, Megatron knows much of the human history and legend surrounding the Pearl, yet still needs to speak to Abdul Ben-F'aisal to know where it is hidden.
* Auggie Cahnay is reputed to be the best driver in the US, and the implication is he's also one of the best drivers in the race, yet twice in the episode, he is seen having to barge his way through the pack from behind.
* Sunstreaker, Sideswipe and Smokescreen all use "shortcuts" during the race. Doesn't seem very sporting, does it?
* Professor Teranova flees from the Decepticons, who are "two miles past the finish line". The finish line is in Istanbul. Bluestreak still hasn't made it ''to'' Istanbul when he finds Teranova; in fact he's still in the wilderness. So the good professor fled all the way into town and all the way back out the other side. No wonder he's collapsed in the dirt when Bluestreak finds him!
* On seeing the approaching Stunticons, Bumblebee somehow deduces that "Now they're after Auggie's car!" After he and Tracks avoid them, Bumblebee makes the rather non-sequitur observation that "Boy, they sure gave ''him'' the road!" The two lines seem to indicate that Auggie was supposed to be involved in the scene, but he's not shown.
* Auggie attacks Hook with a blowtorch. Where did it come from?
* Professor Teranova is last seen in the shot where Bumblebee loses the Pearl, not even reappearing in the post-battle scenes. Did he fall into Menasor's earthquake crevasse?
* The tornado that the Pearl and Bumblebee are sucked into is blowing over the Galata Valley while it is active, but when Bumblebee destroys the Pearl, it is suddenly over a huge forest, where he is eventually found in a tree.
*How does Auggie have the pearl at the end when he gives it to the Autobots when Bumblebee destroyed it?

===Geopolitical errors===
[[File:Europa 2000.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Not to Scale.]]
Quite a bit of real-world European geography pops up in the course of the episode, including the cities of Istanbul, Turkey; Paris, [[France]] (with the Eiffel Tower); [[Italy]]; and the Black Sea. Being the G1 cartoon, of course, this means a lot of it is portrayed wrongly in one form or another:
* Istanbul is drawn as though it were medieval [[Russia]], with lots of onion dome towers.
* Paris is shown with a number of skyscrapers around the Eiffel Tower. In real life, almost everything in the city is six stories or less.
* The Arc de Triomphe is shown at a regular intersection; it actually sits within a large traffic roundabout.
* Wheeljack says it's 2,000 miles total; because we are nitpicking here, we'll point out that the actual route is closer to 1,600 miles.
* The map of Europe is, erm, very inaccurate.

===Trivia===
* Auggie Cahnay's car has automatic transmission, which is unusual in a race car.
* At least one other car in the race appears to have "Citanes" endorsements.
* Apparently Soundwave's scanner thingy can't distinguish solid rock from ''not''-solid rock.
* This episode is one of several from late in Season 2 in which characters get severely smashed and beaten up - perhaps a precursor to the violent demise of several characters in the then-forthcoming [[The Transformers: The Movie|animated movie]]. Other such episodes include "[[Triple Takeover]]" with its throne made of smashed Autobots, "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2]]" in which Omega Supreme explodes, "[[Masquerade]]" which sees the Stunticons beaten to a pulp, and "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]", where characters - both generic and otherwise - drop like flies.
*David Wise, [[David Wise#Recycle-o-matic|infamous for recycling ideas]] from old stories for his later work, reused the weather-control device climax of this episode for his ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (1987) story "Hot Rodding Teenagers from Dimension X".

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title (European French broadcast and DVD release):'' "'''Europa 2000'''"
:*''Title (Canadian French broadcast):'' "'''L'Europa 2000'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''La perla di Istanbul'''" ("The Istanbul Pearl")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Trans-Europe Express'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Europa Ōdan Tokkyū'''" (ヨーロッパ横断特急, "Trans-Europe Express")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 6]], [[1986]]
::*The Pearl of Bahoudin is called the "Pearl of Jehuddin" in the Japanese dub. This was actually the pearl's preliminary name in early draft scripts of the episode. As such, it seems evident that the Japanese dub of the series used early scripts for dialogue translations rather than the actual broadcast scripts (which accounts for many of the numerous errors in the dub).

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Qìchērén Dàjiǎngsài '''" (汽车人大奖赛, "Autobot Grand Pix")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 7 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 13 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 06: Stagione Due Parte Quarta ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-59.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1GrSo2D3J1zNwDswcpGnrq_yZxRrBjsGb Episode dialogue script with deleted lines]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

Quest for Survival

2022-08-06T13:14:06Z

D-Unit: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode
|image=QuestForSurvival Blaster repels morphobots.jpg
|caption=The Morphobots raise the roof.
|series=G1toon
|ep=45
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=34
|prev2=Make Tracks
|next2=The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)
|title="Quest for Survival"
|written by=[[Reed Robbins]] and [[Peter Salas]]
|production code=700-44
|airdate=[[November 5]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxgpOOj0lno
|videosite=YouTube
}}

'''The Autobots find themselves outnumbered when facing an Insecticon Clone Army and look to find a robotic insecticide to destroy them. However, their problems are just going to get bigger when spores from alien plants on Cosmos begin to grow rapidly...'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:QuestForSurvival Insecticon swarm incoming.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|''Here we come to eat the haaaay The Insecticons are on their way'']]
The [[Decepticon]]s have turned the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]' cloning ability to new heights, to be an unstoppable force that will devour Earth's food resources and convert it into [[energon]]. Like a horde of mechanical locusts, they swarm Earth's crops, from Asia to the United States to the tropics - with the potential to cause the human race to starve to death. The Autobots make an attempt to stop the Insecticons, but they are too many in number, and the Autobots are forced to retreat. At [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]], the Autobots explain what happened to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], when [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]], and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] contact Prime, saying that they found some [[robotic insecticide]] on [[Floron III]]. As they leave, however, something grabs hold of Cosmos, and he is barely able to escape.

Returning to the [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon base]], the Insecticons convert the food they've eaten into energon, but only get one [[energon cube]] each. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] claims that this is because of the costly energy conversion process, but in another room, the Decepticons are busily converting massive amounts of energy into energon. Megatron muses that the Insecticons would be deadly if they weren't so stupid.

[[File:QuestForSurvival Spike surveys damage.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|I ''told'' you not to pick up those hitchhikers.]]

On his approach to Earth, Cosmos discovers that spores from whatever attacked him are growing across his hull, and he is losing control of his systems. Bumblebee and Spike manage to abandon ship before Cosmos crashes and go to get help. Arriving back at the base, Bumblebee discovers that spores are attached to his body, but [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] manages to get them off. Prime attempts to contact Cosmos, only to discover that the valley he crashed in has been overtaken by the plant-like machines. As the Autobot leader leads a rescue mission, [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] learns of the insecticide, and reports it to [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]]. Megatron takes a team to retrieve it before the Autobots can...and in case he might need the insecticide himself.

At the base, [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] and [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] discover that the spores are [[Morphobot]]s, a plant-like species that the [[Transformer]]s believed was extinct. They contact Prime, warning him that the Morphobots are particularly fond of robotic lifeforms. Elsewhere, [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] is overseeing the Insecticons, when Megatron orders him to warn the Insecticons to stay away from the valley. The Insecticons suspect that Megatron is hiding something, and attack Thrust, after which they take the entire clone army to the valley.

[[File:Primequestforsurvival.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|LA LA LA LA, NOT LISTENING!]]

At the valley, the Decepticons arrive first, only to discover the Morphobots. [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] fires first, only to have the blast from his [[null-ray]] deflected right back at him. Before Megatron can properly admonish Starscream, Soundwave detects the Autobots. Megatron decides to let Prime do the work of getting the insecticide for him. [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] fires a blast, but gets nowhere; [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]]'s liquid nitrogen only freezes them momentarily. [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] begins broadcasting, which causes the Morphobots to recoil. Bumblebee, Ironhide, [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], and Blaster take Cosmos out of the field.

[[File:G1 QuestforSurvival Morphobot eats Bombshell.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|The venus fly trap from outer space.]]

Once they're out, Megatron and the Decepticons attack, destroying the insecticide. However, the Morphobots also attack the Decepticons. As things get bad, the Insecticons arrive. Megatron believes the noble creatures are coming to save them. Obviously his [[Circuits|logic circuits]] fail to tell him just how many things are wrong with his idea. Believing them to be food, the Insecticon clones fly straight into the field, and the Morphobots consume all the clones. The original Insecticons manage to escape, and the Decepticons follow.

At their base, the Autobots have loaded the Morphobots into a shuttle, intended to take them to a world with a large robotic insect population. However, Perceptor requests that a second shuttle be prepared as soon as possible, as the Morphobots he has been studying have become a little too friendly for his tastes.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (6)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (7)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (8)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (9)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (10)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (11)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (12)
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (13)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (14)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (15)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (16)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (25)
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] (26)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (27)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (30)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (34)
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (35)

|c2=
*[[Insecticon clone]]s (2)
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (3)
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (4)
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (5)
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (19)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (20)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (21)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (22)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (23)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (24)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (28)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (29)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (31)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (32)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (33)

|c3=
*Farmers (1)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (17)

|c4=
*[[Morphobot]]s (18)
}}

==Quotes==
"Robotic Insecticide?"
:—'''Skids''' makes his debut by asking what everyone else is thinking.

"Muahah. If the Insecticons had ''brains'', they'd be ''dangerous!''"
:—'''Megatron''' reflects on the Insecticons' gullibility.

"Hmm. Very interesting." 
"What is it?" 
"Hmm? What is what?"
:—'''Perceptor''' and '''Prowl''', a typical conversation with a scientist.

"Where is your courage, Megatron?"
:—'''Starscream''' should practice what he preaches.

"Who says plants aren't intelligent? The Morphobots are repelled by your music."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', being a little ungrateful to Blaster, who is repelling the Morphobots

"Just don't stand there with your cockpits open, you fools!"
:—'''Megatron''', being dragged along the ground by a Morphobot.

"The Insecticons! Those noble creatures have come to save us, despite the danger to their own lives."
:—'''Megatron''', seriously overestimating his allies.

[[File:G1 QuestforSurvival Bombshell Kickback.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
"Our friend Megatron is in trouble." 
"If I wasn't so ''hungry'', I'd stop to help him out. HAHAHAHAHAH!"
:—'''Kickback''' and '''Bombshell''' both showing how an 'ally' should act.

"You didn't tell us they'd bite back!"
:—'''Kickback''', realizing that plants do bite back.

==Notes==
===Production information===
First draft script submitted: 17th April 1985

===Continuity notes===
[[File:QuestforSurvival bee carries blaster.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
[[File:QuestForSurvival-SkidsRoboticInsecticide.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
* First appearance of [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (out of only [[Triple Takeover|two in the whole cartoon!]]).
* Optimus Prime says Blaster's music is "frying his brain transmitters".
* The possibility that the Morphobots will drive the Earth to starvation just breaks Megatron's "[[energon convertor]]". Not!
* Gadgets and powers:
** Tracks actually uses his missile launchers!
** Cosmos has something called an "Auxiliary laser jet". Because jets and lasers are totally the same thing! (Maybe it's just a backup {{w|HP LaserJet|printer?}})
** Ironhide shoots some kind of gray graphite lookin' stuff from his retracted fingertips, which forms a hard shell around its target.
** Later he shoots nitrogen in the same fashion, freezing the Morphobots in place.
** Blaster transforms into a halfway form between his cassette player form and his [[robot mode]]. Later, he transforms into his boom box mode without shrinking at all.
* Blaster repulses the Morphobots with an instrumental version of the song "[[Cold Slither (song)|Cold Slither]]" played in the ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'' episode of the same name.
*Tracks actually uses his [[Black beam gun]] to blind Megatron, Dirge and Blitzwing.
* This episode marks one of only two instances in which Soundwave laughs (the other being "[[Auto-Bop]]"). He chuckles along with Megatron when Starscream is knocked on his can, and again after Megatron destroys the insecticide.

===Real-world references===
* The opening scene is set in an unspecified Asian country; the [[dialogue script]] notes the farm worker has a Chinese accent, but whether the attack actually takes place in [[China]] or not is hard to say.
* The farmer's accents in the next scene suggest it's set somewhere in the American south.
* ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
** [[TIE Fighter]] roar as Thrust swoops over the grassy plain.
** [[Death Star]] super laser as he lands in the field.
** ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine burst as he retreats from the Insecticons, and again as the Insecticons take off after him.

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:QuestForSurvival Inferno puts out Tracks.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|I'm burning! burning!]]
* Shrapnel is not on-screen when he says "I'm starved"; instead, Kickback is prominently in the foreground.
* In the overhead shot of the two farm vehicles, one is cutting a path through the corn, while the other is not. When the drivers abandon the vehicles a moment later, both have paths behind them.
* The two vehicle-driving farmers switch places at the start. The fellow in blue overalls is driving the tractor, but is shown running from the combine harvester, trading vehicles with his pal.
* Tracks has Bombshell's vocal processing effect when he gives the order to transform, and again when he is set on fire.
* Coloring errors:
** In the line-up of newly transformed Autobots, Smokescreen's headcrest is blue instead of yellow, and his feet are dark gray when they should be blue.
** Insect mode Kickback has a white mouthplate as he flees from Tracks' missile.
** As Smokescreen explains the retreat to Optimus, his forehead crest is blue again, and his chest is squared off instead of rounded.
** In the first shot of him struggling against the plants, Cosmos' Autobot symbol is a featureless black shape - like a [[rubsign]]!
** Bumblebee's nose is yellow as Cosmos struggles against the Morphobots.
** And again as Cosmos orders Spike and Bumblebee to eject.
** "Where's Cosmos?" - Prime's running lights are blue instead of red.
** After the Insecticons leave their transfer chambers, Bombshell's chest compartment is gray instead of yellow.
** Laserbeak's wings are all red (missing their black and light gray bits) as he observes the traveling Autobots.
** As Kickback kicks Thrust, Bombshell's shoulders are maroon, and his eyes aren't colored in.
** As the Decepticons arrive at the valley, Starscream's left wing is missing its red stripe. In the same shot, Blitzwing is flying with his landing gear down.
** The Decepticon jets fire on the Autobots with the Autobot laser sound.
** Soundwave's forehead flashes between white and blue as he laughs at Starscream's pratfall.
** In the shot of the newly arrived Autobots, Ironhide's helmet is gray instead of red.
** The edge of Ironhide's helmet is the same color as his face in a couple of shots, notably when he reacts to the Morphobots shrugging off his nitrogen.
** Tracks has white tires as he walks behind Bumblebee through the Morphobot field.
** Blitzwing's helmet is purple instead of yellow as he lands to attack.
** And again as he runs to assist Megatron.
** Gun mode Megatron is all dark gray when Soundwave releases him.
** Dirge's face is white instead of dark gray after he's been thrown by the Morphobots.
** Ironhide's shoulders are gray instead of red as he agrees with Optimus about disposing of the Morphobots.
* Just before the Autobots retreat, Tracks fires a couple of missiles... but his launchers aren't empty after he does so.
* The area around Autobot Headquarters looks different in this episode. It's sitting flush with a plateau off to the side, not the usual rocky cliffside.
* At Decepticon Headquarters, Kickback - or a clone - transforms without any transformation sound.
* As Megatron greets the Insecticons, Dirge is missing his wings.
* As they speak to Cosmos post-crash, Spike gestures as if he's trying to project his voice across the cliff, but Bumblebee is the one yelling.
* Spike is in the driver seat whenever Bumblebee is rolling, but he exits - and re-enters - from the passenger side.
* When Bumblebee transforms to go for help, his windows change from glass-blue to completely transparent. Then his seats, rear windows and interior appear out of nowhere when he starts to drive off.
* Improbable viewpoints:
** How the heck did Teletraan One get a camera inside the energon production room of Decepticon Headquarters? Even the Insecticons couldn't get in there!
** Megatron brings up a view of Thrust flying along.
* Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
** Beachcomber and Ratchet are in the group of Autobots who set out for the crash site, but when the group gets there, Ironhide and Hoist are there instead. Nonetheless, Beachcomber gets a line of dialogue (in response to Blaster's music).
** Windcharger is also there for one shot, but disappears from the rest of the show.
** Blaster doesn't appear at all until after Ironhide and Warpath have tried to destroy the Morphobots. Maybe he was hiding in someone's back seat?
* Perceptor and Prowl should really have some radio muffling as they contact Prime, but it's just their normal voices.
* The problem of Kickback's insect head shows up as the Insecticons react to Thrust's arrival. Up to now, he's been shown with the correct plain black insect head, but throughout this whole scene, he's got his full robot face on display, even getting a closeup of it as he speaks a line.
* When Warpath replies to Optimus Prime's request for a path to be blasted through the Morphobots, he's lacking the glowing blue effects on his mouthplate-slits that Toei gave him when he talked in every other episode of theirs. This is his only on-screen robot-mode line in the episode.
* When Megatron transforms to shoot the insecticide, he doesn't make the transformation noise (nor does he when he transforms back, for that matter). His shot doesn't make the usual fusion cannon sound, either.
* The second time Soundwave laughs, his voice is missing its usual synthesizer effect, [[Roll for It|and not for the first time]].
* As Megatron is thrown by the Morphobots, his voice sounds different and is missing its metallic effect.
* Several times towards the end of the episode, the triangles on Megatron's forehead are drawn wrong (sometimes one or the other is a square or cut-off polygon).
* When Perceptor is struggling with the Morphobots, his mouth isn't quaking with the rest of his body.
* The color on a handful of scenes is visibly grayed and desaturated, such as when Perceptor calls Prime for help.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:QuestForSurvival Cosmos ejects escape pod.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|This thing fits inside Cosmos. Spike and Bumblebee fit inside this thing. But when Cosmos transforms, he's like one head taller than Bumblebee.]]
* The Morphobots repeatedly show the ability to grow out of, well, nothing. The specimens on Cosmos, and the ones that Perceptor studies, both blossom into huge vines without actually consuming any matter.
* Who's in charge of the first Autobot excursion? Tracks gives the order to transform, but Smokescreen gives the order to retreat.
* Why does Cosmos need Spike to fire his emergency jet? Can't he do it himself?
* Cosmos' interior is ''huge'' in this episode, big enough to carry Bumblebee, Spike and their cargo in relative comfort, not to mention an ''ejection chamber'' which is ''also'' capable of carrying the same occupants. It was similarly large in "[[Sea Change]]", but considerably smaller in "[[Blaster Blues]]" and "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]".
* When the Morphobots penetrate into Cosmos' cabin, there is no indication of decompression from his pressurized and vacuum-sealed hull being breached.
* How does Laserbeak figure out what the Autobots are up to in order to report back to Soundwave? Prime and the others leave and nobody says anything about where they are going, Lasebeak doesn't see them until after they have already left headquarters, yet he flies back to Soundwave and has complete details about where they are going and knows about the instecticide.
* In "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]", the Insecticons are shown to be able to convert organic food directly into energy by themselves. What, from the Insecticons' point of view, is the logic behind extracting energon from them and converting it to energon cubes, from which it would have to be consumed again?
* Similarly, in their debut episode, the Insecticon clones were shown to be eliminated with [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker's]] [[force field]], cutting off the control beam and causing them to disintegrate. Why is Robotic Insecticide now required?
* Megatron's orders to Thrust appear to have been moved - he brings up Thrust's image on a viewscreen but does not say anything to him; several scenes later, completely off-screen, he orders Thrust to contact the Insecticons - ''after'' Thrust has already located them and is flying over them!
*After Megatron and the other Decepticons have been freed from the Morphobots' tentacles and are laying on the ground, Tracks walks right up to them and uses his Black beam gun to blind them. Yet in the very next shot, he's standing behind the other Autobots, and the Decepticons are not only standing, but aren't blinded at all.
* If the Morphobots can't be harmed by explosives and laser fire, and they can hogtie Megatron in a matter of seconds and sling him around like a bag of bolts, how did the Autobots manage to round them up and put them inside the rocket ship? (Blaster's music could have played a part.)

===Trivia===
[[File:RoboticInsecticide.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Comes in Small, Medium, Large and Combiner sizes.]]

* To get rid of the Morphobots, the Autobots send them to a planet inhabited by their prey, robotic insects. While that's nice for the plants, isn't kinda mean to the robotic insects? Won't it screw up the ecology of the planet? Isn't it kinda... morally borderline at best? We only have to hope the Autobots are exporting them to another civilization with a robotic pest outbreak, and not just dropping them off in any random mechanical wilderness.
* Okay, seriously... ''robotic insecticide?''

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La lutte pour la survie'''" ("The Struggle for Survival")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''L'insetticida robotico'''" ("The Robotic Insecticide")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Lotta per la sopravvivenza'''" ("Fight for Survival")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Survival Sakusen'''" (サバイバル作戦, "Operation: Survival")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[February 28]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Shírén Zhū '''" (食人株, "Cannibal Plant")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 5 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 10 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 05: Stagione Due Parte Terza ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-44.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bF9iWqbaQ05Z4P8BwYZ276G8KB4y_4N1/view?usp=sharing Full episode script]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1o4YSkLfbaYsR_ZOPHOzc9lxckRlqBUtF Episode dialogue script]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]

Dinobot Island, Part 2

2021-09-26T17:10:00Z

D-Unit: /* Continuity notes */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=31
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=19
|prev2=Dinobot Island, Part 1
|next2=The Master Builders (episode)
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=9
|prev3=Dinobot Island, Part 1
|next3=The Master Builders (episode)
|image=DinobotIsland2 Megatronvsdinosaur.jpg
|caption= Why Megatron and [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]] never [[Reproduction|had children]].
|title="Dinobot Island, Part 2"
|production code=#700-30
|airdate=[[September 26]], 1985
|written by=[[Donald F. Glut]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHIXhia5iks
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''The Decepticons' plundering of Dinobot Island's resources causes instabilities in the timestream.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Disland2mammoths.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"I told you we should have taken the left turn. Now we have to ask for directions."]]
After forcing the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] into a pool of tar, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] is convinced he's won. He orders the [[Decepticon]]s to resume the collection of [[energon]]. However, [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] fears that Megatron's plundering may have disastrous consequences for the island... and the Decepticons.

Meanwhile, the [[Autobot]]s finish repairing the control room. However, [[Teletraan I]] alerts them to a temporal anomaly near the library where [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] are. While going to investigate, the Autobots find barbarians making a mess of things. [[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] locates Spike and Bumblebee under the rubble of the library, where [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] drills them out. Bumblebee is able to cover Spike and prevent any harm, while the Autobots round up the time displaced Viking barbarians and woolly [[mammoth]]s.

[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] orders the Autobots not to use lethal force, as they are living creatures here by accident. [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], and Sideswipe manage to round up the mammoths. [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] wrangles the barbarians by squirting them with glue and sticking them to the ground. Optimus knows just where to put them, and the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] has them store the mammoths in his trailer (poor [[Roller (G1)|Roller]]), while Ironhide immobilizes the barbarians. However, the portal is closing fast. The Autobots send the barbarians and mammoths back through the anomaly, which closes just in time.

[[File:DinobotIsland Pt2 InfernospraysCowboys.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Maybe I'll put out their fire for good!"]]
Returning to the [[Ark (G1)|base]], [[Chip Chase]], [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]], and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] begin research into what is causing all this. Before they do, however, two more anomalies are discovered: one at sea, one out in the country. [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] go intercept the sea-based anomaly, which is a pirate ship attacking a man and two women on a yacht. The Autobots free the yacht and push the pirate ship back through the anomaly.

In the country side, [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] find that a group of old west outlaws have encountered a biker gang. After a brief rustle between the two gangs, the Autobots force the outlaws back through the wormhole. Resuming their analysis at Autobot headquarters, Chip learns that the disturbances can be traced to Dinobot Island. Optimus Prime orders his team to fly there using [[jet pack]]s.

[[File:DinobotIsland2 dinosaurs galore.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
Meanwhile, the Dinobots have managed to free themselves from the tar pit, thanks to [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] setting it on fire, only to see that Dinobot Island is in danger. Concluding that the Decepticons have done "bad stuff" to the Island, the Dinobots decide it's time to do "more badder stuff" to the Decepticons. The Autobots arrive, and attack the Decepticons. Prime and Megatron trade shots while Warpath takes on Blitzwing in a tank-on-tank duel. Just as the Decepticons get the upper hand, [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] inspires the island's [[dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaur]] population to attack the Decepticons, forcing them to retreat.

With the Decepticons gone, the Autobots destroy the [[energon cube]]s, causing the energy inside to return to the places it was taken from, stabilizing Dinobot Island. Optimus declares that the Dinobots have proven that they can control their powers and that they have demonstrated loyalty to the Autobot cause. With that, the Autobots and Dinobots return home.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (6)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (7)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (9)
*[[Teletraan I]] (10)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (11)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (12)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (13)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (14)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (15)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (17)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (19)
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] (20)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (27)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (28)
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (29)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (30)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (31)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (32)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (33)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (34)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (35)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (36)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (38)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] (39)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (40)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (41)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (42)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (2)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (3)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (4)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (5)
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (37)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (43)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (44)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (45)
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (18)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (8)
*Barbarians (16)
*[[Chip Chase]] (21)
*Yacht captain (22)
*Bikini girls (23)
*Pirates (24)
*Motorcycle gang members (25)
*Wild West outlaws (26)
}}

==Quotes==
"But draining those energies might upset the chronological balance of this island! It already drifts precariously in the sea of time." 
"Scientific gobbledegook, Starscream! Do as I say."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Megatron''' discuss technobabble.

"OORUBBA REEYO! RUMBUBUH RULLY!" ''[More unintelligible babbling and grunts]''
:— '''The Barbarian''' on his mammoth, making a thought out and well articulated point.

"Remember those creatures are flesh and blood, not unfeeling machines like the Decepticons."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' placing a higher value on woolly mammoths than Decepticons.

"Why, you unwashed primitives! You could have fissured my finish!"
:—'''Sunstreaker''' blasts the barbarians for pounding on him with their weapons.

"We be wantin' your treasure, and the wenches too. Hahahahaha!" 
"Aww, cool off, Long John!"
:—'''Pirate captain''' and '''Cliffjumper'''

"I don't care if the entire ''Earth'' explodes! We can always relocate."
:—'''Megatron''' isn't big on the neighborhood.

"If that stolen energy is taken from this area, this entire galaxy could crumble!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' wonders where Megatron would relocate to ''then''.

[[File:G1 DinobotIslandPt2 Warpath tank.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
"Hey, Blitzwing! ''Tank'' you!"
:—'''Warpath''' attacks Blitzwing in a tank-versus-tank duel

"No! It is impossible! I saw you buried beneath the tar pits!" 
"You wrong. And you ''ugly'', too."
:—'''Megatron''' gets some comeuppance from '''Grimlock''', of all mechs

"The Dinobots have not only proved they can control their powers, they have also demonstrated that they have great value to our cause. They will remain at Autobot Headquarters from now on".
:-- '''Optimus Prime''' honoring the Dinobots and welcoming them back into the Autobot ranks before they leave Dinobot Island together.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* First draft script: 9th January 1985
* Script revised by [[Ron Friedman]]: 15th January 1985

===Continuity notes===
[[File:DinobotIsland Sideswipe digging friends out.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
[[File:DinobotIsland2 Cliffjumper firing.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
[[File:DinobotIslandPt2-Dirge.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|"We clocked the T. rex at 32 miles per hour."]]
*The empty energon cubes in this episode have little round tubes at the bottom to draw in energy.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Ratchet uses a welding apparatus that slides in/out of his wrist, similar to the ones used by [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2|Brawn]] and [[Changing Gears|Gears]], but without the hooked tip.
**Sideswipe uses his pistons to dig out Bumblebee. They slide out from his wrists, similar to how they worked in "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]".
**Ironhide fires a white-yellow glue from a tri-barreled wrist attachment, similar to the one he used in "[[Divide and Conquer]]".
**Sideswipe fires lasers... from the tip of his missile.
**Sunstreaker discharges electricity from his fingertips to scare off the barbarians.
**A frequently-recurring gadget appears as Cliffjumper uses his [[hydrofoil]]s to travel out to the pirate ship time warp.
**Seaspray has a bow-mounted radar dish.
**Cliffjumper uses his [[glass gas]], reducing the pirates' swords to shards. He fires it from a gun that emerges from his car mode front hood.
**Tracks' [[black beam gun]] works on humans!
**Beachcomber fires lasers from his hands.
**Skywarp half-transforms during the battle, extending his legs out from [[alternate mode|jet mode]] to get some extra vertical thrust.
**Snarl again fires energy blasts from his sword's tip, as in "[[Heavy Metal War]]".
**Prowl disarms the old west outlaws with his signature [[acid pellet]]s.
*Where's the trailer go?
**Optimus Prime's trailer just rolls in from off-screen when he needs it to store the mammoths.
*There is now a retractable metal door on the cone of the Autobot Headquarters volcano.
* When the volcano is becoming active, Prime orders the Autobots to put on jetpacks and head to the island...he just totally leaves Chip and Sparkplug there while the volcano is erupting.
*Flying Autobots:
**Prime's crew of Autobots explicitly requires jetpacks to fly to [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]].
**The Dinobots display their usual ability to fly as robots.
*Blitzwing and Warpath face off for the first time, but [[The Golden Lagoon (episode)|not the last]].
*First appearances:
**Autobots [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]]
**Decepticon [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]]
*'''[[The Immobilizer|< <]]''' What makes Starscream the leader? Megatron has... uh... ''maybe'' made a mistake in draining the island's energy! Maybe! '''[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1|> >]]'''

===Real-world references===
[[File:Disland2pirates.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|"Ar, excuse me fair mateys, have you seen Captain Jack Sparrow anywhere here? He owes me money! And my, what fine, large booty I see on ye poop deck!"]]
*Barbarians, mammoths, dinosaurs, pirates, motorcycle gangs, cowboys, scantily clad bikini chicks—this episode's got it all!
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**Swoop frees himself from the tar pit with a ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine sound effect.
**Prime's crew arrives at Dinobot Island with the sound of the ''Millennium Falcon'' flying toward Yavin.
**A ''Star Wars'' laser effect plays as Grimlock fires to get the dinosaurs' attention, possibly [[Han Solo]] blowing the prison block communications console to scrap. 

===Animation and technical errors===
*Huffer is drawn mouthing Hound's "New Earth life forms?" line.
*The jewelry store that one of the barbarians smashes into is labeled "Nickel and Dime".
[[File:DinobotIsland2 Sunstreaker carrying mammoth.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*Sunstreaker has Sideswipe's voice for his "I hope you packed your trunk!" line.
*Sunstreaker and Hound get a very strange non-standard sound effect for their lasers as they try to hold the time warp open.
*Chip's "I can use lots of help" line is slightly cut off, leaving him saying that he can use lots of "hel-".
*When Optimus Prime reacts in surprise to Teletraan I's discovery of two additional time warps, Wheeljack's "ears" flash as Prime speaks, as if he was supposed to speak in unison with Prime, but only Prime's voice is heard.
*When Wheeljack speaks a moment before that, his ears do not light up in unison when he says the "Not another time warp" line. Instead they remain lit up.
*Rather than actually coming ''through'' the time warp, the pirate ship just kind of appears out of thin air in front of the warp.
*The cowboys suffer the same problem; additionally, when they first appear, they're kind of floating above the ground.
*When the lead cowboy fires his pistol, it makes a truncated version of the Decepticon laser sound effect. This being the one and only time in the show when a human gun is unarguably a conventional projectile firearm, it should really make a traditional gunshot noise. The sound crew ''did'' use an actual gunshot sound for a random criminal in the later episode "[[Make Tracks]]", but the show's general ethos resulted in all other human weapons on the show looking and sounding like laser guns.
*Coloring errors:
**Tracks' eyes are yellow when he first transforms.
**Slag's cheek guards are white instead of red as he proposes melting down the Decepticons. His whole face is light gray instead of red as Grimlock agrees.
**In the pan across the Autobots launching their attack, Beachcomber's whole face is white instead of blue, and Smokescreen is missing all of his reds and yellows.
**Snarl's sword is gray instead of red as Grimlock fires to get the dinosaurs' attention.
*Tracks fires his [[black beam gun]] energy from his missile launchers, rather than his hand-held weapon.
*Grimlock roars his approval of being de-tarred in Sludge's voice.
*Despite using back-mounted jet packs, the Autobots are shown landing on Dinobot Island with foot thrusters.
*When Blitzwing transforms into his tank mode, his head and face are still clearly visible as he drives off-screen. In the next shot, however, his head is concealed.
*When Starscream is shooting Warpath with his null ray, he's colored as Thundercracker.
*Blitzwing is missing his tank barrel as he fires alongside Soundwave and Starscream.
*Skywarp has no wing insignia as he gets trampled by the dinosaurs.
[[File:Dinobotisland jetpacks.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*Megatron's Fusion Cannon is knocked off his wrist by the triceratops (see the image at the top of the page) but it magically reappears on his wrist when he is shown again.
*Blitzwing, Soundwave, and Starscream all seem to suddenly turn around when they are attacked by the stegosaurus, as they are facing the beast in one shot, but when they are knocked down they are facing the other direction.
*Megatron looks human-sized, or even smaller, compared to those dinosaurs rioting above him.
*Somebody forgot that the Dinobots can fly; they're shown flying away from Dinobot Island with jet packs like the rest of the Autobots.

===Jurassic errors===
*The size issues are more noticeable than before with animals which topped 16 feet in real life towering over Megatron.

===Continuity errors===
*Grimlock's means of summoning the dinosaurs to fight... strains credibility.
*The Decepticons' firepower somehow fails to reduce the dinosaurs to puddles of charred flesh.
*Does it really take all the Autobots and Dinobots firing at the highly volatile and explosive energon cubes to destroy them?

===Trivia===
*The initial dialogue of the "Barbarian Chieftain" was written out in the [[dialogue script]] as ''"Ura manamabirno! Ramballalala uramala! Ya gagga nagonda! Gagga nagonda! Hai, yamaral! Ira, lura lura! Haya, luramala!"'', and he was supposed to exclaim "''Bunga Dorg!"'' when he confronted Sunstreaker. The actor playing the Barbarian Chieftain does not seem to have stuck to this very closely—but, hey, gibberish is gibberish.
*The dialogue script states elsewhere that the barbarian who robs the jewelry store is supposed to be saying ''"Gunda nah? Naga gunda?"'' (CONTENTED GIBBERISH) ''"Wunga ga dindy! Dindy wah!"'', which also doesn't quite seem to be what's said in the finished episode. Besides these examples, no other barbarian dialogue in the episode is scripted.
[[File:DinobotIsland2-Perceptor.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.95|And if you need a $14.99 toy, don't hesitate to purchase me - Perceptor!]]
*The explicit character introductions continue in this episode, with Perceptor and Beachcomber both giving self-explanatory spiels, and Tracks spouting some lines based heavily on his bio, while showing off his special gun.
*The original script for this episode called for Trailbreaker to protect Dinobot Island from any further external threats by shielding it with one of his [[force field]]s. Although Optimus Prime's line explaining this was deleted during production, the visuals of the episode itself feature something of a vestigial reference to this, with the Autobots all flying off in large groups and Trailbreaker being the last to depart, taking to the air solo. In addition, in the background of the final shot of the episode as the Autobots fly away, Dinobot Island can be seen with a violet sphere surrounding it, which was presumably intended to be the force field. Ultimately, though, it's probably for the better; Trailbreaker's force fields were never shown to be self-sustaining, which this one would have to have been.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''L'île des Dinobots, partie 2'''" ("The Island of the Dinobots, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title (Generation 2 dub):'' "'''Die Insel der Dinobots, Teil 2'''" ("The Island of the Dinobots, Part 2")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 25]], [[1994]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''L'isola dei Dinorobot-Seconda parte'''" ("The Island of Dinobots-Second Part")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''L'isola dei Dinobots - II'''" ("The Island of Dinobots - II")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Taiketsu!! Dinobot PART II'''" (対決!! ダイノボット PART II, "Showdown!! Dinobots PART II")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 15]], [[1985]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Kǒnglóng Dǎo (Xià)'''" (恐龙岛(下), "Dinobot Island, PART II")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
{{-}}

===Toys inspired by this episode===
[[File:TF-WFC-E-Deluxe-Cliffjumper.jpg|upright=1.0|thumb|]]
*'''''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' Deluxe Class Cliffjumper''' (Hasbro, [[2020]])

:A pair of ski accessories for Cliffjumper are included in this toy.
{{-}}

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1986 — ''The Transformers'' — Dinobot Island, also includes The Revenge of Bruticus ([[St. Michael Video Library]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1987 — ''Transformers'' — 1: The Revenge of Bruticus / 2: Dinobot Island (Parts 1 and 2) ([[Entertainment UK|Starvision]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1988 — ''The Transformers'' — The Revenge of Bruticus and Dinobot Island Parts 1 & 2 ([[Video Gems|V.I.P. Video Gems]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1991 — ''Transformers'' — 1: The Revenge of Bruticus / 2: Dinobot Island (Parts 1 and 2) ([[Entertainment UK|The Fun House]]) 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1998 — ''The Transformers: Generation 2'' — Dinobot Island ([[Malofilm|Behaviour]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1: Vol. 3 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 6 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2005 — ''Transformers'' — Les Dinobots ([[UFG Junior]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 04: Stagione Due Parte Seconda ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-30.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1qQojgM8Jv7H7gDBHJ4pgh4Y5HcZPxwiy Full episode script, as revised by Ron Friedman 15th January 1985]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

The Search for Alpha Trion

2021-07-08T13:29:58Z

D-Unit: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode
|image=Search4atelita%26prime.jpg
|caption=Disco didn't die. It just went into stasis lock.
|series=G1toon
|ep=53
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=41
|prev2=Child's Play (episode)
|next2=The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=36
|prev3=Sea Change
|next3=Autobot Spike
|title="The Search for Alpha Trion"
|written by=[[Beth Bornstein]]
|production code=700-52
|airdate=[[November 12]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''Discovering that his long-thought-dead love, Elita One, is in the hands of the Decepticons, Optimus Prime speeds to Cybertron on a rescue mission, only to end up discovering something about his own history in the process.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Femaleautobots.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|How old were ''you'' when this episode aired? Were you all like, ''ew, girls!''?]]

On Cybertron, three [[Female Autobots]] ([[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] and [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]]) sneak into [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave's]] [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|headquarters]] under orders of their leader, [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]]. They raid Shockwave's stockpile of [[energon cube]]s to power their fight against the [[Decepticon]]s. On the way out, Moonracer decides to try and take some extra Energon, as they desperately need it, and accidentally trips an alarm and is trapped but freed by Chromia. Shockwave, surprised to see female Autobots still alive, attempts to stop them but is stunned by being hit with some energon cubes and sends a [[Sentinel (G1)|sentinel]] after them.

[[File:Search4atelitaandalpha.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|I see a bearded man in your future.]]

The Female Autobots escape the sentinel and return to Elita One, though Shockwave deduces the approximate location of their underground headquarters. Shockwave contacts [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] who sends [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] to assist in the apprehension of the Female Autobots. Rumble starts an earthquake which damages their headquarters. Elita One attempts to lure them away from the base by attacking, but is captured. Rumble continues shaking things up until Starscream believes the base is suitably destroyed, though the Female Autobots have actually survived.

[[File:Search4atelitakicks.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Self Defense against sexual harassment.]]

Megatron contacts [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and shows him the imprisoned Elita One. Optimus rushes to her rescue, even though he knows it's a trap. Apparently, 4 million years ago, Optimus and Elita had a "thing" going. Right before boarding the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], Elita begged to go with him, but Optimus told her it was too dangerous. As they spoke, the Decepticons attacked [[Great Dome|Iacon]] and Elita vanished in the chaos, leaving Optimus to think she had perished. Not wishing to lose her a second time, Optimus heads for Cybertron via the Decepticon space bridge. [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] become curious as to why Optimus is heading to Cybertron alone and follow in secret.

As soon as Optimus arrives, he is taken prisoner by Starscream, who dangles him over a barrel of acid to torture Elita. Rumble drops Optimus, but before he lands in the barrel, Elita uses her special power, which stops time. Elita rescues Prime, but at the cost of her own life force, as the special power uses up so much energy. Prime loads Elita into his trailer and races to find [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], the only Autobot who can save her.

Back at Shockwave's headquarters, the Decepticons believe Optimus had perished in the acid. Just then, the three Autobots arrive and attack. In the Female Autobots' underground headquarters, Moonracer comes up with a plan to dig their way out. They detonate the energon cubes they had stolen, creating an exit. They soon meet up with their male counterparts and together they take on the Decepticons.

[[File:SearchAlphaTrion Prime Elita Autobots.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|You're lucky my chick's here, m—oh, hey, so's yours.]]

Optimus eventually finds [[Alpha Trion's base‎]], and the old Autobot uses his skill to repair Elita One as best he can. In the end, Alpha Trion instructs Prime to interface with her for a power transfusion, as he is the only Autobot compatible with her design. A confused Prime remarks that only his creator could know that. After the transfusion, Elita One recovers, and the two then return to help the Autobots fight off the Decepticons. Outnumbered, the Decepticons retreat. Alpha Trion then sets the Female Autobots up with a new secret base, and the two Autobot groups bid each other farewell when the Autobots prepare to return to Earth.

{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] (1)
* [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] (2)
* [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] (3)
* [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] (4)
* [[Greenlight]] (7)
* [[Lancer]] (8)
* [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (13)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (14)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (15)
* [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (16)
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (17)
* [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (18)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (19)
* [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] (20)

|c2=
* [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] (5)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (6)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (9)
* [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (10)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (11)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (12)
}}

==Quotes==
"Female Autobots? I thought they were extinct."
:—'''Shockwave''' obviously hasn't kept up to date on Cybertron's Discovery Channel.

"Such noble nonsense."
:—'''Shockwave''' disses Chromia and [[The Transformers: The Movie|gives Megatron material to rip off]].

"I can deal with Decepticons. Elita One knows no fear!"
:—'''Elita One''' need not worry about Man-Thing, then.

"Optimus Prime, something rather exciting has been discovered on Cybertron. I thought you might like to know about it."
:—'''Megatron''' calls to say he's discovered girls.

"Please, let him go." 
"Very well, my dear... let him go... into the acid!"
:—'''Elita One'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s plea to '''Starscream''' to free Optimus Prime doesn't have the expected result.

"How quaint! The girls have come to rescue their boyfriends!"
:—Jealous, '''Starscream'''?

"Alpha Trion... I never expected to see you again."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' doesn't have much faith in his deadbeat dad.

==Notes==

===Continuity notes===
*The episode marked the first appearance of genuine [[female Transformer]]s in official fiction.
*Alpha Trion's relationship to Optimus Prime would be touched upon again in "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2]]", and explained more fully in "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]".
*"War Dawn" would also go on to explain precisely why only Prime's power supply would interface with Elita's, as seen in this episode (because she was rebuilt at the same time).
*Proof that Prime's trailer exists in subspace: He goes over the space bridge to Cybertron and transforms, and his trailer rolls in from out of nowhere!
*This episode is the fourth and final appearance of Prime's trailer's "artillery robot" in the animated series; it's seen briefly bringing Elita inside with its claw arm.
* The episode's ending sequence of pan-outs from Cybertron gives us a precise location for Decepticon Headquarters - it's in the planet's northwest quadrant, on the flat plains between the two largest buildings.
* Gadgets and powers:
** Chromia uses a built-in communicator, but unlike most Autobots, hers is in her shoulder.
** Ironhide [[Quest for Survival|again]] shoots from his retracted fingertips. This time it's an orange blast that melts a hole in the wall.
** Starscream uses his null ray; it acts more like a radio wave than an energy beam.
** And of course, Elita-One's time stop power, which creates colorful light effects when in use.
*Ironhide must hate the wall in Shockwave's base - this is at least the second time he has blown through it!

===Real-world references===
[[File:SearchForAlphaTrion Ramjet and Shockwave cower.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|I'd say about 20 guns. Some on the surface, some on the towers.]]
* ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
** Clashing [[lightsaber]]s as Moonracer trips the security laser.
** [[Death Star]] defense cannons as Ramjet and Shockwave shield themselves from the Autobot assault.
* The "Energy transfer" is basically the robot version of a blood transfusion, right down to the compatibility issues.

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:SearchforAlphaTrion Shockwave gun mode.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|He only shoots when someone tells him to.]]
* The weapon sound effects in general are "off model" throughout the whole episode. Autobots and Decepticons alike are constantly stealing the other team's laser sounds, and nobody's gun is consistent even within the episode. Many shots use a generic sci-fi laser effect that's not standard for either side. Some examples:
** Chromia's gun makes the Decepticon laser sound as she blasts open the hidden control room, and again as she tries to free Moonracer a moment later. She gets the sci-fi effect when she shoots down the Sentinel.
** Shockwave's gun arm gets Optimus Prime's laser sound effect as he shoots at Firestar; then he gets the generic sci-fi laser as he shoots at Chromia and Moonracer in the energon storage room. His gun mode shots get a sizzling explosion sound.
** Elita gets the sci-fi sound effect when she shoots at Starscream and company outside her base.
** Ramjet gets a totally random laser sound, layered over the standard Decepticon laser, as he shoots at Elita.
** The Autobots get the sci-fi effect as they open fire in Decepticon HQ. When they're having their firefight with the 'cons two scenes later, they have the standard Decepticon laser sound.
** Ironhide's finger lasers use the sound effect of Megatron's fusion cannon.
** Prime's gun gets an explosion sound effect as he shoots at Starscream.
** And we could go on.
* Likewise, the [[Transformation#The noise|transformation sound effects]] are "off model" as well. Normally, a robot converting to ground [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] gets the descending pitch sound, while vehicle-to-robot gets ascending pitch.
** Firestar gets the ascending pitch transformation sound when she converts to truck mode; then she gets the descending pitch version when she converts back to [[robot mode]] at headquarters.
** As the trio escapes from Shockwave, Moonracer's transformation sound effect is missing the first part.
** Ironhide's team converts to vehicle mode with the ascending pitch sound.
** Prime returns to robot mode at the space bridge with the descending pitch sound. On Cybertron, he changes into a truck with the ascending pitch sound.
** Again, this continues ad nauseum.
*The wall that Firestar cuts through has details on it which suddenly vanish as she finishes cutting through it, and the area behind the Female Autobots is drawn as a very plain area with light gray walls (which should be purple). Chromia also says "Good shot, Firestar" in reference to cutting the hole, which... makes no sense - she didn't shoot it; she ''cut'' it.
* Moonracer removes two cubes from the second stack to reveal a black void, rather than more cubes.
* Moonracer is carrying two cubes when she triggers the trap, but as it activates, they're lying on the floor next to her. In the same shot, the security laser beam is not shown.
* When the Autobots used Shockwave's elevator, it had a door that closed before lowering. When Shockwave uses it a moment later, it lowers without the door shutting. It also doesn't seem to have a floor when Shockwave runs into it.
* Improbable viewpoints:
** How does Shockwave get a travelling-alongside view of the Sentinel floating along?
[[File:SearchForAlphaTrion-ShockwaveBackgrounds.jpg|thumb|upright=2.0|Shockwave quickly regretted showing Megatron iChat's [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOP-IgoStqI&t=0m23s backdrop replace] feature.]]
* As Shockwave speaks to Megatron, who is on Earth, the purple interior of Decepticon Headquarters is visible behind him. However, as Megatron instructs Shockwave that a team would be arriving shortly, the background suddenly becomes an exterior shot - the same Cybertronian background that accompanied the view of the exploded Sentinel.
*Also, the console configuration is totally different in the last shot (as Megatron ends the communication).
* The first two energon cubes to go down the hatch lose their glowing effect for a split second as the shot cross-fades to the next shot.
* Coloring errors:
** Starscream's eyes are blue as he walks out of the space bridge elevator.
**When the Autobots are trying to work out where Prime had gone, Perceptor is represented by [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] in a red and gray color scheme.
** Prime's tires are gray instead of black as he loads Elita.
** As he gloats to Ironhide, the top and bottom of Starscream's cockpit cowling are yellow instead of gray.
**As Ironhide says, "Stop right there, Starscream. You've taken your last step.", his cheekguards are white when they should be red.
**Chromia's eyes are red during her line of "Ladies first."
**The area around Alpha Trion's eyes changes from white to gray several times in the episode, sometimes from shot to shot.
** Prime's exhaust stacks are red as he transforms at the battle site.
** Powerglide's mouthplate is medium gray as he watches Shockwave fall, rather than the same light gray as his face.
*In several shots before the first commercial break, Rumble has only one gun on his back. For the remainder of the episode, he has two.
*When Ramjet delivers the line "Maybe Shockwave made an error in his calculations", he has Astrotrain's voice, minus the space-echo effect that is used for Astrotrain.
* The crashing/smashing sound effects are notably subdued as the Autobots' headquarters collapses. Firestar gets pinned by a pipe with no sound at all.
* Elita's shot at Astrotrain is supposed to send him flying backwards. What actually happens as animated is that he ducks under the shot... then flies backwards, head over heels, for no reason at all!
* Starscream's null ray is animated as an energy wave, rather than the usual laser beam. In the same shot, the top of his cockpit cowling is colored yellow instead of gray.
* As Elita falls, Ramjet is still laying on the ground in jet mode, smoldering. In the next shot, he's in robot mode, taking Elita captive. No transformation sound is heard.
[[File:Optimus prime nomouthplate.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Very, ''very'' brief, in fact. Blink and you'll miss it. ''Don't'' blink and you'll still probably miss it.]]
*After Megatron shows Prime the image of the captive Elita, Prime's [[mouthplate]] is missing for a very brief instant.
*When Megatron tells Optimus about the Female Autobots and shows him "proof", as he asks "How's this Prime?", Elita One's mouth is moving. In fairness, with no audio, it's possible she's just saying something to her captors.
* When Prime emerges from the space bridge elevator, the pink glow of the indicator light isn't aligned with the light itself.
*When Chromia says "Oh, we need more than hope", Moonracer is shown as the one speaking.
[[File:Searchforatprimehanging.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Now we will drop Prime into a deadly vat of floor!]]
*Prime is shown hanging precariously over a vat of acid. When the shot changes to a view from above, the vat is missing. The smoke from it is still there, but it's not moving.
*When Elita revives Optimus from her stasis field, he fades from his normal colors to green, rather than the other way around. Once the fade is complete, mind you, he jumps back to his normal colors when he starts to move.
* As the Decepticons gloat, the acid is missing from the shot; only the yellow ripples on its surface are visible. And Starscream's air intake vents are red instead of black.
* Prime loads Elita into his trailer ''sideways'', meaning either Elita's really small or the trailer's really big. Later, she's shown laying lengthwise in the trailer.
* Inferno gasps "It can't be!" in response to Prime's apparent demise, but Ironhide is shown speaking.
* As the Autobots run through the hole in the wall in pursuit of the Decepticons, the background behind the hole has changed from a Cybertronic exterior to a generic interior.
* Starscream's wing insignia are missing as he starts to fall off the ledge.
*Alpha Trion says he will do what he can for Elita One, but he barely looks for 5 seconds while Prime walks away! There probably should have been a dissolve to show some passage of time.
*As Alpha Trion says, "Now it's your turn to help her," Prime's mouthplate is moving as if he's speaking the words.
*As Prime charges Elita One, the shot shows a wall behind him where the hallway was a moment earlier (unless her bed suddenly turned 90 degrees).
* When he shoots at Starscream, Prime his holding his gun by a handle that shouldn't be there, near the front of the barrel.
*When Optimus and Elita are saying their goodbyes to each other, the space bridge of [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Decepticon Headquarters]] is raised. When Optimus leaves, it is down, then raises up to send out the space bridge beam.

===Continuity errors===
[[File:TSfAT-TheSentinel.jpg|thumb|upright=0.66|Kinda like trying to use an [[oil tanker]] as a fighter jet.]]
* Why is Chromia breaking radio silence during a stealth mission? She doesn't receive any useful orders or information from Elita-One.
* Chromia is cognisant enough to know that "Shockwave may be following us," admonishing Moonracer that they were still in danger... but then does nothing about it. Rather than taking her team somewhere else or taking measures to shake anyone following them, she leads them directly back to their headquarters. It's only Elita One who spots the Sentinel, and only once they're right at the front door.
* The Sentinel is really, very, extremely not made for flight. It is a huge, bulky, awkward box with wheels on its base and no visible flight mechanisms that looks totally goofy floating along through the air. Despite this, it gets a glowing rocket engine effect on its back, precisely on the spot where there is no rocket engine.
[[File:Sfat prime and elita fb.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Everything you knew is a lie!]]
*When the Ark launched back in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", there was no indication of a Decepticon attack on [[Great Dome|Iacon]], as this episode's flashback shows.
*After Starscream is backed up to the cliff by Ironhide and Chromia, he jumps off, transforms and flies away. When the scene returns, he is standing with the other Decepticons like he never left.
*Perceptor, Bumblebee and Cliffjumper are shown in Autobot HQ, yet they don't transform or join Ironhide's team heading for the space bridge.
*As usual, Rumble's pile drivers bust up the ground (several feet away from him) but don't shake up the Decepticons standing right next to him.
*Observing the spacebridge from afar, Ironhide notes that "if Prime got past those guards" so could his team. The thing is, there ''are'' no guards, and there weren't any when Prime used the bridge, either.
*As the Decepticons are freed from Elita's stasis field, Starscream cheers, "But Prime has disintegrated!" as if responding to some unspoken line from one of the others. The missing line is also absent from the episode's shooting script.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_thread/thread/5821789ca800431a/68758ddf3993e5ac Secrets of the Original Scripts, Part Five]</ref> It would seem likely that the missing line covered Elita One's sudden disappearance.
*As Starscream announces Prime's destruction, we see a bunch of parts in the vat of acid (what Starscream later calls Prime's "melted carcass"). Where did they come from? Prime escaped without a scratch!
* Optimus Prime apparently has no idea that Alpha Trion was his creator. Events shown in the later episode "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]" make this a bizarre concept: Prime meets Alpha Trion after being rebuilt, and even knows that Elita One was also rebuilt by him.
*Why doesn't Shockwave shoot Optimus Prime and Elita One instead of just floating there?

===Trivia===
[[File:G1 Prime Elita energy transfer.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|I can't wait for you to operate...When I get this feeling, I need Sexual Healing...]]
[[File:Search4a3 ironhide and chromia.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Dawwwwww.]]
*This is a rare human-free episode.
*This episode contains the rather infamous scene in which Prime connects a cable from his midriff to Elita's, and utters an audible, not-entirely-unpleasant-sounding groan as energy is transmitted through it, to her. Sexy.
*The only male Transformers seen to have 'girlfriends' in this episode ALL have red as part of their color schemes.
*Since Optimus Prime and Elita One have the same creator, they are, in some way, brother and sister, which just makes their relationship look plain weird. The events of "War Dawn" show that Orion Pax and Ariel existed as non-siblings before they were remade into Optimus Prime and Elita One, though Transformers has demonstrated somewhat [[Relatives|puzzling definitions of siblings]]. It should be noted that [[human]] mythology has been directly based on {{w|Adam and Eve|a similar}} {{w|Abraham#Abraham and Sarah|premise}}, so who are we to judge?
*Greenlight and Lancer went nameless for 25 years until they finally got their monikers in the [[Transformers Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]] text story ''[[Flames of Yesterday]]''.

===Foreign localization===
'''Brazilian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''À Procura de Alpha Trion'''" ("In Search for Alpha Trion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''À la recherche d'Alpha Trion'''" ("Finding Alpha Trion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Le donne Autorobot'''" ("The Autobot Women")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Alla ricerca di Alpha Trion'''" ("In Search of Alpha Trion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Alpha Trin o Sagase!'''" (アルファートリンを探せ!, "Find Alpha Trin!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[April 25]], [[1986]]
::*Elita-One's "special power" is instead referred to as her "secret power". Just as generic-sounding, sure, but the term "secret power" would be used again years later in Japanese continuity when Elita's Decepticon counterpart, [[Megaempress]], is introduced.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Nǚ Qìchērén '''" (女汽车人, "Female Autobots")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''V poiskah Aljfa Triona'''" (В поисках Альфа Триона, "In Search of Alpha Trion")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
:*''[[Alpha Trion (G1)#Toys]]''
:*''[[Elita One (G1)#Toys]]''
:*''[[Chromia (G1)#Toys]]''
:*''[[Moonracer (G1)#Toys]]''
:*''[[Firestar (G1)#Toys]]''
:*''[[Greenlight#Toys]]''
:*''[[Lancer#Toys]]''

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1999 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume 2: Revenge of the Decepticons ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 6 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 12 ([[Déclic Images]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 05: Stagione Due Parte Terza ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-52.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1R4nzEJBGj_k7L5NtLbD0wKtBD6arVPwE Episode dialogue script]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Search for Alpha Trion}}
[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

The Autobot Run

2021-01-25T20:31:46Z

D-Unit: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=23
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=65
|prev2=A Plague of Insecticons
|next2=The Ultimate Doom, Part 1
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=6
|prev3=Heavy Metal War
|next3=The Core
|image=Autobotruncanttransform.jpg
|caption=Hey, look! ''Diaclone'' Sunstreaker!
|title="The Autobot Run"
|production code=#700-22
|airdate=[[October 31]], 1985
|written by=[[Donald F. Glut]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''When the Autobots perform a race for charity, the Decepticons take the opportunity to trap them in their vehicle modes.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Transfixatron.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|A collection of character models gathers around the Decepticons' new weapon.]]
While watching a car race, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and [[Chip Chase|Chip]] comment on how cool it would be to see the Autobots perform in a race as well.

Meanwhile, in an old west ghost town, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] have completed the [[Transfixatron]], a new device that will lock a [[Transformer]] in the mode they currently occupy (usually [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]). [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] arrives, informing the Decepticons about the Autobot race.

[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] complains that [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] is wasting time with the device instead of leading an attack. In response, Megatron tests the device on his whiny subordinate, and it's a success. Starscream is stuck in jet mode and begs to be released, saying he'll do whatever Megatron wants and he's too valuable to the Decepticon cause. Megatron gets bored of Starscream's pleas and frees him. Satisfied with the test, Megatron orders the Constructicons to start working on a second device whose purpose will be revealed later.

[[File:Autobotrunfinishline.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|The guy at the finish line wonders where the Hell his car went.]]
Chip and Spike suggest their race idea to the Autobots, and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] agrees, as long as it's for charity. [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] complains that it's a waste of time and a bad idea (as usual), but the Autobots decide to do it. Huffer, [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] remain to guard the [[Ark (G1)|base]].

The Autobots arrive at the track and wait at the starting line in [[robot mode]] before they compete "in the greatest automobile race in history." Some numbskull in the audience wonders aloud where their cars are. The Autobots transform, and the race is on with a whole lot of trash talk. [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] and [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] rush ahead of the slower vehicles like [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] and [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]].

During the race, [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] teleports to a position over the track and uses the Transfixatron on the Autobots, who don't notice. The Autobots near the finish line, but they're kicking up so much dust it's impossible to tell who won. "The real winners are us, folks!" says the announcer.

Next up, the Autobots line up to do some stunts and make "Evel Knievel look like a kiddie car driver", according to Spike. But Sunstreaker's attempt to jump the other Autobots falls short and he has to be saved by [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]'s magnetic powers.

Before they can do anything else, the Decepticons arrive. The Autobots attempt to [[Transformation|transform]], only to find that they are all stuck in vehicle mode. Optimus orders the Autobots to ram the Decepticons, but they simply shoot out the Autobots' tires, fire rays to make their engines overheat and disable their radios. Helpless, the Autobots are herded away by the 'Cons.

[[File:Autobotrunbyeironhide.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb]]
[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] takes Spike and Chip back to the base, hoping Ratchet and Wheeljack can figure a fix for the Transfixatron ray. As usual, Huffer complains, but a massive bearhug from Brawn gets him to shut up, while Ratchet and Wheeljack get to work.

At the ghost town, Megatron forces Optimus Prime to watch his soldiers die one by one in the Constructicons' second device, a horrific crushing machine, starting with Ironhide. The Autobot leader dispatches [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] to distract Megatron, allowing Prime to ram the crusher, which frees Ironhide. [[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] manages to send a signal to [[Teletraan I]], just as Ratchet and Wheeljack finish working on a device which will allow the Autobots to transform...a [[Anti-transfixation grenade|grenade]]. (Real good thinking there, guys.)

[[File:Autobotrunravageattackschip.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Dude, what are you doing? I wanted to push over the cripple.]]
Spike and the other Autobots arrive to save their comrades, but [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] dispatches [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] to deal with them. After a game of keep-away with the grenade, Chip manages to get it close enough to release its energy, allowing the Autobots to transform to robot mode.

The Constructicons form [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]], but [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] and Wheeljack fire the Transfixatron at the giant Decepticon, causing the [[Combiner]] to separate. The Decepticons retreat, and the Autobots destroy the Transfixatron.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (3)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]]
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (16)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (17)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (18)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (19)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (20)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (21)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (22)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (23)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (24)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (25)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (26)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (27)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (28)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (29)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (30)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (32)
*[[Roller (G1)|Roller]] (33)
|c2=
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (4)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (5)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (6)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (7)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (8)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (9)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (10)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (11)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (12)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (13)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (14)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] (15)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (31)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (34)
*[[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] (35)
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
*[[Chip Chase]] (2)
}}

==Quotes==
"Transform." 
"No, Megatron. You can't mean to—" 
"What's a test without a [[guinea pigatron]]? Transform, I say!"
:—'''Megatron''' selects '''Starscream''' as the test subject for his latest device.

"Uh, probably just energy evaporation from all the speed, maybe... I hope..."
:—'''Bumblebee''' fails physics forever.

"If you're going to do what I think, Sunstreaker, you've got boom glitches in your brain garage."
:—'''Mirage'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s colorful terms for Transformer anatomy.

"I knew the racing bit was bad news, but would anyone listen to me? Oh, noooo!" 
"Stifle it, Huffer, or I'll put my footio in your audio!!"
:—'''Huffer''' being an aft and '''Brawn''' looking to kick some.

"Ironic, isn't it, Autobots, that after so many valiant battles, you will meet your end in the crushing jaws of this device so lovingly fashioned by my Constructicons."
:—'''Megatron'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s concept of irony is off.

"Hey! Where are their cars?!"
:—Someone who somehow hasn't heard of the Autobots, yet turned up to a race for them.

[[File:Autobotrun ironhide carcrusher.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
"Later, guys. It's been really great knowin' ya."
:—Headed for the crushing device, '''Ironhide''' accepts his fate.

"Hey, what's that?" 
"I'd call it a TARGET!"
:—'''Thundercracker''' and '''Starscream''' spotting Roller.

"I'm transforming! I see my true beauty emerging!"
:—'''Sunstreaker''', vain as always.

"We're outnumbered!" "Let me guess: we retreat?"
:—'''Starscream''' knows '''Megatron''' all too well.

==Notes==

===Production information===
* Dialogue recording: 8th January 1985

===Continuity notes===
*This is Roller's third and final appearance.
*This is the first episode where the Transformers formally refer to themselves as ''Transformers''.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Jazz's speaker levels jump from seven to <s>eleven</s> ''eight hundred''. Or maybe he was just tuned in to an AM station.
**Megatron can shoot laser beams from his eyes, especially when he wants to scare away earth germs.
**This is the third and final episode where Skywarp uses his teleportation powers, after "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3]]" and "[[Divide and Conquer]]". Megatron had also taken advantage of them via Skywarp's power-chip rectifier in "[[Heavy Metal War]]".
**Thundercracker uses his incendiary guns to overheat the Autobots' engines; while the blasts are animated as simple purple lasers, Prime explicitly refers to them as "incendiary blasts." The simplified description of Thundercracker's weapons included in the series [[Production bible]] didn't explain exactly what these guns were supposed to do (per his bio, they shoot bullets containing highly-flammable material) which has resulted in them being depicted as flamethrowers in previous episodes.
**Devastator's eye beams can magnetically lift a robot into the air. He can also fire lasers from his fingertips.
**Wheeljack surveys the battlefield by using the rocket jets in his forearms, an ability mentioned in his [[bio]] appearing here for the first time in the cartoon; he previously flew ''without'' visibly using these jets in "[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]" and "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]".
*Where does the trailer go?
**When Optimus Prime transforms after the Autobots are fixed by Wheeljack's grenade, his trailer shrinks into his back rather than rolling away as usual.
[[File:AutobotRun madeup Transformer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Pre-[[Prime (rank)|Prime]] {{w|Saint George's Cross|version}} pictured. The Prime version features {{w|Union Jack}} wings.]]
*A bizarre robot of made-up design appears on the screen as Chip begins researching the Transfixatron's effects. It's loosely based on Prime, but with smaller chest windows, a yellow body, and white wings on his back.
*When instructing Starscream to transform out of vehicle mode, Megatron tells him to return to his "root mode". This was almost certainly the result of a typo in the script that was ''supposed'' to say "ro'''b'''ot mode", but it makes a charming amount of sense as a term.
*The idea of a [[Transfixatron|device to keep a Transformer frozen in one mode]] would be revisited over the years in other fictions, with [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]]'s [[Transformation Lock Lens]], [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s [[Transformation virus|transformation lock virus]], the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]' [[mode lock]] used on [[Blaster (G1)#Marvel Comics continuity|Blaster]], the various incarnations of the [[inhibitor claw]] and [[Spotlight: Soundwave|an experimental weapon]] created by Shockwave.
*The Autobots seem to learn from this experience; many future episodes such as "[[The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders]]" and "[[The Revenge of Bruticus]]" show them to be armed and dangerous in their automotive forms.

[[File:TheAutobotRun-Spideyshirt.jpg|thumb]]

===Real-world references===
*[[Spider-Man]] makes a cameo on a kid's T-shirt.
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**As Megatron orders the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] to attack the Autobots, they emit the [[TIE Fighter]] engine noise when they fly over a wooded area.

===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:AutobotRun Brawn picks up Huffer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*Being one of the Season 2 [[AKOM]] episodes, "The Autobot Run" features several unusual animation models:
**Optimus Prime's "backpack" is white instead of red.
**Huffer has a white outline around his eyes.
**Gears' truck mode is mostly red instead of mostly blue.
**Megatron's gun barrel is dark gray instead of light gray.
**Laserbeak's beak is (sometimes) the same dark gray as the rest of his head.
**The "disk" on Bumblebee's back is dark gray instead of yellow. Bumblebee also has two random dark gray squares on the back of his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]].
**Prowl is a medium gray instead of white.

Of course, AKOM found lots of less-excusable things to mess up, too:
*This episode's [[transformation]] sound effects are oddly applied, stopping and starting halfway through and even playing over the wrong transformation type (i.e., vehicle-to-robot vs. robot-to-vehicle) at times.
*Ignoring the big, paved driveway right next to him, Bumblebee arrives at the race track by ''driving across the grass''.
*That's okay, though, because as the race finishes, Chip nonchalantly turns his wheelchair and ''rolls across the grass''.
*Chip then rolls into Bumblebee, and sits in the driver seat, while still in his wheelchair. Huh?
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
**After a dialogue section where Huffer complains about the race idea and Optimus orders him to stay and guard the base, he is seen transforming and rolling out to the race. He is not at the race and is later back at the base. However, a number of other characters who do not roll out and are not shown at the base during the discussion turn up at the race.
*For the duration of this episode, actor [[Michael Bell]] performs Scrapper with a very different voice than normal, sounding...well, frankly, quite ''normal'', compared to Scrapper's usual hoarse rasp.
*Scrapper's faceplate doesn't move as he reports the Transfixatron's completion. In fact it doesn't move at all the whole episode.
*Coloring errors:
**Thundercracker's feet are blue instead of black, and Soundwave's eject button is blue instead of white, as they watch the completion of the Transfixatron.
**As Laserbeak enters Soundwave's chest to report, Soundwave's eyeband is colored white like his faceplate, while his forehead is colored red like his eyeband should be.
**A moment later, in jet mode, Starscream's right air intake is colored as if it extends way back into his fuselage, and has some black details that shouldn't be there; the left intake isn't colored to match. He also has extra stripes on his tail fins. In a wider-angle shot, both intakes are colored with the long length and the extra black parts.
**In the first shot of the Autobots, Ironhide's entire torso is red. In the next shot, the top of his chest is red instead of red/gray.
**The entirety of Trailbreaker's lower legs are white as he listens to Prime, instead of just the stripe down the middle. The error repeats as the Autobots stand at the race track.
**Prowl has no black detailing on his car mode as Jazz passes him. He's also his correct white color instead of the light gray that AKOM usually colors him.
**As Wheeljack flees, he fires at Starscream and Thundercracker. In the next shot, his target is a pair of Thundercrackers. One of them teleports away (indicating that it was supposed to be Skywarp.) When he re-materializes, he's colored like Starscream, but still speaks in Skywarp's voice.
**A second later, Skywarp has a yellow stripe down his back where there should be black.
**Thundercracker's "gloves" are white instead of black as he transforms above Ironhide.[[File:Autobotrungreenteletraan.jpg|thumb|Chip Chase always did have the luck of the Irish.]]
**When Chip is trying to locate the Autobots, Teletraan I is colored green instead of orange.
**Soundwave's head changes colors between shots as he destroys Hound's turret gun. (Hound manages to stay off-screen until he's in [[robot mode]] later in the episode, sidestepping the need for the animators to remember his gun is destroyed.)
**When Soundwave ejects Ravage, the inside of his chest is grey.
**When the Autobots are un-transfixed and transform into robot modes, Brawn is shown transforming with them.
**Long Haul's eyeband isn't colored red as we pan across the Constructicons prior to them combining.
**Windcharger's face is the same dark gray as his head as Ironhide threatens the Decepticons, and his mid-torso is red instead of gray. The same error repeats during the repair lineup at the end.
*In the first pan over it, the Old West "town" has no streets! Subsequent shots show it with many more buildings than the handful shown in this shot.
*Missing Seeker insigina:
**Starscream has no insignia as he watches Laserbeak report back to Megatron.
**One of Starscream's insignia disappears as he backs away from the Transfixatron. The other disappears as he transforms a second later.
**When Thundercracker turns from blasting Optimus to fire on Ironhide, he has no back wing insignias.
**He still has none as he walks off with the captive Autobots.
**Starscream's missing an insignia as he fires on Roller.
*Starscream is missing one of his wings prior to the Transfixatron test. The other wing is abnormally large. The same overlarge wing shape shows up on Thundercracker later in the episode.
*Even if Shockwave ''was'' supposed to be standing behind Megatron (see Continuity Errors below), he and Scavenger were not standing anywhere near Megatron just a shot or two earlier.
*AKOM reuses the same scrolling cloud background at least four times behind Starscream. To be fair, it would actually make sense for him to be flying in circles at this point.
*Instead of being provided by [[Neil Ross]] as usual, Bonecrusher's single line in this episode is supplied by Michael Bell, using the same nondescript "normal" voice as he uses for Scrapper. The temptation, of course, is to peg this on an animation error that mistakenly depicted Bonecrusher instead of Scrapper, but the script for the episode actually called for Bonecrusher to speak the line.
*As Skywarp transforms to robot mode over the raceway, he pulls the Transfixatron out of [[Transwarp|nowhere]], despite it being as large as he is.
*When Skywarp uses it on the Autobots, the Transfixatron beam effect is not properly animated to glow.
*Transfixed Sideswipe essentially becomes a red Sunstreaker (which would be ''[[Diaclone]]''-accurate) as he tries to transform - the [[Transformation|transformation scheme]] is Sunstreaker's, as are the details of his vehicle mode once he's in mid-transformation. He then morphs back to Sideswipe when he reverts fully back to vehicle mode.
*After the Autobots discover they're locked in vehicle mode, when Megatron laughs the other Decepticons just sort of... vibrate.
*Megatron's eye lasers are the slowest-moving lasers in the universe.
*The Seekers transform and start rolling across the race track. In the next shot, they're suddenly in the air.
*Wheeljack's ears do not flash in time with his speaking at first.
*The crusher's lights flash multiple colors as it first activates, but later they only flash white. While the lights ''could'' change colors, it really raises the question of why it needs bizarre flashing lights in the first place.
*Wheeljack and Ratchet gather around Chip at the computer two times in a row.
*As we pan across the captive Autobots at the ghost town, Wheeljack and Bumblebee are among the crowd, despite both being back at Autobot Headquarters at this point. In the same pan, two Starscreams are guarding them. Also, the ghost town has gained a couple of streets and several extra buildings.
*Maybe not an error, but definitely bizarre: Hound gets Optimus Prime's rifle sound effect as he "fires" his hologram.
*As Wheeljack explains the grenade, his ears flash, but aren't properly backlit to glow.
*As Spike and company arrive at the ghost town, Ironhide is shown arriving and transforming instead of Ratchet.
*Ironhide's tires aren't flat anymore when he falls out of the crusher's claw.
*Bumblebee has no headlights as the newly arrived Autobots transform.
*A series of shots shows the grenade's radiation as concentric circles radiating out. The center point stays in four successive shots, despite only one of them being the point where the grenade exploded.
*As the grenade does its work, a series of vehicle-mode Autobots flash into existence out of nowhere.
*Devastator's combining sequence is screwy. First Scrapper and Mixmaster are shown forming Long Haul's portion of the combiner robot in addition to their own. Long Haul then forms Devastator's upper torso, instead of the lower torso (the chest plate is green at first, then turns its correct purple.) Hook then forms a tiny part of the upper torso, including the head, and... Bonecrusher's bulldozer kibble.
*Devastator has two small eyes instead of an eyeband as he fires lasers from his hand.
*He has two large eyes as he looms over Wheeljack and Cliffjumper.
*As Cliffjumper zaps Devastator with the Transfixatron, the shot suddenly jumps to a slight close-up of Devastator from exactly the same angle as before. In the closer angle, the glowing animation effect is missing from the Transfixatron beam.
*Thundercracker is drawn with his cockpit on the bottom of his jet mode as he and the other Seekers retreat.
*The [[commercial bumper]]s for the second act break feature the [[theme song|theme music]] for ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'', not ''The Transformers''.

===Continuity errors===
*Why the heck are Spike and Chip watching the race from next to the grand stands, instead of, y'know, ''inside'' them? Almost certainly because the stands aren't wheelchair-accessible. Besides being easier to animate, the show might have been very subtly making a point.
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] appears twice in this episode: first when Megatron is gloating about the Transfixatron, then when the Decepticons arrive at the race. Of course, it's ''possible'' that Shockwave came to [[Earth]] during this episode, but the idea of him just popping up and hanging around in the background seriously goes against the established notion that he always stays on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] as its full-time guardian.
*Why does Megatron pick up the Transfixatron to aim it at Starscream, when a moment later he can just pivot it on its base?
*The race gets started VERY quickly. Chip and Spike come up with the idea, go back to the base, tell Prime, and apparently the Autobots just show up and demand to race for charity. Granted, some time could have elapsed in between, but ''still''. The Decepticons, meanwhile, are just hanging around in this Old West ghost town.
*How does the dust at the finish line get ''ahead'' of the Autobots?
*Ratchet stays behind to guard the Autobot base, but is later briefly seen at the race track driving alongside Sideswipe.
*Speaking of Ratchet staying behind, he earlier tells Huffer that he and Wheeljack will stay behind to keep him company. However, it was Brawn who delivered the line about "staying behind" and Ratchet leans in like he's addressing Brawn when he says they will also stay behind.
*When Chip gets Teletraan I to analyse the data on the transforming process, among the images which flash up is a picture of Megatron's crusher. What has that got to do with transforming?
*Hound can ''shoot'' a hologram? For miles? And have it land ''inside a volcano''? What the hell?
*Flying Autobots:
**Cliffjumper gets a rocket sound effect as he comes flying out of the debris.
*Is the elaborate claw/tentacle mechanism on the crusher really necessary?
*At the end of Act 2, Ironhide is a few feet away from the crusher's jaws, presumably mere seconds from being crushed. A minute or more elapses in Act 3 before Prime comes to his rescue.
*Wheeljack states that the [[Transfixatron]] will "cancel Devastator's robot mode", though one would really expect it to just transfix Devastator ''as'' Devastator. If the intention was that the Transfixatron traps Transformers in their vehicle mode rather than in their current mode, then that wasn't made clear (especially since Megatron ordered Starscream into his vehicle mode ''before'' testing it on him).
*So... did the Decepticons just leave the transfixed Constructicons sitting there in a pile? They aren't shown retreating.

===Trivia===
[[File:Chipchase.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*This was one of twelve episodes of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]] released as audio adventures by the [[Germany|German]] company [[Karussell|Karussell Musik und Video]].
*To catch the grenade, Chip stands up from his wheelchair. It should be noted that Chip's precise medical condition is never explained, so we have no way of knowing why he uses a wheelchair or how much use of his legs he actually has. A close inspection of the animation shows him apparently ''pushing'' himself up with his arms, but it's really not conveyed very well.
*This is one of three episodes from Season Two which were animated by [[AKOM]] (the others being "[[The Core]]" and "[[City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel]]"). They share similar art and animation styles (lots of one-point perspective action shots, scrolling backgrounds, and random zoom-ins), prominent use of the Constructicons, slightly more juvenile plots than usual, and a set of character model oddities such as Megatron's dark gray gun barrel, Optimus Prime's white backpack, and Chip Chase's blue jacket.
*AKOM also has a strange habit of showing vehicle-mode close-ups with painted artwork instead of typical flat colored cel art. Witness Gears getting shot by Soundwave, and Sideswipe and Jazz's dashboards. The same thing can be seen in "The Core", as Chip leans out of a painted Wheeljack.
*A one-time-only bit of Westernish background music, presumably culled from [[Robert J. Walsh]]'s enormous archives, plays across the opening scene in the Decepticons' ghost town.
*Stores in the ghost town: Liquor Saloon, Harrys Bakes, Sonata 3, Cows(?), Hotel, Saloon, Grain Feed, Livery, Glass (which in a visual gag is the only building in its row of three to survive the battle), and RC P&W(?).
*Signs at the race track: Grand Prix, Irel(and?), XAM, HO KY, New Year Tires, Dav-Mac, A&E O(il?), (Go?)od Year Tires, and Fenzoil Lubes. The "XAM" is very likely a reference to the animation company XAM! ("Ex-Ahern-Marshall"), who included their company initials in the background art of various 1980s animated series.<ref>[http://www.povonline.com/2003/News030103.htm#030503a] "NEWS from me: March 5, 2003"</ref>
*Megatron sure does have a sexy swagger as he walks toward the transfixatroned Autobots.
*The synopsis for "The Autobot Run" included in the series [[production bible]] reveals that the Transfixatron was originally named the "Stasitron". On its model sheet, it was misspelled "Satsitron".
*In an unfortunate [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Generation 1|foreshadowing]], Sunstreaker remarks that when they made him, they 'broke the [[mold]]'.
*Seriously, ''guinea pigatron''?!
*Wheeljack uses his wrist rockets to fly, which is one of the few times it's shown correctly.
*Master Megatron... I wonder if we'll hear that again...

===Foreign localization===
'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Wer ist der schnellste Autobot?'''" ("Who Is the Fastest Autobot?")
:*''Title (Generation 2 dub):'' "'''Die Geheimwaffe'''" ("The Secret Weapon")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 9]], [[1989]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' '''Corsa automobilistica''' ("Car Race")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' '''La corsa degli Autobots''' ("The Autobots Run")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Transform o Tomero!'''" (トランスフォームをとめろ!, "Stop the Transforming!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 31]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Qìchērén Sǐ Lǐ Táoshēng'''" (汽车人死里逃生, "Autobots' Narrow Squeak ")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Gran'pree "Avtobot"'''" (Гран-при "Автобот", "Grand-prix "Autobot"")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1995]] — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan Carly sucks, right?]] [[1999]] — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[2001]] — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2002]] — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1: Vol. 1 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2003]] — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — La Course des Autobots ([[UFG Junior]]) — European French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2004]] — ''Transformers'' — Bumper Collection Special (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2006]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2007]] — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — Box-Set (3DVDs) ([[Flex Media]]) — German audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] [[2008]] — ''Transformers'' — Volume 03: Stagione Due Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2009]] — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2011]] — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2014]] — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-22.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=10in8YheDM1M_DfcXq95HDDgrbkaGGOkg Episode dialogue script]

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist|1}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Autobot Run}}
[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

Search for Treasure Under the Sea

2016-01-06T18:49:03Z

D-Unit: /* Notes */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[Marvel Books|''The Transformers Coloring Book'']]
|next=Bumblebee to the Rescue!
|image=SearchTreasureSea-cover.jpg
|caption=Arrr! Methinks I've found Davey Jones' Treasure Chest!
|title="Search for Treasure Under the Sea"
|publisher=[[Marvel Books]]
|coverdate=1984
|written by=[[Dwight Jon Zimmerman]]
|art by=[[Carlos Garzón]] and [[Joe Giella]]
|pagecount=48pp
|ISBN=ISBN 0-87135-009-2 ISBN 9780871350091
}}
'''The Decepticons plan to recover enough shipwrecked gold to buy the world's factories.'''

==Synopsis==
After the usual meet-and-greet with the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s (during which it is learnt that [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] is "twice as mean when disguised as a gun"), the Decepticons' base, which has nice shrubs outside the windows, is shown. Megatron declares that sunken ships from the [[w:Klondike Gold Rush|Alaskan Gold Rush]] have made the coast a treasure trove, while pointing at [[w:Montana|Montana]] on a map. The [[gold]] will allow them to buy the factories they need to create an Autobot-crushing army!

[[Image:undersea-11.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Hey, Rumble! I can see my lost $1 coin from down there!]]

The spying [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] overhears the plan. [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] sees him outside the window, but Megatron decides to let him go so they can trap the Autobots.

Bumblebee reports the Decepticons' dastardly scheme. [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] announces that he's created a cargo-freighter-sized ocean going ship to follow the Decepticons. The Autobots sail to [[Alaska]]. Suddenly, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] leaps from a drifting iceberg to attack [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]]! But Ravage leaps right through them—he's fallen for Hound's trick light! Outnumbered, Ravage retreats.

[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] sends Bumblebee underwater to find the Decepticons. Bumblebee finds all sorts of things under the water... including a cassette player and cassette, which sure would make a nice gift for Spike! But to the surprise of nobody but Bumblebee, they're really Soundwave and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]! They take him prisoner and deliver him to Megatron.

Megatron gloats over all the treasure they've found, and says they can load it in a truck which conveniently appears out of nowhere just then. But it turns out the truck is Optimus Prime! The Autobots attack. Megatron calls in the jets for reinforcement; the Autobots transform. The jets attack [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], but the rockets just bounce right off. [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] gives [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] the [[glass gas]] treatment. Rumble tries to bury the Autobots with an earthquake, but it ends up swallowing the Decepticons instead. The Autobots are victorious!

==Quotes==
"The Decepticons are going to try to rule earth!" {{sic}} 
"We must stop them!"
:—'''Bumblebee''' gives a thorough and detailed report to Optimus Prime

"Yahoo! Those rocket blasts are bouncing off like rain!" 
"Right! Nothing can hurt me!"
:—'''Spike''' and Sparkplug learn what we already know: '''Brawn''' is indestructible!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (2)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (3)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (4)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (5)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (6)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (9)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (10)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (11)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (12)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (13)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (14)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (15)

|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (7)
* [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (8)
}}

==Notes==
* Various activities are interspersed through the story, such as connect-the-dots, unscramble-the-message pages, and Megatron's Undersea Decepticon Maze.
* This book takes a special delight in showing characters in mid-transformation.
* Bumblebee, Soundwave and Rumble are clearly toy-based, while Megatron is the early black-helmet version. Wheeljack and Hound appear to be based on their [[package art]].
* The Decepticon base appears to be in an office park; it has large plate-glass windows and shrubbery big enough for Bumblebee to hide behind in robot mode.
* According to the narration, Brawn transforms into a "van truck".
* Megatron totally smashes the hell out of some little model Autobot he's got.
* While in car mode, Bumblebee's face can still be seen when he's viewed from behind.
* It's not clear what exactly the Decepticons are doing wrong in this story until the Autobots decide to show up to bother them. Megatron's nefarious plan is to...go look for lost pirate treasure so he can legally purchase property. That's RIDICULOUS but it's not really EVIL.

===Errors===
*Joe Giella is credited as "Joe Giello".
*Bumblebee refers to Spike as "[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]]" on page 28.

==External links==
*[http://www.camphortree.net/tf/books/coloring/undersea.html "Search for Treasure Under the Sea" at Steve-o's Transformers Site.]

[[Category:Generation 1 coloring books]]

Hot Spot (G1)

2015-12-27T13:58:37Z

D-Unit: /* Notes */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{picsneeded|Toys, appearances in fiction.}}
{{disambig3|Hot Spot}}
:''Hot Spot is an [[Autobot]] [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]]. He is also known as '''Hot Zone'''.''
[[File:Hotspot-transformersuniverse.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Unfortunately, for a serious [[primus apotheosis]] subject, an Optimus Prime-like head isn't enough. Fake windscreens on the chest are common.]]
'''Hot Spot''' leads by example. Whether it's a raging battle or a raging fire, he's right in the thick of things—and that's where he's happiest. While many Autobots get into trouble by not thinking in combat, Hot Spot is a natural warrior who excels at fighting on instinct alone. His fellow Protectobots find his endless energy inspiring (though a bit exhausting), letting Hot Spot command even the most philosophically different of robots like [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] and [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] as a tight and effective unit. He's a tough fighter to boot—strong, well-armed and well-armored.

Hot Spot can combine with his fellow [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] to form [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] or [[God Guardian]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Dan Gilvezan]] (English), [[Kenyū Horiuchi]] (Japanese), [[Takurō Kitagawa]] (Japanese, "The Ultimate Weapon", "The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1")|[[Roberto Alexander]] (American Spanish), [[Gerhard Acktun]] (German, "Carnage in C-Minor"), [[Reinhard Brock]] (German, "Ghost in the Machine"), [[Imo Heite]] (German, "The Ultimate Weapon"), [[Hans-Rainer Müller]] (German, "The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1"), [[Claus Brockmeyer]] (German, ''Generation 2'' "The Revenge of Bruticus")}}

[[File:G1 RevengeofBruticus HotSpotfightfire.jpg|left|upright=0.95|thumb|It's one of 'em newfangled drivin' by 'emselves fire trucks, huyuck!]]
When the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] attacked an inhabited city on [[Earth]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] called upon the Protectobots to evacuate the civilians caught in the crossfire. Later, as Earth's orbit was diverted to the [[sun]] by the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], Hot Spot extinguished the flames engulfing the bone-dry crops of a farmer before quickly driving off to the next fire. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

[[File:Bot-episode-hotspot-guns.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|He fights fire with firearms.]]
Hot Spot, as part of Defensor, totally blew up [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. Afterwards, he was with the Protectobots when they saved some window-washers from a burning skyscraper, helping [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] extinguish the flames with liquid nitrogen. Later still, Hot Spot and the other Protectobots were ordered to help defend [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]] from a Decepticon attack. They merged into Defensor and activated his useless force field, which almost immediately deactivated, allowing the Decepticons to blast Defensor back into his component parts. {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}}

By [[2006]], the Protectobots had risen to become a major presence in the Autobot army. Hot Spot participated in the liberation of [[Paradron]]. {{storylink|Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee}} He and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] were among a group of Autobots who battled the Decepticons on [[Eurythma]]. {{storylink|Carnage in C-Minor}} On Cybertron, Hot Spot and Groove manned the Autobots' defensive laser batteries when [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]]'s ghost launched [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] into their range. Realizing that this "invasion" and the recent assault on [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] were connected with [[Unicron]] getting his eyes back, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] sent Hot Spot, Groove, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] up to Unicron to investigate. They were repulsed, violently, by Unicron's internal defenses. When Unicron and Starscream enlisted [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] to move the Planet-Eater's head to Cybertron to make it his new body, though, Hot Spot and his team were ready with energon explosives to blast Unicron back out into space. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (episode)|Ghost in the Machine}}

[[File:G1 UltimateWeapon HotSpotStreetwise covering FirstAid.jpg|left|upright=0.95|thumb|He regrets the moments he got his arm extensions.]]
One day, the Autobots were asked to help the Dutch authorities deal with French rebels. After dispersing the human aggressors, Hot Spot was concerned about how they could protect the human civilians from the Decepticons and cover First Aid, who was helping the downed [[Blades (G1)|Blades]]. Later, as it turned out the battle was only a diversion to allow [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] to steal Metroplex's [[transformation cog]], Hot Spot, Rodimus Prime and Ultra Magnus tried to reassure First Aid of his value to the Autobots when the pacifist medic failed to stop Swindle. Unfortunately, just as First Aid left, the Autobots were called upon to deal with a rampaging Trypticon. Hot Spot ordered the remaining Protectobots to combine into Defensor even without First Aid to save a train full of civilians. After successfully saving them, Hot Spot tracked down First Aid to a junk yard and convinced the latter of his value to the Autobots. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon}}

Later in 2006, the Protectobots arrived at the aftermath of the battle between the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] and [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] at [[Mark Morgan]]'s laboratory. They transported the injured [[Jessica Morgan]] to county general hospital and watched over her as the doctors restored her ability to walk with an exo-skeletal structure, enraging the robo-phobic senior Morgan. When Hot Spot tried to explain that they only wanted to help, Morgan shot back that they were only turning her into one of ''them''. This had [[Hate Plague|negative consequences]]. What a jerkface. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}}
{{-}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' manga=====
When the Stunticons went on a rampage, attacking a human baseball stadium, the Autobots' human friend [[Kenji]] radioed for help. Hot Spot and the other combiner warriors answered his summons. After Hot Spot extinguished the blaze caused by the Decepticon attack, he joined his fellow warriors in forming Defensor and Superion. The sides evened up with the arrival of Bruticus, however, and a critical blow to Defensor's chest damaged Hot Spot, forcing the Protectobots to disengage. Through sheer cunning, the other Protectobots managed to drive off the Decepticons, and Hot Spot survived long enough to receive the proper repairs. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 5|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #5}}

Later, the Decepticons tried to drive a rift between the humans and Autobots by using their ground-bound members to pose as crazed Autobot attackers. Hot Spot and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] arrived on the scene and used their water sprays to wash off the fake Autobot symbols, revealing the Decepticons underneath. Not beaten yet, Onslaught and Motormaster unleashed a combiner whirlwind attack, but Hot Spot and Inferno whipped their ladders around, sending the Decepticon sub-commanders flying straight into a double kick by Optimus Prime and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 7|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #7}}

=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages=====
{{charstubfiction}}

=====Scramble City=====
Hot Spot and the Protectobots participated in the Scramble City project under Ultra Magnus's direction, working towards the construction of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. After the Decepticons uncovered their secret building site, the Protectobots rode into battle alongside the newly completed Metroplex. Hot Spot and his comrades arrived and formed Defensor just in time to act as the harbinger of Metroplex and his really big gun. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

=====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''=====
On the planet [[Feminia]], the Autobots had constructed a massive energy tower, so naturally the Decepticons wanted to plunder it. Hot Spot and the Protectobots were present to defend the tower as Defensor, but were easily taken down by [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]]. They had to be rescued by the mysterious and powerful [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibots]]. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}

=====''The Great Transformer War'' manga=====
When [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] kidnapped the famous scientist, Doctor [[Dalton (G1)|Dalton]], Hot Spot and the Protectobots joined the Aerialbots in speeding to his rescue. They were harshly rebuffed at [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s gate, however, by the Combaticons and Stunticons. Superion was torn to shreds, and Hot Spot converted to repair bay mode in order to bring the fallen Aerialbots back on line. His teammates held the line, fending off Bruticus and Menasor while Hot Spot hurried to finish his work, and Blades snuck inside Trypticon to retrieve Dalton. With the Aerialbots repaired and Dalton freed, the Autobots retreated back to Metroplex. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 1|The Great Transformer War #1}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
{{voiceactor|[[Kōji Totani]] (Japanese), [[Hōchū Ōtsuka]] (ep 12), [[Kazuo Oka]] (ep 25), [[Ken Yamaguchi]] (ep 27), [[Hirohiko Kakegawa]] (ep 34)}}
In [[2011]], [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] attacked Cybertron looking to take control of [[Vector Sigma]]. Hot Spot and [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] were on the front lines defending Cybertron against the Combaticons. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} As Defensor, Hot Spot's team continued battling on Cybertron for some time. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Later, Hot Spot and the Protectobots assembled on Earth at [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s command. Their mission was to stop the Decepticons from interfering with [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]], who were searching for the hidden location of the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. On a security sweep, the Protectobots ran across their old foes, the Combaticons, and went into battle. The two teams quickly assumed their combined forms as Bruticus and Defensor, as the fighting escalated. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

When Galvatron made another strike on Cybertron, this time to steal the super-metal [[Cybertonuron]], Hot Spot and the Protectobots assembled before the [[space bridge]] on Earth to be transported into battle. Seeking out the Combaticons on the battlefield, the Protectobots soon formed Defensor and fought once more with Bruticus. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} Defensor and Bruticus's battle continued as Defensor delivered a devastating smash to Bruticus's back. For at least part of the battle, the two teams disassembled again, as Hot Spot and Blades were seen firing upon the aerial Combaticons again. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

Hot Spot and the Protectobots were dispatched to [[Peru]] with the [[Trainbot]]s when a volcano erupted, leaving a mountainside village in dire peril. Their rescue mission was blocked by the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. Hot Spot was ready to tear into the enemy, but [[Shouki]] insisted the Protectobots proceed on to the village to protect the innocent lives. Hot Spot relented, but the Protectobots nevertheless failed to reach the village. They were intercepted by the Decepticons' second wave, the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]. Although they formed Defensor, the Protectobots were taken out of action by [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]'s paralysis ray, which was strong enough to leave them completely immobilized. {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}}

Hot Spot and the Protectobots were part of a strike team that flew to the [[Moon (moon)|moon]] to disrupt Scorponok's gathering of Decepticons. They immediately formed Defensor upon entering the battle. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}} When the planet [[Sandra (planet)|Sandra]] sent out a distress call asking for energy, the Autobots of Earth responded. While they were loading the Trainbots full of supplies, however, Galvatron and the Decepticons arrived to take the energy for themselves. Hot Spot and the Protectobots fought back against the enemy, and formed Defensor to counter Devastator on the battlefield. {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}}

After the death of Ultra Magnus, the Autobots were desperately trying to pick up the slack during Sixshot's campaign of destruction around the globe. Hot Spot and the Protectobots assembled as Defensor to go out and confront Sixshot at one of the attack sites, but they apparently didn't fare too well. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}} When the Decepticons seemingly abandoned Earth, Hot Spot and the Protectobots assisted Spike in rebuilding the planet after the enemy's departure. On one occasion, they located Sixshot's old command base. By combining into Defensor, the Protectobots helped Raiden and Computron obliterate the base, wiping out all trace of the Decepticons' presence. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)}}

Following a lengthy period of inactivity, the Decepticons renewed their attacks on Earth. With Fortress still off in space, Spike Witwicky dispatched Hot Spot and the Protectobots to attend to the threats. In Canberra, [[Australia]], the Protectobots confronted Bruticus at one of Scorponok's new Death Towers. As Defensor, the Protectobots were beaten severely by Bruticus. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 1)}} As part of Defensor, Hot Spot participated in the Autobots final battle with Scorponok's Decepticons at the North Pole. He lent his energies to the Headmasters' [[Head Formation]] to revitalize Fortress Maximus at the critical moment. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}

=====''Unite Warriors''=====
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Unite Warriors Offshot#Today Is First Aid's Close Friend NUL-A's Birthday!|Today Is First Aid's Close Friend NUL-A's Birthday!}}}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:SecondGeneration protectobots.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3]]
Hot Spot and the other Protectobots were created on Earth by [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and the Autobots after they stole a recording of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]'s combiner transformation sequence and modified it. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}'' After, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] shared a [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-induced vision of the future where the [[Special Teams]] battled over the [[Pullen Power Plant]].'' {{storylink|The Special Teams Have Arrived}} {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[File:Protectobots-marvel24.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67]]
Hot Spot accompanied Optimus Prime and his fellow Protectobots to [[Energy Futures Industries]], where they squared off against [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] and the Combaticons to prevent them from stealing the [[hydrothermocline]], a potentially limitless supply of energy. To prevent property damage and potential civilian casualties, the Autobots agreed to be uploaded into a virtual fantasy world in EFI's computer systems by [[Ethan Zachary]], a [[human]] programmer on site. Similarly, the Decepticons agreed so that the hydrothermocline would remain intact. The game scenario was arranged so that the "death" of either Optimus or Megatron would end the game. Once inside "[[Multi-World]]", Hot Spot convinced Optimus Prime to remain behind while the Protectobots eliminated the potential threats. Hot Spot himself did battle with his opposite number, [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], in the region known as the Slimepit. Despite the hindrance the bog caused, Hot Spot still held true to Autobot ideals and threw himself in harm's way to protect the virtual inhabitants of Multi-World. In turn, they carried him to safety away from Onslaught, giving him the advantage he needed to defeat the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]. Despite their efforts, though, Optimus Prime ended up dying on this mission, and the Protectobots brought his body back to the Ark. {{storylink|Afterdeath!}} Back at the [[Wyoming base]], the increasingly insane Megatron would obsessively relive these events. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}}

[[File:Democracykingofthehill.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Hot Spot lets the others know how he feels about these meetings with his "wanking" gesture.]]
Hot Spot was one of the several Autobots who watched through a window as [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] futilely tried to repair Optimus Prime's body. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} After the funeral, Hot Spot and other high-ranking Autobots assembled to nominate a new leader. Hot Spot suggested their nominee possess wisdom just like Optimus Prime, since their late leader knew how and how not to fight. After the Autobots were rescued by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] from an attack by [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], Hot Spot and the others chose [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] to be their new leader. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}}

[[File:Hotspot-g1issue35.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|"Now I've set the timer to ten seconds, so I'll just get in between you guys and—dammit! Not again!"]]
Under Grimlock's leadership, Hot Spot and the Protectobots were ordered to hunt down and apprehend the AWOL Autobots [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]]. They caught up with the deserters at a used car lot run by [[Big Steve Ludwig (G1)|Big Steve]], but a four-way skirmish developed between Blaster, the Protectobots, the Combaticons, and the human-led robot hunters, [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]]. In the end, Hot Spot and his crew only managed to capture Blaster. {{storylink|Used Autobots}} When a second encounter with the Combaticons endangered the lives of several [[Spacehikers|young humans]], Blaster not only saved the children and defeated [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] where [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] failed, but then willingly resubmitted himself to Protectobot custody rather than trying to escape. Impressed with Blaster's actions, Hot Spot decided to defy Grimlock's orders and let him go free along with the children aboard a [[mode lock]]ed [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]. {{storylink|Child's Play (issue)|Child's Play}} Grimlock subsequently captured the Decepticon shuttle and brought it on board the Ark. Finding that Blaster had escaped, he nevertheless tried the human children before a [[Autobot Multi-Circuit Court|Multi-Circuit Court]] and sentenced them to death as Hot Spot and the other Autobots looked on. {{storylink|Spacehikers!}}

At [[Alternate Reality, Inc.]] back on Earth, the human [[Ethan Zachary]] replayed some of Optimus Prime's memories of Hot Spot in an attempt to convince the former Autobot leader that he was more than just a computer program. {{storylink|Pretender to the Throne!}}

''Hot Spot and the Protectobots were deployed at Alternate Reality, Inc. where they were tasked with guarding a [[floppy disk]] containing a backup copy of Prime's personality. When the Combaticons attacked the nearby [[Rutter U.S. Military Base]], the Protectobots were needed and so they were relieved of guard duty by the Autobot [[Powermaster]]s. Soon afterwards, [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] and [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] attacked and although the Protectobots returned and formed Defensor, they were unable to prevent the Decepticons escaping with the disk.'' {{storylink|Prime Bomb!}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
In [[2008]], Hot Spot was seen beating the stuffing out of a Decepticon during a major offensive on Cybertron. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Hotspot-g2issue2.jpg|left|thumb|He's a Fahrenheit 451 truck: his job is to start fires.]]
Hot Spot led a team of Autobots sent to [[Earth]] by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] to counter the threat of a [[Cobra]]-rebuilt [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. Megatron's new form was more than a match for them, however, and nearly all of his team were destroyed. Only Hot Spot and [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] survived the encounter. {{storylink|Final Transformations}}

As the last survivor still on Earth, Hot Spot observed Cobra hauling a trailer of Transformers technology salvaged from the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], and noted that his orders included keeping Autobot tech out of the humans' hands. He single-handedly attacked the convoy, drawing fire from numerous Cobra tanks, until he managed to destroy the trailer by ramming it off the side of an embankment. Weary and on the brink of shut-down, Hot Spot self-destructed to keep Cobra from using his own body as a replacement source of technology. {{storylink|All or Nothing!}}
{{-}}

====Transformers Comic-Magazin====
{{TransformersComicMagazin}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|Transformers in Action: He Who Laughs Last ...}}}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{noterg1}}
Following the assault of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s [[Blitz Engine]]s on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Hot Spot was seen clearing up the mess, putting out fires alongside [[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]] and [[Blades (G1)|Blades]]. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}}

===The Special Teams===
Hot Spot and the rest of the Protectobots were posted at the [[Pullen Power Plant]] to defend it while its human workers had been evacuated due to the possibility of a landslide in the area. Blades soon spotted the Stunticons heading towards their position. Racing to meet their incoming foes, Hot Spot was surprised to witness these newcomers combine into Menasor.To combat this new threat, the Protectobots merged once more into Defensor. The Decepticons soon found himself losing the battle and disperse, though the storm around them had gotten too bad for the Autobots to give chase. Hot Spot admittedly felt he had too much work to do at the plant to bother going after the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Special Teams}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Hotspot-warwithin.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|My invisible partner already has this dance—]]
After the signing of the [[Crisis Intervention Accord]], many of the special teams went into hiding or broke up to continue fighting on different factions. Hot Spot maintained the Protectobots, one of the late model specials teams, in secret. The group watched the battles rage around them, continuing to help when possible, intervening to uphold CIA where necessary, and trying to overcome the shortcomings of the combination process.

Upon learning that [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] had persuaded the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to join his [[Ultracon]]s, Hot Spot led his team to the [[Tagan Heights]] to counter the threat of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] by using Defensor. {{storylink|Escalation}} Unfortunately the plan backfired and the battle between the two titans only increased the damage. Proving that five minds are better than one, the team divided and defeated Devastator with an overload of electricity. {{storylink|Devastation}}

Hot Spot was obsessed with overcoming the problem with their combined form. The team's analysis was interrupted by an attack by the [[Chaos Trinity]], as Hot Spot was one of the [[Unbinding|Four Angles of Dissolution]] [[The Fallen]] needed to awaken [[Primus]] and draw [[Unicron]] to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After the previous failure against Devastator, Hot Spot was unwilling to risk using Defensor again, and his team was defeated by the [[Dark science|enhanced powers]] of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and his allies, [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] and [[Bugly (G1)|Bugly]]. {{storylink|Confrontation (issue)|Confrontation}} Hot Spot was taken to a [[Well of All Sparks|subterranean chamber]], where energy from his and three others' Sparks served to unlock the seal of Primus. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], another of the Four, eventually freed himself and rescued Hot Spot in what might have been an embarrassing role reversal... if he'd been awake for it. {{storylink|Conflagration}}

During [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s reign over [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], he was sent to stop [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]'s rampage. Despite merging with his fellow [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] into [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], he was defeated even with the aid of the [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibots]]. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

Once they had recovered, Hot Spot and the Protectobots followed an anomalous energy signal to the remains of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s lab, where they found the offline [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]]. They called it in to [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], who asked to be kept notified of any developments. {{storylink|Black Sunshine}}

===3H comics===
[[File:Hotspot-wreckers.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Leave it to [[Dan Khanna|a fan]] to actually show, for the first time ever, his weapons doing what they're supposed to do.]]
In the not-too-distant future, Hot Spot led a team of [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]] aboard [[Sky Garry (ROC)|Sky Garry]] to back up [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] during an outbreak of [[Nightbird (G1)|crazed female cyber ninjas]]. Fighting a losing battle, Hot Spot personally had to drag Arcee to safety, leaving Wheelie and Daniel behind to grenade themselves to death. Fortunately, their murder-suicide pact also took out the remaining Nightbirds. {{storylink|Departure}}
{{-}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[File:SPotlightWheelie-HotSpot.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.1|Because Browning wasn't available.]]
Sometime before Cybertron was abandoned, Hot Spot was a dispatch officer, searching for viable soldiers to fill out the ranks. When he needed a volunteer for a deep space exploration mission, he reluctantly chose the tiny supply-bot known as [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] for the assignment. {{storylink|Spotlight: Wheelie}}

[[File:NewArrivalsOldEncounters-HotSpot.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|That's him back there, trust us.]]
Two years after the fall of Megatron in [[New York City]], Hot Spot was among the surviving Autobots stranded on Earth. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 1: "New Arrivals, Old Encounters"|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}} He was present when [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] returned from space and told them Cybertron was restored. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix|Orphans of the Helix}} While most Autobots returned to Cybertron, Hot Spot was one of those chosen by [[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] to remain on Earth. He and [[Kyle Pennington]] agreed that the Autobots, despised by humanity as they were, really needed better PR. Pennington suggested that he and fellow fire truck [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] do stuff like extinguish fires and save cats from trees, which Hot Spot thought was a great idea. Nobody else did. {{storylink|Police Action: Part 1}} He went on to aid in the search for the Decepticon forces hiding on Earth, but their lack of success and the fact that nobody really saw him as a leader got Bumblebee down. Hot Spot tried to cheer him back up, but was left behind when Bumblebee chose to deal with things on his own. {{storylink|The Question}}

[[File:WordsHangInTheAir-Pallbearers.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|Always a pallbearer, never a pall.]]
After returning to Cybertron, Hot Spot helped extinguish fires and look for survivors in the wakes of several mysterious explosions. {{storylink|Stick Together}} He later brought an injured [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]] to [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]]'s medbay for treatment. {{storylink|City on Fire}}

Hot Spot joined the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' following its return to Cybertron. When the ship encountered a coffin floating in outer space, Hot Spot, [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and [[Grotusque]] carried it in, under the command of [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|Words Hang in the Air}} After the coffin was opened and the ''Lost Light'' began vanishing, Hot Spot fled with the rest of the ship's crew to an escape craft. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|Predestination: A Beginner's Guide}}

Despite having transferred to the ''Lost Light''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s crew, Hot Spot and Streetwise were extinguishing a fire at [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]]'s bar back on Cybertron. {{storylink|Quest for Fire}}

[[File:MistakesAndMayhem-Protectobotssortof.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|So in sync with each other that they keep calling Mainframe and Grotusque "Blades" and "Streetwise."]]
After the ''Lost Light'' was restored, its crew attended [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]]'s "pre-wake" on board the ''[[Vis Vitalis]]''. Hot Spot, Streetwise, Blades, and Groove all busted a serious move on the dance floor. {{storylink|The Sensuous Frame}}

Hot Spot was one of four other crewmembers chosen to escort [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] back to Cybertron after he started seeing apocalyptic visions. Streetwise joked that the five of them were "Protectobots." {{storylink|The Possible Light}} Once they arrived, Mirage led them hurriedly to Optimus Prime to tell them about his vision, when suddenly [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] attacked, who was hoping to destroy the [[space bridge]] to Cybertronian colonies. [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] countered him, but [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] feared the Autobot combiner wouldn't be enough, so he used the [[Enigma of Combination]] to create another. Hot Spot, the other four "Protectobots," and [[Rook (Generations)|Rook]], who had wandered into the group, were all combined into the mighty [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], who managed to defeat Devastator. {{storylink|Mistakes and Mayhem}} With the Constructicons temporarily contained, Optimus Prime worried that none of Defensor's components had reverted to their normal forms since becoming a combiner; Prowl noted that it was difficult for combiner teams to stay separate for long. {{storylink|You, Me, and the Universe}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Transgressors}}}}
{{-}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
During a Decepticon attack on a major human city, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] and the Protectobots launched rescue operations. Unfortunately their efforts were hampered by [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], who unleashed all manner of sonic attacks on them. {{storylink|To the Rescue}}

Hot Spot, alongside [[Blades (G1)|Blades]], [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] and [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]], responded to an emergency call that was in actuality a trap set by the Decepticons [[Skullcruncher]] and [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]]. Despite the duo's schemes, the Autobots were able to send the Decepticons packing. {{storylink|False Alarm}}
===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
Hot Spot participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:G1HotSpotToy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Finally we see the G1 Hotspot mold in all his... well, glory works for me.]]
*'''Hot Spot''' (Protectobot, [[1986]])
**''Team ID number:'' '''P5'''
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-71'''
**''Accessories'': 2 "Fireball Cannons", 2 mechanical arms, left & right "blast shields", Defensor hip shield, left & right Defensor fists, left & right Defensor footplates

:Hot Spot transforms into a blue Mitsubishi Fuso Great fire engine. As a [[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]-style combiner torso, he has a third mode as a "repair bay", somewhat remeniscent of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Powermaster Optimus Prime]]'s combat deck. In this form, he is equipped with waldo arms to "repair" other vehicles. Hot Spot can connect with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s city mode in this form as well. Another alternate mode allows him to function as an armored car carrier, by extending his legs in vehicle mode and attaching his guns and Defensor's chest plates; he has deck space to carry a single small vehicle in this form. Unusually for G1, Defensor's head is an integrated part of Hot Spot rather than separate combiner kibble.

:Hot Spot's chest plate was initially made of painted [[die-cast]] metal. However, later runs replaced this with colored plastic and some paint application changes on his headlights. A plastic-chest yellow-eyed version (as opposed to the red eyes on the other releases) has been reported but not confirmed. Subsequent releases of him in the "Classics" line omitted the rub sign gimmick.

:This mold was also used to make [[Fire Chief]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Hotspot/hotspot.htm More information on Hot Spot at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.transformers-universe.com/include.php?path=content/ToyDB_Info.php&Toy_ID=252&Sprache=0 More information on Hot Spot at Transformers-Universe.com]''
{{-}}
[[File:G1toy defensor giftset.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Defensor''' (giftset, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-76'''

:Hot Spot was also available as part of the Defensor giftset, unchanged from his individual release. It is currently unknown which construction variants came in the set.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Defensor/defensor.htm More information on Defensor at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Generation 2===
[[File:G2-Hotspot.jpg|thumb|Outferyes?]]
*'''Hot Spot''' ([[1994]])
**''Team ID number:'' '''P1'''
**''Accessories'': 2 "Fireball Cannons", 2 mechanical arms, left & right "blast shields", Defensor hip shield, left & right Defensor fists, left & right Defensor footplates

:Hot Spot and the other Protectobots were to be [[redeco]]ed for ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'', but were ultimately canceled. No packaged samples of Hot Spot (or his similarly-unreleased Decepticon counterpart [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]) have surfaced, and only a handful of test-shots are known to exist. He would have been red and orange with a teal chestplate. If you've seen this, you may in fact be glowing with an inner light. Or you're [[Shortround]].

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
*'''Special Team Leaders''' (Legends multi-pack, [[2008]])
**''Series'': '''Classic Series'''

:"Autobot Hot Zone" (renamed for [[trademark]] reasons) is a redeco of the [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends]]-class [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|''Cybertron'' Optimus Prime]], transforming into a futuristic fire truck cab. He was only available in a Target-[[exclusive]] box set with [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Grrr]], [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]], [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], and [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattorshot]].

:This mold was also used to make ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TFUHotZone/hotzone.htm More information on Hot Zone at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

====Titanium Series====
[[File:TitaniumSeries-HotZone.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|No, I don't fight [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]]. Or [[Defensor (OTFCC)|do I???]]]]
*'''Hot Zone''' (6-inch Cybertron Heroes, [[2009]])

:''[[Titanium Series]]'' Hot Zone (now lacking the "Autobot" prefix) is a redeco of the 6-inch [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'']] [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]], an idea which thematically calls back to the unreleased [[BotCon|OTFCC]] ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Defensor]], but otherwise doesn't resemble its deco. (Hot Zone is the super robot decoed like Hot Spot, while OTFCC Defensor's super robot was decoed like Defensor.) Like other Titanium Series toys, Hot Zone is partially constructed of [[die-cast]] metal. His vehicle mode has a ladder which rotates at its base, and two nozzles flip out of the end of the ladder.

:Unlike previous ''Titanium Series'' toys which were subtitled by the fictional universe/continuity they came from, Hot Zone and the other 2009 ''Titanium Series'' redecos are marketed under the 2008-2009 [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|''Universe'' line]]. Hot Zone also lacks the display stand that previous ''Titanium Series'' toys included.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2009/Autobot/TitHotZone/hotzone.htm More information on ''Titanium'' Hot Zone at TFU.info.]''
{{-}}

===Generations===
[[File:Transformers china hot spot.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|The ''Universe'' Inferno mold: perfect for every fire truck Transformer. ''Ever''.]]
*'''Protectobot Hot Spot''' (Voyager, [[2012]])
**''Accessories'': "Water Blast" projectile

:''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' Hot Spot is an Asian market and [[Toys"R"Us]]-exclusive redeco and [[retool]] of ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Inferno (G1)#Universe (2008)|Inferno]] with a new head, transforming into a fictional firetruck based on the 2002–2007 {{w|Pierce Manufacturing#Gallery of Pierce Apparatus|Pierce Contender}} series of trucks. He is armed with a non-removable arm cannon with a spring-loaded "water blast" projectile. As with [[Grapple (G1)#Transformers (2010)|Grappel]], the bars on top of his shoulders have been enlarged so that they work with [[C joint|3mm clips]]. The vehicle panels on Hot Spot's forearms can rotate 180° in order to get them more out of the way. This is a feature not documented in the instructions or shown in the image to the right, but it is shown in the [[packaging|package]] [[stock photography]].

:The original version of this sculpt was also used to make ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Pyro (G1)#Timelines|Spark]], and it was separately retooled to make ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers]]'' Solar Storm Grappel. It was then redecoed into ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' [[Artfire (Headmasters)#United 2|Artfire]], using tooling from both the original Inferno version and the newer Grappel version of this sculpt.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2012/Autobot/GDOHotSpot/hotspot.htm More information on ''Generations'' Hot Spot at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

{{anchor|CombinerWars}}
[[File:GenerationsCWHotSpot.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|29 years later, he can finally combine again. And he's not a redeco anymore!]]
*'''Protectobot Hot Spot''' (Voyager, [[2015]])
**'''3 of 5: [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]'''
**''Accessories:'' Two rifles
:Part of the third wave of ''[[Combiner Wars]]'' Voyager Class toys, ''Generations'' Hot Spot transforms from a firetruck resembling a modified [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Rosenbauer Panther 6x6]] to a robot resembling his original design. He can combine with the Deluxe Class [[Blades (G1)#Generations|Blades]], [[First Aid (G1)#Generations|First Aid]], [[Streetwise (G1)#Generations|Streetwise]] and [[Rook (Generations)#Generations|Rook]] and Legends Class [[Groove (G1)#Generations|Groove]] to form Defensor. Like the other ''Combiner Wars'' Voyager Class toys, Defensor's head and torso kibble is incorporated into the toy itself, rather than being add-on parts. Hot Spot's two rifles combine into a longer rifle for the combined robot. In an undocumented feature, Defensor's head can be opened while Hot Spot is in Firetruck mode, revealing a bucket and sprayer.

:Contrary to his instructions, stock photography, and even how he is packaged, Hot Spot is not intended to have double knee joints. Each knee link should be rotated back 90° at its lower hinge and snapped forward into the lower leg behind the siren, making the legs far more stable.

:This mold was later retooled to make ''Combiner Wars'' [[Onslaught (G1)#Generations|Onslaught]], [[Transformers Figure Subscription Service#Version 4.0|Transformers Figure Subscription Service]] [[Bludgeon (G1)#Timelines|Bludgeon]], and retooled from the original mold into ''Generations'' [[Pyra Magna#Generations|Pyra Magna]].
{{-}}

===Transformers (2014)===
{{anchor|TF2014Protectobots}}
[[File:Transformers-2014-Protectobots-Evac-Squad-Hot-Spot.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Looks like Hot Spot is going to have a ''very'' hard time at saving people without his fire hose.]]
*'''Protectobots Evac Squad''' (two-pack, [[2014]])
:This "Protectobot Hot Spot" is a predominantly red redeco of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']]/''[[Reveal the Shield]]'' Solar Storm Grappel, but it kept the Inferno mold's original arms and fists. His colors ''might'' be vaguely based on [[Fire Chief]] or the unreleased ''Generation 2'' Hot Spot, but in the end, he simply looks like Grapple in Inferno's colors.

:Hot Spot is only available in a two-pack with [[Blades (G1)#Transformers (2014)|Protectobot Blades]], which was released as a [[Toys"R"Us]] exclusive in Hasbro's Asian markets, while in the United States, it was officially an [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]] exclusive that was later also flipped by other online retailers such as [[BigBadToyStore]] for a hefty markup.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/AKDHotSpot/hotspot.htm More information on Evac Squad Hot Spot on TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Unite Warriors===
*'''Guardian''' ([[December 12|12-12]]-2015)
**''ID Number:'' '''UW-03'''
:Takara's iteration of ''Combiner Wars'' Defensor is sold in a gift set including all five Protectobots, with Groove (as a new deluxe-sized mold) included instead of [[Rook (Generations)|Rook]].

:''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' Guardian is released as a [[TakaraTomy Mall]] exclusive, rather than being a regular release. Preorders were open from May 25 to July 6, and it will be shipped this December.
{{comingsoontoy}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers Gum===
*'''Hot Spot''' (Candy toy, 2012)

:Part of [[Kabaya]]'s revived [[Transformers Gum]] series, Hot Spot is a model kit that comes with a piece of gum. He can combine with various members of Kabaya's [[Gaia Guardian|G Guardian]] series to form [[God Guardian]].

:Hot Spot is packaged with [[Eaglebreast#Transformers Gum|Eaglebreast]], who interacts with Hot Spot's wave-mate, [[Deathsaurus (Victory)#2012|Deszaras]].

==Notes==
[[File:G1HotSpotHeads.jpg|thumb|Sometimes you feel like a mouth. Sometimes you don't.]]
*Like [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]'s ever disappearing-and-reappearing visor, Hot Spot would occasionally switch between having a [[mouthplate]] or having a mouth drawn '''on''' his faceplate in his appearances on the original ''Transformers'' cartoon. The two most prominent instances of him having a mouth occur in "[[Ghost in the Machine (episode)|Ghost in the Machine]]" and "[[The Ultimate Weapon]]"—episodes that seem to have been animated by two different animation companies, suggesting that Hot Spot's mouth may have come from an alternate [[character model]]. Or, at least, a recurring [[José Delbo|artist mistake]].
*Hot Spot was one of the few Autobots (like Metroplex) in the G1 Cartoon to have red eyes instead of blue.
*Hot Spot was given an [[homage]] in the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' line; [[Firebot (Armada)|Firebot]] (a crash-response truck) was redecoed in light blue with red-and-white warning stripes.
*Hot Spot's vehicle mode is rendered quite differently in both the animated and comic book from his toy. Whereas the Mitsubishi Fuso has four front wheels and two in the rear, the opposite is in effect in the other media.
*Despite having his own robot mode stock photography on the box of his Generations release, the instructions use the stock photograph of Inferno with Hot Spot's newly sculpted head photoshopped (and over-sized) over the top.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Hot Spot''' (ホットスポット ''Hotto Supotto'')
*''French:'' '''Calorifêro''' (Canada)
*''Italian:'' '''Drago'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Rèdiǎn''' (热点, "Hot Spot")
*''Russian:'' '''Compote''' (Компот ''Kompot'')

[[Category:Beast Machines Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Lost Light crew]]
[[Category:Protectobots]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers with multiple modes]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe Transformers]]

Fire on the Mountain (episode)

2015-12-08T02:58:56Z

D-Unit:

{{disambig2|the cartoon episode|the Legends event|Fire on the Mountain (Legends)}}
{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=9
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=63
|prev2=Fire in the Sky
|next2=A Plague of Insecticons
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=49
|prev3=Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2
|next3=Countdown to Extinction (episode)
|image=Fire on the mountain.jpg
|caption="I don't understand it, baby. This has never happened to me before, honest."
|title="Fire on the Mountain"
|production code=#700-06
|airdate=[[December 22]], 1984
|written by=[[Douglas Booth]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''The Decepticons uncover the Crystal of Power in Peru, and the Autobots resurrect Skyfire to stop them.'''

==Synopsis==
While patrolling a refinery, [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] spot [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] stealing steel. The [[Decepticon]]s get away with the loot by collapsing the refinery behind them. The Autobots report back to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], who is puzzled about the Decepticons' motives. The [[Autobot]]s launch a [[Sky Spy]] to home in on any Decepticon activity, and the satellite picks up strange energy readings in the [[Peru]]vian [[Andes Mountains|Andes]].

[[File:Crystalofpower.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]

There, the Decepticons have followed an [[Inca]]n legend to an ancient temple that rests on a shaft leading deep into the [[Earth's core]], capped by the [[Crystal of Power]]. With the metal acquired by Starscream, the Decepticons have fashioned a weapon frame to accommodate the crystal. [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] spots the Sky Spy, and [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] tests the weapon by blowing the satellite out of the sky. The metal, however, proves inadequate and melts with exposure to the raw energy unleashed from the Earth’s core. Starscream tries to shift blame to Thundercracker for the faulty metal, but Megatron blames them both and has them stay behind at the temple while he soars to a nearby mining town to find replacement metal.

The nearby Peruvian mining town is abuzz with the sudden show of power from the ancient temple. A reactionary elder proclaims that long-forgotten gods have come back to punish them, but her more level-headed granddaughter, [[Luisa]], realizes that someone must have uncovered the fabled Crystal of Power.

[[File:G1 FireontheMountain Sideswipe piledriving.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Freud would have had a field day with this.]]

In the [[Arctic]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] are jackhammering through the ice to resurrect the fallen warrior [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]]. The massive jet emerges from the ice and transforms into [[robot mode]]. Wheeljack immediately assigns him to fly back to Autobot headquarters to pick up Brawn and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] before heading down to the Andes Mountains.

In short order, Skyfire is in the Andes, closing in on the Decepticons. Windcharger and Brawn skydive from the jet, tangling with [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] and [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] while Skyfire goes to investigate the strange energy readings from the Incan temple. While the smaller Autobots are able to hold their own against Megatron’s lieutenants, the Decepticon leader proves too powerful for them and they scatter. Windcharger desperately calls for Skyfire to return while Brawn bites off more than he can chew in the form of an angered Megatron.

[[File:FireontheMountain SoundwaveMegsgun.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Freud would have had...oh wait, I just said that.]]

Skyfire zooms in to the rescue and gracefully airlifts Brawn and Windcharger from the thick of Decepticon danger. Skyfire quickly returns to the Ark to pick up some reinforcements and streaks back to Peru. He deposits the Autobots near the mining town to take care of Megatron while he goes to investigate the Incan temple.

The Autobots stop Megatron, Reflector and Soundwave mid-raid, with Brawn having the ball-bearings enough to swipe Megatron's [[Fusion cannon|arm cannon]] and blast the Decepticon leader with his own weapon! Laserbeak steals back the weapon and Megatron swears vengeance. He has gathered a metal strong enough for the Crystal, and requests that [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] come to retrieve it, adding further insult to Thundercracker and Starscream who are left guarding the temple.

[[File:Brawnfusioncannon.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Good grief, it's a running gag.]]

A stray blast during the battle nearly drops an electrical tower on top of Luisa, but she is saved by Spike and Bumblebee. Luisa quickly explains that these "evil creatures" have stolen the Crystal of Power. She leads Bumblebee and Spike to a secret entrance in the temple. Soundwave detects their presence, and dispatches Ravage to follow them.

Meanwhile, Thundercracker spots Skyfire skulking about the temple. The Decepticon warrior is torn; if he blasts Skyfire, Starscream is likely to take all the credit. Conversely, if he lets Skyfire destroy the Crystal-based weapon, perhaps Starscream can take the blame. Starscream overhears Thundercracker plotting, and blasts Skyfire. He then blackmails Thundercracker to do his bidding, lest Starscream reveal to their leader just how uncertain Thundercracker's loyalties can be.

The Decepticons load up their stolen steel with Skywarp's help and depart. To cover their exit, Megatron blasts a nearby mountain, creating a deadly rockfall that threatens the mining town.

The Autobots use their firepower to reduce the falling boulders to pebbles, saving the village. Meanwhile, Megatron returns to the temple, where he successfully tests a new weapon frame that can handle the power of the crystal. Bumblebee, Spike and Luisa surreptitiously arrive in the temple, spotting the inert form of Skyfire. Spike starts repairing the fallen warrior, just as Ravage pounces. Bumblebee tries holding off the Decepticon jaguar while Spike works as fast as he can.

[[File:G1 FireontheMountain Spike Luisa BB.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|There are [[Bumblebee (Movie)|some]] out there who understand what Bumblebee's about to go through.]]

The rest of the Autobots arrive at the temple, but Megatron pins them down with devastating firepower from his weapon frame cannon. The Autobots are able to outflank Megatron, and the tide of battle is turned by Skyfire, freshly repaired by Spike. Skyfire strafes the weapons frame, destroying it and unleashing the power of the mountain. The Decepticons retreat, and Thundercracker takes fleeting pleasure in seeing Megatron and Starscream fail.

That night, Wheeljack caps the fire stream with a new invention that can contain the power that the crystal formerly held in check. The Autobots celebrate their victory while Bumblebee and Spike drive Luisa back to the mining town, where she promises to introduce Bumblebee to her brother’s convertible, Juanita.
{{-}}
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (3)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (5)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (7)
* [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (12)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (15)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (16)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] (17)
* [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (18)
* [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (20)
* [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (21)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (22)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (24)
* [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (25)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (27)

|c2=
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (1)
* [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (2)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (8)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (9)
* [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (10)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (11)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (13)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (23)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (26)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (6)
*[[Luisa]] (14)
}}

==Quotes==
"Looks more like stealing to me… and I'm talking steel!"
:—'''Brawn''' confronts the Decepticons with fists and horrible puns.

"Awww, hexagonal nuts!"
:—'''Trailbreaker''', after he and Brawn totally fail to stop the Decepticons.

"It's cold enough to freeze the ailerons off a [[titanium moosebot]]!"
:—'''Sideswipe'''

'''Soundwave:''' "The Autobot jet is afraid to fight!" 
'''Brawn:''' "Wrong again, you dipstick tapedeck!" 
'''Windcharger:''' "We just didn't want him to spoil ''our'' fun!"

"Have fun playing crystal nurse, Screamer! Byyyye!"
:—'''Skywarp''', being a jerk.

"Fate, schmate. It isn’t over yet, Megabum!"
:—'''Trailbreaker''', after Megatron prematurely gloats of imminent victory.

"Optimus ol' buddy, this is what separates the Autobots from the robot chickens!" 
"Ain’t no one calling me a robot chicken!"
:—'''Ironhide''' and '''Brawn''' don't know what Adult Swim has planned for their kind in 20 years.

"What’s the matter, fearless leader? You and Starscream look real geeky!"
:—'''Thundercracker''', being a jerk.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical errors===
* Coloring errors:
** Only one of Starscream's "boobs" is colored its proper gray as he reminds Thundercracker of who is in charge.
** The back of Brawn's backpack is yellow after he transforms to [[robot mode]].
** The blue color of Trailbreaker's eyeband kind of drips down onto his face while the steel plant is collapsing around him.
** Brawn's helmet is light gray as he watches Teletraan's screen.
** Soundwave has a white leg as he follows Megatron down the pyramid's staircase.
** Starscream's eyes are blue as he drags the weapon frame over to Megatron.
** Starscream has extra yellow bits above and below his canopy as Megatron helps him to his feet.
** The lower "cheeks" of Megatron's Decepticon symbol aren't colored in just before he transforms to fire on Brawn.
** Megatron's gun mode is entirely white as Soundwave grasps him two-handed, right before the first commercial break.
** Ironhide is colored gray in the aerial shot of the Autobots approaching the <s>steel mill</s> mining town.
** As Starscream rebukes Thundercracker, his air intake is the same dark gray as his helmet, instead of red.
** Rumble's eyeband isn't colored in as the Decepticons fly out of the <s>steel mill</s> mining town.
** Bumblebee's nose is yellow as he tells Spike he can't hold Ravage off much longer.
** In the shot where Megatron's cannon shots are going wild, Starscream's leg is colored Brawn-green.
** In the wide shot of the temple top, Ironhide's head is gray instead of red; the colorists might have gotten him mixed up with Windcharger.
** Megatron's fusion cannon is light gray instead of black as Prime hoists and throws him.
* As Brawn confronts Starscream and Thundercracker, the Decepticons switch places between shots.
* After the Sky Spy explodes, we can still see a picture of the pyramid on Teletraan I’s screen.
* As Wheeljack encourages Sideswipe, the glow of his right ear isn't quite aligned with the ear itself.
* As he first bursts to the surface encased in ice, Skyfire's (vaguely drawn) profile looks a lot more like his toy than his animation model, with separate booster jets and a rounded cockpit.
* When Sideswipe says "It's Skyfire", he speaks in a raspy voice that is vaguely similar to Scrapper's voice, even though Scrapper won't appear for another seven episodes.
* The parts of Skyfire's tail end that light up as he activates his jets don't actually correspond to his jet thrusters.

[[File:FireOnTheMountain Windcharger vehiclemode.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The legs on the animator's Windcharger toy would never stay folded up. Your wiki editors can sympathize.]]
* Someone must have been drawing Windcharger's car mode straight off his toy. As he flees from Laserbeak, his rear section, which is his folded-up feet, is not aligned with the rest of his car body... a problem very commonly found on his toy.
* Soundwave fires on Brawn with his own gun, but with Megatron's cannon sound effect.
* Skyfire's engines don't glow throughout the whole sequence of him rescuing Brawn and Windcharger.
* Ironhide and Ratchet have crazy huge side windows as they drive alongside Prime. The same error (and animation?) pops up again in "[[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction]]".
* When Optimus Prime rams Megatron through the wall, the inside of the wall momentarily becomes bright white for some reason, while the view through the newly created hole shows apparent nighttime outside.
* Flying Autobots:
** Bluestreak and Windcharger get an engine-burst noise as they leap out from beneath the collapsing transmission tower.
** Brawn gets a flight sound as he leaps the final distance between him and Starscream.
** Ironhide gets the same treatment as he leaps to attack Megatron.
** And then Prime also gets the same sound effect as he tackles Megatron.
* Bluestreak's mouth isn't moving as he delivers his "watch the birdie" line.
* Soundwave's eject button is on the wrong side (his right shoulder) as he ejects Ravage.
* Thundercracker's weapon barrel has almost no interior as he threatens Skyfire.
* When Megatron follows Starscream and Thundercracker out of the pyramid, his Decepticon emblem disappears for a moment.
* As Trailbreaker says his "isn't over yet" line, his leg is red instead of black. Then Wheeljack pops out of the rubble from the spot where Sunstreaker was buried a moment ago.
* One gun, many lasers:
** No fewer than five laser beams are shown flying at Windcharger when Laserbeak isn't on-screen. Even if you count his eye beams, Laserbeak only has four guns.
** As the battle gets fully underway, four laser beams are shown coming from Megatron's crystal weapon.
** Starscream only has two guns to fire at Brawn, but three lasers are shown streaking past him as he runs up the stairs.
* After Skyfire revives, he doesn't have the exterior damage to his chest. Spike was barely able to get Skyfire's interior damage fixed before Ravage batted Bumblebee away and tried to attack the humans. As he transforms to [[alternate mode|jet mode]], Skyfire also has an odd blue panel on his undercarriage which is not normally present.
* When Starscream lands on the temple and starts firing at Brawn and Windcharger, his lasers are Autobot orange instead of Decepticon pink. The next shot shows the usual pink lasers hitting Windcharger.
* As Reflector and Soundwave fire from the cover of the ruins, Reflector is using a tiny gun mode Shockwave as his weapon!
* In the wide shot a second later, ''all'' the lasers are colored Decepticon pink, even though some are supposed to be Autobot shots.
*When Skyfire swoops over Soundwave and Reflector and destroys their stone bunkers, both the lasers hitting their targets and the explosions are missing, so it appears the walls just fall apart.
* The crystal cannon's barrel isn't hollow as Megatron aims it at Prime and Ironhide.
* Starscream's dialogue as he whines about Thundercracker making that "awful thunder noise" as the Decepticons retreat indicates that Thundercracker was supposed to be using his sonic boom powers in the scene (see "continuity notes", below). In practise, only the standard Decepticon jet engine sound effect is heard, no louder than normal.
* The Autobots get a ridiculously loud sound effect for the act of turning on their headlights.
* Bumblebee has no interior when he opens his door to offer Spike and Luisa a lift.

===Continuity errors===
* The Incans apparently built temples with steps large enough for Transformers to use, staircases that lead to blank walls, passages long enough to drive down, and stone doors that automatically open when someone approaches.
* Megatron can pick off the Sky Spy (in low Earth orbit) but can't shoot Optimus Prime when he's 30 feet in front of him. The scope of the Sky Spy's explosion indicates a level of power that the crystal weapon never shows again.
* Skyfire's resurrection is one of the cartoon's most infamously problematic bits of continutity:
** Skyfire was left for dead and mourned as such in his previous, debut appearance in "[[Fire in the Sky]]". Now, suddenly, it just takes Sideswipe's pistons to dig him up out of the ice, and Wheeljack isn't the slightest bit surprised to find him alive and well. Why didn't they just dig him up right after he crashed? They only dug him up when they needed a ride?
** As no mention is made of how they get to the North Pole, on the face of it, the episode makes it appear that Wheeljack and Sideswipe have ''driven'' there, calling into question why, if they can make such a large journey this way, the Autobots can't simply drive to South America instead of requiring Skyfire to fly them. Notably, however, per their [[bio]]s, both Wheeljack and Sideswipe are two of the very small number of Autobots capable of independent flight (Sideswipe via his [[jet pack|rocket pack]], Wheeljack via jets in his arms), so it seems logical that the scriptwriter selected them for this scene as they could have flown themselves to the Arctic. Of course, nothing explicitly indicates this in the episode itself.
** Presumably as a result of some kind of miscommunication in production, Sideswipe is seen using an actual hand-held jackhammer to unearth Skyfire, rather than his customary built-in arm-mounted jackhammers.
** How does Skyfire know Wheeljack's name? Wheeljack wasn't part of the Autobot group that went to the Arctic Circle in "[[Fire in the Sky]]". It's possible they knew each other on Cybertron millions of years ago, but this, of course, isn't indicated. For that matter, Wheeljack tells him to pick up Brawn and Windcharger who were also not present in the earlier episode
* The Decepticons leave the temple to attack the mining town. En route, they're attacked by Brawn and Windcharger and drive them off. Skyfire then flies all the way back to Autobot Headquarters, picks up the rest of the Autobots, flies all the way back to Peru... and the Decepticons have apparently just reached the mining town like five minutes earlier.
* Soundwave was last seen at the <s>steel mill</s> mining town battle, but suddenly pops up outside the temple to send Ravage after Bumblebee and the humans.
* "It's not that we had any doubts, Wheeljack, but..." "You don't suppose we could..." "Get a fast ride back into town?" If no lines were cut from between the first and second sentence, then it's just some bizarrely awkward dialog.
* Bumblebee gets a bizarre but clearly intentional bit of humanizing in the episode's final shot, with his whole body frame bending like rubber to show embarrassment.


===Rhino DVD release===
[[File:Fitm dvd broadcast.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|You call this restoration?]]
The Rhino DVD version of this episode uses a number of erroneous takes as the basis of its remastered animation. As a result, the DVD introduces several coloring errors that were not present in the broadcast version:
* Trailbreaker, Brawn, and Starscream are colored red, brown, and purple (respectively) in their introductory shots.
* When Skywarp mocks Starscream for having to guard the Crystal, he is colored like Thundercracker.
* When Starscream and Thundercracker carry Skyfire's inert form, Skyfire has Skywarp’s colors.
* "Skyfire is an excellent catch!" In the first shot, Megatron steps up to stand next to Thundercracker (who has a white-instead-of-blue wingtip); in the second shot, Thundercracker has been replaced by Starscream. This is one of a handful of Rhino errors not corrected by the later [[Shout! Factory]] DVD release.
* When Skyfire is about to destroy the cannon, it already appears to be melted to slag.
* When Skyfire strafes the crystal-powered weapon, he momentarily has Skywarp's colors.

The chapter stops for this episode on the Rhino DVD include: Opening / Stolen Steel / It's Skyfire / To The Mining Town / Visiting Decepticon / Invention Works

===Continuity notes===
[[File:G1 FireontheMountain SS chestmissiles.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Starscream's dreaded boob bombs.]]
* This episode references "[[Fire in the Sky]]", the previous (and first) episode that Skyfire appeared in.
* Gadgets and powers:
** Starscream has a dozen rockets in hidden chest compartments. This ability will appear again in "[[Full Throttle Scramble Power!]]". The feature was later immortalized in toy form for Starscream's ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' incarnation through clip-on accessories, and again as part of his ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' figure, this time actually incorporated into the figure.
** Soundwave conceals a tricorder-like scanning device in his left wrist, which was later incorporated into ''his'' Masterpiece toy as a clip-on part. Presumably the Masterpiece toy-designers really like this episode.
** The latest device to come out of Laserbeak's head is the microphone-like thing. It's not clear what purpose it serves, as Laserbeak then broadcasts his findings to Megatron via pulsewaves that come out of his ''eyes'', of all things.
** Brawn has a retractable claw that can extend in his car mode.

[[File:Megatron&crystalofpower.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Seriously, in the cartoon world, crystals are the [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2|most]] [[The God Gambit|powerful]] [[A Prime Problem|things]] [[Fire in the Sky|ever]].]]
* While the concept makes no sense in real-world terms, this is the second time in almost as many episodes that a greenish crystal has been linked to the Earth's core.

* Skywarp refers to Starscream by the nickname "Screamer" in this episode, a nickname used again by Streetwise in the late Season 2 episode "[[B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.]]".

* Fans have long cited this episode when discussing the improbability of Brawn's death in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', observing that Brawn had previously survived direct hits from Megatron's gun mode in this episode... but it simply ain't so. Brawn ''dodges'' every shot that comes from Megatron. It's actually ''Soundwave'', using his own standard weapon, who shoots Brawn in the head to no effect. Not that we're questioning the indestructibility of the all-powerful Brawn, of course.

* This is the only episode to play on Thundercracker's uncertain loyalties, a trait called out in his original [[bio]]. However, the official [[Sunbow Productions|Sunbow]] synopsis for the episode indicates that it was originally going to take the idea even further:

::"The Autobots arrive to stop [the Decepticons], and Jetfire tries to convince a beleaguered Thundercracker to switch loyalties and join the Autobots. He is caught and wounded by Starscream. Spike, with the help of a local native girl, goes to his rescue, and Jetfire--with a little assist from Thundercracker--turns away the Decepticons and destroys the "Crystal of Power."<ref>http://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible/#069</ref>

[[File:Fireonthemountain soundwave vs brawn round1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Better get use to this, Soundwave.]]

*Had the above-mentioned audio gaffe not taken place, this episode would mark the only instance of Thundercracker using his sonic boom powers in the entire cartoon, as the Decepticons retreat at the end of the episode. The power will ''actually'' be used by Megatron in "[[Heavy Metal War]]".

* This episode begins a mini-tradition of Bluestreak [[The Ultimate Doom, Part 2|shooting]] [[Brainstorm!|down]] Laserbeak.

* '''Brawn vs. Soundwave''', Round 1: Brawn flies Soundwave into a mountainside! Brawn 1, Soundwave 0 [[The Ultimate Doom, Part 3|>>]]

===Real-world references===
* The title of this episode may be a reference to the Grateful Dead song of the same name.
* The Transformers visit Peru, an ancient Incan temple, and a <s>steel manufacturing</s> mining village where everyone speaks heavily accented English.
* ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
** Laserbeak pursues Windcharger with a [[TIE Fighter]] engine roar, and fires on him with the sound of the [[Death Star]] super laser firing. After the commercial break, he gets more TIE sounds along with some ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engines, during several different shots.
** Megatron launches to attack Brawn with another ''Falcon'' engine burst. The roar continues into the next shot as the sound of Skyfire's jets.
** ''Falcon'' engine whine as Laserbeak dives to retrieve Megatron's fusion cannon from Brawn, and again as Bluestreak and Windcharger jump out of the way, and again as Laserbeak starts chasing Bumblebee.
** More TIE engine as Laserbeak continues harassing Bumblebee, along with Death Star superlaser/Alderaan exploding.
** ''Falcon'' engine burst as Skywarp leaves the temple, and ''Falcon'' engine whine as he arrives at the battle site.
** ''Falcon'' whine as Laserbeak perches on Megatron's shoulder.

===Trivia===
* Luisa's name is never spoken in the episode.
* A hissing sound effect (like the sound of air escaping from a canister) is heavily used in this episode, especially when a character is jumping or taking off into the air. It's never used in such a manner again. {{fact}}
*This was one of the six episodes featured on the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' console game.
*When the Hub re-aired season 1 and 2 this was left out the first time
* After Skyfire flies the Autobots to Peru, Optimus Prime pats him on the nosecone affectionately. It seems he doesn't recall that section is Skyfire's robot mode crotch.

===Foreign localization===
'''Brazilian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Fogo na Montanha'''" ("Fire on the Mountain")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Il segreto degli Incas'''" ("Secret of the Incas")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Fuoco sulla montagna'''" ("Fire on the mountain")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Inca no Hihō'''" (インカの秘宝, "Incaic Jewel")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 3]], [[1986]]
:*The Japanese ordering of this episode places it toward the end of the series. This was done as it featured Skyfire prominently and with his toy being of [[Bandai]] design (and not sold in Japan as a Transformer), that caused some legal concerns amongst Takara (many of Skyfire's smaller scenes in other episodes were cut entirely). Though the episodes featuring him as a main characters were eventually shown, the scripts were not reworked to adjust to the new chronological placement, simply being more or less direct translations of the original English versions.
:*'''Cut:''' After Brawn declares, "It's fightin' time", the following overhead shot of Starscream and Skywarp fleeing the room is cut. The sequence resumes at the close-up of Starscream saying "Correction, Autobot...".
:*'''Cut:''' After Starscream and Thundercracker take-off with the materials, the following scene of Brawn and Trailbreaker crawling out of the rubble, lamenting that they lost the steel and rolling out for headquarters have been cut.
:*'''Cut:''' The close-up of Spike's head and his line, "Uh oh, it's picking up a weird energy reading from those ruins", and the monitor shot displaying the ruins, have been cut. The sequence picks up at Laserbeak flying through the air.
:*'''Cut:''' When Megatron and the Decepticons take off for the mining town in Peru, the following scene of them flying through the air and Megatron's line, "Any who stand in our way will be demolished", have been cut.
:*'''Cut:''' After Skyfire tells everyone to buckle-up and blasts off for Peru, the following scene of him flying over the Peruvian mountains has been cut.
:*'''Cut:''' The scene panning over the mountain road leading to the metal forging facility has been cut.
:*'''Cut:''' During the attack on the Decepticons at the metal forging facility, the scene of Megatron slowly marching forward as laser beams bounce off him has been cut. The sequence resumes at his lines, "Skywarp, I have created a steel alloy...".
:*'''Cut:''' The scene of Starscream and Thundercracker carrying Skyfire's unconscious body has been cut. The sequence resumes at the close-up of Skyfire's head as he's being dropped.

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Skhvatka na vershine'''" (Схватка на вершине, "The Engagement at the Very Top")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Serbian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Vatrena planeta'''" (Ватрена планета, "Fiery Planet")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 8: "Fire on the Mountain" ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1997 — ''The Transformers'' — War of the Dinobots ([[Malofilm]])
;[[Wikipedia:LaserDisc|LaserDisc]]
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume One ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume Two (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 02: Stagione Uno Parte Seconda ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)

==References==
<references />

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

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]

Blu Mankuma

2011-04-07T20:19:54Z

D-Unit:

[[Image:BluMankuma1.jpg|right|250px|thumb|At last, this wiki has a picture with blinds in it.]]
'''Blu Mankuma''' is a Canadian-American actor and voice actor. Some of his on screen roles include Chairman Graves from ''Gundam: G-Saviour'', Toto from "The Tin Man" (a reimaging of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"), Sgt. Parks from the short-lived ''Robocop'' TV series, and Capt. Joe Reese from ''Forever Knight''. Voice acting-wise, he's often best remembered as Gigabyte on ''ReBoot'', [http://gijoe.wikia.com/wiki/Heavy_Duty Heavy Duty] from the CGI ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' films, Lord Mantel from ''War Planets'' and as Abobo in the poorly conceived ''Double Dragon'' animated series. He had a supporting role in ''2012'' as Adrian's father.

==Roles==
===Beast Wars===
* [[Tigatron]]
* [[Tigerhawk]]
* One of the [[Vok]]

==Convention appearances==
* [[BotCon 2006]]

==External link==
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0542558/ Blu Mankuma at the Internet Movie Database]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mankuma, Blu}}
[[Category:Convention guests]]
[[Category:Mainframe]]
[[Category:English voice actors]]

Blu Mankuma

2011-04-07T20:19:20Z

D-Unit:

[[Image:BluMankuma1.jpg|right|250px|thumb|At last, this wiki has a picture with blinds in it.]]
'''Blu Mankuma''' is a Canadian-American actor and voice actor. Some of his on screen roles include Chairman Graves from ''Gundam: G-Saviour'', Toto from "The Tin Man" (a reimaging of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"), Sgt. Parks from the short-lived "Robocop" TV series, and Capt. Joe Reese from ''Forever Knight''. Voice acting-wise, he's often best remembered as Gigabyte on ''ReBoot'', [http://gijoe.wikia.com/wiki/Heavy_Duty Heavy Duty] from the CGI ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' films, Lord Mantel from ''War Planets'' and as Abobo in the poorly conceived ''Double Dragon'' animated series. He had a supporting role in ''2012'' as Adrian's father.

==Roles==
===Beast Wars===
* [[Tigatron]]
* [[Tigerhawk]]
* One of the [[Vok]]

==Convention appearances==
* [[BotCon 2006]]

==External link==
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0542558/ Blu Mankuma at the Internet Movie Database]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mankuma, Blu}}
[[Category:Convention guests]]
[[Category:Mainframe]]
[[Category:English voice actors]]

The Ultimate Weapon

2011-02-06T21:03:17Z

D-Unit: /* Notes */

{{disambig2|the episode|the eponymous device|Ultimate Weapon}}
{{episode|
|series=G1toon
|series2=2010
|ep=84
|ep2=20
|prev2=The Quintesson Journal
|next2=The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)
|series3=''[[Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=23
|prev3=Ghost in the Machine
|next3=Fight or Flee
|image=G1 UltimateWeapon Oldlady.jpg
|caption=Rejected from Hell's Grannies.
|title="The Ultimate Weapon"
|production code=700-104
|airdate=[[November 10]], 1986
|written by=[[Arthur Byron Cover]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''While Galvatron threatens the Autobots with a vague and mysterious "ultimate weapon", First Aid leaves the Autobots.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 究極の武器 (''Kyūkyoku no Buki'', "The Ultimate Weapon")
:''German title:'' "'''Das Transformationsmodul'''" ("The Transformation-Modul")
:''German'' Generation 2 '' title:'' "'''Der große Bluff'''" ("The big Bluff")
:''Latin American title:'' "'''El Arma Mortífera'''" ("The Deadly Weapon")
:''Russian title:'' "'''Glavnoye orujiye'''" (''Главное оружие'', "The Main Weapon")
==Synopsis==
[[Image:G1 UltimateWeapon civilunrest.jpg|left|170px|thumb|The stripes are to help them blend into the herd.]]

In the far-flung future of 2006, the Netherlands is the most violent nation on Earth. Bands of roving French street gangs throw grenades into windmills for no obvious reason. Unable to rely on the police, old ladies begin arming themselves in their gardens. Desperate, the police turn to the Autobots, who seek to stem the fighting. The [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], after some harshing on the part of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], roll out to stop the violence. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] tries to calm Rodimus, saying he's just as good a commander as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] was. Rodimus, however, feels that he will never live up to the legendary [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]]'s legacy. Who could?

Arriving in the city, the [[Decepticon]]s attack, and [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] is injured. [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] takes him to Metroplex to get repairs, while Galvatron attacks. Retreating, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] taunts Rodimus with the threat of the [[Ultimate Weapon]]. At [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] breaks in and manages to steal Metroplex's transformation cog. First Aid tries to reason with Swindle, but the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] merely shoots the Autobot medic, then leaves. Amid a fleet of naval destroyers, [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] rises from the sea and eats a ship before destroying the rest. Galvatron tells Trypticon to hurry to Metroplex, but realizes when and when not to push the dinosaur. Swindle arrives and attempts to haggle for the cog. Galvatron offers him a limited-time deal: Hand over the cog, or see his life get ended.

[[Image:G1 UltimateWeapon Defensorcatchestrain.jpg|right|170px|thumb|It's just a flesh wound—er, armor wound.]]

At Metroplex, First Aid is feeling guilty over his pacifism. While Rodimus maintains that he would never force First Aid to violate his beliefs, First Aid decides to leave to clear his head. Learning that Trypticon is coming, the Autobots roll out. Reaching a nearby city, Trypticon menaces a train, but [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] manages to save it, even with only one arm. The [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] move in to attack. [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] gets shot down, while [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] flies into Trypticon's stomach through his mouth, firing all the while. Injured, Trypticon is forced to retreat. However, it's only bought them time, as Metroplex is still the only one who can fight Trypticon, and he's locked in city mode. Even with the cog, First Aid is the only one who understands Metroplex's systems enough to fix him. [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] decides to track down his AWOL teammate.

[[Image:G1 UltimateWeapon TrypticontacklesMetroplex.jpg|left|170px|thumb|City rivalry takes on a whole new meaning.]]

Rodimus and Magnus head for Trypticon's hiding place, with [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] posing as repairmen. [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]], nearly duped, realizes that the cars are Autobots due to the pollution-free fuel that they are using. Daniel is thrown off a cliff, but Magnus saves him. Rodimus and Magnus distract the Decepticons while Spike and Daniel steal Trypticon's cog. Returning to Metroplex, they install Trypticon's cog in Metroplex, while the Decepticons install Metroplex's cog in Trypticon. (It's easy to get lost, but just pay attention and it will make sense.) Convinced that he "can still smash", Trypticon heads for battle. Metroplex [[Transformation|transforms]] from [[Alternate mode|city mode]], but both cities are suffering problems.

[[Image:G1 UltimateWeapon UltimateWeapon%21.jpg|right|170px|thumb|Behold: the label gun of DOOM!]]

At a junkyard, First Aid is keeping [[NUL-A]], a junkyard robot, company while fixing abandoned refrigerators in an effort to think about something other than the Autobots. Hot Spot finds him and informs him of Metroplex's problem. Though still unsure of rejoining the Autobots, First Aid realizes that Metroplex's danger is more important. Meanwhile, Trypticon has gained the advantage and thrown Metroplex into a nearby lake. (Talk about irony.) Heading for Metroplex, First Aid manages to get inside and properly align the transformation cog, allowing Metroplex to transform fully. Metroplex throws Trypticon deeper into the lake, and the dinosaur sinks. Galvatron threatens to use the Ultimate Weapon, but Rodimus realizes that the weapon is a bluff. Out of options, Galvatron retreats. First Aid's faith in his work is restored, and Rodimus's confidence is emboldened, at least until the next time he has a crisis of faith.

{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (1)
* [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (2)
* [[Rodimus Prime (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (4)
* [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (5)
* [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (6)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (7)
* [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] (14)
* [[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]] (15)
* [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (16)
* [[Scamper]] (18)
* [[Slammer]] (19)
* [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (22)
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (29)
* [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (30)
* [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (31)
* [[Slingshot]] (32)
* [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (33)
|c2=
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (8)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (9)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (10)
* [[Predaking]] (11)
* [[Octane]] (12)
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (13)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (17)
* [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (20)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (21)
* [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (23)
* [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] (24)
* [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (25)
* [[Wildrider]] (26)
* [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (27)
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (28)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (34)
* [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] (35)
|c4=
* [[NUL-A]] (36)
}}

==Quotes==
'''First Aid''': I'm taking him back to Metroplex for emergency repairs! 
'''Galvatron''': Better get ''used'' to the trip, Autobot. 
'''Rodimus''': Why don't you get used to ''losing'', Galvatron? It's all you ever do!
:—Rodimus Prime hits the Decepticons where it hurts: in the war record.

"Hey! Wait a second! Who are you? Where'd you come from? How'd you get in?!?" 
''[Swindle shoots the floor from under Scamper and Slammer, causing the Autobots to crash]'' 
"No time to answer stupid questions!"
:—'''Scamper''', the world's worst security guard, is blasted by '''Swindle'''.

"I heard you were a pacifist, but I don't believe there's a Transformer who won't fight for his life!" 
"I don't believe in fighting. I'm a medic, not a warrior." 
"Then you'll ''die'' for your beliefs!"
:—'''Swindle''' taunts '''First Aid'''.

[[Image:Ultimate Weapon Trypticon hungry.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Never play Battleship with Trypticon]]

'''Trypticon''': Best humans can do? 
''[Trypticon tosses battleship halves at attacking ships]'' 
'''Galvatron''': Come, Trypticon, stop trifling with that! Metroplex awaits. 
'''Trypticon''': Trypticon hungry!
:—Trypticon finds that naval destroyers taste great ''and'' are less filling.

''[Spike runs into Cyclonus]'' 
'''Cyclonus:''' ''Humans...''" 
'''Spike:''' Uh, everything's fine in there. Uh, the problem must be somewhere else. 
'''Cyclonus:''' Then don't dawdle, human. Trypticon must be repaired at once... for the greater glory of Galvatron! 
'''Spike:''' You got it, you got it... sheesh, dunno why anybody'd wanna work for such a bunch of grumpy employers.
:— A rather clueless Cyclonus lets Spike and Daniel get away with Trypticon's transformation cog.

"Hey, keep it down! This is a residential area!" 
"Trypticon turn Metroplex into slum!"
:—'''Metroplex''' and '''Trypticon''' discuss urban renewal in a whole new way.

'''Galvatron''': I still have my ultimate weapon, Rodimus! Surrender now, or I'll unleash its force upon you all! 
'''Rodimus Prime''': ''[to Ultra Magnus]'' You know, I think I've finally started to wise up. If such a weapon existed, he'd have used it a long time ago! 
'''Galvatron''': I tell you for the last time, Rodimus. Surrender, or there won't be an Earth left to protect! Surrender! This is your last chance, or— 
'''Rodimus Prime''': You're bluffing, Galvatron. 
'''Galvatron''': I tell you this is the end! 
'''Rodimus Prime:''' You're right. It is, because I used the real 'ultimate weapon'...my ''mind''! 
'''Galvatron''': Stay back! 
''[Rodimus Prime continues walking towards Galvatron]'' 
'''Galvatron''': I said stay back! 
''[Rodimus Prime continues walking; Galvatron throws the "ultimate weapon" control device on the ground]'' 
'''Galvatron''': Aarh! There will be another day, Rodimus! 
''[Galvatron retreats]'' 
'''Rodimus Prime''': And we'll be ready.
:—Galvatron's less-than-impressive bluff is called by Rodimus Prime.

==Notes==
* It is unclear what species of robot [[NUL-A]] is, as his speech and mannerisms clearly demonstrate him to be sentient rather than some kind of human-built drone.

* When Trypticon attacks Metroplex, the animation is of a noticeably higher quality than the rest of the episode and the norm of the overall series.

*The interior of Metroplex looks ''really'' dilapidated. Every shot when the Autobots are inside shows broken pipes, cracks in the walls and other defects

===Animation or technical glitches===
*The guns carried by the rebels disappear when they run up to the windmill and throw their grenades, and reappear as they run away.

*The laser beam the old woman fires from her pistol is red, but the laser beam that actually hits the car tires is blue.

*When Blades flies towards another damage and gets shot down by the Decepticons, the front part of his [[Alternate mode|altmode]] is colored white instead of the usual red.

*When Ultra Magnus orders Steeljaw and Ramhorn to attack, he wields a completely different gun than the one he normally uses. His normal gun reappears in subsequent shots.

*When Galvatron responds to Rodimus Prime's question during the village battle, Cyclonus's mouth is missing. Similarly, in the end of the episode, when First Aid declares his return to the Autobots, Rodimus' mouth is missing, too, but reappears when he starts talking.

*Adding to this, and turning the whole mouth-animation-thing into a complete mess up, when First Aid declares he's leaving the Autobots, Hot Spot is depicted as actually ''having'' a mouth in several shots, including close-ups and speaking lines, despite the fact that normally he is shown with an Optimus Prime-like moving [[mouthplate]].

*Thanks to Roger C. Carmel's inconsistency with his characters, we have a Motormaster with a weak voice that actually sounds a lot like Regis Cordic's Menasor, making it difficult to compare.

*As Silverbolt exits Trypticon's mouth, he's coloured like Air Raid.

*As the Decepticons leave the Autobots when Trypticon is wounded, it can be seen that Defensor had dissasembled as the Protectobots can be seen separately. A few moments later, Defensor separates before the camera. Huh?

*First Aid can be seen in the error above when Decepticons retreat. Also the some parts of Blades's back plating is miscolored.

*Daniel is unusually tall in this episode. When he and Spike are involved in the clandestine operation to steal Trypticon's transformation cog, he is almost as tall as his dad.

*When Spike tells Daniel that they'll be just in time for their rendezvous, Spike is not carrying the toolbox containing the transforming cog. It reappears when they exit Trypticon.

*When Hot Spot is trying to convince First Aid to come back into the Autobots, the visible wheels on First Aid are colored as white, not black.

*Trypticon completely misses Metroplex when they fire on each other, yet Metroplex falls down.

*Greeting First Aid's return, Ultra Magnus holds the medic's hands. Oddly, instead of letting go as he did with Rodimus Prime, First Aid appears to continue to hold Ultra Magnus's hands throughout his dialogue about agreeing to help the Autobots.

*Metroplex's face is briefly colored black as he and Trypticon wrestle.

* When Galvatron declares that while Trypticon may have been defeated he still lives, his laser cannon is enormous.

* As Rodimus Prime tells Ultra Magnus that he has finally wised-up to Galvatron's bluff, Ultra Magnus' left shoulder overlaps Rodimus' rear wing, even though Rodimus is standing closest to the viewer and should instead overlap Ultra Magnus.

===Continuity errors===
*When the monorail train was endangered during Trypticon's initial rampage, wouldn't it have been a hell of a lot easier to have a ''two-armed'' Superion catch it rather than a ''one-armed'' Defensor?

*Galvatron acts a whole lot saner in this episode then he usually is in the third season. He's not as sane as in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', of course, but it's something. Of course in the same vein, it seems unlikely that the usually gun crazy Galvatron would try to bluff anything.

*During their initial assault in the village, [[Octane]] is seen among the firing Decepticons, even though Galvatron had placed a price on his head in "[[Starscream's Ghost]]".

*Similarly, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] is hovering next to Galvatron during Trypticon's attack on the naval fleet, even though he was banished from the Decepticons following "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]".

===Trivia===
*While not an out-and-out mistake, the Autobots' assertion that ''only'' First Aid could adjust the transformation cog for Metroplex seems a little dubious. [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]], who was seen installing the thing in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]", surely would've been able to, if not Perceptor or the load of other Autobot handymen running around. Of course, it is possible that those guys were all off Earth at the time. ''Coincidentally'' though, as seen in "[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]", First Aid ''was'' one of the original workers on Metroplex.

*Vortex almost finds out about Spike and Daniel's plan merely from the clean Autobot fumes of Rodimus Prime and Ultra Magnus' exhaust, but does not seem to notice that the vehicles are quite obviously the two Autobot leaders nor the fact that Daniel is way too young to drive (which might be okay, as Transformers may not necessarily be aware of human laws, or even know there's a difference between adult and underage humans, but whatever).

*Somehow, [[NUL-A |NUL-A]] knows who [[Wreck-Gar (G1) |Wreck-Gar]] is.

*How the mighty have fallen part 1: This episode suggests that the Decepticons operating on Earth now hire legitimate human workers for repair duties, instead of just enslaving them as they would have done in the past.

*How the mighty have fallen part 2: Menasor [[To sell toys|is defeated by a single blast]] from the Autobots, despite previous outings that showed him to be one of the most powerful Decepticon combiners. Later, the entire Stunticon team are soundly and totally defeated (off-camera) by Rodimus Prime and Ultra Magnus, despite previous outings depicting them as a serious threat to the Autobots.

*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] seems ''really'' upbeat in this episode, for some reason.

*Taking into account how often Decepticons have attacked an Autobot base in the past, does anyone else think that positioning Metroplex near a human residential area is a ''really'' bad idea?

* You'd think that Galvatron's [[Cyclonus (G1)|second-in-command]] would know who the [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|two]] [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|humans]] that are always with the Autobots are.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1989 — ''Transformers'' — Carnage in C Minor / The Ultimate Weapon ([[Tempo Video]])
;Laserdisc
[[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 USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 2 & Season 4 ([[The Original Transformers|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 5: Series 3.2 ([[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 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/the_ultimate_weapon.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ultimate Weapon}}
[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

John Stephenson

2010-12-16T02:29:14Z

D-Unit:

{{disambig3|John}}
[[Image:Johnstephenson.jpg|right|250px|thumb|]]
'''John Stephenson''' ([[August 9]], [[1923]]- ) is an American voice actor. He has been working in the animation business (particularly Hanna Barbara) since the early [[1950]]'s, with some of his most recognizable characters being Mr. Slate from ''The Flintstones'', Doggie Daddy from ''[[Auggie_Cahnay_(G1)#Notes|Augie Doggy]]'', Captain Murphy from ''Sealab 2020'', General Flagg and Col. Sharp from ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' and Professor X from ''Pryde of the X-Men''.

==Roles==
===Generation 1===

*[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]
*[[Bosch]]
*[[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]]
*[[Hector Ramirez (G1)|Hector Ramirez]]
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]]
*[[Professor Haley]]
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]

==Convention appearances==
John Stephenson was a guest at [[BotCon 2001]].

==Notes==
*Of all the voice actors who participated in all four seasons of the G1 cartoon, John Stephenson was the only one who did not lend his voice to ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827267/ John Stephenson at the Internet Movie Database]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stephenson, John}}
[[Category:English voice actors]]
[[Category:Convention guests]]

The Transformers: The Movie

2010-12-07T18:00:07Z

D-Unit: /* Animation errors */

{{disambig3|Transformers: The Movie}}

{{quote|Conceived in the epic tradition of ''[[Star Wars]]''...|[[Victor Caroli]] ain't just whistling Dixie|[[The Transformers: The Movie promo|''The Transformers: The Movie'' promo]]}}

{{episode|
|seriess=[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]
|prev=B.O.T. (episode)
|next=Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1
|seriess2=[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]
|prev2=Scramble City: Mobilization
|title=''The Transformers: The Movie''
|image=Transformersanimatedfilmposter.jpg
|caption=Featuring the deaths of all your favorite Transformers characters.
|production code=
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|writer=[[Ron Friedman]]
|directed by=[[Nelson Shin]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|release date=[[August 8]], [[1986]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''''The Transformers: The Movie''''' is an animated feature film based on the original Transformers toyline. It was released in the United States on August 8, 1986.

The film's storyline follows the same continuity as the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|Transformers]]'' cartoon. It introduces a [[Scale|planet-sized Transformer]] called [[Unicron]] who eats other planets, and is approaching [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. As part of their continuing wars, the Autobots and Decepticons have a [[Battle of Autobot City|fierce battle]] on Earth which sees both Optimus Prime and Megatron mortally wounded. Prime passes the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to Ultra Magnus and dies, and Megatron is transformed by Unicron into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (briefly) assumes leadership of the Decepticons, but is killed when Galvatron arrives at Cybertron. Galvatron then chases the surviving Autobots on Earth across space, splitting them up and taking the Matrix. The Autobots find their way back to each other, and follow Galvatron to Cybertron just as Unicron transforms into robot mode and begins to eat their world. Travelling inside Unicron, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] recovers the Matrix, transforms into Rodimus Prime, and uses the Matrix to destroy Unicron.

Often referred to by fans simply as "the movie" or "TFTM", the movie was a step up in almost every area from the television series, with a more sophisticated plot, more serious treatment of war and violence, a hugely ambitious scope and a greatly increased animation budget with well-known celebrities providing voice work. For these reasons the film remains very popular with children of the 1980s.

The film opens with characters who had been featured in the first two years of the toyline and associated media (cartoons, comic books, etc.), but quickly introduces new characters and kills many of the old ones to make room. In particular, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], and [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] are all destroyed during the course of the film.

{{quote|The Japanese have funded a full-length animated cartoon about the doings of these toys, which is all bad outer-space stuff. I play a planet. I menace somebody called Something-or-other. Then I'm destroyed. My plan to destroy Whoever-it-is is thwarted and I tear myself apart on the screen.|Orson Welles<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=KlqsYy512WIC&source=gbs_navlinks_s "Orson Wells: A Biography"] page 522</ref>}}

==Synopsis==
[[Image:TFTM_Unicron_Lithone.jpg|left|200px|thumb|That's no moon.]]

A mechanical planet travels through the depths of space, attacking [[Lithone (planet)|a metal planet]] which has [[Lithone (species)|robotic inhabitants]]. Robots, vehicles, buildings, and even large chunks of rock are sucked off the surface and devoured by the monstrous planet.

It is the year 2005, and the [[Decepticon]]s are now in control of Cybertron. The [[Autobot]]s are preparing to launch an assault to retake the planet from hidden bases on two of Cybertron's moons. The Autobots launch a [[Autobot shuttle|shuttle]] to pick up a final shipment of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] from [[Earth]] before they strike.

[[Image:Tftm1986a.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I have a bad feeling about this.]]

Plans for the attack are overheard by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], who reports back to [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. The Decepticons attack the Autobot shuttle en route to Earth, wiping out its crew (including [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and the [[Brawn (G1)|guy in the picture over there]]). Using the Autobots' own shuttle, the Decepticons are able to get very close to the Autobots' base on Earth, [[Autobot City]], before they are detected, and begin a devastating surprise attack on the unprepared city.

During the battle at Autobot City, both [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and Megatron suffer mortal injuries, and a number of other characters are also killed. Eventually the Decepticons retreat, but the damage suffered by the Autobots has been severe.

{{note|For an extensive synopsis of the battle, see [[Battle of Autobot City]].}}

[[Image:Tftm1986b.jpg|left|200px|thumb|If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.]]

Shortly after the battle, Prime lies on his deathbed. He passes the reins of leadership to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and gives him the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. (Though Hot Rod actually touches the Matrix before Magnus does.) Prime relates a prophecy: "One day, an Autobot shall rise from our ranks, and use the power of the Matrix to light our [[darkest hour]]." He then gives the oath, "[['Til all are one]]", and [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|dies]]. This sequence of events is observed remotely by Unicron, who appears unusually concerned by the survival of the Matrix.

The Decepticons are making their escape aboard [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], but are too heavy for him to get them all home under his own power. After putting the matter to a fair vote, the Decepticons decide to throw their injured members off the ship to better the chance of survival for the rest. One of the most severely injured Decepticons is Megatron. [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] tosses him out and claims leadership of the Decepticon army.

Megatron and the other adrift Decepticons then encounter Unicron in interstellar space. Unicron offers to rebuild Megatron and his minions in exchange for their service. Megatron agrees, and is [[Reformatting|reformatted]] into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. The other Decepticons are turned into [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], and the [[Sweep]]s. Unicron provides them with a [[Revenge (G1)|ship]], and sends them to kill Ultra Magnus and destroy the Matrix, stating that the Matrix is the only thing which can stand in his way.

[[Image:Tftm1986c.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed.]]
Galvatron first stops at Cybertron to take his revenge by killing Starscream and reclaiming leadership of the Decepticons. Almost immediately afterwards, Unicron arrives in Cybertron's vicinity and devours at least two moons—both of the Autobots' moon bases are destroyed. Under coercion by Unicron, Galvatron finally heads to Earth to kill Ultra Magnus, but Magnus and the other surviving Autobots flee in a pair of shuttles. Eventually Galvatron manages to cause one shuttle to crash on yet another metal planet ([[Quintessa]]), and detonates the other with a volley of missiles. However, the Autobots in the second shuttle escape unnoticed by separating the front portion of their shuttle just before impact.

The Autobots in the crashed shuttle, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], find themselves separated and in a hostile environment. Hot Rod and Kup are captured by a squad of [[Allicon]]s and taken before a [[Quintesson]] [[Quintesson#Judges|judge]] and his court. While being held there, they learn the name and nature of Unicron from [[Kranix]], a survivor of the planet destroyed in the opening of the film, which he calls [[Lithone (planet)|Lithone]]. Meanwhile, the Dinobots encounter and befriend a young, wild Autobot named [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] who has been living alone on Quintessa. Together, they crash the trial just as Hot Rod and Kup are fighting losing odds against the Quintessons' [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]]. The tide is turned, and the Autobots commandeer a [[Quintesson spacecraft#Quintesson_Cruiser|Quintesson Cruiser]].

[[Image:Tftm1986d.jpg|left|200px|thumb|What an incredible smell you've discovered!]]
The other group of Autobots has landed on the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]] to make repairs, but are attacked yet again by Galvatron, who was tipped off to their survival by Unicron. During the battle, Ultra Magnus tries to open the Matrix to use its power, but is unable to do so, and instead is killed. Galvatron absconds with the Matrix, taking it away to Unicron. The remaining Autobots—[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike's]] son [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]]—are then ambushed by [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]], the eponymous natives of Junkion, who are also giant transforming robots. This battle is cut short, however, by the arrival of Hot Rod's group in their Quintesson ship. After exchanging the [[universal greeting]] they all make friends, and the Junkions restore Ultra Magnus to life. Together, the whole group travels to Cybertron to try to recover the Matrix.

[[Image:TFTM Unicron smashes cybertron.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Rebel base in range. You may fire when ready.]]
Galvatron attempts to open the Matrix to use its power against Unicron, but is also unable to get it open. Unicron, not pleased with this attempted treachery, shocks Galvatron by transforming from a planet into a [[Scale|planet-sized robot]]. Unicron plucks Galvatron off his chest and swallows him, Matrix and all, and then begins attacking Cybertron itself. [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] scrambles the Decepticon forces to defend the planet, but they are ineffective against so large an enemy. Shortly the Autobots arrive from Junkion, and fly the Quintesson ship straight through Unicron's eye. This impact destroys the ship, and the Autobots fall out inside Unicron. Hot Rod, separated from the others, eventually runs into Galvatron. During their fight, Hot Rod gets his hands on the Matrix and hears Optimus's voice speak the words, "Arise, Rodimus Prime." Hot Rod grows in stature, adopts a much sterner demeanor, and quickly dispatches Galvatron by tossing him through Unicron's hull out into space. He then opens the Matrix, which fills Unicron with light and begins destroying him.

[[Image:Tftm1986e.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Use the Force, Luke.]]
In the meantime, the other Autobots inside Unicron have located some of their comrades from the moon bases who had been presumed dead, including [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and Daniel's father, Spike. The Autobots, including Rodimus, escape through Unicron's remaining eye just as he begins to fall apart and explode. The scene then immediately shifts to the surface of Cybertron, where—for unclear reasons—the Autobots seem to be in charge again. Rodimus predicts an era of peace and prosperity, and the film closes with a shot of Unicron's severed head still floating in orbit around Cybertron.

[['Til all are one]].
{{-}}

==Quotes==
"Such heroic nonsense."
:—'''Megatron''' coldly finishes off Ironhide. The 'Cons always get the best lines.

"I've got better things to do tonight than die!"
:—'''Springer''', telling it like it is.

"One shall stand. One shall fall."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' uttering the most quoted line of the Movie. An ass kicker cometh.

"Until that day...'til all are one..."
:—'''Optimus Prime''''s final words

"Oh, how it ''pains'' me to do this." 
"Wait! I still function!" 
"Wanna ''bet''?"
:—'''Starscream''' fights back the tears as he throws '''Megatron''' out of Astrotrain.

"I have summoned you here for a purpose." 
"Nobody summons Megatron!" 
"Then it pleases me to be the first."
:—'''Unicron''' shows '''Megatron''' who's the boss.

"Who disrupts my coronation?" 
"Coronation, Starscream? This is bad comedy." 
"Megatron? Is that you?" 
"Here's a hint!"
:—'''Galvatron''' drops "hints" for '''Starscream''' like others drop anvils.

"Did we ''have'' to let them detonate three quarters of the ship?" 
"Seeing as how they would have detonated ''four'' quarters, I think it was a good choice."
:—'''Arcee''' and '''Springer'''

"For a time... I considered ''sparing'' your wretched little planet Cybertron. But now... you shall witness... its ''dismemberment''!"
:—'''Unicron''' really needs to work on his anger management skills...

"Me Grimlock kick butt!" 
:—'''Grimlock''' isn't speaking figuratively.

"Destiny... You cannot... destroy... my... destiny--AAH!!" 
:—'''Unicron''''s final words

"Let this mark the end of the Cybertronian Wars as we march forward into a new era of peace and happiness! 'Til all are one!" 
:—'''Rodimus Prime''' announces the end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]... yeah, right.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]/Rodimus Prime ([[Judd Nelson]])
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] ([[Robert Stack]])
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] ([[Lionel Stander]])
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] ([[Neil Ross]])
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] ([[Susan Blu]])
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] ([[John Moschitta]])
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] ([[Gregg Berger]])
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] ([[Paul Eiding]])
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] ([[Buster Jones]])
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] ([[Michael Bell]])
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] ([[Neil Ross]])
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] ([[Michael Bell]])
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] ([[Scatman Crothers]])
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] ([[Dan Gilvezan]])
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] ([[Casey Kasem]])
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] ([[Corey Burton]])
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] ([[Don Messick]])
*[[Auto-combatant]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Eject]]
*[[Rewind]]
*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]]
*[[Ramhorn]]
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]
*[[Grapple]]
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Bluestreak]]
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]* ([[Walker Edmiston]])
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] ([[Leonard Nimoy]])
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] ([[Chris Latta]])
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] ([[Roger C. Carmel]])
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] ([[Stan Jones]])
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] ([[Arthur Burghardt]])
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] ([[Michael Bell]])
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] ([[Neil Ross]])
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] ([[Neil Ross]])
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] ([[Don Messick]])
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]]
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] ([[Hal Rayle]])
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] ([[Clive Revill]])
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] ([[Jack Angel]])
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] ([[Corey Burton]])
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] ([[Bud Davis]])
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] ([[Ed Gilbert]])
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Sweep]]s
*[[Cyclonus's Armada]]
|h3=[[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]|c3=
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] ([[Eric Idle]])
*[[Scrapheap]] ([[Michael Bell|Bell]] and/or [[Frank Welker|Welker]])
*[[Rubbish]] ([[Michael Bell|Bell]] and/or [[Frank Welker|Welker]])
*[[Re-Cycle]] ([[Michael Bell|Bell]] and/or [[Frank Welker|Welker]])
*[[Trashbin]] ([[Michael Bell|Bell]] and/or [[Frank Welker|Welker]])
*[[Junkyard (G1)|Junkyard]] ([[Michael Bell|Bell]] and/or [[Frank Welker|Welker]])
*[[HAZMAT]] ([[Michael Bell|Bell]] and/or [[Frank Welker|Welker]])
*[[Ashtray]] ([[Michael Bell|Bell]] and/or [[Frank Welker|Welker]])
*[[Wasteoid Gamma]] ([[Michael Bell|Bell]] and/or [[Frank Welker|Welker]])
*[[Greasestain]] ([[Michael Bell|Bell]] and/or [[Frank Welker|Welker]])
|h4=Others|c4=
'''[[Human]]s'''
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] ([[Corey Burton]])
*[[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] ([[David Mendenhall]])

'''[[Lithone (species)|Lithones]]'''
*[[Kranix]] ([[Norman Alden|Norm Alden]])
*[[Arblus]] ([[Norman Alden|Norm Alden]])

'''[[Quintesson]]s'''
*[[Quintesson]] leader ([[Roger C. Carmel]])
*[[Quintesson#Judges|Quintesson judge]] ([[Regis Cordic|Rege Cordic]])
*[[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]]
*[[Allicon]]s

'''Other'''
*[[Unicron]] ([[Orson Welles]])
|nonumbering=true
}}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Credited, but did not appear.

==Animation errors==
* When Unicron is approaching Lithone at the start of the movie, at the line "Look, it's Unicron!", a [[Animation error#Sizing errors|cel stacking error]] results in Unicron's ring appearing in front of a building arch, [[Distribution|making Unicron look very tiny]] in that shot. In the next shot, it is clear that Unicron is several times larger than the entire planet of Lithone.
* The inside of one of the Lithonian ships being devoured by Unicron is visible for a couple of frames. The pilot of the ship appears to be Kranix, even though he apparently screams out Kranix's name, and Kranix appears later in the Quintesson prison.
* When the inside of Unicron is shown after he devours Lithone, the "blinking energy" effect of Unicron's innards was apparently achieved by recycling backgrounds from other animated TV shows or movies. A frame by frame viewing reveals what appear to be several images of post-apocalyptic buildings inside Unicron.
* When Optimus Prime asks Jazz to report security status, it shows both Jazz and Cliffjumper. Cliffjumper is seen twiddling knobs above the actual drawn computer, as if a section was supposed to be present.
*When the closeup of Cliffjumper doing his countdown is shown, his shoulders are blue (like his windows) instead of red.
* When the Decepticons blow a hole through the Autobot shuttle to get in, it is a clean break. However, Megatron is still shown ripping through random ship components to get in.
* Scavenger's head is white instead of black as he ducks from Prowl's shot.
* When the Decepticons are killing the Autobot shuttle crew, there is one of the common Starscream/Skywarp/Thundercracker miscolors. Megatron transforms into gun mode and Starscream catches him, killing Brawn. When they cut back to the Decepticons, Starscream is in front of the Constructicons without Megatron and is firing one of his arm rifles (this probably should have been Skywarp or Thundercracker). When they cut back to the Decepticons for the third time, Starscream has Megatron again and is finishing off the rest of the Autobots. In the shot of Starscream firing his own lasers, his wings are red instead of gray.
* When the Decepticons fly to the shuttle's controls, all of the Autobots have changed positions from when they fell—Brawn is now on his back, for example, while Prowl is now face-down. Ironhide's chest is also completely intact, despite having a bunch of holes blown in it.
* Hot Rod has at least two totally different transformation schemes during the course of the film.
* When Kup and several Autobots at the roadblock react to Hot Rod's attack on the hijacked Autobot shuttle, Bluestreak is represented by Prowl's [[Character model|animation model]], in Bluestreak's grey and black colours.
* Sunstreaker appears with Kup's group on Earth as they observe Hot Rod firing on Ironhide's shuttle. Sunstreaker later appears as Optimus Prime's co-pilot when they arrive on Earth with the Dinobots, and is seen disembarking the shuttle along with Optimus Prime and Hound.
* In a wide aerial shot of the city under attack, a Reflector flies by in Ironhide's color scheme. Shockwave also makes his only appearance in the battle; considering both his role as Cybertron's guardian and his absence from any other scenes during the battle, his presence is probably an animation error. Rumble also flies past, despite being inside Soundwave at this point.
* Blaster's forehead is red instead of white after his "look out and shout!" line, and again after he returns to robot mode.
* A laser blast that should be behind Blaster is instead layered in front of him as he acknowledges Perceptor's orders.
* In the big lineup of firing Decepticons, Soundwave's cheek guards are blue instead of white.
* When [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] sends out his cassette troops, [[FIRRIB|Rumble is the same color as Frenzy]].
* Blaster first ejects what looks like Eject, who stays blue up until he gets to the edge of the screen. He then turns black like Rewind. Then Blaster ejects another blue cassette, which after about a second turns black. This one gets through half his transformation colored black, then turns blue for a split second then turns black again. Then, when the cassettes are fighting each other, Eject runs in from the left and jumps over Perceptor. And then he runs in from the left ''again'' to shoot Ravage. Suddenly [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl/Devastator]] doesn't look so bad, does he?
* As Springer runs up to the launcher, Wheeljack's body is visible, but he's in red, white and blue colors.
* While Springer and Arcee are trying to move the launcher into place, Springer's face is the same color as his helmet.
* When Devastator forms in Autobot City, his chest plate is the same green as the rest of him. In the next shot, it's the usual purple. However, it promptly turns green again in the next shot.
* As Devastator lays into the walls, Shrapnel is white where he should be black.
* While Perceptor and Grapple are shooting, Swoop's lower half runs by in the foreground, long before the rest of him gets there.
* Megatron's pelvis is white instead of black as he gives the "let the slaughter begin!" order.
* Prime's dramatic transformation sequence far outlasts the transformation sound that's supposed to go with it. It's also the wrong sound (ascending pitch) for his robot-to-vehicle transformation.
* When Prime drives up behind the Decepticons, Blitzwing's head is tan instead of purple. It becomes purple when he turns it, then goes back to tan again as he turns it back.
* The gun Megatron uses to fatally injure Optimus is blue and white for most of the shots it is seen in, but when Megatron screams "Fall! FALL!" while shooting Prime again, it is black.
* Prime's antennae are white as he tries to stand after knocking Megatron off the ledge.
* Starscream's whole nosecone, rather than just the canopy, is yellow as he looms over Megatron.
* When Optimus Prime takes the Matrix out of his chest to give to Ultra Magnus, there is another Matrix beneath it in his chest. (On which note, see also ''[[Matrix of Leadership#Universe|Matrix of Leadership, Universe comic]].'')
* When Ultra Magnus accepts the Matrix, he's seen inserting it into his chest twice, or at best readjusting its "fit".
* As the other Decepticons prepare to push him out, Bombshell's chest is rendered as a shapeless gray mass, rather than with its yellow canopy.
* The voice that says "Don't!" is nowhere close to the voices of any of the five Decepticons shown getting thrown out of Astrotrain.
* Starscream's got an extra yellow segment on his canopy as he nominates himself for leadership. Man, even the A-list animation team couldn't keep this straight.
* Most of Megatron's chest emblem isn't colored in as he first speaks to Unicron. It might pass for battle damage, but a few shots later it's fully purple.
[[Image:Coronation .jpg|thumb|right|250px| *''trumpet fanfare''* ]]
* Even after the [[Battle of Autobot City]], characters who are supposedly dead continue to appear in crowd shots and battles. Shrapnel's role in the fight on [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]] is the most noticeable (and he was called for by name in the original script), but Thundercracker, Skywarp and Kickback can all be seen at Starscream's coronation. The two jets are later seen again, flying into Unicron's mouth.
* Hook has two eyes instead of a visor as he looks around in confusion during the trumpet scene.
* An early establishing shot clearly shows Cybertron with two and ''only'' two moons in low orbit. Yet a third moon is visible right after Unicron finishes eating the two Autobot bases.
* When Cyclonus is strafing the Autobot shuttle in space, he briefly flies offscreen, and during that time his laser blasts come from a point that in no way matches his flight path.
* Daniel's lips don't purse when he whistles.
* Wreck-Gar's mouth doesn't move at all during his first lines, despite the camera pushing in all close on his face.
* When Hot Rod tells the Junkions the universal greeting, the Autobot insignia on his chest is coloured black.
* Shrapnel's lower legs are white when he lands on Junk, instead of black. Must be a side effect of being dead.
* When Unicron transforms, the first hand we see (his right) is backwards relative to how the arm is shown on screen.
* Hot Rod's missing his Autobot symbol as he regains his footing inside Unicron.
* The third smelting victim doesn't fall from the conveyor belt; he simply vanishes.

== Continuity errors ==
[[Image:G1TFTM Snarl cameo.JPG|thumb|right|250px|He used to bulls-eye womp-rats in his T16 back home.]]

* The Dinobot [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] is mysteriously absent from almost the entire movie, even though the Dinobots as a group are featured prominently. Copies of the script which have come into fans' hands repeatedly list the Dinobots, but never make mention of Snarl by name. In fact, at one point the script refers to "the four Dinobots". Despite this, Snarl does appear in three very brief shots{{m-}}in which at least one other Dinobot (Swoop in one, Sludge in another) is entirely absent. Hmm.
* Also curiously absent are the 1985 Autobot cars and Mini-Vehicles, such as Inferno, Smokescreen, Cosmos, Warpath, etc. It would seem that these characters were available at the time of the movie:
** Perceptor and Blaster both debuted at the same time in the cartoon as the 1985 cars, and both play prominent roles in the movie.
** Grapple is [[:Image:BattleAutobotCity.jpg|seen ''very'' briefly]] during the battle for Autobot City.
** The 1985 Decepticons (Astrotrain, Dirge, etc.) appear in the film.
** [[:Image:TFTM-SideswipeRedAlertTracks.jpg|Tracks]], [[:Image:TFTM-RedAlertDown.jpg|Red Alert]] and Smokescreen (who was supposed to be the corpse in place of Wheeljack next to Windcharger) all appeared in storyboards but not the finished film.
* Devastator is treated as ''the'' ultimate threat, while in the cartoon, his role (and apparent power) was already being [[Starscream's Brigade|severely diminished]], presumably because several other combiners had been introduced. In story terms, the absence of these newer combiners, not to mention the mighty Omega Supreme, is inexplicable. In real-life terms, those characters didn't exist when the film commenced production. (The [[Transformers: The Animated Movie]] adaptation shows Omega Supreme, Superion and Defensor guarding the Ark against an attack by Bruticus and Menasor, attempting to [[retcon]] the problem away.)
[[Image:Cyclonus armada tftf.jpg|thumb|right|250px|We'll be safe enough once we make the jump into lightspeed.]]
* The cartoon had made it abundantly clear that Cybertron had no moons. In numerous close and distant shots of the planet throughout the first two seasons, no moon was seen. Ever. The movie promptly introduces two (and possibly a third) moons in close orbit over the planet. In continuity terms, they must have been built or brought into orbit after 1986.
* During the Battle of Autobot City, Starscream gets his leg caught. He shoots downward and gets away while screaming "My foot!", but it's his shin that's smoking while his foot looks fine. Later he kicks Megatron with the same foot. Shouldn't that hurt, according to him? Note there is a time lapse between the "foot shooting" and the kicking, leaving the option of a battlefield repair.
* So Ultra Magnus just happens to have a ready-made Matrix chamber installed in his chest cavity? Is this standard issue for all Autobots?
* The cartoon had already established that Astrotrain increases his size when he transforms to shuttle mode, being large enough to carry a pair of Decepticons in his cockpit. However, within the movie itself, his size is [[scale|noticeably inconsistent]]: When he leaves Autobot City, he's just large enough for the Decepticon army to cram themselves in; later, he's so huge that the Constructicons can quite comfortably form Devastator inside him.
* The number of minions created by Unicron changes throughout the film, with more Sweeps appearing as the story progresses. A second Cyclonus ("Cyclonus, the warrior, and [[Cyclonus's Armada|his armada]]") is shown being created but disappears shortly thereafter. At least ''seven'' new characters are shown at one point, created from only ''six'' Decepticons thrown from the shuttle.

[[Image:SSBQ.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"I've been looking forward to this for a long time." "Yes, I bet you have."]]
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] is capable of reducing [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] to ashes with a single shot from his cannon mode. Though in later episodes Galvatron is shown blowing up even small ''[[Thrull|planets]]'' with his cannon, his extraordinary killing power seems to be gone—like when he scores a direct hit in cannon mode on Ultra Magnus in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]" and Magnus isn't especially hurt at all, or how a similar blast against Scourge in "[[The Burden Hardest to Bear]]" only leaves the latter temporarily incapacitated. [[Marvel Comics]] bios explain this by suggesting that Galvatron had nearly limitless power through Unicron... but then again, Galvatron himself claims to be "more powerful than ever" after Unicron is dead. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} [[To sell toys|Who knows.]]
* Why didn't anyone notice Unicron until he was within devouring distance of Cybertron's moons?
* Despite running out of energon goodies on Quintessa, Hot Rod has at least one to offer to the Junkions. Maybe he got some on the ship. It's also possible that, when he told the Allicons "No more," he meant that he wasn't going to ''feed'' them any more energon goodies, not that he didn't ''have'' anymore.
* Daniel, who was just learning how to use his exo-suit, had to knock down the acid cover inside Unicron to save his loved ones. Why couldn't the more experienced Spike do the same with his suit from above? He had both of his arms free and a clear shot at the cover. On the other hand, the clamp holding him may well disable his exo-suit's weapons and movement abilities-if it didn't, Unicron probably wouldn't have eaten half as many victims by now...
* It's not clear how Rodimus Prime (carrying two humans) and the other Autobots survived their jump out of Unicron's eye and their plunge towards the surface of Cybertron.
* It's also unclear just how the dozen or so Autobots (and one shipload of Junkions) managed to retake the whole planet of Cybertron. Did Unicron really wipe out ''that'' many Decepticons?
* When the Autobots are repairing Autobot City, Blaster is present, but a few minutes later, he's nowhere to be seen. And he isn't seen getting on one of the shuttles. It is possible that they took off without him, but Daniel noticed Arcee was not on board. Guess he cares more about Arcee than Blaster.

===Not Necessarily Errors===
* Fans have noted throughout the years that Astrotrain, in his flight through zero-gravity space, should not have needed to "jettison some weight" in the literal sense. However, since the ejected Decepticons quickly fall behind Astrotrain instead of floating alongside him, he must still have been accelerating and thus would have needed to burn a greater amount of fuel in order to push a larger payload. Perhaps he should have said "jettison some ''mass''", but then again, just being a spaceship doesn't make him a rocket scientist.
* Starscream is shown just inside Astrotrain's cargo bay when he commands him to take off, but in the next shot (Astrotrain's door closing as his rocket engines ignite), Starscream is nowhere to be seen. It's possible that he walked further in, but he should still be at least partially visible.

==Continuity notes==
* The Movie has had a huge effect in shaping the mythos. Among the elements and characters which would reappear in many other iterations of Transformers are:
** The notion that Cybertron has moons
** The Matrix as a physical object, rather than the computer program previously depicted in the Marvel Comics. Even the Marvel Comics would eventually shoehorn this one in.
** Autobot City
** Unicron
** The notion of Megatron becoming Galvatron
** And it killed off Optimus Prime before it was cool!
* '''[[The Revenge of Bruticus|< <]]''' What makes Starscream the leader? Chucking a near-dead Megatron into space!
* Gadgets and powers:
** Springer deploys a small flip-out twin laser from his wrist during the Autobot City battle.
** Arcee and Hot Rod both activate a long-distance scanner of some sort by lowering a red visor from under their helmets over their eyes.
** Hot Rod uses a saw blade that extends from his retracted wrist.
** Blurr has the same kind of hooked welding tip used by various Autobots as far back as "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]".
** Arcee unleashes a nasty barbed post from her fender to fend off a Junkion.
** Grimlock shows the never-before seen ability to shoot lasers from his fists.

==Real-world references and Easter eggs==
* When Sludge gets haymakered by Devastator, his eyes pop out of their sockets in ''[[Wikipedia:Looney Tunes|Looney Tunes]]'' fashion.
* Kup's storytelling sequence aboard the shuttle is drawn from the novel ''[[Wikipedia:Of Mice and Men|Of Mice and Men]]'', complete with Grimlock in the Lenny role asking Kup to "tell Grimlock about petrorabbits again".

* The Quintesson jail cell includes robot debris ''strongly'' resembling the mobile suits [[Wikipedia:Gundam Mk-II|RX-178 Gundam MK II]] and the [[Wikipedia:Zeta Gundam|MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam]] from 1985 Japanese animation ''[[Wikipedia:Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam|Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam]]''.

* The Junkions speak almost entirely in pop culture quotes and pastiches. Littered among the generic phrases like "operators are standing by!", "Film at eleven" and "eliminate even the toughest stains" are more specific references, such as:
** "Don't look behind door #2, Monty!" - a reference to the game show ''[[Wikipedia:Let's Make a Deal|Let's Make a Deal]]'' and its host, [[Wikipedia:Monty Hall|Monty Hall]].
** "Ger-ronny-doo-ron-ron-ronny-mo!" - both the famous "Geronimo!" war cry, and the 1963 hit "Da Do Ron Ron".
** "You check in, but you don't check out" - a parody of the tagline for Roach Motel insect traps.
** "Happy motoring!" - a 1970s slogan of gas company Exxon.

* ''[[Star Wars]]'' sound effects (yes, even the high-budget Movie uses them):
** The ''Millennium Falcon'' engine burst noise is used extensively throughout the film, over and over and over, almost any time a Decepticon takes flight.

** Luke's deactivating lightsaber is used as the sound of the Quintesson ship's ramp extending.
** Clashing lightsabers are used as Unicron fires eye-blasts at the attacking Transformers.

** An igniting lightsaber is used as Rodimus opens the Matrix.
* The ''Star Trek'' sliding door sound is used as Wreck-Gar pulls out his <s>iPhone</s> mini-TV.

==Adaptations==
*[[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel Comics)|A comic adaptation of the movie]] was published by [[Marvel Comics]] in 1986, concurrently with the movie's theater run. It was based off a non-finalized version of the script, and differs in many details from the final film. Additionally, most of the major character models (and possibly their unedited original character write-ups) appear in Issue #4 of the ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]'' series.
* [[Transformers the Movie (Ladybird adaptation)|A storybook adaptation]] was released in the UK by [[Ladybird Books]].
*A four-part adaptation was released in 2006/2007 by [[IDW Publishing]], as part of the film's 20th anniversary celebration. It was titled ''[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]'' to differentiate it from the [[Michael Bay]] [[Transformers (2007)|live-action film]]. Unlike its predecessor, it adheres rigidly to the script and plot of the finished movie.

==Soundtrack==
{{main|The Transformers: The Movie - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack}}

==Promotions==
* Early in the movie's production, a [[The Transformers: The Movie promo|promotional trailer]] was made to sell the project to potential investors.
* The movie was advertised on related 1986 toy packages via the [[Decipher the Decepticon]] Sweepstakes, which included a pack-in poster and contest.
* The movie was heavily advertised directly by TV [[commercial]]s, and tail-end segments on Transformer toy ads. Portions of its story were also retold in altered fashion by animation segments of commercials for the movie character toys, such as a spot showing Springer doing battle with Wreck-Gar.

==In the comic continuity==
The [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel UK comic]] made extensive use of the Movie as the basis for a series of stories involving the Transformers in the future. However there are several differences between the events seen on screen and those referenced in the comic:

*The comic always dates the move to 2006, following the date given in a treatment that was all [[Simon Furman]] had when he wrote [[Target: 2006]].
*In Target: 2006, [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] states that he was previously "[[Life Spark]]".
*The Matrix is always called the "Creation Matrix" in the comic, a name that predates the "Matrix of Leadership" but which is now used for the same physical object.
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] both survive the events, both later appearing in [[Space Pirates!]] (set in 2008).

In addition, Shockwave definitely survives the attack by Unicron.

The US comic almost completely ignored the events of the Movie, though later in the run an alternative future is briefly shown in "[[Rhythms of Darkness!]]" and "[[A Savage Circle]]". In this timeline at least some of the events of the Movie took place such as the creation of Galvatron from Megatron, which is dated to 2005, though Prowl's death was overlooked. [[Prowl II|Wouldn't be the first time. Or the last.]]
*The US version of the future story [[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006]] implicitly has the events of the movie as part of its backstory. However, since the rest of the US series ignored the movie, this issue's place in the continuity is questionable.

==Edits==
Several English-language versions of the film exist, with the following differences in content from the American theatrical run:

* In some versions (notably the European version) the opening credits are replaced with a scrolling text ("''Star Wars'' style") which provides backstory.
* In some versions (notably the European version) the film ends with [[Victor Caroli|a narrator]] reassuring the audience that Optimus Prime will return.
* Instances of swearing in the film (there are two) were edited out; sometimes one, sometimes both. Those instances are: Spike yelling, "Oh shit, what are we gonna do now?" after the self-destructing Moon Base 2 fails to scratch Unicron, and Ultra Magnus growling, "Open, damn it, open!" while trying to open the Matrix to fend off Galvatron and the Sweeps on Junkion. The United Kingdom cinema version had the swearing included but, when it was released on VHS in the United Kingdom, Spike's line was cut ("damn" not being considered offensive in the UK). However it has been restored on all United Kingdom DVD releases.
* In some early FHE video releases, the shot of the Matrix falling out of Optimus Prime's hand and being caught by Hot Rod is edited so that it appears that Ultra Magnus simply takes the Matrix from Prime. Why this was done is not known, and the replay of the Hot Rod catch on Unicron's monitors was left intact.
*Instead of DEG, the [[wikipedia:Rank Organiztion|Rank Film]] "gong man" appears before the film, as Rank were the United Kingdom distributors.

None of these edits significantly affect the story. They should not be confused with various other sequences which were changed before the film's final release:

* Originally, Ultra Magnus's "death sequence" on Junkion called for him to be lassoed and drawn and quartered by the Sweeps' energy beams, but this was deemed too graphic for audiences, hence the less disturbing "shot to death" sequence seen instead. There is evidence that the original sequence had been fully animated when the decision was made, however; the Sweeps still kept their solid energy lassos when they fire upon Magnus, and Magnus is seen visibly straining against what appears to be said lassos (edited out and replaced with laser fire) before exploding.
* A number of other sequences were illustrated as [[storyboard]]s but dropped, presumably without ever being animated. Among them were:
** A short scene showing Ironhide piloting the Autobot shuttle through ''huge chunks of ice'' from the tail of a passing comet, explaining how the Decepticons caught them unawares. In response to a reprimand by Prowl who prickishly disapproves of Ironhide's piloting shenanigans, Ironhide exclaims, "I can sure as shootin' dodge a couple of ice chunks". When the Autobots are suddenly jolted by the Decepticon strike force as Megatron and his troops attempt to enter the shuttle, Ironhide tells the others on board, "That was no ice chunk...". Heroic nonsense ensues...
** An extended sequence with Hot Rod and Daniel outside the city.
** A sequence of Mirage blasting Bombshell and being fired on by Megatron.
** The Autobots finally bringing down Devastator with a barrage of missiles (and the Constructicons subsequently shooting Red Alert in the back).
** The Decepticons dogpiling Optimus Prime, explaining why he seems to be standing up just before his fight with Megatron, and no longer holding his rifle. According to storyboards, Prime gets bum-rushed by Blitzwing (who causes Prime to drop his gun), Starscream, Astrotrain, and Skywarp. While it is not clear how Prime defeated the first four hand-to-hand combatants, Dirge is later shown attempting one final sneak attack (and gets his can handed back to him) as Prime is talking to Megatron before the two leader's final fight.
** Trailbreaker is shown dead among the wreckage of Autobot City as the Decepticons begin their retreat.
:Some of these concepts were in earlier versions of the script, and hence made it into the comic adaptation.
* Rumors have occasionally circulated in the fandom of additional animated footage that was dropped from the film, such as ultra-violent battle scenes. No evidence has ever surfaced to back these claims; the only known edits are those listed in this section.
:{{see|Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers#The Transformers: The Movie|Urban legends about ''The Transformers: The Movie''}}

==Reception==
{{quote|''The Transformers'', in which Orson Welles plays a planet, is pure headache material. Target audience of cartoon-watchers also will probably find the film unintelligible, noisy and unoriginal. Boxoffice prospects are dismal.|2=[http://books.google.com/books?id=DHNZAAAAMAAJ&q=Hasbro+Transformers&dq=Hasbro+Transformers&lr=&as_drrb_is=b&as_minm_is=1&as_miny_is=1983&as_maxm_is=12&as_maxy_is=2005&num=50&as_brr=0&cd=69 Variety's Film Reviews 1985-1986, Volume 19]}}

{{quote|Obnoxious animated feature about the title good guys, who defend the universe against an evil planet (which has a voice of its own... provided by Orson Welles.) That deafening rock score certainly doesn't help. Little more than a feature-length toy commercial.|Leonard Maltin, ''1987 Movie & Video Guide''}}

{{quote|While all this action may captivate young children, the animation is not spectacular enough to dazzle adults, and the Transformers have few truly human elements to lure parents along, even when their voices are supplied by well-known actors. |2=[http://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/09/movies/screen-transformers-animation-for-children.html The New York Times]}}

{{quote|Transformers -- The Movie, a feature-length animated film inspired by the syndicated TV cartoon series inspired by the Hasbro toy imported from Japan, is utterly uninspired entertainment. |2=[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DM&p_theme=dm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0ED3CE8EA8D40CCA&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM The Dallas Morning News]}}

{{quote|If you can swallow, without gagging, a large measure of sentimental and offensive religiosity - lines like "Do not grieve. Soon I will be one with the Matrix," whispered by a failing hunk of Autobot metal - then you have a better than even chance of leaving the theatre on your own two feet. |2=[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=01kiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=W6gFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2445,1286000&dq=transformers&hl=en The Montreal Gazette]}}

{{quote|Everything is poorly drawn and - when it's in focus - one dimensional. It is terribly hard to separate the robots from the backgrounds, and there is no easy way to tell the good guys from the bad guys. In an earlier movie based on the same sort of robot toys - "Go-Bots: The Battle of the Rock Lords" - the good guys were either white or colorful and the bad guys were dreary, and they had distinct personalities. Not this movie; everyone looks and sounds alike, except one pink robot who is a female good guy. Her tin voluptuousness makes her stand out. |2=[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kw4wAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OgMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6957,6334152&dq=transformers&hl=en The Toledo Blade]}}

{{quote|Even with an all-star cast doing the voice overs... and a rock music score, this is still nothing more than a ripoff of a successful toy line. |2=[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AYckAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dtsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4192,1494652&dq=transformers&hl=en The Palm Beach Post]}}

{{quote|The great animated villains, like the Wicked Queen in Disney's "Snow White," had motivations as compelling as any live-action character. Unicron apparently destroys entire worlds because it has nothing else to do. |2=[http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/57996397.html?dids=57996397:57996397&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+8%2C+1986&author=CHARLES+SOLOMON&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&edition=&startpage=8&desc=%60THE+TRANSFORMERS%27%3A+STRETCHING+A+POINT The LA Times]}}

''The Transformers: The Movie'' was almost universally panned by professional critics upon its release.

Well-known film critic and animation enthusiast, Leonard Maltin, gave it a rating below 1 1/2 stars in his ''1987 Movie & Video Guide'', regarding it as a "bomb", then proceeded to write an unflattering blurb denouncing the film as a "feature-length toy commercial" (well, he was ''right'').

Caryn James of the ''New York Times'' admitted in the [[August 9]], 1986 edition of the paper that the film was intended for young children, pointing out that the kids in the audience were having a grand ole time with the ''Transformer'' toys and comics they brought with them to the theater, but derided the film as having little to no appeal to adults (''man-children'', on the other hand...).

''Variety's Film Reviews 1985-1986, Volume 19 '' was far less even-handed in their review, claiming the film had no appeal to adults ''or'' children. They predicted the film would perform poorly in the box office (and were correct, in that regard).

Carrie Rickey of the ''Dallas Morning News'' chided the film in the [[August 13]], 1986 issue of the paper, describing it as "essentially a cartoon ''Star Wars'' about robots from a toybox galaxy far, far away". She then went on to say that the film "never takes off" and derided it as "uninspired".

Janice Kennedy of the ''Montreal Gazette'' verbally disemboweled the film in the [[August 23]], 1986 edition of the paper, criticizing it as overly commercial, profane, loud, violent, humorless, heavy-handed in its religious messages and chaulk-full of gratuitous celebrity voice-overs. Her only compliment: "But ''The Transformers: The Movie'' does have at least one good thing going for it, a howlingly appropriate song by [["Weird Al" Yankovic]]. It's title? ''Dare to be Stupid''." ''Ouch''.

Nanciann Cherry in the August 13, 1986 edition of the ''Toledo Blade'' claimed the robots in the movie had little personality and faded into the background. She even went on to say that ''Challenge of the GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords'' was a superior film! Her review was filled with inaccuracies, however, citing characters such as "Unicon" and claiming that the destruction of Cybertron's moons by "Unicon" is what caused the Autobots to travel to Autobot City, at which point Megatron attacked. To be fair, she readily admits, "About 20 minutes into the film, I gave up on the plot and tried to count all the ideas that were stolen from other sources. Now that kept me busy." So she wasn't really paying attention, anyway.

Kathryn Buxton in the [[August 22]], 1986 edition of the ''Palm Beach Post'' gave the film a whopping ''one'' star, calling it "a ripoff of a successful toyline", whatever ''that'' means. In the same article, she also gave David Cronenberg's ''[[Fly|The Fly]]'' one star, just for reference.

In the August 8, 1986 edition of the ''LA Times'', critic Charles Solomon made clear his dislike for the film centered primarily on the fact that none of the characters had interesting or believable motivation. He stated, "Not even the best actor can create a character out of nothing. Not one of the robots has a reason for doing what he does." Solomon then pointed to Unicron specifically as an example of the lack of deep, multi-dimensional motivations in the characters.

Over time, however, the movie has acquired something of a cult following beyond the core base of [[fandom|Transformers fans]], particularly among children of the 80s. It is sometimes screened as a midnight movie at colleges. Online, it is not hard to find amateur reviews lauding everything about it as utterly awesome, from the premise to the soundtrack, and dismissing more critical views out of hand.

To date, the budget of the film has not been disclosed—at least, not in any place the [[fandom]] has found. According to most box office tracking sites,<ref>http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=transformers.htm</ref><ref>http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/1986/0TRTM.php</ref> ''The Transformers: The Movie'' made $5,849,647 in domestic (e.g., United States) theaters. Comparing this with other animated films of 1986, the results are not particularly charitable; while it did better financially than ''[[Tonka GoBots|GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords]]''<ref>http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=gobots.htm</ref> ($1,338,264) and ''Heathcliff: The Movie''<ref>http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=heathcliff.htm</ref> ($2,610,686), it performed worse than the ''[[My Little Pony]]'' movie<ref>http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mylittlepony.htm</ref> ($5,958,456) and the '''second''' ''Care Bears'' movie<ref>http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=carebearsmovie2.htm</ref> ($8,540,346). Bringing up ''The Great Mouse Detective''<ref>http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=greatmousedetective.htm</ref> ($25,336,794) and ''An American Tail''<ref>http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=americantail.htm</ref> ($47,483,002) would really just be overkill.

==Significance in Transfandom==
''The Transformers: The Movie'' remains one of the most important elements of the entire Transformers brand, both within the fiction and from the perspective of the brand's popularity and "mindshare".

Fictionally, it established several story concepts that have been used repeatedly in the years since 1986, some of which—such as Unicron and the Matrix—are now central to the entire Transformers mythos. The movie is also the centerpiece of the most well-known Transformers continuity: the Generation 1 animated universe. The ''Transformers'' cartoon is split into "pre-movie" and "post-movie" sections which feature different characters and settings, and even somewhat different visual styles. (Most pre-movie episodes were animated by the studio [[Toei]], while most post-movie episodes were animated by [[AKOM]].)

On a practical note, it was widely available on videotape, and remained so long after the ''The Transformers'' cartoon had gone off the air. Only a [[Family Home Entertainment|handful of series episodes]] were available on video, making ''The Transformers: The Movie'' the logical choice for someone looking to pick up a ''Transformers'' cartoon; this made it far more well-known among fans than any particular cartoon episode.

To an entire generation of young fans, the movie was the most visually spectacular and narratively epic ''Transformers'' experience of their entire youth. Events such as the death of Optimus Prime are widely reported to have reduced many kids to tears. It is hardly a surprise that these emotional experiences embedded themselves deeply in many fans' memories.

==Criticisms==
[[Image:TFTM Ratchet dies.jpg|180px|left|thumb|Only Imperial Stormtroopers are so precise.]]

All this is not all to say that the movie is a "masterpiece", exactly. The film met with extremely harsh critical reviews on its release, and some of those criticisms still ring true today.

The film displays an arguably cynical attitude towards itself as [[To sell toys|a vehicle for advertising toys]], especially in the way beloved characters are killed—sometimes gratuitously—for sake of justifying the story's focus on a new group of toys. (Note that with the exception of Laserbeak and possibly Buzzsaw [http://www.flickr.com/photos/42232106@N06/3893688802] the poster at the top of this article features ''only'' new characters.)

Further, the two primary plot devices—[[Unicron]] and the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]—have no prior establishment in the fiction. Unicron is given no backstory or justification; he simply exists, is very dangerous, and is afraid of the Matrix, all for no adequately explained reason. The introduction of the Matrix itself is a heavy [[retcon]]. The story asks the audience to accept that this cosmically powerful artifact has been in Prime's possession all along (even though an X-ray of Optimus Prime's innards in the second season episode "[[A Prime Problem]]" show absolutely no signs of said Matrix), but has somehow never been relevant before. In fact, this lack of prior establishment is what led [[Simon Furman]] to develop the divinity backstory of Unicron and [[Primus]] in the UK comics run.

[[Image:Megatronlightsaber.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Your powers are weak, old man!]]
The movie bears many similarities to ''[[Star Wars]]'': There are several character-parallels ([[Springer (G1)|Springer]] is a [[Han Solo]]-type and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] even has Princess Leia's hairdo!), the primary threat is similar (it's the [[Death Star]]... [[Unicron|but it transforms!]]), and both feature a climactic battle where the [[Hot Rod (G1)|young hero]] hears the voice of his [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|dead, wise mentor]] one last time before saving the day.

To be a bit more fair to ''The Transformers: The Movie'', however, most of these similarities are either superficial (Arcee's Leia-hair; Megatron's "lightsaber" he briefly uses in his duel against Optimus Prime) or can be seen as elements common to thousands of years worth of epic storytelling through human history, not just common to ''Star Wars''. As a simple example, the phenomenon of two charismatic leaders dealing each other mortal injuries in battle hearkens back to some versions of the "King Arthur" myth; in their final battle, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arthur]] and his arch-enemy [[Megatron (G1)|Sir Mordred]] deal one another lethal injuries and both apparently expire—though Arthur according to the legend will [[The Return of Optimus Prime|return]] when [[Cybertron (planet)|England's]] need [[Darkest hour|is greatest]].

==Formatting==
[[Image:Tftm widescreenesque.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The "widescreen" picture (left) actually ''cuts off'' the top and bottom of the fullscreen picture (right).]]
Although it was billed in some advertisements before its theatrical release as being "widescreen", the movie was in fact animated in a 4:3 (fullscreen) aspect ratio. For its theatrical screenings, the film was matted down in the projector by the projectionist to a 16:9 aspect ratio (widescreen), chopping the top and bottom off the picture, but all video transfers of the movie were done without mattes, meaning that there was actually more picture visible in the fullscreen video and DVD releases than there would have been in theaters. Across 2006 and 2007, new editions of the DVD of the film were released by Sony BMG and [[Metrodome]] which applied the mattes in order to replicate the original theatrical presentation of the film for the first time in home entertainment. Some fans, however, didn't realize that the film wasn't actually ''animated'' in widescreen, and, hearing that the DVD was to be in widescreen, expected to see the fullscreen image with additional footage at the sides, causing them to complain that the top and bottom were cut off, thereby totally missing the point.

==International versions==
{{main|The Transformers: The Movie/dubs}}

==Commercial Releases==
* The movie was originally released in North America on home video in 1987 by [[Family Home Entertainment]], minus Spike's swear. Not long after, it was released in the UK by [[Video Gems]]. This version featured the opening text crawl and closing narration inherent to the UK version of the film. In Australia, the film was released on video by RCA/Columbia Pictures/Hoyts. In Japan, Hillcrane released a Laserdisc version alongside a VHS copy.
*The movie was released spottily in the '90s, beginning with a budget VHS by Avid Home Entertainment in 1991. [[Malofilm]] released a VHS in Canada in 1995, notable for being the first home entertainment version to include Spike's swear. In 1998, Japanese company Pioneer produced another pair of Laserdisc and VHS releases. In 1999, things kicked off when American company [[Kid Rhino]] secured the Transformers license and released the film on VHS once again.
*The 21st century's flirtation with ''The Transformers: The Movie'' started with a UK budget VHS release of that country's version by [[Sony|Sony Wonder]], distributed by [[Maverick Entertainment]]. A Japanese company called CatCo followed this up with a VideoCD, and Malofilm—now Seville—were the first to release a DVD version of the film, though it was just a dump of their VHS version.
*In November 2000, ''The Transformers: The Movie'' got its first, full professional DVD release from Kid Rhino. This edition, labelled a "Special Collector's Edition", is the first to feature remastered video and audio, and several special features, including storyboards and an interview with [[Vince DiCola]]. Rhino concurrently released this version on VHS, sans extras.
*In 2001 in the UK, Sony Wonder released their own much-delayed DVD version of the film. It was the UK version of the film, but included Spike's swear. However, the release was burdened by badly interlaced video, though it notably included the [[Omni Productions]] dub version of the ''[[The Headmasters (cartoon)|Headmasters]]'' episode "[[Four Warriors Come out of the Sky]]" as an extra. This version (including the ''Headmasters'' episode) was simultaneously released on VHS.
*The movie was released on DVD in Australia in 2003 by [[Madman Entertainment]], using the same video as the Maverick version, but distinguished by some nifty new cover art by [[Don Figueroa]], and special features not seen on other editions, such as ''[[Stan Bush|The Touch]]'' music video and 80s TV spots.
[[Image:Tftm uk covers.jpg|right|180px|thumb|The UK poster art (left) has been the most common DVD and VHS cover in its home country, but the Ultimate Edition featured new art by Andy Wildman (right).]]
*After acquiring the license to release ''Transformers'' DVDs in the UK, [[Metrodome]] focused on completing their run of series box sets before turning their attention to the movie properly, releasing only a cheap budget DVD of the UK version through Prism Leisure with no extras, and a UMD of the same version.
*In 2005, Metrodome released ''Transformers: The Movie - Reconstructed'', a new version of the film designed to expose as much of the animated picture as possible. This, however, only resulted in exposing the rough, unfinished edges of the animation, and an overly pale remaster was compounded by excessive interlacing due to an unnecessary NTSC to PAL transfer. This, coupled with a 5.1 remix from [[Magno Sound & Video]], featuring the same extra sound effects that they added to Rhino's season box sets, made this release both controversial and disappointing to many. This was the first time that the US version of the movie was released in the UK, and the first to feature the US poster art as a cover (although a Silverscreen store exclusive version of the disc included a reversible cover with the UK poster art as well). Extras include trailers, TV spots, the character biographies from the Madman release, and a subtitled version of "[[Four Warriors Come out of the Sky]]".
[[Image:Tftm sony covers.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Sony's covers, by Don Figueroa.]]
*For the movie's 20th anniversary in 2006, new license holder [[Sony|Sony BMG]] released a two-disc special edition of the film, featuring both a high-quality widescreen remaster and the original fullscreen version, audio commentaries from crew and fans, several new featurettes interviewing those involved in the movie's production, storyboards, tv spots, American and Japanese commercials and more. Most notably, this version included the first Western release of "[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]", albeit silent and unsubtitled, featuring only audio commentary. This release featured two covers by Don Figueroa: one is of the '84-'85 cast that appear in the movie, and one is of the movie's new characters, available either as a lenticular hologram that switches between the two, or as a reversible sleeve with the images printed on either side.
[[Image:Tftm madman covers.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Madman's 2003 DVD cover (left), and their 2007 Special Edition cover (right).]]
*Delayed a bit to coincide with the hype for the 2007 [[Transformers (2007)|live-action movie]], Metrodome also released a two-disc "Ultimate Edition" with a different widescreen master. Like "Reconstructed", this version used the US edition of the film, but this time, the UK version was also included, in fullscreen, on the second disc. Extras include TV spots, commercials, the Madman biographies, storyboards, commentary, "Scramble City" (with audio and subtitles), featurettes with [[Flint Dille]] and [[Peter Cullen]], and more. The double-disc edition was sold in a steel case featuring new art by [[Andrew Wildman]], with the UK poster art adorning the standard case inside. Various store exclusives were available, including postcards from Play.Com, a reversible cover with the US poster art from HMV, art cards from Virgin Megastore and [[posters]] from Woolworths and [[Toys"R"Us]]. It was also available in an extra-less single-disc version. This version was premiered at the Mid Ulster Film Festival in Ireland which was the only cinema showing of the remastered version of the film to date.
*The film was released in Full HD 1080p on Blu-ray in the UK in October 2007. The Blu-ray is not region-locked, so it will play anywhere in the world. It features a 2.0 soundtrack, 5.1 Dolby Digital track, and a full bitrate DTS 5.1 track. The master used was the same used by Sony for their US DVD. The picture is quite stunning and the sound very good. Sadly, there are no extras on the DVD. The version of the film on the Blu-ray is the US one, complete with swear word.
*Madman produced their two-disc special edition through some collaboration with Metrodome, and consequently it features much of the same content, with additional extras taking the form of The Touch music video and a bonus episode of ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''. This release again features cover artwork by Don Figueroa, specifically the cover of [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]'' adaptation.

==Notes==
* According to [[Buzz Dixon]], Hasbro's decision to kill off Optimus Prime was actually an attempt to maintain some brand-storytelling parity with ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'', as Dixon had just convinced them to allow the death of [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] in ''[[wikipedia:G.I. Joe: The Movie|G.I. Joe: The Movie]]'' and both films were in production at the same time.<ref>http://www.joeheadquarters.com/interviews_dixon.shtml</ref>

* This film was the last professional performance by [[Orson Welles]], who died only a month later. According to production materials shown at [[BotCon 2000]] by Tim Finn, the voice recording sessions for ''The Transformers: The Movie'' were done on [[September 10]] and [[September 11|11]] of 1985. Welles died on [[October 10]] of that same year. It has often been speculated that Unicron's last line ("Destiny… you cannot destroy my destiny!") was recorded by another actor—possibly [[Leonard Nimoy|Nimoy]]—because it sounds different than the other lines. This speculation has been quashed by statements by Transformers voice director [[Wally Burr]].<ref>http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/wally-burr/wally_burr_3.html</ref>
[[Image:Windcharger wheeljack otp.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Uncle Owen! Aunt Beru!!]]

* With the exception of Starscream and possibly Shockwave, only the Autobots suffered fatalities in the movie. All of the other "dead" Decepticons from the Autobot City battle were rebuilt into Galvatron's new troops, and although more Decepticons were shown taking heavy damage and suffering huge casualties while fighting Unicron, their identities and their final condition are uncertain. Additionally, both Starscream and Unicron survived in the post-movie series in some form or another. Shockwave's death in the finished film is highly uncertain, although in the script it is fairly strongly implied. He does make some miscolored appearances in crowd shots in later cartoon episodes, but these are probably examples of the fairly common animation errors in those episodes.

* Somewhat ironically, though only three of the original eighteen Autobots - [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] - are definitively shown to have survived the movie, two would quite literally never be heard from again: [[Scatman Crothers]] passed away (though this didn't stop Jazz from making any number of background cameos) while Casey Kasem [[Casey Kasem#Notes|quit the show early in the third season]]. Fate's finger is fickle indeed.

*[[:Image:TFTM-MaybeBeachcomber.jpg|A robot resembling Beachcomber]] appears alongside Spike and the Autobots inside Unicron seconds before Daniel blasts the acid cover. Whether this was actually meant to be Beachcomber or just coincidental coloring is unknown, but regardless, Beachcomber shows up alive and well in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]".

==External links==
* [http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=transformers.htm ''The Transformers: The Movie'''s box office domestic gross.]
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20080426020409/http://www.tftm.net/ ''The Transformers: The Movie'' "Unofficial Fansite", an extremely thorough site about the movie]
* [http://www.wombatking.com/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=4 ''The Transformers: The Movie'' deleted storyboards]

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transformers: The Movie}}

[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:MSTF]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

The Search for Alpha Trion

2010-09-26T14:19:39Z

D-Unit: /* Animation or technical glitches */

{{episode
|image=Search4atelita%26prime.jpg
|caption=Disco didn't die. It just went into stasis lock.
|series=G1toon
|ep=53
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=41
|prev2=Child's Play (episode)
|next2=The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1
|title="The Search for Alpha Trion"
|written by=[[Beth Bornstein]]
|production code=700-52
|airdate=[[November 12]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''Discovering that his long-thought-dead love, Elita One, is in the hands of the Decepticons, Optimus Prime speeds to Cybertron on a rescue mission, only to end up discovering something about his own history in the process.'''

:''Japanese title:'' アルファートリンを探せ! (''Alpha Trin o Sagase!'', "Finding Alpha Trin!")
:''Brazilian title:'' '''À Procura de Alpha Trion''' ("Looking for Alpha Trion")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Search4atmoonracer.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Oi! You! Cut it out!]]

On Cybertron, three [[Female Autobots]] ([[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], [[Moonracer]] and [[Firestar]]) sneak into [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave's]] headquarters under orders of [[Elita One]]. They raid Shockwave's stockpile of [[energon cube]]s to power their fight against the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]], but on the way out, Moonracer accidentally trips an alarm. Shockwave, surprised to see female Autobots still alive, sends a [[Sentinel (G1)|sentinel]] after them.

[[Image:Search4atelitaandalpha.jpg|right|150px|thumb|I see a bearded man in your future.]]

The Female Autobots escape the sentinel and return to Elita One, though Shockwave deduces the approximate location of their underground headquarters. Shockwave contacts [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] who sends [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] to assist in the apprehension of the Female Autobots. Rumble starts an earthquake which damages their headquarters. Elita One attempts to lure them away from the base by attacking, but is captured. Rumble continues shaking things up until Starscream believes the base is suitably destroyed.

[[Image:Search4atelitakicks.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Self Defense against sexual harassment.]]

Megatron contacts [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and shows him the imprisoned Elita One. Optimus rushes to her rescue, even though he knows it's a trap. Apparently, 4 million years ago, Optimus and Elita had a thing going. Right before boarding the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], Elita begged to go with him, but Optimus told her it was too dangerous. As they spoke, the Decepticons attacked and Elita vanished in the chaos, leaving Optimus to think she had perished. Not wishing to lose her a second time, Optimus heads for Cybertron via the Decepticon space bridge. [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] become curious as to why Optimus is heading to Cybertron alone and follow in secret.

As soon as Optimus arrives, he is taken prisoner by Starscream, who dangles him over a barrel of acid. Rumble drops Optimus, but before he lands in the barrel, Elita uses her special power, which stops time. Elita rescues Prime, but at the cost of her own life force, as the special power uses up so much energy. Prime loads Elita into his trailer and races to find [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], the only Autobot who can save her.

Back at Shockwave's headquarters, the Decepticons believe Optimus has perished. Just then, the three Autobots arrive and attack. In the Female Autobots' underground headquarters, Moonracer comes up with a plan to dig their way out. They detonate the energon cubes they had just stolen, freeing up their exit. Moonracer, Chromia and Firestar meet up with their friends Powerglide, Ironhide and Inferno, and together they take on the Decepticons.

[[Image:SearchAlphaTrion Prime Elita Autobots.JPG|right|150px|thumb|You're lucky my chick's here, m—oh, hey, so's yours.]]

Optimus eventually finds Alpha Trion, who uses his skill to repair Elita One as best he can. In the end, Alpha Trion instructs Prime to interface with her for a power transfusion, as he is the only Autobot compatible with her design. Prime remarks that only his creator should know that. After the transfusion, Elita One recovers, and the two then return to help the Autobots fight off the Decepticons. Outnumbered, the Decepticons retreat. Alpha Trion then sets the Female Autobots up with a new secret base, and the two Autobot groups bid each other farewell when one returns to Earth.

{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] (1)
* [[Moonracer]] (2)
* [[Firestar]] (3)
* [[Elita One]] (4)
* [[Greenlight]] (7)
* [[Lancer]] (8)
* [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (13)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (14)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (15)
* [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (16)
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (17)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (18)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (19)

|c2=
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (5)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (6)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (9)
* [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (10)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (11)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (12)
}}

==Notable Quotes==
"Female Autobots? I thought they were extinct."
:—'''Shockwave''' obviously hasn't kept up to date on Cybertron's Discovery Channel.

"Such noble nonsense."
:—'''Shockwave''' disses Chromia and [[The Transformers: The Movie|gives Megatron material to rip off]].

"Elita One knows no fear!"
:—'''Elita One''' need not worry about Man-Thing, then.

"Optimus Prime, something rather exciting has been discovered on Cybertron. I thought you might like to know about it."
:—'''Megatron''' calls to say he's discovered girls.

[[Image:Searchforatprimehanging.jpg|right|150px|thumb|I can feel the heat!]]
"Please, let him go." 
"Very well, my dear...let him go...into the acid!"
:—'''Elita One'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s plea to '''Starscream''' to free Optimus Prime doesn't have the expected result.

"How quaint! The girls have come to rescue their boyfriends!"
:—Jealous, '''Starscream'''?

"Alpha Trion...I never expected to see you again."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' doesn't have much faith in his deadbeat dad.

"Elita One, her lifeforce is almost drained."
"She used her special power. I warned her not to."
:—'''Alpha Trion''' despite being centuries old learns just now that females simply never listen.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
[[Image:Optimus prime nomouthplate.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Megatron has stolen my mouthplate! This time he's gone too far...]]
*Rumble has only one gun on his back before the first commercial break. For the remainder of the episode, he has two.

*When Prime receives Megatron's call, he's missing his [[mouthplate]].

*When Megatron tells Optimus about the Female Autobots and shows him "proof", as he asks "How's this Prime?", Elita One appears to talk along with him.

*When the Autobots are trying to work out where Prime had gone, standing at [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]]'s control panel is a [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] in a red and grey color scheme.

*Observing the spacebridge from afar, Ironhide notes, "If Prime got past those guards, so can [they]." The thing is, there ''are'' no guards, and there weren't any when Prime used the bridge, either.

*Prime is hanging precariously over the vat of acid in one scene, but when the perspective changes to a view from above the vat is missing.

*When Elita revives Optimus from her stasis field, he fades from his normal colors to green, rather than the other way around. Once the fade is complete, mind you, he jumps back to his normal colors when he starts to move.

*As the Decepticons are freed from Elita's stasis field, Starscream cheers, "But Prime has disintegrated!" as if responding to some unspoken line from one of the others. The missing line is also absent from the episode's shooting script.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_thread/thread/5821789ca800431a/68758ddf3993e5ac Secrets of the Original Scripts, Part Five]</ref> It would seem likely that the missing line covered Elita One's sudden disappearance.

*Inferno gasps "It can't be!" in response to Prime's apparent demise, but Ironhide is shown speaking.

*When Ramjet delivers the line "Maybe Shockwave made an error in his calculations", he has Astrotrain's voice. It is the same voice actor, but it has the space-echo effect that is used for Astrotrain.

*Chromia's eyes are red during her line of "Ladies first."

===Continuity errors===
*When the Ark launched back in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", there was no indication of a Decepticon attack on the launch site, as this episode's flashback shows.
* Optimus Prime apparently had no idea that Alpha Trion was his creator, despite the fact that in "[[War Dawn]]" after being rebuilt, he was fully conscious and actually met the guy and even knew that Elita One was built by him.

===Transformers references===
*The episode marked the first appearance of [[female Transformers]] in official fiction.

*Alpha Trion's relationship to Optimus Prime would be touched upon again in "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2]]", and explained more fully in "War Dawn".

*"War Dawn" would also go on explain precisely why only Prime's power supply would interface with Elita's, as seen in this episode (because she was rebuilt using his schematics).

===Trivia===
*This episode is the fourth and final appearance of Prime's trailer's "artillery robot" in the animated series.

[[Image:G1 Prime Elita energy transfer.JPG|right|200px|thumb|I can't wait for you to operate...When I get this feeling, I need Sexual Healing...]]

*This episode contains the rather infamous scene in which Prime connects a cable from his midriff to Elita's, and utters an audible, not-entirely-unpleasant-sounding groan as energy is transmitted through it, to her. Sexy.

*Ironhide must hate the wall in Shockwave's base, this is at least the second time he has blown through it!

*Moonracer seems to be calling Powerglide "Carglide" right after her claim of being the best sharpshooter in the universe.

*The only male Transformers seen to have 'girlfriends' in this episode ALL have red as part of their colour schemes.

*If we think about it, since Optimus Prime and Elita One have the same creator, they are, in some way, brother and sister, which just makes their relationship look plain weird. (Well, maybe [[Jean Minakaze|not]] [[Patty Minakaze|in]] [[Solon Kitakaze (Victory)|Japan]].) The events of "War Dawn" show that Orion Pax and Ariel existed as non-siblings before they were remade into Optimus Prime and Elita One, though Transformers has demonstrated somewhat [[Relatives|puzzling definitions of siblings]].

*Greenlight and Lancer went nameless for 25 years when they finally got their monikers in the [[Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]] text story ''[[Flames of Yesterday]]''.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1999 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume 2: Revenge of the Decepticons ([[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. 6 (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 05: Stagione Due Parte Terza ([[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)

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

{{DEFAULTSORT:Search for Alpha Trion}}
[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

Omni Productions

2010-09-06T13:32:00Z

D-Unit: /* Characteristics */

[[Image:Rtmdub titlecard.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Darnit! I'm gonna send them to Hell."]]
'''Omni Productions''' is the [[Hong Kong]]-based company responsible for the hilariously bad English-language dubs of the Japanese [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] animated series: ''[[The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'', ''[[Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'', and ''[[Victory (cartoon)|Victory]]''. Their other "work" includes the 70's and Heisei era [[Godzilla]] movies, '70s through mid-'80s Shaw Brothers films, Jackie Chan's ''Police Story'', and ''Dragonball: The Magic Begins''.

==The dubs==

{{quote|Fortress Maximus has come himself! Okay! Then I shall get Fortress Maximus to fight me! Heh heh huh!
|[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] says terrible things|"[[I Risk My Life for Earth|Life Can Be Sacrificed for Peace on Earth]]"}}

Known variously as the '''"RTM 1 dub"''' (from the Malaysian TV channel on which the dubs were first discovered) the '''"Star TV dub"''' and the '''"Singapore dub"''' (from the Singaporean TV channel STAR TV, on which they grew to prominence), Omni Productions' dubs of these three series have gone down in infamy for a combination of reasons. Clearly produced by a small number of people with little knowledge of the source material and even less talent, the English translation is...''rudimentary'' at best. Although it is often touted as being wholly inaccurate, it actually manages to render the intent of the dialog correctly more times than not. It is, however, the way in which it proceeds to ''mangle'' the translation so much with clumsy English, run-on sentences, non sequitur lines and just generally inappropriate language that creates its distinctively surreal, not to mention ''hilarious'', qualities.

===Characteristics===

{{quote|'Billy, are you okay?' 'Not really... Find the Power Pack!'
|[[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s touching final conversation|"[[The Mystery of Planet Master|The Tale of Master Star]]"}}

Generally speaking, the dub employs American names and terminology, but in some instances, the scriptwriter(s?) were apparently unable to find the correct equivalent, leading to the dub's single most famous attribute: its collection of new names for various characters and concepts. Some of these names are based on a misinterpretation of the Japanese pronunciation of the names, and some are just pulled straight out of thin air. These ludicrous instances include:

*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] as "Billy"
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] as "Phillip"
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] as "Marshall"
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] as "Wally"
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] as "Sparkle"
*[[Matrix of Leadership|The Matrix]] as "The Power Pack"
*[[Chaar]] as "Jollo"
*[[Energon cube|Energon cubes]] as "Power Packs"
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]]'s battleship, ''Maximus'', as "Spaceship Bruce"
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] as Rodimus Prime (pronounced "Roadimus Prime")

The process proved especially difficult for the writers when the characters had no American equivalents. This only affected a few members of the ''Headmasters'' cast, who all wound up with new names. The ''Super-God Masterforce'' cast, on the other hand, were all re-named as their American toy-equivalent characters ([[Ginrai]] as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Minerva]] as [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], etc.), while the Japanese-exclusive characters either managed to retain their original names ([[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]], [[Metalhawk]]) or followed tradition by winding up with loony new ones. The ''Victory'' characters, meanwhile, mostly managed to keep their Japanese names, but a few still managed to slip through the cracks. Wacky examples include:

*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundblaster]] as "New Soundwave"
*[[Blaster (G1)|Twincast]] as "Blaster"
*[[Raiden]] as "Grimlock"
*Both [[Sixknight]] ''and'' [[Greatshot]] as "Sixshot"
*[[Browning]] as "B.M."
*[[Jean Minakaze]] as "Meekon"
*[[Dashtacker]] as "Batchtaster"
*[[Holi]] as "Fixit"
*[[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]] as "Deathsanras"
*[[Grand Galvatron]] as "Unicorn"

It doesn't end with the names...
*Characters who have a [[mouthplate]] are given "muffled" voices, evidently produced by the actors covering their mouths with their hands.
*"Wally" speaks ''unusually'' slowly.
*Both Soundwave and "New Soundwave" speak with a single, normal voice, as opposed to the Soundwave effect we're used to, even in the original Japanese show.
*The word "idea" is consistently pronounced like "idear" by several characters.

We could go on like this forever.

===Ownership===
[[Sunbow]] legally acquired ownership of the Omni Productions dubs at some point, branding every episode with the ''Victory'' opening sequence (with the English word "Transformers" masked in over the title card) and English-language closing credits. These credits were rendered in the traditional font of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] series, and even featured the original closing theme tune. All 115 dubbed episodes are included in this Sunbow-modified form as part of the ''Transformers'' rights package for licensees.

==Home video releases==
After circulating in the fandom for years via bootleg VHS tapes, the Omni Productions-dubbed episodes saw several official DVD releases in 21st century.
===United Kingdom and Ireland===
[[Image:Maverick Takara DVD.jpg|thumb|150px|]]
:''Main articles: [[Maverick Entertainment]] / [[Metrodome]]''
*''Transformers: Takara'' (2002)
*The Takara Collection Vol 1 — ''Transformers: Headmasters'' (2005)
*''Transformers'' — The Complete Takara Collection (2007)

===Australia===
{{main|Madman Entertainment}}
*''The Transformers: Headmasters'' (2007)
*''The Transformers: Super God Masterforce'' (2008)
*''The Transformers: Victory'' (2008)
*''The Transformers: Japan Generation 1'' — Complete Collection (2009)
{{-}}

[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:Headmasters franchise]]
[[Category:Masterforce]]
[[Category:Victory]]

The Golden Lagoon (episode)

2010-09-05T14:09:41Z

D-Unit: /* Featured characters */

{{episode
|image=GoldenLagoon Beachcomber in lagoon.jpg
|caption=Beachcomber is into watersports.
|series=G1toon
|ep=41
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=31
|prev2=A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court
|next2=The God Gambit
|title="The Golden Lagoon"
|airdate=[[November 4]], 1985
|written by=[[Dennis Marks]]
|production code=#700-40
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''Beachcomber finds a pool of golden liquid that renders his hand invulnerable. Unfortunately, the Decepticons do too, and decide to take a dip.'''

:''Japanese title:'' ゴールデンラグーンの秘密 (''Golden Lagoon no Himitsu'', "Secret of the Golden Lagoon")
:''German ''Generation 2'' title:'' "Die goldene Lagune" ("The Golden Lagoon")
:''Brazilian title:'' '''A Lagoa Dourada'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Goldenlagoonbeachcomber1.jpg|left|175px|thumb|Friend of all God's creatures.]]

[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] are taking a walk along the beach when they are attacked by [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]. In the middle of the battle, pacifist Beachcomber takes cover and finds a secluded glen full of flora and fauna right out of a Disney cartoon. In the middle of enjoying this impromptu petting zoo, the glint of gold catches his eye. In the middle of the glen is a pool of golden liquid he dips his hand into and identifies as "[[electrum]]". A rockslide sends him back to where he came from, just as Thrust flies over the glen and makes the same discovery. Thrust jumps into the pool and comes out completely covered in the gold liquid.

Beachcomber arrives back at the battle as the tide is turning against the Decepticons. Just then, Thrust appears and survives a powerful Autobot barrage without sustaining a scratch, thanks to his electrum coating. Warpath shoots an opening into the cliff face that he, Powerglide and Beachcomber hide in, while Thrust kidnaps Perceptor and Seaspray.

At Decepticon headquarters, the Autobots are imprisoned while Thrust notifies [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] of the electrum pool. They hurry off to the glen and Megatron orders [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] to jump in. When he emerges, Megatron shoots him, but the blast bounces off. The rest of the Decepticons jump into the pool and emerge, then have fun shooting each other. Megatron declares the Autobots are finished as the glen around them burns and the animals cower.

[[Image:Goldenlagoonstarscreamjump.jpg|right|175px|thumb|Normally Skywarp would be the one to kick Starscream into the giant pool of urine]]

Powerglide, Beachcomber, Warpath, [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] regroup and prepare to go after the Decepticons again. Beachcomber hasn’t told anyone about his discovery yet. The group rushes off and meets up with the electrum-plated Decepticons, and are quickly dispatched because their weapons have no effect. More Autobots join the battle, but their weapons are useless. Beachcomber realizes that they’ve found the electrum and drives off.

The Decepticons return to headquarters and Starscream forces Seaspray and Perceptor to fight each other. [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] rushes off to tell Megatron as Starscream gives the Autobots weapons.

Smokescreen, damaged from the battle, asks [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] to help and the giant Autobot declares (a bit prematurely) that failure is impossible.

[[Image:GoldenlagoonOSdown.jpg|left|215px|thumb|Gulliver's Travels on acid]]

Meanwhile, Beachcomber arrives back at the glen and finds the Decepticons have burnt it nearly to the ground. He is captured by Blitzwing while Soundwave tattles on Starscream. Megatron orders everyone to fight Omega Supreme. When they attack Omega fires, but even his weapons have no effect and he falls under enemy fire. Megatron sets his sights on [[Ark (G1)|Autobot headquarters]] next.

At Autobot headquarters, Mirage reports on Omega’s defeat and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] can hardly believe it. [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] reports a single word to them—electrum. Prime recognizes its significance and sends out teams to try to find it.

Powerglide discreetly follows the Decepticons and sees them swimming in the electrum. He flies off to report the discovery to Optimus.

Megatron gives the task of dispatching Beachcomber, Perceptor and Seaspray to Starscream. When [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] come to take the prisoners to Starscream, Beachcomber forgoes his pacifist ways and overcomes both of them. He frees Perceptor and Seaspray and they swim back to the surface and head toward the golden lagoon. With Dirge left alone as guard while all of the others head to the fight, the trio takes him out, just as Prime and the rest of the Autobots arrive. Beachcomber invites them to jump into the electrum with him.

[[Image:Goldenlagoonautobotline.jpg|right|215px|thumb|Lucky Draw Roll Call!]]

Back at Autobot headquarters, Megatron and company attack but they discover the base is empty. Megatron orders everyone back to the lagoon, where the electrum-coated Autobots are waiting for them, including Omega Supreme. The two sides fight, but since their weapons are useless the blasts bounce off and destroy the countryside around them. As the battle continues, the electrum on the Decepticons wears off. His advantage lost and seriously out-gunned, Megatron destroys the lagoon and orders a retreat. The Autobots cheer their victory, but Beachcomber laments the destruction of the glen.

"...We won..."
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (1)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (2)
* [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (3)
* [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (4)
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (5)
* [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (8)
* [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (9)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (10)
* [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (14)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (15)
* [[Bluestreak]] (16)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (17)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (18)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (19)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (21)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (22)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (24)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (25)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (26)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (27)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (28)
* [[Windcharger (G1) |Windcharger]] (29)
|c2=
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (1)
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (2)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (3)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (4)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (5)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (6)
* [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (7)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (11)
* [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (12)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (13)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (20)
* [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (23)
}}

==Quotes==
"Thrust, my man, you are about to become number-one Decepticon."
:—'''Thrust''', anticipating a promotion

"Personally, I need proof!" 
"''Personally'', I don't care ''what'' you need!"
:—'''Megatron''' putting '''Starscream''' in his place... again.

[[Image:Laserrave.gif|right|324px|thumb|You're right Megatron, this IS enjoyable.]]

"I will enjoy this."
:—'''Megatron''' shoots Starscream point-blank to see if the electrum makes him invulnerable.

"Sunstreaker, our weapons don't seem to have any effect on them." 
"I'll blast a few big D's for ya, and you’ll see what a difference a pro makes."
:—'''Mirage''' and '''Sunstreaker'''

"Show no mercy!" 
"Did we ever?"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Starscream'''

"Results: disappointing."
:—'''Omega Supreme''' after three rounds of fire have no effect on the Decepticons.

'''Megatron''': Victory over the Autobots is here." 
'''Starscream''': Cut the oration Megatron. We already heard it." 
'''Skywarp''': Yeah, let’s talk about victory after we’ve got it."
:—Skywarp and Starscream sass back to Megatron now that they're invulnerable.

"We won..."
:—'''Beachcomber'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s bitter statement as he surveys the wreckage of the lagoon.

==Notes==
*In Japan, this episode was only aired in the Kansai region and never given a proper nationwide broadcast. Due to this, official episode guides, including those printed in ''[[Transformers Generations]]'', offer no airdate for the episode. It is, however, listed between February 7th and 14th, 1986.
* This episode was never broadcast in Italy in the '80s and, as such, it only got dubbed in Italian with the 2008 full G1 redubbing.

===Continuity errors===
* Though the ending is supposed to be sad, somewhat upbeat music is used for the scene.
* For some reason, no one seems to notice that the Decepticons are gold and invincible - nor do any of the Autobots seems to notice Beachcomber's golden hand. Yet when they discover the pond full of electrum, the Autobots know exactly what the chemical is and what it does.

===Real-world references===
* At the beginning of the episode, Perceptor stops to examine a rock on the beach with "traces of gold and silver". It's not just a random aside, but foreshadowing: in the real world, electrum is an alloy of gold and silver.

* When Warpath voices his excitement about KAZOWYing Decepticons, Powerglide reminds him that it's a rescue mission and not "the [[Wikipedia:Charge of the Light Brigade|Charge of the Light Brigade]]", a catastrophic cavalry charge during the Crimean War.

===Trivia===
* When Starscream dives into the pool of electrum, he holds his nose.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of 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. 5 (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]] 2006 — The Best of ''The Transformers'' (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Episodes (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 04: Stagione Due Parte Seconda ([[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'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)

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

{{DEFAULTSORT:Golden Lagoon}}
[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

Divide and Conquer

2010-09-03T22:52:04Z

D-Unit: /* Quotes */

{{disambig2|the Generation 1 cartoon episode|the Marvel UK comic|Divide and Conquer!}}
{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=6
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=6
|prev2=Roll for It
|next2=S.O.S. Dinobots
|image=FHE-DivideAndConquer.jpg
|caption="And I, Starscream, am now leader of the Autobots!"
|title="Divide and Conquer"
|production code=#700-03
|airdate=[[October 20]], 1984
|written by=[[Donald F. Glut]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''The Autobots must journey to Cybertron to retrieve a vital piece of technology to save the life of the critically wounded Optimus Prime.'''

:''Japanese title:'' SOS! サイバトロン (''SOS! Cybertron'')
{{TOCclear}}
==Synopsis==
[[Image:DivideandConquer MegatronENEMY poster.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Join the guys we shoot at, now!]]

[[Earth]] factories are busily preparing weaponry for use against the [[Decepticon]] menace. [[Chip Chase]] is inspecting one such facility, where the administrators hope he can develop new methods to improve the efficiency of weapons production. The Decepticon [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] suddenly attack the factory, breaching its walls and landing inside. They begin draining the factory of its energy, but have not noticed Chip, who sends out a distress signal to the [[Autobot]]s.

[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] are on a search mission, fruitlessly looking for any trace of the Decepticon [[Space Bridge]]. Prime intercepts Chip's call for help, and orders the Autobots at the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] to meet him at the munitions plant. Prime arrives at the scene first, and is outnumbered three-to-one. A stray shot hits one of the massive computer banks, which begins a critical meltdown and overload. Prime attempts to shield the humans from the inevitable explosion with his own body. The blast tears through Prime, and the Decepticons take advantage of his weakened state to nail him. Prime collapses under fire.

[[Image:Divide and conquer.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Ohhh, that's REALLY gonna leave a mark on the Matrix.]]

The Seekers hear the approach of the other Autobots, and following [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s orders, retreat with the [[energon cube]]s. The Autobots find Prime's badly damaged form and take it back to base. Prime’s power relays are fused. His mobility limited. His speech… slow… and labored. Part replacement… essential….

Wanting to confirm Prime's condition, Megatron dispatches [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] to the Ark to spy on [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s efforts to repair Prime. Optimus's [[electropulse]] is fading. At Megatron’s command, Laserbeak attacks the incredibly vulnerable Prime, tearing into his exposed chest cavity and causing a tremendous explosion.

[[Image:DivideandConquer shutupHuffer.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Shut up, Rattrap.]]

It's more smoke and sparks than fiery blast, and Prime survives the explosion, though his energy is fading fast. His very [[laser core]] is at risk of snuffing out, and Ratchet needs a [[cosmotron]] to keep his Prime's energy levels from draining. Wheeljack only knows of one in existence, but it’s in his shop back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], which the Decepticons had placed under a computerized lock. The Autobots need to get back to their homeworld and pick this lock. Naturally, Chip Chase is the only one of them familiar enough with Cybertronian computers to make this possible.

[[Image:DivideandConquer Farewellwarrior.jpg|right|150px|thumb|If I tell you go, then you GO!]]

Chip uses [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] to do what Optimus could not: triangulate the likely coordinates for the Space Bridge’s next appearance. Following Chip’s detective work, the Autobots drive into the woods and discover the Space Bridge site. [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] oversee the transport of a shuttle module filled with Energon cubes, with a hapless [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]-type soldier sent to pilot it across the gulf of interstellar space. With the Autobots' arrival, a fray breaks out–and so does a sudden thunderstorm.

[[Image:DivideandConquer Rainmakerclouds.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Red clouds in morning, Autobots take warning]]

Surprisingly, Megatron (who has been monitoring the battle) orders the Decepticons to let the Autobots win. The thunderstorm has given him an idea, but he does not elaborate. The Autobots—[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Bluestreak]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]—drive into the Space Bridge and are teleported to [[Decepticon Headquarters (Cybertron)|Shockwave’s base]]. They blast their way past a shocked Shockwave and into Cybertron’s streets. Megatron orders the [[Rainmaker]]s to destroy the Autobot infiltrators with [[acid rain]].

At [[Wheeljack's workshop]], Chip works his way past the locking mechanism, and Ironhide instantly finds the cosmotron. Outside, a trio of Seekers somehow seed the clouds over the workshop so they produce incredibly debilitating acid rain.

[[Image:DivideandConquer Starscreampowerfist.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"SHIIIINING FINGEEEEER!"]]

The acid rain shorts the circuitry of the Autobots, who collapse at the touch of the deadly downpour. Chip is immune to the rain’s effects, and implores the Autobots to continue. Trailbreaker musters up the energy to project his force-field, sheltering the Autobots from the rain, giving their automatic repair systems time to kick in. Bluestreak fires some blasts into the clouds overhead, dispersing the rainmaking seekers and the toxic clouds. Rejuvenated, the Autobots return to Shockwave’s tower and ride the Space Bridge back to Earth.

On Earth, Megatron recognizes that without Prime, the conquest of the Autobots is a foregone conclusion. He leads an attack on the Ark. The Autobots recognize the hopeless battle up ahead, but Spike musters up his courage, grabs [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]'s rifle, and rallies the troops. He even manages to inspire perpetual downer [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] to take charge.

[[Image:DivideandConquer Bring It.jpg|left|150px|thumb|"You talking to me? You talking to me? I don't see no one else here!"]]

An enormous battle breaks out in front of the Ark, just as the Autobot mission returns from Cybertron. Chip and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] race the cosmotron to Prime. Optimus emerges in time to personally challenge Megatron and soundly beats him, forcing the Decepticon leader to yield. With Megatron down, a self-satisfied Starscream orders the Decepticons to retreat.

{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (6)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (7)
* [[Bluestreak]] (8)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (9)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (12)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (13)
* [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (19)
* [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (20)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (21)
* [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (22)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (24)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (25)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (26)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (32)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (33)

|c2=
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (2)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (3)
* [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (4)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (5)
* [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (16)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (17)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (18)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (27)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (28)
* [[Rainmaker]]s (29-31)
** [[Acid Storm]] (29)
** Blue Rainmaker (30)
** Yellow Rainmaker (31)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (34)

|c3=
* [[Chip Chase]] (1)
* [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (13)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (14)
}}

==Quotes==
"Heh, I wonder if I'll ever get used to that."
:—'''Sparkplug''' witnessing the Autobots transform

"He's doomed. I know it. I can feel it in my [[databank]]."
:—'''Huffer''', hoping the best for a dying Prime.

"They sure don't build 'em like that anymore."
:—'''Sparkplug''', commenting on the fact Optimus Prime is still alive after ''his chest explodes''.

"Just like [[Sherlock Holmes]] with floppy disks!"
:—'''Spike''', hopelessly over his head when it comes to computer talk.

"No one's ever really disabled as long as he has courage."
:—'''Chip Chase''', and that’s one to grow on.

"My talents are wasted on this project. I should be in sole command of everything!"
:—'''Starscream''', not giving up on his dreams.

"I'm sorry, Spike. Sometimes nothing you do makes any difference."
:—'''Sparkplug''' to Spike, which, if you don't read as the general you, is actually kind of mean and funny.

"We can't go down without ''trying!'' Prime would want us to go for it, no matter what the odds! Well, are you with me, or do I fight this battle alone?"
:—'''Spike''' gives an inspirational battle rally to the Autobots after taking Jazz's gun.

"Is there anyone in the universe who will challenge the might of Megatron?" 
"There is one, Megatron! I, Optimus Prime, challenge you!"
:—'''Megatron''' is scared to death by a now healthy '''Optimus Prime'''.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
[[Image:DivideandConquer Factoryguardworkers.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Note the standard issue army hardhats]]
* Starscream's air intakes are gray instead of red as he and the other two jets dive at the factory.
* Due to a mix-up in animation models, the green-uniformed human soldiers protecting the weapons factory in one shot turn into hard-hat wearing factory workers in another shot.
* Between the first and second shots of their robot modes inside the factory, Skywarp and Thundercracker have switched places.
* Skywarp's voice is off throughout the episode. In the factory, it's more nasal than usual. When he accuses Laserbeak of being "chicken", it sounds like he's channeling Thundercracker (he also has an unusually fat head.)
* A teleporting Skywarp is mistakenly colored with Starscream's colors, and then Thundercracker's colors.
* Starscream and Soundwave are both missing their insignias as Soundwave transforms.
* Optimus is supposed to be in the same dry canyon where the space bridge first showed up in "[[Transport to Oblivion]]"... but the canyon is now about ten feet deep, rather than the 50 or so it was before.
* Wrong transformation noise:
** Prime gets the ascending pitch noise as he transforms to vehicle mode.
** Trailbreaker, Wheeljack & co. get the decending pitch version as they convert to robot mode at the factory.
* Improbable viewpoints:
** The Autobots get a full-torso view of Optimus as he stands in the middle of empty desert.
** Megatron likewise gets a full-torso view of Starscream, even though Screamer isn't talking into any kind of communicator.
** Megs then gets a tracking shot of Prime running through the factory!
** Megatron manages to have a camera, with audio, right next to where the Cybertron team happens to fall as the acid rain disables them.

* As Ironhide repeats his order to transform, Wheeljack's missing all his orange and much of his green; Trailbreaker's upper cheeks are colored as his eyes (it's his reading glasses look!)
* Starscream's cheeks are dark gray instead of light gray as he calls in to Megatron.
[[Image:DivideandConquer slopedPrime.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Prime in his seldom-used "aerodynamic" alternate mode.]]
* A peculiar design in one shot has Optimus Prime's cab face sport a 45-degree slope.
* Starscream's voice is not electronically enhanced when he reacts to Optimus Prime barreling into the factory.
* Prime's trailer recedes into a cloud of dust as he transforms inside the factory. As he flies up into the air, the dust cloud flies up with him, and so does the shrinking trailer!
* Skywarp mouths Thundercracker's "I'm with you!" line.
* Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
* Sunstreaker is shown transforming to leave for the factory; however, when the team arrives, Bumblebee has taken his place.
* Laserbeak's beak is the same dark gray as the rest of his head as he refuses Megatron's order. It should be light gray.
[[Image:DivideandConquer LaserbeakonBrawns shoulder.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Laserbeak disguised as Brawn's dandruff]]
* Just for this one scene, Brawn has conveniently gigantic shoulders for Laserbeak to land on.
* Before Brawn enters the room where Optimus Prime is being worked on, he is shown standing inside.
* Wheeljack's missing some of his dark gray as he asks Ratchet for a diagnosis.
* Wheeljack's ears don't flash as he asks how long until Prime's energy drains completely, nor as he examines the cosmotron.
* As Wheejack pontificates about the Cosmotron, his right "ear" phases through his missile.
* There's a big nasty S-shaped hair in the center of the screen as Wheeljack describes the lock on his workshop on Cybertron.
* The part of Huffers' shoulders that are inside his hood are colored orange instead of purple as he moans about how hopeless it is.
* Prime's damage constantly changes as he lays on the repair table:
** First shot: his window glass is missing.
** Second shot: his window frames and grille are neatly removed.
** Third shot: his grille is missing, and one window is broken.
** As Laserbeak attacks: the left window has no glass.
** As Laserbeak fires: the left window is intact, and the right window broken.
** Prior to exploding: both windows have no glass.
** After the attack, both cab window frames have been neatly removed.
** As Ironhide proposes heading to Cybertron, he's back to a broken right window and intact left window, with a damaged grille.
* GAH! Chip has no pupils as he accepts the mission to pick the lock on Wheeljack's lab.
* No insignia on Soundwave as Megatron lectures his troops about the loss of Prime. The same shot has two Starscreams.
* The layering of Rumble's cubes is all messed up as he walks up behind Starscream; part of the cube stack phases through Starscream, and part of it loses its glow.
* Starscream reacts to Rumble dropping his cubes before he's actually dropped them.
* Rumble's face is purple instead of light gray as he waves goodbye to "warrior".
* Recycled animation repeats the strange animation error of the space bridge transport vehicle rising, then falling and disappearing.
* As the Autobots come to a halt at the Space Bridge site, the camera pans across the scenery, but a painted foreground tree travels with the move, making it look like the tree is mobile.

* In the shot of him still holding the tree after Megatron tells him to let the Autobots win, Starscream is colored like Thundercracker.
* The ramp leading to the space bridge has turned a light blue as the Autobots drive into the receiver ring.
* As Shockwave and a Reflector soldier unload the Space Bridge's shipment of Energon cubes, the Energon is not filled with an illumination effect, and appears as solid black bars.
* The nitrogen pack that Ironhide uses in Shockwave's control center is labeled "NITRGEN". In English, sorta. And Ironhide shouldn't have to use a pack anyway, since he has a built in liquid nitrogen projector.
* When the Decepticons exit their base to attack the Autobots, a fourth Decepticon jet is shown. Later, an extreme close-up of one of the jets' weapons shows a red "rainmaker".
* Shockwave's eye-glow doesn't move with his eye as he sets "warrior" free.
[[Image:Ironhideinblack.jpg|right|200px|thumb|So ''that's'' why [[Ironhide (Movie)|Movie Ironhide]] is black.]]
* When the Autobot away team races back to Shockwave’s tower, Ironhide is painted with Trailbreaker's colors, making him resemble a Diaclone incarnation of his toy.
* After returning to Earth, Bluestreak emerges from the Space Bridge painted as Prowl.
* Wheeljack's ears don't start flashing until half-way through his reaction to the security alarm.
* Teletraan's screen shows ''twenty-six'' Decepticons. There should be about a dozen at most. About fifteen are shown retreating at the end of the episode.
* As he scans for the Decepticons, Hound's left cheekguard is white instead of green.
* Reflector's mouths don't move for his "earth germ" line.
* As Bluestreak drives over the horizon to join the battle, his car form floats above the ground.
* Starscream steals Megatron's fusion cannon sound effect as he attacks Ironhide's team.
* In a pan across the defeated Autobots, a prone form of Ironhide is colored with Ratchet's white and red hue (Ratchet's inside Autobot Headquarters at this point) and Sideswipe has Shockwave's colors.
* Optimus Prime's mouthplate moves when Megatron concedes defeat.
* Starscream's missing his wing stripes as he order a retreat... but for once, they remembered his wing insignia, which have been repeatedly omitted through the episode.

===Continuity errors===
* Soundwave kind of transforms out of nowhere in the factory.
* It is unclear how Chip knows Skywarp's missile is of the heat-seeking variety before it does anything to suggest such.
* Optimus Prime somehow deflects the heat-seeking missile by hitting its ''warhead'' with his arm.
* It sure woulda made a lot more sense for Prime to cover the two humans, rather than throwing himself right in front of the explosive computer.
* Are computers really that explosive?
* Soundwave is shown flying off with the jets, but he's nowhere to be seen during the battle.
* Ironhide pointedly comments that they can't let the acid rain hit their circuits... so why not just duck back into the shelter of Wheeljack's workshop, which is still right behind them?
* Superhuman Spike:
** Spike rather effortlessly hefts Jazz's six-foot-long metal gun around.
** Spike survives being tackled by Ravage, the first of his [[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1|many]] [[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2|clashes]] [[Fire on the Mountain|with]] him.
* Superhuman <s>Spike</s> Chip:
** Chip somehow knows how to find the Space Bridge better than Optimus can, since Chip thinks to use Teletraan I, a tactic that somehow escaped Prime.
** Chase can crack a Cybertronian lock (apparently by just punching in every possible four-digit code combination until he stumbles on the right one.)
** Chip is immune to Cybertronian acid rain.
* Megatron's order to let the Autobots win really makes no logical sense. If his soldiers had beaten them, they'd have been just as out of the way, and if they didn't he could still try his acid rain plan.

===Continuity notes===
* The episode opens with a short narration by Victor Caroli, describing the humans' efforts to build anti-Decepticon weapons.
* Gadgets and powers:
** Jet-mode Starscream fires lasers right out of his air intakes!
** Laserbeak deploys yet another video camera. This one's a huge telescoping camera that comes out of one of his air vents.
** Ratchet once again uses his welding tip arm while fixing Optimus Prime.
** Reflector can emit a light that shorts out optic sensors.
** Reflector displays an odd ability in this episode: he can absorb his fellow units into his body.
** Shockwave is once again shown with two hands in this episode. In one scene, he reaches off-screen with a hand, and when his arm returns to the shot, his blaster-arm has taken its place.
** Ironhide's wrists can emit liquid glop launchers that trap the Decepticons to the surface with a thick adhesive.
** Trailbreaker's force field is fired like a stream from his shoulder cannon the first time he uses it; the second time, it just drifts out from behind his back.
** Autobots have built-in repair systems.
** Sideswipe is capable of emitting a smokescreen from his chest ... for little effect.
** Optimus Prime displays the unusual ability to fire energy beams out of his optics... right into Megatron's face.
* This is the third consecutive episode to feature the Space Bridge.
* There's quite a bit of fuss over Optimus Prime's [[laser core]], apparently a critical component of Transformer life.
* Cybertron has an atmosphere breathable by humans. And this is ''before'' it [[The Ultimate Doom, Part 1|steals a chunk of Earth's atmosphere]].
* The tetrahedron seeker jets return; they first appeared in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1|More Than Meets The Eye, Part 1]]."
* The Transformers have a personal battle code where customs dictate personal challenges be settled in personal combat.
* This is the only episode where Laserbeak displays any cowardice, a trait described in his original tech spec bio and usually associated with the character.
* The Autobot Matrix of Leadership is nowhere to be found on Prime's chest when Wheeljack and Ratchet are repairing him.

===Real-world references===
* ''Star Wars'' sound effects:
** X-Wing diving whine: as the jets land and transform inside the factory.
** A waving lightsaber provides the necessary noise for Bumblebee's headlights.
* A cosmotron is a real-world particle physics accelerator.

===Japanese version===
*In the scene where Skywarp teleports and is mistakenly colored as Starscream, he is dubbed in Japanese with ''Starscream's'' voice, meaning that ''he'' is the one teleporting in this version, not Skywarp. Considering ''Thundercracker'' was mistakenly dubbed teleporting in the Japanese version of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3]]" as well, it would seem that teleportation is a natural trait of the Seekers in the Japanese version of the show. Either that, or they just did a real shoddy job on the dub.

*'''Cut:''' After Chip orders the Autobots to "Transform and roll for his life", the scene is cut short with the removal of the transitional wipe across the screen. The following scene of Shockwave freeing Reflector, the Autobots barging in, his firing at them and their escaping over the Space Bridge have also been cut. The sequence resumes at the pan across space followed by the shot of the Earth Space Bridge receiving the Autobots.

*Additional narration describing the scene of the Autobots returning to Earth via the Space Bridge has been added.

===Notes===
[[Image:DivideandConquer SympatheticDecepticon.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Poor guy.]]
* Brawn really is a dumbass to not notice Laserbeak sitting on his shoulder.
* The Reflector-type Decepticon warrior that Starscream forces to pilot the Space Bridge transport has an oddly sympathetic and very human-sounding voice.
* The chapter stops on the Rhino DVD version of this episode are Opening / Weapon Factories / Off to Cybertron / New Age of Decepticons / Fight For Optimus / Optimus Saved!

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
[[Image:DivideAndConquerBetamax.jpg|right|200px|thumb|More or less antiquated than the TF storybooks that came with records? You decide!]]
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 5: "Divide and Conquer" ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1995 — ''The Transformers'' — The Autobots vs. The Decepticons ([[Malofilm]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1995 — ''Transformers'' — Autobots vs. Decepticons (Malofilm) — French audio only.

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

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

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

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

Duocon

2010-08-30T22:17:50Z

D-Unit:

{{Factions|decepticon}}
:''The Duocons are a [[Decepticon]] [[Subgroup|subgroup]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Continuity family|continuity family]].''

[[Image:Duocons from MtMtE -8.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"No, it's easy. Look, I've been practicing: I made a heli-truck."]]
The '''Duocons''', [[Battletrap]] and [[Flywheels]], are unique in that their robot modes are formed from the combination of two separate vehicles that have no other transformation.

:''Japanese name:'' '''Two-in-One'''

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{note|Events from the [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)#Marvel_UK|UK-only]] comic stories are in italics.}}
''Flywheels and Battletrap were Decepticon troopers stationed in [[Tyrest (city-state)|Tyrest]] on Cybertron. {{storylink|City of Fear!|City of Fear!}} Later, they joined the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] in time for their disastrous assault on Galvatron and Megatron. They both apparently died during that battle. {{storylink|Time Wars}}''

Battletrap was among Bludgeon's troops in the days after the coming of Unicron. He got bashed around by Optimus Prime on [[Klo]], but didn't die. He was never seen transforming. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

He took a beating during an encounter with the latter-generation Cybertronians; Starscream helped him off the battlefield. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}}

===Japanese cartoon continuity===
====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
[[Image:Headmasters cartoon Duocons.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Yeah, your toys can't do this...]]
The Duocons were under the command of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], who first sent them into battle when the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting over a [[Floppy disk|disk]] containing data on the [[Master Sword]]. Their separate vehicle forms overwhelmed the Autobot [[Targetmaster]]s, and Battletrap eventually made off with the disk. {{storylink|The Master Sword Is in Danger!!}} Shortly afterwards, the Duocons helped defend Scorponok as he used the data to create the [[Zarak Shield]]. {{storylink|The Zarak Shield Turns the Tide|The Zarak Shield Turns the Tide}} Battletrap later participated in a battle on the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], concealing himself in a cloud while blasting away at [[Kirk]] and his troops. {{storylink|Operation: Destroy the Decepticons}}

Scorponok later ordered the Duocons to plant a bomb on the asteroid [[Juno]], so that he could destroy the Autobot [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and the insubordinate [[Sixshot]] during their duel on the asteroid. {{storylink|Duel on the Asteroid}} The Duocons participated in the final battle against the Autobots in the [[Arctic]], during which Battletrap almost stomped [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] to death only to be fired upon by Sixshot. When it looked like Scorponok was going to destroy the [[Earth]], the Duocons fled into space to watch the results from afar. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] experimented to create a Transformer with more than one [[Alternate mode|alternate mode]]. While he eventually succeeded with the [[Triple Changer|Triple Changers]], an early step in the process resulted in the Duocons—a failure due to their consciousness being split between two vehicles. {{storylink|More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye}}

==Toys==
[[Image:G1Battletrap toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Battletrap]]
[[Image:G1Flywheels toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Flywheels]]
===Generation 1===
* '''Duocons''' (1987)
** [[Battletrap]]
**[[Flywheels]]

: The Duocons were sold in small boxed packages. They share a semi-[[Autotransformation|autotransform]] feature. Transformation begins by lining up the tab and slot on the underside of their aerial component with the corresponding slot and tab on top of the ground component. With the two parts lined up, pushing the aircraft down causes the tabs on both parts to trip a catch in the other, releasing the springs that keep the components folded up. The aircraft essentially folds in half over the "legs" that form from part of the rear of the ground component to form the robot.

: Transformation from robot to vehicles lacks any kind of automatic action. The halves of the robot are pulled apart and the nose of the aircraft is realigned with the fuselage and the leg/torso is folded down to the rear of the ground vehicle, with the moving parts being held by the spring-loaded catches.

: The Duocons suffer from a complete [[Brick|lack of useful articulation]].

[[Category:Decepticon subgroups]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]

The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg

2010-06-29T22:04:40Z

D-Unit: /* Miscellaneous trivia */

{{episode
|series=Headmasters
|ep=25
|image=Iceberg.jpg
|caption=Do I feel lucky? Well, do you...punk?
|title="The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg"
|japanese=氷山に消えた破壊大帝
|romaji=Hyōzan ni Kieta Hakai Taitei
|production code=
|production company=[[TakaraTomy|Takara]], [[Toei]]
|airdate=[[January 29|29 January]] 1988
|writer=[[Yoshihisa Araki]]
|director=[[Akinori Ōrai]]
|animation studio=Toei
|continuity=[[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''With the true extent of Galvatron's master plan revealed, the Autobot Headmasters face the Emperor of Destruction in a final battle in the Arctic.'''

:''English/Malay dub name:'' "'''The Final Demise of the King of Destruction'''"

==Synopsis==
Growing bolder and more determined following the death of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Sixshot]] steps up the [[Decepticon]] attack on Earth, dispatching the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] and [[Horrorcon|Horrorcons]] to assault the Autobots on numerous fronts. Five installations are simultaneously attacked, and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] instructs [[Blaster (G1)|Twincast]] and [[Autobot Mini-Cassette|his cassettes]] to gather information that will allow them to pre-empt the next attack. Even [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], still smarting over Ultra Magnus's demise, wants to participate in the upcoming counterattack, but as he argues with Fortress, reports start pouring in from Autobot bases that are under attack, and numerous Autobot teams race to respond to their distress calls. Metroplex acquiesces, with one provision - when the time comes, Sixshot will be his.

Meanwhile, on [[Chaar]], Galvatron, [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] watch footage of Sixshot's attack on Earth, with the two lieutenants quietly grumbling about how Sixshot is constantly showing them up. Elsewhere in the base, [[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]] regards the colossal stockpile of [[Energon cube|energon cubes]] that the Decepticons have amassed, and then crosses paths with Galvatron, who explains that he is about to travel to Earth, in order to make history with his next move. Counterpunch, as Punch, heads for [[Autobot City]] to inform Fortress and the Headmasters of this, but they mistakenly believe that Galvatron plans to have Scorponok, who has been absent from their sights for some time, lead the attack against the planet. At the same time, Scorponok is discovered by Twincast and [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] in the ruins of an Autobot energy plant in Alaska, which he has demolished. The pair come under attack from a passing Sixshot, who blasts Twincast into a chasm while Steeljaw escapes to report back to Fortress.

On [[Athenia]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] watch footage of Decepticon attacks on Earth, with Spike growing more and more enraged at the villains' continuous destruction of Earth's natural environment. He is about to contact Fortress to find out why the Autobots have not done something about this, but [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] stops him, pointing out that they can fight each other at any time, but that victory can only be won by finding out what Galvatron's true plan is. That part of the equation is concurrently being taken care of by Punch in the Decepticons' Earth base, where, as Counterpunch, he resorts to the most basic of espionage techniques - listening in on a conversation between Sixshot and Galvatron through an air vent. Aware of Scorponok's movements on Earth, Sixshot believes that the Headmaster leader is attempting to blow up Earth as he did [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] before it, in order to stop Galvatron's master plan. Galvatron finally reveals the true extent of his plan to Sixshot - he intends to fuse both himself and the Earth together, so that he may become a [[Unicron]]-like entity known as "[[Grand Galvatron]]". However, to accomplish this massive feat of engineering, he will require many powerful transformation components, particularly to safeguard the weakest spot on his body, his head. These parts, Galvatron explains, will be culled from the finest Decepticon warriors - with Sixshot being his number one choice for this "noble" sacrifice. Punch makes a beeline for Autobot City to report all he has learned, arriving just as Metroplex convinces Fortress to allow him to join in the attack on Scorponok in Alaska.

In Alaska, Scorponok and the Decepticon Headmasters are planting another in a series of planet-destroying explosives when Sixshot arrives. Scorponok expects a conflict, but Sixshot explains that they may now consider him an ally - he is not willing to allow Galvatron to willingly sacrifice him for spare parts. Galvatron himself arrives seconds later, as Sixshot and Scorponok pantomime a struggle to distract Galvatron as the Autobot arrive on the scene. As Metroplex and Sixshot engage in an aerial battle, and Scorponok attacks Battleship Maximus, the four Headmasters surround Galvatron for their final battle with the Decepticon leader. Their fight takes them out of the chasm to a nearby ice field, where Galvatron hurls the four young Transformers into the icy waters. He is about to deliver the killing stroke to Chromedome when Punch arrives to inform the Headmasters that Galvatron's weak spot is his head. The quartet enters [[Head Formation]], bombarding Galvatron with blasts of their combined energy, but the formation is broken when Galvatron shoots [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] out of the sky. He retaliates by knocking Galvatron into the ocean, and rejoins the Head Formation; the Headmasters then collapse several icebergs on top of Galvatron, before putting an end to the villain with a colossal explosion. Sixshot and Scorponok retreat, as the Autobots look out over the icy sea - final resting place of the Emperor of Destruction.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Brainstorm]] (22)
* [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (23)
* [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (24)
* [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] (25)
* [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (26)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Twincast]] (27)
* [[Ramhorn]] (28)
* [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] (29)
* [[Rewind]] (30)
* [[Eject]] (31)
* [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (32)
* [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] (33)
* [[Lightspeed (Technobot)|Lightspeed]] (34)
* [[Scattershot]] (35)
* [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] (36)
* [[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] (37)
* [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] (38)
* [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (39)
* [[Punch (G1)|Punch/Counterpunch]] (43)
* [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (45)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (48)

|c2=
* [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (1)
* [[Wildrider]] (2)
* [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (3)
* [[Drag Strip]] (4)
* [[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] (5)
* [[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]] (6)
* [[Hun-Gurrr]] (7)
* [[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (8)
* [[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (9)
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (10)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (11)
* [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (12)
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (13)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (14)
* [[Sixshot]] (15)
* [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (16)
* [[Motormaster]] (17)
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (18)
* [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] (19)
* [[Snapdragon]] (20)
* [[Apeface]] (21)
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (40)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (41)
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (42)
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (44)
* [[Weirdwolf]] (49)
* [[Skullcruncher]] (50)
* [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (51)

|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (46)
* [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] (47)

}}
==Notes==
===Animation or technical errors===
*When Twincast sends the Cassettes off to their work, his chest buttons are yellow some of the time instead of gray.
*When Metroplex first takes off after the Maximus, his helmet is white instead of black.
*When Sixshot knocks Twincast into the chasm, Steeljaw ''cries''. Real, watery tears. Not in a comedic anime fashion.

===Continuity errors===
*So, Galvatron can survive being at ''ground zero'' of an explosion powerful enough to ''blow up an entire planet'', and yet he can't dig his way out from under a few tons of ice? That's really screwed up, man.

===Transformers references===
[[Image:Grandgalvatron.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Ironically comes to pass nearly twenty years later.]]
*Galvatron's master plan was first hinted at in "[[Fight to the Death on Planet Hive!!]]", and it was revealed that he planned to "incorporate the Earth into his system" in "[[Ultra Magnus Dies!!]]", but precisely what that entailed was not explained until this episode. The idea itself was a decent one (especially given Galvatron's desire to gain control of Unicron's power by subjugating him in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''), but the visual execution was absolutely, ridiculously hilarious.
*Scorponok's desire for power was pretty obvious almost from the moment he appeared in the series, but his current plan for the destruction of Earth was begun in the previous episode.
*Head Formation continues to undergo new changes with each passing episode. This time, the Headmasters debut the ability to shoot their charged-up energy as destructive bolts.
*Galvatron will not be freed from his icy imprisonment until ''[[Return of Convoy (franchise)|Return of Convoy]]'', when [[Dark Nova]] [[The Battlestars (story page)|releases him and upgrades him into Super Megatron]].

===Miscellaneous trivia===
*This episode is one of only a small number to include an original animated sequence ''before'' the title card appears. The R2 DVD release of the episode omits this sequence, which consists of Sixshot rallying the Decepticons.
*[[Galvatron II]]'s end in [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel Generation 1 Comics]] somehow bears a little resemblance to Galvatron's final fate in this episode.
*The [[Omni Productions]] dub version of Galvatron's "death" scene is downright ''hilarious''.
*The Decepticon Earth base has air conditioning vents and a doors with doorknobs. Ok...

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote|omni}}
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1996 — ''Transformers: The Headmasters'' Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2002 — ''Transformers: The Headmasters'' — DVD Box ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2005 — The Takara Collection Vol 1 — ''Transformers: Headmasters'' ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Takara Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers: Headmasters'' ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Japan Generation 1'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}}
[[Category:Headmasters episodes]]

Day of the Machines

2010-06-11T14:54:20Z

D-Unit: /* Animation or technical glitches */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=25
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=74
|prev2=Attack of the Autobots
|next2=Scramble City
|image=Dayofmachinesprimeandtorq.jpg
|caption=Big Brother is watching you!
|title="Day of the Machines"
|production code=#700-24
|airdate=[[October 10]], 1985
|written by=[[David Wise]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''Megatron's latest scheme involves using the most powerful computer on Earth to control machinery remotely.'''

:''Japanese title:'' コンピュータの反乱 (''Computer no Hanran'', "The Rebellion of the Computer")
:''Brazilian title:'' '''Dia das Máquinas''' ("Day of the Machines")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Dayofmachinesmegsinacase.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"Megatron! What are you doing in my [[Laserbeak (Animated)|cousin's]] house?!"]]

[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (the former disguised in a guitar case!) not-so-silently infiltrate [[Quantum Laboratories]], a top-secret facility where the world’s most powerful computer, [[TORQ III]], is housed. Megatron reprograms the computer with his own personality and gives it the power to control remotely dangerous machines of all types through the use of "[[Remote Control Circuit Linker]] cards."

At the same time, scientist Dr. [[Paul Gates]] of Quantum Labs muses with a colleague about the dangers of machine sentience and that, in the wrong hands, TORQ III might be too powerful. Since Fate is both cruel and timely, the very scenario they were discussing comes true when TORQ III locks them in their office and announces that he’s taking over.

Megatron is using TORQ and the circuit linker cards to remotely control fleets of [[oil tanker]]s. This alerts [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]], who notifies [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]. Prime then receives Dr. Gates’ distress signal; Gates fills him in on TORQ III’s rebellion and asks to be rescued.

[[Image:Dayofmachinesautossurround.jpg|right|225px|thumb|The Autobots play "Monkey in the Middle" with a bunch of Brawls.]]

[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] are assigned to investigate the tankers, and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] tags along. Prime leads a group to Quantum Labs, where they immediately come under attack by machines controlled by TORQ. Overwhelmed, Prime orders in the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] (minus [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]) to come help, and they smash, chomp and melt down all of the machines. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] makes his usual pompous comment about having to save Prime’s bacon when things get rough. Afterward, Prime rescues Dr. Gates and they advance toward the buildings, meeting lots of resistance from TORQ’s machines.

Meanwhile, Hound, Spike and Skyfire sneak aboard an oil tanker and infiltrate the [[Decepticon]]s' oil platform. Their attack falls short when Spike is captured and they are forced to surrender.

After smashing more remote-controlled machines at Quantum, Prime decides to explore inside TORQ’s maze-like complex alone. As Optimus moves in closer, one of the machines places a circuit linker card on him, making him Torq’s slave, and he is brought into the computer’s domain. But—surprise, surprise—Prime rips the card off his body, saying it was a dud he placed in the robot’s claw, and he disables TORQ with a well-placed punch to the control panel. At the oil platform, Soundwave senses TORQ's demise; Megatron takes over control of the tankers with a gargantuan remote control device.

[[Image:DayOfMachines Megatron remote control.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"So this is what a human Cell Phone looks like."]]

Dr. Gates lends the Autobots a high-speed hydrofoil to reach the Decepticons. Back at the oil platform, Spike has hatched an idea to use an electromagnet (which happened to be in their cell) to immobilize [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]. Skyfire easily smashes through the cell door and Hound disables the force dome that was protecting the platform. The rest of the Autobots arrive and a battle ensues. Prime faces down Megatron and manages to wrest a remote control device from his hands, then tosses it back to him. Megatron lands on it, crushing it, and comes back up spitting mad. He retaliates by activating the self-destruct mechanism on the platform.

The [[Autobot]]s escape, but Prime stays behind to find Hound, Skyfire and Spike. He rips apart the platform deck, revealing the missing team members, and Skyfire flies them out of danger.

Finally, Prime says goodbye to Dr. Gates, who makes a parting comment about machines being unreliable, and then quickly retracts the statement when he realizes his gaffe. The Autobots laugh at the ungrateful human's hubris.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] (10)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (11)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (12)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] (13)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (15)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (16)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (17)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (18)
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (19)
* [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (20)
* [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (21)
* [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (22)

|c2=
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (2)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (3)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (4)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (8)
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (9)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (25)
* [[Hook (G1) |Hook]]

|c3=
*Security guard (1)
* Dr Gates's colleague (6)
* Dr. [[Paul Gates]] (7)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (14)
* [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (23)
* Oil tanker captain (24)

|c4=
* [[TORQ III]] (5)
}}

==Quotes==
"Illegal access! Illegal access!" 
"It certainly is."
:—'''TORQ III''' is reprogrammed by '''Megatron'''

"Good grief. More bad news. This isn’t one of our shining days."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' as TORQ's machines surround his troops.

"We help! ...Hmm. Always get Autobots out of messes they get into."
:—'''Grimlock''' laments at yet another Autobot bungle he is called upon to resolve. Forcefully.

"It's a safe bet those doors are locked." 
"Fortunately, I have a delicate lock-picking technique."
:—'''Dr. Gates''' and '''Optimus Prime''', right before Prime "delicately" blasts his way into TORQ's building.

"Come and get me you metal-headed dumb-dumb." 
"That's one stupid Decepticon."
:—'''Skyfire''' and '''Hound''' accurately assess Frenzy's level of intelligence.

"What do you say, guys? Can you bash it down?" 
"With a smile on our lip components!"
:—'''Spike''' and '''Hound''' discuss the finer points of Cybertronian facial structure.

"I'll take that transmitter, please." 
"The transmitter is mine!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' is always polite. '''Megatron''', not so much.

"You took the word right out of my mouth. It was in there with my foot."
:—'''Dr. Paul Gates''' after he tells the ''Autobots'' that all machines are unreliable.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
* As the security guard closes the Lost and Found cage's gate, his hand phases through the cage door.
* Soundwave's cassette door is blue instead of white before he releases Laserbeak.
* The access hatch in Megatron's head simply appears out of nowhere on his forehead, and likewise vanishes after closing.
* There's no evidence of the bizarre war machines in the Hall of TORQ when Megatron and Soundwave arrive. They suddenly appear once they're needed for the plot.
* Teletraan I has the radio-transmission muffle on its voice as it reports the oil tanker movements to Optimus Prime.
* Prime comments that the tankers are converging near [[Decepticon Headquarters]], but the graphics show them in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Decepticon HQ is somewhere near the Pacific coast.
* After he transforms, Prime's cab wheels are somehow in ''front'' of his trailer. (Sure is a pretty sequence otherwise, though!)
* Prowl's face changes from gray to white as he turns to look at Wheeljack after the first commercial break.
* Snarl's tail is white instead of gold as he smashes the tank.
* Slag sure does spend a long time staring at the machines, growling and very pointedly moving his mouth. Was he supposed to have some dialog? Sludge does nearly the same thing before Prime uses him as a ladder.
* Prime's whole face is the same blue color as his helmet as he offers the humans a lift down from their window.
* "Personnel" is spelled with only one "n" on the TORQ Project's building sign.
* Is that supposed to be Hook lowering the cargo pipe onto the tanker? 'Cause he's colored yellow instead of green, and has an inexplicably radioed-in voice, and isn't quite on-model, and he never actually transforms, and... maybe it's not supposed to be Hook. Hound does however refer to him by name.
* Laserbeak's feet aren't fully drawn as he carries Spike past the camera.
* Laserbeak is shown outside the force field as he flies over Hound. He should be inside.
* Skyfire's chest cockpit is white instead of blue as he drops his gun.
* Sideswipe's head is colored red instead of black as he flees from a Torq-controlled machine.
* The claws holding Sideswipe's wrists just kind of randomly let him go for no reason.
* Prime's eyes are red instead of blue as the tentacle machine drags him toward its spinny things.
* Soundwave reports that "ORQ" [''sic''] is no longer functional.
* The Decepticons sure take their time getting yanked back by the electromagnet, whose effect should be instantaneous. It also doesn't seem to bother the Autobots, who run right through the spot where the Decepticons were standing when the magnet grabbed them.
* Hound's missile, supposedly removed by the Decepticons, is suddenly back in place as they run out of the cell. (In a nice bit of continuity, his launcher does remain empty after he destroys the force field generator.)
* Soundwave's optics are white when he notifies Megatron that the force field is down.
* Sparkplug is suddenly standing, unsheltered, in the middle of the Autobots, who were in a raging firefight just seconds before.
* Skyfire's chest is missing his Autobot symbol as he and Hound react to the platform's explosions. The same error repeats in the episode's closing scene.
* The bottom of Prime's waist is about twice its normal size as he and the other Autobots react to Dr. Gates' "unreliable" comment.

===Continuity errors===
* Considering how easily they move around the complex, blowing holes in stuff, it's not at all clear why the Decepticons needed to go through the trouble of sneaking into the place in their alternate modes.
* How do the remote linker cards grant control of machines just by being hooked to random parts of them, not their computer circuits?
* Since when do oil tankers travel in enormous fleets? Is this World War II?
* The Dinobots disappear from the story after their one battle, despite the fact that the Autobots meet more resistance before they reach TORQ III. Also curious is Swoop's total absence.
* Prime claims that he inserted a dead circuit linker into the claw of TORQ's "friend". However, the animation basically allows no opportunity for this to happen. Furthermore, the circuit linker that he took from Sparkplug earlier sure didn't appear to be "dead"!
* Superhuman Spike: Spike picks up a metal electro-magnet which is nearly as big as he is.

===Continuity notes===
* Gadgets and powers:
** Megatron's gun mode actually shrinks to a human adequate scale, the only time we see him do this.
** Skyfire once again uses his jet-with-legs half-transformation.
** Ironhide destroys one of TORQ's machines by ''walking right through the blast'' it's emitting and sticking his finger in its hose. He is old because he is '''hard'''!
** Hound fires his shoulder missile for the first and only time ever.
* This is one of Optimus Prime's shining episodes. He defeats TORQ III almost singlehandedly; he destroys Megatron's remote control device and foils the tanker stealing plan; and he saves Spike, Skyfire and Hound from sinking with the oil platform. No wonder he's in charge!

===Real-world references===
* Pre-Megatron TORQ III bears some passing resemblance to Oz, the Great and Powerful!
* Paul Gates, the scientist of Quantum Labs, could be a nod to the co-founders of Microsoft, Paul Allen and Bill Gates.

===Trivia===
* Like a handful of other Season 2 episodes ("[[Autobot Spike]]", "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]"), this one begins with a short narrative voiceover from [[Victor Caroli]]. Unlike the others, this one actually conveys some information that isn't immediately conveyed by the animation (namely, what Quantum Laboratories does.)
* Script writer David Wise had previously used the concept of a computer able to remote-control machinery being taken over by a villain in a ''He-Man and the Masters of the Universe'' episode also named "Day of the Machines". The same episode also featured a [[Kremzeek!|small energy-based creature]] and Man-At-Arms [[Microbots|shrinking himself]] to fix the computer.
*This is one of two episodes (the other being "[[Attack of the Autobots]]") not initially aired in Japan during the run of ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]''. The episode was eventually dubbed in 1990 and released on [[Pioneer]]'s laserdisk set of the series. As such, it was retroactively added to the series official episode list as episode 74, a numbering reflected in ''[[Transformers Generations]]''.
*Having been dubbed several years after ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' had ended, not all the original cast members were able to return. [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (originally voiced by [[Ken Shiroyama]]), [[Bluestreak]] (originally voiced by [[Kōki Kataoka]]) and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (originally voiced by [[Osamu Saka]]) were replaced by [[Katsumi Suzuki]].

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — English and Japanese audio.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1: Vol. 2 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Bumper Collection Special (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[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 Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 03: Stagione Due Parte Prima ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)

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

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

Start Your Own Decoy Collection

2010-06-11T14:48:31Z

D-Unit: /* Notes */

[[Image:PackIn_DecoyCollection_Front.jpg|right|150px|thumb|The second sentence is a lie, no matter how you read it.]]
"'''Start Your Own Decoy Collection'''" is a [[Pack-in material|pack-in mini-comic]] included alongside a [[decoy]] with certain carded [[The Transformers (toyline)|''Generation 1'' toys]]. In addition to the comic proper (titled '''"The Decepticon Deception"'''), it also contains a checklist of all the available decoy toys.

==Stats==
* '''Writer:''' ''unknown''
* '''Originally published:''' 1986
* '''Art:''' ''unknown''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:PackIn_DecoyCollection_Comic.jpg|left|150px|thumb|The easily-bamboozled [[Wikipedia:Planet Prince|Galvatron of Space]].]]

The [[Decepticon]]s have somehow stolen the [[Creation Matrix]]. [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (drawn as [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]) develops the decoys to distract the Decepticons, while the [[Autobot|Autobots]] sneak into Decepticon headquarters and <s>shoot</s> retrieve the Matrix.

Upon learning of the ruse, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] angrily declares that the Decepticons will develop their own set of decoys, presumably to try the exact same trick later on. This plan cannot fail.

{{-}}
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (4)
* [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (7)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (3)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (5)
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (6)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (2)
|c2=
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (9)
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (1)
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (8)
* [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] (10)
}}

==Notes==
* The comic takes place in no particular known [[continuity]]. It doesn't even show any signs of being part of the [[S.T.A.R.S.]]-related [[micro-continuity]] established in other [[Pack-in material#Mail-order flyers|pack-in flyers]]. While it may not necessarily fit ''anywhere'' in the larger scheme, these points are notable:
** The Decepticons are led by Galvatron, and the Autobots by Ultra Magnus. Rodimus Prime is nowhere to be seen, with Hot Rod in his place instead. This is a common situation [[Find Your Fate Junior|in]] [[Ladybird Books|many]] [[Transformers in 3-D|micro-continuities]], and it could even be accounted for in mainstream continuities by the Decepticons' "theft" of the Matrix.
** Ratchet's presence would eliminate the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''Generation 1'' cartoon universe]], were it not for him being called First Aid. Whether it was originally intended to ''be'' Ratchet, with a last-minute change obscuring the contradiction, is unknown.
** [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]]s are seen in the Decepticon base. While certainly [[Quintesson]]/Decepticon alliances [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3|are not unheard of]], it's still a point against mainstream continuities.
** The one decoy drawn clearly is a copy of Ultra Magnus, yet that decoy toy was never available in the US. It is therefore unclear whether the fictional decoys correspond at all to the toys. In fact, ''none'' of the characters who appear in the strip except Ratchet have decoy figures.
** Judging from the map, Decepticon Headquarters is located somewhere in mainland China.
**The Autobot Matrix is called the "Creation Matrix" in dialogue, as in the contemporary [[Marvel Comics]] continuity, yet is illustrated as the Matrix of Leadership from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon series]].
* Like [[Look Inside for a Special Offer!|some of the]] [[Inside...a Transformer Not Sold in Any Store!|mail-away flyers]], this pamphlet is quite tiny, folding down to just over 1" x 2". The small size allowed it to be packed in with small toys such as the Scramble City-style [[combiner]] limbs, alongside their equally-small sticker and combination-instruction sheets.
* According to the list, there are 52 unique decoys, far more than the number of carded toys available at the time. The only way to get them all would have been to buy multiples of the same Transformer. Hasbro, you ''bastards.''
* The drawing of Galvatron on the front page seems to be heavily influenced by the drawing of Megatron on the cover of f.h.e. home video release of "The Ultimate Doom".

[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]

Start Your Own Decoy Collection

2010-06-11T14:38:03Z

D-Unit: /* Notes */

[[Image:PackIn_DecoyCollection_Front.jpg|right|150px|thumb|The second sentence is a lie, no matter how you read it.]]
"'''Start Your Own Decoy Collection'''" is a [[Pack-in material|pack-in mini-comic]] included alongside a [[decoy]] with certain carded [[The Transformers (toyline)|''Generation 1'' toys]]. In addition to the comic proper (titled '''"The Decepticon Deception"'''), it also contains a checklist of all the available decoy toys.

==Stats==
* '''Writer:''' ''unknown''
* '''Originally published:''' 1986
* '''Art:''' ''unknown''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:PackIn_DecoyCollection_Comic.jpg|left|150px|thumb|The easily-bamboozled [[Wikipedia:Planet Prince|Galvatron of Space]].]]

The [[Decepticon]]s have somehow stolen the [[Creation Matrix]]. [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (drawn as [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]) develops the decoys to distract the Decepticons, while the [[Autobot|Autobots]] sneak into Decepticon headquarters and <s>shoot</s> retrieve the Matrix.

Upon learning of the ruse, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] angrily declares that the Decepticons will develop their own set of decoys, presumably to try the exact same trick later on. This plan cannot fail.

{{-}}
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (4)
* [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (7)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (3)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (5)
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (6)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (2)
|c2=
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (9)
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (1)
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (8)
* [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] (10)
}}

==Notes==
* The comic takes place in no particular known [[continuity]]. It doesn't even show any signs of being part of the [[S.T.A.R.S.]]-related [[micro-continuity]] established in other [[Pack-in material#Mail-order flyers|pack-in flyers]]. While it may not necessarily fit ''anywhere'' in the larger scheme, these points are notable:
** The Decepticons are led by Galvatron, and the Autobots by Ultra Magnus. Rodimus Prime is nowhere to be seen, with Hot Rod in his place instead. This is a common situation [[Find Your Fate Junior|in]] [[Ladybird Books|many]] [[Transformers in 3-D|micro-continuities]], and it could even be accounted for in mainstream continuities by the Decepticons' "theft" of the Matrix.
** Ratchet's presence would eliminate the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''Generation 1'' cartoon universe]], were it not for him being called First Aid. Whether it was originally intended to ''be'' Ratchet, with a last-minute change obscuring the contradiction, is unknown.
** [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]]s are seen in the Decepticon base. While certainly [[Quintesson]]/Decepticon alliances [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3|are not unheard of]], it's still a point against mainstream continuities.
** The one decoy drawn clearly is a copy of Ultra Magnus, yet that decoy toy was never available in the US. It is therefore unclear whether the fictional decoys correspond at all to the toys. In fact, ''none'' of the characters who appear in the strip except Ratchet have decoy figures.
** Judging from the map, Decepticon Headquarters is located somewhere in mainland China.
**The Autobot Matrix is called the "Creation Matrix" in dialogue, as in the contemporary [[Marvel Comics]] continuity, yet is illustrated as the Matrix of Leadership from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon series]].
* Like [[Look Inside for a Special Offer!|some of the]] [[Inside...a Transformer Not Sold in Any Store!|mail-away flyers]], this pamphlet is quite tiny, folding down to just over 1" x 2". The small size allowed it to be packed in with small toys such as the Scramble City-style [[combiner]] limbs, alongside their equally-small sticker and combination-instruction sheets.
* According to the list, there are 52 unique decoys, far more than the number of carded toys available at the time. The only way to get them all would have been to buy multiples of the same Transformer. Hasbro, you ''bastards.''

[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]

Fire on the Mountain (episode)

2010-06-10T15:09:53Z

D-Unit: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=9
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=63
|prev2=Fire in the Sky
|next2=A Plague of Insecticons
|image=Fire on the mountain.jpg
|caption="I don't understand it, baby. This has never happened to me before, honest."
|title="Fire on the Mountain"
|production code=#700-06
|airdate=[[December 22]], 1984
|written by=[[Douglas Booth]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''The Decepticons uncover the Crystal of Power in Peru, and the Autobots resurrect Skyfire to stop them.'''

:''Japanese title:'' インカの秘宝 (''Inka no Hihō'', "Incaic Jewel")
:''Brazilian title:'' '''Fogo na Montanha''' (Fire on the Mountain)

==Synopsis==
While patrolling a refinery, [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] spot [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] stealing steel. The [[Decepticon]]s get away with the loot by collapsing the refinery behind them. The Autobots report back to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], who is puzzled about the Decepticons' motives. The [[Autobot]]s launch a [[Sky Spy]] to home in on any Decepticon activity, and the satellite picks up strange energy readings in the [[Peru]]vian [[Andes Mountains|Andes]].

[[Image:Crystalofpower.jpg|thumb|left|200px|]]

There, the Decepticons have followed an [[Inca]]n legend to an ancient temple that rests on a shaft leading deep into the [[Earth's core]], capped by the [[Crystal of Power]]. With the metal acquired by Starscream, the Decepticons have fashioned a weapon frame to accommodate the crystal. [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] spots the Sky Spy, and [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] tests the weapon by blowing the satellite out of the sky. The metal, however, proves inadequate and melts with exposure to the raw energy unleashed from the Earth’s core. Starscream tries to shift blame to Thundercracker for the faulty metal, but Megatron blames them both and has them stay behind at the temple while he soars to a nearby mining town to find replacement metal.

The nearby Peruvian mining town is abuzz with the sudden show of power from the ancient temple. A reactionary elder proclaims that long-forgotten gods have come back to punish them, but her more level-headed granddaughter, [[Luisa]], realizes that someone must have uncovered the fabled Crystal of Power.

[[Image:G1 FireontheMountain Sideswipe piledriving.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Freud would have had a field day with this.]]

In the [[Arctic]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] are jackhammering through the ice to resurrect the fallen warrior [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]]. The massive jet emerges from the ice and transforms into robot mode. Wheeljack immediately assigns him to fly back to Autobot headquarters to pick up Brawn and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] before heading down to the Andes mountains.

In short order, Skyfire is in the Andes, closing in on the Decepticons. Windcharger and Brawn skydive from the jet, tangling with [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] and [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] while Skyfire goes to investigate the strange energy readings from the Incan temple. While the smaller Autobots are able to hold their own against Megatron’s lieutenants, the Decepticon leader proves too powerful for them and they scatter. Windcharger desperately calls for Skyfire to return while Brawn bites off more than he can chew in the form of an angered Megatron.

[[Image:FireontheMountain SoundwaveMegsgun.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Freud would have had...oh wait, I just said that.]]

Skyfire zooms in to the rescue and gracefully airlifts Brawn and Windcharger from the thick of Decepticon danger. Skyfire quickly returns to the Ark to pick up some reinforcements and streaks back to Peru. He deposits the Autobots near the mining town to take care of Megatron while he goes to investigate the Incan temple.

The Autobots stop Megatron, Reflector and Soundwave mid-raid, with Brawn having the ball-bearings enough to swipe Megatron's [[Fusion cannon|arm cannon]] and blast the Decepticon leader with his own weapon! Laserbeak steals back the weapon and Megatron swears vengeance. He has gathered a metal strong enough for the Crystal, and requests that [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] come to retrieve it, adding further insult to Thundercracker and Starscream who are left guarding the temple.

[[Image:Brawnfusioncannon.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Good grief, it's a running gag.]]

A stray blast during the battle nearly drops an electrical tower on top of Luisa, but she is saved by Spike and Bumblebee. Luisa quickly explains that these "evil creatures" have stolen the Crystal of Power. She leads Bumblebee and Spike to a secret entrance in the temple. Soundwave detects their presence, and dispatches Ravage to follow them.

Meanwhile, Thundercracker spots Skyfire skulking about the temple. The Decepticon warrior is torn; if he blasts Skyfire, Starscream is likely to take all the credit. Conversely, if he lets Skyfire destroy the Crystal-based weapon, perhaps Starscream can take the blame. Starscream overhears Thundercracker plotting, and blasts Skyfire. He then blackmails Thundercracker to do his bidding, lest Starscream reveal to their leader just how uncertain Thundercracker's loyalties can be.

The Decepticons load up their stolen steel with Skywarp's help and depart. To cover their exit, Megatron blasts a nearby mountain, creating a deadly rockfall that threatens the mining town.

The Autobots use their firepower to reduce the falling boulders to pebbles, saving the village. Meanwhile, Megatron returns to the temple, where he successfully tests a new weapon frame that can handle the power of the crystal. Bumblebee, Spike and Luisa surreptitiously arrive in the temple, spotting the inert form of Skyfire. Spike starts repairing the fallen warrior, just as Ravage pounces. Bumblebee tries holding off the Decepticon jaguar while Spike works as fast as he can.

[[Image:G1 FireontheMountain Spike Luisa BB.jpg|left|200px|thumb|There are [[Bumblebee (Movie)|some]] out there who understand what Bumblebee's about to go through.]]

The rest of the Autobots arrive at the temple, but Megatron pins them down with devastating firepower from his weapon frame cannon. The Autobots are able to outflank Megatron, and the tide of battle is turned by Skyfire, freshly repaired by Spike. Skyfire strafes the weapons frame, destroying it and unleashing the power of the mountain. The Decepticons retreat, and Thundercracker takes fleeting pleasure in seeing Megatron and Starscream fail.

That night, Wheeljack caps the fire stream with a new invention that can contain the power that the crystal formerly held in check. The Autobots celebrate their victory while Bumblebee and Spike drive Luisa back to the mining town, where she promises to introduce Bumblebee to her brother’s convertible, Juanita.
{{-}}
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (3)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (5)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (7)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (12)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (15)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (16)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] (17)
* [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (18)
* [[Bluestreak]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (20)
* [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (21)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (22)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (24)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (25)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (27)

|c2=
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (1)
* [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (2)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (8)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (9)
* [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (10)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (11)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (13)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (23)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (26)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (6)
*[[Luisa]] (14)
}}

==Quotes==
"Looks more like stealing to me… and I'm talking steel!"
:—'''Brawn''' confronts the Decepticons with fists and horrible puns.

"Awww, hexagonal nuts!"
:—'''Trailbreaker''', after he and Brawn totally fail to stop the Decepticons.

'''Starscream:''' "Don't blame me. Thundercracker swiped defective steel, not I. It was ''his'' fault." 
'''Thundercracker:''' "You lie, Starscream." 
'''Megatron:''' "SILENCE YOU FOOL!" (Punches Thundercracker right off the top of the pyramid)
:—Starscream shows that ol' Seeker camaraderie once again. Remarkably, Megs doesn't even doubt Starscream's word. Is he really that stupid?

"It's cold enough to freeze the ailerons off a [[titanium moosebot]]!"
:—'''Sideswipe'''

'''Soundwave:''' "The Autobot jet is afraid to fight!" 
'''Brawn:''' "Wrong again, you dipstick tapedeck!" 
'''Windcharger:''' "We just didn't want him to spoil ''our'' fun!"

"Have fun playing crystal nurse, Screamer! Byyyye!"
:—'''Skywarp''', being a jerk.

"Fate, schmate. It isn’t over yet, Megabum!"
:—'''Trailbreaker''', after Megatron prematurely gloats of imminent victory.

"Optimus ol' buddy, this is what separates the Autobots from the robot chickens!" 
"Ain’t no one calling me a robot chicken!"
:—'''Ironhide''' and '''Brawn''' don't know what Adult Swim has planned for their kind in 20 years.

"What’s the matter, fearless leader? You and Starscream look real geeky!"
:—'''Thundercracker''', being a jerk.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical errors===
* Only one of Starscream's "boobs" is colored its proper gray as he reminds Thundercracker of who is in charge.
* The back of Brawn's backpack is yellow after he transforms to robot mode.
* As Brawn confronts Starscream and Thundercracker, the Decepticons switch places between shots.
* The blue color of Trailbreaker's eyeband kind of drips down onto his face while the steel plant is collapsing around him.
* Brawn's helmet is light gray as he watches Teletraan's screen.
* Soundwave has a white leg as he follows Megatron down the pyramid's staircase.
* Starscream's eyes are blue as he drags the weapon frame over to Megatron.
* Starscream has extra yellow bits above and below his canopy as Megatron helps him to his feet.
* As Wheeljack encourages Sideswipe, the glow of his right ear isn't quite aligned with the ear itself.
* As he first bursts to the surface encased in ice, Skyfire's (vaguely drawn) profile looks a lot more like his toy than his animation model, with separate booster jets and a rounded cockpit.
* The parts of Skyfire's tail end that light up as he activates his jets don't actually correspond to his jet thrusters.

[[Image:FireOnTheMountain Windcharger vehiclemode.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The legs on the animator's Windcharger toy would never stay folded up. Your wiki editors can sympathize.]]
* Someone must have been drawing Windcharger's car mode straight off his toy. As he flees from Laserbeak, his rear hood, which is his folded-up feet, is not aligned with the rest of his car body... a problem very commonly found on his toy.
* Soundwave fires on Brawn with his own gun, but with Megatron's cannon sound effect.
* The lower "cheeks" of Megatron's Decepticon symbol aren't colored in just before he transforms to fire on Brawn.
* Megatron's gun mode is entirely white as Soundwave grasps him two-handed, right before the first commercial break.
* Skyfire's engines don't glow throughout the whole sequence of him rescuing Brawn and Windcharger.
* Ironhide is colored gray in the aerial shot of the Autobots approaching the steel mill.
* Ironhide and Ratchet have crazy huge side windows as they drive alongside Prime. The same error (and animation?) pops up again in "[[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction]]".
* Flying Autobots:
** Bluestreak and Windcharger get an engine-burst noise as they leap out from beneath the collapsing transmission tower.
** Brawn gets a flight sound as he leaps the final distance between him and Starscream.
** Ironhide gets the same treatment as he leaps to attack Megatron.
** And then Prime also gets the same sound effect as he tackles Megatron.
* Bluestreak's mouth isn't moving as he delivers his "watch the birdie" line.
* Soundwave's eject button is on the wrong side (his right shoulder) as he ejects Ravage.
* Thundercracker's weapon barrel has almost no interior as he threatens Skyfire.
* As Starscream rebukes Thundercracker, his air intake is the same dark gray as his helmet, instead of red.
* Rumble's eyeband isn't colored in as the Decepticons fly out of the <s>steel mill</s> mining town.
* When Megatron follows Starscream and Thundercracker out of the pyramid, his Decepticon emblem disappears for a moment.
* As Trailbreaker says his "isn't over yet" line, his leg is red instead of black. Then Wheeljack pops out of the rubble from the spot where Sunstreaker was buried a moment ago.
* One gun, many lasers:
** No fewer than five laser beams are shown flying at Windcharger when Laserbeak isn't on-screen. Even if you count his eye beams, Laserbeak only has four guns.
** As the battle gets fully underway, four laser beams are shown coming from Megatron's crystal weapon.
** Starscream only has two guns to fire at Brawn, but three lasers are shown streaking past him as he runs up the stairs.
* Bumblebee's nose is yellow as he tells Spike he can't hold Ravage off much longer.
* After Skyfire revives, he doesn't have the exterior damage to his chest. Spike was barely able to get Skyfire's interior damage fixed before Ravage batted Bumblebee away and tried to attack the humans.
* When Starscream lands on the temple and starts firing at Brawn and Windcharger, his lasers are Autobot orange instead of Decepticon pink. The next shot shows the usual pink lasers hitting Windcharger.
* In the shot where Megatron's cannon shots are going wild, Starscream's leg is colored Brawn-green.
* As Reflector and Soundwave fire from the cover of the ruins, Reflector is using a tiny gun-mode Shockwave as his weapon!
* In the wide shot a second later, ''all'' the lasers are colored Decepticon pink, even though some are supposed to be Autobot shots.
*When Skyfire swoops over Soundwave and Reflector and destroys their stone bunkers, both the lasers hitting their targets and the explosions are missing, so it appears the walls just fall apart.
* In the wide shot of the temple top, Ironhide's head is gray instead of red; the colorists might have gotten him mixed up with Windcharger.
* The crystal cannon's barrel isn't hollow as Megatrom aims it at Prime and Ironhide.
* Megatron's fusion cannon is light gray instead of black as Prime hoists and throws him.
* The Autobots get a ridiculously loud sound effect for the act of turning on their headlights.
* Bumblebee has no interior when he opens his door to offer Spike and Luisa a lift.

===Continuity errors===
* The Incans apparently built temples with steps large enough for Transformers to use, staircases that lead to blank walls, passages long enough to drive down, and stone doors that automatically open when someone approaches.
* Megatron can pick off the Sky Spy (in low Earth orbit) but can't shoot Optimus Prime when he's 30 feet in front of him. The scope of the Sky Spy's explosion indicates a level of power that the crystal weapon never shows again.
* Skyfire's resurrection is one of the cartoon's most infamously problematic bits of continutity:
** Skyfire was left for dead and mourned as such in his previous, debut appearance in "[[Fire in the Sky]]". Now, suddenly, it just takes Sideswipe's pistons to dig him up out of the ice, and Wheeljack isn't the slightest bit surprised to find him alive and well. Why didn't they just dig him up right after he crashed? They only dug him up when they needed a ride?
** Wheeljack and Sideswipe apparently ''drive to the North Pole'' in order to dig up Skyfire, so he can then fly two other Autobots to South America. Why not just have Brawn and Windcharger drive to South America in the first place? (Of note, Wheeljack and Sideswipe are both capable of flight, though there's nothing to explicitly indicate that they flew to the North Pole.)
** Presumably as a result of some kind of miscommunication in production, Sideswipe is seen using an actual hand-held jackhammer to unearth Skyfire, rather than his customary built-in arm-mounted jackhammers.
** How does Skyfire know Wheeljack's name? Wheeljack wasn't part of the Autobot group that went to the Arctic Circle in "[[Fire in the Sky]]". It's possible they knew each other on Cybertron millions of years ago, but this, of course, isn't indicated. (For that matter, how does he know Brawn and Windcharger or where Autobot Headquarters is?)
* The Decepticons leave the temple to attack the mining town. En route, they're attacked by Brawn and Windcharger and drive them off. Skyfire then flies all the way back to Autobot Headquarters, picks up the rest of the Autobots, flies all the way back to Peru... and the Decepticons have apparently just reached the mining town like five minutes earlier.
* Soundwave was last seen at the <s>steel mill</s> mining town battle, but suddenly pops up outside the temple to send Ravage after Bumblebee and the humans.
* "It's not that we had any doubts, Wheeljack, but..." "You don't suppose we could..." "Get a fast ride back into town?" If no lines were cut from between the first and second sentence, then it's just some bizarrely awkward dialog.
* Bumblebee gets a bizarre but clearly intentional bit of humanizing in the episode's final shot, with his whole body frame bending like rubber to show embarrassment.


===Rhino DVD release===
[[Image:Fitm dvd broadcast.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You call this restoration?]]
The Rhino DVD version of this episode uses a number of erroneous takes as the basis of its remastered animation. As a result, the DVD introduces several coloring errors that were not present in the broadcast version:
* Trailbreaker is colored a solid red in his introductory shot.
* When Skywarp mocks Starscream for having to guard the Crystal, he is colored like Thundercracker.
* When Starscream and Thundercracker carry Skyfire's inert form, the Autobot jet has Skywarp’s colors.
* "Skyfire is an excellent catch!" In the first shot, Megatron steps up to stand next to Thundercracker (who has a white-instead-of-blue wingtip); in the second shot, Thundercracker has been replaced by Starscream. This is one of a handful of Rhino errors not corrected by the later [[Shout! Factory]] DVD release.
*When Skyfire is about to destroy the cannon, it already appears to be melted to slag.
* When Skyfire strafes the crystal-powered weapon, he momentarily has Skywarp's colors.

The chapter stops for this episode on the Rhino DVD include: Opening / Stolen Steel / It's Skyfire / To The Mining Town / Visiting Decepticon / Invention Works

===Continuity notes===
[[Image:G1 FireontheMountain SS chestmissiles.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Starscream's dreaded boob bombs.]]
* This episode references "[[Fire in the Sky]]", the previous (and first) episode that Skyfire appeared in.
* Gadgets and powers:
** Starscream has a dozen rockets in hidden chest compartments. This ability will appear again in "[[Full Throttle Scramble Power!]]". The feature was later immortalized in toy form for Starscream's ''[[Robot Masters (franchise)|Robot Masters]]'' incarnation through clip-on accessories, and again as part of his ''[[Masterpiece]]'' figure, this time actually incorporated into the figure.
** Soundwave conceals a tricorder-like scanning device in his left wrist.
** The latest device to come out of Laserbeak's head is the microphone-like thing. It's not clear what purpose it serves, as Laserbeak then broadcasts his findings to Megatron via pulsewaves that come out of his ''eyes'', of all things.
** Brawn has a retractable claw that can extend in his car mode.

[[Image:Megatron&crystalofpower.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Seriously, in the cartoon world, crystals are the [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2|most]] [[The God Gambit|powerful]] [[A Prime Problem|things]] [[Fire in the Sky|ever]].]]
* While the concept makes no sense in real-world terms, this is the second time in almost as many episodes that a greenish crystal has been linked to the Earth's core.

* Skywarp refers to Starscream by the nickname "Screamer" in this episode, a nickname used again by Streetwise in the late Season 2 episode "[[B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.]]".

* Fans have long cited this episode when discussing the improbability of Brawn's death in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', observing that Brawn had previously survived direct hits from Megatron's gun mode in this episode... but it simply ain't so. Brawn ''dodges'' every shot that comes from Megatron. It's actually ''Soundwave'', using his own standard weapon, who shoots Brawn in the head to no effect. Not that we're questioning the indestructibility of the all-powerful Brawn, of course.

* This is the only episode to play on Thundercracker's uncertain loyalties, a trait called out in his original [[bio]]. However, the official [[Sunbow Productions|Sunbow]] synopsis for the episode indicates that it was originally going to take the idea even further:

::"The Autobots arrive to stop [the Decepticons], and Jetfire tries to convince a beleaguered Thundercracker to switch loyalties and join the Autobots. He is caught and wounded by Starscream. Spike, with the help of a local native girl, goes to his rescue, and Jetfire--with a little assist from Thundercracker--turns away the Deceptcions and destroys the "Crystal of Power.""<ref>http://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible/#069</ref>

[[Image:Fireonthemountain soundwave vs brawn round1.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Better get use to this, Soundwave.]]

*This is also one of the few episodes in which Thundercracker displays his sonic powers, and even then, only when Starscream whines about the "awful thunder noise" he's making as they fly away. His sonic powers are also mentioned in "[[Heavy Metal War]]", where Megatron uses them after gathering all the Decepticons' powers.

* This episode begins a mini-tradition of Bluestreak [[The Ultimate Doom, Part 2|shooting]] [[Brainstorm!|down]] Laserbeak.

* '''Brawn vs. Soundwave''', Round 1: Brawn 1, Soundwave 0 [[Attack of the Autobots|>>]]

===Real-world references===
* The title of this episode may be a reference to the Grateful Dead song of the same name.
* The Transformers visit Peru, an ancient Incan temple, and a <s>steel manufacturing</s> mining village where everyone speaks heavily accented English.
* ''[[Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
** Laserbeak pursues Windcharger with a TIE fighter engine roar, and fires on him with the sound of the Death Star super laser firing. After the commercial break, he gets more TIE sounds along with some ''Millennium Falcon'' engines, during several different shots.
** Megatron launches to attack Brawn with another ''Falcon'' engine burst. The roar continues into the next shot as the sound of Skyfire's jets.
** ''Falcon'' engine whine as Laserbeak dives to retrieve Megatron's fusion cannon from Brawn, and again as Bluestreak and Windcharger jump out of the way, and again as Laserbeak starts chasing Bumblebee.
** More TIE engine as Laserbeak continues harassing Bumblebee, along with Death Star superlaser/Alderaan exploding.
** ''Falcon'' engine burst as Skywarp leaves the temple, and ''Falcon'' engine whine as he arrives at the battle site.
** ''Falcon'' whine as Laserbeak perches on Megatron's shoulder.

===Japanese version===
*The Japanese ordering of this episode places it toward the end of the series. This was done as it featured Skyfire prominantly and with his toy being of [[Bandai]] design (and not sold in Japan as a Transformer), that caused some legal concerns amongst Takara (many of Skyfire's smaller scenes in other episodes were cut entirely). Though the episodes featuring him as a main characters were eventually shown, the scripts were not reworked to adjust to the new chronological placement, simply being more or less direct translations of the original English versions.

*'''Cut:''' After Brawn declares, "It's fightin' time", the following overhead shot of Starscream and Skywarp fleeing the room is cut. The sequence resumes at the close-up of Starscream saying "Correction, Autobot...".

*'''Cut:''' After Starscream and Thundercracker take-off with the materials, the following scene of Brawn and Trailbreaker crawling out of the rubble, lamenting that they lost the steel and rolling out for headquarters have been cut.

*Additional narration describing the Sky Spy hovering over Peru as been added.

*'''Cut:''' The close-up of Spike's head and his line, "Uh oh, it's picking up a weird energy reading from those ruins", and the monitor shot displaying the ruins, have been cut. The sequence picks up at Laserbeak flying through the air.

*'''Cut:''' When Megatron and the Decepticons take off for the mining town in Peru, the following scene of them flying through the air and Megatron's line, "Any who stand in our way will be demolished", have been cut.

*Additional narration has been added to the scene of all the Autobots loading into Skyfire, informing the audience that the scene is taking place at Autobot Base.

*'''Cut:''' After Skyfire tells everyone to buckle-up and blasts off for Peru, the following scene of him flyig over the Peruvian mountains has been cut.

*'''Cut:''' The scene panning over the mountain road leading to the metal forging facility has been cut.

*Additional narration has been added to the overhead pan of the metal forging fcility, informing the audience that Megatron is inside (immediately before the animation shows us that Megatron is inside).

*'''Cut:''' During the attack on the Decepticons at the metal forging facility, the scene of Megatron slowly marching forward as laser beams bounce off him has been cut. The sequence resumes at his lines, "Skywarp, I have created a steel alloy...".

*'''Cut:''' The scene of Starscream and Thundercracker carrying Skyfire's unconscious body has been cut. The sequence resumes at the close-up of Skyfire's head as he's being dropped.

===Trivia===
* Luisa's name is never spoken in the episode.
* A hissing sound effect (like the sound of air escaping from a canister) is heavily used in this episode, especially when a character is jumping or taking off into the air. It's never used in such a manner again. {{fact}}
*This was one of the six episodes featured on the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' console game.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 8: "Fire on the Mountain" ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1997 — ''The Transformers'' — War of the Dinobots ([[Malofilm]])
;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 UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume One ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume Two (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 02: Stagione Uno Parte Seconda ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season One (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)

==References==
<references />

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

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