The Insecticon Syndrome

2019-09-21T22:32:47Z

EddyBob15: /* Synopsis */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=29
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=21
|prev2=The Master Builders (episode)
|next2=A Prime Problem
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=32
|prev3=A Prime Problem
|next3=Microbots
|image=Insectsyndromefeeding.jpg
|caption=I think they have a special shampoo for that.
|title="The Insecticon Syndrome"
|production code=#700-28
|airdate=[[October 9]], 1985
|written by=[[Douglas Booth]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''The Insecticons feed on a source of power which causes them to grow... and will cause them to explode if not cured.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:InsecticonSyndrome Beachcomber branch.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|J'ACCUSE!]]
At a National Park, [[Jeff (ranger)|Jeff]], a park ranger has called for help. [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]], [[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] respond, driving along a rocky road (and Bumblebee is especially having trouble). The ranger shows the Autobots some trees that appeared to have been chewed on by something. Beachcomber quickly realizes that something ''did'' chew on the trees, but not by an animal—it was the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]. Meanwhile, the Insecticons are hiding in their current lair/hive/base thingy. They complain that the Pines just aren't filling and they're still hungry, so they decide to go chow down on some Redwoods. Meanwhile, Jeff is having trouble accepting the possibility of giant robotic insects (even though he's talking to a trio of [[Transformer|giant robotic cars]]). Suddenly, another ranger, Mike, calls him, saying he's seeing giant robotic insects. The [[Autobot]]s proceed to [[roll out]].

Meanwhile, the [[Decepticon]]s are searching for their Insecticon "allies". [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] has come up with a plan that will require their unique abilities. As [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] spots the Autobots, Megatron takes it as a chance to observe them in action. As the other ranger barely dodges a falling tree, the Autobots arrive. The Autobots and Insecticons throw down, until the Insecticons push a log down a hill that nearly crushes the Autobots. Our heroes jump into a river to avoid death, but they then fall over a waterfall... at least, that's what the Insecticons believe, for Hound used his [[hologram]]s to make it appear that the Autobots and humans fell over. After that, Megatron and the Decepticons arrive. He explains that he intends to attack [[Iron Mountain]], a human military base, but offers the Insecticons to gorge themselves at the [[Nova Power Plant]] if they help them. Overhearing this, the Autobots contact the [[Ark (G1)|base]].

[[File:G1 InsecticonSyndrome Bombshell Soundwave.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Here's your problem, ma'am. See that? Termites.]]
Receiving their signal, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] leads a strike force to the Nova Power Plant. Unfortunately, the Decepticons are already there. The [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] quickly down the helicopters the humans have to defend the base, while Megatron, Soundwave, [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] go to stop the Autobots. The Insecticons reach the [[Nova Power Core]], which they proceed to drain. However, the [[proton]]s within the core cause them to [[Size changing|grow in size]], making them as [[Scale|large]] as Optimus Prime and Megatron. Soundwave overhears what is happening, but [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] implants him with a [[cerebro-shell]] and makes him their slave. The Insecticons proceed to kick the [[Slag (slang)|slag]] out of [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], and the Autobots are forced to retreat with their fallen comrades. Megatron is pleased with the Insecticons' new power, unaware that the Insecticons plan to off him.

At the base, the [[Autobot]]s use [[Teletraan I]] to calculate what will happen to the Insecticons. It says that the energy from the Power Core will cause the Insecticons to explode unless something is done. However, the Autobots receive a distress signal from Iron Mountain, where the Decepticons are attacking. If the Insecticons explode there, they'll kill everyone there. [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] and Wheeljack quickly work on an antidote.

[[File:InsecticonSyndrome Nova Power Plant.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|LOOK AT HIM! LOOK AT HIM AND LAUGH!]]
At Iron Mountain, the Decepticons attack. However, the human defenses are surprisingly advanced for simple flesh creatures. Finally, [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] takes control of the human weapons, causing them to attack the base. The Autobots arrive, but are quickly buried in rubble by the Insecticons. Entering the base, Soundwave manages to access the computer. Megatron declares that it's time to eliminate the Insecticons, only to discover that his army has been taken over by the Insecticons. Bombshell fires a cerebro-shell into [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], but Megatron manages to grab the shell fired at him and destroy it. Before Megatron can fire his fusion cannon at the Insecticons, Optimus Prime prevents him from doing so and they instruct the Decepticons to attack while they retrieve Soundwave. Prime explains the explosive situation to Megatron as Ratchet and Wheeljack arrive with an antidote.

[[File:InsecticonSyndrome Shrapnel explode.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Ahhh, my head asplode. Asplode.]]
Heading into Iron Mountain, Megatron fires at the Insecticons. although he misses his targets, the Insecticons begin to reach critical mass, and will explode at any minute. Bombshell incapacitates Megatron and Optimus Prime manually [[Transformation|transforms]] him into [[Alternate mode|gun mode]] to fire the antidotes into Bombshell and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]. However, Shrapnel manages to avoid his cure and uses lightning in the sky against Optimus Prime before he can load Megatron with the antidote made for him, so Spike bravely manages to get the cure into Shrapnel... but it doesn't work because Shrapnel explodes. The cures cause the cerebro-shells to deactivate, but also erases the information Soundwave downloaded. Bombshell uses a special shell to cause Shrapnel to reassemble, and the Insecticons run away, with the angry Decepticons in pursuit. With the Decepticons defeated, the day is saved.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (1)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (2)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (3)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (15)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (16)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (17)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (18)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (19)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (20)
|c2=
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (6)
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (7)
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (8)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (10)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (11)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (12)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (13)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (14)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (21)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (22)
|c3=
*[[Jeff (ranger)|Jeff]] (4)
*[[Mike]] (9)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (5)
}}

==Quotes==
"Gigantic robot insects that eat trees? YOU'VE GOTTA BE KIDDING!"
:—'''Jeff the Park Ranger's''' suspension of disbelief is ruined.

"The Insecticons have done well." 
"Yes...perhaps they should lead us." 
"You test my patience, Starscream."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Starscream''' after the Insecticons defeat some Autobots.

"Why, if it isn't Megatron, and his merry mechanical men!" 
"Why you rust encrusted cockroach!"
:—'''Bombshell''' and '''Starscream''' trade insults.

[[File:TIS laserbeak and buzzsaw.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
"Oh boy, a robotoid turkey shoot!"
:—'''Inferno''' takes aim at Laserbeak and Buzzsaw.

"Power has made the Insecticons obnoxious." 
"''And'' invincible."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Megatron'''

"What's the matter, Megatron? Weakling humans too tough for you, for you?"
:—'''Shrapnel''' to Megatron, after the latter has been shot by a human weapon.

"Ohhhh....that Nova Power Core is giving me heartburn...that is, if I have a heart." 
"If you have a ''brain'', you'll realize that we've got a battle to fight!"
:—'''Bombshell''' and '''Megatron'''

[[File:InsecticonSyndrome Inferno on hound.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Hound's a bottom? Who'da thunk it?]]
"Guys, you all right?" 
"Just great...if you don't mind two tons of Inferno sitting on your head plates." 
"Look, you get ten tons of boulders off my shoulder struts, and I'll get off your noggin."
:—'''Spike''', '''Hound''' and '''Inferno'''

"No one gets into my [[cranial chamber]]!" 
"Auugh, my cerebro-shell! My precious shell!" 
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Bombshell'''

"We're not that easy to squash, Megatron! We Insecticons, know how to get... it... together!!"
:—'''Bombshell''' gets serious but then delivers a cheesy line after reassembling Shrapnel.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
[[File:InsecticonSyndrome Inferno fires.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
[[File:IronhideG1 InternalLabel.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|So basically he's a live-action movie Transformer, wearing a bunch of boxes.]]
*This episode features the first appearances of [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]. However, no explanation of their origins is given.
*Where's the trailer go?
**At the start of the Nova Power Plant attack, in a head-on shot, Prime's trailer just rolls off behind him and disappears over the horizon. This shot is recycled for the Autobots' arrival at Iron Mountain.
*Bombshell sure gets upset when one of his (presumably limitless) cerebro-shells is destroyed. This is the closest the cartoon ever got to showing his tech spec weakness, which notes that the shells can be used against him.
*This is not [[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|the first time]] that Optimus Prime has fired Megatron in gun mode, nor [[The Core|the first time]] that they've teamed up to save their skins. Nor would it be [[The Revenge of Bruticus|the last time]].
*It's also not the first time that the Decepticons have [[A Plague of Insecticons|chased the Insecticons off into the sunset]].
*According to Spike, the Insecticons have "[[trilithium stomach]]s".
*After he climbs up the electrical tower and gets electrocuted, Ironhide's forearm panel pops open and the word "Ironhide" is written on the circuits inside.
*Bombshell's rather baffling ability to rebuild Shrapnel with a shell was, per the episode's script, supposed to be another use of his "Insecta-shells," previously featured "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]". That episode failed to communicate the full extent of the shell's power—it produces the connecting wires and micro-circuitry needed to assemble the Insecticons' clones—and the script's direction to refer back to that episode for details results in this episode also failing to visually convey that these wires and circuits are what bind Shrapnel's shattered parts back together.
**As such, the fact that the cerebro-shells shut down after Shrapnel exploded and Bombshell appeared to reassemble him with electricity would make one think that their roles had originally been switched.

===Real-world references===
*The episode's title is likely to be a reference to the movie ''{{w|The China Syndrome}}'', which also deals with a pending meltdown and potential catastrophic explosion.
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**During the battle in the park, Bombshell and Kickback both launch and fly with ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine noises.
**The sound of a [[lightsaber]] igniting is used as Prime blasts away the rocks pinning down the other Autobots.
===Animation and technical errors===
[[File:InsecticonSyndrome Seekers cerebroshells.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*Jeff's pointing hand is layered behind Beachcomber when saying his "What kind of animals can devour trees this size?" line.
*Coloring errors:
**In the second binocular view of the Insecticons, Shrapnel's "cockpit" isn't colored yellow.
**Two Skywarps are shown flying against the human helicopters; one should presumably be Starscream or Thundercracker.
**Megatron's upper gun body is black instead of light gray after he transforms in Prime's arms.
**Thundercracker's cockpit cowlings are yellow instead of blue as he and the other eject their cerebro shells.
**Bumblebee's nose is yellow instead of white as Spike makes his awful, horrible joke.
*Shrapnel's transformation to [[robot mode]] gets only half a transformation noise, and it's not timed to line up with the animation.
*Kickback is supposed to be in insect mode when he lands to kick the log after the Autobots, but he's drawn in robot mode, lying on his back!
[[File:Insecticonsyndrome soundwave cerebroshelled.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*Starscream's Decepticon insignias are incorrectly the right way up when the Decepticons first approach the Insecticons.
*Megatron is missing his chest insignia during the line "At the Nova Power Plant".
*Buzzsaw and Laserbeak both leave Soundwave's chest with no chest-opening sound effect and no transformation noise.
*Bombshell is shown during Kickback's "making me grow" line, though given the lack of lip flap for the insect mode Insecticons, it's not an incontrovertible mistake.
*The animation is not especially consistent about how much the Insecticons have grown. Inside the power core, they're gargantuan; when they enslave Soundwave, they're only a few heads taller than him. During the attack on Iron Mountain they're the same size as the other Decepticons.
*As Shrapnel gets Soundwave into a full nelson, Soundwave has a purple Autobot insignia.
*A trace of Ironhide's accent slips into Peter Cullen's delivery as Optimus Prime orders Bumblebee, Inferno, Beachcomber, and Jazz to help him.
*Jazz has a Decepticon insignia during a shot in Autobot Headquarters after they discover the Insecticons are time bombs, just before the second commercial break.
[[File:InsecticonSyndrome-DefenseComputer.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|The exit to Lollipop Land. And on the right, the unisex bathroom.]]
*Improbable viewpoints:
**Teletraan I supplies a 3/4 view of the Decepticons attacking Iron Mountain. The view travels with them as they fly.
*As the "master defense sequence" is activated, and just before the blast shields are lowered, we get a view of the absurdly tiny doors on either side of the computer room.
*Starscream's wings are mounted much too high on his shoulders as he watches Soundwave absorb the computer info.
*When Bombshell turns to order his slaves to fire, he gets a whirring sound effect as if he were sitting on a moving platform.
*Shrapnel loses his last-word-repeating gimmick as he summons the lightning.
*As he watches Spike run up to Shrapnel, Optimus calls him "Pike". Or maybe "Bike". [[A Prime Problem|For real]].
*When Beachcomber is in the foreground watching Spike get back up, his head inexplicably twists to the other side in a clip.

===Continuity errors===
*Soundwave eavesdrops on the Insecticons ''with a Transformer-sized stethoscope''. As if this weren't implausible enough, he's wearing and using it in proper human fashion ''even though he doesn't have ears''.
*Wheeljack and Ironhide climbing the transmission towers does not appear to serve any rational purpose.
*Spike [[The Immobilizer|once again]] gets a wrist watch that shows up only in the shots where he needs to tell the time.
*From the time Spike looks at his watch and issues the 30-second warning to the point where Shrapnel explodes, about 1 minute and 46 seconds pass. As well, when he gives Shrapnel his 10-second warning, it takes about 47 seconds until he detonates. (On a minor note, it takes Spike 6 out of the available 10 seconds to ''say'' that Shrapnel is going to explode.) Either their estimates on when the Insecticons would explode were off, or seconds are longer in this episode than they are elsewhere.
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] disappears from the episode after a quick appearance inside of Iron Mountain, just before Shrapnel's big explosion. He doesn't even get to laugh with the other Autobots at the end.

===Trivia===
[[File:Insectsyndromespikeshoot.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Remember kids, guns are awesome!]]
*Spike totally gets his own laser gun in this ep.
*Amongst the text that comes up on the Iron Mountain computer is a mess of BASIC programming commands and repeated "Syntax error"s.

===Foreign localization===
'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' '''La sindrome degli Insector''' ("The Syndrome of Insecticons")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
:*Misnaming from the old dub: Hound is called [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]] and Skywarp is now Scrapper.

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Insectron Syndrome'''" (インセクトロン・シンドローム)
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 29]], [[1985]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Chóng Zāi '''" (虫灾, "Insect Damage")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2000 — ''The Original Transformers — Volume 6: Evolution Revolution ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino 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]] 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 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 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/700-28.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Insecticon Syndrome}}
[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

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The Insecticon Syndrome