MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Heavy Is the Head

2013-05-06T15:56:00Z

Ferry22: /* Notes */

{{Comicstory|
|series=rid|issueno=16
|prev=Plan for Everything
|next=Shockwaves
|caption=
|image=RID16 cvrA.jpg
|title="Heavy Is the Head"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[April 17]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=April 2013
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|pencils by=[[Andrew Griffith]]
|inks by=[[Brian Shearer]]
|ink assist by=[[Rick Ketcham]]
|colors by=[[Josh Perez]]
|letters by=[[Shawn Lee]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2013)]]
}}

'''This is the story of the end of the world...'''

==Synopsis==

[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and his team pursue [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] through the burning streets of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], but [[Metalhawk]] and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] both chide the [[Autobot]] leader for making the destruction of the [[Decepticon]]s his primary aim, rather than the rescue of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]—an insistence upon the idea of factions that they consider to be the reason his government has consistently failed. Bumblebee is incredulous; [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] keep out of the argument and busy themselves taking down [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] appears, still smarting over Arcee's attack on the Decepticon pen, but the little punk's whining is abruptly silenced when the newly-arrived [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] blindside him. While Ironhide then goes to confront [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], hoping he can get through to [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], lost in the chaotic mind of the rampaging gestalt, the Dinobots stay with Bumblebee's team to provide muscle, giving the little 'bot the boost he needs to take charge and order his team forward. They soon catch up to the fleeing Decepticons, and Metalhawk cuts his way through to Starscream's side, at which point the pair are confronted by [[Turmoil]]. The Decepticon blasts one of Metalhawk's arms off, but Starscream, snapped out of his paralyzing depression by the realisation that Metalhawk has not turned against him and really is his friend, springs into action. Seizing Metalhawk's severed arm, Starscream uses its wing-blade to slice Turmoil's cannon off, then cleaves his head open.

Elsewhere, [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] is in the process of gathering up wounded but still-living Autobots and bringing them to the safety of the city's prison, only to find himself staring down the barrel of [[Needlenose]]'s gun just as he carries [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] inside. But before he can fire, Needlenose is caught unawares by his old victim [[Zetca (G1)|Zetca]]—backed by a group of other [[NAIL]]s and turncoat Decepticons—who holds a gun on him for a moment before allowing him to run away. Zetca is surprised by Swindle's actions, but smiles as Swindle explains that Blurr was hurt saving him and he was repaying the favor.

Ironhide, meanwhile, is clambering around Devastator's head, causing the combiner to howl in confusion, unable to comprehend why Ironhide is persisting despite seemingly impossible odds. Ironhide tells him that he has come to a revelation: where once he thought his vision of the future was fixed, his time in the wilderness has convinced him that nothing is incapable of change. These words reach Prowl, who has long been struggling with the belief that any attempt to alter his own way of life will be fruitless, and he manages to take control of Devastator's body, using the giant's arms to tear its own head off. Devastator crumbles back into his component [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], and Prowl emerges, himself once again, at last. The fight is not over yet, however: Megatron has been waiting for the Autobots to bring Devastator down, so that he himself can combine with the Constructicons and form a truly unstoppable titan. As the combination begins, Dirge pleads with Megatron not to start the war again, but Megatron simply shoots him, mockingly asking if change is so "important" to him that he will die for it. This word reminds Bumblebee of [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s dying utterance, a call to remember "What's most important". Realisation dawns: Wheeljack was referring to his system bypass code, made up of what he used to call "three most important words in the Cybertroninan language". As one, Bumblee, Prowl and Ironhide speak the activation code "Wheeljack Wheeljack Wheeljack", and a forcefield belt that Wheeljack had secretly integrated with Megatron's [[spark]] casing flares into life. The energy sphere immobilizes Megatron, stopping his combination and ending the conflict at last.

At another spot on the battlefield, out of view of the others, Metalhawk explains to Starscream his reasons for saving him, recalling Starscream's appointment by the [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Metrotitan]] as the "Chosen One", and his own newfound certainty that Starscream will be able to understand that this is a responsibility, not an opportunity. Starscream, on the other hand, has found a new opportunity all his own... and kills Metalhawk with Turmoil's cannon. Lifting his former friend's body, Starscream ascends to a peak overlooking the Autobots and NAILs below, already back to squabbling over what to do with the Decepticons now that the fighting is done, and cries out for their attention. He holds Metalhawk's dead body aloft, blaming his death on the war, and repeating Metalhawk's words about opportunity and responsibility as his own. Starscream tears the Decepticon [[insignia]] from his chest, and calls for all who will listen to do the same, to give up their factions as Metalhawk always wanted. And the people...

...side with Starscream.

Under Starscream's proclamation, those Autobots and Decepticons who will not renounce their factions are banished from Iacon and sent out into the wilderness, Bumblebee's team paramount among them. As they go, and Bumblebee reflects on the long string of failures that was his leadership, Starscream pulls his crown from the rubble of the city, dons it, and surveys his new world.

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.) 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (1)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (3)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (4)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (16)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (17)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (18)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (19)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (20)
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (22)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (24)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (25)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (27)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (33)
*''[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'' (38)
*[[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] (40)
*[[Longtooth]] (41)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (42)
*[[Circuit (G1)|Circuit]] (43)
{{!}}}
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (2)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (5)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (7)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (8)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (9)
*[[Turmoil]] (10)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (11)
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (12)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (13)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (14)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (15)
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (21)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (23)
*[[Needlenose]] (26)
*[[Octane|Tankor]] (28)
*[[Squawkbox]] (29)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (34)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (35)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (36)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (37)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (39)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (44)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (45)
{{!}}}
|h3=[[NAIL]]s|c3=
*[[Metalhawk]] (6)
*[[Zetca (G1)|Zetca]] (30)
*[[Tappet]] (31)
*[[Sky-Byte (G2)|Sky-Byte]] (32)
}}

==Quotes==

"You pair of '''cowards'''. I bear the scars—the '''bite marks'''—of a warrior '''forged''' in the cauldron of '''battle''', while you—a '''pacifist'''—and an '''opportunist'''—'''run to hide in the shadows." 
"'''Opportunist.''' I like that, '''Turmoil'''. You're not the '''first''' person to call me that, but I '''like''' it. Thing with '''opportunists'''—" 
''(Starscream grabs Metalhawk's severed arm.)'' 
"—don't show them '''opportunities.'''" 
''(KER-SLASH)''
:—'''Turmoil''' and '''Starscream'''

"I... thought... you were my '''friend'''." 
''(SHABLAMMO)'' 
"I '''was'''. I just want this '''more'''."
:—'''Metalhawk''' and '''Starscream'''

"Can you handle the '''rest''' o' the 'cons, '''Arcee'''?" 
"With '''five dinobots,''' I can retake the '''planet.'''" 
"We only got '''four.'''" 
"Then I'll '''see''' what I can do." 
:—'''Ironhide''' and '''Arcee'''

==Notes==

*Devastator makes use of a drill in place of his left hand, a callback to the original Devastator toy, whose forearms doubled as missile launchers that could hold drill-shaped missiles.
*Rumble remembers Arcee's attack on the Decepticon pen from [[The End of the Beginning of the World|issue #11]], tying up the last particularly obvious question surrounding Arcee and her role in the Decepticons' plan (while believed by the 'Cons to be on their side at the time, she attacked them because Starscream may have been watching).
*Ironhide cracks that he's sure he already smashed Rumble, referring to his takedown of his twin Frenzy, last issue.
*The idea of Starscream being reduced to the near-paralytic levels of inaction he has displayed the last few issues following the complete failure of one of his plays for leadership, only to snap back to vicious action when pushed too far, isn't new: we saw him suffer through the same thing in ''[[Spotlight: Megatron]]''.
*Blurr and Swindle got flattened by Astrotrain back in [[Before the Dawn|issue #14]], while Jetfire, Bluestreak and Warpath were taken down in the Decepticon raid of the prison in [[The Verge|issue #13]].
*Zetca recalls his beating at the hands of Needlenose from aaaaaaall the way back in [[The Autonomy Lesson|issue #1]].
*We first learned about Ironhide's vision of the future in [[A Better Tomorrow|issue #5]].
*Wheeljack's forcefield belts first appeared in [[Interference Patterns|issue #7]], and he used them on Megatron in [[City on Fire|issue #12]]. He attempted to remind Bumblebee of "what's most important" in issue #14, which we learn this issue was referring to the "three most important words in the Cybertronian language"—the passcode consisting of his own name repeated three times—seen previously in [[Devisive|issue #4]].
*Arcee reminds Dirge of when she told him that "we all want what we can't have", from issue #4.
*Starscream's crown is, of course, the crown he wore during his coronation in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', which he was previously seen trying on for size in issue #11.
*For the first time in the series, the last names of the inker and colorist of the issue were on the front cover.
*Troughout the entire issue the Deceptions all have the movie logo rather than the G1 logo.

===Real-world references===

*The title of this issue is derived from a common paraphrasing of a quote from Shakespeare's ''Henry IV, Part 2'', "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown."

===Errors===

*On page 12, a typo turns "what" into "whate".

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' The assembled Autobots, Decepticon and NAILs versus Devastator, by [[Andrew Griffith]] and [[Priscilla Tramontano]].
* '''Cover B:''' Bumblebee and Starscream supporting the wounded Metalhawk and opening fire, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
* '''Cover RI:''' Monochrome yellow bust shot of Bumblebee by [[Marcelo Matere]], continuing the previous three months' "bust" theme for the RI covers, paralleling the RI cover to ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' #16
<gallery>
Image:RID16 cvrA.jpg|
Image:RID16 cvrB.jpg|
Image:RID16 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===

*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[The Gloaming|#16]]
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' [[Natural Selection, Part 5|#90]]
*''The Colonized''
*''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: The Cobra Files]]'' #1
*''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]: [[The Reluctant Specialist|Trailcutter]]''
*''Danger Girl: Trinity'' (back cover)

Heavy Is the Head

2013-05-06T15:55:13Z

Ferry22: /* Notes */

{{Comicstory|
|series=rid|issueno=16
|prev=Plan for Everything
|next=Shockwaves
|caption=
|image=RID16 cvrA.jpg
|title="Heavy Is the Head"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[April 17]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=April 2013
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|pencils by=[[Andrew Griffith]]
|inks by=[[Brian Shearer]]
|ink assist by=[[Rick Ketcham]]
|colors by=[[Josh Perez]]
|letters by=[[Shawn Lee]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2013)]]
}}

'''This is the story of the end of the world...'''

==Synopsis==

[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and his team pursue [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] through the burning streets of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], but [[Metalhawk]] and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] both chide the [[Autobot]] leader for making the destruction of the [[Decepticon]]s his primary aim, rather than the rescue of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]—an insistence upon the idea of factions that they consider to be the reason his government has consistently failed. Bumblebee is incredulous; [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] keep out of the argument and busy themselves taking down [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] appears, still smarting over Arcee's attack on the Decepticon pen, but the little punk's whining is abruptly silenced when the newly-arrived [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] blindside him. While Ironhide then goes to confront [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], hoping he can get through to [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], lost in the chaotic mind of the rampaging gestalt, the Dinobots stay with Bumblebee's team to provide muscle, giving the little 'bot the boost he needs to take charge and order his team forward. They soon catch up to the fleeing Decepticons, and Metalhawk cuts his way through to Starscream's side, at which point the pair are confronted by [[Turmoil]]. The Decepticon blasts one of Metalhawk's arms off, but Starscream, snapped out of his paralyzing depression by the realisation that Metalhawk has not turned against him and really is his friend, springs into action. Seizing Metalhawk's severed arm, Starscream uses its wing-blade to slice Turmoil's cannon off, then cleaves his head open.

Elsewhere, [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] is in the process of gathering up wounded but still-living Autobots and bringing them to the safety of the city's prison, only to find himself staring down the barrel of [[Needlenose]]'s gun just as he carries [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] inside. But before he can fire, Needlenose is caught unawares by his old victim [[Zetca (G1)|Zetca]]—backed by a group of other [[NAIL]]s and turncoat Decepticons—who holds a gun on him for a moment before allowing him to run away. Zetca is surprised by Swindle's actions, but smiles as Swindle explains that Blurr was hurt saving him and he was repaying the favor.

Ironhide, meanwhile, is clambering around Devastator's head, causing the combiner to howl in confusion, unable to comprehend why Ironhide is persisting despite seemingly impossible odds. Ironhide tells him that he has come to a revelation: where once he thought his vision of the future was fixed, his time in the wilderness has convinced him that nothing is incapable of change. These words reach Prowl, who has long been struggling with the belief that any attempt to alter his own way of life will be fruitless, and he manages to take control of Devastator's body, using the giant's arms to tear its own head off. Devastator crumbles back into his component [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], and Prowl emerges, himself once again, at last. The fight is not over yet, however: Megatron has been waiting for the Autobots to bring Devastator down, so that he himself can combine with the Constructicons and form a truly unstoppable titan. As the combination begins, Dirge pleads with Megatron not to start the war again, but Megatron simply shoots him, mockingly asking if change is so "important" to him that he will die for it. This word reminds Bumblebee of [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s dying utterance, a call to remember "What's most important". Realisation dawns: Wheeljack was referring to his system bypass code, made up of what he used to call "three most important words in the Cybertroninan language". As one, Bumblee, Prowl and Ironhide speak the activation code "Wheeljack Wheeljack Wheeljack", and a forcefield belt that Wheeljack had secretly integrated with Megatron's [[spark]] casing flares into life. The energy sphere immobilizes Megatron, stopping his combination and ending the conflict at last.

At another spot on the battlefield, out of view of the others, Metalhawk explains to Starscream his reasons for saving him, recalling Starscream's appointment by the [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Metrotitan]] as the "Chosen One", and his own newfound certainty that Starscream will be able to understand that this is a responsibility, not an opportunity. Starscream, on the other hand, has found a new opportunity all his own... and kills Metalhawk with Turmoil's cannon. Lifting his former friend's body, Starscream ascends to a peak overlooking the Autobots and NAILs below, already back to squabbling over what to do with the Decepticons now that the fighting is done, and cries out for their attention. He holds Metalhawk's dead body aloft, blaming his death on the war, and repeating Metalhawk's words about opportunity and responsibility as his own. Starscream tears the Decepticon [[insignia]] from his chest, and calls for all who will listen to do the same, to give up their factions as Metalhawk always wanted. And the people...

...side with Starscream.

Under Starscream's proclamation, those Autobots and Decepticons who will not renounce their factions are banished from Iacon and sent out into the wilderness, Bumblebee's team paramount among them. As they go, and Bumblebee reflects on the long string of failures that was his leadership, Starscream pulls his crown from the rubble of the city, dons it, and surveys his new world.

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.) 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (1)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (3)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (4)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (16)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (17)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (18)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (19)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (20)
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (22)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (24)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (25)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (27)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (33)
*''[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'' (38)
*[[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] (40)
*[[Longtooth]] (41)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (42)
*[[Circuit (G1)|Circuit]] (43)
{{!}}}
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (2)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (5)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (7)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (8)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (9)
*[[Turmoil]] (10)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (11)
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (12)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (13)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (14)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (15)
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (21)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (23)
*[[Needlenose]] (26)
*[[Octane|Tankor]] (28)
*[[Squawkbox]] (29)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (34)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (35)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (36)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (37)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (39)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (44)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (45)
{{!}}}
|h3=[[NAIL]]s|c3=
*[[Metalhawk]] (6)
*[[Zetca (G1)|Zetca]] (30)
*[[Tappet]] (31)
*[[Sky-Byte (G2)|Sky-Byte]] (32)
}}

==Quotes==

"You pair of '''cowards'''. I bear the scars—the '''bite marks'''—of a warrior '''forged''' in the cauldron of '''battle''', while you—a '''pacifist'''—and an '''opportunist'''—'''run to hide in the shadows." 
"'''Opportunist.''' I like that, '''Turmoil'''. You're not the '''first''' person to call me that, but I '''like''' it. Thing with '''opportunists'''—" 
''(Starscream grabs Metalhawk's severed arm.)'' 
"—don't show them '''opportunities.'''" 
''(KER-SLASH)''
:—'''Turmoil''' and '''Starscream'''

"I... thought... you were my '''friend'''." 
''(SHABLAMMO)'' 
"I '''was'''. I just want this '''more'''."
:—'''Metalhawk''' and '''Starscream'''

"Can you handle the '''rest''' o' the 'cons, '''Arcee'''?" 
"With '''five dinobots,''' I can retake the '''planet.'''" 
"We only got '''four.'''" 
"Then I'll '''see''' what I can do." 
:—'''Ironhide''' and '''Arcee'''

==Notes==

*Devastator makes use of a drill in place of his left hand, a callback to the original Devastator toy, whose forearms doubled as missile launchers that could hold drill-shaped missiles.
*Rumble remembers Arcee's attack on the Decepticon pen from [[The End of the Beginning of the World|issue #11]], tying up the last particularly obvious question surrounding Arcee and her role in the Decepticons' plan (while believed by the 'Cons to be on their side at the time, she attacked them because Starscream may have been watching).
*Ironhide cracks that he's sure he already smashed Rumble, referring to his takedown of his twin Frenzy, last issue.
*The idea of Starscream being reduced to the near-paralytic levels of inaction he has displayed the last few issues following the complete failure of one of his plays for leadership, only to snap back to vicious action when pushed too far, isn't new: we saw him suffer through the same thing in ''[[Spotlight: Megatron]]''.
*Blurr and Swindle got flattened by Astrotrain back in [[Before the Dawn|issue #14]], while Jetfire, Bluestreak and Warpath were taken down in the Decepticon raid of the prison in [[The Verge|issue #13]].
*Zetca recalls his beating at the hands of Needlenose from aaaaaaall the way back in [[The Autonomy Lesson|issue #1]].
*We first learned about Ironhide's vision of the future in [[A Better Tomorrow|issue #5]].
*Wheeljack's forcefield belts first appeared in [[Interference Patterns|issue #7]], and he used them on Megatron in [[City on Fire|issue #12]]. He attempted to remind Bumblebee of "what's most important" in issue #14, which we learn this issue was referring to the "three most important words in the Cybertronian language"—the passcode consisting of his own name repeated three times—seen previously in [[Devisive|issue #4]].
*Arcee reminds Dirge of when she told him that "we all want what we can't have", from issue #4.
*Starscream's crown is, of course, the crown he wore during his coronation in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', which he was previously seen trying on for size in issue #11.
*For the first time in the series, the last names of the inker and colorist of the issue were on the front cover.
*Troughout the entire issue the Deceptions all have the movie logo gather than the G1 logo.

===Real-world references===

*The title of this issue is derived from a common paraphrasing of a quote from Shakespeare's ''Henry IV, Part 2'', "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown."

===Errors===

*On page 12, a typo turns "what" into "whate".

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' The assembled Autobots, Decepticon and NAILs versus Devastator, by [[Andrew Griffith]] and [[Priscilla Tramontano]].
* '''Cover B:''' Bumblebee and Starscream supporting the wounded Metalhawk and opening fire, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
* '''Cover RI:''' Monochrome yellow bust shot of Bumblebee by [[Marcelo Matere]], continuing the previous three months' "bust" theme for the RI covers, paralleling the RI cover to ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' #16
<gallery>
Image:RID16 cvrA.jpg|
Image:RID16 cvrB.jpg|
Image:RID16 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===

*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[The Gloaming|#16]]
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' [[Natural Selection, Part 5|#90]]
*''The Colonized''
*''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: The Cobra Files]]'' #1
*''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]: [[The Reluctant Specialist|Trailcutter]]''
*''Danger Girl: Trinity'' (back cover)

Five Servos of Doom

2013-05-01T16:03:22Z

Ferry22: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|series2=AniJapan
|image=TFA Five Servos Yoketron vs Prowl.JPG
|caption=Wax on, wax off.
|ep=35
|ep2=32
|prev2=Where Is Thy Sting?
|next2=Predacons Rising (Animated)
|title="Five Servos of Doom"
|airdate=[[April 4]], 2009
|written by=[[Andrew Robinson]]
|directed by=[[Kalvin Lee]] [[Yoshio Frank Chatani]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]}}

'''Sentinel Prime has incredible success capturing fugitive Decepticons, leading Prowl to suspect he's getting help. '''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:FiveServosOfDoom-CapturedDecepticons.jpg|thumb|left|200px|"We're gonna need a bigger shelf..."]]

In the dead of night, the [[Autobot]]s steal through the streets of [[Detroit]], on the trail of a [[Decepticon]] energy signature. With the source of the signal cornered, [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] makes his move and dives through a window, only to find that the signal is coming from a [[signal beacon]] and that the Autobots have been tricked. To make matters worse, [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] has disappeared, and the Autobots spread out to search for him. During the search, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] spots an unfamiliar shadow and follows it around a corner...to find the [[Sunstorm (Animated)|sycophantic Starscream clone]], captured and [[stasis cuffs|stasis-cuffed]] by Sentinel Prime. They take the prisoner back to the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard's]] ship, where Optimus is stunned to discover that Sentinel has also recently captured [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] and [[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] as well.

[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] and [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] are eager to know how Sentinel managed to apprehend the Starscream clone, as is Optimus, but Sentinel gets defensive and tells Optimus it does not concern him. Prime confides in Prowl his suspicion that Sentinel is hiding something, and tells about the strange shadow he saw. Back at the Autobot plant, the pair consult computer records to see if Optimus can identify the distinctive helmet the robot was wearing, and when they find one that fits the bill, the stunned Prowl flashes back to his past on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]…

[[Image:TFA Five Servos Prowl meets Yoketron.JPG|thumb|right|200px|"Blam! Pow! You want I should leave this here?"]]

:''The helmet belongs to [[Yoketron (Animated)|Yoketron]], the ninja master who trained Prowl centuries ago. Attempting to dodge the draft during the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], Prowl was apprehended by Elite Guardsman [[Warpath (Animated)|Warpath]] and placed into the care of Yoketron, who saw potential in him and offered to train him in exchange for the charges against him being dropped.''

Optimus pulls Prowl out of his ruminations, and the ninja-bot silently speeds back to the Elite Guard ship to converse with [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]], another of Yoketron's old students. The pair suspect that their old sensei may somehow be on Earth, capturing Decepticons, and that Sentinel is taking the credit. Sentinel walks in on the middle of the discussion and laughs off the notion that Yoketron is even still online, before departing on another patrol. Knowing that something is not right, Jazz and Prowl shadow Sentinel, but when Sentinel rounds a corner and disappears, Prowl lapses into his memories once again, recalling when Yoketron taught him that it was the robot himself, not his tools, that made the ninja. With nothing left to do, the pair return to the Elite Guard's ship, where Jetfire and Jetstorm are working to repair their communications system.

[[Image:Jetstormpose.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Say cheeeeeese!]]

The two brothers, who are struggling to get the ship's [[gyro-stabilizer]] working, tell the ninjas that Sentinel is waiting for them in the brig, and Jazz and Prowl are amazed to see that Sentinel has brought in [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]]! As Sentinel gloats, Prowl calls him on the unlikelihood of the whole scenario and accuses him of having "help". The ninja-bot points out the missing weapons on all the Decepticons, and notes that [[Lockdown (Animated)|only one bot]] that he knows of takes trophies from his victims, but Sentinel silences him by revealing that he has removed Lugnut's "[[Punch of Kill Everything]]" and placed it in a storage compartment in that very hallway. Embarrassed, Prowl leaves, and Sentinel turns on Optimus, telling him to keep Prowl in line, lest he "bust him back to protoform". The word echoes down the hallway, and Prowl pauses…

:''As Prowl's skills increase under Yoketron's tutelage, he is deemed worthy of a weapon by his master and is given his [[shuriken]]. Yoketron leads Prowl into a chamber containing holographic busts of his greatest students, but one plinth is empty—a spot, Yoketron reveals, previously held by a former student who disgraced the cyber-ninja corps. Prowl is amazed when Yoketron uses a technique known as "[[processor-over-matter]]" to open the far wall of the chamber with the power of his mind, revealing a greater chamber beyond, its walls lined with [[protoform]]s that the [[Cyber-Ninja Corps]] has been charged with protecting. Yoketron challenges Prowl to close the chamber using processor-over-matter, but Prowl is unable to accomplish the task, and Yoketron sends him on an "optics quest" to find his center and become a true cyber-ninja.''

Prowl's trip down memory lane is cut off as Sentinel comes down the hallway. He uses his hologram projector to disguise himself as a cabinet and listen in as Sentinel talks with parties unknown over his communicator. Prowl alerts Jazz before trailing Sentinel to [[Tigatron Stadium]], where he learns that his suspicions were correct: Sentinel is working with [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]], who is wearing Yoketron's helmet! Prowl busts up the prisoner exchange, but it is soon revealed that Lockdown has double-crossed Sentinel, having been made a better offer by [[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]]. Lockdown and Prowl engage in battle, and Lockdown reveals that he was also a student of Yoketron...

:''Returning from his unsuccessful optics quest, Prowl discovers that Yoketron's dojo has been attacked, the protoforms almost all stolen, and Yoketron himself fatally wounded. As Yoketron's spark begins to fade, Prowl recovers one of the remaining protoforms and places his master's spark in it, saving Yoketron's life. Yoketron, however, is appalled by his student's actions; one must never sacrifice a piece of the future in order to save a piece of the past. When Prowl's time comes, Yoketron tells him, he too will understand. As Prowl looks on, Yoketron allows his spark to fade out.''

[[Image:FiveServosOfDoom-Yoketron%27sDeath.jpg|thumb|right|200px|"You must not sacrifice a piece of the future to bring back the past." "But the seeds of the future lie buried in the past!" "... shut up, boy."]]

At last, all is clear to Prowl: Lockdown led the attack on the dojo and took the protoforms! Prowl pins Lockdown and demands the return of Yoketron's helmet; Lockdown appears to comply, but the helmet has been booby-trapped and binds Prowl in a tangle of cables. The captured Prowl is taken to [[Death's Head (Animated)|Lockdown's ship]], where the bounty hunter intends to remove his jump jets and holo-projector in order to complete a duplicate set of the armor that he loaned Prowl during their [[A Fistful of Energon|last encounter]]. Lying on Lockdown's "operating table", Prowl concentrates, and at last masters processor-over-matter, freeing his body from the cables with the power of his mind.

[[Image:Sentinel-derp.JPG|thumb|left|200px|Sentinel displays his ''Unfortunate Accident'' mode.]]

Meanwhile, Optimus Prime, Jazz, Jetfire and Jetstorm have arrived to rescue Sentinel Prime from the clutches of the Starscream clone, but the fight is not going well, as the clone uses Sentinel for a shield most of the time. The clone takes to the air, but Prime blinds him with a faceful of foam, and he crashes into the middle of the stadium field, dropping Sentinel head-first into the ground.

Back aboard Lockdown's ship, the bounty hunter turns to discover that Prowl has freed himself and donned both Yoketron's helmet and the armor, knowing that he will be able to handle its power this time because of the lesson he has finally learned: It is the ninja-bot, not the weapon. The two engage in battle once more, and their fight soon carries them out of the ship and into the middle of the other fight going on in the field outside. Optimus Prime and Jazz are in the process of dropping the stadium's scoreboard onto the Starscream clone, but Prowl and Lockdown get in the way at the last second, before they can stop the giant screen's tumble. As the dust clears, Optimus and Jazz discover that Prowl has used processor-over-matter to protect the combatants from the debris. Optimus quickly stasis-cuffs the Starscream clone, but Lockdown gets away.

[[Image:TFA Five Servos processor over matter.JPG|right|thumb|200px|...Show-off.]]
A little later, everyone has returned to the Elite Guard ship, where Jetstorm and Jetfire open a communications channel with [[Cliffjumper (Animated)|Cliffjumper]] on Cybertron. Cliffjumper tells the Autobots about [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]]'s attack on [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]], and rather than add to the trouble, Prime refrains from reporting Sentinel's misconduct, instead simply informing Cliffjumper of the capture of the Decepticons on [[Earth]], crediting Prowl. Sentinel thanks Optimus for covering for him, but Optimus promises that once everything is done, he and Sentinel will have it out.

Back at the Autobot base, Jazz compliments Prowl on his armor, and tells him that Yoketron would be proud to have him wear his helmet. Prowl vows to do everything he can to be worthy of it.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (1)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (2)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (4)
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] (8)
*[[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] (9)
*[[Yoketron (Animated)|Yoketron]] (10) (Flashback)
*[[Warpath (Animated)|Warpath]] (11) (Flashback)
*[[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] (15)
*[[Cliffjumper (Animated)|Cliffjumper]] (16)

|c2=
*[[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]] (5)
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (6)
*[[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] (7)
*[[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] (12)
*[[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] (13)
*[[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]] (14)

}}

==Quotes==
'''Jetfire''': Sentinel Prime, sir, tell please. 
'''Jetstorm''': How did you making to capture this badness bot? 
'''Optimus''': Yes, Sentinel. How did you capture this badness bot?
:—Optimus Prime and the twins question Sentinel and butcher the English language.

'''Warpath''': Ask me, he should rust in the stockade. Any Autobot who won't fight the Decepticons is no better than a Con himself. We're at war. 
'''Prowl''': It's not my war! 
'''Warpath''': Then maybe I should take you out back and ''make it'' your war! 
'''Yoketron''': I believe I can take it from here. 
'''Warpath''': Bam pow! Lousy draft-dodgin' peacenik.
:—Warpath has no time for draft-dodgers.

"Give. Me. Yoketron's. Helmet."
:—'''Prowl''' is ''not'' messing around.

"Couldn't resist that old armor, though, could ya? What makes you think you can handle it this time?" 
"I've learned something since then. It's the ninja-bot, not the weapon."
:—'''Lockdown''' and '''Prowl'''

"Whoa, bro. P-over-M."
:—'''Jazz''', impressed with Prowl's processor-over-matter mastery.

"Diggin' the new armor, specially Yoketron's helmet. He'd be proud to have you wear it." 
"Thank you. I plan to do everything in my power to be worthy of it."
:—'''Jazz''' and '''Prowl'''

==Notes==

===Animation or technical errors===

*Lockdown seems to have...lost a...tooth?
*When Prowl readies himself to kick Lockdown, his animation model doesn't have Yoketron's helmet, but rather, the helmet from the episode "[[A Fistful of Energon]]". This error reappears when Prowl charges at Lockdown a few seconds later.
*When the scoreboard crashes onto Prowl, Lockdown, and Ramjet, Prowl is missing his samurai armor.
*In the pan shot from the assembled Autobots and defeated Liar Starscream to Sentinel Prime with his head stuck in the ground, Sentinel's arms are spread out onto the turf as if he were no longer in stasis cuffs. His arms are positioned correctly when the shot switches to a close-up.
*Jetstorm has no mouth when Jetfire hails Cliffjumper on the Elite Guard ship's viewscreen.

== Headline text ==
===Continuity errors===
*It's not ''technically'' an error, since Prowl has always remained quiet on his history and could just have been holding back from correcting anyone, but this episode reveals that he was online during the Great War, prior to the creation of [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]], where previous episodes have suggested that none of the main ''Animated'' Autobot cast, except for [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]], were around back then. Notably, this makes Prowl older than Optimus Prime, which... sits ill, at best.
*Based on the various conversations about him, it seems the public believes Master [[Yoketron (Animated)|Yoketron]] mysteriously disappeared. This is rather at odds with Prowl's flashback, in which Master Yoketron leaves two distinct corpses behind thanks to Prowl trying to revive him. This makes one wonder what exactly happened after that.
*On a related note, this also means that Jazz was active in the Cyber-Ninja Corps during the war, apparently long before Sentinel even came online (much less joined the Elite Guard). Even ignoring Sentinel's various flaws, this raises legitimate questions about just how promotions are handed out in the Elite Guard.
*Swindle is still in one piece, despite [[Carmine Fanzone|a certain cop]] telling the Autobots he would be stripped down and sold at an auction.
[[Image:FiveServosOfDoom-LockdownInYoketronHelmet.jpg|thumb|200px|]]
*Lockdown has never mentioned Prowl's fighting before, referred to any cyber-ninja training, or, perhaps most noticeably, worn Yoketron's helmet prior to this episode. The latter may have been meant to be explained by Lockdown's stated interest in Prowl's use of the samurai armor during their last encounter, but it's still a little clunky.
*By much the same token, given what a big point Prowl makes of Yoketron's helmet being distinctive enough in shape to be recognizable even in shadow, it seems a little odd in retrospect that he made no comment regarding the strong similarity to his former master's helmet when he first saw the previous "samurai" helmet he got from Lockdown. On the other hand, Prowl is not much of a talker -even to his friens- so he did not want to let on that the helmet looked familiar to him to Lockdown.
*The [[protoform]] in this episode is a whole lot different than the one featured in "[[TransWarped]]". This new look will remain constant for the rest of the series.

===Continuity notes===
*Prowl performed the titular "Five Servos of Doom" technique back in "[[The Elite Guard]]".
*Swindle is still stuck in vehicle mode after the events of "[[SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy]]".
*Prowl's samurai armor was previously seen in "[[A Fistful of Energon]]", in which Lockdown last appeared. Additionally, it was in that episode that Starscream escaped from the Elite Guard flagship, which is the "last time" that Sentinel refers to while arguing with Optimus.
*As of this episode, we've seen all the Cybertronian modes for the five main Autobots.
*And, as of this episode, all the main 'bots have had flashback episodes (counting "[[Autoboot Camp]]" for both Bulkhead and Bumblebee).
*Prowl's keeping of his new armor continues the trend started in "[[TransWarped]]" with Bumblebee and Ratchet that upgrades are okay now because damnit, this is war. This is a notable turnaround from the position of the first two seasons.

===Transformers references===

*Yoketron is named for [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s lead designer, [[Hideaki Yoke]].
[[Image:FiveServosOfDoom-TempleCameos.jpg|thumb|right|250px|For those who thought getting [[Warpath (Animated)|Warpath]] just wasn't good enough...]]
[[Image:FiveServosOfDoom-TempleCameos2.jpg|thumb|250px]]
[[Image:FiveServosOfDoom-TempleCameos3.jpg|thumb|250px]]
*In addition to Yoketron and Jazz, the busts in Yoketron's little "hall of fame" depict ''Animated'' incarnation of various Transformers that have otherwise not appeared in the series (yet?). Those clearly visible onscreen include [[Springer (Animated)|Springer]], [[Sky Garry (Animated)|Sky Garry]], [[Devcon (Animated)|Devcon]], [[Dai Atlas (Animated)|Dai Atlas]], [[Heavy Load (Animated)|Heavy Load]], [[Star Upper (Animated)|Star Upper]] and [[Roadhandler (Animated)|Roadhandler]], but there are many more busts in the room that are only seen from a distance, and are essentially unidentifiable. [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] has identified the other Transformers as [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Star Saber (Animated)|Star Saber]], [[Tap-Out (Animated)|Tap-Out]], [[Kick-Off (Animated)|Kick-Off]], [[Grandus (Animated)|Grandus]], [[Motorarm (Animated)|Motorarm]], [[Powerhug (Animated)|Powerhug]] and [[Road Rocket (Animated)|Road Rocket]].
** Additionally, Wyatt classifies the characters as being specialists in different categories, namely Fencing/Swordfighting/Melee Weapons (Star Saber, Magnus, Dai Atlas, Springer) , Boxing/Kick-Boxing/Street-Fighting (Tap-Out, Star Upper, Sky Garry, Kick-Off, Devcon), Sumo/Wrestling (Grandus, Motorarm, Powerhug and Roadhandler) and Martial Arts/Ninja (Yoketron, Jazz, Heavy Load and Road Rocket). These classifications speak for themselves more often than not (no explanation is needed for the melee-weapon characters, nor for someone like Star Upper, who was all about boxing), but sometimes the rationale is a bit more obscure (Heavy Load, for instance, was only ever noted to be a martial artist in his [[bio]]; it never came across in the cartoon), or is a reference to some past fiction (Roadhandler being classified as a wrestler is the main example, being that it's a reference to his stint in the squared circle from the Marvel Comics story, "[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!]]"). Conversely, sometimes it's just a joke—Grandus as a sumo, for instance, is purely a gag based on the fact that he's a big fatty fat-fat.
** The order of the busts in the room appears to go "Door -> Road Rocket/Star Saber/Kick-Off/Tap-Out -> Ultra Magnus? -> Roadhandler/Powerhug/Motorarm/Grandus -> Protoform Chamber Entrance -> Springer/Lockdown/Sky Garry/Devcon -> Yoketron -> Dai Atlas/Jazz/Heavy Load/Star Upper -> Door".
*[[Tigatron]] Stadium!
*Lockdown identifies Prowl's techniques as [[Metallikato]] and [[Circuit-Su]].
*Yoketron's Spark container is similar to design to [[Big Convoy]]'s Matrix, with two L-shaped handles instead of U-shaped ones. Fitting, when one considers Yoketron's Japanese-based aesthetic.
*One of the upgrades seen on Lockdown's shelves is [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave's]] G1 shoulder-mounted missile launcher.
*The protoform Prowl takes from the room has a design similar to the ones in ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''.
*Also, the protoform-pods-or-whatever-they-are-called on the walls look like the [[stasis pod]]s from [[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|the same franchise]]...where the protoforms were guarded as well! Coincidence? Perhaps...
*Master Yoketron's dying words to Prowl are [[Endgame, Part II|rather foreshadowing....]]

===Foreign dubbing===
'''Brazilian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Cinco Faces Do Mal'''" ("Five Faces Of Evil")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Les 5 cerveaux du destin'''" ("The 5 Brains of Destiny")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Shishō no Katami'''" (師匠の形見, "Memento of the Master")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 6|6 November]] [[2010]]

===Real-world references===
*The title of the episode is apparently derived from the 1972 Hong Kong martial arts movie [[wikipedia:Five Fingers Of Death|''Five Fingers Of Death'']]. The movie's name is a regular source of recycling, including wrestler Bret Hart's "Five Moves Of Doom" and the mockumentary ''18 Fingers Of Death'' to name a few.
**A reference to "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]" may not have been intended, but the Brazilian title sure seems to be going in that direction.
*Tigatron Stadium is named after and largely based on [[wikipedia:Tiger Stadium|Tiger Stadium]], the former home field of the [[wikipedia:Detroit Tigers|Detroit Tigers]], which has been partially demolished.

===Trivia===
[[Image:FiveServosOfDoom-CapturedBlitzwingFaces.jpg|thumb|right|100px|Watch out, it bites!]]
*Like [[Where Is Thy Sting?|the previous episode]], this episode received an early online debut when a copy loaded onto the Cartoon Network website server, intended to go live after the episode premiered, was leaked out on [[March 27]], over a week before the episode premiered on television.
*The voice cast for this episode does not credit [[David Kaye]] with the role of Cliffjumper.
*Having three faces warrants three mouth clamps, it seems, as the animation depicts the mouth clamps on Blitzwing's faces rotating when he switches personality. Interestingly, you can still see some of the smile on Random Blitzwing's face.
*While trying to identify the helmet Optimus Prime saw, Prowl brings up the images of the helmets worn by Ultra Magnus and Blitzwing on the computer.
*Look at that French title. "Cerveaux" doesn't mean anything like "servos", but it does ''sound'' like it...

==Home video releases==
This episode has yet to be released on home video.

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1

2013-04-27T20:43:43Z

Ferry22: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode
|image=Stunticons.jpg
|caption=Megatron's latest addition to his troops. He's really going to regret this one...
|series=G1toon
|ep=56
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=42
|prev2=The Search for Alpha Trion
|next2=The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2
|title="The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1"
|written by=[[David Wise]]
|production code=700-55
|airdate=[[November 25]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''After being beaten by the Autobots once again, Megatron hatches a plan to create a team of Decepticons that will give him supremacy over the roads.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:KeyVectorSigma1 Rumble carjack.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Rumble makes an excellent carjacker. Why are we not surprised?]]

The [[Autobot]]s are escorting a convoy of tankers which carry a new [[superfuel]] which the government has given to the Autobots. Things have been quiet so far, but [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] is wary. [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] thinks that the [[Decepticon]]s are unaware of the superfuel, when they take that moment to attack. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] sends the [[Conehead]]s to attack, but they are unable to follow them into the tunnels and canyons on the road. Megatron himself decides to destroy the superfuel, but [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] manages to distract him, while Optimus and Prowl drive Megatron off.

Megatron is furious that the Autobots beat them, and decides to rectify the situation. [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] is sent to steal cars of various models, and [[Possum Brown]]'s truck, all of which Megatron alters with Decepticon technology, such as anti-gravity boosters and automatic [[force field]]s. Using a remote control, Megatron tests the cars' abilities. Rumble is amazed with their stunt driving, and Megatron decides that it's a good name. Bringing them about, he has them [[Transformation|transform]] into robot mode, and dubs them the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]].

[[Image:KeyVectorSigma1 Alpha wall.JPG|right|200px|thumb|"I'm not quite dead."]]

Learning that the Decepticons are making new soldiers, Prime realizes they'll need Cybernetic personalities to truly live, and there is only one way to do that. [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] takes a group of Autobots to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], where Megatron is informed by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] that he has located [[Vector Sigma]], the megacomputer that gave the [[Transformer]]s life. But they will require the [[Key to Vector Sigma|circuit key]] to activate it. The Key is in the possession of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], and the Decepticons head for [[Alpha Trion's base‎|his lab]]. After a brief struggle, [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] locates the Key and gives it to Megatron.

Arriving on Cybertron, the Autobots hurry to Alpha Trion's lab, only to find a dying Alpha Trion. [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] are able to save his life, and he explains to Optimus what Megatron intends to do. The Autobots head into the tunnels for Vector Sigma.

[[Image:Centurions.jpg|left|200px|thumb|We came, we saw, we kicked some ass.]]

In the tunnels, the Decepticons encounter [[Centurion droid]]s, which Megatron discovers he can control with the Key, and instructs them to attack the Autobots. The Autobots encounter the drones and, unable to destroy their attackers, retreat to a derelict hangar. Heading to Vector Sigma, Megatron activates the super computer, which gives [[Spark|life]] to the Stunticons: [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]], [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]], [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]], and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]]. The Decepticons return to Earth, where the Stunticons are set loose on human roads.

[[Image:KeyVectorSigma1 Wildrider fly.JPG|right|200px|thumb|This isn't gonna end well.]]
In the hangar, Ratchet and Wheeljack set about repairing the damaged [[maintenance drone]]s which are scattered around, sending them out to fight the Centurions, with little success. Finally a column of maintenance drones marches off a cliff, and the Centurion drones blindly follow them. The Autobots reach Vector Sigma, learning that it already gave the Stunticons life. Optimus plans to use a series of ancient rockets and have them rebuilt as Earth style jets, planning to fight the Decepticons in the air.

At a human base, the Stunticons arrive attempting to make another attempt to steal the superfuel, and the soldiers believe they're being attacked by the Autobots.

[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2|To be continued...]]
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (19)
* [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (21)
* [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (16)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (15)
* [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (17)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (3)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (12)
* [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (2)
* [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (4)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (18)

|c2=
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (8)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (5)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (6)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (20)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (9)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (14)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (10)
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (7)
* [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]
* [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]]
* [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]]
* [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]]
* [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]]

|c4=
* [[Centurion droid]]s (22)
* [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] (13)
* [[Vector Sigma]] (23)
* [[Maintenance drone]]s (24)
}}

==Quotes==
[[Image:Vector sigma.jpg|right|180px|thumb|The early concept of the disco mirror ball, which the humans stole, millions of years later.]]

"So much for your security, Prowl."
:—'''Smokescreen''', as the Decepticons attack

"I knew I'd never make it."
:—'''Dirge''', accepting his lot in life.

"No, Megatron, you'll have to blow us all up, and frankly, I don't think you have the guts."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' goads Megatron to shoot at the super fuel.

"Annnnd Mueller takes it! What in the world?" 
"You mean ''Rumble'' takes it!"
:—'''Race track announcer''' and '''Rumble''', who proceeds quite literally to take it

"Incredible! Not even the Autobots can do that kind of stunt driving." 
"Stunt driving...yes! Behold—the ''Stunticons!''"
:—'''Rumble''' gives '''Megatron''' an inspiration.

"This can't be the way those Deceptigoons came." 
"On the contrary, it definitely is." 
"What makes you so sure?" 
"Because who else would have sent ''them'' to kill us?"
:—'''Ratchet''' and '''Alpha Trion''' as the Centurion droids approach

"I am Vector Sigma. Before Cybertron was, I was! Who reactivates me?"
:—'''Vector Sigma'''

'''Megatron''': I am Megatron, your leader. Declare yourselves to me. 
'''Motormaster''': I am Motormaster. I swear loyalty to you! 
'''Dead End''': I am Dead End. I guess I'll have to do what you say. 
'''Breakdown''': I'm... I'm Breakdown. I'll obey too. 
'''Drag Strip''': I am Drag Strip. I ''live'' to obey! 
'''Wildrider''': I'm Wildrider! And I wanna bust something up!
:—The '''Stunticons''' speak [[Introdump|their first words]].

"Big ''and'' stupid."
:—'''Blaster''' on the Centurion droids who, in their zealousness, ran off a cliff to chase the maintenance robots.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
*At the beginning of the episode, as Prime notes how quiet it's been, his headlights and bumper are red (instead of white and gray).
*Part of Megatron's leg is blue during his "Thrust, Dirge, Ramjet, after them!" line.
*When Ramjet crashes, he reverts to robot mode without the transformation sound.
*In the scene with the coneheads, when Thrust transforms, it's actually Ramjet's animation model with Thrust's deco.
*Megatron's left arm is white instead of grey when he gripes about the Autobots after the first attempt to steal the superfuel.
*Rumble's visor is the same color as his face when he steals the F1 car which will become Drag Strip. Oddly enough, it's red when the Autobots review the same sequence on Teletraan I later on!
*One of the bank robbers, the getaway driver and the lorry driver are all wearing hard hats; have Spike and Sparkplug started a fashion trend?
*As Rumble steals the semi truck, two of his shots start with Megatron's fusion cannon sound effect and end with the usual Decepticon laser effect.
*As the Autobots race towards Alpha Trion's lab, Omega Supreme actually clips through Blaster.
*When the Centurian Droids attack, Megatron's nose is colored dark gray.
*In one shot of the Autobots walking through a corridor, Blaster's mouth is jumping up and down independently of his face.

===Continuity errors===
* The central premise of this episode—that bringing new Transformers to life requires the supercomputer Vector Sigma—has already been contradicted by the creation of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], and possibly the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] as well (though that's [[Constructicon (G1)|a whole can of worms]] in itself.) Later episodes would likewise contradict it, showing [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] being brought to life without Vector Sigma. Optimus *sort of* explains most of this by saying "There's no place on Earth to give them Cybernetic personalities like we have", the "like we have" part insinuating that personalities from Earth would end up with low intelligence. For Trypticon and the Dinobots at least, this appears to be correct.
* In "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]", Alpha Trion was introduced as an enigmatic old Transformer hiding in an underground base. This episode ignores the brunt of that. For starters, [[Alpha Trion's base]] is no longer underground and doesn't appear to be secret anymore. Nor does Alpha Trion himself. For some reason, the Decepticons know that Alpha Trion still lives, that he has the Key to Vector Sigma and what the location of his laboratory is. Wheeljack makes the situation even more peculiar by remarking that Alpha Trion's base is messier than it's ever been, insinuating that he's been there before. On a sidenote, in "The Search for Alpha Trion", Alpha Trion's lab was neat and tidy.
* Alpha Trion goes along with Optimus's plan to reconfigure Cybertronian shuttles into Earth-style jets, even though he's never been to Earth.
* Megatron tells Vector Sigma "I am Megatron, one of your creations...". The problem with this is that in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]", Megatron was built by the evil Constructicons (the same ones he would later turn evil back on Cybertron and later build on Earth) and not by Vector Sigma. Then again the Constructions (when they were built) didn't need to go to Vector Sigma either. Probably because before they were built, they were turned evil and before that built Megatron. Have a headache yet?
* For that matter, how did the Quintessons create the Transformers? Vector Sigma was involved as Alpha Trion states that he was a first generation product of Vector Sigma but he also led the Transformer rebellion against the Quintessons.
* Megatron orders Vector Sigma to instill the Stunticons with hatred of the Autobots. But Vector Sigma has apparantly been offline for many millenia so how would he know about the conflict?

===Transformers references===
* Soundwave actually uses that gun on his shoulder while fighting the Centurion drones.

===Real World references===
*For robots that have never been exposed to human culture, the Centurion droids demonstrate surprising proficiency in pro-wrestling, performing moves such as the German Suplex, body slam, headlock and Irish Whip.

===Foreign localization===

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' '''Gli Stunticons''' ("The Stunticons")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' '''La chiave di Vector Sigma - I''' ("The key of Vector Sigma - I")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' ベクターシグマの鍵 PART I (''Vector Sigma no Kagi PART I'', "The Key of Vector Sigma PART I")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[May 2]], [[1986]]

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' '''Ключ от Сигма Компьютера''' (''Klyuch ot Sigma Compyutera'', "The Key to Sigma Computer")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Trivia===
* According to episode writer [[David Wise]] at various conventions (such as [[BotCon 2009]]), he was instructed to include Vector Sigma when writing this episode as part of the [[Hasbro]] episode mandates. Not knowing what Vector Sigma was, he pressed story editor [[Bryce Malek]], who in turn had to go to Hasbro to learn that Vector Sigma was "the computer that gave all the Transformers personalities". This caused Malek to respond: "Well, it didn't do a very good job, did it!"
*At the script stage, this episode had the uninspired sub-title "Creation of the Stunticons".
*The shooting scripts for both installments of this two-parter contain several "deleted scenes" which expand greatly upon some of the more significant events in the story. In this episode:
**"That blast" mentioned by Prime in the finished episode actually happens.
**While the other Autobots are busy down in the tunnels, Omega Supreme battles Shockwave on the planet's surface throughout the second act of the episode. Shockwave refers to Omega as his "old enemy," and is on the losing end of the fight until he gets his hands on a "cyberbomb," which he uses to defeat Omega, leaving him very badly damaged. There is a vestigial reference to this battle in Part 2, and further scenes relating to its consequences are removed from that episode, altering the nature of its turning point quite a bit.
[[Image:G1tf56-shuttleships.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
*In the scene where the Autobots walk through a chamber with lots of destroyed Transformers in it, there are two [[generic]]s in the foreground. The same character models previously appeared during the "[[Early war history records Transformers|historic footage]]" segment in "[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2]]". The green and yellow generic retained his color scheme, whereas the blue one is now one solid shade of blue. The model will appear again in "[[The Burden Hardest to Bear]]", again in different colors.
* The tank vehicles seen at the army base are the M.O.B.A.T. and the Armadillo from the ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' animated series.
* Rumble is shown capturing a Tyrrell P34 during a Formula 1 race, the year presumably being 1986. In actuality, the six-wheeler Tyrrell P34 was retired after the 1977 season, and did not appear again on any race circuit until 1999.
* Dirge, Ramjet and Thrust all crash into the mountain. Yet Ramjet is the only one being knocked out by the hit despite being the one who likes to crash into things on purpose. Should he not be more resistant to this kind of damage? According to Dirge and Thrust he even needs repairs though that could be simply an excuse for them to flee. (You know, with them both being cowards.)
*Megatron apparently creates the Stunticons by himself. Where are the Constructicons, who were useful in creating the robotic cars in "[[Make Tracks]]"?

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

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/the_key_to_vector_sigma_part_1.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

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

The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1

2013-04-27T20:26:23Z

Ferry22: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode
|image=Stunticons.jpg
|caption=Megatron's latest addition to his troops. He's really going to regret this one...
|series=G1toon
|ep=56
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=42
|prev2=The Search for Alpha Trion
|next2=The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2
|title="The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1"
|written by=[[David Wise]]
|production code=700-55
|airdate=[[November 25]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''After being beaten by the Autobots once again, Megatron hatches a plan to create a team of Decepticons that will give him supremacy over the roads.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:KeyVectorSigma1 Rumble carjack.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Rumble makes an excellent carjacker. Why are we not surprised?]]

The [[Autobot]]s are escorting a convoy of tankers which carry a new [[superfuel]] which the government has given to the Autobots. Things have been quiet so far, but [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] is wary. [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] thinks that the [[Decepticon]]s are unaware of the superfuel, when they take that moment to attack. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] sends the [[Conehead]]s to attack, but they are unable to follow them into the tunnels and canyons on the road. Megatron himself decides to destroy the superfuel, but [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] manages to distract him, while Optimus and Prowl drive Megatron off.

Megatron is furious that the Autobots beat them, and decides to rectify the situation. [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] is sent to steal cars of various models, and [[Possum Brown]]'s truck, all of which Megatron alters with Decepticon technology, such as anti-gravity boosters and automatic [[force field]]s. Using a remote control, Megatron tests the cars' abilities. Rumble is amazed with their stunt driving, and Megatron decides that it's a good name. Bringing them about, he has them [[Transformation|transform]] into robot mode, and dubs them the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]].

[[Image:KeyVectorSigma1 Alpha wall.JPG|right|200px|thumb|"I'm not quite dead."]]

Learning that the Decepticons are making new soldiers, Prime realizes they'll need Cybernetic personalities to truly live, and there is only one way to do that. [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] takes a group of Autobots to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], where Megatron is informed by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] that he has located [[Vector Sigma]], the megacomputer that gave the [[Transformer]]s life. But they will require the [[Key to Vector Sigma|circuit key]] to activate it. The Key is in the possession of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], and the Decepticons head for [[Alpha Trion's base‎|his lab]]. After a brief struggle, [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] locates the Key and gives it to Megatron.

Arriving on Cybertron, the Autobots hurry to Alpha Trion's lab, only to find a dying Alpha Trion. [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] are able to save his life, and he explains to Optimus what Megatron intends to do. The Autobots head into the tunnels for Vector Sigma.

[[Image:Centurions.jpg|left|200px|thumb|We came, we saw, we kicked some ass.]]

In the tunnels, the Decepticons encounter [[Centurion droid]]s, which Megatron discovers he can control with the Key, and instructs them to attack the Autobots. The Autobots encounter the drones and, unable to destroy their attackers, retreat to a derelict hangar. Heading to Vector Sigma, Megatron activates the super computer, which gives [[Spark|life]] to the Stunticons: [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]], [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]], [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]], and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]]. The Decepticons return to Earth, where the Stunticons are set loose on human roads.

[[Image:KeyVectorSigma1 Wildrider fly.JPG|right|200px|thumb|This isn't gonna end well.]]
In the hangar, Ratchet and Wheeljack set about repairing the damaged [[maintenance drone]]s which are scattered around, sending them out to fight the Centurions, with little success. Finally a column of maintenance drones marches off a cliff, and the Centurion drones blindly follow them. The Autobots reach Vector Sigma, learning that it already gave the Stunticons life. Optimus plans to use a series of ancient rockets and have them rebuilt as Earth style jets, planning to fight the Decepticons in the air.

At a human base, the Stunticons arrive attempting to make another attempt to steal the superfuel, and the soldiers believe they're being attacked by the Autobots.

[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2|To be continued...]]
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (19)
* [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (21)
* [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (16)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (15)
* [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (17)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (3)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (12)
* [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (2)
* [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (4)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (18)

|c2=
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (8)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (5)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (6)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (20)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (9)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (14)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (10)
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (7)
* [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]
* [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]]
* [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]]
* [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]]
* [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]]

|c4=
* [[Centurion droid]]s (22)
* [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] (13)
* [[Vector Sigma]] (23)
* [[Maintenance drone]]s (24)
}}

==Quotes==
[[Image:Vector sigma.jpg|right|180px|thumb|The early concept of the disco mirror ball, which the humans stole, millions of years later.]]

"So much for your security, Prowl."
:—'''Smokescreen''', as the Decepticons attack

"I knew I'd never make it."
:—'''Dirge''', accepting his lot in life.

"No, Megatron, you'll have to blow us all up, and frankly, I don't think you have the guts."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' goads Megatron to shoot at the super fuel.

"Annnnd Mueller takes it! What in the world?" 
"You mean ''Rumble'' takes it!"
:—'''Race track announcer''' and '''Rumble''', who proceeds quite literally to take it

"Incredible! Not even the Autobots can do that kind of stunt driving." 
"Stunt driving...yes! Behold—the ''Stunticons!''"
:—'''Rumble''' gives '''Megatron''' an inspiration.

"This can't be the way those Deceptigoons came." 
"On the contrary, it definitely is." 
"What makes you so sure?" 
"Because who else would have sent ''them'' to kill us?"
:—'''Ratchet''' and '''Alpha Trion''' as the Centurion droids approach

"I am Vector Sigma. Before Cybertron was, I was! Who reactivates me?"
:—'''Vector Sigma'''

'''Megatron''': I am Megatron, your leader. Declare yourselves to me. 
'''Motormaster''': I am Motormaster. I swear loyalty to you! 
'''Dead End''': I am Dead End. I guess I'll have to do what you say. 
'''Breakdown''': I'm... I'm Breakdown. I'll obey too. 
'''Drag Strip''': I am Drag Strip. I ''live'' to obey! 
'''Wildrider''': I'm Wildrider! And I wanna bust something up!
:—The '''Stunticons''' speak [[Introdump|their first words]].

"Big ''and'' stupid."
:—'''Blaster''' on the Centurion droids who, in their zealousness, ran off a cliff to chase the maintenance robots.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
*At the beginning of the episode, as Prime notes how quiet it's been, his headlights and bumper are red (instead of white and gray).
*Part of Megatron's leg is blue during his "Thrust, Dirge, Ramjet, after them!" line.
*When Ramjet crashes, he reverts to robot mode without the transformation sound.
*In the scene with the coneheads, when Thrust transforms, it's actually Ramjet's animation model with Thrust's deco.
*Megatron's left arm is white instead of grey when he gripes about the Autobots after the first attempt to steal the superfuel.
*Rumble's visor is the same color as his face when he steals the F1 car which will become Drag Strip. Oddly enough, it's red when the Autobots review the same sequence on Teletraan I later on!
*One of the bank robbers, the getaway driver and the lorry driver are all wearing hard hats; have Spike and Sparkplug started a fashion trend?
*As Rumble steals the semi truck, two of his shots start with Megatron's fusion cannon sound effect and end with the usual Decepticon laser effect.
*As the Autobots race towards Alpha Trion's lab, Omega Supreme actually clips through Blaster.
*When the Centurian Droids attack, Megatron's nose is colored dark gray.
*In one shot of the Autobots walking through a corridor, Blaster's mouth is jumping up and down independently of his face.

===Continuity errors===
* The central premise of this episode—that bringing new Transformers to life requires the supercomputer Vector Sigma—has already been contradicted by the creation of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], and possibly the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] as well (though that's [[Constructicon (G1)|a whole can of worms]] in itself.) Later episodes would likewise contradict it, showing [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] being brought to life without Vector Sigma. Optimus *sort of* explains most of this by saying "There's no place on Earth to give them Cybernetic personalities like we have", the "like we have" part insinuating that personalities from Earth would end up with low intelligence. For Trypticon and the Dinobots at least, this appears to be correct.
* In "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]", Alpha Trion was introduced as an enigmatic old Transformer hiding in an underground base. This episode ignores the brunt of that. For starters, [[Alpha Trion's base]] is no longer underground and doesn't appear to be secret anymore. Nor does Alpha Trion himself. For some reason, the Decepticons know that Alpha Trion still lives, that he has the Key to Vector Sigma and what the location of his laboratory is. Wheeljack makes the situation even more peculiar by remarking that Alpha Trion's base is messier than it's ever been, insinuating that he's been there before. On a sidenote, in "The Search for Alpha Trion", Alpha Trion's lab was neat and tidy.
* Alpha Trion goes along with Optimus's plan to reconfigure Cybertronian shuttles into Earth-style jets, even though he's never been to Earth.
* Megatron tells Vector Sigma "I am Megatron, one of your creations...". The problem with this is that in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]", Megatron was built by the evil Constructicons (the same ones he would later turn evil back on Cybertron and later build on Earth) and not by Vector Sigma. Then again the Constructions (when they were built) didn't need to go to Vector Sigma either. Probably because before they were built, they were turned evil and before that built Megatron. Have a headache yet?
* For that matter, how did the Quintessons create the Transformers without Vector Sigma? The Transformers needed strong personalities to rebel against them and when you build robot slaves you tend to keep them dumb. So an outside source would have been involved in that too.
* Megatron orders Vector Sigma to instill the Stunticons with hatred of the Autobots. But Vector Sigma has apparantly been offline for many millenia so how would he know about the conflict?

===Transformers references===
* Soundwave actually uses that gun on his shoulder while fighting the Centurion drones.

===Real World references===
*For robots that have never been exposed to human culture, the Centurion droids demonstrate surprising proficiency in pro-wrestling, performing moves such as the German Suplex, body slam, headlock and Irish Whip.

===Foreign localization===

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' '''Gli Stunticons''' ("The Stunticons")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' '''La chiave di Vector Sigma - I''' ("The key of Vector Sigma - I")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' ベクターシグマの鍵 PART I (''Vector Sigma no Kagi PART I'', "The Key of Vector Sigma PART I")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[May 2]], [[1986]]

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' '''Ключ от Сигма Компьютера''' (''Klyuch ot Sigma Compyutera'', "The Key to Sigma Computer")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Trivia===
* According to episode writer [[David Wise]] at various conventions (such as [[BotCon 2009]]), he was instructed to include Vector Sigma when writing this episode as part of the [[Hasbro]] episode mandates. Not knowing what Vector Sigma was, he pressed story editor [[Bryce Malek]], who in turn had to go to Hasbro to learn that Vector Sigma was "the computer that gave all the Transformers personalities". This caused Malek to respond: "Well, it didn't do a very good job, did it!"
*At the script stage, this episode had the uninspired sub-title "Creation of the Stunticons".
*The shooting scripts for both installments of this two-parter contain several "deleted scenes" which expand greatly upon some of the more significant events in the story. In this episode:
**"That blast" mentioned by Prime in the finished episode actually happens.
**While the other Autobots are busy down in the tunnels, Omega Supreme battles Shockwave on the planet's surface throughout the second act of the episode. Shockwave refers to Omega as his "old enemy," and is on the losing end of the fight until he gets his hands on a "cyberbomb," which he uses to defeat Omega, leaving him very badly damaged. There is a vestigial reference to this battle in Part 2, and further scenes relating to its consequences are removed from that episode, altering the nature of its turning point quite a bit.
[[Image:G1tf56-shuttleships.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
*In the scene where the Autobots walk through a chamber with lots of destroyed Transformers in it, there are two [[generic]]s in the foreground. The same character models previously appeared during the "[[Early war history records Transformers|historic footage]]" segment in "[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2]]". The green and yellow generic retained his color scheme, whereas the blue one is now one solid shade of blue. The model will appear again in "[[The Burden Hardest to Bear]]", again in different colors.
* The tank vehicles seen at the army base are the M.O.B.A.T. and the Armadillo from the ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' animated series.
* Rumble is shown capturing a Tyrrell P34 during a Formula 1 race, the year presumably being 1986. In actuality, the six-wheeler Tyrrell P34 was retired after the 1977 season, and did not appear again on any race circuit until 1999.
* Dirge, Ramjet and Thrust all crash into the mountain. Yet Ramjet is the only one being knocked out by the hit despite being the one who likes to crash into things on purpose. Should he not be more resistant to this kind of damage? According to Dirge and Thrust he even needs repairs though that could be simply an excuse for them to flee. (You know, with them both being cowards.)
*Megatron apparently creates the Stunticons by himself. Where are the Constructicons, who were useful in creating the robotic cars in "[[Make Tracks]]"?

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

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/the_key_to_vector_sigma_part_1.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

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

Prey (episode)

2013-04-08T13:20:20Z

Ferry22: /* Quotes */

{{disambig3|Prey}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 55
|prev=Scattered
|next=Rebellion (Prime)
|image=Prey-PredakingWheeljack.jpg
|caption=''How to Train Your Predacon''
|title="Prey"
|airdate=[[March 15]], [[2013]] (Singapore) [[April 5]], 2013 (USA)
|written by=[[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''A new Autobot arrives just as the Decepticons unleash the ultimate hunter.'''

==Synopsis==

[[File:Prey-MegatronShockwavePredaking.jpg|left|thumb|300px|"Such primal magnificence, but Shockwave... is he toilet-trained?"]]

[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] reveals the [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] he's cloned in his laboratory. [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] is impressed, and as the scientist gives the Predacon a whiff of [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]'s energon, announces that the hunt has begun.

[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], Wheeljack and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] scope out an energon mine, planning to blow it up to hopefully draw the attention of nearby Autobots, while in the ''[[Harbinger]]'', [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]], [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] work on getting the ship systems up and running. On a deserted road, [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] introduces [[Jack Darby|Jack]] to [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]], who has followed the Omega beam to Earth. Jack is discouraged by the fact that Ultra Magnus's sensors have only picked up five out of seven Autobots, but Arcee reminds him that the sensors wouldn't pick up shielded Autobots.

[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] heads into [[Darkmount (Earth)|Darkmount]] to find the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] and figures it may have been stored within the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]''. Using the [[phase shifter]], he moves through the ship and eventually stumbles onto the vault where both [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] and the Forge are being stored.

Wheeljack and Bulkhead finish planting explosives in the mine, but as they prepare to detonate, they spot the incoming Predacon. After dodging its initial blast of flame, they try to counterattack, and Wheeljack is knocked flying by the thing's tail. Bulkhead belts the creature shortly before it attacks him with a blast of flame, sending him flying. They quickly realise it's after Wheeljack, who lures it over a grenade. The beast is unscathed by the explosion, so Wheeljack instead leads it into the energon mine before speeding out and setting off the explosions. The dust barely has time to settle before the creature digs its way out. As the Wreckers prepare to fight, Ultra Magnus's ship streaks into view, striking the Predacon with its cannons and picking the trio up. Though a joyous reunion ensues, the ship's still being pursued. His ship's engine is damaged in the chase, and the creature manages to catch up and cling to the hull. Bringing the ship into a narrow canyon, Magnus scraps the Predacon off using a rocky outcropping.

[[William Fowler|Fowler]] gets another call he thinks is from Megatron, but this time it's Ratchet, who has hacked into the Decepticon frequencies. Ratchet doesn't have any news of Jack for [[June Darby|June]], but before he can tell them much else, Bumblebee interrupts the call. Running outside, they find Ultra Magnus's ship landing, and more reunions take place.

[[Image:Prey-Autobots.jpg|right|thumb|300px|...And remember, it's "Ultra Magnus, ''SIR''".]]

The Predacon returns empty-handed to Darkmount, and Starscream reflects that it's a pity the creature can't tell them what went wrong. It responds by quietly growling.

Ratchet reports that the ''Harbinger'' [[GroundBridge]] is fully operational. The group of Autobots is soon joined by Fowler and Jack's mom. They wonder where Smokescreen's gotten to, as all the Autobot traces Magnus could detect are now accounted for. Regardless, they prepare to fight back against Megatron without either of the missing Autobots—Ultra Magnus assumes command and takes the other Autobots to equip themselves with weapons.

Smokescreen drags the Forge back to the cavern where Optimus is sheltered, but Optimus insists the Forge's power is limited and must be conserved to repair the Omega Lock. Smokescreen points out that if Optimus dies, there won't be a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] to work the Forge, but Optimus says it's time for a new leader, and believes Smokescreen is it.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (8)
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (9)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (12)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (13)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (15)
*[[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] (16)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (17)
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (22)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (2)
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (3)
*[[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] (4)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (5)
*[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] (6)
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (7)
*[[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] (18)
*[[Decepticon Miner]]s (19)

|c3=
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (10)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (11)
*[[Jack Darby]] (14)
*[[William Fowler]] (20)
*[[June Darby]] (21)

}}

==Quotes==
'''Miko''': A dragon?! Where did the 'Cons get a dragon?! 
''[Bulkhead and Wheeljack look at each other]'' 
'''Bulkhead and Wheeljack''': What's a dragon? 
'''Miko''': Giant, flying, fire-breathing lizard!
:— Mythology 101 with the [[Wrecker]]s.

"Yes! Snuff the Tragic Dragon!"
:—'''Miko''' making a funny quip.

'''Bulkhead''': Ultra Magnus? It's an honor! 
'''Ultra Magnus''': It's an honor, ''sir''.
:—Ultra Magnus insists even praise follow proper etiquette.

"What is it ''now'', "Lord" Megatron?"
:—'''Agent Fowler''' must be getting a LOT of calls from Megatron.

"Autobots, take your pick."
"Now, you are speaking my language, '''sir.'''"
:—'''Wheeljack''' proves that guns can get you respect.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* Megatron's forearm seems to go through his shoulder armor during the scene where the Decepticons discuss Predaking's failure.

===Continuity errors===
* Ratchet claims that Smokescreen departed the base in "[[Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour]]" to coordinates that only Optimus knows of. Yet, it was Ratchet who set the coordinates each time someone went through the GroundBridge, so he should know where each team member was sent.
* In "[[Regeneration (Prime)|Regeneration]]", Optimus claimed that recreating the Omega Keys was beyond his skill. Unless repairing an existing object doesn't require such skill, it seems even less likely that he or any Autobot given Prime status would be capable of repairing the far more complex device they were intended to operate. For that matter, it seems likely the keys themselves were destroyed in the blast.

===Continuity notes===
*Both Airachnid and the Forge were found in the remains of the Autobot base back in "[[Darkmount, NV]]".
*The [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] can be briefly seen in a containment field over Smokescreen's shoulder after he gets spooked by Airachnid. Evidently the Decepticons recovered it sometime between "Darkmount, NV" and this episode.

===Transformers references===
*Taking note of Bumblebee's inverted paint job, Arcee comments that doing the same in her case would render her mostly pink, the dominant color for virtually every other version of [[Arcee (disambiguation)|Arcee]] (not to mention her own ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|War for Cybertron]]'' body design).

===Real-world references===
*When Miko believes the explosion of the energon mine set off by Bulkhead and Wheeljack has successfully destroyed [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]], she shouts "Snuff the Tragic Dragon"; a play on the words of the song "Puff the Magic Dragon" by Peter, Paul, and Mary.

===Trivia===
*The worldwide premiere screening of the first three episodes was held at the Globe Theater in Universal Studios Hollywood on [[March 14]].
*The worldwide television premiere of "Prey" was a day later on okto, a Singaporean channel, where it aired back-to-back with "[[Darkmount, NV]]" and "[[Scattered]]".

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Scattered

2013-04-08T13:04:22Z

Ferry22: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 54
|prev=Darkmount, NV
|next=Prey
|image=Scattered-JackArcee.jpg
|caption=Everything you know will be scattered.
|title="Scattered"
|airdate=[[March 15]], [[2013]] (Singapore) [[March 29]], 2013 (USA)
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''A key Decepticon arrives on Earth while Wheeljack manages a small victory.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] and [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] are both surprised to see [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]], having believed him dead. Shockwave explains that after his battle with [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] and [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] in the [[space bridge]], he found himself marooned on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After repairing himself, he continued his experiments until an energy surge led him to [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]]'s team in the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]]. He asks Starscream pointedly why he was left for dead, and judges the response logical enough. Megatron appoints Shockwave first lieutenant in charge of science, something Starscream doesn't seem that happy with.

[[File:Scattered-Bigfoot.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Unlike [[Bigfoot]], Ratchet is actually findable.]]

[[Jack Darby|Jack]] and Arcee stop at a deserted farmhouse for a break and Jack worries that they're all that's left of Team Prime. Arcee says there are other Autobots out there who escaped in the [[Ark (WFC)|Ark]], but who knows where they are? Meanwhile [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] is surfing [[Internet|conspiracy websites]] in search of [[Autobot]] sightings. He hits dirt in the form of a photo of [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] in a junkyard outside Woodland Park. Starscream, doing likewise, finds the same picture, but before he can draw the other Decepticons' attention to it, Raf replaces the picture with a dancing monkey. To quell Megatron's displeasure, Shockwave suggests using a [[cortical psychic patch]] on [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]. Meanwhile, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] are waiting fruitlessly at the Wrecker meeting spot.

[[File:Scattered-Ultra Magnus.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"Hey, who's that?"]]

Shockwave reports that the patch didn't yield any new information. Starscream announces he'll see to Wheeljack's termination, and soon Wheeljack is standing on a platform over lava. The attendant [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s push Wheeljack towards the edge, but he grabs one of them and throws it off before jumping himself. The Vehicon transforms to flight mode, and Wheeljack lands on its back, proceeding to go on a Vehicon-trashing flight before driving off. Megatron is very upset until Starscream reveals he's planted a tracking device on Wheeljack so the Autobot can lead them to his friends.

Bumblebee and Raf reach the junkyard to find Ratchet sitting in vehicle mode and sporting the surliest mood as the Autobots have patently lost. The pair suggest that they can use the ''Harbinger''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s resources to fight back, but Ratchet has no hope they can do anything, and tells them to leave him alone.

Meanwhile, [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] has been unable to salvage anything medical from the ruins of the base. When [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] asks about the [[Forge of Solus Prime]], Smokescreen reasons it must be in the fortress somewhere, and goes to look.

[[File:Scattered-loomingshadow.jpg|left|thumb|300px|So big he's got his own zipcode.]]

Bulkhead and Miko's waiting is finally rewarded by the arrival of Wheeljack. The Decepticons, monitoring Starscream's bug, see that their plan has paid off, and Starscream sends out his Vehicon seekers. The Decepticons arrive at a river, but all they see is a log floating downstream. The log turns out to have both the tracking device and a grenade attached, the latter of which takes them all out. Watching from a nearby hill, Wheeljack reveals how he found the tracking device, and says he has some more explosives.

Raf and Bumblebee try unsuccessfully to power up the ''Harbinger'', only to be pleasantly surprised when Ratchet arrives to help. Elsewhere, Jack and Arcee's journey is interrupted by the surprise arrival of a starship. It lands in front of them and out steps none-other than [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]].

On the ''Nemesis'', Megatron rages over Starscream's failure, but Shockwave reveals he has a wild card of his own, sitting in his lab on Cybertron. Taking a trip back to their home planet, Shockwave returns through the space bridge with the huge creature he has cloned—a [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]].

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*''[[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] (5)''
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (6)
*[[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] (9)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (12)
*[[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (13)
*[[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] (15)
*[[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] (16)
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] (17)
*[[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] (18)
|c2=
*[[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] (1)
*[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] (2)
*[[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] (3)
*[[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (4)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (7)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (14)
*[[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] (19)

|c3=
*[[Jack Darby]] (8)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (10)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (11)

}}

==Quotes==
"I find your reply to be... logical."
:—'''Shockwave''''s response to Starscream's explanation.

"Careful, Starscream. You may dislocate a landing gear patting yourself on the back."
:—'''Knock Out''' echoes the audience's feelings about Starscream's "I killed Cliffjumper" noise.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*As in the previous episode, Wheeljack is perfectly clean despite being pulled from the wreckage of his ship relatively disheveled and somewhat damaged. He does retain the scars on his chest, but these don't carry over to his vehicle mode.
*As Arcee chats with Jack about other Autobots who left Cybertron, the wings on her back are missing in one shot (see the main image). A similar error occurs with Bumblebee when he and Raf try to talk to Ratchet.

===Continuity notes===
*Shockwave's battle with Arcee and Cliffjumper took place in "[[Out of the Past]]".
*Starscream brings up the fact that he offlined Cliffjumper, yet again.
*The photo Raf uses to replace Ratchet's is the same one he used in "[[New Recruit]]".
*Jack mentions the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], which Optimus gave him in "[[One Shall Rise, Part 2]]" and was returned in "[[Orion Pax, Part 3]]".
*Wheeljack counts Miko among the Wreckers when he reunites with her and Bulkhead, having unofficially inducted her into the group after she offlined [[Hardshell (Prime)|Hardshell]] in "[[Hurt]]".

===Transformers references===
*Much like its Generation 1 equivalent, Darkmount has a [[smelting pool]].
*Starscream refers to the silver Vehicons as "[[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]". They all have red insignia like Starscream, suggesting the coloration is indicative of their status. There only seem to be five of them in total, as Starscream specifically calls for "all seekers".
*Starscream's tracking device looks like a smaller version of [[Dreadwing's bombs]].

===Real-world references===
*Shockwave notes that "Reports of my demise were greatly premature," a paraphrase of a famous quote from [[Mark Twain]].
*The photo of Ratchet homages [[Wikipedia:File:Smalfut.jpg|a particularly iconic image of Bigfoot]].

===Trivia===
*The worldwide premiere screening of the first three episodes was held at the Globe Theater in Universal Studios Hollywood on [[March 14]].
*The worldwide television premiere of "Scattered" was a day later on okto, a Singaporean channel, where it aired back-to-back with "[[Darkmount, NV]]" and "[[Prey]]".
*Raf is an ''amazing'' hacker. He not only replaced the image file of Ratchet where it was found on the internet, he ''also'' somehow managed to change the already uploaded image on Starscream's open browser window.
*It takes Ratchet mere seconds to deduce that Starscream was using the ''Harbinger'' as a base of operations back when he was an independent agent. Surely this would have been useful when [[Triangulation|he stole the Apex Armor]], the [[New Recruit|red energon]], or the [[Inside Job|Omega Keys]]. Ah, hindsight.
* Speaking of which, why does Starscream not bring this up himself. He used the Harbinger himself and it is the only source of Cybertronian tech on the planet. If there is once place the Autobots might (and did) show up is there.
*Knock Out is now the [[Ratchet (WFC)|third]] [[Starscream (WFC)|Cybertronian]] to be amused by human humor.
*Cybertronians apparently need to stretch.
*Starscream seems to be ''terrified'' of Shockwave.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]