MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

A Plague of Insecticons

2008-04-26T18:11:15Z

Pirsquar: Added 3 pics and 1 piece of trivia.

{{disambig2|the cartoon episode|the similarly-named the Marvel UK Annual story|Plague of the Insecticons!}}
{{Picsneeded}}
[[Image:Plague Insecticons robot mode.JPG|thumb|350px|We're gonna need a big swatter! A really big swatter!]]
{{episodenav|g1|season=1|15|prev=Countdown to Extinction|next=Heavy Metal War}}
{{episodenav|SRLFtoon|64|prev=Fire on the Mountain|next=The Autobot Run}}
'''Reports of giant insects terrorizing Bali lead the Decepticons to discover their long-lost comrades, the Insecticons.'''

'''Japanese title:''' "The Mystery of the Insectron"

==Summary==
On the island of Bali, there is a swamp through which people rarely travel. It is the [[Demon Swamp]], and in that swamp lie monsters who appear to be enormous insects. But they are not insects, they are [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], [[Bombshell]], and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], and they are [[Transformer|robots in disguise]]. They are driven by a single, unrelenting desire: food. Attacking a trio of boats, the insects feed on the grain, but quickly become interested in the reports of a farm. At the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot base]], [[Spike Witwicky|Spike]] overhears the reports of "robot insects", and a team is taken aboard [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] to investigate while [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] remains to alert [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the rest of the [[Autobot]]s.

[[Image:Inseticon_Base.jpg|thumb|"Ravage, get back here! They're just bugs, how big could they be?"]]
However, [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] comes across the transmissions, and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] is intrigued. He takes a group of [[Decepticon]]s to Demon Swamp, where [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] dispatches [[Ravage]] to locate the robots' lair. The Decepticons discover that the lair is not a hollowed-out rock, as it appears, but an escape pod ejected from the [[Nemesis (G1)|Decepticon cruiser]] that brought them to [[Earth]]. [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] realizes what Megatron has already figured out: The robot insects are Decepticons who have been modified to take insect [[alternate mode|beast mode]]s—[[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s, if you will.

Meanwhile, Optimus Prime is leading the rest of the Autobots to the farm, but they are blocked by a local festival. [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] leads the Autobots down a shortcut...which turns out to be a dead end. Refusing to admit defeat, Sideswipe decides to drill his way through the solid rock. Arriving at the farm the Insecticons are attacking, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Windcharger]], and [[Brawn]] attack, only to discover that the Insecticons possess some impressive [[weapons systems]]. Worse, they can make clones of themselves by using shells and scrap metal. Overwhelmed, the Autobots take cover amid the crops, but Shrapnel releases a fragmentation grenade which cuts the crops down to size. Finally, Megatron and the Decepticons arrive. The Autobots realize they're in over their heads, but Skyfire has been damaged and cannot [[transformation|transform]]. Shrapnel finds something familiar about the Decepticons, and when Megatron explains that they came from Decepticon science, Shrapnel extends his hand in friendship...an alliance which will be solidified by destroying the Autobots at the farm.

Elsewhere, Sideswipe is getting nowhere slowly with his drilling, so Optimus Prime decides on a simpler tactic and drives right through the rock wall. Coming up on the farm just in time, Sideswipe and [[Sunstreaker]] tackle the Decepticons, who withdraw to a nearby oil refinery to recharge before they destroy the Autobots. During the respite, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] repairs Skyfire, who follows them in the air while the Autobots follow from the ground. The Insecticons attack Skyfire, and Wheeljack goes to help but is knocked out of the air by Kickback. Shrapnel takes control of Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, causing them to drive toward the Autobots, but [[Trailbreaker]] disrupts Shrapnel's control with his [[force field]]. Optimus throws Brawn at Shrapnel, but Kickback knocks him off. Fortunately, Skyfire is able to catch Brawn.

[[Image:Skeet_surfin.jpg|thumb|"First wave, don't get tired. Second wave, aim higher. Third wave, pull and fire. [[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088286/soundtrack Skeet Surfin']]..."]]
At the refinery, the Decepticons are busy making some [[energon cube]]s. Megatron offers the Insecticons a tanker filled to the brim, and the trio gorge themselves. Unfortunately, it also cause the oil to leak into the ocean. As the Autobots arrive, the Decepticons force them to take some cover. Shrapnel uses a shrapnel grenade to knock Optimus, Brawn, and Wheeljack into the ocean, where the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] warns that the oil could ignite. On cue, Thundercracker lights the oil on fire, only for the Autobots to knock him into the flaming water. Before the ship goes kaboom, [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] is able to douse the flames. However, storm clouds appear overhead, and Shrapnel uses them as a means to fire electricity at the Autobots. Spike realizes that the rubber in their tires will serve as insulation. Some Autobots go to vehicle mode, while others stand on them, neutralizing Shrapnel's abilities. In addition, Trailbreaker uses his force field to neutralize Shrapnel's control over the clones, causing them to go to pieces. Megatron realizes that he's losing, so the [[Decepticon leader]] employs a time-honored strategy: "If I can't have it, no one can." Megatron sets the tanker on fire and pushes it toward the refinery. However, Optimus pushes the tanker underwater, and Megatron with it. Rising to the surface, Megatron prepares to blast Bumblebee and Spike, only for Optimus Prime to throw the tanker ''through the air'' at Megatron.

The Insecticons observe the deteriorating situation and decide to cut their losses. They begin to feed off the [[energon]], but Megatron, his rage overwhelming his common sense, orders the Decepticons to attack the Insecticons. As the Insecticons flee with the Decepticons in pursuit, the Autobots claim victory. Optimus Prime still worries that the Insecticons will inevitably be drawn back towards the Decepticons, but when and if that happens, the Autobots will be ready.

==Stats==
'''Original airdate:''' December 19, 1984

'''Written by:''' [[Donald F. Glut]]

===Featured Characters===
(''Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobots]]
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticons]]
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human|Humans]]
! style="background:#FFEEB8" | Others
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Brawn]]
*[[Skyfire]]
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]

| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]
*[[Reflector]]
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]

| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" | '''Regulars'''
*[[Spike Witwicky]]
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]]

'''Guests'''
*Fisherman 1
*Fisherman 2
*Fisherman 3
*Villagers
*Oil Refinery Worker 1
*Oil Refinery Worker 2

| style="background:#FFEEB8" valign="top" |

|}

==Notes==
===Technical/Animation Glitches===
* When [[Ark (G1)|the ''Ark'']] is first seen, it's colored silver instead of orange.
* When Sideswipe and Sunstreaker get ahead of Optimus Prime after breaking out of the tunnel, both are coloured in Sunstreaker's yellow color scheme for a brief moment.
*When the Insecticons charge towards the Autobots, Bomshell's Decepticon insignia is blinking.
* When the Autobots and Spike board Skyfire, Bumblebee and Spike remain visible for a split second as the door closes behind them, not in front of them as one would expect. They inexplicably disappear in the very next shot, when Skyfire takes off.
* When the Decepticons and Insecticons flee from the field, Thundercracker in jet mode is colored in Skyfire's white-and-red palette.
* When Sunstreaker and Sideswipe are controlled by Shrapnel, for a couple of seconds Sunstreaker is coloured black instead of yellow.
* Just before Brawn asks Optimus to throw him, he is in vehicle mode, then he transforms from robot to vehicle mode, and is then standing in robot mode.

===Continuity Errors===
* If the Insecticons had landed four million years ''before'' the crash of the ''Ark'', and have presumably been active throughout all previous episodes, how come neither the Autobots nor the Decepticons ever learned of their existence until this episode. And when they did learn, how did they find out simultaneously?
* How does Skyfire manage to hide in the bushes with the other, shorter Autobots? He's about four Bumblebees tall!
* Why do the Decepticons and the Insecticons not know each other if they were all on board the ''Nemesis''? Even if you assume that there were lots of Decepticons on board and Megatron didn’t know them all personally (which in itself is doubtful), the Insecticons must surely know who Megatron is! It's entirely possible to retcon this by claiming that the Insecticons were [[protoform]]s who had not come online and were activated by the pod as a method of preserving them. However, the protoform concept hadn't been introduced yet, so...

===Transformers References===
*References

===Real-World References===
* The Insecticons inhabit the real world island of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali Bali], which is part of the nation of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia Indonesia]

===Miscellaneous trivia===
[[Image:Rumble_Plague_of_insecticons.jpg|thumb|"It's not sawed-off, it's [[kitbash]]ed."]]
* Brawn is facing Megatron, Soundwave, Thundercracker, and all three Insecticons, and he still sees a bright side: They didn't bring [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] along. Ah, if only [[Gears]] and [[Huffer]] were more like that.
* However the [[rumble (G1)|"sawed-off nerd"]] does show up later to help the other Decepticons fill energon cubes at the nearby oil refinery.
* Optimus Prime really is the strongest of the Autobots: He throws a massive oil tanker through the air at Megatron. Have you ever seen [[Devastator]] do something like that?

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

[[Category: Generation 1 episodes|Plague of Insecticons]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

File:Skeet surfin.jpg

2008-04-26T17:50:16Z

Pirsquar: {{G1cap| Optimus rides Brawn and Ironhide into battle.|A Plague of Insecticons|4}}

{{G1cap|
[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] rides [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] into battle.|A Plague of Insecticons|4}}<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

File:Insecticon Base.jpg

2008-04-26T17:12:13Z

Pirsquar:

{{G1cap|
[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] discover the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] base in Bali.|A Plague of Insecticons|4}}<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

File:Insecticon Base.jpg

2008-04-26T17:09:51Z

Pirsquar: {{G1cap| Megatron, Soundwave, Thundercracker and Ravage discover the Insecticon base in Bali.| A Plague of Insecicons| 4}}

{{G1cap|
[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] discover the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] base in Bali.|
[[A Plague of Insecicons]]|
4}}<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Karzai Lorcha

2008-04-26T14:23:25Z

Pirsquar: Fixed typo in my own silly caption.

:''Karzai Lorcha is an alien from the [[IDW]] portion of the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[Image:KarzaiLorcha IDW Spotlight(scan).jpg|frame|right| "For the Horde!" ]]
'''Karzai Lorcha''', ruler of [[Zull]], will offer salvation to criminals on the run... in exchange for their services.

==Fiction==
===IDW continuity===
[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], on the run from the [[Decepticon]]s, managed to negotiate with Karzai Lorcha for protection. However, he was still nervous that [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] would manage to capture him. Lorcha dismissed his concerns, saying that Zull was a fortress. When Ultra Magnus ''did'' manage to break into Karzai Lorcha's base, Magnus ordered him to surrender Swindle. Lorcha refused, saying that Magnus would have to go through his men to do it. Magnus did just that. Once Swindle was in his custody, the [[Autobot]] peacekeeper gave Karzai Lorcha fair warning: If Lorcha harbored any other wanted [[Transformer]]s, Magnus would bring down the walls of Zull. {{storylink|Spotlight: Ultra Magnus}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lorcha, Karzai}}
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Comic-only characters]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Karzai Lorcha

2008-04-26T14:22:06Z

Pirsquar: ~~~~ Added character pic, plus silly caption.

:''Karzai Lorcha is an alien from the [[IDW]] portion of the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[Image:KarzaiLorcha IDW Spotlight(scan).jpg|frame|right| "For the Horde!]]
'''Karzai Lorcha''', ruler of [[Zull]], will offer salvation to criminals on the run... in exchange for their services.

==Fiction==
===IDW continuity===
[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], on the run from the [[Decepticon]]s, managed to negotiate with Karzai Lorcha for protection. However, he was still nervous that [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] would manage to capture him. Lorcha dismissed his concerns, saying that Zull was a fortress. When Ultra Magnus ''did'' manage to break into Karzai Lorcha's base, Magnus ordered him to surrender Swindle. Lorcha refused, saying that Magnus would have to go through his men to do it. Magnus did just that. Once Swindle was in his custody, the [[Autobot]] peacekeeper gave Karzai Lorcha fair warning: If Lorcha harbored any other wanted [[Transformer]]s, Magnus would bring down the walls of Zull. {{storylink|Spotlight: Ultra Magnus}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lorcha, Karzai}}
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Comic-only characters]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

File:KarzaiLorcha IDW Spotlight(scan).jpg

2008-04-26T14:06:35Z

Pirsquar:

Interior image from [[IDW_Publishing]]'s [[Spotlight:_Ultra_Magnus]]. Art by: [[Robby_Musso]] Colors by: [[Kieran_Oats]]. Scanned from Spotlight Vol. 1, by me.

{{Comicinterior}}<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

File:KarzaiLorcha IDW Spotlight(scan).jpg

2008-04-26T14:03:12Z

Pirsquar: Interior image from IDW_Publishing's Spotlight:_Ultra_Magnus. Art by: Robby_Musso Colors by: Kieran_Oats. Scanned from Spotlight Vol. 1, by me.

Interior image from [[IDW_Publishing]]'s [[Spotlight:_Ultra_Magnus]]. Art by: [[Robby_Musso]] Colors by: [[Kieran_Oats]]. Scanned from Spotlight Vol. 1, by me.<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

City of Steel (episode)

2008-01-01T03:26:07Z

Pirsquar: /* Featured Characters */ filled in empty character listings

{{picsneeded}}

{{episodenav|g1|season=2|3|prev=Changing Gears|next=Attack of the Autobots}}

The Decepticons invade [[New York City]].
[[Image:AutobotsNYC.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Start spreading the news...]]
==Detailed synopsis==
Over New York City, Laserbeak flies into the Decepticons' underground base. The Constructicons are digging a hole in the ceiling and the Autobots don't have a clue. After hours of digging, the Constructicons manage to sink the Empire State building underground.
The Autobots finally get wind of this and head to the city. Optimus Prime, Ironhide, Bumblebee and Ratchet plan to meet the rest of the Autobots at Central Park. However, Laserbeak spots them and reports back to Megatron. He plans to give the Autobots a surprising welcome.

At Central Park, the Autobots are ambushed by Soundwave and his crew whilst underground the Constructicons inform Megatron that they're underneath Optimus Prime. Megatron orders them to dig while Optimus Prime is fighting Soundwave. Taken by surprise he falls into the Decepticons underground base where Megatron severs his motor relays causing Optimus Prime to go into suspended animation. Megatron the threatens the remaining Autobots that unless they leave he will melt their leader down to scrap. He also shows them his master plan which is to rebuild New York into New Cybertron by bringing the Empire State building back up but now it looks like a Cybertron Fortress. Forced to leave the city the Autobots are gloomy until Spike comes up with a plan to get into the city undetected.

Seemingly victorious, Megatron gloats over Prime's still body. However Megatron is still worried that Optimus Prime might try something and orders Hook to disassemble him. After Optimus is now a pile of parts Megatron picks up his head and gloats again in which Prime responds that even though he's in pieces he will still fight. Prime then activates his arms and trips up Megatron. Megatron then orders the Constructicons to dispose of Prime's body with exception to the head.

Meanwhile Spike, Bumblebee, Rachet, Hound and Mirage enter the City through the sewers planning on rescuing Prime undetected. The scene the changes to the Constructicons very pleased with themselves to what they did with Prime's body and have special plans with his right arm.

[[Image:Alligatorprime.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Crikey!]]
Meanwhile Hound is confused that Prime is now behind them instead of in front. Mirage then spots a giant robot alligator (dubbed the Alligatorcon) and they run from it not wanting to fight for fear of alerting the Decepticons. They trap it in a train and send it and the train packing. When they reach the underground base they find Prime's head and reattach his circuits so he can speak. Prime the activates his legs to come to him and the rest of the Autobots figure out that the Alligatorcon was made up of Prime's parts. After capturing it Ratchet reassembles Prime, minus the right arm. Now that Optimus is safe the Autobots attack. The Decepticons have turned half of New York city into New Cybertron complete with killer taxi's and they're using Prime's arm as a weapon on top of their fortress.

After breaking through their defenses Optimus Prime, Ironhide and Ratchet plan to scale the fortress to reclaim Prime's arm. Bumblebee and Spike plan to distract Megatron and Soundwave to help. Megatron orders an air strike but when that fails the Constructicons become Devastator and he follows Prime's team up the building. Meanwhile Spike and Bumblebee manage to sneak in and annoy Megatron, by calling him Megaklutz, and tricking him into destroying the device that controlled Prime's arm. Outside Devastator captures Prime and knocks Ironhide and Ratchet into the fortress. Wheeljack the comments that the whole thing reminded him of King Kong as he tried to assist with his remote controlled helicopters. Spike then informs Prime that his arm is no longer controlled by Megatron in which Prime uses this opportunity to use against Devastator. After Devastator gets hit Prime falls but is saved by Ironhide and Ratchet and as usual the Decepticons retreat.

[[Image:BumblebeelovesNY.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Of course you do...]]
Now the city is saved, Prime is back together and Bumblebee got a souvenir (a 'I love NY' bumper sticker) the Autobots roll out and return home.

==Stats==
'''Original airdate:''' ???

'''Written by:''' ???

===Featured Characters===
(''Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobots]]
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticons]]
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human|Humans]]
! style="background:#FFEEB8" | Others
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (11)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (12)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (13)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (14)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (17)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (18)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (19)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (20)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (21)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (22)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (23)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (30)

| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (2)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (3)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (4)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (5)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (6)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (7)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (8)
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (9)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (10)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (24)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (25)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (26)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (27)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (29)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (31)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (32)

| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" | '''Regulars'''
*[[Spike Witwicky|Spike]] (15)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] (16)

'''Guests'''
*

| style="background:#FFEEB8" valign="top" |
*Alligatorcon (28)

|}

==Notable quotes==
"It sickens me to say it, Reflector, but this one time I have to hand it to Megatron. The place is starting to feel like home."
:-- '''Starscream''' agrees with one of Megatron's plans, which heralds the coming of [[Unicron|the apocalypse]].

"I feel like I'm in some messy swamp, not underneath the largest city in North America."
:-- '''Ratchet''', trudging through the sewers of New York.

"I may not have a weapon, but I can still transform and roll!"
:-- '''Optimus Prime''', preparing to crush the battle taxis.

"You'll never catch us, Megaklutz!"<br>"Megaklutz! You dare to insult me in my own command post?!"
:-- '''Spike Witwicky''' insulting '''Megatron''' in his own command post.

==Other notes==

===Animation and/or technical glitches===
* When Megatron is looking at Optimus through the monitor, Prime has both arms. The camera switches to Megatron and then back to Optimus, who now has only one arm.
* The scene freezes for several seconds as the rebuilt Empire State Building is about to be raised above ground, complete with non-moving clouds of dust and smoke.
* The Empire State Building is depicted as ''far'' too small in relation to the Transformers in several scenes.
* At one point, Megatron's helmet appears in white rather than grey giving the impression that he is wearing a white wig.
* Why didn't the Constructicons find the Matrix when they took apart Prime?
* Prime "activating" his legs consists of somehow making them come magically tumbling through the air to him.
* There's an odd moment when Mirage and Ratchet say, in perfect synch, "This alligator is big and heavy!" Prime then responds with the sage observation: "From the looks of it, I'd say a little of both." The scene appears to be the result of an editing and directorial snafu. Prime should be responding to the Autobots' previous lines: "Now we've got him!" "Or should I say, we've got ''you''?" And the combined Ratchet and Mirage line was likely intended to be a series of ad libs as the Autobots struggle with the Aligaticon, rather than a straight line.
* Let's not even get into the plausibility of lowering a thousand-foot building into the ground, rebuilding it for beings several times the size of a human, and then rebuilding it ''again'' into its original form.
[[Image:Devastatorkingkong.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Giant: check. Empire State Building: check. But no [[Female Transformers|beauty]].]]

===Real-world references===
* [[Devastator]] climbs the Decepticons' "improved" version of the Empire State Building, very similarly to King Kong, as Wheeljack points out.
* The alligatorcon is likely an allusion to the persistent rumors of alligators living in New York City's sewers.

===Miscellaneous trivia===
* Along with "[[The Core]]" and "[[The Autobot Run]]", this episode is one of a trio featuring distinctively bright and "cartoonish" art and animation, a somewhat more juvenile plot and script than normal, and a common set of animation model oddities, such as [[Chip Chase]]'s blue jacket and Optimus Prime's white backpack.
* Though it is widely regarded in the fandom as his normal way of speaking, this is in fact the only time Mixmaster's speech oddity ever shows up.
* The final shot in this episode shows Bumblebee with an "I [heart] NY" bumper sticker.
* This was one of several episodes subjected to the [[MSTF]] treatment at [[BotCon 2000]].

{{epstub}}

[[Category: Generation 1 episodes]]
[[Category: MSTF]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Changing Gears

2008-01-01T01:25:33Z

Pirsquar: /* Featured Characters */

{{picsneeded}}

{{episodenav|g1|season=2|2|prev=Autobot Spike|next=City of Steel}}

'''In a plot to drain the sun for power, the [[Decepticon]]s capture and alter the grumpy [[Autobot]] [[Gears]].'''

==Detailed synopsis==

Megatron orchestrates a conflict with the Autobots in order to capture Gears and remove a vital component from his system. Megatron's plan is to use Gears's circuit board in his [[Solar Needle]], a solar collector which his Decepticons are constructing to harness energy from the heart of the sun. The removal of this component from Gears corrupts his personality, turning him from a surly grump into a happy-go-lucky, ultra-polite guy who'll do absolutely anything for anyone, allowing Megatron to manipulate and control him. Mentally, Gears still knows the Decepticons are evil and doesn't want to help them, but he's been rendered so "nice" that he can't refuse any request. Unbeknownst to Megatron, the Solar Needle is flawed, causing a dangerous instability within the core of the sun. The Autobots arrive in order to rescue Gears and prevent Megatron from using the device. Though nearly defeated, they are finally able to drive off the Decepticons with the help of Gears, whose component has been restored, and destroy the device.

==Stats==
'''Original airdate:''' October 1, 1985

'''Written by:''' Larry Parr

===Featured Characters===
(''Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobots]]
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticons]]
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human|Humans]]
! style="background:#FFEEB8" | Others
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (8)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (9)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (10)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (11)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (12)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (13)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (14)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (15)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (16)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (17)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (18)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (19)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (20)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (21)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (22)

| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (1)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (2)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (3)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (4)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (5)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (6)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (7)

| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" | '''Regulars'''
*

'''Guests'''
*

| style="background:#FFEEB8" valign="top" |

|}

==Notable quotes==
"I should be very angry with you Megatron. You ''are'' an evil son of a [[retrorat]], but for some reason, I just can't get too upset."
:—'''Gears'''

"How can I help you, Megatron, heh heh, you rotten hunk of scrap."
:—'''Gears''', piling on the flattery.

"What did you do to Gears, you monster? You turned him...nice!"
:—'''Ironhide''', at Gear's sudden change in personality.

"All right, now let's blast that Solar Needle and roll out."<br>
"I suppose you want me to do that."<br>
"Be my guest."<br>
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Gears''', grumpy once again.

==Other notes==

===Animation and/or technical glitches===
*When Starscream says the line "Oh, no, you don't. Your circuits stay right here," the voice saying the line is Thundercracker's.

===Continutity errors===
*The Autobots somehow '''drove''' from their base to the '''"geographic center of Africa"''' in '''"slightly less than 2 Earth hours"'''!

===Transformers references===
* References

===Real-world references===
* References

===Miscellaneous trivia===
*Gears's special circuit board looks like an audio cassette tape. Whether it can [[Mini-Cassette|transform]] is not yet known.

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

{{epstub}}

[[Category: Generation 1 episodes]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>