Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime

2018-04-17T03:43:25Z

Satanstorm: Clarify between the two characters with the name "Prime" make the article less confusing.

{{episode
|series=Headmasters
|ep=3
|image=Doubleprime.jpg
|caption=Music by [[Stan Bush]]-san.
|title="Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime"
|japanese=夢のダブルコンボイ誕生
|romaji=Yume no Double Convoy Tanjō
|production code=
|production company=[[TakaraTomy|Takara]], [[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|airdate=[[July 17]], [[1987]]
|writer=[[Yoshihisa Araki]]
|director=[[Masao Itō]]
|animation studio=Toei
|continuity=[[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''With the missing Matrix recovered, the race is on to return to Cybertron and secure the Autobots' control of the planet.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:HM3 Cyclonus don't hit me.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Hey macarena! Ay!]]
While [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] search for the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] in the final possible location, [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] arrives at the [[Decepticon Earth Base (Headmasters)|Decepticon Earth Base]] with [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] and the Decepticon Headmasters. Cyclonus is curious to meet [[Sixshot]], but there's little time for pleasantries as Galvatron orders everyone to stop Hot Rod so the Decepticons can claim the Matrix themselves. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] co-ordinates the Autobot response, with the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] intercepting the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. Hot Rod's team has been fruitlessly searching the last location and is becoming demoralized at their lack of success. Hot Rod begins to wonder if the Matrix is hidden somewhere more obvious than one of the secret Autobot bases.

[[File:HM3 Headmasters catch Abominus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Abominus, transform to tent mode.]]
On [[Athenia]], [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] is getting antsy about the lack of news, and [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] starts looking like he's going to tell another old war story. [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] announces he's going to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to pass on news of the search for the Matrix to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]].

Optimus, still journeying through Cybertron to find [[Vector Sigma]], opens a door and is attacked by [[Energy leech (species)|energy leeches]].

[[File:HM3 Hot Rod drops the ball.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
Hot Rod and the Headmasters reach an [[energon]] store, only to be confronted by the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]]. While the Headmasters and the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] fight with the Decepticon team, Hot Rod heads inside and locates a hidden chamber in which he finds the Matrix! He dashes outside to where the other Autobots have defeated [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and tells them he has to get to the [[space bridge]]. Moments later he runs straight into Galvatron and the three Decepticon Headmasters. Though he's stopped dead by [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]'s hypnosis, the other Autobots come to his rescue. [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] keeps the Decepticons busy while Hot Rod and the Autobot Headmasters head for Cybertron aboard the [[Trainbot]]s.

On Cybertron, [[Vector Sigma]]'s destabilization continues, with the planet on the verge of self-destruction. [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] play video games and discuss Fortress. Fortress enters Cybertron's catacombs, following [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime's]] trail and using his telepathic powers to communicate with [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]'s ghost, in order to guide Optimus through the tunnels. His warning comes too late to prevent Optimus running into some [[retrorat|monstrous rodents]], but Optimus fights them off and heads down a different path, at last finding the [[Vector Sigma Chamber]]. As he approaches the computer, Cyclonus and [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] reveal they've beaten him there!

[[File:Headmasters prime death.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Yep, he's dead. Again.]]
Fortress, Galvatron, Hot Rod and the Headmasters all soon arrive in quick succession, and to turn the tide of battle, Alpha Trion merges with the Matrix in Hot Rod's hands, re-energizing it and once again transforming Hot Rod into Rodimus Prime. The two Primes team up to defeat the Decepticons, but just as Rodimus Prime is about to recharge Optimus Prime with the Matrix, Vector Sigma flares dangerously, and Optimus Prime leaps into action the only way he can—by fusing his own essence with the computer, [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|bringing it back under control at the cost of his own life]]. With Cybertron back under Autobot control, the Decepticons flee, and Rodimus Prime is left as Autobot commander once again.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (2)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (3)
*[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (4)
*[[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] (5)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (13)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (14)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (15)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (16)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (17)
*[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (18)
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (19)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (20)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (21)
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (22)
*[[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] (23)
*[[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] (24)
*[[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]] (25)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] (26)
*[[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] (27)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (28)
*[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (35)
*[[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] (36)
*[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] (37)
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] (38)
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (39)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] (40)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (41)
*[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (42)
*[[Computron (G1)|Computron]] (48)
*[[Yukikaze (Headmasters)|Yukikaze]] (49)
*[[Shouki]] (50)
*[[Getsuei]] (51)
*[[Suiken]] (52)
*[[Seizan]] (53)
*[[Kaen]] (54)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] (6)
*[[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] (7)
*[[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] (8)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] (9)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (10)
*[[Sixshot]] (11)
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (12)
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (29)
*[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (30)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (31)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (32)
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (33)
*[[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (34)
*[[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]] (43)
*[[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (44)
*[[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] (45)
*[[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (46)
*[[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] (47)
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] (55)
|c3=
*[[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] (56)
}}

==Quotes==
{{note|The following quotes were taken from the [[Omni Productions]] dub.}}

"I can feel the heat."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Roadimus Prime! Optimus Prime!... Prime!"
:—'''Autobots''', after Hot Rod turns into Rodimus Prime, with one embarrassingly missing his cue.

"Something strange has happened. Now there are TWO Optimus Primes!"
:—'''Narrator''' (This is a mistranslation of the phrase "Double Convoy")

==Notes==
===Animation or technical errors===
*Prowl appears again in this episode. He's still supposed to be dead, but see [[Four Warriors Come out of the Sky#Continuity errors|here]] for the details.
*As the Protectobots fall into the ravine and combine, Groove transforms into Blades' combiner mode and Blades transforms into Groove's combiner mode.
*As Galvatron and the Decepticon Headmasters arrive to stop Hot Rod, Skullcruncher is colored like Weirdwolf, and Weirdwolf is colored like Sinnertwin.
*When arguing with Arcee and Wheelie, Blurr's chestplate windshield is miscolored.
*As Galvatron and the Decepticon Headmasters fire on Hot Rod as he and the Autobot Headmasters board the Trainbots, Mindwipe is missing his wings and Galvatron is missing his Decepticon insignia.

===Continuity errors===
*Okay, so, it takes Optimus Prime (who has ''made the trip before'') basically one-and-a-half episodes to traverse the tunnels and get to Vector Sigma's chamber, and yet Cyclonus and Scourge, who were on Earth earlier in ''this episode'', were able to ''beat him there''? And Galvatron and Rodimus, who only ''just'' left Earth a little while ago, make it to the chamber in what seems like only ''minutes''? What, did Optimus get lost on his way? Maybe that's why Alpha Trion's ghost came to guide him to Vector Sigma. Never ask Prime for directions, he's obviously horrible at them.

===Transformers references===
*The [[Energy leech (species)|energy leeches]] in this episode are pretty much identical to the (slightly larger) creatures that appeared and did the same thing in "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2]]".
*Kup references Rodimus Prime's defeat of Galvatron on planet [[Feminia]], an event which occurred in [[The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers'' #5]].
*One of the most bizarre threats that Prime comes up against on his journey through Cybertron is a pack of [[retrorat|giant, purple hedgehogs]].
*This episode foreshadows the telepathic powers possessed by the Headmasters, which will be expanded upon in "[[Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2]]".
*[[The Headmasters issue 1|Issue 1]] of ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (manga)|The Headmasters]]'' manga takes place shortly after this episode.

===Trivia===
[[File:DoubleConvoy1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|'Cause we got a double convoy Rockin' through the night Yeah, we got a double convoy Ain't they a beautiful sight]]
*This article follows the lead of the English-language DVD releases of the episode in its use of the term "Prime" in the title.
*This episode is a study in how ''weird'' the Matrix is in Japan. With the wisdom of the ages having been drained to counteract the [[Hate Plague]] in "The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2," the Autobots have decided to recharge the Matrix by... hooking it up to a power station. [[The Headmasters issue 8|The final chapter]] of the ''Headmasters'' manga tries to justify this a bit, or at least gussy it up, by pointing out that the energy is the "lifeforce of Earth," so presumably the power plant was gathering up natural energy. But, y'know. Still. And the fact that it's actually recharged by Alpha Trion's ghost spinning around and going inside it isn't much better.
*While relaying information in cassette mode, Ratbat plays not a recording, but a summary of events in a unique voice, in the same manner that [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] did in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3]]". Later in the series, however, he and the other Decepticon cassette animals suddenly start talking in their [[robot mode]]s.
*A computer program written in {{w|BASIC}} flashes up on the screen during POV shots for Hot Rod and Fortress. More BASIC code appears on Kup's monitor as he checks on the state of Vector Sigma.
*The term "Double Convoy" in reference to Convoy and Rodimus Convoy teaming up is presumably a takeoff on the "Double Rider" team of Kamen Rider 1 and Kamen Rider 2 from the original ''{{w|Kamen Rider}}'' series. (Coincidentally, or perhaps not, [[Toei Animation|the company]] that makes ''Kamen Rider'' also did the animation for Season 1 and 2 of the Generation 1 Cartoon.) It's also amusing to note both ran afoul of a group called Destron.
*In an odd touch, Rodimus Prime's character model seen here and in the remainder of his appearances in ''Headmasters'', is ''different'' from his U.S. character model in several subtle ways, seemingly taking inspiration from his [[Studio OX]] design. His eyes now have thick borders around them (although this does vary depending on the shot), the wheels on his upper arms now face forward rather than backward, and his yellow spoiler has been 'beefed-up' in robot mode.
*''Um'', did the writer forget this is [[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2|not the first time]] Optimus Prime and Rodimus Prime show up together?
*Though called "Double Convoy", [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|it didn't last long]]. ''Gugh''!

===Foreign localization===
'''English'''
:*''Title:'' "'''The Birth of a New Leader'''" ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 26]], [[1992]]

:*''Title:'' "'''The Rebirth of Rodimus Prime'''" ([[Shout! Factory]] sub), "'''Behold the Birth of Double Prime'''" (Shout! Factory menu)
::*The review of the last episode shown before the title card is omitted.
::*The explanation that the Matrix is using the Earth's [[plasma energy]] is continued into this episode.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Dì'èrdài Lǐngxiù Bǔtiānshì Dànshēng '''" (第二代领袖补天士诞生, "The birth of Rodimus Prime, the 2nd Leader")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La nascita di Commander Captain'''" ("The birth of Optimus/Rodimus Prime")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote|omni}}
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] [[1996]] — ''Transformers: The Headmasters'' Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2002]] — ''Transformers: Takara'' ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) — Omni dub only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2002 — ''Transformers: The Headmasters'' — DVD Box ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2005]] — The Takara Collection Vol 1 — ''Transformers: Headmasters'' ([[Metrodome]]) — Optional commentary by [[Chris McFeely]]. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2007]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Takara Collection (Metrodome) — Optional commentary by Chris McFeely. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers: Headmasters'' ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2009]] — ''The Transformers: Japan Generation 1'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2011]] — ''Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters'' ([[Shout! Factory]]) — Japanese audio with optional English subtitles only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] [[2012]] — ''Transformers: The Japanese Collection'' (Shout! Factory) — Japanese audio with optional English subtitles only.

[[Category:The Headmasters episodes]]

MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime