MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Child's Play (episode)

2019-10-31T14:19:03Z

StuOnThis: /* Featured characters */

{{disambig2|the episode of the Generation 1 cartoon|issue #35 of the Marvel US comic|Child's Play (issue)}}
{{episode
|image=Child's Play Aron Autobots telescope.jpg
|caption=Aron soon realised he was addicted to collecting Robot Heroes. He later took up the daunting hobby of collecting Decoys and Tiny Titans.
|series=G1toon
|ep=44
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=40
|prev2=Triple Takeover
|next2=The Search for Alpha Trion
|title="Child's Play"
|written by=[[Beth Bornstein]]
|production code=700-43
|airdate=[[November 7]], 1985
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''The Transformers find themselves on an alien planet where they're no bigger than toys to the inhabitants!'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Child's Play Decepticons catch.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|There's nothing in the rule book that says a Decepticon can't pitch!]]
At a baseball stadium on [[Earth]], the [[Decepticon]]s are setting up a [[space bridge]], over the objections of the [[human]]s. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] decides to let his troops have some fun: [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] fires baseballs at people from his cannons, [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] and [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] play catch (using a human), [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] chases a player around the field, and [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] starts grabbing people in [[Alternate mode|jet mode]]. The unwholesome family fun is ended when the [[Autobot]]s arrive. As [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the Autobots attack, [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] tries to run a scan on the space bridge, but Megatron shoots the controls. However, Optimus Prime, Perceptor, [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], Soundwave, Ravage, Thrust, and Starscream are within the space bridge's confines at the time, and they are sucked into a portal along with the [[energon cube]]s. As Megatron laments the loss of the energon (and fails to notice the bright side of Optimus and Starscream probably being dead), the space bridge self-destructs. [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] leads the remaining Autobots back to the [[Ark (G1)|base]], hoping that [[Teletraan I]] can figure out where the others were sent.

Meanwhile, the lost Transformers awaken to find themselves [[Brobdingnag|somewhere else]]. All of a sudden, a large sphere lands atop Starscream. Then a monster attacks, chasing Soundwave. Thrust tries to fly away, but lands in a body of water. Also, Ravage is caught by some plant life. Convinced the Decepticons are no longer a threat, Optimus has the Autobots load the energon into his trailer, and they roll out. They find a building made of relatively poor materials, only to discover something quite shocking: They're in the bedroom of a gargantuan alien child.

[[File:Child's Play Aron Decepticons bowl.JPG|right|upright=1.1|thumb|"If you let us out, we'll give you free candy! Decepticon promise!"]]
The boy, [[Aron]], places Starscream, Soundwave, Ravage, and Thrust in a small bowl, while [[Nitro]] (his pet and the creature that was chasing Soundwave) smells the Autobots. As Aron tells him to stop, the Decepticons escape. Thrust is tied down with a piece of string, Ravage is chased down like a mouse and locked in a small cage with [[Booper|a rodent-like pet]] to run on a wheel (how embarrassing), and Soundwave is locked in a toy box. Starscream manages to hide in the small toy building and sees the Autobots. Naturally, Starscream fires his [[null-ray]] at the [[energon]], causing a fire. Starscream is quickly recaptured, and Inferno douses the fire. Optimus introduces the Autobots to Aron, when the boy's parents arrive. Hiding the Autobots in a desk drawer, Aron shows the Decepticons to his parents. However, Aron is also compelled to show the Autobots.

The Transformers are taken to a lab, where [[Brobdingnagian scientist|scientists]] intend to dissect them (starting with the Decepticons). However, Aron steals the Autobots away, with the authorities in pursuit. Aron hides behind a trash can, dodging his pursuers, but a local bully named [[Marty]] comes along. The Autobots hide within a trashcan, and Marty wanders off. Meanwhile, Ravage has picked his locks and frees the other Decepticons. Aron is still being chased by the authorities, so he intends to hide the Autobots at his house. However, Optimus tells Aron that they have to return to Earth, a planet far from this one. Aron wonders if he could see it through his telescope, and Perceptor happens upon an idea. However, Soundwave has overheard them.

[[File:Child's Play Autobots sewer ride.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|''Mr. Toad's Wildrider''—er, ''Wild Ride'']]
The authorities spot Aron, so the Autobots decide to escape by traveling to Aron's house through the sewers. The Decepticons see the Autobots and follow them below. As the two groups fight it out within the sewer, a wave comes along. (Let's not ponder what the wave is made of.) The Decepticons hightail it out, while the Autobots ride the wave in a teacup. Escaping out through a drainage pipe, the Autobots head to Aron's house.

[[File:Child's Play Starscream alligators.JPG|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Crikey! They're REALLY mad now!]]
Using Nitro as a way into Aron's room, Perceptor explains that they can use the energon, along with modifications to his [[light cannon]], to propel them to Earth through the telescope. Once he's ready, however, the Decepticons arrive and grab Bumblebee. Starscream orders Optimus to let them pass, and just as the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] is prepared to let them go, Nitro pounces, freeing Bumblebee but allowing the Decepticons to escape back to Earth...and land right in a lake filled with alligators.
Back on...whatever Aron's planet is called, Aron suggests using his toy rocket ship to go home. Perceptor is able to modify it for interstellar transport, and the Autobots depart, with Optimus telling Aron that whenever he looks into the sky, he'll be seeing them.

{{note|The five Autobots' adventures continue in "[[The Gambler]]".}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (9)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (10)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (11)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (12)
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] (13)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (14)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (15)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (16)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (18)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (21)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (22)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (23)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (24)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (4)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (5)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (6)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (7)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (8)
|c3=
*Spectators (1)
*Baseball players (2)
*[[Chip Chase]] (25)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (26)
|c4=
*[[Nitro]] (17)
*[[Aron]] (19)
*[[Aron's parents]] (20)
*[[Brobdingnagian scientist|Scientist]] (27)
*[[Marty]] (28)
}}

==Quotes==
"Skywarp, think fast!"
:—'''Soundwave''' playing catch with Skywarp...using a human.

"Strike three, Megatron. You're out."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', umpire.

[[File:Child's Play Nitro Soundwave.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
"Alert, alert: Assistance required."
:—'''Soundwave''' running away from Nitro, alien kitty cat.

''[The Decepticons return to Earth, landing in a lake]'' 
'''Thrust''': This isn't the type of welcome I had in mind. 
'''Starscream''': Who cares, as long as there aren't any green monsters around. 
''[Alligators converge and attack the Decepticons]'' 
'''Starscream''': AHHH! GET THESE THINGS OFF OF ME! AHHHH! 
:—Starscream just can't win.

'''Smokescreen''': A rocket ship! 
'''Inferno''': A ''toy'' rocket ship. 
'''Perceptor''' Well, anything's worth a try. With some modifications to the propulsion core— 
'''Optimus''': Perceptor, just do it. 
:—Perceptor exhausts Optimus Prime's patience.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Perceptor demonstrates his rarely-used ability to roll along as a giant vehicular microscope.
*When the Decepticons are flying through the air, Ravage is shown to be "running" next to them. So cute.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Inferno deploys a human-catching net from the top of his ladder.
*[[Enter the Nightbird|<<]] '''Brawn vs. Soundwave''', Round 6: Brawn grabs Soundwave by the feet and hurls him into Starscream. Brawn 5, Soundwave 1. Final winner: the nigh-invulnerable Brawn!

===Real-world references===
*The planet that the Transformers travel to is not named in the episode, and would have to wait more than two decades before finally receiving a name — "[[Brobdingnag]]" — in [[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]. This, of course, is a reference to the famous island of {{w|Brobdingnag}} in ''{{w|Gulliver's Travels}}'', also inhabited by a race of giants.

===Animation and technical errors===
More than most, this episode suffers from ''really'' error-laden animation, much of it seemingly unfinished. Throughout the episode, layering errors make hash of both physics and the characters' interactions, characters are repeatedly colored as other characters, and everybody's got the wrong sound effects.
*Megatron's opening lines ("Since the humans are so eager to play, this stadium will make a perfect space bridge. Why don't you accommodate them?") don't quite flow together, as if something got cut after the first part of the first sentence, or as if the first two clauses should be switched around.
*Coloring errors:
**When Skywarp flies up to catch the human Soundwave just threw, he is colored as Starscream.
**Starscream's face is the same dark gray as his helmet after he's crushed by the giant ball, rather than its usual light gray.
**Starscream has Skywarp's colors when Aron drops him in the glass jar. And again when Soundwave joins him. And ''again'' as he and Soundwave break out.
**As Soundwave runs away from Nitro and says, "Get us out of here", he is colored red like Perceptor.
**As Perceptor is knocked down by Soundwave, the rim of his chest is grey instead of white.
**Smokescreen is presented in Grimlock's colors when Perceptor starts talking about building a transportation beam.
**As the Decepticons fly to Aron's house, Starscream is colored like Thundercracker.
**As Inferno blasts the energon cubes, his energy beam isn't given a proper glow effect; it's colored black instead.
**Starscream is colored like Thundercracker (''again'') as they fly up to the light beam.
**Smokescreen's head crest is colored blue instead of yellow as Bumblebee asks about the cubes.
*Though both of the people Starscream picks up at the baseball game are male, one of the voices screaming for help is distinctly female.
*As Starscream is flying around, the stands keep switching back and forth from being completely full to completely empty.
*As Optimus arrives at the stadium and transforms, his trailer simply vanishes into thin air, with Inferno appearing in its place.
*When Optimus says, "Strike Two...", his raised right arm actually covers part of his head.
*Thrust makes no transformation noise after he's swatted out of the air by the cat creature.
*The Autobots driving across Aron's floor are moving ''incredibly'' slowly.
*The Autobots make the "wrong" transformation noise (descending pitch) as they arrive at the "building" and convert to [[robot mode]].
*As Inferno knocks on the "building"'s walls, the intended comedic effect of the wall falling and hitting him and Perceptor is animated as if it were a tidal wave bursting through the wall. After about 1/2 of the "metallic clang" sound effect, the scene instantly cuts to the Autobots walking along as if nothing happened. The wall Inferno knocks on does not appear to match the walls seen in earlier shots.
**Despite the fact they are animated as walking, the background behind the Autobots does not move in any way.
**Thanks to a strange cut, the Autobots all instantly stop walking as soon as Optimus Prime decides to sprint ahead.
*Starscream swats Ravage aside after Aron drops him in the jar, but Ravage just hangs in mid-air, unmoving.
*Aron's sock (shoe?) re-appears a few times on his foot after he's thrown it at Nitro.
*As Soundwave is being dropped into the cylinder, some parts of his head are white when they should be dark blue.
*As the Decepticons fly over the city, Starscream's face is obscured by his left arm blaster. But since the view is from the right, the blaster should be ''behind'' his head. The layers are corrected when the shot is re-used a few scenes later, as the Decepticons hunt for Aron's house.
*Wrong weapon sound effects:
**Thrust gets Optimus Prime's laser sound effect when he's firing baseballs from his arm guns.
**Like Thrust before him, Starscream gets Prime's laser sound effect when he fires on the Autobots inside the building set.
**In fact, ''nobody'' gets the right sound effects. Ravage has the same 1950s-sounding blast effect used all over the place in "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]" (when he, uh, fires lasers out of his missiles.) So does Prime when he blasts the sewer rat. Inferno gets a Decepticon sound effect when he blasts Starscream in the sewer.
*The spinning animation of the razor the aliens try to dissect Ravage with is screwed up. While there are clear spinning effects on the side of the blade, the teeth around the edge remain motionless.
[[File:ChildsPlay Starscream's magic leg.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|I summon... Falcon kick!]]
*As Optimus reaches the sewer and finds Starscream standing atop the pipe he's coming out of, a number of odd things happen: his nose disappears for a moment. He grabs at Starscream, who stands motionless, and his hands disappear as though they're meant to be blocked by something. Then he starts falling spontaneously, and a moment later a giant half-drawn leg kicks him. It seems as though this shot was meant to be animated with a different background.
*Bumblebee falls into a whirlpool and it stops moving towards the end of the shot.
*As Inferno rushes to save Bumblebee, the water has not been animated around the characters, thus making them look like half-robots floating in midair.
*Inferno's ladder changes from hollow bars to filled-in (all gray) as he lifts Bumblebee over.
*Flying Autobots:
**The Autobots emit a rocket sound effect as they leap from the tea cup, as if they had flight capabilities.
*The Autobots are supposed to be running toward Nitro, but they aren't actually shown to be moving forward.
*When Aron removes the energon cubes from his drawer, his head and left arm disappear. This error is only present on the DVD release of the series, as it was corrected before the episode was broadcast.
*Bumblebee vanishes from the shot as the Decepticons flee from Nitro.
*As the alligators approach the Decepticons, the back of Starscream's head is the same light gray as his body, instead of its usual dark gray.
*The alligators of the lake the Decepticons landed in are unnaturally huge. They seem as big as Starscream, who is over twenty feet tall, mind you.
*As the Autobots board the rocket from Aron's hands, the cel layering is ''completely'' screwed up. The Autobots just appear out of nowhere in Aron's hands. Bumblebee appears to be growing right out of Aron's skin. Prime walks ''past'' the rocket rather than into it, then phases through its skin to enter it (there's no actual hatchway shown.) Nitro ''also'' phases through the rocket to lick Bumblebee, and both of them sit there, half-submerged in the rocket. Wow!
*The audio seems to slow down for a second as the rocket lifts off.

===Continuity errors===
*Although continuity sets this directly before "[[The Gambler]]", the next episode broadcast was "[[Quest for Survival]]". Strange, that is.
*Megatron's line, "...this stadium '''will''' make a perfect Space Bridge," along with the General Manager's request to let them play ball seem to suggest that the Decepticons have only just decided to build a Space Bridge here. However, even as the episode begins (and in fact as Megatron is ''delivering'' that line) the Decepticons are shown standing on the already completed Space Bridge. This means that either the Decepticons built the bridge while the game was ''in play'', or that none of the humans in the stadium noticed the giant robots and their Space Bridge as they came in.
*Nobody thinks to ''flee in a panic'' when the stadium is taken over by giant evil alien robots?
*Thrust confidently declares that "one of my missiles can stop anything!", while firing his... lasers.
*Awful convenient that the Transformers landed on a distant alien planet where the locals speak English. There's not the slightest attempt to explain how the two races [[universal translator|can instantly communicate]].
*Since they can all fly, there's no particularly good reason for the Decepticons to be "trapped" in Aron's glass bowl. Rather than simply fly out, Thrust is shown to be ''climbing'' out, while Starscream and Soundwave ''smash'' their way out.
*Why doesn't Soundwave shrink when he transforms inside Aron's cylindrical box? He'd have been undetectable!
*The Aliens recognize the Autobots' alt-modes; strange that they have the same vehicles as we do. Aron even calls Inferno a "fire truck." (Then again, Cybertronian vehicles are usually recognisable as the same vehicle as their Earth counterparts, so maybe all intelligent races hit upon the same concepts when designing vehicles.)
[[File:ChildsPlay scientist.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|Who's ready for a little bit of SCIENCE?]]
*A representative of Aron's seemingly modestly-advanced civilization decides that, to figure out ''where'' the Transformers came from, they'll have to ''cut them open''? They thought of this before, say... ''asking them''?
*The physics of Perceptor's improvised space bridge seem a little dodgy. For one thing, shooting energon cubes usually causes them to ''blow up''; in fact, that's exactly what happens earlier in the episode. Second, there doesn't seem to be any mechanism for channeling their energy into the telescope, or for controlling when the beam launches. Third, could that dinky little telescope really be reliably sighted ''exactly'' on Earth, a small (and moving!) planet that's a minimum of several light years away?

===Trivia===
*Somebody ''must'' have been killed when Thrust knocks the huge (and explosive) scoreboard into the stands.
*Right before Brawn throws him, Soundwave appears to be... stomping on one of the bases?
*Optimus forgets to name Smokescreen when he introduces the Autobots to Aron. Smokescreen doesn't seem to mind. In fact, Smokescreen barely speaks in this episode and disappears at times. Perhaps he was written in at the last minute in order to tie the story into "[[The Gambler]]"?

===Foreign localization===
'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Il pianeta di Gulliver'''" ("The Planet of Gulliver")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Giocattoli per bambini'''" ("Children's Toys")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Children Play'''" (チルドレン・プレイ)
:*''Original airdate:'' [[April 18]], [[1986]]
:*'''Cut:''' A good amount of the Decepticon horseplay on the baseball field was cut for time.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Jùrén-guó Qíyù '''" (巨人国奇遇, "Adventures in Brobdingnag")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Detskiye igry'''" (Детские игры, "Child's Plays")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2000 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume 12: Size Matters ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1995 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Megatron Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers'' — Decepticon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 2 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2: Vol. 5 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 2 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 3: Series 2.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 05: Stagione Due Parte Terza ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume Two: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-43.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]

The Autobot Run

2019-10-03T19:25:03Z

StuOnThis: /* Trivia */

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

'''When the Autobots perform a race for charity, the Decepticons take the opportunity to trap them in their vehicle modes.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Transfixatron.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|A collection of character models gathers around the Decepticons' new weapon.]]

While watching a car race, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and [[Chip Chase|Chip]] comment on how cool it would be to see the Autobots perform in a race as well.

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

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

[[File:Autobotrunfinishline.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|The guy at the finish line wonders where the Hell his car went.]]

Chip and Spike suggest their race idea to the Autobots, and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] agrees, as long as it's for charity. [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] complains that it's a waste of time and a bad idea (as usual), but the Autobots decide to do it. Huffer, [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] remain to guard the [[Ark (G1)|base]].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[[File:Autobotrunravageattackschip.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Dude, what are you doing? I wanted to push over the cripple.]]

Spike and the other Autobots arrive to save their comrades, but [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] dispatches [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] to deal with them. After a game of keep-away with the grenade, Chip manages to get it close enough to release its energy, allowing the Autobots to transform to robot mode.

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

{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (3)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]]
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (16)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (17)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (18)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (19)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (20)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (21)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (22)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (23)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (24)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (25)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (26)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (27)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (28)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (29)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (30)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (32)
*[[Roller (G1)|Roller]] (33)

|c2=
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (4)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (5)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (6)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (7)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (8)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (9)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (10)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (11)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (12)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (13)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (14)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] (15)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (31)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (34)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (35)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
*[[Chip Chase]] (2)
}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

==Notes==

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-22.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]

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

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

Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger

2014-10-05T14:02:12Z

StuOnThis: /* Synopsis */

{{episode
|series=Headmasters
|ep=14
|image=Marsexplode1.jpg
|caption=Fort Max binary bonds with Evel Knievel.
|title="Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger"
|japanese=火星爆破!!危うしマキシマス
|romaji=Kasei Bakuha!! Ayaushi Maximus
|production code=
|production company=[[TakaraTomy|Takara]], [[Toei]]
|airdate=[[October 9]], [[1987]]
|writer=[[Toyohiro Ando]]
|director=[[Jōhei Matsūra]]
|animation studio=Toei
|continuity=[[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''The Autobots attempt to stop a Decepticon plot to destroy the entire planet Mars.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:HM14 Daniel trips Wheelie.jpg|thumb|left|200px|"Wheelie, we need to have a serious talk about your energon wine problem."]]
[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] unveils his latest plan to the gathered [[Decepticon]]s; by planting a series of [[plasma energy]] bombs beneath the surface of Mars, and then triggering key explosions at the north and south poles, they can create a chain reaction that will destroy the planet, releasing more plasma energy for their devilish purposes. [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] brings up the fact that they now know [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] has a giant form, but Scorponok cryptically responds that he'll handle it.

As coincidence would have it, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and the [[Trainbot]]s are currently conducting a geological survey on Mars when unusual seismic activity on the planet attracts their attention. They head for the South Pole to investigate a huge explosion, but the cause isn't immediately obvious, and they split up to investigate. Daniel, Wheelie and [[Shouki]] watch as [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Gurrr]] and [[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] emerge from a smoking crater, and they immediately radio a report to [[Athenia]] for help. The [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] depart for Mars in [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]—[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]], however, is still concerned with the mysterious Decepticon activity on planet [[Zarak (planet)|Zarak]].

On Zarak, Scorponok looks over his finished giant [[Transtector]], and promises to use it to end Fortress.

[[Image:HM14 Headmasters vs Predaking.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
On [[Earth]], [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] orders the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] to join the fight on Mars, but as they depart, they are intercepted by [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]. Although [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] comes to their aid, they are not able to make it to Mars.

Back on Mars, the Headmasters arrive in the midst of a firefight between the Trainbots and [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. As the battle rages, Wheelie, Daniel and Shouki are still keeping an eye on the crater when they're bushwhacked by the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], who take the trio to the Decepticons' base in the tunnels beneath the planet's surface. Spike and the rest of the Trainbots fly overhead, but are unable to find their friends.

Elsewhere the Predacons merge into [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], but the four Headmasters also transform and topple the giant combiner.

Wheelie, Daniel and Shouki are imprisoned behind energy bars, and hear the Terrorcons talking about the imminent destruction of Mars. Daniel worries about the destruction that will cause on Earth.

On [[Chaar]], Scorponok plans to lure Fortress to Mars, and orders Sixshot to make sure the other Autobots are too busy to come to Fortress's aid. Sixshot and Trypticon continue to keep the Technobots and Metroplex busy, so Ultra Magnus sends word to Fortress. Fortress is reluctant to go to Mars himself, and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Carly]] wonder why.

[[Image:HM14 Daniel and Wheelie fight.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]
Daniel has an emergency beacon hidden in the Autobot symbol on his [[exosuit]], and to hide its activation, he and Wheelie stage a fight between themselves—much to the amusement of the Terrorcons—that allows Wheelie to grab it and throw it into the energon bars, alerting Spike. The Headmasters rescue the two youths, who relay the fate the Decepticons have in store for Mars, and Chromedome sends message back to Fortress. Stirred into action, Fortress rushes to Mars in Battleship Maximus. Fortress sends Spike, Daniel and Wheelie back to Athenia in the Trainbots, while he and the other Headmasters stick around to try and force the bombing co-ordinates from the Decepticon Headmasters whom they've just spotted.

[[Image:HM14 Skullcruncher gets hypnotized.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
The Headmasters go into battle, with the Autobots attempting to question the Decepticons. They apparently succeed when [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] is able to trick [[Skullcruncher]] into becoming hypnotised by [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]. While the Decepticons flee, the Autobots jump into the crater he indicated but it turns out to be a trap—the four Autobots are trapped into a series of explosive energy coils. Chromedome calls out to Fortress to use the [[Master Sword]], but the commander is not mentally and physically prepared for the task, and the sword will not draw. As the explosions wrack the Headmasters below, a scream from Chromedome galvanizes Fortress, bringing the energies of his mind and body into harmony, and the Master Sword is unsheathed. However, as Fortress leaps from Battleship Maximus to initiate his transformation into [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], the Decepticon Headmasters launch a plasma energy bomb directly at him. A huge explosion follows, with the power of the Master Sword and the power of the plasma energy cancelling each other out. Drained of all his power, Fortress plummets back to the surface of Mars as the Headmasters watch in horror...!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Kaen]] (8)
* [[Seizan]] (9)
* [[Getsuei]] (10)
* [[Suiken]] (11)
* [[Yukikaze (Headmasters)|Yukikaze]] (12)
* [[Shouki]] (14)
* [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (15)
* [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (19)
* [[Brainstorm]] (20)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (21)
* [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] (22)
* [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (23)
* [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (24)
* [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (25)
* [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (26)
* [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] (27)
* [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]] (28)
* [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] (29)
* [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] (30)
* [[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] (31)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (32)
* [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (34)
* [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] (45)

|c2=
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundblaster]] (1)
* [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (2)
* [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] (3)
* [[Skullcruncher]] (4)
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (5)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (6)
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (7)
* [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Gurrr]] (17)
* [[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] (18)
* [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (33)
* [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] (35)
* [[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (36)
* [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (37)
* [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (38)
* [[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (39)
* [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (40)
* [[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]] (41)
* [[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (42)
* [[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (43)
* [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] (44)

|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (13)
* [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] (16)
* [[Carly|Carly Witwicky]] (46)
}}

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

"Mars is the fourth largest planet in the solar system. It is more than fifty percent bigger than Earth."
:—The '''Narrator'''. Neither of these statements are correct!

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*When Hun-Gurrr first leaves the crater on Mars, he is colored like Sinnertwin.
*When the Technobots are shot down by Trypticon, Strafe's head is red instead of white.
*Trypticon's black armor is colored purple after he initially collides with Metroplex.
*The Predaking transformation sequence has a number of coloring mistakes, as does the Autobot Headmasters "Head On" sequence immediately after.
*Sinnertwin is colored white where he should be yellow as he and Rippersnapper watch Daniel and Wheelie fight.
*As Spike receives Daniel's signal, Brainstorm's torso is colored the same mustard color as his face.

===Continuity notes===
*Plasma energy, and Scorponok's plan for it, was introduced in "[[The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts]]".
*The mysterious Decepticon activity on planet Zarak was introduced back in "[[The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok]]". This plot thread culminates in the [[Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears|second installment]] of this two-parter.
*This episode marks the final appearance of Jazz.

===Real-world references===
*As Fortress first tries to draw the Master Sword, sound effects of the TARDIS dematerialization from ''[[Doctor|Doctor Who]]'' are used.

===Trivia===
[[Image:GalvyChallenger.gif|thumb|right|200px|Battling Seizure Robots!]]
*Beginning with this episode and continuing throughout the series, the [[title sequence]] is modified as part of a tie-in promotion with the interactive [[Video Challenger]] light gun system. Henceforth, most of the Decepticons flicker white, essentially emitting a visual signal which could be picked up by the light gun that denoted them as targets to be fired on. The more Decepticons the kid with the gun shot, the more points they got!
*The Decepticon Headmasters defy anime tradition in the final moments of the episode by interrupting Fortress' Head-On transformation sequence by ''shooting a goddamn bomb in his face''. This is both underhanded and hilarious.

===Foreign localization===
'''English'''

:*''Title:'' "'''Mars Explodes! Watch Out, Fortress Maximus!'''" ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*The opening narration helpfully explains that Mars is the fourth largest planet in the solar system, and is more than 50% bigger than Earth. This is stupid.

:*''Title:'' "'''Explosion on Mars! Fortress Maximus Is in Danger!'''" ([[Shout! Factory]] sub), "'''Explosion on Mars! Maximus Is in Danger'''" (Shout! Factory menu)

'''Spanish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Marte Explota ¡Cuidado, Fortress Maximus!'''" ("Mars Explodes. Take Care, Fortress Maximus!")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*Soundblaster is called "Sanders".

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La distruzione di Marte - Fortress è in pericolo'''" ("Mars's destruction - Fortress is in danger")

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote|omni}}
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1996 — ''Transformers: The Headmasters'' Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2002 — ''Transformers: The Headmasters'' — DVD Box ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2005 — The Takara Collection Vol 1 — ''Transformers: Headmasters'' ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Takara Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers: Headmasters'' ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Japan Generation 1'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

[[Category:The Headmasters episodes]]