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Blaster Blues

2019-08-15T06:08:22Z

The Nemesis153: /* Continuity errors */ fixed a small error on my previous addition ("enabling" instead of "enable" as the line delivered.)

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=39
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=50
|prev2=The Core
|next2=Prime Target (episode)
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=34
|prev3=Microbots
|next3=Sea Change
|image=BlasterBlues Megatron threatens Blaster.jpg
|caption="No, Megatron! My girlfriend will break me up!"
|title="Blaster Blues"
|production code=#700-38
|airdate=[[October 23]], 1985
|written by=[[Larry Strauss]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''The Decepticons hijack Earth's airwaves. Yet somehow, you are still able to watch this episode.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Blasterbluesconcertcrowd.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Did Spike and Carly take an Autobot on all of their dates?]]

[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and [[Carly]] are at a rock concert, having taken [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] along for the music. Enjoying the concert, Spike wishes that the rest of the [[Autobot]]s could hear the music, so Blaster begins transmitting to all of them. Off in space, [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] gets a real kick out of the music.

At the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot base]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] are observing [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]'s target practice on [[Teletraan I]], when Blaster's music from the concert begins playing on their channel. Sparkplug and most of the Autobots are not enjoying the overwhelming volume, but [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] gets the chance to show off his dancing skills.

At the [[Haley Observatory]], [[Haley|Professor Haley]] introduces his new creation, the [[Voltronic Galaxer]], to his fellow scientists. The device is intended to translate Earth's recordings into other languages and broadcast them into space, in search of intelligent life. Seemingly, the Transformers don't count. During his first test of the device, the scientist is quite surprised when he gets a response... which turns to horror when he sees it's the Decepticons. [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], as he is oft wont to do, begins firing randomly, but [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] orders him to stop, saying that they need the Voltronic Galaxer.

At the Autobot base, Optimus Prime is so annoyed by the music that he outright tells Blaster to "shut up", but to no avail. Only a distress call from the scientist finally gets Blaster to stop. After the Autobots arrive at the observatory, they find that the Decepticons have already fled with their prize. Optimus Prime vows to find it and bring the Voltronic Galaxer back.

[[File:Blasterbluesprimedirectstraffic.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Prime's day job]]

Splitting up into groups, the Autobots begin the search. [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], Spike and Carly have already searched half the hemisphere, while Cosmos and Blaster are searching outer space. They locate the Decepticons in a [[Decepticon lunar dome base|base]] on the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], where Megatron is plotting to take control of Earth's radio airwaves. Blaster and Cosmos are caught, however, before they can contact the Autobots. Blaster is forced into use as a transcrambler, while Cosmos powers the device. Megatron orders the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] to return to Earth as the radio blackout commences.

On Earth, the communications blackout is scrambling even the Autobots' radio channels. [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] barely manage to stop a forest fire, while [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] free motorists trapped on a frozen highway, where [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] attack.

[[File:Blasterbluespgcarriesprime.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|I'm not paid enough to carry this around.]]

At an airport, Powerglide is attempting to land, when Starscream and [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] attack, damaging both Powerglide and Optimus Prime. Spike manages to strap a [[jet pack]] onto Powerglide, giving him some extra boost. As Megatron begins broadcasting his demands to Earth, Blaster plays music from the concert on the same channel. Carly recognizes the tunes and manages to track the transmission back to the Moon. They head for the Autobot base. Carly does some quick repairs on Optimus then the two teens and Powerglide load Prime onto Omega, who takes them to space.

Once Omega lands on the Moon, Megatron and Astrotrain attack him. Omega manages to get his hand on Megatron, but Astrotrain rams Omega in train mode, causing him to release Megatron. Astrotrain then flees and Omega transforms into rocket mode and follows. Seeing Optimus Prime defenseless, Megatron decides to hit him while he's down, only for the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] to reactivate just in time to defend himself.

[[File:Blasterbluesop&mdance.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|One shall stand; one shall get tossed around a little bit and run away crying "Retreat!!"]]

With no one to guard them, Blaster and Cosmos cause the voltronic galaxer to receive feedback and explode. Seeing his latest technology ruined, Megatron retreats. After freeing them, Blaster mentions that he could rebuild the Decepticon moonbase into a new Autobot base. Cosmos likes the idea, as it would give him some company. Optimus agrees, but orders him to keep an eye on his volume.

Soon, however, Blaster is back to transmitting loud rock music over the air waves again. Some stereos never learn.

{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (3)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (6)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (8)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (9)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (14)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (15)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (16)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (17)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (18)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (19)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (20)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (21)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (22)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (24)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (25)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (26)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (30)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (31)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (33)

|c2=
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (11)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (12)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (13)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (23)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (35)
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (36)

|c3=
*[[Carly]] (1)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (2)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (7)
*[[Haley|Professor Haley]] (10)
*Air Traffic Controllers (27)
*Pilot (28)
*Railroad workers (29)
*Meteorologist (31)
*Motorists (34)
}}

==Quotes==
[[File:BlasterBlues Professor Haley.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Hey, everyone, it's Tuuuuuuesday, and you're listening to the Giant Botcast...]]
"Where are you? In another galaxy?" 
"''Much'' closer than ''that!!'' Huhu~hwa~ha~hahaha~haha~hahaha!!"
:—'''Professor Haley''' contacts '''Megatron''', the master of dry wit.

'''Optimus''': My audio receptors! What is that noise?! 
'''Hoist''': Humans call it 'music'. 
'''Sparkplug''': Not ''this'' human! 
'''Jazz''': Sounds all right to me!
:—Sparkplug and the Autobots share their opinions on Blaster's choice in music.

"The Earth is but a speck on the arm of the universe."
:—'''Human scientist''' bolstering his race's importance in the cosmos.

"Blaster! Decrease volume! ... Blaster! '''SHUT UP!'''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' in another fine example of subordinate management.

'''Ironhide''': Where did the call originate? 
'''Optimus''': I don't know! All I can hear is that blasted Blaster!
:—[[Peter Cullen]]'s annoyance at Blaster's loud music.

[[File:BlasterBlues blaster altmode.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Today on Capitol Hill, the fish was delish, and according to [[United Nations|UN]] Secretary Council members, it made quite a dish. You are listening to member-supported public radio.]]
"Hey, talk about no place. I can't even get a bottom 40 station out here."
:—'''Blaster''' doesn't enjoy outer space duty inside Cosmos.

"It's Blaster!" 
"Why that son of an 8-track."
:—'''Ratchet''' and '''Trailbreaker'''

"Release Autobots, Megatron!" 
"Never!" 
"Reeeelease them!"
:—'''Omega Supreme''' adds some "hands on" pressure to dealing with '''Megatron'''

"Looks like the big boy needs a little training!"
:—'''Astrotrain''', proving the pun is indeed mightier than the sword. Unfortunately, it's not as mighty as Omega Supreme.

==Notes==

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Blasterbluestrailerchase.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Last one out of the parking lot gets stuck with the check.]]
[[File:Trailbreakerdance.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[http://www.shortpacked.com/index.php?id=914 '''''I... AM... TRAILBREAKER!!!''''']]]
*Jazz has righteous moves, but they are limited by his bulky body.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Blaster's boom box mode in the opening scenes is as tall as a human.
**Red Alert's "horns" flash to indicate Decepticon activity, just like in "[[Auto Berserk]]". This time they're orange, though.
**Ratchet and the rest can deploy tire studs to deal with snow-covered roads.
**Hoist deploys a long snakey tentacle with a claw at the end to catch a falling motorist. How many devices can he [[Auto Berserk|carry]], anyway??
**This time, Trailbreaker's forcefield just kind of radiates out of thin air in front of his head. He's able to form it into a dome, which he can then place where he wants it... but, to his later misfortune, he remains outside the dome himself.
**Powerglide can deploy a suction cup line capable of carrying wounded Autobots around like limp ragdolls, leaving them flapping in the breeze.... say, aren't you supposed to ''not move'' the injured?
**Omega Supreme clearly leaves most of himself behind when he launches for the Moon. When he arrives there, he lands in rocket mode amid a cloud of smoke... and when the smoke clears, the left-behind bits have appeared. Later, he transforms out of just the rocket (conveniently off-screen) while in mid-flight.
*Where's the trailer go?:
**During the scene at the observatory, Optimus transforms and drives away, and there is an extended moment where his trailer drives off after him to catch up.
*Omega Supreme actually uses whole sentences in this episode. That's just crazy.

===Real-world references===
[[File:BlasterBlues Haley Observatory.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*The names of Professor Haley and his eponymous observatory are likely inspired by {{w|Halley's Comet}}, which was beginning its once-every-76-years trip through the inner solar system when the episode aired in late [[1985]].
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine burst is strangely repurposed as the burning fires at the observatory as the Decepticons close in.
**[[X-wing Fighter|X-Wings]] diving, ''Falcon'' engine burst, and [[Death Star]] superlaser all in a row as the Decepticons launch from the observatory.
**''Falcon'' engine burst as Megatron takes off from Astrotrain
**X-Wings diving as the 'cons fly aboard Astrotrain
**Death Star superlaser as Astrotrain pursues Cosmos.
**[[TIE Fighter]] engine as Cosmos evades.
**The Death Star door slide is used as a steam engine sound effect.
**A [[Stormtrooper (SW)|Stormtrooper]]'s laser gun is used to soundtrack Ramjet and Thundercracker's attack on Inferno and Red Alert, possibly taken from when [[Luke Skywalker|Luke]] & [[Han Solo|Han]] ambush the stormtroopers aboard the ''Falcon''.
**''Falcon'' engine burst as Megatron launches from the Moon.
*Trailbreaker mentions 8-tracks. Did kids in 1985 even know what an 8-track is?
*"Bang, zoom, to the Moon!" - Powerglide's line is a play on a signature line of Ralph Kramden from ''[[The Honeymooners]]''...whose actor Jackie Gleason was also the inspiration for Powerglide's voice.
*"Parting is such sweet sorrow!" - Megatron prepares to kill Prime while quoting one of Shakespeare's most famous lines.

===Animation and technical errors===
*The rock band at the concert is playing ''two songs at once'', both "[[Cold Slither (song)|Cold Slither]]" and the generic big band/hard rock song. "Cold Slither" is missing a moment later when Blaster sends the music to the Autobots.
*The guitarist is seen 'playing' his guitar with only his right arm, as his left (which should be doing the fretwork) is up in the air.
*The arena's seats have more than a seat's width between them. The owners must've been expecting some ''seriously'' fat patrons.
*Cosmos's voice in his first couple of lines lacks his usual self-echo.
*As Megatron gloats on top of the observatory, his laugh plays over itself (i.e., the same laugh twice).
*Improbable viewpoints:
**So Blaster sends the music from the concert to the Autobots. How does he manage to send a 3rd-person view of ''himself'' at the same time?
**Do Tracks and Huffer have a video camera with them to report in to Prime?
**Does Prime have a camera stationed at the city docks to show Powerglide flying in aimless circles?
*The reporter at the observatory has already written down Professor Haley's words before he's finished saying them.
*Recycled footage:
**Prime's trailer rolling in from offscreen seems to be recycled from "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 2]]".
**The shot of Ironhide, Trailbreaker and Hound converting to [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] is lifted from "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]"
**The pan of Sunstreaker and Sideswipe transforming comes right out of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]".
**The same "MTMTE1" scene is mined again to show Trailbreaker transforming as the Autobots deploy to deal with the loss of radio communications.
*Astrotrain has no transformation sound effect as he leaves the tunnel and converts from train to shuttle.
[[File:Blasterbluesprowlcarries.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Coloring error not included.]]
*Coloring errors:
**Trailbreaker's eyeband is black instead of blue as Optimus quizzes the professor about the Voltronic Galaxer. The points of his cheeks are colored blue instead.
**Cosmos's "cap" is green instead of red as he lands on the Moon.
**Prowl's head crest is white instead of red as he closes Ratchet's passenger compartment (and can't Ratchet do that himself?)
**Blaster's forehead is red instead of white as Megatron threatens him.
**Cosmos's helmet is green instead of red as Prime frees Blaster (which, by the way, seems to consist of just helping him to his feet, rather than freeing him from any "welding" done by Astrotrain.)
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots: Prime's initial squad fluctuates all over the place.
**The initial group receiving the transmission is Prime, Jazz, Ratchet, Ironhide, Hoist & Cliffjumper.
**Mirage, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker and Hound show up to transform prior to rolling out, and are not seen again. Trailbreaker shows up at the same time.
**Bumblebee, Wheeljack, and Prowl (or maybe Bluestreak) show up as the Autobots depart.
**The group that finally arrives at the observatory is Prime, Jazz, Ratchet, Ironhide, Hoist, Bumblebee & Trailbreaker, which means we've lost seven guys.
*When the Autobots drive away from the observatory, a shot of the Autobots from the front shows them driving over bare rock rather than the asphalt road.
*Powerglide's cockpit has changed from a fighter-plane-like single-seater (seen in "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1]]"), to a side-by-side like a passenger jet.
*When Megatron is first shown setting down the Voltronic Galaxer in their moon base, Thundercracker is to his left, Starscream to his right. In the very next panning shot showing Cosmos' approach through the window, Thundercracker is to Megatron's right.
*"This your idea of a joke?" Blaster's line lacks the usual processing.
*Red Alert's "horns" flash orange. Last time, they flashed blue.
*Despite knowing about the pending aerial attack, Red Alert keeps shooting at the trees. It seems likely that the animators recycled previous footage, perhaps not realizing he should be aiming skyward.
*Whatever damage Powerglide sustained from Ramjet pretty much disappears after Spike puts the jetpack on him.
*Blaster first pushes his left-most button. Later, it's the middle two that are deployed. After Megatron kicks him, all but one are engaged.
[[File:Omegasupreme astrotrain.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Pretty damn big, that's how much.]]
*The whole sequence of Megatron discovering Blaster's subterfuge is a bit wonky. Blaster sniggers loudly, Megatron suddenly says "What was that?", then there's a beep and the rock music is heard. The animators/sound guys seem to have not quite gotten the sequence of events down correctly.
*When Spike cheers on Omega Supreme, both his lips ''and'' Carly's are moving.
*When Astrotrain rams Omega Supreme's leg, Omega holds still for two seconds, then drops Megatron.
*If Astrotrain is big enough to hold all the Decepticons, then how big does that make Omega Supreme in the picture to the right here?
*One gun, many lasers:
**When Optimus fires at the fleeing Megatron, he only has one gun, yet four or five lasers streak past Megatron.
*Blaster has four small switches on his chest for most of the episode (clearly seen as when Megatron kicks him towards the end), but is drawn with three large ones after Prime frees him.
*At the end of the episode, Blaster seemingly is supposed to be playing his rock tune yet again, complete with Prime yelling at him for it and the other Autobots chasing Blaster off into the sunset... but the music is missing. Oops!

===Continuity errors===
[[File:Blasterbluesonthemoon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"No no, it is totally worth risking the complete failure of the plan to have gloating rights over a couple of guys whose names I probably can't remember!"]]
[[File:BlasterBlues Carly Spike in spacesuits.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*You have to wonder if Megatron thought out all the parts to this plan, given that it would be a lot easier for human society to adapt to life without radio, than life without electricity, petroleum and fossil fuels, and so on... Actually, how would we ''use'' said radio waves, without the power resources the 'Cons would strip out of the planet in exchange for ceasing their jamming?
*Furthermore, one might question the wisdom of leaving two conscious Autobots right across from the critical device... with one of them ''fully armed''. The episode's teleplay explains this a bit better: in it, Cosmos is not treated so dismissively by Megatron, who needs his "magnificent super-sonic engines" to power the transmitter, and at the episode's climax, Cosmos was not supposed to ''shoot'' the transmitter, but rather, exploit his function as a power source to help Blaster overload the machine. Still, there doesn't appear to be any good reason they couldn't have done this a ''lot'' sooner.
*In a world full of Transformers running around on the evening news (and showing up in arcades, research labs, dams, power plants, and basically everywhere), why would a scientist still speak of alien life as though it were some unproved hypothesis?
*One of the journalists in the crowd that's listening to Prof. Haley explain the voltronic galaxer has a portion of the speech ("...enabling alien life to translate them to their own language.") already written on his notepad before the professor even finishes speaking that line.
[[File:BlasterBlues Megatron voltronic galaxer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Don't worry, this won't hurt a bit!]]
*In a rare instance of a falling human seeming to incur some actual injury, Professor Haley is apparently knocked unconscious by falling off the Voltronic Galaxer. Of course, he's up and (literally) running by the time the Autobots arrive (and still hanging out inside the burning building, apparently).
*The joy of size changing: Blaster rides inside Cosmos to the Moon, and in the next scene Cosmos and Blaster are side by side and Blaster is almost twice as tall as Cosmos. Cosmos's improbably large interior has just enough for Blaster to sit inside of. "[[Sea Change]]" and "[[Quest for Survival]]" will portray it as even larger, with room for multiple passengers to walk around.
*The passenger jets at the airport are shown swerving and maneuvering as though they were small-scaled fighters.
*Maybe Astrotrain's alternate mode ''does'' make sense in the bizarre world of cartoon Earth... because the railroad workers are trying to clear the track for a ''steam locomotive''.
*One of the railroad men says he will "radio [the train] to the auxiliary track", but no other track is actually shown.
*Only one guy leaps clear of the steam engine. Where's the fireman?
*Okay, so it's great that Optimus is directing traffic at this one airport, but... what about the hundreds of other airports out there? Much like "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 2]]", the Autobots seem to lack a plan to deal with the actual ''cause'' of the problems.
*If Carly can trace the source of Megatron's transmissions, she really didn't need to wait until they heard Blaster's music.
*If Powerglide's [[jet pack]] is ''out of fuel'', then ''how does he keep flying??''
*Ratchet's team was mostly in [[robot mode]] when they were buried. They emerge from the snow in vehicle mode. Also, all the buried and exploded cars have vanished.
*Does Omega Supreme just keep some human-sized space suits handy? 'Cause Spike and Carly suddenly pop up in space suits when it's time to go to the Moon.

===A loony lunar lineup of astronomical errors===
*As with every other outer space episode in the series, Cosmos, Astrotrain, and all the rest get full sound effects in outer space and on the Moon's surface. Of course, media of far higher caliber than ''The Transformers'' have made the same error, generally because it'd be pretty boring to watch a bunch of silent ships fly around, so we'll let this one slide.
*The depicted activities of any Transformer on the Moon do not bear any resemblance to the movements of creatures under gravity one-sixth that of Earth's own.
*Cosmos really shouldn't have to switch off his engines once he reaches the Moon; he should have just switched them off as soon as he escaped Earth's gravity well.
*Blaster somehow manages to ''listen'' in on the Decepticons across the airless surface of the Moon.
*The burning [[Decepticon lunar dome base]] continues burning and trailing smoke as if it were in an atmosphere.
*Carly: "I've never been to the Moon before!" NO. REALLY??

===Trivia===
*Throughout the script, '''Trailbreaker''' is referred to as '''Trailblazer''', a name which popped up during "[[A Prime Problem]]".
*Seriously. "I've never been to the Moon before!"

===Foreign localization===

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Linee di raggruppamento'''" ("Meeting up Lines")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Il Blues di Blaster'''" ("The Blues of Blaster")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Broadcast Blues'''" (ブロードキャスト・ブルース)
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 27]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Lándiào Lùyīnjī '''" (蓝调录音机, "Blues Recorder")
:*''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]] 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. 4 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 04: Stagione Due Parte Seconda ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-38.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

Blaster Blues

2019-08-15T06:06:00Z

The Nemesis153: /* Continuity errors */ Added item about the journalist having written out Haley's line before he speaks it

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=39
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=50
|prev2=The Core
|next2=Prime Target (episode)
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=34
|prev3=Microbots
|next3=Sea Change
|image=BlasterBlues Megatron threatens Blaster.jpg
|caption="No, Megatron! My girlfriend will break me up!"
|title="Blaster Blues"
|production code=#700-38
|airdate=[[October 23]], 1985
|written by=[[Larry Strauss]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''The Decepticons hijack Earth's airwaves. Yet somehow, you are still able to watch this episode.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Blasterbluesconcertcrowd.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Did Spike and Carly take an Autobot on all of their dates?]]

[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and [[Carly]] are at a rock concert, having taken [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] along for the music. Enjoying the concert, Spike wishes that the rest of the [[Autobot]]s could hear the music, so Blaster begins transmitting to all of them. Off in space, [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] gets a real kick out of the music.

At the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot base]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] are observing [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]'s target practice on [[Teletraan I]], when Blaster's music from the concert begins playing on their channel. Sparkplug and most of the Autobots are not enjoying the overwhelming volume, but [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] gets the chance to show off his dancing skills.

At the [[Haley Observatory]], [[Haley|Professor Haley]] introduces his new creation, the [[Voltronic Galaxer]], to his fellow scientists. The device is intended to translate Earth's recordings into other languages and broadcast them into space, in search of intelligent life. Seemingly, the Transformers don't count. During his first test of the device, the scientist is quite surprised when he gets a response... which turns to horror when he sees it's the Decepticons. [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], as he is oft wont to do, begins firing randomly, but [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] orders him to stop, saying that they need the Voltronic Galaxer.

At the Autobot base, Optimus Prime is so annoyed by the music that he outright tells Blaster to "shut up", but to no avail. Only a distress call from the scientist finally gets Blaster to stop. After the Autobots arrive at the observatory, they find that the Decepticons have already fled with their prize. Optimus Prime vows to find it and bring the Voltronic Galaxer back.

[[File:Blasterbluesprimedirectstraffic.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Prime's day job]]

Splitting up into groups, the Autobots begin the search. [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], Spike and Carly have already searched half the hemisphere, while Cosmos and Blaster are searching outer space. They locate the Decepticons in a [[Decepticon lunar dome base|base]] on the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], where Megatron is plotting to take control of Earth's radio airwaves. Blaster and Cosmos are caught, however, before they can contact the Autobots. Blaster is forced into use as a transcrambler, while Cosmos powers the device. Megatron orders the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] to return to Earth as the radio blackout commences.

On Earth, the communications blackout is scrambling even the Autobots' radio channels. [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] barely manage to stop a forest fire, while [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] free motorists trapped on a frozen highway, where [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] attack.

[[File:Blasterbluespgcarriesprime.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|I'm not paid enough to carry this around.]]

At an airport, Powerglide is attempting to land, when Starscream and [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] attack, damaging both Powerglide and Optimus Prime. Spike manages to strap a [[jet pack]] onto Powerglide, giving him some extra boost. As Megatron begins broadcasting his demands to Earth, Blaster plays music from the concert on the same channel. Carly recognizes the tunes and manages to track the transmission back to the Moon. They head for the Autobot base. Carly does some quick repairs on Optimus then the two teens and Powerglide load Prime onto Omega, who takes them to space.

Once Omega lands on the Moon, Megatron and Astrotrain attack him. Omega manages to get his hand on Megatron, but Astrotrain rams Omega in train mode, causing him to release Megatron. Astrotrain then flees and Omega transforms into rocket mode and follows. Seeing Optimus Prime defenseless, Megatron decides to hit him while he's down, only for the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] to reactivate just in time to defend himself.

[[File:Blasterbluesop&mdance.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|One shall stand; one shall get tossed around a little bit and run away crying "Retreat!!"]]

With no one to guard them, Blaster and Cosmos cause the voltronic galaxer to receive feedback and explode. Seeing his latest technology ruined, Megatron retreats. After freeing them, Blaster mentions that he could rebuild the Decepticon moonbase into a new Autobot base. Cosmos likes the idea, as it would give him some company. Optimus agrees, but orders him to keep an eye on his volume.

Soon, however, Blaster is back to transmitting loud rock music over the air waves again. Some stereos never learn.

{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (3)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (6)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (8)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (9)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (14)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (15)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (16)
*[[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] (17)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (18)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (19)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (20)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (21)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (22)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (24)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (25)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (26)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (30)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (31)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (33)

|c2=
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (11)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (12)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (13)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (23)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (35)
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (36)

|c3=
*[[Carly]] (1)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (2)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (7)
*[[Haley|Professor Haley]] (10)
*Air Traffic Controllers (27)
*Pilot (28)
*Railroad workers (29)
*Meteorologist (31)
*Motorists (34)
}}

==Quotes==
[[File:BlasterBlues Professor Haley.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Hey, everyone, it's Tuuuuuuesday, and you're listening to the Giant Botcast...]]
"Where are you? In another galaxy?" 
"''Much'' closer than ''that!!'' Huhu~hwa~ha~hahaha~haha~hahaha!!"
:—'''Professor Haley''' contacts '''Megatron''', the master of dry wit.

'''Optimus''': My audio receptors! What is that noise?! 
'''Hoist''': Humans call it 'music'. 
'''Sparkplug''': Not ''this'' human! 
'''Jazz''': Sounds all right to me!
:—Sparkplug and the Autobots share their opinions on Blaster's choice in music.

"The Earth is but a speck on the arm of the universe."
:—'''Human scientist''' bolstering his race's importance in the cosmos.

"Blaster! Decrease volume! ... Blaster! '''SHUT UP!'''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' in another fine example of subordinate management.

'''Ironhide''': Where did the call originate? 
'''Optimus''': I don't know! All I can hear is that blasted Blaster!
:—[[Peter Cullen]]'s annoyance at Blaster's loud music.

[[File:BlasterBlues blaster altmode.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Today on Capitol Hill, the fish was delish, and according to [[United Nations|UN]] Secretary Council members, it made quite a dish. You are listening to member-supported public radio.]]
"Hey, talk about no place. I can't even get a bottom 40 station out here."
:—'''Blaster''' doesn't enjoy outer space duty inside Cosmos.

"It's Blaster!" 
"Why that son of an 8-track."
:—'''Ratchet''' and '''Trailbreaker'''

"Release Autobots, Megatron!" 
"Never!" 
"Reeeelease them!"
:—'''Omega Supreme''' adds some "hands on" pressure to dealing with '''Megatron'''

"Looks like the big boy needs a little training!"
:—'''Astrotrain''', proving the pun is indeed mightier than the sword. Unfortunately, it's not as mighty as Omega Supreme.

==Notes==

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Blasterbluestrailerchase.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Last one out of the parking lot gets stuck with the check.]]
[[File:Trailbreakerdance.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[http://www.shortpacked.com/index.php?id=914 '''''I... AM... TRAILBREAKER!!!''''']]]
*Jazz has righteous moves, but they are limited by his bulky body.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Blaster's boom box mode in the opening scenes is as tall as a human.
**Red Alert's "horns" flash to indicate Decepticon activity, just like in "[[Auto Berserk]]". This time they're orange, though.
**Ratchet and the rest can deploy tire studs to deal with snow-covered roads.
**Hoist deploys a long snakey tentacle with a claw at the end to catch a falling motorist. How many devices can he [[Auto Berserk|carry]], anyway??
**This time, Trailbreaker's forcefield just kind of radiates out of thin air in front of his head. He's able to form it into a dome, which he can then place where he wants it... but, to his later misfortune, he remains outside the dome himself.
**Powerglide can deploy a suction cup line capable of carrying wounded Autobots around like limp ragdolls, leaving them flapping in the breeze.... say, aren't you supposed to ''not move'' the injured?
**Omega Supreme clearly leaves most of himself behind when he launches for the Moon. When he arrives there, he lands in rocket mode amid a cloud of smoke... and when the smoke clears, the left-behind bits have appeared. Later, he transforms out of just the rocket (conveniently off-screen) while in mid-flight.
*Where's the trailer go?:
**During the scene at the observatory, Optimus transforms and drives away, and there is an extended moment where his trailer drives off after him to catch up.
*Omega Supreme actually uses whole sentences in this episode. That's just crazy.

===Real-world references===
[[File:BlasterBlues Haley Observatory.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*The names of Professor Haley and his eponymous observatory are likely inspired by {{w|Halley's Comet}}, which was beginning its once-every-76-years trip through the inner solar system when the episode aired in late [[1985]].
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine burst is strangely repurposed as the burning fires at the observatory as the Decepticons close in.
**[[X-wing Fighter|X-Wings]] diving, ''Falcon'' engine burst, and [[Death Star]] superlaser all in a row as the Decepticons launch from the observatory.
**''Falcon'' engine burst as Megatron takes off from Astrotrain
**X-Wings diving as the 'cons fly aboard Astrotrain
**Death Star superlaser as Astrotrain pursues Cosmos.
**[[TIE Fighter]] engine as Cosmos evades.
**The Death Star door slide is used as a steam engine sound effect.
**A [[Stormtrooper (SW)|Stormtrooper]]'s laser gun is used to soundtrack Ramjet and Thundercracker's attack on Inferno and Red Alert, possibly taken from when [[Luke Skywalker|Luke]] & [[Han Solo|Han]] ambush the stormtroopers aboard the ''Falcon''.
**''Falcon'' engine burst as Megatron launches from the Moon.
*Trailbreaker mentions 8-tracks. Did kids in 1985 even know what an 8-track is?
*"Bang, zoom, to the Moon!" - Powerglide's line is a play on a signature line of Ralph Kramden from ''[[The Honeymooners]]''...whose actor Jackie Gleason was also the inspiration for Powerglide's voice.
*"Parting is such sweet sorrow!" - Megatron prepares to kill Prime while quoting one of Shakespeare's most famous lines.

===Animation and technical errors===
*The rock band at the concert is playing ''two songs at once'', both "[[Cold Slither (song)|Cold Slither]]" and the generic big band/hard rock song. "Cold Slither" is missing a moment later when Blaster sends the music to the Autobots.
*The guitarist is seen 'playing' his guitar with only his right arm, as his left (which should be doing the fretwork) is up in the air.
*The arena's seats have more than a seat's width between them. The owners must've been expecting some ''seriously'' fat patrons.
*Cosmos's voice in his first couple of lines lacks his usual self-echo.
*As Megatron gloats on top of the observatory, his laugh plays over itself (i.e., the same laugh twice).
*Improbable viewpoints:
**So Blaster sends the music from the concert to the Autobots. How does he manage to send a 3rd-person view of ''himself'' at the same time?
**Do Tracks and Huffer have a video camera with them to report in to Prime?
**Does Prime have a camera stationed at the city docks to show Powerglide flying in aimless circles?
*The reporter at the observatory has already written down Professor Haley's words before he's finished saying them.
*Recycled footage:
**Prime's trailer rolling in from offscreen seems to be recycled from "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 2]]".
**The shot of Ironhide, Trailbreaker and Hound converting to [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] is lifted from "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]"
**The pan of Sunstreaker and Sideswipe transforming comes right out of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]".
**The same "MTMTE1" scene is mined again to show Trailbreaker transforming as the Autobots deploy to deal with the loss of radio communications.
*Astrotrain has no transformation sound effect as he leaves the tunnel and converts from train to shuttle.
[[File:Blasterbluesprowlcarries.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Coloring error not included.]]
*Coloring errors:
**Trailbreaker's eyeband is black instead of blue as Optimus quizzes the professor about the Voltronic Galaxer. The points of his cheeks are colored blue instead.
**Cosmos's "cap" is green instead of red as he lands on the Moon.
**Prowl's head crest is white instead of red as he closes Ratchet's passenger compartment (and can't Ratchet do that himself?)
**Blaster's forehead is red instead of white as Megatron threatens him.
**Cosmos's helmet is green instead of red as Prime frees Blaster (which, by the way, seems to consist of just helping him to his feet, rather than freeing him from any "welding" done by Astrotrain.)
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots: Prime's initial squad fluctuates all over the place.
**The initial group receiving the transmission is Prime, Jazz, Ratchet, Ironhide, Hoist & Cliffjumper.
**Mirage, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker and Hound show up to transform prior to rolling out, and are not seen again. Trailbreaker shows up at the same time.
**Bumblebee, Wheeljack, and Prowl (or maybe Bluestreak) show up as the Autobots depart.
**The group that finally arrives at the observatory is Prime, Jazz, Ratchet, Ironhide, Hoist, Bumblebee & Trailbreaker, which means we've lost seven guys.
*When the Autobots drive away from the observatory, a shot of the Autobots from the front shows them driving over bare rock rather than the asphalt road.
*Powerglide's cockpit has changed from a fighter-plane-like single-seater (seen in "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1]]"), to a side-by-side like a passenger jet.
*When Megatron is first shown setting down the Voltronic Galaxer in their moon base, Thundercracker is to his left, Starscream to his right. In the very next panning shot showing Cosmos' approach through the window, Thundercracker is to Megatron's right.
*"This your idea of a joke?" Blaster's line lacks the usual processing.
*Red Alert's "horns" flash orange. Last time, they flashed blue.
*Despite knowing about the pending aerial attack, Red Alert keeps shooting at the trees. It seems likely that the animators recycled previous footage, perhaps not realizing he should be aiming skyward.
*Whatever damage Powerglide sustained from Ramjet pretty much disappears after Spike puts the jetpack on him.
*Blaster first pushes his left-most button. Later, it's the middle two that are deployed. After Megatron kicks him, all but one are engaged.
[[File:Omegasupreme astrotrain.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Pretty damn big, that's how much.]]
*The whole sequence of Megatron discovering Blaster's subterfuge is a bit wonky. Blaster sniggers loudly, Megatron suddenly says "What was that?", then there's a beep and the rock music is heard. The animators/sound guys seem to have not quite gotten the sequence of events down correctly.
*When Spike cheers on Omega Supreme, both his lips ''and'' Carly's are moving.
*When Astrotrain rams Omega Supreme's leg, Omega holds still for two seconds, then drops Megatron.
*If Astrotrain is big enough to hold all the Decepticons, then how big does that make Omega Supreme in the picture to the right here?
*One gun, many lasers:
**When Optimus fires at the fleeing Megatron, he only has one gun, yet four or five lasers streak past Megatron.
*Blaster has four small switches on his chest for most of the episode (clearly seen as when Megatron kicks him towards the end), but is drawn with three large ones after Prime frees him.
*At the end of the episode, Blaster seemingly is supposed to be playing his rock tune yet again, complete with Prime yelling at him for it and the other Autobots chasing Blaster off into the sunset... but the music is missing. Oops!

===Continuity errors===
[[File:Blasterbluesonthemoon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"No no, it is totally worth risking the complete failure of the plan to have gloating rights over a couple of guys whose names I probably can't remember!"]]
[[File:BlasterBlues Carly Spike in spacesuits.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*You have to wonder if Megatron thought out all the parts to this plan, given that it would be a lot easier for human society to adapt to life without radio, than life without electricity, petroleum and fossil fuels, and so on... Actually, how would we ''use'' said radio waves, without the power resources the 'Cons would strip out of the planet in exchange for ceasing their jamming?
*Furthermore, one might question the wisdom of leaving two conscious Autobots right across from the critical device... with one of them ''fully armed''. The episode's teleplay explains this a bit better: in it, Cosmos is not treated so dismissively by Megatron, who needs his "magnificent super-sonic engines" to power the transmitter, and at the episode's climax, Cosmos was not supposed to ''shoot'' the transmitter, but rather, exploit his function as a power source to help Blaster overload the machine. Still, there doesn't appear to be any good reason they couldn't have done this a ''lot'' sooner.
*In a world full of Transformers running around on the evening news (and showing up in arcades, research labs, dams, power plants, and basically everywhere), why would a scientist still speak of alien life as though it were some unproved hypothesis?
*One of the journalists in the crowd that's listening to Prof. Haley explain the voltronic galaxer has a portion of the speech ("...enable alien life to translate them to their own language.") already written on his notepad before the professor even finishes speaking that line.
[[File:BlasterBlues Megatron voltronic galaxer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Don't worry, this won't hurt a bit!]]
*In a rare instance of a falling human seeming to incur some actual injury, Professor Haley is apparently knocked unconscious by falling off the Voltronic Galaxer. Of course, he's up and (literally) running by the time the Autobots arrive (and still hanging out inside the burning building, apparently).
*The joy of size changing: Blaster rides inside Cosmos to the Moon, and in the next scene Cosmos and Blaster are side by side and Blaster is almost twice as tall as Cosmos. Cosmos's improbably large interior has just enough for Blaster to sit inside of. "[[Sea Change]]" and "[[Quest for Survival]]" will portray it as even larger, with room for multiple passengers to walk around.
*The passenger jets at the airport are shown swerving and maneuvering as though they were small-scaled fighters.
*Maybe Astrotrain's alternate mode ''does'' make sense in the bizarre world of cartoon Earth... because the railroad workers are trying to clear the track for a ''steam locomotive''.
*One of the railroad men says he will "radio [the train] to the auxiliary track", but no other track is actually shown.
*Only one guy leaps clear of the steam engine. Where's the fireman?
*Okay, so it's great that Optimus is directing traffic at this one airport, but... what about the hundreds of other airports out there? Much like "[[The Ultimate Doom, Part 2]]", the Autobots seem to lack a plan to deal with the actual ''cause'' of the problems.
*If Carly can trace the source of Megatron's transmissions, she really didn't need to wait until they heard Blaster's music.
*If Powerglide's [[jet pack]] is ''out of fuel'', then ''how does he keep flying??''
*Ratchet's team was mostly in [[robot mode]] when they were buried. They emerge from the snow in vehicle mode. Also, all the buried and exploded cars have vanished.
*Does Omega Supreme just keep some human-sized space suits handy? 'Cause Spike and Carly suddenly pop up in space suits when it's time to go to the Moon.

===A loony lunar lineup of astronomical errors===
*As with every other outer space episode in the series, Cosmos, Astrotrain, and all the rest get full sound effects in outer space and on the Moon's surface. Of course, media of far higher caliber than ''The Transformers'' have made the same error, generally because it'd be pretty boring to watch a bunch of silent ships fly around, so we'll let this one slide.
*The depicted activities of any Transformer on the Moon do not bear any resemblance to the movements of creatures under gravity one-sixth that of Earth's own.
*Cosmos really shouldn't have to switch off his engines once he reaches the Moon; he should have just switched them off as soon as he escaped Earth's gravity well.
*Blaster somehow manages to ''listen'' in on the Decepticons across the airless surface of the Moon.
*The burning [[Decepticon lunar dome base]] continues burning and trailing smoke as if it were in an atmosphere.
*Carly: "I've never been to the Moon before!" NO. REALLY??

===Trivia===
*Throughout the script, '''Trailbreaker''' is referred to as '''Trailblazer''', a name which popped up during "[[A Prime Problem]]".
*Seriously. "I've never been to the Moon before!"

===Foreign localization===

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Linee di raggruppamento'''" ("Meeting up Lines")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Il Blues di Blaster'''" ("The Blues of Blaster")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Broadcast Blues'''" (ブロードキャスト・ブルース)
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 27]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Lándiào Lùyīnjī '''" (蓝调录音机, "Blues Recorder")
:*''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]] 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. 4 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 04: Stagione Due Parte Seconda ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-38.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

The Core

2019-07-20T00:37:10Z

The Nemesis153: /* Continuity notes */ corrected bullet indentation on my last point. It was mistakenly put at the second level with the rest of the "gadgets and powers" points.

{{disambig3|Core}}
{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=28
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=49
|prev2=Cosmic Rust (episode)
|next2=Blaster Blues
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=7
|prev3=The Autobot Run
|next3=Dinobot Island, Part 1
|image=TheCore Devastator zapped.jpg
|caption=
|title="The Core"
|production code=#700-27
|airdate=[[October 29]], 1985
|written by=[[Dennis Marks]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''Megatron tries to drill his way to the center to the Earth, while the Autobots take control of Devastator with mind-controlling Dominator Disks.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Coredevastatorattacks.jpg|left|thumb|Bowling for Autobots]]
At an underground cavern near a waterfall, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] are digging with a massive drill. However, the rock they're drilling through breaks, and only some quick work on [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]'s part plugs it up. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] orders Mixmaster to look over [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]'s sensory equipment, while [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] does his daily whine-about-Megatron's-nefarious-plan bit. Megatron counters that if they manage to tap into the [[Earth's core|Earth's molten core]], it will give the [[Decepticon]]s geothermal energy, a limitless power source. Starscream counters that if they breach the core, the Earth runs the risk of exploding. However, Megatron doesn't care: he's placed a [[space bridge]] near the drilling site, which will take the Decepticons to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] if the Earth's stability should be threatened.

[[File:Coreautobotsinnet.jpg|thumb|This is the worst tent ever!]]
Meanwhile, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]], and [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] are driving around in that general area, when Sunstreaker realizes that there should be a river where they're driving through. The Autobots head to investigate, and see Mixmaster and Scavenger. The Autobots [[Transformation|transform]] to attack, only to see that the Constructicons have disappeared, and to fail to notice [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] above them. Informed by [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]], Megatron orders the Constructicons to destroy the Autobots and form [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. The Decepticon [[combiner]] knocks the Autobots off the cliff, but Mirage goes invisible on them. He remains undetected as Devastator attacks the others, and finds the drill. As Mirage rejoins the group, Jazz does a [[sound and light show]] which distracts Devastator while Mirage and Sunstreaker lasso his legs with a rope, allowing the Autobots to escape.

[[File:Coredevastator&prime.jpg|left|thumb|Devastator has no idea how to start transforming 20th Anniversary Prime.]]
At the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot base]], the Autobots use [[Teletraan I]] to calculate what will happen if the drill hits the Earth's core. The result will be total annihilation, but the Autobots have little hope of defeating the Decepticons with Devastator. [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] and [[Chip Chase]] present [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] with their new [[dominator disk]]s, which will be placed on the individual Constructicons and take control of them when they form Devastator. Convinced, Optimus Prime orders a commando team to plant the disks on the Constructicons. Heading for the drilling site, [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] freezes the falls, causing the drill to heat up. [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] orders the Constructicons to the surface, during which the Autobots plant a disk on each Constructicon. As the commandos are pulled out, Starscream has them dead to rights, but Megatron orders him to let them go, saying that he knows of their plan to control Devastator. As Megatron positions the Decepticons, he orders the Decepticons to attack. The Decepticons fire on the still moving Autobots, who break formation, as the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] transform to [[bring the rain]] on the Autobots. Megatron orders the Constructicons to form Devastator, who grabs Prime. Wheeljack activates the disks and Optimus orders Devastator to release him and attack the Decepticons. Devastator follows the Autobot leader's orders. Megatron orders the Decepticons to retreat to the cave and Devastator seals them in. Optimus orders the Autobots to break off, as they can now finish the Decepticons at their leisure.

[[File:Corediagramscene.jpg|thumb|The Earth consists of a crust, the mantle, the outer core, the inner core, the inner inner core, the inner inner inner core, the...]]
Within the caverns, Starscream whines about being trapped, not having enough water to keep drilling, and so on. However, Megatron reveals that this was all part of his plan: he has a device that will override the dominator disks and stored enough water to continue drilling for some time. He just didn't tell Starscream because he's a terrible actor. At the Autobot base, the Constructicons are helping with repairs, when an earthquake hits. Realizing that the Decepticons are still drilling, the Autobots head to put them out of commission. However, Megatron is aware of their coming, watching them through the Constructicons' eyes. The Autobots and Devastator head for the cave, and Devastator is set to destroy it, at which point Megatron uses his control switch to deactivate the disks. Devastator begins attacking the Autobots, so Wheeljack tries to boost power to the disks. Unfortunately, this fries Devastator's [[Circuit (circuit)|logic circuits]] and sends him into a killing frenzy, attacking both Autobot and Decepticon alike.

[[File:Coremegs&wheeljack.jpg|left|thumb|Take off your clothes and come on in!]]
Finally, the drill hits the core and the cave—and the earth itself—begin to come apart. Unfortunately, Devastator's rampage has damaged the drill's controls. Megatron orders the Decepticons to the space bridge, but Devastator damages it too. Optimus convinces Megatron to give his control switch to Wheeljack, who uses it to deactivate the disks and bring Devastator back to normal. Devastator then heads to destroy the drill, while the Decepticons flee for their [[Spark|lives]]. Devastator succeeds, but is surprised by Megatron's absence. Chip tells Devastator that he ran, but Devastator believes that "Noble Megatron" merely left to plan their next attack and leaves (he really is as dumb as a post). Chip is somewhat saddened, as he was hoping that Devastator would join the Autobots. Optimus tells him that the future is built on dreams and not to let go of his.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (8)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (9)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (10)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (11)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (12)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (17)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (19)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (20)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (24)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (25)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (26)
|c2=
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (1)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (2)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (3)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (4)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (5)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (6)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (7)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (13)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (14)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (15)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (16)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (21)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (22)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (23)
|c3=
*[[Chip Chase]] (18)
}}

==Quotes==
"Autobots, move out!"
:—'''Sunstreaker''', thinking he outranks Jazz and Prowl.

"It's like shooting [[dynametal duck]]s in a beryllium barrel."
:—'''Starscream''' wonders if they store [[beryllium baloney]] in beryllium barrels.

"Traitor!"
:—'''Starscream''' to Megatron. No, you read that right.

"I do this only for the benefit of my Decepticons. It grieves me that you may also profit."
:—'''Megatron''', agreeing to ally with the Autobots and lying through his teeth (he's doing it to save his own chassis).

"What's the matter, Chip?" 
"I guess I was hoping Devastator might join the Autobots for good, but that's probably just a dumb old dream." 
"Hang on your dreams, Chip. The future is built on dreams. Hang on."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives '''Chip Chase''' valuable words to live by.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
[[File:TheCore HookfixesJazz.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
[[File:Sound and light show.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*Megatron takes a jab at Starscream's acting abilities, which we witnessed just [[A Prime Problem|one episode ago]]. He's no [[Shia LaBeouf|Beef]], but hey, he's [[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2|just starting]] [[Starscream's Ghost|his career]] at this point.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Everyone's arms are completely hollow in this episode. One character after the next retracts their hands into their wrists:
***Starscream reveals an improbably large drill in place of his retracted hand.
***Mirage has a tow cable in his wrist.
***Ironhide retracts his hands to fire an improbably huge torrent of blue liquid that freezes the waterfall.
***Sunstreaker, Jazz, and Wheeljack all retract their hands and replace them with wrist-rockets. Wheeljack is ''supposed'' to be able to do this according to his tech spec; the ability appeared very briefly in "[[The Autobot Run]]", and he also flew ''without'' retracting his hands in "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]" and "[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]".)
***Jazz also has a grappling hook/tow line. Of all these gimmicks, this is the only one that's actually appeared before, way back in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]" and [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3|Part 3]].
**Jazz also uses his standard sound & light show. It's... not as impressive [[The Immobilizer|as it could be]].
**Hook uses his crane mode hook as a welding tip.
**Starscream has a hand-held rifle which he attempts to use on the retreating Autobots after they place Dominator Disks on Devastator.
*For the first and only time in the series Chip appears but Spike doesn't.

===Real-world references===
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**As often happens, Laserbeak gets the [[TIE Fighter]] engine sound just after he flies over the Autobots.

===Animation and technical errors===
This being one of the Season 2 AKOM episodes, many characters have unusual color schemes which persist through the entire episode. This includes:
[[File:TheCore Chip in Wheeljack.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
[[File:TheCore ConstructiconsMegatronPoint.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Find the artists responsible for this color change, and DESTROY THEM!]]
*Megatron's gun barrel is dark gray.
*Gears' truck mode is red with blue fenders instead of blue with a red camper top. His white robot bits are colored light gray.
*Prowl is a light gray instead of white.
*Optimus Prime's backpack is white instead of red.
*Chip has a blue jacket instead of brown. This is ''good'', though. It means that, unlike a lot of cartoon humans, he actually changes clothes.
*The circle on Bumblebee's back is dark gray instead of yellow.

Errors not attributable to model sheets include:
*It seems unlikely that the metal ring surrounding the drill would fracture in exactly the same way as the rock surrounding it.
*Hook's first transformation is bizarre. His crane mode cab just kind of disappears into his stomach... only to reappear as his foot a second later.
*Scavenger's voice gives the "emergency!" lines that follow, but Scrapper is shown. It's not clear from the animation who's actually speaking, though.
*[[Michael Bell]]'s performance of Scrapper is noticeably higher-pitched and more manic than usual in this episode. He's cranked Scrapper's usual vocal "scratchiness" up a bit too, at times adding a protracted rasp between sentences.
*When the Constructicons are all shown zapping the fissure shut, all the other cracks are gone.
*Subsequent shots of the drill show no trace of the Constructicons' ad hoc ground repairs. Did they pave them over??
*Missing Seeker insignia:
**When he's first seen sitting at the console, Starscream is missing the Decepticon emblems on his wings.
**Starscream has only one wing emblem as he watches Megatron walk through the holographic rock wall.
**The Seekers are all missing their wing emblems as the Decepticons launch their counterattack on the approaching Autobots in the canyon.
**Starscream's missing his wing emblems yet again as he turns and says "You thought of everything".
**Starscream's got only one emblem as he runs crying to Devastator for help. Seriously, how hard is it to keep track of two emblems?
*It's not indisputably an error, but Starscream's hand makes none of the typical whirring/sliding noises as he retracts it and replaces it with the drill (which, holy cow, where does he ''keep'' that thing?)
*The animation of the Autobots driving up the slope out of the riverbed is crude and mistimed—Mirage drives all the way into the slope before he tilts to start climbing it. The other Autobots all tilt up as a group, even though they're in a line.
*Laserbeak's missing his transformation sound as he returns to Soundwave's chest compartment after sighting the Autobots.
*As Laserbeak plays back the Autobots' words, a second voice seems to be echoing Jazz's "Constructicons!"
*As the Constructions all transform to [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], both Hook and Mixmaster suffer from their feet failing to become the corresponding part of their vehicle modes. All of the Constructicons have completely changed positions from where they were standing in the preceding shot.
*The boulder that Devastator uses against the Autobots is never seen to hit bottom.
*As usual, Devastator's combination sequence is screwed up. In addition to lacking any transformation noise, Long Haul only forms about half of his actual contribution, with Hook getting the rest. At least they got the other four guys correct!
*Three of the Constructicons are shown monitoring the drill, while at the same time Devastator is outside fighting the rest of the Autobots. ([[:File:Megatronffod.jpg|More than six]] [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]? [[Personal canon|Madness!]]) In the same scene, Starscream's missing one of his wing emblems yet again.
*Both Mirage and Sunstreaker drive ''through'' the tow line as they wrap it around Devastator's feet. As Devastator falls from their snare, he has two eyes instead of his usual visor.
*Coloring errors:
**Wheeljack has some strange white areas on his head when he's first seen inside Autobot Headquarters.
**Wheeljack's roof is orange instead of white as Chip leans out his window.
**Skywarp and Starscream both have yellow nosecones as they transform back into [[robot mode]] en route to the space bridge.
**Once the Autobots subjugate Devastator, he's seen swatting Skywarp, but the next shot is of Thundercracker spinning out of control. Then Thundercracker immediately flies back in ''again'' and is swatted off, screaming in Starscream's voice. The shot following that has Skywarp standing with the other Decepticons.
**Megatron has a red Decepticon symbol when he orders the Constructicons to stop the drill.
*The center line on Scrapper's face mask disappears as he orders the Constructicons to the surface.
*The Constructicons' elevator isn't animated, making them appear to just levitate into the air in vehicle mode. A whirring effects noise, and a lack of glow effects, makes it seem that this was ''not'' supposed to be the levitation beam used earlier by Starscream and Megatron. A second later, however, they ''do'' drive off the levitation beam, complete with glow effect.
*There is ''no way'' Ironhide has room for that much of the water-freezing liquid inside him.
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
**Ironhide is shown retreating into the cage at the bottom of the cliff, even though he was never shown to have left the top of the cliff. He seems to have taken Sunstreaker's place. As the cage begins to rise, Sunstreaker reappears (with a strangely miscolored or off-model head), but Jazz is missing.
**The roster of Autobots on the return mission to the cave fluctuates all over the place. Prowl, Jazz, Ironhide and Sideswipe are shown leaving Autobot HQ (and Devastator apparently just sits there while the Autobots move out!) When they arrive at the cave, Hound and Wheeljack have replaced Prowl and Ironhide. After Chip is trapped in the cave, Ratchet shows up among Devastator's victims. After the commercial break, Ironhide is back with the group. As the earthquakes begin, Sunstreaker shows up out of nowhere to rescue Chip.
*Five Autobots fit inside Prime's pyramid cage, which then fits inside his trailer. Huge trailer, or tiny Autobots?
*As he ejects Ravage, the inside of Soundwave's chest compartment is bright yellow.
*Devastator's second combination sequence contains the same visual errors as the first one; plus, Hook's mass includes Bonecrusher's scoop.
*As Devastator blasts the Decepticons' cave shut, the frozen falls spontaneously unfreeze for no apparent reason.
*Bumblebee is with the cheering Autobots as Devastator flies out of the canyon, despite not being seen anywhere else in the episode.
*Again, the metal in Autobot Headquarters splits as though it were rock.
*After Hook repairs Jazz, he drives over to Devastator and transforms into ''nothing but his head''.
*When Devastator blasts the cave entrance open again, the falls are once again frozen!
*When the combined doohickeys zap Devastator back under control causing the Constructicons to disengage, the left arm transforms into Scrapper, while the right leg transforms into Bonecrusher.
*Third Devastator sequence: worst one yet! Scrapper's not really visible at all. ''Scavenger'' and Mixmaster form not only the legs but also half of Long Haul's bits (the same incomplete half that Long Haul himself formed the first time around!) Long Haul then ''splits in two'' to become the rest of Devastator's torso, including everything formed by Hook, ''and'' Bonecrusher and Scavenger's vehicle treads. Bonecrusher and ''Hook'' then form the arms. When he's finished forming, Devastator's torso plate is green instead of purple.
*Wheeljack's ears don't flash as he and Prime snicker at Chip's "Mr. Nobility" line.
*Though maintaining a consistent scale has [[Scale|never been a particularly important issue]] in Transformers fiction, this episode is a particularly notable offender, with Devastator's relative size fluctuating wildly: in some scenes Megatron appears to be almost half his height, whilst at other times the Autobots barely come up to the top of his ''foot''. In one scene, vehicle mode Bonecrusher seems to be almost as high as robot mode Megatron. Chip's scaling is also wildly variable: when Sunstreaker rescues him from the cave, he appears knee-high to the Autobots, but in the very next scene he has suddenly become as large as Wheeljack.

===Continuity errors===
*Megatron's assertion that the [[Earth's core]] is the richest source of energy in [[Milky Way|the galaxy]] is not even remotely true, even within the bizarre realm of the cartoon's physics. Heck, just within our own little [[Solar System]], the [[Sun]] is immeasurably more potent.
*Why the heck is Sunstreaker giving orders to a group that includes Prowl and Jazz?
*What kind of tree branch (growing out of a cliff, no less) is strong enough to support a falling Transformer?
*Jazz and Sunstreaker both use wrist-rockets to lower themselves into the canyon. According to the tech specs, that's really supposed to be Wheeljack's schtick.
*How does freezing the waterfall stop the whole river? Wouldn't it make more sense to break the dam that's diverting the river upstream?
*How did the Constructions not notice the Autobots as they were placing the Dominator Disks on them?
*How ''did'' Megatron figure out the Autobots' strategy?
*Is Devastator ''really'' the only one who can stop the drill? Can't anybody just shoot the thing at its source?
*Why do the Constructicons all feel the need to simultaneously transform to robot mode (then have a little out-of-character heroic chat) when ordered to transform to Devastator? This is one of the episodes where they are assumed to need to be in vehicle mode—which they are already in—to combine.
*The whole countdown to the Earth's core, down to the ''second'', is patently ridiculous. The boundary of the Earth's core is not nearly so neatly defined. And penetrating it with such a comparatively tiny drill would be unlikely to shatter the planet.
*While counting down the time before the drill hits the Earth's core, Prime says 10 seconds, then Megatron says 1 second immediately thereafter. Somehow, 9 seconds disappear without any editing or time lapse. A lot more than 1 second elapses before Devastator destroys the drill.
*How did Devastator get all the way from near the earth's surface to near its core so quickly? How did he slow himself at the end to avoid crashing? And how did he withstand the heat down there, when his component parts [[Heavy Metal War|are not even very keen on ordinary lava]]?
**While we're at it, if everyone was so concerned that the drill was going to destroy Earth, then ''why'' would Devastator go ''underneath'' the drill to stop it? If they were cutting it so close, wasn't anybody in the ''least'' bit concerned that Devastator might break into the core on accident?
**Also, Devastator's strategy for stopping the drill shouldn't have worked. It should have impaled him. (Them? It? Ah, whatever.)
*Where did the fleeing Decepticons think they were ''going'', anyway?

===Trivia===
[[File:TheCore Jazz dominator disc.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Look close. He's totally got the same black-eyes-beneath-the-visor thing that he had in "[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!]]"]]
*Prime sure goes along with the notion of enslaving one of his enemies pretty readily, huh? What happened to his ol' "Freedom is the Right of All Sentient Beings" schtick?
*The Earth's core is believed to be around 3959 miles below the surface. So like, is the Decepticon's drill four thousand miles long? That means that before they started drilling, if the tip was touching the Earth's surface, the top would be ''in outer space''. How did no one ''notice'' that?
*After all the fuss the others go through while getting into the canyon (wrist rockets, grappling hook slides), Prowl just ''jumps'' down.
*Jazz skips his dominator disk onto Scavenger, like skipping a rock on water. Stylish!
*When Megatron orders a retreat, cat mode Ravage flies off into the air alongside his comrades.
*Megatron stops Starscream from sniping the Autobots as Optimus Prime reels them up the cliff, arguing that killing six Autobots would be pointless since he plans on having Devastator destroy all the Autobots at the right moment. When that moment comes, there are still only (give or take) six Autobots to be had. Should have gone with your gut, Starscream.
*This episode is one of a trio, including "[[City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel]]" and "[[The Autobot Run]]", that was animated by the Korean studio [[AKOM]]. They are distinguished by simplistic art, prominent use of the Constructicons, surprisingly high frame rates, some Hanna-Barbara-style animation shortcuts, and various character model oddities, such as Optimus Prime's white backpack (which would show up again in "[[The Rebirth, Part 1|The Rebirth]]") and Chip Chase's blue jacket... not to mention a ''crapload'' of animation errors. Sheesh, AKOM.
*Optimus Prime's last lines in this episode - "The future is built on dreams" - is notable as [[Peter Cullen]]'s words of encouragement to a young fan of Optimus Prime in real life, dying of a terminal illness. To this day, when interviewed about this line, Cullen will invariably be moved to tears by its memory, such was his love for the child. A true man amongst men, if there ever was one.<ref>[http://m.ign.com/articles/2011/09/30/transformers-peter-cullen-life-as-optimus-prime IGN interview with Peter Cullen]</ref>

===Foreign localization===
'''Brazilian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''O Núcleo'''" ("The Core")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title (Generation 2 dub):'' "'''Erde in Gefahr'''" ("Earth in Danger")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 11]], [[1994]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Al centro della Terra'''" ("To the Center of Earth")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Il nucleo'''" ("The Core")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Devastor o Taose!'''" (デバスターを倒せ!, "Defeat Devastor!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 20]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Dìqiú Héxīn '''" (地球核心, "The Core of the Earth")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Yadro'''" (Ядро, "The Core" )
:*''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]] [[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. 2 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2003]] — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2004]] — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2006]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2007]] — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] [[2008]] — ''Transformers'' — Volume 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)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-27.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]

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

The Core

2019-07-20T00:36:32Z

The Nemesis153: /* Continuity notes */ added Chip/Spike note.

{{disambig3|Core}}
{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=28
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=49
|prev2=Cosmic Rust (episode)
|next2=Blaster Blues
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=7
|prev3=The Autobot Run
|next3=Dinobot Island, Part 1
|image=TheCore Devastator zapped.jpg
|caption=
|title="The Core"
|production code=#700-27
|airdate=[[October 29]], 1985
|written by=[[Dennis Marks]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''Megatron tries to drill his way to the center to the Earth, while the Autobots take control of Devastator with mind-controlling Dominator Disks.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Coredevastatorattacks.jpg|left|thumb|Bowling for Autobots]]
At an underground cavern near a waterfall, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] are digging with a massive drill. However, the rock they're drilling through breaks, and only some quick work on [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]'s part plugs it up. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] orders Mixmaster to look over [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]'s sensory equipment, while [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] does his daily whine-about-Megatron's-nefarious-plan bit. Megatron counters that if they manage to tap into the [[Earth's core|Earth's molten core]], it will give the [[Decepticon]]s geothermal energy, a limitless power source. Starscream counters that if they breach the core, the Earth runs the risk of exploding. However, Megatron doesn't care: he's placed a [[space bridge]] near the drilling site, which will take the Decepticons to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] if the Earth's stability should be threatened.

[[File:Coreautobotsinnet.jpg|thumb|This is the worst tent ever!]]
Meanwhile, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]], and [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] are driving around in that general area, when Sunstreaker realizes that there should be a river where they're driving through. The Autobots head to investigate, and see Mixmaster and Scavenger. The Autobots [[Transformation|transform]] to attack, only to see that the Constructicons have disappeared, and to fail to notice [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] above them. Informed by [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]], Megatron orders the Constructicons to destroy the Autobots and form [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. The Decepticon [[combiner]] knocks the Autobots off the cliff, but Mirage goes invisible on them. He remains undetected as Devastator attacks the others, and finds the drill. As Mirage rejoins the group, Jazz does a [[sound and light show]] which distracts Devastator while Mirage and Sunstreaker lasso his legs with a rope, allowing the Autobots to escape.

[[File:Coredevastator&prime.jpg|left|thumb|Devastator has no idea how to start transforming 20th Anniversary Prime.]]
At the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot base]], the Autobots use [[Teletraan I]] to calculate what will happen if the drill hits the Earth's core. The result will be total annihilation, but the Autobots have little hope of defeating the Decepticons with Devastator. [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] and [[Chip Chase]] present [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] with their new [[dominator disk]]s, which will be placed on the individual Constructicons and take control of them when they form Devastator. Convinced, Optimus Prime orders a commando team to plant the disks on the Constructicons. Heading for the drilling site, [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] freezes the falls, causing the drill to heat up. [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] orders the Constructicons to the surface, during which the Autobots plant a disk on each Constructicon. As the commandos are pulled out, Starscream has them dead to rights, but Megatron orders him to let them go, saying that he knows of their plan to control Devastator. As Megatron positions the Decepticons, he orders the Decepticons to attack. The Decepticons fire on the still moving Autobots, who break formation, as the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] transform to [[bring the rain]] on the Autobots. Megatron orders the Constructicons to form Devastator, who grabs Prime. Wheeljack activates the disks and Optimus orders Devastator to release him and attack the Decepticons. Devastator follows the Autobot leader's orders. Megatron orders the Decepticons to retreat to the cave and Devastator seals them in. Optimus orders the Autobots to break off, as they can now finish the Decepticons at their leisure.

[[File:Corediagramscene.jpg|thumb|The Earth consists of a crust, the mantle, the outer core, the inner core, the inner inner core, the inner inner inner core, the...]]
Within the caverns, Starscream whines about being trapped, not having enough water to keep drilling, and so on. However, Megatron reveals that this was all part of his plan: he has a device that will override the dominator disks and stored enough water to continue drilling for some time. He just didn't tell Starscream because he's a terrible actor. At the Autobot base, the Constructicons are helping with repairs, when an earthquake hits. Realizing that the Decepticons are still drilling, the Autobots head to put them out of commission. However, Megatron is aware of their coming, watching them through the Constructicons' eyes. The Autobots and Devastator head for the cave, and Devastator is set to destroy it, at which point Megatron uses his control switch to deactivate the disks. Devastator begins attacking the Autobots, so Wheeljack tries to boost power to the disks. Unfortunately, this fries Devastator's [[Circuit (circuit)|logic circuits]] and sends him into a killing frenzy, attacking both Autobot and Decepticon alike.

[[File:Coremegs&wheeljack.jpg|left|thumb|Take off your clothes and come on in!]]
Finally, the drill hits the core and the cave—and the earth itself—begin to come apart. Unfortunately, Devastator's rampage has damaged the drill's controls. Megatron orders the Decepticons to the space bridge, but Devastator damages it too. Optimus convinces Megatron to give his control switch to Wheeljack, who uses it to deactivate the disks and bring Devastator back to normal. Devastator then heads to destroy the drill, while the Decepticons flee for their [[Spark|lives]]. Devastator succeeds, but is surprised by Megatron's absence. Chip tells Devastator that he ran, but Devastator believes that "Noble Megatron" merely left to plan their next attack and leaves (he really is as dumb as a post). Chip is somewhat saddened, as he was hoping that Devastator would join the Autobots. Optimus tells him that the future is built on dreams and not to let go of his.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (8)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (9)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]] (10)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (11)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (12)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (17)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (19)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (20)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (24)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]] (25)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (26)
|c2=
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (1)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (2)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (3)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (4)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (5)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (6)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (7)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] (13)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (14)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (15)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (16)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (21)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (22)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (23)
|c3=
*[[Chip Chase]] (18)
}}

==Quotes==
"Autobots, move out!"
:—'''Sunstreaker''', thinking he outranks Jazz and Prowl.

"It's like shooting [[dynametal duck]]s in a beryllium barrel."
:—'''Starscream''' wonders if they store [[beryllium baloney]] in beryllium barrels.

"Traitor!"
:—'''Starscream''' to Megatron. No, you read that right.

"I do this only for the benefit of my Decepticons. It grieves me that you may also profit."
:—'''Megatron''', agreeing to ally with the Autobots and lying through his teeth (he's doing it to save his own chassis).

"What's the matter, Chip?" 
"I guess I was hoping Devastator might join the Autobots for good, but that's probably just a dumb old dream." 
"Hang on your dreams, Chip. The future is built on dreams. Hang on."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives '''Chip Chase''' valuable words to live by.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
[[File:TheCore HookfixesJazz.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
[[File:Sound and light show.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
*Megatron takes a jab at Starscream's acting abilities, which we witnessed just [[A Prime Problem|one episode ago]]. He's no [[Shia LaBeouf|Beef]], but hey, he's [[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2|just starting]] [[Starscream's Ghost|his career]] at this point.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Everyone's arms are completely hollow in this episode. One character after the next retracts their hands into their wrists:
***Starscream reveals an improbably large drill in place of his retracted hand.
***Mirage has a tow cable in his wrist.
***Ironhide retracts his hands to fire an improbably huge torrent of blue liquid that freezes the waterfall.
***Sunstreaker, Jazz, and Wheeljack all retract their hands and replace them with wrist-rockets. Wheeljack is ''supposed'' to be able to do this according to his tech spec; the ability appeared very briefly in "[[The Autobot Run]]", and he also flew ''without'' retracting his hands in "[[A Plague of Insecticons]]" and "[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]".)
***Jazz also has a grappling hook/tow line. Of all these gimmicks, this is the only one that's actually appeared before, way back in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]" and [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3|Part 3]].
**Jazz also uses his standard sound & light show. It's... not as impressive [[The Immobilizer|as it could be]].
**Hook uses his crane mode hook as a welding tip.
**Starscream has a hand-held rifle which he attempts to use on the retreating Autobots after they place Dominator Disks on Devastator.
**For the first and only time in the series Chip appears but Spike doesn't.

===Real-world references===
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**As often happens, Laserbeak gets the [[TIE Fighter]] engine sound just after he flies over the Autobots.

===Animation and technical errors===
This being one of the Season 2 AKOM episodes, many characters have unusual color schemes which persist through the entire episode. This includes:
[[File:TheCore Chip in Wheeljack.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
[[File:TheCore ConstructiconsMegatronPoint.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Find the artists responsible for this color change, and DESTROY THEM!]]
*Megatron's gun barrel is dark gray.
*Gears' truck mode is red with blue fenders instead of blue with a red camper top. His white robot bits are colored light gray.
*Prowl is a light gray instead of white.
*Optimus Prime's backpack is white instead of red.
*Chip has a blue jacket instead of brown. This is ''good'', though. It means that, unlike a lot of cartoon humans, he actually changes clothes.
*The circle on Bumblebee's back is dark gray instead of yellow.

Errors not attributable to model sheets include:
*It seems unlikely that the metal ring surrounding the drill would fracture in exactly the same way as the rock surrounding it.
*Hook's first transformation is bizarre. His crane mode cab just kind of disappears into his stomach... only to reappear as his foot a second later.
*Scavenger's voice gives the "emergency!" lines that follow, but Scrapper is shown. It's not clear from the animation who's actually speaking, though.
*[[Michael Bell]]'s performance of Scrapper is noticeably higher-pitched and more manic than usual in this episode. He's cranked Scrapper's usual vocal "scratchiness" up a bit too, at times adding a protracted rasp between sentences.
*When the Constructicons are all shown zapping the fissure shut, all the other cracks are gone.
*Subsequent shots of the drill show no trace of the Constructicons' ad hoc ground repairs. Did they pave them over??
*Missing Seeker insignia:
**When he's first seen sitting at the console, Starscream is missing the Decepticon emblems on his wings.
**Starscream has only one wing emblem as he watches Megatron walk through the holographic rock wall.
**The Seekers are all missing their wing emblems as the Decepticons launch their counterattack on the approaching Autobots in the canyon.
**Starscream's missing his wing emblems yet again as he turns and says "You thought of everything".
**Starscream's got only one emblem as he runs crying to Devastator for help. Seriously, how hard is it to keep track of two emblems?
*It's not indisputably an error, but Starscream's hand makes none of the typical whirring/sliding noises as he retracts it and replaces it with the drill (which, holy cow, where does he ''keep'' that thing?)
*The animation of the Autobots driving up the slope out of the riverbed is crude and mistimed—Mirage drives all the way into the slope before he tilts to start climbing it. The other Autobots all tilt up as a group, even though they're in a line.
*Laserbeak's missing his transformation sound as he returns to Soundwave's chest compartment after sighting the Autobots.
*As Laserbeak plays back the Autobots' words, a second voice seems to be echoing Jazz's "Constructicons!"
*As the Constructions all transform to [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], both Hook and Mixmaster suffer from their feet failing to become the corresponding part of their vehicle modes. All of the Constructicons have completely changed positions from where they were standing in the preceding shot.
*The boulder that Devastator uses against the Autobots is never seen to hit bottom.
*As usual, Devastator's combination sequence is screwed up. In addition to lacking any transformation noise, Long Haul only forms about half of his actual contribution, with Hook getting the rest. At least they got the other four guys correct!
*Three of the Constructicons are shown monitoring the drill, while at the same time Devastator is outside fighting the rest of the Autobots. ([[:File:Megatronffod.jpg|More than six]] [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]? [[Personal canon|Madness!]]) In the same scene, Starscream's missing one of his wing emblems yet again.
*Both Mirage and Sunstreaker drive ''through'' the tow line as they wrap it around Devastator's feet. As Devastator falls from their snare, he has two eyes instead of his usual visor.
*Coloring errors:
**Wheeljack has some strange white areas on his head when he's first seen inside Autobot Headquarters.
**Wheeljack's roof is orange instead of white as Chip leans out his window.
**Skywarp and Starscream both have yellow nosecones as they transform back into [[robot mode]] en route to the space bridge.
**Once the Autobots subjugate Devastator, he's seen swatting Skywarp, but the next shot is of Thundercracker spinning out of control. Then Thundercracker immediately flies back in ''again'' and is swatted off, screaming in Starscream's voice. The shot following that has Skywarp standing with the other Decepticons.
**Megatron has a red Decepticon symbol when he orders the Constructicons to stop the drill.
*The center line on Scrapper's face mask disappears as he orders the Constructicons to the surface.
*The Constructicons' elevator isn't animated, making them appear to just levitate into the air in vehicle mode. A whirring effects noise, and a lack of glow effects, makes it seem that this was ''not'' supposed to be the levitation beam used earlier by Starscream and Megatron. A second later, however, they ''do'' drive off the levitation beam, complete with glow effect.
*There is ''no way'' Ironhide has room for that much of the water-freezing liquid inside him.
*Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
**Ironhide is shown retreating into the cage at the bottom of the cliff, even though he was never shown to have left the top of the cliff. He seems to have taken Sunstreaker's place. As the cage begins to rise, Sunstreaker reappears (with a strangely miscolored or off-model head), but Jazz is missing.
**The roster of Autobots on the return mission to the cave fluctuates all over the place. Prowl, Jazz, Ironhide and Sideswipe are shown leaving Autobot HQ (and Devastator apparently just sits there while the Autobots move out!) When they arrive at the cave, Hound and Wheeljack have replaced Prowl and Ironhide. After Chip is trapped in the cave, Ratchet shows up among Devastator's victims. After the commercial break, Ironhide is back with the group. As the earthquakes begin, Sunstreaker shows up out of nowhere to rescue Chip.
*Five Autobots fit inside Prime's pyramid cage, which then fits inside his trailer. Huge trailer, or tiny Autobots?
*As he ejects Ravage, the inside of Soundwave's chest compartment is bright yellow.
*Devastator's second combination sequence contains the same visual errors as the first one; plus, Hook's mass includes Bonecrusher's scoop.
*As Devastator blasts the Decepticons' cave shut, the frozen falls spontaneously unfreeze for no apparent reason.
*Bumblebee is with the cheering Autobots as Devastator flies out of the canyon, despite not being seen anywhere else in the episode.
*Again, the metal in Autobot Headquarters splits as though it were rock.
*After Hook repairs Jazz, he drives over to Devastator and transforms into ''nothing but his head''.
*When Devastator blasts the cave entrance open again, the falls are once again frozen!
*When the combined doohickeys zap Devastator back under control causing the Constructicons to disengage, the left arm transforms into Scrapper, while the right leg transforms into Bonecrusher.
*Third Devastator sequence: worst one yet! Scrapper's not really visible at all. ''Scavenger'' and Mixmaster form not only the legs but also half of Long Haul's bits (the same incomplete half that Long Haul himself formed the first time around!) Long Haul then ''splits in two'' to become the rest of Devastator's torso, including everything formed by Hook, ''and'' Bonecrusher and Scavenger's vehicle treads. Bonecrusher and ''Hook'' then form the arms. When he's finished forming, Devastator's torso plate is green instead of purple.
*Wheeljack's ears don't flash as he and Prime snicker at Chip's "Mr. Nobility" line.
*Though maintaining a consistent scale has [[Scale|never been a particularly important issue]] in Transformers fiction, this episode is a particularly notable offender, with Devastator's relative size fluctuating wildly: in some scenes Megatron appears to be almost half his height, whilst at other times the Autobots barely come up to the top of his ''foot''. In one scene, vehicle mode Bonecrusher seems to be almost as high as robot mode Megatron. Chip's scaling is also wildly variable: when Sunstreaker rescues him from the cave, he appears knee-high to the Autobots, but in the very next scene he has suddenly become as large as Wheeljack.

===Continuity errors===
*Megatron's assertion that the [[Earth's core]] is the richest source of energy in [[Milky Way|the galaxy]] is not even remotely true, even within the bizarre realm of the cartoon's physics. Heck, just within our own little [[Solar System]], the [[Sun]] is immeasurably more potent.
*Why the heck is Sunstreaker giving orders to a group that includes Prowl and Jazz?
*What kind of tree branch (growing out of a cliff, no less) is strong enough to support a falling Transformer?
*Jazz and Sunstreaker both use wrist-rockets to lower themselves into the canyon. According to the tech specs, that's really supposed to be Wheeljack's schtick.
*How does freezing the waterfall stop the whole river? Wouldn't it make more sense to break the dam that's diverting the river upstream?
*How did the Constructions not notice the Autobots as they were placing the Dominator Disks on them?
*How ''did'' Megatron figure out the Autobots' strategy?
*Is Devastator ''really'' the only one who can stop the drill? Can't anybody just shoot the thing at its source?
*Why do the Constructicons all feel the need to simultaneously transform to robot mode (then have a little out-of-character heroic chat) when ordered to transform to Devastator? This is one of the episodes where they are assumed to need to be in vehicle mode—which they are already in—to combine.
*The whole countdown to the Earth's core, down to the ''second'', is patently ridiculous. The boundary of the Earth's core is not nearly so neatly defined. And penetrating it with such a comparatively tiny drill would be unlikely to shatter the planet.
*While counting down the time before the drill hits the Earth's core, Prime says 10 seconds, then Megatron says 1 second immediately thereafter. Somehow, 9 seconds disappear without any editing or time lapse. A lot more than 1 second elapses before Devastator destroys the drill.
*How did Devastator get all the way from near the earth's surface to near its core so quickly? How did he slow himself at the end to avoid crashing? And how did he withstand the heat down there, when his component parts [[Heavy Metal War|are not even very keen on ordinary lava]]?
**While we're at it, if everyone was so concerned that the drill was going to destroy Earth, then ''why'' would Devastator go ''underneath'' the drill to stop it? If they were cutting it so close, wasn't anybody in the ''least'' bit concerned that Devastator might break into the core on accident?
**Also, Devastator's strategy for stopping the drill shouldn't have worked. It should have impaled him. (Them? It? Ah, whatever.)
*Where did the fleeing Decepticons think they were ''going'', anyway?

===Trivia===
[[File:TheCore Jazz dominator disc.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Look close. He's totally got the same black-eyes-beneath-the-visor thing that he had in "[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!]]"]]
*Prime sure goes along with the notion of enslaving one of his enemies pretty readily, huh? What happened to his ol' "Freedom is the Right of All Sentient Beings" schtick?
*The Earth's core is believed to be around 3959 miles below the surface. So like, is the Decepticon's drill four thousand miles long? That means that before they started drilling, if the tip was touching the Earth's surface, the top would be ''in outer space''. How did no one ''notice'' that?
*After all the fuss the others go through while getting into the canyon (wrist rockets, grappling hook slides), Prowl just ''jumps'' down.
*Jazz skips his dominator disk onto Scavenger, like skipping a rock on water. Stylish!
*When Megatron orders a retreat, cat mode Ravage flies off into the air alongside his comrades.
*Megatron stops Starscream from sniping the Autobots as Optimus Prime reels them up the cliff, arguing that killing six Autobots would be pointless since he plans on having Devastator destroy all the Autobots at the right moment. When that moment comes, there are still only (give or take) six Autobots to be had. Should have gone with your gut, Starscream.
*This episode is one of a trio, including "[[City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel]]" and "[[The Autobot Run]]", that was animated by the Korean studio [[AKOM]]. They are distinguished by simplistic art, prominent use of the Constructicons, surprisingly high frame rates, some Hanna-Barbara-style animation shortcuts, and various character model oddities, such as Optimus Prime's white backpack (which would show up again in "[[The Rebirth, Part 1|The Rebirth]]") and Chip Chase's blue jacket... not to mention a ''crapload'' of animation errors. Sheesh, AKOM.
*Optimus Prime's last lines in this episode - "The future is built on dreams" - is notable as [[Peter Cullen]]'s words of encouragement to a young fan of Optimus Prime in real life, dying of a terminal illness. To this day, when interviewed about this line, Cullen will invariably be moved to tears by its memory, such was his love for the child. A true man amongst men, if there ever was one.<ref>[http://m.ign.com/articles/2011/09/30/transformers-peter-cullen-life-as-optimus-prime IGN interview with Peter Cullen]</ref>

===Foreign localization===
'''Brazilian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''O Núcleo'''" ("The Core")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''German'''
:*''Title (Generation 2 dub):'' "'''Erde in Gefahr'''" ("Earth in Danger")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 11]], [[1994]]

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''Al centro della Terra'''" ("To the Center of Earth")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Il nucleo'''" ("The Core")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Devastor o Taose!'''" (デバスターを倒せ!, "Defeat Devastor!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 20]], [[1986]]

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Dìqiú Héxīn '''" (地球核心, "The Core of the Earth")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Russian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Yadro'''" (Ядро, "The Core" )
:*''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]] [[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. 2 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2003]] — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2004]] — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] [[2006]] — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] [[2007]] — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] [[2008]] — ''Transformers'' — Volume 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)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-2/synopses/700-27.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]

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

The Ultimate Doom, Part 3

2019-06-21T07:41:02Z

The Nemesis153: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=13
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=68
|prev2=The Ultimate Doom, Part 2
|next2=Earth's Greatest Crisis
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=43
|prev3=The Ultimate Doom, Part 2
|next3=B.O.T. (episode)
|image=Ultimate Doom 3 Autobots fire.JPG
|caption=Autobots, transform and kick some diodes!
|title="The Ultimate Doom, Part 3"
|production code=#700-10
|airdate=[[November 17]], 1984
|story by=[[Dick Robbins]], [[Bryce Malek]], [[Douglas Booth]] and [[Leo D. Paur]]
|teleplay by=[[Leo D. Paur]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''As Cybertron's orbit ravages Earth, the Autobots take the fight to the Decepticons.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Ultimate Doom 3 Autobots Cybertron.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Not the friendliest homecoming.]]
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], a brainwashed [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] sounds an alarm on [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]]. As [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] attempt to destroy them, [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] rescue them. Heading to Wheeljack's lab, they review the [[hypno-chip]] data they've gained.

[[File:SurfsUp.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|This sort of embarrassment is why they finally just recruited Seaspray.]]
On Earth, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] is overseeing the construction of a large hydroelectric generator that will allow the Decepticons to harvest more energy. [[Doctor Arkeville]] is becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Megatron's disregard of his interests, and feels that [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] may be more sympathetic. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] leads [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (on surfboards) to the generator, where their wipeout prevents them from being able to stop the Decepticons from leaving in a [[Decepticon shuttle|shuttle]] carrying [[energon cube]]s. Arkeville is left to die, but Starscream saves him, having his own plans for the scientist.

On Cybertron, Wheeljack develops a device that should disrupt the hypno-chips' control over the humans. Spike attempts another rescue of his father, but is discovered by Shockwave. However, Wheeljack's device works as planned, and the Autobots flee back to Earth with Sparkplug, who is now freed from Decepticon control.

[[File:Ultimate Doom 3 Bumblebee Tarzan.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Jungle Love Bug]]
On an island, Megatron is overseeing the loading of a shuttle with energon cubes while [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] goes to see if he can direct the humans away from the ship. Nearby, Starscream's own experiments in draining neural energy from Arkeville have failed to fill a single energon cube. Megatron discovers them and prepares to execute Starscream for treason (again). However, Mirage manages to direct the humans away from the shuttle, and Prime orders an attack. The Decepticons outnumber the Autobots, but Skyfire and company soon arrive to even the odds as well as to free the slaves from the Decepticons' control. However, Cybertron comes into view of the island, causing a tidal wave, and Megatron flees in the shuttle for Cybertron.

[[File:Ultimate Doom 3 Cybertron leave.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|Im in ur orbit, killin ur planet.]]
Spike declares that they just need to knock Cybertron out of Earth's orbit, but Prowl says that they'd need the equivalent of ten billion astroliters of energy to do that. Suddenly, Prime realizes that the [[energon]] on board the shuttle could theoretically be enough to move Cybertron. Prime orders the Autobots to shoot Megatron's shuttle. The plan works, with the energon on board moving Cybertron away from Earth.

Back on the island, Spike remarks to Optimus that Megatron appears to be gone for good, but the Autobot leader, knowing his mortal enemy's survival rate, is not so sure. In space, Megatron comes back online and flies away from the wreckage of the shuttle, vowing revenge.
{{--}}

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (1)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (2)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] (9)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (10)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (11)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (13)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (14)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (15)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (16)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (17)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (26)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (28)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (29)
|c2=
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] (5)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (6)
*Dark Blue [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] (7)
*Light Blue Seeker (8)
*[[Watchdog (G1)|Watchdogs]] (12)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (19)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (20)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (21)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (24)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (25)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (25)
*Green Seeker (27)
*Thundercracker-colored seekers
*Skywarp-colored seekers
*Starscream-colored seekers
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (3)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (4)
*[[Doctor Arkeville]] (18)
}}

==Quotes==
"Take them!" 
"I don't 'take' so easy."
:—'''Soundwave''' and '''Brawn'''

"Prepare for termination!" 
"Prepare for a very large ''headache!''"
:—'''Shockwave''' vs. '''Brawn'''

"You cannot get out!" 
''[Shockwave unleashes a massive blast, but blows a hole in the wall instead of Skyfire]'' 
"I can now!"
:—'''Shockwave''' and '''Skyfire'''

"All the comforts of home... if you like living in an auto-robotic factory."
:—'''Wheeljack''', on [[Wheeljack's workshop|his workshop]]

"My slaves will be caught in the tidal wave!" 
"I thought humans ''liked'' to play in the ocean!"
:—'''Dr. Arkeville''' teaches '''Megatron''' an important fact about human anatomy.

"Surf's up! And I'm talkin' UP!" 
:—'''Bluestreak''' spots an approaching tsunami.

"Thanks, guys, for not giving up on me. Especially you, Spike." 
"Dad, it's like you taught me: You never quit on the people you love." 
"Mushy, but true."
:—'''Sparkplug''' and '''Spike''' have a touching father-son moment, with an addendum by '''Brawn'''.

"You're not pushing slaves around this time."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', preparing to open a [[Kremzeek (G1)|Kremzeek]] brand can of whup-ass.

==Notes==
===Technical or animation glitches===
* In his opening recap narration, [[Victor Caroli]] mispronounces Dr. Arkeville's name as "Ark-vill".
* Both Spike and Sparkplug were wearing their signature hard hats at the end of last episode, but are missing them now.
* Coloring errors:
** Bumblebee's nose is yellow as Brawn tells Spike they need to roll out.
** Wheeljack is missing the orange on his chest as Spike takes shelter behind his leg.
** The two Seekers guarding the entrance of [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Decepticon Headquarters]] are shown with Starscream and Thundercracker's color schemes.
** Wheeljack's roof is plain white as the tetrajets appear above him.
** The two tetrajets that chase the Autobots first have the same color schemes as Thundercracker and Skywarp; however, when Skyfire is shooting at them, they're both colored like Skywarp. In the same shot, Skyfire's red has become blue, and his whites have become red.
** When Skyfire blasts one of the tetrajets, both of them are colored like Thundercracker.
** Wheeljack's chest (i.e., his roof) is again missing its colors in the overhead shot of his lab.
** As Wheeljack studies the mind control program, the side of Trailbreaker's chest is colored as though it were a windshield, and only the front side of Wheeljack's "ears" flash.
** Ironhide's helmet rim is gray instead of red as he turns to look at the oncoming tidal wave.
** The inside of Prime's cheek guards are gray instead of blue as he announces that they're almost there.
** The area around Starscream's cockpit is colored the same orange as the cockpit itself as he rises from the ocean to collect Dr. Arkeville.
** Skyfire's cockpit canopy is colored white instead of blue as he appears over the Autobots on Cybertron.
** As Prime announces his intention to attack, Prowl is colored like Skywarp. Prime's waist is also unusually huge.
** Skywarp's cockpit is black instead of orange as Megatron says "A fool's ploy".
** Gray helmet rims on Ironhide again as he advises Cliffjumper to save his ammo.
** Prowl's doors are all-black instead of half-black as he says they're outnumbered.
** Bumblebee's side is colored like glass as he observes the approaching crevasse.
** When Thundercracker launches to follow Megatron, he's a much darker blue than usual.
** Wheeljack is missing his orange chest colors as the Autobots brush themselves off after the explosion of Megatron's ship.
* As Shockwave melts Brawn's girder, Brawn's mouth moves, but there's no dialog. (It sure looks like he's mouthing a shocked obscenity, though!)
* Wheeljack's transformation sound doesn't play till after he's transformed.
[[File:SoundwaveButtonUD3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1| GAH! Don't do that on camera!]]
* As the Autobots escape from Decepticon HQ, Soundwave's Decepticon insignia is missing in two successive shots.
* Shockwave's eye isn't flashing as he says "You cannot get out!"
* When Skyfire says "I can now", his mouth does not move with the dialogue.
* When Spike says, "More Watchdogs on our tail, Wheeljack!", Wheeljack follows up by replying, "We've gotta lose them!" Spike smiles in reply to this sentence, not the next one, which is "My workshop's just ahead". Perhaps Wheeljack was supposed to say: "We're ''gonna'' lose them!".
* Prime's faceplate doesn't move as he reports his sensor readings to Ironhide.
* During his "Surf's up" lines, Bluestreak has only one door and one missile launcher.
* The generator Megatron throws at Starscream changes its relative size mid-air. It is initially almost as big as Megatron himself, but becomes only about as big and as wide as Starscream's chest.
* Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
** The establishing shot of the surfing Autobots shows only five 'bots (Prime, Ironhide & Ratchet, Jazz, and either Prowl or Bluestreak.) Prowl ''and'' Bluestreak are shown in the same shot a moment later, making six total. Most successive shots show only 3 or 4 surfing bots. We finally see all six as the tidal wave pursues them down the [[sea funnel]].
** There's plenty of time for Mirage and Cliffjumper to join the group as they travel to the island, but the addition of ''just'' those two seems a bit odd. Where are Sunstreaker, Gears, Sideswipe, etc. during all this?
* As Prowl grouses about Megatron's energon supply, Jazz has some weird extra lines on his optic visor.
* Reflector's voice comes in its usual triplicate form... even though there's only one of him present.
* Wheeljack is missing his Autobot insignia as he reports to Optimus.
* Wheeljack's ears are waaaay too small as he proposes field testing the anti-hypnochip device.
* Spike slightly phases through a wall just before Shockwave lights him up.
* The two Seekers that accompany Shockwave just can't make up their minds who they want to be:
** As Shockwave reaches to pick up Spike, the two generic Seekers behind him have been replaced by two Skywarps.
** As the Autobots show up, the two Skywarps have become a Thundercracker and a pine-green generic.
** As the Autobots escape, the two Seekers are colored as Thundercracker and Starscream.
** And then one of them is Skywarp again as he fires after the escaping Autobots.
* Spike has no pupils as he reacts to his father pulling a gun on him.
[[File:Tud3 wheeljack little present.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Well, we don't need Aquaman any more."]]
* As Wheeljack activates the hypno-chip-un-hypnotizer, Bumblebee is represented by a yellow-colored Cliffjumper.
* Shockwave's eye doesn't flash as he orders "After them!"
* Only the front side of Wheeljack's "ears" flash as he radios Skyfire.
* The background music overlaps the scene transition as the Autobots prepare to leave Cybertron.
* Mirage's invisibility power is strangely portrayed in this episode; he merely turns ''transparent'', and also lacks the usual glowing prism and energy sound effect as he activates his power. They get both the sound and the effect correct when he reappears in Act 3.
* Megatron is missing his Decepticon symbol as he appears behind Starscream.
* The last of the slaves to be turned around by Mirage just kind of stops, then slides off-screen rather than walking off.
* In what is otherwise a beautiful depiction of his [[robot mode]], Rumble is missing his mouth after he blasts Mirage.
* Wheeljack's ears don't flash as he announces the coming of "independence day".
* The energon cubes dropped by the slaves are a strange translucent yellow-white-purple, rather than the usual solid glowing pink-purple. In the same shot, we cannot see the torso of the fat mustached slave through the energon cube that he's carrying... but we ''can'' see his feet through the cube after he drops it.
* The chunks of earth falling into Rumble's [[earthquake (event)|earthquake]] crevasse have grass that disappears and reappears between frames.
* The exploding energon cubes are shown against a completely black background. Even if they're in an unlit cargo compartment, the cubes themselves should illuminate the space.
* A series of "natural disaster" shots is recycled from Part 1 as Megatron's ship explodes... including one of Prime talking to himself, this time without any dialog to go with his moving mouthplate.
* The last shot of orbital Cybertron once again includes clouds ''behind'' the orbiting planet.
* Optimus is missing the horizontal lines on his tummy grille as Spike takes stock of the day's work.

===Continuity errors===
* The opening recap takes some liberties with events that happened for the sake of drama:
**Bumblebee's fall down the crevasse is cut into the scenes of the volcano housing the Ark erupting to make it appear as if he tumbled into the mouth of the volcano itself.
**But the most puzzling change is that the scene of Megatron's forces attacking the Ark from part 1 are mixed with scenes that have yet to occur (The Decepticons responding to the alarm Sparkplug pulled) to make it appear as if Megatron shot Brawn. [[The Transformers: The Movie|Ominous!]]
* As seen last episode, Ironhide is part of the Autobot rescue party that boards Skyfire and arrives on Cybertron, only to disappear immediately after. In this episode, we see that he actually stayed behind on Earth.
* Soundwave's presence on Cybertron is not inexplicable — there's no reason he couldn't just fly there, and later have flown back to Earth before Cybertron was knocked out of its orbit. But it's a bit odd for him to have made the trip for no obvious reason or explanation.
* When we last saw [[Wheeljack's workshop]] in "[[Divide and Conquer]]", it was sealed by a computerized Decepticon lock. This time, the Autobots just drive right into it, no problem.
* When the Autobots and Spike arrive in the workshop, Wheeljack is wondering how the Decepticons are controlling Sparkplug, Bumblebee says that it is mind control, to which Wheeljack replies, "Mind control! Of course!" ...Seriously, what else could it have been? And how did Wheeljack, master inventor, not realize this when Bumblebee did?
[[File:SpikeshockwaveUD3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Shockwave investigates the [[Aerialbots over America!|pivotal question]] of how well humans bounce.]]
* Superhuman Spike:
** Survives being dropped from shoulder height by Shockwave.
** Can lift Optimus's giant metal rifle.
* Holy crap, how freaking stupid ''is'' Starscream? With a whole planet going crazy with energy sources all around him—storms, earthquakes, volcanoes, tidal waves—he makes the bizarre decision to try and suck energon out of a human's brain. He further decides to do this ''right under Megatron's nose''. His attempts to convert Doctor Arkeville's neural energy into energon fail, of course; what this says about the intelligence of both scientists is debatable.
* As [[Carnage in C-Minor|often]] [[The Transformers: The Movie|happens]], the Autobots' claim to be outnumbered is a bit dubious. There are 8 Autobots (Prime's surfer six, plus Mirage & Cliffjumper) against only Megatron, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Rumble, and a couple of Reflectors.
* Prime's comment to Prowl ("If we lose now, Cybertron's next orbit will tear the earth apart!") doesn't make much sense, and calls out the same total lack of strategy that the Autobots had in the last episode - namely, they aren't doing or planning ''anything'' to actually make Cybertron go away.
* Prime really does just kind of sit there and let Megatron run off into his spaceship.
* Did Spike and Prowl both hit on the idea of blowing up Megatron's ship, and just not actually ''say'' so? Or were they both hoping to ''shoot'' Cybertron out of its orbit?
* Wouldn't blowing up Megatron's ship be a good idea anyway? Why were they just letting him go?
* Megatron is able to survive an explosion which had enough energy to shift the orbit of Cybertron. Considering previous evidence of his durability, how he could survive a planet-moving blast is a mystery.
* Wouldn't a giant explosion just wreck both planets, rather than neatly pushing one of them away?
*And for that matter, if the explosion pushed Cybertron away, why wasn't Earth moved in the opposite direction?

===Rhino DVD errors===
[[File:Tud3 mirage rhino fix.jpg|thumb|315px]]

* In several of Shockwave's speaking scenes, the glow from his eye is missing while some are managed by overlays added.
* Only one segment of Wheeljack's "ears" flash as he delivers his "We figured you might be getting lonesome" line.
* As Skyfire is shooting at the Decepticons while saying his house cleaning line, the laser fire out of his gun is missing but the sound can still be heard.
* When Mirage reappears inside the Decepticon ship, a piece of missing footage in the production master Rhino were using meant he actually ''didn't'' reappear. Rhino actually took a crack at fixing this, though, but the "fix" constituted taking a ghastly, high-contrast, low-res, single-frame figure from another version of the episode and primitively copy-pasting it into the scene.
* As he observes Skyfire's approach, [[:File:Wheresmyface.jpg|Prowl's face disappears]], leaving only his helmet.
* Skywarp is colored as a second Thundercracker as the pair follows their retreating leader from the island.
{{-}}

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Watchdog tud3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
[[File:Shockwavelightdoom3.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|''Hello'', my face is up here?]]
* Wheeljack's place on Cybertron, previously seen in "[[Divide and Conquer]]", is shown again.
* A couple of [[Watchdog (G1)|Decepticon cars]] are shown in this episode, but it's not clear if they are Transformers. They have a Reflector-like color scheme.
* Gadgets and powers:
** Rather than the hydrofoils they were using just two episodes ago, the Autobots are now traveling the oceans on motor-powered surfboards.
** Both Prime and Ironhide have "early warning scanners" which can detect mountain-sized tidal waves just slightly over the horizon. Man, those aren't very effective scanners.
** Rumble can extend his optic visor to make it function like binoculars.
** Shockwave can light up his chest like a searchlight. It's not clear if this is meant to be some kind of force field holding Spike in place, or if Spike just stops due to some deer-in-the-headlights psychological effect.
** Megatron transforms and fires at Skyfire unassisted... which kinda puts the lie to all those sarcastic fan claims that his gun mode is oh-so-totally-useless without someone to fire him. Of course, he also does this ''in the show's title sequence'', so it really shouldn't be such a surprise. (Granted, title sequences also give us things like flying Autobots and Insecticons swimming around in lava, so their relevance is debatable.)
* [[Fire on the Mountain (episode)|<<]] '''Brawn vs. Soundwave''', Round 2: Brawn dispatches Soundwave with a single mighty blast to the chest! Brawn 2, Soundwave 0 [[Autobot Spike|>>]]

===Real-world references===
* Prowl's line "Ask, and you shall receive!" is from the Gospel of John in the New Testament.
* Starscream's dramatic proclamation "I shall return!" is a popular TV trope referring to the famous speech of {{w|Douglas MacArthur#Escape to Australia and Medal of Honor|U.S. General Douglas MacArthur upon his retreat from the Philippines in World War II}}.
* ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
** ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine burst as Starscream grabs Dr. Arkeville and escapes from the island.
** [[TIE Fighter]] engine and some ''Falcon'' engine whine as Skywarp and Thundercracker strafe the Autobots.
** An igniting [[lightsaber]] serves as the sound of an energon cube being dropped by the freed slaves.
** ''Falcon'' engine whine as the Seekers depart the island.

===Trivia===
*This episode is subtitled "Revival" in scripts and other official materials.
*This was one of the six episodes featured on the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|Revenge of the Fallen]] [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|console game]]''. For some unknown reason, this version of the episode makes use of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Generation 2]]'' broadcast's audio, as the [[Cybernet Space Cube]] can be heard throughout without the Cube's visuals.

===Foreign localization===
'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''La resa dei conti'''" ("The Last Stand")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Destino finale - III'''" ("Final Destiny - III")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Hametsu no Hi PART III'''" (破滅の日 PART III, "Day of Destruction PART III")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 7]], [[1986]]
:*Due to [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]]'s status as a [[Bandai]] toy in Japan, the Japanese broadcast of "The Ultimate Doom" three-parter was delayed to the end of the series, when the legal issues were resolved (as were most Skyfire episodes). All three episodes of "The Ultimate Doom" aired on the same day in Japan as an extra length series finale.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Miè Dǐng zhī Zāi (Xià)'''" (灭顶之灾(下), "Catastrophe of Extinction, Part III")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Latin American'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La Destrucción Máxima, Parte III'''" ("The Maximum Destruction, Part III")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Serbian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Sudnji dan, treći deo'''" (Судњи дан, трећи део, "Judgment Day, Part 3")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
[[File:MP-20 Wheeljack.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|right|The Ultimate Masterpiece, Part 1.]]
*'''''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' MP-20 [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Wheeljack]] ([[TakaraTomy]], 2015)'''
:A ''Masterpiece'' toy of Wheeljack that includes a weapon accessory based on the generic laser pistol he wields in this episode. Additionally, if purchased in Japan through [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]], one additionally gets a toolbox based on the hypno-chip disabling device he also uses in this episode.

*'''''Masterpiece'' MP-20+ Wheeljack (TakaraTomy, 2019?)'''
:A redeco of ''Masterpiece'' Wheeljack in a more [[show-accuracy|cartoon-accurate]] color scheme that again includes the laser pistol from "The Ultimate Doom, Part 3".
{{-}}

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 2: "The Ultimate Doom" ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1996 — ''The Transformers'' — The Ultimate Doom ([[Malofilm]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2001 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Villains: The Ultimate Doom ([[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]] 2001 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Villains: The Ultimate Doom ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume One ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume Three (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 02: Stagione Uno Parte Seconda ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season 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'' — The Complete First Season: 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'' — The Complete First Season: 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-1/synopses/700-10.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ultimate Doom, Part 3}}
[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

The Ultimate Doom, Part 3

2019-06-21T07:09:52Z

The Nemesis153: /* Continuity errors */ Added description about the odd re-cutting of the previous episode recaps that changed the context/meaning of scenes and referenced events yet to happen

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=13
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=68
|prev2=The Ultimate Doom, Part 2
|next2=Earth's Greatest Crisis
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=43
|prev3=The Ultimate Doom, Part 2
|next3=B.O.T. (episode)
|image=Ultimate Doom 3 Autobots fire.JPG
|caption=Autobots, transform and kick some diodes!
|title="The Ultimate Doom, Part 3"
|production code=#700-10
|airdate=[[November 17]], 1984
|story by=[[Dick Robbins]], [[Bryce Malek]], [[Douglas Booth]] and [[Leo D. Paur]]
|teleplay by=[[Leo D. Paur]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''As Cybertron's orbit ravages Earth, the Autobots take the fight to the Decepticons.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Ultimate Doom 3 Autobots Cybertron.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Not the friendliest homecoming.]]
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], a brainwashed [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] sounds an alarm on [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]]. As [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] attempt to destroy them, [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] rescue them. Heading to Wheeljack's lab, they review the [[hypno-chip]] data they've gained.

[[File:SurfsUp.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|This sort of embarrassment is why they finally just recruited Seaspray.]]
On Earth, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] is overseeing the construction of a large hydroelectric generator that will allow the Decepticons to harvest more energy. [[Doctor Arkeville]] is becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Megatron's disregard of his interests, and feels that [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] may be more sympathetic. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] leads [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (on surfboards) to the generator, where their wipeout prevents them from being able to stop the Decepticons from leaving in a [[Decepticon shuttle|shuttle]] carrying [[energon cube]]s. Arkeville is left to die, but Starscream saves him, having his own plans for the scientist.

On Cybertron, Wheeljack develops a device that should disrupt the hypno-chips' control over the humans. Spike attempts another rescue of his father, but is discovered by Shockwave. However, Wheeljack's device works as planned, and the Autobots flee back to Earth with Sparkplug, who is now freed from Decepticon control.

[[File:Ultimate Doom 3 Bumblebee Tarzan.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Jungle Love Bug]]
On an island, Megatron is overseeing the loading of a shuttle with energon cubes while [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] goes to see if he can direct the humans away from the ship. Nearby, Starscream's own experiments in draining neural energy from Arkeville have failed to fill a single energon cube. Megatron discovers them and prepares to execute Starscream for treason (again). However, Mirage manages to direct the humans away from the shuttle, and Prime orders an attack. The Decepticons outnumber the Autobots, but Skyfire and company soon arrive to even the odds as well as to free the slaves from the Decepticons' control. However, Cybertron comes into view of the island, causing a tidal wave, and Megatron flees in the shuttle for Cybertron.

[[File:Ultimate Doom 3 Cybertron leave.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|Im in ur orbit, killin ur planet.]]
Spike declares that they just need to knock Cybertron out of Earth's orbit, but Prowl says that they'd need the equivalent of ten billion astroliters of energy to do that. Suddenly, Prime realizes that the [[energon]] on board the shuttle could theoretically be enough to move Cybertron. Prime orders the Autobots to shoot Megatron's shuttle. The plan works, with the energon on board moving Cybertron away from Earth.

Back on the island, Spike remarks to Optimus that Megatron appears to be gone for good, but the Autobot leader, knowing his mortal enemy's survival rate, is not so sure. In space, Megatron comes back online and flies away from the wreckage of the shuttle, vowing revenge.
{{--}}

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (1)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (2)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] (9)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (10)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (11)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (13)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (14)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (15)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (16)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (17)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (26)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (28)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (29)
|c2=
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] (5)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (6)
*Dark Blue [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] (7)
*Light Blue Seeker (8)
*[[Watchdog (G1)|Watchdogs]] (12)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (19)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (20)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (21)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (24)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (25)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (25)
*Green Seeker (27)
*Thundercracker-colored seekers
*Skywarp-colored seekers
*Starscream-colored seekers
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (3)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (4)
*[[Doctor Arkeville]] (18)
}}

==Quotes==
"Take them!" 
"I don't 'take' so easy."
:—'''Soundwave''' and '''Brawn'''

"Prepare for termination!" 
"Prepare for a very large ''headache!''"
:—'''Shockwave''' vs. '''Brawn'''

"You cannot get out!" 
''[Shockwave unleashes a massive blast, but blows a hole in the wall instead of Skyfire]'' 
"I can now!"
:—'''Shockwave''' and '''Skyfire'''

"All the comforts of home... if you like living in an auto-robotic factory."
:—'''Wheeljack''', on [[Wheeljack's workshop|his workshop]]

"My slaves will be caught in the tidal wave!" 
"I thought humans ''liked'' to play in the ocean!"
:—'''Dr. Arkeville''' teaches '''Megatron''' an important fact about human anatomy.

"Surf's up! And I'm talkin' UP!" 
:—'''Bluestreak''' spots an approaching tsunami.

"Thanks, guys, for not giving up on me. Especially you, Spike." 
"Dad, it's like you taught me: You never quit on the people you love." 
"Mushy, but true."
:—'''Sparkplug''' and '''Spike''' have a touching father-son moment, with an addendum by '''Brawn'''.

"You're not pushing slaves around this time."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', preparing to open a [[Kremzeek (G1)|Kremzeek]] brand can of whup-ass.

==Notes==
===Technical or animation glitches===
* In his opening recap narration, [[Victor Caroli]] mispronounces Dr. Arkeville's name as "Ark-vill".
* Both Spike and Sparkplug were wearing their signature hard hats at the end of last episode, but are missing them now.
* Coloring errors:
** Bumblebee's nose is yellow as Brawn tells Spike they need to roll out.
** Wheeljack is missing the orange on his chest as Spike takes shelter behind his leg.
** The two Seekers guarding the entrance of [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Decepticon Headquarters]] are shown with Starscream and Thundercracker's color schemes.
** Wheeljack's roof is plain white as the tetrajets appear above him.
** The two tetrajets that chase the Autobots first have the same color schemes as Thundercracker and Skywarp; however, when Skyfire is shooting at them, they're both colored like Skywarp. In the same shot, Skyfire's red has become blue, and his whites have become red.
** When Skyfire blasts one of the tetrajets, both of them are colored like Thundercracker.
** Wheeljack's chest (i.e., his roof) is again missing its colors in the overhead shot of his lab.
** As Wheeljack studies the mind control program, the side of Trailbreaker's chest is colored as though it were a windshield, and only the front side of Wheeljack's "ears" flash.
** Ironhide's helmet rim is gray instead of red as he turns to look at the oncoming tidal wave.
** The inside of Prime's cheek guards are gray instead of blue as he announces that they're almost there.
** The area around Starscream's cockpit is colored the same orange as the cockpit itself as he rises from the ocean to collect Dr. Arkeville.
** Skyfire's cockpit canopy is colored white instead of blue as he appears over the Autobots on Cybertron.
** As Prime announces his intention to attack, Prowl is colored like Skywarp. Prime's waist is also unusually huge.
** Skywarp's cockpit is black instead of orange as Megatron says "A fool's ploy".
** Gray helmet rims on Ironhide again as he advises Cliffjumper to save his ammo.
** Prowl's doors are all-black instead of half-black as he says they're outnumbered.
** Bumblebee's side is colored like glass as he observes the approaching crevasse.
** When Thundercracker launches to follow Megatron, he's a much darker blue than usual.
** Wheeljack is missing his orange chest colors as the Autobots brush themselves off after the explosion of Megatron's ship.
* As Shockwave melts Brawn's girder, Brawn's mouth moves, but there's no dialog. (It sure looks like he's mouthing a shocked obscenity, though!)
* Wheeljack's transformation sound doesn't play till after he's transformed.
[[File:SoundwaveButtonUD3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1| GAH! Don't do that on camera!]]
* As the Autobots escape from Decepticon HQ, Soundwave's Decepticon insignia is missing in two successive shots.
* Shockwave's eye isn't flashing as he says "You cannot get out!"
* When Skyfire says "I can now", his mouth does not move with the dialogue.
* When Spike says, "More Watchdogs on our tail, Wheeljack!", Wheeljack follows up by replying, "We've gotta lose them!" Spike smiles in reply to this sentence, not the next one, which is "My workshop's just ahead". Perhaps Wheeljack was supposed to say: "We're ''gonna'' lose them!".
* Prime's faceplate doesn't move as he reports his sensor readings to Ironhide.
* During his "Surf's up" lines, Bluestreak has only one door and one missile launcher.
* The generator Megatron throws at Starscream changes its relative size mid-air. It is initially almost as big as Megatron himself, but becomes only about as big and as wide as Starscream's chest.
* Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
** The establishing shot of the surfing Autobots shows only five 'bots (Prime, Ironhide & Ratchet, Jazz, and either Prowl or Bluestreak.) Prowl ''and'' Bluestreak are shown in the same shot a moment later, making six total. Most successive shots show only 3 or 4 surfing bots. We finally see all six as the tidal wave pursues them down the [[sea funnel]].
** There's plenty of time for Mirage and Cliffjumper to join the group as they travel to the island, but the addition of ''just'' those two seems a bit odd. Where are Sunstreaker, Gears, Sideswipe, etc. during all this?
* As Prowl grouses about Megatron's energon supply, Jazz has some weird extra lines on his optic visor.
* Reflector's voice comes in its usual triplicate form... even though there's only one of him present.
* Wheeljack is missing his Autobot insignia as he reports to Optimus.
* Wheeljack's ears are waaaay too small as he proposes field testing the anti-hypnochip device.
* Spike slightly phases through a wall just before Shockwave lights him up.
* The two Seekers that accompany Shockwave just can't make up their minds who they want to be:
** As Shockwave reaches to pick up Spike, the two generic Seekers behind him have been replaced by two Skywarps.
** As the Autobots show up, the two Skywarps have become a Thundercracker and a pine-green generic.
** As the Autobots escape, the two Seekers are colored as Thundercracker and Starscream.
** And then one of them is Skywarp again as he fires after the escaping Autobots.
* Spike has no pupils as he reacts to his father pulling a gun on him.
[[File:Tud3 wheeljack little present.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Well, we don't need Aquaman any more."]]
* As Wheeljack activates the hypno-chip-un-hypnotizer, Bumblebee is represented by a yellow-colored Cliffjumper.
* Shockwave's eye doesn't flash as he orders "After them!"
* Only the front side of Wheeljack's "ears" flash as he radios Skyfire.
* The background music overlaps the scene transition as the Autobots prepare to leave Cybertron.
* Mirage's invisibility power is strangely portrayed in this episode; he merely turns ''transparent'', and also lacks the usual glowing prism and energy sound effect as he activates his power. They get both the sound and the effect correct when he reappears in Act 3.
* Megatron is missing his Decepticon symbol as he appears behind Starscream.
* The last of the slaves to be turned around by Mirage just kind of stops, then slides off-screen rather than walking off.
* In what is otherwise a beautiful depiction of his [[robot mode]], Rumble is missing his mouth after he blasts Mirage.
* Wheeljack's ears don't flash as he announces the coming of "independence day".
* The energon cubes dropped by the slaves are a strange translucent yellow-white-purple, rather than the usual solid glowing pink-purple. In the same shot, we cannot see the torso of the fat mustached slave through the energon cube that he's carrying... but we ''can'' see his feet through the cube after he drops it.
* The chunks of earth falling into Rumble's [[earthquake (event)|earthquake]] crevasse have grass that disappears and reappears between frames.
* The exploding energon cubes are shown against a completely black background. Even if they're in an unlit cargo compartment, the cubes themselves should illuminate the space.
* A series of "natural disaster" shots is recycled from Part 1 as Megatron's ship explodes... including one of Prime talking to himself, this time without any dialog to go with his moving mouthplate.
* The last shot of orbital Cybertron once again includes clouds ''behind'' the orbiting planet.
* Optimus is missing the horizontal lines on his tummy grille as Spike takes stock of the day's work.

===Continuity errors===
* The opening recap takes some liberties with events that happened for the sake of drama:
**Bumblebee's fall down the crevasse is cut into the scenes of the volcano housing the Ark erupting to make it appear as if he tumbled into the mouth of the volcano itself.
**But the most puzzling change is that the scene of Megatron's forces attacking the Ark from part 1 are mixed with scenes that have yet to occur (The Decepticons responding to the alarm Sparkplug pulled at the end of Part 2) to make it appear as if Megatron shot Brawn. [[The Transformers: The Movie|Ominous!]]
* As seen last episode, Ironhide is part of the Autobot rescue party that boards Skyfire and arrives on Cybertron, only to disappear immediately after. In this episode, we see that he actually stayed behind on Earth.
* Soundwave's presence on Cybertron is not inexplicable — there's no reason he couldn't just fly there, and later have flown back to Earth before Cybertron was knocked out of its orbit. But it's a bit odd for him to have made the trip for no obvious reason or explanation.
* When we last saw [[Wheeljack's workshop]] in "[[Divide and Conquer]]", it was sealed by a computerized Decepticon lock. This time, the Autobots just drive right into it, no problem.
* When the Autobots and Spike arrive in the workshop, Wheeljack is wondering how the Decepticons are controlling Sparkplug, Bumblebee says that it is mind control, to which Wheeljack replies, "Mind control! Of course!" ...Seriously, what else could it have been? And how did Wheeljack, master inventor, not realize this when Bumblebee did?
[[File:SpikeshockwaveUD3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Shockwave investigates the [[Aerialbots over America!|pivotal question]] of how well humans bounce.]]
* Superhuman Spike:
** Survives being dropped from shoulder height by Shockwave.
** Can lift Optimus's giant metal rifle.
* Holy crap, how freaking stupid ''is'' Starscream? With a whole planet going crazy with energy sources all around him—storms, earthquakes, volcanoes, tidal waves—he makes the bizarre decision to try and suck energon out of a human's brain. He further decides to do this ''right under Megatron's nose''. His attempts to convert Doctor Arkeville's neural energy into energon fail, of course; what this says about the intelligence of both scientists is debatable.
* As [[Carnage in C-Minor|often]] [[The Transformers: The Movie|happens]], the Autobots' claim to be outnumbered is a bit dubious. There are 8 Autobots (Prime's surfer six, plus Mirage & Cliffjumper) against only Megatron, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Rumble, and a couple of Reflectors.
* Prime's comment to Prowl ("If we lose now, Cybertron's next orbit will tear the earth apart!") doesn't make much sense, and calls out the same total lack of strategy that the Autobots had in the last episode - namely, they aren't doing or planning ''anything'' to actually make Cybertron go away.
* Prime really does just kind of sit there and let Megatron run off into his spaceship.
* Did Spike and Prowl both hit on the idea of blowing up Megatron's ship, and just not actually ''say'' so? Or were they both hoping to ''shoot'' Cybertron out of its orbit?
* Wouldn't blowing up Megatron's ship be a good idea anyway? Why were they just letting him go?
* Megatron is able to survive an explosion which had enough energy to shift the orbit of Cybertron. Considering previous evidence of his durability, how he could survive a planet-moving blast is a mystery.
* Wouldn't a giant explosion just wreck both planets, rather than neatly pushing one of them away?
*And for that matter, if the explosion pushed Cybertron away, why wasn't Earth moved in the opposite direction?

===Rhino DVD errors===
[[File:Tud3 mirage rhino fix.jpg|thumb|315px]]

* In several of Shockwave's speaking scenes, the glow from his eye is missing while some are managed by overlays added.
* Only one segment of Wheeljack's "ears" flash as he delivers his "We figured you might be getting lonesome" line.
* As Skyfire is shooting at the Decepticons while saying his house cleaning line, the laser fire out of his gun is missing but the sound can still be heard.
* When Mirage reappears inside the Decepticon ship, a piece of missing footage in the production master Rhino were using meant he actually ''didn't'' reappear. Rhino actually took a crack at fixing this, though, but the "fix" constituted taking a ghastly, high-contrast, low-res, single-frame figure from another version of the episode and primitively copy-pasting it into the scene.
* As he observes Skyfire's approach, [[:File:Wheresmyface.jpg|Prowl's face disappears]], leaving only his helmet.
* Skywarp is colored as a second Thundercracker as the pair follows their retreating leader from the island.
{{-}}

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Watchdog tud3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
[[File:Shockwavelightdoom3.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|''Hello'', my face is up here?]]
* Wheeljack's place on Cybertron, previously seen in "[[Divide and Conquer]]", is shown again.
* A couple of [[Watchdog (G1)|Decepticon cars]] are shown in this episode, but it's not clear if they are Transformers. They have a Reflector-like color scheme.
* Gadgets and powers:
** Rather than the hydrofoils they were using just two episodes ago, the Autobots are now traveling the oceans on motor-powered surfboards.
** Both Prime and Ironhide have "early warning scanners" which can detect mountain-sized tidal waves just slightly over the horizon. Man, those aren't very effective scanners.
** Rumble can extend his optic visor to make it function like binoculars.
** Shockwave can light up his chest like a searchlight. It's not clear if this is meant to be some kind of force field holding Spike in place, or if Spike just stops due to some deer-in-the-headlights psychological effect.
** Megatron transforms and fires at Skyfire unassisted... which kinda puts the lie to all those sarcastic fan claims that his gun mode is oh-so-totally-useless without someone to fire him. Of course, he also does this ''in the show's title sequence'', so it really shouldn't be such a surprise. (Granted, title sequences also give us things like flying Autobots and Insecticons swimming around in lava, so their relevance is debatable.)
* [[Fire on the Mountain (episode)|<<]] '''Brawn vs. Soundwave''', Round 2: Brawn dispatches Soundwave with a single mighty blast to the chest! Brawn 2, Soundwave 0 [[Autobot Spike|>>]]

===Real-world references===
* Prowl's line "Ask, and you shall receive!" is from the Gospel of John in the New Testament.
* Starscream's dramatic proclamation "I shall return!" is a popular TV trope referring to the famous speech of {{w|Douglas MacArthur#Escape to Australia and Medal of Honor|U.S. General Douglas MacArthur upon his retreat from the Philippines in World War II}}.
* ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
** ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine burst as Starscream grabs Dr. Arkeville and escapes from the island.
** [[TIE Fighter]] engine and some ''Falcon'' engine whine as Skywarp and Thundercracker strafe the Autobots.
** An igniting [[lightsaber]] serves as the sound of an energon cube being dropped by the freed slaves.
** ''Falcon'' engine whine as the Seekers depart the island.

===Trivia===
*This episode is subtitled "Revival" in scripts and other official materials.
*This was one of the six episodes featured on the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|Revenge of the Fallen]] [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|console game]]''. For some unknown reason, this version of the episode makes use of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Generation 2]]'' broadcast's audio, as the [[Cybernet Space Cube]] can be heard throughout without the Cube's visuals.

===Foreign localization===
'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''La resa dei conti'''" ("The Last Stand")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Destino finale - III'''" ("Final Destiny - III")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Hametsu no Hi PART III'''" (破滅の日 PART III, "Day of Destruction PART III")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 7]], [[1986]]
:*Due to [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]]'s status as a [[Bandai]] toy in Japan, the Japanese broadcast of "The Ultimate Doom" three-parter was delayed to the end of the series, when the legal issues were resolved (as were most Skyfire episodes). All three episodes of "The Ultimate Doom" aired on the same day in Japan as an extra length series finale.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Miè Dǐng zhī Zāi (Xià)'''" (灭顶之灾(下), "Catastrophe of Extinction, Part III")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Latin American'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La Destrucción Máxima, Parte III'''" ("The Maximum Destruction, Part III")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Serbian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Sudnji dan, treći deo'''" (Судњи дан, трећи део, "Judgment Day, Part 3")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
[[File:MP-20 Wheeljack.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|right|The Ultimate Masterpiece, Part 1.]]
*'''''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' MP-20 [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Wheeljack]] ([[TakaraTomy]], 2015)'''
:A ''Masterpiece'' toy of Wheeljack that includes a weapon accessory based on the generic laser pistol he wields in this episode. Additionally, if purchased in Japan through [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]], one additionally gets a toolbox based on the hypno-chip disabling device he also uses in this episode.

*'''''Masterpiece'' MP-20+ Wheeljack (TakaraTomy, 2019?)'''
:A redeco of ''Masterpiece'' Wheeljack in a more [[show-accuracy|cartoon-accurate]] color scheme that again includes the laser pistol from "The Ultimate Doom, Part 3".
{{-}}

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 2: "The Ultimate Doom" ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1996 — ''The Transformers'' — The Ultimate Doom ([[Malofilm]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2001 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Villains: The Ultimate Doom ([[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]] 2001 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Villains: The Ultimate Doom ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume One ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume Three (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 02: Stagione Uno Parte Seconda ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season 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'' — The Complete First Season: 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'' — The Complete First Season: 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-1/synopses/700-10.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ultimate Doom, Part 3}}
[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

The Ultimate Doom, Part 3

2019-06-21T07:06:46Z

The Nemesis153: /* Continuity errors */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=13
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=68
|prev2=The Ultimate Doom, Part 2
|next2=Earth's Greatest Crisis
|series3=''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=43
|prev3=The Ultimate Doom, Part 2
|next3=B.O.T. (episode)
|image=Ultimate Doom 3 Autobots fire.JPG
|caption=Autobots, transform and kick some diodes!
|title="The Ultimate Doom, Part 3"
|production code=#700-10
|airdate=[[November 17]], 1984
|story by=[[Dick Robbins]], [[Bryce Malek]], [[Douglas Booth]] and [[Leo D. Paur]]
|teleplay by=[[Leo D. Paur]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''As Cybertron's orbit ravages Earth, the Autobots take the fight to the Decepticons.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Ultimate Doom 3 Autobots Cybertron.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Not the friendliest homecoming.]]
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], a brainwashed [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] sounds an alarm on [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]]. As [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] attempt to destroy them, [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] rescue them. Heading to Wheeljack's lab, they review the [[hypno-chip]] data they've gained.

[[File:SurfsUp.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|This sort of embarrassment is why they finally just recruited Seaspray.]]
On Earth, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] is overseeing the construction of a large hydroelectric generator that will allow the Decepticons to harvest more energy. [[Doctor Arkeville]] is becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Megatron's disregard of his interests, and feels that [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] may be more sympathetic. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] leads [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (on surfboards) to the generator, where their wipeout prevents them from being able to stop the Decepticons from leaving in a [[Decepticon shuttle|shuttle]] carrying [[energon cube]]s. Arkeville is left to die, but Starscream saves him, having his own plans for the scientist.

On Cybertron, Wheeljack develops a device that should disrupt the hypno-chips' control over the humans. Spike attempts another rescue of his father, but is discovered by Shockwave. However, Wheeljack's device works as planned, and the Autobots flee back to Earth with Sparkplug, who is now freed from Decepticon control.

[[File:Ultimate Doom 3 Bumblebee Tarzan.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Jungle Love Bug]]
On an island, Megatron is overseeing the loading of a shuttle with energon cubes while [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] goes to see if he can direct the humans away from the ship. Nearby, Starscream's own experiments in draining neural energy from Arkeville have failed to fill a single energon cube. Megatron discovers them and prepares to execute Starscream for treason (again). However, Mirage manages to direct the humans away from the shuttle, and Prime orders an attack. The Decepticons outnumber the Autobots, but Skyfire and company soon arrive to even the odds as well as to free the slaves from the Decepticons' control. However, Cybertron comes into view of the island, causing a tidal wave, and Megatron flees in the shuttle for Cybertron.

[[File:Ultimate Doom 3 Cybertron leave.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|Im in ur orbit, killin ur planet.]]
Spike declares that they just need to knock Cybertron out of Earth's orbit, but Prowl says that they'd need the equivalent of ten billion astroliters of energy to do that. Suddenly, Prime realizes that the [[energon]] on board the shuttle could theoretically be enough to move Cybertron. Prime orders the Autobots to shoot Megatron's shuttle. The plan works, with the energon on board moving Cybertron away from Earth.

Back on the island, Spike remarks to Optimus that Megatron appears to be gone for good, but the Autobot leader, knowing his mortal enemy's survival rate, is not so sure. In space, Megatron comes back online and flies away from the wreckage of the shuttle, vowing revenge.
{{--}}

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (1)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (2)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] (9)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] (10)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (11)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (13)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] (14)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] (15)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (16)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (17)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] (26)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] (28)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] (29)
|c2=
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] (5)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (6)
*Dark Blue [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] (7)
*Light Blue Seeker (8)
*[[Watchdog (G1)|Watchdogs]] (12)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (19)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (20)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (21)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (24)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] (25)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] (25)
*Green Seeker (27)
*Thundercracker-colored seekers
*Skywarp-colored seekers
*Starscream-colored seekers
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (3)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (4)
*[[Doctor Arkeville]] (18)
}}

==Quotes==
"Take them!" 
"I don't 'take' so easy."
:—'''Soundwave''' and '''Brawn'''

"Prepare for termination!" 
"Prepare for a very large ''headache!''"
:—'''Shockwave''' vs. '''Brawn'''

"You cannot get out!" 
''[Shockwave unleashes a massive blast, but blows a hole in the wall instead of Skyfire]'' 
"I can now!"
:—'''Shockwave''' and '''Skyfire'''

"All the comforts of home... if you like living in an auto-robotic factory."
:—'''Wheeljack''', on [[Wheeljack's workshop|his workshop]]

"My slaves will be caught in the tidal wave!" 
"I thought humans ''liked'' to play in the ocean!"
:—'''Dr. Arkeville''' teaches '''Megatron''' an important fact about human anatomy.

"Surf's up! And I'm talkin' UP!" 
:—'''Bluestreak''' spots an approaching tsunami.

"Thanks, guys, for not giving up on me. Especially you, Spike." 
"Dad, it's like you taught me: You never quit on the people you love." 
"Mushy, but true."
:—'''Sparkplug''' and '''Spike''' have a touching father-son moment, with an addendum by '''Brawn'''.

"You're not pushing slaves around this time."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', preparing to open a [[Kremzeek (G1)|Kremzeek]] brand can of whup-ass.

==Notes==
===Technical or animation glitches===
* In his opening recap narration, [[Victor Caroli]] mispronounces Dr. Arkeville's name as "Ark-vill".
* Both Spike and Sparkplug were wearing their signature hard hats at the end of last episode, but are missing them now.
* Coloring errors:
** Bumblebee's nose is yellow as Brawn tells Spike they need to roll out.
** Wheeljack is missing the orange on his chest as Spike takes shelter behind his leg.
** The two Seekers guarding the entrance of [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Decepticon Headquarters]] are shown with Starscream and Thundercracker's color schemes.
** Wheeljack's roof is plain white as the tetrajets appear above him.
** The two tetrajets that chase the Autobots first have the same color schemes as Thundercracker and Skywarp; however, when Skyfire is shooting at them, they're both colored like Skywarp. In the same shot, Skyfire's red has become blue, and his whites have become red.
** When Skyfire blasts one of the tetrajets, both of them are colored like Thundercracker.
** Wheeljack's chest (i.e., his roof) is again missing its colors in the overhead shot of his lab.
** As Wheeljack studies the mind control program, the side of Trailbreaker's chest is colored as though it were a windshield, and only the front side of Wheeljack's "ears" flash.
** Ironhide's helmet rim is gray instead of red as he turns to look at the oncoming tidal wave.
** The inside of Prime's cheek guards are gray instead of blue as he announces that they're almost there.
** The area around Starscream's cockpit is colored the same orange as the cockpit itself as he rises from the ocean to collect Dr. Arkeville.
** Skyfire's cockpit canopy is colored white instead of blue as he appears over the Autobots on Cybertron.
** As Prime announces his intention to attack, Prowl is colored like Skywarp. Prime's waist is also unusually huge.
** Skywarp's cockpit is black instead of orange as Megatron says "A fool's ploy".
** Gray helmet rims on Ironhide again as he advises Cliffjumper to save his ammo.
** Prowl's doors are all-black instead of half-black as he says they're outnumbered.
** Bumblebee's side is colored like glass as he observes the approaching crevasse.
** When Thundercracker launches to follow Megatron, he's a much darker blue than usual.
** Wheeljack is missing his orange chest colors as the Autobots brush themselves off after the explosion of Megatron's ship.
* As Shockwave melts Brawn's girder, Brawn's mouth moves, but there's no dialog. (It sure looks like he's mouthing a shocked obscenity, though!)
* Wheeljack's transformation sound doesn't play till after he's transformed.
[[File:SoundwaveButtonUD3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1| GAH! Don't do that on camera!]]
* As the Autobots escape from Decepticon HQ, Soundwave's Decepticon insignia is missing in two successive shots.
* Shockwave's eye isn't flashing as he says "You cannot get out!"
* When Skyfire says "I can now", his mouth does not move with the dialogue.
* When Spike says, "More Watchdogs on our tail, Wheeljack!", Wheeljack follows up by replying, "We've gotta lose them!" Spike smiles in reply to this sentence, not the next one, which is "My workshop's just ahead". Perhaps Wheeljack was supposed to say: "We're ''gonna'' lose them!".
* Prime's faceplate doesn't move as he reports his sensor readings to Ironhide.
* During his "Surf's up" lines, Bluestreak has only one door and one missile launcher.
* The generator Megatron throws at Starscream changes its relative size mid-air. It is initially almost as big as Megatron himself, but becomes only about as big and as wide as Starscream's chest.
* Appearing/disappearing Autobots:
** The establishing shot of the surfing Autobots shows only five 'bots (Prime, Ironhide & Ratchet, Jazz, and either Prowl or Bluestreak.) Prowl ''and'' Bluestreak are shown in the same shot a moment later, making six total. Most successive shots show only 3 or 4 surfing bots. We finally see all six as the tidal wave pursues them down the [[sea funnel]].
** There's plenty of time for Mirage and Cliffjumper to join the group as they travel to the island, but the addition of ''just'' those two seems a bit odd. Where are Sunstreaker, Gears, Sideswipe, etc. during all this?
* As Prowl grouses about Megatron's energon supply, Jazz has some weird extra lines on his optic visor.
* Reflector's voice comes in its usual triplicate form... even though there's only one of him present.
* Wheeljack is missing his Autobot insignia as he reports to Optimus.
* Wheeljack's ears are waaaay too small as he proposes field testing the anti-hypnochip device.
* Spike slightly phases through a wall just before Shockwave lights him up.
* The two Seekers that accompany Shockwave just can't make up their minds who they want to be:
** As Shockwave reaches to pick up Spike, the two generic Seekers behind him have been replaced by two Skywarps.
** As the Autobots show up, the two Skywarps have become a Thundercracker and a pine-green generic.
** As the Autobots escape, the two Seekers are colored as Thundercracker and Starscream.
** And then one of them is Skywarp again as he fires after the escaping Autobots.
* Spike has no pupils as he reacts to his father pulling a gun on him.
[[File:Tud3 wheeljack little present.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Well, we don't need Aquaman any more."]]
* As Wheeljack activates the hypno-chip-un-hypnotizer, Bumblebee is represented by a yellow-colored Cliffjumper.
* Shockwave's eye doesn't flash as he orders "After them!"
* Only the front side of Wheeljack's "ears" flash as he radios Skyfire.
* The background music overlaps the scene transition as the Autobots prepare to leave Cybertron.
* Mirage's invisibility power is strangely portrayed in this episode; he merely turns ''transparent'', and also lacks the usual glowing prism and energy sound effect as he activates his power. They get both the sound and the effect correct when he reappears in Act 3.
* Megatron is missing his Decepticon symbol as he appears behind Starscream.
* The last of the slaves to be turned around by Mirage just kind of stops, then slides off-screen rather than walking off.
* In what is otherwise a beautiful depiction of his [[robot mode]], Rumble is missing his mouth after he blasts Mirage.
* Wheeljack's ears don't flash as he announces the coming of "independence day".
* The energon cubes dropped by the slaves are a strange translucent yellow-white-purple, rather than the usual solid glowing pink-purple. In the same shot, we cannot see the torso of the fat mustached slave through the energon cube that he's carrying... but we ''can'' see his feet through the cube after he drops it.
* The chunks of earth falling into Rumble's [[earthquake (event)|earthquake]] crevasse have grass that disappears and reappears between frames.
* The exploding energon cubes are shown against a completely black background. Even if they're in an unlit cargo compartment, the cubes themselves should illuminate the space.
* A series of "natural disaster" shots is recycled from Part 1 as Megatron's ship explodes... including one of Prime talking to himself, this time without any dialog to go with his moving mouthplate.
* The last shot of orbital Cybertron once again includes clouds ''behind'' the orbiting planet.
* Optimus is missing the horizontal lines on his tummy grille as Spike takes stock of the day's work.

===Continuity errors===
* The opening recap takes some liberties with events that happened for the sake of drama.
**Bumblebee's fall down the crevasse is cut into the scenes of the volcano housing the Ark erupting to make it appear as if he tumbled into the mouth of the volcano itself.
**But the more puzzling change is that the scene of Megatron's forces attacking the Ark from part 1 are mixed with scenes that have yet to occur (The Decepticons responding to the alarm Sparkplug pulled at the end of Part 2) to make it appear as if Megatron shot Brawn. [[The Transformers: The Movie|Ominous!]]
* As seen last episode, Ironhide is part of the Autobot rescue party that boards Skyfire and arrives on Cybertron, only to disappear immediately after. In this episode, we see that he actually stayed behind on Earth.
* Soundwave's presence on Cybertron is not inexplicable — there's no reason he couldn't just fly there, and later have flown back to Earth before Cybertron was knocked out of its orbit. But it's a bit odd for him to have made the trip for no obvious reason or explanation.
* When we last saw [[Wheeljack's workshop]] in "[[Divide and Conquer]]", it was sealed by a computerized Decepticon lock. This time, the Autobots just drive right into it, no problem.
* When the Autobots and Spike arrive in the workshop, Wheeljack is wondering how the Decepticons are controlling Sparkplug, Bumblebee says that it is mind control, to which Wheeljack replies, "Mind control! Of course!" ...Seriously, what else could it have been? And how did Wheeljack, master inventor, not realize this when Bumblebee did?
[[File:SpikeshockwaveUD3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Shockwave investigates the [[Aerialbots over America!|pivotal question]] of how well humans bounce.]]
* Superhuman Spike:
** Survives being dropped from shoulder height by Shockwave.
** Can lift Optimus's giant metal rifle.
* Holy crap, how freaking stupid ''is'' Starscream? With a whole planet going crazy with energy sources all around him—storms, earthquakes, volcanoes, tidal waves—he makes the bizarre decision to try and suck energon out of a human's brain. He further decides to do this ''right under Megatron's nose''. His attempts to convert Doctor Arkeville's neural energy into energon fail, of course; what this says about the intelligence of both scientists is debatable.
* As [[Carnage in C-Minor|often]] [[The Transformers: The Movie|happens]], the Autobots' claim to be outnumbered is a bit dubious. There are 8 Autobots (Prime's surfer six, plus Mirage & Cliffjumper) against only Megatron, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Rumble, and a couple of Reflectors.
* Prime's comment to Prowl ("If we lose now, Cybertron's next orbit will tear the earth apart!") doesn't make much sense, and calls out the same total lack of strategy that the Autobots had in the last episode - namely, they aren't doing or planning ''anything'' to actually make Cybertron go away.
* Prime really does just kind of sit there and let Megatron run off into his spaceship.
* Did Spike and Prowl both hit on the idea of blowing up Megatron's ship, and just not actually ''say'' so? Or were they both hoping to ''shoot'' Cybertron out of its orbit?
* Wouldn't blowing up Megatron's ship be a good idea anyway? Why were they just letting him go?
* Megatron is able to survive an explosion which had enough energy to shift the orbit of Cybertron. Considering previous evidence of his durability, how he could survive a planet-moving blast is a mystery.
* Wouldn't a giant explosion just wreck both planets, rather than neatly pushing one of them away?
*And for that matter, if the explosion pushed Cybertron away, why wasn't Earth moved in the opposite direction?

===Rhino DVD errors===
[[File:Tud3 mirage rhino fix.jpg|thumb|315px]]

* In several of Shockwave's speaking scenes, the glow from his eye is missing while some are managed by overlays added.
* Only one segment of Wheeljack's "ears" flash as he delivers his "We figured you might be getting lonesome" line.
* As Skyfire is shooting at the Decepticons while saying his house cleaning line, the laser fire out of his gun is missing but the sound can still be heard.
* When Mirage reappears inside the Decepticon ship, a piece of missing footage in the production master Rhino were using meant he actually ''didn't'' reappear. Rhino actually took a crack at fixing this, though, but the "fix" constituted taking a ghastly, high-contrast, low-res, single-frame figure from another version of the episode and primitively copy-pasting it into the scene.
* As he observes Skyfire's approach, [[:File:Wheresmyface.jpg|Prowl's face disappears]], leaving only his helmet.
* Skywarp is colored as a second Thundercracker as the pair follows their retreating leader from the island.
{{-}}

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Watchdog tud3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
[[File:Shockwavelightdoom3.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|''Hello'', my face is up here?]]
* Wheeljack's place on Cybertron, previously seen in "[[Divide and Conquer]]", is shown again.
* A couple of [[Watchdog (G1)|Decepticon cars]] are shown in this episode, but it's not clear if they are Transformers. They have a Reflector-like color scheme.
* Gadgets and powers:
** Rather than the hydrofoils they were using just two episodes ago, the Autobots are now traveling the oceans on motor-powered surfboards.
** Both Prime and Ironhide have "early warning scanners" which can detect mountain-sized tidal waves just slightly over the horizon. Man, those aren't very effective scanners.
** Rumble can extend his optic visor to make it function like binoculars.
** Shockwave can light up his chest like a searchlight. It's not clear if this is meant to be some kind of force field holding Spike in place, or if Spike just stops due to some deer-in-the-headlights psychological effect.
** Megatron transforms and fires at Skyfire unassisted... which kinda puts the lie to all those sarcastic fan claims that his gun mode is oh-so-totally-useless without someone to fire him. Of course, he also does this ''in the show's title sequence'', so it really shouldn't be such a surprise. (Granted, title sequences also give us things like flying Autobots and Insecticons swimming around in lava, so their relevance is debatable.)
* [[Fire on the Mountain (episode)|<<]] '''Brawn vs. Soundwave''', Round 2: Brawn dispatches Soundwave with a single mighty blast to the chest! Brawn 2, Soundwave 0 [[Autobot Spike|>>]]

===Real-world references===
* Prowl's line "Ask, and you shall receive!" is from the Gospel of John in the New Testament.
* Starscream's dramatic proclamation "I shall return!" is a popular TV trope referring to the famous speech of {{w|Douglas MacArthur#Escape to Australia and Medal of Honor|U.S. General Douglas MacArthur upon his retreat from the Philippines in World War II}}.
* ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
** ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine burst as Starscream grabs Dr. Arkeville and escapes from the island.
** [[TIE Fighter]] engine and some ''Falcon'' engine whine as Skywarp and Thundercracker strafe the Autobots.
** An igniting [[lightsaber]] serves as the sound of an energon cube being dropped by the freed slaves.
** ''Falcon'' engine whine as the Seekers depart the island.

===Trivia===
*This episode is subtitled "Revival" in scripts and other official materials.
*This was one of the six episodes featured on the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|Revenge of the Fallen]] [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|console game]]''. For some unknown reason, this version of the episode makes use of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (cartoon)|Generation 2]]'' broadcast's audio, as the [[Cybernet Space Cube]] can be heard throughout without the Cube's visuals.

===Foreign localization===
'''Italian'''
:*''Title (dub 1):'' "'''La resa dei conti'''" ("The Last Stand")
:*''Title (dub 2):'' "'''Destino finale - III'''" ("Final Destiny - III")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Hametsu no Hi PART III'''" (破滅の日 PART III, "Day of Destruction PART III")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[November 7]], [[1986]]
:*Due to [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]]'s status as a [[Bandai]] toy in Japan, the Japanese broadcast of "The Ultimate Doom" three-parter was delayed to the end of the series, when the legal issues were resolved (as were most Skyfire episodes). All three episodes of "The Ultimate Doom" aired on the same day in Japan as an extra length series finale.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Miè Dǐng zhī Zāi (Xià)'''" (灭顶之灾(下), "Catastrophe of Extinction, Part III")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Latin American'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La Destrucción Máxima, Parte III'''" ("The Maximum Destruction, Part III")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Serbian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Sudnji dan, treći deo'''" (Судњи дан, трећи део, "Judgment Day, Part 3")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

===Toys inspired by this episode===
[[File:MP-20 Wheeljack.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|right|The Ultimate Masterpiece, Part 1.]]
*'''''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' MP-20 [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Wheeljack]] ([[TakaraTomy]], 2015)'''
:A ''Masterpiece'' toy of Wheeljack that includes a weapon accessory based on the generic laser pistol he wields in this episode. Additionally, if purchased in Japan through [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]], one additionally gets a toolbox based on the hypno-chip disabling device he also uses in this episode.

*'''''Masterpiece'' MP-20+ Wheeljack (TakaraTomy, 2019?)'''
:A redeco of ''Masterpiece'' Wheeljack in a more [[show-accuracy|cartoon-accurate]] color scheme that again includes the laser pistol from "The Ultimate Doom, Part 3".
{{-}}

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1985 — ''The Transformers'' — Volume 2: "The Ultimate Doom" ([[Family Home Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1996 — ''The Transformers'' — The Ultimate Doom ([[Malofilm]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2001 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Villains: The Ultimate Doom ([[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]] 2001 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Villains: The Ultimate Doom ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Original Series: Volume One ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Complete Original Series: Deluxe Edition (Sony Wonder) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — First Season Collector's Edition (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Volume Three (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 1: Series 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Classic Transformers'' — Series One: Part Two (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 02: Stagione Uno Parte Seconda ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season 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'' — The Complete First Season: 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'' — The Complete First Season: 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-1/synopses/700-10.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ultimate Doom, Part 3}}
[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

Attack! Leozack

2018-12-16T07:52:42Z

The Nemesis153: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|series=Victory
|ep=3
|title="Attack! Leozack"
|japanese=襲撃! レオザック
|romaji=Shūgeki! Leozack
|image=Attackleozack.jpg
|caption=Come on baby, let's do the twist.
|production code=
|production company=[[TakaraTomy|Takara]], [[Toei]]
|writer=[[Yoshihisa Araki]]
|director=[[Hiromichi Matano]]
|animation studio=[[Toei]]
|airdate=[[April 4|4 April]] 1989
|continuity=[[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''Jan's first day at school doesn't go smoothly, thanks to an attack by the Decepticon second-in-command, Leozack!'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:AttackLeozack Starsaber sunset.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
As the sun sets over the ocean, the [[Decepticon]] [[Leozack]] swoops down through the orange sky and plunges into the surf below, where he boards the waiting ''[[Thunder Arrow]]''. Meeting with Deathsaurus, he swears to end [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]]'s life as a gift to his emperor, and recruits the [[Dinoforce]] to aid him in his endeavour.

Elsewhere on [[Earth]], the [[Autobot]]s have set the [[Galaxy Shuttle]] down beside a lake and are in the midst of scanning the globe for Decepticon activity as part of their preparations for establishing a defense program for the planet. While the [[Brainmaster]]s work at this, the [[Multiforce]] are busy goofing off playing volleyball with [[Jan Minakaze|Jan]] and [[Holi]]. With the day growing long, the games are brought to an end as everyone recalls that Jan will be starting school the following day. Although Jan is a little concerned about interacting with humans—something that he has never really had to do before—Star Saber assures him that all will be fine.

[[File:Starsaber pta meeting.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Hello, ma'am. Have you welcomed Primus into your life?"]]
The next day, at Jan's school-to-be, [[Schwimmbad School]], a young girl named [[Illumina]] talks with her friends [[Joyce]], [[Clump]] and [[Jan's other classmate|that other guy]] about the new student arriving that day. The conversation is immediately replaced with stunned silence, however, as Star Saber comes soaring in overhead, and Holi, sirens blazing, rolls up and Jan hops out. The student body is thrilled at the sight of the two Autobots transforming to robot mode, though Jan is a bit embarrassed when Holi's leg gets stuck halfway and needs a good shake to pop it into shape. At this point, the school headmistress [[Mabel (Victory)|Mabel]] appears, and is sufficiently taken aback when Star Saber lifts her in his palms to speak to her more personably. As classes begin, Star Saber and Mabel complete the necessary paperwork, and Star Saber recounts the story of how the Dinoforce destroyed the spaceship containing Jan's scientist parents. Although his parents met their end, Jan was jettisoned in a capsule and recovered by Star Saber, and was then raised by the Autobots as the commander's surrogate son.

[[File:AttackLeozack Leozack pose.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Leozack shows off his new manicure.]]
At the same time, Jan is proving to be a hot topic of discussion amongst the students. Unfortunately, this discussion is going on right in the middle of class, and despite warnings from the teacher, the whole class winds up hanging on Jan's every word as he explains the powers of the Brainmasters. Holi and Star Saber snoop in the window and are pleased to see that Jan is getting along well, but their attention is suddenly diverted by the blazing arrival of Leozack, who opens fire on Star Saber, and inadvertently, the school as well. Star Saber attempts to lead the Decepticon away from the school, but Leozack does not fall for the tactic and engages Star Saber with his [[Electromagnetic Nunchaku]] while Holi tangles with his [[Breast Animal]]. The situation worsens when the Dinoforce come crashing through the school gates, and Jan and his new friends are left unable to escape, trapped on the top of the school building. Clump immediately blames Jan for their misfortune, pointing out that the Decepticons would not have attacked if he had not brought the Autobots there, and the rest of the students start agreeing with him. Thankfully, Illumina and Headmistress Mabel make the children understand that Earth would be in danger from the Decepticons regardless of the Autobots' presence. Just then, the [[V-Star]] sets down on top of the school, and Star Saber instructs the children to pilot it to aid him in the battle.

[[File:AttackLeozack Road Caesar vs Dinoking.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Meanwhile, Holi has radioed the Galaxy Shuttle to summon backup, and the Brainmaster respond to the call with haste. They come roaring up the road to the school just as Star Saber fights off a Decepticon dog-pile, and in response to their presence, the Dinoforce form [[Dinoking]]. But the Brainmasters have their own secret power... by strength, intelligence and skill combined, they merge into the mighty [[Road Caesar]]! As the two combiners tussle, Jan dispatches the Dinoforce's shells with the V-Star, then pilots the craft back to Star Saber, ejecting at the last minute so that the commander can combine with the V-Star into his super robot mode. Thusly powered up, Star Saber delivers critical damage to Leozack with his Saber Blade, just as Road Caesar topples Dinoking. Knowing they are beaten for now, the Decepticons retreat.

In the early evening, the Brainmasters work to repair the damage done to the school while Star Saber apologizes to Mabel for involving her and the students in the crisis. Mabel insists that no apology is necessary, and hopes that the Autobots will continue to fight for Earth's sake. Jan, meanwhile, is the subject of adulation again after his display of skill piloting the V-Star, and Clump apologizes for misjudging him. Holi rolls up and asks any of the students if they'd like to go for a drive, but he isn't expecting them all to pile on top of him at once!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Galaxy Shuttle]] (2)
*[[Laster]] (3)
*[[Blacker]] (4)
*[[Braver]] (5)
*[[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]] (6)
*[[Holi]] (7)
*[[Machtackle]] (9)
*[[Wingwaver]] (10)
*[[Dashtacker]] (11)
*[[Wing (Victory)|Wing]] (12)
*[[Waver]] (13)
*[[Tacker]] (27)
*[[Mach (Victory)|Mach]] (28)
*[[Tackle]] (29)
*[[Dash (Victory)|Dash]] (30)
*[[Road Caesar]] (34)

|c2=
*[[Leozack]] (1)
*[[Kakuryu]] (19)
*[[Rairyu]] (20)
*[[Gairyu]] (21)
*[[Goryu (Victory)|Goryu]] (22)
*[[Doryu]] (23)
*[[Yokuryu]] (24)
*[[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]] (31)
*[[Tigerbreast]] (32)
*[[Dinoking]] (33)

|c3=
*[[Jan Minakaze]] (8)
*[[Illumina]] (14)
*[[Clump]] (15)
*[[Joyce]] (16)
*[[Jan's other classmate]] (17)
*[[Mabel (Victory)|Mabel]] (18)
*[[Doctor Minakaze]] (25; flashback)
*[[Jan's mother]] (26; flashback)
}}

==Quotes==
"If it's someone arrogant, I'm gonna give him a beating."
:—'''Clump''' welcomes newcomers.

"The [[oil]] is bubbling within your humble second-in-command, Leozack."
:—'''Leozack'''

"Don't be stupid!! Just use floaties and goggles!"
:—'''Goryu''' after Kakuryu tries to talk his way out of the mission.

"I am the brave warrior whose name thunders throughout the galaxy... The one they call — Leozack the Deadly!"
:—'''Leozack''', introducing himself to Star Saber.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* After Jan ejects from the V-Star, he discovers there's no parachute. That's OK, because Holi catches him and somehow this is better than hitting the concrete road...

===Continuity errors===
* So like, this Mars expedition, was it BEFORE or AFTER the Decepticons [[Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears|blew the planet up]] in ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]''?
* The blackboard in Jan's classroom shows a date of 'MAR 15 THU', which doesn't fit in with the 2025 dating of the series in other works, because that would make March 15 a Saturday. On the other hand, background signage in the series is often a law unto itself.

===Real-world references===
*The shot of Jan's rescue pod launching from the ship is a reference to the launch of [[R2-D2]] and C-3PO's escape pod in the beginning of ''{{w|Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope|A New Hope}}''.

===Trivia===
[[File:Roadcaesar bumper.jpg|thumb|...Victory babies, they'll do the same for yoo-ooou!]]
* This episode does not feature either of the two stock ''Victory'' title cards (one featuring Star Saber, the other Deathsaurus), opting for just white text on a black screen.
*Not counting the preview in the last episode, this is the first appearance of the Brainmasters' Road Caesar combined form.
* This episode features the first appearances of most of the scarcely-seen individual robot modes of the Multiforce, although aside from Wing, they only appear in still flashback images. Waver and Mach are the only two who don't appear in robot mode here, but they will be seen in later episodes; conversely, these scenes are the ''only'' appearances of robot-mode Dash and Tacker in the series.
* The final commercial bumper in this episode, featuring Road Caesar, does not appear at any other time during the series.
* Jan's new school is named "Schwimmbam School" according to the sign over the gate. The later episode "[[Jan - Defend the Campus!!]]" amends this to Schwimmbad School which is likely to be more accurate as Schwimmbad is an actual German word, meaning "swimming pool". The fact that Kakuryu attempts to talk his way out of the Dinoforce's mission by claiming he can't swim may well be an injoke.
* During the classroom scene with Jan, the (presumably) current date is written on the blackboard as Thursday, March 15. In the series' stated year of 2025, March 15 is a Saturday. The closest year in which the date ''would'' fall on a Thursday is 2029.

===Foreign localization===
'''English'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Leozack Attacks'''" ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
:*''Original airdate:'' [[May 19]], [[1991]]
::* During the attack on Jan's parent's spacecraft, Kakuryu says he can smell energy.
::* Leozack telling Deathsaurus to look forward to Leozack eliminating Star Saber is missing altogether.
::* Jan's list of attributes which the Brainmasters possess becomes "Courage! Wisdom! Skill!"—since the second attribute was originally "Strength!", it's accompanied by an image of Blacker holding a spacecraft over his head. Not really a demonstration of wisdom!
::* Rather than directly addressing Headmistress Mabel, Star Saber tells Holi to go tell her to get everyone to safety. Of course the animation then has Holi running away from the school with Star Saber.
::* Laster refers to the Dinoforce as "clowns" rather than "small fish".

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote|jsubs}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2003 — ''Transformers: Victory'' — DVD Box 01 ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — The Takara Collection Vol 3 — ''Transformers: Victory'' ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Takara Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2008 — ''The Transformers: Victory'' ([[Madman Entertainment]]) — Optional [[Omni Productions|Omni]] dub. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Japan Generation 1'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) — Optional Omni dub. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers: The Japanese Collection'' ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2012 — ''Transformers Japanese Collection: Victory'' (Shout! Factory)

[[Category:Victory episodes]]