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Endgame, Part I

2010-10-26T23:26:58Z

Ultrazillafan: /* Quotes */

{{disambig2|the ''Animated'' episode|the ''Beast Machines'' episode|Endgame Pt. I: The Downward Spiral}}

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=TFAni EndgamePart1 Autobots Ready.jpg
|caption=You're telling us this entire series was just to get Prime a jetpack? ''Again''?
|ep=41
|title="Endgame, Part I"
|airdate=[[May 16]], 2009
|written by=[[Rich Fogel]]
|directed by=[[Kalvin Lee]] [[Kentaro Mizuno]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
}}
'''The Autobots race to find an advantage over Megatron's control of Omega Supreme.'''

==Synopsis==
At the plant, [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] are working on Prowl's [[processor-over-matter]] by having Prowl lift some oil cans. Jazz is impressed with Prowl's skills, and wonders why he never completed his training. Suddenly, [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] come tearing in, causing Prowl to lose his concentration and drop the oil can. Bumblebee and Bulkhead skid on the spilled oil across the floor, crashing into the wall. As the two bots collect themselves, Prowl says that they're two reasons he never completed his training. Bulkhead and Bumblebee then explain why they came in so quickly: They've found [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]]'s energy signature, and it's on Earth's [[moon (moon)|moon]].

[[Image:TFAni EndgamePart1 Lugnut vs Shockwave.jpg|thumb|left|200px|And to think, this dance scene almost got cut.]]
On the Moon, [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] continues his efforts to probe [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]]'s memory banks for the [[activation code]]s to Omega Supreme. However, all he's found so far are some prewar datatrax of her school-teaching days. [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] is convinced that his "most loyal servant" can find it in time. [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] takes a moment to goad [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] that Megatron has another favorite, and Lugnut bashes Shockwave aside in protest, citing his great loyalty and never-ending search for Megatron. Shockwave counters that while Lugnut was fawning at Megatron's stabilizing servos, he risked his [[spark]] by going spying on the Autobots for stellar cycles. The two get into a fight, much to Megatron's annoyance, while Starscream gloats and rolls his head out of the room...

At the plant, the Autobots debate their options. [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] says that they need to act now, and that they need to use the [[Magnus Hammer]]. [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus]] is hesitant, and thinks back to his past...

:''At the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] chambers, [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] reviews Cadet Optimus and [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Cadet Sentinel]]'s recent unauthorized visit to an organic world, which resulted in the loss of Cadet [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Elita-1]]. Sentinel makes a final statement that he wanted to go back for Elita, but Optimus prevented him. Ultra Magnus again asks whose idea it was to go to the planet, and Optimus takes full responsibility as the senior Cadet. Ultra Magnus had high hopes for Optimus, even believing he could one day be [[Magnus]], but now that will never be. Ultra Magnus pronounces his judgment: Optimus is to be expelled from the [[Autobot Academy]] and be ineligible for service in the [[Cybertron Elite Guard]].''

Snapped back to the present, Optimus reaffirms that they don't need to use the Magnus Hammer. Instead, he was considering a flight mechanism to keep up with Megatron. Ratchet is resistant, but the other Autobots point out various examples of Autobot flight, and Ratchet finally relents. Optimus says that they need more information, so Prowl volunteers to go and spy on the Decepticons. Jazz vetoes this, saying that Prowl is on the verge of a major training breakthrough, so someone else must go. Bumblebee gets volunteered, much to his own annoyance.

[[Image:TFA-Endgame-ShockwavePointsAndLaughs.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Statement: LOL]]
In the ruins of the [[Nemesis (Animated)|Decepticon warship]], Starscream creates a new body for himself from the shell of a [[Starscream clone (Animated)|clone]] and a [[protoform]]. However, as soon as the process is complete and Starscream's head is attached, Megatron reveals his presence and destroys the already complete clones. Starscream begs for mercy, saying he planned to make an army for the Decepticon cause, but Megatron has bigger plans in mind for the protoforms: Not to clone himself, nor even Lugnut. No, even bigger—about the size of Omega Supreme...

In the woods, Jazz guides Prowl in meditation, directing him to commune with the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]]. His efforts succeed, collecting the ambient dispersed AllSpark energy in the area and forming it into a solid AllSpark fragment. Meanwhile, Bumblebee is transwarped to the Moon. He manages to avoid being seen, but the transmitter he brought is destroyed when he avoids some construction work that Shockwave and Lugnut are doing. Making his way into Omega Supreme, he finds Arcee and realizes that she isn't quite functioning right. Since he doesn't know how to disconnect her without deactivating her, Bumblebee decides to activate her communicator to allow them to listen in on the Decepticons, and he quickly transwarps out. On Earth, the Autobots are unable to get the specifics of what's going on, but it quickly becomes obvious that Megatron is building something.

[[Image:EndGamePart1-Autobotscantfly.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Wingblade Prime]]
At the plant, Ratchet, [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]], and [[Isaac Sumdac|Professor Sumdac]] work on the jet pack they're building for Prime. Ratchet is having trouble, so Sari scans the device and discovers the problem. Once it's ready, they have Optimus take it for a test run. After he loses control, flies around the city, and crashes in front of the plant, all on five percent power, Ratchet and Sari decide to add some stabilizers. Once those are ready, Optimus conducts another test run. This one is much more successful, and Optimus actually enjoys his flying, thinking back to a conversation with Ultra Magnus...

:''Despite being expelled from the Academy, Optimus still impressed Ultra Magnus with the considerable skills he'd already shown in his stellar cycles of service. Managing to pull some strings, Ultra Magnus has been able to get Optimus promoted to [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and get him a ship to command. Although Optimus is grateful, he soon sees his ship, ''[[Teletran-1]]'', a rusted out piece of junk. Ratchet is performing maintenance and tells Optimus to ignore the appearance of the ship. Indicating Bumblebee and Bulkhead, he notes it's the young bots Optimus should be worried about...''

[[Image:TFAni EndgamePart1 Optimus FemScream.jpg|right|thumb|left|200px|"What the hell is that noise?" "Oh, that? I'm just driving with the top down."]]

While Optimus flies around the city, he attracts the attention of [[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]], who thinks that he's Starscream returned to Earth. Her overriding (and still unexplained) hatred of Starscream compels her fly and attack him. Optimus takes a hit and crashes into the river, while she flies off as she realizes he's not her progenitor.

On the Moon, Shockwave is finally able to bring Arcee's memory to the point where she and Ratchet were attacked by [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]]. Posing as Longarm Prime, he asks if she still has the activation codes for Project: Omega, which she does. Pleased, Shockwave pulls her wires and takes her to Megatron. Bulkhead and Bumblebee alert Optimus, who is in quite a funk after being beaten by a "Starscream wannabe".

[[Image:TFAni EndgamePart1 Screamer NotAgain.jpg|left|thumb|200px|De agony of de feet.]]

Finally, the time has come to implant the protoforms into their base shells. They scan Omega Supreme, assuming his form. Longarm reawakens Arcee and instructs her to transfer the access code to Megatron, but she recognizes him and refuses. Shockwave thus deactivates her and prepares to upload the information to his leader. However, Starscream knocks Megatron aside to take the codes, but Lugnut knocks ''him'' aside and receives the codes instead—just as Megatron wanted. He knew that imprinting his personality onto the clones risked making them too ambitious, but there is no such threat from Lugnut, Megatron's "most loyal lieutenant"—a description which pleases Lugnut greatly. Furthermore, with the AllSpark fragments from Omega Supreme, they no longer have need of Starscream, whom Megatron immediately shoots, breaking his new body into several pieces.

At the plant, Optimus is being repaired, and Ratchet insists that he must use the Magnus Hammer. Optimus still believes that using it isn't in his programming. Prowl, however, believes that fate makes its own programming, prompting Optimus to think back...

:''Working on repairing the space bridge where it all started, Bumblebee and Bulkhead stumble upon Prowl meditating in a cavern, having failed to commune with the AllSpark so far despite trying for a thousand stellar cycles. Unfortunately, one of the [[energon cube]]s Ratchet was setting up falls into Prowl's cavern. They barely make it out, but Prowl's ship is destroyed. Optimus offers to take him back to Cybertron in about fifty stellar cycles, after the crew finishes there, but notes that with Prowl's help, it could be sooner. Prowl bemoans how he has strayed so far from his path, and Optimus says that he can sympathize.''

[[Image:TFA-Endgame-LugnutsSupreme.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Great, so now we know what the children would look like.]]

Optimus is snapped back to reality when Bulkhead says that he's getting several signals from the Moon. Meanwhile, Lugnut has finished uploading the codes, but a glitch forces him to remain on Omega Supreme with Shockwave to coordinate. Megatron, meanwhile, says that he will take the clones on a test run by destroying [[Detroit]]. As they launch, the Autobots head out to get a visual, while Optimus reluctantly grabs the Magnus Hammer. He asks Ratchet if they can still reason with Omega Supreme, but Ratchet doubts it, as the [[Lugnut Supreme|Lugnut Supremes]] transform and prepare to touch down.

[[Endgame, Part II|To be concluded...]]
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (1)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (2)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (3)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (4)
*[[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] (5)
*[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] (6)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (11)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (12)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (14, flashback)
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Cadet Sentinel]] (15, flashback)

|c2=
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave / Longarm Prime]] (7)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (8)
*[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (9)
*[[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] (10)
*[[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]] (17)
*Three [[Lugnut Supreme]]s (18–20)

|c3=
*[[Isaac Sumdac]] (16)

|c4=
*[[Sari Sumdac]] (13)
}}

==Quotes==
"Uh-oh. Looks like Megatron has a new favorite, and I'll give you a hint – it ain't you!"
:—'''Starscream''' to Lugnut

[[Image:TFAni EndgamePart1 Megatron Facepalm.jpg|thumb|right|200px|*faceplateservo*]]
'''Megatron''': Can't you shut [[Arcee (Animated)|her]] up? She makes [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] sound like he has his head screwed on straight. 
'''Starscream''': You see? He even likes Blitzwing better than you. 
''[Lugnut bashes Shockwave aside while making his way to Starscream]'' 
'''Lugnut''': No! ''I'' am the most faithful! 
'''Shockwave''': Have you blown a diode?! I'm trying to work here! 
''[A scuffle ensues]'' 
'''Megatron''': Oh, for spark's sake...
:—You get what you pay for, Megatron. And these guys are free.

'''Prowl''': I'll transwarp to the Moon and spy on him. 
'''Jazz''': And take five on your Cyber-Ninja training? No dice. You're close to a real breakthrough. And I got a vibe that says we're gonna need every advantage we can get our servos on. 
'''Optimus''': Agreed. We'll send someone else. 
'''Bumblebee''': Who'd be crazy enough to volunteer for ''that'' mission? ''[Everyone looks at Bumblebee]'' Why's everyone looking at me? Why's everyone ''always'' looking at me?!
:—Bumblebee gets tired of all his suicide missions.

'''Starscream''': Have mercy, Megatron! I was merely building you an army to serve our great Decepticon cause. 
'''Megatron''': Ah, but you think too small, Starscream. I have plans for these protoforms. Much bigger plans. 
'''Starscream''': Naturally, you'd want to clone yourself, oh great one. 
'''Megatron''': Bigger. 
'''Starscream''': ''[Looks out the window]'' Not that idiot Lugnut 
''[Lugnut falls on his back, causing Shockwave to point and laugh]'' 
'''Megatron''': ''Bigger''... 
''[Starscream sees the base shells near Omega Supreme]'' 
'''Starscream''': Oh. I see... 
:—Megatron [[army-building|army-builds]] in the [[Size class|Supreme-class range]]. That's hardcore.

"Get with it, Prowl. The AllSpark ain't just in your circuits, dig. It's grooving all around us. Reach out and hook yourself into it. 
:—'''Jazz''', being all mystical ''and'' hip at the same time.

'''Sari''': ''[Scans the boosters]'' You're right. We need to add a microaerator to the fuel line. 
'''Ratchet''': And I suppose the rocket boosters just told you that? 
'''Sari''': Kinda. 
'''Ratchet''': That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever— 
''[Ratchet checks the rocket boosters]'' 
'''Ratchet''': Wait! I've got it! We'll add a microaerator to the fuel line! 
'''Sari''': Hmm, now why didn't I think of that? 
:—Ratchet is either a glory hog or going senile. Possibly both.

"Instilled with my own powerful personality, the clones might try to overthrow me. But not so my ''most loyal'' lieutenant..." 
''[to Megatron]'' "Ah. I am honoured, my Lord." 
''[to Shockwave]'' "Hah. Megatron trusts '''me''' the most!" 
:—'''Megatron''' makes all '''Lugnut'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s dreams come true. Lugnut responds by showing what a child he is.

"First I fail to protect the protoforms and now this! Do you have any idea what it's like to embark on a path, only to find it so completely twisted and turned that you have no idea where you are?!" 
"Oddly enough, I do."
:—'''Prowl''' and '''Optimus Prime'''

==Notes==

===Transformers references===

* Prowl's failure to complete his [[Cyber-Ninja Corps|Cyber-Ninja]] training, as previously mentioned in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part II]]", is again brought up. We learn in this episode that his failure is partially due to the fact that while trying to commune with the AllSpark, he was interrupted by Optimus Prime's crew and wound up joining up with them out of necessity, bridging the storytelling gap between "[[Five Servos of Doom]]" and "[[Transform and Roll Out]]".

* The events of the "[[Along Came a Spider]]" flashbacks are at last confirmed to be the reason that Optimus was kicked out of the [[Autobot Academy]].

[[Image:GodGinrai_toy.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Now, that's some upgrade...]]
* While more viewers will likely be reminded of ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s super mode, ''Animated'' Optimus's new flight attachments (specifically, the colors and details of his wings and gauntlets) are based on [[Ginrai|God Ginrai]]'s flight-endowing [[Godbomber]] components. The flight pack itself, to which the wings attach, doesn't seem to owe as much to Ginrai's, however; even its resemblance to the [[Jetfire (G1)|the original Jetfire]]'s booster pack is unintentional, according to [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] (any connection between it at [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3|the time Prime wore Sideswipe's jetpack]] is unconfirmed). His shoulder cannons, however, do appear to be based on his Voyager-class toy's water blaster.

* As he jets into the sky, Optimus shouts out [[Megatron (BW)|"Yessssss!" and "Excellent"]].

*[[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]] returns for the first time since "A Bridge Too Close, Part II".

* The [[protoform]]s that [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] stole in "Five Servos of Doom" return in this episode, when it is revealed that the bounty hunter appropriated them for Megatron, and that they have been in the remains of his crashed warship all this time. As many fans had suspected, the protoforms are confirmed to have been used by Starscream to create his [[Starscream clone (Animated)|clones]] in "[[A Fistful of Energon]]" and "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]". As the events of "Five Servos" suggested, the protoforms are shown to be [[blank]], without [[spark]]s.

* Ratchet once again repeats the oft-heard mantra that "Autobots don't fly", a common (if frequently broken) rule throughout most of the Transformers fiction, and one that has received quite a bit of attention in ''Animated''. Like quite a lot of fans before them, Bulkhead and Bumblebee promptly confront Ratchet with the harsh reality: [[Jetfire (Animated)|quite]] [[Jetstorm (Animated)|a]] [[Swoop (Animated)|few]] ''[[Prowl (Animated)|Animated]]'' [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Autobots]] have taken to the skies at this point.

* The creation of the Lugnut Supremes, evil clones of [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]], hearkens back to previous evil Omegas such as the [[Omega Sentinel (G1)|Omega Sentinel]] and the [[Dark Guardian]]s.

===Foreign dubbing===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La bataille finale 1/2'''" ("The Final Battle 1/2")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

===Real-world references===
*The scene in which Optimus tests his jet pack for the first time appears to be a reference to a similar scene in the ''[[Iron Man]]'' motion picture, as he starts out using only a tiny percentage of the pack's power and still winds up shooting off out of control. When he achieves successful flight on his next test, he's also just as elated as Stark was. Amusingly, this isn't even the first time [[David Kaye]]'s played the part of Iron Man, having voiced the character in the ''[[wikipedia: Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes|Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes]]'' animated series.

===Trivia===
*Prowl had been on his optics quest for at least "a million stellar cycles" before he joined up with Optimus...and had accomplished jack squat in all that time. Of course, he could have been exaggerating out of frustration, but still...slow going.
*Megatron purposely started the Shockwave/Lugnut feud, knowing Starscream would try to seize Omega Supreme's access codes, just to be sure Lugnut would be in his most loyal state at the moment of the transfer? Now, that's some sleeky fore-thinkings...
*Shockwave has enough of a sense of humor that he can laugh. Who knew?
*Interestingly, Megatron destroys all of the remaining (albeit inert) Starscream clone shells, instead of reprogramming them to serve him and boost the number of troops under his command. [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] even suggests this, but apparently Megatron prefers [[Lugnut Supreme|sheer brute force]] over [[Air Warrior|numbers]].
**Considering who they're clones of, this isn't really that surprising.
*After spending all of Season 3 as a disembodied head, Starscream finally regains his body....only to have Megatron blow it to smithereens at the end of the episode. ''Tough break'', Screamer.
*Prowl punches a boulder out of frustration and the boulder ''splits neatly in half!'' Holy crap man.
*This is not the [[Matrix Blade|first time]] that an Optimus has taken up a huge, Matrix-related melee weapon for the final battle against a Megatron.
*In this episode, Longarm's rank is "Security Chief". This is most likely because his cover has been blown or the fact that he was speaking to Arcee, who is unaware [[Great War (Animated)|the war]] has ended.
*This episode is not only the last to feature Slipstream, but the only one in the entire season.
*During Shockwave and Lugnut's fight you can actually hear Shockwave say "Liar, Lying Liar". No seriously.

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

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Gorilla Warfare

2010-10-24T02:46:00Z

Ultrazillafan: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|series=BWtoon
|ep=10
|series2=BWJtoon
|ep2=10
|prev2=The Probe
|next2=A Better Mousetrap
|image=Gorilla Warfare Berzerker Optimus.jpg|
|caption=He will kill the first person who makes a [[dull surprise]] joke.
|title="Gorilla Warfare"
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[October 14]], 1996
|written by=[[Greg Johnson]]
|directed by=[[James Boshier]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity= [[Beast Wars continuity]]
|packaged with=[[Blackarachnia (BW)#Beast Wars Telemocha Series|Blackwidow]]
}}
'''A virus, courtesy of Scorponok, turns Optimus into an overly aggressive fighting machine.'''

:''French title:'' '''Un Singe en Colère''' ("An Angry Monkey")
:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Méchant Optimus''' ("Mean Optimus")
:''Japanese title:'' 殺人ウィルス (''Satsujin Virus'', "The Assassin Virus")
:''Latin-American title:'' '''Guerra Gorila'''
:''Italian title:'' '''Gorilla dalla furia cieca''' ("Run amok gorilla")
:''Brazilian title:'' '''A Guerra do Gorila''' ("Gorilla Warfare")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Cyberbee&primal.jpg|left|200px|thumb|RRRAAAIIIDDD?!]]
While out on a specimen-gathering mission, Optimus Primal and Dinobot argue over the importance of studying the local flora. Primal finds it valuable, while Dinobot thinks the whole mission is pointless and dangerous. As he turns to leave, the plant Primal is studying shoots a seed pod at Dinobot that lands right at the top of his neck, right where he can't reach. As Dinobot struggles, Primal helps remove the pod and notes that they've learned something.

Just then, the pair are ambushed by Scorponok, who manages to implant a [[Cyberbee]] onto Optimus' chest before being driven away. Back at base, Primal recuperates in a [[CR chamber]] while Dinobot explains that the bee is a viral mine designed by Scorponok to infect Optimus's core systems and humble his personality, making him too cowardly to lead adequately. Rhinox deduces that because the mine has infected all of Primal's core systems, removing the bee is impossible without killing the Maximal commander, and doing so would trigger a self-destruct that would destroy everything within sprinting distance.

[[Image:Cheetor&badoptimus.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Why does your shoulderpad have to be so big?]]
As they wonder what to do next, the CR chamber shakes and is blasted apart. Out stomps Optimus, ready for battle. The cyberbee has had the opposite effect on Primal, turning him into a crazed berserker. Obviously, Scorponok's "notorious incompetence" has caused the Predacon's plan to backfire. Still, in his current state, Primal is now a danger to himself and his teammates, and is still at risk of perishing under the system drain of the mine. Primal orders his troops to lock him up.

[[Image:Megatronsbigfoot.jpg|left|200px|thumb|I said, ''"No pictures!"'']]
The Maximals debate over what to do next, knowing that Scorponok would have the anti-virus for the mine but unsure of how to acquire it. With what little bit of clarity he has left, Optimus convinces Cheetor that they could use the mine against the Preds, and Cheetor releases him. Primal wants to take advantage of their enemy's lack of knowledge of the mine's malfunction to launch a surprise assault. When brought to the rest of the crew, his plan is shot down as being far too risky and dangerous to attempt. Optimus accidentally shoots and activates an alarm, which then sets him into a tantrum. The Maximals try to stop him, but Primal shoves them all away and takes off for the Pred base on his own.

With their options running short, Dinobot ironically suggests they "think like the old Optimus" and proposes negotiating with the Predacons for the cure, but their attempt only serves to give the Predacons advance warning of Optimus's new state and his oncoming assault. Now with the Preds on full alert and with no other course of action to take, the Maximals begrudgingly follow Optimus to the [[Darksyde|Predacon base]] to give him covering fire in his one-ape assault.

[[Image:Pileonoptimus.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Oh, exploitable!]]
After blasting his way in, Optimus takes on Tarantulas and pins him to the wall with his own weapon. Primal then breaks through another wall to grab Waspinator and blow him away. Outside, the Maximals take on Blackarachnia and Terrorsaur, giving Cheetor a chance to run inside the base.

After tearing through the Pred crew, Primal ends up confronting Megatron, who teasingly dangles the cure in front of his nose while giving an ultimatum: Submit to him and live, or stay defiant and die from the mine.

[[Image:Primalsaysnono.jpg|left|200px|thumb|When he says, "Pull my finger"...don't, okay?]]
Inspired by the plant specimen from his mission with Dinobot, Optimus chooses a third option and rips the bee from his chest, activating its self-destruct. He tosses it at Megatron and it attaches to the Predacon leader's back where he can't reach. Megatron drops the anti-virus and flees to Scorponok for help. Fortunately for Primal, Cheetor manages to arrive just in time to grab the cure and administer it to the Maximal leader before his [[spark]] gives out. Megatron reaches Scorponok, but not in time, and the Cyberbee blows just after the Maximals rush outside the base.

Primal recuperates in his quarters and finds Dinobot watching over him. Dinobot shares an uncharacteristic sentiment that he's glad Optimus is back and wanders out. Primal sees that the former Predacon has brought him a sample of the flower they were studying earlier. Awwww.
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|h1=[[Maximal|Maximals]]|c1=
*[[Optimus Primal]] (1)
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (2)
*[[Rattrap]] (4)
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (5)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (6)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]|c2=
*[[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] (3)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (7)
*[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] (8)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (9)
*[[Tarantulas]] (10)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (11)

}}
==Quotes==
"Just because we bumped into Predacons is no reason to stop learning new things." 
"Well, if we encounter any of Megatron's forces, you may learn that it is unwise to dally with plants."
:—'''Optimus''' and '''Dinobot'''

"Yeeesss, from now on, I shoot my dinner salad before I eat it."
:–'''Dinobot''' encounters hostile plant life for the first time.

"As much as I'd love to see the both of you scrap yourselves, save it for my birthday."
:—'''Rattrap''' wants strange strange birthday presents.

"WHO WANTS SOME?!"
:–'''Optimus Primal''' just after he breaks out of the Maximal CR Chamber as a scary-aft berserker.

'''Rhinox:''' "Optimus would get blown to scrap. Big problem." 
'''Dinobot:''' "Well, that depends on your viewpoint." 
'''Rattrap:''' "Hey hey hey shut up!" 
:—The Maximals debate what to do with Optimus.

"Stupid, slaggin circuit systems! SHUT UP!!"
:–'''Optimus Primal''' shows the alarm system who's boss.

"We've got to stop him before he hurts himself!" 
"Him? Try us!"
:—'''Rhinox''' and '''Rattrap''' during Optimus' freakout.

"We must try to think what Optimus - the old Optimus - would do."
:—...Is '''Dinobot''' feeling all right?

"...[Optimus] is flamin' towards you on the red-eye express, and he's loaded for mainframe combat."
:–'''Cheetor''' makes an in-joke to Megatron about Scorponok's screw-up.

"It didn't work. All we did was tip 'em off and now they're gonna be waitin' for him! You and your bright ideas!" 
"It would appear that only Optimus can truly think like Optimus. For the rest of us, we must now think on our own."
:–'''Cheetor''' and '''Dinobot'''

"Guerilla warfare suits you. The old Optimus would've never made it this far."
:–'''Megatron''' impresswd with the new Primal.

"Bedside vigil, Dinobot? Not like you." 
"It was my shift. Well, uh… it's, uh, good to have you back." 
"Back home or back to normal?" 
"Both."
:–'''Optimus Primal''' and '''Dinobot''' having a bedside conversation.

==Notes==
* Aaaw, character development. How sweet.
* The [[Cybertronix]] on the screen in Scorponok's lab reads "youve got problems", though the text and message is upside down.
* Megatron spends the entire episode in beast mode.

===Technical/animation glitches===
*After the Maximals transform to engage Scorponok during his ambush, Scorponok is seen firing missiles at them. The animation pace for this particular sequence seems a lot faster than the pace for the rest of the episode.
*May not be much of an error, but once again, Scorponok's visor optics are red momentarily when he is first blasted by Optimus Primal and finds himself on a loose log near the waterfall.
* When Cheetor injects the anti-virus into Optimus, his fist painfully twists to the side, clipping though his wrist armor. Then, the virus container floats in the air for a second, before it drops to the ground. Cheetor never opens his fist during the process, and continues to grip air.
*At the end of the episode, as Optimus lies in his bed, the plate behind his head clips into his mattress.

===Continuity errors===
*Belying Rhinox's claims that removing the bee would activate a self-destruct and destroy everyone in sprinting distance, Megatron and Scorponok manage to survive being at ground zero, despite the blast blowing a slag-off big hole in the ''Darksyde''.

===Transformers references===
*This episode has the first reference to a [[spark]] in any ''Transformers'' animated continuity.

===Real-world references===
*In the scene where Primal bursts into the Pred base, he swiftly punches through the wall with Waspinator on the other side and drags him back through the hole could be a reference to a similar sequence in [[wikipedia:RoboCop|RoboCop]], especially with Optimus' stompy footsteps beforehand.

*The episode title is a pun on the concept of [[wikipedia:Guerrilla Warfare|Guerrilla Warfare]]. And though Megatron's comment that it suits Optimus makes for a nice joke and play on the title, it doesn't say much for the Predacon leader's knowledge of the the tactics. True guerrilla warfare is built on surprise attacks, sabotage, ambushes, and deception. What it certainly isn't built on is insane and suicidal frontal assaults against superior numbers.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars'' — Beasties Escape ([[Alliance Atlantis|Alliance Video]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1998 — ''Robots-Bêtes'' — L'Évasion (Alliance Video) — French audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — New Weapon of Terror ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars'' / ''Robots-Bêtes'' Three pack (Alliance Video) — Available in English or French audio. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Beginning: Vol. 2 ([[Universal]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 4 ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Maximal Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — English and Japanese audio.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 2 ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete First Season (Rhinomation) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — Classic Episodes: Volume 2 — The Saga Continues! ([[Alliance Atlantis]]) — English and French audio. 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — The Complete First Season (Alliance Atlantis) — English and French audio. 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]
[[category:Beast Wars Telemocha Series]]
[[Category:MSTF]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]

Double Jeopardy (episode)

2010-10-24T02:34:13Z

Ultrazillafan: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|series=BWtoon
|ep=8
|series2=BWJtoon
|ep2=8
|next2=The Probe
|image=TerrorsaurcagedRT.jpg
|caption="It's not a Penis Mightier, Mr. Connery! There's no such thing!"
|title="Double Jeopardy"
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[October 7]], 1996
|written by=[[Jesse Winfield]]
|directed by=[[Mark Schiemann]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity= [[Beast Wars continuity]]
|packaged with=[[Wolfang (Predacon)#Beast Wars Telemocha Series|Wolfang]]
}}

'''After a series of failed missions, Rattrap's loyalty is brought into question.'''

:''French title:'' '''Agent Double''' ("Double Agent")
:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Double Danger'''
:''Japanese title:'' クモ女のキック (''Kumo Onna no Kick'', "Kick of the Spider Woman")
:''Latin-American title:'' '''Riesgo Doble'''
:''Italian title:'' '''Doppia condanna''' ("Double sentence")
:''Brazilian title:'' '''Perigo Duplo''' ("Double Jeopardy")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Tarantulusdesignsba.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Aw, hell. Let's go nuts. Swords for $48,000!"]]
Dinobot and Primal explore one of the planet's frozen regions looking to retrieve the latest stasis pod. They find the pod overhead, hanging over the edge of a cliff, and protected by the three [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] goons. While Terrorsaur and Scorponok bomb the [[Maximal]] duo, Waspinator grabs the pod to lift it back to the [[Darksyde|Predacon base]]. Primal sees the theft and flies after the bug, but is brought down by a shot in the back from Terrorsaur. With Primal downed, the Predacons scamper away.

At the Maximal base, Primal laments regarding the frequency of the Maximals being ambushed. Primal calls Rattrap into a private meeting, making it clear he suspects Rattrap has been feeding information to the Maximals' enemies. Rattrap denies this, and Cheetor and Rhinox can't believe it. As a test of loyalty, Rattrap is sent on a mission into one of the [[Sector 12|more dangerous sectors]].

[[Image:BAintroduction.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"The day is mine! I'll take Famous Titties for $400!"]]
At the Predacon base, Tarantulas reveals the new Predacon made from the captured Maximal protoform: Blackarachnia. Afterwards, they use their radio to eavesdrop on Rattrap's radio reports on how Rattrap's mission is going. Hearing that the rodent is by himself, Terrorsaur is sent to destroy Rattrap.

Terrorsaur and Rattrap battle, and with Rattrap unable to hit his target, Terrorsaur is able to stand over his enemy, his gun right in Rattrap's face. Desperate for his own survival, Rattrap bargains his own loyalty to Terrorsaur and the Predacons, while the rest of the Maximals listen, astonished by the change.

[[Image:Rattrappredicon.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Mister Reynolds has apparently changed his name to 'Turd Ferguson.'" "Yeah, that's right. Turd Ferguson. It's a funny name."]]
Back at the Predacon base, Terrorsaur introduces his new underling and, with said underling's aid, overthrows Megatron (who is placed into the Predacon brig). Because he still can't be trusted, Rattrap is also imprisoned. The two captives are placed in cages and suspended over a flow of lava. Of course, Megatron has anticipated his own imprisonment and escapes with a few simple computer commands. Once Megatron is out of sight, Rattrap picks the lock on his own cage and jumps over the lava to freedom (barely).

Sneaking through the base, Rattrap follows another, actual rat. He passes by a Predacon computer console and discovers it contains a Maximal computer chip, explaining how they were able to listen to Maximal radio frequencies and anticipate the Maximals' movement. After removing the chip, he continues his sneaking, but activates a security alarm and is caught in a security web. He escapes, but Tarantulas follows Rattrap back to the suspended cages, compromising Rattrap's operation, or so he would be, were it not for Rattrap silencing the arachnid with a gun shot.

[[Image:Double Jeopardy Rattrap point.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"You'll rue the day you crossed me, Trebek!"]]
The Maximals begin an attack on the Pred base to retrieve Rattrap. With the other Predacons looking to him for leadership, Terrorsaur panics – even more so when Megatron pops up right next to him, free from his cage. But he deigns to <strike>give Terrorsaur rope to hang himself</strike> follow Terrorsaur's leadership as the Predacons counter-attack. Rattrap is freed to help in the defense, and on Terrorsaur's order, he opens fire on Optimus, scoring a direct hit on his former leader. After the two armies bounce off each other a bit, Megatron gives Rattrap the opportunity to destroy Dinobot, but Rattrap declines and shoots Terrorsaur instead, giving Dinobot the time to free himself by kicking out some of Megatron's teeth. The Maximals take Rattrap and retreat. With Terrorsaur's command shown to be a total frak-up, Megatron effortlessly resumes command of his forces and rubs in the defeat.

Back in the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', Optimus explains to his friends that the entire betrayal was a charade – a ploy to let Rattrap into the Predacon base and find out how the Predacons have been listening to the Maximals' radio communications.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s |c1=
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (1)
*[[Optimus Primal]] (2)
*[[Rattrap]] (3)
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (7)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (8)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]|c2=
*[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] (4)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (5)
*[[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] (6)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (9)
*[[Tarantulas]] (10)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (11)
}}

==Quotes==
"They're trapped! The pod is my trophy!"
:—'''Terrorsaur'''—shortly before looking up to see Waspinator flying off with the pod.

"Oh, be still my spinnerets."
:—'''Tarantulas''' after creating Blackarachnia.

"Will you still defend your friend, or will you see him for what he is? A traitor!" 
"You're a fine one to talk."
:—'''Dinobot''' gets burned by '''Rhinox'''.

"A wise tyrant always designs his prisons for his own personal escape." 
:—'''Megatron''' after getting out of his cage.

"So, the juicy rat has been running his maze."
:—'''Tarantulas''' being creepy, as usual.

"And thus ends the glorious reign of Terrorsaur. A lost battle, a missing Blackarachnia, AND WHO KNOWS WHAT DAMAGE caused by the Maximal spy!" 
''[Terrorsaur's head falls off]'' 
"Oh, my aching head."
:—'''Megatron''' exposing Terrorsaur's blundering leadership abilities before Terrorsaur tells him how he feels.

==Notes==
*This is the (not entirely auspicious) debut of Blackarachnia. After being introduced by Tarantulas, she transforms into robot mode, then spends a few minutes posing, preening, and doing karate moves in the background while Megatron talks. Later in the episode she kicks Cheetor around (and admittedly, is a badass about it), then goes missing for no clear reason.
[[Image:DoubleJeopardy Blackarachnia protoform.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
*Blackarachnia's protoform doesn't resemble those seen later in the series, instead using a modified form of the model used for pre-reformatting Megatron in "[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]", but with Blackarachnia's head. The same model shows up with a different head as a [[:Image:Agendapt1 generic Predacons.jpg|generic Predacon]] in "[[The Agenda (Part 1)]]".
*Throughout Terrorsaur's big speech to gain leadership, Rattrap is making gestures in the background to punctuate his remarks.
*While sneaking through the Predacons' ventilation duct, Rattrap encounters a small rat, which seems to acknowledge his presence with a nod. Later on, Rattrap inadvertently saves the same rat from being eaten by accidentally walking into Tarantulas' web and triggering his alarm.
*The Maximal chip is labeled in [[Cybertronix]]. It says "caution very hot".
*Other [[Silverbolt (BW)|Maximals]] or [[Dinobot (BW)|Predacons]] who changed allegiances either previous to this episode or afterward signified the switch by changing their [[Activation Code]]. Rattrap doesn't follow suit. He simply changes the Maximal symbol on his arm to a Predacon symbol. Perhaps this should have been Terrorsaur's first tip that Rattrap wasn't truly defecting.
*There was really no need to keep the plan from the other Maximals (none of them had any contact with the Predacons until ''after'' Rattrap recovered the chip) nor did it seem like there was any particular need to keep the deception going well into the battle in order to extract him from Predacon territory.
*When Rattrap blasts Tarantulas for discovering his escape, Tarantulas is shown to have ball joints. It even matches his toy – score one for toy accuracy!
*When Terrorsaur laughs in beast mode, his eyebrows seem to bounce up and down, moving in unison with his beak. This may be a CGI error or an awkward decision on the animators' part to make him emote.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars'' — Beasties Escape ([[Alliance Atlantis|Alliance Video]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1998 — ''Robots-Bêtes'' — L'Évasion (Alliance Video) — French audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Lonely Warrior Tigatron ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars'' / ''Robots-Bêtes'' Three pack (Alliance Video) — Available in English or French audio. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Beginning: Vol. 2 ([[Universal]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 3 ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Maximal Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — English and Japanese audio.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 2 ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete First Season (Rhinomation) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — Classic Episodes: Volume 2 — The Saga Continues! ([[Alliance Atlantis]]) — English and French audio. 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — The Complete First Season (Alliance Atlantis) — English and French audio. 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]
[[category:Beast Wars Telemocha Series]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]

Double Jeopardy (episode)

2010-10-24T02:31:44Z

Ultrazillafan: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|series=BWtoon
|ep=8
|series2=BWJtoon
|ep2=8
|next2=The Probe
|image=TerrorsaurcagedRT.jpg
|caption="It's not a Penis Mightier, Mr. Connery! There's no such thing!"
|title="Double Jeopardy"
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[October 7]], 1996
|written by=[[Jesse Winfield]]
|directed by=[[Mark Schiemann]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity= [[Beast Wars continuity]]
|packaged with=[[Wolfang (Predacon)#Beast Wars Telemocha Series|Wolfang]]
}}

'''After a series of failed missions, Rattrap's loyalty is brought into question.'''

:''French title:'' '''Agent Double''' ("Double Agent")
:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Double Danger'''
:''Japanese title:'' クモ女のキック (''Kumo Onna no Kick'', "Kick of the Spider Woman")
:''Latin-American title:'' '''Riesgo Doble'''
:''Italian title:'' '''Doppia condanna''' ("Double sentence")
:''Brazilian title:'' '''Perigo Duplo''' ("Double Jeopardy")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Tarantulusdesignsba.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Aw, hell. Let's go nuts. Swords for $48,000!"]]
Dinobot and Primal explore one of the planet's frozen regions looking to retrieve the latest stasis pod. They find the pod overhead, hanging over the edge of a cliff, and protected by the three [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] goons. While Terrorsaur and Scorponok bomb the [[Maximal]] duo, Waspinator grabs the pod to lift it back to the [[Darksyde|Predacon base]]. Primal sees the theft and flies after the bug, but is brought down by a shot in the back from Terrorsaur. With Primal downed, the Predacons scamper away.

At the Maximal base, Primal laments regarding the frequency of the Maximals being ambushed. Primal calls Rattrap into a private meeting, making it clear he suspects Rattrap has been feeding information to the Maximals' enemies. Rattrap denies this, and Cheetor and Rhinox can't believe it. As a test of loyalty, Rattrap is sent on a mission into one of the [[Sector 12|more dangerous sectors]].

[[Image:BAintroduction.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"The day is mine! I'll take Famous Titties for $400!"]]
At the Predacon base, Tarantulas reveals the new Predacon made from the captured Maximal protoform: Blackarachnia. Afterwards, they use their radio to eavesdrop on Rattrap's radio reports on how Rattrap's mission is going. Hearing that the rodent is by himself, Terrorsaur is sent to destroy Rattrap.

Terrorsaur and Rattrap battle, and with Rattrap unable to hit his target, Terrorsaur is able to stand over his enemy, his gun right in Rattrap's face. Desperate for his own survival, Rattrap bargains his own loyalty to Terrorsaur and the Predacons, while the rest of the Maximals listen, astonished by the change.

[[Image:Rattrappredicon.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Mister Reynolds has apparently changed his name to 'Turd Ferguson.'" "Yeah, that's right. Turd Ferguson. It's a funny name."]]
Back at the Predacon base, Terrorsaur introduces his new underling and, with said underling's aid, overthrows Megatron (who is placed into the Predacon brig). Because he still can't be trusted, Rattrap is also imprisoned. The two captives are placed in cages and suspended over a flow of lava. Of course, Megatron has anticipated his own imprisonment and escapes with a few simple computer commands. Once Megatron is out of sight, Rattrap picks the lock on his own cage and jumps over the lava to freedom (barely).

Sneaking through the base, Rattrap follows another, actual rat. He passes by a Predacon computer console and discovers it contains a Maximal computer chip, explaining how they were able to listen to Maximal radio frequencies and anticipate the Maximals' movement. After removing the chip, he continues his sneaking, but activates a security alarm and is caught in a security web. He escapes, but Tarantulas follows Rattrap back to the suspended cages, compromising Rattrap's operation, or so he would be, were it not for Rattrap silencing the arachnid with a gun shot.

[[Image:Double Jeopardy Rattrap point.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"You'll rue the day you crossed me, Trebek!"]]
The Maximals begin an attack on the Pred base to retrieve Rattrap. With the other Predacons looking to him for leadership, Terrorsaur panics – even more so when Megatron pops up right next to him, free from his cage. But he deigns to <strike>give Terrorsaur rope to hang himself</strike> follow Terrorsaur's leadership as the Predacons counter-attack. Rattrap is freed to help in the defense, and on Terrorsaur's order, he opens fire on Optimus, scoring a direct hit on his former leader. After the two armies bounce off each other a bit, Megatron gives Rattrap the opportunity to destroy Dinobot, but Rattrap declines and shoots Terrorsaur instead, giving Dinobot the time to free himself by kicking out some of Megatron's teeth. The Maximals take Rattrap and retreat. With Terrorsaur's command shown to be a total frak-up, Megatron effortlessly resumes command of his forces and rubs in the defeat.

Back in the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', Optimus explains to his friends that the entire betrayal was a charade – a ploy to let Rattrap into the Predacon base and find out how the Predacons have been listening to the Maximals' radio communications.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s |c1=
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (1)
*[[Optimus Primal]] (2)
*[[Rattrap]] (3)
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (7)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (8)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]|c2=
*[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] (4)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (5)
*[[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] (6)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (9)
*[[Tarantulas]] (10)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (11)
}}

==Quotes==
"They're trapped! The pod is my trophy!"
:—'''Terrorsaur'''—shortly before looking up to see Waspinator flying off with the pod.

"Oh, be still my spinnerets."
:—'''Tarantulas''' after creating Blackarachnia.

"Will you still defend your friend, or will you see him for what he is? A traitor!" 
"You're a fine one to talk."
:—'''Dinobot''' gets burned by '''Rhinox'''.

"A wise tyrant always designs his prisons for his own personal escape." 
:—'''Megatron''' after getting out of his cage.

"So, the juicy rat has been running his maze."
:—'''Tarantulas''' being creepy, as usual.

"And thus ends the glorious reign of Terrorsaur. A lost battle, a missing Blackarachnia, AND WHO KNOWS WHAT DAMAGE caused by the Maximal spy!"
''[Terrorsaur's head falls off''
"Oh, my aching head."
:—'''Megatron''' exposing Terrorsaur's blundering leadership abilities before Terrorsaur tells him how he feels.

==Notes==
*This is the (not entirely auspicious) debut of Blackarachnia. After being introduced by Tarantulas, she transforms into robot mode, then spends a few minutes posing, preening, and doing karate moves in the background while Megatron talks. Later in the episode she kicks Cheetor around (and admittedly, is a badass about it), then goes missing for no clear reason.
[[Image:DoubleJeopardy Blackarachnia protoform.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
*Blackarachnia's protoform doesn't resemble those seen later in the series, instead using a modified form of the model used for pre-reformatting Megatron in "[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]", but with Blackarachnia's head. The same model shows up with a different head as a [[:Image:Agendapt1 generic Predacons.jpg|generic Predacon]] in "[[The Agenda (Part 1)]]".
*Throughout Terrorsaur's big speech to gain leadership, Rattrap is making gestures in the background to punctuate his remarks.
*While sneaking through the Predacons' ventilation duct, Rattrap encounters a small rat, which seems to acknowledge his presence with a nod. Later on, Rattrap inadvertently saves the same rat from being eaten by accidentally walking into Tarantulas' web and triggering his alarm.
*The Maximal chip is labeled in [[Cybertronix]]. It says "caution very hot".
*Other [[Silverbolt (BW)|Maximals]] or [[Dinobot (BW)|Predacons]] who changed allegiances either previous to this episode or afterward signified the switch by changing their [[Activation Code]]. Rattrap doesn't follow suit. He simply changes the Maximal symbol on his arm to a Predacon symbol. Perhaps this should have been Terrorsaur's first tip that Rattrap wasn't truly defecting.
*There was really no need to keep the plan from the other Maximals (none of them had any contact with the Predacons until ''after'' Rattrap recovered the chip) nor did it seem like there was any particular need to keep the deception going well into the battle in order to extract him from Predacon territory.
*When Rattrap blasts Tarantulas for discovering his escape, Tarantulas is shown to have ball joints. It even matches his toy – score one for toy accuracy!
*When Terrorsaur laughs in beast mode, his eyebrows seem to bounce up and down, moving in unison with his beak. This may be a CGI error or an awkward decision on the animators' part to make him emote.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars'' — Beasties Escape ([[Alliance Atlantis|Alliance Video]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1998 — ''Robots-Bêtes'' — L'Évasion (Alliance Video) — French audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Lonely Warrior Tigatron ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars'' / ''Robots-Bêtes'' Three pack (Alliance Video) — Available in English or French audio. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Beginning: Vol. 2 ([[Universal]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 3 ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Maximal Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — English and Japanese audio.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 2 ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete First Season (Rhinomation) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — Classic Episodes: Volume 2 — The Saga Continues! ([[Alliance Atlantis]]) — English and French audio. 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — The Complete First Season (Alliance Atlantis) — English and French audio. 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]
[[category:Beast Wars Telemocha Series]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]

Chain of Command (BW)

2010-10-24T02:19:47Z

Ultrazillafan: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=BWtoon
|ep=5
|image=Coc getshorty.jpg
|caption=An armed society is a polite society.
|title="Chain of Command"
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[September 24]], 1996
|written by=[[Jesse Winfield]]
|directed by=[[Andrew Doucette]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
|packaged with=[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Telemocha Series|Cheetus]]
}}
'''After Optimus Primal is abducted by an alien probe, the remaining Maximals must decide on a new leader.'''

:''French title:'' '''La Disparition''' ("The Disappearance")
:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Disparition'''
:''Japanese title:'' 消えたコンボイ (''Kieta Convoy'', "Convoy Disappeared")
:''Latin-American title:'' '''Cadena de Mando'''
:''Italian title:'' '''Il passaggio del comando''' ("The passage of the command")
:''Brazilian title:'' '''Cadeia de Comando''' ("Chain of Commander")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Chain of Command Standing stones glow.jpg|left|200px|thumb|No wonder Stonehenge is popular.]]
The [[Maximal]]s detect an [[energon crystal]] under the [[wikipedia:cairn|cairn]] in the [[Standing Stones]]. [[Rattrap]] thinks it reeks of 'bait' and [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] notes that the [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] on [[Energoa|this planet]] isn't natural, as it does not conform to the planet's geology. The [[Predacons (BW)|Predacons]] attack, putting an end to the discussion. During the battle, [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] purposely fires directly on the buried energon crystal, causing it to destabilize. His prize now useless, [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] orders a retreat while the Maximals head for cover as it builds to overload. But instead of a debilitating [[energon wave]], it sends a signal to the stars, depleting the crystal's energy. With the Predacons gone and the energon reduced to dust, the bewildered Maximals return to base.

[[Image:Chain of Command Dinobot probe.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You are getting sleepy...]]
Later, an [[Vok probe|alien probe]] emerges from [[Transwarp|transwarp space]] and enters the atmosphere. The Predacons initially mistake it for a [[stasis pod]], but Rhinox immediately recognizes it as something else. Both sides head to intercept it at the Standing Stones. Optimus and [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] confront Megatron and [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], but when they transform and begin to battle, the probe puts out an energy burst that renders them unconscious and causes Primal to vanish into thin air.

A disoriented Dinobot awakens in the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'''s [[CR Chamber]] and, seeing three angry Maximals standing over him, momentarily mistakes it for a [[Maximal Torture Chamber]]. The probe, as it turned out, somehow dumped Dinobot, Megatron and Waspinator outside of their respective bases. Believing Primal to be destroyed, Dinobot attempts to take command of the Maximals. Rhinox heads off a fight between Dinobot and Rattrap by insisting on a secret ballot, the traditional Maximal method for resolving such problems.

After the vote results in stalemate, with two votes for each contender, Dinobot giddily rebukes the shortcomings of their peaceful solution. He declares that he will break the tie by force and prepares to attack Rattrap. Before the fight can begin, they are contacted by Optimus Primal, who is ''not'' dead. Primal's body has been digitally stored, but his consciousness remains active within the probe. Optimus puts Rattrap in charge. Dinobot glares at him.

[[Image:Chain of Command Rhinox device.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"How's it going?" "Good, good". "...you just welded your hand to it didn't you?" "Yes, yes I did".]]
Megatron, also believing Primal dead, sends [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] and Waspinator to the Standing Stones while the other Predacons attack the Axalon. Dinobot fights Megatron one-on-one, ignoring Rattrap's order to disengage and reset the Axalon's failing [[shield circuitry]]. Rattrap scrambles and is able to restore the shields at the last moment. The Predacons retreat when Dinobot beats Megatron back, and Dinobot apologizes to Rattrap for not following his orders, affirming himself "dishonored". Dinobot's uncharacteristic deference and respect makes Rattrap uncomfortable, and he brushes it off.

[[Image:Chain of Command Maximals probe.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Maximals prepare to fight [[Trukk not munky|G1 fanatics]].]]
The Maximals head to the Standing Stones with a device Rhinox has built to attempt to extract Optimus from the probe. The Predacons attack them at the Stones, Rhinox unloading his frustrations on Waspinator when his device malfunctions, blasting him to bits with his chaingun. Waspinator shorts out and comes in contact with one of the stones which activates, revealing the entire Standing Stones site is a single device. The probe opens in response, and Primal materializes. The Predacons retreat before his considerable firepower, but the probe dematerializes before the Maximals can decide what to do with it.

Optimus commends Rattrap on his performance as commander, though Rattrap is more than happy to hand the title back. The Maximals are left wondering what the probe's purpose was, and Rhinox ominously observes the aliens have learned they have the ability to reason... and of their destructive capabilities.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
* [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (1)
* [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (2)
* [[Rattrap]] (3)
* [[Optimus Primal]] (5)
* [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (5)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s
|c2=
* [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (6)
* [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (7)
* [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] (8)
* [[Tarantulas]] (9)
* [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] (10)

|c4=
* [[Vok probe]] (11)

}}
==Quotes==
"Hey power down! You're on our side now, remember?" 
"And Maximals don't have torture chambers! Though, you know... I could get behind that idea."
:—'''Cheetor''' and '''Rattrap''' to Dinobot

"Wait, stand by here! Who died and made you Prime, scaleface?"
:—'''Rattrap''' trying to show Dinobot who's boss.

"Megatron back! Megatron back! Scorponok alone with Tarantulas and Terrorsaur. Very ''bad!''"
:—'''Scorponok''' loses coherence under pressure.

"I know just how the weakling Maximals will response to Optimus's death. Confusion! Bickering! Recriminations! The perfect opportunity for a surprise attack."
:—'''Megatron''' deals with loss like a true villain.

"Ha ha, great system, your 'democracy.' No mechanism to break a tie!"
:—'''Dinobot''', who's actually a socialist, believe it or not.

"Make a device to extract physical molecular structure from an alien probe? Man, I've gotta be a miracle worker!"
:—'''Rhinox''', channeling Scottie

"You were selfless in putting that shield back online. I ought to have followed your command I... am dishonored." 
"Ehh.... next time."
:—'''Dinobot''' and an uncomfortable '''Rattrap'''

"But why would they want to know? And more importantly, who are they? Friends, enemies, or... something ''more''?"
:—'''Dinobot''', on the mysterious aliens

==Notes==
* The initial fight by the [[Standing Stones]] features shadow, a rare luxury in early ''Beast Wars'' episodes.
* Optimus Primal is reading late at night below the ''Axalon'' when the probe comes down, a rare quiet character moment.
* The Maximals are not entirely convinced Dinobot didn't off Primal himself for the job, as he attempted to 3 episodes prior.
* During the battle at the Maximal base, Megatron tries to gain the upper hand by ramming his face into Dinobot's airborne foot. Megatron clearly fails at this attempt and takes note to dodge easily evadable flying kicks in the future.
* [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] exhibits his "babbling" personality in this episode as, apparently, being left alone with the scheming Terrorsaur and Tarantulas while Megatron is undergoing major repairs makes him ''extremely'' nervous. Given Tarantulas's dietary habits, this might be understandable...
* This episode features the debut of Rhinox's "Chaingun of Doom" (occasionally called the "Chaingun of Command" after this episode) and possibly the start Waspinator getting utterly butchered in almost every episode.
* It is fairly certain that Rhinox is the one who voted for Rattrap and Cheetor is the one who voted for Dinobot. Rhinox was clearly unpleasantly surprised by the second vote for Dinobot, and when Optimus tells them that Rattrap is in charge, Cheetor is seen visibly annoyed in the background while Rhinox pats Rattrap happily on the back.

===Animation and technical errors===
* If that's a solar eclipse in the opening shot, how come there's light coming from below the horizon?
* During the initial fight, as Waspinator and Terrorsaur swoop up towards Optimus, Terrorsaur's upper body distorts for a fraction of a second before the shot changes.
* Towards the end of the episode, Scorponok remembers that he's a Predacon and adjusts the symbol on his missles accordingly. ''Finally.''
* When Dinobot executes his flying kick, his foot actually passes through Megatron's head.

===Transformers references===
* The episode opens with the [[Planet Buster|second moon]] eclipsing the sun. The moon's unnatural nature will again be mentioned in "[[The Trigger, Part 1]]", and it plays a critical role in the season finale.
* The ongoing [[Vok]] storyline put in its first appearance since "[[Beast Wars (Part 2)]]", it will feature again in "[[The Trigger, Part 1]]". The Vok will not be named until the series is almost over.

===Real-world references===
* Rattrap makes a mention to "B movies," a uniquely [[human]] concept.
* The "Standing Stones" resemble many European stone circles, of which [[wikipedia:Stonehenge|Stonehenge]] is the most famous. Most evidence points to Beast Wars not being set in Europe, however.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1996 — ''Beast Wars'' — A Feature Length Beasties Adventure ([[Alliance Atlantis|Alliance Video]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1996 — ''Robots-Bêtes'' — Une Adventure Cybernetique (Alliance Video) — French audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Disappeared ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars'' / ''Robots-Bêtes'' Three pack (Alliance Video) — Available in English or French audio. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Beginning: Vol. 1 ([[Universal]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 2 ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Maximal Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — English and Japanese audio.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 1 ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete First Season (Rhinomation) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — Classic Episodes — Where the Beasties Began! ([[Alliance Atlantis]]) — English and French audio. 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — The Complete First Season (Alliance Atlantis) — English and French audio. 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]
[[category:Beast Wars Telemocha Series]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]

Rodimus (SG)

2010-10-08T19:57:17Z

Ultrazillafan: /* Shattered Glass */

{{factions|sgAutobot|wreckers}}
{{disambig3.5|the evil Autobot Seeker|his heroic non-Seeker counterpart|Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus}}
:''Rodimus is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]] [[continuity family]]. He later takes the name '''Rodimus Prime.'''''
[[Image:Rodimusshatteredglasscard.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Judd Nelson, post-Breakfast Club.]]
How ''you'' doin'?

Yo, remember the [[Wrecker]]s? Dat mercenary team o' big guns? No? Fuhgeddaboudit. Eh, '''Rodimus''' used to lead them, 'till, I dunno. Sumpthin. But one day, badda bing, badda boom, all his Wreckers are dead, 'cept for him! Slag that noise! Joins the [[Autobot]]s. So let me tell you, this Rodimus is a smooth operator. He had a [[wikipedia:van dyke beard|van dyke beard]] added to his facial superstructure a few cycles back. He feels it makes him look, ya know, distinguished or sumpthin. I tell you what, though, he's got his eye on dat [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Prime]] dude. Not that nobody doesn't know it. But dat Prime, he'll get his whatfor, and then? Our guy Rodimus will turn the Autobots into the greatest mercenary team known to the universe, ''capisce?''
{{--}}
==Fiction==
===Shattered Glass===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:Rodimus goatee.jpg|left|300px|thumb|You can just tell he's evil by the facial hair.]]
Though Rodimus bought into [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]]'s vision for a ruthless and violent [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], he'd rather he be the one in charge. As such, Rodimus led a team of ruthless mercenaries called the [[Wrecker]]s. The battle of [[Praxus-Delta]] would be their last; Optimus Prime hired the Wreckers to bolster the Autobot ranks, but every Wrecker save Rodimus was destroyed. Rodimus believed in little else but his business contracts, and so despite his heavy losses he continued to fight for the Autobots. Eventually, when a spot on the roster "opened up," Prime made him a member of the elite [[Seeker (SG)|Seeker]] trio. <ref>Rodimus's bio card</ref>

One day, Rodimus was investigating a strange energy buildup when he stumbled onto [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], who he'd thought long dead. After gunning down [[Ruckus (SG)|Ruckus]] when the Decepticon got in Cliffjumper's face (and explaining his [[facial hair]]), he led Cliffjumper back to [[Iacon]] to reunite with Optimus Prime.

[[Image:Seekersshatteredglass.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Does that make Rodimus Skywarp?]]

However, it didn't take long to discover that this Cliffjumper was not [[Cliffjumper (SG)|the Cliffjumper Rodimus thought he was]], but a doppelganger. As Cliffjumper lay in smoking ruin, Rodimus laughed with the others at his misfortune. The Seekers were ordered to drop Cliffjumper in the [[Rad Zone]]. This backfired when Cliffjumper fell in with the Decepticons, who quickly mounted an attack. Rodimus and the other Seekers were ordered to destroy the Decepticon armies before they could destroy the launching platform to the ''[[Ark (SG)|Ark]]'', a starship that would lead the Autobots to other planets to conquer. Ultimately, the Autobots failed to protect the launching platform, and Rodimus and the others were defeated and lay crumpled. {{storylink|Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass}}

Rodimus was present at a pitched battle between Autobot and Decepticon forces, contesting who held the sizable fuel dump at [[Arch-Ayr]]. Things started to go badly for the Autobots with the arrival of the [[Mayhem Suppression Squad]], whose members [[Dirge (SG)|Dirge]] and [[Thundercracker (SG)|Thundercracker]] managed to disable him. This failure was only punctuated by the timely arrival, and destructive rampage, of [[Wheeljack (SG)|Wheeljack]]'s new creations, the [[Dinobot (SG)|Dinobot]]s. The Autobots were forced to retreat. After the ignoble defeat, Optimus Prime sent the Autobots out to retrieve the wayward mad scientist's creatures, theorizing that they still could be put to good use. Rodimus and Blurr rendezvoused with Goldbug and Jazz, who had cornered [[Swoop (SG)|Swoop]]. There he joined his fellow Autobots in insisting that Jazz climb the observation tower that the winged monstrosity was perched upon. The plan worked like a charm, with Jazz managing to weigh the flying Dinobot down enough that he couldn't truly flee. One crack shot from Goldbug later, the group had bagged their quarry. Just to prove what a swell guy he was, Rodimus let Goldbug and Jazz drag Swoop back to base. After all, he'd just received a tip from [[Huffer (SG)|Huffer]] as to Grimlock's whereabouts, and decided the ''original'' Dinobot was a bigger prize.

Traveling deep into the Rad Zone, Rodimus and Blurr found that they weren't the only ones following the trail of Grimlock. Blurr was suspicious of the proficiency Rodimus showed in tracking, but admitted he was mostly leery of a [[mutant (SG)|mutant]] attack. Descending into the catacombs Grimlock had holed up in, Rodimus' greed got the better of him when he spotted a pile of [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]] rods. Foolishly reaching out for them, he found his hand stuck in an invisible forcefield that was slowly drawing him in and eroding his structure. Blurr theorized that it was some custodial mechanism of the catacombs, and attempted to free Rodimus with weapons fire, much to his companion's distress. Agitated by Blurr's failure to free him, Rodimus pleaded with his fellow Seeker, only to be rebuffed. Changing tactics, he instead threatened to ''execute'' Blurr on the spot if he didn't help. This provoked a response, and Blurr's retaliation freed Rodimus, though he was in no shape to fight upon his liberation. This was unfortunate, as at that moment Cliffjumper and Sideswipe found the duo. About to have his chassis dragged out of the catacombs, Rodimus revealed that he had been feigning unconsciousness, and attacked Cliffjumper. This proved disastrous, as he managed to knock the otherworldly Autobot into the doorway to a hidden passage, sending them both tumbling to the levels below.

With Cliffjumper's jetpack smashed beyond repair and the stone of the chamber not yielding to Rodimus' blasters, it quickly became obvious they were trapped, the walls closing in to crush them. Rodimus theorized that there was a reset mechanism in the walls, which with his urging Cliffjumper was able to locate. Barely managing to trip the catch in time, Rodimus further surmised that the lack of wreckage in the chamber either meant that they were the first to trigger it, or that it had an evacuation system. This proved ''also'' to be correct, as they were sent barreling down a chute. As they hit bottom, it finally occurred to Rodimus what catacombs they were in, the chamber of [[Omega Terminus]]! Seeing an opportunity, he regaled Cliffjumper with the possibilities of raising an army of bots granted life by the enigmatic entity. The little red Autobot wasn't buying any of this, but Rodimus' luck held up when he found a bottle of [[scraplet]]s. Ever magnanimous, he offered his fellow traveler some, but given Cliffjumper's wariness of the creatures was able to have their healing properties all to himself. Score! Shortly afterwards, he managed to lead Cliffjumper to Omega Terminus itself, meeting up again with Sideswipe and Blurr. Rodimus again tried to sway them to his goal of using Omega Terminus to birth a new mercenary company that would beggar the Autobots and Decepticons. His sales pitch unfortunately was cut short by the arrival of Grimlock. Though they expected a thrashing, all were stunned as Grimlock transformed to robot mode and revealed a keen intelligence and newly-granted ember! Rodimus tried to take advantage of the situation, buttering up Grimlock. However, the Dinobot saw through this transparent ploy, and quickly transformed, biting off Rodimus' hand. Grimlock then bade them leave, and when they refused summoned a shambling horde of undead Cybertronians. As the fight wore on Cliffjumper called for Rodimus to toss him the scraplets, which quickly devoured the dead metal of their opponents. Finally, Omega Terminus ejected all and sundry from the chamber.

[[Image:Ratchetsgd&d.jpg|left|thumb|250px|And at the end of the arm... was a SAW!]]

Upon his return to base, Optimus Prime ordered that Rodimus undergo repairs from the tender hands of [[Ratchet (SG)|Ratchet]]. Much to his displeasure, he found his maimed hand replaced by a whirring [[saw]]-blade.{{storylink|Dungeons & Dinobots}}

Rodimus saw his next chance when Optimus Prime was distracted by Ricochet's capture of [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]], just prior to the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s launch. Feigning communication trouble as Prime set off for the [[Temple of Knowledge]], and proceeded to try to trick his fellow Autobots into believing their leader had given the order to launch without him. This lie didn't go over very well, so he tried instead to recruit them to his little conspiracy. Blurr was about to dismiss this as well and contact Prime, but Goldbug dissuaded him... with a blaster. After a purge of anyone deemed too loyal to Prime, the ''Ark'' took off for [[Earth]]! En route, the ''[[Nemesis (SG)|Nemesis]]'' caught up with the ship and staged a daring assault. With Decepticons crawling on the hull, Rodimus ordered the ship to make controlled planetfall, hoping to burn the attackers off. When said planetfall became ''much'' less controlled, the opportunist Autobot took the better part of valor and boarded an escape pod. {{storylink|Do Over}}

After exiting the pod, Rodimus successfully infiltrated a civilized area disguised as a sports car. Though not identifiable as an alien robot, he was far from inconspicuous and thus gained the attention of fledgling car thief [[Butch Witwicky (SG)|Butch Witwicky]]. The young ne'er do well was confused by a detail which Rodimus had missed in his disguise: a keyhole on the car's door. Thanking Butch and his brothers for the tip, Rodimus transformed into his robot mode and informed them in no uncertain terms that they were now working for him. Driving the human brothers to the wreckage along the shores of the [[Arizona Bay]], Rodimus met up with the rest of the Autobots crewing the ''Ark''. The reunion was less than happy, as his earlier cowardice incited them to draw weapons on him. Rodimus begged them to hold off as he transformed and showed them the Witwicky brothers. Goldbug regarded the creatures as nothing more than vermin, but Rodimus stressed that as thieves they were kindred spirits to the Autobots. [[Big Daddy (SG)|Big Daddy]] agreed, and with Goldbug apparently deterred for the moment they proceeded to the ''Ark''. Finding large portions of it flooded and major systems inoperable, it was obvious to Rodimus that the vessel wasn't budging. Though his reception onboard the ship was cold at best, Rodimus' new allies proved themselves when they correctly identified what [[Seaspray (SG)|Seaspray]] had dredged up from the bottom of the Arizona Bay: a mind-boggling amount of American currency. Though a mercenary, the barter-based commerce of Cybertron had left Rodimus with no real concept of money, and so the Witwickys set out to educate the Autobots on the finer points of larceny. Rodimus began to see the merit in not ''completely'' pillaging a resource-rich planet, allowing for greater returns. Though Goldbug was still skeptical it could be pulled off, Rodimus revealed his ace in the hole by having the Witwicky brothers replay a news broadcast detailing a new defense satellite that had recently been launched. Goldbug chose this moment to pointedly question Rodimus' ability to lead. The mercenary Autobot asked Goldbug if this was a ''formal'' challenge, which his fellow Seeker confirmed by attacking. After a few blows the more fuel-efficient Goldbug seemed to be gaining the upper hand, until the canny Rodimus deleted his opponent's personnel file from the ship database. The ploy had its desired effect as the shipboard security mechanisms painfully detained Goldbug, his attempts to order [[Teletraan-X]] unrecognized by the computer. As Goldbug conceded defeat, Rodimus allowed his release and claimed a new title: Rodimus ''Prime''.

Rodimus and Wheeljack were able to infiltrate [[Burpleson Air Force Base]] under the pretense of the Witwicky brothers being arrested by the guards of the facility. Impounded as evidence, they were able to overwhelm the base from within once [[Blaster (SG)|Blaster]]'s diversionary attack was underway. Shortly after, Rodimus' human allies were freed by ''another'' Witwicky sibling, Sergeant [[Bruce Witwicky]]. The defense satellite successfully taken over, Rodimus broadcast on all human frequencies to announce that all human government and commerce would pay tribute to the Autobots. Soon, the Decepticons mounted an attack on the base to stop him, and Rodimus was frustrated by his troops' inability to repel the enemy, in spite of superior numbers. He soon found the control room he resided in breached by the fleeing Goldbug, apparently terrified of the diminutive Decepticon [[Frenzy (SG)|Frenzy]]. This proved to be with good reason, as the frothing little bot began pummeling them both, allowing the Decepticons' human allies access to the console. His control of the satellite usurped by [[Heatwave]], Rodimus was forced to flee the base as the weapons system fired upon it.{{storylink|Eye in the Sky}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Blitzwing Bop}}

Some months later, Rodimus was in communication with [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]], who had returned to Cybertron from his exile. They discussed their plot to assassinate both faction leaders as the final step in their paths of personal conquest, with [[Cyclonus (SG)|Trion's agents]] going after Megatron while [[Remote Patrol Six|Rodimus' agents]] took down Optimus Prime. Rodimus concluded the conversation by saying that once Prime and Megatron were out of the way, Trion would be free to rule Cybertron, while Rodimus would have complete control over Earth. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 3}}

==Toys==
===Botcon 2008===
[[Image:ShatteredGlasstoy-Rodimus.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Makes you wonder if ''Shattered Glass'' Menasor uses Hot Rod colors.]]
*'''Megatron & Rodimus''' (Convention Souvenir 3-Pack, 2008)
**''Accessories'': Thruster-cannon, flame-missile

: Rodimus is a [[redeco]] of Deluxe-class ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Rodimus]] with a color scheme similar to ''[[Titanium Series]]'' [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], using glittery-black plastic with gray and clear-red. He comes with [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]] and [[Divebomb (SG)|Divebomb]] as a bagged set, limited to 1100 pieces as a [[BotCon 2008]] souvenir set.

:Rodimus transforms into a into a heavily-altered black, purple and silver [http://www.supercarnet.jp/File/File-Japan/File-Dome.htm Dome Zero]. His rear-mounted thruster engine becomes a hand-held weapon in robot mode, launching a spring-loaded missile. His left arm also hides a flip-out "comm unit" that is clearly supposed to be the buzzsaw his Generation 1 counterpart used for a brief period in [[The Transformers: The Movie|the Movie]]. The deco has a different pattern for the flames than his ''Classics'' counterpart, and also features a new paint application on his robot-mode face to accommodate his beard.

: This mold was also used to make the rather-similar-looking ''Gentei! Gentei!'' [[Wildrider]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/BCRodimus/rodimus.htm More information on Rodimus at TFU.info]''
{{--}}
==Notes==
* Rodimus's speech and mannerisms are modeled after Vinnie Barbarino, the smart-mouthed teen-heartthrob from ''[[wikipedia:Welcome Back, Kotter|Welcome Back, Kotter]]'', played by John Travolta. This is, presumably, a roundabout homage to the fact that [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] Hot Rod was voiced by [[Judd Nelson]], who ''also'' played a smart-mouthed teen-heartthrob, in ''[[wikipedia:The Breakfast Club|The Breakfast Club]]''.
* His goatee slightly resembles [http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Spock_(mirror) Spock]'s from the [http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Mirror_universe ''Star Trek'' Mirror universe], one of the main inspirations for ''[[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]''.
* The [[Fun Publications]] photography incorrectly shows Rodimus and Megatron with [[Rampage (SG)|Rampage]] rather than Divebomb.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Bounty hunters]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Seekers]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass characters]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]