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One Shall Rise, Part 3

2011-10-16T19:11:54Z

Xblade: /* Transformers references */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 26
|prev=One Shall Rise, Part 2
|next=
|image=OneShallRise3-together.jpg
|caption=Why can't we be friends? Why can't we be friends?
|title="One Shall Rise, Part 3"
|airdate=[[October 15]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Jack learns more about Optimus Prime's history on Cybertron while the Autobots continue their battle at the Earth's core.'''

==Synopsis==

As he leads the [[Autobot]]s further toward [[Earth]]'s core, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] is again seized by a vision of the planet exploding. He notes how [[Unicron]]'s strength grows ever stronger, and continues on. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] and [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] both voice their mistrust of the [[Decepticon]] leader, though have no choice but to follow him. Unbeknownst to them, several strange mechanical creatures observe the intruders to their dark domain.

Back at [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|base]], [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] and the [[human]]s watch a report that outlines how the planet's chaotic weather continues to spiral out of control. Despite [[June Darby|June]]'s efforts to lighten the mood, [[William Fowler|Fowler]] insists that something must be done—even if it means contacting his associates at the [[Pentagon]]. Fowler makes known his uneasiness about teaming up with Megatron, but Ratchet surprises the humans by explaining how such a situation has happened before. Ratchet explains how Optimus Prime and Megatron were once close friends, in the twilight hours of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s [[Golden Age]]. He states that the great Autobot leader was once named Orion Pax, a simple clerk in the [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] Hall of Records. [[Image:OneShallRise3-corresponding.jpg|left|thumb|250px|''Once I called you "Brother"'' 
''Once I thought the chance to make you laugh'' 
''Was all I ever wanted...'' 
''And even now'' 
''I wish that [[Primus|God]] had chose another'' 
''Serving as your foe on His behalf'' 
''Is the last thing that I wanted...!'']] Orion Pax, learning of Cybertron's past, grew concerned about the corruption affecting high places and the [[Caste system|state of inequity]] in society. Orion became inspired by the revolutionary words of Megatronus; a gladiator who took his name from [[The Fallen|one]] of the [[Thirteen original Transformers|thirteen original Primes]]. Megatronus gained a loyal following through his radical and innovatory actions, [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] chief among their number. Over time, Megatronus became a mentor figure to Orion Pax, and chose to shorten his name as he left the gladiatorial arena for the political one. Megatron appeared before the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]], voicing his ideas for shaping a new Cybertron by violent means, and demanded to be named the next [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]. Orion protested against Megatron's suggestions before the Council, moving their [[spark]]s and minds as he unknowingly revealed himself to be the one worthy of the title. Megatron severed his ties to Orion and the Council, taking his "Decepticon" followers to begin the [[Great War (Prime)|war]] that consumed Cybertron and vowing to claim the legendary [[Matrix of Leadership]] for himself. Hoping to reverse the damage that had poisoned the planet, Orion journeyed to Cybertron's [[Core]]—where he found himself before the spark of [[Primus]], the creator of all [[Cybertronians]]. Primus sensed the purity of Orion's own spark and bestowed upon him the legendary Matrix, transforming him into Optimus Prime. In the present; [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] and [[Jack Darby|Jack]] question Optimus's plan to give the Matrix to the Earth's core, asking what could possibly stop Megatron from attempting to claim if for himself now. Ratchet sceptically replies that Megatron only intends to save the Earth so that he may conquer it at a later date.

As they near Unicron's spark, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] begins to feel the draining effects of the [[Dark Energon]]. [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] and Arcee help him a short way across the catwalks, but Megatron soon comes to a halt ahead with the realisation that Unicron is preparing to expel them. A huge number of Unicron's drones suddenly swarm into view, surrounding Megatron and the Autobots. They engage the drones in fierce battle, blasting and slashing through their attackers. Arcee is knocked to a lower level, not long before the Dark Energon clouds Bulkhead's vision. He stumbles from the catwalk but manages to grab hold of the platform, and is seized by Bumblebee before he can tumble to his death. Optimus and Megatron fight back-to-back, managing to hold their own against the drones in a spectacular display of effective—if uneasy—teamwork. Bumblebee struggles to hold onto Bulkhead, who insists that the scout lets him go. Optimus seizes Bulkhead just as Bumblebee loses his grip, and hauls him up to safety. As the group quickly becomes overwhelmed, Arcee hitches a ride on one of the drones to catch up with the others and beat a swift retreat.

[[Image:OneShallRise3-SoundwaveAirachnid.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Maybe Megatron should stop having second-in-commands and just skip straight to third-in-commands.]]
Aboard the [[Nemesis (Prime)|Nemesis]], [[Airachnid]] outlines the questionable nature of their leader's recent behaviour. [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] asks whether she is suggesting that they abandon Lord Megatron. Airachnid explains how Megatron's undetectable signal implies that he is either offline or at the mercy of Unicron—neither scenario is in the best interests of the Decepticons. She suggests an exodus from Earth, and receives no protests from the surrounding [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]]. Her order to retreat to [[Regulon Four]] is denied by Soundwave, who silently challenges her authority. She assumes an aggressive stance, ordering him to step aside. Soundwave does not comply, so she leaps to attack him. Soundwave easily blocks every one of her blows, before lifting her clean into the air. He hurls her back, deploying [[Laserbeak (Prime)|Laserbeak]] to stun Airachnid in a sudden sneak attack. Pinned under Soundwave's foot, much to Knock Out's amusement, Airachnid relinquishes command to the intelligence officer.

Back in the Autobot base, Ratchet notes how he has lost the others' communication links and life signals, most likely caused by interference from the electromagnetic anomalies. Miko asks how they are supposed to know when the others are ready for pickup if contact is impossible—but Ratchet is prevented from responding by the sound of Jack tapping the [[GroundBridge]] key against a railing. Ratchet reveals that the object is actually the [[Key to Vector Sigma]]—one of Cybertron's most precious relics. Ratchet then realises that Optimus entrusted the key to Jack because he did not plan on returning from the planet's core.

Megatron is gripped by yet another painful vision of Unicron whilst he and the Autobots are backed into an enclosed chamber by the attacking drones. Unicron orders him to destroy Optimus. Instead, Megatron saves the Autobot leader by blasting an oncoming drone. He then indicates a closed doorway nearby, stating that Unicron's spark lies just beyond. He explains how, to pass through, they must fool Unicron into believing that they pose no danger, and moves his Dark Energon-infused chest up to the door. It opens in response, and Optimus orders the others to remain outside and provide cover fire while he and Megatron advance.

The passageway beyond leads directly into Unicron's spark chamber, where Optimus prepares to expose the Matrix within his chest. Unicron's spark reacts, striking both invaders with its energy. Unicron again orders Megatron to kill Optimus, forcing him to unsheathe his blade and approach the weakened Prime. Megatron struggles against him, declaring himself to be under the command of no-one. His resistance provokes only an onslaught of pain and a furious reaction from the Chaos Bringer.

The volcano outside erupts violently, and the ground enclosing the Autobot base begins to quake. Ratchet tells the humans to take cover, and moves to shield them from falling debris with his arms.

[[Image:OneShallRise3-unleash.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Care Bear Stare!]]
Unicron's spark adopts the appearance of a face, as Megatron is seemingly freed from his control. Optimus calls upon the power of the Matrix of Leadership, though hesitates as Unicron possesses Megatron's body in a veil of purple flame and declares his own invincibility. Optimus cuts short Unicron's desire to pull the Earth into chaos, and rises to his feet as he too becomes surrounded by a brilliant blue light. Optimus fires the power of the Matrix from his chest directly into Unicron's spark, the resulting wave of energy knocking Megatron back off his feet. His energy drained, Optimus falls to his knees, and Unicron's spark emits a final wail of pain before vanishing into oblivion.

The drones outside suddenly fall from the air, lifeless. The volcano, along with all of the Earth's other natural phenomena, subside back to normality. Ratchet and the humans watch as the monitors flicker online, rejoicing as their team's life signals are all safely re-established. Aboard the Nemesis, however, Soundwave also detects the signature of the Decepticon leader.

[[Image:OneShallRise3-hug.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"You smell like my mom." "I smell like ''his'' mom!"]]
Megatron rights himself in Unicron's now-empty spark chamber, inspecting Optimus's steaming body for a moment before unsheathing his blade. Optimus gazes blearily up at the approaching Decepticon, addressing him as "Megatronus" while asking about their current location. Surprised, Megatron retracts his weapon and helps the Autobot to his feet. Bumblebee, Bulkhead and Arcee soon burst through the wall to assist, but Optimus does not recognise them. A GroundBridge suddenly opens nearby; Megatron claims that the Autobots are their sworn enemies, and provides cover fire as Optimus heads for the vortex. Optimus blankly meets Bumblebee's devastated gaze for a split second, before disappearing through the Bridge. Megatron follows, leaving the shocked Autobots alone in the empty chamber.

Ratchet GroundBridges the team back to base, but is anxious to see that Optimus is not with them. They explain that Optimus is still alive, but did not even know his own name. Ratchet realises that surrendering the Matrix of Leadership caused their leader to lose not only the wisdom of the Primes, but his own memories as well.

Knock Out and the other Decepticons, minus Airachnid, welcome Megatron back aboard the Nemesis. Megatron steps aside to allow Optimus through, and [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] automatically moves to attack. Megatron halts him, insisting that this is no way to treat a "long lost comrade", and declares that Orion Pax is one of them.

To be continued…

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (3)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (9)
*[[Autobot High Council|High Council]] (14–16)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (13)
*[[Airachnid]] (18)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (19)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (20)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (21)
*[[Laserbeak (Prime)|Laserbeak]] (22)

|c3=
*[[June Darby]] (7)
*[[William Fowler]] (8)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (10)
*[[Jack Darby]] (11)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (12)

|c4=
*[[Unicron]] (4)
*[[Core]] (17)
}}

==Quotes==
"Watch out for the quiet ones…"
:—'''Knock Out''' after witnessing Soundwave "veto" Airachnid's motion to leave Earth.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*All of the natural disasters around the world abruptly stop when Unicron is beaten. While it might make sense for the earthquakes to stop, tidal waves wouldn't just suddenly fall apart. Forward momentum doesn't just vanish. Similar problems occur with the tornadoes dissipating and the sky clearing.
*At the Earth's core, the Autobots should experience very little gravity, as the total mass of Earth would be reasonably equally distributed around them and therefore the pull of gravity would be cancelled out.

===Continuity errors===
*Why is Bulkhead the only one affected by the Dark Energon?

===Continuity notes===
*The entire backstory given by Ratchet is an adaptation of the first half of ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''.
* Optimus' blade is still broken after the episode "[[One Shall Fall]]".

===Transformers references===
*Optimus Prime was originally known as Orion Pax, much like [[Optimus Prime (G1)|his namesake]] in the episode "[[War Dawn]]".
*The [[Key to Vector Sigma]] first appeared in ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1]]", and later featured prominently in the first season of ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''.
*Optimus calls upon the Matrix to "[[Darkest hour|light our darkest hour]]".
*A [[The Ultimate Doom, Part 3|tital wave stopping all of a sudden?]]

===Real-world references===
===Trivia===
*This episode aired in Singapore on [[October 4]], 2011, again preceding its American showing.
*Jack is clearly taking very good care of that Key Optimus gave him... by idly tapping it against a railing.
*This is the first time we've seen Soundwave "get his hands dirty." With how easily he trounces Airachnid, that's probably a good thing for the Autobots.
*According to the flashbacks, Megatron's optics are blue until he is rejected by the Council and storms out angrily.
*Fowler hugs June. Make of that what you will.
*Once more the Thirteen Original Primes make an appearance, as statue busts in the walls of the High Council this time.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

One Shall Rise, Part 3

2011-10-16T19:11:11Z

Xblade: /* Transformers references */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 26
|prev=One Shall Rise, Part 2
|next=
|image=OneShallRise3-together.jpg
|caption=Why can't we be friends? Why can't we be friends?
|title="One Shall Rise, Part 3"
|airdate=[[October 15]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Jack learns more about Optimus Prime's history on Cybertron while the Autobots continue their battle at the Earth's core.'''

==Synopsis==

As he leads the [[Autobot]]s further toward [[Earth]]'s core, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] is again seized by a vision of the planet exploding. He notes how [[Unicron]]'s strength grows ever stronger, and continues on. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] and [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] both voice their mistrust of the [[Decepticon]] leader, though have no choice but to follow him. Unbeknownst to them, several strange mechanical creatures observe the intruders to their dark domain.

Back at [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|base]], [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] and the [[human]]s watch a report that outlines how the planet's chaotic weather continues to spiral out of control. Despite [[June Darby|June]]'s efforts to lighten the mood, [[William Fowler|Fowler]] insists that something must be done—even if it means contacting his associates at the [[Pentagon]]. Fowler makes known his uneasiness about teaming up with Megatron, but Ratchet surprises the humans by explaining how such a situation has happened before. Ratchet explains how Optimus Prime and Megatron were once close friends, in the twilight hours of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s [[Golden Age]]. He states that the great Autobot leader was once named Orion Pax, a simple clerk in the [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] Hall of Records. [[Image:OneShallRise3-corresponding.jpg|left|thumb|250px|''Once I called you "Brother"'' 
''Once I thought the chance to make you laugh'' 
''Was all I ever wanted...'' 
''And even now'' 
''I wish that [[Primus|God]] had chose another'' 
''Serving as your foe on His behalf'' 
''Is the last thing that I wanted...!'']] Orion Pax, learning of Cybertron's past, grew concerned about the corruption affecting high places and the [[Caste system|state of inequity]] in society. Orion became inspired by the revolutionary words of Megatronus; a gladiator who took his name from [[The Fallen|one]] of the [[Thirteen original Transformers|thirteen original Primes]]. Megatronus gained a loyal following through his radical and innovatory actions, [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] chief among their number. Over time, Megatronus became a mentor figure to Orion Pax, and chose to shorten his name as he left the gladiatorial arena for the political one. Megatron appeared before the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]], voicing his ideas for shaping a new Cybertron by violent means, and demanded to be named the next [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]. Orion protested against Megatron's suggestions before the Council, moving their [[spark]]s and minds as he unknowingly revealed himself to be the one worthy of the title. Megatron severed his ties to Orion and the Council, taking his "Decepticon" followers to begin the [[Great War (Prime)|war]] that consumed Cybertron and vowing to claim the legendary [[Matrix of Leadership]] for himself. Hoping to reverse the damage that had poisoned the planet, Orion journeyed to Cybertron's [[Core]]—where he found himself before the spark of [[Primus]], the creator of all [[Cybertronians]]. Primus sensed the purity of Orion's own spark and bestowed upon him the legendary Matrix, transforming him into Optimus Prime. In the present; [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] and [[Jack Darby|Jack]] question Optimus's plan to give the Matrix to the Earth's core, asking what could possibly stop Megatron from attempting to claim if for himself now. Ratchet sceptically replies that Megatron only intends to save the Earth so that he may conquer it at a later date.

As they near Unicron's spark, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] begins to feel the draining effects of the [[Dark Energon]]. [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] and Arcee help him a short way across the catwalks, but Megatron soon comes to a halt ahead with the realisation that Unicron is preparing to expel them. A huge number of Unicron's drones suddenly swarm into view, surrounding Megatron and the Autobots. They engage the drones in fierce battle, blasting and slashing through their attackers. Arcee is knocked to a lower level, not long before the Dark Energon clouds Bulkhead's vision. He stumbles from the catwalk but manages to grab hold of the platform, and is seized by Bumblebee before he can tumble to his death. Optimus and Megatron fight back-to-back, managing to hold their own against the drones in a spectacular display of effective—if uneasy—teamwork. Bumblebee struggles to hold onto Bulkhead, who insists that the scout lets him go. Optimus seizes Bulkhead just as Bumblebee loses his grip, and hauls him up to safety. As the group quickly becomes overwhelmed, Arcee hitches a ride on one of the drones to catch up with the others and beat a swift retreat.

[[Image:OneShallRise3-SoundwaveAirachnid.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Maybe Megatron should stop having second-in-commands and just skip straight to third-in-commands.]]
Aboard the [[Nemesis (Prime)|Nemesis]], [[Airachnid]] outlines the questionable nature of their leader's recent behaviour. [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] asks whether she is suggesting that they abandon Lord Megatron. Airachnid explains how Megatron's undetectable signal implies that he is either offline or at the mercy of Unicron—neither scenario is in the best interests of the Decepticons. She suggests an exodus from Earth, and receives no protests from the surrounding [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]]. Her order to retreat to [[Regulon Four]] is denied by Soundwave, who silently challenges her authority. She assumes an aggressive stance, ordering him to step aside. Soundwave does not comply, so she leaps to attack him. Soundwave easily blocks every one of her blows, before lifting her clean into the air. He hurls her back, deploying [[Laserbeak (Prime)|Laserbeak]] to stun Airachnid in a sudden sneak attack. Pinned under Soundwave's foot, much to Knock Out's amusement, Airachnid relinquishes command to the intelligence officer.

Back in the Autobot base, Ratchet notes how he has lost the others' communication links and life signals, most likely caused by interference from the electromagnetic anomalies. Miko asks how they are supposed to know when the others are ready for pickup if contact is impossible—but Ratchet is prevented from responding by the sound of Jack tapping the [[GroundBridge]] key against a railing. Ratchet reveals that the object is actually the [[Key to Vector Sigma]]—one of Cybertron's most precious relics. Ratchet then realises that Optimus entrusted the key to Jack because he did not plan on returning from the planet's core.

Megatron is gripped by yet another painful vision of Unicron whilst he and the Autobots are backed into an enclosed chamber by the attacking drones. Unicron orders him to destroy Optimus. Instead, Megatron saves the Autobot leader by blasting an oncoming drone. He then indicates a closed doorway nearby, stating that Unicron's spark lies just beyond. He explains how, to pass through, they must fool Unicron into believing that they pose no danger, and moves his Dark Energon-infused chest up to the door. It opens in response, and Optimus orders the others to remain outside and provide cover fire while he and Megatron advance.

The passageway beyond leads directly into Unicron's spark chamber, where Optimus prepares to expose the Matrix within his chest. Unicron's spark reacts, striking both invaders with its energy. Unicron again orders Megatron to kill Optimus, forcing him to unsheathe his blade and approach the weakened Prime. Megatron struggles against him, declaring himself to be under the command of no-one. His resistance provokes only an onslaught of pain and a furious reaction from the Chaos Bringer.

The volcano outside erupts violently, and the ground enclosing the Autobot base begins to quake. Ratchet tells the humans to take cover, and moves to shield them from falling debris with his arms.

[[Image:OneShallRise3-unleash.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Care Bear Stare!]]
Unicron's spark adopts the appearance of a face, as Megatron is seemingly freed from his control. Optimus calls upon the power of the Matrix of Leadership, though hesitates as Unicron possesses Megatron's body in a veil of purple flame and declares his own invincibility. Optimus cuts short Unicron's desire to pull the Earth into chaos, and rises to his feet as he too becomes surrounded by a brilliant blue light. Optimus fires the power of the Matrix from his chest directly into Unicron's spark, the resulting wave of energy knocking Megatron back off his feet. His energy drained, Optimus falls to his knees, and Unicron's spark emits a final wail of pain before vanishing into oblivion.

The drones outside suddenly fall from the air, lifeless. The volcano, along with all of the Earth's other natural phenomena, subside back to normality. Ratchet and the humans watch as the monitors flicker online, rejoicing as their team's life signals are all safely re-established. Aboard the Nemesis, however, Soundwave also detects the signature of the Decepticon leader.

[[Image:OneShallRise3-hug.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"You smell like my mom." "I smell like ''his'' mom!"]]
Megatron rights himself in Unicron's now-empty spark chamber, inspecting Optimus's steaming body for a moment before unsheathing his blade. Optimus gazes blearily up at the approaching Decepticon, addressing him as "Megatronus" while asking about their current location. Surprised, Megatron retracts his weapon and helps the Autobot to his feet. Bumblebee, Bulkhead and Arcee soon burst through the wall to assist, but Optimus does not recognise them. A GroundBridge suddenly opens nearby; Megatron claims that the Autobots are their sworn enemies, and provides cover fire as Optimus heads for the vortex. Optimus blankly meets Bumblebee's devastated gaze for a split second, before disappearing through the Bridge. Megatron follows, leaving the shocked Autobots alone in the empty chamber.

Ratchet GroundBridges the team back to base, but is anxious to see that Optimus is not with them. They explain that Optimus is still alive, but did not even know his own name. Ratchet realises that surrendering the Matrix of Leadership caused their leader to lose not only the wisdom of the Primes, but his own memories as well.

Knock Out and the other Decepticons, minus Airachnid, welcome Megatron back aboard the Nemesis. Megatron steps aside to allow Optimus through, and [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] automatically moves to attack. Megatron halts him, insisting that this is no way to treat a "long lost comrade", and declares that Orion Pax is one of them.

To be continued…

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (3)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (9)
*[[Autobot High Council|High Council]] (14–16)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (13)
*[[Airachnid]] (18)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (19)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (20)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (21)
*[[Laserbeak (Prime)|Laserbeak]] (22)

|c3=
*[[June Darby]] (7)
*[[William Fowler]] (8)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (10)
*[[Jack Darby]] (11)
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (12)

|c4=
*[[Unicron]] (4)
*[[Core]] (17)
}}

==Quotes==
"Watch out for the quiet ones…"
:—'''Knock Out''' after witnessing Soundwave "veto" Airachnid's motion to leave Earth.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*All of the natural disasters around the world abruptly stop when Unicron is beaten. While it might make sense for the earthquakes to stop, tidal waves wouldn't just suddenly fall apart. Forward momentum doesn't just vanish. Similar problems occur with the tornadoes dissipating and the sky clearing.
*At the Earth's core, the Autobots should experience very little gravity, as the total mass of Earth would be reasonably equally distributed around them and therefore the pull of gravity would be cancelled out.

===Continuity errors===
*Why is Bulkhead the only one affected by the Dark Energon?

===Continuity notes===
*The entire backstory given by Ratchet is an adaptation of the first half of ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''.
* Optimus' blade is still broken after the episode "[[One Shall Fall]]".

===Transformers references===
*Optimus Prime was originally known as Orion Pax, much like [[Optimus Prime (G1)|his namesake]] in the episode "[[War Dawn]]".
*The [[Key to Vector Sigma]] first appeared in ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1]]", and later featured prominently in the first season of ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''.
*Optimus calls upon the Matrix to "[[Darkest hour|light our darkest hour]]".
*A [[tital wave stopping all of a sudden?|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3]]

===Real-world references===
===Trivia===
*This episode aired in Singapore on [[October 4]], 2011, again preceding its American showing.
*Jack is clearly taking very good care of that Key Optimus gave him... by idly tapping it against a railing.
*This is the first time we've seen Soundwave "get his hands dirty." With how easily he trounces Airachnid, that's probably a good thing for the Autobots.
*According to the flashbacks, Megatron's optics are blue until he is rejected by the Council and storms out angrily.
*Fowler hugs June. Make of that what you will.
*Once more the Thirteen Original Primes make an appearance, as statue busts in the walls of the High Council this time.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

One Shall Fall

2011-09-02T00:16:06Z

Xblade: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 23
|prev=Stronger, Faster
|next=Transformers: Prime episode 24
|image=TFP 23 Megatron vision.jpg
|caption=''Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword!''
|title="One Shall Fall"
|airdate=[[August 21]], [[2011]] (Canada)
|written by=[[Joseph Kuhr]] and [[Duane Capizzi]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''A prophecy predicts dark times ahead, which Megatron intends to see through.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:PrimeEp23-MegatronKnockout.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Miiiight not be the best time to examine your manicure, Knock Out.]]

[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] recites a passage from the [[Covenant of Primus]], foretelling that a perpetual conflict will culminate when the forty-seven spheres align. Despite the other [[Autobot]]s' lack of faith, [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] realizes that the "world forged of chaos" referred to in the prophecy is [[Earth]]—and that the alignment will occur in a matter of days.

Aboard the ''[[Nemesis (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] explains to [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] that he sought the [[Dark Energon|blood]] of [[Unicron]] so that he could conquer worlds with [[Terrorcon (Prime)|undead armies]]. Knock Out assures him that more Dark Energon awaits amongst the stars, but advises him not to push himself, since he was in stasis. Megatron then claims that he is the "rising darkness" of which the prophecy speaks.

[[Jack Darby|Jack]], [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]], and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] find a picture of [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] while searching a conspiracy website. Raf replaces the image with a dancing cat, which makes Ratchet laugh. Jack then invites Optimus to take a look, but is flatly denied. Ratchet then states that, before he became a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], Optimus behaved quite similarly to Jack. [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]] suddenly interrupts and reveals that the [[Decepticon]]s have been stealing components to build a second [[space bridge]]. Back aboard the ''Nemesis'', Knock Out and [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] inform Megatron that the only item left on the list is an ample power source, which can be found in a heavily fortified human base. [[Airachnid]] could simply tunnel in, but Megatron rather angrily declares that the time for stealth is over, and he sends a massive squad of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] to retrieve it. Optimus warns Fowler to have his troops evacuate, for fear of human casualties.

[[Image:PrimeEp23-BumblebeeRaf.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Where is your BS&P now???]]

Optimus, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], and [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] arrive to fend off the Vehicons, and all goes well until Megatron himself heads out toward the battlefield. En route, he spots Bumblebee, who was taking Raf racing. Megatron opens fire, frying Bumblebee's systems and knocking Raf out cold. Megatron arrives at the base just as the Autobots disable the last of his drones, and he taunts Optimus as Bumblebee arrives whilst carrying a wounded Raf. Bulkhead restrains the enraged scout before Optimus orders Arcee to take him and Raf back to base. Megatron then ascends onto the ''Nemesis'' with the power source. Unbeknownst to Megatron, Optimus and Bulkhead climb aboard the ''Nemesis''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s hull.

Back at [[Autobot Outpost Omega One]], Ratchet panics that his tools are wrong for human examination, and Jack suggests that they call in [[June Darby|his mother]]. Meanwhile, Megatron has another vision in which he sees a [[Unicron|sinister face]] and a volcano. He then orders Knock Out and Airachnid to complete the space bridge, as there is something he must attend to. June arrives at the Autobot base and quickly unnerves Ratchet with the knowledge that Raf will die unless she can stabilize him immediately. Bumblebee vents his frustration on a nearby wall, but Arcee manages to calm him...a little. Ratchet regrets having not bothered to learn human science and medicine, despite accepting the children into their lives. He then states that he has grown to need Rafael, just as Raf needs him.

Bulkhead and Optimus storm the ''Nemesis'', and Optimus claims to have had a change of heart: He orders Bulkhead back to base with the power source, declaring that there is something he must do. He then muses grimly that he has realized that Autobots and Decepticons will never co-exist peacefully, and he vows to destroy Megatron.

As the planetary alignment nears, Megatron arrives at the volcano site, and Optimus uses a Vehicon comm link to challenge him. Optimus soon joins him at the base of the volcano, and the two exchange brief banter before engaging each other in fierce battle.

[[Image:PrimeEp23-PrimeMegatron.jpg|left|thumb|300px|"Why throw away your life so recklessly?" "I keep [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|''trying'']] to, but Hasbro won't [[To sell toys|let me]] anymore!"]]

Meanwhile, Ratchet realizes that Raf has been infected with [[Dark Energon]] and theorizes that exposure to normal energon should cure him. He takes a sample from Bumblebee, placing Raf in a sealed chamber to test his theory as the others watch helplessly. Rafael soon opens his eyes, his pulse stabilizing.

Optimus appears to defeat Megatron and prepares to deal the final blow, but the Decepticon leader catches his sword with unusual strength as the volcano begins to erupt. Strange purple markings glow to life across his body, and he quickly overpowers Optimus. He realizes that the volcano is spewing forth Dark Energon, and he moves to kill Optimus, as he saw himself doing in a previous vision.

To be continued...

{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (2)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (3)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (14)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (5)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (6)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (13)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (11)
*[[Airachnid]] (12)
|c3=
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (7)
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (8)
*[[Jack Darby]] (9)
*[[William Fowler]] (10)
*[[June Darby]] (16)
|c4=
*[[Unicron|A sinister face]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==

"And it was written in the Covenant of Primus that 'when the forty-seven spheres align, a perpetual conflict will culminate on a world forged from chaos. And the weak shall perish in the shadow of a rising darkness.'"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' recites a passage of ill tidings.

'''Arcee''': "No skies raining fire?" 
'''Ratchet''': "Goes without saying. It ''is'' a doom prophecy, after all." 
'''Bulkhead''': "I say it's a load of hooey."
:—The Autobots' reaction to the above passage.

"Mars Cat says, 'Take me to your feeder!'"
:—'''Miko''' starts a new internet meme

"Um, Optimus! You wanna see something funny?" 
"No."
:—'''Jack''' learns of '''Optimus Prime'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s minimal sense of humor.

"Agent Fowler, I fear that Megatron's desperation may be at its zenith, and you know that I cannot condone even a ''single'' human casualty."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' encourages Fowler to leave defense of the US base to the Autobots (and provides a hint of foreshadowing).

"It would seem I swatted a bee and squashed a bug."
:—'''Megatron''', who is being a jerk.

"Does he seem to be...'losing it'?" 
"A bit..."
:—'''Knock Out''' and '''Airachnid''' discuss Megatron's state of mind.

"Curse my Cybertronian pride! We've welcomed these humans into our lives, yet I bothered to learn so little of their science...or medicine."
:—'''Ratchet''' angsts over his inability to help Raf.

"I have been foolish not to see what history has proven over and over again...that Autobots and Decepticons will never mend their ways. If there can be no diplomatic solution to this perpetual conflict, then I must not allow more darkness to fall upon this or any planet. Megatron must be destroyed!"
:—It's about slaggin' time, '''Optimus Prime'''.

"I have come for Megatron, and him alone. Stand down and be spared."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' is on the warpath. Primus help us all.

"Megatron, today you answer for your crimes against Cybertron and against humanity. One shall stand..." 
"And one shall fall. ''You'', Optimus Prime!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''', who is very tired of this speech.

"Your defeat was foreseen here by the ancients. What was it they wrote? 'The weak shall perish'?" 
"Do not believe everything you read."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''', unusually philosophical in the middle of a death match.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* When the flying Vehicons arrive to help retrieve the power source from the military base, the Vehicon ground units which stole it in the first place vanish.
* As Megatron extends his blade when Optimus leaps at him, the sound effect is that of his cannon firing.
* When Optimus tries to strike the finishing blow, he's standing on Megatron's chest. Once Megatron catches the blade, Optimus is standing much further back.

===Continuity errors===
*Megatron's jet-mode cannons score a direct hit on Bumblebee, yet do no apparent damage other than briefly stopping him. When Arcee was hit in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]", it nearly killed her. On a similar note, Bumblebee should have taken the brunt of the Dark Energon exposure, but only Raf shows any symptoms. Arcee was weakened by exposure to a few drops from [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]]'s animated corpse in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 2]]". However, Optimus tells Arcee to look after Raf AND Bumblebee; its likely that Bee's just being strong for his partner's sake.
*Bumblebee knows Raf is injured, so why does he drive nearly two miles (three clicks) to the battlefield instead of just calling for a Groundbridge immediately?
*Raf says he can't see without his glasses in "[[Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone]]", but his first person shot is perfectly clear. This is a common thing for TV and movies, but still...

===Continuity notes===
*Megatron refers to his feeling by saying "it's as if" he can hear Unicron's thoughts, which he gibbered about back in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]".
*The story revolves around the idea that Dark Energon is out in space, another "Darkness Rising" plot point. Turns out that it's not as far out as the characters think...
*Agent Fowler's men at first thought it was [[MECH]] who stole the phase conductor until they found the security image of Soundwave.
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] demonstrated that energon does not agree with human physiology in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 3]]" and "[[Darkness Rising, Part 4|Part 4]]", which Ratchet confirms here. Apparently, Dark Energon has similar effects, but the two types cancel each other out (at least in a human).
*Arcee tells Bumblebee that she knows what it's like to see a partner <strike>killed</strike> harmed, referring to [[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]]'s death at Airachnid's claws in "[[Predatory]]". Her general speech seems to call back to the lesson she learned at the end of "[[Partners]]". Ironically, Bumblebee was the one who prevented Arcee from giving into her desire for vengeance in that episode.
*Ratchet extracts energon from Bumblebee with the same device that he used to inject himself with synthetic energon in [[Stronger, Faster|the previous episode]].

===Transformers references===
* The [[Covenant of Primus]] first appeared in the ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Nemesis Part 1]]".
* Megatron and Optimus punch each other in the style of the opening credits, only on opposite sides. This isn't [[Sick Mind|the first time]] the show has done this.
* Yeah, yeah, "[[The Transformers: The Movie|One shall stand, one shall fall]]." This is the third time in this series alone, following "[[Darkness Rising, Part 5]]" and "[[Sick Mind]]", and that's not even including the title of THIS episode.
* Ratchet mentions that he has known Optimus for longer than any of the other Earth-stationed Autobots, even before he was a Prime. Taking the character's appearance in ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]'' into account, this would be true, as Ratchet was under the direct command of Optimus prior to, and at the start of the game's storyline. In comparison, the first cutscene of the Autobot campaign showed Bumblebee's first meeting with Optimus, and whilst Arcee was in the game, she never personally interacted with Optimus during the story. Bulkhead was mentioned as having joined Optimus during a later period of time.
* Megatron refers to Optimus as "the last of the Primes". He was also called this by the head of the [[Autobot High Council]] in ''War for Cybertron'', upon his ascension to the rank of Prime. It is also a term used to refer to his [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|live-action film]] counterpart.

===Real-world references===

*The picture on the conspiracy website of a supposed alien looking through a window is a reference to the famed "Denver Alien" sighting where a man called Jeff Peckman claimed he filmed an extra-terrestrial outside of his home.

===Trivia===
* The episode was first broadcast on Canada's Teletoon channel. AGAIN.
* At the beginning of the episode, as Megatron explains why he sought out the blood of Unicron, Knock Out totally checks out his "nails" in the background. How vain can you get?!
* Megatron laments that the only shard of Dark Energon he has is the one in his chest. It would seem that, despite his machinations being discovered, Starscream never gave Megatron's original shard back.
* Bulkhead states that he has never seen Optimus "laugh, cry or lose his cool". While it could just be an offhand expression, this inadvertently raises an interesting question as to whether Cybertronians actually have the ability to cry...[[Humanization#Crying|hmmmmmmmm]].
* Ratchet tells the kids that the title of Prime can only be earned, not inherited or born into. This is the inverse of what [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|a different Optimus]] told [[Megatron (Movie)|his archenemy]] in [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen|a different universe]].
* This is the first time in the series an Autobot weaponizes a part of their vehicle mode—in this case, Optimus's wheels on his legs.
* Man it would have been epic to have a "why throw away your life so recklessly" line...

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)

2011-08-24T02:33:08Z

Xblade: /* Quotes */

{{Nav-dotm}}

'''''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''''' is the third film in the [[live-action film series]]. It was released in 3D and IMAX at 9PM on [[June 28]], [[2011]]<ref name="open3D">[http://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/1ef99019addbf7f207595f5da129bfb6-690.php See Dark Of The Moon One Day Earlier on IMAX 3D | MichaelBay]</ref> and in wide release on [[June 29]], [[2011]]<ref name="open">[http://www.deadline.com/2011/05/paramount-moving-up-transformers-3/ Paramount Moving Up ‘T’formers 3′ Release – Deadline.com]</ref> in the United States, and between [[June 29]] and July 1 for other markets.

The film is set three years after the events of ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''. The Autobots continue to work for NEST, but no longer in secret, and for the goal of keeping peace between humans by taking out volatile overseas political targets. But after discovering a strange artifact during a mission in Chernobyl, it becomes apparent to Optimus Prime that the United States government has been less than forthright with them.

And SCENE!

{{bigquote|I've seen this one. It's the one where [[Spock]] goes nuts.|Wheelie|''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''}}

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Dotm-Arkreflection.jpg|left|thumb|250px|"Wha... this is the finest engine room in the whole Starfleet!"]]

In the distant past, during the latter days of the [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] civil war, [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] attempted to leave the planet with groundbreaking technology on board the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]''. However, his ship was shot down by the Decepticons and, after being sent hurling through space for a while, eventually crashed on the [[Earth|Earth's]] [[Moon (moon)|moon]] in 1961. The crash is noticed by the humans on Earth, leading to the [[Wikipedia:Space Race|Space Race]] under President [[John F. Kennedy]]. Landing on the Moon as part of the [[Apollo 11]] mission in 1969, astronauts [[Neil Armstrong]] and [[Buzz Aldrin]] use several minutes of [[radio]] silence to investigate the spaceship and discover that Mankind is not alone in space.

In the present day, the Autobots are still part of [[NEST]], cooperating with the [[United States military|US Armed Forces]]. On a mission to the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]], a NEST team led by [[William Lennox|Lt. Col. Lennox]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] discovers an unknown alien fuel cell which had led to the [[Wikipedia:Chernobyl disaster|Chernobyl disaster]]. While trying to secure the cell, they are attacked by the Decepticon [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] and his pet, the [[Driller]], who are eventually forced to retreat by Optimus Prime. Meanwhile, [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] kills [[Alexi Voskhod]], who had called NEST to Chernobyl and was secretly working for him. After securing the fuel cell and identifying it as part of the ''Ark'', Optimus Prime is angry at the humans for not following through with their agreement of sharing all known information relating to Cybertron and its inhabitants. Despite this, he eventually informs his allies and [[Charlotte Mearing]], the [[WIkipedia:Director of National Intelligence|Director of National Intelligence]], about the space bridge technology the ''Ark'' contains. Together with [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]], Optimus travels to the Moon, where they find Sentinel Prime inside the ship. Retrieving him along with with four pillars of the space bridge and the accompanying control pillar, they return to Earth, where Optimus uses the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to reactivate Sentinel Prime.

Meanwhile, [[Sam Witwicky]], the Autobots' human friend, is suffering from everyday problems. Even though President [[Barack Obama]] has awarded him a medal for saving the Earth twice, Sam has trouble finding a job. Together with his new girlfriend [[Carly Spencer]], whom he had met in the [[White House]] (after his former girlfriend [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] had left him), he also gives the stranded Autobots [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] and [[Brains]] a home. After a long search, he finally finds a position as a mail carrier at a telecommunication company named [[Accuretta Systems]]. From his colleague, [[Jerry Wang]], he learns about a conspiracy by humans who collaborate with the Decepticons. Before Jerry can tell Sam more, however, he is killed by Laserbeak.

[[Image:DOTM-Moonspacebridge.jpg|thumb|280px|"We are one big, happy fleet! Ah, Kirk, my old friend, do you know the Klingon proverb that tells us revenge is a dish that is best served cold? It is ''very'' cold in space."]]

Subsequently, Sam turns to [[Seymour Simmons]] for help. Simmons, who has become a millionaire as a writer, and his aide, [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]], help Sam find out that the Soviets have taken photos of Decepticons removing hundreds of space bridge pillars out of the ''Ark'' even before Apollo 11 had landed on the Moon. Sam and Simmons conclude that the Decepticons had left Sentinel Prime behind on purpose, knowing that only he would be able to activate the space bridge, and only Optimus Prime could reactivate him. Sam is able to warn the Autobots in time so they can protect Sentinel from a Decepticon attack and escort him back to the NEST headquarters. Arriving there, however, Sentinel Prime reveals that he had made a deal with Megatron, knowing that the Autobots could never win the war. After killing [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] and several NEST soldiers, Sentinel Prime claims the remaining pillars and escapes. The other Autobots track him down to [[Washington, D.C.]], but before Optimus can stop him, Sentinel activates a space bridge to the Moon. The portal allows Decepticon troops which had remained hidden under the Moon's surface to reach Earth, forcing the Autobots to retreat.

[[Image:DOTM-MegatronLincoln.jpg|left|thumb|250px|"I'll give him this: [[Atlantis, Arise!|he's]] [[Transformers The Game (console)|consistent]]!"]]

In the meantime, Sam is worried about Carly and searches for her. He finds her with her employer, [[Dylan Gould]], who reveals to Sam that he not only arranged for Sam to get a job with Acuretta, but is also a collaborator with the Decepticons. At their request, his father had used his influence to ensure that NASA would not conduct any more missions to the Moon. When Sam and Carly attempt to flee, they discover Carly's car is a disguise for [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], who takes her captive. Dylan instructs Sam to ask Optimus Prime about the Autobots' strategy, otherwise Carly will die. To ensure that Sam will not try to warn the Autobots, he attaches a Decepticon disguised as a watch on Sam's wrist, and it taps into his nervous system.

Meanwhile, Sentinel Prime has given Mankind an ultimatum to exile the Autobots from Earth, since he is only trying to save Cybertron, or so he claims. The US government promptly passes a bill to this effect. Before the Autobots leave Earth aboard their spaceship, the ''[[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]]'', Sam asks Optimus about his plan. Optimus replies that there is no plan, and Mankind is on its own now. With all Autobots on board, the ''Xantium'' takes off, but is promptly intercepted by [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], who had waited in Earth's orbit. With the ''Xantium'' destroyed, the Decepticons believe the Autobots to be dead and let Sam go.

With the Autobots out of the way, the Decepticons conquer [[Chicago]], kill most of its population and set up the control pillar for the space bridge inside the city, placing the other pillars around the world. Dylan informs Carly that the Decepticons do not intend to return to Cybertron; instead, they want to transport Cybertron into Earth's orbit, because Earth not only has the necessary resources, but also six billion slaves to rebuild the Transformers' home planet.

Sam decides to go to Chicago, where Dylan has taken Carly. Former NEST soldier [[Robert Epps]], who now works for NASA, accompanies him, together with other former NEST members. Upon arrival in Chicago, they are promptly attacked by the Decepticons, but are rescued by Optimus Prime and the other Autobots. Having never intended to leave Earth, they had hidden themselves inside a modified rocket booster that was jettisoned before Starscream destroyed the ''Xantium''.

[[Image:DOTM Driller vs Prime.jpg|right|thumb|280px|"From Hell's heart, I stab at thee!"]]

The Autobots and the humans soldiers make their way to the skyscraper where Dylan is located in order to destroy the space bridge's control pillar. Due to another attack by a team of Decepticons led by Shockwave, the team is separated once more. While the Autobots battle the Decepticons, Epps and his team try to destroy the pillar from another skyscraper. However, they are attacked by Shockwave's "pet", the Driller, who brings the skyscraper crashing down. Optimus Prime comes to their aid and destroys the Driller.

In the meantime, Lennox and the rest of NEST have managed to make their way into the city using wingsuits, and with Lennox's help, Sam destroys Starscream using weapons provided to him by the Autobots' inventor [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]. Meanwhile, the Decepticons have captured several Autobots, but Dylan convinces them not to take prisoners and kill them all. Barricade executes Que, and Soundwave moves to kill Bumblebee next, but the Autobots Wheelie and Brains have managed to make one of the Decepticons' ships crash, thereby distracting Soundwave long enough for Bumblebee and the other Autobots to get free. While NEST and the Autobots fight the Decepticons and kill most of them, Optimus Prime kills Shockwave and uses his arm cannon to topple over the space bridge's control pillar, deactivating the bridge.

[[Image:DOTMCybertrontransit.jpg|thumb|left|280px|"Earth was created in six days. Now, watch out! Here comes Genesis! We'll do it for you in six minutes!"]]

A fight between Sentinel Prime and Optimus Prime ensues, during which Optimus loses an arm, with Sentinel gaining the upper hand. Carly, who has been freed by Sam in the meantime, stumbles across Megatron, who is still suffering from the wounds Optimus Prime had inflicted upon him during their [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|battle in Egypt]], outside the main battle zone. Having previously witnessed a violent argument between Sentinel Prime and Megatron, she appeals to his pride and makes him realize that he will never be able to rule over Cybertron as long as Sentinel Prime is alive. Infuriated, he intervenes in the battle and turns on Sentinel, declaring that Earth is his planet to rule, and severely damages him. Megatron realized how far he had fallen in power within the past few years, and had decided to once again take his rightful place at the top of the command chain. Meanwhile, Dylan manages to reactivate the toppled pillar, but is attacked by Sam, who hurls him against the pillar, killing him. Subsequently, Bumblebee destroys the pillar for good, thus destroying the space bridge and, presumably, Cybertron with it. Megatron offers Optimus Prime a truce as long he could remain in charge of his Decepticon forces, but Optimus ignores his plea and just as Megatron is about to shoot his shotgun Optimus splits Megatron's head with an axe. Subsequently, he uses Megatron's shotgun cannon to kill a weakened Sentinel Prime, who is trying to excuse his actions.

Believing their home planet to be destroyed for good, the remaining Autobots accept Earth as their new home.

Seymour Simmons uses the opportunity to kiss Charlotte Mearing, for whom he still has feelings. Mearing responds by having him arrested.

==Quotes==
'''Mearing''': "What is this, the silent treatment?" 
'''Ironhide''': "No, I've seen that. This is ''not'' that." 
'''Que''': "Definitely not." 
'''Ironhide''': "This is ''worse''."
:—NEST discusses Optimus Prime's foul mood.

"The thing about Russians is, they never like to talk. Gonna take a little of the 'international language.'" <Doorman opens sliding hatch> "''Do svidaniya''." 
"That means 'goodbye!'" <closes hatch>
:—'''Simmons''' tries to reason with a '''Russian''', to no avail.

"It's a Cyrillic alphabet; it's like all the buttons you never push on a calculator!"
:—'''Dutch''' tries to translate Russian, also to no avail.

"Here we are. Fight us ''now''."
:—'''Megatron''', pulling the evil overlord cliche on us while sitting atop the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Memorial]]

"Today we take the battle to them!"
What no "[[The Transformers: The Movie|one shall stand one shall fall]]? oh well...

"The Decepticons have my trailer. I ''need'' that flight tech!" 
:—'''Optimus Prime''', [[To sell toys|selling toys]].

"Who would you be without me Prime?" 
"Time to find out." 
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' exchange pre-fight banter one last time.

"In any war, there are calms between the storms. There will be days when we lose faith. Days when our allies turn against us... but the day will never come when we forsake this planet and its people."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s closing narration.

==Main cast==

{{featuredcharacters|
h1=[[Autobot]]s|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Peter Cullen]])
*[[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Leonard Nimoy]])
*[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]
*[[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] ([[Jess Harnell]])
*[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] ([[Robert Foxworth]])
*[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[Mirage (Movie)|Dino/Mirage]]<ref name="credits">Mirage and Wheeljack, known by those names in the toyline and essentially all supporting media, are respectively named "Dino" and "Que" in the film. While Dino is simply credited as such, Que is listed in the credits as "Que/Wheeljack".</ref> ([[Francesco Quinn]])
*[[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que/Wheeljack]]<ref name="credits"/> ([[George Coe]])
*[[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] ([[Tom Kenny]])
*[[Brains]] ([[Reno Wilson]])
*[[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]]
*[[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]]<ref>Roadbuster is listed as "Roadbuster/Amp" in the credits, a reference to his car mode's sponsor. His name is not used in the film, but he is called "Roadbuster" in the toyline and supporting media.</ref> ([[Ron Bottitta]])
*[[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]]<ref>Leadfoot is listed in the film's end credits as "Leadfoot/Target", a reference to his car mode's sponsor. His name is not spoken in the film, but he is called "Leadfoot" in the toyline and the supporting media.</ref> ([[John DiMaggio]])
*[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]]<ref name=skidsandmudflap>Skids and Mudflap only appear during the convoy scene at the beginning of the film</ref>
*[[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]<ref name=skidsandmudflap/>

|h2=[[Decepticon]]s|c2=
*[[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] ([[Hugo Weaving]])
*[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] ([[Charlie Adler]])
*[[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] ([[Keith Szarabajka]])
*[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] ([[Frank Welker]])
*[[Igor]] ([[Greg Berg]])
*[[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]]
*[[Crowbar]]
*[[Hatchet]]
*[[Driller]]
*[[Hatchling|Hatchlings]]
*[[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]] type Decepticon
*An unnamed [[Audi R8 Decepticon]]
*An unnamed [[M1 Abrams Decepticon]]
*[[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]] type Decepticon
*[[Garbage truck Decepticon]]
*[[Superfund Decepticon]]
*Unnamed [[Lensmeter Decepticon]]s
*Unnamed [[protoform]]s
*[[Watch-bot]]<ref>Repeatedly referred to as the "Watch-bot" (proper noun) in the [[Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel|''Transformers: Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel'']]</ref>

|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
*[[Sam Witwicky]] ([[Shia LaBeouf]])
*[[Carly Spencer]] ([[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]])
*[[William Lennox]] ([[Josh Duhamel]])
*[[Robert Epps]] ([[Tyrese Gibson]])
*[[Seymour Simmons]] ([[John Turturro]])
*[[Charlotte Mearing]] ([[Frances McDormand]])
*[[Dylan Gould]] ([[Patrick Dempsey]])
*[[Bruce Brazos]] ([[John Malkovich]])
*[[Hardcore Eddie]] ([[Lester Speight]])
*[[Morshower]] ([[Glenn Morshower]])
*[[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]] ([[Alan Tudyk]])
*[[Ron Witwicky]] ([[Kevin Dunn]])
*[[Judy Witwicky]] ([[Julie White]])
*[[Jerry Wang]] ([[Ken Jeong]])
*[[Neil Armstrong]] ([[Don Jeanes]])
*[[Buzz Aldrin]] ([[Cory Tucker]]/himself)
*[[Walter Cronkite]]
*[[Bill O'Reilly]] (himself)
*[[Alexi Voskhod]]

|h4=Other|c4=
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Errors==
* The Moon does not rotate with respect to Earth, and Mare Tranquillitatis is near the middle of the near side. Therefore, Tranquility Base could never be described as being on the far side/dark side, and Earth is never as close to the horizon as shown in the movie.
* The Apollo 11 Command/Service Module is seen flying to the Moon without the Lunar Module. The Lunar Module is attached when the vehicle is orbiting the Moon, however.
* The [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant]] is shown to be located ''inside'' of, or at least right next to the abandoned city of [[Wikipedia:Pripyat|Pripyat]], and the human characters access it through nearby buildings. In reality, the power plant is situated on the outskirts of the city. Even worse, [[Alexi Voskhod]] ''explicitly'' says that the entrance leads through a ''school''. Who builds a ''school'' right next to a ''nuclear power plant''?
* Furthermore, Prypiat's infamous Ferris wheel as shown in the movie is not only the wrong model (the real one's passenger cabins have canopies), but the real one is also located in an open field far away from any buildings.<ref name="ferris">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nubber/544337347/ Photo of the Prypiat Ferris wheel] showing the closest nearby buildings.</ref> But hey, at least it's the right color!
* Also, why exactly is the Sputnik mission case inside the Chernobyl reactor building? Did the Soviets never bother to discard the packaging of their toy after starting to play with it?
* When the modern day site of the Apollo 11 landing is seen, the ascent module (the cabin Buzz and Neil flew back to orbit in) is still there.
* In a fairly common cinematic contrivance, the film depicts multiple skyscrapers in the background of many scenes set in Washington, D.C., while the real-life city has no skyscrapers.
* Also, Washington, D.C. almost entirely lacks old industrial buildings that could be converted into lofts.
* Despite being stuck in the Ark for years and not yet having scanned a vehicle mode Sentinel Prime has [[kibble]] from his Rosenbauer fire truck alternate mode when he is first seen.
* Like in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', Ironhide sports his license plate from the [[Transformers (2007)|first movie]], "4PCI382", on his robot mode chest, but doesn't have a license plate in vehicle mode.
* Speaking of inconsistency between robot and vehicle mode: Bumblebee's updated Chevrolet Camaro alternate mode no longer has pinstripes bordering his black racing stripes, but the CG robot model still has the pinstripes.
* In the highway battle scene with the [[Dread (subgroup)|Dreads]], Bumblebee enhances his front wheels to evade Hatchet, yet in the next scene he's fully in Stealth Force.
* During Ironhide and Sideswipe's "Mexican standoff" with Crankcase and Crowbar, all combatants drop their firearms, but when Ironhide is speared, his guns are on his back again. They disappear in subsequent shots.
* Despite being captured by Soundwave in her evening gown, Carly is somehow able to change into more convenient clothes before arriving in Chicago, and has yet another outfit the following day. Not only that, she changes her earrings, too!
* When the Autobots are boarding the ''Xantium,'' it's said that nine of them are leaving. Wheelie and Brains apparently don't count. Poor little guys!
* The Wreckers claim they had been hiding inside a rocket booster that was jettisoned from the ''Xantium'' before Starscream destroyed it. The boosters are only seen to be detached after Starscream destroys the ship, after it has barely taken off from the ground.
* Though it's a standard action movie contrivance, it sure is convenient that the glass windows inside skyscrapers are extremely fragile when needed, and glass shards are as dangerous as bread crumbs so nobody suffers a single cut from sliding across them.
* Throughout the sequence of Barricade kicking and shoving Que along before executing him, he is speaking with Soundwave's voice.

==Transformers references==

* The ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'' gets its name from the Autobots' crashed spaceship in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''Transformers'' comics]].

* "Carly" was the name of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]'s [[Carly|girlfriend and eventual wife]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]].

* When the worker at Accureta Systems is trying to make the [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|photocopier]] work, it beeps the "more than meets the eye" refrain from the original cartoon's [[theme song]].

* The corrosive end met by Ironhide comes at the hands of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]], the oxidizing pathogen that first appeared in the Generation 1 cartoon episode [[Cosmic Rust (episode)|of the same name]]. Though not named in the film, its identity is made clear by production artwork by [[Josh Nizzi]] which labels Sentinel Prime's gun a "Cosmic Rust gun".

* Megatron removing [[Abraham Lincoln]] from his chair at the [[wikipedia:Lincoln Memorial|Lincoln Memorial]] and then sitting in it is a scene taken directly from the Generation 1 cartoon episode, "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]", and the Decepticon ending for ''[[Transformers The Game]]'' (sort of).

* The idea of bringing Cybertron to Earth via space bridge and enslaving humans was the plot of the well-regarded Generation 1 multi-part episode "[[The Ultimate Doom]]."

* Likewise, the idea of an influential and powerful human joining forces with the Decepticons, resulting in the Autobots being exiled from Earth by the government via a spacecraft, only for that spacecraft to be destroyed, was the plot behind another popular Generation 1 cartoon multi-part episode, "[[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1|Megatron's Master Plan]]."

* The ''[[Xantium (G1)|Xantium]]'' is the name of the [[Wrecker]]s' spaceship in the [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''Transformers'' comics.

* During the part where the Decepticons are isolating Chicago, parts of "Heed Our Warning" from the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen: The Score]]'' plays.

* Sentinel Prime continues his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)| predecessor]]'s legacy of being a giant jerk.

==Real-world references==
* When Brains and Wheelie are watching ''[[Wikipedia: Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek: The Original Series]]'', the screen features [[Spock|Mr. Spock]], portrayed by Leonard Nimoy{{m-}}who voices Sentinel Prime. Wheelie comments that it is "the one where Spock goes nuts," which foreshadows Sentinel's heel turn.

* Sentinel Prime says "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." The voice actor said the same line in the 1982 film ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan|Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'' as Mr. Spock. However, in that movie, Nimoy's character dies a hero.

* To finish the Spock trifecta, when Bumblebee says his goodbyes to Sam, he uses a clip of Leonard Nimoy, as Spock, saying "I will always be your friend," another line from ''Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan''.

* [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]] and his fake girlfriend's name, "India", are a reference to [[Wikipedia:Dutch India|Dutch India]].

* [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]'s name is a reference to [[Wikipedia:Q (James Bond)|Q]] from ''[[Wikipedia:James Bond|James Bond]]'' novels and films. Que also gives weapons to NEST soldiers while explaining the advantages and abilities for the weapons much like Q does for James Bond.

* When Bumblebee brings forth "rings" for Sam and Carly, he "hums" the [[Wikipedia: Wedding March|Wedding March]].

==Other editions==

==Prequel material==

==Adaptations==

==Soundtrack==
{{main|Dark of the Moon: The Album}}

==Score==
{{main|Dark of the Moon: The Score}}

==Home video releases==

==Theatrical posters==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
Image:DOTM-OPbillboardposter.jpg
Image:DOTM-Bumblebeebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-Shockwavebanner.jpg
Image:DOTM-OPportraitposter.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

==Reception==
On June 23, 2011, the world premiere of ''Dark of the Moon'' was held in [[Moscow]], [[Russia]], with band [[Linkin Park]] performing a concert that included their title song for the movie, "Iridescent".

The official release date was movie up from July 1 to June 29 to allow breathing room between its release and ''[[Wikipedia:Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2]]''. On June 28, 2011, the film was released in 3D and IMAX at 9pm in the US. Some theaters cheated a little and showed it at 8:45.

''Dark of the Moon'' launched with nearly 10,000 copies in 4011 theaters nationwide. On its opening day, the movie earned $37.3 million, making not only for the best opening day of 2011 up to that point, but also ranking as the sixth most successful opening on a Wednesday ever, while at the same time ranking well behind ''Revenge of the Fallen'', with $60 million on its opening day (also a Wednesday).<ref name="openingday">[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3197&p=.htm "'Transformers' Suboptimal on Wednesday"], Box Office Mojo, June 2011.</ref> (Of course, a lot of the print material still listed the release date as [[July 1]]st, the following Friday.)

On [[August 2]], it crossed the $1 billion mark in worldwide gross, just under 5 weeks after its release, landing it in the #9 spot for worldwide gross of all time (so far).<ref>http://www.deadline.com/2011/08/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-crosses-1-billion-worldwide-mark-for-paramount/ Deadline Hollywood</ref> Of that, $338 million came from the US. Currently it is the only Paramount picture to have made the $1 billion mark. (While ''Titanic'' also made over $1 billion worldwide, it was only a Paramount movie ''domestically'', where it made "only" $620 million.)

==Production staff==
===Visual effects===
===Locations department===

==Development details==
===Cast and crew signing on===
[[Image:TF3-licensingPrime.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Featuring a surprise appearance by Optimus Prime!]]
On May 30, 2007, a month before the official release of ''[[Transformers (2007)|Transformers]]'', [[DreamWorks]] announced that two sequels were already being planned.<ref name="spy">[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/a58430/two-transformers-sequels-in-pipeline.html Digital Spy article from May 2007, confirming that two sequels were being planned]</ref> On March 16, 2009, over three months before the premiere of ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] announced the third movie for July 1, 2011.<ref name="3release">Pamela McClintock: [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001280?refCatId=13 Variety article from March 2009], confirming Transformers 3 for July 2011.</ref> Director [[Michael Bay]] promptly backpedaled, as he had intended for the third ''Transformers'' movie to be released in 2012.<ref name="baywait">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?3947-Wait-a-minute! Michael Bay's reaction to Paramount's July 2011 date for ''Transformers 3''], March 2009.</ref> He officially changed his mind in October 2009, agreeing to the release date set by Paramount.<ref name="bay3-2011">[http://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.php Michael Bay officially confirms the 2011 release date], October 2009.</ref>

[[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]], two of the previous two movies' screenwriters, had already announced in March 2009 that they would not return for a third part.<ref name="noorcikurtz">[http://www.slashfilm.com/orci-and-kurtzman-not-returning-for-transformers-3-will-leonard-nimoy-voice-the-fallen/ Slashfilm quoting Roberto Orci that he and Kurtzman would not return for a third movie], March 2009. (Original post on Don Murphy's message board appears to no longer exist.)</ref> In September 2009, their ''Revenge'' co-writer [[Ehren Kruger]] was confirmed as the screenwriter of ''Transformers 3''.<ref name="krugernelson">[http://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/0fd64fd57c9b9b6d33e15c76a46dae48-565.php Michael Bay's website admin Nelson Lauren sorta-confirms Ehren Kruger as TF3's screenwriter], September 2009.</ref> Kruger had already impressed both director Michael Bay and [[Hasbro]] CEO [[Brian Goldner]] with his knowledge of ''Transformers'' mythology prior to working on ''Revenge''.<ref name="writersr">[http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/zap-transformers2writers,0,1938976.story Zap2it story about the ROTF writers]</ref>

In an interview with ''Wonderland'' magazine in September 2009, [[Megan Fox]], the main female star of the previous two movies, discussed the harsh conditions on the sets and compared director Michael Bay to [[Wikipedia:Adolf Hitler|Adolf Hitler]].<ref name="latimesfox">[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big_picture/2009/09/megan-fox-on-michael-bay-he-wants-to-be-hitler.html Los Angeles Times article about Megan Fox's fatal interview with ''Wonderland'' magazine], September 2009.</ref> Bay initially played down the affair and still welcomed Fox back for the third installment a month later.<ref name="bay3-2011"/> Even though Fox was still spotted on the ''Transformers 3'' set in May 2010<ref name="foxonset">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/100786-megan-fox-on-set-for-transformers-3-previz Megan Fox on the DOTM set], May 2010.</ref>, Paramount announced a few weeks later that she wouldn't return for a third movie after all.<ref name="nomorefox">[http://www.deadline.com/2010/05/michael-bays-revenge-no-more-megan/ Deadline article confirming that Megan Fox had been dropped off ''Transformers 3''], May 2010.</ref> Still that same month, [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]] was confirmed to replace her as the lead female actress.<ref name="rosierepl">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1640047/model-rosie-huntingtonwhiteley-cast-transformers-3.jhtml MTV.com article confirming Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as the new female star of ''Transformers ''], May 2010.</ref> Her character's name was confirmed as "[[Carly Spencer|Carly]]" by Nelson Lauren, the webmaster of Michael Bay's official website, in July 2010.<ref name="nelsonchicagojul">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7566-Transformers-3-Chicago-Set-Photos Nelson posts about his visit to the Chicago set at shootfortheedit.com's forums], July 2010.</ref> In 2011, Michael Bay finally confirmed in an interview with ''GQ'' magazine that it had been [[Steven Spielberg]], executive producer of the ''Transformers'' movies, who had urged him to fire Fox following the Hitler comparison.<ref name="baygq">[http://www.gq.com/entertainment/movies-and-tv/201107/michael-bay-steven-spielberg-fired-megan-fox-transformers GQ interview with Michael Bay], June 2011.</ref> In a later interview, however, he claimed this statement had been taken out of context.<ref name="baych">[http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/kultur/kino/Diese-Autos-muessen-zerstoert-werden--und-da-bin-ich-der-richtige-Mann/story/23997460 Interview with Michael Bay from Switzerland] (German language), July 2011.</ref>

In March 2010, Oscar winners [[John Malkovich]] and [[Frances McDormand]] as well as Comedian [[Ken Jeong]] were confirmed having signed on for supporting roles.<ref name="malkomcdor">[http://michaelbay.com/blog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.php Michael Bay confirming John Malkovich, Frances McDormand and Ken Jeong for ''Transformers 3''], March 2010.</ref>

In April 2010, [[Kevin Dunn]] and [[Julie White]] were confirmed as returning as Sam Witwicky's parents.<ref name="varietydunnwhite">[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017329.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 'Dunn, White sign on for 'Transformers 3''], Variety, April 2010.</ref>

In May 2010, Paramount confirmed that [[Patrick Dempsey]] has been cast in ''Transformers 3'' to play Mikaela Banes' boss (this was before Megan Fox was fired from the production).<ref name="dempsey">[http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/05/04/patrick-dempsey-confirmed-for-transformers-3/ "Patrick Dempsey confirmed for Transformers 3"], Hollywood Insider, May 2010.</ref>

In July 2010, Nelson Lauren confirmed that former American footballer [[Lester Speight]] would play a soldier in the movie.<ref name="nelsonchicagophotos">[http://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/6e7f5a008e98162953abdfdfca1d32e8-612.php Photos of the Chicago set by michaelbay.com webmaster Nelson Lauren], July 2010.</ref>

[[Leonard Nimoy]] was confirmed as the voice actor for [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] in March 2011.<ref name="nimoysent">[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/31/leonard-nimoy-transformers-dark-of-the-moon Entertainment Weekly announces Leonard Nimoy's involvement], March 2011]</ref> Nimoy, who had previously voiced [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in 1986's ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and is married to Michael Bay's cousin Susan, had previously been under consideration for [[The Fallen]]'s voice in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', but Bay had been hesitant for fear of offending his relative with the relatively low pay allotted to voice actors.<ref name="nimoy1">[http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/04/21/michael-bay-afraid-to-offend-leonard-nimoy-with-transformers-family-reunion-offer/ ''Michael Bay Afraid To Offend Leonard Nimoy With ‘Transformers’ Family Reunion Offer''], MTV.com Movies blog, April 2009.</ref> Even though Nimoy openly asked Bay to simply give him a call<ref name="nimoy2">[http://www.latinoreview.com/news/leonard-nimoy-to-michael-bay-call-me-6682 Leonard Nimoy To Michael Bay: "Call Me!"], Latino Review, April 2009.</ref>, it ultimately never worked out, and The Fallen was voiced by [[Tony Todd]] instead. For ''Dark of the Moon'', Bay finally overcame his anxiety and hired Nimoy, who accepted the offer.<ref name="nimoy3">[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/31/leonard-nimoy-transformers-dark-of-the-moon/ "Leonard Nimoy joins 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' voice cast -- EXCLUSIVE"], Entertainment Weekly, March 2011.</ref> In return, screenwriter Ehren Kruger included several nods to Nimoy's well-known character as Mr. Spock from ''Star Trek'' in the movie.<ref name="nimoystartrek">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666643/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-star-trek-references.jhtml "'Transformers: Dark Of The Moon': Behind The 'Star Trek' Nods"], MTV.com, July 2011.</ref>

===Writing and production===
After having defended the almost universally critically panned ''Revenge of the Fallen'' for a long time, Michael Bay finally acknowledged flaws of the script, but blamed the [[Wikipedia:2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike|2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike]] prior to the movie for many problems. As a definite error, he singled out the "dork comedy", which he promised to avoid with ''Dark of the Moon''.<ref name="bayvisit">[http://collider.com/michael-bay-interview-transformers-dark-moon-edit-bay-visit/63824/ Collider.com article about DOTM], December 2010.</ref>

Principal shooting began in May 2010. Shooting locations were [[Chicago]], Moscow,<ref name="locations">[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=63682 "Transformers 3 Headed to Chicago and Moscow"], Comingsoon.net, February 2010.</ref> the [[Kennedy Space Center]] in Florida<ref name="kennedyspace">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/101114-the-transformers-3-shoot-at-kennedy-space-center "The Transformers 3 Shoot at Kennedy Space Center"], SuperHeroHype.com, May 2010.</ref>, Milwaukee (Wisconsin)<ref name="milwaukee">[http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/movies/98266574.html "'Transformers 3' takes over Milwaukee Art Museum"], Journal Sentinel Online, July 2010.</ref>, Detroit<ref name="detroit">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/107775-photos-from-the-detroit-transformers-3-set "Photos From the Detroit Transformers 3 Set"], SuperHeroHype.com, September 2010.</ref>, [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="militaryextras">[http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=473674758199&id=114648515718 US Department of Defense casting call for ''Dark of the Moon''], October 2010.</ref> and Angkor Wat in Cambodia.<ref name="angkor">[http://www.akp.gov.kh/?p=1184 "'Transformers 3' To Be Shot in Cambodia"], Agence Kampuchea Presse, January 2011.</ref>

For the scene where Lennox and his soldier jump out of a V-22 Osprey using wingsuits, Michael Bay used real parachutists and thus avoided unnecessary CG effects. In fact, he had been inspired for this scene in the first place by watching the parachutists in their wingsuits on television<ref name="wingsuits">[http://blog.movies.yahoo.com/blog/1498-transformers-wingsuits-no-cgi-required Yahoo! Movies article on the wingsuit parachutists], June 2011.</ref> and wrote the scene with the intention of using the parachutists in the movie.<ref name="bayvisit"/>

For the Apollo 11 moon landing mission in the flashback sequence at the beginning of the movie, astronauts [[Neil Armstrong]] and [[Buzz Aldrin]] are played by actors Don Jeanes and Cory Tucker, respectively. In the present day timeline, Aldrin himself appears briefly as his own older self.<ref name="aldrin">[http://movies.yahoo.com/news/yahoo-contributor-network/astronaut-buzz-aldrin-hangs-out-with-optimus-prime-transformers-dark-moon Yahoo! Movies article on Buzz Aldrin's appearance in DOTM], July 2011.</ref>

Over 500 cars were destroyed in the making of ''Dark of the Moon'', all of them damaged property from insurance companies intended for destruction.<ref name="baych"/>

Two accidents happened during shooting: In September 2010, while shooting in East Chicago, Indiana, a female extra was severely injured when a stunt scene went wrong, leaving her with permanent brain damage, the left side of her body paralyzed and her left eye stitched shut. Paramount was subsequently sued for damages by the victim's family.<ref name="extrastunt">[http://articlles.chicagotribune.com/2010-10-05/news/ct-met-transformers-lawsuit-20101005_1_gabriela-cedillo-stunt-welding Chicago tibune article on the injured extra and the subsequent lawsuit], October 2010.</ref> As a consequence, part of the scene of the car chase battle in Washington, D.C. (which would have included the shoot that had led to the accident) was instead "[[Stock footage|borrowed]]" from Michael Bay's 2005 film ''[[Wikipedia:The Island (2005 film)|The Island]]''.<ref name="island1">[http://movies.ign.com/articles/118/1180411p1.html "Transformers 3 Re-Uses Car Crash From The Island"], IGN Movies, July 2011.</ref> While shooting in Washington, D.C., in October 2010, one of the Chevrolet Camaro prop cars that serve as Bumblebee's [[alternate mode]] crashed into a police car. Nobody was seriously injured this time.<ref name="camarocrash">[http://jalopnik.com/5661321/bumblebee-smashes-cop-car-in-yet-another-transformers-3-accident Jalopnik article on the Camaro crash], October 2010.</ref>

''Dark of the Moon'' is the first of the ''Transformers'' movies to be released in 3D. Despite early considerations to shoot the movie in 2D and convert it into 3D later, Michael Bay ultimately shot 60% of the film in native 3D, another 15% were done digitally, and the rest was shot in 2D and converted later. [[James Cameron]] assisted Michael Bay with the 3D effects. The movie's budget amounted to $195 million, which is about the same budget ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had. About $30 million went into the 3D effects.<ref name="cameron">[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-bay-reveals-james-camerons-191774 "Michael Bay Reveals James Cameron's Secret Role in the Making of 'Transformers'"], The Hollywood Reporter, May 2011.</ref>

=== Sponsors and partners ===
==== Hasbro ====
Hasbro, licensor of the [[Transformers brand]], hoped that the third movie would once again boost toy sales, after profits had dropped in the first quarter of 2011.<ref name="hasbroq12011">[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Hasbro-1Q-profit-drops-71-pct-apf-664090076.html?x=0&.v=11 Yahoo! Finance article about weak Hasbro toy sales in 2011's first quarter], April 2011.</ref> For the second quarter of 2011, Hasbro reported a net revenue growth of 23 percent to $908.5 million, citing brands such as ''Transformers'' and ''Beyblade'' as the main sources of the increased income.<ref name="hasbro2nsq">[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Hasbro-Reports-Revenue-and-bw-4063497156.html?x=0&.v=1 "Hasbro Reports Revenue and Earnings Growth for the Second Quarter 2011"], Yahoo! Finance, July 2011.</ref>

==== US military and NASA ====
Like the previous two movies, ''Dark of the Moon'' featured real military personnel as extras, supported by the US Department of Defense.<ref name="militaryextras"/> Shooting locations were Hurlburt Field and Edwards Air Force Base.<ref name="hurlburt">[http://www.shadowspear.com/special-operations-entertainment/105725-transformers-filmed-at-hurlburt.html "'Transformers 3 Filmed at Hurlburt, 1SOW Included as 'Extras'"], ShadowSpear Special Operations, July 2011.</ref>

In addition, ''Dark of the Moon'' was also supported by NASA, and NASA employees appear as extras in the movie as well.<ref name="nasa">[http://www.space.com/12142-transformers-film-nasa-space-program-touches.html "'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' Has Real-Life NASA Touches"], Space.com, July 2011.</ref>

==== General Motors and other car manufacturers ====
[[General Motors]] once again provided several vehicles. All recurring Autobots retain their [[alternate mode]]s from ''Revenge of the Fallen'' despite some minor tweaks, such as Sideswipe now being a convertible, and Bumblebee now sporting a rear spoiler. Once again, the cooperation was mutual, with General Motors using Bumblebee for TV commercials. The first of those, aired during the 2011 Super Bowl, also revealed some minor tweaks to Bumblebee's robot mode.<ref name="bumblebeead1">[http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/02/-bumblebee-appears-in-a-chevrolet-camaro-super-bowl-ad/1 "'Bumblebee' appears in Chevrolet's Super Bowl ad"], USA Today, February 2011.</ref><ref name="bumblebeead2">[http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/06/chevy-drops-new-ad-touting-transformers-3-tie-in/ "Video: Chevy drops new ad touting Transformers 3 tie-in"], Autoblog.com, June 2011.</ref> According to Chevrolet, the ''Transformers'' movies notably affect car sales, as about ten percent of all Camaros sold in the preceding year were yellow, twice as many as with other models.<ref name="carstarscast">[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/transformers-dark-moon-how-sequels-204557 "'Transformers: Dark of the Moon': How the Sequel's Star Cars Were Cast"], The Hollywood Reporter, June 2011.</ref>

New additions for ''Dark of the Moon'' are a Ferrari 458 Italia ([[Mirage (Movie)|Dino]]) and a Mercedes-Benz E550 ([[Wheeljack (Movie)|Que]]). Both robots sport names in the movie which aren't recycled from existing Hasbro toys. In the Ferrari's case, the reason for this is that Hasbro's greatest competitor, Mattel, has an exclusive license for Ferrari toys.<ref name="ferrarimattel">[http://www.ferrari.com/English/Pages/Mattel.aspx Mattel license information], Ferrari.com.</ref><ref name="nelsonnomirage">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/409844-mirage-no-longer-name-red-italia-dotm-3.html#post6103423 Michael Bay's website admin, Nelson Lauren, explaining why the Ferrari isn't named "Mirage"], TFW2005, May 2011.</ref> "Dino" is named in reference to [[Wikipedia: Alfredo Ferrari|Alfredo "Dino" Ferrari]], as per Ferrari's request. The Mercedes-Benz E550, meanwhile, was specifically customized for the movie.<ref name="e550tuning">[http://www.eurotuner.com/news/eurp_1102_mercedes_benz_e550_for_next_transformers_movie/index.html "Mercedes-Benz E550 for Next Transformers Movie - Web Exclusive"], Eurotuner.com, February 2011.</ref> "Que" is named in homage to [[Wikipedia:Q (James Bond)|Q]] from [[Wikipedia:James Bond|James Bond]].

Since the heavily armed Chevrolet Impalas that serve as the [[Wrecker|Wreckers']] alternate modes are directly based on existing NASCAR race cars, the prop versions of [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]], [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]], and [[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]] made an appearance at [[2011]] Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on [[February 20]], four month before the movie's release, appearing both off the track as display cars, and on the track, participating in the ceremonial first lap.<ref name="daytona">[http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news/photos/2011/02/18/TRANSFORMERS-cars-on-display-at-Daytona "'TRANSFORMERS' cars on display at Daytona"], Hendrick Motorsports, February 2011.</ref> Director [[Michael Bay]], actor [[Josh Duhamel]] and actress [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]] also attended the event, and during the television broadcast of the race, a new ''Dark of the Moon'' television spot was aired.

==== Other product placement ====
As always, various companies have their products and names prominently displayed throughout the movie, such as [[Wikipedia:Northrop Grumman|Northrop Grumman]], [[Wikipedia:CNN|CNN]], [[Wikipedia:Fox News Channel|Fox News]], [[Wikipedia:Cisco|Cisco]] and [[Wikipedia:Superfund|Superfund]].<ref name="brands1">[http://www.brandchannel.com/brandcameo_films.asp?movie_year_az=2011 "Transformers: Dark of the Moon"] at brandchannel.com.</ref> Paper manufacturer Double A also cooperated with Paramount and even had Michael Bay direct a commercial that features scenes from ''Dark of the Moon'', notably [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]].<ref name="paper">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/167497-transformers-featured-in-double-a-paper-ad "Transformers Featured in Double A Paper Ad"] at SuperHeroHype, June 2011.</ref> Of particular note is the large number of Chinese brands such as [[Wikipedia:Lenovo|Lenovo]], [[Wikipedia:Yili Group|Yili]] Shuhua Milk, [[Wikipedia:Metersbonwe Group|Metersbonwe]] Mtee shirts and [[Wikipedia:TCL Corporation|TCL]] HDTV screens.<ref name="chinesebrands">[http://advertising.chinasmack.com/2011/transformers-the-rise-of-chinese-product-placement.html "Transformers: The Rise Of Chinese Product Placement"] at Chinasmack.</ref><ref name="brands2">[http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2011/07/05/Brandcameo-070411-Transformers-3.aspx "Transformers 3 Product Placement: If Tom Hanks Gets a Pass, Michael Bay Does Not"] at brandchannel, July 2011.</ref>

For [[Wikipedia:Nokia|Nokia]], the product placement turned out to be dated by the time the movie came out, as a mobile phone featured in the movie ran on [[Wikipedia:Symbian|Symbian]], despite Nokia mostly dropping Symbian as an operating system due to their recent partnership with [[Wikipedia:Microsoft|Microsoft]].<ref name="nokiaobit">[http://www.thenoisecast.com/2011/07/nokia-x7-product-placement-in-transformers-3-feels-like-an-obituary/ "Nokia X7 Product Placement In Transformers 3 Feels Like An Obituary"], Noisecast, July 2011.</ref>

=== Changes before, during and after production ===
* In an interview with the Los Angeles Times in June 2009, Michael Bay suggested that [[Ramon Rodriguez]] would reprise his role as [[Leo Spitz]] from ''Revenge of the Fallen'' for the third movie.<ref name="bayramon">[http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2009/06/30/ramon-rodriguez-will-have-bigger-role-in-third-transformers-movie-bay-hints/ "Ramon Rodriguez will have bigger role in third ‘Transformers’ movie, Bay hints"], Los Angeles Times, June 2009.</ref>

* As stated above, [[Megan Fox]] was originally intended to reprise her role as [[Mikaela Banes]] from the previous two movies. She was still spotted on the ''Dark of the Moon'' set during the previsualization stage in May 2010<ref name="foxonset"/>, but was fired from the production shortly afterwards due to a falling out with director [[Michael Bay]]. [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]]'s character of [[Carly Spencer]] was written in as a replacement, though the fact that her part was originally written for Mikaela still shows in some parts: For example, Carly is overseeing [[Dylan Gould|Dylan]]'s car collection, which could be viewed as an extension of Mikaela's history with working with cars. Furthermore, Sam and Carly not only have [[Wheelie (ROTF)|Wheelie]] (who had been previously "domesticated" by Mikaela) as a "pet", but also her dog [[Bonecrusher (dog)|Bonecrusher]] (played by Michael Bay's eponymous real-life dog).

*In January 2010, James Avery claimed in an interview that he would be playing a new Autobot named Silverbolt.<ref name="avery">[http://unscripted.ca/episodes/show/136 James Avery interview on Unscripted], January 2010</ref> In June 2010, representatives of James Avery, responding to a bizarre rumor that he had passed away, confirmed that the actor was indeed alive and would be playing Silverbolt in ''Transformers 3''.<ref>[http://www.examiner.com/entertainment-in-national/uncle-phil-james-avery-isn-t-dead-after-all James Avery isn't dead after all], The Examiner, June 2010.</ref> Despite this, neither Avery nor Silverbolt ultimately appear in ''Dark of the Moon''.

* In January of 2011, an Idaho newspaper<ref>[http://magicvalley.com/news/local/article_d4f374a4-d960-5589-8d0c-be37df66fc40.html?mode=story "Rupert's Fagerbakke finds a voice that is truly golden"]</ref> announced [[Bill Fagerbakke]] as the voice of a "Chevy Impala stock car" that would appear in ''Dark of the Moon'' (presumably meaning one of the three [[Wreckers]], who share that base altmode). Why Fagerbakke did not end up voicing any of the Wreckers in the final cut of the film is unknown.

* In an earlier draft of the movie's script, Megatron is sincere when he offers Optimus Prime a truce at the end. Optimus accepts, and Megatron and the remaining Decepticons leave Earth to rebuild Cybertron. This ending is used for the [[Dark of the Moon (novel)|novelization]] and the [[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|comic adaptation]].

* Furthermore, it was originally supposed to be [[Mirage (Movie)|Mirage/"Dino"]] rather than [[Wheeljack (Movie)|Wheeljack/"Que"]] who would have been executed by [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] in Chicago. This version made it into the comic adaptation and the [[Dark of the Moon: The Junior Novel|junior novelization]].

* [[The Twins]], [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], were originally supposed to return for ''Dark of the Moon''. Even though [[General Motors]] provided two Chevrolet Sparks to serve as their alternate modes<ref name="chevyspark">[http://www.leftlanenews.com/chevrolet-spark-transformers-3.html Left Lane News article on two Chevrolet Sparks spotted on the DOTM set], May 2010.</ref> which were still spotted on the set as late as October 2010<ref name="dcparking">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/10/transformers-3-dc-parking-lot-gallery.html "Transformers 3 DC Parking Lot Gallery"], Transformers Live Action Movie Blog, October 2010.</ref>, the two were mostly edited out of the final movie (their vehicle modes can barely be glimpsed in a brief shot). Michael Bay even went so far as to offer a $25,000 reward for anyone who would see the Twins "perform" in the movie.<ref name="reward">[http://collider.com/transformers-3-twins-skids-mudflap-michael-bay/91104/ Collider.com article on Michael Bay's "reward" for spotting Skids and Mudflap "perform" in DOTM], May 2011.</ref> In the novelization and the comic adaptation, Skids and Mudflap still appear.

* Another plot point that was apparently dropped was an anti-Autobot sentiment among the human populace. Graffiti with a crossed out Autobot [[insignia|logo]] with the words "go home" below it showed up in several set photos.<ref name="gohome1">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/05/transformers-3-filming-with-twins.html Photos from the set in Sherman Oaks, California] at the Transformers Live Action Movie Blog, May 2010.</ref><ref name="gohome2">[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/possible-tf3-plot-point-revealed-autobots-go-home/19188/ Photos from the Chicago set] at Seibertron.com, July 2010.</ref> In the movie, Congress instantly passes a law exiling the Autobots from Earth following Sentinel Prime's ultimatum.

* Early working names included "[[Ultra Magnus (disambiguation)|Ultra Magnus]]" for [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]<ref name="chicagocall">[http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2011/06/chicgo-call-sheet-for-ultra-magnus.html "Chicago Call Sheet For Ultra Magnus"], Transformers Live Action Movie Blog, June 2011.</ref>, "Enzo" (after [[Wikipedia:Enzo Ferrari|Enzo Ferrari]])<ref name="callsheet2">[http://tilallaremine.wordpress.com/2011/07/01/dark-of-the-moon-call-sheets/ Dark of the Moon Call Sheets!] at Til All Are Mine blog, July 2011.</ref> and "Rush" for Mirage/"Dino", "[[Warpath (disambiguation)|Warpath]]" for both [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]] and [[Topspin (DOTM)|Topspin]], "Tempest" for Topspin, "[[Flash (disambiguation)|Flash]]" for [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]], "[[Dreadwind (disambiguation)|Dreadwind]]" for [[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]], "[[Hooligan]]" for [[Crowbar]], "[[Dirtbag]]" for [[Hatchet]], "[[Blitzwing (disambiguation)|Blitzwing]]" for [[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]], "[[Breakdown (disambiguation)|Breakdown]]" for Soundwave's new vehicular design, "Colossus" for the [[Driller]]<ref name="nizzi">[http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm Josh Nizzi DOTM concepts.]</ref>, "Buzzard" for [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]], "[[Undermine]]" for [[Igor]] and "[[Steeljaw (disambiguation)|Steeljaw]]" for Wheeljack/"Que". However, it's quite possible a few of these were code names used to keep character identities a secret during production as images of Megatron's new cloak obscured face refer to the character as "Cyclonus".<ref name="wburt">[http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8388 Wesley Burt DOTM concepts.]</ref>
[[Image:DOTM-SentinelPrimetrailer.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Colour me your colour, baby Colour me your car Colour me your colour, darling I know who you are]]

* Roadbuster was originally intended to have [[Wikipedia:Jeff Gordon|Jeff Gordon]]'s #24 [[Wikipedia:DuPont|DuPont]]-sponsored Chevrolet Impala as his alternate mode, rather than [[Wikipedia:Dale_Earnhardt,_Jr.|Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]]'s #88 Impala sponsored by [[Wikipedia:Amp Energy|Amp Energy]].<ref name="nizzi"/>

* Que/Wheeljack's head was once considered to be based on [[Wikipedia:Christopher Lloyd|Christopher Lloyd]]'s [[Wikipedia:Emmett Brown|Doc Brown]] from the [[Wikipedia:Back to the Future trilogy|''Back to the Future'' movies]], rather than [[Wikipedia:Albert Einstein|Albert Einstein]].<ref name="wburt"/>

* The Wreckers were originally intended to have a robot pet dog, whose working names also included "Warpath".<ref name="nizzi"/> Hasbro's official Transformers website identifies the dog as "[[Steeljaw (DOTM)|Steeljaw]]".<ref name="vectorsigma">[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma Database] Hasbro.com.</ref>

* In an interview with MTV.com, actors [[Shia LaBeouf]] and [[John Malkovich]] hinted at at some smaller scenes that were cut from the final edit of the movie. In addition to some add-libbing by the actors, one scene would have featured Malkovich's character, [[Bruce Brazos]], attempting to get Carly's phone number.<ref name="deletedmtv">[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666772/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-dvd-deleted-scenes.jhtml MTV.com on deleted scenes], July 2011.</ref>

* In the original teaser trailer for ''Dark of the Moon'' that was released in December 2010, the opening scene that featured [[Neil Armstrong]] and [[Buzz Aldrin]] investigate the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'' on the moon had Sentinel Prime sport a gold and silver color scheme. For the final movie, his base color was changed to red.
{{-}}

=== Leaks and disinformation===
[[Image:DOTMgameSoundwave.jpg|thumb|300px|right|What you're about to see is totally classified.]]
The movie's title, then "Transformers: ''The'' Dark of the Moon", was first discovered on October 6, 2010 via listings for childrens' books on [http://www.amazon.com/ Amazon.com]. The title was further confirmed by a whois check for "www.transformersdarkofthemoonmovie.com".<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-3-title-revealed-170697/ Transformers 3 Title Revealed?] @ TFW2005.com</ref> On October 31, the official website for all three movies, [http://www.transformersmovie.com/ transformersmovie.com], was updated to show the ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' logo as well as international release dates.

[[Shockwave (Movie)|Shockwave]] was heavily touted as the new main villain, no doubt in an attempt to conceal [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]]'s unexpected betrayal halfway through the movie. A piece of information that commonly popped up in media coverage was the claim that Shockwave was the ruler of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] while the other Autobots and Decepticons were duking it out on Earth.<ref name="pushpops">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/transformers-3-plot-summary-revealed-170756/ "Transformers 3 Plot Summary Revealed"], TFW2005, October 2010.</ref> The last bit could be written off as a case of [[Wikipedia:Chinese whispers|chinese whisper]]: Shockwave got announced as the villain for ''Dark of the Moon'', mainstream media (such as USA Today<ref name="usatodayswitch">[http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm "Next 'Transformers' is due for a switch"], USA Today, June 2010.</ref>) who aren't versed in Transformers lore looked up the character, found out about his ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' [[Shockwave (G1)|namesake]]'s role in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]], included it as a piece of trivia to show they did their research, and then the trivia note got picked up as gospel by other media. Nevertheless, it was included in the ''official plot summary'' by Paramount's German branch (which also claimed that ''Shockwave'' was the robot discovered inside the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'' as seen in the trailer).<ref name="germansite">[http://www.transformers3-film.de/ Official German DOTM site] including faulty plot summary.</ref>

[[Image:TF3HasbroSoundwaveBio.JPG|thumb|300px|left|If you breathe a word of what you see in here, you will do time for treason.]]Michael Bay and other official parties tried ''really'' hard to suppress the plot twist of the silver Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG given to [[Carly Spencer|Carly]] by [[Dylan Gould|Dylan]] turning out to be the new [[alternate mode]] of [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]]. After the Mercedes had been spotted on the set, with [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]] exiting it<ref name="mercedesset">[http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=67518 DOTM Set Photos], ComingSoon.net, July 2010.</ref>, the first hint that it was more than meets the eye came with the trailer for the [[Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|video game]], which showed Soundwave's robot mode with car [[kibble]] such as wheels that heavily resembled those of the Mercedes. In addition, [[Rising Storm issue 3|issue 3]] of ''[[Rising Storm]]'' depicted Soundwave's robot mode not only with car kibble, but with a Mercedes star on his chest. Despite this, director Michael Bay insisted that the Mercedes was simply Carly's car, claiming that "Mercedes would never let us make their car into a bad Decepticon. Car company's {{sic}} really frown on that. I can't say what the game company and comics do that's their own thing. They don't have the same constraints movies do. It's Carly's car."<ref name="baynomerc">[http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8724-Update-Is-Soundwave-the-silver-Mercedes-on-set-of-DOTM&p=169598&viewfull=1#post169598 Michael Bay's response to the fan theory that Soundwave is the Silver Mercedes.], April 2011.</ref> On April 19, 2011, an event for promoting the ''Spider-Man: Edge of Time'' and ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' video games was held in London. As part of this, [[High Moon Studios]] released promotional stills from the ''Dark of the Moon'' game, one of which depicted Soundwave's new robot mode, again with Mercedes parts. However, a news embargo was enforced on the attending press, which was broken by South African video game site [http://egamer.co.za egamer].<ref name="egamera">[http://egamer.co.za/2011/05/exclusive-hands-on-transformers-dark-of-the-moon/ egamer's preview of the ''Dark of the Moon'' video game]</ref> The site was soon asked to take down the article and images, as were various ''Transformers'' fan sites that had reported on the article and mirrored the images. On May 2, 2011, Hasbro's [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/ official Transformers website] was given a massive overhaul, including the addition of the new [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/cybertronian-database.cfm Vector Sigma database]. The entry for Soundwave initially identified his alternate mode as a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, but was soon changed to "satellite". On May 3, 2011, the embargo for the video game article and promotional stills was finally lifted, allowing sites to freely show the image of Soundwave's new robot mode.

On May 5, 2011, several weeks before the trade paperback collection's official release, preview pages from [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s [[Dark of the Moon (comic series)|''Dark of the Moon'' comic adaptation]] were discovered on [http://www.amazon.com/ Amazon.com]. Through some bizarre system error, ''several dozen pages'' were made available, which included the major plot twist of Sentinel Prime showing his true colors and killing [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. Unsurprisingly, this discovery was quickly posted on several major Transformers [[fandom|fan sites]], often without a spoiler warning.

==Notes==
* A 126-page script for the movie was leaked in December 2009<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/content/view/6435/20/ The Allspark: Transformers News Movie Comics Animated - Script Treatment for Transformers 3? Bogus or Not, Here You Go!]</ref>, causing much discussion among the fandom. It was later confirmed as fake.<ref>[http://shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6532 Script]</ref>
* When word hit that [[Megan Fox]] was off the picture, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIuqiepu4UY Heidi Montag] put an "audition" for her part on YouTube. [http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/114ce28ddd/sir-ben-kingsley-shows-up-heidi-montag Sir Ben Kingsley] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4FZeucBO0c Ashton Kutcher] made fun of her, because life is rad.
* Several concepts that had been established by the [[Transformers (2007)|first movie]] were (more or less) dropped with ''Dark of the Moon'' in favor or a more traditional, ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]''-esque approach:
** In the 2007 movie, the Autobots arrive on Earth in "[[Protoform]]" entry modes (which was subsequently used as the basis for the Decepticons' arrival in [[Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall]]). Prior to the release of the movie, screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]] defended this choice over the use of a spaceship such as the ''Ark'' by asking why "aliens who moonlight as vehicles need other vehicles to travel".<ref name="orcitravel">[http://tformers.com/Ark-Not-Making-An-Appearance-In-the-Movie/6513/news.html TFormers quoting Roberto Orci], because Don Murphy's board can only be read by registered members.</ref> He somewhat changed his mind after the movie had been released, however.<ref name="orciship">[http://boards.transformersmovie.com/showpost.php?p=388596&postcount=271 Roberto Orci on the Transformers Live Action Movie Boards], July 2007.</ref> After the Decepticons's ship, the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', had made an appearance in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', ''Dark of the Moon'' not only introduces the movieverse version of the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]'', but also reveals that all the new Autobots who have been on Earth since before ''Revenge of the Fallen'' had arrived in their own spaceship, the ''[[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]]'', making the notion of individual Transformers traveling through space as "comets" an exception rather than the rule.
** Furthermore, ''Dark of the Moon'' largely abandons the idea of Transformers having all their weapons integrated into their bodies in favor of more traditional, separate weapons. For example, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], who had blades and hooks emerging from his forearms in the previous two movies now stores all his weapons (including an axe) as accessories inside his trailer. Also, Ironhide, whose cannons were previously affixed to his arms, now sports handheld firearms instead. (To be fair, he dropped his cannons during the final battle in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.) Even Megatron, whose [[fusion cannon]] previously grew out of his arms, now has an ordinary handheld shotgun. (then again his arm that turned into his Fusion cannon was ripped off by Prime in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.) The only ones who still seem to have the same converting arm cannons as in the previous movies are Bumblebee and Ratchet.

* [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] finally achieves a certain consistency between his two primary modes: Ever since his upgrade to a modern Camaro in ''Transformers'' (2007), his [[license plate]] had alternated between "900 STRA" in vehicle mode and "4NZZ 454" in robot mode. ''Dark of the Moon'' finally uses "900 STRA" for the robot mode as well. Hasbro's toys, which had previously favored the CG robot model's "4NZZ 454" (barring the occasional "4NZZ'''Z''' 454" flub), follow suit.
*Speaking of license plates: [[Dutch (DOTM)|Dutch]]'s Maybach 62S Landaulet sports a German license plate, "'''S MM 6201'''", registered in the city of Stuttgart. In reality, that plate is registered to the manufacturer and used for promotional photos.<ref name="maybach">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-movie-just-movie-31/update--transformers-3-rumor--who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-170533/ Set photos and promo photos of the Maybach 62S Landaulet] at TFW2005.</ref>
*Michael Bay's private Gulfstream Aerospace G-1159A jet (registration number N4500X) has a cameo in the movie as [[Charlotte Mearing]]'s plane.



===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/Dark Side Moon''''' (トランスフォーマー/ダークサイド・ムーン ''Toransufōmā/Dāku Saido Mūn'')
*''Finnish:'' '''''Transformers: Kuun pimeä puoli''''' ("Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon")
*''French:'' '''''Transformers 3: La Face cachée de la Lune''''' ("Transformers 3: The Hidden Side of the Moon")
*''German:'' '''''Transformers 3'''''
*''Polish:'' '''''Transformers 3'''''
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Lado Oculto da Lua''''' ("Transformers: The Hidden Side of the Moon")
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery 3: Tjomnaja storona Luny''''' (Трансформеры 3: Тёмная сторона Луны, "Transformers 3: The Dark Side of the Moon")
*''Serbian:'' '''''Transformers 3: Tama Meseca''''' ("Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers: El Lado Oscuro de la Luna''''' (America, "Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon")
*''Swedish:'' '''''Transformers 3'''''
*''Mandarin:'' '''''變形金剛3：黑月降臨'''''

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.transformersmovie.com/ Official ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' website]
*[http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/ Trailers.Apple.com ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' page]
* Designer portfolios: [http://www.joshnizzi.com/TF3.htm Josh Nizzi], [http://www.warrenmanser.com/WarrenManser.com/PORTFOLIO_M/Pages/TRANSFORMERS_3.html Warren Manser], [http://www.joelchang.com/index.php?/projects/transformers-dark-of-the-moon/ Joel Chang], [http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8293 The Aaron Sims Company] (at Concept Art World), [http://conceptartworld.com/?p=8388 Wesley Burt] (at Concept Art World), [http://massiveblack.com/MBwebolution/blog/?p=301 Massive Black]

[[Category: Dark of the Moon| Dark of the Moon (film)]]
[[Category: Dark of the Moon media]]
[[Category: Real world films]]

Flight

2011-08-24T01:54:08Z

Xblade: /* Human flight */

'''Flight''' is a capability many mechanoids and no few [[Transformer]]s have, whether through rocket boosters, propellers, or even flapping wings. [[Human]]s do not generally have the ability to fly, but there are exceptions. It has proven quite useful strategically in many continuities.

==Jet-powered flight==
The most common means by which Transformers fly is some variation on jet-propulsion engines, rocket engines, or similar. Transformers such as the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] have such thrusters built into their legs, while other individuals such as [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] possess removable jet-packs which strap to their backs.

===Transformers with jet-powered flight===
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Dinomode Grimlock]]<ref>[[Call of the Primitives]]</ref>
*[[Inferno (BW)]]
*[[Megatron (BW)|Transmetal Megatron]]
*[[Optimus Primal]]
*[[Starscream (Movie)]]
*[[Autobot X]]
*[[Megatron (Animated)]]

==Propeller-powered flight==
Sometimes, by virtue of a Transformer's [[alternate mode]], they can fly by means more primitive than they might be accustomed to on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Using airplane propellers, helicoptor rotors, or other similar technologies they can fly at speeds comparable to native aircraft on the worlds they are residing upon.

===Transformers with propeller-powered flight===
*[[Divebomb (Classics)|''Classics'' Divebomb]]
*[[Obsidian (BM)]]
*[[Blackout (Movie)]]
*[[Cyclonus (Armada)]]
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]]
*[[Sandstorm (G1)]]
*[[Powerdive]]
*[[Ransack (G2)]]
*[[Octane|Tankor (Universe ''Classic series'')]]
*[[Megatron (Animated)]]
*[[Evac]]
*[[Galvatron (SG)]]

==Biological flight==
Many transformers have a physical pair of beast-mode wings, whether natural-looking or mechanical. In these cases, the transformer's flight derives from flapping these wings or gliding much like an animal would.

===Transformers with biological flight===
*[[Airazor (BW)]] / [[Airazor (Armada)]]
*[[Divebomb (G1)]]
*[[Megatron (BW)|Transmetal 2 Megatron]]
*[[Nightscream (BM)]]
*[[Silverbolt (BW)]]
*[[Swoop (G1)]]
*[[Terrorsaur (BW)]]
*[[Waspinator|Waspinator (BW)]]
*[[Wasp|Waspinator (Animated)]]

==Levitation==
Some Transformers just float, often by no apparent means. It isn't always that well explained in the fiction, though certainly there exist transformers with anti-gravity generators and other technologies which allow them to maneuver effortlessly even within a gravitational field.

===Transformers with levitation===
[[Image:Soundwave fly.jpg|right|180px|thumb|I'm flyin' without wings!]]
*[[Shockwave (G1)]]
*[[Sky-Byte (RID)]]
*[[Transmutate (character)|Transmutate]]
*[[Soundwave (G1)]]

{{-}}

==Robot-mode flight==
[[Image:G1 cartoon Autobots fly.JPG|right|200px|thumb|A rare instance of flying.]]
Robot-mode flight powers are an innovative power that allows [[Transformer]]s without a flight-based [[alternate mode]] to fly while in robot mode. The [[Decepticon]]s make good use of this power.

Sometimes the [[Autobot]]s have them....sometimes they don't. Most often they display them early in Season 1 of the US cartoon, particularly the pilot. It is uncertain if they require external equipment to fly; several times the Autobots use strap-on jet packs or rocket packs, but sometimes they don't.

Robot-mode flight was prevalent in the post-movie episodes, in which the focus was shifted to space (perhaps, taking a hint from the Gundam franchise.) Although some characters could not fly under the influence of a planet's gravity, ''everyone'' seemed to possess the power of flight in deep space.

==Human flight==
*[[Circuit Breaker]]'s electronic suit allows her to fly by manipulating electricity. As does her [[Sephie Beller| mirrorverse counterpart]].
*[[Dynamo]] has the innate ability to tap into the power of the [[Earth]] which gives him flight capability.*[[Rapture]]'s mental powers allow her to fly.
*[[Falcon (superhero)|Falcon]] flies with the aid of high tech wings.
*[[Ms. Marvel]] can fly, courtesy of her half-[[Kree]] genetics.
*[[Professor Princess]] flies somehow. It may have to do with the pony she rides around, but who can say for sure?

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
Transformers did not demonstrate robot-mode levitation-type flight.

===Generation 1 cartoon===
Robot-mode flight powers were a technological innovation that allowed the Decepticons, who had just mastered the art of [[Transformation]], to start a [[Great War (G1)|new war]] and battle the Autobots for supremacy of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Their initial attacks were not a matter of public knowledge, and some Autobots, such as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]] and [[Dion]], admired them for their innovations. This admiration was ended when [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] blasted Orion, Dion, and [[Elita One|Ariel]]. It was to Megatron's detriment, however, for [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] rebuilt Orion and Ariel into [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Elita One]]. {{storylink|War Dawn}}

Eventually, the Autobots also mastered robot-mode flight powers, and they used them to reach an oil rig which the Decepticons were plundering. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} Ironhide and Bluestreak pursued the fleeing Decepticons into the air, though Skywarp had little difficulty shooting down Ironhide. Optimus required the use of [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]'s rocket pack to catch up to the space-bound [[Victory (G1)|Decepticon ship]] shortly afterwards, implying a limit on the speed or range of his flight capabilities. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}} Sideswipe and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] also used robot-mode flight powers in their use of [[jet judo]] against [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] attacking the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot base]]. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}}

The Decepticons' own flight capabilities have known to fail them at times too. In one instance, under a barrage of firepower, Optimus and the Autobots drove the Decepticons back until they fell down a canyon into lava, instead of simply flying out. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

The Autobots' ability to fly in robot mode effectively vanished after that. To reach Dinobot Island, Optimus Prime and a crew of Autobots used strap-on jetpacks. Even Autobots with flying alternate modes did not seem able to fly in robot mode, though [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] seemed able to maneuver in space while in robot mode.

The newly created Dinobots could fly in robot mode, an ability they consistently demonstrated throughout their history. Their creator, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], was also shown flying in robot mode apparently unassisted, an ability his on-package [[bio]] claims for him. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}}

In the years following the defeat of Unicron, a number of Autobots were seen to fly through space without any visible aid or means of propulsion. Notable among them was Perceptor, who had never before demonstrated such an ability. Before one such instance, Sky Lynx advised the Autobots in question to "don your rocket packs, gentlemen!" The Technobots all flew in robot mode from Earth to Saturn's moon Titan.

Despite the Autobots' rare display of this ability, some claim they do not have it at all. [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] once said outright that "Autobots cannot fly," himself flying easily over a booby trap, while his apparently earthbound Autobot companions remained helpless. Then again, Galvatron is beyond psychotic. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

===Beast Wars cartoon===
Early in this series, the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] had a tactical advantage due to the imbalance of flight-capable individuals in their faction. Initially, only [[Optimus Primal]] could provide air support for the [[Maximal]]s, and then only in robot-mode, which was risky in the [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]-rich environment. However as more [[Protoform]]s were formatted and pressed into service, particularly [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] and [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]], the balance of forces became more even.

Sufficient volumes of energon itself, of a certain level of instability, are said to have the ability to cause large objects to float {{storylink|Power Surge}}.

[[Transmutate (character)|Transmutate]] had an apparently unique flight mechanism: it extended a crystalline object from within its body, and when the crystal was exposed to air, it gave off an intense energy field and then caused its user to levitate. Since Transmutate was a malformed, incomplete design, this might have been a display of widespread Transformer flight technology that otherwise would always be internal and unseen.

===IDW comics===
Back before the war, information on scientific breakthroughs in levitation/"repulsors" that could lead to robot-mode flight abilities caught the greedy optics of Senator [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], who manipulated the stock to take control. Given that he offered a variety of war-tech to the fledgling Decepticons under Megatron, this may be intended as a reference to or origin for their robot-form flight abilities; however, the Decepticons have demonstrated no such abilities in the IDW continuity. This may be an artifact of this storyline's planning and even possible scripting during the latter days before the [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] bankruptcy.

===Cybertron cartoon===
Robot mode flight powers were tied to the ability to fly in vehicle mode, indicating that all Transformers with flight-capable alternate modes possessed internal repulsors or vertical thrusters. Faction did not come into it. A Transformer who went from vehicle mode to robot mode while in flight would lose considerable momentum doing so, a factor often used to land in confined areas. Most flight was typically carried out in vehicle mode, as it was faster and typically more agile. Interestingly, all Transformers were capable of robot mode flight in zero gravity ([[Six-Speed|and]] [[Reverb (Cybertron)|some]] were capable of it in ''car'' modes). Given the way things work in zero gravity, the robot mode flight in such conditions is actually quite natural, albeit slow.

===Transformers Animated===
Autobots did not possess flight, save for limited jumps using booster jets. However, the capture of the Decepticon Starscream allowed the Autobot [[Ministry of Science]] to reverse-engineer flight protocols and implant them in a pair of energon refinery maintenance bots. The result was [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], whose origins as a split protoform granted them other new abilities as a result of the process, including becoming a [[combiner]]. {{storylink|First (and Second) in Flight}}

===TransTech continuity===
[[Tonka GoBots|GoBots]] all have robot-mode flight systems. {{storylink|Withered Hope}}

===Live-action film series===

Some Transformers have robot-mode flight with the aid of "jetpacks" and other flight systems.

====''Ghosts of Yesterday''' prequel novel====
Autobots and Decepticons alike can fly under gravity in robot mode by using "propulsion." {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===War For Cybertron===

All Transformers are equipped with thrusters in their feet, allowing them to boost themselves while jumping (a double-jump, if you will). Jet-mode Transformers, such as [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] and [[Air Raid (WFC)|Air Raid]], are flight capable in jet mode but are ground-bound in robot mode. However, several Transformers have the ability to hover in the air in robot mode (including [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]).

==Notes==
*Despite all these advanced flight abilities, Cybertronians seem incapable of actually ''landing'' successfully after [[The Story of Wheelie, the Wild Boy of Quintesson|achieving]] [[Cosmos (G1)|flight]]. [[Ark (G1)|There]] [[Nemesis (G1)|are]] [[Axalon (BW)|many]], [[Darksyde|many]] [[Jetfire (G1)|instances]] [[Megatron (Movie)|of]] [[Exodus (Armada)|infamous]] [[Miranda II|crashes]] [[Ark II|within]] [[Orion (ship)|the]] [[Transition form|fictions]]. In fact, [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] makes somewhat of a reference to this in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', when he botches his own landing, commenting on it sarcastically as he does.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Abilities]]
[[Category:Transformer anatomy]]

Flight

2011-08-24T01:53:35Z

Xblade: /* Human flight */

'''Flight''' is a capability many mechanoids and no few [[Transformer]]s have, whether through rocket boosters, propellers, or even flapping wings. [[Human]]s do not generally have the ability to fly, but there are exceptions. It has proven quite useful strategically in many continuities.

==Jet-powered flight==
The most common means by which Transformers fly is some variation on jet-propulsion engines, rocket engines, or similar. Transformers such as the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] have such thrusters built into their legs, while other individuals such as [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] possess removable jet-packs which strap to their backs.

===Transformers with jet-powered flight===
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Dinomode Grimlock]]<ref>[[Call of the Primitives]]</ref>
*[[Inferno (BW)]]
*[[Megatron (BW)|Transmetal Megatron]]
*[[Optimus Primal]]
*[[Starscream (Movie)]]
*[[Autobot X]]
*[[Megatron (Animated)]]

==Propeller-powered flight==
Sometimes, by virtue of a Transformer's [[alternate mode]], they can fly by means more primitive than they might be accustomed to on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Using airplane propellers, helicoptor rotors, or other similar technologies they can fly at speeds comparable to native aircraft on the worlds they are residing upon.

===Transformers with propeller-powered flight===
*[[Divebomb (Classics)|''Classics'' Divebomb]]
*[[Obsidian (BM)]]
*[[Blackout (Movie)]]
*[[Cyclonus (Armada)]]
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]]
*[[Sandstorm (G1)]]
*[[Powerdive]]
*[[Ransack (G2)]]
*[[Octane|Tankor (Universe ''Classic series'')]]
*[[Megatron (Animated)]]
*[[Evac]]
*[[Galvatron (SG)]]

==Biological flight==
Many transformers have a physical pair of beast-mode wings, whether natural-looking or mechanical. In these cases, the transformer's flight derives from flapping these wings or gliding much like an animal would.

===Transformers with biological flight===
*[[Airazor (BW)]] / [[Airazor (Armada)]]
*[[Divebomb (G1)]]
*[[Megatron (BW)|Transmetal 2 Megatron]]
*[[Nightscream (BM)]]
*[[Silverbolt (BW)]]
*[[Swoop (G1)]]
*[[Terrorsaur (BW)]]
*[[Waspinator|Waspinator (BW)]]
*[[Wasp|Waspinator (Animated)]]

==Levitation==
Some Transformers just float, often by no apparent means. It isn't always that well explained in the fiction, though certainly there exist transformers with anti-gravity generators and other technologies which allow them to maneuver effortlessly even within a gravitational field.

===Transformers with levitation===
[[Image:Soundwave fly.jpg|right|180px|thumb|I'm flyin' without wings!]]
*[[Shockwave (G1)]]
*[[Sky-Byte (RID)]]
*[[Transmutate (character)|Transmutate]]
*[[Soundwave (G1)]]

{{-}}

==Robot-mode flight==
[[Image:G1 cartoon Autobots fly.JPG|right|200px|thumb|A rare instance of flying.]]
Robot-mode flight powers are an innovative power that allows [[Transformer]]s without a flight-based [[alternate mode]] to fly while in robot mode. The [[Decepticon]]s make good use of this power.

Sometimes the [[Autobot]]s have them....sometimes they don't. Most often they display them early in Season 1 of the US cartoon, particularly the pilot. It is uncertain if they require external equipment to fly; several times the Autobots use strap-on jet packs or rocket packs, but sometimes they don't.

Robot-mode flight was prevalent in the post-movie episodes, in which the focus was shifted to space (perhaps, taking a hint from the Gundam franchise.) Although some characters could not fly under the influence of a planet's gravity, ''everyone'' seemed to possess the power of flight in deep space.

==Human flight==
*[[Circuit Breaker]]'s electronic suit allows her to fly by manipulating electricity.
*[[Dynamo]] has the innate ability to tap into the power of the [[Earth]] which gives him flight capability. As does her [[Sephie Beller| mirrorverse counterpart]].
*[[Rapture]]'s mental powers allow her to fly.
*[[Falcon (superhero)|Falcon]] flies with the aid of high tech wings.
*[[Ms. Marvel]] can fly, courtesy of her half-[[Kree]] genetics.
*[[Professor Princess]] flies somehow. It may have to do with the pony she rides around, but who can say for sure?

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
Transformers did not demonstrate robot-mode levitation-type flight.

===Generation 1 cartoon===
Robot-mode flight powers were a technological innovation that allowed the Decepticons, who had just mastered the art of [[Transformation]], to start a [[Great War (G1)|new war]] and battle the Autobots for supremacy of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Their initial attacks were not a matter of public knowledge, and some Autobots, such as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]] and [[Dion]], admired them for their innovations. This admiration was ended when [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] blasted Orion, Dion, and [[Elita One|Ariel]]. It was to Megatron's detriment, however, for [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] rebuilt Orion and Ariel into [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Elita One]]. {{storylink|War Dawn}}

Eventually, the Autobots also mastered robot-mode flight powers, and they used them to reach an oil rig which the Decepticons were plundering. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} Ironhide and Bluestreak pursued the fleeing Decepticons into the air, though Skywarp had little difficulty shooting down Ironhide. Optimus required the use of [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]'s rocket pack to catch up to the space-bound [[Victory (G1)|Decepticon ship]] shortly afterwards, implying a limit on the speed or range of his flight capabilities. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}} Sideswipe and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] also used robot-mode flight powers in their use of [[jet judo]] against [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] attacking the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot base]]. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}}

The Decepticons' own flight capabilities have known to fail them at times too. In one instance, under a barrage of firepower, Optimus and the Autobots drove the Decepticons back until they fell down a canyon into lava, instead of simply flying out. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

The Autobots' ability to fly in robot mode effectively vanished after that. To reach Dinobot Island, Optimus Prime and a crew of Autobots used strap-on jetpacks. Even Autobots with flying alternate modes did not seem able to fly in robot mode, though [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] seemed able to maneuver in space while in robot mode.

The newly created Dinobots could fly in robot mode, an ability they consistently demonstrated throughout their history. Their creator, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], was also shown flying in robot mode apparently unassisted, an ability his on-package [[bio]] claims for him. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}}

In the years following the defeat of Unicron, a number of Autobots were seen to fly through space without any visible aid or means of propulsion. Notable among them was Perceptor, who had never before demonstrated such an ability. Before one such instance, Sky Lynx advised the Autobots in question to "don your rocket packs, gentlemen!" The Technobots all flew in robot mode from Earth to Saturn's moon Titan.

Despite the Autobots' rare display of this ability, some claim they do not have it at all. [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] once said outright that "Autobots cannot fly," himself flying easily over a booby trap, while his apparently earthbound Autobot companions remained helpless. Then again, Galvatron is beyond psychotic. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

===Beast Wars cartoon===
Early in this series, the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] had a tactical advantage due to the imbalance of flight-capable individuals in their faction. Initially, only [[Optimus Primal]] could provide air support for the [[Maximal]]s, and then only in robot-mode, which was risky in the [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]-rich environment. However as more [[Protoform]]s were formatted and pressed into service, particularly [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] and [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]], the balance of forces became more even.

Sufficient volumes of energon itself, of a certain level of instability, are said to have the ability to cause large objects to float {{storylink|Power Surge}}.

[[Transmutate (character)|Transmutate]] had an apparently unique flight mechanism: it extended a crystalline object from within its body, and when the crystal was exposed to air, it gave off an intense energy field and then caused its user to levitate. Since Transmutate was a malformed, incomplete design, this might have been a display of widespread Transformer flight technology that otherwise would always be internal and unseen.

===IDW comics===
Back before the war, information on scientific breakthroughs in levitation/"repulsors" that could lead to robot-mode flight abilities caught the greedy optics of Senator [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], who manipulated the stock to take control. Given that he offered a variety of war-tech to the fledgling Decepticons under Megatron, this may be intended as a reference to or origin for their robot-form flight abilities; however, the Decepticons have demonstrated no such abilities in the IDW continuity. This may be an artifact of this storyline's planning and even possible scripting during the latter days before the [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] bankruptcy.

===Cybertron cartoon===
Robot mode flight powers were tied to the ability to fly in vehicle mode, indicating that all Transformers with flight-capable alternate modes possessed internal repulsors or vertical thrusters. Faction did not come into it. A Transformer who went from vehicle mode to robot mode while in flight would lose considerable momentum doing so, a factor often used to land in confined areas. Most flight was typically carried out in vehicle mode, as it was faster and typically more agile. Interestingly, all Transformers were capable of robot mode flight in zero gravity ([[Six-Speed|and]] [[Reverb (Cybertron)|some]] were capable of it in ''car'' modes). Given the way things work in zero gravity, the robot mode flight in such conditions is actually quite natural, albeit slow.

===Transformers Animated===
Autobots did not possess flight, save for limited jumps using booster jets. However, the capture of the Decepticon Starscream allowed the Autobot [[Ministry of Science]] to reverse-engineer flight protocols and implant them in a pair of energon refinery maintenance bots. The result was [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], whose origins as a split protoform granted them other new abilities as a result of the process, including becoming a [[combiner]]. {{storylink|First (and Second) in Flight}}

===TransTech continuity===
[[Tonka GoBots|GoBots]] all have robot-mode flight systems. {{storylink|Withered Hope}}

===Live-action film series===

Some Transformers have robot-mode flight with the aid of "jetpacks" and other flight systems.

====''Ghosts of Yesterday''' prequel novel====
Autobots and Decepticons alike can fly under gravity in robot mode by using "propulsion." {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===War For Cybertron===

All Transformers are equipped with thrusters in their feet, allowing them to boost themselves while jumping (a double-jump, if you will). Jet-mode Transformers, such as [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] and [[Air Raid (WFC)|Air Raid]], are flight capable in jet mode but are ground-bound in robot mode. However, several Transformers have the ability to hover in the air in robot mode (including [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]).

==Notes==
*Despite all these advanced flight abilities, Cybertronians seem incapable of actually ''landing'' successfully after [[The Story of Wheelie, the Wild Boy of Quintesson|achieving]] [[Cosmos (G1)|flight]]. [[Ark (G1)|There]] [[Nemesis (G1)|are]] [[Axalon (BW)|many]], [[Darksyde|many]] [[Jetfire (G1)|instances]] [[Megatron (Movie)|of]] [[Exodus (Armada)|infamous]] [[Miranda II|crashes]] [[Ark II|within]] [[Orion (ship)|the]] [[Transition form|fictions]]. In fact, [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] makes somewhat of a reference to this in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', when he botches his own landing, commenting on it sarcastically as he does.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Abilities]]
[[Category:Transformer anatomy]]

Con Job

2011-08-24T01:35:42Z

Xblade: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 8
|prev=Scrapheap (episode)
|next=Convoy (episode)
|image=ConJob-getthispartystarted.jpg
|caption=Quick! They must [[A Prime Problem|have a race!]] Or [[Where Is Thy Sting?|play video games!]]
|title="Con Job"
|airdate=[[February 25]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''Bulkhead awaits the arrival of his friend Wheeljack—what could go wrong?'''

==Synopsis==
With their chores done, [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] is looking forward to "dune bashing" with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], but he'd rather check out the monster truck rally in [[Jasper|town]]. Their plans are interrupted when [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] receives a signal from a starship headed for [[Earth]]. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] wonders if it might be a [[Decepticon]] trap, but Bulkhead identifies the incoming [[Autobot]] as his old friend and [[Wrecker]] pal, [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]. [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus]] sends landing coordinates for Wheeljack's landing the next day, and Bulkhead is excited to see his old friend.

On the [[Nemesis (Prime)|Decepticon ship]], [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] has monitored the conversation and it gives [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] the chance he needs. He orders [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] to prepare for a mission.

The kids are excited to be getting to meet a new Autobot. Ratchet has problems getting the [[ground bridge]] working, due to the damage sustained during the [[Scraplet]] infestation. Their instruments pick up Decepticon signals closing on [[Wheeljack's ship]]. Indeed, the [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] manage to shoot down the ship, but Wheeljack emerges from the wreckage and starts smashing the tar out of them. Ratchet finally gets the ground bridge operational, and Bulkhead, Arcee and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] storm through to find Wheeljack finishing off the last of the 'cons. Bulkhead greets his old friend with a massive bear hug, and the four Autobots return to base. Wheeljack hits it off with Miko right away, and checks in with Optimus. Ratchet's not as enthusiastic as the others with Bulkhead's friend, as he senses impending destruction.

Starscream discusses their success in getting a spy into the Autobot base as he and Soundwave pay a visit to their prisoner — the real Wheeljack. Now he's inside the Autobot base, Makeshift will be able to activate the ground bridge and reveal the base's location so Starscream can send the troops in. Wheeljack mocks Starscream, who's prevented from killing the prisoner by Soundwave since Wheeljack may yet be of use.

The Autobots and kids celebrate Wheeljack's arrival, Miko by breaking out her electric guitar and Bulkhead and "Wheeljack" by engaging in some [[Cybertronian_sport#Lobbing| Lobbing]]. After some encouragement by Miko, [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] busts some dance moves by doing The Robot, and Bumblebee joins in. Makeshift takes some time to fish for info on the ground bridge from Ratchet, who says it's in the middle of defragging and can't be used for a few hours.

Starscream wonders why Makeshift is taking so long to get the ground bridge activated, since he won't be able to keep the Autobots fooled for long.

Bulkhead tells the kids about a battle he and Wheeljack took part in, and Makeshift barely covers for his lack of knowledge. Bulkhead observes that his old friend seems different, but Makeshift writes this off as jet lag, and asks Miko to show him around the base. However Bulkhead's suspicions have been raised, and Arcee's suggestions don't allay them.

On the Decepticon ship, Wheeljack manages to kill his guard and get free from his bonds.

[[Image:ConJob-Makeshifthostage.jpg|right|thumb|300px|They're not dolls, they're action figures!]]

Miko wanders the base with Makeshift, and the 'con manages to get the location of the Autobot base out of her. Miko promises to show him the way out, and they return to the control center, where Bulkhead asks his "friend" to tell the story of the [[Battle of Darkmount Pass]]. Makeshift tells the story, but manages to get one crucial detail wrong — Bulkhead wasn't part of the battle. Realizing that his cover's blown, Makeshift takes Miko hostage.

Starscream and Soundwave hang out on top of the Decepticon ship with a bunch of Vehicons, waiting for Makeshift to open the ground bridge. They're confronted by Wheeljack, who fights his way through a bunch of Vehicons and pounces on Starscream. As more 'cons rush towards Wheeljack, the ground bridge activates, courtesy of Makeshift. Makeshift's ready to enter the ground bridge at the Autobot end, when Wheeljack comes flying through it and lands on him. Ratchet shuts down the ground bridge before any Decepticons come through. The two Wheeljacks draw their swords and fight at length while the Autobots fail to keep track of who's who. Wheeljack, of course, triumphs.

Starscream is pleased when the ground bridge opens again and orders the Vehicons through, however it's only been reopened so Bulkhead can throw Makeshift through. The 'con lands on Starscream, who asks if Makeshift has obtained the location of the Autobot base. Makeshift's in the process of telling him when Starscream realizes that the grenade Makeshift is wearing has been primed and is about to explode, and he and Soundwave retreat, leaving Makeshift a number of Vehicons to be caught in the ensuing explosion.

The Autobots have another party, to Ratchet's pain. Bulkhead suggests they pick out a vehicle mode for Wheeljack, but Wheeljack says he's not staying now that his ship's fixed. The next morning, he offers to take Bulkhead with him, but Bulkhead's too attached to Earth and Miko to leave. Miko snaps a picture of the two Autobots with [[Miko's phone|her cell phone]] before Wheeljack leaves.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (1)
* [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (3)
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
* [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (5)
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (8)
* [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (9)

|c2=
* [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (10)
* [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (11)
* [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] (12)
* [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (13)

|c3=
* [[Miko Nakadai]] (2)
* [[Jack Darby]] (6)
* [[Raf Esquivel]] (7)

}}

==Quotes==
"Do you not see that you are vastly outnumbered?" 
"I see fellas who might vastly enjoy watching me pound some dents into you."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Wheeljack'''

"The Wreckers were trapped between Decepticon patrol and the smelting pit 'Cons were vicious baring down on us with every thing they had me and bulkhead engaged the enemy left them for scrap then i made us a way out using their backsides as stepping stones to cross the molten metal. Isn't that how it happened?"
"-Yeah... That's exactly how it happened, exept for one little thing ('Wheeljack's' smug face becomes worried)
'''I WASN"T THERE!"
:-'''Makeshift''' and '''Bulk''', with the former about to ''become'' scrap.

"I'm still picking shrapnel out of my backside!"
 "I'm not surprised, given the size of your backside."
:—'''Bulkhead''' reminisces, '''Arcee''' zings.

"If anything happens to my favourite Wrecker, I'm coming after you!"
:—'''Wheeljack''' tells Miko to take good care of his best bud for him.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* When the camera angle moves to show Optimus saying that he knows Wheeljack by reputation only, the shadow of Miko's heel looks lightly separated from it, as if her leg were hovering over Bulkhead's armour plate.
* Apparently, huge, alien robots can leave their tracks in the snow (see Bumblebee and Bulkhead at the beginning of the [[Scrapheap (episode)|previous episode]]), but it looks like they cannot leave any in the sand.

===Continuity errors===
* When the alarm goes off, the monitor shows five bogies (Vehicons) approaching Wheeljack's ship. But in the next scene, when Wheeljack's ship is being attacked, there are six Vehicons.

===Continuity notes===
* The Autobots refer to their base as "[[Autobot Outpost Omega One]]."
* Ratchet mentions that the equipment's been kind of buggy since "[[Scrapheap (episode)|the infestation]]."

===Transformers references===
* Wheeljack and Bulkhead are former members of the [[Wrecker]]s. This is the team's first mention in a TV series.
* Wheeljack had fought in [[Darkmount]] near the [[smelting pool|smelting pit]]s.

===Real-world references===
* Wheeljack's ship crashlands near a [[Egypt|trio of pyramids]].
* Raf and Bumblebee perform a dance called "The Robot", a street dance style popularized by the Jackson Five.
* Bumblebee can briefly be seen dancing like John Travolta in ''Saturday Night Fever''.

===Trivia===
* Just like with [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], Wheeljack's robot mode clearly has Earth vehicle kibble, even though it's stated that he doesn't yet have a local [[alternate mode|altmode]].
*This is the third time [[Makeshift (Prime)|a character]] has been introduced only to be [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|killed]] [[Skyquake (Prime)|off]] before the episode's over. Wheeljack's the first Cybertronian (and currently the only Autobot) who is not part of the main cast to survive his own debut episode.
* During the fight with the Vehicons, Wheeljack jumps behind one, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|rips off its arm]] and then proceeds to [[Starscream (Movie)|beat another with it]].
* Starscream once again attempts to kill a prisoner (Wheeljack) the moment they insinuate he isn't in charge. Only this time, he is stopped by Soundwave.
* This is the first episode where Starscream uses one of the missiles attached to his forearms.
* Bulkhead mentions that Wheeljack has a public service record. Presumably, this is true for all Autobots in the military.
* While [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] was the first character shown with a hand-held gun, Wheeljack is the first one shown with a pair of hand-held melee weapons (in this case, two swords).
* Wheeljack beats up Starscream to the point where he [[humanization|coughs up Energon]]. ''Hard core!''
** When Makeshift, still disguised as Wheeljack, gets ready to fight the real Wheeljack, he puts his mask on, but if you look quickly before that, you can see that he's coughed up Energon as well.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Con Job

2011-08-24T01:35:18Z

Xblade: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 8
|prev=Scrapheap (episode)
|next=Convoy (episode)
|image=ConJob-getthispartystarted.jpg
|caption=Quick! They must [[A Prime Problem|have a race!]] Or [[Where Is Thy Sting?|play video games!]]
|title="Con Job"
|airdate=[[February 25]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''Bulkhead awaits the arrival of his friend Wheeljack—what could go wrong?'''

==Synopsis==
With their chores done, [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] is looking forward to "dune bashing" with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], but he'd rather check out the monster truck rally in [[Jasper|town]]. Their plans are interrupted when [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] receives a signal from a starship headed for [[Earth]]. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] wonders if it might be a [[Decepticon]] trap, but Bulkhead identifies the incoming [[Autobot]] as his old friend and [[Wrecker]] pal, [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]. [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus]] sends landing coordinates for Wheeljack's landing the next day, and Bulkhead is excited to see his old friend.

On the [[Nemesis (Prime)|Decepticon ship]], [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] has monitored the conversation and it gives [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] the chance he needs. He orders [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] to prepare for a mission.

The kids are excited to be getting to meet a new Autobot. Ratchet has problems getting the [[ground bridge]] working, due to the damage sustained during the [[Scraplet]] infestation. Their instruments pick up Decepticon signals closing on [[Wheeljack's ship]]. Indeed, the [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] manage to shoot down the ship, but Wheeljack emerges from the wreckage and starts smashing the tar out of them. Ratchet finally gets the ground bridge operational, and Bulkhead, Arcee and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] storm through to find Wheeljack finishing off the last of the 'cons. Bulkhead greets his old friend with a massive bear hug, and the four Autobots return to base. Wheeljack hits it off with Miko right away, and checks in with Optimus. Ratchet's not as enthusiastic as the others with Bulkhead's friend, as he senses impending destruction.

Starscream discusses their success in getting a spy into the Autobot base as he and Soundwave pay a visit to their prisoner — the real Wheeljack. Now he's inside the Autobot base, Makeshift will be able to activate the ground bridge and reveal the base's location so Starscream can send the troops in. Wheeljack mocks Starscream, who's prevented from killing the prisoner by Soundwave since Wheeljack may yet be of use.

The Autobots and kids celebrate Wheeljack's arrival, Miko by breaking out her electric guitar and Bulkhead and "Wheeljack" by engaging in some [[Cybertronian_sport#Lobbing| Lobbing]]. After some encouragement by Miko, [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] busts some dance moves by doing The Robot, and Bumblebee joins in. Makeshift takes some time to fish for info on the ground bridge from Ratchet, who says it's in the middle of defragging and can't be used for a few hours.

Starscream wonders why Makeshift is taking so long to get the ground bridge activated, since he won't be able to keep the Autobots fooled for long.

Bulkhead tells the kids about a battle he and Wheeljack took part in, and Makeshift barely covers for his lack of knowledge. Bulkhead observes that his old friend seems different, but Makeshift writes this off as jet lag, and asks Miko to show him around the base. However Bulkhead's suspicions have been raised, and Arcee's suggestions don't allay them.

On the Decepticon ship, Wheeljack manages to kill his guard and get free from his bonds.

[[Image:ConJob-Makeshifthostage.jpg|right|thumb|300px|They're not dolls, they're action figures!]]

Miko wanders the base with Makeshift, and the 'con manages to get the location of the Autobot base out of her. Miko promises to show him the way out, and they return to the control center, where Bulkhead asks his "friend" to tell the story of the [[Battle of Darkmount Pass]]. Makeshift tells the story, but manages to get one crucial detail wrong — Bulkhead wasn't part of the battle. Realizing that his cover's blown, Makeshift takes Miko hostage.

Starscream and Soundwave hang out on top of the Decepticon ship with a bunch of Vehicons, waiting for Makeshift to open the ground bridge. They're confronted by Wheeljack, who fights his way through a bunch of Vehicons and pounces on Starscream. As more 'cons rush towards Wheeljack, the ground bridge activates, courtesy of Makeshift. Makeshift's ready to enter the ground bridge at the Autobot end, when Wheeljack comes flying through it and lands on him. Ratchet shuts down the ground bridge before any Decepticons come through. The two Wheeljacks draw their swords and fight at length while the Autobots fail to keep track of who's who. Wheeljack, of course, triumphs.

Starscream is pleased when the ground bridge opens again and orders the Vehicons through, however it's only been reopened so Bulkhead can throw Makeshift through. The 'con lands on Starscream, who asks if Makeshift has obtained the location of the Autobot base. Makeshift's in the process of telling him when Starscream realizes that the grenade Makeshift is wearing has been primed and is about to explode, and he and Soundwave retreat, leaving Makeshift a number of Vehicons to be caught in the ensuing explosion.

The Autobots have another party, to Ratchet's pain. Bulkhead suggests they pick out a vehicle mode for Wheeljack, but Wheeljack says he's not staying now that his ship's fixed. The next morning, he offers to take Bulkhead with him, but Bulkhead's too attached to Earth and Miko to leave. Miko snaps a picture of the two Autobots with [[Miko's phone|her cell phone]] before Wheeljack leaves.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (1)
* [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (3)
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
* [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (5)
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (8)
* [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (9)

|c2=
* [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (10)
* [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (11)
* [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] (12)
* [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (13)

|c3=
* [[Miko Nakadai]] (2)
* [[Jack Darby]] (6)
* [[Raf Esquivel]] (7)

}}

==Quotes==
"Do you not see that you are vastly outnumbered?" 
"I see fellas who might vastly enjoy watching me pound some dents into you."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Wheeljack'''

"The Wreckers were trapped between Decepticon patrol and the smelting pit 'Cons were vicious baring down on us with every thing they had me and bulkhead engaged the enemy left them for scrap then i made us a way out using their backsides as stepping stones to cross the molten metal. Isn't that how it happened?"
"-Yeah... That's exactly how it happened, exept for one little thing ('Wheeljack's' smug face becomes worried)
'''I WASN"T THERE!" :-'''Makeshift''' and '''Bulk''', with the former about to ''become'' scrap.

"I'm still picking shrapnel out of my backside!"
 "I'm not surprised, given the size of your backside."
:—'''Bulkhead''' reminisces, '''Arcee''' zings.

"If anything happens to my favourite Wrecker, I'm coming after you!"
:—'''Wheeljack''' tells Miko to take good care of his best bud for him.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* When the camera angle moves to show Optimus saying that he knows Wheeljack by reputation only, the shadow of Miko's heel looks lightly separated from it, as if her leg were hovering over Bulkhead's armour plate.
* Apparently, huge, alien robots can leave their tracks in the snow (see Bumblebee and Bulkhead at the beginning of the [[Scrapheap (episode)|previous episode]]), but it looks like they cannot leave any in the sand.

===Continuity errors===
* When the alarm goes off, the monitor shows five bogies (Vehicons) approaching Wheeljack's ship. But in the next scene, when Wheeljack's ship is being attacked, there are six Vehicons.

===Continuity notes===
* The Autobots refer to their base as "[[Autobot Outpost Omega One]]."
* Ratchet mentions that the equipment's been kind of buggy since "[[Scrapheap (episode)|the infestation]]."

===Transformers references===
* Wheeljack and Bulkhead are former members of the [[Wrecker]]s. This is the team's first mention in a TV series.
* Wheeljack had fought in [[Darkmount]] near the [[smelting pool|smelting pit]]s.

===Real-world references===
* Wheeljack's ship crashlands near a [[Egypt|trio of pyramids]].
* Raf and Bumblebee perform a dance called "The Robot", a street dance style popularized by the Jackson Five.
* Bumblebee can briefly be seen dancing like John Travolta in ''Saturday Night Fever''.

===Trivia===
* Just like with [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], Wheeljack's robot mode clearly has Earth vehicle kibble, even though it's stated that he doesn't yet have a local [[alternate mode|altmode]].
*This is the third time [[Makeshift (Prime)|a character]] has been introduced only to be [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|killed]] [[Skyquake (Prime)|off]] before the episode's over. Wheeljack's the first Cybertronian (and currently the only Autobot) who is not part of the main cast to survive his own debut episode.
* During the fight with the Vehicons, Wheeljack jumps behind one, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|rips off its arm]] and then proceeds to [[Starscream (Movie)|beat another with it]].
* Starscream once again attempts to kill a prisoner (Wheeljack) the moment they insinuate he isn't in charge. Only this time, he is stopped by Soundwave.
* This is the first episode where Starscream uses one of the missiles attached to his forearms.
* Bulkhead mentions that Wheeljack has a public service record. Presumably, this is true for all Autobots in the military.
* While [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] was the first character shown with a hand-held gun, Wheeljack is the first one shown with a pair of hand-held melee weapons (in this case, two swords).
* Wheeljack beats up Starscream to the point where he [[humanization|coughs up Energon]]. ''Hard core!''
** When Makeshift, still disguised as Wheeljack, gets ready to fight the real Wheeljack, he puts his mask on, but if you look quickly before that, you can see that he's coughed up Energon as well.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Con Job

2011-08-24T01:34:18Z

Xblade: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 8
|prev=Scrapheap (episode)
|next=Convoy (episode)
|image=ConJob-getthispartystarted.jpg
|caption=Quick! They must [[A Prime Problem|have a race!]] Or [[Where Is Thy Sting?|play video games!]]
|title="Con Job"
|airdate=[[February 25]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''Bulkhead awaits the arrival of his friend Wheeljack—what could go wrong?'''

==Synopsis==
With their chores done, [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] is looking forward to "dune bashing" with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], but he'd rather check out the monster truck rally in [[Jasper|town]]. Their plans are interrupted when [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] receives a signal from a starship headed for [[Earth]]. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] wonders if it might be a [[Decepticon]] trap, but Bulkhead identifies the incoming [[Autobot]] as his old friend and [[Wrecker]] pal, [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]. [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus]] sends landing coordinates for Wheeljack's landing the next day, and Bulkhead is excited to see his old friend.

On the [[Nemesis (Prime)|Decepticon ship]], [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] has monitored the conversation and it gives [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] the chance he needs. He orders [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] to prepare for a mission.

The kids are excited to be getting to meet a new Autobot. Ratchet has problems getting the [[ground bridge]] working, due to the damage sustained during the [[Scraplet]] infestation. Their instruments pick up Decepticon signals closing on [[Wheeljack's ship]]. Indeed, the [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] manage to shoot down the ship, but Wheeljack emerges from the wreckage and starts smashing the tar out of them. Ratchet finally gets the ground bridge operational, and Bulkhead, Arcee and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] storm through to find Wheeljack finishing off the last of the 'cons. Bulkhead greets his old friend with a massive bear hug, and the four Autobots return to base. Wheeljack hits it off with Miko right away, and checks in with Optimus. Ratchet's not as enthusiastic as the others with Bulkhead's friend, as he senses impending destruction.

Starscream discusses their success in getting a spy into the Autobot base as he and Soundwave pay a visit to their prisoner — the real Wheeljack. Now he's inside the Autobot base, Makeshift will be able to activate the ground bridge and reveal the base's location so Starscream can send the troops in. Wheeljack mocks Starscream, who's prevented from killing the prisoner by Soundwave since Wheeljack may yet be of use.

The Autobots and kids celebrate Wheeljack's arrival, Miko by breaking out her electric guitar and Bulkhead and "Wheeljack" by engaging in some [[Cybertronian_sport#Lobbing| Lobbing]]. After some encouragement by Miko, [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] busts some dance moves by doing The Robot, and Bumblebee joins in. Makeshift takes some time to fish for info on the ground bridge from Ratchet, who says it's in the middle of defragging and can't be used for a few hours.

Starscream wonders why Makeshift is taking so long to get the ground bridge activated, since he won't be able to keep the Autobots fooled for long.

Bulkhead tells the kids about a battle he and Wheeljack took part in, and Makeshift barely covers for his lack of knowledge. Bulkhead observes that his old friend seems different, but Makeshift writes this off as jet lag, and asks Miko to show him around the base. However Bulkhead's suspicions have been raised, and Arcee's suggestions don't allay them.

On the Decepticon ship, Wheeljack manages to kill his guard and get free from his bonds.

[[Image:ConJob-Makeshifthostage.jpg|right|thumb|300px|They're not dolls, they're action figures!]]

Miko wanders the base with Makeshift, and the 'con manages to get the location of the Autobot base out of her. Miko promises to show him the way out, and they return to the control center, where Bulkhead asks his "friend" to tell the story of the [[Battle of Darkmount Pass]]. Makeshift tells the story, but manages to get one crucial detail wrong — Bulkhead wasn't part of the battle. Realizing that his cover's blown, Makeshift takes Miko hostage.

Starscream and Soundwave hang out on top of the Decepticon ship with a bunch of Vehicons, waiting for Makeshift to open the ground bridge. They're confronted by Wheeljack, who fights his way through a bunch of Vehicons and pounces on Starscream. As more 'cons rush towards Wheeljack, the ground bridge activates, courtesy of Makeshift. Makeshift's ready to enter the ground bridge at the Autobot end, when Wheeljack comes flying through it and lands on him. Ratchet shuts down the ground bridge before any Decepticons come through. The two Wheeljacks draw their swords and fight at length while the Autobots fail to keep track of who's who. Wheeljack, of course, triumphs.

Starscream is pleased when the ground bridge opens again and orders the Vehicons through, however it's only been reopened so Bulkhead can throw Makeshift through. The 'con lands on Starscream, who asks if Makeshift has obtained the location of the Autobot base. Makeshift's in the process of telling him when Starscream realizes that the grenade Makeshift is wearing has been primed and is about to explode, and he and Soundwave retreat, leaving Makeshift a number of Vehicons to be caught in the ensuing explosion.

The Autobots have another party, to Ratchet's pain. Bulkhead suggests they pick out a vehicle mode for Wheeljack, but Wheeljack says he's not staying now that his ship's fixed. The next morning, he offers to take Bulkhead with him, but Bulkhead's too attached to Earth and Miko to leave. Miko snaps a picture of the two Autobots with [[Miko's phone|her cell phone]] before Wheeljack leaves.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (1)
* [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (3)
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
* [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (5)
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (8)
* [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (9)

|c2=
* [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (10)
* [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (11)
* [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] (12)
* [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (13)

|c3=
* [[Miko Nakadai]] (2)
* [[Jack Darby]] (6)
* [[Raf Esquivel]] (7)

}}

==Quotes==
"Do you not see that you are vastly outnumbered?" 
"I see fellas who might vastly enjoy watching me pound some dents into you."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Wheeljack'''

"The Wreckers were trapped between Decepticon patrol and the smelting pit 'Cons were vicious baring down on us with every thing they had me and bulkhead engaged the enemy left them for scrap then i made us a way out using their backsides as stepping stones to cross the molten metal. Isn't that how it happened?"
"-Yeah... That's exactly how it happened, exept for one little thing ('Wheeljack's' smug face becomes worried)
:-'''I WASN"T THERE!" Makeshift and Bulk, with the former about to '''become''' scrap.

"I'm still picking shrapnel out of my backside!"
 "I'm not surprised, given the size of your backside."
:—'''Bulkhead''' reminisces, '''Arcee''' zings.

"If anything happens to my favourite Wrecker, I'm coming after you!"
:—'''Wheeljack''' tells Miko to take good care of his best bud for him.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* When the camera angle moves to show Optimus saying that he knows Wheeljack by reputation only, the shadow of Miko's heel looks lightly separated from it, as if her leg were hovering over Bulkhead's armour plate.
* Apparently, huge, alien robots can leave their tracks in the snow (see Bumblebee and Bulkhead at the beginning of the [[Scrapheap (episode)|previous episode]]), but it looks like they cannot leave any in the sand.

===Continuity errors===
* When the alarm goes off, the monitor shows five bogies (Vehicons) approaching Wheeljack's ship. But in the next scene, when Wheeljack's ship is being attacked, there are six Vehicons.

===Continuity notes===
* The Autobots refer to their base as "[[Autobot Outpost Omega One]]."
* Ratchet mentions that the equipment's been kind of buggy since "[[Scrapheap (episode)|the infestation]]."

===Transformers references===
* Wheeljack and Bulkhead are former members of the [[Wrecker]]s. This is the team's first mention in a TV series.
* Wheeljack had fought in [[Darkmount]] near the [[smelting pool|smelting pit]]s.

===Real-world references===
* Wheeljack's ship crashlands near a [[Egypt|trio of pyramids]].
* Raf and Bumblebee perform a dance called "The Robot", a street dance style popularized by the Jackson Five.
* Bumblebee can briefly be seen dancing like John Travolta in ''Saturday Night Fever''.

===Trivia===
* Just like with [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], Wheeljack's robot mode clearly has Earth vehicle kibble, even though it's stated that he doesn't yet have a local [[alternate mode|altmode]].
*This is the third time [[Makeshift (Prime)|a character]] has been introduced only to be [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|killed]] [[Skyquake (Prime)|off]] before the episode's over. Wheeljack's the first Cybertronian (and currently the only Autobot) who is not part of the main cast to survive his own debut episode.
* During the fight with the Vehicons, Wheeljack jumps behind one, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|rips off its arm]] and then proceeds to [[Starscream (Movie)|beat another with it]].
* Starscream once again attempts to kill a prisoner (Wheeljack) the moment they insinuate he isn't in charge. Only this time, he is stopped by Soundwave.
* This is the first episode where Starscream uses one of the missiles attached to his forearms.
* Bulkhead mentions that Wheeljack has a public service record. Presumably, this is true for all Autobots in the military.
* While [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] was the first character shown with a hand-held gun, Wheeljack is the first one shown with a pair of hand-held melee weapons (in this case, two swords).
* Wheeljack beats up Starscream to the point where he [[humanization|coughs up Energon]]. ''Hard core!''
** When Makeshift, still disguised as Wheeljack, gets ready to fight the real Wheeljack, he puts his mask on, but if you look quickly before that, you can see that he's coughed up Energon as well.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Con Job

2011-08-24T01:33:42Z

Xblade: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 8
|prev=Scrapheap (episode)
|next=Convoy (episode)
|image=ConJob-getthispartystarted.jpg
|caption=Quick! They must [[A Prime Problem|have a race!]] Or [[Where Is Thy Sting?|play video games!]]
|title="Con Job"
|airdate=[[February 25]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''Bulkhead awaits the arrival of his friend Wheeljack—what could go wrong?'''

==Synopsis==
With their chores done, [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] is looking forward to "dune bashing" with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], but he'd rather check out the monster truck rally in [[Jasper|town]]. Their plans are interrupted when [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] receives a signal from a starship headed for [[Earth]]. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] wonders if it might be a [[Decepticon]] trap, but Bulkhead identifies the incoming [[Autobot]] as his old friend and [[Wrecker]] pal, [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]. [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus]] sends landing coordinates for Wheeljack's landing the next day, and Bulkhead is excited to see his old friend.

On the [[Nemesis (Prime)|Decepticon ship]], [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] has monitored the conversation and it gives [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] the chance he needs. He orders [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] to prepare for a mission.

The kids are excited to be getting to meet a new Autobot. Ratchet has problems getting the [[ground bridge]] working, due to the damage sustained during the [[Scraplet]] infestation. Their instruments pick up Decepticon signals closing on [[Wheeljack's ship]]. Indeed, the [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] manage to shoot down the ship, but Wheeljack emerges from the wreckage and starts smashing the tar out of them. Ratchet finally gets the ground bridge operational, and Bulkhead, Arcee and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] storm through to find Wheeljack finishing off the last of the 'cons. Bulkhead greets his old friend with a massive bear hug, and the four Autobots return to base. Wheeljack hits it off with Miko right away, and checks in with Optimus. Ratchet's not as enthusiastic as the others with Bulkhead's friend, as he senses impending destruction.

Starscream discusses their success in getting a spy into the Autobot base as he and Soundwave pay a visit to their prisoner — the real Wheeljack. Now he's inside the Autobot base, Makeshift will be able to activate the ground bridge and reveal the base's location so Starscream can send the troops in. Wheeljack mocks Starscream, who's prevented from killing the prisoner by Soundwave since Wheeljack may yet be of use.

The Autobots and kids celebrate Wheeljack's arrival, Miko by breaking out her electric guitar and Bulkhead and "Wheeljack" by engaging in some [[Cybertronian_sport#Lobbing| Lobbing]]. After some encouragement by Miko, [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] busts some dance moves by doing The Robot, and Bumblebee joins in. Makeshift takes some time to fish for info on the ground bridge from Ratchet, who says it's in the middle of defragging and can't be used for a few hours.

Starscream wonders why Makeshift is taking so long to get the ground bridge activated, since he won't be able to keep the Autobots fooled for long.

Bulkhead tells the kids about a battle he and Wheeljack took part in, and Makeshift barely covers for his lack of knowledge. Bulkhead observes that his old friend seems different, but Makeshift writes this off as jet lag, and asks Miko to show him around the base. However Bulkhead's suspicions have been raised, and Arcee's suggestions don't allay them.

On the Decepticon ship, Wheeljack manages to kill his guard and get free from his bonds.

[[Image:ConJob-Makeshifthostage.jpg|right|thumb|300px|They're not dolls, they're action figures!]]

Miko wanders the base with Makeshift, and the 'con manages to get the location of the Autobot base out of her. Miko promises to show him the way out, and they return to the control center, where Bulkhead asks his "friend" to tell the story of the [[Battle of Darkmount Pass]]. Makeshift tells the story, but manages to get one crucial detail wrong — Bulkhead wasn't part of the battle. Realizing that his cover's blown, Makeshift takes Miko hostage.

Starscream and Soundwave hang out on top of the Decepticon ship with a bunch of Vehicons, waiting for Makeshift to open the ground bridge. They're confronted by Wheeljack, who fights his way through a bunch of Vehicons and pounces on Starscream. As more 'cons rush towards Wheeljack, the ground bridge activates, courtesy of Makeshift. Makeshift's ready to enter the ground bridge at the Autobot end, when Wheeljack comes flying through it and lands on him. Ratchet shuts down the ground bridge before any Decepticons come through. The two Wheeljacks draw their swords and fight at length while the Autobots fail to keep track of who's who. Wheeljack, of course, triumphs.

Starscream is pleased when the ground bridge opens again and orders the Vehicons through, however it's only been reopened so Bulkhead can throw Makeshift through. The 'con lands on Starscream, who asks if Makeshift has obtained the location of the Autobot base. Makeshift's in the process of telling him when Starscream realizes that the grenade Makeshift is wearing has been primed and is about to explode, and he and Soundwave retreat, leaving Makeshift a number of Vehicons to be caught in the ensuing explosion.

The Autobots have another party, to Ratchet's pain. Bulkhead suggests they pick out a vehicle mode for Wheeljack, but Wheeljack says he's not staying now that his ship's fixed. The next morning, he offers to take Bulkhead with him, but Bulkhead's too attached to Earth and Miko to leave. Miko snaps a picture of the two Autobots with [[Miko's phone|her cell phone]] before Wheeljack leaves.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (1)
* [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (3)
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
* [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (5)
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (8)
* [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (9)

|c2=
* [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (10)
* [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (11)
* [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] (12)
* [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (13)

|c3=
* [[Miko Nakadai]] (2)
* [[Jack Darby]] (6)
* [[Raf Esquivel]] (7)

}}

==Quotes==
"Do you not see that you are vastly outnumbered?" 
"I see fellas who might vastly enjoy watching me pound some dents into you."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Wheeljack'''

"The Wreckers were trapped between Decepticon patrol and the smelting pit 'Cons were vicious baring down on us with every thing they had me and bulkhead engaged the enemy left them for scrap then i made us a way out using their backsides as stepping stones to cross the molten metal. Isn't that how it happened?"
"-Yeah... That's exactly how it happened, exept for one little thing ('Wheeljack's' smug face becomes worried) '''I WASN"T THERE!"
Makeshift and Bulk, with the former about to '''become''' scrap.

"I'm still picking shrapnel out of my backside!"
 "I'm not surprised, given the size of your backside."
:—'''Bulkhead''' reminisces, '''Arcee''' zings.

"If anything happens to my favourite Wrecker, I'm coming after you!"
:—'''Wheeljack''' tells Miko to take good care of his best bud for him.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* When the camera angle moves to show Optimus saying that he knows Wheeljack by reputation only, the shadow of Miko's heel looks lightly separated from it, as if her leg were hovering over Bulkhead's armour plate.
* Apparently, huge, alien robots can leave their tracks in the snow (see Bumblebee and Bulkhead at the beginning of the [[Scrapheap (episode)|previous episode]]), but it looks like they cannot leave any in the sand.

===Continuity errors===
* When the alarm goes off, the monitor shows five bogies (Vehicons) approaching Wheeljack's ship. But in the next scene, when Wheeljack's ship is being attacked, there are six Vehicons.

===Continuity notes===
* The Autobots refer to their base as "[[Autobot Outpost Omega One]]."
* Ratchet mentions that the equipment's been kind of buggy since "[[Scrapheap (episode)|the infestation]]."

===Transformers references===
* Wheeljack and Bulkhead are former members of the [[Wrecker]]s. This is the team's first mention in a TV series.
* Wheeljack had fought in [[Darkmount]] near the [[smelting pool|smelting pit]]s.

===Real-world references===
* Wheeljack's ship crashlands near a [[Egypt|trio of pyramids]].
* Raf and Bumblebee perform a dance called "The Robot", a street dance style popularized by the Jackson Five.
* Bumblebee can briefly be seen dancing like John Travolta in ''Saturday Night Fever''.

===Trivia===
* Just like with [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], Wheeljack's robot mode clearly has Earth vehicle kibble, even though it's stated that he doesn't yet have a local [[alternate mode|altmode]].
*This is the third time [[Makeshift (Prime)|a character]] has been introduced only to be [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|killed]] [[Skyquake (Prime)|off]] before the episode's over. Wheeljack's the first Cybertronian (and currently the only Autobot) who is not part of the main cast to survive his own debut episode.
* During the fight with the Vehicons, Wheeljack jumps behind one, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|rips off its arm]] and then proceeds to [[Starscream (Movie)|beat another with it]].
* Starscream once again attempts to kill a prisoner (Wheeljack) the moment they insinuate he isn't in charge. Only this time, he is stopped by Soundwave.
* This is the first episode where Starscream uses one of the missiles attached to his forearms.
* Bulkhead mentions that Wheeljack has a public service record. Presumably, this is true for all Autobots in the military.
* While [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] was the first character shown with a hand-held gun, Wheeljack is the first one shown with a pair of hand-held melee weapons (in this case, two swords).
* Wheeljack beats up Starscream to the point where he [[humanization|coughs up Energon]]. ''Hard core!''
** When Makeshift, still disguised as Wheeljack, gets ready to fight the real Wheeljack, he puts his mask on, but if you look quickly before that, you can see that he's coughed up Energon as well.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Optimus Prime (disambiguation)

2011-08-24T00:12:08Z

Xblade:

[[Image:Convoy-final1024.jpg|right|350px|thumb|For Decepticons, this is what Judgment Day will look like.]]
The name '''Optimus Prime''' has been assigned to several different characters:

*'''1984''' — [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], the [[Autobot]] Commander in the [[Generation 1 continuity family]]. For toys of this character, see [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys]]. In [[A Prime Problem|an episode of the television series]], he had a [[Optimus Prime clone|clone]].

*'''2000''' — [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]], the Autobot commander fire truck from ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]''.

*'''2002''' — [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]], Autobot Commander truck in the [[Unicron Trilogy]]. For toys of this character, see [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys]].

*'''2003''' — [[Optimus Prime (Worlds Collide)|Optimus Prime]], an Autobot commander killed by Unicron and sent into another dimension during the [[Armada (Dreamwave comic)|Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic]]'s "[[Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4|Worlds Collide]]" storyline.

*'''2004''' — [[Optimus Prime (Universe Spychanger)|Optimus Prime]], an Autobot from a dimension where [[Transformer]]s are all [[Spy Changer]]-sized, seen briefly in [[Universe (2003 franchise)|the 2003 ''Universe'' franchise]].

*'''2004''' — [[Optimus Prime (Balancing Act)|Optimus Prime]], the Autobot whose corpse was cloned and tortured by Unicron to create [[Nemesis Prime (Universe 2003)|Nemesis Prime]]; this was also in ''Universe''.

*'''2007''' — [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], leader of the Autobots and last of the [[Dynasty of Primes]] from the [[live-action film series]]. For toys of this character, see [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys]]. For merchandise, see [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/merchandise]].

*'''2007''' — [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]], the young, inexperienced leader of an Autobot squadron from the ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' continuity. For toys of this character, see [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys]].

*'''2008''' — [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]], the despotic leader of the evil Autobots in the ''[[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' alternate universe.

*'''2008''' — [[Optimus Prime (TransTech)|Optimus Prime]], the leader of the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]] Autobots.

*'''2010''' — [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]], the leader of the Autobots in the [[Aligned continuity family]].

*'''2011''' — [[Optimus Prime (RB)|Optimus Prime]], the leader of the Autobots in ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots|Rescue Bots]]''.

*'''2011''' — [[Optimus Prime (SG Animated)|Optimus Prime]], the evil Autobot renegade from an alternate universe in the ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' continuity.

*'''2011''' — [[Optimus Prime (Kre-O)|Optimus Prime]], the Autobot brick-based being and [[Kreon]] from ''[[Kre-O]]''.

Optimus Prime is not to be confused with:

*[[Ginrai]], a [[Godmaster]] who uses a [[Transtector]] body originally intended for [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]].

*[[Sureshot (G2)|Sureshot]], the [[Europe]]an-market ''[[Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' Autobot whose toy was released in North America as "Hero" Optimus Prime.

*[[Optimash Prime]], heroic leader of the [[Autotot|Autotots]].

*[[Optimus (disambiguation)|Other uses of the name "Optimus"]]

*[[Prime (disambiguation)|Other uses of the name "Prime"]]

*[[Megatron (SG)| An unexpected one...]]
Additionally, Optimus Prime is not to be confused with the real-life persons:

* [http://www.facebook.com/#!/MR0ptimusPrime?ref=profile Mr. Optimus Prime], a well-known Transfan and National Guardsman who legally changed his name to Optimus Prime.

{{disambig}}

Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)

2011-08-24T00:10:49Z

Xblade: /* Continuity */

{{disambig3|Cybertron}}
{{nav-cybertron}}

The '''''Cybertron''''' cartoon series was produced by [[GONZO]] and ran in the United States in the years 2005-2006, serving as the third and final part of the "[[Unicron Trilogy]]" begun by its predecessors, ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' and ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]''. The series premiered in the United States in July 2005.

The story centers on a [[Unicron Singularity|giant black hole]] that threatens to devour [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and other worlds. Only the power of the [[Omega Lock|Omega Lock]] can stop it; [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and a small(?) team of [[Autobot]]s travel to various worlds in search of the lock and the four [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]] needed to activate it. [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], even more obsessed with power and godhood, attempts to seize the lock and the keys to boost his own personal power.

The series' Japanese counterpart ''Galaxy Force'' was confirmed by [[We've]] Inc. in an October 2004 press release to be a continuation from the ''Energon'' series, but it was soon clear that this was not the case.<ref>[http://www.fantofan.jp/newsarchive2004.htm 22 October 2004 and 10 November 2004, Fantofan.jp]</ref> '' Galaxy Force'' afterwards was presented as a continuity reboot, willfully ignoring Hasbro's intent for the series. The ''Cybertron'' dub and toyline were consistently presented as a sequel to ''Armada'' and ''Energon'', and eventually, later Japanese materials eventually retconned ''Galaxy Force'' back into being the continuation it was conceived as. [[Japanese themes|Songs]] include opening "[[Call You... Kimi to Boku no Mirai|CALL YOU... Kimi to Boku no Mirai]]" and ending "[[Itsumo]]", and opening "[[Ignition!|IGNITION!]]" with ending "[[Growing Up!!]]" in the latter half of the run.

:''Preceded by: [[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]''

{{bigquote|Our worlds are in danger! To save them and the galaxy we ''must'' find the four Cyber Planet Keys before the Decepticons can use them for evil. ''It'' is our ''mission.'' Hot Shot! Jetfire! Vector Prime! Landmine! Scattorshot! Optimus Prime! Transform and roll out!|Optimus Prime|''Cybertron'' opening credits}}

==Storyline==
When the destruction of [[Unicron]] results in the formation of a massive black hole, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is threatened, and its population is evacuated to [[Earth]], taking the forms of local vehicles and machinery to hide from humanity. As this occurs, [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s elite team of [[Autobot]] warriors are approached by the ancient Transformer [[Vector Prime]], who has emerged from his resting place outside of time to inform them of the legendary [[Cyber Planet Key]]s, ancient artifacts of power which can stop the black hole and save the universe. Lost due to an accident during an attempt to create a cross-universal [[space bridge]] network, the Cyber Planet Keys now reside on four worlds somewhere in the universe—unfortunately, Vector Prime's map showing their location is stolen by [[Decepticon]] leader [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], and both forces relocate to Earth as the race to find them begins.

On Earth, the Autobots befriend three human children named [[Coby Hansen|Coby]], [[Bud Hansen|Bud]] and [[Lori]], who aid them in locating the [[Omega Lock]], the control device for the Cyber Planet Keys' power. With new "Cyber Key Powers" awakened in them, the Transformers battle on many fronts, searching for the Lock on Earth while [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] and [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] head for [[Velocitron]], the "Speed Planet", resting place of the first key. As Hot Shot competes in the planet's grand racing championship to win the key from planet leader [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]], the Lock is located on Earth in the bulk of the crashed Transformer spaceship the ''[[Atlantis]]''. Soon after, Autobot [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] heads for the next world, [[Jungle Planet (Cybertron)|Jungle Planet]], where the power of its Cyber Planet Key reformats him into Leobreaker. Megatron ingratiates himself with Jungle Planet ruler [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]], while at the same time, his scheming lieutenant [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] teams up with the mysterious [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]], working towards his own goals.

Ultimately, the Autobots succeed in acquiring the Keys of both Velocitron and Jungle Planet, at which point the existence of Earth's own Cyber Planet Key is revealed. Starscream makes his power play and overthrows Megatron, stealing the Omega Lock and all three keys from the Autobots and using them to grow in size and power. Their forces bolstered by the ancient Autobots from Earth and the arrival of [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]], who combines with Optimus Prime, the Autobots fight their way through a vengeful Megatron and defeat Starscream - but the battle is not without casualties, as Hot Shot, Red Alert and [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] are gravely wounded and rebuilt into the even more powerful [[Cybertron Defense Team]].

Returning to Cybertron, the Autobots use the Omega Lock and Cyber Planet Keys, which awaken the spirit of their deity and creator, [[Primus]] and transform Cybertron itself into the god's body. After a battle in which Starscream taps the power of Primus and grows to planetary size—only to be defeated by Primus himself—the location of the fourth and final key is determined as [[Gigantion]], the Giant Planet. Bested by Gigantion's leader [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]], Megatron taps into the power of Gigantion's Cyber Planet Key to become Galvatron. Sideways, now joined by the equally mysterious [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]], reveals himself to be an inhabitant of [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]], a world destroyed by the Gigantions, upon whom he and Soundwave seek revenge. Galvatron blasts them and Starscream into another dimension and finally acquires the Lock and Keys for himself, intending to use their power to accelerate the universal degeneration caused by the black hole and remake the cosmos in his own image. Vector Prime sacrifices his life to get the Autobots back to Cybertron, and the five planet leaders confront Galvatron within the black hole and defeat him. With all the Cyber Planet Keys now in his possession, Primus uses their power to finally seal the black hole, ending its threat.

As the planet's various civilizations attempt to return to life as normal, Galvatron attacks the Autobots for one final time. Without any troops to call his own, Galvatron engages Optimus Prime in a one-on-one duel, and is finally destroyed for good. With this final victory, Optimus Prime begins a new space bridge initiative, and the Transformers set sail for the four corners of the universe, and new adventures.

==Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
'''Cybertron Native'''

* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Garry Chalk]])
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] ([[Kirby Morrow]])
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] ([[Brian Drummond]])
* [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] ([[Paul Dobson]])
* [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul/Leobreaker]] (Paul Dobson/[[Dave Ward]])
* [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] ([[Brian Dobson]])
* [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] ([[Richard Ian Cox]])

'''Speed Planet Native'''

* [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] ([[Lisa Ann Beley]])
* [[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]] ([[Michael Dobson]])
* [[Clocker (Cybertron)|Clocker]] (Brian Dobson)

'''Jungle Planet Native'''

* [[Snarl (Cybertron)|Snarl]] ([[Scott McNeil]])
* [[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]] (Scott McNeil)

'''Earth Native'''
* [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]] ([[Ty Olsson]])
* [[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]] ([[Michael Daingerfield]])

'''Giant Planet Native'''

* [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]] ([[Ron Halder]])
* [[Quickmix (Cybertron)|Quickmix]] (Michael Daingerfield)

'''Others'''

* [[Vector Prime]] ([[Richard Newman]])
* [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] ([[Sam Vincent]])

'''[[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]]'''

* [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]]
* [[Recon Mini-Con Team]]
** [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] ([[Brian Drummond]])
** [[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]]
** [[Six-Speed]]

|c2=
'''Cybertron Native'''

* [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron/Galvatron]] ([[David Kaye]])
* [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] ([[Michael Dobson]])
* [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] ([[Mark Oliver]])

'''Speed Planet Native'''

* [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] ([[Mark Acheson]])
* [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] ([[Louis Chirillo]])
* [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] ([[Michael Donovan]])

'''Jungle Planet Native'''

* [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] ([[Trevor Devall]])
* [[Undermine (Cybertron)|Undermine]] (Mark Oliver)
* [[Brimstone (Cybertron)|Brimstone]] ([[Terry Klassen]])

'''Earth Native'''

* [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]] ([[Maryke Hendrikse]])
* [[Lugnutz]] ([[Corey Burton]])

'''Giant Planet Native'''

* [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]] ([[Sam Vincent]])

'''Planet X Native'''
* [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] ([[Ted Cole]])
* [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] ([[Robert O. Smith]])
* [[Laserbeak (Cybertron)|Laserbeak]]
* [[Noisemaze Mass Production Type Version]]
* [[Laserbeak drone]]
* [[Lugnutz|Lugnutz drone]]

'''Other'''

* [[Mudflap (Cybertron)|Mudflap]] ([[Dale Wilson]])
* [[Nemesis Breaker]]

|c3=
'''Regulars'''
* [[Coby Hansen]] ([[Sam Vincent]])
* [[Bud Hansen]] ([[Ryan Hirakida]])
* [[Lori]] ([[Sarah Edmondson]])
* [[Lucy Suzuki|Dr. Lucy Suzuki]] ([[Tabitha St. Germain]])
* [[Colonel Franklin|Colonel Mike Franklin]] ([[Michael Dobson]])
* [[Tim Hansen]] ([[Terry Klassen]])

|c4=
* [[Primus]] ([[Michael Donovan]])
* [[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal drones]]
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Episodes==
{{main|List of Cybertron episodes}}

{{collist|4|
# [[Fallen (episode)|Fallen]]
# [[Haven|Haven]]
# [[Hidden|Hidden]]
# [[Landmine (episode)|Landmine]]
# [[Space|Space]]
# [[Rush|Rush]]
# [[Speed|Speed]]
# [[Collapse|Collapse]]
# [[Time (episode)|Time]]
# [[Search|Search]]
# [[Deep|Deep]]
# [[Ship|Ship]]
# [[Hero (episode)|Hero]]
# [[Race|Race]]
# [[Detour (episode)|Detour]]
# [[Savage (episode)|Savage]]
# [[Sand|Sand]]
# [[Champion|Champion]]
# [[Ice|Ice]]
# [[Honor|Honor]]
# [[Primal|Primal]]
# [[Trust (Cybertron)|Trust]]
# [[Trap|Trap]]
# [[Invasion|Invasion]]
# [[Retreat|Retreat]]
# [[Revelation (episode)|Revelation]]
# [[Critical|Critical]]
# [[Assault|Assault]]
# [[Starscream (episode)|Starscream]]
# [[United (episode)|United]]
# [[Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron]]
# [[Balance|Balance]]
# [[Darkness (episode)|Darkness]]
# [[Memory|Memory]]
# [[Escape (episode)|Escape]]
# [[Family|Family]]
# [[Titans|Titans]]
# [[Warp|Warp]]
# [[Giant|Giant]]
# [[Fury|Fury]]
# [[City|City]]
# [[Ambush|Ambush]]
# [[Challenge|Challenge]]
# [[Scourge (episode)|Scourge]]
# [[Optimus (episode)|Optimus]]
# [[Showdown (episode)|Showdown]]
# [[Guardian (episode)|Guardian]]
# [[Homecoming (episode)|Homecoming]]
# [[End|End]]
# [[Unfinished|Unfinished]]
# [[Beginning|Beginning]]
# [[Inferno (episode)|Inferno]] ("Lost" episode)
}}

==Differences with ''Galaxy Force''==
[[Image:GalaxyForcevsCybertron.jpg|thumb|150px|right|It rarely got this extreme.]]In contrast to ''Armada'' and ''Energon'', the dubs of which had stuck quite closely to their original Japanese counterparts (unrelenting plethora of errors notwithstanding), ''Cybertron'' went to much greater lengths to localize ''Galaxy Force''. English scripts for the series were written by [[David McDermott]], [[Marc Handler]], [[Seth Walther]], [[Stephanie Sheh]] and [[James W. Bates]] (but the series does not include episode writer credits, so precisely who wrote which episodes is left unknown).

On the most basic level, dialogue was frequently re-written, sticking to the ''intent'' of the original but adding many more colorful turns of phrase, flavor and character, doing away with much of the formality and unflappability with which the Autobots handled every situation (a common trait of the Autobots in Japanese ''Transformers'' cartoons). ''Cybertron'' would also ''add'' more dialogue to scenes that were silent in ''Galaxy Force''; in particular, the show's extensive use of [[stock footage]] was livened up with new dialogue from characters as they transformed. Paraphrased dialogue from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' was common. The show's soundtrack mostly remained unaltered; the only new music was a new theme tune recorded by [[Paul Oakenfold]], which was often used during transformation stock footage (but not with 100% consistency) and would sometimes be extended to replace the background music of the scenes that immediately followed said transformations. In other, more sparing instances, music would be replaced with ''different'' pieces from the original soundtrack; usually, this involved replacing melodramatic or "evil" music with more exciting tracks to ramp up action sequences.

A few aspects of the plot of the series were consistently modified or excised by the ''Cybertron'' dub, while some were created whole cloth. For instance, one of most notable changes of the series was the transformation of the male Nitro Convoy into the ''female'' Override, at the request of Cartoon Network. Other examples include the removal of suggestions in early ''Galaxy Force'' episodes that Coby had an unsteady relationship with his family, and the notion that Cybertron was consumed by the black hole in the first episode (since the characters were able to return to the planet later in the series without ill effect). In terms of newly-created ideas, ''Cybertron'' justified the continued presence of the Autobots' human allies Coby, Bud and Lori after their usefulness had realistically ended by crafting the concept of the [[Omega Frequency]], the signal of the [[Omega Lock]] which only they could hear, making them necessary in the search for the Lock and Keys. This particular example is indicative of ''Cybertron'''s efforts to make as much technical and logical sense as it could, where ''Galaxy Force'' was content to hand-wave many things off with [[Burning justice|Burning Justice]]. Innumerable times in the course of the cartoon, characters glow with energy that comes from nowhere; while ''Galaxy Force'' does not address this strangeness, treating it as a normal thing for Transformers to do, ''Cybertron'' regularly inserts explanations, or at least has the characters react in an amazed fashion to this unusual thing that is happening to them.

Outside of these major overarcing examples, there are sometimes other changes both major and minor made to the content of individual episodes for numerous reasons. TFWIKI.Net notes such changes on the individual episode articles.

==Praise and criticism==
With the bad taste of ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' still lingering in the mouths of the fandom, ''Cybertron'' had a long way to go to make itself seem like an appealing prospect. On the English side of things, it generally succeeded: the show's dub is ''much'' more polished, lacking the myriad errors that had plagued the previous shows and bringing many distinct voices and accents into the mix, along with numerous pop-culture and ''Transformers'' references. Since the scripts had comprehensible context and some actual ''work'' put into them, the voice actors were likewise able to turn in stronger performances than they had in prior years. This effort was not appreciated by all viewers, unfortunately; those who had previously viewed subtitled ''Galaxy Force'' episodes online objected to the English dub taking greater liberties and occasionally altering aspects of the series, and were not shy about letting people know it.<ref>[http://www.shortpacked.com/blog/comic/book-3-is-totally-gay/05-iacon-one-sketches/screwball/ The result of people watching the subbed version first.]</ref>

Like ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' before it, ''Cybertron'' was animated using shaded [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] for the Transformers characters, and cel animation for most everything else. Though [[GONZO]]'s ''Cybertron'' work was more advanced than that of [[Actas Inc.]] and [[Studio A-CAT]]'s work in ''Energon'', the CGI still suffers from most of the problems of its predecessor, including a restricted range of motion, a tendency for the Transformers to stand around like statues, and crude walk cycles. Few facial expressions exist beyond "mouth open" and "mouth closed" (though to the animators' credit, there is an occasional smirk, smile, growl, etc. And Optimus Prime at one point manages to look furious ''with his mouthplate up''.) The shading techniques used on the Transformer characters also means they look very strange alongside their traditionally-animated human cohorts.

There is a sense that ''Cybertron'' actively attempts to avoid the main problem that plagued ''Energon''—that is to say, running out of plot. Consequently, while the basic plot of ''Cybertron'' is far more focused and coherent than that of ''Energon'', its first half is quite ponderous and drawn out, ''especially'' in the case of the [[Velocitron]] story arc, in which ''thirteen solid episodes'' are taken up by race after generic race, doing ''very'' little to advance the plot. Conversely, then, in the final quarter of the series, the stories of [[Gigantion]] and [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] seem ''very'' truncated, as if the drawn-out first half left no room to see these plots through to their fullest extent.

In addition, ''Cybertron'' delights in the use of [[Stock footage|stock transformation sequences]], using them to pad out episodes like the cinematic equivalent of Styrofoam packing peanuts. What's worse, even the ''battle scenes'' frequently recycle the same "two characters charging at each other, their fists colliding in mid-air" stock footage.

==Continuity==
As noted above, the Japanese version (''Galaxy Force'') originally treated the story as a stand-alone, unconnected to any previous story. The American version draws connections to the ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' cartoons, but various incongruities still exist:

* In general, nobody really seems to remember the events of ''Energon''. The Autobots act as though they've never been to [[Earth]] before and have no familiarity with its culture, despite having spent ten years there in places like [[Ocean City]].
* The Autobots are utterly dependent on the three human kids to help them blend into human society, when they previously had numerous human allies including Dr. Jones and his family, Rad, Alexis & Carlos, and the innumerable human inhabitants of Ocean City and the other Cybertron settlements on Earth.
* Likewise, despite the Autobots' presence being fairly common knowledge in ''Energon'', it is considered urgent to hide the Autobots from Earth's population in ''Cybertron''.
* The Energon cities themselves are never seen or mentioned.
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] both have distinctively different voices than in the previous cartoons. [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] has essentially the same voice, but with a newly added accent. Also, Red Alert seems to have a bit more emotion and acts less mechanical as he did in Armada.
* Formerly prominent characters like [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]], [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]], the [[Omnicon|Omnicons]], and Kicker have vanished without a word; new characters [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] and [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] appear out of nowhere; and Red Alert returns after being absent for all of ''Energon''.
*Returning characters are ''all'' in brand-new bodies with no explanation.
** All of which can possibly placed to Sideways
* When he first combines with [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]], Optimus Prime declares that he's never heard of two Autobots combining into one before. This is a rather odd statement, considering that such combinations were commonplace during ''Energon'', and Optimus himself had been combining with other Autobots since ''Armada''; given later events, it's possible he was referring to the specific manner in which they combined, though this is at best an awkward rationalization.
* Nobody seems surprised that Megatron and Starscream are alive and well again.
* The grand black hole is explained as a by-product of "Unicron's destruction". In ''Energon'', that event happened in [[Alpha Q's universe|Alpha Q's alternate universe]], a fact that's not mentioned in the show. Likewise, Cybertron was last seen in that same alternate universe. It's not much of a stretch to assume the Autobots moved it back where it came from, but in that case, why is it so close to the black hole?
* The collapse of the Energon sun would mean that everything the Autobots fought for during ''Energon'' was in vain, and Alpha Q's worlds would die again, left in darkness without a sun and consumed by the black hole. Nobody seems to notice this little setback. To the contrary, Red Alert's report mentions an uninhabited planet that's ''not'' one of Alpha Q's planets as the black hole's first victim.
* Some returning character's personalities, like Wing Saber and Sideways, are different from their portrayals in other series.

Within the show, most of these problems were never directly addressed; the cartoon simply went about telling its story without much regard to previous events. Indeed, vanishing characters and new bodies had previously occurred in the changeover between ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' with equally little attention, though the second show at least established the existence of a ten-year fictional gap between them, making it ''somewhat'' less intrusive (such a gap also exists between ''Energon'' and ''Cybertron'', but it was never noted in dialogue in the series).

However, external material has addressed some of the problems. The [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|''Cybertron'' comic]] storyline "[[Balancing Act (issue)|Balancing Act]]", for example, [[Vector Prime|Vector Prime]] claims that the Autobots are suffering memory problems, caused by temporal disturbances from the [[Unicron Singularity|Unicron Singularity]]. Jetfire's new accent was explained on the Hasbro web site as a result of time spent on the planet [[Nebulos|Nebulon]].

===Energon comic===
Some fans believe that the cartoon follows the unfinished [[Energon (comic)|''Energon'' comic book series]] from [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]. Unsubstantiated rumors to this effect have swirled since the cartoon's debut, though the only "evidence" comes from media outside the cartoon:

* The [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|''Cybertron'' comic]] storyline "[[Balancing Act (issue)|Balancing Act]]", written by Hasbro copywriter [[Forest Lee|Forest Lee]], is set the same universe as the ''Cybertron'' cartoon series. But the story references events from the ''Energon'' comic, such as the [[Mini-Con|Mini-Con]] [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] hooking himself into the Planetary Database — a plot point begun by the [[Energon (comic)|''Energon'' comic]], which would have been carried through if the book hadn't been canceled.

* The bio of the ''Cybertron'' toy [[Scorponok (Energon)|Dark Scorponok]] references his death at the hands of Megatron, as happened in the ''Energon'' comic but not the cartoon. However, this was overwritten when "Balancing Act" depicted Dark Scorponok as being pulled into the cartoon timeline from ''another'' universe.

The idea doesn't solve any problems; most of the contradictions between the ''Energon'' and ''Cybertron'' cartoons also exist between the ''Energon'' comic and the ''Cybertron'' cartoon. The cartoon contains no references to any events of the ''Energon'' comic.

The entire notion of a network television cartoon following up on a comparatively obscure, unfinished comic book seems counter-intuitive; furthermore, Hasbro material has presented many explanations for contradictions between the two cartoons. Why bother explaining why ''Cybertron'' Jetfire sounds different if he's not the same guy seen in ''Energon''? Why have Vector Prime explain the differences between the two cartoons if they're not in the same continuity? It would have been simpler to retract the statement that Cybertron was a sequel series.

==Home video releases==
===Galaxy Force===
{{main|Victor Entertainment}}
The ''Galaxy Force'' version of ''Cybertron'' was released on DVD by Victor Entertainment in [[Japan]] while the series was still on air. Several of the DVDs were packaged with exclusive [[redeco]]s of toys, such as a ''Masterforce'' [[Minerva (Masterforce)|Minerva]]-themed [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Chromia]] and a ''Generation 1'' [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]-themed [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Exillion]].
[[Image:Tf galaxy force vol 01.jpg|thumb|150px|]]
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 01 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 02 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 03 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 04 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 05 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 06 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 07 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 08 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 09 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 10 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 11 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 12 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 13 (2006)
{{-}}

===Cybertron===
{{main|Paramount Pictures}}
[[Image:Cybertron Ultimate Collection DVD.jpg|thumb|150px|]]
Paramount Home Entertainment released a single ''Cybertron'' disc in 2005 as a follow-up to their four separate ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' releases. They then took some time off to concentrate on the [[Transformers (2007)|live-action movie]] before finally releasing a complete box set in 2008.
*''Transformers: Cybertron'' — A New Beginning (2005)
*''Transformers: Cybertron'' — The Ultimate Collection (2008)

====Other====
Sometime in 2007, a complete DVD boxset of the ''Cybertron'' series was released in Malaysia which, despite initial appearances, was apparently ''not'' a bootleg, given that it was region-encoded (Region 3, to be precise). The set featured two English audio tracks (2.0 and 5.1) and was fully subtitled with an accurate transcription of the English dialogue. All told, this was more than the eventual American release managed. The set also moved "[[Inferno (episode)|Inferno]]", from its ill-sitting placement as episode 52 back to being the second episode on the set.
{{-}}

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC_%E3%82%AE%E3%83%A3%E3%83%A9%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%BC%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9 ''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' at the Japanese Wikipedia]

[[Category:Cybertron media]]
[[Category:Cybertron episodes| ]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)

2011-08-24T00:07:04Z

Xblade: /* Continuity */

{{disambig3|Cybertron}}
{{nav-cybertron}}

The '''''Cybertron''''' cartoon series was produced by [[GONZO]] and ran in the United States in the years 2005-2006, serving as the third and final part of the "[[Unicron Trilogy]]" begun by its predecessors, ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' and ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]''. The series premiered in the United States in July 2005.

The story centers on a [[Unicron Singularity|giant black hole]] that threatens to devour [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and other worlds. Only the power of the [[Omega Lock|Omega Lock]] can stop it; [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and a small(?) team of [[Autobot]]s travel to various worlds in search of the lock and the four [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]] needed to activate it. [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], even more obsessed with power and godhood, attempts to seize the lock and the keys to boost his own personal power.

The series' Japanese counterpart ''Galaxy Force'' was confirmed by [[We've]] Inc. in an October 2004 press release to be a continuation from the ''Energon'' series, but it was soon clear that this was not the case.<ref>[http://www.fantofan.jp/newsarchive2004.htm 22 October 2004 and 10 November 2004, Fantofan.jp]</ref> '' Galaxy Force'' afterwards was presented as a continuity reboot, willfully ignoring Hasbro's intent for the series. The ''Cybertron'' dub and toyline were consistently presented as a sequel to ''Armada'' and ''Energon'', and eventually, later Japanese materials eventually retconned ''Galaxy Force'' back into being the continuation it was conceived as. [[Japanese themes|Songs]] include opening "[[Call You... Kimi to Boku no Mirai|CALL YOU... Kimi to Boku no Mirai]]" and ending "[[Itsumo]]", and opening "[[Ignition!|IGNITION!]]" with ending "[[Growing Up!!]]" in the latter half of the run.

:''Preceded by: [[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]''

{{bigquote|Our worlds are in danger! To save them and the galaxy we ''must'' find the four Cyber Planet Keys before the Decepticons can use them for evil. ''It'' is our ''mission.'' Hot Shot! Jetfire! Vector Prime! Landmine! Scattorshot! Optimus Prime! Transform and roll out!|Optimus Prime|''Cybertron'' opening credits}}

==Storyline==
When the destruction of [[Unicron]] results in the formation of a massive black hole, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is threatened, and its population is evacuated to [[Earth]], taking the forms of local vehicles and machinery to hide from humanity. As this occurs, [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s elite team of [[Autobot]] warriors are approached by the ancient Transformer [[Vector Prime]], who has emerged from his resting place outside of time to inform them of the legendary [[Cyber Planet Key]]s, ancient artifacts of power which can stop the black hole and save the universe. Lost due to an accident during an attempt to create a cross-universal [[space bridge]] network, the Cyber Planet Keys now reside on four worlds somewhere in the universe—unfortunately, Vector Prime's map showing their location is stolen by [[Decepticon]] leader [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], and both forces relocate to Earth as the race to find them begins.

On Earth, the Autobots befriend three human children named [[Coby Hansen|Coby]], [[Bud Hansen|Bud]] and [[Lori]], who aid them in locating the [[Omega Lock]], the control device for the Cyber Planet Keys' power. With new "Cyber Key Powers" awakened in them, the Transformers battle on many fronts, searching for the Lock on Earth while [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] and [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] head for [[Velocitron]], the "Speed Planet", resting place of the first key. As Hot Shot competes in the planet's grand racing championship to win the key from planet leader [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]], the Lock is located on Earth in the bulk of the crashed Transformer spaceship the ''[[Atlantis]]''. Soon after, Autobot [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] heads for the next world, [[Jungle Planet (Cybertron)|Jungle Planet]], where the power of its Cyber Planet Key reformats him into Leobreaker. Megatron ingratiates himself with Jungle Planet ruler [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]], while at the same time, his scheming lieutenant [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] teams up with the mysterious [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]], working towards his own goals.

Ultimately, the Autobots succeed in acquiring the Keys of both Velocitron and Jungle Planet, at which point the existence of Earth's own Cyber Planet Key is revealed. Starscream makes his power play and overthrows Megatron, stealing the Omega Lock and all three keys from the Autobots and using them to grow in size and power. Their forces bolstered by the ancient Autobots from Earth and the arrival of [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]], who combines with Optimus Prime, the Autobots fight their way through a vengeful Megatron and defeat Starscream - but the battle is not without casualties, as Hot Shot, Red Alert and [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] are gravely wounded and rebuilt into the even more powerful [[Cybertron Defense Team]].

Returning to Cybertron, the Autobots use the Omega Lock and Cyber Planet Keys, which awaken the spirit of their deity and creator, [[Primus]] and transform Cybertron itself into the god's body. After a battle in which Starscream taps the power of Primus and grows to planetary size—only to be defeated by Primus himself—the location of the fourth and final key is determined as [[Gigantion]], the Giant Planet. Bested by Gigantion's leader [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]], Megatron taps into the power of Gigantion's Cyber Planet Key to become Galvatron. Sideways, now joined by the equally mysterious [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]], reveals himself to be an inhabitant of [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]], a world destroyed by the Gigantions, upon whom he and Soundwave seek revenge. Galvatron blasts them and Starscream into another dimension and finally acquires the Lock and Keys for himself, intending to use their power to accelerate the universal degeneration caused by the black hole and remake the cosmos in his own image. Vector Prime sacrifices his life to get the Autobots back to Cybertron, and the five planet leaders confront Galvatron within the black hole and defeat him. With all the Cyber Planet Keys now in his possession, Primus uses their power to finally seal the black hole, ending its threat.

As the planet's various civilizations attempt to return to life as normal, Galvatron attacks the Autobots for one final time. Without any troops to call his own, Galvatron engages Optimus Prime in a one-on-one duel, and is finally destroyed for good. With this final victory, Optimus Prime begins a new space bridge initiative, and the Transformers set sail for the four corners of the universe, and new adventures.

==Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
'''Cybertron Native'''

* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Garry Chalk]])
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] ([[Kirby Morrow]])
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] ([[Brian Drummond]])
* [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] ([[Paul Dobson]])
* [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul/Leobreaker]] (Paul Dobson/[[Dave Ward]])
* [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] ([[Brian Dobson]])
* [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] ([[Richard Ian Cox]])

'''Speed Planet Native'''

* [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] ([[Lisa Ann Beley]])
* [[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]] ([[Michael Dobson]])
* [[Clocker (Cybertron)|Clocker]] (Brian Dobson)

'''Jungle Planet Native'''

* [[Snarl (Cybertron)|Snarl]] ([[Scott McNeil]])
* [[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]] (Scott McNeil)

'''Earth Native'''
* [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]] ([[Ty Olsson]])
* [[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]] ([[Michael Daingerfield]])

'''Giant Planet Native'''

* [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]] ([[Ron Halder]])
* [[Quickmix (Cybertron)|Quickmix]] (Michael Daingerfield)

'''Others'''

* [[Vector Prime]] ([[Richard Newman]])
* [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] ([[Sam Vincent]])

'''[[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]]'''

* [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]]
* [[Recon Mini-Con Team]]
** [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] ([[Brian Drummond]])
** [[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]]
** [[Six-Speed]]

|c2=
'''Cybertron Native'''

* [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron/Galvatron]] ([[David Kaye]])
* [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] ([[Michael Dobson]])
* [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] ([[Mark Oliver]])

'''Speed Planet Native'''

* [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] ([[Mark Acheson]])
* [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] ([[Louis Chirillo]])
* [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] ([[Michael Donovan]])

'''Jungle Planet Native'''

* [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] ([[Trevor Devall]])
* [[Undermine (Cybertron)|Undermine]] (Mark Oliver)
* [[Brimstone (Cybertron)|Brimstone]] ([[Terry Klassen]])

'''Earth Native'''

* [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]] ([[Maryke Hendrikse]])
* [[Lugnutz]] ([[Corey Burton]])

'''Giant Planet Native'''

* [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]] ([[Sam Vincent]])

'''Planet X Native'''
* [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] ([[Ted Cole]])
* [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] ([[Robert O. Smith]])
* [[Laserbeak (Cybertron)|Laserbeak]]
* [[Noisemaze Mass Production Type Version]]
* [[Laserbeak drone]]
* [[Lugnutz|Lugnutz drone]]

'''Other'''

* [[Mudflap (Cybertron)|Mudflap]] ([[Dale Wilson]])
* [[Nemesis Breaker]]

|c3=
'''Regulars'''
* [[Coby Hansen]] ([[Sam Vincent]])
* [[Bud Hansen]] ([[Ryan Hirakida]])
* [[Lori]] ([[Sarah Edmondson]])
* [[Lucy Suzuki|Dr. Lucy Suzuki]] ([[Tabitha St. Germain]])
* [[Colonel Franklin|Colonel Mike Franklin]] ([[Michael Dobson]])
* [[Tim Hansen]] ([[Terry Klassen]])

|c4=
* [[Primus]] ([[Michael Donovan]])
* [[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal drones]]
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Episodes==
{{main|List of Cybertron episodes}}

{{collist|4|
# [[Fallen (episode)|Fallen]]
# [[Haven|Haven]]
# [[Hidden|Hidden]]
# [[Landmine (episode)|Landmine]]
# [[Space|Space]]
# [[Rush|Rush]]
# [[Speed|Speed]]
# [[Collapse|Collapse]]
# [[Time (episode)|Time]]
# [[Search|Search]]
# [[Deep|Deep]]
# [[Ship|Ship]]
# [[Hero (episode)|Hero]]
# [[Race|Race]]
# [[Detour (episode)|Detour]]
# [[Savage (episode)|Savage]]
# [[Sand|Sand]]
# [[Champion|Champion]]
# [[Ice|Ice]]
# [[Honor|Honor]]
# [[Primal|Primal]]
# [[Trust (Cybertron)|Trust]]
# [[Trap|Trap]]
# [[Invasion|Invasion]]
# [[Retreat|Retreat]]
# [[Revelation (episode)|Revelation]]
# [[Critical|Critical]]
# [[Assault|Assault]]
# [[Starscream (episode)|Starscream]]
# [[United (episode)|United]]
# [[Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron]]
# [[Balance|Balance]]
# [[Darkness (episode)|Darkness]]
# [[Memory|Memory]]
# [[Escape (episode)|Escape]]
# [[Family|Family]]
# [[Titans|Titans]]
# [[Warp|Warp]]
# [[Giant|Giant]]
# [[Fury|Fury]]
# [[City|City]]
# [[Ambush|Ambush]]
# [[Challenge|Challenge]]
# [[Scourge (episode)|Scourge]]
# [[Optimus (episode)|Optimus]]
# [[Showdown (episode)|Showdown]]
# [[Guardian (episode)|Guardian]]
# [[Homecoming (episode)|Homecoming]]
# [[End|End]]
# [[Unfinished|Unfinished]]
# [[Beginning|Beginning]]
# [[Inferno (episode)|Inferno]] ("Lost" episode)
}}

==Differences with ''Galaxy Force''==
[[Image:GalaxyForcevsCybertron.jpg|thumb|150px|right|It rarely got this extreme.]]In contrast to ''Armada'' and ''Energon'', the dubs of which had stuck quite closely to their original Japanese counterparts (unrelenting plethora of errors notwithstanding), ''Cybertron'' went to much greater lengths to localize ''Galaxy Force''. English scripts for the series were written by [[David McDermott]], [[Marc Handler]], [[Seth Walther]], [[Stephanie Sheh]] and [[James W. Bates]] (but the series does not include episode writer credits, so precisely who wrote which episodes is left unknown).

On the most basic level, dialogue was frequently re-written, sticking to the ''intent'' of the original but adding many more colorful turns of phrase, flavor and character, doing away with much of the formality and unflappability with which the Autobots handled every situation (a common trait of the Autobots in Japanese ''Transformers'' cartoons). ''Cybertron'' would also ''add'' more dialogue to scenes that were silent in ''Galaxy Force''; in particular, the show's extensive use of [[stock footage]] was livened up with new dialogue from characters as they transformed. Paraphrased dialogue from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' was common. The show's soundtrack mostly remained unaltered; the only new music was a new theme tune recorded by [[Paul Oakenfold]], which was often used during transformation stock footage (but not with 100% consistency) and would sometimes be extended to replace the background music of the scenes that immediately followed said transformations. In other, more sparing instances, music would be replaced with ''different'' pieces from the original soundtrack; usually, this involved replacing melodramatic or "evil" music with more exciting tracks to ramp up action sequences.

A few aspects of the plot of the series were consistently modified or excised by the ''Cybertron'' dub, while some were created whole cloth. For instance, one of most notable changes of the series was the transformation of the male Nitro Convoy into the ''female'' Override, at the request of Cartoon Network. Other examples include the removal of suggestions in early ''Galaxy Force'' episodes that Coby had an unsteady relationship with his family, and the notion that Cybertron was consumed by the black hole in the first episode (since the characters were able to return to the planet later in the series without ill effect). In terms of newly-created ideas, ''Cybertron'' justified the continued presence of the Autobots' human allies Coby, Bud and Lori after their usefulness had realistically ended by crafting the concept of the [[Omega Frequency]], the signal of the [[Omega Lock]] which only they could hear, making them necessary in the search for the Lock and Keys. This particular example is indicative of ''Cybertron'''s efforts to make as much technical and logical sense as it could, where ''Galaxy Force'' was content to hand-wave many things off with [[Burning justice|Burning Justice]]. Innumerable times in the course of the cartoon, characters glow with energy that comes from nowhere; while ''Galaxy Force'' does not address this strangeness, treating it as a normal thing for Transformers to do, ''Cybertron'' regularly inserts explanations, or at least has the characters react in an amazed fashion to this unusual thing that is happening to them.

Outside of these major overarcing examples, there are sometimes other changes both major and minor made to the content of individual episodes for numerous reasons. TFWIKI.Net notes such changes on the individual episode articles.

==Praise and criticism==
With the bad taste of ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' still lingering in the mouths of the fandom, ''Cybertron'' had a long way to go to make itself seem like an appealing prospect. On the English side of things, it generally succeeded: the show's dub is ''much'' more polished, lacking the myriad errors that had plagued the previous shows and bringing many distinct voices and accents into the mix, along with numerous pop-culture and ''Transformers'' references. Since the scripts had comprehensible context and some actual ''work'' put into them, the voice actors were likewise able to turn in stronger performances than they had in prior years. This effort was not appreciated by all viewers, unfortunately; those who had previously viewed subtitled ''Galaxy Force'' episodes online objected to the English dub taking greater liberties and occasionally altering aspects of the series, and were not shy about letting people know it.<ref>[http://www.shortpacked.com/blog/comic/book-3-is-totally-gay/05-iacon-one-sketches/screwball/ The result of people watching the subbed version first.]</ref>

Like ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' before it, ''Cybertron'' was animated using shaded [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] for the Transformers characters, and cel animation for most everything else. Though [[GONZO]]'s ''Cybertron'' work was more advanced than that of [[Actas Inc.]] and [[Studio A-CAT]]'s work in ''Energon'', the CGI still suffers from most of the problems of its predecessor, including a restricted range of motion, a tendency for the Transformers to stand around like statues, and crude walk cycles. Few facial expressions exist beyond "mouth open" and "mouth closed" (though to the animators' credit, there is an occasional smirk, smile, growl, etc. And Optimus Prime at one point manages to look furious ''with his mouthplate up''.) The shading techniques used on the Transformer characters also means they look very strange alongside their traditionally-animated human cohorts.

There is a sense that ''Cybertron'' actively attempts to avoid the main problem that plagued ''Energon''—that is to say, running out of plot. Consequently, while the basic plot of ''Cybertron'' is far more focused and coherent than that of ''Energon'', its first half is quite ponderous and drawn out, ''especially'' in the case of the [[Velocitron]] story arc, in which ''thirteen solid episodes'' are taken up by race after generic race, doing ''very'' little to advance the plot. Conversely, then, in the final quarter of the series, the stories of [[Gigantion]] and [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] seem ''very'' truncated, as if the drawn-out first half left no room to see these plots through to their fullest extent.

In addition, ''Cybertron'' delights in the use of [[Stock footage|stock transformation sequences]], using them to pad out episodes like the cinematic equivalent of Styrofoam packing peanuts. What's worse, even the ''battle scenes'' frequently recycle the same "two characters charging at each other, their fists colliding in mid-air" stock footage.

==Continuity==
As noted above, the Japanese version (''Galaxy Force'') originally treated the story as a stand-alone, unconnected to any previous story. The American version draws connections to the ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' cartoons, but various incongruities still exist:

* In general, nobody really seems to remember the events of ''Energon''. The Autobots act as though they've never been to [[Earth]] before and have no familiarity with its culture, despite having spent ten years there in places like [[Ocean City]].
* The Autobots are utterly dependent on the three human kids to help them blend into human society, when they previously had numerous human allies including Dr. Jones and his family, Rad, Alexis & Carlos, and the innumerable human inhabitants of Ocean City and the other Cybertron settlements on Earth.
* Likewise, despite the Autobots' presence being fairly common knowledge in ''Energon'', it is considered urgent to hide the Autobots from Earth's population in ''Cybertron''.
* The Energon cities themselves are never seen or mentioned.
** All of which can possibly placed to Sideways.
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] both have distinctively different voices than in the previous cartoons. [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] has essentially the same voice, but with a newly added accent. Also, Red Alert seems to have a bit more emotion and acts less mechanical as he did in Armada.
* Formerly prominent characters like [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]], [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]], the [[Omnicon|Omnicons]], and Kicker have vanished without a word; new characters [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] and [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] appear out of nowhere; and Red Alert returns after being absent for all of ''Energon''.
* Returning characters are ''all'' in brand-new bodies with no explanation.
* When he first combines with [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]], Optimus Prime declares that he's never heard of two Autobots combining into one before. This is a rather odd statement, considering that such combinations were commonplace during ''Energon'', and Optimus himself had been combining with other Autobots since ''Armada''; given later events, it's possible he was referring to the specific manner in which they combined, though this is at best an awkward rationalization.
* Nobody seems surprised that Megatron and Starscream are alive and well again.
* The grand black hole is explained as a by-product of "Unicron's destruction". In ''Energon'', that event happened in [[Alpha Q's universe|Alpha Q's alternate universe]], a fact that's not mentioned in the show. Likewise, Cybertron was last seen in that same alternate universe. It's not much of a stretch to assume the Autobots moved it back where it came from, but in that case, why is it so close to the black hole?
* The collapse of the Energon sun would mean that everything the Autobots fought for during ''Energon'' was in vain, and Alpha Q's worlds would die again, left in darkness without a sun and consumed by the black hole. Nobody seems to notice this little setback. To the contrary, Red Alert's report mentions an uninhabited planet that's ''not'' one of Alpha Q's planets as the black hole's first victim.
* Some returning character's personalities, like Wing Saber and Sideways, are different from their portrayals in other series.

Within the show, most of these problems were never directly addressed; the cartoon simply went about telling its story without much regard to previous events. Indeed, vanishing characters and new bodies had previously occurred in the changeover between ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' with equally little attention, though the second show at least established the existence of a ten-year fictional gap between them, making it ''somewhat'' less intrusive (such a gap also exists between ''Energon'' and ''Cybertron'', but it was never noted in dialogue in the series).

However, external material has addressed some of the problems. The [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|''Cybertron'' comic]] storyline "[[Balancing Act (issue)|Balancing Act]]", for example, [[Vector Prime|Vector Prime]] claims that the Autobots are suffering memory problems, caused by temporal disturbances from the [[Unicron Singularity|Unicron Singularity]]. Jetfire's new accent was explained on the Hasbro web site as a result of time spent on the planet [[Nebulos|Nebulon]].

===Energon comic===
Some fans believe that the cartoon follows the unfinished [[Energon (comic)|''Energon'' comic book series]] from [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]. Unsubstantiated rumors to this effect have swirled since the cartoon's debut, though the only "evidence" comes from media outside the cartoon:

* The [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|''Cybertron'' comic]] storyline "[[Balancing Act (issue)|Balancing Act]]", written by Hasbro copywriter [[Forest Lee|Forest Lee]], is set the same universe as the ''Cybertron'' cartoon series. But the story references events from the ''Energon'' comic, such as the [[Mini-Con|Mini-Con]] [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] hooking himself into the Planetary Database — a plot point begun by the [[Energon (comic)|''Energon'' comic]], which would have been carried through if the book hadn't been canceled.

* The bio of the ''Cybertron'' toy [[Scorponok (Energon)|Dark Scorponok]] references his death at the hands of Megatron, as happened in the ''Energon'' comic but not the cartoon. However, this was overwritten when "Balancing Act" depicted Dark Scorponok as being pulled into the cartoon timeline from ''another'' universe.

The idea doesn't solve any problems; most of the contradictions between the ''Energon'' and ''Cybertron'' cartoons also exist between the ''Energon'' comic and the ''Cybertron'' cartoon. The cartoon contains no references to any events of the ''Energon'' comic.

The entire notion of a network television cartoon following up on a comparatively obscure, unfinished comic book seems counter-intuitive; furthermore, Hasbro material has presented many explanations for contradictions between the two cartoons. Why bother explaining why ''Cybertron'' Jetfire sounds different if he's not the same guy seen in ''Energon''? Why have Vector Prime explain the differences between the two cartoons if they're not in the same continuity? It would have been simpler to retract the statement that Cybertron was a sequel series.

==Home video releases==
===Galaxy Force===
{{main|Victor Entertainment}}
The ''Galaxy Force'' version of ''Cybertron'' was released on DVD by Victor Entertainment in [[Japan]] while the series was still on air. Several of the DVDs were packaged with exclusive [[redeco]]s of toys, such as a ''Masterforce'' [[Minerva (Masterforce)|Minerva]]-themed [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Chromia]] and a ''Generation 1'' [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]-themed [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Exillion]].
[[Image:Tf galaxy force vol 01.jpg|thumb|150px|]]
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 01 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 02 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 03 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 04 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 05 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 06 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 07 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 08 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 09 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 10 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 11 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 12 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 13 (2006)
{{-}}

===Cybertron===
{{main|Paramount Pictures}}
[[Image:Cybertron Ultimate Collection DVD.jpg|thumb|150px|]]
Paramount Home Entertainment released a single ''Cybertron'' disc in 2005 as a follow-up to their four separate ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' releases. They then took some time off to concentrate on the [[Transformers (2007)|live-action movie]] before finally releasing a complete box set in 2008.
*''Transformers: Cybertron'' — A New Beginning (2005)
*''Transformers: Cybertron'' — The Ultimate Collection (2008)

====Other====
Sometime in 2007, a complete DVD boxset of the ''Cybertron'' series was released in Malaysia which, despite initial appearances, was apparently ''not'' a bootleg, given that it was region-encoded (Region 3, to be precise). The set featured two English audio tracks (2.0 and 5.1) and was fully subtitled with an accurate transcription of the English dialogue. All told, this was more than the eventual American release managed. The set also moved "[[Inferno (episode)|Inferno]]", from its ill-sitting placement as episode 52 back to being the second episode on the set.
{{-}}

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC_%E3%82%AE%E3%83%A3%E3%83%A9%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%BC%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9 ''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' at the Japanese Wikipedia]

[[Category:Cybertron media]]
[[Category:Cybertron episodes| ]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)

2011-08-24T00:05:16Z

Xblade: /* Continuity */

{{disambig3|Cybertron}}
{{nav-cybertron}}

The '''''Cybertron''''' cartoon series was produced by [[GONZO]] and ran in the United States in the years 2005-2006, serving as the third and final part of the "[[Unicron Trilogy]]" begun by its predecessors, ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' and ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]''. The series premiered in the United States in July 2005.

The story centers on a [[Unicron Singularity|giant black hole]] that threatens to devour [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and other worlds. Only the power of the [[Omega Lock|Omega Lock]] can stop it; [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and a small(?) team of [[Autobot]]s travel to various worlds in search of the lock and the four [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]] needed to activate it. [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], even more obsessed with power and godhood, attempts to seize the lock and the keys to boost his own personal power.

The series' Japanese counterpart ''Galaxy Force'' was confirmed by [[We've]] Inc. in an October 2004 press release to be a continuation from the ''Energon'' series, but it was soon clear that this was not the case.<ref>[http://www.fantofan.jp/newsarchive2004.htm 22 October 2004 and 10 November 2004, Fantofan.jp]</ref> '' Galaxy Force'' afterwards was presented as a continuity reboot, willfully ignoring Hasbro's intent for the series. The ''Cybertron'' dub and toyline were consistently presented as a sequel to ''Armada'' and ''Energon'', and eventually, later Japanese materials eventually retconned ''Galaxy Force'' back into being the continuation it was conceived as. [[Japanese themes|Songs]] include opening "[[Call You... Kimi to Boku no Mirai|CALL YOU... Kimi to Boku no Mirai]]" and ending "[[Itsumo]]", and opening "[[Ignition!|IGNITION!]]" with ending "[[Growing Up!!]]" in the latter half of the run.

:''Preceded by: [[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]''

{{bigquote|Our worlds are in danger! To save them and the galaxy we ''must'' find the four Cyber Planet Keys before the Decepticons can use them for evil. ''It'' is our ''mission.'' Hot Shot! Jetfire! Vector Prime! Landmine! Scattorshot! Optimus Prime! Transform and roll out!|Optimus Prime|''Cybertron'' opening credits}}

==Storyline==
When the destruction of [[Unicron]] results in the formation of a massive black hole, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is threatened, and its population is evacuated to [[Earth]], taking the forms of local vehicles and machinery to hide from humanity. As this occurs, [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s elite team of [[Autobot]] warriors are approached by the ancient Transformer [[Vector Prime]], who has emerged from his resting place outside of time to inform them of the legendary [[Cyber Planet Key]]s, ancient artifacts of power which can stop the black hole and save the universe. Lost due to an accident during an attempt to create a cross-universal [[space bridge]] network, the Cyber Planet Keys now reside on four worlds somewhere in the universe—unfortunately, Vector Prime's map showing their location is stolen by [[Decepticon]] leader [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], and both forces relocate to Earth as the race to find them begins.

On Earth, the Autobots befriend three human children named [[Coby Hansen|Coby]], [[Bud Hansen|Bud]] and [[Lori]], who aid them in locating the [[Omega Lock]], the control device for the Cyber Planet Keys' power. With new "Cyber Key Powers" awakened in them, the Transformers battle on many fronts, searching for the Lock on Earth while [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] and [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] head for [[Velocitron]], the "Speed Planet", resting place of the first key. As Hot Shot competes in the planet's grand racing championship to win the key from planet leader [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]], the Lock is located on Earth in the bulk of the crashed Transformer spaceship the ''[[Atlantis]]''. Soon after, Autobot [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] heads for the next world, [[Jungle Planet (Cybertron)|Jungle Planet]], where the power of its Cyber Planet Key reformats him into Leobreaker. Megatron ingratiates himself with Jungle Planet ruler [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]], while at the same time, his scheming lieutenant [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] teams up with the mysterious [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]], working towards his own goals.

Ultimately, the Autobots succeed in acquiring the Keys of both Velocitron and Jungle Planet, at which point the existence of Earth's own Cyber Planet Key is revealed. Starscream makes his power play and overthrows Megatron, stealing the Omega Lock and all three keys from the Autobots and using them to grow in size and power. Their forces bolstered by the ancient Autobots from Earth and the arrival of [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]], who combines with Optimus Prime, the Autobots fight their way through a vengeful Megatron and defeat Starscream - but the battle is not without casualties, as Hot Shot, Red Alert and [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] are gravely wounded and rebuilt into the even more powerful [[Cybertron Defense Team]].

Returning to Cybertron, the Autobots use the Omega Lock and Cyber Planet Keys, which awaken the spirit of their deity and creator, [[Primus]] and transform Cybertron itself into the god's body. After a battle in which Starscream taps the power of Primus and grows to planetary size—only to be defeated by Primus himself—the location of the fourth and final key is determined as [[Gigantion]], the Giant Planet. Bested by Gigantion's leader [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]], Megatron taps into the power of Gigantion's Cyber Planet Key to become Galvatron. Sideways, now joined by the equally mysterious [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]], reveals himself to be an inhabitant of [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]], a world destroyed by the Gigantions, upon whom he and Soundwave seek revenge. Galvatron blasts them and Starscream into another dimension and finally acquires the Lock and Keys for himself, intending to use their power to accelerate the universal degeneration caused by the black hole and remake the cosmos in his own image. Vector Prime sacrifices his life to get the Autobots back to Cybertron, and the five planet leaders confront Galvatron within the black hole and defeat him. With all the Cyber Planet Keys now in his possession, Primus uses their power to finally seal the black hole, ending its threat.

As the planet's various civilizations attempt to return to life as normal, Galvatron attacks the Autobots for one final time. Without any troops to call his own, Galvatron engages Optimus Prime in a one-on-one duel, and is finally destroyed for good. With this final victory, Optimus Prime begins a new space bridge initiative, and the Transformers set sail for the four corners of the universe, and new adventures.

==Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
'''Cybertron Native'''

* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Garry Chalk]])
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] ([[Kirby Morrow]])
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] ([[Brian Drummond]])
* [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] ([[Paul Dobson]])
* [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul/Leobreaker]] (Paul Dobson/[[Dave Ward]])
* [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] ([[Brian Dobson]])
* [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] ([[Richard Ian Cox]])

'''Speed Planet Native'''

* [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] ([[Lisa Ann Beley]])
* [[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]] ([[Michael Dobson]])
* [[Clocker (Cybertron)|Clocker]] (Brian Dobson)

'''Jungle Planet Native'''

* [[Snarl (Cybertron)|Snarl]] ([[Scott McNeil]])
* [[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]] (Scott McNeil)

'''Earth Native'''
* [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]] ([[Ty Olsson]])
* [[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]] ([[Michael Daingerfield]])

'''Giant Planet Native'''

* [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]] ([[Ron Halder]])
* [[Quickmix (Cybertron)|Quickmix]] (Michael Daingerfield)

'''Others'''

* [[Vector Prime]] ([[Richard Newman]])
* [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] ([[Sam Vincent]])

'''[[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]]'''

* [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]]
* [[Recon Mini-Con Team]]
** [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] ([[Brian Drummond]])
** [[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]]
** [[Six-Speed]]

|c2=
'''Cybertron Native'''

* [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron/Galvatron]] ([[David Kaye]])
* [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] ([[Michael Dobson]])
* [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] ([[Mark Oliver]])

'''Speed Planet Native'''

* [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] ([[Mark Acheson]])
* [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] ([[Louis Chirillo]])
* [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] ([[Michael Donovan]])

'''Jungle Planet Native'''

* [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] ([[Trevor Devall]])
* [[Undermine (Cybertron)|Undermine]] (Mark Oliver)
* [[Brimstone (Cybertron)|Brimstone]] ([[Terry Klassen]])

'''Earth Native'''

* [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]] ([[Maryke Hendrikse]])
* [[Lugnutz]] ([[Corey Burton]])

'''Giant Planet Native'''

* [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]] ([[Sam Vincent]])

'''Planet X Native'''
* [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] ([[Ted Cole]])
* [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] ([[Robert O. Smith]])
* [[Laserbeak (Cybertron)|Laserbeak]]
* [[Noisemaze Mass Production Type Version]]
* [[Laserbeak drone]]
* [[Lugnutz|Lugnutz drone]]

'''Other'''

* [[Mudflap (Cybertron)|Mudflap]] ([[Dale Wilson]])
* [[Nemesis Breaker]]

|c3=
'''Regulars'''
* [[Coby Hansen]] ([[Sam Vincent]])
* [[Bud Hansen]] ([[Ryan Hirakida]])
* [[Lori]] ([[Sarah Edmondson]])
* [[Lucy Suzuki|Dr. Lucy Suzuki]] ([[Tabitha St. Germain]])
* [[Colonel Franklin|Colonel Mike Franklin]] ([[Michael Dobson]])
* [[Tim Hansen]] ([[Terry Klassen]])

|c4=
* [[Primus]] ([[Michael Donovan]])
* [[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal drones]]
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Episodes==
{{main|List of Cybertron episodes}}

{{collist|4|
# [[Fallen (episode)|Fallen]]
# [[Haven|Haven]]
# [[Hidden|Hidden]]
# [[Landmine (episode)|Landmine]]
# [[Space|Space]]
# [[Rush|Rush]]
# [[Speed|Speed]]
# [[Collapse|Collapse]]
# [[Time (episode)|Time]]
# [[Search|Search]]
# [[Deep|Deep]]
# [[Ship|Ship]]
# [[Hero (episode)|Hero]]
# [[Race|Race]]
# [[Detour (episode)|Detour]]
# [[Savage (episode)|Savage]]
# [[Sand|Sand]]
# [[Champion|Champion]]
# [[Ice|Ice]]
# [[Honor|Honor]]
# [[Primal|Primal]]
# [[Trust (Cybertron)|Trust]]
# [[Trap|Trap]]
# [[Invasion|Invasion]]
# [[Retreat|Retreat]]
# [[Revelation (episode)|Revelation]]
# [[Critical|Critical]]
# [[Assault|Assault]]
# [[Starscream (episode)|Starscream]]
# [[United (episode)|United]]
# [[Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron]]
# [[Balance|Balance]]
# [[Darkness (episode)|Darkness]]
# [[Memory|Memory]]
# [[Escape (episode)|Escape]]
# [[Family|Family]]
# [[Titans|Titans]]
# [[Warp|Warp]]
# [[Giant|Giant]]
# [[Fury|Fury]]
# [[City|City]]
# [[Ambush|Ambush]]
# [[Challenge|Challenge]]
# [[Scourge (episode)|Scourge]]
# [[Optimus (episode)|Optimus]]
# [[Showdown (episode)|Showdown]]
# [[Guardian (episode)|Guardian]]
# [[Homecoming (episode)|Homecoming]]
# [[End|End]]
# [[Unfinished|Unfinished]]
# [[Beginning|Beginning]]
# [[Inferno (episode)|Inferno]] ("Lost" episode)
}}

==Differences with ''Galaxy Force''==
[[Image:GalaxyForcevsCybertron.jpg|thumb|150px|right|It rarely got this extreme.]]In contrast to ''Armada'' and ''Energon'', the dubs of which had stuck quite closely to their original Japanese counterparts (unrelenting plethora of errors notwithstanding), ''Cybertron'' went to much greater lengths to localize ''Galaxy Force''. English scripts for the series were written by [[David McDermott]], [[Marc Handler]], [[Seth Walther]], [[Stephanie Sheh]] and [[James W. Bates]] (but the series does not include episode writer credits, so precisely who wrote which episodes is left unknown).

On the most basic level, dialogue was frequently re-written, sticking to the ''intent'' of the original but adding many more colorful turns of phrase, flavor and character, doing away with much of the formality and unflappability with which the Autobots handled every situation (a common trait of the Autobots in Japanese ''Transformers'' cartoons). ''Cybertron'' would also ''add'' more dialogue to scenes that were silent in ''Galaxy Force''; in particular, the show's extensive use of [[stock footage]] was livened up with new dialogue from characters as they transformed. Paraphrased dialogue from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' was common. The show's soundtrack mostly remained unaltered; the only new music was a new theme tune recorded by [[Paul Oakenfold]], which was often used during transformation stock footage (but not with 100% consistency) and would sometimes be extended to replace the background music of the scenes that immediately followed said transformations. In other, more sparing instances, music would be replaced with ''different'' pieces from the original soundtrack; usually, this involved replacing melodramatic or "evil" music with more exciting tracks to ramp up action sequences.

A few aspects of the plot of the series were consistently modified or excised by the ''Cybertron'' dub, while some were created whole cloth. For instance, one of most notable changes of the series was the transformation of the male Nitro Convoy into the ''female'' Override, at the request of Cartoon Network. Other examples include the removal of suggestions in early ''Galaxy Force'' episodes that Coby had an unsteady relationship with his family, and the notion that Cybertron was consumed by the black hole in the first episode (since the characters were able to return to the planet later in the series without ill effect). In terms of newly-created ideas, ''Cybertron'' justified the continued presence of the Autobots' human allies Coby, Bud and Lori after their usefulness had realistically ended by crafting the concept of the [[Omega Frequency]], the signal of the [[Omega Lock]] which only they could hear, making them necessary in the search for the Lock and Keys. This particular example is indicative of ''Cybertron'''s efforts to make as much technical and logical sense as it could, where ''Galaxy Force'' was content to hand-wave many things off with [[Burning justice|Burning Justice]]. Innumerable times in the course of the cartoon, characters glow with energy that comes from nowhere; while ''Galaxy Force'' does not address this strangeness, treating it as a normal thing for Transformers to do, ''Cybertron'' regularly inserts explanations, or at least has the characters react in an amazed fashion to this unusual thing that is happening to them.

Outside of these major overarcing examples, there are sometimes other changes both major and minor made to the content of individual episodes for numerous reasons. TFWIKI.Net notes such changes on the individual episode articles.

==Praise and criticism==
With the bad taste of ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' still lingering in the mouths of the fandom, ''Cybertron'' had a long way to go to make itself seem like an appealing prospect. On the English side of things, it generally succeeded: the show's dub is ''much'' more polished, lacking the myriad errors that had plagued the previous shows and bringing many distinct voices and accents into the mix, along with numerous pop-culture and ''Transformers'' references. Since the scripts had comprehensible context and some actual ''work'' put into them, the voice actors were likewise able to turn in stronger performances than they had in prior years. This effort was not appreciated by all viewers, unfortunately; those who had previously viewed subtitled ''Galaxy Force'' episodes online objected to the English dub taking greater liberties and occasionally altering aspects of the series, and were not shy about letting people know it.<ref>[http://www.shortpacked.com/blog/comic/book-3-is-totally-gay/05-iacon-one-sketches/screwball/ The result of people watching the subbed version first.]</ref>

Like ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' before it, ''Cybertron'' was animated using shaded [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] for the Transformers characters, and cel animation for most everything else. Though [[GONZO]]'s ''Cybertron'' work was more advanced than that of [[Actas Inc.]] and [[Studio A-CAT]]'s work in ''Energon'', the CGI still suffers from most of the problems of its predecessor, including a restricted range of motion, a tendency for the Transformers to stand around like statues, and crude walk cycles. Few facial expressions exist beyond "mouth open" and "mouth closed" (though to the animators' credit, there is an occasional smirk, smile, growl, etc. And Optimus Prime at one point manages to look furious ''with his mouthplate up''.) The shading techniques used on the Transformer characters also means they look very strange alongside their traditionally-animated human cohorts.

There is a sense that ''Cybertron'' actively attempts to avoid the main problem that plagued ''Energon''—that is to say, running out of plot. Consequently, while the basic plot of ''Cybertron'' is far more focused and coherent than that of ''Energon'', its first half is quite ponderous and drawn out, ''especially'' in the case of the [[Velocitron]] story arc, in which ''thirteen solid episodes'' are taken up by race after generic race, doing ''very'' little to advance the plot. Conversely, then, in the final quarter of the series, the stories of [[Gigantion]] and [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] seem ''very'' truncated, as if the drawn-out first half left no room to see these plots through to their fullest extent.

In addition, ''Cybertron'' delights in the use of [[Stock footage|stock transformation sequences]], using them to pad out episodes like the cinematic equivalent of Styrofoam packing peanuts. What's worse, even the ''battle scenes'' frequently recycle the same "two characters charging at each other, their fists colliding in mid-air" stock footage.

==Continuity==
As noted above, the Japanese version (''Galaxy Force'') originally treated the story as a stand-alone, unconnected to any previous story. The American version draws connections to the ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' cartoons, but various incongruities still exist:

* In general, nobody really seems to remember the events of ''Energon''. The Autobots act as though they've never been to [[Earth]] before and have no familiarity with its culture, despite having spent ten years there in places like [[Ocean City]].
** Prehaps due to Sideways.
* The Autobots are utterly dependent on the three human kids to help them blend into human society, when they previously had numerous human allies including Dr. Jones and his family, Rad, Alexis & Carlos, and the innumerable human inhabitants of Ocean City and the other Cybertron settlements on Earth.
* Likewise, despite the Autobots' presence being fairly common knowledge in ''Energon'', it is considered urgent to hide the Autobots from Earth's population in ''Cybertron''.
* The Energon cities themselves are never seen or mentioned.
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] both have distinctively different voices than in the previous cartoons. [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] has essentially the same voice, but with a newly added accent. Also, Red Alert seems to have a bit more emotion and acts less mechanical as he did in Armada.
* Formerly prominent characters like [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]], [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]], the [[Omnicon|Omnicons]], and Kicker have vanished without a word; new characters [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] and [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] appear out of nowhere; and Red Alert returns after being absent for all of ''Energon''.
* Returning characters are ''all'' in brand-new bodies with no explanation.
* When he first combines with [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]], Optimus Prime declares that he's never heard of two Autobots combining into one before. This is a rather odd statement, considering that such combinations were commonplace during ''Energon'', and Optimus himself had been combining with other Autobots since ''Armada''; given later events, it's possible he was referring to the specific manner in which they combined, though this is at best an awkward rationalization.
* Nobody seems surprised that Megatron and Starscream are alive and well again.
* The grand black hole is explained as a by-product of "Unicron's destruction". In ''Energon'', that event happened in [[Alpha Q's universe|Alpha Q's alternate universe]], a fact that's not mentioned in the show. Likewise, Cybertron was last seen in that same alternate universe. It's not much of a stretch to assume the Autobots moved it back where it came from, but in that case, why is it so close to the black hole?
* The collapse of the Energon sun would mean that everything the Autobots fought for during ''Energon'' was in vain, and Alpha Q's worlds would die again, left in darkness without a sun and consumed by the black hole. Nobody seems to notice this little setback. To the contrary, Red Alert's report mentions an uninhabited planet that's ''not'' one of Alpha Q's planets as the black hole's first victim.
* Some returning character's personalities, like Wing Saber and Sideways, are different from their portrayals in other series.

Within the show, most of these problems were never directly addressed; the cartoon simply went about telling its story without much regard to previous events. Indeed, vanishing characters and new bodies had previously occurred in the changeover between ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' with equally little attention, though the second show at least established the existence of a ten-year fictional gap between them, making it ''somewhat'' less intrusive (such a gap also exists between ''Energon'' and ''Cybertron'', but it was never noted in dialogue in the series).

However, external material has addressed some of the problems. The [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|''Cybertron'' comic]] storyline "[[Balancing Act (issue)|Balancing Act]]", for example, [[Vector Prime|Vector Prime]] claims that the Autobots are suffering memory problems, caused by temporal disturbances from the [[Unicron Singularity|Unicron Singularity]]. Jetfire's new accent was explained on the Hasbro web site as a result of time spent on the planet [[Nebulos|Nebulon]].

===Energon comic===
Some fans believe that the cartoon follows the unfinished [[Energon (comic)|''Energon'' comic book series]] from [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]. Unsubstantiated rumors to this effect have swirled since the cartoon's debut, though the only "evidence" comes from media outside the cartoon:

* The [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|''Cybertron'' comic]] storyline "[[Balancing Act (issue)|Balancing Act]]", written by Hasbro copywriter [[Forest Lee|Forest Lee]], is set the same universe as the ''Cybertron'' cartoon series. But the story references events from the ''Energon'' comic, such as the [[Mini-Con|Mini-Con]] [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] hooking himself into the Planetary Database — a plot point begun by the [[Energon (comic)|''Energon'' comic]], which would have been carried through if the book hadn't been canceled.

* The bio of the ''Cybertron'' toy [[Scorponok (Energon)|Dark Scorponok]] references his death at the hands of Megatron, as happened in the ''Energon'' comic but not the cartoon. However, this was overwritten when "Balancing Act" depicted Dark Scorponok as being pulled into the cartoon timeline from ''another'' universe.

The idea doesn't solve any problems; most of the contradictions between the ''Energon'' and ''Cybertron'' cartoons also exist between the ''Energon'' comic and the ''Cybertron'' cartoon. The cartoon contains no references to any events of the ''Energon'' comic.

The entire notion of a network television cartoon following up on a comparatively obscure, unfinished comic book seems counter-intuitive; furthermore, Hasbro material has presented many explanations for contradictions between the two cartoons. Why bother explaining why ''Cybertron'' Jetfire sounds different if he's not the same guy seen in ''Energon''? Why have Vector Prime explain the differences between the two cartoons if they're not in the same continuity? It would have been simpler to retract the statement that Cybertron was a sequel series.

==Home video releases==
===Galaxy Force===
{{main|Victor Entertainment}}
The ''Galaxy Force'' version of ''Cybertron'' was released on DVD by Victor Entertainment in [[Japan]] while the series was still on air. Several of the DVDs were packaged with exclusive [[redeco]]s of toys, such as a ''Masterforce'' [[Minerva (Masterforce)|Minerva]]-themed [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Chromia]] and a ''Generation 1'' [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]-themed [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Exillion]].
[[Image:Tf galaxy force vol 01.jpg|thumb|150px|]]
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 01 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 02 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 03 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 04 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 05 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 06 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 07 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 08 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 09 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 10 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 11 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 12 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 13 (2006)
{{-}}

===Cybertron===
{{main|Paramount Pictures}}
[[Image:Cybertron Ultimate Collection DVD.jpg|thumb|150px|]]
Paramount Home Entertainment released a single ''Cybertron'' disc in 2005 as a follow-up to their four separate ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' releases. They then took some time off to concentrate on the [[Transformers (2007)|live-action movie]] before finally releasing a complete box set in 2008.
*''Transformers: Cybertron'' — A New Beginning (2005)
*''Transformers: Cybertron'' — The Ultimate Collection (2008)

====Other====
Sometime in 2007, a complete DVD boxset of the ''Cybertron'' series was released in Malaysia which, despite initial appearances, was apparently ''not'' a bootleg, given that it was region-encoded (Region 3, to be precise). The set featured two English audio tracks (2.0 and 5.1) and was fully subtitled with an accurate transcription of the English dialogue. All told, this was more than the eventual American release managed. The set also moved "[[Inferno (episode)|Inferno]]", from its ill-sitting placement as episode 52 back to being the second episode on the set.
{{-}}

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC_%E3%82%AE%E3%83%A3%E3%83%A9%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%BC%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9 ''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' at the Japanese Wikipedia]

[[Category:Cybertron media]]
[[Category:Cybertron episodes| ]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Sideways (Armada)

2011-08-24T00:03:24Z

Xblade: /* Notes */

{{picsneeded|Sideways's Autobot/Decepticon faction symbol from Armada or Cybertron package.}}
{{disambig2|the Unicron-serving backstabber|the live-action Decepticon|Sideways (ROTF)}}
{{factions|autobot|decepticon|unicron}}

:''Sideways is a cross-universal agent of [[Unicron]] hailing from [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]], first seen in the [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] [[continuity]].''

[[Image:Sidewaysarmadafleer.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Goofy ominous nutball hardass.]]

'''Sideways''' is the consummate con-artist. He is misleading and deceitful in everything he does, portraying himself as the ninja-like warrior or the aloof drifter, and he lives for the look of shock and betrayal on his victims' faces when they realize he's played them for fools. Though Sideways appears to be a robot of average size and strength, he is nigh-invincible when he calls upon the powers of Unicron. Using the mysterious [[trans-phase mode]], he can take any form he chooses, and "heal" even the most grievous damage at will. Often, he'll eschew a body entirely, choosing to speak through monitors or as a vision in the sky. When he does choose to manifest in physical form, there is one constant: Sideways prefers to shroud his face behind a mask or visor or [[Mini-Con]] so as to keep himself mysterious and anonymous.

{{note|Sideways enjoys an extremely convoluted backstory in which he has been retroactively inserted into multiple different continuity families, and may be portrayed very differently in each. See individual series notes for details.}}

==Fiction==
===''Robots in Disguise'' toy bio===
Sideways was recruited into the Autobot army on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] around the time that [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]] was uncovered on [[Earth]]. He modified his body to resemble a Terran sports motorcycle, facilitating the speed with which he performed many of his duties. Conscientious and ninja-like, Sideways maintained a mysterious silence about himself, expressing only a desire to quickly engage the enemy and then return to Cybertron (presumably from Earth, given his [[Alternate mode|alt-mode]]).<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-images/tech-specs/Robots-In-Disguise-Tech-Specs/2002-Transformers-Tech-Specs/Sideways__RID_.jpg.html ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways's on-package bio]</ref>

{{note|In this, Sideways's first portrayal, we see no hint of anything beyond a run-of-the-mill Autobot warrior. However, much of the text of the ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways profile (as well as the name and altmode, of course) was copied to become the basis for the ''Armada'' toy—thus making them the same character and "reversing" Sideways's exploits into the ''Robots in Disguise'' continuity.}}

===Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity===
====''Armada'' cartoon====
:''Voice actors:'' [[Paul Dobson]], [[Mark Acheson]] (as Unicron) (English); [[Takahiro Sakurai]] (Japanese), [[Ekkehardt Belle]] (German)

[[Image:Gale Needalift.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Hey kids, want some candy?]]
Sideways first appeared as a beam of light from the sky striking a large [[Earth]] city near the Autobot base. An enigmatic warrior, he appeared to side with the Autobots, helping Hot Shot by watching his back during a confrontation with Scavenger. When asked to reveal himself, he transformed, his rider quickly splitting and becoming a helmet that covered his entire head. He claimed to be Sideways, a drifter who just wandered into the conflict. While he gave the human kids [[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] and [[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] rides in cycle mode to keep them entertained, [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] and [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] as well as [[Rad White|Rad]] and [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] were suspicious of the motorcycle's motives, especially his close attention to the Mini-Cons. {{storylink|Gale}}

[[Image:Credulous Sidewaysknocksswordaway.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Surprise, the mysterious ninja is evil!]]

In the following battle, [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] faced Sideways and Hot Shot alone, and managed to force the [[Mini-Con storage panel|Mini-Con panel]] Sideways had (apparently) found out of his grasp. As the Decepticon leader began to warp away, both Autobots grabbed onto Megatron and all three were teleported to the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]. To Hot Shot and Megatron's surprise, the Mini-Con panel was a fake,
made to convince Megatron to retreat so that Hot Shot, spurred on by Sideways's encouragement, could defeat the Decepticons once and for all. Though both robots fought well alongside each other, with Sideways expressing concern over Hot Shot's well-being, he eventually betrayed
the young Autobot, by striking a deal with Megatron. He would pretend to be Megatron's hostage and in exchange, no matter what, Hot Shot
would turn over the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]]. At first, Hot Shot did follow through, but reneged at the last moment by calling the Mini-Cons back to him. Sideways suddenly attacked Hot Shot, knocking the Star Saber out of his hands and kicking it to [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]. He switched Mini-Con heads, revealing his allegiance to the Decepticons. Hot Shot was savagely beaten by the Decepticons, who stopped short of destroying him on the advice of [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]], who teleported the young 'bot back to the Autobot base. Once Sideways's loyalty to the Decepticons seemed to be confirmed, he began manipulating them and playing them against each other to suit his mysterious goals. {{storylink|Credulous}}

[[Image:Sidewaysheads.jpg|left|150px|thumb|My Autobot counterpart is nearby...]]

One of these goals was the replacement of Megatron as Decepticon leader after a series of significant losses. Sideways sowed the seeds of rebellion within the Decepticon ranks, subtly turning Starscream against Megatron and convincing Megatron of Starscream's imminent treachery. The situation came to a head when the two Decepticons fought outside their base, but Sideways then realized Megatron would never execute Starscream for his insubordination, exposing an ever-constant weakness within the Decepticon command structure. After the battle, Sideways mused that this weakness would come back to haunt Megatron one day, and would be his ruin. Fortunately though, this incident somehow served to solidify the Decepticons as a unit, giving them much greater morale and cohesiveness, and achieving Sideways's aims of giving neither faction in the conflict a clear advantage. {{storylink|Rebellion}}

[[Image:Chase RainbowSideways.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You don't want to taste Sideways's rainbow.]]

Shortly thereafter, Sideways tried to hack the Autobot base computer, only to encounter the children attempting to destroy the equipment to stop Sideways. He transported them to a digital universe, where they saw the coming of two [[Jetfire (Armada)|new]] [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|combatants]]. He tried to threaten them into handing over the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Street Action Mini-Con Team]], before the kids realized that as this wasn't real, he could not harm them. Sideways then apologized to an unseen master, shortly before the children escaped the digital universe, chased by an unknown [[Unicron|entity]]. {{storylink|Chase (episode)|Chase}}

The Decepticons began to distrust Sideways, suspecting he was not what he seemed, and realized he was manipulating everybody in the unit. Caught out by [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and the other Decepticons while communicating with his unseen master, Sideways panicked and attempted to escape, but not before he was confronted by [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] and sliced in half with the Star Saber. Sideways simply reformed each time, reconnecting his parts and absorbing laser blasts from the other Decepticons. Megatron, in fury and disgust, hacked Sideways to pieces and he was seemingly destroyed... or so they thought. Sideways had entered [[trans-phase mode]] and his [[Mirror|rider]] rose in the form of a twisted [[nanite]] creature before the Decepticons' eyes, declaring that the Star Saber and Skyboom shield were merely toys to him, as he was near-invincible. His rider said there were millions of Mini-Cons left to be found, and challenged Megatron to see who would find them first, before flying off to parts unknown. {{storylink|Detection}}

[[Image:Awakening-Sidewaysonscreen.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Sideways may be dead, but he lives on in reruns.]]

While most of the Autobots were on Earth fighting the monstrous new Decepticon recruit, [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]], Sideways made an appearance inside the Autobots' base... on a monitor! He told [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] and Alexis about the [[Requiem Blaster]], and how the Autobots must find the three Mini-Cons that form it before the Decepticons do. Neither of them trusted Sideways, but they knew Sideways was right. If the Decepticons did find the Requiem Blaster first, it could spell doom for the Autobots and the galaxy. {{storylink|Awakening}} Once the Autobots had acquired the Requiem Blaster, Sideways appeared once again on the Autobots' monitors, laughing. He showed them that he'd disabled their defenses. Sure enough, the Decepticons infiltrated the Autobot base, took the Requiem Blaster, and nearly killed [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] in the process. {{storylink|Sacrifice}}

Later, Sideways appeared to the Decepticon tactician, [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], and told him that the Requiem Blaster would be even more powerful if used in conjunction with the other two Mini-Con weapons, the sword and the shield. {{storylink|Mars (episode)|Mars}} Thrust talked with Sideways again in a secret, ominous meeting. They planned to get the Mini-Con weapons away from the Autobots. {{storylink|Crack (episode)|Crack}} Thanks to Starscream's confusion on where his loyalties lay, he was able to steal the other two weapons from the Autobots, giving the Decepticons all three weapons. Thrust was hard at work on a secret project for Megatron, one that would harness the energy of all three weapons, and Sideways congratulated the tactician on his growing duplicity. When the three weapons were combined to power the starship [[Hydra Cannon]], Megatron used it to blow up a nearby comet while Sideways laughed from afar, on Earth's moon. {{storylink|Threaten}}

Both the Autobots and Decepticons were en route to Cybertron when a few of each faction were warped to a strange planet where they fought a dark copy of Optimus Prime called [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|Nemesis Prime]]. When Optimus Prime and Megatron combined their firepower against it, Nemesis Prime was destroyed, and as the copy dissipated, Sideways appeared momentarily. Nemesis Prime had merely been Sideways's puppet. {{storylink|Puppet}}

[[Image:Uprising-SidewaysSpookyGhost.jpg|right|200px|thumb|He controls the horizontal, but not the vertical. The vertical is for saps.]]

When both sides had arrived on Cybertron, a black hole opened up over the planet. It started becoming apparent to some that Unicron was arriving. An apparition of Sideways appeared over the Autobots, and the Mini-Cons attacked it. After telling the Mini-Cons to get lost, Sideways again disappeared. Sideways returned to swear vengeance against the Mini-Cons when they tried to stop the black hole's effects. {{storylink|Uprising}} Eventually, Thrust became suspicious that his partnership with Sideways and Unicron might be found out, so he panicked and stole the Requiem Blaster and Skyboom Shield. Thrust ran deep underground where he met up with Sideways, but he was tailed by Starscream. Starscream declined Sideways's obligatory offer to join Unicron, and the two fought.

[[Image:Portent-Sideways vs Starscream.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Armada basically lines up the cast one by one so Sideways can call them an idiot.]]

Sideways assaulted Starscream with strange tendrils and amoeba-like organisms, and he and Thrust were able to leave with the two weapons. Now inside the moon in Cybertron's orbit, Sideways placed the Mini-Con weapons into its core, revealing that the moon was Unicron lying dormant all along. {{storylink|Portent}} The last of the three Mini-Con weapons was dropped by Starscream when he sacrificed himself to Unicron to prove to Galvatron (a transformed Megatron) that Autobot and Decepticon must join forces to destroy Unicron. Sideways formed over what was left of Starscream and grabbed the sword, making an easy getaway. {{storylink|Cramp}}

With all three weapons in place within Unicron's core, Sideways's master was able to shed the rest of his moon disguise and show his real form. Sideways and his patsy Thrust celebrated their inevitable victory over time and space. {{storylink|Alliance (episode)|Alliance}} Thrust was told by Sideways to leave, as his work for now Unicron was now done. Thrust was confused, thinking he would be Unicron's right-hand man, but Sideways got angry, and ordered him to leave immediately. Thrust, dejected, left for the surface, where he later was crushed to death within Unicron's
creases during the battle. {{storylink|Union}}

[[Image:Origin-SidewaysUnicroncore.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"I'm going to start elongating all my 's' sounds, Optimusssss."]]

Optimus and Megatron managed to reach the glowing core deep within Unicron's body. Before their eyes, the core budded, recreating the body of Sideways. Unicron spoke through this Sideways body, announcing that Sideways had always been an extension of Unicron himself, and that Sideways had intentionally stoked the flames of the Autobot/Decepticon war so that Unicron could be fueled by their mutual hatred. He took special delight in mocking Optimus Prime for claiming to fight a war for peace, a seeming contradiction. The truth, according to Unicron/Sideways, was that Optimus Prime loved to battle; Prime refused to admit this. Unicron/Sideways wrapped Prime and Megatron in tendrils, drained Megatron of his energy, and offered Prime the opportunity to merge with him.

[[Image:Sideways dead.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Ouchies.]]

Then the children and their Mini-Cons arrived, and they pleaded with him to stop, but Unicron/Sideways was able to claim them as their own; the Mini-Cons were Unicron's creation, after all. But inside a dreamworld created by Unicron, the children were able to call out to the Mini-Cons. They reactivated and told Unicron/Sideways that they believed in peace, and would fight for it if necessary. Their combined might was able to help Prime break free of his tendrils, and he fired a shot right through Sideways using the Requiem Blaster. As what was left of Sideways faded, he claimed he'd have his revenge... {{storylink|Origin}}

{{note|Internal to the ''Armada'' series, it is slightly unclear whether Unicron was somehow possessing his body for that period of time, or if Sideways had been an extension of Unicron all along instead of a separate individual. The additional backstory provided for Sideways in ''Cybertron'', however, would seem to establish that it's the former. Additionally, in "[[Credulous]]", before Sideways's Mini-Con head connects with his body after colliding with Megatron, an odd voice spoke, sounding like it came from a being of lesser intelligence emanated from the motorcycle body's own head, before the Mini-Con head took over. The mysterious line not being in the Japanese version of the episode and the shaky nature of the ''Armada'' dub in general only further obscures the issue.}}

====Linkage====
After informing the Autobots of the Requiem Blaster, Sideways journeyed to the [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] to deliver [[Ravenus]] and the [[Doomstone]] to a group of [[Speed Chaser Team|evil Mini-Cons]] who were hunting down [[Super Stunt Team|a group of refugee Mini-Cons]] for their master. {{storylink|Linkage Part 8}} When they failed to eliminate or claim [[Redline]] and his friends, the evil Mini-Cons used [[trans-phase mode]] to connect with Sideways via a dimensional portal, and fled from Earth. {{storylink|Linkage Part 12}}

====''Cybertron'' cartoon====
:''Voice actors:'' [[Ted Cole]] (English), [[Susumu Chiba]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Deep-Sideways.jpg|left|200px|thumb|He's been up there waiting the whole time!]]

Sideways and his brother, [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] were the last two survivors of the tyrannical [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]], which was destroyed as the result of a battle between it and Gigantion long ago. Even though X started the war and was destroyed by its ''own'' weapon of mass destruction, the survivors were still determined to destroy Gigantion as revenge! {{storylink|Challenge}} Sideways and Soundwave agreed to serve Unicron in exchange for the assured death of Gigantion. {{storylink|Revelations Part 3|Soundwave's bio}} Thanks to this deal, Sideways was preserved by Unicron's dark power after his defeat by the Requiem Blaster. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

Once the Chaos-Bringer was defeated, Sideways and Soundwave were free from the deal and went after Gigantion with their own plan. Outside of Unicron's influence, Sideways started to show a laidback, jokey and sarcastic personality, doing things like singing to himself when flying away from fights, dancing to tunes when bored, and dissing other robots. He even showed he was capable of genuine friendship, having strong camraderie with Soundwave... but the thought of the lost Planet X, and the need to avenge it, would be something that would make this jokester turn grim and serious. {{storylink|City}}

Twenty years later, the [[Unicron Singularity|black hole caused by Unicron's demise]] had warped reality and caused everyone to forget Sideways existed! {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 2}} Perfect opportunity! Sideways entered the Transformers war again, during their desperate search for the [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]]. After the disappearance of ''[[Atlantis]],'' he observed from the top of a rocky cliff and wondered how he could best manipulate both factions to his own advantage. It wouldn't be long until they were all his puppets! {{storylink|Deep}} He offered his services to the Autobots, but as soon as he'd helped them corner Starscream, Sideways switched to a Decepticon symbol, fired on the Autobots, and promptly left. Starscream and the others were left wondering exactly what that was all about. {{storylink|Ship}}

[[Image:Sand-Sideways explains.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Honestly guys, I'm an Autobot! You don't remember me at all!]]

Later, Sideways spoke to Megatron through a portal window, telling him that Optimus Prime could be found on [[Jungle Planet (Cybertron)|Jungle Planet]]. He later appeared with the other Decepticons as they confronted the Autobots, chuckling evilly as they argued over who sent the messages leading to their meeting. {{storylink|Savage}} Sideways stood back and observed as Megatron fumed after his defeat at the hands of Optimus Prime on Jungle planet. Noting that the locals were itching for another fight with Prime, Sideways sought out [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]] in the woods, pleading for help to save a friend who was buried under a rockslide. Leobreaker rallied the other Autobots on Jungle Planet and marched them into a canyon to save this imaginary friend, while Sideways laughed from above. He had also sent a fake message from Optimus Prime to [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]], and so the Decepticons were also converging on that point. Megatron suspected the message was fake, but kept quiet. The two factions met in battle as Sideways planned, while he mused from above that no matter who loses, he wins! But he was spotted, and Leobreaker angrily threw him to the ground for lying to him. Sideways desperately explained that he was a "secret agent" for the Autobots, digging for "inside information". Optimus Prime wasn't convinced, but when their interrogation was interrupted by a communication from [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]], Sideways transformed and escaped. {{storylink|Sand}}

Sideways traveled with Megatron and the other Decepticons to [[Velocitron]] to apprehend the Speed Planet Cyber Planet Key. Here, Leobreaker and Sideways clashed again. When Megatron lost the Cyber Planet Key to [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]], he, Sideways, and the other Decepticons fled. {{storylink|Champion}} Meanwhile, as Optimus Prime prepared to battle Scourge for the Jungle Planet Cyber Planet Key, Sideways and Starscream plotted. {{storylink|Honor}} As Scourge trained for the coming battle, Sideways and Starscream bet on the winner. At Sideways's suggestion, Starscream interfered with the Autobots's ability to get to the battle, thus causing Scourge's faith in Prime as an honorable opponent to waver. {{storylink|Primal}}

When the Autobots finally defeated Scourge and acquired the Cyber Planet Key, Sideways was deployed with the rest of Megatron's troops to track down the Key after the Autobots split up with several decoy boxes. He personally pursued Vector Prime, revealing the ability to warp as he battled the ancient warrior for the box he held. When Vector Prime sent out [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]] to attack, Sideways used his faction-swapping shield to trick the Mini-Con into leaving before snatching the box from Vector Prime. When he found nothing but a rock inside, Sideways beat a hasty retreat. He was later seen goofing off as Megatron and Starscream went after the real holders of the Cyber Planet Key, and returned to Megatron's personal dimension when the rest of the Autobots arrived to secure the Key. {{storylink|Trust (Cybertron)|Trust}}

[[Image:Retreat-SidewaysStarscreamarmy.jpg|left|200px|thumb|That's right, the undercarriage of Sideways's altmode shows you the inside of his split-open ass.]]

Starscream was growing tired of Megatron's attitude towards him, and Sideways wondered if Starscream was going to doublecross his leader. When Megatron and his troops headed out from his dimension to find another Cyber Planet Key, Starscream instead chose to head to Earth. Intrigued, Sideways followed Starscream there, where they witnessed a burst of Cyber Key-related energy. He joined Starscream on his trip to the Arctic, where the wayward Decepticon demanded the Autobot [[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]] give him Earth's Cyber Planet Key. When Sideways realized that Starscream had sent Megatron the wrong direction and intended to take Earth's Key for himself, he decided to stay back and watch Starscream's fight with Crosswise, out of harm's way. ...at least, until Crosswise looked like he was going to lose, when Sideways happily leapt into action to kick him while he was down. Crosswise drove away, and Sideways shadowed him while Starscream investigated the cave he was guarding. {{storylink|Trap}} Sideways followed Crosswise all the way to his hidden hideout, where his leader, [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]], was waiting. When Sideways was discovered, he once again fled. {{storylink|Invasion}}

Starscream, meanwhile, had recruited countless imprisoned Decepticons he had freed in the Arctic, and so Sideways stood at his side while Starscream marched his army across the face of the Earth. They converged on the location of the Autobot base, where they found the Autobots retreating via a [[space bridge]]. Starscream and Sideways engaged them in battle, but Sideways was quickly knocked away by the Autobots' firepower. {{storylink|Retreat}} Starscream succeeded in grabbing the Autobots' collected Cyber Planet Keys and the [[Omega Lock]], and returned to his underground volcanic lair, where Sideways and [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]] were waiting. {{storylink|Critical}} The Autobots weren't far behind, and a clash between them and Starscream's army was inevitable. Sideways called them forth, ordering them to rise up and destroy their enemies, while he and Starscream watched the battlefield through a portal;
Starscream was slowly absorbing the power of his stolen goods, and wasn't quite ready yet. The Autobots and Megatron managed to break into the volcano base, but Sideways had prepared a series of explosive boobytraps. {{storylink|Assault}}

[[Image:Starscreamepisode-Sidewaysposes.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Hey, Sideways, your shield has huge gaps in it.]]

Despite this, the Autobots were able to get through them, where they came face to face with Sideways. Asked as to what side he was on today, Sideways replied that he was on his own, but today he was betting on Starscream. The Autobots fought him, but he was able to warp around them at will, and none were able to land a punch. Ultimately, [[Vector Prime]] placed his Mini-Con, [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]] on Sideways's back, and Optimus Prime was able to use that to detect where Sideways would appear next. After several blasts, Sideways was once again able to flee, this time because of the arrival of Scourge. He returned to Starscream's side, where the wayward Decepticon was nearly finished absorbing the Omega Lock's power. When Starscream said he wouldn't run to face Megatron, but wait for Megatron to come and be picked off at his leisure, Sideways realized there was nothing more he could do there and left, teleporting away. {{storylink|Starscream (episode)|Starscream}} Once the tremendous battle was over, and Starscream (despite having grown to a large size) had fallen over defeated, Sideways reappeared. Noting that Starscream could still be useful to him, he warped Starscream's humongous body away. {{storylink|United}} Starscream woke up inside the ''Atlantis'', with Sideways standing over him. Sideways explained that during the time Starscream had been out, Megatron had been defeated and Primus had awoken. The two traveled to Cybertron and found it transformed into Primus, but lying dormant; Sideways snarked that some clever guy had stolen all his power. He and Starscream tried to fight their way through the Autobots to the Omega Lock, but failed. Later, Sideways warped behind the Autobots' human friends, nabbed their three [[Mini-Con]] pals, and warped away. Angry, the children jumped into the portal window he left behind. {{storylink|Balance}}

[[Image:Memory-Sidewaysandchildren.jpg|left|200px|thumb|WOULD YOU LIKE TO? WOULD YOU LIKE TO?]]

Sideways attached Jolt to some equipment in order to search his memories for data pertaining to location of [[Gigantion]], where the last Cyber Planet Key would be found. But all Sideways could extract was useless data that would take forever to examine, so he tried to watch some television to pass the time. No luck—they were jamming their own communications, so he couldn't watch ''[[Galactic Guardians]]'' or anything, so he turned on his [[Soundwave (G1)|stereo]] and began moving to the music. Starscream yelled at him for goofing off. Embarrassed, Sideways ran off to do repairs. Indeed, the memory download was taking too long, so Sideways decided it would be much quicker if they just hacked open Jolt's head, took what they wanted, and deleted the rest. The operation was interrupted by the children, and so Sideways left to deal with them. After a few slapstick adventures, including a faked hologram of Megatron telling Sideways to jump on one foot and call himself a "pretty lady", the children were able to escape with Sideways's key to the cell he was keeping the other two Mini-Cons in. Though those two were rescued, Sideways finally caught up with them, laughing maniacally and with evil intent. {{storylink|Memory}} Jolt, whose rotors were now untied, was able to open a warpgate for himself and the others to escape through. Angered, Sideways warped away himself, and appeared again in front of the children and the Mini-Cons, telling him that he had put an energy field around the ship to prevent Jolt from pulling that trick again. The children and the Mini-Cons ran, but he threw one of his wing blades into the path ahead of them, blocking their escape. As Sideways mocked their attempts to distract him so they could make their getaway, [[Coby Hansen|Coby]] was able to communicate with the ship and spray [[fire-retardant foam]] over Sideways's head. They fled.

[[Image:Escape-Sidewaysmeandrawing.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"A ''mouth?!'' This is libel!"]]

Later, when the children and the Mini-Cons had located the chamber in which Sideways was guarding, the one that was blocking communications from being sent out of ''Atlantis'', they remotely caused a malfunction in one of the engine rooms. Sideways ran out of the chamber and into the engine room, where he found a crude drawing of him on the wall. "Now that's just mean!" Next they dumped him down one of the garbage chutes, which Sideways laughed at. He'd just warp out of there! But he forgot that he'd disabled warping, so he was cast out of the ship into space. A piece of trash that followed him conked him on his head, knocking him out. ''Atlantis'' was soon found by the Autobots and Decepticons, and so Starscream set the ship to warp away. Just in time, the children and the Mini-Cons shot themselves out of the ship in two escape pods, but Sideways's floating body blocked the second pod from leaving the warp perimeter of the ship. Sideways and the second pod disappeared along with ''Atlantis''. {{storylink|Escape (episode)|Escape}}

Sideways returned to the helm of ''Atlantis'' with Starscream, as the distance between them and the planet [[Gigantion]], home to the final [[Cyber Planet Key]], quickly narrowed. But due to the work of [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], Jolt, and [[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]], [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]], and the Decepticons were able to follow a trail to the ship, and so Sideways activated the ship's defenses while he navigated a warp jump away. But after they had jumped, Starscream felt the power of Primus, and so the ''Atlantis'' returned to Cybertron. After a battle between Starscream and Primus, Starscream was brutally defeated, so Sideways warped the ship away again with Starscream's body in tow. {{storylink|Titans}} Starscream was no worse for wear by the time Sideways had begun piloting ''Atlantis'' through a warp gate to another dimension where Gigantion was located, but the Autobots' ship, the ''[[Ogygia]]'', wasn't far behind. ''Atlantis'' started lagging behind the Autobots when Bud and the Mini-Cons aboard began sabotaging its engines, much to the fury of Sideways and Starscream. {{storylink|Warp}}

Sideways managed to get ''Atlantis'' to Gigantion, but only after a crash-landing. Before too long, the ship was under attack from the Autobots. Starscream was still too drained from his fight with Primus, so Sideways was told to fight them himself, an order he grumbled loudly about once he was out of Starscream's range. He confronted Optimus Prime, merged with Wing Saber, and bemoaned their sneaky tactics. He was the one supposed to be pulling the strings! As Sideways was targeted by a volley of missiles, Optimus Prime told Sideways that he'd had enough of his tricks. After a prolonged fight, Sideways could do nothing better than to utter a pathetic "mother!" as Prime's final, most powerful attack was bearing in on him. Thankfully for Sideways, he was saved by Soundwave, who pushed him out of the way at the last second. Once they were safe, Sideways thanked Soundwave for the rescue. Soundwave reminded Sideways that "that's how we roll," and not to forget their ultimate purpose. {{storylink|City}}

[[Image:Showdown-SoundwaveSidewaysstare.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Don't go towards the light, Sideways!]]

While the both of them were searching for the last Cyber Planet Key, they were discovered by the [[Cybertron Defense Team]]. Soundwave explained their backstory as survivors of Planet X and their vendetta against Gigantion. When the Autobots noted it was their own fault their planet was destroyed, Soundwave shrouded them in a thick black cloud while Sideways created virtual duplicates of himself. He managed to mess with Red Alert's head, but was tricked into revealing himself by Scattorshot after the clever technician dealt with the smog. In the end, the two Planet X natives were crushed under a falling tower. {{storylink|Challenge}}

Sideways and Soundwave didn't resurface until the Autobots were ready to leave Gigantion to their home dimension to repair the black hole. They challenged the Autobots, blocking their path out of the planet, for they wanted to ensure the black hole destroyed the galaxy. After fighting Optimus Prime to a standstill, they were interrupted by Starscream and Megatron, who were fighting several layers above them, glowing and pulsating with energy levels no one present had ever seen. Soundwave and Sideways wanted to escape, fearing their own destruction, but they lamented that if they didn't grab the Omega Lock then, they'd have failed at their mission. Both warped closer to the battle between Megatron and Starscream, and, reaching towards the tremendous energy that had built up during the Decepticons' battle, Sideways begged Soundwave to leave and save himself. Soundwave rejected this, because they were in this together. As Megatron and Starscream punched each other simultaneously, a wave of energy seemed to destroy both Planet X natives.

[[Image:Beginning-SoundwaveSideways.jpg|right|thumb|250px|We're not dead! Neither is our planet! Weird.]]

Vector Prime noted that neither were likely destroyed in the conventional sense, but were blasted into another dimension. {{storylink|Showdown (episode)|Showdown}} His analysis seemed to be correct; a little later, when Megatron witnessed a vision of Starscream—apparently reaching out through the [[fire dimension]] to mock him one final time—Sideways and Soundwave were both standing by the traitor's side. {{storylink|Unfinished}}

The next (and last) time Sideways was seen, he, Soundwave, and [[Laserbeak (Cybertron)|Laserbeak]] were cheering as they stood before an undestroyed Planet X, apparently having found an intact, parallel version of their homeworld in the dimension they had been transported to. {{storylink|Beginning}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic===
[[Image:SkywarpSidewaysWheeljack.jpg|left|300px|thumb|I'm such a secret shill for Unicron that you only ever see me once! Well, twice.]]

Always evasive about where his true loyalties lie, Sideways has been seen on battlefields the galaxy over, but not always on the same side. He has manipulated both factions like a game of cosmic chess, and chooses his words carefully. Neither Autobot nor Decepticon, he has always served just one master: [[Unicron]]. To these purposes, he assigned his Mini-Con companion, [[Crosswise (Armada)|Crosswise]] to infiltrate the Mini-Cons' Moonbase operations and send things awry. Crosswise was more of a wildcard than a full-on partner, unlike Sideways's other Mini-Con, [[Rook (Armada)|Rook]]. Rook was assigned to sow the real seeds of discontent amongst the Mini-Cons on the moon. {{storylink|More Than Meets The Eye (Armada)}}

Sideways himself was first seen working on a secret desert rocket site, guarded by [[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]] and [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]], which was designed to launch Megatron's [[Solar Scalpel]] laser system in orbit. {{storylink|Fire & Ice}} After the rocket was launched, he returned to Cybertron, and was present for the battle against Unicron... though what exact role he played in it is unknown. {{storylink|The End}}
{{-}}

===''Robot Masters'' online comic===
[[Image:RMComic-SidewaysBWMegs.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Master manipulator teamed up with master manipulator? That's WAY more interesting than [[Lio Convoy]] teaming up with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]... so of course it only happens ONCE.]]

Sideways participated in the confusing war over [[Solitarium]], where he employed a special communications system called "[[Crosswise (Armada)|Shadow]] and [[Rook (Armada)|Bright]]". When [[Road Rocket (G2)|Road Rocket]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Optimus Primal]] explored a crevasse filled with [[Solitarium]] crystals, they were ambushed from above by [[Megatron (BW)|Beast Megatron]] and Sideways, who detonated the crystals around the Autobots.

Fortunately, Primal managed to shield the three from the explosion with a huge slab of rock, but they were unable to prevent the Decepticons from making off with a huge load of Solitarium.{{storylink|Defend the Solitarium!}}

{{note|Sideways is said to have used special dimension-jumping powers to participate in this storyline, and he now shares the paintscheme of Armada Sideways. Remember that part—you'll see why soon!}}

{{-}}
===''Robot Masters'' 3D Diorama Manga===
[[Image:Roadrocketsidewaysphotocomic.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Okay, thumb war!]]

Road Rocket and Sideways found a piece of Solitarium at the same time, though each claimed they saw it first. The Solitarium was located across a gorge, so the two revved up their engines to see who could cross it in their motorcycle modes. Unfortunately, Sideways miscalculated, falling down the gorge, while Road Rocket was victorious. {{storylink|Robot Masters Vol. 4}}
{{-}}

===''Animated''===
[[Image:Sidewaysanimated.jpg|right|thumb|100px|He might change his mind about Shanghai once he gets there.]]
Shortly before the [[AllSpark]] was hidden in space by [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]], Sideways arrived from another dimension and joined the Decepticons. Land General Sideways was responsible for overseeing the [[Silvart War]], where he was captured by [[Primal Major]] and prepared for transportation back to Cybertron on board the ''[[Alpha Supreme|Axalon]]''. [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime]] speculated that thanks to the General's [[Trans-phase mode|Trans-Phase Generator]], Sideways broke free of his restraints and sabotaged the engine, causing the ''Axalon'' and its crew to succumb to a black hole.

Since Sideways was never seen again, Longarm Prime suspects Sideways was trying to get to some place called "[[Shanghai]]", which he frequently mentioned. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}

{{note|''Animated'' Sideways is described as having the signature powers of the familiar pre-existing character. His body, while mainly based on ''Armada'' Sideways, also features minor visual cues from [[Sideways (ROTF)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' Sideways]]. These visual continuity points are very similar to those used to establish that Sideways had "jumped" from the Unicron Trilogy into Generation 1. However, there is no absolute proof that after his arrival in ''Animated'', Sideways ever followed through on his desire to visit Shanghai, nor which universe's Shanghai he might have visited. If one makes the conclusion that he did make that jump, he and the movie-continuity Sideways must be the same person; if not, not.}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===Robots in Disguise===
[[Image:RIDtoy-Sideways.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hello, my treacherous friend.]]

* '''Sideways vs. Axer''' (Mega multi-pack, 2002)

: The first Sideways toy is a yellow and black [[redeco]] (and minor [[Retool|retooling]], from changes made to the mold for a Japanese ''[[Microman]]'' version) of [[Road Rocket (G2)|Road Rocket]], transforming into a Yamaha GTS1000A racing motorcycle with a light-up rear wheel suspension/buzzsaw weapon. He came packaged with [[Axer]] in a [[Walmart|Wal-Mart]] [[exclusive]] two-pack.

: This set was released in Japan as a [[Toys"R"Us|ToysЯUs]]-[[exclusive]] "[[USA Edition]]" on [[May 30]], 2002.

: This mold was going to be used to make [[Laser Cycle]] [[Jazz (G1)#LaserCycle|Jazz]] in ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'', but the line was cancelled before the toy hit full production.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/Sideways/sideways.htm More information on RiD Sideways at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Armada===
[[Image:Armadatoy-Sideways-wrongways.jpg|right|300px|thumb|My hats are the grandest of all... except that they're putting me on the wrong sides!]]

* '''Sideways w/ Rook and Crosswise''' (Super-Con, 2003 / Japanese release [[April 24]] 2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MX-01'''
**''Accessories'': 2 tailpipe-missiles

: The second toy of Sideways was released in 2002 in ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'', transforming into a Cybertronic motorcycle, and was the first larger ''Armada'' toy to come with two [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]]; [[Rook (Armada)|Rook]] and [[Crosswise (Armada)|Crosswise]]. Each Mini-Con could form a new head for Sideways, as well as reveal a faction sigil behind his clear-plastic chestplate in that mode. Their individual and combined robot modes were designed to act as riders when Sideways is in vehicle mode. His tailpipes become arm-mounted [[Powerlinx]]-activated pressure-launch missile launchers.

: Two variations of the [[Hasbro]] version of the toy exist. The first variation features the opposite Mini-Con heads revealing their intended faction logo. This was due to an error in the television series' animation which depicted Crosswise as the Decepticon head and Rook as the Autobot head. Hasbro made a [[variant|running change]] so the toy reflected the series' faction alignments. The second variation changed the salmon on Crosswise to a more Decepticon-like purple. This toy was also released in the Japanese ''Micron Legend'' toyline as "Doubleface" shortly afterwards, featuring a color scheme on the cockpit of the bike that was closer to the anime appearance.

: The Takara version reverses the purple and yellow on the chest, making it more show accurate (as always). The arms cannot connect when in vehicle mode.

: In November of 2003, US [[Toys"R"Us]] stores had special bonus pack Max-Con (Deluxe) toys, which came with a single bonus Mini-Con attached to the card over their sticker, for ''less'' than the price as a normal Max-Con during Toys"R"Us's post-Thanksgiving-day sale. Like [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]], Sideways could come with one of the [[Destruction Mini-Con Team]] members: [[Buzzsaw (Armada)|Buzzsaw]], [[Drill Bit (Armada)|Drill Bit]], or [[Dualor (Armada)|Dualor]].

: This mold was also used for ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Rapid Run (Energon)|Rapid Run]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/ArmSideways/sideways.htm More information on Armada Sideways at TFU.info]''

===Robot Masters===
[[Image:RMtoy-Doubleface.jpg|right|300px|thumb|We've come full circle or something.]]
* '''Doubleface''' (Robot Master, 2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-19'''

: Doubleface, a purple, gray, and yellow [[redeco]] (and minor [[Retool|retooling]], from changes made to the mold for a Japanese ''[[Microman]]'' version) of [[Road Pig (G2)|Road Pig]], was released in Japan in 2005, transforming into a Harley-Davidson Electra Glide touring motorcycle with electronic light-up tailpipe/"blaster" weapon. It featured a fixed Decepticon logo, and was the second and last appearance of this character in Japan as of 2006.

: There is a minor variation to this toy; though both versions feature an "electronics warning" on the robot mode's butt, some versions use a clear-plastic sticker, while others have the text tampographed there.

: This mold was also used for ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Axer]]. It was planned for use in ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' as [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#LaserCycle|Soundwave]], but that toy never saw release.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Destron/DoubleFace/doubleface.htm More information on Robot Masters Doubleface at TFU.info]''

===Cybertron===
[[Image:SidewaysCybertron.jpg|right|300px|thumb|On second thought, screw the whole motorcycle thing.]]
* '''Sideways''' (Deluxe-Class, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GX-01'''
**''Accessories'': Left & right wing-blades, Planet X Cyber Key

: The third toy of Sideways released in the US was in the [[Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'' toyline]]. Sideways in this line is a black and orange alien spacefighter with [[Cyber Planet Key]]-activated faction-switching ability and pop-out blades built into his battle shield. The toy features a translucent face with his signature horns. He comes with a [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] style Cyber Planet Key; the US version has the [[Cyber Key Codes|Cyber Key Code]] "'''dj51'''" [[Tampograph|tampographed]] on the back.

: This toy was released in Japan as ''Galaxy Force'' Noisemaze, and no mention was made of a relationship to Doubleface / Sideways. He features chromed details on the wings instead of the standard gray, along with more intricate paint applications.

: This mold was also used for the Japanese DVD-[[exclusive]] [[Noisemaze Mass Production Type Version]], ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], and was [[Retool|retooled]] into [[BotCon 2009]] ''[[Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and the [[Sweep]]s.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Decepticon/Sideways/sideways.htm More information on Cybertron Sideways at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|VsRedAlert}}
[[Image:Cyb-toy CriticalPath.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Look, Grandma's is down this path! It's ''critical'' I take it!]]
*'''Critical Path Pack!''' (Multi-pack, 2005)
**''Accessories'': Left & right wing-blades, Planet X Cyber Key

: This two-pack of the [[Red Alert (Armada)#Cybertron|Deluxe-size ''Cybertron'' Red Alert]] and Sideways toys was made available only at [[Target]] stores, retailing for $16.99. The toys are identical to their individual releases.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Super Collection Figure===
[[Image:ACT10-Doubleface.jpg|right|thumb|300px|STRIKE POSE!]]
*'''Doubleface''' (2003)

:Available in "Act 10" of Takara's ''[[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]]'' PVC line, Doubleface was available in both color and pewter. He came with an extra head so that his appearance could be switched between Doubleface's "normal" head and the "Decepticon" head. His appearance could ''not'' be switched out of its sort of weird-looking pose, however.
{{--}}

==Notes==
* The case for the Sidewayses of the five different continuity families (''Robots in Disguise,'' Unicron Trilogy, Generation 1, ''Animated'', and the live-action film) being the same individual hopping universes is... not airtight. Until 2010, no fiction had actually portrayed him migrating from one universe to another, but even before then, circumstantial evidence abounded:
** The first Sideways, a ''Robots in Disguise'' toy, was packaged with [[Axer]], whose on-package [[bio]] strongly insinuates that he had come from the ''Generation 1'' universe through a black hole. The bios make no particular connection between the two characters, so there is no reason to think Sideways must have come from another universe as well. Nevertheless, the real-world pairing of the characters makes it easy to accept that he did, based on later evidence.
** The next Sideways, from ''Armada'', was given an on-package bio of almost identical wording to that of the ''Robots in Disguise'' character. The ''Armada'' bio suggests that his duplicity is a new development upon coming to Earth, the result of being pulled in two mental directions by his Mini-Cons.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-images/tech-specs/Armada-Tech-Specs/2002-Transformers-Tech-Specs/Sideways__A_.jpg.html ''Armada'' Sideways's on-package bio]</ref> However, the cartoons and comics would both develop him as a pure agent of Unicron, which of course opens all sorts of cross-universal possibilities.
** The ''Robot Masters'' toy is what seals the deal. It's named and colored after the ''Armada'' toy, and some ''Robot Masters'' publicity material has declared that the character's first toy was indeed the ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways figure. Since the entire premise of ''Robot Masters'' is that Transformers are arriving on present-day Earth through wormholes from across time and space, the idea that Sideways universe-hopped into the ''Robot Masters'' continuity is too strong to ignore.
** And finally, in 2010 the ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]'' presented ''Animated'' Sideways as pretty clearly the same individual as all the other previous Sidewayses, and arguably the [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways of the live-action film]]. We are so, so shocked. On the other hand, this means getting cut in half was no huge deal for him. It'd happened [[Star Saber (Armada)|before]].

[[Image:Detection-SidewaysNoHat.jpg|right|180px|thumb|He's back. From outer space.]]
* In ''Armada'', outside of the stock footage sequences showing Sideways putting his Mini-Con helmets on, his "bare" head was often colored in shades of gray similar to the Crosswise head, rather than the appropriate purple and yellow.
* While the positioning of ''Armada'' Sideways's head-handlebars in toy form is up to the owner, the cartoon consistently portrayed them as angled downwards.
* In "[[Memory]]", Sideways seemed to be a fan of the [[Galactic Guardians]], a superhero team who star in their own cartoon show. He also seemed to be a fan of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive", as he sang the first few lyrics to himself before being interrupted by Starscream.
* A 2001 Armada IP bible includes a bio of Sideways that notes he is comic relief after his Mini-Con is damaged and split in two, now acting as his "angel" and "devil" consciences who also bicker between themselves. Before the accident, Sideways was an aloof and mysterious ninja who turns into a police cycle. Obviously, this characterization didn't exactly pan out.
* It is possible his reality warping to make the [[Autobots]] and [[Decepticons]] forget about everything that happened [[Energon (cartoon)|before]] like bases and alies.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Doubleface''' (ダブルフェイス ''Daburufeisu''), '''Noisemaze''' (''Galaxy Force'', ノイズメイズ ''Noizumeizu''), '''Sideways''' (''Animated'', サイドウェイズ ''Saidoweizu'')
*''Polish:'' '''Krętacz'''
*''Russian:'' '''Otshel'nik''' (Отшельник, "Hermit")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Kanyargó''' ("Swerver", ''Armada''), '''Mellékút''' ("By-pass", ''Cybertron'')

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Armada Autobots]]
[[Category:Armada Decepticons]]
[[Category:Animated Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Cybertron Decepticons]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Double agents]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]
[[Category:Planet X]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Robot Masters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise Autobots]]
[[Category:Scouts]]
[[Category:Spies]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Sideways (Armada)

2011-08-24T00:02:55Z

Xblade: /* Notes */

{{picsneeded|Sideways's Autobot/Decepticon faction symbol from Armada or Cybertron package.}}
{{disambig2|the Unicron-serving backstabber|the live-action Decepticon|Sideways (ROTF)}}
{{factions|autobot|decepticon|unicron}}

:''Sideways is a cross-universal agent of [[Unicron]] hailing from [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]], first seen in the [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] [[continuity]].''

[[Image:Sidewaysarmadafleer.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Goofy ominous nutball hardass.]]

'''Sideways''' is the consummate con-artist. He is misleading and deceitful in everything he does, portraying himself as the ninja-like warrior or the aloof drifter, and he lives for the look of shock and betrayal on his victims' faces when they realize he's played them for fools. Though Sideways appears to be a robot of average size and strength, he is nigh-invincible when he calls upon the powers of Unicron. Using the mysterious [[trans-phase mode]], he can take any form he chooses, and "heal" even the most grievous damage at will. Often, he'll eschew a body entirely, choosing to speak through monitors or as a vision in the sky. When he does choose to manifest in physical form, there is one constant: Sideways prefers to shroud his face behind a mask or visor or [[Mini-Con]] so as to keep himself mysterious and anonymous.

{{note|Sideways enjoys an extremely convoluted backstory in which he has been retroactively inserted into multiple different continuity families, and may be portrayed very differently in each. See individual series notes for details.}}

==Fiction==
===''Robots in Disguise'' toy bio===
Sideways was recruited into the Autobot army on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] around the time that [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]] was uncovered on [[Earth]]. He modified his body to resemble a Terran sports motorcycle, facilitating the speed with which he performed many of his duties. Conscientious and ninja-like, Sideways maintained a mysterious silence about himself, expressing only a desire to quickly engage the enemy and then return to Cybertron (presumably from Earth, given his [[Alternate mode|alt-mode]]).<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-images/tech-specs/Robots-In-Disguise-Tech-Specs/2002-Transformers-Tech-Specs/Sideways__RID_.jpg.html ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways's on-package bio]</ref>

{{note|In this, Sideways's first portrayal, we see no hint of anything beyond a run-of-the-mill Autobot warrior. However, much of the text of the ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways profile (as well as the name and altmode, of course) was copied to become the basis for the ''Armada'' toy—thus making them the same character and "reversing" Sideways's exploits into the ''Robots in Disguise'' continuity.}}

===Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity===
====''Armada'' cartoon====
:''Voice actors:'' [[Paul Dobson]], [[Mark Acheson]] (as Unicron) (English); [[Takahiro Sakurai]] (Japanese), [[Ekkehardt Belle]] (German)

[[Image:Gale Needalift.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Hey kids, want some candy?]]
Sideways first appeared as a beam of light from the sky striking a large [[Earth]] city near the Autobot base. An enigmatic warrior, he appeared to side with the Autobots, helping Hot Shot by watching his back during a confrontation with Scavenger. When asked to reveal himself, he transformed, his rider quickly splitting and becoming a helmet that covered his entire head. He claimed to be Sideways, a drifter who just wandered into the conflict. While he gave the human kids [[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] and [[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] rides in cycle mode to keep them entertained, [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] and [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] as well as [[Rad White|Rad]] and [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] were suspicious of the motorcycle's motives, especially his close attention to the Mini-Cons. {{storylink|Gale}}

[[Image:Credulous Sidewaysknocksswordaway.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Surprise, the mysterious ninja is evil!]]

In the following battle, [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] faced Sideways and Hot Shot alone, and managed to force the [[Mini-Con storage panel|Mini-Con panel]] Sideways had (apparently) found out of his grasp. As the Decepticon leader began to warp away, both Autobots grabbed onto Megatron and all three were teleported to the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]. To Hot Shot and Megatron's surprise, the Mini-Con panel was a fake,
made to convince Megatron to retreat so that Hot Shot, spurred on by Sideways's encouragement, could defeat the Decepticons once and for all. Though both robots fought well alongside each other, with Sideways expressing concern over Hot Shot's well-being, he eventually betrayed
the young Autobot, by striking a deal with Megatron. He would pretend to be Megatron's hostage and in exchange, no matter what, Hot Shot
would turn over the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]]. At first, Hot Shot did follow through, but reneged at the last moment by calling the Mini-Cons back to him. Sideways suddenly attacked Hot Shot, knocking the Star Saber out of his hands and kicking it to [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]. He switched Mini-Con heads, revealing his allegiance to the Decepticons. Hot Shot was savagely beaten by the Decepticons, who stopped short of destroying him on the advice of [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]], who teleported the young 'bot back to the Autobot base. Once Sideways's loyalty to the Decepticons seemed to be confirmed, he began manipulating them and playing them against each other to suit his mysterious goals. {{storylink|Credulous}}

[[Image:Sidewaysheads.jpg|left|150px|thumb|My Autobot counterpart is nearby...]]

One of these goals was the replacement of Megatron as Decepticon leader after a series of significant losses. Sideways sowed the seeds of rebellion within the Decepticon ranks, subtly turning Starscream against Megatron and convincing Megatron of Starscream's imminent treachery. The situation came to a head when the two Decepticons fought outside their base, but Sideways then realized Megatron would never execute Starscream for his insubordination, exposing an ever-constant weakness within the Decepticon command structure. After the battle, Sideways mused that this weakness would come back to haunt Megatron one day, and would be his ruin. Fortunately though, this incident somehow served to solidify the Decepticons as a unit, giving them much greater morale and cohesiveness, and achieving Sideways's aims of giving neither faction in the conflict a clear advantage. {{storylink|Rebellion}}

[[Image:Chase RainbowSideways.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You don't want to taste Sideways's rainbow.]]

Shortly thereafter, Sideways tried to hack the Autobot base computer, only to encounter the children attempting to destroy the equipment to stop Sideways. He transported them to a digital universe, where they saw the coming of two [[Jetfire (Armada)|new]] [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|combatants]]. He tried to threaten them into handing over the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Street Action Mini-Con Team]], before the kids realized that as this wasn't real, he could not harm them. Sideways then apologized to an unseen master, shortly before the children escaped the digital universe, chased by an unknown [[Unicron|entity]]. {{storylink|Chase (episode)|Chase}}

The Decepticons began to distrust Sideways, suspecting he was not what he seemed, and realized he was manipulating everybody in the unit. Caught out by [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and the other Decepticons while communicating with his unseen master, Sideways panicked and attempted to escape, but not before he was confronted by [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] and sliced in half with the Star Saber. Sideways simply reformed each time, reconnecting his parts and absorbing laser blasts from the other Decepticons. Megatron, in fury and disgust, hacked Sideways to pieces and he was seemingly destroyed... or so they thought. Sideways had entered [[trans-phase mode]] and his [[Mirror|rider]] rose in the form of a twisted [[nanite]] creature before the Decepticons' eyes, declaring that the Star Saber and Skyboom shield were merely toys to him, as he was near-invincible. His rider said there were millions of Mini-Cons left to be found, and challenged Megatron to see who would find them first, before flying off to parts unknown. {{storylink|Detection}}

[[Image:Awakening-Sidewaysonscreen.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Sideways may be dead, but he lives on in reruns.]]

While most of the Autobots were on Earth fighting the monstrous new Decepticon recruit, [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]], Sideways made an appearance inside the Autobots' base... on a monitor! He told [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] and Alexis about the [[Requiem Blaster]], and how the Autobots must find the three Mini-Cons that form it before the Decepticons do. Neither of them trusted Sideways, but they knew Sideways was right. If the Decepticons did find the Requiem Blaster first, it could spell doom for the Autobots and the galaxy. {{storylink|Awakening}} Once the Autobots had acquired the Requiem Blaster, Sideways appeared once again on the Autobots' monitors, laughing. He showed them that he'd disabled their defenses. Sure enough, the Decepticons infiltrated the Autobot base, took the Requiem Blaster, and nearly killed [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] in the process. {{storylink|Sacrifice}}

Later, Sideways appeared to the Decepticon tactician, [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], and told him that the Requiem Blaster would be even more powerful if used in conjunction with the other two Mini-Con weapons, the sword and the shield. {{storylink|Mars (episode)|Mars}} Thrust talked with Sideways again in a secret, ominous meeting. They planned to get the Mini-Con weapons away from the Autobots. {{storylink|Crack (episode)|Crack}} Thanks to Starscream's confusion on where his loyalties lay, he was able to steal the other two weapons from the Autobots, giving the Decepticons all three weapons. Thrust was hard at work on a secret project for Megatron, one that would harness the energy of all three weapons, and Sideways congratulated the tactician on his growing duplicity. When the three weapons were combined to power the starship [[Hydra Cannon]], Megatron used it to blow up a nearby comet while Sideways laughed from afar, on Earth's moon. {{storylink|Threaten}}

Both the Autobots and Decepticons were en route to Cybertron when a few of each faction were warped to a strange planet where they fought a dark copy of Optimus Prime called [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|Nemesis Prime]]. When Optimus Prime and Megatron combined their firepower against it, Nemesis Prime was destroyed, and as the copy dissipated, Sideways appeared momentarily. Nemesis Prime had merely been Sideways's puppet. {{storylink|Puppet}}

[[Image:Uprising-SidewaysSpookyGhost.jpg|right|200px|thumb|He controls the horizontal, but not the vertical. The vertical is for saps.]]

When both sides had arrived on Cybertron, a black hole opened up over the planet. It started becoming apparent to some that Unicron was arriving. An apparition of Sideways appeared over the Autobots, and the Mini-Cons attacked it. After telling the Mini-Cons to get lost, Sideways again disappeared. Sideways returned to swear vengeance against the Mini-Cons when they tried to stop the black hole's effects. {{storylink|Uprising}} Eventually, Thrust became suspicious that his partnership with Sideways and Unicron might be found out, so he panicked and stole the Requiem Blaster and Skyboom Shield. Thrust ran deep underground where he met up with Sideways, but he was tailed by Starscream. Starscream declined Sideways's obligatory offer to join Unicron, and the two fought.

[[Image:Portent-Sideways vs Starscream.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Armada basically lines up the cast one by one so Sideways can call them an idiot.]]

Sideways assaulted Starscream with strange tendrils and amoeba-like organisms, and he and Thrust were able to leave with the two weapons. Now inside the moon in Cybertron's orbit, Sideways placed the Mini-Con weapons into its core, revealing that the moon was Unicron lying dormant all along. {{storylink|Portent}} The last of the three Mini-Con weapons was dropped by Starscream when he sacrificed himself to Unicron to prove to Galvatron (a transformed Megatron) that Autobot and Decepticon must join forces to destroy Unicron. Sideways formed over what was left of Starscream and grabbed the sword, making an easy getaway. {{storylink|Cramp}}

With all three weapons in place within Unicron's core, Sideways's master was able to shed the rest of his moon disguise and show his real form. Sideways and his patsy Thrust celebrated their inevitable victory over time and space. {{storylink|Alliance (episode)|Alliance}} Thrust was told by Sideways to leave, as his work for now Unicron was now done. Thrust was confused, thinking he would be Unicron's right-hand man, but Sideways got angry, and ordered him to leave immediately. Thrust, dejected, left for the surface, where he later was crushed to death within Unicron's
creases during the battle. {{storylink|Union}}

[[Image:Origin-SidewaysUnicroncore.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"I'm going to start elongating all my 's' sounds, Optimusssss."]]

Optimus and Megatron managed to reach the glowing core deep within Unicron's body. Before their eyes, the core budded, recreating the body of Sideways. Unicron spoke through this Sideways body, announcing that Sideways had always been an extension of Unicron himself, and that Sideways had intentionally stoked the flames of the Autobot/Decepticon war so that Unicron could be fueled by their mutual hatred. He took special delight in mocking Optimus Prime for claiming to fight a war for peace, a seeming contradiction. The truth, according to Unicron/Sideways, was that Optimus Prime loved to battle; Prime refused to admit this. Unicron/Sideways wrapped Prime and Megatron in tendrils, drained Megatron of his energy, and offered Prime the opportunity to merge with him.

[[Image:Sideways dead.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Ouchies.]]

Then the children and their Mini-Cons arrived, and they pleaded with him to stop, but Unicron/Sideways was able to claim them as their own; the Mini-Cons were Unicron's creation, after all. But inside a dreamworld created by Unicron, the children were able to call out to the Mini-Cons. They reactivated and told Unicron/Sideways that they believed in peace, and would fight for it if necessary. Their combined might was able to help Prime break free of his tendrils, and he fired a shot right through Sideways using the Requiem Blaster. As what was left of Sideways faded, he claimed he'd have his revenge... {{storylink|Origin}}

{{note|Internal to the ''Armada'' series, it is slightly unclear whether Unicron was somehow possessing his body for that period of time, or if Sideways had been an extension of Unicron all along instead of a separate individual. The additional backstory provided for Sideways in ''Cybertron'', however, would seem to establish that it's the former. Additionally, in "[[Credulous]]", before Sideways's Mini-Con head connects with his body after colliding with Megatron, an odd voice spoke, sounding like it came from a being of lesser intelligence emanated from the motorcycle body's own head, before the Mini-Con head took over. The mysterious line not being in the Japanese version of the episode and the shaky nature of the ''Armada'' dub in general only further obscures the issue.}}

====Linkage====
After informing the Autobots of the Requiem Blaster, Sideways journeyed to the [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] to deliver [[Ravenus]] and the [[Doomstone]] to a group of [[Speed Chaser Team|evil Mini-Cons]] who were hunting down [[Super Stunt Team|a group of refugee Mini-Cons]] for their master. {{storylink|Linkage Part 8}} When they failed to eliminate or claim [[Redline]] and his friends, the evil Mini-Cons used [[trans-phase mode]] to connect with Sideways via a dimensional portal, and fled from Earth. {{storylink|Linkage Part 12}}

====''Cybertron'' cartoon====
:''Voice actors:'' [[Ted Cole]] (English), [[Susumu Chiba]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Deep-Sideways.jpg|left|200px|thumb|He's been up there waiting the whole time!]]

Sideways and his brother, [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] were the last two survivors of the tyrannical [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]], which was destroyed as the result of a battle between it and Gigantion long ago. Even though X started the war and was destroyed by its ''own'' weapon of mass destruction, the survivors were still determined to destroy Gigantion as revenge! {{storylink|Challenge}} Sideways and Soundwave agreed to serve Unicron in exchange for the assured death of Gigantion. {{storylink|Revelations Part 3|Soundwave's bio}} Thanks to this deal, Sideways was preserved by Unicron's dark power after his defeat by the Requiem Blaster. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

Once the Chaos-Bringer was defeated, Sideways and Soundwave were free from the deal and went after Gigantion with their own plan. Outside of Unicron's influence, Sideways started to show a laidback, jokey and sarcastic personality, doing things like singing to himself when flying away from fights, dancing to tunes when bored, and dissing other robots. He even showed he was capable of genuine friendship, having strong camraderie with Soundwave... but the thought of the lost Planet X, and the need to avenge it, would be something that would make this jokester turn grim and serious. {{storylink|City}}

Twenty years later, the [[Unicron Singularity|black hole caused by Unicron's demise]] had warped reality and caused everyone to forget Sideways existed! {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 2}} Perfect opportunity! Sideways entered the Transformers war again, during their desperate search for the [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]]. After the disappearance of ''[[Atlantis]],'' he observed from the top of a rocky cliff and wondered how he could best manipulate both factions to his own advantage. It wouldn't be long until they were all his puppets! {{storylink|Deep}} He offered his services to the Autobots, but as soon as he'd helped them corner Starscream, Sideways switched to a Decepticon symbol, fired on the Autobots, and promptly left. Starscream and the others were left wondering exactly what that was all about. {{storylink|Ship}}

[[Image:Sand-Sideways explains.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Honestly guys, I'm an Autobot! You don't remember me at all!]]

Later, Sideways spoke to Megatron through a portal window, telling him that Optimus Prime could be found on [[Jungle Planet (Cybertron)|Jungle Planet]]. He later appeared with the other Decepticons as they confronted the Autobots, chuckling evilly as they argued over who sent the messages leading to their meeting. {{storylink|Savage}} Sideways stood back and observed as Megatron fumed after his defeat at the hands of Optimus Prime on Jungle planet. Noting that the locals were itching for another fight with Prime, Sideways sought out [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]] in the woods, pleading for help to save a friend who was buried under a rockslide. Leobreaker rallied the other Autobots on Jungle Planet and marched them into a canyon to save this imaginary friend, while Sideways laughed from above. He had also sent a fake message from Optimus Prime to [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]], and so the Decepticons were also converging on that point. Megatron suspected the message was fake, but kept quiet. The two factions met in battle as Sideways planned, while he mused from above that no matter who loses, he wins! But he was spotted, and Leobreaker angrily threw him to the ground for lying to him. Sideways desperately explained that he was a "secret agent" for the Autobots, digging for "inside information". Optimus Prime wasn't convinced, but when their interrogation was interrupted by a communication from [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]], Sideways transformed and escaped. {{storylink|Sand}}

Sideways traveled with Megatron and the other Decepticons to [[Velocitron]] to apprehend the Speed Planet Cyber Planet Key. Here, Leobreaker and Sideways clashed again. When Megatron lost the Cyber Planet Key to [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]], he, Sideways, and the other Decepticons fled. {{storylink|Champion}} Meanwhile, as Optimus Prime prepared to battle Scourge for the Jungle Planet Cyber Planet Key, Sideways and Starscream plotted. {{storylink|Honor}} As Scourge trained for the coming battle, Sideways and Starscream bet on the winner. At Sideways's suggestion, Starscream interfered with the Autobots's ability to get to the battle, thus causing Scourge's faith in Prime as an honorable opponent to waver. {{storylink|Primal}}

When the Autobots finally defeated Scourge and acquired the Cyber Planet Key, Sideways was deployed with the rest of Megatron's troops to track down the Key after the Autobots split up with several decoy boxes. He personally pursued Vector Prime, revealing the ability to warp as he battled the ancient warrior for the box he held. When Vector Prime sent out [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]] to attack, Sideways used his faction-swapping shield to trick the Mini-Con into leaving before snatching the box from Vector Prime. When he found nothing but a rock inside, Sideways beat a hasty retreat. He was later seen goofing off as Megatron and Starscream went after the real holders of the Cyber Planet Key, and returned to Megatron's personal dimension when the rest of the Autobots arrived to secure the Key. {{storylink|Trust (Cybertron)|Trust}}

[[Image:Retreat-SidewaysStarscreamarmy.jpg|left|200px|thumb|That's right, the undercarriage of Sideways's altmode shows you the inside of his split-open ass.]]

Starscream was growing tired of Megatron's attitude towards him, and Sideways wondered if Starscream was going to doublecross his leader. When Megatron and his troops headed out from his dimension to find another Cyber Planet Key, Starscream instead chose to head to Earth. Intrigued, Sideways followed Starscream there, where they witnessed a burst of Cyber Key-related energy. He joined Starscream on his trip to the Arctic, where the wayward Decepticon demanded the Autobot [[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]] give him Earth's Cyber Planet Key. When Sideways realized that Starscream had sent Megatron the wrong direction and intended to take Earth's Key for himself, he decided to stay back and watch Starscream's fight with Crosswise, out of harm's way. ...at least, until Crosswise looked like he was going to lose, when Sideways happily leapt into action to kick him while he was down. Crosswise drove away, and Sideways shadowed him while Starscream investigated the cave he was guarding. {{storylink|Trap}} Sideways followed Crosswise all the way to his hidden hideout, where his leader, [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]], was waiting. When Sideways was discovered, he once again fled. {{storylink|Invasion}}

Starscream, meanwhile, had recruited countless imprisoned Decepticons he had freed in the Arctic, and so Sideways stood at his side while Starscream marched his army across the face of the Earth. They converged on the location of the Autobot base, where they found the Autobots retreating via a [[space bridge]]. Starscream and Sideways engaged them in battle, but Sideways was quickly knocked away by the Autobots' firepower. {{storylink|Retreat}} Starscream succeeded in grabbing the Autobots' collected Cyber Planet Keys and the [[Omega Lock]], and returned to his underground volcanic lair, where Sideways and [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]] were waiting. {{storylink|Critical}} The Autobots weren't far behind, and a clash between them and Starscream's army was inevitable. Sideways called them forth, ordering them to rise up and destroy their enemies, while he and Starscream watched the battlefield through a portal;
Starscream was slowly absorbing the power of his stolen goods, and wasn't quite ready yet. The Autobots and Megatron managed to break into the volcano base, but Sideways had prepared a series of explosive boobytraps. {{storylink|Assault}}

[[Image:Starscreamepisode-Sidewaysposes.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Hey, Sideways, your shield has huge gaps in it.]]

Despite this, the Autobots were able to get through them, where they came face to face with Sideways. Asked as to what side he was on today, Sideways replied that he was on his own, but today he was betting on Starscream. The Autobots fought him, but he was able to warp around them at will, and none were able to land a punch. Ultimately, [[Vector Prime]] placed his Mini-Con, [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]] on Sideways's back, and Optimus Prime was able to use that to detect where Sideways would appear next. After several blasts, Sideways was once again able to flee, this time because of the arrival of Scourge. He returned to Starscream's side, where the wayward Decepticon was nearly finished absorbing the Omega Lock's power. When Starscream said he wouldn't run to face Megatron, but wait for Megatron to come and be picked off at his leisure, Sideways realized there was nothing more he could do there and left, teleporting away. {{storylink|Starscream (episode)|Starscream}} Once the tremendous battle was over, and Starscream (despite having grown to a large size) had fallen over defeated, Sideways reappeared. Noting that Starscream could still be useful to him, he warped Starscream's humongous body away. {{storylink|United}} Starscream woke up inside the ''Atlantis'', with Sideways standing over him. Sideways explained that during the time Starscream had been out, Megatron had been defeated and Primus had awoken. The two traveled to Cybertron and found it transformed into Primus, but lying dormant; Sideways snarked that some clever guy had stolen all his power. He and Starscream tried to fight their way through the Autobots to the Omega Lock, but failed. Later, Sideways warped behind the Autobots' human friends, nabbed their three [[Mini-Con]] pals, and warped away. Angry, the children jumped into the portal window he left behind. {{storylink|Balance}}

[[Image:Memory-Sidewaysandchildren.jpg|left|200px|thumb|WOULD YOU LIKE TO? WOULD YOU LIKE TO?]]

Sideways attached Jolt to some equipment in order to search his memories for data pertaining to location of [[Gigantion]], where the last Cyber Planet Key would be found. But all Sideways could extract was useless data that would take forever to examine, so he tried to watch some television to pass the time. No luck—they were jamming their own communications, so he couldn't watch ''[[Galactic Guardians]]'' or anything, so he turned on his [[Soundwave (G1)|stereo]] and began moving to the music. Starscream yelled at him for goofing off. Embarrassed, Sideways ran off to do repairs. Indeed, the memory download was taking too long, so Sideways decided it would be much quicker if they just hacked open Jolt's head, took what they wanted, and deleted the rest. The operation was interrupted by the children, and so Sideways left to deal with them. After a few slapstick adventures, including a faked hologram of Megatron telling Sideways to jump on one foot and call himself a "pretty lady", the children were able to escape with Sideways's key to the cell he was keeping the other two Mini-Cons in. Though those two were rescued, Sideways finally caught up with them, laughing maniacally and with evil intent. {{storylink|Memory}} Jolt, whose rotors were now untied, was able to open a warpgate for himself and the others to escape through. Angered, Sideways warped away himself, and appeared again in front of the children and the Mini-Cons, telling him that he had put an energy field around the ship to prevent Jolt from pulling that trick again. The children and the Mini-Cons ran, but he threw one of his wing blades into the path ahead of them, blocking their escape. As Sideways mocked their attempts to distract him so they could make their getaway, [[Coby Hansen|Coby]] was able to communicate with the ship and spray [[fire-retardant foam]] over Sideways's head. They fled.

[[Image:Escape-Sidewaysmeandrawing.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"A ''mouth?!'' This is libel!"]]

Later, when the children and the Mini-Cons had located the chamber in which Sideways was guarding, the one that was blocking communications from being sent out of ''Atlantis'', they remotely caused a malfunction in one of the engine rooms. Sideways ran out of the chamber and into the engine room, where he found a crude drawing of him on the wall. "Now that's just mean!" Next they dumped him down one of the garbage chutes, which Sideways laughed at. He'd just warp out of there! But he forgot that he'd disabled warping, so he was cast out of the ship into space. A piece of trash that followed him conked him on his head, knocking him out. ''Atlantis'' was soon found by the Autobots and Decepticons, and so Starscream set the ship to warp away. Just in time, the children and the Mini-Cons shot themselves out of the ship in two escape pods, but Sideways's floating body blocked the second pod from leaving the warp perimeter of the ship. Sideways and the second pod disappeared along with ''Atlantis''. {{storylink|Escape (episode)|Escape}}

Sideways returned to the helm of ''Atlantis'' with Starscream, as the distance between them and the planet [[Gigantion]], home to the final [[Cyber Planet Key]], quickly narrowed. But due to the work of [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], Jolt, and [[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]], [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]], and the Decepticons were able to follow a trail to the ship, and so Sideways activated the ship's defenses while he navigated a warp jump away. But after they had jumped, Starscream felt the power of Primus, and so the ''Atlantis'' returned to Cybertron. After a battle between Starscream and Primus, Starscream was brutally defeated, so Sideways warped the ship away again with Starscream's body in tow. {{storylink|Titans}} Starscream was no worse for wear by the time Sideways had begun piloting ''Atlantis'' through a warp gate to another dimension where Gigantion was located, but the Autobots' ship, the ''[[Ogygia]]'', wasn't far behind. ''Atlantis'' started lagging behind the Autobots when Bud and the Mini-Cons aboard began sabotaging its engines, much to the fury of Sideways and Starscream. {{storylink|Warp}}

Sideways managed to get ''Atlantis'' to Gigantion, but only after a crash-landing. Before too long, the ship was under attack from the Autobots. Starscream was still too drained from his fight with Primus, so Sideways was told to fight them himself, an order he grumbled loudly about once he was out of Starscream's range. He confronted Optimus Prime, merged with Wing Saber, and bemoaned their sneaky tactics. He was the one supposed to be pulling the strings! As Sideways was targeted by a volley of missiles, Optimus Prime told Sideways that he'd had enough of his tricks. After a prolonged fight, Sideways could do nothing better than to utter a pathetic "mother!" as Prime's final, most powerful attack was bearing in on him. Thankfully for Sideways, he was saved by Soundwave, who pushed him out of the way at the last second. Once they were safe, Sideways thanked Soundwave for the rescue. Soundwave reminded Sideways that "that's how we roll," and not to forget their ultimate purpose. {{storylink|City}}

[[Image:Showdown-SoundwaveSidewaysstare.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Don't go towards the light, Sideways!]]

While the both of them were searching for the last Cyber Planet Key, they were discovered by the [[Cybertron Defense Team]]. Soundwave explained their backstory as survivors of Planet X and their vendetta against Gigantion. When the Autobots noted it was their own fault their planet was destroyed, Soundwave shrouded them in a thick black cloud while Sideways created virtual duplicates of himself. He managed to mess with Red Alert's head, but was tricked into revealing himself by Scattorshot after the clever technician dealt with the smog. In the end, the two Planet X natives were crushed under a falling tower. {{storylink|Challenge}}

Sideways and Soundwave didn't resurface until the Autobots were ready to leave Gigantion to their home dimension to repair the black hole. They challenged the Autobots, blocking their path out of the planet, for they wanted to ensure the black hole destroyed the galaxy. After fighting Optimus Prime to a standstill, they were interrupted by Starscream and Megatron, who were fighting several layers above them, glowing and pulsating with energy levels no one present had ever seen. Soundwave and Sideways wanted to escape, fearing their own destruction, but they lamented that if they didn't grab the Omega Lock then, they'd have failed at their mission. Both warped closer to the battle between Megatron and Starscream, and, reaching towards the tremendous energy that had built up during the Decepticons' battle, Sideways begged Soundwave to leave and save himself. Soundwave rejected this, because they were in this together. As Megatron and Starscream punched each other simultaneously, a wave of energy seemed to destroy both Planet X natives.

[[Image:Beginning-SoundwaveSideways.jpg|right|thumb|250px|We're not dead! Neither is our planet! Weird.]]

Vector Prime noted that neither were likely destroyed in the conventional sense, but were blasted into another dimension. {{storylink|Showdown (episode)|Showdown}} His analysis seemed to be correct; a little later, when Megatron witnessed a vision of Starscream—apparently reaching out through the [[fire dimension]] to mock him one final time—Sideways and Soundwave were both standing by the traitor's side. {{storylink|Unfinished}}

The next (and last) time Sideways was seen, he, Soundwave, and [[Laserbeak (Cybertron)|Laserbeak]] were cheering as they stood before an undestroyed Planet X, apparently having found an intact, parallel version of their homeworld in the dimension they had been transported to. {{storylink|Beginning}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic===
[[Image:SkywarpSidewaysWheeljack.jpg|left|300px|thumb|I'm such a secret shill for Unicron that you only ever see me once! Well, twice.]]

Always evasive about where his true loyalties lie, Sideways has been seen on battlefields the galaxy over, but not always on the same side. He has manipulated both factions like a game of cosmic chess, and chooses his words carefully. Neither Autobot nor Decepticon, he has always served just one master: [[Unicron]]. To these purposes, he assigned his Mini-Con companion, [[Crosswise (Armada)|Crosswise]] to infiltrate the Mini-Cons' Moonbase operations and send things awry. Crosswise was more of a wildcard than a full-on partner, unlike Sideways's other Mini-Con, [[Rook (Armada)|Rook]]. Rook was assigned to sow the real seeds of discontent amongst the Mini-Cons on the moon. {{storylink|More Than Meets The Eye (Armada)}}

Sideways himself was first seen working on a secret desert rocket site, guarded by [[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]] and [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]], which was designed to launch Megatron's [[Solar Scalpel]] laser system in orbit. {{storylink|Fire & Ice}} After the rocket was launched, he returned to Cybertron, and was present for the battle against Unicron... though what exact role he played in it is unknown. {{storylink|The End}}
{{-}}

===''Robot Masters'' online comic===
[[Image:RMComic-SidewaysBWMegs.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Master manipulator teamed up with master manipulator? That's WAY more interesting than [[Lio Convoy]] teaming up with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]... so of course it only happens ONCE.]]

Sideways participated in the confusing war over [[Solitarium]], where he employed a special communications system called "[[Crosswise (Armada)|Shadow]] and [[Rook (Armada)|Bright]]". When [[Road Rocket (G2)|Road Rocket]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and [[Optimus Primal]] explored a crevasse filled with [[Solitarium]] crystals, they were ambushed from above by [[Megatron (BW)|Beast Megatron]] and Sideways, who detonated the crystals around the Autobots.

Fortunately, Primal managed to shield the three from the explosion with a huge slab of rock, but they were unable to prevent the Decepticons from making off with a huge load of Solitarium.{{storylink|Defend the Solitarium!}}

{{note|Sideways is said to have used special dimension-jumping powers to participate in this storyline, and he now shares the paintscheme of Armada Sideways. Remember that part—you'll see why soon!}}

{{-}}
===''Robot Masters'' 3D Diorama Manga===
[[Image:Roadrocketsidewaysphotocomic.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Okay, thumb war!]]

Road Rocket and Sideways found a piece of Solitarium at the same time, though each claimed they saw it first. The Solitarium was located across a gorge, so the two revved up their engines to see who could cross it in their motorcycle modes. Unfortunately, Sideways miscalculated, falling down the gorge, while Road Rocket was victorious. {{storylink|Robot Masters Vol. 4}}
{{-}}

===''Animated''===
[[Image:Sidewaysanimated.jpg|right|thumb|100px|He might change his mind about Shanghai once he gets there.]]
Shortly before the [[AllSpark]] was hidden in space by [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]], Sideways arrived from another dimension and joined the Decepticons. Land General Sideways was responsible for overseeing the [[Silvart War]], where he was captured by [[Primal Major]] and prepared for transportation back to Cybertron on board the ''[[Alpha Supreme|Axalon]]''. [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime]] speculated that thanks to the General's [[Trans-phase mode|Trans-Phase Generator]], Sideways broke free of his restraints and sabotaged the engine, causing the ''Axalon'' and its crew to succumb to a black hole.

Since Sideways was never seen again, Longarm Prime suspects Sideways was trying to get to some place called "[[Shanghai]]", which he frequently mentioned. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}

{{note|''Animated'' Sideways is described as having the signature powers of the familiar pre-existing character. His body, while mainly based on ''Armada'' Sideways, also features minor visual cues from [[Sideways (ROTF)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' Sideways]]. These visual continuity points are very similar to those used to establish that Sideways had "jumped" from the Unicron Trilogy into Generation 1. However, there is no absolute proof that after his arrival in ''Animated'', Sideways ever followed through on his desire to visit Shanghai, nor which universe's Shanghai he might have visited. If one makes the conclusion that he did make that jump, he and the movie-continuity Sideways must be the same person; if not, not.}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===Robots in Disguise===
[[Image:RIDtoy-Sideways.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Hello, my treacherous friend.]]

* '''Sideways vs. Axer''' (Mega multi-pack, 2002)

: The first Sideways toy is a yellow and black [[redeco]] (and minor [[Retool|retooling]], from changes made to the mold for a Japanese ''[[Microman]]'' version) of [[Road Rocket (G2)|Road Rocket]], transforming into a Yamaha GTS1000A racing motorcycle with a light-up rear wheel suspension/buzzsaw weapon. He came packaged with [[Axer]] in a [[Walmart|Wal-Mart]] [[exclusive]] two-pack.

: This set was released in Japan as a [[Toys"R"Us|ToysЯUs]]-[[exclusive]] "[[USA Edition]]" on [[May 30]], 2002.

: This mold was going to be used to make [[Laser Cycle]] [[Jazz (G1)#LaserCycle|Jazz]] in ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'', but the line was cancelled before the toy hit full production.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/Sideways/sideways.htm More information on RiD Sideways at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Armada===
[[Image:Armadatoy-Sideways-wrongways.jpg|right|300px|thumb|My hats are the grandest of all... except that they're putting me on the wrong sides!]]

* '''Sideways w/ Rook and Crosswise''' (Super-Con, 2003 / Japanese release [[April 24]] 2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MX-01'''
**''Accessories'': 2 tailpipe-missiles

: The second toy of Sideways was released in 2002 in ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'', transforming into a Cybertronic motorcycle, and was the first larger ''Armada'' toy to come with two [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]]; [[Rook (Armada)|Rook]] and [[Crosswise (Armada)|Crosswise]]. Each Mini-Con could form a new head for Sideways, as well as reveal a faction sigil behind his clear-plastic chestplate in that mode. Their individual and combined robot modes were designed to act as riders when Sideways is in vehicle mode. His tailpipes become arm-mounted [[Powerlinx]]-activated pressure-launch missile launchers.

: Two variations of the [[Hasbro]] version of the toy exist. The first variation features the opposite Mini-Con heads revealing their intended faction logo. This was due to an error in the television series' animation which depicted Crosswise as the Decepticon head and Rook as the Autobot head. Hasbro made a [[variant|running change]] so the toy reflected the series' faction alignments. The second variation changed the salmon on Crosswise to a more Decepticon-like purple. This toy was also released in the Japanese ''Micron Legend'' toyline as "Doubleface" shortly afterwards, featuring a color scheme on the cockpit of the bike that was closer to the anime appearance.

: The Takara version reverses the purple and yellow on the chest, making it more show accurate (as always). The arms cannot connect when in vehicle mode.

: In November of 2003, US [[Toys"R"Us]] stores had special bonus pack Max-Con (Deluxe) toys, which came with a single bonus Mini-Con attached to the card over their sticker, for ''less'' than the price as a normal Max-Con during Toys"R"Us's post-Thanksgiving-day sale. Like [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]], Sideways could come with one of the [[Destruction Mini-Con Team]] members: [[Buzzsaw (Armada)|Buzzsaw]], [[Drill Bit (Armada)|Drill Bit]], or [[Dualor (Armada)|Dualor]].

: This mold was also used for ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Rapid Run (Energon)|Rapid Run]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/ArmSideways/sideways.htm More information on Armada Sideways at TFU.info]''

===Robot Masters===
[[Image:RMtoy-Doubleface.jpg|right|300px|thumb|We've come full circle or something.]]
* '''Doubleface''' (Robot Master, 2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-19'''

: Doubleface, a purple, gray, and yellow [[redeco]] (and minor [[Retool|retooling]], from changes made to the mold for a Japanese ''[[Microman]]'' version) of [[Road Pig (G2)|Road Pig]], was released in Japan in 2005, transforming into a Harley-Davidson Electra Glide touring motorcycle with electronic light-up tailpipe/"blaster" weapon. It featured a fixed Decepticon logo, and was the second and last appearance of this character in Japan as of 2006.

: There is a minor variation to this toy; though both versions feature an "electronics warning" on the robot mode's butt, some versions use a clear-plastic sticker, while others have the text tampographed there.

: This mold was also used for ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Axer]]. It was planned for use in ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' as [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#LaserCycle|Soundwave]], but that toy never saw release.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Destron/DoubleFace/doubleface.htm More information on Robot Masters Doubleface at TFU.info]''

===Cybertron===
[[Image:SidewaysCybertron.jpg|right|300px|thumb|On second thought, screw the whole motorcycle thing.]]
* '''Sideways''' (Deluxe-Class, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GX-01'''
**''Accessories'': Left & right wing-blades, Planet X Cyber Key

: The third toy of Sideways released in the US was in the [[Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'' toyline]]. Sideways in this line is a black and orange alien spacefighter with [[Cyber Planet Key]]-activated faction-switching ability and pop-out blades built into his battle shield. The toy features a translucent face with his signature horns. He comes with a [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] style Cyber Planet Key; the US version has the [[Cyber Key Codes|Cyber Key Code]] "'''dj51'''" [[Tampograph|tampographed]] on the back.

: This toy was released in Japan as ''Galaxy Force'' Noisemaze, and no mention was made of a relationship to Doubleface / Sideways. He features chromed details on the wings instead of the standard gray, along with more intricate paint applications.

: This mold was also used for the Japanese DVD-[[exclusive]] [[Noisemaze Mass Production Type Version]], ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], and was [[Retool|retooled]] into [[BotCon 2009]] ''[[Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and the [[Sweep]]s.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Decepticon/Sideways/sideways.htm More information on Cybertron Sideways at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|VsRedAlert}}
[[Image:Cyb-toy CriticalPath.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Look, Grandma's is down this path! It's ''critical'' I take it!]]
*'''Critical Path Pack!''' (Multi-pack, 2005)
**''Accessories'': Left & right wing-blades, Planet X Cyber Key

: This two-pack of the [[Red Alert (Armada)#Cybertron|Deluxe-size ''Cybertron'' Red Alert]] and Sideways toys was made available only at [[Target]] stores, retailing for $16.99. The toys are identical to their individual releases.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Super Collection Figure===
[[Image:ACT10-Doubleface.jpg|right|thumb|300px|STRIKE POSE!]]
*'''Doubleface''' (2003)

:Available in "Act 10" of Takara's ''[[Heroes of Cybertron|Super Collection Figure]]'' PVC line, Doubleface was available in both color and pewter. He came with an extra head so that his appearance could be switched between Doubleface's "normal" head and the "Decepticon" head. His appearance could ''not'' be switched out of its sort of weird-looking pose, however.
{{--}}

==Notes==
* The case for the Sidewayses of the five different continuity families (''Robots in Disguise,'' Unicron Trilogy, Generation 1, ''Animated'', and the live-action film) being the same individual hopping universes is... not airtight. Until 2010, no fiction had actually portrayed him migrating from one universe to another, but even before then, circumstantial evidence abounded:
** The first Sideways, a ''Robots in Disguise'' toy, was packaged with [[Axer]], whose on-package [[bio]] strongly insinuates that he had come from the ''Generation 1'' universe through a black hole. The bios make no particular connection between the two characters, so there is no reason to think Sideways must have come from another universe as well. Nevertheless, the real-world pairing of the characters makes it easy to accept that he did, based on later evidence.
** The next Sideways, from ''Armada'', was given an on-package bio of almost identical wording to that of the ''Robots in Disguise'' character. The ''Armada'' bio suggests that his duplicity is a new development upon coming to Earth, the result of being pulled in two mental directions by his Mini-Cons.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-images/tech-specs/Armada-Tech-Specs/2002-Transformers-Tech-Specs/Sideways__A_.jpg.html ''Armada'' Sideways's on-package bio]</ref> However, the cartoons and comics would both develop him as a pure agent of Unicron, which of course opens all sorts of cross-universal possibilities.
** The ''Robot Masters'' toy is what seals the deal. It's named and colored after the ''Armada'' toy, and some ''Robot Masters'' publicity material has declared that the character's first toy was indeed the ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways figure. Since the entire premise of ''Robot Masters'' is that Transformers are arriving on present-day Earth through wormholes from across time and space, the idea that Sideways universe-hopped into the ''Robot Masters'' continuity is too strong to ignore.
** And finally, in 2010 the ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]'' presented ''Animated'' Sideways as pretty clearly the same individual as all the other previous Sidewayses, and arguably the [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways of the live-action film]]. We are so, so shocked. On the other hand, this means getting cut in half was no huge deal for him. It'd happened [[Star Saber (Armada)|before]].

[[Image:Detection-SidewaysNoHat.jpg|right|180px|thumb|He's back. From outer space.]]
* In ''Armada'', outside of the stock footage sequences showing Sideways putting his Mini-Con helmets on, his "bare" head was often colored in shades of gray similar to the Crosswise head, rather than the appropriate purple and yellow.
* While the positioning of ''Armada'' Sideways's head-handlebars in toy form is up to the owner, the cartoon consistently portrayed them as angled downwards.
* In "[[Memory]]", Sideways seemed to be a fan of the [[Galactic Guardians]], a superhero team who star in their own cartoon show. He also seemed to be a fan of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive", as he sang the first few lyrics to himself before being interrupted by Starscream.
* A 2001 Armada IP bible includes a bio of Sideways that notes he is comic relief after his Mini-Con is damaged and split in two, now acting as his "angel" and "devil" consciences who also bicker between themselves. Before the accident, Sideways was an aloof and mysterious ninja who turns into a police cycle. Obviously, this characterization didn't exactly pan out.
* It is possible his reality warping to make the [[Autobots]] and [[Decepticons]] forget abou every thing that happened [[Energon (cartoon)|before]] like bases and alies.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Doubleface''' (ダブルフェイス ''Daburufeisu''), '''Noisemaze''' (''Galaxy Force'', ノイズメイズ ''Noizumeizu''), '''Sideways''' (''Animated'', サイドウェイズ ''Saidoweizu'')
*''Polish:'' '''Krętacz'''
*''Russian:'' '''Otshel'nik''' (Отшельник, "Hermit")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Kanyargó''' ("Swerver", ''Armada''), '''Mellékút''' ("By-pass", ''Cybertron'')

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Armada Autobots]]
[[Category:Armada Decepticons]]
[[Category:Animated Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Cybertron Decepticons]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Double agents]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]
[[Category:Planet X]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Robot Masters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise Autobots]]
[[Category:Scouts]]
[[Category:Spies]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Starscream (disambiguation)

2011-08-23T23:55:22Z

Xblade:

The name '''Starscream''' has been applied to several Transformers characters.

{{disamb|y=1984|[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] the [[Decepticon]] [[Air Commander]] F-15 jet from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. For toys of this character, see [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream (G1) toys]]. In [[A Prime Problem|an episode of the television series]], he had a [[Starscream clone (G1)|clone]].}}
{{disamb|y=1998|[[Starscream (BWII)|Starscream]] the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] jet from ''[[Beast Wars II (franchise)|Beast Wars II]]'', who was later reformatted into the [[Cyborg Beast]], '''Hellscream'''.}}
{{disamb|y=2002|[[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] the Decepticon and briefly [[Autobot]] Cybertronic jet from the [[Unicron Trilogy]].}}
{{disamb|y=2005|"[[Starscream (episode)|Starscream]]" the episode of the [[Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' animated series]].}}
{{disamb|y=2007|[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] the Decepticon F-22 from the [[Transformers (2007)|''Transformers'' live-action movie]] continuity family. For toys of this character, see [[Starscream (Movie)/toys]].}}
{{disamb|y=2007|[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] the Decepticon 22nd Century Harrier jet from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=2008|"[[Letters page#Titan Transformers Magazine|Star Screams]]" the [[letters page]] of [[Titan Books|Titan's]] [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|''Transformers'' comic]] during the time [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] was answering fan mail.}}
{{disamb|y=2008|[[Starscream (TransTech)|Starscream]] the [[Transcendent Technomorph]] jet from the ''[[Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]]'' TransTech stories.}}
{{disamb|y=2008|The [[Starscream clone (Animated)|Starscream clones]] from ''Transformers Animated'', including:
**[[Dirge (Animated)|Dirge]], the "Greedy Starscream".
**[[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]], the "Liar Starscream".
**[[Skywarp (Animated)|Skywarp]], the "Coward Starscream".
**[[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]], the "Female Starscream".
**[[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]], the "Sycophant Starscream".
**[[Thrust (Animated)|Thrust]], the "Envious Starscream".
**[[Thundercracker (Animated)|Thundercracker]], the "Egomaniac Starscream".
**[[Starscream Clone Black Version]]}}
{{disamb|y=2009|[[Starscream Supreme]], the clones of Omega Supreme controlled by Starscream.}}
{{disamb|y=2008|[[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] the heroic Decepticon jet from "[[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]".}}
{{disamb|y=2010|[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]], the Decepticon jet from ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=2011|[[Starscream (Kre-O)|Starscream]], the Decepticon brick-based being and [[Kreon]] from ''[[Kre-O]]''.}}

Starscream should not be confused with...

*[[Star Saber (disambiguation)|Star Saber]].
*[[Nightscream (disambiguation)|Nightscream]].
*[[Dark Scream]] the [[Predacon (RID)|Predacon]] flying squirrel from ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]''.
*''[[Transformers: Starscream]]'', a ''[[Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'' comic about the film character.
* [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Other]] [[Rampage (BW)|traitors]] [[Sideways (RID)|over]] [[Tankor|the]] [[Scorponok (G1)|many]] [[Octane|many]] [[Dinobot (BW)|years.]]
{{disambig}}

Starscream (disambiguation)

2011-08-23T23:55:01Z

Xblade:

The name '''Starscream''' has been applied to several Transformers characters.

{{disamb|y=1984|[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] the [[Decepticon]] [[Air Commander]] F-15 jet from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. For toys of this character, see [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream (G1) toys]]. In [[A Prime Problem|an episode of the television series]], he had a [[Starscream clone (G1)|clone]].}}
{{disamb|y=1998|[[Starscream (BWII)|Starscream]] the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] jet from ''[[Beast Wars II (franchise)|Beast Wars II]]'', who was later reformatted into the [[Cyborg Beast]], '''Hellscream'''.}}
{{disamb|y=2002|[[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] the Decepticon and briefly [[Autobot]] Cybertronic jet from the [[Unicron Trilogy]].}}
{{disamb|y=2005|"[[Starscream (episode)|Starscream]]" the episode of the [[Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' animated series]].}}
{{disamb|y=2007|[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] the Decepticon F-22 from the [[Transformers (2007)|''Transformers'' live-action movie]] continuity family. For toys of this character, see [[Starscream (Movie)/toys]].}}
{{disamb|y=2007|[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] the Decepticon 22nd Century Harrier jet from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=2008|"[[Letters page#Titan Transformers Magazine|Star Screams]]" the [[letters page]] of [[Titan Books|Titan's]] [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|''Transformers'' comic]] during the time [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] was answering fan mail.}}
{{disamb|y=2008|[[Starscream (TransTech)|Starscream]] the [[Transcendent Technomorph]] jet from the ''[[Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]]'' TransTech stories.}}
{{disamb|y=2008|The [[Starscream clone (Animated)|Starscream clones]] from ''Transformers Animated'', including:
**[[Dirge (Animated)|Dirge]], the "Greedy Starscream".
**[[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]], the "Liar Starscream".
**[[Skywarp (Animated)|Skywarp]], the "Coward Starscream".
**[[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]], the "Female Starscream".
**[[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]], the "Sycophant Starscream".
**[[Thrust (Animated)|Thrust]], the "Envious Starscream".
**[[Thundercracker (Animated)|Thundercracker]], the "Egomaniac Starscream".
**[[Starscream Clone Black Version]]}}
{{disamb|y=2009|[[Starscream Supreme]], the clones of Omega Supreme controlled by Starscream.}}
{{disamb|y=2008|[[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] the heroic Decepticon jet from "[[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]".}}
{{disamb|y=2010|[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]], the Decepticon jet from ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=2011|[[Starscream (Kre-O)|Starscream]], the Decepticon brick-based being and [[Kreon]] from ''[[Kre-O]]''.}}

Starscream should not be confused with...

*[[Star Saber (disambiguation)|Star Saber]].
*[[Nightscream (disambiguation)|Nightscream]].
*[[Dark Scream]] the [[Predacon (RID)|Predacon]] flying squirrel from ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]''.
*''[[Transformers: Starscream]]'', a ''[[Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'' comic about the film character.
* [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Other]] [[Rampage (BW)|traitors]] [[Sideways (RID)|over]] [[Tankor|the]] [[Scorponok G1|many]] [[Octane|many]] [[Dinobot (BW)|years.]]
{{disambig}}

Starscream (disambiguation)

2011-08-23T23:53:22Z

Xblade:

The name '''Starscream''' has been applied to several Transformers characters.

{{disamb|y=1984|[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] the [[Decepticon]] [[Air Commander]] F-15 jet from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. For toys of this character, see [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream (G1) toys]]. In [[A Prime Problem|an episode of the television series]], he had a [[Starscream clone (G1)|clone]].}}
{{disamb|y=1998|[[Starscream (BWII)|Starscream]] the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] jet from ''[[Beast Wars II (franchise)|Beast Wars II]]'', who was later reformatted into the [[Cyborg Beast]], '''Hellscream'''.}}
{{disamb|y=2002|[[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] the Decepticon and briefly [[Autobot]] Cybertronic jet from the [[Unicron Trilogy]].}}
{{disamb|y=2005|"[[Starscream (episode)|Starscream]]" the episode of the [[Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' animated series]].}}
{{disamb|y=2007|[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] the Decepticon F-22 from the [[Transformers (2007)|''Transformers'' live-action movie]] continuity family. For toys of this character, see [[Starscream (Movie)/toys]].}}
{{disamb|y=2007|[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] the Decepticon 22nd Century Harrier jet from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=2008|"[[Letters page#Titan Transformers Magazine|Star Screams]]" the [[letters page]] of [[Titan Books|Titan's]] [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|''Transformers'' comic]] during the time [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] was answering fan mail.}}
{{disamb|y=2008|[[Starscream (TransTech)|Starscream]] the [[Transcendent Technomorph]] jet from the ''[[Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]]'' TransTech stories.}}
{{disamb|y=2008|The [[Starscream clone (Animated)|Starscream clones]] from ''Transformers Animated'', including:
**[[Dirge (Animated)|Dirge]], the "Greedy Starscream".
**[[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]], the "Liar Starscream".
**[[Skywarp (Animated)|Skywarp]], the "Coward Starscream".
**[[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]], the "Female Starscream".
**[[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]], the "Sycophant Starscream".
**[[Thrust (Animated)|Thrust]], the "Envious Starscream".
**[[Thundercracker (Animated)|Thundercracker]], the "Egomaniac Starscream".
**[[Starscream Clone Black Version]]}}
{{disamb|y=2009|[[Starscream Supreme]], the clones of Omega Supreme controlled by Starscream.}}
{{disamb|y=2008|[[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] the heroic Decepticon jet from "[[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]".}}
{{disamb|y=2010|[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]], the Decepticon jet from ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=2011|[[Starscream (Kre-O)|Starscream]], the Decepticon brick-based being and [[Kreon]] from ''[[Kre-O]]''.}}

Starscream should not be confused with...

*[[Star Saber (disambiguation)|Star Saber]].
*[[Nightscream (disambiguation)|Nightscream]].
*[[Dark Scream]] the [[Predacon (RID)|Predacon]] flying squirrel from ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]''.
*''[[Transformers: Starscream]]'', a ''[[Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'' comic about the film character.
* [[Terrosaur (BW)|Other]] [[Rampage (BW)|traitors]] [[Sideways (RID)|over]] [[Tankor|the]] [[Scorponok (G1)|many]] [[Octane (G1)|many]] [[Dinobot (BW)|years.]]
{{disambig}}

Springer (WFC)

2011-08-23T23:16:50Z

Xblade:

{{faction|autobot|wreckers}}
{{disambig3|Springer}}
:''Springer is an [[Autobot]] [[Wrecker]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
{{faceless}}
{{picsneeded}}
'''Springer''' is a flight-capable [[Wrecker]].

==Fiction==
===''Exodus''===
Springer turned down a place on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' to fend off [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]—who transformed and flew off into space. Bummer. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus}}

{{-}}

==Notes==
*Springer doesn't even get lines in ''[[Bumblebee at Tyger Pax]]''.

[[Category:Prose-only Transformers]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Circuit Breaker (G1)

2011-08-23T23:03:38Z

Xblade:

{{disambig2|a girl who hates machines|a girl who loves machines (and is part one)|Sephie Beller}}
:''Circuit Breaker is a [[human]] from the [[Marvel Comics]] portion of the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Circuitbreaker.jpg|right|250px|thumb|When giant space robots aren't enough to bring in readers, you throw in some tin-foil-covered T&A.]]
'''Circuit Breaker''' is a villain whose pathological hatred of robots knows no bounds. She refuses to make the distinction between [[Autobot]] and [[Decepticon]], blaming the Transformer race as a whole for the attack which left her crippled. As such, she is more likely to do harm to the Autobot cause than to be of assistance.

Circuit Breaker was genius '''Josie Beller'''. Hired by [[Blackrock Industries]] only a few years out of high school, she was responsible for designing the most advanced oil-drilling platform in the world. Despite her well-publicized technological achievements, Beller was humble; to her, it was merely part of her job. She continues to be extremely devoted to her employer, [[G.B. Blackrock]].

But after being paralyzed during a Decepticon attack on the platform, she invented a uniform to enable her to walk again. Her computerized suit not only allows her to move, but grants her the power to shoot electricity, disrupt circuitry, and fly. This costume does not cover much of her body, but having the power to manipulate electricity gives you a good defense against inappropriate catcalls.

{{quote|You see, I don't call myself Circuit Breaker for nothing... '''it's what I do!'''|Circuit Breaker|"[[The Human Factor!]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Josiebeller.jpg|left|200px|thumb|She used to be ''adorable''.]]
After Josie Beller appeared on the news, {{storylink|The New Order|The New Order}} her life took a tragic turn when the Decepticon [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] attacked the oil-drilling platform that the news report was showcasing. Beller, who was operating the defense systems, fired harpoons at Shockwave. As Shockwave reeled in pain, he yanked away from the rig, ripping out the harpoon launchers, which, as a chain reaction of debris fell through the construct, caused the electrical systems to malfunction. Josie Beller was electrocuted. This paralyzed her entirely from the neck down, other than the ability to use her right arm. {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}}

[[Image:WorseofTwoEvils-frrrzzz.jpg|right|thumb|200px|You will see this panel redrawn in every single one of her appearances.]]

Hospitalized, Beller blamed herself. She told Blackrock that she had failed him, and swore she would make it up to him. Blackrock tried to explain that Beller owed him nothing, but she would not listen to him. Her devotion was, perhaps, pathological. She hated robots, she hated what they did to Blackrock Industries, and she hated them for paralyzing her.

Blackrock sought to equip himself better against attacks from the Transformers. Soon, he planned to unveil a new secret weapon to the press, the [[Anti-Robot Photonic Multi-Cannon]]. Josie Beller broke into Blackrock's office and disrobed, revealing an electrical costume which allowed her to move again. She declared her name to now be Circuit Breaker. The next day, when Blackrock unveiled the Anti-Robot Photonic Multi-Cannon to the press, it had been sabotaged by Circuit Breaker. She wished for Blackrock to introduce her as the real weapon he had intended to announce all along. But then, the Decepticons [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] arrived, intent on stealing the cannon, while [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] arrived to stop them. Circuit Breaker's hatred did not distinguish between Autobot and Decepticon and attacked both. However, as the Autobots refused to attack humans, both Jazz and Wheeljack suffered heavily from her electrical attacks. Blackrock pleaded to her, demanding she realize that not all robots were her enemy. She again refused to listen. In need of a recharge, she left, vowing to return to finish the job she started. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}}

''Still fuming and wanting revenge on all Transformers, Circuit Breaker witnessed a girl playing with her friends fall through the ice. She used her power over electricity to melt the ice to get her out, but her heart had stopped. She defibrillated her heart using her powers, saving her life. But the adult present was unappreciative, calling her a freak and telling her to leave. This made her even more angry at the Transformers for causing her injuries. As she was flying away, she witnessed Jazz loose control on the icy roads which caused Buster to fall in the snow. Circuit Breaker thought Jazz was attacking Buster and came to his aid, destroying Jazz's gun and getting ready to finish him off. Buster pleaded with her to spare him since they were friends. Just then the clock struck twelve. Since it was now Christmas day, Circuit Breaker gave Jazz his second reprieve and flew off.'' {{storylink|Christmas Breaker!}}

[[Image:AerialbotsoverAmerica-soswearsCircuitBreaker.jpg|left|thumb|250px|You're jealous. Admit it.]]
The anti-Transformers military task force, [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]], hired Circuit Breaker to head their agency. Their first triumph was capturing seven Autobots who had found themselves recently stranded on Earth. Circuit Breaker ordered their faces mounted on the walls of RAAT headquarters. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}} She analyzed footage of RAAT's victory with [[Walter Barnett]], who praised her efficiency, but expressed doubts about the Transformers' intentions. As Barnett handed her a bonus check, Circuit Breaker refused, reminding him that she didn't do this for the money, but for revenge.

Later, Barnett showed her the news, which was reporting that a robot had lifted power lines off of the road to save humans. He hoped this would impress on her, but she refused to even consider the evidence; all this meant was that there was another robot to hunt. She and a team of RAAT helicopters found the target robot, an Autobot named [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], on the run from the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. The Stunticons made short work of the helicopters, but Circuit Breaker was able to divert some of them with her electrical powers. [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], however, was able to knock her out of the air by throwing a truck cab at her. Skids' human companion, [[Donny Finkleberg]], ran to see if she was okay, but she pleaded for him to leave the battlefield lest he be hurt. When the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s arrived, and they and the Stunticons battled as the super robots [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], Circuit Breaker made her move. Despite Finkleberg's pleas that Superion was one of the good guys, Circuit Breaker fried Superion, putting him out of commission. Skids, Finkleberg, and the Stunticons fled, while RAAT took custody of their prize. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

Though Finkleberg liked the Autobots, he liked money more, and he turned Skids in to RAAT for a hefty $50,000 reward. Circuit Breaker dissected and examined the robots in her care in order to learn more about how to destroy them. By then, she had amassed thirteen robots, and she continued to hang their faces on her wall. Soon, Walter Barnett came to Circuit Breaker's lab to inform her of a wave of vandalism perpetrated by a pair of Decepticon [[Battlecharger]]s. She, Finkleberg, and RAAT arrived at Washington Monument, in [[Washington, D.C.]], moments after it was vandalized, and she questioned a family there that believed that their son's actions had inspired the Decepticons. Suspecting that the Decepticons were following the family, she accompanied them to their next vacation spot, Independence Hall in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]]. Her suspicions were correct, they encountered the Battlechargers there. Unfortunately, RAAT was forced to retreat due to the large number of people, and Circuit Breaker herself was hurt badly while protecting the vandalizing boy from falling debris.

[[Image:MarvelUS23 Autobot suit.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Great, she just voided the Aerialbots' warranties.]]
Suffering a cracked rib and a mild concussion, Circuit Breaker was ordered to rest, but when she refused to listen, she was temporarily stripped of her command. Finkleberg, who was feeling guilty for having turned in Skids, convinced Circuit Breaker that the only way to stop the wave of vandalism was to team up with the captured Autobots. In exchange for their freedom, she assembled the thirteen Autobots into a [[Circuit Breaker's Autobot suit|mega robot]] which she controlled. Circuit Breaker and her robot suit fought the Battlechargers next to the [[Statue of Liberty]] in [[New York City]], resulting in the Decepticons' defeat. (Though she wondered why her robot suit would use its arms to deflect shots away from her.) True to her word, she freed the thirteen Autobots, though this resulted in RAAT firing her. Once again she swore she would make the robots pay. {{storylink|Decepticon Graffiti!}}

[[Image:MonsterconfromMars-CircuitBreaker.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Nice, um, crew cut?]]
Left to her own devices, Circuit Breaker silently stalked the Transformers from behind the scenes. Instead of parading around in her near-naked costume 24/7, she devised a wheelchair that housed her suit until it was necessary, and took to wearing a trenchcoat over her (presumably) naked body. From afar, she watched [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] return children to their parents, but the risk to civilians there was too high to get involved. Meanwhile, she had also taken an interest in [[Skullgrin]], a ram-headed monster who had become a B-movie sensation. In order to learn more about the creature, she befriended actress [[Carissa Carr]]. She succeeded in putting on a sympathetic face and fell into the actress's confidence, and Carr permitted Circuit Breaker to intrude on the filming of her movies with Skullgrin. While filming a the [[Grand Canyon]], Circuit Breaker observed Skullgrin revealing to Carr that he was actually a Decepticon robot, confirming Circuit Breaker's suspicions. She attacked Skullgrin, while the camera crew filmed the encounter. Skullgrin believed that Carr had betrayed his location to his attacker. Circuit Breaker was able to override Skullgrin's command over his own Pretender shell, turning it on him, but this resulted in Carr being in danger. As the cliffside collapsed under Carr, Circuit Breaker realized that if she continued fighting the Transformer and allowed Carr to die, she'd be no better than the Transformer who crippled her. Instead, she implored Skullgrin to save the actress, telling him that Carr had never betrayed his friendship. Despite this moment, Circuit Breaker quickly turned her powers back on Skullgrin once Carr was safe. Fortunately for everyone else, this battle had drained her powers, and she fled, but not before destroying the film crew's footage. {{storylink|Monstercon from Mars!}}

[[Image:HumanFactor-CircuitBreaker.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"I am Circuit Breaker! I am only good for one thing... '''CLEAVAGE!'''"]]
Circuit-Breaker approached [[Dynamo|Hector Dialonzo (AKA Dynamo)]], a superhuman with the power to draw energy from the Earth, after he wiped out the [[Air Strike Patrol]]; she hoped he would join her in a campaign against robots. By this point her mental state had deteriorated further, to the point she referred to Josie Beller as being "dead" and that she had been "built for" the task of destroying robots. She battled Starscream and clashed with Blackrock and [[Thunderpunch|his]] [[Rapture|superhumans]] before Dialonzo decided he'd rather go with Blackrock than her. Blackrock then offered her a place on the team, guilty that he'd never truly reached out to her before and telling her she was becoming more emotionless than the robots. Rattled by the thought, she went off with them. {{storylink|The Human Factor!}}

[[Image:Neo-knights.jpg|left|thumb|250px|"I'm the Wolverine!" "No, I'm the Wolverine!" "I had firsties!"]]
When a Decepticon Civil War broke out in [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] and threatened to spread out into a place that actually mattered, [[New York City]], the [[President of the United States]] called on Blackrock's "[[Neo-Knights]]" to quell the insurrection. {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} At first [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] laughed at the efforts of these super-powered humans, but he quickly found himself overwhelmed first by Dynamo, then Rapture, and finally by Circuit Breaker herself. But as Scorponok was very important to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s attempts at reaching an Autobot/Decepticon alliance, he had assigned Nightbeat to keep the Decepticon leader safe. Nightbeat yelled at Circuit Breaker to stop killing Scorponok, and, as luck would have it, that happened just as Shockwave shot Circuit Breaker in the back. Though Nightbeat disavowed the blame, Circuit Breaker turned on him, believing again that there were no good robots or bad robots... just dead robots! After leaving a fried Nightbeat collapsed on the ground, she turned her efforts towards Optimus Prime. Blackrock's pleas for her to direct her rage elsewhere were useless, until he recognized Shockwave as the robot who had paralyzed Circuit Breaker in the first place. And, after he redirected her attention, so did Circuit Breaker. She hit Shockwave with everything she had and, out of power and out of consciousness, fell from the sky. {{storylink|Out of Time!}}

Thunderpunch carried her comatose body into the helicopter that brought them there, but before they could leave, the Neo-Knights and all Earthbound Transformers were all transported to the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] by their creator [[Primus]]. This was a mistake, as their helicopter was in contact with Nightbeat's body, inadvertently bringing them along for the ride. They stood and watched Primus speak to the Transformers about their cosmological history and how they must unite and defeat the Chaos-Bringer, [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

[[Image:Circuitbreakervsunicron.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Who needs the Matrix when you got Scary Angry Chick?]]
Sure enough, Unicron arrived shortly thereafter, and the Neo-Knights fled best they could in the face of the planet-sized robot. Thunderpunch, who was carrying Circuit Breaker, noted that running wasn't solving anything. Instead, he felt they should be helping Circuit Breaker, who was having something of a nervous breakdown due to not only being on a planet full of robots but also up against one as large as Unicron. Thunderpunch believed that they would be best served helping Circuit Breaker to face her fears and redirect them properly.

As the Neo-Knights tried their best against Unicron, G.B. Blackrock tried to talk Circuit Breaker back into sanity, but instead she cried, whimpering that Unicron was "too big" and there were "too many." Having run out of other options, Blackrock slapped her across her face and told her the robots were ''laughing'' at her, hoping to make her lash out. Thankfully, it worked, and an enraged (more than usual) Circuit Breaker used her powers to ''set Unicron's circuits on fire''. While the Dark God was distracted, Blackrock implored Optimus Prime to use this moment to end their nemesis once and for all: he'd just bought the Autobots a chance with Josie's sanity. As Optimus Prime reclaimed the [[Creation Matrix]], Circuit Breaker's sanity and will gave out, and she fell comatose. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}

Though Unicron was destroyed, the damage he inflicted on Cybertron was too great, and the Transformers readied transports to leave the planet. The Neo-Knights were put inside a storage box for shipping back home. Here, Blackrock did his best to apologize to Circuit Breaker for what he had done to her. {{storylink|Exodus!}} While the Neo-Knights would go on to have a quest for the [[Last Autobot]] alongside Optimus (stuck in the form of the [[Nebulan]] [[Hi-Q]]) and both saved the planet {{storylink|Vicious Circle!}} {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}} and helped in the [[Klo]] battle, Circuit-Breaker remained in a catatonic state.

And never recovered. The end! {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

==Notes==
[[Image:SecretWarsII-Circuitbreaker.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"I sense you are a petty human with petty desires!"]]
* As well as single-handedly distracting Unicron, thus allowing Optimus Prime to save the day, Circuit Breaker is also directly and solely responsible for saving the entire Marvel universe from the Beyonder, in ''[[wikipedia:Secret Wars II|Secret Wars II]]''. At the request of [[Bob Budiansky]], she was published in that book before her debut in ''Transformers'' solely so Marvel Comics could claim ownership of the character[http://bwtf.com/interviews/bb204/]... or at least, she appeared as ''Circuit Breaker'' in ''Secret Wars II'' before ''Transformers'', as Josie Beller she'd already turned up. "Circuit Breaker" is the trademark, so this probably makes sense for lawyers, but it gives ''us'' a headache.
* Writer [[Bob Budiansky]] is responsible for designing Circuit Breaker's costume. His original character design for her is published in [[Titan Books|Titan]]'s ''[[Maximum Force]]'' collection. (The character design's circuitry pattern is very closely copied in the image at the top of this article.) It suggests either red or blue for her circuitry patterns and some kind of yellowish hair. She has blue eyes.
* Jay Jay Jackson was used as a visual reference[http://www.jimshooter.com/2011/06/few-video-anecdotes.html] for Circuit Breaker, including the hair[http://flic.kr/p/9QjBGD].
* Colorist [[Nel Yomtov]]'s trouble keeping Josie's hair color consistent might be due to Budiansky's flexible character art notation. She starts out with bright red hair, changes to orange, then later appears platinum blonde, then back to orange!
* Somehow, Josie was going to have her mind fixed and become part of the [[Simon Furman|Furman]]/[[Andrew Wildman|Wildman]]''Techno-X'' series, a reworked Neo-Knights in the early 90s. The series fell through, however.
* [[Titan Books]] earlier reprints had been able to use Circuit Breaker for a small fee, as nobody at Marvel was bothered at the time: after all, who'd want to read old Transformers comics, eh? Years later, Marvel figured out "many people" and it wasn't until [[Classic Transformers Volume 5]] that [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] had the rights to reprint issues with Circuit Breaker in: before then, all stories featuring Circuit Breaker were replaced with text summaries.
* [[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]] has a technology-loving [[Sephie Beller|''Sephie'' Beller]]. Don't tell Marvel!

===Foreign names===
*''Hungarian:'' '''Áramkör-szaggató''' ("Circuit-tearer")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Disjuntora''' (Portugal comics), '''Rompe-Circuitos''' (Brazil comics)

==External links==
* [http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/circuitb.htm Circuit Breaker] at the (unofficial) [http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/ Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe]

[[Category:Comic-only characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:Marvel properties]]
[[Category:Superheroes]]
[[Category:Supervillains]]

Ozu's sensei

2011-08-22T23:17:11Z

Xblade: /* Foreign names */

{{noname-designation}}
:''Ozu's sensei is a [[human]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[Image:BurdenHardestBear Sensei.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
'''Ozu's sensei''' is a [[Wikipedia:Kendo|kendo]] instructor who lives and teaches in [[Japan]].

==Fiction==
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Philip L. Clarke]] (English), [[Ken Shiroyama|Chikao Shiroyama]] (Japanese)

The sensei was training with his students when a battle between [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] and [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] came awfully close to their dojo. Defensor went all out to prevent harm to come to the [[human]]s, but Bruticus got backup from [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and the [[Sweep]]s. Then Defensor got backup from [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]], who chased off the [[Decepticon]]s. Grateful for the [[Autobot]]s' aid, the sensei and his students greeted them outside and assured that none of them had gotten injured.

The Japanese government, on the other hand, was nowhere near as considerate, angrily shouting Rodimus Prime into a deep funk that led him to ditch his obligations as [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]. As Hot Rod, he eventually returned to the dojo to witness the sensei's kendo lessons. After berating Ozu for assuming aggression would offer him victory and explaining that the "win or lose" mentality didn't do him any favors, the sensei ended the lesson and went to talk with Hot Rod. Deducing the young Autobot was intrigued by what he had told Ozu, the sensei elaborated that if one thinks of winning, one automatically considers the possiblity of losing. Thinking of losing in turn induces a fear that prevents victory—a sentiment Hot Rod was currently suffering from. Hot Rod thanked him for his words of wisdom and left the dojo to go reacquire [[Matrix of Leadership|what]] his fear had caused him to lose. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

==Notes==
* He gives out great advice.
===Foreign names===

*''Japanese:'' '''Sensei''' (先生, "teacher")

[[Category:Cartoon-only characters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:Martial artists]]
[[Category:Teachers]]

Springer (WFC)

2011-08-22T23:12:25Z

Xblade: /* Exodus */

{{faction|autobot|wreckers}}
{{disambig3|Springer}}
:''Springer is an [[Autobot]] [[Wrecker]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
{{faceless}}
'''Springer''' is a flight-capable [[Wrecker]].

==Fiction==
===''Exodus''===
Springer turned down a place on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' to fend off [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]—who transformed and flew off into space. Bummer. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus}}

{{Stub}}

==Notes==
*Springer doesn't even get lines in ''[[Bumblebee at Tyger Pax]]''.

[[Category:Prose-only Transformers]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Springer (WFC)

2011-08-22T23:10:47Z

Xblade: /* Exodus */

{{faction|autobot|wreckers}}
{{disambig3|Springer}}
:''Springer is an [[Autobot]] [[Wrecker]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
{{faceless}}
'''Springer''' is a flight-capable [[Wrecker]].

==Fiction==
===''Exodus''===
Springer turned down a place on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' to fend off [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]—who transformed and flew off into space. Bummer. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus}}

[[Image:Springer_3.jpg|thumb|left|"Scrap! why am i not popular?."]]

{{-}}

==Notes==
*Springer doesn't even get lines in ''[[Bumblebee at Tyger Pax]]''.

[[Category:Prose-only Transformers]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Springer (WFC)

2011-08-22T23:09:59Z

Xblade: /* Exodus */

{{faction|autobot|wreckers}}
{{disambig3|Springer}}
:''Springer is an [[Autobot]] [[Wrecker]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
{{faceless}}
'''Springer''' is a flight-capable [[Wrecker]].

==Fiction==
===''Exodus''===
Springer turned down a place on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' to fend off [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]]—who transformed and flew off into space. Bummer. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus}}

[[Image:Springer 3.jpg|thumb|left|"Scrap! why am i not popular?."]]

{{-}}

==Notes==
*Springer doesn't even get lines in ''[[Bumblebee at Tyger Pax]]''.

[[Category:Prose-only Transformers]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Skid Z's Choice

2011-08-21T18:53:46Z

Xblade: /* Animation or technical errors */

{{episode|
|series=RiD
|ep=10
|title="Skid Z's Choice"
|japanese=爆走! インディーヒート!!
|romaji=Bakusō! Indy Heat!!
|translation=Out of Control! Indy Heat!!
|image=Skid Z-RID02.jpg
|caption="Hmmm, Kirk or Picard?"
|production code=
|production company=[[TV Tokyo]], [[Nihon Ad Systems|NAS]], [[Studio Gallop]]
|written by=[[Junki Takegami]] (Japanese) [[Tom Wyner]] (English)
|director=[[Yoshiaki Tsutsui]]
|animation studio=Studio Gallop
|airdate=[[June 7]], [[2000]] (Japanese) [[September 19]], [[2001]] (English)
|continuity=
}}

'''Skid-Z likes to race things''' 
'''Racecars, people, and go-karts''' 
'''Even tortoises.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Auggie formula1.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Because a big, hard man deserves a really small car.]]
The [[Autobot|Autobots]] are watching a [[Europa 400|Formula-1 race]]. The announcer is ecstatic at a certain car that just entered the race, Number 16, and comments that it looks like the car owned by the famous racer [[Auggie Cahnay (RID)|Auggie Cahnay]]. Suddenly, [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]] enters the race, demanding that Number 16 pull over. The car ignores him and races on with Prowl in pursuit. [[Kelly (RID)|Kelly]] makes her appearance, claiming that her expensive hat was worth the trouble...until Number 16 and Prowl whiz by, blowing her hat onto the road, where it gets turned into roadkill, as Kelly puts it.

Prowl and Number 16 tie for the win, but Prowl loses his target by crashing into a wall of tires after a tight turn.

Back at base, [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] suspects that the race car was an Autobot named [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]]. [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]] backs him up, stating that Skid-Z just arrived from Cybertron, but no one knows what vehicle he scanned. No one knows why Skid-Z was racing in the first place, either. [[Koji Onishi|Koji]] then comments that the car that Skid-Z scanned looked like Auggie Cahnay's car and suggests that the racer spent so much time in the car that it took on his "Got to Win" personality. As a result, when Skid-Z scanned the car, he also ended up with Auggie's spirit. This spooks [[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]], who claims that Skid-Z is haunted.

[[Image:Skid Z's Choice Skidzvschildren.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Move it you maggots, or you won't get to see [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]!]]
Meanwhile, Koji's theory is proven in a nearby forest. Skid-Z is pondering to himself how, ever since he scanned a race car, he's had to be in a race every time he heard one start. He's very angry with himself—after all, he came to help the Autobots, not race. But Auggie's spirit continues to get the better of him, and he wins a kiddie go-cart race, a school run, and even the race between the Tortoise and Hare! [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] then approaches Skid-Z, asking him to join the [[Predacon (RID)|Predacons]]. Skid-Z refuses, and Sky Byte attacks, but he's surprised when the Autobot dodges his attacks. Skid-Z then hears another race start and speeds off, leaving a worn out Sky-Byte behind.

Back at the Autobot base, [[T-AI]] confirms that Skid-Z has somehow ended up with Auggie's personality. Concerned for human safety (especially after Skid-Z trampled through a hurdle race) the Autobots decide to find him and tell him what's wrong but have no idea where to start looking. Koji then explains that Auggie Cahnay won every single race except the [[International Grand Prix]], a race that anything with wheels can enter! The Autobots decide to enter the race so they can catch up with Skid-Z. T-AI initially enters all their fastest cars in the race, which upsets [[Team Bullet Train]]. Optimus then tells them all that they are ALL going to enter the race, even the trains.

[[Image:Skid Z's Choice Skybytecar.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Robots in disguise... in disguise.]]
At the starting line, the Autobots look out for Skid-Z while Prowl and [[X-Brawn]] wonder where [[Side Burn (RID)|their little brother]] is. Elsewhere in the starting line is Sky-Byte, who has entered the race (poorly) disguised as a red sports car so he can destroy the Autobots. As he daydreams of success, he fails to notice Side Burn admiring his paint job. He thanks the Autobot for the compliment (in a rather pathetic attempt at a feminine voice), but when Side Burn tries to pull the old "Haven't we met somewhere before" routine, Sky-Byte tells him to get lost. Side Burn returns to his brothers, who are shocked that he found a red sports car that wasn't his type.

The race begins, but Sky-Byte gets off to an unpromising start: Unaware that someone has tied his tail to a wooden post, he is quickly yanked back to the starting line. ''Now'' X-Brawn and Prowl realize that the red sports car is Sky-Byte and wonder how Side Burn knew. Their brother retorts that this was the first red sports car that ever spoke back to him.

The Autobots then notice a car zooming up behind them. Believing it to be Skid-Z, they call out, but are shocked when the pursuer turns out to be [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]]. The [[Spy Changer|Spy Changers]] stay behind to slow down Megatron so he can't stop the others, but he takes them out with his Ultra Traction Drive, which gives [[Hot Shot (RID)|Hot Shot]] an ultra-headache. Soon, Megatron spots another driver and, thinking it's another Autobot, attacks with his Ultra Traction Drive again...sending a surprised Sky-Byte into the air. The car's cry of protest sounds familiar, but Megatron ignores it.

[[Image:Skid Z's Choice Sideburnprowl.jpg|right|200px|thumb|TAXI!]]
Up ahead, the rest of the Autobots let X-Brawn go on ahead to make sure the upcoming mountain area is safe for driving. Meanwhile, the Predacons set up a rockslide to trap them. They are successful with Team Bullet Train, but Optimus blasts them out of the picture.

Optimus and the [[Autobot Brothers]] take a quick break to ponder how the Predacons knew they were there. X-Brawn then notices someone coming up the track. He thinks it's Megatron, but Optimus recognizes the new arrival as Skid-Z. Prowl and Side-Burn put out traffic cones and call out to their teammate, but he drives off screaming that he has to win.

Back on track, Sky-Byte is following behind Skid-Z, but once again, Megatron mistakes him for an Autobot and shoots him down. Megatron then sends a giant boulder down to crush the Autobots. The Autobots catch it but are unable to fight Megatron, so they call out to Skid-Z for help.

[[Image:Skid Z's Choice Raceend.jpg|left|200px|thumb|This isn't leaked lubricants, is it?]]
Skid-Z hears the cry and stops, but Auggie's spirit isn't making it easy for him. Still, Optimus has faith that Skid-Z will come back to help them. Sure enough, just as Megatron is about to deliver the final blow, Skid-Z returns and blows up the boulder, stating that winning his own internal battle was the greatest victory ever. After he and the rest of the Autobots get rid of Megatron, they all continue the race.

Waiting at the finish line, Koji is relieved to see Skid-Z with the other Autobots. Skid-Z wins, and the Autobots congratulate him, complete with Optimus throwing oil over him. Skid-Z believes that he won't have any problems now...until he hears Koji's watch alarm and runs off, thinking that another race is starting. Optimus still has faith that he'll come back...sooner or later.

At last report, Skid-Z is seen in Africa, still looking for a race.
{{--}}
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] (1)
*[[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]] (2)
*[[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]] (3)
*[[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]] (4)
*[[Hot Shot (RID)|Hot Shot]] (5)
*[[R.E.V.]] (6)
*[[Crosswise (RID)|Crosswise]] (7)
*[[W.A.R.S.]] (8)
*[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] (9)
*[[X-Brawn]] (10)
*[[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] (11)
*[[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]] (12)
*[[T-AI]] (15)

|h2=[[Predacon (RID)|Predacon]]s
|c2=
*[[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] (16)
*[[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] (17)
*[[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]] (18)
*[[Dark Scream]] (19)
*[[Gas Skunk]] (20)

|c3=
*[[Kelly (RID)|Kelly]] (13)
*[[Koji Onishi]] (14)
}}

==Quotes==
[[Image:Skid Z's Choice Skidzvstortoise.jpg|right|200px|thumb|See, I told you about the tortoise. But you didn't believe me. Why didn't you believe me!]]
"I win! Sorry tortoise."
:—'''Skid-Z''' ruins the fable

'''Optimus Prime:''' Hmmm... Very well then. We're all going to be in that race, Team Bullet Train included. 
'''T-AI:''' You think they'll allow that?! No one's ever heard of a race train! 
'''Koji:''' Sure T-AI. They've got wheels, don't they?

"Hi there, cutie. Nice paintjob." 
"Huh?! Oh, thank you. How nice of you to notice!" 
"I bet you get noticed all the time. I've been thinking that you look kind of familiar. Have we met before?" 
"*''Hummina, hummina, hummina!''* Just who do you think you're talking to? Do you think I'd fall for an old line like that? Not this car - now go away!" 
"Whoa, the ''uppity'' type. Sorry, didn't mean to offend you. Just trying to have a little friendly conversation. See ya."
:—'''Sideburn''' hits on '''Sky-Byte'''.

"I'll go check it out." [''jumps up falling rocks''] 
"That's not fair! He's ignoring the laws of gravity!"
:—'''Optimus''', who is cool, and '''Slapper''', who is right.

"Megatron?! It's me! Sky-Byte! Don't shoot!" 
"I can't hear you, Autobot, but if you're begging for mercy, request denied! Hahaha!" 
"''Waaaaaiiit!''" [''buried by rocks''] "Ooof. The rocky path is sometimes unavoidable..."
:—'''Sky-Byte''' discovers that '''Jet-mode Megatron''' doesn't give a slag about friendly fire

==Notes==
===Differences with ''Car Robots''===

===Animation or technical errors===
* Auggie Cahnay's Formula-1 car has a gold Autobot symbol on it for some reason.
* When X-Brawn contacts Optimus at the start of the race, one of the vents on the sides of his head is white instead of green.
* As Slapper pointed out Optinus did '''indeed''' ignore the laws of gravity.

===Continuity errors===
*Uh, just how did Skid-Z get entered in the Grand Prix?

===Transformers references===
* The human race driver whose spirit possesses Skid-Z in this episode was named after the ''Generation 1'' character [[Auggie Cahnay (G1)|Auggie Cahnay]]. In the original ''Car Robots'' version of this episode, however, the driver's name was '''Goldback''', an apparently inexplicable reference to [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug's]] Japanese name.
* Likewise the [[Europa 400]] is named for the [[Europa 2000]], also from "[[Trans-Europe Express]]".

===Real-world references===
* During Skid-Z's racing montage, he is shown racing past [http://childhoodreading.com/Arthur_Rackham/Tortoise_and_the_Hare.html a tortoise and a hare].

===Trivia===
* Apparently, the Europa 400 from the episode's beginning takes place (at least partially) in public streets where anyone can risk getting run over, and no stands are set up for crowds to watch. Weird.
*Strangely, the official at the finish line of the International Grand Prix waves a white flag, used to signal the start of the final lap of an automobile race or, presumably in this case, the presence of a slow and/or stalled vehicle on the course, to signal that the race is complete as opposed to a checkered flag.
*Knowing Megatron, it's logical to assume he might have been ''pretending'' not to recognize Sky-Byte, just so he can punish him for screwing up on '''every single mission'''.
*From this episode on, Megatron seems to favor changing into his bat form instead of his jet form for retreating. This doesn't seem to make much sense as you'd expect the jet mode to be faster. (Of course, in the real world there are [[To sell toys|other reasons]].)

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Transformers: Car Robots'' — Vol. 3 ([[Pony Canyon]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' — Three-Disc Box Set: Part 1 of 2 ([[Maximum Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' — Season One (Maximum Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' — Ultimate Collection (Maximum Entertainment)

==External links==
*[http://www.ridforever.info/transformers-transcripts/rid-episode-10-skidz-choice.php "Skid Z's Choice" transcript at RiDForever.info]

[[Category:Robots in Disguise episodes]]

Auggie Cahnay (RID)

2011-08-21T18:50:07Z

Xblade: /* Notes */

{{disambig2|the RID race-car driver|the Generation 1 race-car driver|Auggie Cahnay (G1)}}
:''Auggie Cahnay is a [[human]] character from the [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] continuity family.''

[[Image:Auggie rid.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Live fast, die young.]]
'''Auggie Cahnay''' was a world-class race car driver. Now he's dead.

==Fiction==
===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
Auggie Cahnay was a world-famous race car driver tragically killed in a racing accident. He'd won every major race in the world—except the [[International Grand Prix]]. [[Koji Onishi]] was a huge fan of Auggie.

The Autobot [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] became infected with ([[Midnight Express (RID)|some]] would say ''possessed by'') Auggie's fierce competitiveness when he scanned his car as the basis for his earth mode. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

==Auggie's car==
[[Image:Auggie formula1.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Because a big hard man deserves a really small car.]]
Auggie spent so much time in his Formula 1 racer, he bragged the car was almost part of him. After his death, the car was put on display in an automotive museum along with some of his winning gear.

[[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] thought it was a shame such a nice car was going to waste as a display piece, and scanned it to use as his Earth vehicle.

Auggie's Formula-1 racer had a gold Autobot symbol on it for some reason.

==Notes==
* Auggie's Japanese name, Goldback, is seemingly an inexplicable reference to [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]]'s Japanese name.

* Auggie's uniform, helmet and sponsor designs and colors draw a lot of similar cues to Japan's most successful Honda driver in Indy and F1, [[wikipedia:Ayrton_Senna|Ayrton Senna]]. Coincidentally, Ayrton Senna also died while racing.
** [[Auggie Cahnay (G1)|Maybe it was a decendant...]]

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Goldback''' (ゴールドバック ''Gōrudobakku'')

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cahnay, Auggie (RID)}}
[[Category:Cartoon-only characters]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise humans]]

Auggie Cahnay (RID)

2011-08-21T18:49:23Z

Xblade: /* Notes */

{{disambig2|the RID race-car driver|the Generation 1 race-car driver|Auggie Cahnay (G1)}}
:''Auggie Cahnay is a [[human]] character from the [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] continuity family.''

[[Image:Auggie rid.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Live fast, die young.]]
'''Auggie Cahnay''' was a world-class race car driver. Now he's dead.

==Fiction==
===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
Auggie Cahnay was a world-famous race car driver tragically killed in a racing accident. He'd won every major race in the world—except the [[International Grand Prix]]. [[Koji Onishi]] was a huge fan of Auggie.

The Autobot [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] became infected with ([[Midnight Express (RID)|some]] would say ''possessed by'') Auggie's fierce competitiveness when he scanned his car as the basis for his earth mode. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

==Auggie's car==
[[Image:Auggie formula1.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Because a big hard man deserves a really small car.]]
Auggie spent so much time in his Formula 1 racer, he bragged the car was almost part of him. After his death, the car was put on display in an automotive museum along with some of his winning gear.

[[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] thought it was a shame such a nice car was going to waste as a display piece, and scanned it to use as his Earth vehicle.

Auggie's Formula-1 racer had a gold Autobot symbol on it for some reason.

==Notes==
* Auggie's Japanese name, Goldback, is seemingly an inexplicable reference to [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]]'s Japanese name.

* Auggie's uniform, helmet and sponsor designs and colors draw a lot of similar cues to Japan's most successful Honda driver in Indy and F1, [[wikipedia:Ayrton_Senna|Ayrton Senna]]. Coincidentally, Ayrton Senna also died while racing.
** [[Auggie Cahnay(G1)|Maybe it was a decendant...]]

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Goldback''' (ゴールドバック ''Gōrudobakku'')

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cahnay, Auggie (RID)}}
[[Category:Cartoon-only characters]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise humans]]

Auggie Cahnay (RID)

2011-08-21T18:48:22Z

Xblade: /* Notes */

{{disambig2|the RID race-car driver|the Generation 1 race-car driver|Auggie Cahnay (G1)}}
:''Auggie Cahnay is a [[human]] character from the [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] continuity family.''

[[Image:Auggie rid.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Live fast, die young.]]
'''Auggie Cahnay''' was a world-class race car driver. Now he's dead.

==Fiction==
===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
Auggie Cahnay was a world-famous race car driver tragically killed in a racing accident. He'd won every major race in the world—except the [[International Grand Prix]]. [[Koji Onishi]] was a huge fan of Auggie.

The Autobot [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] became infected with ([[Midnight Express (RID)|some]] would say ''possessed by'') Auggie's fierce competitiveness when he scanned his car as the basis for his earth mode. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

==Auggie's car==
[[Image:Auggie formula1.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Because a big hard man deserves a really small car.]]
Auggie spent so much time in his Formula 1 racer, he bragged the car was almost part of him. After his death, the car was put on display in an automotive museum along with some of his winning gear.

[[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] thought it was a shame such a nice car was going to waste as a display piece, and scanned it to use as his Earth vehicle.

Auggie's Formula-1 racer had a gold Autobot symbol on it for some reason.

==Notes==
* Auggie's Japanese name, Goldback, is seemingly an inexplicable reference to [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]]'s Japanese name.

* Auggie's uniform, helmet and sponsor designs and colors draw a lot of similar cues to Japan's most successful Honda driver in Indy and F1, [[wikipedia:Ayrton_Senna|Ayrton Senna]]. Coincidentally, Ayrton Senna also died while racing.
** [[Auggie Cahnay(G1)|Maybe it was a decendant...

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Goldback''' (ゴールドバック ''Gōrudobakku'')

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cahnay, Auggie (RID)}}
[[Category:Cartoon-only characters]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise humans]]

Flight

2011-08-18T08:07:07Z

Xblade: /* Transformers with propeller-powered flight */

'''Flight''' is a capability many mechanoids and no few [[Transformer]]s have, whether through rocket boosters, propellers, or even flapping wings. [[Human]]s do not generally have the ability to fly, but there are exceptions. It has proven quite useful strategically in many continuities.

==Jet-powered flight==
The most common means by which Transformers fly is some variation on jet-propulsion engines, rocket engines, or similar. Transformers such as the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] have such thrusters built into their legs, while other individuals such as [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] possess removable jet-packs which strap to their backs.

===Transformers with jet-powered flight===
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Dinomode Grimlock]]<ref>[[Call of the Primitives]]</ref>
*[[Inferno (BW)]]
*[[Megatron (BW)|Transmetal Megatron]]
*[[Optimus Primal]]
*[[Starscream (Movie)]]
*[[Autobot X]]
*[[Megatron (Animated)]]

==Propeller-powered flight==
Sometimes, by virtue of a Transformer's [[alternate mode]], they can fly by means more primitive than they might be accustomed to on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Using airplane propellers, helicoptor rotors, or other similar technologies they can fly at speeds comparable to native aircraft on the worlds they are residing upon.

===Transformers with propeller-powered flight===
*[[Divebomb (Classics)|''Classics'' Divebomb]]
*[[Obsidian (BM)]]
*[[Blackout (Movie)]]
*[[Cyclonus (Armada)]]
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]]
*[[Sandstorm (G1)]]
*[[Powerdive]]
*[[Ransack (G2)]]
*[[Octane|Tankor (Universe ''Classic series'')]]
*[[Megatron (Animated)]]
*[[Evac]]
*[[Galvatron (SG)]]

==Biological flight==
Many transformers have a physical pair of beast-mode wings, whether natural-looking or mechanical. In these cases, the transformer's flight derives from flapping these wings or gliding much like an animal would.

===Transformers with biological flight===
*[[Airazor (BW)]] / [[Airazor (Armada)]]
*[[Divebomb (G1)]]
*[[Megatron (BW)|Transmetal 2 Megatron]]
*[[Nightscream (BM)]]
*[[Silverbolt (BW)]]
*[[Swoop (G1)]]
*[[Terrorsaur (BW)]]
*[[Waspinator|Waspinator (BW)]]
*[[Wasp|Waspinator (Animated)]]

==Levitation==
Some Transformers just float, often by no apparent means. It isn't always that well explained in the fiction, though certainly there exist transformers with anti-gravity generators and other technologies which allow them to maneuver effortlessly even within a gravitational field.

===Transformers with levitation===
[[Image:Soundwave fly.jpg|right|180px|thumb|I'm flyin' without wings!]]
*[[Shockwave (G1)]]
*[[Sky-Byte (RID)]]
*[[Transmutate (character)|Transmutate]]
*[[Soundwave (G1)]]

{{-}}

==Robot-mode flight==
[[Image:G1 cartoon Autobots fly.JPG|right|200px|thumb|A rare instance of flying.]]
Robot-mode flight powers are an innovative power that allows [[Transformer]]s without a flight-based [[alternate mode]] to fly while in robot mode. The [[Decepticon]]s make good use of this power.

Sometimes the [[Autobot]]s have them....sometimes they don't. Most often they display them early in Season 1 of the US cartoon, particularly the pilot. It is uncertain if they require external equipment to fly; several times the Autobots use strap-on jet packs or rocket packs, but sometimes they don't.

Robot-mode flight was prevalent in the post-movie episodes, in which the focus was shifted to space (perhaps, taking a hint from the Gundam franchise.) Although some characters could not fly under the influence of a planet's gravity, ''everyone'' seemed to possess the power of flight in deep space.

==Human flight==
*[[Circuit Breaker]]'s electronic suit allows her to fly by manipulating electricity.
*[[Dynamo]] has the innate ability to tap into the power of the [[Earth]] which gives him flight capability.
*[[Rapture]]'s mental powers allow her to fly.
*[[Falcon (superhero)|Falcon]] flies with the aid of high tech wings.
*[[Ms. Marvel]] can fly, courtesy of her half-[[Kree]] genetics.
*[[Professor Princess]] flies somehow. It may have to do with the pony she rides around, but who can say for sure?

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
Transformers did not demonstrate robot-mode levitation-type flight.

===Generation 1 cartoon===
Robot-mode flight powers were a technological innovation that allowed the Decepticons, who had just mastered the art of [[Transformation]], to start a [[Great War (G1)|new war]] and battle the Autobots for supremacy of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Their initial attacks were not a matter of public knowledge, and some Autobots, such as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]] and [[Dion]], admired them for their innovations. This admiration was ended when [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] blasted Orion, Dion, and [[Elita One|Ariel]]. It was to Megatron's detriment, however, for [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] rebuilt Orion and Ariel into [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Elita One]]. {{storylink|War Dawn}}

Eventually, the Autobots also mastered robot-mode flight powers, and they used them to reach an oil rig which the Decepticons were plundering. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} Ironhide and Bluestreak pursued the fleeing Decepticons into the air, though Skywarp had little difficulty shooting down Ironhide. Optimus required the use of [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]'s rocket pack to catch up to the space-bound [[Victory (G1)|Decepticon ship]] shortly afterwards, implying a limit on the speed or range of his flight capabilities. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}} Sideswipe and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] also used robot-mode flight powers in their use of [[jet judo]] against [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] attacking the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot base]]. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}}

The Decepticons' own flight capabilities have known to fail them at times too. In one instance, under a barrage of firepower, Optimus and the Autobots drove the Decepticons back until they fell down a canyon into lava, instead of simply flying out. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

The Autobots' ability to fly in robot mode effectively vanished after that. To reach Dinobot Island, Optimus Prime and a crew of Autobots used strap-on jetpacks. Even Autobots with flying alternate modes did not seem able to fly in robot mode, though [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] seemed able to maneuver in space while in robot mode.

The newly created Dinobots could fly in robot mode, an ability they consistently demonstrated throughout their history. Their creator, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], was also shown flying in robot mode apparently unassisted, an ability his on-package [[bio]] claims for him. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}}

In the years following the defeat of Unicron, a number of Autobots were seen to fly through space without any visible aid or means of propulsion. Notable among them was Perceptor, who had never before demonstrated such an ability. Before one such instance, Sky Lynx advised the Autobots in question to "don your rocket packs, gentlemen!" The Technobots all flew in robot mode from Earth to Saturn's moon Titan.

Despite the Autobots' rare display of this ability, some claim they do not have it at all. [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] once said outright that "Autobots cannot fly," himself flying easily over a booby trap, while his apparently earthbound Autobot companions remained helpless. Then again, Galvatron is beyond psychotic. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

===Beast Wars cartoon===
Early in this series, the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] had a tactical advantage due to the imbalance of flight-capable individuals in their faction. Initially, only [[Optimus Primal]] could provide air support for the [[Maximal]]s, and then only in robot-mode, which was risky in the [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]-rich environment. However as more [[Protoform]]s were formatted and pressed into service, particularly [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] and [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]], the balance of forces became more even.

Sufficient volumes of energon itself, of a certain level of instability, are said to have the ability to cause large objects to float {{storylink|Power Surge}}.

[[Transmutate (character)|Transmutate]] had an apparently unique flight mechanism: it extended a crystalline object from within its body, and when the crystal was exposed to air, it gave off an intense energy field and then caused its user to levitate. Since Transmutate was a malformed, incomplete design, this might have been a display of widespread Transformer flight technology that otherwise would always be internal and unseen.

===IDW comics===
Back before the war, information on scientific breakthroughs in levitation/"repulsors" that could lead to robot-mode flight abilities caught the greedy optics of Senator [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], who manipulated the stock to take control. Given that he offered a variety of war-tech to the fledgling Decepticons under Megatron, this may be intended as a reference to or origin for their robot-form flight abilities; however, the Decepticons have demonstrated no such abilities in the IDW continuity. This may be an artifact of this storyline's planning and even possible scripting during the latter days before the [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] bankruptcy.

===Cybertron cartoon===
Robot mode flight powers were tied to the ability to fly in vehicle mode, indicating that all Transformers with flight-capable alternate modes possessed internal repulsors or vertical thrusters. Faction did not come into it. A Transformer who went from vehicle mode to robot mode while in flight would lose considerable momentum doing so, a factor often used to land in confined areas. Most flight was typically carried out in vehicle mode, as it was faster and typically more agile. Interestingly, all Transformers were capable of robot mode flight in zero gravity ([[Six-Speed|and]] [[Reverb (Cybertron)|some]] were capable of it in ''car'' modes). Given the way things work in zero gravity, the robot mode flight in such conditions is actually quite natural, albeit slow.

===Transformers Animated===
Autobots did not possess flight, save for limited jumps using booster jets. However, the capture of the Decepticon Starscream allowed the Autobot [[Ministry of Science]] to reverse-engineer flight protocols and implant them in a pair of energon refinery maintenance bots. The result was [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], whose origins as a split protoform granted them other new abilities as a result of the process, including becoming a [[combiner]]. {{storylink|First (and Second) in Flight}}

===TransTech continuity===
[[Tonka GoBots|GoBots]] all have robot-mode flight systems. {{storylink|Withered Hope}}

===Live-action film series===

Some Transformers have robot-mode flight with the aid of "jetpacks" and other flight systems.

====''Ghosts of Yesterday''' prequel novel====
Autobots and Decepticons alike can fly under gravity in robot mode by using "propulsion." {{storylink|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

===War For Cybertron===

All Transformers are equipped with thrusters in their feet, allowing them to boost themselves while jumping (a double-jump, if you will). Jet-mode Transformers, such as [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] and [[Air Raid (WFC)|Air Raid]], are flight capable in jet mode but are ground-bound in robot mode. However, several Transformers have the ability to hover in the air in robot mode (including [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]).

==Notes==
*Despite all these advanced flight abilities, Cybertronians seem incapable of actually ''landing'' successfully after [[The Story of Wheelie, the Wild Boy of Quintesson|achieving]] [[Cosmos (G1)|flight]]. [[Ark (G1)|There]] [[Nemesis (G1)|are]] [[Axalon (BW)|many]], [[Darksyde|many]] [[Jetfire (G1)|instances]] [[Megatron (Movie)|of]] [[Exodus (Armada)|infamous]] [[Miranda II|crashes]] [[Ark II|within]] [[Orion (ship)|the]] [[Transition form|fictions]]. In fact, [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] makes somewhat of a reference to this in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', when he botches his own landing, commenting on it sarcastically as he does.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Abilities]]
[[Category:Transformer anatomy]]

T.M.I.

2011-08-18T05:28:54Z

Xblade: /* Continuity errors */

{{picsneeded|Some pics to accompany the synopsis}}
{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 21
|prev=Partners
|next=Stronger, Faster
|image=TFP 21 Bulkhead Miko jog memories.jpg
|caption=
|title="T.M.I."
|airdate=[[August 7]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Joseph Kuhr]]
|directed by=[[Todd Waterman]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Bulkhead absorbs a data cylinder that greatly increases his intelligence, but is also destroying him.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] and [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] are enjoying a monster truck rally on the [[television|TV]], much to [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]]'s annoyance. Ratchet thinks they shouldn't be watching it, and that Bulkhead would be better off helping [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]]'s mission to retrieve a [[Cybertronian data cylinder]]. He interrupts their monster truck footage to explain how the cylinders were created during [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s [[Golden Age]] and hidden throughout the galaxy after the war broke out. Bulkhead and Miko are bored by it all, but Optimus contacts base to ask for backup, which is Bulkhead's cue to head for the field. Ratchet hands Miko a mop, and she's so enthusiastic about having to clean up that she drops it and runs through the [[GroundBridge]] after Bulkhead.

On the battlefield, she finds the 'Bots battling [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]], [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] and a bunch of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]]. Immediately, she runs into trouble, as a Vehicon Bulkhead is punching staggers back towards her. She takes cover behind a pile of rock, before spotting the cylinder sitting nearby. While everyone fights, Miko runs over to the cylinder and phones Ratchet. Ratchet tries providing a GroundBridge, but Miko can't give him precise enough coordinates to grab the cylinder. She tries pushing the device towards the GroundBridge and even kicking it, but all that succeeds in doing is activating the cylinder. At that moment, Bulkhead spots her and runs over, only to trip and take the cylinder's charge in the forehead. With Bulkhead temporarily out, Knock Out grabs the cylinder and the Decepticons split. Moments later, Bulkhead is back on his feet, apparently none the worse for wear.

Bulkhead undergoes a medical check back at base, but insists he's fine. Ratchet tells him to help Miko tidy up. After announcing Ratchet is "null vector squared", Bulkhead wonders if they have any paint.

On the ''[[Nemesis (Prime)|Nemesis]]'' in orbit, the Decepticons have discovered that the cylinder is empty. They quickly realize the energy from the device has ended up in Bulkhead.

Miko draws Ratchet's attention to what Bulkhead is painting, which Ratchet finds is a scientific formula. After another scan, Ratchet locates the cylinder's energy in Bulkhead's head. They determine that the device interpreted Miko's kick as an attack and ejected the data into Bulkhead, and the equations Bulkhead's been writing down are for synthetic [[energon (fuel)|energon]]. The Autobots are excited and collect the equations as Bulkhead writes them. Miko quickly becomes bored and wants to draw Bulkhead away from his work. Ratchet has grave news, however—the data is slowly consuming Bulkhead's mind, and by the time the formula is complete, Bulkhead's mind may be gone altogether. The other Autobots believe they might be able to get the data back into the cylinder. Miko gets out her guitar to try and distract Bulkhead, but when he doesn't recognize Ratchet's name, she figures something's up and goes to Ratchet to get the truth.

Knock Out reports that they've detected the cylinder's energy signature, and [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] decides to go himself to avoid any more failures. Rather than Bulkhead, he and the Vehicons find Optimus, [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]]. Optimus has a deal for him: If Megatron gives them the cylinder, Optimus will return it to him restored with energy.

Miko talks to Bulkhead, but he's becoming increasingly unresponsive and fails to recall her name when she asks if he remembers it. Finally, she steals his mop brush and leads him through the GroundBridge.

Megatron is thinking on Optimus's proposal when he's contacted by Knock Out, who has detected Bulkhead's energy signature. Megatron orders him to retrieve the Autobot's head.

At the monster truck race track, Miko attempts to jog Bulkhead's memory, but he's too busy painting the formula on the wall to take any notice of her. Her sorrow is interrupted by Knock Out and Breakdown, so she manages to persuade Bulkhead to follow her and hide among the monster trucks.

On hearing they've caught up with Bulkhead, Megatron sics the Vehicons on Optimus's team.

Miko tries to find somewhere outside the Decepticon jamming range so she can use [[Miko's phone|her phone]]. Knock Out and Breakdown search for Bulkhead, until Knock Out uses a tracking device to find the Autobot. Bulkhead transforms and scrawls a glyph on Knock Out's chest, but before the outraged Decepticon can do anything, Breakdown renders Bulkhead unconscious. Knock Out then prepares to remove Bulkhead's head.

The Autobots finish off the Vehicons, only for Megatron to simply crush the cylinder and fly off. Ratchet reports that Bulkhead and Miko have left the base.

Miko takes a swing at Knock Out with the mop, but misses and falls against Bulkhead. The cylinder energy promptly triggers, firing off into the sky. Knock Out checks Bulkhead and finds the energy is gone. Infuriated, he and Breakdown are ready to take some revenge, but are forced to retreat when the other Autobots GroundBridge in.

The Autobots return Bulkhead's comatose body back to base, where Miko tearfully blames herself for his condition. Ratchet suggests that it's too early to tell how long Bulkhead might remain like that and anything could trigger his awakening, and so Miko decides to try her guitar. After she strums a chord, Bulkhead stirs and wakes up, back to normal.

==Featured characters==

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (2)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (3)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (7)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (9)
|c2=
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (5)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s (6)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (8)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (10)

|c3=
*[[Miko Nakadai]] (1)

}}

==Quotes==
'''Bulkhead''': Hey, Ratch, check out the monster truck rally Miko took me to last week. 
'''Miko''': I compiled some highlights with my cellphone. 
'''Ratchet''': Innocent vehicles battling for the entertainment of human spectators? (''shudders'') Bloodsport! 
'''Bulkhead''' and '''Miko''': Yeah!
:—Ratchet disapproves of Bulkhead and Miko's taste in sports.

"Come to papa." 
(''Bulkhead knocks him away'') "Run to mommy!" 
(''Breakdown grabs Bulkhead from behind'') "Say uncle!" 
:—'''Knock Out''', '''Bulkhead''', and '''Breakdown''' continue with humorous mid-battle banter.

"How about our Sunday morning dune-bashings? Rocking out to [[Slash Monkey]]? Helping me with my homework? Trick question! You know I don't do homework...''don't you?''" 
:—'''Miko''' is at least more subtle in her remember-who-you are monologue [[Out of His Head|than Raf was.]]

"You...''painted'' my paint job! Prepare for ''surgery''!" 
:—'''Knock Out''' really needs to sort out his priorities.

"Because the energy took Bulkhead's mind with it. Heavenward. Lost to the stars. It's my fault you'll never know the rest of the formula, and it's my fault Bulkhead's gone forever."
:—'''Miko''' pulls an Optimus on us.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* The Vehicons that the Autobots are fighting in the beginning of the episode are clearly ground units, but magically become flying units when it comes time to retreat.

===Continuity notes===
* Miko recalls the story of [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] throwing a grenade into a Decepticon heat exchanger which Bulkhead told her back in "[[Con Job]]", and shows Bulkhead a picture of him with Wheeljack from the same episode.

===Continuity errors===

* Did Knock Out and Breakdown not already know Bulkhead's vehicle mode?
** Granted it '''WAS''' dark.
* If Megatron thought that the Autobots have Starscream in their custody at the end of "[[Partners]]", why didn't he question them about him?

===Transformers references===
* The Monster Truck announcer declares the trucks "the baddest [[Beast Machines (franchise)|beast machines]] on the planet."
* Bulkhead's method of painting to record the formula is a possible reference to ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]].
* Bulkhead's painting and rambling also seem to be a reference to [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]]'s similar behavior in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' after getting zapped by the [[AllSpark#Revenge of the Fallen film|AllSpark]] shard.
* During his rambling, Bulkhead mentions [[Perceptor (Prime)|Perceptor]].
*Optimus mentions the "no matter the cost" line, just like his [[Optimus Prime (G1)|''Generation 1'' counterpart]].

===Real-world references===

* Bulkhead's technobabble is not gibberish. Much of it is real, present-day scientific and mathematical terms, though not arranged coherently.
* Amongst Bulkhead's babblings is "the differential of one-third r cubed is r-dr-r," a gag lifted right out of the classic ''[[Wikipedia:The Simpsons|Simpsons]]'' episode, "[[wikipedia:Bart the Genius|Bart the Genius]]". Har-de-har-har!
* Bulkhead also refers to "Clank's law", a Transformery take on [[wikipedia:Planck's law|Planck's law]] (a mathematical law relating to the energy emission of [[black body|black bodies]]).

===Trivia===
*The episode was first broadcast on [[Canada]]'s [http://www.teletoon.com Teletoon] channel. As none of the listings mentioned the episode title, and ''Prime'' episodes lack an on-screen title, the name of the episode was originally a mystery. Its name was revealed about a week later on [http://affiliate.zap2it.com/tv/transformers-prime-tmi/EP013408350023 Zap2it]'s website. It would air in the United States on [[September 10]], [[2011]].
*Miko once again charges into situations that get both her and Bulkhead in trouble. You'd think she'd have learned by now. Or that the Autobots would've put up a barrier to stop her from using the Bridge to her whims.

[[Category:Prime episodes|Tmi]]

Con Job

2011-08-18T05:22:41Z

Xblade: /* Transformers references */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 8
|prev=Scrapheap (episode)
|next=Convoy (episode)
|image=ConJob-getthispartystarted.jpg
|caption=Quick! They must [[A Prime Problem|have a race!]] Or [[Where Is Thy Sting?|play video games!]]
|title="Con Job"
|airdate=[[February 25]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''Bulkhead awaits the arrival of his friend Wheeljack—what could go wrong?'''

==Synopsis==
With their chores done, [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]] is looking forward to "dune bashing" with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], but he'd rather check out the monster truck rally in [[Jasper|town]]. Their plans are interrupted when [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] receives a signal from a starship headed for [[Earth]]. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] wonders if it might be a [[Decepticon]] trap, but Bulkhead identifies the incoming [[Autobot]] as his old friend and [[Wrecker]] pal, [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]. [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus]] sends landing coordinates for Wheeljack's landing the next day, and Bulkhead is excited to see his old friend.

On the [[Nemesis (Prime)|Decepticon ship]], [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] has monitored the conversation and it gives [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] the chance he needs. He orders [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] to prepare for a mission.

The kids are excited to be getting to meet a new Autobot. Ratchet has problems getting the [[ground bridge]] working, due to the damage sustained during the [[Scraplet]] infestation. Their instruments pick up Decepticon signals closing on [[Wheeljack's ship]]. Indeed, the [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] manage to shoot down the ship, but Wheeljack emerges from the wreckage and starts smashing the tar out of them. Ratchet finally gets the ground bridge operational, and Bulkhead, Arcee and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] storm through to find Wheeljack finishing off the last of the 'cons. Bulkhead greets his old friend with a massive bear hug, and the four Autobots return to base. Wheeljack hits it off with Miko right away, and checks in with Optimus. Ratchet's not as enthusiastic as the others with Bulkhead's friend, as he senses impending destruction.

Starscream discusses their success in getting a spy into the Autobot base as he and Soundwave pay a visit to their prisoner — the real Wheeljack. Now he's inside the Autobot base, Makeshift will be able to activate the ground bridge and reveal the base's location so Starscream can send the troops in. Wheeljack mocks Starscream, who's prevented from killing the prisoner by Soundwave since Wheeljack may yet be of use.

The Autobots and kids celebrate Wheeljack's arrival, Miko by breaking out her electric guitar and Bulkhead and "Wheeljack" by engaging in some [[Cybertronian_sport#Lobbing| Lobbing]]. After some encouragement by Miko, [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]] busts some dance moves by doing The Robot, and Bumblebee joins in. Makeshift takes some time to fish for info on the ground bridge from Ratchet, who says it's in the middle of defragging and can't be used for a few hours.

Starscream wonders why Makeshift is taking so long to get the ground bridge activated, since he won't be able to keep the Autobots fooled for long.

Bulkhead tells the kids about a battle he and Wheeljack took part in, and Makeshift barely covers for his lack of knowledge. Bulkhead observes that his old friend seems different, but Makeshift writes this off as jet lag, and asks Miko to show him around the base. However Bulkhead's suspicions have been raised, and Arcee's suggestions don't allay them.

On the Decepticon ship, Wheeljack manages to kill his guard and get free from his bonds.

[[Image:ConJob-Makeshifthostage.jpg|right|thumb|300px|They're not dolls, they're action figures!]]

Miko wanders the base with Makeshift, and the 'con manages to get the location of the Autobot base out of her. Miko promises to show him the way out, and they return to the control center, where Bulkhead asks his "friend" to tell the story of the [[Battle of Darkmount Pass]]. Makeshift tells the story, but manages to get one crucial detail wrong — Bulkhead wasn't part of the battle. Realizing that his cover's blown, Makeshift takes Miko hostage.

Starscream and Soundwave hang out on top of the Decepticon ship with a bunch of Vehicons, waiting for Makeshift to open the ground bridge. They're confronted by Wheeljack, who fights his way through a bunch of Vehicons and pounces on Starscream. As more 'cons rush towards Wheeljack, the ground bridge activates, courtesy of Makeshift. Makeshift's ready to enter the ground bridge at the Autobot end, when Wheeljack comes flying through it and lands on him. Ratchet shuts down the ground bridge before any Decepticons come through. The two Wheeljacks draw their swords and fight at length while the Autobots fail to keep track of who's who. Wheeljack, of course, triumphs.

Starscream is pleased when the ground bridge opens again and orders the Vehicons through, however it's only been reopened so Bulkhead can throw Makeshift through. The 'con lands on Starscream, who asks if Makeshift has obtained the location of the Autobot base. Makeshift's in the process of telling him when Starscream realizes that the grenade Makeshift is wearing has been primed and is about to explode, and he and Soundwave retreat, leaving Makeshift a number of Vehicons to be caught in the ensuing explosion.

The Autobots have another party, to Ratchet's pain. Bulkhead suggests they pick out a vehicle mode for Wheeljack, but Wheeljack says he's not staying now that his ship's fixed. The next morning, he offers to take Bulkhead with him, but Bulkhead's too attached to Earth and Miko to leave. Miko snaps a picture of the two Autobots with [[Miko's phone|her cell phone]] before Wheeljack leaves.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (1)
* [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (3)
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
* [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (5)
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (8)
* [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] (9)

|c2=
* [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (10)
* [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (11)
* [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] (12)
* [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (13)

|c3=
* [[Miko Nakadai]] (2)
* [[Jack Darby]] (6)
* [[Raf Esquivel]] (7)

}}

==Quotes==
"Do you not see that you are vastly outnumbered?" 
"I see fellas who might vastly enjoy watching me pound some dents into you."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Wheeljack'''

"I'm still picking shrapnel out of my backside!"
 "I'm not surprised, given the size of your backside."
:—'''Bulkhead''' reminisces, '''Arcee''' zings.

"If anything happens to my favourite Wrecker, I'm coming after you!"
:—'''Wheeljack''' tells Miko to take good care of his best bud for him.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* When the camera angle moves to show Optimus saying that he knows Wheeljack by reputation only, the shadow of Miko's heel looks lightly separated from it, as if her leg were hovering over Bulkhead's armour plate.
* Apparently, huge, alien robots can leave their tracks in the snow (see Bumblebee and Bulkhead at the beginning of the [[Scrapheap (episode)|previous episode]]), but it looks like they cannot leave any in the sand.

===Continuity errors===
* When the alarm goes off, the monitor shows five bogies (Vehicons) approaching Wheeljack's ship. But in the next scene, when Wheeljack's ship is being attacked, there are six Vehicons.

===Continuity notes===
* The Autobots refer to their base as "[[Autobot Outpost Omega One]]."
* Ratchet mentions that the equipment's been kind of buggy since "[[Scrapheap (episode)|the infestation]]."

===Transformers references===
* Wheeljack and Bulkhead are former members of the [[Wrecker]]s. This is the team's first mention in a TV series.
* Wheeljack had fought in [[Darkmount]] near the [[smelting pool|smelting pit]]s.
* Prehaps [[Dinobot (BW)|one]] [[Double Dinobot|could have eaten]] [[Clone One|the other]].

===Real-world references===
* Wheeljack's ship crashlands near a [[Egypt|trio of pyramids]].
* Raf and Bumblebee perform a dance called "The Robot", a street dance style popularized by the Jackson Five.
* Bumblebee can briefly be seen dancing like John Travolta in ''Saturday Night Fever''.

===Trivia===
* Just like with [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], Wheeljack's robot mode clearly has Earth vehicle kibble, even though it's stated that he doesn't yet have a local [[alternate mode|altmode]].
*This is the third time [[Makeshift (Prime)|a character]] has been introduced only to be [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|killed]] [[Skyquake (Prime)|off]] before the episode's over. Wheeljack's the first Cybertronian (and currently the only Autobot) who is not part of the main cast to survive his own debut episode.
* During the fight with the Vehicons, Wheeljack jumps behind one, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|rips off its arm]] and then proceeds to [[Starscream (Movie)|beat another with it]].
* Starscream once again attempts to kill a prisoner (Wheeljack) the moment they insinuate he isn't in charge. Only this time, he is stopped by Soundwave.
* This is the first episode where Starscream uses one of the missiles attached to his forearms.
* Bulkhead mentions that Wheeljack has a public service record. Presumably, this is true for all Autobots in the military.
* While [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] was the first character shown with a hand-held gun, Wheeljack is the first one shown with a pair of hand-held melee weapons (in this case, two swords).
* Wheeljack beats up Starscream to the point where he [[humanization|coughs up Energon]]. ''Hard core!''
** When Makeshift, still disguised as Wheeljack, gets ready to fight the real Wheeljack, he puts his mask on, but if you look quickly before that, you can see that he's coughed up Energon as well.

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Stronger, Faster

2011-08-15T14:09:01Z

Xblade: /* Transformers references */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 22
|prev=T.M.I.
|next=
|image=
|caption=
|title=
|airdate=[[August 14]], [[2011]] (Canada)
|written by=[[Mairghread Scott]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Ratchet 'finalizes' the synthetic energon formula and uses himself as a test subject, but it ends up having some negative side effects.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] checks out a sample of synthetic [[energon (fuel)|energon]] he's created, watched by [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]]. Approving the stability of the energon, Ratchet tries it on a test engine, and it works fine. Raf's keen to try it on [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]], but Ratchet says it'll require more testing first. Meanwhile, the base sensors pick up energon movement, but before [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] gives the order to roll out, Ratchet warns him about the depleted state of their energon reserves. Once Prime's team rolls out, Ratchet has the idea to try the synthetic energon on himself. He does so, and after spending a short period laying on the floor out cold, is roused by Raf. The synthetic energon appears to be a success, giving him more fuel efficiency and better motor functions.

Meanwhile Prime's team chases [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] through an icy canyon. The Decepticons aren't in any hurry to bridge out, as they're trying to "help" the [[Autobot]]s run out of energon. Some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s flying overhead blast the sheer sides of canyon, causing a rock fall that blocks off the Autobots' path. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] manages to drive over it in her motorcycle mode, despite Prime's warnings, and races after the two Decepticons, only to be hit by missiles from the Vehicons. She is swiftly surrounded by Decepticons, and things look grim until Ratchet comes flying through the GroundBridge and begins laying into them with gusto. Knock Out and Breakdown assume that the Ratchet's a new Autobot, but are forced to retreat as Optimus, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and Bumblebee come into view, firing at them. Ratchet finishes off the last of the Vehicons, to stunned looks from his teammates.

Back at base, Ratchet reveals his secret to the other Autobots, but Optimus doesn't think it's a good idea to test the synthetic energon on Autobots, and underlines the importance of his job as medic. Some time later, Ratchet's retelling his fight to Bulkhead, and in demonstrating a move, manages to throw his fellow Autobot through a nearby wall. The other Autobots are startled at his new personality. Ratchet goes and injects more of the synthetic energon into himself. When the sensors light up again, Prime prepares to roll out again, but Ratchet volunteers to go along.

As they head through a mountainous area, Ratchet moves ninja-style at the front of the team. They soon find some Vehicons and a [[Decepticon Miner|miner]] drilling into a rock face, and Ratchet immediate moves in. When the miner makes a run for it, Ratchet gives chase and knocks him down with a well-thrown rock. The other Autobots find Ratchet forcibly interrogating the miner. Optimus stops him from finishing off the prisoner and begins to lecture him on doing harm where none is necessary, but Ratchet is agitated, believing they should be more pro-active. As the argument heats up, Ratchet even manages to antagonize Arcee by bringing up [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]], and Prime decides to confine Ratchet to base. Though Ratchet appears to go calmly through the GroundBridge, moments later he charges back out, flattening Bulkhead and racing off. Prime's team returns to base, but is unable to get a fix on Ratchet's signal.

In a Decepticon energon mine, Breakdown is chatting with a miner when Ratchet walks into the cavern. Elsewhere, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] shouts at Knock Out for not finding a new energon source, but they're interrupted by Ratchet dropping Breakdown on the floor. Megatron scoffs at the newcomer, until a punch from Ratchet sends him flying. Unfortunately Megatron is made of sterner stuff and gives Ratchet a savage injury, telling Knock Out to take a sample so they can find out how Ratchet got so amped up.

On the bright side, Ratchet is rendered visible to the sensors in the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], and Optimus, Arcee and Bulkhead use the GroundBridge to attack the mine.

Knock Out finishes taking his sample, and moves in to finish Ratchet off with his circular saw. When the sound of approaching fighting distracts Knock Out, Ratchet takes the opportunity to fight back, resulting in Knock Out's saw getting stuck in the wall. Ratchet promptly grabs the synthetic energon sample and smashes it. Knock Out is outraged, but once more has to retreat as the other Autobots arrive.

Ratchet is hooked up to a drip back at base, and apologizes for his behavior. Optimus points out the new supply of energon they got from the mine, and Ratchet promises to do more testing on the synthetic stuff before using it on Autobots again. Optimus is just thankful they destroyed Knock Out's sample, unaware of the fact that back at the mine, Knock Out has found a single drop of synthetic energon.

==Featured characters==

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] (8) (flashback)
|c2=
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (7)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (9)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (10)
*[[Decepticon Miner]] (11)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (12)
|c3=
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (2)

}}

==Quotes==

"HOOAAH!"
:—'''Ratchet''' gets a new catchphrase. He needed that.

'''Ratchet:''' (''clicks as he walks by'') How's it hummin'? 
'''Arcee:''' ... Did he just? 
'''Bulkhead:''' Stronger, faster, studlier. 
:—Yeah, he did.

"It's alright - I'm an emergency vehicle!" 
:—'''Ratchet''', engaging the Decepticons.

'''Optimus Prime:''' "A direct assault would only provoke retaliation...and lead to incalculable losses. I will not endanger innocent human lives." 
'''Ratchet:''' "Yet you seem to have no problem endangering ours! Just ask Cliffjumper! Oh, I forgot! He couldn't be here today!" 
'''Arcee:''' "That's it!" (Runs toward Ratchet, but Bulkhead holds her back.) 
'''Ratchet:''' "You know your problem, Optimus? For such a big, strong 'Bot...you're soft. You didn't pound Megatron into scrap when you had the chance! Many chances, in fact!" 
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Arcee''' quickly become victims of Ratchet's new personality.

"Yeah; she's kinda domineering and the extra arms are weird, but... I find myself intrigued by her." 
:—'''Breakdown''' chats to a Vehicon about a [[Airachnid | certain female Decepticon]].

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*Bumblebee is shown returning with the other Autobots despite staying at base to operate the groundbridge.
*The sample of synthetic energon Knock Out was holding was only about half full, but when Ratchet picked it up, it was completely full.
*Just before destroying the cylinder of synthetic energon, Ratchet's wound is not shown to be leaking. Mere moments after he's hit the ground, another puddle of energon has formed beneath him.
*Breakdown is knocked out by Ratchet just before he engages Megatron. When the Autobots show up at the end, however, Breakdown has vanished and he isn't shown fleeing with Knock Out.

===Continuity notes===
*The synthetic energon created in the episode is derived from the formula transcribed by Bulkhead in [[T.M.I.|the previous episode]].
*Ratchet's description of the Autobots having fought numerous battles recently is accompanied by flashbacks to various battles from the "Darkness Rising" five-part pilot, among others.

===Transformers references===
*Ratchet isn't the [[Mikaela Banes|first person]] to blind [[Wheelie (ROTF)|a Decepticon]] with a torch.
*This episode is somewhat similar to the ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Gorilla Warfare]]", where [[Optimus Primal]] is made hyper-aggressive by [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok's]] modified [[Cyberbee]].
**Also, in a role-reversal of the situation of ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' episode [[A Fistful of Energon]] (whereas [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] delivers the aseop of the dangers of excessive upgrading to a cocky [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (namely arrogance and aggression)), it is Ratchet this time who exposes himself to excessive ''drug-use''.
* Arcee [[Skid Z's Choice|defied gravity]].

===Real-world references===
===Trivia===
*The episode was first broadcast on Canada's Teletoon channel.

{{epstub}}
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Stronger, Faster

2011-08-15T14:08:42Z

Xblade: /* Transformers references */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 22
|prev=T.M.I.
|next=
|image=
|caption=
|title=
|airdate=[[August 14]], [[2011]] (Canada)
|written by=[[Mairghread Scott]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Ratchet 'finalizes' the synthetic energon formula and uses himself as a test subject, but it ends up having some negative side effects.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] checks out a sample of synthetic [[energon (fuel)|energon]] he's created, watched by [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]]. Approving the stability of the energon, Ratchet tries it on a test engine, and it works fine. Raf's keen to try it on [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]], but Ratchet says it'll require more testing first. Meanwhile, the base sensors pick up energon movement, but before [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] gives the order to roll out, Ratchet warns him about the depleted state of their energon reserves. Once Prime's team rolls out, Ratchet has the idea to try the synthetic energon on himself. He does so, and after spending a short period laying on the floor out cold, is roused by Raf. The synthetic energon appears to be a success, giving him more fuel efficiency and better motor functions.

Meanwhile Prime's team chases [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] through an icy canyon. The Decepticons aren't in any hurry to bridge out, as they're trying to "help" the [[Autobot]]s run out of energon. Some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s flying overhead blast the sheer sides of canyon, causing a rock fall that blocks off the Autobots' path. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] manages to drive over it in her motorcycle mode, despite Prime's warnings, and races after the two Decepticons, only to be hit by missiles from the Vehicons. She is swiftly surrounded by Decepticons, and things look grim until Ratchet comes flying through the GroundBridge and begins laying into them with gusto. Knock Out and Breakdown assume that the Ratchet's a new Autobot, but are forced to retreat as Optimus, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and Bumblebee come into view, firing at them. Ratchet finishes off the last of the Vehicons, to stunned looks from his teammates.

Back at base, Ratchet reveals his secret to the other Autobots, but Optimus doesn't think it's a good idea to test the synthetic energon on Autobots, and underlines the importance of his job as medic. Some time later, Ratchet's retelling his fight to Bulkhead, and in demonstrating a move, manages to throw his fellow Autobot through a nearby wall. The other Autobots are startled at his new personality. Ratchet goes and injects more of the synthetic energon into himself. When the sensors light up again, Prime prepares to roll out again, but Ratchet volunteers to go along.

As they head through a mountainous area, Ratchet moves ninja-style at the front of the team. They soon find some Vehicons and a [[Decepticon Miner|miner]] drilling into a rock face, and Ratchet immediate moves in. When the miner makes a run for it, Ratchet gives chase and knocks him down with a well-thrown rock. The other Autobots find Ratchet forcibly interrogating the miner. Optimus stops him from finishing off the prisoner and begins to lecture him on doing harm where none is necessary, but Ratchet is agitated, believing they should be more pro-active. As the argument heats up, Ratchet even manages to antagonize Arcee by bringing up [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]], and Prime decides to confine Ratchet to base. Though Ratchet appears to go calmly through the GroundBridge, moments later he charges back out, flattening Bulkhead and racing off. Prime's team returns to base, but is unable to get a fix on Ratchet's signal.

In a Decepticon energon mine, Breakdown is chatting with a miner when Ratchet walks into the cavern. Elsewhere, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] shouts at Knock Out for not finding a new energon source, but they're interrupted by Ratchet dropping Breakdown on the floor. Megatron scoffs at the newcomer, until a punch from Ratchet sends him flying. Unfortunately Megatron is made of sterner stuff and gives Ratchet a savage injury, telling Knock Out to take a sample so they can find out how Ratchet got so amped up.

On the bright side, Ratchet is rendered visible to the sensors in the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], and Optimus, Arcee and Bulkhead use the GroundBridge to attack the mine.

Knock Out finishes taking his sample, and moves in to finish Ratchet off with his circular saw. When the sound of approaching fighting distracts Knock Out, Ratchet takes the opportunity to fight back, resulting in Knock Out's saw getting stuck in the wall. Ratchet promptly grabs the synthetic energon sample and smashes it. Knock Out is outraged, but once more has to retreat as the other Autobots arrive.

Ratchet is hooked up to a drip back at base, and apologizes for his behavior. Optimus points out the new supply of energon they got from the mine, and Ratchet promises to do more testing on the synthetic stuff before using it on Autobots again. Optimus is just thankful they destroyed Knock Out's sample, unaware of the fact that back at the mine, Knock Out has found a single drop of synthetic energon.

==Featured characters==

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] (8) (flashback)
|c2=
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (7)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (9)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (10)
*[[Decepticon Miner]] (11)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (12)
|c3=
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (2)

}}

==Quotes==

"HOOAAH!"
:—'''Ratchet''' gets a new catchphrase. He needed that.

'''Ratchet:''' (''clicks as he walks by'') How's it hummin'? 
'''Arcee:''' ... Did he just? 
'''Bulkhead:''' Stronger, faster, studlier. 
:—Yeah, he did.

"It's alright - I'm an emergency vehicle!" 
:—'''Ratchet''', engaging the Decepticons.

'''Optimus Prime:''' "A direct assault would only provoke retaliation...and lead to incalculable losses. I will not endanger innocent human lives." 
'''Ratchet:''' "Yet you seem to have no problem endangering ours! Just ask Cliffjumper! Oh, I forgot! He couldn't be here today!" 
'''Arcee:''' "That's it!" (Runs toward Ratchet, but Bulkhead holds her back.) 
'''Ratchet:''' "You know your problem, Optimus? For such a big, strong 'Bot...you're soft. You didn't pound Megatron into scrap when you had the chance! Many chances, in fact!" 
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Arcee''' quickly become victims of Ratchet's new personality.

"Yeah; she's kinda domineering and the extra arms are weird, but... I find myself intrigued by her." 
:—'''Breakdown''' chats to a Vehicon about a [[Airachnid | certain female Decepticon]].

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*Bumblebee is shown returning with the other Autobots despite staying at base to operate the groundbridge.
*The sample of synthetic energon Knock Out was holding was only about half full, but when Ratchet picked it up, it was completely full.
*Just before destroying the cylinder of synthetic energon, Ratchet's wound is not shown to be leaking. Mere moments after he's hit the ground, another puddle of energon has formed beneath him.
*Breakdown is knocked out by Ratchet just before he engages Megatron. When the Autobots show up at the end, however, Breakdown has vanished and he isn't shown fleeing with Knock Out.

===Continuity notes===
*The synthetic energon created in the episode is derived from the formula transcribed by Bulkhead in [[T.M.I.|the previous episode]].
*Ratchet's description of the Autobots having fought numerous battles recently is accompanied by flashbacks to various battles from the "Darkness Rising" five-part pilot, among others.

===Transformers references===
*Ratchet isn't the [[Mikaela Banes|first person]] to blind [[Wheelie (ROTF)|a Decepticon]] with a torch.
*This episode is somewhat similar to the ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Gorilla Warfare]]", where [[Optimus Primal]] is made hyper-aggressive by [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok's]] modified [[Cyberbee]].
**Also, in a role-reversal of the situation of ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' episode [[A Fistful of Energon]] (whereas [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] delivers the aseop of the dangers of excessive upgrading to a cocky [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (namely arrogance and aggression)), it is Ratchet this time who exposes himself to excessive ''drug-use''.
* Arcee [[10.Skid Z's Choice|defied gravity]]

===Real-world references===
===Trivia===
*The episode was first broadcast on Canada's Teletoon channel.

{{epstub}}
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Stronger, Faster

2011-08-15T14:07:38Z

Xblade: /* Transformers references */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 22
|prev=T.M.I.
|next=
|image=
|caption=
|title=
|airdate=[[August 14]], [[2011]] (Canada)
|written by=[[Mairghread Scott]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Ratchet 'finalizes' the synthetic energon formula and uses himself as a test subject, but it ends up having some negative side effects.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] checks out a sample of synthetic [[energon (fuel)|energon]] he's created, watched by [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]]. Approving the stability of the energon, Ratchet tries it on a test engine, and it works fine. Raf's keen to try it on [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]], but Ratchet says it'll require more testing first. Meanwhile, the base sensors pick up energon movement, but before [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] gives the order to roll out, Ratchet warns him about the depleted state of their energon reserves. Once Prime's team rolls out, Ratchet has the idea to try the synthetic energon on himself. He does so, and after spending a short period laying on the floor out cold, is roused by Raf. The synthetic energon appears to be a success, giving him more fuel efficiency and better motor functions.

Meanwhile Prime's team chases [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] through an icy canyon. The Decepticons aren't in any hurry to bridge out, as they're trying to "help" the [[Autobot]]s run out of energon. Some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s flying overhead blast the sheer sides of canyon, causing a rock fall that blocks off the Autobots' path. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] manages to drive over it in her motorcycle mode, despite Prime's warnings, and races after the two Decepticons, only to be hit by missiles from the Vehicons. She is swiftly surrounded by Decepticons, and things look grim until Ratchet comes flying through the GroundBridge and begins laying into them with gusto. Knock Out and Breakdown assume that the Ratchet's a new Autobot, but are forced to retreat as Optimus, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and Bumblebee come into view, firing at them. Ratchet finishes off the last of the Vehicons, to stunned looks from his teammates.

Back at base, Ratchet reveals his secret to the other Autobots, but Optimus doesn't think it's a good idea to test the synthetic energon on Autobots, and underlines the importance of his job as medic. Some time later, Ratchet's retelling his fight to Bulkhead, and in demonstrating a move, manages to throw his fellow Autobot through a nearby wall. The other Autobots are startled at his new personality. Ratchet goes and injects more of the synthetic energon into himself. When the sensors light up again, Prime prepares to roll out again, but Ratchet volunteers to go along.

As they head through a mountainous area, Ratchet moves ninja-style at the front of the team. They soon find some Vehicons and a [[Decepticon Miner|miner]] drilling into a rock face, and Ratchet immediate moves in. When the miner makes a run for it, Ratchet gives chase and knocks him down with a well-thrown rock. The other Autobots find Ratchet forcibly interrogating the miner. Optimus stops him from finishing off the prisoner and begins to lecture him on doing harm where none is necessary, but Ratchet is agitated, believing they should be more pro-active. As the argument heats up, Ratchet even manages to antagonize Arcee by bringing up [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]], and Prime decides to confine Ratchet to base. Though Ratchet appears to go calmly through the GroundBridge, moments later he charges back out, flattening Bulkhead and racing off. Prime's team returns to base, but is unable to get a fix on Ratchet's signal.

In a Decepticon energon mine, Breakdown is chatting with a miner when Ratchet walks into the cavern. Elsewhere, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] shouts at Knock Out for not finding a new energon source, but they're interrupted by Ratchet dropping Breakdown on the floor. Megatron scoffs at the newcomer, until a punch from Ratchet sends him flying. Unfortunately Megatron is made of sterner stuff and gives Ratchet a savage injury, telling Knock Out to take a sample so they can find out how Ratchet got so amped up.

On the bright side, Ratchet is rendered visible to the sensors in the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], and Optimus, Arcee and Bulkhead use the GroundBridge to attack the mine.

Knock Out finishes taking his sample, and moves in to finish Ratchet off with his circular saw. When the sound of approaching fighting distracts Knock Out, Ratchet takes the opportunity to fight back, resulting in Knock Out's saw getting stuck in the wall. Ratchet promptly grabs the synthetic energon sample and smashes it. Knock Out is outraged, but once more has to retreat as the other Autobots arrive.

Ratchet is hooked up to a drip back at base, and apologizes for his behavior. Optimus points out the new supply of energon they got from the mine, and Ratchet promises to do more testing on the synthetic stuff before using it on Autobots again. Optimus is just thankful they destroyed Knock Out's sample, unaware of the fact that back at the mine, Knock Out has found a single drop of synthetic energon.

==Featured characters==

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] (8) (flashback)
|c2=
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (7)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (9)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (10)
*[[Decepticon Miner]] (11)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (12)
|c3=
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (2)

}}

==Quotes==

"HOOAAH!"
:—'''Ratchet''' gets a new catchphrase. He needed that.

'''Ratchet:''' (''clicks as he walks by'') How's it hummin'? 
'''Arcee:''' ... Did he just? 
'''Bulkhead:''' Stronger, faster, studlier. 
:—Yeah, he did.

"It's alright - I'm an emergency vehicle!" 
:—'''Ratchet''', engaging the Decepticons.

'''Optimus Prime:''' "A direct assault would only provoke retaliation...and lead to incalculable losses. I will not endanger innocent human lives." 
'''Ratchet:''' "Yet you seem to have no problem endangering ours! Just ask Cliffjumper! Oh, I forgot! He couldn't be here today!" 
'''Arcee:''' "That's it!" (Runs toward Ratchet, but Bulkhead holds her back.) 
'''Ratchet:''' "You know your problem, Optimus? For such a big, strong 'Bot...you're soft. You didn't pound Megatron into scrap when you had the chance! Many chances, in fact!" 
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Arcee''' quickly become victims of Ratchet's new personality.

"Yeah; she's kinda domineering and the extra arms are weird, but... I find myself intrigued by her." 
:—'''Breakdown''' chats to a Vehicon about a [[Airachnid | certain female Decepticon]].

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*Bumblebee is shown returning with the other Autobots despite staying at base to operate the groundbridge.
*The sample of synthetic energon Knock Out was holding was only about half full, but when Ratchet picked it up, it was completely full.
*Just before destroying the cylinder of synthetic energon, Ratchet's wound is not shown to be leaking. Mere moments after he's hit the ground, another puddle of energon has formed beneath him.
*Breakdown is knocked out by Ratchet just before he engages Megatron. When the Autobots show up at the end, however, Breakdown has vanished and he isn't shown fleeing with Knock Out.

===Continuity notes===
*The synthetic energon created in the episode is derived from the formula transcribed by Bulkhead in [[T.M.I.|the previous episode]].
*Ratchet's description of the Autobots having fought numerous battles recently is accompanied by flashbacks to various battles from the "Darkness Rising" five-part pilot, among others.

===Transformers references===
*Ratchet isn't the [[Mikaela Banes|first person]] to blind [[Wheelie (ROTF)|a Decepticon]] with a torch.
*This episode is somewhat similar to the ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Gorilla Warfare]]", where [[Optimus Primal]] is made hyper-aggressive by [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok's]] modified [[Cyberbee]].
**Also, in a role-reversal of the situation of ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' episode [[A Fistful of Energon]] (whereas [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] delivers the aseop of the dangers of excessive upgrading to a cocky [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (namely arrogance and aggression)), it is Ratchet this time who exposes himself to excessive ''drug-use''.
* Arcee [[Skidz's Choice| defied gravity]]

===Real-world references===
===Trivia===
*The episode was first broadcast on Canada's Teletoon channel.

{{epstub}}
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Stronger, Faster

2011-08-15T14:07:15Z

Xblade: /* Transformers references */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 22
|prev=T.M.I.
|next=
|image=
|caption=
|title=
|airdate=[[August 14]], [[2011]] (Canada)
|written by=[[Mairghread Scott]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Ratchet 'finalizes' the synthetic energon formula and uses himself as a test subject, but it ends up having some negative side effects.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] checks out a sample of synthetic [[energon (fuel)|energon]] he's created, watched by [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]]. Approving the stability of the energon, Ratchet tries it on a test engine, and it works fine. Raf's keen to try it on [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]], but Ratchet says it'll require more testing first. Meanwhile, the base sensors pick up energon movement, but before [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] gives the order to roll out, Ratchet warns him about the depleted state of their energon reserves. Once Prime's team rolls out, Ratchet has the idea to try the synthetic energon on himself. He does so, and after spending a short period laying on the floor out cold, is roused by Raf. The synthetic energon appears to be a success, giving him more fuel efficiency and better motor functions.

Meanwhile Prime's team chases [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] through an icy canyon. The Decepticons aren't in any hurry to bridge out, as they're trying to "help" the [[Autobot]]s run out of energon. Some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s flying overhead blast the sheer sides of canyon, causing a rock fall that blocks off the Autobots' path. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] manages to drive over it in her motorcycle mode, despite Prime's warnings, and races after the two Decepticons, only to be hit by missiles from the Vehicons. She is swiftly surrounded by Decepticons, and things look grim until Ratchet comes flying through the GroundBridge and begins laying into them with gusto. Knock Out and Breakdown assume that the Ratchet's a new Autobot, but are forced to retreat as Optimus, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and Bumblebee come into view, firing at them. Ratchet finishes off the last of the Vehicons, to stunned looks from his teammates.

Back at base, Ratchet reveals his secret to the other Autobots, but Optimus doesn't think it's a good idea to test the synthetic energon on Autobots, and underlines the importance of his job as medic. Some time later, Ratchet's retelling his fight to Bulkhead, and in demonstrating a move, manages to throw his fellow Autobot through a nearby wall. The other Autobots are startled at his new personality. Ratchet goes and injects more of the synthetic energon into himself. When the sensors light up again, Prime prepares to roll out again, but Ratchet volunteers to go along.

As they head through a mountainous area, Ratchet moves ninja-style at the front of the team. They soon find some Vehicons and a [[Decepticon Miner|miner]] drilling into a rock face, and Ratchet immediate moves in. When the miner makes a run for it, Ratchet gives chase and knocks him down with a well-thrown rock. The other Autobots find Ratchet forcibly interrogating the miner. Optimus stops him from finishing off the prisoner and begins to lecture him on doing harm where none is necessary, but Ratchet is agitated, believing they should be more pro-active. As the argument heats up, Ratchet even manages to antagonize Arcee by bringing up [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]], and Prime decides to confine Ratchet to base. Though Ratchet appears to go calmly through the GroundBridge, moments later he charges back out, flattening Bulkhead and racing off. Prime's team returns to base, but is unable to get a fix on Ratchet's signal.

In a Decepticon energon mine, Breakdown is chatting with a miner when Ratchet walks into the cavern. Elsewhere, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] shouts at Knock Out for not finding a new energon source, but they're interrupted by Ratchet dropping Breakdown on the floor. Megatron scoffs at the newcomer, until a punch from Ratchet sends him flying. Unfortunately Megatron is made of sterner stuff and gives Ratchet a savage injury, telling Knock Out to take a sample so they can find out how Ratchet got so amped up.

On the bright side, Ratchet is rendered visible to the sensors in the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], and Optimus, Arcee and Bulkhead use the GroundBridge to attack the mine.

Knock Out finishes taking his sample, and moves in to finish Ratchet off with his circular saw. When the sound of approaching fighting distracts Knock Out, Ratchet takes the opportunity to fight back, resulting in Knock Out's saw getting stuck in the wall. Ratchet promptly grabs the synthetic energon sample and smashes it. Knock Out is outraged, but once more has to retreat as the other Autobots arrive.

Ratchet is hooked up to a drip back at base, and apologizes for his behavior. Optimus points out the new supply of energon they got from the mine, and Ratchet promises to do more testing on the synthetic stuff before using it on Autobots again. Optimus is just thankful they destroyed Knock Out's sample, unaware of the fact that back at the mine, Knock Out has found a single drop of synthetic energon.

==Featured characters==

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] (8) (flashback)
|c2=
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (7)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (9)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (10)
*[[Decepticon Miner]] (11)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (12)
|c3=
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (2)

}}

==Quotes==

"HOOAAH!"
:—'''Ratchet''' gets a new catchphrase. He needed that.

'''Ratchet:''' (''clicks as he walks by'') How's it hummin'? 
'''Arcee:''' ... Did he just? 
'''Bulkhead:''' Stronger, faster, studlier. 
:—Yeah, he did.

"It's alright - I'm an emergency vehicle!" 
:—'''Ratchet''', engaging the Decepticons.

'''Optimus Prime:''' "A direct assault would only provoke retaliation...and lead to incalculable losses. I will not endanger innocent human lives." 
'''Ratchet:''' "Yet you seem to have no problem endangering ours! Just ask Cliffjumper! Oh, I forgot! He couldn't be here today!" 
'''Arcee:''' "That's it!" (Runs toward Ratchet, but Bulkhead holds her back.) 
'''Ratchet:''' "You know your problem, Optimus? For such a big, strong 'Bot...you're soft. You didn't pound Megatron into scrap when you had the chance! Many chances, in fact!" 
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Arcee''' quickly become victims of Ratchet's new personality.

"Yeah; she's kinda domineering and the extra arms are weird, but... I find myself intrigued by her." 
:—'''Breakdown''' chats to a Vehicon about a [[Airachnid | certain female Decepticon]].

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*Bumblebee is shown returning with the other Autobots despite staying at base to operate the groundbridge.
*The sample of synthetic energon Knock Out was holding was only about half full, but when Ratchet picked it up, it was completely full.
*Just before destroying the cylinder of synthetic energon, Ratchet's wound is not shown to be leaking. Mere moments after he's hit the ground, another puddle of energon has formed beneath him.
*Breakdown is knocked out by Ratchet just before he engages Megatron. When the Autobots show up at the end, however, Breakdown has vanished and he isn't shown fleeing with Knock Out.

===Continuity notes===
*The synthetic energon created in the episode is derived from the formula transcribed by Bulkhead in [[T.M.I.|the previous episode]].
*Ratchet's description of the Autobots having fought numerous battles recently is accompanied by flashbacks to various battles from the "Darkness Rising" five-part pilot, among others.

===Transformers references===
*Ratchet isn't the [[Mikaela Banes|first person]] to blind [[Wheelie (ROTF)|a Decepticon]] with a torch.
*This episode is somewhat similar to the ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Gorilla Warfare]]", where [[Optimus Primal]] is made hyper-aggressive by [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok's]] modified [[Cyberbee]].
**Also, in a role-reversal of the situation of ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' episode [[A Fistful of Energon]] (whereas [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] delivers the aseop of the dangers of excessive upgrading to a cocky [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (namely arrogance and aggression)), it is Ratchet this time who exposes himself to excessive ''drug-use''.
* Arcee [[Skid's Choice| defied gravity]]

===Real-world references===
===Trivia===
*The episode was first broadcast on Canada's Teletoon channel.

{{epstub}}
[[Category:Prime episodes]]

The Agenda (Part 2)

2011-08-13T07:05:26Z

Xblade: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=BWtoon
|ep=38
|image=Agenda 2 Megatron Ravage.jpg
|caption=In Soviet Russia, Megatron is captured by you.
|title="The Agenda" (Part 2)
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=March 12, 1998
|written by=[[Bob Forward]]
|directed by=[[Owen Hurley]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Captured by Ravage, Megatron lets the former Decepticon warrior in on the secret of the Golden Disk and gets him to switch sides.'''

:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Le Programme 2''' ("The Program 2")
:''Japanese title:'' すきですっ! (''Suki Desu!'', "I Do Love You!")
:''Spanish title:'' '''El Agente (Parte 2)'''
:''Latin-American title:'' '''El Programa Segunda Parte'''
:''Italian title:'' '''Il coraggio di Grifo - Parte 2''' ("Silverbolt's courage - Part Two")
:''Brazilian name:'' '''Os Planos Parte 2''' ("The Plans Part 2")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Optimus.jpg|left|200px|thumb|What's it like to have a munky on your back... er in your face?]]
With [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] a prisoner and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] scattered, the [[Maximal|Maximals]] prepare to wrap things up. [[Optimus Primal]] summons [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] to his office and comes down on him about [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. Silverbolt points out that she was originally a Maximal protoform and that he himself was a Predacon once, but Primal counters that Blackarachnia is evil to the core, whereas Silverbolt just didn't know any better. He confines Silverbolt to quarters and dispatches [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] to deal with Blackarachnia, despite Silverbolt's request to be sent, if only to protect Cheetor.

In his cell, Megatron berates [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] for siding with the Maximals, to which Ravage responds that Megatron is an inferior leader when compared to his [[Megatron (G1)|namesake]]. Megatron also points out that Ravage's [[Transwarp cruiser|ship]] is depleted of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. He offers a stash of [[Energon cube|cubes]] for his freedom, but Ravage reveals he already knows the stash's location, as [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] is a Lieutenant in the [[Predacon Secret Police]].

Cheetor prepares to go out for Blackarachnia, but first apologizes to Silverbolt, who also apologizes—for the punch he gives Cheetor right afterward. The pair are interrupted by [[Rattrap]], who raises the alarm, forcing Silverbolt to flee the base. Heading out to retrieve the energon cubes, Cheetor complains to Optimus about the rough treatment Silverbolt gave him. They arrive at the cave Tarantulas had indicated, carefully venturing inside, only to find that the energon is in the form of [[Energon crystal|unstable crystals]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is waiting to ambush them.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Blackarachnia.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Did you ever know that you were my hero?The wind beneath my wings?]]
Silverbolt locates Blackarachnia following [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] to [[Mount St. Hilary|a mountain]]. Silverbolt begs her to come in, but Blackarachnia claims to have no feelings for him at all. To prove her point, she shoots him. But as Silverbolt points out, it was non-fatal, saying she does care for him and won't simply kill him. While they are [[Kiss|distracted]], the hoverpod they're in rams into Waspinator, shattering both, but Silverbolt saves Blackarachnia. (Waspinator is out of luck, as usual.)

Back at the cave, [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is beginning to suffer from energon buildup. Cackling madly, he ignites the crystals in an attempt to destroy Optimus and Cheetor. The chain reaction destroys the mountain and seemingly incinerates Inferno, but the two Maximals manage to escape. Once they're safe, Optimus informs Ravage of what happened.

[[Image:G1Megatron Disc Agenda part2.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Amazing how much data recovery can restore.]]
At his ship, Ravage confronts Megatron over his treachery. Megatron points out that Ravage intends to kill them all, Maximal and Predacon. Ravage admits to this and arms the vessel's internal [[autogun]]s. Desperate, Megatron reveals he had ulterior motives for stealing the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], something which could affect the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Ravage doubts him, pointing out the Disk's destruction, but allows Megatron to convince him. Released from his [[Power bond|power bonds]], the Predacon commander reveals that he still has a fragment of the Disk, and it holds proof that Ravage will believe—a message from [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], the [[Decepticon leader|leader]] of the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. Noting his potential defeat, Megatron left instructions for the descendants of the Decepticons to use [[transwarp]] technology to travel back in time to Ancient [[Earth]]. Although the message cuts out partway through, the Predacon's gambit succeeds: Ravage, moved by the sight of his former leader, releases Megatron.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Optimus Cheetor betrayed.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You should've trusted Rattrap. Never trust a Decepticon.]]
At the mountain, Blackarachnia and Silverbolt discover that Megatron was already there, having dug a tunnel and then sealed it. Despite Blackarachnia's constant demands that Silverbolt leave, he refuses, and she reluctantly accepts his help in dispensing of one of the larger rocks.

As Optimus and Cheetor return to the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', Optimus radios ahead for a status report and is warned by Rattrap that they no longer need to be subordinate to Ravage—he's switched sides! The warning is just a little too late, as the transwarp cruiser, with Megatron riding atop, shifts into view behind the pair. As Ravage [[Transformation|transforms]] to interface with his ship, the Predacons launch an attack.

[[The Agenda (Part III)|To be continued...]]

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Optimus Primal]] (1)
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (2)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (6)
*[[Rattrap]] (7)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s
|c2=
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (4)
*[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (5)
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (8)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (9)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (10)

}}
==Quotes==
"Ahhh...I useta be young like that." 
"...What?!" 
"D'yah, I mean, we got trouble. Ohhhh, yeah, trouble with a capital B."
:—'''Rattrap''' and '''Optimus Primal''' on Silverbolt's escape to find Blackarachnia

"I know how you're feeling. You don't know whether to kiss me or... kill me." 
"I'm a ''black widow spider'', you idiot! ...I can do both."
:—'''Silverbolt''' and '''Blackarachnia'''

'''Blackarachnia''': Oh no. You're not saving my life again? Even after I ''shot you''? 
'''Silverbolt''': It's my duty, ma'am, as a Maximal and as a heroic character. 
'''Blackarachnia''': You know I like 'em big and stupid, but you're ''really'' pushing it.
:—Love not only makes you crazy, it makes you break the fourth wall.

"For…the…ROYALTY!" 
:-'''Inferno''', before causing the energon explosion

'''Rattrap (over comlink)''': hey i got good news and bad news fearless leader. 
'''Optimus Primal''': okay... what's the good news? 
'''Rattrap''': Well the good news we don't have to rely on that liein' decepti-creep anymore. 
'''Optimus Primal''': and the bad news? 
'''Rattrap''': Well the bad news, HE SWITCHED SIDES! 
Rattrap as the con's ship rises behind them already starting on the
whole "were all gonna die" thing.

"This is Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. And if you're hearing this, it means I've failed...''this'' time." 
:—'''Megatron''', causing the fandom to rejoice at his appearance, yet complain that Frank Welker didn't provide the voice

"Not fair. Waspinator minding own business when BANG—gets whole stasis pod right up the kazooty."
:—'''Waspinator'''

"Decepticons forever!"
:—'''Ravage''', before transforming with the traditional noise into a (humongous) mini-cassette, causing the fandom to rejoice without any complaints

==Notes==
*Apparently Silverbolt is <s>stupid</s> chivalrous enough to not only not harm Blackarachnia, but to assist her actively in carrying out Megatron's nefarious schemes. Bad doggy. Bad, bad doggy.
*Apparently Rattrap is far older than even Optimus knows.

===Technical/animation glitches===
* After Silverbolt Punches through the door and knocks Cheetor out, how does the door fully open into the hull without a hitch?

===Continuity errors===
*Tarantulas heads the recovery mission for Megatron's energon stash, yet it's been established that his new base is loaded with stable energon. Why don't he and Ravage simply use ''that'' to repower the stealth cruiser? Tarantulas said in "[[Tangled Web]]" that there was enough energon in [[Tarantulas's lair|his lair]] "to sustain a frugal Predacon for quite some time," which might not amount to enough to repower the cruiser.
* Along those same lines, it's odd how Ravage, one of Generation 1 Megatron's closest confidants and most loyal allies, didn't know of the secret message his leader put on the Golden Disk. Clearly, Megatron doesn't have the same trust in his allies as they do in him.

===Transformers references===
*When Megatron shows the recording from the remains of the Golden Disk, the face and voice of the original Megatron are shown.
*When Ravage transforms, the sound effect is the one used by all Transformers in the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|original series]].
*Originally, when Ravage transformed and inserted his cassette mode into the control console, the Generation 1 cartoon theme song was going to play during his first cry of "Decepticons Forever!" and subsequent attack on the ''Axalon''. However, due to copyright constraints, this plan was dropped, and a more generic song was put in its place.

===Real-world references===
*Silverbolt makes a howling noise to simulate a siren and asks Blackarachnia to "pull this vehicle over".
*When Waspinator is smashed to pieces by the stasis pod ship, a toilet is seen falling down among the wreckage.
*After the crash with Waspinator, when Blackarachnia is saved by Silverbolt, he either breaks the fourth-wall or is genre savvy when he tells her that he's "a heroic character."
*Silverbolt's words about "kiss me or kill me" may be a reference to [[wikipedia:The_Evil_Dead|Ash Williams]].
*Ravage uses [[wikipedia:Dr._Evil|Dr. Evil]]'s raised-pinkie gesture on Megatron.

===Trivia===
*Primal has a tiny trophy of a gorilla on his desk.

*Efforts were made to get [[Frank Welker]] to provide the voice for Megatron's message, but financial and scheduling conflicts precluded this from happening. [[Garry Chalk]] voiced him instead.

*This is the closest Silverbolt ever came to directly taking down Waspinator in the entire series. (Silverbolt was the backseat driver here.)

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — I Do Love You! ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 8 ([[Universal]])
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers: Metals'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Second Season ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 1 (Universal) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==External links==
*[http://www.bwtf.com/bw/tvshow/episodes/seasontwo/agenda2/ Synopsis of The Agenda (Part 2) at Ben Yee's website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Agenda part 2}}
[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]

The Agenda (Part 2)

2011-08-13T07:03:45Z

Xblade: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=BWtoon
|ep=38
|image=Agenda 2 Megatron Ravage.jpg
|caption=In Soviet Russia, Megatron is captured by you.
|title="The Agenda" (Part 2)
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=March 12, 1998
|written by=[[Bob Forward]]
|directed by=[[Owen Hurley]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Captured by Ravage, Megatron lets the former Decepticon warrior in on the secret of the Golden Disk and gets him to switch sides.'''

:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Le Programme 2''' ("The Program 2")
:''Japanese title:'' すきですっ! (''Suki Desu!'', "I Do Love You!")
:''Spanish title:'' '''El Agente (Parte 2)'''
:''Latin-American title:'' '''El Programa Segunda Parte'''
:''Italian title:'' '''Il coraggio di Grifo - Parte 2''' ("Silverbolt's courage - Part Two")
:''Brazilian name:'' '''Os Planos Parte 2''' ("The Plans Part 2")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Optimus.jpg|left|200px|thumb|What's it like to have a munky on your back... er in your face?]]
With [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] a prisoner and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] scattered, the [[Maximal|Maximals]] prepare to wrap things up. [[Optimus Primal]] summons [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] to his office and comes down on him about [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. Silverbolt points out that she was originally a Maximal protoform and that he himself was a Predacon once, but Primal counters that Blackarachnia is evil to the core, whereas Silverbolt just didn't know any better. He confines Silverbolt to quarters and dispatches [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] to deal with Blackarachnia, despite Silverbolt's request to be sent, if only to protect Cheetor.

In his cell, Megatron berates [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] for siding with the Maximals, to which Ravage responds that Megatron is an inferior leader when compared to his [[Megatron (G1)|namesake]]. Megatron also points out that Ravage's [[Transwarp cruiser|ship]] is depleted of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. He offers a stash of [[Energon cube|cubes]] for his freedom, but Ravage reveals he already knows the stash's location, as [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] is a Lieutenant in the [[Predacon Secret Police]].

Cheetor prepares to go out for Blackarachnia, but first apologizes to Silverbolt, who also apologizes—for the punch he gives Cheetor right afterward. The pair are interrupted by [[Rattrap]], who raises the alarm, forcing Silverbolt to flee the base. Heading out to retrieve the energon cubes, Cheetor complains to Optimus about the rough treatment Silverbolt gave him. They arrive at the cave Tarantulas had indicated, carefully venturing inside, only to find that the energon is in the form of [[Energon crystal|unstable crystals]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is waiting to ambush them.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Blackarachnia.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Did you ever know that you were my hero?The wind beneath my wings?]]
Silverbolt locates Blackarachnia following [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] to [[Mount St. Hilary|a mountain]]. Silverbolt begs her to come in, but Blackarachnia claims to have no feelings for him at all. To prove her point, she shoots him. But as Silverbolt points out, it was non-fatal, saying she does care for him and won't simply kill him. While they are [[Kiss|distracted]], the hoverpod they're in rams into Waspinator, shattering both, but Silverbolt saves Blackarachnia. (Waspinator is out of luck, as usual.)

Back at the cave, [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is beginning to suffer from energon buildup. Cackling madly, he ignites the crystals in an attempt to destroy Optimus and Cheetor. The chain reaction destroys the mountain and seemingly incinerates Inferno, but the two Maximals manage to escape. Once they're safe, Optimus informs Ravage of what happened.

[[Image:G1Megatron Disc Agenda part2.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Amazing how much data recovery can restore.]]
At his ship, Ravage confronts Megatron over his treachery. Megatron points out that Ravage intends to kill them all, Maximal and Predacon. Ravage admits to this and arms the vessel's internal [[autogun]]s. Desperate, Megatron reveals he had ulterior motives for stealing the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], something which could affect the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Ravage doubts him, pointing out the Disk's destruction, but allows Megatron to convince him. Released from his [[Power bond|power bonds]], the Predacon commander reveals that he still has a fragment of the Disk, and it holds proof that Ravage will believe—a message from [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], the [[Decepticon leader|leader]] of the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. Noting his potential defeat, Megatron left instructions for the descendants of the Decepticons to use [[transwarp]] technology to travel back in time to Ancient [[Earth]]. Although the message cuts out partway through, the Predacon's gambit succeeds: Ravage, moved by the sight of his former leader, releases Megatron.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Optimus Cheetor betrayed.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You should've trusted Rattrap. Never trust a Decepticon.]]
At the mountain, Blackarachnia and Silverbolt discover that Megatron was already there, having dug a tunnel and then sealed it. Despite Blackarachnia's constant demands that Silverbolt leave, he refuses, and she reluctantly accepts his help in dispensing of one of the larger rocks.

As Optimus and Cheetor return to the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', Optimus radios ahead for a status report and is warned by Rattrap that they no longer need to be subordinate to Ravage—he's switched sides! The warning is just a little too late, as the transwarp cruiser, with Megatron riding atop, shifts into view behind the pair. As Ravage [[Transformation|transforms]] to interface with his ship, the Predacons launch an attack.

[[The Agenda (Part III)|To be continued...]]

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Optimus Primal]] (1)
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (2)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (6)
*[[Rattrap]] (7)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s
|c2=
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (4)
*[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (5)
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (8)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (9)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (10)

}}
==Quotes==
"Ahhh...I useta be young like that." 
"...What?!" 
"D'yah, I mean, we got trouble. Ohhhh, yeah, trouble with a capital B."
:—'''Rattrap''' and '''Optimus Primal''' on Silverbolt's escape to find Blackarachnia

"I know how you're feeling. You don't know whether to kiss me or... kill me." 
"I'm a ''black widow spider'', you idiot! ...I can do both."
:—'''Silverbolt''' and '''Blackarachnia'''

'''Blackarachnia''': Oh no. You're not saving my life again? Even after I ''shot you''? 
'''Silverbolt''': It's my duty, ma'am, as a Maximal and as a heroic character. 
'''Blackarachnia''': You know I like 'em big and stupid, but you're ''really'' pushing it.
:—Love not only makes you crazy, it makes you break the fourth wall.

"For…the…ROYALTY!"
:-'''Inferno''', before causing the energon explosion

:-'''Rattrap (over comlink)''': hey i got good news and bad news fearless leader.
:-'''Optimus Primal''': okay... what's the good news?
:-'''Rattrap''': Well the good news we don't have to rely on that liein' decepti-creep anymore.
:-'''Optimus Primal''': and the bad news?
:-'''Rattrap''': Well the bad news, HE SWITCHED SIDES!
Rattrap as the con's ship rises behind them already starting on the
whole "were all gonna die" thing.

"This is Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. And if you're hearing this, it means I've failed...''this'' time." 
:—'''Megatron''', causing the fandom to rejoice at his appearance, yet complain that Frank Welker didn't provide the voice

"Not fair. Waspinator minding own business when BANG—gets whole stasis pod right up the kazooty."
:—'''Waspinator'''

"Decepticons forever!"
:—'''Ravage''', before transforming with the traditional noise into a (humongous) mini-cassette, causing the fandom to rejoice without any complaints

==Notes==
*Apparently Silverbolt is <s>stupid</s> chivalrous enough to not only not harm Blackarachnia, but to assist her actively in carrying out Megatron's nefarious schemes. Bad doggy. Bad, bad doggy.
*Apparently Rattrap is far older than even Optimus knows.

===Technical/animation glitches===
* After Silverbolt Punches through the door and knocks Cheetor out, how does the door fully open into the hull without a hitch?

===Continuity errors===
*Tarantulas heads the recovery mission for Megatron's energon stash, yet it's been established that his new base is loaded with stable energon. Why don't he and Ravage simply use ''that'' to repower the stealth cruiser? Tarantulas said in "[[Tangled Web]]" that there was enough energon in [[Tarantulas's lair|his lair]] "to sustain a frugal Predacon for quite some time," which might not amount to enough to repower the cruiser.
* Along those same lines, it's odd how Ravage, one of Generation 1 Megatron's closest confidants and most loyal allies, didn't know of the secret message his leader put on the Golden Disk. Clearly, Megatron doesn't have the same trust in his allies as they do in him.

===Transformers references===
*When Megatron shows the recording from the remains of the Golden Disk, the face and voice of the original Megatron are shown.
*When Ravage transforms, the sound effect is the one used by all Transformers in the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|original series]].
*Originally, when Ravage transformed and inserted his cassette mode into the control console, the Generation 1 cartoon theme song was going to play during his first cry of "Decepticons Forever!" and subsequent attack on the ''Axalon''. However, due to copyright constraints, this plan was dropped, and a more generic song was put in its place.

===Real-world references===
*Silverbolt makes a howling noise to simulate a siren and asks Blackarachnia to "pull this vehicle over".
*When Waspinator is smashed to pieces by the stasis pod ship, a toilet is seen falling down among the wreckage.
*After the crash with Waspinator, when Blackarachnia is saved by Silverbolt, he either breaks the fourth-wall or is genre savvy when he tells her that he's "a heroic character."
*Silverbolt's words about "kiss me or kill me" may be a reference to [[wikipedia:The_Evil_Dead|Ash Williams]].
*Ravage uses [[wikipedia:Dr._Evil|Dr. Evil]]'s raised-pinkie gesture on Megatron.

===Trivia===
*Primal has a tiny trophy of a gorilla on his desk.

*Efforts were made to get [[Frank Welker]] to provide the voice for Megatron's message, but financial and scheduling conflicts precluded this from happening. [[Garry Chalk]] voiced him instead.

*This is the closest Silverbolt ever came to directly taking down Waspinator in the entire series. (Silverbolt was the backseat driver here.)

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — I Do Love You! ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 8 ([[Universal]])
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers: Metals'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Second Season ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 1 (Universal) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==External links==
*[http://www.bwtf.com/bw/tvshow/episodes/seasontwo/agenda2/ Synopsis of The Agenda (Part 2) at Ben Yee's website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Agenda part 2}}
[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]

The Agenda (Part 2)

2011-08-13T07:03:13Z

Xblade: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=BWtoon
|ep=38
|image=Agenda 2 Megatron Ravage.jpg
|caption=In Soviet Russia, Megatron is captured by you.
|title="The Agenda" (Part 2)
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=March 12, 1998
|written by=[[Bob Forward]]
|directed by=[[Owen Hurley]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Captured by Ravage, Megatron lets the former Decepticon warrior in on the secret of the Golden Disk and gets him to switch sides.'''

:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Le Programme 2''' ("The Program 2")
:''Japanese title:'' すきですっ! (''Suki Desu!'', "I Do Love You!")
:''Spanish title:'' '''El Agente (Parte 2)'''
:''Latin-American title:'' '''El Programa Segunda Parte'''
:''Italian title:'' '''Il coraggio di Grifo - Parte 2''' ("Silverbolt's courage - Part Two")
:''Brazilian name:'' '''Os Planos Parte 2''' ("The Plans Part 2")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Optimus.jpg|left|200px|thumb|What's it like to have a munky on your back... er in your face?]]
With [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] a prisoner and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] scattered, the [[Maximal|Maximals]] prepare to wrap things up. [[Optimus Primal]] summons [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] to his office and comes down on him about [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. Silverbolt points out that she was originally a Maximal protoform and that he himself was a Predacon once, but Primal counters that Blackarachnia is evil to the core, whereas Silverbolt just didn't know any better. He confines Silverbolt to quarters and dispatches [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] to deal with Blackarachnia, despite Silverbolt's request to be sent, if only to protect Cheetor.

In his cell, Megatron berates [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] for siding with the Maximals, to which Ravage responds that Megatron is an inferior leader when compared to his [[Megatron (G1)|namesake]]. Megatron also points out that Ravage's [[Transwarp cruiser|ship]] is depleted of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. He offers a stash of [[Energon cube|cubes]] for his freedom, but Ravage reveals he already knows the stash's location, as [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] is a Lieutenant in the [[Predacon Secret Police]].

Cheetor prepares to go out for Blackarachnia, but first apologizes to Silverbolt, who also apologizes—for the punch he gives Cheetor right afterward. The pair are interrupted by [[Rattrap]], who raises the alarm, forcing Silverbolt to flee the base. Heading out to retrieve the energon cubes, Cheetor complains to Optimus about the rough treatment Silverbolt gave him. They arrive at the cave Tarantulas had indicated, carefully venturing inside, only to find that the energon is in the form of [[Energon crystal|unstable crystals]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is waiting to ambush them.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Blackarachnia.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Did you ever know that you were my hero?The wind beneath my wings?]]
Silverbolt locates Blackarachnia following [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] to [[Mount St. Hilary|a mountain]]. Silverbolt begs her to come in, but Blackarachnia claims to have no feelings for him at all. To prove her point, she shoots him. But as Silverbolt points out, it was non-fatal, saying she does care for him and won't simply kill him. While they are [[Kiss|distracted]], the hoverpod they're in rams into Waspinator, shattering both, but Silverbolt saves Blackarachnia. (Waspinator is out of luck, as usual.)

Back at the cave, [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is beginning to suffer from energon buildup. Cackling madly, he ignites the crystals in an attempt to destroy Optimus and Cheetor. The chain reaction destroys the mountain and seemingly incinerates Inferno, but the two Maximals manage to escape. Once they're safe, Optimus informs Ravage of what happened.

[[Image:G1Megatron Disc Agenda part2.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Amazing how much data recovery can restore.]]
At his ship, Ravage confronts Megatron over his treachery. Megatron points out that Ravage intends to kill them all, Maximal and Predacon. Ravage admits to this and arms the vessel's internal [[autogun]]s. Desperate, Megatron reveals he had ulterior motives for stealing the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], something which could affect the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Ravage doubts him, pointing out the Disk's destruction, but allows Megatron to convince him. Released from his [[Power bond|power bonds]], the Predacon commander reveals that he still has a fragment of the Disk, and it holds proof that Ravage will believe—a message from [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], the [[Decepticon leader|leader]] of the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. Noting his potential defeat, Megatron left instructions for the descendants of the Decepticons to use [[transwarp]] technology to travel back in time to Ancient [[Earth]]. Although the message cuts out partway through, the Predacon's gambit succeeds: Ravage, moved by the sight of his former leader, releases Megatron.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Optimus Cheetor betrayed.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You should've trusted Rattrap. Never trust a Decepticon.]]
At the mountain, Blackarachnia and Silverbolt discover that Megatron was already there, having dug a tunnel and then sealed it. Despite Blackarachnia's constant demands that Silverbolt leave, he refuses, and she reluctantly accepts his help in dispensing of one of the larger rocks.

As Optimus and Cheetor return to the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', Optimus radios ahead for a status report and is warned by Rattrap that they no longer need to be subordinate to Ravage—he's switched sides! The warning is just a little too late, as the transwarp cruiser, with Megatron riding atop, shifts into view behind the pair. As Ravage [[Transformation|transforms]] to interface with his ship, the Predacons launch an attack.

[[The Agenda (Part III)|To be continued...]]

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Optimus Primal]] (1)
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (2)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (6)
*[[Rattrap]] (7)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s
|c2=
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (4)
*[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (5)
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (8)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (9)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (10)

}}
==Quotes==
"Ahhh...I useta be young like that." 
"...What?!" 
"D'yah, I mean, we got trouble. Ohhhh, yeah, trouble with a capital B."
:—'''Rattrap''' and '''Optimus Primal''' on Silverbolt's escape to find Blackarachnia

"I know how you're feeling. You don't know whether to kiss me or... kill me." 
"I'm a ''black widow spider'', you idiot! ...I can do both."
:—'''Silverbolt''' and '''Blackarachnia'''

'''Blackarachnia''': Oh no. You're not saving my life again? Even after I ''shot you''? 
'''Silverbolt''': It's my duty, ma'am, as a Maximal and as a heroic character. 
'''Blackarachnia''': You know I like 'em big and stupid, but you're ''really'' pushing it.
:—Love not only makes you crazy, it makes you break the fourth wall.

"For…the…ROYALTY!"
:-'''Inferno''', before causing the energon explosion

:-'''Rattrap (over comlink)''': hey i got good news and bad news fearless leader.
:-'''Optimus Primal''': okay... what's the good news?
:'-''Rattrap''': Well the good news we don't have to rely on that liein' decepti-creep anymore.
:''-'Optimus Primal''': and the bad news?
:'''-Rattrap''': Well the bad news, HE SWITCHED SIDES!
Rattrap as the con's ship rises behind them already starting on the
whole "were all gonna die" thing.

"This is Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. And if you're hearing this, it means I've failed...''this'' time." 
:—'''Megatron''', causing the fandom to rejoice at his appearance, yet complain that Frank Welker didn't provide the voice

"Not fair. Waspinator minding own business when BANG—gets whole stasis pod right up the kazooty."
:—'''Waspinator'''

"Decepticons forever!"
:—'''Ravage''', before transforming with the traditional noise into a (humongous) mini-cassette, causing the fandom to rejoice without any complaints

==Notes==
*Apparently Silverbolt is <s>stupid</s> chivalrous enough to not only not harm Blackarachnia, but to assist her actively in carrying out Megatron's nefarious schemes. Bad doggy. Bad, bad doggy.
*Apparently Rattrap is far older than even Optimus knows.

===Technical/animation glitches===
* After Silverbolt Punches through the door and knocks Cheetor out, how does the door fully open into the hull without a hitch?

===Continuity errors===
*Tarantulas heads the recovery mission for Megatron's energon stash, yet it's been established that his new base is loaded with stable energon. Why don't he and Ravage simply use ''that'' to repower the stealth cruiser? Tarantulas said in "[[Tangled Web]]" that there was enough energon in [[Tarantulas's lair|his lair]] "to sustain a frugal Predacon for quite some time," which might not amount to enough to repower the cruiser.
* Along those same lines, it's odd how Ravage, one of Generation 1 Megatron's closest confidants and most loyal allies, didn't know of the secret message his leader put on the Golden Disk. Clearly, Megatron doesn't have the same trust in his allies as they do in him.

===Transformers references===
*When Megatron shows the recording from the remains of the Golden Disk, the face and voice of the original Megatron are shown.
*When Ravage transforms, the sound effect is the one used by all Transformers in the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|original series]].
*Originally, when Ravage transformed and inserted his cassette mode into the control console, the Generation 1 cartoon theme song was going to play during his first cry of "Decepticons Forever!" and subsequent attack on the ''Axalon''. However, due to copyright constraints, this plan was dropped, and a more generic song was put in its place.

===Real-world references===
*Silverbolt makes a howling noise to simulate a siren and asks Blackarachnia to "pull this vehicle over".
*When Waspinator is smashed to pieces by the stasis pod ship, a toilet is seen falling down among the wreckage.
*After the crash with Waspinator, when Blackarachnia is saved by Silverbolt, he either breaks the fourth-wall or is genre savvy when he tells her that he's "a heroic character."
*Silverbolt's words about "kiss me or kill me" may be a reference to [[wikipedia:The_Evil_Dead|Ash Williams]].
*Ravage uses [[wikipedia:Dr._Evil|Dr. Evil]]'s raised-pinkie gesture on Megatron.

===Trivia===
*Primal has a tiny trophy of a gorilla on his desk.

*Efforts were made to get [[Frank Welker]] to provide the voice for Megatron's message, but financial and scheduling conflicts precluded this from happening. [[Garry Chalk]] voiced him instead.

*This is the closest Silverbolt ever came to directly taking down Waspinator in the entire series. (Silverbolt was the backseat driver here.)

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — I Do Love You! ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 8 ([[Universal]])
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers: Metals'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Second Season ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 1 (Universal) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==External links==
*[http://www.bwtf.com/bw/tvshow/episodes/seasontwo/agenda2/ Synopsis of The Agenda (Part 2) at Ben Yee's website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Agenda part 2}}
[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]

The Agenda (Part 2)

2011-08-13T07:02:48Z

Xblade: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=BWtoon
|ep=38
|image=Agenda 2 Megatron Ravage.jpg
|caption=In Soviet Russia, Megatron is captured by you.
|title="The Agenda" (Part 2)
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=March 12, 1998
|written by=[[Bob Forward]]
|directed by=[[Owen Hurley]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Captured by Ravage, Megatron lets the former Decepticon warrior in on the secret of the Golden Disk and gets him to switch sides.'''

:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Le Programme 2''' ("The Program 2")
:''Japanese title:'' すきですっ! (''Suki Desu!'', "I Do Love You!")
:''Spanish title:'' '''El Agente (Parte 2)'''
:''Latin-American title:'' '''El Programa Segunda Parte'''
:''Italian title:'' '''Il coraggio di Grifo - Parte 2''' ("Silverbolt's courage - Part Two")
:''Brazilian name:'' '''Os Planos Parte 2''' ("The Plans Part 2")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Optimus.jpg|left|200px|thumb|What's it like to have a munky on your back... er in your face?]]
With [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] a prisoner and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] scattered, the [[Maximal|Maximals]] prepare to wrap things up. [[Optimus Primal]] summons [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] to his office and comes down on him about [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. Silverbolt points out that she was originally a Maximal protoform and that he himself was a Predacon once, but Primal counters that Blackarachnia is evil to the core, whereas Silverbolt just didn't know any better. He confines Silverbolt to quarters and dispatches [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] to deal with Blackarachnia, despite Silverbolt's request to be sent, if only to protect Cheetor.

In his cell, Megatron berates [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] for siding with the Maximals, to which Ravage responds that Megatron is an inferior leader when compared to his [[Megatron (G1)|namesake]]. Megatron also points out that Ravage's [[Transwarp cruiser|ship]] is depleted of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. He offers a stash of [[Energon cube|cubes]] for his freedom, but Ravage reveals he already knows the stash's location, as [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] is a Lieutenant in the [[Predacon Secret Police]].

Cheetor prepares to go out for Blackarachnia, but first apologizes to Silverbolt, who also apologizes—for the punch he gives Cheetor right afterward. The pair are interrupted by [[Rattrap]], who raises the alarm, forcing Silverbolt to flee the base. Heading out to retrieve the energon cubes, Cheetor complains to Optimus about the rough treatment Silverbolt gave him. They arrive at the cave Tarantulas had indicated, carefully venturing inside, only to find that the energon is in the form of [[Energon crystal|unstable crystals]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is waiting to ambush them.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Blackarachnia.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Did you ever know that you were my hero?The wind beneath my wings?]]
Silverbolt locates Blackarachnia following [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] to [[Mount St. Hilary|a mountain]]. Silverbolt begs her to come in, but Blackarachnia claims to have no feelings for him at all. To prove her point, she shoots him. But as Silverbolt points out, it was non-fatal, saying she does care for him and won't simply kill him. While they are [[Kiss|distracted]], the hoverpod they're in rams into Waspinator, shattering both, but Silverbolt saves Blackarachnia. (Waspinator is out of luck, as usual.)

Back at the cave, [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is beginning to suffer from energon buildup. Cackling madly, he ignites the crystals in an attempt to destroy Optimus and Cheetor. The chain reaction destroys the mountain and seemingly incinerates Inferno, but the two Maximals manage to escape. Once they're safe, Optimus informs Ravage of what happened.

[[Image:G1Megatron Disc Agenda part2.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Amazing how much data recovery can restore.]]
At his ship, Ravage confronts Megatron over his treachery. Megatron points out that Ravage intends to kill them all, Maximal and Predacon. Ravage admits to this and arms the vessel's internal [[autogun]]s. Desperate, Megatron reveals he had ulterior motives for stealing the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], something which could affect the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Ravage doubts him, pointing out the Disk's destruction, but allows Megatron to convince him. Released from his [[Power bond|power bonds]], the Predacon commander reveals that he still has a fragment of the Disk, and it holds proof that Ravage will believe—a message from [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], the [[Decepticon leader|leader]] of the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. Noting his potential defeat, Megatron left instructions for the descendants of the Decepticons to use [[transwarp]] technology to travel back in time to Ancient [[Earth]]. Although the message cuts out partway through, the Predacon's gambit succeeds: Ravage, moved by the sight of his former leader, releases Megatron.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Optimus Cheetor betrayed.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You should've trusted Rattrap. Never trust a Decepticon.]]
At the mountain, Blackarachnia and Silverbolt discover that Megatron was already there, having dug a tunnel and then sealed it. Despite Blackarachnia's constant demands that Silverbolt leave, he refuses, and she reluctantly accepts his help in dispensing of one of the larger rocks.

As Optimus and Cheetor return to the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', Optimus radios ahead for a status report and is warned by Rattrap that they no longer need to be subordinate to Ravage—he's switched sides! The warning is just a little too late, as the transwarp cruiser, with Megatron riding atop, shifts into view behind the pair. As Ravage [[Transformation|transforms]] to interface with his ship, the Predacons launch an attack.

[[The Agenda (Part III)|To be continued...]]

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Optimus Primal]] (1)
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (2)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (6)
*[[Rattrap]] (7)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s
|c2=
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (4)
*[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (5)
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (8)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (9)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (10)

}}
==Quotes==
"Ahhh...I useta be young like that." 
"...What?!" 
"D'yah, I mean, we got trouble. Ohhhh, yeah, trouble with a capital B."
:—'''Rattrap''' and '''Optimus Primal''' on Silverbolt's escape to find Blackarachnia

"I know how you're feeling. You don't know whether to kiss me or... kill me." 
"I'm a ''black widow spider'', you idiot! ...I can do both."
:—'''Silverbolt''' and '''Blackarachnia'''

'''Blackarachnia''': Oh no. You're not saving my life again? Even after I ''shot you''? 
'''Silverbolt''': It's my duty, ma'am, as a Maximal and as a heroic character. 
'''Blackarachnia''': You know I like 'em big and stupid, but you're ''really'' pushing it.
:—Love not only makes you crazy, it makes you break the fourth wall.

"For…the…ROYALTY!"
:-'''Inferno''', before causing the energon explosion

:-'''Rattrap (over comlink)''': hey i got good news and bad news fearless leader.
:'''Optimus Primal''': okay... what's the good news?
:'''Rattrap''': Well the good news we don't have to rely on that liein' decepti-creep anymore.
:'''Optimus Primal''': and the bad news?
:'''Rattrap''': Well the bad news, HE SWITCHED SIDES!
Rattrap as the con's ship rises behind them already starting on the
whole "were all gonna die" thing.

"This is Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. And if you're hearing this, it means I've failed...''this'' time." 
:—'''Megatron''', causing the fandom to rejoice at his appearance, yet complain that Frank Welker didn't provide the voice

"Not fair. Waspinator minding own business when BANG—gets whole stasis pod right up the kazooty."
:—'''Waspinator'''

"Decepticons forever!"
:—'''Ravage''', before transforming with the traditional noise into a (humongous) mini-cassette, causing the fandom to rejoice without any complaints

==Notes==
*Apparently Silverbolt is <s>stupid</s> chivalrous enough to not only not harm Blackarachnia, but to assist her actively in carrying out Megatron's nefarious schemes. Bad doggy. Bad, bad doggy.
*Apparently Rattrap is far older than even Optimus knows.

===Technical/animation glitches===
* After Silverbolt Punches through the door and knocks Cheetor out, how does the door fully open into the hull without a hitch?

===Continuity errors===
*Tarantulas heads the recovery mission for Megatron's energon stash, yet it's been established that his new base is loaded with stable energon. Why don't he and Ravage simply use ''that'' to repower the stealth cruiser? Tarantulas said in "[[Tangled Web]]" that there was enough energon in [[Tarantulas's lair|his lair]] "to sustain a frugal Predacon for quite some time," which might not amount to enough to repower the cruiser.
* Along those same lines, it's odd how Ravage, one of Generation 1 Megatron's closest confidants and most loyal allies, didn't know of the secret message his leader put on the Golden Disk. Clearly, Megatron doesn't have the same trust in his allies as they do in him.

===Transformers references===
*When Megatron shows the recording from the remains of the Golden Disk, the face and voice of the original Megatron are shown.
*When Ravage transforms, the sound effect is the one used by all Transformers in the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|original series]].
*Originally, when Ravage transformed and inserted his cassette mode into the control console, the Generation 1 cartoon theme song was going to play during his first cry of "Decepticons Forever!" and subsequent attack on the ''Axalon''. However, due to copyright constraints, this plan was dropped, and a more generic song was put in its place.

===Real-world references===
*Silverbolt makes a howling noise to simulate a siren and asks Blackarachnia to "pull this vehicle over".
*When Waspinator is smashed to pieces by the stasis pod ship, a toilet is seen falling down among the wreckage.
*After the crash with Waspinator, when Blackarachnia is saved by Silverbolt, he either breaks the fourth-wall or is genre savvy when he tells her that he's "a heroic character."
*Silverbolt's words about "kiss me or kill me" may be a reference to [[wikipedia:The_Evil_Dead|Ash Williams]].
*Ravage uses [[wikipedia:Dr._Evil|Dr. Evil]]'s raised-pinkie gesture on Megatron.

===Trivia===
*Primal has a tiny trophy of a gorilla on his desk.

*Efforts were made to get [[Frank Welker]] to provide the voice for Megatron's message, but financial and scheduling conflicts precluded this from happening. [[Garry Chalk]] voiced him instead.

*This is the closest Silverbolt ever came to directly taking down Waspinator in the entire series. (Silverbolt was the backseat driver here.)

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — I Do Love You! ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 8 ([[Universal]])
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers: Metals'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Second Season ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 1 (Universal) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==External links==
*[http://www.bwtf.com/bw/tvshow/episodes/seasontwo/agenda2/ Synopsis of The Agenda (Part 2) at Ben Yee's website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Agenda part 2}}
[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]

The Agenda (Part 2)

2011-08-13T07:02:23Z

Xblade: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=BWtoon
|ep=38
|image=Agenda 2 Megatron Ravage.jpg
|caption=In Soviet Russia, Megatron is captured by you.
|title="The Agenda" (Part 2)
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=March 12, 1998
|written by=[[Bob Forward]]
|directed by=[[Owen Hurley]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Captured by Ravage, Megatron lets the former Decepticon warrior in on the secret of the Golden Disk and gets him to switch sides.'''

:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Le Programme 2''' ("The Program 2")
:''Japanese title:'' すきですっ! (''Suki Desu!'', "I Do Love You!")
:''Spanish title:'' '''El Agente (Parte 2)'''
:''Latin-American title:'' '''El Programa Segunda Parte'''
:''Italian title:'' '''Il coraggio di Grifo - Parte 2''' ("Silverbolt's courage - Part Two")
:''Brazilian name:'' '''Os Planos Parte 2''' ("The Plans Part 2")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Optimus.jpg|left|200px|thumb|What's it like to have a munky on your back... er in your face?]]
With [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] a prisoner and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] scattered, the [[Maximal|Maximals]] prepare to wrap things up. [[Optimus Primal]] summons [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] to his office and comes down on him about [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. Silverbolt points out that she was originally a Maximal protoform and that he himself was a Predacon once, but Primal counters that Blackarachnia is evil to the core, whereas Silverbolt just didn't know any better. He confines Silverbolt to quarters and dispatches [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] to deal with Blackarachnia, despite Silverbolt's request to be sent, if only to protect Cheetor.

In his cell, Megatron berates [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] for siding with the Maximals, to which Ravage responds that Megatron is an inferior leader when compared to his [[Megatron (G1)|namesake]]. Megatron also points out that Ravage's [[Transwarp cruiser|ship]] is depleted of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. He offers a stash of [[Energon cube|cubes]] for his freedom, but Ravage reveals he already knows the stash's location, as [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] is a Lieutenant in the [[Predacon Secret Police]].

Cheetor prepares to go out for Blackarachnia, but first apologizes to Silverbolt, who also apologizes—for the punch he gives Cheetor right afterward. The pair are interrupted by [[Rattrap]], who raises the alarm, forcing Silverbolt to flee the base. Heading out to retrieve the energon cubes, Cheetor complains to Optimus about the rough treatment Silverbolt gave him. They arrive at the cave Tarantulas had indicated, carefully venturing inside, only to find that the energon is in the form of [[Energon crystal|unstable crystals]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is waiting to ambush them.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Blackarachnia.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Did you ever know that you were my hero?The wind beneath my wings?]]
Silverbolt locates Blackarachnia following [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] to [[Mount St. Hilary|a mountain]]. Silverbolt begs her to come in, but Blackarachnia claims to have no feelings for him at all. To prove her point, she shoots him. But as Silverbolt points out, it was non-fatal, saying she does care for him and won't simply kill him. While they are [[Kiss|distracted]], the hoverpod they're in rams into Waspinator, shattering both, but Silverbolt saves Blackarachnia. (Waspinator is out of luck, as usual.)

Back at the cave, [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is beginning to suffer from energon buildup. Cackling madly, he ignites the crystals in an attempt to destroy Optimus and Cheetor. The chain reaction destroys the mountain and seemingly incinerates Inferno, but the two Maximals manage to escape. Once they're safe, Optimus informs Ravage of what happened.

[[Image:G1Megatron Disc Agenda part2.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Amazing how much data recovery can restore.]]
At his ship, Ravage confronts Megatron over his treachery. Megatron points out that Ravage intends to kill them all, Maximal and Predacon. Ravage admits to this and arms the vessel's internal [[autogun]]s. Desperate, Megatron reveals he had ulterior motives for stealing the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], something which could affect the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Ravage doubts him, pointing out the Disk's destruction, but allows Megatron to convince him. Released from his [[Power bond|power bonds]], the Predacon commander reveals that he still has a fragment of the Disk, and it holds proof that Ravage will believe—a message from [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], the [[Decepticon leader|leader]] of the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. Noting his potential defeat, Megatron left instructions for the descendants of the Decepticons to use [[transwarp]] technology to travel back in time to Ancient [[Earth]]. Although the message cuts out partway through, the Predacon's gambit succeeds: Ravage, moved by the sight of his former leader, releases Megatron.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Optimus Cheetor betrayed.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You should've trusted Rattrap. Never trust a Decepticon.]]
At the mountain, Blackarachnia and Silverbolt discover that Megatron was already there, having dug a tunnel and then sealed it. Despite Blackarachnia's constant demands that Silverbolt leave, he refuses, and she reluctantly accepts his help in dispensing of one of the larger rocks.

As Optimus and Cheetor return to the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', Optimus radios ahead for a status report and is warned by Rattrap that they no longer need to be subordinate to Ravage—he's switched sides! The warning is just a little too late, as the transwarp cruiser, with Megatron riding atop, shifts into view behind the pair. As Ravage [[Transformation|transforms]] to interface with his ship, the Predacons launch an attack.

[[The Agenda (Part III)|To be continued...]]

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Optimus Primal]] (1)
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (2)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (6)
*[[Rattrap]] (7)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s
|c2=
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (4)
*[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (5)
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (8)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (9)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (10)

}}
==Quotes==
"Ahhh...I useta be young like that." 
"...What?!" 
"D'yah, I mean, we got trouble. Ohhhh, yeah, trouble with a capital B."
:—'''Rattrap''' and '''Optimus Primal''' on Silverbolt's escape to find Blackarachnia

"I know how you're feeling. You don't know whether to kiss me or... kill me." 
"I'm a ''black widow spider'', you idiot! ...I can do both."
:—'''Silverbolt''' and '''Blackarachnia'''

'''Blackarachnia''': Oh no. You're not saving my life again? Even after I ''shot you''? 
'''Silverbolt''': It's my duty, ma'am, as a Maximal and as a heroic character. 
'''Blackarachnia''': You know I like 'em big and stupid, but you're ''really'' pushing it.
:—Love not only makes you crazy, it makes you break the fourth wall.

"For…the…ROYALTY!"
:-'''Inferno''', before causing the energon explosion

:-'''Rattrap (over comlink)''': hey i got good news and bad news fearless leader.
:-'''Optimus Primal''': okay... what's the good news?
:-'''Rattrap''': Well the good news we don't have to rely on that liein' decepti-creep anymore.
:-'''Optimus Primal''': and the bad news?
:-'''Rattrap''': Well the bad news, HE SWITCHED SIDES!
Rattrap as the con's ship rises behind them already starting on the
whole "were all gonna die" thing.

"This is Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. And if you're hearing this, it means I've failed...''this'' time." 
:—'''Megatron''', causing the fandom to rejoice at his appearance, yet complain that Frank Welker didn't provide the voice

"Not fair. Waspinator minding own business when BANG—gets whole stasis pod right up the kazooty."
:—'''Waspinator'''

"Decepticons forever!"
:—'''Ravage''', before transforming with the traditional noise into a (humongous) mini-cassette, causing the fandom to rejoice without any complaints

==Notes==
*Apparently Silverbolt is <s>stupid</s> chivalrous enough to not only not harm Blackarachnia, but to assist her actively in carrying out Megatron's nefarious schemes. Bad doggy. Bad, bad doggy.
*Apparently Rattrap is far older than even Optimus knows.

===Technical/animation glitches===
* After Silverbolt Punches through the door and knocks Cheetor out, how does the door fully open into the hull without a hitch?

===Continuity errors===
*Tarantulas heads the recovery mission for Megatron's energon stash, yet it's been established that his new base is loaded with stable energon. Why don't he and Ravage simply use ''that'' to repower the stealth cruiser? Tarantulas said in "[[Tangled Web]]" that there was enough energon in [[Tarantulas's lair|his lair]] "to sustain a frugal Predacon for quite some time," which might not amount to enough to repower the cruiser.
* Along those same lines, it's odd how Ravage, one of Generation 1 Megatron's closest confidants and most loyal allies, didn't know of the secret message his leader put on the Golden Disk. Clearly, Megatron doesn't have the same trust in his allies as they do in him.

===Transformers references===
*When Megatron shows the recording from the remains of the Golden Disk, the face and voice of the original Megatron are shown.
*When Ravage transforms, the sound effect is the one used by all Transformers in the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|original series]].
*Originally, when Ravage transformed and inserted his cassette mode into the control console, the Generation 1 cartoon theme song was going to play during his first cry of "Decepticons Forever!" and subsequent attack on the ''Axalon''. However, due to copyright constraints, this plan was dropped, and a more generic song was put in its place.

===Real-world references===
*Silverbolt makes a howling noise to simulate a siren and asks Blackarachnia to "pull this vehicle over".
*When Waspinator is smashed to pieces by the stasis pod ship, a toilet is seen falling down among the wreckage.
*After the crash with Waspinator, when Blackarachnia is saved by Silverbolt, he either breaks the fourth-wall or is genre savvy when he tells her that he's "a heroic character."
*Silverbolt's words about "kiss me or kill me" may be a reference to [[wikipedia:The_Evil_Dead|Ash Williams]].
*Ravage uses [[wikipedia:Dr._Evil|Dr. Evil]]'s raised-pinkie gesture on Megatron.

===Trivia===
*Primal has a tiny trophy of a gorilla on his desk.

*Efforts were made to get [[Frank Welker]] to provide the voice for Megatron's message, but financial and scheduling conflicts precluded this from happening. [[Garry Chalk]] voiced him instead.

*This is the closest Silverbolt ever came to directly taking down Waspinator in the entire series. (Silverbolt was the backseat driver here.)

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — I Do Love You! ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 8 ([[Universal]])
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers: Metals'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Second Season ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 1 (Universal) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==External links==
*[http://www.bwtf.com/bw/tvshow/episodes/seasontwo/agenda2/ Synopsis of The Agenda (Part 2) at Ben Yee's website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Agenda part 2}}
[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]

The Agenda (Part 2)

2011-08-13T07:01:46Z

Xblade: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=BWtoon
|ep=38
|image=Agenda 2 Megatron Ravage.jpg
|caption=In Soviet Russia, Megatron is captured by you.
|title="The Agenda" (Part 2)
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=March 12, 1998
|written by=[[Bob Forward]]
|directed by=[[Owen Hurley]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Captured by Ravage, Megatron lets the former Decepticon warrior in on the secret of the Golden Disk and gets him to switch sides.'''

:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Le Programme 2''' ("The Program 2")
:''Japanese title:'' すきですっ! (''Suki Desu!'', "I Do Love You!")
:''Spanish title:'' '''El Agente (Parte 2)'''
:''Latin-American title:'' '''El Programa Segunda Parte'''
:''Italian title:'' '''Il coraggio di Grifo - Parte 2''' ("Silverbolt's courage - Part Two")
:''Brazilian name:'' '''Os Planos Parte 2''' ("The Plans Part 2")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Optimus.jpg|left|200px|thumb|What's it like to have a munky on your back... er in your face?]]
With [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] a prisoner and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] scattered, the [[Maximal|Maximals]] prepare to wrap things up. [[Optimus Primal]] summons [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] to his office and comes down on him about [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. Silverbolt points out that she was originally a Maximal protoform and that he himself was a Predacon once, but Primal counters that Blackarachnia is evil to the core, whereas Silverbolt just didn't know any better. He confines Silverbolt to quarters and dispatches [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] to deal with Blackarachnia, despite Silverbolt's request to be sent, if only to protect Cheetor.

In his cell, Megatron berates [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] for siding with the Maximals, to which Ravage responds that Megatron is an inferior leader when compared to his [[Megatron (G1)|namesake]]. Megatron also points out that Ravage's [[Transwarp cruiser|ship]] is depleted of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. He offers a stash of [[Energon cube|cubes]] for his freedom, but Ravage reveals he already knows the stash's location, as [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] is a Lieutenant in the [[Predacon Secret Police]].

Cheetor prepares to go out for Blackarachnia, but first apologizes to Silverbolt, who also apologizes—for the punch he gives Cheetor right afterward. The pair are interrupted by [[Rattrap]], who raises the alarm, forcing Silverbolt to flee the base. Heading out to retrieve the energon cubes, Cheetor complains to Optimus about the rough treatment Silverbolt gave him. They arrive at the cave Tarantulas had indicated, carefully venturing inside, only to find that the energon is in the form of [[Energon crystal|unstable crystals]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is waiting to ambush them.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Blackarachnia.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Did you ever know that you were my hero?The wind beneath my wings?]]
Silverbolt locates Blackarachnia following [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] to [[Mount St. Hilary|a mountain]]. Silverbolt begs her to come in, but Blackarachnia claims to have no feelings for him at all. To prove her point, she shoots him. But as Silverbolt points out, it was non-fatal, saying she does care for him and won't simply kill him. While they are [[Kiss|distracted]], the hoverpod they're in rams into Waspinator, shattering both, but Silverbolt saves Blackarachnia. (Waspinator is out of luck, as usual.)

Back at the cave, [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is beginning to suffer from energon buildup. Cackling madly, he ignites the crystals in an attempt to destroy Optimus and Cheetor. The chain reaction destroys the mountain and seemingly incinerates Inferno, but the two Maximals manage to escape. Once they're safe, Optimus informs Ravage of what happened.

[[Image:G1Megatron Disc Agenda part2.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Amazing how much data recovery can restore.]]
At his ship, Ravage confronts Megatron over his treachery. Megatron points out that Ravage intends to kill them all, Maximal and Predacon. Ravage admits to this and arms the vessel's internal [[autogun]]s. Desperate, Megatron reveals he had ulterior motives for stealing the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], something which could affect the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Ravage doubts him, pointing out the Disk's destruction, but allows Megatron to convince him. Released from his [[Power bond|power bonds]], the Predacon commander reveals that he still has a fragment of the Disk, and it holds proof that Ravage will believe—a message from [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], the [[Decepticon leader|leader]] of the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. Noting his potential defeat, Megatron left instructions for the descendants of the Decepticons to use [[transwarp]] technology to travel back in time to Ancient [[Earth]]. Although the message cuts out partway through, the Predacon's gambit succeeds: Ravage, moved by the sight of his former leader, releases Megatron.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Optimus Cheetor betrayed.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You should've trusted Rattrap. Never trust a Decepticon.]]
At the mountain, Blackarachnia and Silverbolt discover that Megatron was already there, having dug a tunnel and then sealed it. Despite Blackarachnia's constant demands that Silverbolt leave, he refuses, and she reluctantly accepts his help in dispensing of one of the larger rocks.

As Optimus and Cheetor return to the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', Optimus radios ahead for a status report and is warned by Rattrap that they no longer need to be subordinate to Ravage—he's switched sides! The warning is just a little too late, as the transwarp cruiser, with Megatron riding atop, shifts into view behind the pair. As Ravage [[Transformation|transforms]] to interface with his ship, the Predacons launch an attack.

[[The Agenda (Part III)|To be continued...]]

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Optimus Primal]] (1)
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (2)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (6)
*[[Rattrap]] (7)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s
|c2=
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (4)
*[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (5)
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (8)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (9)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (10)

}}
==Quotes==
"Ahhh...I useta be young like that." 
"...What?!" 
"D'yah, I mean, we got trouble. Ohhhh, yeah, trouble with a capital B."
:—'''Rattrap''' and '''Optimus Primal''' on Silverbolt's escape to find Blackarachnia

"I know how you're feeling. You don't know whether to kiss me or... kill me." 
"I'm a ''black widow spider'', you idiot! ...I can do both."
:—'''Silverbolt''' and '''Blackarachnia'''

'''Blackarachnia''': Oh no. You're not saving my life again? Even after I ''shot you''? 
'''Silverbolt''': It's my duty, ma'am, as a Maximal and as a heroic character. 
'''Blackarachnia''': You know I like 'em big and stupid, but you're ''really'' pushing it.
:—Love not only makes you crazy, it makes you break the fourth wall.

"For…the…ROYALTY!"
:-'''Inferno''', before causing the energon explosion

:-'''Rattrap (over comlink)''': hey i got good news and bad news fearless leader.
'''Optimus Primal''': okay... what's the good news?
'''Rattrap''': Well the good news we don't have to rely on that liein' decepti-creep anymore.
'''Optimus Primal''': and the bad news?
'''Rattrap''': Well the bad news, HE SWITCHED SIDES!
Rattrap as the con's ship rises behind them already starting on the
whole "were all gonna die" thing.

"This is Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. And if you're hearing this, it means I've failed...''this'' time." 
:—'''Megatron''', causing the fandom to rejoice at his appearance, yet complain that Frank Welker didn't provide the voice

"Not fair. Waspinator minding own business when BANG—gets whole stasis pod right up the kazooty."
:—'''Waspinator'''

"Decepticons forever!"
:—'''Ravage''', before transforming with the traditional noise into a (humongous) mini-cassette, causing the fandom to rejoice without any complaints

==Notes==
*Apparently Silverbolt is <s>stupid</s> chivalrous enough to not only not harm Blackarachnia, but to assist her actively in carrying out Megatron's nefarious schemes. Bad doggy. Bad, bad doggy.
*Apparently Rattrap is far older than even Optimus knows.

===Technical/animation glitches===
* After Silverbolt Punches through the door and knocks Cheetor out, how does the door fully open into the hull without a hitch?

===Continuity errors===
*Tarantulas heads the recovery mission for Megatron's energon stash, yet it's been established that his new base is loaded with stable energon. Why don't he and Ravage simply use ''that'' to repower the stealth cruiser? Tarantulas said in "[[Tangled Web]]" that there was enough energon in [[Tarantulas's lair|his lair]] "to sustain a frugal Predacon for quite some time," which might not amount to enough to repower the cruiser.
* Along those same lines, it's odd how Ravage, one of Generation 1 Megatron's closest confidants and most loyal allies, didn't know of the secret message his leader put on the Golden Disk. Clearly, Megatron doesn't have the same trust in his allies as they do in him.

===Transformers references===
*When Megatron shows the recording from the remains of the Golden Disk, the face and voice of the original Megatron are shown.
*When Ravage transforms, the sound effect is the one used by all Transformers in the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|original series]].
*Originally, when Ravage transformed and inserted his cassette mode into the control console, the Generation 1 cartoon theme song was going to play during his first cry of "Decepticons Forever!" and subsequent attack on the ''Axalon''. However, due to copyright constraints, this plan was dropped, and a more generic song was put in its place.

===Real-world references===
*Silverbolt makes a howling noise to simulate a siren and asks Blackarachnia to "pull this vehicle over".
*When Waspinator is smashed to pieces by the stasis pod ship, a toilet is seen falling down among the wreckage.
*After the crash with Waspinator, when Blackarachnia is saved by Silverbolt, he either breaks the fourth-wall or is genre savvy when he tells her that he's "a heroic character."
*Silverbolt's words about "kiss me or kill me" may be a reference to [[wikipedia:The_Evil_Dead|Ash Williams]].
*Ravage uses [[wikipedia:Dr._Evil|Dr. Evil]]'s raised-pinkie gesture on Megatron.

===Trivia===
*Primal has a tiny trophy of a gorilla on his desk.

*Efforts were made to get [[Frank Welker]] to provide the voice for Megatron's message, but financial and scheduling conflicts precluded this from happening. [[Garry Chalk]] voiced him instead.

*This is the closest Silverbolt ever came to directly taking down Waspinator in the entire series. (Silverbolt was the backseat driver here.)

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — I Do Love You! ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 8 ([[Universal]])
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers: Metals'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Second Season ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 1 (Universal) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==External links==
*[http://www.bwtf.com/bw/tvshow/episodes/seasontwo/agenda2/ Synopsis of The Agenda (Part 2) at Ben Yee's website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Agenda part 2}}
[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]

The Agenda (Part 2)

2011-08-13T07:00:03Z

Xblade: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=BWtoon
|ep=38
|image=Agenda 2 Megatron Ravage.jpg
|caption=In Soviet Russia, Megatron is captured by you.
|title="The Agenda" (Part 2)
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=March 12, 1998
|written by=[[Bob Forward]]
|directed by=[[Owen Hurley]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Captured by Ravage, Megatron lets the former Decepticon warrior in on the secret of the Golden Disk and gets him to switch sides.'''

:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Le Programme 2''' ("The Program 2")
:''Japanese title:'' すきですっ! (''Suki Desu!'', "I Do Love You!")
:''Spanish title:'' '''El Agente (Parte 2)'''
:''Latin-American title:'' '''El Programa Segunda Parte'''
:''Italian title:'' '''Il coraggio di Grifo - Parte 2''' ("Silverbolt's courage - Part Two")
:''Brazilian name:'' '''Os Planos Parte 2''' ("The Plans Part 2")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Optimus.jpg|left|200px|thumb|What's it like to have a munky on your back... er in your face?]]
With [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] a prisoner and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] scattered, the [[Maximal|Maximals]] prepare to wrap things up. [[Optimus Primal]] summons [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] to his office and comes down on him about [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. Silverbolt points out that she was originally a Maximal protoform and that he himself was a Predacon once, but Primal counters that Blackarachnia is evil to the core, whereas Silverbolt just didn't know any better. He confines Silverbolt to quarters and dispatches [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] to deal with Blackarachnia, despite Silverbolt's request to be sent, if only to protect Cheetor.

In his cell, Megatron berates [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] for siding with the Maximals, to which Ravage responds that Megatron is an inferior leader when compared to his [[Megatron (G1)|namesake]]. Megatron also points out that Ravage's [[Transwarp cruiser|ship]] is depleted of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. He offers a stash of [[Energon cube|cubes]] for his freedom, but Ravage reveals he already knows the stash's location, as [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] is a Lieutenant in the [[Predacon Secret Police]].

Cheetor prepares to go out for Blackarachnia, but first apologizes to Silverbolt, who also apologizes—for the punch he gives Cheetor right afterward. The pair are interrupted by [[Rattrap]], who raises the alarm, forcing Silverbolt to flee the base. Heading out to retrieve the energon cubes, Cheetor complains to Optimus about the rough treatment Silverbolt gave him. They arrive at the cave Tarantulas had indicated, carefully venturing inside, only to find that the energon is in the form of [[Energon crystal|unstable crystals]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is waiting to ambush them.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Blackarachnia.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Did you ever know that you were my hero?The wind beneath my wings?]]
Silverbolt locates Blackarachnia following [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] to [[Mount St. Hilary|a mountain]]. Silverbolt begs her to come in, but Blackarachnia claims to have no feelings for him at all. To prove her point, she shoots him. But as Silverbolt points out, it was non-fatal, saying she does care for him and won't simply kill him. While they are [[Kiss|distracted]], the hoverpod they're in rams into Waspinator, shattering both, but Silverbolt saves Blackarachnia. (Waspinator is out of luck, as usual.)

Back at the cave, [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is beginning to suffer from energon buildup. Cackling madly, he ignites the crystals in an attempt to destroy Optimus and Cheetor. The chain reaction destroys the mountain and seemingly incinerates Inferno, but the two Maximals manage to escape. Once they're safe, Optimus informs Ravage of what happened.

[[Image:G1Megatron Disc Agenda part2.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Amazing how much data recovery can restore.]]
At his ship, Ravage confronts Megatron over his treachery. Megatron points out that Ravage intends to kill them all, Maximal and Predacon. Ravage admits to this and arms the vessel's internal [[autogun]]s. Desperate, Megatron reveals he had ulterior motives for stealing the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], something which could affect the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Ravage doubts him, pointing out the Disk's destruction, but allows Megatron to convince him. Released from his [[Power bond|power bonds]], the Predacon commander reveals that he still has a fragment of the Disk, and it holds proof that Ravage will believe—a message from [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], the [[Decepticon leader|leader]] of the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. Noting his potential defeat, Megatron left instructions for the descendants of the Decepticons to use [[transwarp]] technology to travel back in time to Ancient [[Earth]]. Although the message cuts out partway through, the Predacon's gambit succeeds: Ravage, moved by the sight of his former leader, releases Megatron.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Optimus Cheetor betrayed.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You should've trusted Rattrap. Never trust a Decepticon.]]
At the mountain, Blackarachnia and Silverbolt discover that Megatron was already there, having dug a tunnel and then sealed it. Despite Blackarachnia's constant demands that Silverbolt leave, he refuses, and she reluctantly accepts his help in dispensing of one of the larger rocks.

As Optimus and Cheetor return to the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', Optimus radios ahead for a status report and is warned by Rattrap that they no longer need to be subordinate to Ravage—he's switched sides! The warning is just a little too late, as the transwarp cruiser, with Megatron riding atop, shifts into view behind the pair. As Ravage [[Transformation|transforms]] to interface with his ship, the Predacons launch an attack.

[[The Agenda (Part III)|To be continued...]]

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Optimus Primal]] (1)
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (2)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (6)
*[[Rattrap]] (7)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s
|c2=
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (4)
*[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (5)
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (8)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (9)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (10)

}}
==Quotes==
"Ahhh...I useta be young like that." 
"...What?!" 
"D'yah, I mean, we got trouble. Ohhhh, yeah, trouble with a capital B."
:—'''Rattrap''' and '''Optimus Primal''' on Silverbolt's escape to find Blackarachnia

"I know how you're feeling. You don't know whether to kiss me or... kill me." 
"I'm a ''black widow spider'', you idiot! ...I can do both."
:—'''Silverbolt''' and '''Blackarachnia'''

'''Blackarachnia''': Oh no. You're not saving my life again? Even after I ''shot you''? 
'''Silverbolt''': It's my duty, ma'am, as a Maximal and as a heroic character. 
'''Blackarachnia''': You know I like 'em big and stupid, but you're ''really'' pushing it.
:—Love not only makes you crazy, it makes you break the fourth wall.

"For…the…ROYALTY!"
'''Inferno''', before causing the energon explosion

'''Rattrap (over comlink)''': hey i got good news and bad news fearless leader.
'''Optimus Primal''': okay... what's the good news?
'''Rattrap''': Well the good news we don't have to rely on that liein' decepti-creep anymore.
'''Optimus Primal''': and the bad news?
'''Rattrap''': Well the bad news, HE SWITCHED SIDES!
Rattrap as the con's ship rises behind them already starting on the
whole "were all gonna die" thing.

"This is Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. And if you're hearing this, it means I've failed...''this'' time." 
:—'''Megatron''', causing the fandom to rejoice at his appearance, yet complain that Frank Welker didn't provide the voice

"Not fair. Waspinator minding own business when BANG—gets whole stasis pod right up the kazooty."
:—'''Waspinator'''

"Decepticons forever!"
:—'''Ravage''', before transforming with the traditional noise into a (humongous) mini-cassette, causing the fandom to rejoice without any complaints

==Notes==
*Apparently Silverbolt is <s>stupid</s> chivalrous enough to not only not harm Blackarachnia, but to assist her actively in carrying out Megatron's nefarious schemes. Bad doggy. Bad, bad doggy.
*Apparently Rattrap is far older than even Optimus knows.

===Technical/animation glitches===
* After Silverbolt Punches through the door and knocks Cheetor out, how does the door fully open into the hull without a hitch?

===Continuity errors===
*Tarantulas heads the recovery mission for Megatron's energon stash, yet it's been established that his new base is loaded with stable energon. Why don't he and Ravage simply use ''that'' to repower the stealth cruiser? Tarantulas said in "[[Tangled Web]]" that there was enough energon in [[Tarantulas's lair|his lair]] "to sustain a frugal Predacon for quite some time," which might not amount to enough to repower the cruiser.
* Along those same lines, it's odd how Ravage, one of Generation 1 Megatron's closest confidants and most loyal allies, didn't know of the secret message his leader put on the Golden Disk. Clearly, Megatron doesn't have the same trust in his allies as they do in him.

===Transformers references===
*When Megatron shows the recording from the remains of the Golden Disk, the face and voice of the original Megatron are shown.
*When Ravage transforms, the sound effect is the one used by all Transformers in the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|original series]].
*Originally, when Ravage transformed and inserted his cassette mode into the control console, the Generation 1 cartoon theme song was going to play during his first cry of "Decepticons Forever!" and subsequent attack on the ''Axalon''. However, due to copyright constraints, this plan was dropped, and a more generic song was put in its place.

===Real-world references===
*Silverbolt makes a howling noise to simulate a siren and asks Blackarachnia to "pull this vehicle over".
*When Waspinator is smashed to pieces by the stasis pod ship, a toilet is seen falling down among the wreckage.
*After the crash with Waspinator, when Blackarachnia is saved by Silverbolt, he either breaks the fourth-wall or is genre savvy when he tells her that he's "a heroic character."
*Silverbolt's words about "kiss me or kill me" may be a reference to [[wikipedia:The_Evil_Dead|Ash Williams]].
*Ravage uses [[wikipedia:Dr._Evil|Dr. Evil]]'s raised-pinkie gesture on Megatron.

===Trivia===
*Primal has a tiny trophy of a gorilla on his desk.

*Efforts were made to get [[Frank Welker]] to provide the voice for Megatron's message, but financial and scheduling conflicts precluded this from happening. [[Garry Chalk]] voiced him instead.

*This is the closest Silverbolt ever came to directly taking down Waspinator in the entire series. (Silverbolt was the backseat driver here.)

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — I Do Love You! ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 8 ([[Universal]])
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers: Metals'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Second Season ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 1 (Universal) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==External links==
*[http://www.bwtf.com/bw/tvshow/episodes/seasontwo/agenda2/ Synopsis of The Agenda (Part 2) at Ben Yee's website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Agenda part 2}}
[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]

The Agenda (Part 2)

2011-08-13T06:59:39Z

Xblade: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=BWtoon
|ep=38
|image=Agenda 2 Megatron Ravage.jpg
|caption=In Soviet Russia, Megatron is captured by you.
|title="The Agenda" (Part 2)
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=March 12, 1998
|written by=[[Bob Forward]]
|directed by=[[Owen Hurley]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Captured by Ravage, Megatron lets the former Decepticon warrior in on the secret of the Golden Disk and gets him to switch sides.'''

:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Le Programme 2''' ("The Program 2")
:''Japanese title:'' すきですっ! (''Suki Desu!'', "I Do Love You!")
:''Spanish title:'' '''El Agente (Parte 2)'''
:''Latin-American title:'' '''El Programa Segunda Parte'''
:''Italian title:'' '''Il coraggio di Grifo - Parte 2''' ("Silverbolt's courage - Part Two")
:''Brazilian name:'' '''Os Planos Parte 2''' ("The Plans Part 2")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Optimus.jpg|left|200px|thumb|What's it like to have a munky on your back... er in your face?]]
With [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] a prisoner and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] scattered, the [[Maximal|Maximals]] prepare to wrap things up. [[Optimus Primal]] summons [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] to his office and comes down on him about [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. Silverbolt points out that she was originally a Maximal protoform and that he himself was a Predacon once, but Primal counters that Blackarachnia is evil to the core, whereas Silverbolt just didn't know any better. He confines Silverbolt to quarters and dispatches [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] to deal with Blackarachnia, despite Silverbolt's request to be sent, if only to protect Cheetor.

In his cell, Megatron berates [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] for siding with the Maximals, to which Ravage responds that Megatron is an inferior leader when compared to his [[Megatron (G1)|namesake]]. Megatron also points out that Ravage's [[Transwarp cruiser|ship]] is depleted of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. He offers a stash of [[Energon cube|cubes]] for his freedom, but Ravage reveals he already knows the stash's location, as [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] is a Lieutenant in the [[Predacon Secret Police]].

Cheetor prepares to go out for Blackarachnia, but first apologizes to Silverbolt, who also apologizes—for the punch he gives Cheetor right afterward. The pair are interrupted by [[Rattrap]], who raises the alarm, forcing Silverbolt to flee the base. Heading out to retrieve the energon cubes, Cheetor complains to Optimus about the rough treatment Silverbolt gave him. They arrive at the cave Tarantulas had indicated, carefully venturing inside, only to find that the energon is in the form of [[Energon crystal|unstable crystals]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is waiting to ambush them.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Blackarachnia.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Did you ever know that you were my hero?The wind beneath my wings?]]
Silverbolt locates Blackarachnia following [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] to [[Mount St. Hilary|a mountain]]. Silverbolt begs her to come in, but Blackarachnia claims to have no feelings for him at all. To prove her point, she shoots him. But as Silverbolt points out, it was non-fatal, saying she does care for him and won't simply kill him. While they are [[Kiss|distracted]], the hoverpod they're in rams into Waspinator, shattering both, but Silverbolt saves Blackarachnia. (Waspinator is out of luck, as usual.)

Back at the cave, [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is beginning to suffer from energon buildup. Cackling madly, he ignites the crystals in an attempt to destroy Optimus and Cheetor. The chain reaction destroys the mountain and seemingly incinerates Inferno, but the two Maximals manage to escape. Once they're safe, Optimus informs Ravage of what happened.

[[Image:G1Megatron Disc Agenda part2.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Amazing how much data recovery can restore.]]
At his ship, Ravage confronts Megatron over his treachery. Megatron points out that Ravage intends to kill them all, Maximal and Predacon. Ravage admits to this and arms the vessel's internal [[autogun]]s. Desperate, Megatron reveals he had ulterior motives for stealing the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], something which could affect the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Ravage doubts him, pointing out the Disk's destruction, but allows Megatron to convince him. Released from his [[Power bond|power bonds]], the Predacon commander reveals that he still has a fragment of the Disk, and it holds proof that Ravage will believe—a message from [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], the [[Decepticon leader|leader]] of the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. Noting his potential defeat, Megatron left instructions for the descendants of the Decepticons to use [[transwarp]] technology to travel back in time to Ancient [[Earth]]. Although the message cuts out partway through, the Predacon's gambit succeeds: Ravage, moved by the sight of his former leader, releases Megatron.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Optimus Cheetor betrayed.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You should've trusted Rattrap. Never trust a Decepticon.]]
At the mountain, Blackarachnia and Silverbolt discover that Megatron was already there, having dug a tunnel and then sealed it. Despite Blackarachnia's constant demands that Silverbolt leave, he refuses, and she reluctantly accepts his help in dispensing of one of the larger rocks.

As Optimus and Cheetor return to the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', Optimus radios ahead for a status report and is warned by Rattrap that they no longer need to be subordinate to Ravage—he's switched sides! The warning is just a little too late, as the transwarp cruiser, with Megatron riding atop, shifts into view behind the pair. As Ravage [[Transformation|transforms]] to interface with his ship, the Predacons launch an attack.

[[The Agenda (Part III)|To be continued...]]

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Optimus Primal]] (1)
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (2)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (6)
*[[Rattrap]] (7)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s
|c2=
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (4)
*[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (5)
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (8)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (9)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (10)

}}
==Quotes==
"Ahhh...I useta be young like that." 
"...What?!" 
"D'yah, I mean, we got trouble. Ohhhh, yeah, trouble with a capital B."
:—'''Rattrap''' and '''Optimus Primal''' on Silverbolt's escape to find Blackarachnia

"I know how you're feeling. You don't know whether to kiss me or... kill me." 
"I'm a ''black widow spider'', you idiot! ...I can do both."
:—'''Silverbolt''' and '''Blackarachnia'''

'''Blackarachnia''': Oh no. You're not saving my life again? Even after I ''shot you''? 
'''Silverbolt''': It's my duty, ma'am, as a Maximal and as a heroic character. 
'''Blackarachnia''': You know I like 'em big and stupid, but you're ''really'' pushing it.
:—Love not only makes you crazy, it makes you break the fourth wall.

"For…the…ROYALTY!"
:—'''Inferno''', before causing the energon explosion

:-'''Rattrap (over comlink)''': hey i got good news and bad news fearless leader.
'''Optimus Primal''': okay... what's the good news?
'''Rattrap''': Well the good news we don't have to rely on that liein' decepti-creep anymore.
'''Optimus Primal''': and the bad news?
'''Rattrap''': Well the bad news, HE SWITCHED SIDES!
Rattrap as the con's ship rises behind them already starting on the
whole "were all gonna die" thing.

"This is Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. And if you're hearing this, it means I've failed...''this'' time." 
:—'''Megatron''', causing the fandom to rejoice at his appearance, yet complain that Frank Welker didn't provide the voice

"Not fair. Waspinator minding own business when BANG—gets whole stasis pod right up the kazooty."
:—'''Waspinator'''

"Decepticons forever!"
:—'''Ravage''', before transforming with the traditional noise into a (humongous) mini-cassette, causing the fandom to rejoice without any complaints

==Notes==
*Apparently Silverbolt is <s>stupid</s> chivalrous enough to not only not harm Blackarachnia, but to assist her actively in carrying out Megatron's nefarious schemes. Bad doggy. Bad, bad doggy.
*Apparently Rattrap is far older than even Optimus knows.

===Technical/animation glitches===
* After Silverbolt Punches through the door and knocks Cheetor out, how does the door fully open into the hull without a hitch?

===Continuity errors===
*Tarantulas heads the recovery mission for Megatron's energon stash, yet it's been established that his new base is loaded with stable energon. Why don't he and Ravage simply use ''that'' to repower the stealth cruiser? Tarantulas said in "[[Tangled Web]]" that there was enough energon in [[Tarantulas's lair|his lair]] "to sustain a frugal Predacon for quite some time," which might not amount to enough to repower the cruiser.
* Along those same lines, it's odd how Ravage, one of Generation 1 Megatron's closest confidants and most loyal allies, didn't know of the secret message his leader put on the Golden Disk. Clearly, Megatron doesn't have the same trust in his allies as they do in him.

===Transformers references===
*When Megatron shows the recording from the remains of the Golden Disk, the face and voice of the original Megatron are shown.
*When Ravage transforms, the sound effect is the one used by all Transformers in the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|original series]].
*Originally, when Ravage transformed and inserted his cassette mode into the control console, the Generation 1 cartoon theme song was going to play during his first cry of "Decepticons Forever!" and subsequent attack on the ''Axalon''. However, due to copyright constraints, this plan was dropped, and a more generic song was put in its place.

===Real-world references===
*Silverbolt makes a howling noise to simulate a siren and asks Blackarachnia to "pull this vehicle over".
*When Waspinator is smashed to pieces by the stasis pod ship, a toilet is seen falling down among the wreckage.
*After the crash with Waspinator, when Blackarachnia is saved by Silverbolt, he either breaks the fourth-wall or is genre savvy when he tells her that he's "a heroic character."
*Silverbolt's words about "kiss me or kill me" may be a reference to [[wikipedia:The_Evil_Dead|Ash Williams]].
*Ravage uses [[wikipedia:Dr._Evil|Dr. Evil]]'s raised-pinkie gesture on Megatron.

===Trivia===
*Primal has a tiny trophy of a gorilla on his desk.

*Efforts were made to get [[Frank Welker]] to provide the voice for Megatron's message, but financial and scheduling conflicts precluded this from happening. [[Garry Chalk]] voiced him instead.

*This is the closest Silverbolt ever came to directly taking down Waspinator in the entire series. (Silverbolt was the backseat driver here.)

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — I Do Love You! ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 8 ([[Universal]])
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers: Metals'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Second Season ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 1 (Universal) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==External links==
*[http://www.bwtf.com/bw/tvshow/episodes/seasontwo/agenda2/ Synopsis of The Agenda (Part 2) at Ben Yee's website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Agenda part 2}}
[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]

The Agenda (Part 2)

2011-08-13T06:58:52Z

Xblade: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=BWtoon
|ep=38
|image=Agenda 2 Megatron Ravage.jpg
|caption=In Soviet Russia, Megatron is captured by you.
|title="The Agenda" (Part 2)
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=March 12, 1998
|written by=[[Bob Forward]]
|directed by=[[Owen Hurley]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Captured by Ravage, Megatron lets the former Decepticon warrior in on the secret of the Golden Disk and gets him to switch sides.'''

:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Le Programme 2''' ("The Program 2")
:''Japanese title:'' すきですっ! (''Suki Desu!'', "I Do Love You!")
:''Spanish title:'' '''El Agente (Parte 2)'''
:''Latin-American title:'' '''El Programa Segunda Parte'''
:''Italian title:'' '''Il coraggio di Grifo - Parte 2''' ("Silverbolt's courage - Part Two")
:''Brazilian name:'' '''Os Planos Parte 2''' ("The Plans Part 2")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Optimus.jpg|left|200px|thumb|What's it like to have a munky on your back... er in your face?]]
With [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] a prisoner and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] scattered, the [[Maximal|Maximals]] prepare to wrap things up. [[Optimus Primal]] summons [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] to his office and comes down on him about [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. Silverbolt points out that she was originally a Maximal protoform and that he himself was a Predacon once, but Primal counters that Blackarachnia is evil to the core, whereas Silverbolt just didn't know any better. He confines Silverbolt to quarters and dispatches [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] to deal with Blackarachnia, despite Silverbolt's request to be sent, if only to protect Cheetor.

In his cell, Megatron berates [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] for siding with the Maximals, to which Ravage responds that Megatron is an inferior leader when compared to his [[Megatron (G1)|namesake]]. Megatron also points out that Ravage's [[Transwarp cruiser|ship]] is depleted of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. He offers a stash of [[Energon cube|cubes]] for his freedom, but Ravage reveals he already knows the stash's location, as [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] is a Lieutenant in the [[Predacon Secret Police]].

Cheetor prepares to go out for Blackarachnia, but first apologizes to Silverbolt, who also apologizes—for the punch he gives Cheetor right afterward. The pair are interrupted by [[Rattrap]], who raises the alarm, forcing Silverbolt to flee the base. Heading out to retrieve the energon cubes, Cheetor complains to Optimus about the rough treatment Silverbolt gave him. They arrive at the cave Tarantulas had indicated, carefully venturing inside, only to find that the energon is in the form of [[Energon crystal|unstable crystals]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is waiting to ambush them.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Silverbolt Blackarachnia.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Did you ever know that you were my hero?The wind beneath my wings?]]
Silverbolt locates Blackarachnia following [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] to [[Mount St. Hilary|a mountain]]. Silverbolt begs her to come in, but Blackarachnia claims to have no feelings for him at all. To prove her point, she shoots him. But as Silverbolt points out, it was non-fatal, saying she does care for him and won't simply kill him. While they are [[Kiss|distracted]], the hoverpod they're in rams into Waspinator, shattering both, but Silverbolt saves Blackarachnia. (Waspinator is out of luck, as usual.)

Back at the cave, [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] is beginning to suffer from energon buildup. Cackling madly, he ignites the crystals in an attempt to destroy Optimus and Cheetor. The chain reaction destroys the mountain and seemingly incinerates Inferno, but the two Maximals manage to escape. Once they're safe, Optimus informs Ravage of what happened.

[[Image:G1Megatron Disc Agenda part2.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Amazing how much data recovery can restore.]]
At his ship, Ravage confronts Megatron over his treachery. Megatron points out that Ravage intends to kill them all, Maximal and Predacon. Ravage admits to this and arms the vessel's internal [[autogun]]s. Desperate, Megatron reveals he had ulterior motives for stealing the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], something which could affect the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Ravage doubts him, pointing out the Disk's destruction, but allows Megatron to convince him. Released from his [[Power bond|power bonds]], the Predacon commander reveals that he still has a fragment of the Disk, and it holds proof that Ravage will believe—a message from [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], the [[Decepticon leader|leader]] of the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. Noting his potential defeat, Megatron left instructions for the descendants of the Decepticons to use [[transwarp]] technology to travel back in time to Ancient [[Earth]]. Although the message cuts out partway through, the Predacon's gambit succeeds: Ravage, moved by the sight of his former leader, releases Megatron.

[[Image:Agenda 2 Optimus Cheetor betrayed.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You should've trusted Rattrap. Never trust a Decepticon.]]
At the mountain, Blackarachnia and Silverbolt discover that Megatron was already there, having dug a tunnel and then sealed it. Despite Blackarachnia's constant demands that Silverbolt leave, he refuses, and she reluctantly accepts his help in dispensing of one of the larger rocks.

As Optimus and Cheetor return to the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', Optimus radios ahead for a status report and is warned by Rattrap that they no longer need to be subordinate to Ravage—he's switched sides! The warning is just a little too late, as the transwarp cruiser, with Megatron riding atop, shifts into view behind the pair. As Ravage [[Transformation|transforms]] to interface with his ship, the Predacons launch an attack.

[[The Agenda (Part III)|To be continued...]]

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Optimus Primal]] (1)
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (2)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (6)
*[[Rattrap]] (7)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s
|c2=
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (4)
*[[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (5)
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (8)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (9)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (10)

}}
==Quotes==
"Ahhh...I useta be young like that." 
"...What?!" 
"D'yah, I mean, we got trouble. Ohhhh, yeah, trouble with a capital B."
:—'''Rattrap''' and '''Optimus Primal''' on Silverbolt's escape to find Blackarachnia

"I know how you're feeling. You don't know whether to kiss me or... kill me." 
"I'm a ''black widow spider'', you idiot! ...I can do both."
:—'''Silverbolt''' and '''Blackarachnia'''

'''Blackarachnia''': Oh no. You're not saving my life again? Even after I ''shot you''? 
'''Silverbolt''': It's my duty, ma'am, as a Maximal and as a heroic character. 
'''Blackarachnia''': You know I like 'em big and stupid, but you're ''really'' pushing it.
:—Love not only makes you crazy, it makes you break the fourth wall.

"For…the…ROYALTY!"
:—'''Inferno''', before causing the energon explosion

:-'''Rattrap (over comlink)''': hey i got good news and bad news fearless leader.
:-'''Optimus Primal''': okay... what's the good news?
:-'''Rattrap''': Well the good news we don't have to rely on that liein' decepti-creep anymore.
:-'''Optimus Primal''': and the bad news?
:-'''Rattrap''': Well the bad news, HE SWITCHED SIDES!
Rattrap as the con's ship rises behind them already starting on the
whole "were all gonna die" thing.

"This is Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. And if you're hearing this, it means I've failed...''this'' time." 
:—'''Megatron''', causing the fandom to rejoice at his appearance, yet complain that Frank Welker didn't provide the voice

"Not fair. Waspinator minding own business when BANG—gets whole stasis pod right up the kazooty."
:—'''Waspinator'''

"Decepticons forever!"
:—'''Ravage''', before transforming with the traditional noise into a (humongous) mini-cassette, causing the fandom to rejoice without any complaints

==Notes==
*Apparently Silverbolt is <s>stupid</s> chivalrous enough to not only not harm Blackarachnia, but to assist her actively in carrying out Megatron's nefarious schemes. Bad doggy. Bad, bad doggy.
*Apparently Rattrap is far older than even Optimus knows.

===Technical/animation glitches===
* After Silverbolt Punches through the door and knocks Cheetor out, how does the door fully open into the hull without a hitch?

===Continuity errors===
*Tarantulas heads the recovery mission for Megatron's energon stash, yet it's been established that his new base is loaded with stable energon. Why don't he and Ravage simply use ''that'' to repower the stealth cruiser? Tarantulas said in "[[Tangled Web]]" that there was enough energon in [[Tarantulas's lair|his lair]] "to sustain a frugal Predacon for quite some time," which might not amount to enough to repower the cruiser.
* Along those same lines, it's odd how Ravage, one of Generation 1 Megatron's closest confidants and most loyal allies, didn't know of the secret message his leader put on the Golden Disk. Clearly, Megatron doesn't have the same trust in his allies as they do in him.

===Transformers references===
*When Megatron shows the recording from the remains of the Golden Disk, the face and voice of the original Megatron are shown.
*When Ravage transforms, the sound effect is the one used by all Transformers in the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|original series]].
*Originally, when Ravage transformed and inserted his cassette mode into the control console, the Generation 1 cartoon theme song was going to play during his first cry of "Decepticons Forever!" and subsequent attack on the ''Axalon''. However, due to copyright constraints, this plan was dropped, and a more generic song was put in its place.

===Real-world references===
*Silverbolt makes a howling noise to simulate a siren and asks Blackarachnia to "pull this vehicle over".
*When Waspinator is smashed to pieces by the stasis pod ship, a toilet is seen falling down among the wreckage.
*After the crash with Waspinator, when Blackarachnia is saved by Silverbolt, he either breaks the fourth-wall or is genre savvy when he tells her that he's "a heroic character."
*Silverbolt's words about "kiss me or kill me" may be a reference to [[wikipedia:The_Evil_Dead|Ash Williams]].
*Ravage uses [[wikipedia:Dr._Evil|Dr. Evil]]'s raised-pinkie gesture on Megatron.

===Trivia===
*Primal has a tiny trophy of a gorilla on his desk.

*Efforts were made to get [[Frank Welker]] to provide the voice for Megatron's message, but financial and scheduling conflicts precluded this from happening. [[Garry Chalk]] voiced him instead.

*This is the closest Silverbolt ever came to directly taking down Waspinator in the entire series. (Silverbolt was the backseat driver here.)

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers: Metals'' — I Do Love You! ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 8 ([[Universal]])
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers: Metals'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Second Season ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Vol. 1 (Universal) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==External links==
*[http://www.bwtf.com/bw/tvshow/episodes/seasontwo/agenda2/ Synopsis of The Agenda (Part 2) at Ben Yee's website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Agenda part 2}}
[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]

A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court (episode)

2011-08-10T05:30:19Z

Xblade: /* Continuity notes */

{{episode
|image=G1toon starscream king of the castle.jpg
|caption="It's only a model." "Shhh."
|series=G1toon
|ep=40
|prev2=Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2
|next2=The Golden Lagoon
|series2=SRLFtoon
|ep2=30
|series3=''[[Generation 2 (cartoon)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]''
|ep3=11
|prev3=The Master Builders
|next3=The Golden Lagoon
|title="A Deceptacon Raider in King Arthur's Court" "A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court"
|airdate=[[October 24]], 1985
|written by=[[Douglas Booth]]
|production code=#700-39
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''The Transformers go to the sixth century but avoid Camelot, as it is a silly place.'''

:''Japanese title:'' タイムトラベラー (''Time Traveller'', "Time Travellers")
:''German ''Generation 2'' title:'' "'''Sprung in die Vergangenheit'''" ("Jump into the Past")
:''Brazilian title:'' '''Um Cavaleiro Decepticon na Corte do Rei Arthur''' ("A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court")
:''Italian title:'' '''Un Decepticon alla corte di re Artù''' ("A Decepticon in King Arthur's court")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Ramjetinpast.gif|left|175px|thumb|You yellow bastard! Come back here, and get what's coming to you! I'll bite yer legs off!]]

[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] are battling it out with [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]. When the [[Decepticon]]s retreat out of exhaustion, Rumble detects energy in a nearby cave. After they wander inside they are transported to 543 A.D., where they are greeted by [[Wigend du Blackthorne|Sir Wigend du Blackthorne]] and his knights, who believe the [[Transformer]]s are knights of an enemy realm. Their arrival is also observed by an owl, who flies off to inform his master, the wizard [[Beorht]], of this strange new development.

[[Image:Raiderrumblejoust.jpg|right|175px|thumb|Look. In order to maintain airspeed velocity, a Ramjet has to spin its turbines 43 times every second, right?]]

Nearby, [[Nimue]], princess of that enemy kingdom, is spying on their conversation and runs to warn her father, [[Aetheling the Red|Sir Aetheling the Red]], but she bumps into Spike (literally). The Decepticons agree to help Blackthorne's knights win their conflict with Aetheling, but Starscream obviously wants to rule and have a land of his own. Spike enters the jousting tournament between the two kingdoms (which has been rigged by the Decepticons, of course), but quickly fails.

Ramjet and Rumble enter the tournament together (Rumble riding Ramjet in vehicle mode), but are defeated by Warpath and Sir Aetheling. An enraged Starscream is sick of chivalry, kidnaps Nimue and threatens her life unless Sir Aetheling agrees to give up his realm. The Autobots give chase but cannot keep up due to lack of energy and collapse out of exhaustion.

[[Image:Raiderstarscreamcooks.jpg|left|175px|thumb|What manner of man are you, that can summon up fire without flint or tinder?]]

Starscream holds Nimue prisoner in Blackthorne's castle, which he has commandeered, and forces its residents to construct and power a primitive electrical generator to keep the Decepticons energized. Starscream then sends Rumble to get [[wikipedia:potassium nitrate|potassium nitrate]] (in other words, LOTS of bird crap) to make gunpowder.

[[Image:Raiderrollinthehay.jpg|right|175px|thumb|Yes! Yes! You must give us ALL a good spanking!]]

Spike attempts to save Nimue from Blackthorne's keep, only to find she and Sir Blackthorne are now a happy couple. Despite feeling rejected, Spike still agrees to help fight the war against the Decepticons.

Meanwhile, the Autobots and Sir Aetheling's knights charge towards the castle to battle it out with the Decepticons. The Autobots help the knights cross the moat and scale the walls, but they can't put up much of a fight due to their dangerously low energy levels. Starscream's gunpowder projectiles make short work of the invading forces.

[[Image:Raiderdragonvsautobots.jpg|left|175px|thumb|When suddenly... the ANIMATOR suffered a fatal heart attack! And the cartoon peril was no more.]]

Beorht the wizard appears and summons lightning that fills Warpath and Hoist back up to full strength. They take back the battle with Starscream and are victorious. Beorht concludes the robots are time travelers and leads them all back to the cave in which they arrived, only to find it guarded by a [[dragon]]. Starscream refuses to go any closer, but Beorht pulls out a pouch of "[[Dragon's Bane]]", noting that a little bit of it works every time. He throws the concoction at the dragon, and it explodes, frightening away the beast.

Spike and the Transformers go back into the cave and return to the present using the [[Dragon Mound]]. When they arrive back in their own time, they are greeted by multiple cannon blasts by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. Starscream tackles his leader in a burst of enthusiasm at being back safely. Megatron, on the other hand, isn't nearly as happy to see Starscream, who has just ruined his shot...
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (5)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (6)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (1)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (2)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (3)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (4)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (14)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (16)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (18)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (17)
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (15)

|c3=
*[[Nimue]] (7)
*[[Wigend du Blackthorne]] (8)
*[[Wulf]] (9)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (10)
*[[Aetheling the Red]] (11)
*[[Beorht]] (12)

|c4=
*[[Solomon]] the owl
* A [[dragon]] (13)
}}

==Quotes==
"Oohh! I just changed heads last week!"
:—A ground-bound '''Ramjet''' learns that even a tough jet is no match for [[Warpath (G1)|a tank]]

"Out of the way, Rumble! It could be dangerous. As your leader, I must take the risk. Anyway, I'm lower on energy than you!"
:—'''Starscream''' acting true to form.

"Huh! Inferior construction, even for an Autobot. One good whack, it breaks right in two!"
:—'''Ramjet''' examining the "wreckage" of Sir Wulf and his horse.
[[Image:Beorht01.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Look! It's the old man from Scene 24!]]

"What's more important is that we have 1,451 years to go before we have to worry about the Autobots and that bungler Megatron!"
:—Even trapped in the past, '''Starscream''' looks on the bright side, unaware his math is failing.

"Whatcha waiting for, Red Knight? Don't you wanna rumble with Rumble?"
:—"Sir" '''Rumble''' prepares to joust.

[[Image:Raiderrumblepoo.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Who's that there?" "I dunno. Must be a king." "Why?"]]

"Make some idiot twenty feet tall, and he thinks he rules the Earth."
:— '''Beorht''' isn't too impressed by Starscream.

"Starscream! Lower the drawbridge! ''Ugh!'' I got your stupid potassium nitrate!"
:—'''Rumble''', carrying a pot of bird droppings while also covered in same.

"What's the matter? Aren't you glad to see us?" 
"RRRRAGGGH!!"
:—'''Starscream''' asks a rather loaded question of '''Megatron'''.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical errors===
*Warpath's chest cannon's length changes frequently during the episode.
* The first shot of Warpath has him rolling along in tank mode, drawn at about a 1/4-angle viewpoint, but the ground beneath him is scrolling parallel to the camera.
* A bizarre flash of energy envelopes Ramjet as he returns to robot mode after colliding with Warpath.
* When Starscream raises his right arm to point, the Decepticon emblem on his wing is no longer there.
* Again showing a wanton disregard for the background matte, Warpath slides sideways as he drives down the hill.
[[Image:DecepticonRaider Nimue.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Oh, wicked, bad, evil, ''naughty'' Zoot!]]

* Princess Nimue has cleavage that appears and disappears from shot to shot and sometimes frame to frame. And no, you are not a pervert if you watched the episode six times to chronicle this error.
* The script seems to have called for a trumpet fanfare to summon Spike to the jousting field (thus Hoist's "That's your call!" line.) The sound editors complied by timing a fanfare in the background music to coincide with the moment, but the resulting effect is that Warpath seems to be listening to the background music.
* A glint of light off of Sir Aetheling's sword gets a ''very'' loud sound effect. Since sunlight is so loud, y'know.
* When Ramjet rams into Warpath in the jousting duel, his canopy is smashed and nose cone crushed in, yet less than a minute later, he's back to normal when the remaining Decepticons attempt to flee with Starscream.
* As Starscream walks up to kidnap Nimue, the background scrolls behind him much faster than the speed of his walk.
* Starscream is missing his wing emblems as he drives off with Nimue.
* Warpath's tank mode is rather consistently portrayed as bigger and taller than Hoist's truck mode. While that would be accurate in the real world, Hoist is taller than Warpath in robot mode.
* Starscream's mouth doesn't move during most of his "No, Rumble, not I..." line.
* After he throws the gunpowder and puts his hands on his hips, one of Starscream's arm guns isn't quite attached to his arm.
* The tires on Hoist's feet are white instead of black as he stands up after the lightning recharge.
* Hoist tackles Starscream even though one frame later he's seen in vehicle mode.
* A bit of clumsy sound editing towards the end of this episode results in a small but noticeable error. As Hoist says, "That is, if there's a way—" his voice is very abruptly cut off. Then Beohrt announces: "Hoist said 'time'!" when Hoist has actually said nothing of the sort. The line as recorded was "That is, if there's a way back to our own time!" and it was followed by a short scene of Starscream feebly requesting a little energy and being threatened by Warpath, before Beorht makes his proclamation. The removal of the Warpath/Starscream scene appears to have inadvertently clipped the relevant few words off the end of Hoist's line.

===Continuity errors===
[[Image:Spike gets kissed.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Look, let me go back in there and face the peril." "No, it's too perilous." "...Oh, let me have just a little bit of peril?"]]
* If Warpath crushes Ramjet's nosecone in their second collision...why didn't he crush it in their ''first'' encounter?
* The historical accuracy of some aspects of this episode is somewhat lacking. (No! Really?)
** While the recipe for gunpowder expressed in this episode is roughly correct, gunpowder would not make its way to medieval Europe for another eight hundred years or so, and then only from the Far East. Of course, the whole ''point'' of its appearance is that it's a rare, mysterious, wizardly type of thing, so hey.
** Plate armour of the kind worn by the various knights in this episode was not introduced into medieval Europe until around the year 1400—almost a thousand years from the stated ''anno domini'' 543. Even so, one should be fair to the writers and cartoonists, given that major motion pictures like ''Excalibur'' also made this sort of error (or used it for dramatic effect because audiences would easily recognise a stereotypical "knight" as opposed to a historically accurate version). We can let slide the armor that Hoist creates for Spike.
**Also, everyone seems to be speaking [[Wikipedia:Early Modern English|Early Modern English]] instead of [[Wikipedia:Old English|Old English]]. Way to go!
* Starscream's math is out by a decade: 543 + 1451 = 1994, rather than the correct date of the Transformers' awakening, 1984.

===Continuity notes===
[[Image:G1 DecepRaiderinKingArthurs WarpathramsRamjet.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''In war we're tough and able Quite in-de-fa-ti-gable Although at times, we're given rhymes That are quite un-sing-able!'']]

* Ramjet apparently changes his head on a regular basis. Hah!
* Fans have made much of the fact that Warpath defeats Ramjet in a collision, but really, Ramjet's specialty is hitting ''other planes''. Even a tough jet doesn't compare to a ''tank''.
* Warpath makes a strange observation, noting that he's so low on energy that he "can't even stay transformed". Apparently, remaining in vehicle mode consumes energy.
* Warpath speaks with a moving mouthplate in this episode, rather than the cheek blinkers he sometimes has.
**Prehaps also for energy conservation.
* Even if he can't fire lasers, Warpath can still fire shells (and does so, trying to hit Ramjet in the castle).

===Real-world references===
[[Image:Exteriordragonmound.jpg|thumb|right|200px|"SO, brave knights, if you do DOUBT your courage or your strength, come no further! For ''[[Death|DEATH]]'' awaits you ALL...with nasty, big, pointy teeth!"]]

* The title of this episode is an homage to the novel ''[[wikipedia:A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court|A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court]]'' written by [[Mark Twain]] and published in 1889.
* The Dragon Mound is surrounded by a [[wikipedia:Stonehenge|Stonehenge]]-like structure.
* The instrument panel on the time-travel device is written in [[wikipedia:Runic alphabet|Runic alphabet]]. [http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Image:Runes1.jpg] [http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Image:Runes2.jpg]
* Surprisingly, there is a slight bit of Arthurian legend present in the episode. Nimue is an Arthurian character who fell in love with Merlin. Unsurprisingly, that Nimue is nothing like this episode's Nimue.
* ''[[Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
** Luke's saber deflecting the seeker ball bolts can be faintly heard as Beorht recharges Warpath and Hoist.
** The sound of a light saber igniting is used as Beorht drops his electrically charged staff.
* Despite the title, King Arthur doesn't make an appearance in this tale, thus making him Sir-Not-Appearing-In-This-Film.

===Trivia===
[[Image:Deceptacon.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Nu!" "No no no no, it's not that, it's 'ni'." "Nu!" "No no, 'ni'. You're not doing it properly."]]

* The original broadcast version of this episode featured the mis-spelled title, "A Decept'''a'''con Raider..." The error was corrected for the ''[[Generation 2 (cartoon)|Generation 2]]'' version of the episode. Likewise, when [[Kid Rhino]] recreated the title cards for their DVD release of the series, it was also amended. This flub seemed minor then, [[Scorpinok|but]] [[A Tale of Two Heros|years]] [[Imprisoned Inferno|later...]]

* This episode was never broadcast in Italy in the '80s and, as such, it only got dubbed in Italian with the 2008 full G1 redubbing.

* Spike actually gets a kiss from a girl. What will [[Carly]] think?

* This episode is one of four pre-movie episodes in which [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] does not appear.

[[Image:DecepticonRaider-NotHank.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Fear not, Ranger! Or is that "Fear not-Ranger"?]]

* Among the audience members watching the joust is a dark-skinned man whose outfit greatly resembles the one worn by Hank the Ranger in the [[wikipedia:Dungeons and Dragons (TV series)|''Dungeons and Dragons'' animated series]]—not entirely surprising, as that program was produced by [[Marvel Productions]], who partnered with [[Sunbow Productions|Sunbow]] on ''Transformers'', and both shows were animated by [[Toei]]. Next to "Hank" are a man with a shield and a woman in a cloak, but they do not otherwise strongly resemble Eric the Cavalier or Sheila the Thief, characters who were associated with magical versions of those items in the ''Dungeons and Dragons'' cartoon.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1994 — ''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' — Convoy Set ([[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''The Transformers'' — Autobot Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers'' — DVD Box 1 (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1: Vol. 4 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2003 — ''Transformers'' — Season 2 Part 1 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 2: Series 2.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Italy.png|20px|Italy]] 2008 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 04: Stagione Due Parte Seconda ([[Medianetwork Communication]]) — English and Italian audio. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season Two: Part One (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Season Two, Volume One: 25th Anniversary Edition ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection (Shout! Factory)

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

{{DEFAULTSORT:Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court}}
[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]
[[Category:Generation 2 episodes]]

Crumplezone (Animated)

2011-08-08T04:03:46Z

Xblade: /* Notes */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Crumplezone}}

:''Crumplezone is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Animated_Crumplezone.jpg|thumb|right|300px|]]
'''Crumplezone''' is best pals with [[Ransack (Animated)|Ransack]]. Unfortunately, trouble always finds the two.

He transforms into some sort of three-wheeled Cybertronian race car with turbo boosters.

==Fiction==
===''Animated''===
Crumplezone and Ransack were chased by the [[Transtech (Animated)|Transtech]] cop [[Cheetor (Animated)|Cheetor]], who sought to arrest the two for "moving violations". The two tried to flee, but Cheetor proved a persistent pursuer, and Crumplezone wound up rocketing off the top of a ramp at such speed that he lost control and landed on top on Ransack, his impact leaving a massive crater. Once Cheetor caught up with the duo and proclaimed their arrest, Crumple and Ransack only had one question: "What did we '''do?'''"

Thanks to his needless chase of innocent Transformers and other impulsive actions, Cheetor was demoted to [[Iacon Central]]. {{storylink|Moving Violations}}

==Notes==
*Crumplezone is, of course, based on [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Crumplezone]], specifically his "Dark Crumplezone" redeco. (Minus the Decepticon logo anyways)

[[Category: Animated Autobots]]
[[Category: Comic-only Transformers]]
[[Category: Fan Club-original characters]]

Mission Accomplished

2011-08-08T00:13:41Z

Xblade: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|series2=AniJapan
|image=Jagged.JPG
|caption=Starscream refused to invoke his right to remain silent, so the Autobots decided to enforce it.
|ep=19
|ep2=18
|prev2=The Return of the Headmaster
|next2=Garbage In, Garbage Out
|title="Mission Accomplished"
|airdate= [[April 26]], [[2008]]
|written by= [[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Irineo Maramba]] [[Yoshio Frank Chatani|Yoshio Chatani]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]}}

'''Convinced there are no Decepticons left on Earth, the Elite Guard prepares to take Optimus Prime and his crew back to Cybertron, unaware of the increasing Decepticon activity taking place under their very noses.'''

==Synopsis==
The Autobot [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] sends a message to the Earth-based Autobots, revealing he is under attack from Decepticons and has already lost one [[space bridge]]. He requests backup, but the transmission is cut off. Ultra Magnus explains this is but one of many reports of rising Decepticon activity. Jazz thinks it is due to the rumours of Megatron's survival, and Sentinel can't resist an opportunity to make a snide comment about the source of those rumours: Optimus Prime. Magnus therefore decides that all Earth-bound Autobots will make preparations to leave the planet. When Optimus protests due to the presence of Decepticons on Earth, Ultra Magnus brushes him off, whilst Sentinel butts in with another tirade about putting Prime up for an inquiry (or a [[wikipedia:court-martial|court-martial]], as Optimus perceives it). Ultra Magnus tries to make his position clear; that in the long run, everyone is better off believing Megatron is dead. Putting forward the idea of the Decepticon leader surviving and the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] being destroyed would cause panic among the Autobots and strengthen the resolve of the Decepticons. An outraged Optimus is forced into compliance.

Back at the factory, Sari is heartbroken by the idea of her friends being forced to leave Earth. The situation is made worse when Sentinel shows up. With his usual grace and tact, he tells Sari to belt up and officially inducts Optimus's team into the war effort. In the middle of insulting the "repair grunts", he makes a gesture of sorts to Optimus: Do as Ultra Magnus says, admit he's been lying, and Sentinel will use his connections to get Optimus's military career back on track, as thanks for [[The Return of the Headmaster|the recent Headmaster incident]]. When Optimus tells him what to do with his offer, Sentinel places him under formal arrest.

[[Image:Tooyoungtodie.JPG|left|180px|thumb|Go to your happy place, Screamer.]]

On a garbage scow moving along the river, Starscream suddenly reactivates. Disorientated, he panics when he realises that not only can he not pick up any other Decepticon energy signatures, he can't even pick up his own! After a moment of shock, he recovers and gets his bearings: he's alive and still on Earth. Furious at Megatron's attempt on his life, he transforms and blasts off into the sky.

At the Decepticon base, Blitzwing and Lugnut successfully test out Professor Sumdac's new Decepticon signal dampener. Mildly impressed, Megatron quickly moves on, demanding the creation of a subspace communicator so he can contact his forces in space to call off the aimless skirmishes until he can build his own space bridge. When Sumdac comments that Earth technology is too primitive to create a tachyon transmitter, Megatron smugly informs him that they will simply steal the required tech from the Elite Guard's ship. Meanwhile, the Autobots are trying to figure out what to do with Sari, so they take her to the most together human they know, Captain Fanzone—although they do point out that most of the humans they know are criminally insane, such as [[Meltdown (Animated)|Meltdown]] and [[Nanosec]].

[[Image:MissionAccomplished-Fanzoneindressinggown.jpg|right|175px|thumb|It's not what it looks like.]]

While they handle that, Optimus is on the Elite Guard's ship, with Sentinel still trying to convince him to play ball. Optimus refuses to lie, while Sentinel says that confirming there are no Decepticons on Earth would merely confirm what their sensors are saying. While they argue, Lugnut and Blitzwing tunnel under the ship's shield and steal a tachyon transmitter. As they make their escape, they fail to notice Starscream tailing them back to base.

[[Image:Swordscream.JPG|left|180px|thumb|And so begins the greatest ''Transformers'' montage of all time.]]

As Lugnut presents his prize to Megatron, Starscream makes his presence known. What follows is a quick but decisive victory for Megatron, who simply slashes Starscream before blasting him point-blank. Lugnut checks to see if Starscream is still online, and finding no spark, helps Blitzwing toss his corpse into the river. After floating downstream, Starscream suddenly reactivates again. He realises he lacks a spark and discovers he is being kept alive by a fragment of the AllSpark buried in his head, effectively making him immortal. Delighted, he declares the end of Megatron's era. As Megatron sends his message out to the Decepticons, Starscream attacks...and is promptly killed again. After a couple more fruitless attempts, he starts to wonder if he needs a new strategy. His fragment allows him to locate a second shard, and a plan begins to formulate...

[[Image:Sentinel Prime shocked.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Sentinel Prime: Totally owned. Again.]]

At the Elite Guard ship, Magnus presses Optimus Prime to cooperate, when Jazz reveals that he's discovered a sudden surge in AllSpark energy. Concluding that it's another shard, Magnus and Jazz go to retrieve it, while Sentinel is to remain and watch Optimus. As Sentinel moans, Optimus realizes that they had only found AllSpark shards before due to [[AllSpark Key|Sari's key]]. Doing a thermal scan, he discovers Starscream. Optimus tries to warn Ultra Magnus, but Sentinel threatens to put him in [[stasis cuffs]] if he tries to leave. Optimus is able to take down Sentinel and place him in the cuffs, then [[Roll out|rolls out]].

Meanwhile, Optimus' crew are watching Sari "interview" Captain Fanzone, who is not very fond of children, when Optimus contacts them and tells his team to meet him en route to the train.

As Starscream gloats about his plan to draw out Megatron and kill him in a massive explosion, Ultra Magnus and Jazz arrive, as do Megatron and Blitzwing. Megatron realizes that it's a trap set by Starscream, while Magnus and Jazz have trouble extracting the shard. An energy surge throws the Elite Guard off the train. Further ahead along the tracks, Optimus orders Prowl to sever the passenger cars from the main car, while Bumblebee takes Sari to use her key to remove the shard. They succeed, but the train still nearly crashes, only stopped because Ratchet uses his magnets from ahead while Bulkhead, anchored by Optimus Prime, grabs the rear of the train. High in the air, as Starscream fumes about the lost opportunity, Megatron appears, ready to beat him senseless.

On the ground, Ultra Magnus reprimands Optimus Prime, while Sentinel Prime arrives and accuses him of assault. Though Optimus defends his position, both Elite Guardsmen point out that there is no evidence of Decepticons—only for Starscream to crash into the ground mere meters away, causing Sentinel Prime to freak out at the sight of an actual Decepticon. Quickly coming back online, Starscream takes advantage of Magnus's momentary inattention to blast the Autobot leader into unconsciousness from point-blank range, taking the shard with him. The Autobots' attempts to take down Starscream fail, until Optimus comes up with a plan—although an intervention from Jazz is required to make Sentinel go along with it. Having Sentinel draw Starscream's attention, Optimus uses the stasis cuffs on the Decepticon, who is then taken to the Elite Guard ship—with his mouth riveted shut.

Ultra Magnus admits that Optimus Prime was right about there being Decepticons on Earth, and though Sentinel Prime brings up the assault and insubordination charges, Magnus still supports Optimus's actions. Magnus decides that Optimus Prime's crew will remain on Earth to locate the remaining AllSpark shards and capture the Decepticons, while the Elite Guard returns to Cybertron for Magnus to conduct the war effort. Sari is overjoyed that the Autobots are staying, but promises Captain Fanzone that they can still hang out.

Meanwhile, Megatron tells his minions to inform their double agent on Cybertron that the Decepticons have repledged their allegiance to Megatron and that their attacks will draw Autobot forces away from the Transformers' home world. Once the space bridge technology is fully developed, Megatron's group will return to Cybertron and conquer the planet from within...

==Featured characters==

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] (1)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (2)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (3)
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (7)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (8)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (9)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (10)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (11)
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (12)
*[[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] (13)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (15)

|c3=
*[[Sari Sumdac]] (6)
*[[Isaac Sumdac]] (14)
*[[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"You dare strike ME, Megatron? After all my loyal stellar cycles of—wh-wu-wait, where is everybody? How did I get here? I'm not picking up any Decepticon energy signatures... not even my own. I'm too young to be offline!"
:—On coming back from the dead, '''Starscream''''s speech-making tendencies outweigh his observational skills.

'''Starscream''': Ahhh. If it isn't my old pal Megatron. And by old pal, I mean the piece of scum who tried to incinerate me into oblivion! 
'''Megatron''': Starscream... you're alive? 
'''Starscream''': What's the matter? You look like you have seen a ghost. Welll... maybe you have! 
'''Megatron''': Is that the best you can do, Starscream? And to think you actually believed you could take over as leader of the Decepticons. You couldn't lead a parade. 
:-'''Starscream''' and '''Megatron''' get reacquainted again.

[[Image:Number one wink.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Thumbs up, soldier!]]
'''Fanzone''': Why me? 
'''Bumblebee''': You're tops on the list of all the humans we know personally. 
'''Bulkhead''': Although, it is kind of a short list. 
'''Prowl''': And it does include [[Prometheus Black]] and [[Nanosec]]. 
'''Bumblebee''': But still, you're number one! 
:—The Autobots try to get Captain Fanzone to adopt Sari. They need to work on their sales pitch.

"Fellow Decepticons, take heed. Your leader, Megatron, still lives! Though we remain dispersed throughout the far reaches of the galaxy, exiled from our true home, we are all still Decepticons, united by a common purpose. The time has come for us to put aside our differences and act as one under my undisputed leadership. Only then can we cast off the shackles of Autobot oppression. Working together, we can raise up our glorious empire once more and crush all who stand in our way!"
:—'''Megatron''' has a good speechwriter

"When are you going to get it through your thick processor? There are no Decepticons on this planet! So keep your audio unit shut or I'll do it for you." ''[brandishes stasis cuffs]'' 
''[beat]'' "I'd like to see you try, you worthless crankshaft!" 
"THAT'S IT!" ''[ten seconds later]'' "You put me in stasis lock?!"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''', owned by '''Optimus Prime''' yet again.

"'''''STARSCREEEEEEAM!!!!!'''''" 
"Sorry, you must have me confused with some other harrier jet."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Starscream'''. We don't think he bought it, Screamer.

'''Sentinel''': Optimus Prime, you are under arrest for assaulting an Elite Guard officer. Add that to the other charges against you, and you can kiss your career goodbye. Do you have anything to say for yourself? 
'''Optimus''': ...Incoming! 
''[Starscream crashes from high altitude into the ground.]'' 
'''Sentinel''': WHAT IS THAT THING?! 
'''Optimus''': Oh, that's right, you've never seen one up close. It's called...a Decepticon.
:—Starscream crashes to Earth, freaks out Sentinel Prime, and gives Optimus Prime the proof he needs.

"Yeesh, Optimus, think you could have drawn that one out any longer?" 
"You're welcome, Sentinel." 
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' and '''Optimus Prime''', same old song and dance.

==Notes==
*This episode was first broadcast in Canada on April 26, one week before its United States premiere, and during the American premiere of the episode "[[The Return of the Headmaster]]".

===Animation or technical errors===
* When Starscream drops into Megatron's mountain base for the first time, the "glow" effect on his jet exhaust is misaligned for several seconds until he 'catches up' to it.
* Just before Prime activates the thermal scan of the cloud bank supposedly concealing Starscream, Starscream is already plainly visible on the viewscreen. If Starscream wasn't meant to be concealed, then it's a continuity error, as Prime wouldn't need a thermal scan to detect him, just a magnified visual, unless Starscream has a different heat signature than normal Harrier Jets.
* When Megatron comments on the success of Isaac Sumdac's Decepticon signal dampener, Blitzwing's wings disppear. This error is repeated in [[A Fistful of Energon]].
*When the screen scrolls to the side after Isaac Sumdac starts working on Megatron's body, Megatron's head is clearly too big for the body, and it's farther away.

===Continuity errors===

* Megatron and the other Decepticons don't seem to wonder why it is that Starscream keeps coming back, despite the fact that they note that his spark compartment is empty. (Unless Megs knew of Screamer's fragment in advance and decided to keep him around as a playtoy for violence.)
* Megatron shatters Starscream's yellow cockpit the first and fourth times he "kills" him in the episode, leaving his empty spark chamber visible. When Starscream pulls a [[wikipedia:Jack_Harkness|Captain Jack]], it is still missing. After he sees his reflection in the water the first time, and simply when they cut to a different angle on the fourth time, it is suddenly present and intact once more. (It's possible that's because of the miraculous powers of the AllSpark shard; if it can keep Starscream online, it surely can regenerate any damage he has taken.)
* The AllSpark shard Starscream recovers changes size constantly, from barely fitting into Starscream's hand, to small enough to fit into Optimus's palm with his hand closed.
* How did Sentinel get the stasis cuffs off?
* Captain Fanzone's wife is mentioned in "[[Total Meltdown]]", but she's neither seen nor mentioned here. A possible divorce, perhaps?
* When Optimus Prime puts the newly acquired fragment of the AllSpark into its housing, there are four shards total, even though thus far, only two have been recovered by the Autobots on-screen. Optimus does note in the episode that, in the past, [[AllSpark Key|Sari's key]] had been the primary tool used to locate fragments of the AllSpark. As this has only happened in the episode "The Elite Guard" so far (as well as this episode), it is conceivable that the Autobots managed to locate two other "SmallSparks" off-screen.
* As Lugnut and Blitzwing tunnel under the force shield to the Elite Guard's ship, they leave a gigantic hole, which no one notices. And later on, the hole has mysteriously disappeared.
* When the Autobots stop the train, Sari is somehow not hurled forward off its roof by her own momentum, even though she is not restrained in any fashion.

===Transformers references===
* Much like [[Starscream (G1)|his Generation 1 counterpart]], [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] is now immortal, only this time they actually explain why and leave him with a body.

===Real-world references===
* [[wikipedia:Mission Accomplished|The title. Nuff said.]]
* Starscream refers to his disguise as a [[wikipedia:Harrier Jump Jet|Harrier Jet]]. Pity his model won't turn up for another hundred years or so.

===Trivia===
* Along with [[Transformer|machines]] and [[Survival of the Fittest|lawyers]], it seems [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] doesn't like kids.
* It's not clear how Starscream ended up in the garbage scow. If the Autobots threw him there, wouldn't they have retrieved him (as proof of Decepticon activity) in "[[The Elite Guard]]"? If it was humans, why didn't they keep his body in order to study alien technology? One of the Decepticons may have thrown him into the scow as a gesture of contempt or to hide their presence on Earth...but we don't know for sure.
* In the first interior shot of the Decepticons' hideout, we see the markings on the top of their computer station resemble the upper half of the Decepticon sigil, complete with glowing eyes.
* In his speech, Megatron goes on about how the Decepticons are united by a common purpose and need to put aside their differences, yet Megatron himself is beating the slag out of a fellow Decepticon for the duration of the speech. How ironic.
* Starscream is not just beaten up, but ''killed'' by Megatron five times in a ''single episode''. Definitely a new record.
* The Elite Guard does not come off very well in this episode: Ultra Magnus and Jazz fail to notice a large hole the size of [[Lugnut (Animated)|a B2 bomber]] when leaving their ship, a tachyon transmitter gets ripped off their ship without them even noticing, Sentinel Prime freaks out at the mere sight of a Decepticon, and Ultra Magnus gets defeated by Starscream after only one shot. (To be fair, it ''was'' at point-blank range, ''right in the face''.)
* Megatron mentions having a double agent on Cybertron. [[Shockwave (Animated)|Who could it be?]]
* With this episode, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|all]] [[Ironhide (Movie)|five]] [[Bumblebee (Movie)|of]] [[Jazz (Movie)|the]] [[Ratchet (Movie)|Autobots]] from [[Transformers (2007)|the live-action movie]] have appeared in ''Transformers: Animated''.
* When Sentinel is trying to bribe Optimus, he says he could get Optimus re-instated in the Elite Guard, yet in the flashback in "[[Endgame, Part I]]", Optimus would be expelled from the Autobot Academy, and rendered permanently ineligible from joining the Elite Guard in the first place.
* Optimus Prime's crew has already proven to be smaller and less powerful than the Decepticons yet these Autobots are all that the great Autobot Supreme Commander could think of to leave behind on Earth to fight and capture the really powerful MEGATRON!? Sure, he left some stasis cuffs, but it's still a gross overestimation of their abilities. That plan is worse than movie Optimus Prime's.
* Sari got magnetic shoes for the train mission.

===Foreign dubbing===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''La revanche de Starscream'''" ("The Revenge of Starscream")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Mission erfüllt'''" ("Mission Fulfilled")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 17|17 July]] [[2008]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Bakuchin Kanryō!'''" (爆鎮完了!, "Blast-Extinguishing Complete!")<ref>This is the title of the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtvuT0ppP7Q second opening theme] for ''[[wikipedia:Tomica Hero: Rescue Fire|Tomica Hero: Rescue Fire]]'', the live-action [[wikipedia:tokusatsu|''tokusatsu'']] show that previously held ''Transformers: Animated''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s time slot. It was sung by [[JAM Project]], who also sings the Japanese opening theme to ''Animated''. In-jokes, ahoy!</ref>
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 31|31 July]] [[2010]]
::* New stock footage of Prowl transforming has him delivering the "watch TV in a bright room" message, while Jazz does the intro.
::* In this [[Otoboto family]] segment, [[Hiroyuki Otoboto|Hiroyuki]] and [[Tatsuya Otoboto|Tatsuya]] are demonstrating gameplay of ''[[Transformers Animated: The Chase]]'' and ''[[Transformers Animated: The Shooting]]''. ...all to see who gets to eat a [[wikipedia:Taiyaki|taiyaki]].

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Misja wykonana'''" ("Mission Accomplished")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

==Home video releases==
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Season Two ([[Transformers Animated (cartoon)/home video|Paramount]]) — English and Spanish audio. 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Volume Four: Mission Accomplished (Paramount) — English and German audio. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Volume Four: Mission Accomplished (Paramount) — English and German audio. 
[[Image:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Volume Vier: Mission Erfüllt (Paramount) — English and German audio. 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2010 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Vol. 5 (Paramount) — Japanese audio only.

== Footnotes ==
<references/>

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Swindle (disambiguation)

2011-08-08T00:06:35Z

Xblade:

The name '''Swindle''' has been assigned to several different ''Transformers'' characters:

{{disamb|y=1986|[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] jeep from [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]].}}

{{disamb|y=2002|[[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]] the [[Mini-Con]] partner to [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] from the [[Unicron Trilogy]].}}

{{disamb|y=2004|"Swindle", the Japanese name for the ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Bruticus Maximus (Energon)|Bruticus Maximus]] combiner member [[Blight (Energon)|Blight]].}}

{{disamb|y=2005|[[Swindle (Universe)|Swindle]] the [[Micromaster]] train and member of the [[Railbot]]s from ''[[Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]''.}}

{{disamb|y=2006|[[Swindle (Cybertron)|Swindle]] the [[Decepticon]] offroad buggy and savage twin brother of [[Hardtop (Cybertron)|Hardtop]] from ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]''.}}

{{disamb|y=2007|[[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]] the red [[Decepticon]] car from the [[Transformers (2007)|Transformers live-action movie]] continuity family.}}

{{disamb|y=2008|[[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] the Humvee-based Decepticon arms dealer from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]''.}}

{{disamb|y=2009|[[Swindle (ROTF)|Swindle]] the [[Combaticon (ROTF)|Combaticon]] helicopter from ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''.}}

Swindle should not be confused with...

* [[Swindler]] the [[Micromaster]] DeLorean from Generation 1.
* [[Swindle, Swindle & Swindle]] the store from [[Transtech]].
* [[Rollbar (RID)]] the decepticon who resembles him.

{{disambig}}

Partners (Prime)

2011-07-31T06:02:35Z

Xblade: /* Transformers references */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 20
|prev=Rock Bottom
|next=
|image=Partners-ScreamPrisoner.jpg
|caption="What do you mean, Frenzy isn't red?!"
|title="Partners"
|airdate=[[July 23]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Mike Johnson]]
|directed by=[[Vinton Heuck]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}
'''The team is surprised to learn that Starscream wants to become an Autobot.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Partners1_Airachnid_Megs.jpg|250px|thumb|left|"Airachnid, fetch me my [[Rubber Ducky|rubber ducky!]]"]]
Aboard the ''[[Nemesis (Prime)|Nemesis]]'', [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] confesses his sins before [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] and claims to have made peace with his position as second-in-command. He goes to the bridge where [[Airachnid]] is telling [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] about one of his indiscretions, a failure to disclose the location of the crash site of the ''[[Harbinger]]'', a Decepticon transport ship that crashed on Earth while containing an experimental weapon. Megatron orders him to lead Airachnid to the crash site to retrieve the weapon.

[[Image:Partners2_Arcee_talk_to_rock.jpg‎|250px|thumb|right|It's like talking to Soundwave.]]
[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] stands at [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]]'s graveside and talks to her old partner, promising to find the Decepticon responsible for his death.

Starscream and Airachnid reach the ''Harbinger'' crash site, but Airachnid is deliberately cagey about what the weapon is they're looking for. She's impressed by the fact that Starscream was the one who terminated Cliffjumper, but reveals she knows about the fact that Megatron was planning to terminate him at the [[Stripped energon mine|energon mine]]. They burrow their way down to the buried wreck, and Airachnid accesses the ship computer to find the location of the cargo. Starscream warns that the signal might alert the Autobots.

Indeed, at that moment [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] alerts [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus]] that the base sensors have detected an ancient Decepticon signal.

Airachnid finds that corridor to the weapon ends in a stone wall. The ship broke in half before crashing, and the weapon is in the other half of the ship. Starscream won't tell her where the other half is, so she binds him in a web, and threatens him until he blabs. She leaves him there with the suggestion that she ''might'' come back, but runs into the Autobots in a corridor. Forced to double back, she drills her way through the ground, and is followed by Arcee, much to Optimus's concern. On the surface, Airachnid swiftly gets the better of Arcee, but Prime's arrival forces Airachnid to retreat in 'copter mode. Optimus reminds Arcee that trying to seek revenge for [[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]]'s death isn't a good idea. [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] resurface with Starscream as a captive, and they're all surprised when the Decepticon says he wants to switch sides. Optimus, Arcee, and Bulkhead have a brief discussion and decide to take Starscream along, for now.
[[Image:Partners3_Starscream_Airachnid.jpg‎‎|250px|thumb|left|And the fangirls go wild.]]

Airachnid finds the other half of the ''Harbinger'' and pulls the experimental weapon, a staff, from its container.

The Autobots arrive at the stone arch. Optimus believes they should seriously consider letting Starscream join the team because allowing the Decepticons redemption will be important to establishing peace. He leaves Arcee guarding Starscream, and takes Bumblebee and Bulkhead to find the ship. As Prime's team approaches the ''Harbinger'', Airachnid begins opening fire with the staff, a weapon named the [[Immobilizer]], and freezes Bulkhead in place.

Starscream tries to convince Arcee that he's safe to let go, but inadvertently lets Arcee know that he was the one who killed Cliffjumper. He frantically attempts to convince her that is was a mercy killing, but Arcee doesn't buy it. She throws down the key to the cuffs so he can free himself and make it a fair fight, but he tricks her into getting close enough that he can wound her with his claws.

Optimus and Bumblebee take cover behind a rock, but Airachnid burrows underground, coming up behind them and zapping Prime. Bumblebee starts exchanging fire with the Decepticon.

As Arcee and Starscream fight, Starscream taunts her by asking if Tailgate was weak like Cliffjumper.

Airachnid gloats over her new trophies, but the dust kicked up by Airachnid's weapon strikes on a nearby rock gives Bumblebee an idea. He blasts the rock face some more, kicking up a thick cloud of dust. Airachnid sweeps the cloud with the Immobilizer, and when the cloud clears, Bumblebee stands motionless. While Airachnid goes back to talking to Prime, Bumblebee sneaks up behind her and sucker punches her. As the Immobilizer is thrown into the air, Bumblebee shoots it and it shatters. Airachnid flees under fire from Bumblebee.

Starscream gets the upper hand in his fight against Arcee, kicking her around brutally. As he moves in to finish her off, she reveals she's been playing possum, and delivers a series of blows that brings him down. Arcee has her blades at Starscream's throat, ready to kill him, when she realizes that they're being watched by Bumblebee. She lets Starscream limp away and collapses.
[[Image:Partners4_Arcee_Starscream_fight.jpg‎|250px|thumb|right|"You can trust this face, can't you?"]]

Back on the ''Nemesis'', Megatron is not happy at all with Airachnid, not because she failed to retrieve the Immobilizer, but because she left Starscream in the hands of the Autobots.

At the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], Ratchet has repaired the Immobilizer and used it to unfreeze Optimus and Bulkhead. Arcee has also been repaired, but blames herself for chasing away Starscream.

Elsewhere, Starscream bashes his clamp bonds against a rock wall, shattering them. He realizes that he is now an independent, beholden to no one.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (6)
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (7)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (8)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (9)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (10)
*[[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]] (11, flashback)
*[[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] (12, flashback)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] (2)
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (3)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (4)
*[[Airachnid]] (5)

|c3=

|c4=

}}

==Quotes==
"I have been a fool. Made mistakes. Monumental ones. I now realize I was never destined to be leader, or even an equal partner. And, I am at peace with that. I have gained a clear understanding of my place in the universe. Of who I am. Of who I was always meant to be. STARSCREAM: second in command, humble servant to Lord Megatron. Thank you for listening, Soundwave."
:—'''Starscream''' speaks before Soundwave. Like talking to a brick wall.

"Hey partner, heck of a view you got up here. If there's even a small chance your spark is out there listening, well, we could really use you, Cliff. Seems like everyday another Decepticon arrives on the scene. We're outnumbered and outgunned. Yeah, I know what you'd say, 'Sounds like a fair fight,' and if that's the world we live in, so be it. I just want you to know, I haven't given up. I'm going to find the Con who took you from us."
:—'''Arcee''' visiting Cliffjumper's grave, and foreshadowing all at the same time. Multi-tasking.

"Oh you would do well to respect me, Airachnid. Before I joined Megatron, I was Air Commander of a squadron of Energon Seekers." 
"On Cybertron, and how many eons ago was that?"
:—'''Starscream''' tries to be hot, and gets burned by '''Airachnid'''

"Freeze!"
:—'''Airachnid''', a bug with a pun.

"Airachnid... what I wouldn't do to get my hands around her wretched throat." 
"So we can agree on one thing." 
"Oh, you have no idea. She showed up one day and the next thing you know, she's acting like she runs the place. She whispered lies into Megatron's ear, maneuvered to remove me of my rightful place." 
"Well... she terminated my partner." 
"What?! She's taking credit for scrapping him now too?! That was my doing!" 
"What? You weren't there." 
"Uh, of course I wasn't. I don't know what I was thinking." 
"Who are you talking about?" 
"No one. Who are you talking about?" 
"Tailgate." 
"Who's Tailgate?"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Arcee''' compare their stories on Airachnid only for Starscream to let it slip about Cliffjumper. Poor screamer, you know it goes only downhill from here.

"You left Starscream with the Autobots?! Do you have any notion of the consequences of your blunder?!" 
"But, my lordship! It was Starscream's incompetence that cost us the Immobilizer!" 
"I don't care about some trinket! My second-in-command is a prisoner of the enemy! Which means all Decepticon intelligence could be at the fingertips of the Autobots!"
:—'''Megatron''' rages while '''Airachnid''' watches her chances of being his new BFF vanish.

"It is the external wounds which heal the quickest." 
"I thought settling scores would allow me to move on... instead I chased away our hope of winning this war anytime soon." 
"Wisdom cannot be granted, Arcee. It must be earned, sometimes at a cost."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Arcee''' on being the better 'bot.

"I have been a fool. Made mistakes. Monumental ones. But I have gained a clear understanding of my place in the universe. Of who I am. Starscream: aligned with no side; servant, to no one."
:—'''Starscream''' goes rogue on us. [[Starscream (G1)|What]] [[Starscream_(Armada)|a]] [[Starscream (Animated)|shock]].

==Notes==
===Animation or technical errors===
* For most of his scenes prior, Bumblebee's optics had their center blue piece. Just after Starscream frees himself, Bumblebee is missing this piece again. This has been a common occurrence through the show.
* When Airachnid freezes Prime, his battle mask is drawn back. Next scene, he has it out again.
* When begging for mercy as Arcee pins him to the ground, Starscream's eyes (save for the pupils) are completely red (well, actually, just a bit pinkish, even). It does make him look even more scared, though. Until his next scene, when they're still like that.

===Continuity errors===

===Continuity notes===
*Airachnid rejoined the Decepticons after the events of "[[Metal Attraction]]". Good thing that magnetism wore off.
*Starscream recalls how he did away with Cliffjumper in "[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]". And gloats about it too.
*Arcee confirms Megatron's attempt to kill Starscream from "[[Rock Bottom]]".
*Tailgate's death is brought up. His death was originally shown via flashback in "[[Predatory]]".
*Optimus has replaced the [[trailer]] blown up by [[MECH]] in "[[Convoy (episode)|Convoy]]" with an identical looking one.

===Transformers references===
*Starscream claims his previous rank used to be the "[[Air Commander]]" of [[energon (fuel)|Energon]] [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. "Energon Seeker" is the [[Scientist (WFC)|Scientist]] chassis used by Starscream in the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]'' game.
*The [[Wheeljack Instant Immobilizer|Immobilizer]] is a weapon previously used by Decepticons, as well as the name for the [[The Immobilizer|episode]] it is featured in. Sadly, unlike the original Immobilizer, it was not invented by [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]].
*Bulkhead sarcastically refers to "lobbing with [[The Fallen]]". Lobbing was the game he played with Wheeljack during the latter's brief visit to Earth.
*[[Starscream (Armada)|Another Screamer]] [[Regeneration| atempted]] to switch sides once, only the 'bot he [[Slag (slang)|slaged]] got reformated and he lasted much longer.

===Foreign dubbing===

===Real-world references===
*In another example of Starscream using human expressions, after listing his grievances with the Decepticons, he offers to "rat them out".
*"Be still, my beating [[Spark]]" is a variation of the human phrase "Be still, my beating heart", which is most often recited after seeing one's romantic interest.

===Trivia===
*This episode was dedicated to Captain H. L. "Larry" Cullen, [[Peter Cullen]]'s older brother, who served as a United States Marine in Vietnam and was the primary inspiration for Optimus Prime's voice. He died aged 70 on [[March 25]], 2011, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on July 21, two days before the episode's broadcast.<ref>[http://www.legacy.com/can-montreal/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=152438186 ''Montreal Gazette'' obituary for H. L. "Larry" Cullen.]</ref>
*This is the first episode to not feature, or even include, humans.
*This is the first time in this series—and one of very few instances in the entire history of the franchise—when a character's thoughts are heard out-loud.
*This episode also deals with something that is often not addressed throughout the franchise: Starscream, for all his weaknesses and flaws throughout his various incarnations, is a very important part of the Decepticon war machine. Megatron is more furious at Starscream's (believed) capture than he is at the loss of a powerful weapon like the Immobilizer (which he dismisses as 'some trinket').
*Ratchet gains yet another Decepticon weapon to study in this episode. Maybe he'll bring one into battle sometime soon?

==Home video releases==

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Prime episodes]]