Autobot Spike: Difference between revisions
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{{episode | |||
|series=G1toon | |||
|ep=17 | |||
|series2=SRLFtoon | |||
|ep2=11 | |||
|image=AutobotSpike Autobotx concealed weapon.jpg | |||
|caption=That kid's gonna need a lot of therapy. | |||
|title="Autobot Spike" | |||
|production code=#700-13 | |||
|airdate=[[September 23]], 1985 | |||
|written by=[[Donald F. Glut]] | |||
}} | |||
'''A wounded Spike is turned into an Autobot Frankenstein's monster to save his life.''' | '''A wounded Spike is turned into an Autobot Frankenstein's monster to save his life.''' | ||
:''Japanese title:'' フランケンシュタイン・スパイク (''Frankenstein Spike'') | |||
==Synopsis== | |||
[[Image:AutobotSpike-AutobotXTabled.jpg|left|200px|thumb|In the future, Autobot X will be revived to systematically battle groups of 8 animal-themed robots.]] | |||
The Autobots gather around [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s worktable in [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]] for a demonstration. Using spare parts and human ingenuity, Sparkplug has cobbled together a large robot he has dubbed [[Autobot X]], and with a flip of a switch sets him loose. He immediately runs amok—groaning, growling and smashing everything in sight. It takes [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] to bring him down. Sparkplug apologizes to [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] for the mess and recommends Autobot X be put in storage. | |||
The Autobots gather around [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]'s worktable in [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]] for a demonstration. Using spare parts and human ingenuity, Sparkplug has cobbled together a large robot he has dubbed [[ | |||
Before this can be done, the party is interrupted by an alarm. Decepticons are attacking the new Air Force rocket base. The Autobots roll out to the base and engage the Decepticons. During the battle, the rockets and their fuel are inadvertently destroyed, and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] orders a retreat. | Before this can be done, the party is interrupted by an alarm. Decepticons are attacking the new Air Force rocket base. The Autobots roll out to the base and engage the Decepticons. During the battle, the rockets and their fuel are inadvertently destroyed, and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] orders a retreat. | ||
To cover their escape, Megatron creates a diversion for the Autobots; he blasts [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] while [[ | To cover their escape, Megatron creates a diversion for the Autobots; he blasts [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] while [[Spike Witwicky]] is riding in him. The attack leaves Bumblebee damaged and Spike comatose. Spike is taken to Metro Hospital, where the doctors suggest that if Spike's mind could be transferred somewhere else, they would be able to operate on his fragile body. | ||
[[Image:BotX.JPG|right|200px|thumb|This happens whenever you see certain things.]] | |||
[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and Sparkplug transfer Spike's mind into Autobot X's body. However, as a side effect of the transferral process, Spike's mind is in an extremely unstable state. Angry and confused about his new body, Autobot Spike rampages, destroying several computers and machines in Wheeljack's shop. | |||
[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and Sparkplug transfer Spike's mind into Autobot X's body | |||
Optimus Prime is able to subdue Autobot Spike without damaging his mind. To keep Spike calm, Wheeljack tunes [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] to a television station, where cruel Fate just happens to have scheduled an airing of the movie ''Frankenstein''. Spike is roused to anger, convinced he is a "monster, | Optimus Prime is able to subdue Autobot Spike without damaging his mind. To keep Spike calm, Wheeljack tunes [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] to a television station, where cruel Fate just happens to have scheduled an airing of the movie ''Frankenstein''. Spike is roused to anger, convinced he is a "monster", and begins to rampage again throughout the Ark, and then he escapes. | ||
[[Image:AutobotSpike-Moping.jpg|left|200px|thumb|At least he's not a Headmaster.]] | |||
Alone in the wilderness, Spike suffers from the conflict between his own mind and what there is of Autobot X. Will he use his new body and powers to help the world like Optimus Prime, or conquer all Humanity? | Alone in the wilderness, Spike suffers from the conflict between his own mind and what there is of Autobot X. Will he use his new body and powers to help the world like Optimus Prime, or conquer all Humanity? | ||
| Line 43: | Line 39: | ||
Bumblebee brings the Autobots to Spike's location, but they are unable to fight against the vengeful being for fear of destroying Spike's mind. Only after Autobot Spike shoots his father off the edge of a cliff does he realize what he has done. At once, he saves his father and turns on the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. | Bumblebee brings the Autobots to Spike's location, but they are unable to fight against the vengeful being for fear of destroying Spike's mind. Only after Autobot Spike shoots his father off the edge of a cliff does he realize what he has done. At once, he saves his father and turns on the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]. | ||
Finally, Spike's mind is returned to his [[ | Finally, Spike's mind is returned to his [[human]] body after the surgical operation is successfully completed. | ||
Spike will never be placed in a robot's body again. [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Never?]] | Spike will never be placed in a robot's body again. [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Never?]] | ||
==Featured Characters== | |||
{{featuredcharacters | |||
|c1= | |||
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (1) | *[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (1) | ||
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (3) | *[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (3) | ||
| Line 78: | Line 60: | ||
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (25) | *[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (25) | ||
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (26) | *[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (26) | ||
*[[ | *[[Bluestreak]] (27) | ||
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (28) | *[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (28) | ||
|c2= | |||
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (14) | *[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (14) | ||
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (15) | *[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (15) | ||
| Line 91: | Line 73: | ||
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (24) | *[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (24) | ||
|c3= | |||
*[[ | *[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (2) | ||
*[[ | *[[Spike Witwicky]] (4) | ||
*Air Force General (13) | *Air Force General (13) | ||
*Spike's doctor (19) | *Spike's doctor (19) | ||
|c4= | |||
'''On TV''' | '''On TV''' | ||
*[[Doctor Frankenstein]] | |||
*[[Igor]] | |||
*[[Frankenstein's monster]] | |||
}} | |||
==Quotes== | ==Quotes== | ||
"Another Autobot? Even if it works, who needs it?" | "Another Autobot? Even if it works, who needs it?" | ||
:—'''Ratchet''' is a [[GEEWUN|1984 purist]]. | :—'''Ratchet''' is a [[GEEWUN|1984 purist]]. | ||
"He's not supposed to do that!" | "He's not supposed to do that!" | ||
:—'''Sparkplug''' referring to Autobot X destroying Autobot headquarters. | |||
:—'''Sparkplug''' referring to Autobot X destroying Autobot | |||
"So you Decepticreeps like to fly, eh? Well, take off!" | |||
:—'''Brawn''' after kicking Soundwave. | :—'''Brawn''' after kicking Soundwave. | ||
"Hmmm... If only there were a way of separating Spike's mind from his body while we work..." | "Hmmm... If only there were a way of separating Spike's mind from his body while we work..." | ||
:—'''Spike's doctor''' clumsily moves the narrative along within earshot of Autobot X's creator. | :—'''Spike's doctor''' clumsily moves the narrative along within earshot of Autobot X's creator. | ||
"He wants a battle—let's give him one!" | "He wants a battle—let's give him one!" | ||
:—'''Starscream''', referring to the now-mechanized Spike. | :—'''Starscream''', referring to the now-mechanized Spike. | ||
"I must say, you've improved your appearance since our last encounter, Spike!" | "I must say, you've improved your appearance since our last encounter, Spike!" | ||
:—'''Megatron''', upon meeting Spike in Autobot form. | :—'''Megatron''', upon meeting Spike in Autobot form. | ||
== | ==Notes== | ||
===Transformers references=== | ===Transformers references=== | ||
* The three Reflector components, while speaking in unison, refer to themselves as "I". | * The three Reflector components, while speaking in unison, refer to themselves as "I". | ||
===Real-world references=== | ===Real-world references=== | ||
* Autobot Spike watches the movie ''Frankenstein''. Nice going Wheeljack...have an unstable guy who's a patchwork of parts watch a movie about a monster who is a patchwork of parts. That won't cause problems. | * Autobot Spike watches the movie ''[[Frankenstein]]''. Nice going Wheeljack...have an unstable guy who's a patchwork of parts watch a movie about a monster who is a patchwork of parts. That won't cause problems. | ||
=== | ===Trivia=== | ||
[[Image:AutobotSpike Prime firing from shoulder height.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I | [[Image:AutobotSpike Prime firing from shoulder height.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm shooting him gently!]] | ||
* While this episode originally aired in the United States on 9-23-85, it aired in Japan on 9-14-85, making it the only episode of the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|original series]] to be aired in Japan before the United States. | * While this episode originally aired in the United States on 9-23-85, it aired in Japan on 9-14-85, making it the only episode of the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|original series]] to be aired in Japan before the United States. | ||
Revision as of 01:29, 20 March 2009
| |||||||||
![]() That kid's gonna need a lot of therapy. | |||||||||
| "Autobot Spike" | |||||||||
| Production code | #700-13 | ||||||||
| Airdate | September 23, 1985 | ||||||||
| Written by | Donald F. Glut | ||||||||
A wounded Spike is turned into an Autobot Frankenstein's monster to save his life.
- Japanese title: フランケンシュタイン・スパイク (Frankenstein Spike)
Synopsis

The Autobots gather around Sparkplug's worktable in Autobot Headquarters for a demonstration. Using spare parts and human ingenuity, Sparkplug has cobbled together a large robot he has dubbed Autobot X, and with a flip of a switch sets him loose. He immediately runs amok—groaning, growling and smashing everything in sight. It takes Trailbreaker, Prowl and Ironhide to bring him down. Sparkplug apologizes to Optimus Prime for the mess and recommends Autobot X be put in storage.
Before this can be done, the party is interrupted by an alarm. Decepticons are attacking the new Air Force rocket base. The Autobots roll out to the base and engage the Decepticons. During the battle, the rockets and their fuel are inadvertently destroyed, and Megatron orders a retreat.
To cover their escape, Megatron creates a diversion for the Autobots; he blasts Bumblebee while Spike Witwicky is riding in him. The attack leaves Bumblebee damaged and Spike comatose. Spike is taken to Metro Hospital, where the doctors suggest that if Spike's mind could be transferred somewhere else, they would be able to operate on his fragile body.
Wheeljack and Sparkplug transfer Spike's mind into Autobot X's body. However, as a side effect of the transferral process, Spike's mind is in an extremely unstable state. Angry and confused about his new body, Autobot Spike rampages, destroying several computers and machines in Wheeljack's shop.
Optimus Prime is able to subdue Autobot Spike without damaging his mind. To keep Spike calm, Wheeljack tunes Teletraan I to a television station, where cruel Fate just happens to have scheduled an airing of the movie Frankenstein. Spike is roused to anger, convinced he is a "monster", and begins to rampage again throughout the Ark, and then he escapes.

Alone in the wilderness, Spike suffers from the conflict between his own mind and what there is of Autobot X. Will he use his new body and powers to help the world like Optimus Prime, or conquer all Humanity?
Laserbeak informs Megatron of Spike's new Autobot body and unstable mind, and Megatron forms a plan to trick Autobot Spike into destroying the Autobots. Megatron soon finds Spike with Reflector's help. Autobot Spike attacks, but Megatron has other plans. Spike's unstable mind makes it hard for him to think, and he is easily twisted by Megatron to side with him against the Autobots.
Bumblebee brings the Autobots to Spike's location, but they are unable to fight against the vengeful being for fear of destroying Spike's mind. Only after Autobot Spike shoots his father off the edge of a cliff does he realize what he has done. At once, he saves his father and turns on the Decepticons.
Finally, Spike's mind is returned to his human body after the surgical operation is successfully completed.
Spike will never be placed in a robot's body again. Never?
Featured Characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
On TV |
Quotes
"Another Autobot? Even if it works, who needs it?"
- —Ratchet is a 1984 purist.
"He's not supposed to do that!"
- —Sparkplug referring to Autobot X destroying Autobot headquarters.
"So you Decepticreeps like to fly, eh? Well, take off!"
- —Brawn after kicking Soundwave.
"Hmmm... If only there were a way of separating Spike's mind from his body while we work..."
- —Spike's doctor clumsily moves the narrative along within earshot of Autobot X's creator.
"He wants a battle—let's give him one!"
- —Starscream, referring to the now-mechanized Spike.
"I must say, you've improved your appearance since our last encounter, Spike!"
- —Megatron, upon meeting Spike in Autobot form.
Notes
Transformers references
- The three Reflector components, while speaking in unison, refer to themselves as "I".
Real-world references
- Autobot Spike watches the movie Frankenstein. Nice going Wheeljack...have an unstable guy who's a patchwork of parts watch a movie about a monster who is a patchwork of parts. That won't cause problems.
Trivia

- While this episode originally aired in the United States on 9-23-85, it aired in Japan on 9-14-85, making it the only episode of the original series to be aired in Japan before the United States.
- When Optimus Prime tries to subdue Autobot X/Spike, he fires his ion blaster from his shoulder, like an RPG launcher.
- Ratchet is standing behind Wheeljack when Wheeljack "volunteers" him to help improve Autobot X. Ratchet has a comical surprised reaction to the news.
- Throughout the episode, Spike struggles with unpredictable destructive urges and freaks out at the slightest provocation. Sparkplug and the rest repeatedly assume that this is a side-effect of the mental transfer process, rather than the fault of the body they put it in. Did they forget that the body itself goes on similar rampages even without Spike's mind in it? Spike even says himself that it feels like "something" is telling him to do "bad things."


