The Insecticon Syndrome

File:Insect1.jpg

I think they have a special shampoo for that.

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The Insecticons feed on a source of power which causes them to grow... and will cause them to explode if not cured.

Japanese title: Insectron Syndrome

Detailed synopsis

At a park, Jeff, a park ranger has called for help. Spike, Hound, Beachcomber, and Bumblebee respond, driving along a rocky road (and Bumblebee is especially having trouble). The ranger shows the Autobots some trees that appeared to have been chewed on by something. Beachcomber quickly realizes that something did chew on the trees, but not by an animal—it was the Insecticons. Meanwhile, the Insecticons are hiding in their current lair/hive/base thingy. They complain that the trees didn't fill them up the way that they wanted to, so the Insecticons decide to go feast on some redwoods. Meanwhile, Jeff is having trouble accepting the possibility of giant robotic insects (even though he's taking to a trio of giant robotic cars). Suddenly, another ranger calls him, saying he's seeing giant robotic insects. The Autobots proceed to roll out.

They do not make a squeegee powerful enough to get that off the windshield.

Meanwhile, the Decepticons are searching for their Insecticon "allies". Megatron has come up with a plan that will require their unique abilities. As Soundwave spots the Autobots, Megatron takes it as a chance to observe them in action. As the other ranger barely dodges a falling tree, the Autobots arrive. The Autobots and Insecticons throw down, until the Insecticons push a log down a hill that nearly crushes the Autobots. Our heroes jump into a river to avoid death, but they then fall over a waterfall...at least, that's what the Insecticons believe, for Hound used his holograms to make it appear that the Autobots and humans fell over. After that, Megatron and the Decepticons arrive. He explains that he intends to attack Iron Mountain, a human military base, but offers the Insecticons to gorge themselves at the Nova Power Plant if they help them. Overhearing this, the Autobots contact the base.

File:Insect2.jpg

"For the swarm!"

Receiving their signal, Optimus Prime leads a strike force to the Nova Power Plant. Unfortunately, the Decepticons are already there. The Seekers quickly down the helicopters the humans have to defend the base, while Megs, Soundwave, Laserbeak and Buzzsaw go to stop the Autobots. The Insecticons reach the Nova Power Core, which they proceed to drain. However, the protons within the core cause them to grow in size, making them as large as Optimus Prime and Megatron. Soundwave overhears what is happening, but Bombshell implants him with a cerebro-shell. The Insecticons proceed to kick the slag out of Ironhide and Wheeljack, and the Autobots are forced to retreat with their fallen comrades. Megatron is pleased with the Insecticons' new power, unaware that the Insecticons plan to off him.

File:Insectsyndromepokesthru.jpg

Here's your problem, ma'am. See that? Termites.

At the base, the Autobots use Teletraan I to calculate what will happen to the Insecticons. It says that the energy from the Power Core will cause the Insecticons to explode unless something is done. However, the Autobots receive a distress signal from Iron Mountain, where the Decepticons are attacking. If the Insecticons explode there, they'll kill everyone there. Ratchet and Wheeljack quickly work on an antidote.

"Open the door! Are you jacking on in there?"

At Iron Mountain, the Decepticons attack. However, the human defenses are surprisingly advanced for simple flesh creatures. Finally, Shrapnel takes control of the human weapons, causing them to attack the base. The Autobots arrive, but are quickly buried in rubble by the Insecticons. Entering the base, Soundwave manages to access the computer. Megatron declares that it's time to eliminate the Insecticons, only to discover that his army has been taken over by the Insecticons. Bombshell fires a cerebro-shell into Starscream, but Megatron manages to grab the shell fired at him and destroy it. Having finally dug themselves out, the Autobots explain the explosive situation to Megatron. Fortunately, Ratchet and Wheeljack have arrived with an antidote.

File:Insectsyndromeprime&megs.jpg

Megatron does not appreciate Optimus groping him.

Heading into Iron Mountain, the Insecticons begin to reach critical mass, and will explode at any minute. As Megatron transforms into gun mode for Optimus to use, the Autobot leader uses the Decepticon leader to fire the antidotes into Bombshell and Kickback. However, Shrapnel manages to avoid his cure, so Spike bravely manages to get the cure into Shrapnel...who blows up anyway. The cures cause the cerebro-shells to deactivate, but also erase the information Soundwave downloaded. Bombshell uses a special shell to cause Shrapnel to reassemble, and the Insecticons run away, with the angry Decepticons in pursuit. With the Decepticons defeated, the day is saved.

Stats

Original airdate: October 9, 1985

Production number: #700-28

Written by: Douglas Booth

Featured Characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

<table border="5" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" align="center" style="border:#800000"> <tr> <th style="background:#FFEEEE"> Autobots</th><th style="background:#EEEEFE"> Decepticons</th><th style="background:antiquewhite"> Humans </th></tr> <tr> <td style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top">

• Beachcomber (1)
• Hound (2)
• Bumblebee (3)
• Optimus Prime (15)
• Inferno (16)
• Ironhide (17)
• Wheeljack (18)
• Jazz (19)
• Ratchet (20)

</td><td style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top">

• Kickback (6)
• Shrapnel (7)
• Bombshell (8)
• Megatron (10)
• Soundwave (11)
• Starscream (12)
• Thundercracker (13)
• Skywarp (14)
• Buzzsaw (21)
• Laserbeak (22)

</td><td style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top"> Regulars

• Spike Witwicky (5)

Guests

• Jeff, the young park ranger (4)
• Mike, the old park ranger (9)

</td></tr></table>

Notable quotes

"HAHHAHAHAHAHEHEHHEEHHE! Insecticons always triumph, triumph." <br />

—Shrapnel

"The Insecticons have done well." <br /> "Yes...perhaps they should lead us." <br /> "You test my patience, Starscream." <br />

—Megatron and Starscream after the Insecticons defeat some Autobots.

"Well, if it isn't Megatron, and his merry mechanical men!" <br />

—Bombshell

"Oh boy, a robotoid turkey shoot!" <br />

—Inferno takes aim at Laserbeak and Buzzsaw.

"Power has made the Insecticons obnoxious." <br /> "And invincible." <br />

—Starscream and Megatron

"What's the matter, Megatron? Weakling humans too tough for you, for you?" <br />

—Shrapnel to Megatron, after the latter has been shot by a human weapon.

"Ohhhh....that Nova Power Core is giving me heartburn...that is, if I have a heart." <br /> "If you have a brain, you'll realize that we've got a battle to fight!" <br />

—Bombshell and Megatron

"Guys, you all right?" <br /> "Just great...if you don't mind two tons of Inferno sitting on your head plates." <br /> "Look, you get ten tons of boulders off my shoulder struts, and I'll get off your noggin." <br />

—Spike, Hound and Inferno

"No one gets into my cranial chamber!" <br />

—Megatron crushing one of Bombshell's cerebro-shells

"Auugh my cerebro-shell! My precious shell!" <br />

—Bombshell reacting to the crushing of his cerebro-shell

"We Insecticons, know how to get ... it ... together!!"

—Bombshell delivers a cheesy line after reassembling Shrapnel.

Other Notes

• Notes

Animation and/or technical glitches

• Shrapnel's voice sounds completely different from usual when he says "They're firing on us! Us! It's a Decepticon ambush! Ambush!"

• When Inferno rescues Ironhide, the latter is suddenly covered in foam.

• Jazz had a Decepticon insignia during the shot in the Ark.

Continuity errors

• Ratchet is part of the Autobot group attacking the power plant where the Insecticons are feeding. However, he seems to be missing when the Autobots have to recover the damaged Ironhide and Wheeljack, which is curious, as he is the medic.

• Inferno is part of the Autobot group that attacks Iron Mountain to stop the Insecticons. However, he is not seen in the final scene, after the Autobots win. Maybe he's still trapped under the boulders?

Transformers references

• This episode features the first appearances of Beachcomber and Inferno. However, no explanation of their origins is given.

Remember kids, guns are awesome!

Real-world references

• References

Miscellaneous trivia

• Inferno really gets the spotlight this episode. He is Prime's right hand man in the Ark, and on the battlefield he's unstoppable. Jazz even gives him a high five. Clearly, Inferno is an integral member of the team.

• During the battle at the Nova Power Plant, Spike is using a gun! WTH, Prime?!

• After he climbs up the electrical tower and gets electrocuted, Ironhide's forearm panel pops open and the word "Ironhide" is written on the circuits inside.

• While Megatron is out cold, Optimus transforms him into his gun mode.

• From the time Spike looks at his watch and issues the 30-second warning to the point where Shrapnel explodes, about 1 minute and 46 seconds pass. As well, when he gives Shrapnel his 10-second warning, it takes about 47 seconds until he detonates. (On a minor note, it takes Spike 6 out of the available 10 seconds to say that Shrapnel is going to explode.) Either their estimates on when the Insecticons would explode were off, or seconds are longer in this episode than they are elsewhere.

Home video releases

• The Original Transformers Volume 6: Evolution Revolution (VHS, February 22 2000)