The Master Builders (episode): Difference between revisions
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Grapple is in his element, directing the Constructicons as the tower is built, and blissfully unaware of their deception. The Constructicons merge to form [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] in order to place the sun-focusing sphere at the top of the tower. With the last piece in place, the tables turn. Megatron attacks Grapple and Hoist and claims the tower as his own. The Decepticons get to work collecting the energy. | Grapple is in his element, directing the Constructicons as the tower is built, and blissfully unaware of their deception. The Constructicons merge to form [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] in order to place the sun-focusing sphere at the top of the tower. With the last piece in place, the tables turn. Megatron attacks Grapple and Hoist and claims the tower as his own. The Decepticons get to work collecting the energy. | ||
[[Image:MasterBuilders Grapple sunset.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]] | [[Image:MasterBuilders Grapple sunset.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Dammit, I've ruined another garage kit.]] | ||
The Autobots arrive and attack, quickly overwhelming the Decepticons, who retreat behind the tower. The Autobots follow, to find that the Constructicons have formed Devastator and he's not so easy to defeat. Prime tricks Devastator into trying to kick Smokescreen but he kicks the tower instead. A few more rounds of laser fire send Devastator crashing into the tower, demolishing it. Megatron and the Constructicons retreat. | The Autobots arrive and attack, quickly overwhelming the Decepticons, who retreat behind the tower. The Autobots follow, to find that the Constructicons have formed Devastator and he's not so easy to defeat. Prime tricks Devastator into trying to kick Smokescreen but he kicks the tower instead. A few more rounds of laser fire send Devastator crashing into the tower, demolishing it. Megatron and the Constructicons retreat. | ||
Revision as of 05:28, 31 October 2009
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 "Nigel gave me a drawing that said 18 inches. Now, whether or not he knows the difference between feet and inches is not my problem. I do what I'm told." "But you're not as confused as him, are you. I mean, it's not your job to be as confused as Nigel." | |||||||||
| "The Master Builders" | |||||||||
| Production code | #700-31 | ||||||||
| Production company | Sunbow Productions | ||||||||
| Airdate | October 8, 1985 | ||||||||
| Written by | David N. Gottlieb Herb Engelhardt | ||||||||
| Continuity | Generation 1 cartoon continuity | ||||||||
Grapple and Hoist ally themselves with the Constructicons.
- Japanese title: マスタービルダー (Master Builder)
- German Generation 2 title: "Der Energieturm" ("The Energy Tower")
Synopsis
Grapple shows Hoist a working model of a Solar Power Tower he wants to build and the two of them take it to Optimus Prime. Optimus is occupied at the moment because Spike is teaching him how to play basketball. Optimus likes Grapple's concept, but rejects the plan because it would be difficult to defend the tower against attack.
The conversation is cut short when Teletraan I alerts them that Powerglide has been shot down by Starscream and Skywarp. Hoist and Grapple leave to repair the Autobot plane. After repairs are finished, they start back, with Grapple attempting to convince Hoist to build the tower with him, regardless of Prime's orders, but Hoist points out they can't do it alone
Their conversation is cut short when they are trapped by the Constructicons. Scrapper says they've left the Decepticons and proposes a joint project. Grapple, enamored with his solar tower idea, agrees, but wants proof of their partnership. They promise to bring proof back and fly off.
On their return to Decepticon headquarters, Megatron confronts the Constructicons with video tape of their conversation with Grapple. They all swear loyalty to Megatron, and insist they plan to betray the Autobots. Satisfied with their explanation, Megatron lets them go with a present. They return to Grapple and Hoist with "proof", an entire truckload of energon. Convinced that they are working in good faith, Grapple and Hoist agree to the partnership. The Constructicons are soon stealing construction materials from the humans for the project.
Meantime, Optimus is playing basketball with Tracks, Inferno and Smokescreen. After he shuts Tracks down during a drive to the net, Prime notices that Tracks needs maintenance, but no one knows where Hoist is. The Autobot leader sends Powerglide out to find the missing Autobots. Powerglide finds the solar tower and reports back.
Grapple is in his element, directing the Constructicons as the tower is built, and blissfully unaware of their deception. The Constructicons merge to form Devastator in order to place the sun-focusing sphere at the top of the tower. With the last piece in place, the tables turn. Megatron attacks Grapple and Hoist and claims the tower as his own. The Decepticons get to work collecting the energy.
The Autobots arrive and attack, quickly overwhelming the Decepticons, who retreat behind the tower. The Autobots follow, to find that the Constructicons have formed Devastator and he's not so easy to defeat. Prime tricks Devastator into trying to kick Smokescreen but he kicks the tower instead. A few more rounds of laser fire send Devastator crashing into the tower, demolishing it. Megatron and the Constructicons retreat.
The Autobots dig in the debris to try and find Grapple and Hoist. Brawn discovers them encased in a sheet of metal and punches it apart. Grapple and Hoist apologize for the trouble they've caused. Prime is in a forgiving mood, but says they have to clean up the mess themselves. As the others drive off, Grapple and Hoist fondly remember the tower.
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Quotes
"Move over, blue skies. Here comes old Powerglide, king of the cloud chasers, sultan of the stratosphere, ace of the air."
- —Powerglide, king of self-esteem.
"Well, if he's not impressed, I'll... be depressed."
- —Grapple worries about whether Optimus Prime will agree on his proposal for a Solar Tower.
"Am I 'drooling' correctly?"
"The word is 'dribbling', Optimus!
- —Optimus Prime and Spike play basketball.
Bonecrusher: We'll just help ourselves if you don't mind.
Long Haul: Or even if you do!
Construction foreman: Who me? M-mind? Why should I! hehe... he. [tears up his blueprints]
- —The Constructicons rob a hapless building site.
"As soon as my Power Tower is finished, I must find a place to sign my name... in very large letters."
- —Grapple as the Solar Power Tower is approaching completion.
"Watch out Spike! I'm driving for a layoff!"
"It's called a layup, Prime! And watch out for Tracks!"
- —Optimus Prime gets basketball lessons from Spike.
"'Get this.' 'Bring that.' I thought I was finally gonna build somethin'!"
- —Long Haul after being told to bring another solar panel.
"Man, look at that! That's so tall, the top is in a different time zone than the bottom!"
- -Observing the Solar Power Tower, Spike demonstrates that you don't need to understand geography if your best friends are giant robots.
"There'll be other towers to design and build, Grapple."
"It was magnificent... for a little while, wasn't it, Hoist?"
"Incredible. Absolutely incredible."
- —Hoist and Grapple, amid the ruins of the Solar Power Tower.
Notes
Animation or technical glitches
- Near the end, when they're about to dig Hoist and Grapple out of the rubble of the solar tower, Cliffjumper is given Bumblebee's colors; although he doesn't speak you can recognize it as Cliffjumper by the spoiler across his chest.
- When the Autobots are approaching the Solar Power Tower, Inferno is not to be seen at all, when they finally transform to robots, one of the first shots shows Inferno, but none after. Probably meant to have been Ironhide in that shot.
- After Grapple and Hoist apologise to Prime, Hoist's right arm is missing.
- In a bizarre stylistic decision, the Constructicons' second combination sequence does not feature the transforming sound. Instead, as they convert to their combined forms, they get a sound effect normally reserved for energy effects. Each one glows blue after transforming, accompanied by an even more bizarre tinkling noise.
- As usual, the apportionment of Devastator's components is off; Long Haul forms about 90% of the torso, with Hook forming the remainder (it should be split almost evenly between them.) Everyone else is correct, which puts this episode ahead of most of its contemporaries.
- Not that Devastator isn't out of whack in every episode, but when he goes to kick Smokescreen you can clearly see that one of Devestator's legs is roughly three times the size of the Autobot.
Transformers references
Trivia
- When remastered for DVD by Rhino Entertainment, the re-created title card for the episode was incorrectly rendered as "The Master Builder". This title appeared on all associated material included with the DVD set, and can be seen in the screen shot at right. Oddly enough, while the same incorrect title card appears in the 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" edition by Shout! Factory, the correct title appears on the DVD menu and the box set's episode guide.
- Apparently the Decepticons equip random rocks with video cameras.
- The Autobots shoot lasers out of their headlights when they drive into battle, yet that idea never crossed their minds in "The Autobot Run".
- Megatron has a compartment in his chest that holds a pair of binoculars.
- Megatron gave the Constructicons his energon because he says that it's his most precious possession. Was anyone else expecting the fusion cannon?
- Seriously, can you imagine the size of the ball that the Autobots need to play basketball?
