Confrontation (episode)
| This article is about the Armada cartoon episode. For the Dreamwave comic story, see Confrontation (issue). |
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 Why me? | ||||||
| "Confrontation" (Wana) "Ruins: Trap" | ||||||
| Production code | TF: A-09 | |||||
| Production company | TV Tokyo, NAS | |||||
| Airdate | October 25, 2002 (English) 7 March 2003 (Japanese) | |||||
| Writer | Shōji Tonoike | |||||
| Director | Masayuki Motsumoto | |||||
| Animation studio | Actas Inc. | |||||
| Continuity | Unicron Trilogy | |||||
Cyclonus captures Billy and Fred to trade them for the Mini-Cons.
Synopsis
Fred and Billy muse over why the Autobots are on Earth, before they spot Rad, Carlos and Alexis and set off in pursuit. The trio speed up when they notice they're being followed, but then Cyclonus appears overhead and they split up to try to avoid him. Cyclonus toys with Rad until the boy hides behind a tree and uses Laserbeak to shock the Decepticon before making off. After trailing Rad for a bit, Cyclonus loses him and spots Billy and Fred. He grabs the pair, telling Rad and the others that they're hostages until Optimus turns over the Mini-Cons. Rad commands Laserbeak to tail the Decepticon.
The kids report to Optimus Prime and the Autobots soon track Laserbeak to a ghost town. Cyclonus is waiting there with Starscream and Demolishor, neither of whom are particularly enthusiastic about the chances for the plan's success. Trapped in a nearby derelict building, Billy and Fred spot their guard, Leader-1, and try to work out what they're going to do.
The Autobots arrive at the ghost town with their human companions and split up. Optimus, Red Alert and Hot Shot confront the three Decepticons and attempt to negotiate the safe return of the hostages.
Meanwhile Billy and Fred jump Leader-1, wrestling the Mini-Con to the ground, but it fires off a laser which blasts a hole in the roof and they quickly back off. The Autobots notice the building, but are prevented from moving closer by the Decepticons. A fight breaks out. The kids sneak into the building with their Mini-Cons, who surround Leader-1 and have a brief conversation in bleeps. They're interrupted by Megatron transforming from under the pile of junk that's been cluttering the building. The Decepticon leader traps them all in a sphere of energy. Bursting through the wall of the building with his prize, he gloats to the Autobots.
Outraged, Hot Shot punches Cyclonus out of the air but is prevented from doing any more damage when Megatron threatens his hostages. Optimus reluctantly agrees to hand over the Mini-Cons. This done, Megatron refuses to turn over the kids. Rad gives him a zap using Laserbeak. Despite Leader-1 attempts to stop Rad from shocking Megatron, the Decepticon leader is forced to drop the kids except for Rad. Megatron threatens to crush the boy unless the Autobots obey him and hand over the rest of the Mini-Cons. With everyone stunned into inaction, Fred picks up Laserbeak and attempts to shock Megatron's foot with it, but the Decepticon sends Leader-1. Fred's plea for friendship makes the Mini-Con pause, distracting Megatron long enough for Hot Shot to kick Rad out of his hand and give him a punch to the head. Realising their plan has fallen apart, the Decepticons teleport away.
Rad thanks both Hot Shot and Fred for saving his life, and Billy and Fred are introduced to the Autobots.
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans | Mini-Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
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Quotes
"I bet they're from the future."
"I say they're from space and I bet their mission is to take over the world too."
"I dunno, they don't seem that evil to me."
- —Fred and Billy discuss the Autobots.
"So what are they gonna do?"
"Well, what do you think? They're gonna drain our brains, doofus."
"They can't! I-I need my brain!"
- —Fred and Billy on the Decepticon plans.
"You're the most annoying Autobot I've ever met!"
- —Cyclonus to Hot Shot.
"Oh, I was just thinking of keeping them as pets."
- —Megatron regarding his hostages.
Optimus: "We've come through with our part of the deal. Now release the children, Megatron."
Megatron: "Oh no, I don't think so."
Optimus: "What?!"
Hot Shot: "You double-crossed us!"
- —The Autobots have perhaps forgotten whom they're dealing with.
Notes
Differences with Micron Legend
Trivia
- The kanji 廃墟 would normally be pronounced as "haikyo", while "wana" is used for the kanji 罠 or 羂.
- How did Megatron get into that building in the first place?
- Billy's landing after Megatron drops him may mean that children are out of the question.
- Both Rad and Fred were able to use Laserbeak as a weapon against Cyclonus and Megatron. THIS is the reason he's painted bright orange.
- On Rhino's "Best Battles" DVD compilation, this episode has a chapter entitled "Kids In The Ball," which may or may not be a reference to a similarly-named comedy series.
Foreign localization
German
- Title: "Hilfe aus dem All" ("Help from Outer Space")
- This episode was never shown on TV, but was dubbed in 2003. The dub premiered in 2009 with the German DVD release of the show.
Hungarian
- Title: "Túszok" ("Hostages")
Polish
- Title: "Konfrontacja" ("Confrontation")
Korean
- Title: "폐허속의 결투" ("Duel in the Ruins")
Home video releases
- DVD
2003 — Transformers: Micron Legend — Volume 3 (Columbia Music Entertainment) — Japanese audio only.
2004 — Transformers: Armada — Best Battles (Rhino Entertainment)
2004 — Transformers: Armada — Season One: Part One (Rhino Entertainment)
2005 — Transformers: Armada — Vol:03 (Universal)
2005 — Transformers: Armada — Triple Collection (Universal)
2008 — Transformers: Armada — Volume One (New KSM) — English and German audio.
2014 — Transformers: Armada — The Complete Series (Shout! Factory)
