Gale
From MediaWiki
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| "Gale" (Hayate) | ||||||
| Production code | TF: A-15 | |||||
| Production company | TV Tokyo, NAS | |||||
| Airdate | December 20, 2002 (English) 18 April 2003 (Japanese) | |||||
| Writer | Akira Okeya | |||||
| Director | Osamu Kamijō | |||||
| Animation studio | Actas Inc. | |||||
| Continuity | Unicron Trilogy | |||||
During a search for the latest Mini-Con, Scavenger and Hot Shot continue their rivalry on an unfinished highway. But who is the mysterious newcomer?
Synopsis
Within The Big City, a mysterious rider on a toyetic purple motorcycle lands from space.
In the Autobot base, Hot Shot is practicing swinging his Star Saber. Billy suspects that since the Star Saber is the most powerful weapon in the universe, Hot Shot, by extension, is the most powerful Transformer. Although Carlos feels that's not exactly how things work. Soon Red Alert comes to tell Hot Shot another Mini-Con has been detected and the males pledge to be Hot Shot's cheerleaders. In the Autobots' main control room, Alexis determines the Mini-Con panel's location in a freeway tunnel in grid sector 29365. The Autobots rush into action and the kids come along too, for cheerleading purposes (with Red Alert's approval).
Already at the scene, Demolishor and Cyclonus guard the outside of the tunnel and see the oncoming Autobots. Inside, Starscream and Megatron oversee Scavenger's digging, who resents having to do this labor.
To delay the Autobots, Cyclonus transforms and uses his alt mode to force a civilian truck into lodging itself in the highway horizontally, retarding the flow of traffic. Hot Shot uses Jolt to circumvent this traffic obstacle, while Optimus drops off Billy and Fred, speeding away before noticing the mysterious purple bike drive by to pick up one of the kids.
Cyclonus is chased by Hot Shot (carrying Rad and Carlos), who in turn is being chased down by Scavenger. Hot Shot drops off the kids, transforms, and summons the Star Saber to again engage in Scavenger in direct combat. Cyclonus attempts to take advantage of the fight, by shooting Hot Shot from behind. As soon as Cyclonus misses, the cries of Billy, kidnapped by the motorcyclist, distract everybody.
The motorcyclist stops and lets Billy off so that Billy can hug Rad. (Fred meanwhile, remains alone and unloved.) Then the purple bike returns to the duel between Scavenger and Hot Shot, and with an impressive jump, the bike takes Cyclonus out of the sky. Just then, Alexis, with the Street Action Team, arrives near the duel scene and meets up with Rad, Billy, and Carlos, who she yells at for abandoning her.
Scavenger and Hot Shot finally begin their battle, and Scavenger grabs Hot Shot out of a slow-motion leap and slams the Autobot into the ground. Seeing the unfinished section of the highway, Hot Shot releases the Star Saber Mini-Cons and drives away, and Scavenger chases after him. The motorcyclist continues to follow the fight.
Fred: Still unloved.
Within the tunnel, the Autobots and Decepticons battle, while Hot Shot and Scavenger literally drive right through, and Cyclonus gives up his struggle with Smokescreen to follow the duel. When Scavenger arrives on the incomplete section of the highway, Hot Shot leaps from the sky and lands behind Scavenger. With much vigor, Hot Shot slices the entire section of the road away, causing it to fall. Scavenger just manages to make it back onto the stable section of the road by hanging onto Cyclonus's flying alt mode. Defeated, Scavenger laughs and berates Hot Shot, saying that he will prove Hot Shot's incompetence another day. At that moment, the motorcyclist also laughs at Hot Shot.
Inside the tunnel, the defeated Decepticons teleport away again. Hot Shot, the kids, and the motorcyclist arrive in the tunnel too. Optimus thanks the stranger, and the bike transforms and introduces himself as Sideways. Smokescreen then announces that he's found the Mini-Con panel, which activates and reveals itself to be Spiral.
Back at the Autobot base, Billy is riding around with Sideways some more, and Fred accepts an offer (translated by Carlos) to ride on Spiral. Hot Shot and Red Alert agree that Sideways might not be entirely trustworthy. Inside the base, Rad and Alexis also admit to each other that they also get a bad vibe from Sideways. Fred, after riding around on Spiral for a while, inquires regarding the location of the bathroom.
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans | Mini-Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
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Quotes
"I've got a bad feeling about this."
- —Alexis, regarding the boys tagging along as Hot Shot's cheer squad. You and us both, sister.
"Lucky for us Scavenger is here to do all the digging, don't you think, Starscream? Otherwise, you'd be in there getting your hands dirty."
"Right! There's no way you'd catch me playing in the dirt like that."
"If I had known I'd be the only one doing all the work down here, I would have never left Cybertron!"
- —Mine boss Megatron with Starscream and Scavenger.
"Billy, Fred—sorry, but it looks like things might get a little dangerous out here. I think it's best if you stay put up here for awhile."
"Aww, gee whiz! But I thought we were backup?"
"Yeah...well...you can back us up from here! Oh, and stay put!"
- —Optimus Prime dumps Billy and Fred on the side of the road.
Fred: "Oh, this really bites, big time."
Billy: "I told you we should have gone with Hot Shot, but no, you wouldn't listen, would you, doofus?
(A large purple motorcycle suddenly approaches)
Billy: "Huh?"
Fred: "Huh??"
Sideways:"You lookin' to hitch a ride? I got room for one. That's it."
Fred: "Hey, B-Billy, that bike—"
Billy: "—talked to us! Wait a sec: Autobot or Decepticon?"
- —Fred and Billy lament being dumped before the enigmatic Sideways approaches.
"Your battling days are over!"
"Hahaha! I like a bot with a sense of humour!"
- —Hot Shot lamely trash-talks Scavenger.
"Hahahaha! Oh, joy! This is as easy as shooting bots in a barrel! Hahahahaha!"
- —Cyclonus
"Remember me?!? I'm Billy's friend!"
- —Fred's cry of loneliness after Hot Shot, Scavenger and Sideways pass him without sparing a glance.
"Back on Cybertron, they used to call me Sideways. I guess I'm a bit of a drifter. Maybe that's why I'm here."
- —Sideways's self-introduction to the Autobots
"Oh, don't worry, Hot Shot. You must remember they're only human, and probably in a couple of days or so, they'll be all over you again."
- —Red Alert, on the fickle nature of children
Notes
Differences with Micron Legend
- Rad's opening narration expositing over Sideways' arrival is an Armada addition. In Micron Legend, his narration comes a bit later while the boys watch Hot Shot train with the Star Saber. Rad notes how the boys understood Hot Shot's determination and says it's why they wanted to cheer him on. Armada makes it lighthearted since Rad says though the boys thought it's lame for wanting to backup Hot Shot as he's one of the greatest bots in the universe, "It's the thought that counts."
- During Hot Shot's flashback, Scavenger says the Star Saber is unbeatable in Armada but says it's frightening in Micron Legend. After this, Hot Shot says, "Go away!" while swinging the Star Saber, but in Armada, when the scene cuts to the boys watching, Hot Shot says, "This isn't over yet Scavenger."
- Instead of agreeing with Fred about Hot Shot now being the strongest Transformer in the universe, Billy asks Carlos if that is true. Then Hot Shot says that could be true since they could search the universe and not find another bot that's a match for him.
- In Armada, Red Alert tells Hot Shot they have work to do but says Hot Shot can't be serious about the claim he just made in Micron Legend. The English dub also adds Hot Shot's mumbling after Red Alert's line.
- Armada has Hot Shot swearing to get even with Scavenger, Red Alert telling him that unless he unlocks the Star Saber's full power, it's useless, and Hot Shot telling Red to lay off. Micron Legend has Hot Shot say he won't be careless the next time he faces Scavenger, Red Alert telling Hot Shot that he shouldn't be making brash claims despite wielding the Star Saber, after which Hot Shot says that he knows and tells Red to stop lecturing him.
- Rad and Carlos's lines about Hot Shot's training improving and the kids being there for backup are changed to them assuring Hot Shot that they're rooting for him.
- In Armada, Alexis says the Mini-Con signal is in a freeway tunnel in "grid sector 29365". Afterward, Hot Shot claims the Autobots are "back in business" before Smokescreen says a line. In Micron Legend, she says in the central part of a highway in "a hill district at point 042451." Then only Hot Shot speaks as he expresses excitement for the Mini-Con being on the highway, "his favorite place."
- In Armada, Hot Shot calls for his "backup" (the boys) and, after Alexis tells them to wait, Carlos and Rad tell her about their promise to support the Autobot in battle. Micron Legend changes it to Hot Shot inviting the kids to tag along, Carlos repeating this to Alexis, and Rad telling her about cheering on Hot Shot. After Alexis says the boys will get in the way, Fred says, "Hot Shot needs us" in Armada but "We'll be fine" in Micron Legend. After this, Hot Shot says the kids are coming along for moral support in Armada, while Micron Legend has him make the cocky response that the humans will witness his "heroic exploits."
- Armada has Smokescreen say that he thinks Alexis has a point while Micron Legend has him ask what should be done.
- When Optimus agrees to let the kids come along, he tells Hot Shot they are his responsibility and tells the team to move out in Armada, but in Micron Legend, he tells the kids to listen to Hot Shot and immediately get to safety when the fighting starts. Armada noticeably has an awkward silence after Optimus finishes talking.
- Armada has Alexis say she has a bad feeling while the Japanese dub has her say, "Geez, I guess that's life..."
- Demolishor complaining about his "most useless assignment ever" is an Armada addition, and he moans some more before Cyclonus tells him to be quiet. Micron Legend has Demolishor say that no one will be at a blocked-off tunnel, and Cyclonus says that makes the search for the panel easier.
- In Armada, after Blackout detects something, Demolishor asks if it's the Autobots when the shot cuts to the traffic scene. Then he tells Blackout he better be right before telling Cyclonus to get ready as the Autobots are approaching, and Cyclonus tells him to relax. In Micron Legend, the traffic shot is silent since Demolishor immediately asks Blackout if he detects the enemy. After Demolishor says Blackout must be imagining it, the shot zooming down the road is quiet until the shot of the Autobots. Then Demolishor tells Cyclonus the Autobots are approaching, and Cyclonus tells Demolishor not to "lose his cool."
- Micron Legend has Megatron order Starscream to watch the tunnel exit, with latter claiming the task being more pleasant than digging. Armada makes Megatron muse about how Scavenger digging frees Starscream from getting his hands dirty, and Starscream simply agrees with the statement.
- As Scavenger laments about digging in Micron Legend, Megatron expresses anticipation of the Decepticons getting another Mini-Con; in Armada, Megatron promises it to him as a reward.
- After Megatron is alerted about the Autobots, he reacts with surprise. In Armada, he gives an order to keep the Autobots busy, sounding more mildly annoyed than anything.
- In Micron Legend, when Scavenger expresses the desire to fight the Autobots, Megatron just mutters his name. In Armada, he says that Scavenger should ignore the Autobots and keep going with his work, the dub makes Scavenger disobey Megatron's order by going to fight Hot Shot in his next scene.
- The Japanese dub has Megatron order Cyclonus to cause a diversion on the freeway. Whereas in Armada, he restates that "Nothing must interfere with our mission!" and Cyclonus maniacally flies off on his own accord, presumably as a response to Megatron's previous "Keep them busy!" line.
- In Micron Legend, the overhead shot of the traffic jam Cyclonus causes is silent.
- Armada makes Red Alert note the traffic jam, after which Hot Shot notices Cyclonus, Smokescreen says it means they're getting close, and Optimus says it also means the Decepticons are still looking for the Mini-Con. Micron Legend has Red Alert ask what's in the sky, Hot Shot answers, Smokescreen's line is changed to have him ask if the Decepticons have already found the Mini-Con, and Optimus responds that they haven't.
- Instead of Hot Shot having an idea before powerlinxing with Jolt, he says Cyclonus is getting away. After Hot Shot flies off the freeway, Armada gives him and Optimus extra lines to cover the silence present in the Japanese dub.
- In Armada, while dropping off Billy and Fred, Optimus tells them things have gotten dangerous, after Billy mentions the part about being backup, Optimus, in a coy manner, says the boys can back up the team from afar before telling them to stay put and driving off. The tone is more serious in Micron Legend, as Optimus says the boys should disembark now that Scavenger has shown himself, Billy laments "missing the show." Optimus apologizes and says the Autobots promised to protect the kids and then says they will return for Billy and Fred when the fighting is over and drives away.
- After the above exchange, Micron Legend has Billy and Fred envious of the other kids riding with Hot Shot. Armada has them whine about being left out with Billy saying he told Fred they should've ridden with Hot Shot, but Fred wouldn't listen. The English dub draws out their dialogue to cover the silence in the scene of Sideways pulling up next to them.
- When Sideways offers Billy and Fred a ride, Billy simply asks if the motorcycle is a Transformer in Micron Legend, instead of rather pointedly (and toyetically) asking "Autobot or Decepticon?"
- Armada gives Cyclonus and Hot Shot filler to get rid of the silence in the following scene. In the Japanese dub, during the shot of Cyclonus, he says, "Keep following me!". The scene cuts to Hot Shot, who responds by yelling, "Hold it!" and the next scene of them is silent.
- Instead of Rad asking Hot Shot if he knows what he's doing and Carlos saying they shouldn't worry since they are riding with the "number one Transformer," Rad tells the Autobot not to follow Cyclonus too far. Carlos says everything will be fine since Hot Shot has the Star Saber.
- The shot of Rad seeing Scavenger in Hot Shot's mirror is silent, and Rad says, "It's him!". Then Hot Shot tells Rad and Carlos to get out, and Rad says, "Understood. Do your best, Hot Shot!" In Armada, Rad calls out to Hot Shot, who proceeds to brag about "having it covered." Then Rad tells the Autobot to do something quick since Scavenger is gaining on them.
- In Armada, Hot Shot tells Scavenger "his fighting days are over," and Scavenger replies he likes a bot with a sense of humor. In Micron Legend, the Autobot says to bring it on, and Scavenger inquires, "Is it time for another interesting lesson?" Carlos quipping to Rad after this is something added to the English dub as the standoff between Hot Shot and Scavenger is silent in the Japanese dub.
- Scavenger asks why Hot Shot doesn't attack him as he's defenseless. Armada makes him taunt Hot Shot for being scared and quip about the Star Saber's batteries running low. Then the English dub has Rad tells Alexis a "Transformers showdown" is happening, but Micron Legend has him tell her that Hot Shot and Scavenger are just staring at each other.
- The video Rad transmits of the two is silent, and Alexis asks Red Alert if he can locate them, instead of telling Rad to link his video feed into Red Alert.
- In Armada after Alexis asks why Hot Shot and Scavenger are just standing around, Smokescreen says, "Good question," but in Micron Legend, he says, "He's too scared to move..." without specifying who he's talking about.
- Demolishor asking, "What'd I do now?" as he runs away from the tunnel entrance is added to the English dub.
- In Micron Legend, the Autobots realize the Decepticons are searching for the Mini-Con in the tunnel. Red Alert says Cyclonus is near Hot Shot, and Alexis says the Decepticon is targeting him.
- Cyclonus's "Shooting bots in a barrel" quip is changed to him claiming the other 'Cons will thank him for shooting an Autobot in the back.
- Armada has Hot Shot act cocky and refuse to turn his back on Scavenger; Micron Legend removes the cockiness, and Hot Shot says that he's focused on Scavenger.
- The English dub makes Hot Shot quip about Cyclonus being "a lousy shot," but Micron Legend makes the Autobot say that he was caught off guard and ask what that was.
- When he's first seen riding on Sideways, Armada has Billy claim that he's being "kidnapped"; Micron Legend removes this, and Billy simply cries for help. As Sideways speeds through Scavenger's legs, the latter just calls him annoying. Then, in Armada, Billy says Sideways is a Transformer but doesn't know whether he's good or evil, but in the Japanese dub, Billy just says that Sideways is a Transformer. Then Rad and Carlos react as being shocked by the info while Armada has Rad puzzledly ask what they should do.
- Optimus asks who Sideways is and if he's friend or foe before saying the Mini-Con panel is their main priority. Then Optimus counts on the Mini-Cons to protect the children, and Alexis tells the Mini-Cons they should all get going.
- After Billy gets off Sideways, he cries Rad's name after latching onto him rather than begging to be saved, and instead of being indifferent, Rad asks Billy if he is okay. Armada has Carlos ask whose idea it was to get on Sideways, and Billy swears it wasn't his; in Micron Legend, Carlos asks Billy why he was riding Sideways, and Billy says that Sideways offered a ride. After Rad asks where Fred is, Billy says that Sideways could only fit one person, while in Armada, Billy recalls leaving Fred on the bridge. After the above exchange in Micron Legend, Fred says he's lonely.
- Rather than asking which side Sideways is on, Rad questions who he is. Then Hot Shot asks for Sideways's identity. Cyclonus cackling and his line about "moving targets" are removed. Just before he starts firing at Sideways, he says he's not going to let the newbie mess with the Decepticons.
- Rather than sarcastically asking the boys for a status report, Alexis asks why they're getting excited. In Armada, Alexis snaps at them for ditching her, but Micron Legend has her ask where Fred is.
- Hot Shot doesn't speak when Scavenger grabs the Star Saber, and instead of demanding the Autobot to hand it over, Scavenger tells Hot Shot to show him the weapon's real power. Then Carlos calls Hot Shot, and Rad says someone should do something.
- In Armada, Rad and Alexis say it's weird and senseless that Sideways is only interested in Hot Shot and Scavenger's fight. Micron Legend makes them more insightful as they say Sideways is watching from the sidelines to see which of the two Transformers is stronger.
- Armada has Rad call Scavenger "an oversized CPU" and tells Hot Shot not to get intimidated by him; Micron Legend has Rad say, "This isn't a sideshow!" and gives Alexis a line in which she cheers for Hot Shot.
- After Hot Shot and Scavenger transform, Rad says the kids will follow, but Armada has him bring up the kids' details about being the Autobot's backup.
- The English dub has Hot Shot and Scavenger hurl quips at each other on the highway, with the latter giving his version of the old "You can run, but you can't hide" line. Micron Legend has Scavenger quip about Hot Shot running back to Optimus for help as Hot Shot tells him to keep up.
- As Fred sees the highway chase going on, Armada has him presume the bots heard him and now need his help, and when they pass him, he calls out to them, referring to himself as "Billy's friend." In Micron Legend, Fred says the others have finally returned for him and shouts out for Hot Shot and Billy. After being abandoned again, Fred still calls after Hot Shot.
- After flooring Starscream, Optimus says the Decepticon isn't getting away with this.
- During the close-up of Demolishor digging, Armada has him complain about hating Megatron yelling at him. Micron Legend has him frustratingly ask where Scavenger ran off to.
- As he grapples with Smokescreen, Cyclonus notices Scavenger and tells Megatron that he'll take care of it. Then Megatron demands Cyclonus not to run out on him. The English dub makes no note of Scavenger here. Instead, Cyclonus complains about having to do everything himself, and Megatron commands him to return to his post.
- When Hot Shot slices through the rock while descending upon Scavenger, Hot Shot playfully says "Hello" to Scavenger before landing in the English dub, but he shouts, "I've won this!" in Micron Legend. In Armada, after Hot Shot lands, Scavenger quips that it's not good for the Star Saber to be embedded in the pavement, and Hot Shot says, "Watch this!". Micron Legend changes this to make Scavenger ask Hot Shot where he was aiming at, and the Autobot answers, "Right here!".
- In Armada, after Hot Shot pulls his trick to defeat Scavenger, the latter goes to mock him by stating he is simply an amateur hiding behind the Star Saber's power. In Micron Legend, Scavenger is somewhat more humble in accepting defeat, while debuffing the young Autobot for being at a low level and using a cheap trick to win, hindering his ability to realize the sword's true power. In Armada, as Scavenger leaves, Hot Shot demands that he come back, but demands the former to not make fun of him in Micron Legend.
- Armada has Sideways mock Hot Shot for getting told by Scavenger. Then after Hot Shot calls him out for not showing himself and acting tough, Sideways says they're on the same side, and though he'd love to fight Hot Shot, he wouldn't want to win. Micron Legend has Sideways note Hot Shot's "interesting" victory before Hot Shot asks why he's snooping around and challenges him to fight if he so desires. Compared to the smart-aleck response he gives in Armada, Sideways is more reserved here as he says that he can't fight Hot Shot since they're on the same side.
- While surrounded by the Autobots, Armada has Megatron ask Demolishor for Cyclonus and Scavenger's whereabouts and coming up empty. Then Megatron says it's because of the latter two that the Decepticons have to retreat. When Demolishor appears to object, Megatron quips that the former wants to continue digging, making Demolishor relent. Micron Legend has Megatron say that without Cyclonus and Scavenger, they'll have to retreat. Demolishor agrees, and Megatron says there's no other choice but to retreat. When the former seems to reconsider, Megatron asks if he'd prefer to keep digging, Demolishor says he has had enough.
- After the Decepticons warp, Armada has Optimus dare Megatron to keep running since there will soon be nowhere to hide from the Autobots. Micron Legend makes Optimus say he will face Megatron anytime and that the Autobots will neither run nor hide. Immediately after this, only Rad calls Optimus's name in Armada while both Rad and Hot Shot call Optimus in Micron Legend.
- In Armada, Hot Shot claims he was starting to worry about the kids, and Carlos snarks about the former going to tell the others that he defeated Scavenger on his own. In Micron Legend, Hot Shot is happy the children are okay, and Carlos brings up how Sideways saved Hot Shot.
- Sideways's dialogue after he transforms is different between the dubs. In Armada, he says he's called Sideways on Cybertron and that he's on Earth since he is "a bit of a drifter." In Micron Legend, he is slightly poetic, making introductions as he says, "Like a gale which travels through the blades of grass. My name is Sideways. I'm just a wandering traveler."
- Rather than saying, "There's something strange about Sideways," Alexis only says his name.
- Watching Billy ride on sideways, Fred yells to Billy that Optimus said they're supposed to take turns. He laments the unfairness and, after Spiral offers to let Fred ride her, he hopes that she has a cool vehicle mode. In Micron Legend, Fred's first line is changed, and after Billy passes by, Fred says he is riding next and calls Billy sneaky. Spiral offers Fred a ride, and he thinks it would be cool.
- Hot Shot says the kids ditched him for Sideways. At the same time, Red Alert claims children are naturally drawn to strength, so Hot Shot needs to become stronger if he doesn't want to be left behind and to answer Hot Shot's question on whether Sideways is their ally, Red Alert says they will know sooner or later, and Hot Shot says he's right.
- In Armada, Alexis asks Rad why he's not outside with Sideways, and she says that she shares Rad's feeling about something being off about Sideways. Then, as they voice their suspicions about the motorcycle, Alexis asks why Sideways would come to Earth to get involved in the war and tells Rad they should keep their suspicions to themselves. In Micron Legend, Alexis asks Rad whether or not he wanted to ride Sideways, and when Rad says he is concerned about "him," Alexis asks if he means Sideways and starts repeating the latter's gale quote. After the flashback shows Sideways completing it for Alexis, she says, "Only the strongest blades of grass can survive the fierce blasts of the wind." Rad asks for its meaning, and Alexis speculates that Sideways's purpose might be to test the true extent of the Autobots' abilities.
- In Armada, Carlos hopes Fred is having fun riding Spiral since his turn is next. Fred says Carlos can take his turn if he wants and, out of nowhere, asks where the bathroom is. In Micron Legend, Carlos praises Fred and says he looks cool riding Spiral, and while Fred agrees that Spiral is cool, he says she's "way too small!".
- Then Rad's ending narration in Armada says that even though the Autobot team keeps growing, apparently not everyone on it can be trusted and wonders if it's just a feeling. In Micron Legend, the narration is about the team gaining Sideways as a new member, and despite what they're saying about him, Rad likes to think they will be comrades-in-arms someday.
Animation and technical errors
- After Demolishor reports that the Autobots are closing in on their location, Megatron's left leg is miscolored grey and red.
- In the shot of Rad before Hot Shot transforms, Rad looks cross-eyed.
- When Scavenger finishes transforming, his mouth is still open even though he's not talking. This isn't an issue in Micron Legend as Scavenger yelling out "Transform!" as extended.
- After Billy tells Rad and Carlos about Sideways being a Transformer, Carlos's mouth opens but nothing comes out.
- When he latches onto Rad, Billy's animated mouth is drawn over his closed mouth.
- In Micron Legend, during the scene of Billy, Rad, and Carlos turning toward Alexis, Billy says the latter's name, but his mouth doesn't move.
- In some shots, during Hot Shot and Scavenger's fight after Alexis arrives on the scene, Billy and the Mini-Cons disappear.
- When Red Alert tells Optimus they have a problem, Prime says, "Hot Shot!" as though he's clairvoyant. The Japanese dub corrects this by having Optimus ask Red Alert what's wrong instead.
- After Hot Shot leaves the tunnel, it seems that Scavenger has disappeared only to return in the next scene since only Cyclonus is seen leaving the tunnel after Hot Shot. Micron Legend fixes this by showing Scavenger exit the tunnel ahead of Cyclonus.
- As Sideways arrives to meet the Autobots after the battle, he is animated to be slightly twitching in his close-up shot to show his bike to be still running. The dubbing team could've mistaken this as an indication of him having supposed to chuckle, as he stays silent during this shot in Micron Legend.
- After Sideways transforms and introduces himself, the left bike wheel on his back turns in sync with his head, the animator mistaking it as part of his head model.
- The new Mini-Con, Spiral, is female, but she's referred to as a male. Just like poor Sureshock.
- While he and Carlos watch Billy riding on Sideways at the end, Fred says that Billy gets to ride "all the time," even though this marks only the second time. Micron Legend, Fred says Billy is riding Sideways again.
Continuity errors
- In the flashback, Scavenger says, "My Star Saber—is undefeatable," but in the previous episode (presumably Hot Shot's only encounter with Scavenger), he never said that. Besides, why would he say that, anyway?
- Megatron says that Scavenger will keep the Mini-Con he finds as his own; however, in part 4 of the Linkage comic, Scavenger picks up his Mini-Con soon after landing on Earth. As the line only exists in the English dub, it could be that the translation was entirely unaware of Linkage, as it wasn't released until well after the episode was translated.
- Red Alert reports to Optimus Prime that a gridlock (created by Cyclonus) is ahead of them, shortly before spotting the culprit himself. Optimus muses that the Decepticons must not have found the Mini-Con yet, then suddenly states that there is a blockade ahead. What, did he suddenly forget that Red Alert told him about the traffic jam 11 seconds ago?
- In the shot after Sideways offers a ride to Billy and Fred, Cyclonus is spontaneously shown Powelinxed with Crumplezone in cockpit mode with Drill Bit in his undercarriage. In his next shot, he back in his default helicopter mode with no Mini-Cons attached.
- After Hot Shot and Scavenger jump the highway, Hot Shot lands on the ground and quickly transforms in a semi-stock animation sequence. He isn't shown stopping to disembark Rad and Carlos, who were riding inside at the time. However, when Hot Shot and Scavenger prepare to fight, both the kids are now outside, watching from afar.
- Optimus tells the Street Action Mini-Con Team to "stay with the kids," but at the time, the only one present is Alexis since the boys (except Fred) are watching Hot Shot and Scavenger fight.
- Alexis yells at the boys for abandoning her but it was Optimus who left her alone on the freeway.
- Hot Shot stabs the Star Saber a few feet into the road, but the entire street, including all of its support beams from the ground up, get cut off.
Trivia
- From this episode on, Jim Conrad narrates the introduction instead of Rad.
- This episode is the first time Billy and Fred are seen wearing fashionable Autobot jumpsuits.
- In a good bit of attention to detail, some shots display Scavenger's drum wheel creating sparks when he drives at high speed on asphalt.
- Just what the heck is Red Alert doing to Starscream during the Decepticon's struggle with Optimus Prime?!?
- After Cyclonus is involuntarily used as a ride by Scavenger, he seemingly flies off to somewhere, not to be seen for the rest of the episode.
- The light shining from the Mini-Con panel bears a striking resemblance to the Mercedes logo—possibly an intentional visual nod since Spiral transforms into a Mercedes C-Class luxury car.
- Demolishor complains about having to stand guard. He's gonna be doing a lot of that later.
- His introductory dialogue in the Japanese dub reveals Sideways as the episode's titular "gale."
Foreign localization
Hungarian
- Title: "A titokzatos idegen" ("The Mysterious Stranger")
Polish
- Title: "Korek" ("Jam")
French
- Title: "La mystérieuse moto" ("The Mysterious Motorbike")
Korean
- Title: "'정체의'불명의 사니어" ("Obscure Identity Man")
Home video releases
All releases listed are in English audio unless otherwise noted.
- DVD
2003 — Transformers: Micron Legend — Volume 4 (Columbia Music Entertainment) — Japanese audio only.
2004 — Transformers: Armada — Season One: Part One (Rhino Entertainment)
2008 — Transformers: Armada — Volume One (New KSM) — English and German audio.
2014 — Transformers: Armada — The Complete Series (Shout! Factory)
