Trust (Armada)
| This article is about the Armada episode. For the Cybertron episode, see Trust (Cybertron). |
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 I am having a heart attack!! | ||||||
| "Trust" (Kizuna) "Comrade in Arms: Bonds" | ||||||
| Production code | TF: A-18 | |||||
| Production company | TV Tokyo, NAS | |||||
| Airdate | January 17, 2003 (English) 9 May, 2003 (Japanese) | |||||
| Writer | Ryō Motohira | |||||
| Director | Shin'ichirō Aoki | |||||
| Animation studio | Actas Inc. | |||||
| Continuity | Unicron Trilogy | |||||
Which side is Scavenger really on?
Synopsis
At the Autobot base, Carlos sits down to enjoy a drink of milk. The kids discuss Hot Shot's determination as he trains with Scavenger as his new instructor, and Alexis suggests they go and see Hot Shot in action. Rad and Alexis rush off, and Carlos struggles to catch up, and none of them seems to care that they left their breakfast behind. So much for the most important meal of the day.
The trio looks for Hot Shot, but find only Scavenger, fast asleep, after initially mistaking his snores for the growls of an animal. Alexis jokes that Carlos also likes to take naps. As Scavenger, oblivious to the kids, continues to nap, Hot Shot practices his dramatic punching and kicking. Surprisingly, Scavenger has no commentary to offer.
Seeing Scavenger's sloth, Carlos ponders on the matter of Scavenger's allegiance and advises Hot Shot to be apprehensive. Elsewhere, Carlos overhears similar misgivings regarding Scavenger from Smokescreen, who compares Scavenger to Sideways.
Meanwhile, on the Moon, Starscream puts forward the idea that Scavenger has switched sides. Because Scavenger deserted the Decepticons, Megatron declares him an enemy and puts the call out for his head. Starscream interjects, and Megatron responds by standing, ripping off a panel from the back of his shoulder treads, and throwing it at Starscream, which the steam coming from his shoulder shows.
Back on Earth, the kids inquire after Scavenger with Optimus Prime. Before Prime can explain, the Autobots' Mini-Con detection alarms go off.
That name again is Sca-ven-ger!
In a snowy area, the Autobots and Decepticons square off and battle head-on. Most of the battles are evenly matched, but Scavenger completely out-maneuvers and overpowers a Mini-Con-enhanced Cyclonus. Moments later, when the battle nears a chasm, Scavenger is abruptly missing in action, leaving Hot Shot to reconsider his previous faith in his instructor.
The battle continues, with Optimus and Megatron moving ever closer to the deep gorge, while Scavenger doesn't respond to any calls for him. Back at the Autobot base, Alexis spots Scavenger on the video broadcast from Laserbeak.
Megatron is ready to finish Optimus when Optimus surprises the Decepticon by ejecting his own legs and grabbing hold of Megatron in a move apparently designed to plunge both warriors into the chasm. But before Optimus can plummet heroically to his and Megatron's mutual doom, Scavenger leaps off the other side of the canyon and, in mid-air, manages to fling Optimus to safety.
When the kids express their amazement at how much faith Optimus places in Scavenger, Red Alert patiently explains that Optimus and Scavenger came to trust each other long ago on Cybertron. Why didn't Red Alert enlighten them earlier? For suspense, of course. Red Alert also points out that Scavenger never really switched sides; he was only on the Decepticon side to gain needed strategic information.
While Red Alert schools the kids, on the battlefield, the Autobots take some time to taunt the outnumbered Decepticons. As the Decepticons consider their less-than-ideal situation, Sideways and Megatron emerge dramatically from the chasm, and Sideways sends Megatron flying directly at Scavenger. Unfortunately for the airborne Decepticon leader, Optimus is quick to protect Scavenger and blasts Megatron away. Megatron swears vengeance as the Decepticons beat a hasty retreat.
The battle, at last, concluded, Smokescreen and Hot Shot tender their apologies to Scavenger, who graciously accepts. More importantly, however, the Autobots got the Mini-Con...err, wait. The Decepticons got the... hang on. Whatever happened to the Mini-Con that was the cause of this episode's battle? ...Ah well. At least the Autobots learned a "valuable lesson."
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans | Mini-Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
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Quotes
"Looks like you two have something in common, Carlos! Scavenger must like taking naps as much as you. He even snores like you do."
- —Alexis, razzing her friends
"Starscream, watch yourself! If you keep running your processor in overdrive, pretty soon you won't be able to transform properly!"
- —Cyclonus on Starscream's paranoia
Megatron: Optimus Prime! Today is the day the Decepticons destroy the Autobots!
Optimus: You're wrong again, Megatron, and we're going to prove it!
Smokescreen: And today you'll feel the power of the Autobot team!
Hot Shot: Let's do this!
Megatron: Keep talking, you underdogs. Victory will be mine today.
Scavenger: (yawns hugely)
- —Fight banter makes Scavenger sleepy.
"I don't like showing off, but I think you'll agree that that high-flying wacko needed to be grounded permanently."
- —Scavenger, after shooting down Cyclonus
"Oh, my aching motherboard!"
- —Cyclonus, after being shot
"It's boring talking about things that are in the past. It never does any good."
- —Scavenger accepts apologies from Smokescreen and Hot Shot.
Notes
Differences with Legends of the Microns
- In Armada, Alexis asks if Hot Shot will "pass the test," and Carlos answers he will since he's stubborn. In Legends of the Microns, Alexis says the specialized training that Scavenger is giving Hot Shot must be strict, and Carlos says, "Whatever, that's his business." Then, Armada has Rad say that Hot Shot will be stronger than before; in Legends of the Microns, he says Carlos would feel the same way Hot Shot does after having something stolen from him.
- After the kids fail to find Hot Shot and Scavenger, there's an awkward silence in Armada during the wide shot after Alexis says her line. Legends of the Microns removes the silence as Carlos has an extra line before saying that they should pay closer attention next time.
- Instead of saying the stranged sounds might be coming from an animal, Carlos says it sounds like groaning and grunting.
- When the kids find Scavenger asleep in Armada, more dialogue is added to fill out the silence, and the scene has a more lighthearted tone as Alexis compares Scavenger to Carlos.
- Hot Shot asks Scavenger if he's still sleeping and doesn't call him a lame instructor. Then Carlos suggests that Hot Shot hit Scavenger to wake him up.
- Instead of warning Hot Shot to watch himself and saying that he wouldn't trust Scavenger, Carlos says he can't believe this and that he's disappointed. Then Rad says he understands how Carlos feels, with Alexis in agreement.
- In Armada, Red Alert tells Smokescreen to give Scavenger a chance, and Smokescreen reluctantly complies. In Legends of the Microns, Red Alert asks Smokescreen if he hates Scavenger, and Smokescreen shouts that he does.
- Immediately after this, Armada adds an extra line to Carlos's internal monologue about him also keeping an eye on Scavenger.
- As Starscream confronts Megatron about letting Scavenger go, Armada has Starscream say that Scavenger will tell the Autobots where the Decepticon base is since he has seen it and that he made a "hasty exit" with no reason for leaving. Legends of the Microns has Starscream say that Megatron chose a good time to summon Scavenger but it's led to him betraying the Decepticons, and that he's now probably joined the Autobots.
- In Armada, Sideways hopes Scavenger gets what's coming to him. After Cyclonus speaks, Sideways says if Scavenger is a traitor, he'll learn what happens to those who betray the Decepticons before Megatron asks for Scavenger's head to be brought to him. In Legends of the Microns, he says the outcome of the next battle will show whether Scavenger has betrayed them or not. Then Sideways says that Megatron will severely punish any traitors since he's not as forgiving as Optimus was, and then Megatron says he will break Scavenger's neck when the time comes.
- Starscream doesn't beg Megatron to let him kill Scavenger, and Sideways doesn't address Megatron. In Armada, Sideways speculates that Scavenger might be spying on the Autobots for them, and offers to interrogate him to do his part for the Decepticons. In Legends of the Microns, Sideways says maybe he is overthinking it but believes that Megatron wouldn't be worked up by Starscream's "wild speculation" if he didn't anticipate Scavenger being an enemy spy.
- After calling out to Optimus, Megatron says he's been waiting for this day to kill him in Legends of the Microns, but says it's the day the Decepticons destroy the Autobots in Armada. Then, Armada has Optimus respond that the Autobots are going to prove Megatron wrong, while Legends of the Microns has Optimus tell Megatron to shut up and say that he'll crush Megatron's "evil ambitions."
- Instead of calling the Autobots underdogs and bragging that victory will be his, Megatron says, "Like a lost dog's bark, I didn't bother to listen." Then Megatron says no one can stop the Decepticons, to which Optimus replies that Megatron will never win since he lacks a heroic spirit.
- Megatron's line after forming the Star Saber is an Armada addition as he laughs maniacally in the Japanese dub.
- When Scavenger catches Cyclonus, he makes an analytical quip about how the large amount of weapons the Decepticon has only increases his chances of missing his targets. In Armada, Scavenger merely gloats about how Cyclonus will never touch him. After shooting Cyclonus down, Scavenger brags about dealing with a flying loudmouth even though he isn't good at flying himself. Then, instead of saying that Scavenger is stronger than he looks, Alexis says he is more serious than he appeared to be earlier.
- As he swings the Star Saber, in Armada, Megatron tells Optimus to fight back and says he's not in the mood for Prime to play games with him. In Legends of the Microns, Megatron asks if Optimus has anything else to say, and says Optimus won't be able to keep avoiding him for much longer, alluding to how Optimus is backing up toward a chasm.
- Hot Shot's line about him trusting Scavenger if Optimus does is an Armada addition.
- Rad asks if Scavenger really abandoned the team, and Carlos sounds more positive when he says that it looks as though Scavenger took off.
- Rather than boasting about finally being able to kill Optimus and the Autobots, Megatron wonders if Optimus will run away in defeat.
- After the kids notice Scavenger hiding, Armada has Rad claim that Scavenger would have already made a sneak attack if that's what he's planning. In Legends of the Microns, he says if Scavenger is planning to attack Megatron, he wouldn't go behind Optimus, better lining up with Carlos's subsequent dialogue.
- Megatron compliments Optimus for holding his ground before asking what he'll try to do next and telling him to get ready to be sent to the Pit.
- The quick cuts of everyone else's reaction to Megatron and Optimus going over the chasm's edge are silent. The only sound heard is Megatron's scream echoing.
- The scene of Red Alert explaining Optimus and Scavenger's relationship to the kids differs between the dubs slightly:
- In Armada, Red Alert says they realized they were better off as allies than enemies since they're both proud warriors with similar beliefs. After Carlos asks if they became friends, Red Alert explains that, as friends, Optimus and Scavenger go out of their way to help one another, and Scavenger fights for the common good with great risk to himself. Then he says Scavenger gave Megatron the Mini-Con panel as a necessary sacrifice for the Autobots to infiltrate the Decepticons and learn their operation.
- In Legends of the Microns, Red Alert says Optimus knew Scavenger to be a trusted warrior regardless of which side they're on. Then Carlos asks how Optimus could trust an enemy, and Red Alert answers that partners help each other regardless of the danger, but, as enemies, the effort to help others goes to waste, and that Scavenger will do anything to keep his partnership with Optimus. To answer Rad about why Scavenger gave Megatron the Mini-Con, Red Alert says it's how a Decepticon would act in that situation, and Scavenger didn't want to reveal himself as a traitor while on the battlefield.
- After saving Scavenger, Optimus says the battle is still on in Armada, but in Legends of the Microns, he calls Megatron an annoyance.
- In Armada, Scavenger accepts Smokescreen and Hot Shot's apologies and says the team should get back to searching for the Mini-Con. In Legends of the Microns, he never mentions the Mini-Con and tells them "for their own good" to forget all trivial matters as quickly as possible.
- In the ending narration in Armada, Rad says that's how Scavenger became close to the rest of the Autobots, and even Carlos "eventually" learned to trust him. In Legends of the Microns, Carlos gives the narration, saying that's how Scavenger became the most trusted and most powerful member of the team.
- In Armada, Alexis and Rad muse on how, despite things going back to normal, they'll never get used to Scavenger's snoring before Carlos says it'd be more dangerous if Scavenger didn't catch some Zs and fell asleep on the job. In Legends of the Microns, Alexis says Scavenger is the same as ever, and Rad says it's okay since Scavenger puts all of his efforts into combat. Then Carlos says Scavenger also needs energy for his midday naps.
Animation and technical errors
- After Rad takes the milk from Carlos, Carlos says, "Hey!" but his lips still move. In the Japanese dub, Carlos says something else but is faintly heard as Rad is talking over him.
- When Rad looks distracted, Alexis asks him, "Hey, what is that, Rad?", even though he hasn't brought up the strange noise yet. Legends of the Microns fixes it so that Alexis asks Rad if something is wrong instead.
- During the scene of Hot Shot and the kids watching the snoring Scavenger, Hot Shot's visor is miscolored white and blue.
- Smokescreen's hook line is miscolored orange like his chest in several scenes.
- When Megatron seems to have Optimus trapped, the laughing heard sounds like it is coming from Optimus instead.
- Shortly before warping away, Megatron mentions Optimus's treason in Armada, when the context suggests that he means Scavenger. In Legends of the Microns, Megatron doesn't speak about Scavenger and instead condemns Optimus for blasting him.
Continuity errors
- While Crumplezone is Cyclonus's regular Mini-Con, in this case, he powerlinx with Drill Bit, but still calls out Crumplezone's name. Cyclonus is the only Armada toy with a "gear-gimmick" that lets him take full advantage of Drill Bit's drill mechanism, but not in the fashion Cyclonus wears Drill Bit in this episode.
- The Autobots again seem confused as to where the Decepticon base is, although Hot Shot was there two episodes ago.
- Somehow, Optimus can block the Star Saber with his arms.
- Where are Billy and Fred?
Real world references
- While preventing Hot Shot from helping Optimus, Starscream says in Legends of the Microns, "You shall not pass!"; a reference to Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Trivia
- The kanji 戦友 would be pronounced as "sen'yū," while "kizuna" is used for the kanji 絆.
- During the flashbacks, Optimus uses a gun similar in design to Generation 1 Optimus Prime's.
- Unlike previous episodes, the Autobots' fridge is no longer full of tools.
- Optimus goes into Super Mode for the 4th time in this episode, probably to be evenly matched with Megatron and the Star Saber.
Foreign localization
Hungarian
- Title: "Az új szövetséges" ("The New Ally")
Polish
- Title: "Zaufanie" ("Trust")
French
- Title: "Une affaire de confiance" ("A Matter of Trust")
Korean
- Title: "사이버트론의 우정" ("Cybertron's Friendship")
Home video releases
- DVD
2003 — Transformers: Micron Densetsu — Volume 5 (Columbia Music Entertainment) — Japanese audio only.
2004 — Transformers: Armada — Flashbacks (Rhino Entertainment)
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)
