Crisis (Armada)
From MediaWiki
| The name or term "Crisis" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Crisis (disambiguation). |
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 I would have waited an-wait, you've heard this before. | ||||||
| "Crisis" (Kiki) "Earth: Crisis" | ||||||
| Production code | TF: A-39 | |||||
| Production company | TV Tokyo, NAS | |||||
| Airdate | August 19, 2003 (English, Canada) September 26, 2003 (Japanese) October 10, 2003 (English, United States) | |||||
| Writer | Ryō Motohira | |||||
| English adaptation | Terry Klassen | |||||
| Director | Hidehito Ueda | |||||
| Animation studio | Actas Inc. | |||||
| Continuity | Unicron Trilogy | |||||
Megatron prepares to use the Hydra Cannon to destroy the Autobots' base on Earth from space.
Synopsis
As Megatron's new weapon causes panic on Earth and a strong green haze fills the sky, the kids don't know what action they should take next. Onboard the Decepticons' ship, Megatron annoys Thrust by laughing at the tactician's silly head. To himself, Thrust mocks Megatron's silly head. Outside, the force fields block Jetfire's efforts to attack the ship.
The Autobots ponder how to destroy the Decepticon ship without killing the Mini-Cons in its core. Hot Shot angrily blames the entire situation on Starscream, and goes so far as to yell at Optimus Prime for letting Starscream join the Autobots. Instead of responding, Optimus leaves to let Hot Shot whine vengeance on the edge of sanity.
Optimus inspects his own Matrix before Jetfire returns on the launching dock. When the Autobots and kids assemble there, Optimus announces he has a plan to save Earth. Hot Shot's request to join Prime and Jetfire gets shot down, and in exchange, Prime attempts to pass on the Matrix to Hot Shot, who refuses to accept it.
Starscream considers his position with the Decepticons. When requested, he struggles to put aside the compassion he's learned and fire upon Earth, even if it harms humans. But when the shields are disengaged, Prime and Jetfire take advantage of the window and begin to attack.
The Decepticons rush out to fight the two Autobots. Eventually, Megatron and Optimus face against each other. But Prime's desire to save Earth causes him to glow yellow and use his body to block the Hydra Cannon's energy blast.
Optimus Prime holds back the blast (visible on Earth). With pieces of him breaking off, he pushes the shot back over the Decepticon ship. When the cannon is spent, Optimus stands, bleached white. When the kids see the Autobot leader standing, he shatters into tiny fragments, then the kids, the other Autobots, and even Megatron shout concerned yells.
The Decepticons retreat, while Jetfire recovers Sparkplug and Optimus Prime's Matrix.
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans | Mini-Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
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Quotes
"But Rad, we can't stand around and not say anything while the whole stinkin' planet blows up to smithereens."
- —Carlos
"Do as the Squidhead says, men."
"...Squidhead? Even you, Megatron?"
- —Megatron begins to belittle Thrust
"What's that? You don’t enjoy my Earthly humor? Buck up, soldier, or you’ll be looking at a demotion."
"...I understand, sir."
- — Megatron tells
SquidheadThrust to take it like a man. And he takes it.
"Ha ha! Don't you just love watching those miserable mechanical morons attempt to attack me, Squidhead?"
[to self] "I wish he wouldn't call me that anymore. How would he like to be called flathead?" [giggles]
"So why don't you share your little joke with everyone?"
"Ahem, I wasn't laughing, sir." [to self] "Flathead...boy, I can really dish it out."
"You...are a freak."
- —Megatron and Thrust
"You have betrayed my trust on more than one occasion, Starscream, but you always seemed to return to the Decepticon fold when it really mattered. So can I trust you this time? Well, Starscream?"
- —Megatron to Starscream, describing the problem they generally have.
Notes
Differences with Legends of the Microns
- In the Japanese dub, Sullivan is unnamed, and instead of saying that the comet vanished from the screen, he says he doesn't know.
- Kelly's report is almost identical in both versions, but in Legends of the Microns, she emphasizes the sky's "hellish" appearance and says the cause is unknown.
- During the children's discussion, Fred asks if Megatron blew up the comet as an experiment, which Carlos believes was "a test for his real target." However, Carlos doesn't know what it might be before Fred says Megatron might be planning to blow up the Earth. He later says people might believe them about the danger if the Transformers themselves explain. Alexis says Optimus wants to keep the fights secret; people might either not listen to them or use the Autobots for experiments. She feels that keeping their secret may now be impossible after the comet's explosion. Carlos and Fred agree they're in a tough spot, and Billy asks if adults will listen to them with Optimus present. Rad states they've been fighting the 'Cons in secrecy to keep Earth out of the Transformers' war and avoid creating more chaos, as Optimus would say that. Carlos asks Rad what they should do since they are the only ones who know the planet is in danger, but Rad asks, "But what is the rest of humanity supposed to do in this case?" In Armada, the kids talk more about keeping the Autobots' secret as they promised, and Rad says they should stay out of the Autobots' way and wait and see what happens next since it's all they can currently do. Then Carlos again asks what they're supposed to do.
- In the Japanese dub, the elderly newscaster "Jhon Thompson" says the comet's explosion has caused an anomaly. Armada changes his line to the blast causing climate changes.
- Legends of the Microns includes a few redrawn and more detailed shots of the Hydra Cannon ship's surface.
- In Armada, Thrust spells out his name and shouts at Megatron for repeatedly calling him "squidhead." Then Megatron questions Thrust for not enjoying his "Earthly humor" before threatening him with a demotion. In Legends of the Microns, Thrust says that's his real name, and the nickname is too much coming from Megatron, who tells Thrust not to be angry since his top tactician looking nervous isn't a pleasant sight.
- After Jetfire says the 'Cons are ignoring him, he says there's no reason he shouldn't charge them.
- Megatron quips about how the Autobots are trying to attack the ship in Armada. In Legends of the Microns, Megatron brags that Jetfire couldn't do anything to them.
- In Legends of the Microns, Thrust's nickname for Megatron refers to his horns invoking the appearance of a stag beetle instead of flatness. Then Megatron asks Thrust what is so funny, and Thrust replies that it's nothing.
- When looking at the Hydra Cannon ship on the monitor, Scavenger says the device probably destroyed the comet, and Blurr reacts with disbelief. In Armada, Red Alert says Scavenger's line a moment later instead.
- In Armada, Optimus references the Hydra Cannon, but in Legends of the Microns, he doesn't mention the weapon's name.
- In the Japanese dub, Side Swipe is fearful of the Decepticons using the Hydra Cannon to destroy the base, and Optimus says the 'Cons probably won't succeed since the base is underground. Armada has Side Swipe gung-ho about destroying the weapon, and Optimus says the Autobots will stop the Hydra Cannon without destroying it.
- Scavenger calling Megatron crazy is pretty identical in both versions, but his line sounds rushed and almost cut short in Armada compared to Legends of the Microns. It's also a question instead of a statement in the Japanese dub, where he asks, "Megatron has it in his nature to be reckless, am I right?"
- Blurr asks if they have any other options, and Red Alert says it's hard to form a counterattack with their current data. In Armada, Red Alert states they can't destroy the weapon since they'd also kill the Mini-Cons they're supposed to be saving.
- Side Swipe only implores that Autobots have to save Earth in Armada. In Legends of the Microns, he says he's changed since coming to Earth.
- After Hot Shot blames Optimus for letting Starscream join the Autobots and the Autobot commander leaves, Hot Shot starts pounding the floor, continuing to yell out his frustration over Starscream's betrayal, with Blurr commenting they were all too naive. In Armada, Hot Shot's frustration is targeted more on Optimus's decision, and Blurr reassures him that Starscream will get what's coming to him. In the Japanese dub, Hoist points out that Hot Shot also accepted Starscream. Armada warps the line into Hoist telling Hot Shot their team represents good, not evil.
- On the launching dock, Jetfire deduces the Decepticons will lower their ship's protective barrier before firing the Hydra Cannon again. He says the Autobots need to figure out how to break through it before the 'Cons fire the weapon in Armada.
- Carlos says the others were concerned about Jetfire in the Japanese dub but says everyone wanted to welcome him back in Armada.
- When addressing Hot Shot about Starscream, Optimus says he believes trusting and accepting Starscream wasn't a bad thing; however, the current situation came from Starscream having a change of heart, so Prime says he will take responsibility for it as commander. Armada warps Prime's dialogue into him claiming the others might not understand his decision yet, but things will work out fine.
- Instead of talking about getting revenge, Carlos says sneaking aboard the Decepticons' ship isn't an option. Then Optimus swears on his name that he won't let the Decepticons do as they please, and the Transformers' battle won't spread harm to any lifeforms on Earth, not just humans.
- Armada adds Hot Shot shouting after Optimus and Jetfire after they turn their backs to remove the Japanese dub's silence. Unlike Armada, as Optimus shows him the Matrix, Hot Shot seems to recognize it. Prime calls it a gift from "the original Transformers" in Armada but refers to it as an Autobot Commander's proof of leadership in Legends of the Microns. Also, Optimus asks Hot Shot to hold the Matrix for him instead of telling him like in Armada.
- The second time Hot Shot refuses to hold the Matrix for Optimus is Armada-exclusive as he only replies once in the Japanese dub, and the next shot is silent.
- As Optimus and Jetfire leave, the kids and other Autobots refer to Optimus. Then Armada adds Hot Shot's internal dialogue of wishing them luck since he's silent in Legends of the Microns in that shot.
- When Megatron asks Starscream if he has any reservations about firing at the Earth if asked to pull the trigger in Armada, he asks if Starscream's time with the Autobots made him soft and changed his spirit into one of theirs in the Japanese dub. Megatron later asks if Starscream will destroy the Autobot base, whereas Megatron says the whole planet in Armada.
- Jet Optimus doesn't speak until the shot of the Decepticons' ship.
- Cyclonus asks if Jetfire could see him from the back of his head after he's shot.
- After Starscream covertly saves him from Tidal Wave, Optimus swears by his name that he will retrieve the Mini-Con weapons.
- Before Megatron appears to fight him, Optimus says, "Give me the strength, Spark of my soul!" Then Megatron declares he won't let Prime succeed. In Armada, Optimus says something about the ship's forcefield before Megatron calls him.
- Optimus doesn't say Megatron's name until his close-up shot. Armada has Prime say it sooner and gives him an extra line.
- Rather than saying he must quickly divert the Mini-Cons' power, Optimus says, as internal dialogue, "Spark of my soul...The Mini-Cons' power...ALLOW ME TO STOP IT!"
- In Armada, Kelly announces a bright light approaching Earth but doesn't know what it is. She says a bright star has appeared in the sky in the Japanese dub and that it's now shining brighter. Then Rad calls out Optimus's name.
- Megatron yells, "This cannot be!" while Thrust describes in shock that Optimus managed to stop the Hydar Cannon's blast in Armada. In Legends of the Microns, their reactions are switched around.
- As he blocks the blast, Optimus calls upon his spark to give him strength. He only says he needs some more power in Armada.
- Instead of believing they'll be in trouble, Billy is confident that Optimus won't lose.
- Smokescreen's line about Optimus and Jetfire becoming invincible when they combine, following with "Isn't that right?" is pretty much identical in both versions. In Armada he sounds confused, and it seems his last line is a question; this could be a misinterpretation of the line, as he speaks in a loud tone in Legends of the Microns.
- In Armada after Jetfire finds Sparkplug drifting in space holding the Matrix, he sadly and loudly declares he will never forget his commander. In the Japanese dub, he grunts before letting out a loud, anguished scream.
- In Armada, Rad's ending narration is straightforward and slightly long-winded as he says the whole universe cried over Optimus's death as the star shower occurred above the Autobot base. In Legends of the Microns, it's more appropriately melancholy since Rad talks about meteorites flashing throughout the night sky; however, the narration ends incomplete as he guesses their cause (as the answer is they are probably Prime's body fragments).
Animation and technical errors
- One newsreader has a nameplate on his desk reading "Jhon Thompson."
- When Jetfire transforms after hitting the shield, he raises his arms, presumably anticipating his shield and gun attaching, but they never appear. A moment later, they're on his arms.
- After Hot Shot pounds the floor, his right leg is miscolored gray.
- Carlos and Fred talk about attacking the Hydra Cannon with the "Cybertron ship." While the Autobots' ship is meant to travel back to Cybertron, the line could be an error of the Japanese Cybertron faction name not being translated into Autobot.
- When Optimus is explaining that it might be the final battle, his grille is missing.
- Before he can fire the Hydra Cannon again, Megatron says, "Sayonara Optimus," a direct translation carried over from the Japanese dub since Megatron says the same phrase at that moment.
- As Optimus is blasting the Hydra Cannon, he gets shot in the back by a purple blast. As he turns around, Tidal Wave fades into the shot out of nowhere. In Legends of the Microns", the scene is redrawn and re-edited to correctly have the Decepticon emerge from a solidly colored yellow explosion and smoke.
- Tidal Wave's mouth doesn't move when he speaks before continuing to shoot Optimus.
- As Tidal Wave falls on top of Starscream, the latter is miscolored, with all of his usually red parts being either grey or white.
- The sides of Wheeljack's face are partially miscolored blue after he shoots Jetfire's gun out of his hand.
- As Cyclonus, Wheeljack, and Demolishor hold Jetfire, Demolishor's whole face is miscolored yellow like his head.
- When Optimus activates the Matrix's power to escape Megatron, his left leg is miscolored gray.
- In the Finnish dub, when Kelly reports on an ample light in the sky (the blast from the Hydra Cannon), her voice actress misreads one of the words in her line before immediately correcting herself, seemingly without an option for another take on the line.
Continuity notes
- Jetfire rejects Hot Shot from joining the mission against the Decepticon ship since the latter cannot Powerlinx like him and Optimus can. Yet...
- This episode marks the first time the Matrix of Leadership appears in the entire Unicron Trilogy.
- This episode also marks the start of Optimus Prime's leadership struggles and his feeling of not being worthy of the Matrix.
- Gadgets and powers:
- Optimus can use the power of the Matrix to hold back the blast from the Hydra Cannon.
Continuity errors
- Optimus and Megatron duel near the spaceship's nose before the Autobot leader rushes to block the Hydra Cannon blast. When Megatron later appears in a wider shot with other Decepticons (and Jetfire) on the ship's deck, he is suddenly standing further back than others.
- Tidal Wave, last seen falling right on top of Starscream, has also disappeared.
Transformers references
- When Optimus shows Hot Shot the Matrix and identifies it, he states that it's a gift from the original Transformers and holds all the data from previous commanders, like its Generation 1 counterpart. In Legends of the Microns, Prime calls the Matrix proof of an Autobot Commander's leadership instead of a gift.
- Optimus then asks Hot Shot to hold onto the Matrix for him. Hot Shot's Japanese name is Hot Rod; a name shared with a holder of the Matrix from Generation 1.
Trivia
- In the Japanese dub, this episode reveals Kelly's last name is Cross.
- The kids seem pretty dead set on letting the Earth be destroyed in order to keep the existence of the Autobots a secret. If that isn't the greatest example friendship... then I don't know what is.
- This episode marks one of the few times where Optimus blinks in the series.
- The Decepticons' ship is partially modeled after Megatron's head.
Foreign localization
German
- Title: "Die Hydra-Kanone" ("The Hydra-Cannon")
- Original airdate: 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: "Válság" ("Crisis")
Korean
- Title: "Jiguleul Jikyeola" (지구를 지켜라, "Protect the Earth")
- This episode is the marked finale of the Korean dub, effectively leaving Optimus Prime's death permanent. Wonder how Korean viewers felt at the time.
Portuguese
- Title: "Crise" ("Crisis")
Home video releases
All releases listed are in English audio unless otherwise noted.
- DVD
2004 — Transformers: Legends of the Microns — Volume 10 (Columbia Music Entertainment) — Japanese audio only.
2006 — Transformers: Armada — Season One: Part Two (Rhino Entertainment)
2007 — Transformers: Armada — The Collector's Edition (Universal)
2009 — Transformers: Armada — Volume Two (New KSM) — English and German audio.
2014 — Transformers: Armada — The Complete Series (Shout! Factory)
