Countdown to Extinction (episode)
Writers: Reed Robbins and Peter Salas
In the aftermath of The Ultimate Doom storyline, Starscream seizes control of the Decepticons and puts into motion a plan to destroy the Earth.
Major Characters (in order of appearance): Optimus Prime, Starscream, Megatron, Dr. Arkeville, Shockwave
Minor Characters (in order of appearance): Huffer, Gears, Frenzy, Skywarp, Rumble, Thundercracker, Soundwave, Laserbeak
Original Air Date: December 1, 1984
Summary
Starscream believing Megatron destroyed forces Doctor Arkeville to take him to his secret labratory. Once there he discovers another of the Doctor's inventions, the Exponential Generator, a power source that if it overcharges will detonate with enough energy to destroy the Earth.
Seeking to gain power for himself Starscream links the generator to a timer and then takes Doctor Arkeville with him to Cybertron which is still nearby. He plans to collect the energy unleashed by Earth's destruction to revitalise Cybertron.
The Doctor, unwilling to let Starscream benefit from the Earth's destruction attempts to sabotage the energy collectors but the Decepticon security system stuns him with a blast of electricity. Badly injured, Starscream has the Doctor 'repaired' by the medicroids, leaving him virtually paralysed in a wheelchair.
Meanwhile on Earth Megatron has returned to the Decepticons having survived the explosion of his starship. When he learns that Starscream and Doctor Arkeville are apparently working together he sets of in pursuit with the other Decepticons.
The Autobots detect the Decepticon activity and set off after the Decepticon. After a short battle the Autobots are trapped in quicksand until it is frozen by Ironhide's liquid nitrogen. Laserbeak who was standing guard over them is captured and the Autobots learn that the Decepticons are heading for the Doctor's secret labratory and they set off after them.
The Autobots arrive at the labratory and battle each other again. Unaware of the danger it represents Megatron covets the exponential generator and fights Optimus Prime for its possession. During the fight Megatron receives a communication from Shockwave on Cybertron.
Shockwave, unwilling to serve Starscream, warns Megatron about the timer and Starscrem's plan. Megatron rips the timer from the wall just in time.bOn Cybertron Starscream is baffled that the Earth has not exploded and sets off back to check the timer.
The exponential generator has become volatile and begins to go critical ready to explode. Megatron transforms and Prime loads the generator into his gun barrel and then fires it into space. It explodes and the blast sends Starscream crashing to Earth where Megatron is waiting for him.
The Autobots let the Decepticons go, amused at the thought of what Megatron is going to do to Starscream.
Notes
Technical/Animation Glitches
- The explosion from the exponential generator is supposed to be powerful enough to destroy the Earth and yet the actual explosion is so small all it does is knock Starscream out of the air. (See also War of the Dinobots for another example of an 'Earth destroying' explosion).
Continuity Errors
- How is it that everyone seems to know where Doctor Arkeville's secret labratory is?
Transformers References
- Takes place almost immediately after The Ultimate Doom, Part 3
Real-World References
- Reference
External Links
- Link
