Roll For It (Episode 5)

The Transformers

Roll For It (Episode 5)

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Plot Summary:

As the self-proclaimed new leader of the Decepticons, Starscream orders Thundercracker and Soundwave to follow him to a nearby power station where they dispatch with the employees and security guards and begin the process of converting the energy into energon. The Autobots, realizing there is trouble, arrive and engage the Decepticons. Thundercracker swats away Cliffjumper with a steel beam. When Starscream attempts to crush Brawn and Cliffjumper with an energy conduit, Optimus intervenes and accidentally blows up the energon cubes, prompting Soundwave to call for a Decepticon retreat. As they do so, Bluestreak fires upon and hits Starscream in jet mode, and Optimus gives Bluestreak and Prowl the order to follow them.

On Cybertron, Megatron informs Shockwave that he must get back to Earth; he fears that Starscream may have already caused damage. Shockwave locates both Thundercracker and Starscream flying away from their most recent encounter with the Autobots, and Megatron comments that they both look like Optimus Prime has run them through a garbage compactor. Starscream is obviously surprised that Megatron still lives. The Decepticon leader orders him to attack a lab containing an anti-matter formula that will give the Decepticon leader ultimate power. First, however, the two jets must repair themselves, and then rendezvous with Megatron in the desert.

Megatron uses the spacebridge to return to Earth, where he is greeted by Rumble and Laserbeak. Elsewhere, Bumblebee, Chip Chase, and Spike arrive at the lab. Reflector, in camera mode, records the security guard as he inputs the security code that opens the door to the lab. Reflector transforms and takes flight, intent on relaying the information to Megatron.

The newly arrived trio enter the lab, where Dr. Alcazar gives a floppy disk to Chip, a genius, so that his home computer can communicate with the lab’s computer at any time. After retrieving the disk, the three depart. Riding inside Bumblebee, they are attacked by Laserbeak. They escape by driving into an underground car garage, and Laserbeak returns to Megatron. Fearful that the escapees will inform Optimus of their plan, Megatron decides that he cannot wait for Starscream, and departs with Reflector, Rumble, and Laserbeak to the lab.

Elsewhere, Bumblebee drops Chip off at his house so that he can contact Dr. Alcazar and warn him of Megatron’s imminent attack. Bumblebee contacts Prowl and Bluestreak but they can’t help—they’ve tracked down Starscream, Thundercracker and Soundwave, who are repairing themselves at an air force hanger. The two Autobots engage the Decepticons, and Prowl’s battle computer is damaged—he cannot move. In desperation, Prowl sends a signal in an attempt to uplink with another computer and reaches Chip. Chip uses his computer to control Prowl’s body to evade Decepticon weapon’s fire. As Bluestreak holds them off, Chip directs Prowl to commandeer a fighter jet in the hanger to fire missiles, forcing the Decepticons to retreat.

Elsewhere, Megatron arrives at the lab; Reflector uses the key code to unlock the doors. As Megatron demands the anti-matter formula from Dr. Alcazar, the doctor sends the formula via his computer to Chip’s computer. As Starscream’s group retreats, Megatron radios him with the formula’s new coordinates and they arrive at Chip’s home. Seeing the Decepticons arrive, Chip memorizes the formula and erases the data from his computer. Ravage fetches Chip, and the Decepticons take him to Megatron.

Optimus Prime leads the Autobots, in automobile mode, to Dr. Alcazar’s lab, as Bumblebee has informed him of Megatron’s intentions. Seeing that the Decepticons have captured Chip, Optimus calls for his troops to transform and prepare for action; he has a plan.

Inside the lab, Soundwave extracts the formula from Chip’s brain, but Chip is unharmed. Outside the facility, Optimus’ plan goes into action. Using his invisibility power, Mirage disappears and pushes Hound, using his hologram power to appear as a boulder, across the ground in front of Rumble who is guarding the lab. As Rumble is distracted by Mirage and Hound, Bumblebee flies past him overhead, and the other two Autobots disengage their special powers and run inside the facility.

Back inside the lab, Megatron successfully creates anti-matter. As Thundercracker is about to dispose of Chip, Hound uses his hologram power to create multiple copies of himself to distract him and the other Decepticons. At the same time, Bumblebee and Spike grab Chip, and Mirage disengages his invisibility power to stop Starscream from firing. Transforming into automobile mode, Bumblebee exits the lab with Spike and Chip riding inside him, and Hound and Mirage follow behind.

With Chip safe, the second part of Optimus’ plan begins. In truck mode, Optimus rams through the wall of the lab facility and releases the remaining Autobots from his trailer section to secure the anti-matter energon cubes that Megatron has created. Megatron detonates one of the cubes, causing a massive explosion that damages the Autobots and forces them to retreat back to Autobot headquarters for repairs.

At Autobot HQ, the Autobots repair themselves and Wheeljack comes up with a plan. As the Decepticons make a skyward approach towards Autobot HQ to finish off the Autobots, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe take to the air; Sunstreaker lands on top of Thundercracker while Sideswipe goes after Skywarp. Starcream, in jet mode, rams Sideswipe causing him to fall off of Skywarp, but he deploys a parachute to slow his descent. Sunstreaker does so as well.

The Decepticons then attack the Autobot troops on the ground, firing at them from the air before landing. Thundercracker retrieves the anti-matter energon cubes, and Megatron absorbs them and transforms into gun mode.  Starscream uses Megatron to fire on the Autobots, taking out several of them. In the meantime, Wheeljack gives his device to Spike and Chip. Brawn then throws Optimus Prime, in truck mode, at Starscream, forcing him to drop Megatron. As Skywarp picks up Megatron, Spike, unnoticed, drills into his leg, causing Skywarp to pick Spike up off the ground. With the distraction he needs, Chip places Wheeljack’s device on the bottom of Skywarp’s leg—Teletraan-1 uses the device to take control of Skywarp, and he begins to fire at the Decepticons. The anti-matter energon cubes inside Megtron begin to overload his system, risking detonation, forcing him to discharge them from his body. The anti-matter energon explodes, damaging the Decepticons and forcing them to retreat.

The Autobots cheer and celebrate.

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Appearance

Autobots:

1. Optimus Prime
2. Bluestreak
3. Cliffjumper
4. Brawn
5. Prowl
6. Bumblebee
7. Sunstreaker
8. Ironhide
9. Hound
10. Ratchet
11. Wheeljack
12. Mirage
13. Jazz
14. Trailbreaker
15. Sideswipe
16. Teletraan-1

Decepticons:

1. Starscream
2. Thundercracker
3. Soundwave
4. Megatron
5. Shockwave
6. Rumble
7. Laserbeak
8. Reflector
9. Ravage
10. Skywarp

Other

1. Unnamed human power station employees
2. Unnamed human security guards
3. Chip Chase
4. Spike Witwicky
5. Dr. Alcazar
6. Sparkplug Witwicky

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Notes:

1. The is the first episode that features Brawn in more than a cameo role.
2. At one point, Brawn’s head is miscolored yellow—it should be gray.
3. In one scene, the Decepticon jets are animated in an exaggerated anime style.
4. Why didn’t the Autobots destroy the Earth half of the spacebridge at the end of the previous episode? The Decepticons can still use it to travel between Earth and Cybertron.
5. Anti-matter formula?
6. This is the first appearance of Chip Chase and Dr. Alcazar.
7. Why do giant robots need to use the key code to open the door? They’re giant robots. Surely, they can just break the door down.
8. It’s unclear whether Skywarp was with Starscream’s group or not. He is seen twice very briefly, but otherwise plays no part in the story.
9. In one scene, Soundwave’s voice isn’t modulated.
10. When Megatron detonates the anti-matter energon cube, the Autobots are damaged and retreat. Yet, none of the Decepticons, all standing in the same room, are damaged. How is this possible?

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Opinion of Episode:

The animation in the episode was some of the best in the series so far. I only saw one glaring animation error—Brawn’s head is incorrectly colored yellow. Skywarp appears and disappears throughout the episode—either he’s there or he isn’t. The story itself is ridiculous. Anti-matter formula? I won’t go any further in discussing why the story is absurd; I’ll stop with anti-matter. The episode also introduces Chip Chase. Chip will stick around for a few episodes and then disappear. The animation alone makes the episode worth watching, and it’s fun to see Hound and Mirage use their unique abilities.

Rating: 3.8 out of 5

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Something isn’t right with this picture!

Flying so high, above the sky…

Hey…um, has anyone ever told you that we kind of look like each other?

Huddle up!

Transport to Oblivion (Episode 4)

The Transformers

Transport to Oblivion (Episode 4)

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Plot Summary:

At Autobot headquarters, Cliffjumper exits the base and believing he sees a Decepticon on a hilltop, fires and hits his target. Fortunately, it’s only a rock that appears to be a Decepticon, and the falling debris lands harmlessly on the ground as Optimus and Ironhide avoid harm. Ironhide boldly claims that the Decepticons are gone for good; their cruiser has been at the bottom of the ocean for several months, and no Decepticon has been sighted. Optimus, however, is not so sure about their demise.

At the Decepticon cruiser’s landing spot, the Decepticons have constructed a new base of operations. On Cyberton, Shockwave, still guarding Cybertron after 4 millions years, is losing power. In desperation, the weakening Shockwave attempts to contact Megatron, hoping that this time, his leader will answer. Shockwave succeeds in reaching Megatron, who is surprised that Shockwave still functions after so many years.  Shockwave informs Megatron that he has developed a new spacebridge technology, with which the Decepticons can use to transport energon to Cybertron quickly. Megatron vows to suck the Earth dry.

Sometime later, Soundwave blasts loud music in cassette deck mode inside a power plant. Soundwave transforms and deploys Laserbeak, and the two Decepticons take control of the plant. The remaining Decepticons arrive and begin the production of energon cubes.

Elsewhere, Spike is enjoying some rock music while riding inside Jazz, when the two come upon a traffic jam caused by a blackout. The two decide to report back to Autobot headquarters.  There, Optimus orders Teletraan-1 to deploy Sky Spy to scan all area power plants to locate the cause of the blackout. Sky Spy locates the problem—Megatron lives! Optimus orders the Autobots on alert. With over half of the Autobots out on Patrol, only a few can report to answer the Decepticon threat. Nevertheless, the Autobots roll out.

At the power plant, the Autobots attack through the roof, and the Decepticons retreat. Cliffjumper attacks Megatron and is easily dispatched. Optimus then engages the Decepticon leader, while Ratchet and Prowl attack Skywarp and Starscream. Ratchet and Prowl lose the duel, and immediately thereafter, Starscream dispatches Gears and Cliffjumper; the two Seekers then retreat with the energon cubes. Elsewhere, Megatron transforms into his handgun alt mode, and Soundwave uses him to fire at Optimus. Sacrificing himself, Ironhide is shot when he shields Optimus from the blast and falls into Optimus’s arms. The Decepticons retreat, having won the skirmish, and the Autobots transport the damaged Ironhide back to Autobot headquarters.

At Autobot HQ, Ratchet and Sparkplug repair Ironhide. Optimus orders Bumblebee to spy on the Decepticons to discover their plans, and Spike volunteers to go with him. Elsewhere, at Decepticon HQ, Megatron and Shockwave coordinate the transfer of energon using the spacebridge. Unfortunately, the spacebridge is only open for 11 minutes at a time, giving the Decepticons little room for error.

Later….

In the desert, Bumblebee and Spike search for the Decepticons and decide to examine a dried up river bed. There, they find them preparing for the first spacebridge test run. The test run fails because the spacebridge requires a driver to guide the transport vehicle across the bridge. Bumblebee and Spike turn to leave, but fall into the river bed where they are captured and strapped inside the vehicle for the next test run. Running out of time, the duo seek a way to escape. Bumblebee transforms into his Volkswagon Beetle alt mode and bursts through the window with Spike running behind him and Ravage in pursuit. Unfortunately, Bumblebee is forced to leave Spike behind when Spike falls. For a short time, Bumblebee evades capture but is eventually caught. Megatron decides to rewire his brain and release him so that the small Autobot will lead his teammates into a trap.

Laserbeak spies on the Autobots, and returns to Decepticon HQ to report that the Autobots have been fooled by Megatron’s bad intel, and they are heading straight for the cave where they believe the spacebridge is located. Megatron is pleased.

Eventually, the Autobots arrive at the cave. After questioning Bumblebee’s information, Ironhide protests that the little bot has never been wrong. Doubts assuaged, the Autobots enter the cave, but find nothing. The Decepticons come out of hiding, and blast the entrance to the cave shut. The two sides engage in a firefight, when Megatron is interrupted by a calling Shockwave—the spacebridge is about to open. Megatron orders the retreat, and Starscream blows open the mouth of the cave to expedite their escape. After exiting the cave, Starscream uses Megatron, in gun mode, to once more blast the entrance closed, leaving the Autobots trapped inside.

Inside the cave, Ratchet repairs a damaged Bumblebee, who now remembers the real location of the spacebridge.  Concentrating their firepower, the Autobots blow open the exit to the cave, and head to the true location of the spacebridge.

In the dry river bed, the Decepticons plan another test run for the spacebridge using Spike as a test subject. The Autobots arrive and attack the Decepticons. Optimus uses his weapon to shoot open the transport vehicle holding Spike, and Bumblebee, in Volkswagon Beetle mode, saves him. The empty transport vehicle, still holding energon, derails from its track and crashes into the side of the spacebridge structure. Desperate to get the energon cubes to Cybertron, Megatron hastily grabs the cubes but is shot by Autobot weapon’s fire, and falls inside the spacebridge which activates and transports the Decepticon leader.

Believing Megatron dead, Starscream takes command of the Decepticons and orders a retreat. The Autobots celebrate, as Spike is reunited with his father, Sparkplug.

On Cybertron, the spacebridge opens and Megatron exits…very much still functional.

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Appearance

Autobots

1. Optimus Prime
2. Cliffjumper
3. Ironhide
4. Jazz
5. Teletraan-1
6. Sky Spy
7. Ratchet
8. Prowl
9. Gears
10. Bumblebee
11. Brawn
12. Sideswipe
13. Trailbreaker
14. Sunstreaker

Decepticons

1. Megatron
2. Shockwave
3. Soundwave
4. Laserbeak
5. Skywarp
6. Starscream
7. Ravage
8. Reflector
9. Thundercracker

Other

1. Numerous unnamed human power plant employees
2. Spike Witwicky
3. Sparkplug Witwicky

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Notes:

1. At the end of the last episode, the Autobots were preparing to depart for Cybertron. Now, for some reason, those plans have seemingly been abandoned and the Decepticons have been at the bottom of the ocean for months.
2. For the second time in four episodes, Ironhide is damaged enough such that Ratchet must repair him.
3. When the Autobots report to Optimus, it appears that Ratchet, Ironhide, and Prowl have all gained a significant amount of weight. In other words, they weren’t drawn very well.
4. Once again, Megatron and Starscream argue.
5. In the cave, Jazz uses a long piece of rock as a baseball bat to hit a laser beam from Starscream back at the Decepticon. That’s not possible is it?
6. During the fight in the cave, Brawn appears out of nowhere. He had not been seen previously, and he was not part of the group that traveled to the cave. Where did he come from?
7. As the Decepticons retreat from the cave, Thundercracker appears out of nowhere flying with his fellow Decepticons. Thundercracker had not been seen in any part of the episode up to that point. Where did he come from?
8. After they are trapped in the cave, Sideswipe appears among the Autobots. He had not been seen previously, and did not come to the cave with the other Autobots. Where did he come from?
9. Again, while trapped in the cave, Trailbreaker and Sunstreaker appear out of nowhere. Where were they before now?
10. After Megatron is transported to Cybertron, two Starscreams appear. This is obviously a coloring error.
11. Beginning with this episode, Bumblebee becomes a more prominent member of the cast.

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Episode Opinion:

The story is fairly well written, and there are very few questionable jumps in logic. However, the beginning of the episode is somewhat jarring. When episode 3 ended, the Autobots were preparing to leave for Cybertron. When episode 4 opens, they are still on Earth, with no evidence that they were planning for departure. Also, it’s hard to believe that Shockwave could invent such a shoddy spacebridge over the course of 4 million years. It should have been a well functioning system by 1984.

In terms of characterization, many characters do not appear and some appear almost as if by accident. Bumblebee takes center stage for the first time, and he is quickly established as an underdog to root for. This is also the first pairing of Bumblebee and Spike, a pairing that will last for the duration of Season 1, Season 2, and the animated movie.  We still don’t know much about most of the characters, but Megatron and Starscream’s antagonistic relationship continues. This is also the first time that Ironhide is paired with Optimus as best friends, a frequent pairing for the next two seasons.

The animation is spotty. Sometimes it’s good, and sometimes it isn’t. Many times, characters who have not been part of the story appear from nowhere and aren’t seen again. In some cases, the animation appears to be distorted—in one of the lineups, Ironhide and Ratchet look incredibly fat and off character model, for example.

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Rating:

4.0 out of 5

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I seeee you!

Um, we need to lose weight, guys.

Help me, Megatron!

So, uh, who’s going in first?

 

More than Meets the Eye, Part 3 (Episode 3)

The Transformers

More than Meets the Eye, Part 3 (Episode 3)

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Continued from Part 2…..

Plot Summary:

The explosion inside the ruby crystal mine forces Optimus Prime, in truck mode, to tumble down the side of a mountain. Several Autobots quickly come to his aid. Jazz orders the Autobots to get Optimus on his wheels, and Ratchet checks on him. Still in pain, Optimus asks about Roller, but Roller quickly appears as he drives down the mountain and enters Optimus’s trailer, safe and sound. With Gears, Huffer, and Cliffjumper cheering him on, Optimus struggles to transform into robot mode, but eventually succeeds.

The Autobots then begin the process of digging through rock to find Sparkplug and Bumblebee, with Ironhide leading the effort. Eventually, Jazz locates the duo safe and sound. Optimus then declares the Decepticons are finished, before Megatron rudely interrupts the Autobots by blowing off the top of the mine, allowing the Decepticons to escape.

Ironhide, disobeying an order from Optimus, follows in pursuit and Bluestreak decides to bring him back. Ironhide refuses to back down, so Bluestreak decides to help him. The two fire at the decepticons, but Skywarp teleports behind Ironhide and shoots Ironhide out of the sky. Ironhide lands in a pond, and Bluestreak retrieves him with the assistance of Jazz and his tow line/grappling hook. Injured, the Autobots load Ironhide into Ratchet, who has transformed into his alt mode, an ambulance. The Autobots transform and head back to HQ.

At HQ, Spike writes about Optimus Prime in his diary. He thinks Optimus “would make a neat president.” Meanwhile, the Autobots have locked the captured Ravage inside a steel cage, while Hound taunts him. As Hound creates a hologram of Megatron to keep Ravage company, Mirage muses that Hound’s mirages appear very real, prompting Hound to come up with an idea—a giant hologram that will trick the Decepticons into coming to the Autobots. Optimus decides to create a massive hologram of an airforce base, complete with rocket fuel that can be turned into energon.

With the plan set, the Autobots allow Ravage to overhear the plans and “accidentally” drop the key near his cage so that Ravage can escape and inform Megatron of the “airforce base.” Ravage does escape, and informs Megatron of his intel.  Megatron and Starscream bicker, with Starscream attempting to shoot Megatron in the back; Megatron gains the upper hand, and declares the Decepticons will attack the base at sunrise.

At sunrise, the Decepticons attack, and the Autobots spring their trap. However, the Decepticons begin to crumble into pieces and Optimus realizes the Autobots have been tricked, which Megatron confirms—he was onto Optimus’s plan from the start. Megatron reveals that while the Autobots had been fighting scrap, the Decepticons were at a real rocket base! Megatron departs to join the Decepticons.

The Decepticons attack and control the rocket base, immediately beginning the process of converting rocket fuel to energon. With the energon collected, Megatron orders Soundwave to begin launch procedures—they’re returning to Cybertron.  Elsewhere, Optimus asks for volunteers to stop the Decepticons, and all Autobots volunteer. They transform, and roll out.

The Autobots encircle the base of the Decepticons and attack. The Decepticons beat them back, enter the space cruiser, and launch successfully. Optimus orders Sideswipe to give him his rocket pack, and Jazz protests, but Optimus, alone, goes after the cruiser. Optimus fails, as he is shot out of the sky by the Decepticon cruiser, causing him to hurdle towards the Earth, landing forcefully. The Autobots check on his status, and he angrily protests that he is fine. Optimus then notices the absence of Mirage—where is he? Prowl notes that Mirage was eager to go home–maybe he snuck aboard the cruiser?

In the cruiser, Starscream again attempts to kill Megatron and take control of the Decepticons. While they argue, Mirage disengages his invisibility power and fires on the control panel, destroying the cruiser’s ability to steer. Starscream instinctively fires upon and hits Mirage, while Megatron takes the opportunity to shoot Starscream. Losing power and impossible to steer, the cruiser plummets towards Earth. Mirage recovers, and jumps out of the cruiser, using a parachute to slow his descent.

The Autobots witness the cruiser crash into the ocean, and celebrate. Prowl spots Mirage, and the Autobots realize that he stopped the Decepticons. They all cheer. The Autobots return to base to repair their ship—destination, Cybertron. In his diary, Spike explains that the governments of the Earth have decided to give the Autobots the energy they need to return to Cyberton and revitalize their home planet because they stopped the Decepticons. Spike is excited because he’s going to Cyberton, too.

Meanwhile, Megatron, very much alive, leaves the crashed cruiser on the ocean bed and swims to the surface.

 

 

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Appearance

Autobots

1. Optimus Prime
2. Prowl
3. Jazz
4. Ratchet
5. Ironhide
6. Mirage
7. Hound
8. Bluestreak
9. Gears
10. Huffer
11. Cliffjumper
12. Wheeljack
13. Bumblebee
14. Sideswipe
15. Windcharger
16. Brawn
17. Trailbreaker
18. Sunstreaker

Decepticons

1. Megatron
2. Soundwave
3. Thundercracker
4. Skywarp
5. Starscream
6. Reflector
7. Ravage
8. Rumble

Other

1. Sparkplug
2. Spike
3. unnamed rocket base employees

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Notes

1. Ironhide’s foreharm deploys a drill.
2. After rescuing Bumblebee and Sparkplug, Optimus claims that the Decepticons are finally finished. Isn’t that a little too easy, Optimus?
3. At one point, Soundwave is drawn with a purple Autobot symbol on his chest. This is clearly a mistake.
4. Ironhide disobeys a direct order from Optimus. This is the second time in three episodes that an Autobot has disobeyed Optimus. I’m seeing a pattern!
5. Skywarp first displays his trademark ability to teleport in this episode.
6. Skywarp is a lousy shot. He shoots 4 missiles at Ironhide, who is making no effort to alter his flight path, and misses each time. Eventually, Skywarp hits him with laser fire.
7. Jazz uses his tow line/grappling hook for the third straight episode.
8. In two brief shots, Optimus is drawn in exaggerated proportions in robot mode. The rendering is much more anime than is typical.
9. The Transformers are very technologically advanced, and yet they put Ravage in a steel bar cage. Why? Shouldn’t it be something more high tech?
10. After Ravage escapes, the Autobots inform Optimus of his escape. Optimus says “perfect” and the Autobots express surprise and confusion. Why? They came up with the plan together, and they already know about it!
11. Again, Megatron and Starscream bicker. At one point, Starscream attempts to shoot Megatron in the back, but Soundwave warms him in time to raise a deflection shield. In retaliation, Megatron shoots Starscream in the arm and Starscream grovels at Megatron’s feet.
12. Why does Optimus ask for volunteers? They HAVE to stop the Decepticons, don’t they?
13. Sideswipe’s jet pack literally appears out of nowhere. Up to that point, it hadn’t been seen or mentioned.

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Opinion of Episode:

Part 3 is an improvement over Part 2 in both story and art. There are fewer art errors, although they still appear. The art is usually fairly clean, crisp, and dynamic. The story moves at a brisk pace, and the action doesn’t really stop, and there are fewer leaps of logic in comparison to part 2. In terms of characterization, the relationship between Megatron and Starscream has received the most development up to this point. Soundwave is also firmly established as Megatron’s number 2. There isn’t much more character development involving the other Decepticons.

What about the characterization of the Autobots? Honestly, there hasn’t been much to differentiate them from each other. Most of them have had little characterization, or none at all. Such is the problem of having such a large cast, with the mission of jamming them all in so that you can sell their toys. Optimus is established as a kind, compassionate leader, but he’s been disobeyed twice in three episodes by two different Autobots. Not a good sign, in my opinion.

Other than Optimus, Jazz and Hound have received the most screen time. Jazz is clearly established as Optimus’s second in command, and Hound the top scout and key player. However, in future episodes, Hound will become essentially a background character. What about Bumblebee, you might ask? Well, in the first three episodes, he hasn’t really done too much. In future episodes, this will also change, as he becomes one of the main characters.

The ending of the mini series leaves open the possibility of a continuation of the series. Obviously, Hasbro was hoping the mini series would perform well, and hoped for an order of a full season. And, it would be picked for a full season. I enjoyed the episode. Was it perfect? No. But the positives outweighed the negatives.

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Rating:

4.5 out of 5

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You ok, Prime?

The cheering section.

Megatron, I hate to break this to you…but I’m an Autobot.

More than Meets the Eye, Part 2 (Episode 2)

The Transformers

More than Meets the Eye, Part 2

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Continued from Part 1…

The Autobots remain trapped in the oil platform wreckage in the ocean. Huffer pleads for help, as his arm is stuck in the collapsed platform metal. Brawn quickly comes to Huffer’s aid, transforms his hand into a blowtorch, and cuts Huffer free. The two Autobots take to the sky. Meanwhile, Optimus struggles to help Spike and Sparkplug, who are still trapped. Optimus orders Trailbreaker to use his force shield to block the raging inferno, while Wheeljack volunteers to assist. Together, the two Autobots put out the fire, as Optimus simultaneously frees Spike and Sparkplug. Jazz transforms his hand into a grappling hook, and pulls the three out of the ocean and onto a standing part of the platform. There, Optimus introduces himself and the Autobots to Spike and Sparkplug, and explains the threat of the Decepticons. Spike asks Optimus if they can help, but he declines. Sparkplug protests that they know Earth more than the Autobots do, and Optimus, seeing their point, agrees to let them help.

The Autobots return to base, the Ark, still embedded in Mt. St. Hillary where Spike writes about the Autobots in his diary. From a distance, Soundwave observes Spike and quickly transforms into his alt mode, a cassette deck. Spike, seeing the cassette deck picks it up and takes it inside the Autobot base. Spike sits Soundwave on top of Teletraan-1, and leaves to speak with Trailbreaker about Cybertron. Trailbreaker explains that Transformers transform for the purposes of disguise. Hound shows Spike how they transform, and Mirage shows him his vanishing ability. Hound then takes Spike for a ride in the desert.

Meanwhile, left alone, Soundwave transforms and releases Ravage, ordering him to transform into a cassette tape so that he can record information from Teletraan-1. Upon returning from the joy ride, Spike walks in on Soundwave, in cassette deck mode, recording information from Teletraan-1. Soundwave transforms, and attempts to stop Spike from triggering the alarm but fails. Soundwave and Ravage both attempt to escape, but Ravage is cornered and captured.

Soundwave relays his gathered intel to Megatron, primarily the energy generated by Sherman Dam (an analogue to Hoover Dam in the real world). Megatron explains his plan: to create a tidal wave large enough to create a significant amount of energy at Sherman Dam in a short amount of time.

At dawn the following day, the Decepticons attack Sherman Dam. Rumble is once again dispatched to create a localized earth quake in an attempt to create the tidal wave. Rumble jumps into the river, sinks to the bottom, and begins to pound the river bed. The river begins to rage, while the remainder of the Decepticons fly to the power plant. There, they begin to prepare energon cubes. The Autobots arrive at the river, and Prowl asks Optimus if he thinks the Decepticons caused the tidal wave; Megatron fires a warning shot at the Autobots to announce that indeed, the Decepticons were the cause.

The Autobots take to the air, fly to the power plant, and engage the Decepticons. Hound and Spike stay behind; Hound drops a face guard and enters the river. Sinking to the river bottom, Hound locates and engages Rumble. In the meantime, Ironhide and Bumblebee create a new river channel to re-direct the flood coming from the collapsing dam. In the power plant, Sparkplug evacuates the employees while the Autobots attack the Decepticons. As the Decepticons gain the upper hand, Starscream shoots the foundation of the plant, causing the entire plant to become unstable. Losing time, Megatron orders the Decepticons to gather the energon cubes as he leads the escape.

Megatron, however, is cut off by Optimus Prime, and they engage in one-on-one combat on top of the dam. In the meantime, Spike calls for Hound, still on the river bed engaged with Rumble. Rumble pins Hound under some rocks, and exits the river. Spike and Rumble fight, and Spike calls for help. Optimus, distracted by Spikes pleas, is knocked off the dam by Megatron. The Decepticons escape.

Jazz retrieves Optimus from the river with his tow line. Meanwhile, Spike jumps into the river, swims to the bottom, tosses a boulder off of Hound, and the two swim to the surface. Mirage openly wonders why they can’t just go back to Cybertron, but Optimus explains that the Decepticons must be stopped on Earth or they won’t be stopped. Optimus implores his troops to have courage.

Elsewhere, the Decepticons create energon cubes in different locations on Earth, and Soundwave updates Megatron on the progress of the space cruiser’s construction. They determine that they need one more major source of energy—the Ruby Crystals of Burma, the richest source of energy on the Earth (according to Megatron).  From a distance, Trailbreaker, Spike, and Sparkplug listen in on the Decepticons and radio Optimus about their plans.  While driving to headquarters, Trailbreaker is attacked and they radio for help. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe arrive to escort Trailbreaker, and counter attack the two Decepticon Seekers in pursuit. When one Seeker is hit, they both retreat and the Autobots return to headquarters.

In the meantime, the Decepticons have arrived at the Burma Ruby Mines, and have begun to create energon cubes. Presently, the Autobots arrive at the mines. Optimus sends Bumblebee, along with Sparkplug, into the mine to plant an explosive designed by Wheeljack. The two enter the mine and plant the bomb, but are soon discovered and attacked by Thundercracker and Skywarp. With bomb timer counting down, and the two nowhere in sight, Optimus decides to transform into his truck mode and drive to the entrance of the mine. At the entrance, Optimus deploys his drone, Roller, from his trailer and dispatches him to check out the situation inside the mine.

The mine explodes, sending Optimus, in truck mode, over the edge of the cliff. Roller, Bumblebee, and Sparkplug are now trapped inside the mine with all of the Decepticons.

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Appearance

Autobots:

1. Huffer
2. Brawn
3. Optimus Prime
4. Trailbreaker
5. Wheeljack
6. Jazz
7. Ratchet
8. Sunstreaker
9. Cliffjumper
10. Mirage
11. Hound
12. Bumblebee
13. Sideswipe
14. Gears
15. Prowl
16. Iron Hide
17. Sideswipe
18. Bluestreak

Decepticons:

1. Soundwave
2. Ravage
3. Megatron
4. Thundercracker
5. Starscream
6. Skywarp
7. Reflector
8. Unnamed Deception Seeker
9. Rumble
10. Extra Rumbles that appear out of nowhere (unnamed)
11. Several, generic unnamed Seekers

Others:

1. Sparkplug Witwicky (human)
2. Spike Witwicky (human)
3. Numerous unnamed humans

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Notes:

1. Huffer is whiny. He whines…a lot.
2. In this episode, the crashed Ark is established as the base of the Autobots.
3. Ratchet, the Autobot medic, is seen repairing an Autobot (Huffer) for the first time.
4. Several Autobots display their secondary abilities for the first time: Trailbreaker’s force shield, Wheeljack’s fire-retardant foam, Jazz’s grappling hook, Mirage’s vanishing ability, and Hound’s ability to create holograms.
5. Soundwave shrinks, or “mass shifts” into a small, human sized cassette deck. Likewise, Reflector transforms into a human sized camera via mass shifting, and Megatron into hand gun. Don’t ask me to explain the concept of mass shifting.
6. When Ravage is captured by the Autobots, Soundwave expresses an unusual degree of concern for him when it comes to Decepticons. This would foreshadow Soundwave’s unique relationship with his minions in future incarnations of Transformers.
7. Megatron and Starscream again bicker. They sound like an old, married couple. Starscream usually is the instigator.
8. Megatron’s plan to create a tidal wave is not exactly genius. Wouldn’t the tidal wave overwhelm and damage the dam, thus eliminating the dam’s ability to generate any energy?
9. When the Autobots arrive at the river, Prowl asks Optimus if he thinks the Decepticons did it, and before Optimus can respond, Megatron answers for him by firing a warning shot above the heads of the Autobots.  Prowl is supposed to be a master tactician, so how could he not deduce that the Decepticons were creating the tidal wave?
10. When Hound enters the river, he drops a face guard. Why? He’s a robot.
11. Ironhide and Bumbebee create a new river channel with a laser gun. It’s an absurd idea, and it looks ridiculous as it’s happening.
12. Ironhide has a Southern accent.
13. How is Hound supposed to hear Spike calling to him when Hound is AT THE BOTTOM OF A RIVER BED?
14. How did Spike tackle Rumble?
15. How did Spike toss the boulder off of Hound in the first place when Hound, a BIG ROBOT, couldn’t toss it off his own body?
16. Several, unnamed Seekers appear out of thin air at one point. We don’t know who they are or where they come from.
17. I didn’t know that ruby crystals generate energy. Wait—they don’t! And, according to Megatron, they’re the richest source of energy on Earth. Clearly, this is absurd.
18. As they fly to the ruby crystal mine, the Decepticon army appears to be huge. There are far more Decepticons than can be accounted for or explained. They’re essentially generics.
19. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe literally appear immediately after Trailbreaker calls for help. They couldn’t have come from Autobot base.
20. It’s established that Sunstreaker and Sideswipe are brothers, though what that means for Transformers is never explained in the cartoon. Also, Sunstreaker is extremely vain.
21. In one group shot, Bluestreak’s head is miscolored yellow.
22. Sparkplug claims to have worked in the Burma mines before. That seems….highly unlikely.
23. At one point, Sideswipe’s head is miscolored red.

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Opinion of Episode:

Overall, the animation is still very good, albeit with a few coloring errors. The story, however, hits some bumps. Megatron’s plan to create a tidal wave is ridiculous—it would destroy the dam and provide no energy. Spike fights a robot, Rumble, and then saves Hound at the bottom of the river but tossing a boulder off of Hound. How could Hound not have done this, if Spike could do it so easily? The Ruby Crystals of Burma are the richest source of energy on Earth? Absurd. There are many generic Decepticons that appear out of nowhere—there are extra Rumbles and extra Seekers. They are never explained. Despite the absurdities, it’s still a fun watch.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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I love to whine!

I am ….AWESOME!!!

Want some???

“Shut up, Mirage.”

More than Meets the Eye, Part I (Episode I)

The Transformers

Episode 1: More than Meets the Eye, Part 1

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Plot Summary

Scene: Cyberton

On Cyberton, the home planet of the Transformers, Autobots Wheeljack and Bumblebee attempt to take some energon rods back to the homebase of the Autobots, Iacon. They are attacked by three Decepticon Seekers, but fortunately they escape underground. Decepticon communication and espionage specialist Soundwave observes them drive into Iacon, and avoids detection by transforming into a street lamp (I assume it’s a street lamp, but I’m not sure). Soundwave then transforms, and releases his minion Laserbeak, a flying eagle to spy on Autobot leader, Optimus Prime, explain to fellow Autobots Jazz, Trailbreaker, and Prowl that the Autobots must leave Cybertron to find new sources of Energon. Laserbeak relays this information to the Decepticon leader, Megatron.

The Autobots launch into space in their ship, the Ark, and the Decepticons, watching from a distance, launch in their ship, the Nemesis. Both ships travel through a meteor shower after two massive asteroids collide and explode in space. A battle ensues when the Decepticons board the Ark, and the Autobots and Decepticons fight in close quarters in hand-to-hand combat. During the battle, control of the ships is lost and they both land on Earth, albeit in different locations. The Ark crashes into the base of an active volcano (Mt. St. Hillary), and time passes.

Scene: Earth (4 million years later)

Four million years later, in Earth year 1984, an explosion from Mt. St. Hillary wakes up the computer system, Teletraan 1. The system activates and deploys the Sky Spy satellite, which scans the first object it finds, an F-15 Eagle figher jet. Sky Spy sends the scan to Teletraan-1, and the system scans and repairs the first Transformer closest to it—Decepticon Skywarp. Skywarp transforms into robot mode and begins the process of using Teletraan-1 to repair all Decepticons, beginning with Megatron. After all are repaired, the Decepticons leave the Ark in search of a new source of Energon. Disobeying Megatron’s order to leave the Ark alone, Starscream fires at the volcano, inadvertently causing Optimus Prime to fall in front of Teletraan-1’s scanner, thus repairing the Autobot leader. Unknown to the Decepticons, the Autobots are now functional once more.

The Decepticons begin preparation for a new space cruiser near a rocky outcropping in the middle of the desert. Megatron sends Starscream, Soundwave, and Rumble to find materials to prepare the area for construction. The Decepticons locate a power station, and Rumble destroys it using his pile-driver arms to cause a localized earthquake. Meanwhile, Optimus sends Hound and Cliffjumper to scout the area and locate the Decepticons. Optimus specifically orders the duo to locate them, and to refrain from attacking them.  In short order, they locate the Decepticons and Hound records them planning a departure from Earth and replenishing Cybertron by stripping Earth of its resources. Defying orders, Cliffjumper fires at Megatron but misses. In response, Megatron sends Laserbeak to investigate the source of the weapon’s fire, unaware that the Autobots have been reactivated.

Hound and Cliffjumper retreat but Laserbeak gives chase. They decide to separate in the belief that Laserbeak can’t follow them both at the same time. However, Laserbeak continues his pursuit of Hound, and deploys his self-propelled laser after Cliffjumper. Cliffjumper escapes, but Hound is hit and crashes off a mountain ledge.

Sometime later, the Autobots return and Autobot Hauler retrieves Hound, who is trapped in vehicle mode. Cliffjumper apologetically says that he never should have fired. Hound responds that he never should have missed! On a distant ledge, Decepticon Reflector muses that he can’t believe the Autobots survived, and then transforms to allow Thundercracker to use his alt mode, a camera, to track an approaching “alien” vehicle. Megatron orders Thundercracker to release Ravage, a robotic panther, to check the vehicle where he finds two humans, who flee in terror.

Meanwhile, Hound informs Optimus of Megatron’s plan, and the Autobot leader orders Jazz, his second in command, to organize a battle unit. The Autobots roll out, headed toward the Decepticon’s preparation grounds. At the grounds, Laserbeak reports to Megatron that he has located a source of energy—an oil platform. As Spike and his father Sparkplug are at work on the platform, the Decepticons descend from the sky and begin the assault. The humans attack the Decepticons, but they are dispatched with ease.

As the Decepticons prepare to make energon cubes, the Autobots arrive and begin a counter attack to defend the humans. The Decepticons retreat, but not before securing some energon cubes and destroying the base of the platform. The platform plunges into the ocean, taking the Autobots with it. Before departing, Megatron destroys an oil container, starting a raging inferno that engulfs the platform. In the ocean, Spike and Sparkplug are trapped under metallic debris, and call for help as the fire approaches them. Optimus comes to their aid. Can Optimus save them? Can the Autobots survive the fire?

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Appearance

Autobots:

1. Wheeljack
2. Bumblebee
3. Jazz
4. Optimus Prime
5. Trailbreaker
6. Prowl
7. Teletraan-1
8. Sky Spy
9. Sideswipe
10. Ironhide
11. Mirage
12. Ratchet
13. Hound
14. Cliffjumper
15. Hauler
16. Sunstreaker
17. Bluestreak
18. Huffer
19. Brawn
20. Gears
21. Windcharger

Decepticons:

1. Three Decepticon Seekers (unnamed)
2. Soundwave
3. Laserbeak
4. Megatron
5. Shockwave
6. Starscream
7. Thundercracker
8. Reflector
9. Skywarp
10. Rumble
11. Ravage

Others

1. Sparkplug Witwicky (human)
2. Spike Witwicky (human)
3. Various unnamed humans

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Notes:

1. Wheeljack is the first Transformer to appear in The Transformers, and thus the first Transformer to appear in any Transformer cartoon.
2. When the Ark takes off, the Nemesis appears to be fairly close by. Cybertron is a PLANET, so why are they so close together?
3. Megatron leaves Shockwave on Cybertron to remain in command of the planet. Implied is that the Decepticons are in power, and control the planet.
4. The relationship between Decepticon leader Megatron and Seeker Leader, Starscream is established in the first episode. Starscream talks a big game and wants to rule the Decepticons, and is willing to betray Megatron to do it. Fortunately for Megatron, Starscream is generally a coward.
5. Seeker is a term that describes the Decepticon jets. However, you won’t find the word “Seeker” mentioned in the entirety of the Generation 1 cartoon.
6. The original cartoon, “The Transformers”, is referred to as Generation 1. Since then, there have been several different incarnations of Transformers over the years.
7. Alt mode = Alternative Mode. Their robot mode is their default mode. Hound transforms into a Jeep. Therefore, Hound’s alt mode is a Jeep.
8. Energon is the source of fuel/energy that Transformers need to survive.
9. Autobot Hauler doesn’t transform and is never seen again.
10. You’re on a new planet, and your first order is to send your top scout to find the Decepticons. Then, another Autobot (Cliffjumper) just tells you that he’s going, too. I didn’t know troops could give their leader an order! Optimus, seemingly lax in discipline, allows Cliffjumper to go. Not setting a good tone on this new planet, Optimus!
11. Why is Reflector so surprised that the Autobots survived? He and his fellow Decepticons survived the very same crash.
12. Spike must be a super human of some kind! He hits Rumble but doesn’t break his hand. Does he have metal hands?
13. Neither the Ark nor the Nemesis are named in the episode.
14. Hound and Cliffjumper don’t recognize Laserbeak when he attacks. So, in 4 million years, they never once saw Laserbeak?
15. The Autobots act like they have never seen energon cubes, and Soundwave (Decepticon) acts as though he just invented it. In 4 million years, they never thought of creating energon cubes?
16. The Autobots fly in this episode and in the next two episodes. When the cartoon was originally commissioned, only the 3 part mini-series was ordered. The mini-series’ prime goal was to sell toys. However, the mini-series was so successful that a full season was ordered, and would feature a total of 16 episodes in the first season. When the season began with Episode 4, the Autobots could no longer fly unless they had alt modes that could fly (planes, helicopters). Most of the Autobots could not fly, and in fact, none of the original 18 Autobots could. This was done to further differentiate the Autobots from the Decepticons, and to give the Decepticons an even greater edge over the Autobots.
17. Megatron, the Decepticon leader, is the most powerful Decepticon. However, his alt mode is a hand gun, which requires another Decepticon to pull his trigger to fire. In the context of the cartoon, this is odd. However, the characters were derived from already existing toys, and those toys dictated each character’s alt mode in the cartoon.
18. For a character that is ubiquitous (ie, everywhere!) these days, Bumblebee didn’t really feature in this episode, except for the brief scene in the beginning with Wheeljack.
19. Hound is the primary Autobot scout in this episode. In future episodes he will be replaced by Bumblebee without explanation, and Hound’s importance and screen time will diminish.

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Opinion of Episode:

The first episode did a good job of quickly establishing the setting and the characters. The Autobots are the good guys, and the Decepticons are the bad guys. They are engaged in a civil war, but their primary goal is to find new sources of energy. (Sound familiar?) Autobots want to live in peace, and Decepticons want to conquer. The animation was pretty solid. Some of the detail in the background scenes really impressed me. As always, there are technical errors–some of the characters are colored incorrectly here and there, and sometimes voices don’t match the character. These errors will continue throughout the shows existence. The errors, in my opinion, don’t detract in this episode.

Because this is the first episode, all of the characters are introduced and most characters aren’t well-fleshed out. Most characters don’t even have a line, and they’re usually seen in the background. This changes somewhat over time; future Transformers cartoons (Beast Wars, Animated, Prime) would focus on smaller casts that emphasize more character development. In terms of writing, the dynamic between Megatron and Starscream is established in the first episode. Soundwave, as well, is depicted as Megatron’s second hand man, a pattern that would continue in future incarnations. In my opinion, none of the Autobots are fleshed out too well in the episode—there just isn’t enough time to spotlight every character and establish the plot of the show.

Overall, I thought this as an effective first episode. It did a good job of establishing the sides and the setting. The animation was very good (albeit with a few errors). It’s a good introduction to the Transformers universe.

5 out of 5 stars

“Ok guys, here’s how we’re going to do it.”

Starscream: “Follow me!” Rumble: “Um, no.”

“I may be small, but I like big guns and a I cannot lie.”

“1, 2, 3, everybody lift!”