Countdown to Extinction



In the aftermath of Cybertron's catastrophic orbit of Earth, Starscream seizes control of the Decepticons and puts into motion a plan to destroy the planet.

Japanese title: "Operation: Obliterate Earth"

Summary
Starscream, believing Megatron destroyed, forces Doctor Arkeville to take him to his secret laboratory. 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 revitalize 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 more machine now than man. Of course, he was twisted and evil to start with, so. Meanwhile on Earth, Megatron has returned to the Decepticons having survived the explosion of his starship (See The Ultimate Doom, Part 3). 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 them. After a short battle the Autobots are trapped in quicksand. Ironhide freezes the quicksand with his liquid nitrogen allowing them to escape. Laserbeak who was standing guard over them is captured and the Autobots learn that the Decepticons are heading for the Doctor's secret laboratory and they set off to follow them.

The Autobots arrive at the laboratory 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 Starscream's plan. Megatron rips the timer from the wall just in time. On 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.

Quotes
"Now load me!"
 * -– Megatron

“Hey Prime, what do you think Megatron's gonna do to old Starscream?” “Nothing gentle, I would say.”
 * -– Bumblebee and Optimus Prime, after Megatron is last seen carrying Starscream off screen.

"Hey Optimus, how would you like to hear the number one on the Decepticon hot cassette charts?"

"As I believe the earthlings say...Lay it on me, man."
 * -- Jazz and Optimus Prime

Stats
Writers: Reed Robbins and Peter Salas

Major Characters (in order of appearance): Starscream, Dr. Arkeville, Megatron, Optimus Prime, Shockwave

Minor Characters (in order of appearance): Huffer, Gears, Frenzy, Skywarp, Rumble, Thundercracker, Soundwave, Laserbeak

Original Air Date: December 1, 1984

Technical/Animation Glitches

 * In the beginning, when Megatron returns and there is a shot of Decepticons standing in front of him, Skywarp's chest is colored black.
 * Just after that, when Laserbeak flies into Soundwave's cassette holder, it briefly becomes blue like the rest of Soundwave's body, but during the close-up, its coloring changes to Laserbeak's red-and-white.

Continuity Errors

 * How is it that everyone seems to know where Doctor Arkeville's secret laboratory is?
 * 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).

Transformers References

 * Takes place almost immediately after The Ultimate Doom, Part 3.
 * Frenzy first appears in this episode...and he's red.
 * As proof of his leadership, Starscream shows a badge with the Decepticon symbol. Every other leader just had Laserbeak perch on their shoulder or arm.

Real-World References

 * How the hell does an F-15 fly through outer space?


 * Apparently Cybertron is a Five hour flight from Earth.