The Ultimate Doom, Part 2



Cybertron's arrival causes disasters on Earth, leaving the Autobots to battle both the Decepticons and Nature.


 * Japanese title: "Day of Destruction - Part 2"

Summary
As Cybertron arrives into Earth orbit, storms and earthquakes begin in earnest. Sparkplug celebrates, despite Spike's attempts to make him see reason. Starscream rallies the Decepticons to attack the Autobots, but the sudden violence of the elements has both the Autobots and the 'Cons disoriented.

Megatron orders Soundwave to broadcast audio disrupter waves, which cause much pain to the Autobots. Optimus Prime orders a retreat. As they head out, Spike sadly watches his father board Skywarp. Starscream berates Megatron for allowing the Autobots escape, but Megatron brushes off the criticism...with a mere choke of Starscream's throat. The human slaves rush away in terror as Wheeljack notes they look like they've just woken up from a bad dream.

Doctor Arkeville realizes that the disrupter wave interfers with the hypno-chips' control signal and works to correct it, but he will need more "materials" to modify the chips. Megatron contacts Arkeville, who is informed of the situation. After a little experiment on Sparkplug, Arkeville is convinced that he has solved the problem, and Megatron promises that he will have all the slaves they need to gather the energy for Cybertron. Heading back to base under severe weather conditions, Bumblebee and Spike get separated from the group. Spike is still in a bit of a funk over his dad working with the Decepticons. An earthquake causes a fissure in the ground, which Bumblebee falls into while Laserbeak arrives and takes Spike. Hound, Bluestreak, and Windcharger arrive, rescuing Bumblebee and Spike.

At the Decepticon base, Megatron begins sending Seekers to transport energon cubes to Cybertron. Doctor Arkeville is displeased, as they are using his slaves as shields against Autobot aggression. Arkeville warns Megatron the remember their deal: He gets Earth after Megatron is done repowering Cybertron. Megatron promises to keep his word...but does not specify how much of Earth will be left. But even Megatron has his troubles with the violent storms. At Decepticon headquarters underwater, violent tsunamis destroy the base's entry tower and cause flooding. Returning to the Autobot base, the Autobots debate how best to handle the situation and decide to send the Dinobots to prevent as much destruction as possible. At first, Grimlock could give a frag about the Earth's destruction, until he's reminded that he'd be on the planet at the time.

At the Autobot base, Spike and Optimus discuss why Sparkplug would work with the Decepticons. Just then, the volcano becomes active. Ironhide manages to cover the lava with an avalanche. Elsewhere, the Dinobots are hurrying to prevent a tidal wave from reaching the shore. Meanwhile, Prime learns that Sparkplug was taken to Cybertron during energon shipments. Spike overhears and asks to go to Cybertron in order to save his dad and learn how the Decepticons are controlling their slaves. Optimus agrees. Skyfire, Wheeljack, Brawn, Trailbreaker, and Bumblebee head to Cybertron with Spike. As usual, Spike falls into a trap and needs rescuing by Brawn and Bumblebee. After they sneak into Shockwave's fortress, they discover information about the hypno-chips, but Sparkplug arrives and sounds an alarm.

To be continued...

Stats
Original airdate: November 10, 1984

Production number:

Written by: Earl Kress

Featured Characters
(''Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Quotes
"The Decepticons will triumph. Ha ha ha ha! Join me, Spike. Join the conquerors!" "Dad..." "Look, I told you. Don't call me that!"
 * Sparkplug adds to Spike's psychological wounds.

"That ought to teach you to play with fire, Blundercracker!"
 * Jazz, clever as ever.

"Cross me again Starscream, and I'll reduce you to titanium fragments." "But we had the Autobots disoriented. We could have eliminated them." "We'll do that at our leisure when our more important work is done. You have had the only warning I intend to give."
 * Megatronand Starscream bicker, again.

"Creating a mindless slave is simplicity itself, thanks to the brilliant complexity of my hypno-chip."
 * Doctor Arkeville to Rumble. The real irony is that Rumble is probably more advanced than anything Arkeville could ever create.

"That ought to cook that tin foil turkey."
 * Bluestreak disses Laserbeak.

Optimus: "Look at the monitors! You must help stop these disasters." Grimlock: "Uh, Me Grimlock not care whole planet fall apart. Make no difference to me Grimlock." Wheeljack: "With you on it?" Grimlock: "Eh, hadn't thought of that."
 * Optimus Prime and Wheeljack convince Grimlock to help.

Technical/Animation Glitches

 * Spike isn't wearing a helmet when he tries to help Bumblebee climb up the fissure. However, he's suddenly wearing one just before he's captured by Laserbeak.
 * Grimlock's head is the old design when he just shows up with other Dinobots, but it changes to the new design when he's talking to Optimus Prime and Wheeljack.
 * On Cybertron, the font in which the words "Hypno Chip Control" are written changes between shots.

Continuity Errors

 * Error

Transformers References

 * Why would choking Starscream get him to shut up?
 * The armor of the Transformers seems to be able to endure the heat of magma for at least brief periods.

Real-World References

 * Reference