A Dream Is Born, Double Prime



With the missing Matrix recovered, the race it on to return to Cybertron and secure the Autobots' control of the planet.


 * English/Malay dub name: The Birth of a New Leader

Detailed synopsis
While Hot Rod and the Autobot Headmasters search for the Matrix in the final possible location, the Decepticons mobilize to stop them. Ultra Magnus co-ordinates the Autobot response, with the Protectobots intercepting the Combaticons and the Technobots holding off the Terrorcons. Hot Rod successfully locates the Matrix - which has still not regained its full power - but as he attempts to depart the battlefield with it, his way is barred by Galvatron and the Decepticon Headmasters. The Autobot Headmasters come to his rescue, and the quintet head for Cybertron aboard the Trainbots.

On Cybertron, Vector Sigma's destabilization continues, with the planet on the verge of self-destruction. Fortress enters Cybertron's catacombs, following Optimus Prime's trail and using his telepathic powers to communicate with Alpha Trion's ghost, in order to guide Prime through the tunnels. Threats as varied as energy leeches and monstrous rodents stand in Prime's way, but eventually, he makes it to Vector Sigma's chamber - only to discover Cyclonus and Scourge have made it there ahead of him! Fortress, Galvatron, Hot Rod and the Headmasters all soon arrive in quick succession, and to turn the tide of battle, Alpha Trion merges with the Matrix in Hot Rod's hands, re-energizing it and once again transforming Hot Rod into Rodimus Prime. The two Primes team up to defeat the Decepticons, but just as Rodimus is about to recharge Optimus Prime with the Matrix, Vector Sigma flares dangerously, and Prime leaps into action the only way he can - by fusing his own essence with the computer, bringing it back under control at the cost of his own life. With Cybertron back under Autobot control, the Decepticons flee, and Rodimus is left as Autobot commander once again.

Stats
Original airdate: 17th July 1987

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

Animation and/or technical glitches

 * Prowl appears again in this episode. He's still supposed to be dead.

Continuity errors

 * Okay, so, it takes Optimus Prime (who has made the trip before) basically one-and-a-half episodes to traverse the tunnels and get to Vector Sigma's chamber, and yet Cyclonus and Scourge, who were on Earth earlier in this episode, were able to beat him there? And Galvatron and Rodimus, who only just left Earth a little while ago, make it to the chamber in what seems like only minutes? What?

Transformers references

 * The energy leeches in this episode are pretty much identical to the (slightly larger) creatures that appeared and did the same thing in The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2.
 * One of the most bizarre threats that Prime comes up against on his journey through Cybertron is a pack of giant, purple rats with large rows of spines. Perhaps leftover Trans-Organics?
 * This episode foreshadows the telepathic powers possessed by the Headmasters, which will be expanded upon a little bit in a few episodes time.

Miscellanious trivia

 * Literally speaking, this episode is titled The Birth of Double Convoy, Convoy being the Japanese equivalent of the "Prime" suffix.
 * This episode is a study in how weird the Matrix is in Japan. With the wisdom of the ages having been drained to counteract the Hate Plague in The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2, the Autobots have decided to recharge the Matrix by... hooking it up to a power station. And then, it's actually recharged by... Alpha Trion's ghost spinning around and going inside it. Um. Okay.