Crisis (Armada)

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I would have waited an-wait, you've heard this before.
"Crisis" Địa cầu(きき) (Kiki) "Earth: Crisis"
Production code	TF: A-39
Production company	TV Tokyo,NAS
Airdate	August 19,2003(English, Canada) September 26,2003(Japanese) October 10,2003(English, United States)
Writer	Ryō Motohira
English adaptation	Terry Klassen
Director	Hidehito Ueda
Animation studio	Actas Inc.
Continuity	Unicron Trilogy

Megatron prepares to use theHydra Cannonto destroy the Autobots' base on Earth from space.

Synopsis

Shouldn't the skies bered?

AsMegatron'snew weaponcauses panic onEarthand a potent green haze fills the sky, the kids don't know what action they should take next. Onboard theDecepticons' ship, Megatron annoysThrustby laughing at the tactician's silly head. To himself, Thrust mocks Megatron's stupid head. Outside, the force fields blockJetfire's efforts to attack the ship.

TheAutobotsponder how to destroy the Decepticon ship without killing theMini-Consin its core.Hot Shotangrily blames the entire situation onStarscreamand goes so far as to yell atOptimus Primefor letting Starscream join the Autobots. Instead of responding, Optimus leaves to let Hot Shot whine vengeance on the edge of sanity.

Optimus inspects hisMatrixbefore Jetfire returns to the launching dock. When the Autobots and kids assemble there, Optimus announces he has a plan to save Earth. Hot Shot's request to join Prime and Jetfire gets shot down, and in exchange, Prime attempts to pass on the Matrix to Hot Shot, who refuses to accept it.

Somebody is getting pregnant.

Starscream considers his position with the Decepticons. When requested, he struggles to put aside the compassion he's learned and fire upon Earth, even if it harms humans. But when the shields are disengaged, Prime and Jetfire take advantage of the window and begin to attack.

The Decepticons rush out to fight the two Autobots. Eventually, Megatron and Optimus face against each other. But Prime's desire to save Earth causes him to glow yellow and use his body to block theHydra Cannon's energy blast.

Hey guys, it's just like that scene in the obscenity-filled uncut version ofThe Transformers: The Moviewhere Prime disintegrates! I saw it as a kid while playing with my blueBluestreaktoy!

Optimus Prime holds back the blast (visible on Earth). With pieces of Prime breaking off, he pushes the shot back over the Decepticon ship. When the cannon is spent, Optimus stands, bleached white. When the kids see the Autobot leader standing,he shatters into tiny fragments,then the kids, the other Autobots, and even Megatron shout concerned yells.

The Decepticons retreat while Jetfire recoversSparkplugand Optimus Prime's Matrix.

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Quotes

"But Rad, we can't stand around and not say anything while the whole stinkin' planet blows up to smithereens."

—Carlos

"Do as the Squidhead says, men."
"...Squidhead? Even you, Megatron?"

—Megatronbegins to belittleThrust

"What's that? You don’t enjoy my Earthly humor? Buck up, soldier, or you’ll be looking at a demotion."
"...I understand, sir."

—MegatrontellsSquidheadThrustto take it like a man. And he takes it.

"Ha ha! Don't you just love watching those miserable mechanical morons attempt to attack me, Squidhead?"
[to self]"I wish he wouldn't call me that anymore. How would he like to be called flathead?"[giggles]
"So why don't you share your little joke with everyone?"
"Ahem, I wasn't laughing, sir."[to self]"Flathead...boy, I can really dish it out."
"You...are a freak."

—MegatronandThrust

"You have betrayed my trust on more than one occasion, Starscream, but you always seemed to return to the Decepticon fold when it really mattered. So can I trust you this time? Well, Starscream?"

—Megatronto Starscream, describingthe problemtheygenerally have.

"What the?!... He's completely disintegrated into space dust.... OPTIMUUUUUUS!"
(The wreckage in space does not call back.)

—Megatronbegins stage one: denial.

Notes

Differences withLegends of the Microns

• In the Japanese dub, Sullivan is unnamed, and instead of saying that the comet vanished from the screen, he says he doesn't know why.
• Kelly's report is almost identical in both versions, but she emphasizes the sky's "hellish" appearance and says the cause is unknown inLegends of the Microns.
• During the children's discussion, Fred asks if Megatron blew up the comet as an experiment, which Carlos believes was "a test for his real target." However, Carlos doesn't know what it might be before Fred says Megatron might be planning to blow up the Earth. He later says people might listen to them about the danger if the Transformers themselves explain. Alexis says Optimus wants to keep the fights secret; people might not listen to them or use the Autobots for experiments. She feels that keeping their secret may be impossible after the comet's explosion. Carlos and Fred agree they're in a tough spot, and Billy asks if adults will listen to them with Optimus present. Rad states they've been fighting the 'Cons in secrecy to keep Earth out of the Transformers' war and avoid creating more chaos, as Optimus would say that. Carlos asks Rad what they should do since they are the only ones who know the planet is in danger, but Rad asks, "But what is the rest of humanity supposed to do in this case?" InArmada,the kids talk more about keeping the Autobots' secret as promised, and Rad says they should stay out of the Autobots' way and wait and see what happens next since it's all they can currently do. Then Carlos shouts to the heavens, asking what they're supposed to do.
• In the Japanese dub, the elderly newscaster "Jhon Thompson" says the comet's explosion has caused an anomaly.Armadachanges his line to the blast causing climate changes.
• Legends of the Micronsincludes a few redrawn and more detailed shots of the Hydra Cannon's surface.
• InArmada,Thrust spells his name and shouts at Megatron for repeatedly calling him "squidhead." Then Megatron questions Thrust for not enjoying his "Earthly humor" before threatening him with a demotion. InLegends of the Microns,Thrust says that's his real name, and the nickname is too much coming from Megatron, who tells Thrust not to be angry since his top tactician looking nervous isn't a pleasant sight.
• After Jetfire says the 'Cons are ignoring him, he says there's no reason he shouldn't charge them.
• Megatron quips about how the Autobots are trying to attack the ship inArmada.InLegends of the Microns,Megatron brags that Jetfire couldn't do anything to them.
• InLegends of the Microns,Thrust's nickname for Megatron refers to his horns invoking the appearance of a stag beetle instead of flatness. Then Megatron asks Thrust what is so funny, and Thrust replies that it's nothing.
• When looking at the Hydra Cannon on the monitor, Scavenger says the device probably destroyed the comet, and Blurr reacts with disbelief. InArmada,Red Alert says Scavenger's line a moment later.
• InArmada,Optimus references the Hydra Cannon but doesn't mention the weapon's name inLegends of the Microns.
• In the Japanese dub, Side Swipe fears the Decepticons using the Hydra Cannon to destroy the base, and Optimus says the 'Cons probably won't succeed since the base is underground.Armadahas Side Swipe gung-ho about destroying the weapon, and Optimus says the Autobots will stop the Hydra Cannon without destroying it.
• Scavenger calling Megatron crazy is relatively identical in both versions, but his line sounds rushed and almost cut short inArmada,unlikeLegends of the Microns.It's also a question instead of a statement in the Japanese dub, where he asks, "Megatron has it in his nature to be reckless, am I right?"
• Blurr asks if they have any other options, and Red Alert says it's hard to form a counterattack with their current data. InArmada,Red Alert states they can't destroy the weapon since they'd also kill the Mini-Cons they're supposed to save.
• Side Swipe only implores that the Autobots have to save Earth inArmada.InLegends of the Microns,he says he's changed since coming to Earth.
• Hot Shot blames Starscream for the current dilemma inArmadabut blames Optimus for accepting Starscream inLegends of the Microns.After Optimus leaves, Hot Shot starts pounding the floor, venting his frustration over Starscream's betrayal. Hoist points out that Hot Shot also accepted Starscream, butArmadawarps the line into Hoist telling Hot Shot that their team represents good, not evil. InLegends of the Microns,Hot Shot breaks down over how he believed Starscream and asks how Optimus could let this happen, and Blurr says they were all too naive. InArmada,Hot Shot's frustration is more about Optimus's decision and trying to understand why Starscream betrayed them before swearing to make him pay. Then Blurr reassures Hot Shot that Starscream will get what's coming to him.
• On the launching dock, Jetfire deduces the Decepticons will lower their ship's protective barrier before firing the Hydra Cannon again. He says the Autobots must figure out how to break through it before the 'Cons fire the weapon inArmada.
• Carlos says the others were concerned about Jetfire in the Japanese dub but says everyone wanted to welcome him back inArmada.
• When addressing Hot Shot about Starscream, Optimus says he believes trusting and accepting Starscream wasn't bad; however, the current situation came from Starscream having a change of heart, so Prime says he will take responsibility for it as commander.Armadadoesn't address the Starscream issue and warps Prime's dialogue into him claiming the others might not understand his decision yet, but things will work out fine.
• Instead of talking about getting revenge, Carlos says sneaking aboard the Decepticons' ship isn't an option. Then Optimus swears on his name that he won't let the Decepticons do as they please, and the Transformers' battle won't spread harm toanylifeforms on Earth, not just humans.
• Armadaadds Hot Shot shouting after Optimus and Jetfire after they turn to remove the Japanese dub's silence. UnlikeArmada,as Optimus shows him the Matrix, Hot Shot seems to recognize it, and Optimus asks Hot Shot to hold the Matrix for him instead of telling him.
• The second time Hot Shot refuses to hold the Matrix for Optimus isArmada-exclusive as he only replies once in the Japanese dub, and the next shot is silent.
• As Optimus and Jetfire leave, the kids and other Autobots refer to Optimus. ThenArmadaadds Hot Shot's internal dialogue of wishing them luck since he's silent in that shot inLegends of the Microns.
• When Megatron asks Starscream if he has any reservations about firing at the Earth if asked to pull the trigger inArmada,he asks if Starscream's time with the Autobots made him soft and changed his spirit into one of theirs in the Japanese dub. Megatron later asks if Starscream will destroy the Autobot base, whereas Megatron says the whole planet inArmada.
• The Transformers theme tune plays when Jet Optimus blasts the Hydra Cannon after the ship lowers its barrier inArmada.The track"Charge!"plays inLegends of the Micronsinstead.
• Jet Optimus doesn't speak until the shot of the Decepticons' ship.
• Cyclonus asks if Jetfire could see him from the back of his head after he's shot.
• After Starscream covertly saves him from Tidal Wave, Optimus swears by his name that he will retrieve the Mini-Con weapons.
• Before Megatron appears to fight him, Optimus says, "Give me the strength, Spark of my soul!" Then Megatron declares he won't let Prime succeed. InArmada,Optimus says something about the ship's forcefield before Megatron calls him.
• Optimus doesn't say Megatron's name until his close-up shot.Armadahas Prime say it sooner, giving him an extra line.
• Rather than saying he must quickly divert the Mini-Cons' power, Optimus says, as internal dialogue,"Spark of my soul...The Mini-Cons' power...ALLOW ME TO STOP IT!"
• Kelly announces a bright light approaching Earth but doesn't know what it is inArmada.She says a bright star appeared in the sky in the Japanese dub and is now shining brighter. Then Rad calls out Optimus's name.
• Megatron yells, "This cannot be!" while Thrust describes in shock that Optimus managed to stop the Hydra Cannon's blast inArmada.Legends of the Micronsswitches their reactions around, with Thrust saying, "This can't be!" three times.
• Optimus calls upon his spark to give him strength while blocking the blast. He only says he needs some more power inArmada.
• Watching the monitor, Rad only says Optimus's name. Carlos tells Fred that Optimus will be fine. Then Alexis urges Optimus not to lose, so Billy confidently tells her that Optimus won't lose.
• Optimus groans as he continues deflecting the blast inArmada,but he's silent inLegends of the Microns.Then after the flash of light, everyone's reaction is silent except for Hot Shot.
• Smokescreen's line about Optimus and Jetfire becoming invincible when they combine, followed by "Isn't that right?" is identical in both versions. InArmada,he sounds confused, and it seems his last line is a question; this could be a misinterpretation of the line, as he speaks joyfully as though asking if the others agree inLegends of the Microns.
• When Megatron shouts out Optimus's name after he disintegrates, it echoes into the next shot of the Decepticon ship. His voice doesn't echo inArmada,so the shot of the ship is silent.
• InArmada,after Jetfire finds Sparkplug drifting in space holding the Matrix, he sadly and loudly declares he will never forget his commander. In the Japanese dub, he grunts before letting out a loud, anguished scream.
• Rad'sArmadaending narration is slightly long-winded as he says the universe cried over Optimus's death as the star shower occurred above the Autobot base. InLegends of the Microns,it's more appropriately melancholy since Rad mentions meteorites flashing throughout the night sky later that day; however, the narration ends incomplete as he guesses why but can't bring himself to say the answer (probably because they're Prime's body fragments).

Animation and technical errors

• One newsreader has a nameplate reading "Jhon Thompson" on his desk.
• When Jetfire transforms after hitting the shield, he raises his arms, presumably anticipating his shield and gun attaching, but they never appear. They're suddenly on his arms a moment later.
• Hot Shot's right leg is miscolored gray after he pounds the floor.
• Carlos and Fred discuss attacking the Hydra Cannon with the "Cybertron ship." While the Autobots' ship is meant to travel back to Cybertron, the line could be an error of the JapaneseCybertronfaction name not translated intoAutobot.
• Optimus's grille is missing when he explains that it might be the final battle.
• Before he can fire the Hydra Cannon again, Megatron says, "Sayonara Optimus," a direct translation carried over from the Japanese dub since Megatron says the same phrase at that moment.
• As Optimus blasts the Hydra Cannon, he gets shot in the back by a purple blast. Tidal Wave fades into the shot out of nowhere as he turns around. InLegends of the Microns,the scene is redrawn and re-edited to correctly have the Decepticon emerge from a solidly colored yellow explosion and smoke.
• Tidal Wave's mouth doesn't move when he speaks before continuing to shoot Optimus.
• As Tidal Wave falls on top of Starscream, the latter is miscolored, with his usually red parts being either grey or white.
• Wheeljack has blue stripes under his eyes after shooting Jetfire's gun out of his hand.
• As Cyclonus, Wheeljack, and Demolishor hold Jetfire, Demolishor's face is miscolored yellow like his head.
• When Optimus activates the Matrix's power to escape Megatron, his left leg is miscolored gray.
• In the Finnish dub, when Kelly reports on an ample light in the sky (the blast from the Hydra Cannon), her voice actress misreads one of the words in her line before immediately correcting herself, seemingly without an option for another take on the line.
• While Optimus blocks the Hydra Cannon's blast, Fred uses the past tense when asking what"happened"to him. It might be a mistranslation or mispronunciation since Fred uses the correct present tense and asks what is"happening"to Optimus instead in the Japanese dub.
  • In the same scene, Alexis says, "I sure hope you're alright," though she probably means to say, "I sure hope you'reright"in response to Carlos assuring Fred that Optimus had a plan. Alexis's line is completely different inLegends of the Microns,so this mistake doesn't exist.

Continuity notes

• After "Desperate," this episode is the second time Rad tells any of the other kids that standing by and doing nothing is the only thing they can do in their present situation.
• Jetfire rejects Hot Shot from joining the mission against the Decepticon ship since the latter can'tPowerlinxlike him and Optimus can.Yet...
• This episode marks theMatrix of Leadership's first appearance in theUnicron Trilogy.
• This episode marks the start of Optimus Prime's leadership struggles and feeling unworthy of the Matrix.
• Gadgets and powers:
  • Optimus can use the Matrix's power to hold back the blast from theHydra Cannon.
• Powerlinx forms:
  • Optimus and Jetfire combine into Jet Optimus.

Continuity errors

• Why is Side Swipe so ready and willing to destroy the Hydra Cannon, and how did he forget that the three Mini-Con weapons comprise it? Luckily, Optimus and Red Alert say that eradicating the weapon is out of the question, and the Autobots should stop the Hydra Cannon without destroying it.
• Optimus and Megatron duel near the spaceship's nose before Prime rushes to block the Hydra Cannon blast. When Megatron later appears in a wider shot with other Decepticons (and Jetfire) on the ship's deck, he is suddenly standing further back than the others.
  • Tidal Wave, last seen falling on top of Starscream, has also disappeared.
• Rad's closing narration notes thewholeuniverse is crying over Optimus Prime's death; it's possibly exaggerated for drama's sake, but that's still pushing it since most of the universe doesn't even know what's happening.Legends of the Micronsmakes his closing monologue more fitting.

Transformers references

• When Optimus shows Hot Shot the Matrix and identifies it, he states that it's a gift from the original Transformers and holds all the data from previous commanders, like its Generation 1 counterpart. InLegends of the Microns,Prime calls the Matrix proof of an Autobot Commander's leadership instead of a gift.
• Optimus then asks Hot Shot to hold onto the Matrix for him. Hot Shot's Japanese name is Hot Rod, a name shared witha Matrix holderfrom Generation 1.

Trivia

• This episode is one of the few in the show without an opening narration.
• The episode's Japanese dub reveals Kelly's last name is Cross.
• The kids seem pretty dead set on letting the Decepticons destroy Earth to keep the Autobots' existence a secret. If that isn't the most remarkable example of friendship, I don't know what is.Legends of the Micronsscales this back to more appropriate levels.
• This episode marks one of the few times Optimus blinks in the series.
• The Decepticons' ship is partially modeled after Megatron's head.
• TheLegends of the Microns Year Book 2003has a few tidbits about this episode:
  • The final scene with the stars in the sky was one of the first ones the crew came up with for this episode.
  • The only sense of humor during this episode is at the beginning with Thrust's nickname, "Squidhead," and his "stag beetle" insult to Megatron.
  • Rad's line in the Japanese dub of how Optimus would say why the Autobots are fighting the Decepticons in secret exemplifies what being a leader means.
  • This episode is the first showing a large number of humans.
  • The quote "Spark of my soul" is considered a famous line. It returns in "Cramp"moments before another character's heartwrenching death.
  • This episode is considered one of the series's best.

Foreign localization

German

• Title:"Die Hydra-Kanone"(" The Hydra-Cannon ")
• Original airdate:This episode was never shown on TV but was dubbed in 2003. The dub premiered in 2009 with the German DVD release of the show.

Hungarian

• Title:"Válság"(" Crisis ")

Italian

• Title:"La crisi"(" The Crisis ")

• "Squid-head" is translated as "zucchini-head" (testa di zucchinain Italian) at first, then correctly as "squid-head" (testa di calamaro), and then again as "zucchini-head".

Korean

• Title:"Jiguleul Jikyeola"(지구를 지켜라," Protect the Earth ")

• This episode is the marked finale of the Korean dub, effectively making Optimus Prime's death permanent. Wonder how Korean viewers felt at the time.

Portuguese

• Title:"Crise"(" Crisis ")

Home video releases

DVD

2004 —Transformers: Legends of the Microns— Volume 10 (Columbia Music Entertainment) — Japanese audio only.
2006 —Transformers: Armada— Season One: Part Two (Rhino Entertainment)
2007 —Transformers: Armada— The Collector's Edition (Universal)
2009 —Transformers: Armada— Volume Two (New KSM) — English and German audio.
2014 —Transformers: Armada— The Complete Series (Shout! Factory)