Savage
From Transformers Wiki
| The name or term "Savage" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Savage (disambiguation). |
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 Now where's that hammer... | |||||||||
| "Savage" (Link Up! Liger Convoy) | |||||||||
| Production company | TV Aichi, We've, Tōkyū Agency | ||||||||
| Airdate | April 30, 2005 (Japanese) October 10, 2005 (English) | ||||||||
| Writer | Hiro Masaki | ||||||||
| Director | Matsuo Asami | ||||||||
| Animation studio | GONZO, Ashi Productions | ||||||||
| Continuity | Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity | ||||||||
Optimus Prime meets the all-new Overhaul and together, they discover a new power!
Contents |
Synopsis
On Velocitron, everyone is in training for the next leg of the great race, although Crumplezone and Ransack take a different approach than most, disguising themselves as trees to spy on Override. While the gruesome twosome learn nothing, Hot Shot is learning plenty as he struggles to get out of a pit obstacle the Autobots have set up for him. With a little coaxing over a communications link from Coby, Hot Shot is able to analyze his situation and successfully deduce the right move to escape the pit. Red Alert then speaks up to inform Optimus Prime of a message from the Jungle Planet that indicates that Overhaul is in serious danger. Optimus and Vector Prime set off for the planet, little realizing that the message is a fake sent by the duplicitous Sideways.
Off in the depths of space, Megatron has followed the Planet Map to the supposed location of the third planet bearing a Cyber Planet Key, only to witness the only world in the sector be consumed by the black hole. He radios Starscream to discuss what to do next, but their conference call is interrupted by the shadowed figure of Sideways, who, unrecognized by the two Decepticons, tells them that Optimus Prime is heading to Jungle Planet. With no other leads to pursue at the present moment, Megatron decides to head back to Jungle Planet, and instructs Starscream to accompany him. Starscream complies, and summons Sideways (who has apparently joined up with the Decepticons now at some point when we weren't looking, because why ever would it have been important to show us that?) to join him. Thundercracker and Mudflap are a bit miffed that they don't get to go, but carry on having fun sparring.
On Jungle Planet, the two Primes have fallen foul of a giant hostile plant that ensnares Optimus in its vines. With a mighty roar, Leobreaker comes stampeding onto the scene, and uses his Cyber Key-activated claws to slice Optimus free. The two Primes don't recognize the lion-bot as their old comrade Overhaul until he transforms, at which point Backstop and Snarl arrive to help explain the convoluted story behind Overhaul's transformation. The discussion is broadcast to the Autobots back on Earth and Velocitron as well, and when Coby expresses his amazement at Transformers with animal forms, Red Alert is prompted to give voice to his theory that Transformers, their alternate modes and their own Cyber Keys are all subject to the varying influences of the different planets' Cyber Planet Keys.
Back at Backstop's cave, the group discusses the mysterious origin of the distress call and the threat of the black hole, and the Autobots happily accept Snarl and Backstop's offer of help in their quest. A tremor suddenly shakes the cave, heralding the arrival of Scourge, who has come to punish Snarl for his treachery. Optimus Prime refuses to hand Snarl over, suggesting they talk peacefully, when Megatron and his forces arrive, leading Scourge to propose that Prime and Megatron's troops battle to determine whether or not he will listen to Prime's request.
On Earth, Coby returns home with the Recon Mini-Con Team to gather provisions. Jolt isn't sure about the trip Coby is planning to take, but Coby insists it will be fine... and so the team boards a space bridge for Velocitron!
Back on the Jungle Planet, despite baiting by the Decepticons and Leobreaker's battle lust, Prime refuses to allow his men to fight. When Scourge and his troops turn to leave with Snarl in their clutches, however, Leobreaker can hold back no longer and leaps into action, initiating an all-out battle between the two sides, much to Scourge's delight. Megatron and Leobreaker face off, and the Decepticon leader transforms to jet mode and flies high into the sky before turning around and plunging back down, slamming Leobreaker into the ground at high speed. As Optimus Prime moves to aid his teammate, Leobreaker begins to surge with incredible energy... an energy that expands to engulf Optimus... the energy of Cybertron and Jungle Planet combined! To the amazement of all onlookers, Optimus Prime and Leobreaker combine into "Savage Claw Mode," with Leobreaker forming a huge clawed arm for Optimus. Unfazed, Megatron presses his attack against the empowered Optimus Prime, but the power of Savage Claw Mode is soon brought to bear in a mighty attack that dispatched the Decepticon leader in one shot. The Decepticons retreat, and Scourge agrees to let Snarl go, impressed with Prime's display of force.
On Velocitron, Coby and the Mini-Cons have arrived in time to witness the beginning of the next heat of the race!
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
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Quotes
"About time we got to go on a mission! No point in training if we don't do something with it, n'cest pas? *notices portal closing* Wait! You guys forgot us!"
- —Poor, bored Mudflap
"You're just a traitor!"
"Yep."
- —Undermine calls out Snarl's treachery, who takes it in stride.
"Oooh, and I'll take a pickle. You gotta have a pickle!"
- —Coby packs for his trip.
"Forgot about me, huh? That's a dangerous mistake!"
- —Backstop
Notes
Differences with Galaxy Force
- Not a major difference, but the first great example of the different mentalities of Galaxy Force and Cybertron: The Japanese show doesn't actually bother to explain what it is that Hot Shot does to get out of the pit obstacle at the start of the episode. Cybertron, in its quest to be logical, inserts a technological explanation involving redirecting energy and increased torque.
- In the final scene on Velocitron, Galaxy Force has Coby comment about wanting a better view of the race and Jolt saying that he can't because he'll be seen, at which point Coby pulls out a cardboard box and grins. The next episode will reveal that this box is part of a robot disguise that will allow Coby to move amongst the Velocitronians, and Cybertron inadvertently removes this bit of foreshadowing by changing the exchange to Coby simply assuring Jolt that Hot Shot can win.
Continuity errors
- Given that Overhaul doesn't really have any way to contact the other Autobots, it's not clear what signal Sideways could have sent them that would look like it was from Overhaul.
- When Sideways contacts Megatron, he appears to be a mysterious informant unknown to the Decepticons. In the very next scene, Starscream calls him in as though he'd been recruited into the Decepticons some time ago! This could mean several things:
- Option 1: Sideways joined the Decepticons immediately after making his call. This is extremely unlikely, since it would have had to happen in the span of a few seconds.
- Option 2: Sideways was already a part of the Decepticons and simply unrecognized by Megatron. This is slightly less unlikely, since Megatron isn't known for caring much about his troops, but it's still a small army, and Sideways isn't really disguising his voice or silhouette...
- Option 3: Sideways is working with Starscream against the Decepticon leader. This is possible, given his affiliation with Starscream in future episodes, but still reeks of desperation-especially since Starscream seems unaware of the trick (he appears to have noticed Sideways' evil chuckle when Scourge confronts the Autobots, but seems confused or suspicious).
Trivia
"Haven't found it yet, sir."
- Throughout almost the whole episode, Transformers summon Cyber Keys without the customary "Cyber Key Power!" catchphrase.
- Although not explicitly stated, it will become apparent in later episodes that Megatron's failure to find the third planet is because the Planet Map, which isn't the original but a copy created—and altered—by Starscream at some point before "Speed," led him to the wrong location. This episode suggests it with a shot of Starscream hiding his map behind his back when Megatron contacts him (see right).
- Leobreaker has three claws on each forearm in robot and lion modes, but when he becomes an arm for Optimus in Savage Claw Mode, the arm has four claws total (two from each forearm). This odd discrepancy will continue throughout the series.
- Optimus Prime states that he recognizes Leobreaker's voice as Overhaul's, which is odd because Overhaul and Leobreaker have different voice actors.
- Galaxy Force debuts its second opening sequence in this episode.
Home video releases
- DVD
2005 — Transformers: Galaxy Force — Vol. 05 (Victor Entertainment) — Japanese audio only.
2008 — Transformers: Cybertron — The Ultimate Collection (Paramount)
2014 — Transformers: Cybertron — The Complete Series (Shout! Factory)
