Top 20 Favorite Transformers Episodes

Transform and roll out with the Transformers franchise celebrating their 30th anniversery and Transformers Age of Extiction now hitting theaters I figure I get into the Transformers mood by counting down My favorite Transformers episodes. Now I haven't watched the series entirely cause I didn't get into Transformers until 1993 When Transformers Generation 2 was all the rage. Hey I'm Jefimus and this is the top 20 Transformers Generation 1 episodes. first let's start with by rolling out the honorable mentions


20. SOS Dinobots: Staring of the countdown is the debute Of the Dinobots and it was inspired by Michael Crichton wrote Jurassic Park he didn't know that this episode of Transformers got the idea first The Autobots discover dinosaur fossils in their hideout and are immediately interested in dinosaurs, as we all are. After going to a museum Wheeljack gets this crazy Idea to build Dinosaurs err Dinobots to bolster The Autobot ranks The Dinobots go haywire and wreak havoc on the Ark Just like Jurassic Park only without people getting eaten while using the crapper.

19. The Master Builders Grapple has dreamed of building a solar tower to collect energy from the sun. But when Optimus disapproves, Grapple finds help from the Constructicons, who are secretly working for Megatron. This Episode asks the question How far will an artist go to create his art? Especially when the work is rejected by the people he or she wants to impress Do they give up? Do they eschew traditional methods and create the art on their own? Or do they make a deal with the devil and sell out? Grapple and Hoist choose the latter and has to pay the price of his deal: betrayal and corruption of the dream. There is also an unspeakable tragedy of war in this: it is difficult, if not impossible to maintain anything of value during wartime There is no line that is out of place, nor scene that does not work into the overarching story. And for once, Megatron (and Scrapper, and Smokescreen, and Optimus… just about everyone, really) shows how competent a leader he actually is. Perhaps it is that overall competence that we see in this episode that makes it so good. Every thread is about using your skills, and other people’s skills to benefit the populous. Ultimately, despite all the betrayal and heartache that we see, it is a sparkly feelgood episode.


18. The Golden Lagoon: The 1980s were a good twenty something years into the Cold War, a period of non-conflict between Capitalist countries (especially the USA) and Communist countries (primarily the USSR, but also China) to see whose dogma is the better one. If the Cold War were ever to run hot, it would look a lot like Golden Lagoon. What begins as a mere skirmish between a handful of Autobots and Decepticons results in a capture of Autobot prisoners. To rescue these prisoners, the Autobots mount a greater force, but again are repulsed because the Decepticons find the lagoon of Electrum and become invulnerable. So the Autobots pull out their big gun, the ultimate defender, Omega Supreme! Yeah. He gets beat. Soundly. So the Autobots manage to find the Electrum and coat themselves, resulting in their defeating the ‘Cons! Yay! We won! Or did we? See, this episode is not about how wars are won by building bigger and better weapons, instead, it is a commentary about the horrors of war. In The Master Builders, Grapple’s Solar Power Tower is destroyed not because it’s bad, but because the nature of conflict is that has no conscience. It destroys indiscriminately. In warfare, no one is innocent, and those that begin innocent are quickly stripped of it, either by outright destruction or by death. This is an idea that we are seeing more and more of in the fandom: The Battle of Chicago (TF3), Code of Hero (Beast Wars), IDW’s Transformers series (starting back in Retaliation). Sure, using Beachcomber as a narrative shows just another hippie hugging his trees and channeling his inner Disney Princess, but upon a deeper look, this allows the viewer to appreciate the beauty of life. And to mourn death’s loss.

17. Webworld I don't know what's crazier Galvatron or this episode. Sure, Galvatron is insane, but just how insane is he? The answer according to Web World is that he’s really that insane. In this episode the Quintessons trick Cyclonus into taking Galvatron to the planet Torqulon which is a giant therapy planet Finding that Galvatron is indeed off his rocker they decide to try and cure him. What happens is a humorous series of different tests (the most amusing is an some sort of arts and crafts test where Galvatron builds a gun and starts shooting at everyone.) At the end, when they decide the only solution is to wipe out Galvatron’s mind, the device they use turns the whole planet insane, and Galvatron gets loose and blows the whole damn planet up, because he’s that cheesed off about the whole ordeal. Just think of it as a giant robot version of "One flew over the cuckoo's nest" and you get the idea.


16.   Enter The Nightbird: The Autobots tangle with a robot ninja A robot kunoichi of that matter The Autobots guard the robot called Nightbird until The Decepticons steal her and reprogram her for evil She steals the world energy chip which powers Teletran-1 and beats the Autobots to a pulp and nabs Optimus Prime's Ion Blaster. Megatron soon sees her as the idle Decepticon solder until Starsceam destroys her while being a dink. But still Transformers vs. Ninjas cool right?





14. God Gambit: To quote Winston Zeddmore from Ghostbusters "If someone asks if your a god You say YES!!!" The Decepticons travel to the Saturian moon of Titan where they find that the native population worship a god that resembles Astrotrain. It appears that the religious leaders use a statue of their God in order to force the people of Titan to provide sacrifices of food to the God in question even though the impoverished people of Titan are starving to death. When they arrive, any momentum the local resistance movement had is easily quashed and the Decepticons use the locals to mine the energy potent crystals that are abundant on the planet.The Autobots learn of this and send a few of their numbers to Titan aboard Omega Supreme, there they meet the resistance fighters and explain to them that they aren’t God’s but living creatures just like them. With their cause renewed, the Autobots and the resistance fighters manage to reveal the Decepticons hoax and force them off the planet. This is a great episode, especially considering it’s a commentary on organized religion and in a kid's show too.


13. The Rebirth: "The Rebirth" consisted of the last three episodes of the original United States cartoon. The arc introduced several new characters such as Sixshot, Mr. Identity Crisis Double Agent himself in Punch/Counterpunch, the Autobot racing twins, the Decepticon animal twins, and as well as a few more. More importantly, the series of episodes also introduces two new concepts: Targetmasters and Headmaster. Targetmasters and Headmasters consist of Nebulons aiding both the Autobots and Deceptions by turning into the robots guns or staged in their heads. The episodes revolve around visions Optimus Prime has been having and feeling that something big is around the corner. Obviously, the "something big" comes in the figurative with the creation of the two new types of Transformers. It also comes in the literal sense with the creation of two new titans: Fortress Maximus and Skorponok.



12. Call of the Primitives: On par with the animated movie this episode has the best animation The g1 Transformers ever rolled out. I'm...actually not so sure.  Sure, the individual drawings and character models are very pretty, heavily-stylized and somewhat anime-esque.  And there are some wonderfully-animated scenes, like Grimlock falling down the cliff after Tornedron baits him. But if you really pay attention you notice there are a ton of predicable "shortcuts" taken with the animation as well and some things, like Predaking disassembling after receiving “the call”, look absolutely horrid. But I do like this episode on its own merits; it kind of falls into that “one-off where everyone dies” category that I enjoy.  The action is intense, the stakes are high and as always, the reliable voice-acting sells it.  Grimlock is particularly dopey in this one, but it is a hilarious kind of dopey, and he ends up saving the day in the end.  Kind of funny that he and the other Dinobots have so much screen time in this episode, when their toys were probably long gone from shelves by this time. I don't think I've ever bought into the “Unicron was built by a little monkey-scientist” explanation, while it is as mind shattering as the transformers being manufactured by sadistic 5-faced aliens it was nice that they tried to give an origin for Unicron in the actual show.


11. The Key to Vector Sigma:  "The Key to Vector Sigma," a two-part series, was incredibly important to the franchise. Up until this point — unless you count the plothole regarding the Constructicons (they have two origins explained in two other episodes of the series) — this is the first time we actually see other Transformers created. Essentially, the Decepticons feel that their lack of success is driven by, well, not having drivers. The 'Cons have a ton of air superiority, but not much on the ground. Likewise, the Autobots feel they could use some help in the air. The Deceptions use the last key, or so they think, to Cybertron's super computer Vector Sigma to bring life to the Stunticons who can unite to form Menosaur. Alpha Trion, Optimus Prime's creator, sacrifices himself, acting as another key to the computer, in order to bring to life The Arielbots, who, in turn, form Superion.



10. The Ultimate Doom: One of the few two or three partners you'll find on this list Forming an alliance with evil scientist Dr. Arkiville Megatron kidnaps Sparkplug so the Doc can test out his Hypno chip then Megatron uses is new human slaves as sheilds so the Autobots won't attack and he brings Cybertron into Earth's orbit so it will make the tides go unstable and the 'Cons can steal all the energy and Michael Bay came come up with a plot for Dark of The Moon  but Hollywood can't take away the amount of Awesome that this 3-parter offers and the follow up Countdown to Extinction gets a nod too.


9. Attack of the Autobots: This one has great action and a frighting display of heroes turning corrupt. Megatron and Stacream install a personality destabilizer in the Autobots refueling chambers which turns them into bad guys and under Megatron's influence They smash an airbase and try to steal plans to a solar satellite while the The Decpeticons steal the real thing inside shuttle. Thankfully not all the Autobots are brainswashed to serve evil Bumblebee and Jazz must stop their rogue comrades and turn them back into good guys. It's kind scary seeing what happens if Optimus Prime and the Autobots decide to be villains and the ones who can stop them are the youngest and the most laid back and Sparkplug comes up with a plan to save everyone and the best line "drain evil then Recharge good"


8. More then meets the Eye: Ah  the first episode the the 3-parter that started it all. The battle for Earth's resources rages on!With fuel reserves low the the Autobots—led by their leader, Optimus Prime—set out on a mission to scout for new energy sources. But The Decepticons chase after them leading the Ark to crash to the planet earth leading to their reactivation from Four million years of stasis lock Using their robotic powers to transform, the Autobots and Decepticons disguise themselves as Earth vehicles, and a new chapter begins in their war between good and evil. While Megatron and his forces begin to plunder Earth's resources and build a space cruiser to return to Cybertron While The Autobots ally themselves with human engineers named Sparkplug and his son Spike. The Decepticons' ship is complete, and the odds are stacked against Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Jazz and the others in their battle to stop them. I also love this story because in the end the Decepticons have all the energon cubes they need to go back to Cybertron but their ship is destroyed but not by The noble Optimus Prime. No, the Decepticons are all defeated by the pacifistic Mirage.


7.  Five Faces of Darkness:  After the events of The Transformers: The Movie and the defeat of both Galvatron and Unicron, The Autobots finally have the upper hand. The Decepticons are shown energy-depleted and desperate, so desperate that they fall prey to a trick from the evil Quintasons. After his new lackies Cyclonus and Scourge locate Galvatron, he resumes command of the Cons while on the look-out for the Decepticon Matrix of Leadership. The full five episodes is a direct conclusion to the events of the film and prove that the new threat is definitely the Quintisons, who do quickly force the Autobots and Decepticons to work together from time to time to defeat them.


6. The Search for Alpha Trion: Cybertronian lore never fails to amuse me and now this episode doesn't disappoint a ragtag band of Autobot ladies are hiding out and riding The Decepticons  supply of Energon cubes and makes Shockwave's life miserable that a bunch of 20ft tall fembots humiliate him. Prime feels gulity about leaving his old girlfriend Elita-1 behind and gets captured for her to use her time freeze ability that drains her life-force and towards the end I see that this Elita-1 is a badass.


5. Fire In The Sky: Season 1's Fire in the Sky was an interesting and overall well-written story that aside from introducing Skyfire into cartoon continuity, gave Starscream a more human side if that's even possible for a robot with such a despicable character. Finding Skyfire buried under the polar ice cap, Starscream is determined to resuscitate him, as he and Skyfire were scientist buddies who explored Earth together before the outbreak of the war.When Skyfire realizes that the Decepticon cause is not for him, Starscream blasts him, which precipitates his switching sides to the Autobot cause. With good characterization, action and plot twists, Fire in the Sky proves itself a great episode.


4. Dinobot Island: of all the Dinobot centric episode this one was the one I enjoyed the most. The Dinobots cause more havoc mastering their powers and leave to a mysterious island so they master the powers. unfortunately the island becomes a target for Megatron who ignores Starscream's concerns by plundering the island of it's energy the 'cons cause a series of time displacements that get the Autobots full attention. Like mainy G1 episodes I mentioned I first saw this episode during the g2 broadcasting and While it was to introduce the year 2 transformers like Inferno, Ramjet,  thrust ,  Perceptor, Red Alert, Smokescreen, Tracks, Bliztwing and main others but they manage to make sure everyone gets a time to shine for a good 8 minutes.  


3. Starscream's Brigade Two years of watching Starscream try to stab Megatron in the back and fail finally come to a head here. Tired of ‘screamer’s crap, Megatron orders him to be banished to a remote island where he discovers the wreckage of a World War 2 battle. This gives him the most awesome idea of all: build an army and challenge Megatron head-on. He does so by breaking into a Decepticon detention center and stealing the sparks of long deactivated Decepticons and recreates them as the Combaticons The Autobots get caught in the middle of the power struggle when Jazz and Cliffjumper are kidnapped and even though Bruticus literally moped the floor with Devestator Naturally (inevitably) he loses, but it’s a hell of a ride to that point. Sure, the episode has a few gaping plot holes, but in the end, it delivers everything I ever wanted from a Transformers episode: character conflict, big flipping fights


2. The Return of Optimus Prime : Sure it's a 2-parter and Dark Awaking may had the right thing going but it was a bitter sweet moment plus I unfortunately never actually saw the episode in it entirety beside I perfer Optimus of Rodimus and the way the 2-parter where the iconic  Here Scientists Dr. Gregory Swafford and Dr. Jessica Morgan pluck Optimus Prime's corpse from the shuttle he was on before it explodes but their ship attracts red spores that provoke hatred. But Dr. Swafford has a grudge against transformers due to being scarred from a battle from the past, and he along with Dr. Morgon father want to destroy them with the spores which release a plague, thus cue the part where science and Holding a grudge causes things to go horribly wrong. First it was Autobot against Autobot then Decepticon against Decepticon and then everyone is going berserk and trying to kill each other including Rodimusrime. Luckily Sky-Lynx rounds up a lone Quintession and persuades him to resurrect Optimus Prime. Now that Optimus is reborn he must reclaim the Matrix and find a cure for the Hate plague, even if it mean he has to fight his crazed successor Rodimus Prime. The best part was when Optimus Prime earns Galvatron’s respect, yes I am aware that and if this was to end the series I would be satisfied.


1. War Dawn At no. 1 is the Origin of Optimus Prime and Megatron Most people will say they like War Dawn for the fact that it’s a time travel story that explains the early days on Cybertron and on how Megatron and Optimus Prime got know and hate each other but he reason But this episode is hands down my favorite episode ever and it makes for a good story to tell, but it’s the moral to the story that I like best. See, the use this flimsy time travel plot (and gets it right) here. In this episode, the Arielbots begin to idolize the Decepticons for a number of reasons, but they end up barking up the wrong tree and it gets them sent to Cybertron's past where they meet young Orion Pax and his girlfriend Ariel who work at an energy warehouse, they idolize a new model of Transformer that is able to fly, chief among those the Transformer named Megatron. One thing leads to another, Megatron takes advantage of the naive and defenseless cybertronian's s hero worship to steal all the energy and mortally wound Orion and Ariel, making the Arielbots realize what a horrible glitch-head  Megatron is. They take the two to see Alpha Trion who rebuilds Orion into (can you guess?) Optimus Prime, who then beats the shit out of Megatron, the Arielbots return home and everyone learns a valuable lesson. This one makes the top because it’s about blindly worshiping others because of their personal gain (in this case, the Decepticons being able to fly being the source of envy of Orion Pax) doesn’t make somebody a good character, or worthy for emulation, because they could be a back stabbing jerk once you get to know them.


Honorable Mentions:

Transport to Oblivion
War of The Dinobots
Countdown to extinction
Microbots
The Insecticon Syndrome
Desertion of the Dinobots
Cosmic Rust
Starscream's Ghost
The Ultimate Weapon
Dweller In The Depths