Cramp

« Transformers: Armada ep 48 »
"Tell my tale to those who ask, tell it truly. The ill deeds along with the good, and let me be judged accordingly..."
"Cramp" 決死 (しんねん) (Shinnen) "Prepared for Death: Conviction"
Production code	TF: A-48
Production company	TV Tokyo, NAS
Airdate	September 29, 2003 (English, United Kingdom) 28 November 2003 (Japanese) December 8, 2003 (English, United States)
Writer	Akira Okeya
English adaptation	Terry Klassen
Director	Osamu Kamijō, Mitsuru Kawasaki (asst. dir.)
Animation studio	Actas Inc.
Continuity	Unicron Trilogy

Starscream prepares to do whatever it takes to convince Galvatron the threat of Unicron is real.

Synopsis

Galvatron blasts Starscream with his rarely seen armpit-laser.

Starscream pleads to Galvatron that Unicron's threat is real (as Starscream has first-hand experience in the beast's bowels); hoping to convince his leader that perhaps an Autobot and Decepticon alliance is the safest course to ensure Cybertron's survival. When Starscream refuses to stop pleading, Galvatron slaps his subordinate into a wall to silence him. The Decepticon leader is confident his military can overcome both the Autobots and Unicron. Starscream continues to stress the danger of Unicron, and Galvatron starts to swing his Star Saber.

The rest is... silence. Well, not really, but don't you kinda wish it was?

The Autobots are still optimistic, believing there's a chance a diplomatic conference could lead to a truce between the two sides, meaning they can't take aggressive action against the Decepticons, only defensive. Nevertheless, Galvatron, armed with the Star Saber and Tidal Wave, flies into battle, ready to negotiate with Optimus Prime using firepower. Prime responds by combining with Jetfire and Overload and heading away from the thick of the fight.

By a monolithic statue of Megatron, Starscream wonders what he needs to do, and Alexis's words of encouragement run through his head.

Away from the armies, Galvatron and Optimus Prime send their men away, leaving the two leaders to battle one on one. Through the struggle, Galvatron admits that he still considers Unicron an Autobot hoax, and with the Star Saber, he has the upper hand against Prime. However, as soon as Galvatron breaks Prime's metal, an explosion disturbs the showdown. Starscream walks from the smoke.

The rest of the Autobots struggle to hold their ground, unable to cause any real damage to the Decepticons. Alexis has faith that things will be okay. Meanwhile, Unicron's lunar shell peels off thousands of miles away, and the behemoth attacks the assembled Mini-Con cluster.

I'm not crying! I just have something in my eyes.

Starscream quits the Decepticons and challenges Galvatron to one-on-one combat. The two clash, quickly cutting into each other. However, Starscream displays skill beyond the last time he battled Megatron. Lightning from Unicron carves into the landscape around them. The two warriors ignore it and continue their struggle, but in an instant, the Star Saber plunges into Starscream's torso, and the impaled Decepticon falls.

Lying with the blade sticking out of him, Starscream speaks earnestly to Galvatron, pointing out that Galvatron's arrogance drove the situation to be what it is. Despite his injury, Starscream stands up and reiterates his wishes for a truce between the two Cybertronian factions against Unicron. With his final desire said, Starscream joins with his Mini-Con to fire his Proton cannons upwards at Unicron. Unicron fires back, disintegrating Starscream, much to Galvatron and Optimus's shock. Aboard the Axalon, Alexis's luck charm breaks, and she runs outside to look out the window and sees Starscream's laser blast fade away.

I never got to tell Starscream that I loved him!

Realizing Starscream was right about Unicron's threat, Galvatron remembers their shared experiences and finally decides to join forces with Optimus Prime. He starts by offering the Star Saber to Optimus... But from the crater Starscream died in, a dark cloud emerges and grabs the Star Saber! The cloud forms into Sideways, who escapes the two leaders through the underground portal, collapsing the tunnels so the Autobots and Decepticons can't follow him. Upon witnessing Sideways's escape, Optimus and Galvatron fear for the worst to come.

After Optimus tells them about Starscream's death over the monitor, the kids are devastated, especially Alexis, who begins crying. She then bolts from the room and slams her fist on the window that displays Unicron in grief. When Rad appears behind her, she smacks his shoulders, asking why Starscream would do that to himself, and Rad does his best to console her.

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Quotes

You'll miss me when I'm gone!

"How long have we been adversaries, Optimus? It seems like since the beginning of time. And I suppose I do have a certain respect for you, but I digress, you might have fooled Starscream with your little Truce ploy, but I am nobody's fool. Now let's end this charade, shall we?"

—Galvatron faces off against Optimus Prime in the 'negotiations.'

"May I suggest that you have lost your mind?!"

—Galvatron to Starscream, who has just challenged him to a duel.

"I tried to gain favor from you. But nothing was ever good enough. No matter how many battles I fought, you always found fault. Then I saw how Optimus treated his men, and I realized he was a leader of integrity. Unlike you."
"You were too weak to ever gain my respect."
"None of that matters now. You must listen — do as Optimus says and join forces with the Autobots, or else every last one of us is doomed! Please sir... do it for me..."

—Starscream pours his spark out to Galvatron after being impaled by the Star Saber

"It's time to finish this once and for all! Activate Proton Cannon! YOU'RE ALL MINE, UNICRON!!!"

—Starscream's heroic last words before shooting at Unicron.

Notes

Differences with Legends of the Microns

• Starscream asks why Megatron wants to cling to his rivalry with Optimus and says that the universe will soon be no more after witnessing Unicron's power. Galvatron says he's now aware of Unicron's existence and understands the need to destroy him but still refuses to work with Optimus. Armada rephrases the rivalry as a "petty argument" and changes Galvatron and Starscream's dialogue to Galvatron, warning Starscream not to test his patience or contemplate betraying him again.
• Cyclonus and Demolishor's lines to Starscream are changed to the former calling Starscream a coward and the latter asking what there is to worry about since Unicron is "just some planet that became our moon." Then Starscream calls them idiots for not understanding Unicron's true horror.
• In Armada, Galvatron says Optimus will be sorry and that he'll also deal with Unicron. However, as he believes there can't be two supreme commanders, he's more focused on eliminating his competition before facing Unicron. In Legends of the Microns, Galvatron says he never said the two factions couldn't join forces, but he'll have to deal with Prime first. He plans to kill Optimus and merge the Autobots into the Decepticon army, claiming Optimus is his sworn enemy and there's no tomorrow if he doesn't defeat Prime.
• Galvatron offers Starscream command over the Autobots after defeating Optimus. Armada has Galvatron requesting Starscream's complete loyalty.
• Before the episode title appears, Cyclonus says Starscream can wait there at HQ since their "Autobot Commander" only needs to sit on his throne.
• The kids discuss if they and the Autobots can trust Galvatron or believe anything he says, as Carlos says that Galvatron is constantly manipulating things. Alexis states that's why they need to negotiate. Then Optimus says that she's right, and Galvatron should understand the need for the Autobots and Decepticons to combine forces to combat Unicron. Rad worries about another fight breaking out, but Billy assures him that Optimus won't lose, and Optimus says he will try to avoid a clash with Galvatron.
• Afterward, an anxious Smokescreen demands the 'Cons to show themselves. Then Blurr reminds him the 'Cons are additional strength to help take down Unicron so they can't be too rough with them; Hot Shot tells Smokescreen they're counting on him, and Smokescreen answers, "I know! Use our heads, right?"
• Unlike Armada, Demolishor explicitly says "Hot Shot and the others" are with Optimus. Then Galvatron entrusts Demolishor with handling them, but in Armada, Galvatron tells Demolishor to "spare me [him] the details."
• Hot Shot is surprised when the Decepticons start firing. Blurr and Side Swipe's dialogue is changed to the former saying that the Autobots are now in the thick of things and the latter saying the Decepticons seemingly don't want to negotiate.
• In Armada, Red Alert has a cynical outlook while talking about Wheeljack. Like Carlos, he truly believed Wheeljack changed sides before insisting that one will always be a Decepticon after becoming one. Then Carlos gripes that it's now hard distinguishing who's friend or foe, and Fred agrees. Red Alert says they should focus on their side more than the Decepticons, and Carlos agrees they should support their comrades. In Legends of the Microns, Red Alert is less pessimistic, saying Wheeljack made a temporary truce to track down Thrust but will become a trustworthy Autobot ally if Optimus successfully negotiates with Galvatron. Carlos asks if that's like Scavenger, and Fred thinks it would. Then Red Alert says Hot Shot and Wheeljack's dynamic is similar to that between Optimus and Scavenger, making Carlos say that in that case, they should hope that Prime pulls off the negotiation.
• When Optimus combines with Jetfire and Overload and later breaks from them, Armada plays the Transformers theme and spams the transformation sound effect. In contrast, Legends of the Microns plays Prime's Super Mode theme, "Super Convoy," during the Powerlinx sequence. The Japanese dub later plays "Theme of Megatron - Attack by Villains," fitting the tense situation better.
• Armada has awkward silence after Jetfire's line as he forces away Tidal Wave because Jetfire says his lines without pausing. Legends of the Microns has a second-long pause between the lines, so there's no silence at the end of the shot.
• Optimus and Galvatron's dialogue differs significantly between the dubs:
  • Armada portrays Galvatron as very gung-ho about fighting Optimus as though it's how they'll "negotiate." He remains cynical about the reality of Unicron's threat and only cares about eliminating Optimus so he can be the universe's sole ruler. Optimus offers to talk once Galvatron cools off and later says the generic line about Galvatron's lust for power disgusting him. Legends of the Microns changes Galvatron's quip about needing to shut Optimus down to his offering to show Prime his "true incompetence." It continues his string of thoughts from earlier and the prior episode about believing two Supreme Commanders are too many and unnecessary to defeat Unicron. Thinking negotiating is needless, Galvatron wants to show he's the superior leader and orders Optimus to fight him. Optimus is silent until he calls Jetfire. After Optimus Powerlinx with Jetfire and Overload and flies off, Galvatron is confused about why Prime won't fight. Optimus asks Galvatron why he can't understand that they should make peace. When Optimus offers Galvatron command, Galvatron thinks Prime is mocking him and says Prime's presence will disrupt "the command structure" even if he steps down and demands Prime to show his power.
  • After Tidal Wave and Jetfire leave, Armada has Galvatron suggest he and Optimus "cut to the chase" now that they're alone. He admits to respecting Prime somewhat but isn't falling for his "truce ploy" charade like Starscream did (as quoted above), still focusing on who will rule the universe. He later mocks Optimus for waiting for the Mini-Cons to rescue him, saying that won't happen. The Japanese version makes their exchange more philosophical: Galvatron mentions what Smokescreen told him about trust among the Autobots, remarking how it's pathetic, and calls Optimus a fool to bind himself with such vague notions. He says Starscream is no different and has had the same silly ideas after returning from the Autobots; Optimus says Starscream awakened to his true self as a Transformer after spending time on both sides. There is some silence after Galvatron demands Optimus to stop feeding him lies in Armada because the English dub shortens Optimus's line about Starscream, making Galvatron's reply come sooner than it does in Legends of the Microns. Galvatron claims Starscream might be a worse traitor than Thrust. He insists that trust is nonsense, saying that one's power is something worth believing in; power is everything, and justice without it means nothing. Then Galvatron mocks Prime, asking if he's frustrated and sad since the Mini-Cons Optimus fought to save are now under his control and itching to dish out the killing blow.
• The Japanese dub uses the mid-episode commercial bumpers, while Armada uses the Autobot and Decepticon logos from the scene transitions with the transformation sound effect.
• Starscream says he won't hesitate to betray Galvatron because he must stand by his beliefs. Optimus says this isn't Starscream's fight, but the latter asserts otherwise. Galvatron says Starscream has become "a boring person" and asks if working with the Autobots is necessary; Starscream answers it is for "the future of the Transformers" and not just defeating Unicron and declares he will take command of the Decepticons after besting Galvatron. Galvatron dismisses it as wishful thinking and says Starscream will never beat him, but Starscream states he won't know until he tries.
• Carlos, Billy, and Fred's conversation in the Japanese dub shows them confused by how the negotiation looks no different than a regular Autobot and Decepticon encounter; Billy concludes it's something they'd expect when the factions meet. Then Alexis says things will be fine as she's sure something will change.
• Galvatron questions if Starscream infused his wingblade with his spark's power, to which Starscream answers that he's put every bit of his energy into it to defeat him. Then Optimus says there's no point trying to stop them since Starscream is so determined; Optimus has only one line during the scene in Armada, so there's some silence afterward.
• When Unicron changes form again, Alexis says to look instead of asking what's happening, and Rad sounds more shocked. After Alexis's line about the Mini-Cons approaching Unicron, Billy has a line begging them to stop before Fred says Unicron is attacking the Mini-Cons. After stopping High Wire, Rad urges him to tell the other Mini-Cons to hide somewhere rather than stay put.
• Armada reduces Galvatron's dialogue to chalking up that Starscream's actions are due to his programming going haywire and offering to put him out of his misery. In Legends of the Microns, Starscream scolds Galvatron for believing nobody could be his equal since he's so overconfident in his strength and declares that he will show him the power of a warrior willing to risk his life for his beliefs. Galvatron admits Starscream's newfound convictions deserve some respect, to which Starscream says the same for Galvatron's stubbornness. Galvatron wonders when the change started since Starscream never escaped his influence when he had ambition. Galvatron says something else is driving Starscream now, asking if the Autobots or the children are compelling him. Not understanding why Starscream would face him over something trivial, Galvatron asks if Starscream is betraying him for real this time before deciding that Starscream will never beat him as he keeps believing in things like trust and kindness.
• After the lightning strike from Unicron, the Japanese dub adds screaming to the shot after Demolishor and Wheeljack. Then Galvatron admits being surprised by Starscream's increased strength and that maybe trust isn't a fleeting concept. Starscream internally says Galvatron's name during his close-up, and Galvatron says never to drop his guard until the fight is over.
• Just before Galvatron impales Starscream, the animation is tweaked to clarify that the latter "switched off" his sword with no intention of blocking the fatal blow. The two don't exchange jibes here; they only say the other's name, and Galvatron kneels, realizing what Starscream has done and acknowledging the latter's power, while Starscream says he's still not as strong as Galvatron.
• Starscream's final moments are subtly different between the two versions:
  • Legends of the Microns has Starscream admire Galvatron as an ultimate warrior he could never hope to beat and say he wanted Galvatron to notice him. Galvatron gently tells Starscream to stop speaking, later calling him a fool for persisting. Starscream says he'd never gotten the chance to talk to him like this without laying his life on the line first and calls Optimus a leader worthy of trust. After imploring both factions to team up, Starscream says a lot has happened. When unleashing his final attack, Starscream says, "SPARK OF MY SOUL...UNLEASH EVERY BIT OF YOUR POWER! NULL RAY CANNON!" The following scenes of his demise are silent except for Galvatron gasping.
  • In Armada, Starscream talks about his desperation to gain Galvatron's favor while comparing him to Optimus as an unintegral leader (a monologue played again during the montage). Galvatron is more verbally hostile towards Starscream, calling him too weak to be worthy of respect.
• After Starscream's last moments in Legends of the Microns, Optimus tells Swindle to come with him since his partner isn't here anymore. Armada has Optimus claim that Starscream was a brave soldier until the end.
• The replay of Starscream's memories repeats what he said about Optimus having integrity in Armada, but Legends of the Microns instead has the montage feature moments of Starscream boasting, pleading, and wanting Galvatron's recognition throughout the series.
• When Sideways steals the Star Saber, he declares that he now has all the keys. He says Unicron is the only one worthy of it and congratulates Galvatron and Optimus for their "good work." After Sideways escapes, Galvatron exclaims how this nightmare could worsen in Armada but remarks on Sideways fleeing underground in Legends of the Microns.
• The scene of Sideways destroying the underground tunnel now has an effect added to his maniacal laughter to make it sound disembodied. After this, the scene of the kids' reactions upon learning of Starscream's death is silent, whereas their responses are heard in Armada.
• In Armada, Rad's closing narration is that Starscream was gone, and his demise seemed to be in vain. Then he says, like everything in life, everyone would have to wait to learn the purpose of Starscream's actions; for now, all they had were too many unanswered questions. In Legends of the Microns, Alexis gives the narration, which contains a small glimmer of hope, unlike the English version. She says Starscream has died, but perhaps someday, the tears of sorrow over his death will become ones of determination, swearing that his efforts won't be wasted.

Animation and technical errors

• In the opening scene, Demolishor has four fingers and one thumb on each hand.
• Galvatron's hands are small stubs after swinging the Star Saber at Starscream in the opening.
• In the shots where Hoist warns Blurr not to fire upon the Decepticons except in self-defense, and after the others promise to cover Hot Shot, Blurr's entire gun is colored one solid orange shade.
• Scavenger's chest is partially off-model after the Decepticons begin firing upon the Autobots.
• Galvatron's mouth doesn't move when he says, "Let the negotiations begin!"
• Before Optimus calls for Jetfire, Galvatron's turret is partially miscolored dark gray.
• Galvatron's eyes are seemingly closed after Optimus Powerlinx with Jetfire and Overload.
• Jetfire shoots Tidal Wave in the eye...with the back of his rifle? The Japanese dub fixes this error.
• After Galvatron slashes Optimus with the Star Saber, one can hear the sound of crackling electricity from a wound, but Optimus looks unscathed until his next shot.
• Galvatron says, "What?" too soon in two scenes: first, before the explosion goes off behind him, seemingly out of surprise about gaining the upper hand when the Star Saber cuts Optimus's shoulder, and later when Sideways steals the Star Saber. Legends of the Microns fixes the timing by having Galvatron say it the first time while turning around after the explosion and later a second after Sideways takes the sword from him and Optimus.
• Starscream's mouth doesn't move when he speaks after appearing out of the smoke.
• As Starscream descends after catching his wing blade, Galvatron exclaims fearfully despite his brash overconfidence a moment ago. In Legends of the Microns, he appropriately shouts "What?!" in shock instead.
• As Galvatron slaps Starscream during their duel, his right hand is drawn as a standard hand instead of its traditional claw-looking design.
• Wheeljack says, "What's happening?" in Demolishor's voice. The Japanese version doesn't have this mistake.
• When Alexis goes to the window to see Starscream's Photon Cannon fail to reach Unicron, the Autobot symbol on the back of her suit changes from red to blue.
• When Galvatron raises the Star Saber before his memory montage, the inner part of his right shoulder is detached from the rest, already in its later position, before he lifts his arm.

Continuity notes

• In Legends of the Microns, Billy refers to Galvatron as "stag beetle head," the nickname Thrust previously used in "Crisis."
• In Legends of the Microns, Galvatron references what Smokescreen said to him in "Sacrifice" about trust binding the Autobots together.
• Galvatron refers to the time when Sparkplug saved Optimus in "Decisive Battle"; he might also mean when the Mini-Cons turned against him to save Optimus in "Vow."
• In the Japanese dub, Galvatron remarks about Starscream's ambition, which he previously did in "Rebellion."
• Legends of the Microns Year Book 2003 calls this episode the last of the show's Starscream saga.
• Prepare yourself for when Starscream returns in Energon since his compelling character arc in Armada goes out the window like it never happened.
• Gadgets and powers:
  • This is the first time Optimus combines with Overload while in his Jet Optimus configuration with Jetfire, with bonus stock transformation footage. However, Optimus combines with Jetfire first, only to fly a relatively short distance, making the combination with Overload pretty pointless other than to show they can.
  • Starscream uses his wing blade against Galvatron.
• Powerlinx forms:
  • Galvatron Powerlinx with the Star Saber for the last time.
  • Starscream Powerlinx with Swindle to unleash his Null Laser Cannon against Unicron. The Legends of the Microns Year Book 2003 deems it the last time a Transformer Powerlinx with a Mini-Con in the series.

Continuity errors

• At Megatron's statue, Starscream determines that he must protect the humans, but why would he defend all the kids when Alexis is the only one he knows well enough? Alexis is also who he thinks of at that moment. The Japanese dub correctly has Starscream resolving not to let Alexis die.
• How does Tidal Wave know to Powerlinx with Galvatron when Galvatron never gives the order and only says they're leaving to face Optimus? Legends of the Microns has Galvatron tell Tidal Wave to combine with him.
• Why would Red Alert believe there's no turning back once a Transformer becomes a Decepticon? Did he completely forget that Scavenger is an ex-Decepticon? There also must've been other rare cases of Decepticons becoming Autobots, and vice versa.
• Galvatron tells Tidal Wave to attack Optimus when they split up, but Tidal Wave does nothing until later. Galvatron only commands Tidal Wave to uncombine with him in the Japanese dub since Optimus just split from Jetfire and Overload, and Galvatron wishes to even things out.
• Tidal Wave is significantly smaller and weaker than previously depicted. Jetfire, shown not much smaller than Tidal Wave, shoulder-blocks and lifts off with him in a single movement.
• Alexis's pendant cracks upon Starscream's death; it somehow connected to his spark, but previous episodes never really built up that detail or alluded to it. Since the necklace has only appeared in two episodes, this feature almost seems like an afterthought for drama's sake.
  • In the same scene, why does Rad ask Alexis what's happening outside when she doesn't know more than he does? He correctly asks her if something is wrong in Legends of the Microns.
• Why does Rad give the closing narration when Alexis had the bond with Starscream, and his death devastates her more than anyone else? The Japanese dub rightly has Alexis deliver the narration.

Transformers references

• Starscream's death by crumbling into a pile of debris resembles G1 Starscream's in The Transformers: The Movie.
• Many parts of Galvatron and Starscream's speeches quote lyrics from The Touch, like 'I'm nobody's fool' (see above) or Starscream's 'after all is said and done.'

Real-world references

• Fred's "The horror! The horror!" line is from Heart of Darkness, the novel adapted into the film Apocalypse Now.
• Galvatron gives Starscream one last chance not to fight, and when Starscream declines, Galvatron's "Is that your final answer?" line might be a reference to Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.
• Galvatron tells Optimus the Autobots and Decepticons could never work together since they're like oil and water. It refers to the proverb about oil and water, as oil always tries to stay separate from water whenever combined; it explains how beings with specific traits can never mix, no matter what anyone does.

Trivia

Foreshadowing? Why, no!

• The episode's English version first aired in the United Kingdom on the Sky One channel when the network ran an around-the-clock promotion of American magician/"endurance artist" David Blaine's controversial London stunt, complete with an obnoxious DAVID BLAINE onscreen overlay. It aired in the United States on December 8, 2003.
• There's no title card in Legends of the Microns; the title appears over Starscream. This way of showing the episode titles was only done previously in "Linkup."
• Optimus calls Starscream's Mini-Con Swindle instead of Zapmaster. So logically, Swindle received a color change like Starscream did (instead of him exchanging his Mini-Con for a new one in different colors).
• Starscream's proton cannon blasts don't even touch Unicron. You can see them dissipate before Alexis's eyes before they reach him. Most heartwrenching suicide ever?
• Starscream's sword is surprisingly powerful in this episode, durable enough to clash with Star Saber without any visible damage. Due to his upgrade after Nemesis Prime kicked his skidplate? Nah.
• This episode is one of few without an opening narration.
• This is the second time in the Japanese dub that a Transformer says, "Spark of my soul..." The last time was by Optimus Prime in "Crisis."
• Legends of the Microns Year Book 2003 reveals the following:
  • The episode's highlights include Magna Jet Convoy's debut and the first half of the climactic fight: Optimus vs. Galvatron, which serves as a prelude to their final battle. The main highlight is the battle's second half with Starscream and Galvatron's last fight.
  • Hidehito Ueda says that Galvatron expressing his feelings about Starscream wasn't in the scenario initially, but he wanted Galvatron to tell them.
  • Ueda jokes about wanting Starscream to return as a ghost in Super Link before becoming a Pretender and marrying Alexis.
  • The first moments for this episode that appeared in Ueda's mind when reading the scenario were Starscream's Null Laser Cannons not reaching Unicron, Alexis watching them stop short, and the silent scene of the children's reactions to Starscream's death at the end.
  • Starscream died not as a Decepticon but as a Transformer.

Foreign localization

German

• Title: "Das Friedensangebot" ("Peace-Offering")
• Original airdate: 12 January 2004

Hungarian

• Title: "Párbaj" ("Duel")

Italian

• Title: "La morsa" ("The Grip")

Portuguese

• Title: "Obstáculo" ("Obstacle")