The
Immobilizer

The Transformers episode 22
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For a detailed overview of this episode, click here.

The Decepticons want Wheeljack's newest invention, whilst Ironhide believes he's no use to the Autobots.
Original USA broadcast date: September 24th, 1985

Contents
1) Synopsis
2) Notes
3) Errors


Synopsis

Wheeljack is about to test his new invention, the immobilizer, and has Hound create a hologram of Laserbeak to act as part of a demonstration. Ironhide walks into the room and mistakes the hologram for the real thing, shooting at it and causing some rocks to fall and damage the immobilizer. Ironhide can't believe it, whilst Bumblebee and Spike are sent out to get a new polarizer. They get the part, but make a stop at an arcade first, where they meet Carly. Carly is introduced to Bumblebee, but Spike and Bumblebee then have to rush back to base. On the way they are attacked by Ravage, who Spike manages to defeat, but not before Ravage places a hidden camera on Bumblebee.

The Decepticons learn about the immobilizer, and Megatron intends to use it against the Autobots. The Autobots go out to test the immobilizer, which Wheeljack uses to stop the flow of molecules on a waterfall. Spike then accidentally triggers the device, causing it to immobilize Wheeljack. The Autobots have no clue on how to reverse the process. Nearby, Ironhide has been left on guard duty, and he thinks he's seen a Decepticon, but it turns out to actually be Carly. They then hear some laser fire and realize the Autobots have been taken by surprise by the Decepticons.

The Decepticons take the immobilizer, but then the water turns back to normal, washing them away. The Autobots realize the immobilizer's effects may only be temporary, so they return to base. Ashamed of allowing the Decepticons to attack his friends, Ironhide announces he's retiring from active duty. Carly asks if he'll take her on a tour of the base, which he does, showing her their ammo depot. Carly secretly takes an explosive device and then leaves. Wheeljack returns to normal, and the Autobots head back out to find the immobilizer. Meanwhile, Carly has gone to the Decepticon's base and planted an explosive on it, but she is captured by Laserbeak when she tries to leave. This is noticed by Teletraan I, so Ironhide goes out to save her.

The explosive detonates, causing minor damage to the Decepticon's base but makes the room Carly is locked in start to flood. The Decepticons watch her seemingly drown, not knowing that Ironhide has swam down. He saves Carly and returns her to dry land, where Bumblebee and Spike are waiting. However the Decepticons then appear, with an improved immobilizer which can permanently freeze anything it hits. The rest of the Autobots show up and start fighting the Decepticons, but the immobilizer freezes several of them. Carly has a plan, and has Brawn drill under the ground and go up to the cliff where the Decepticons are. Jazz puts on a sound and light show, which distracts the Decepticons and allows Carly to switch a couple of wires on the immobilizer.

When the Decepticons try to use the immobilizer, it now unfreezes anything it hits, and soon all the Autobots are returned to normal. Ironhide manages to get the immobilizer and destroys it, causing Megatron to call for a retreat. Back at the Autobot base, Wheeljack asks Carly how she knew to reverse the effect of the immobilizer. She says when she saw the Decepticons working on it, she realized the ion flow could be redirected by a simple wire crossing. She wasn't sure it would work, but it was a theory she'd had ever since she accepted her science scholarship at MIT. Bumblebee convinces Spike to ask Carly out for chocolate sodas, and the two head out.

Notes

-This episode introduces Carly, who will appear in several more episodes of the show.

-Some of the background sounds during the arcade scene were taken from Galaga, an arcade game by Namco which was released in 1981.

Errors

-Ironhide overlaps Spike when he walks forward during this shot.
-Carly's car is way too small during this shot.
-Seconds later, when Carly drives off, the fire hydrant seen earlier is missing.
-When Megatron says "so be it", his cannon is colored gray instead of black.
-When Megatron says he'll put a stop to this, he transforms, but not transformation sound effect is heard.
-Parts of Prime's legs are colored red instead of white during this shot.
-When the Autobots head out to find the immobilizer, Ironhide can be seen rolling out with them, but he's supposed to be staying in the base.
-Sideswipe's head is colored red instead of black during this shot.
-Wheeljack's chest Autobot logo is missing during this shot.