Starscream's
Brigade

The Transformers episode 62
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For a detailed overview of this episode, click here.

Banished from the Decepticons, Starscream creates his own army: the Combaticons!
Original USA broadcast date: January 7th, 1986

Contents
1) Synopsis
2) Notes
3) Errors


Synopsis

Starscream tests Megatron's patience one too many times, leading to Megatron banishing him from the Decepticons. Dropped off on an island, Starscream comes across wreckage of vehicles used in the second world war. He gets an idea to create his own army, and heads to Cybertron where he steals the personality components of some renegade Decepticons. Installing these components into five vehicles, the vehicles become the Combaticons -Brawl, Swindle, Blast Off, Vortex and Onslaught. The Combaticons transform to their robot modes and aren't happy with what they've become. They aren't keen on following Starscream either, but Starscream reveals he didn't install energy absorbers in any of them. This means they can't refuel, and no energy means no life. The Combaticons decide to obey Starscream for now.

Starscream and the Combaticons crash the opening ceremony for the revealing of an Optimus Prime statue, where they capture Cliffjumper and Jazz. On Cybertron, Shockwave reports on the theft of the personality components, which leads Megatron in believing that the Autobots are responsible. The Decepticons go to the Autobot HQ and demand for the components to be returned, but Optimus has no idea what Megatron is talking about, and instead demands that Jazz and Cliffjumper are released. Megatron realizes that it might not have been Prime after all, and calls for a retreat.

The Autobots consult Teletraan I and learn about the renegade Decepticons. Not interested in Megatron and Starscream's power struggle, Optimus says they must rescue Jazz and Cliffjumper. Meanwhile, Megatron's group are re-energizing at a train station, only for Starscream and the Combaticons to show up. The two sides start fighting, but Megatron's group aren't fully powered and most of them manage to retreat.

Starscream's group go to a power plant to recharge, but Megatron's group arrives and another fight begins. The Constructicons transform into Devastator, but Starscream reveals he had prepared for this emergency. He orders the Combaticons to transform into Bruticus. The group unite and become a giant robot, who defeats Devastator. Megatron orders a retreat, but Starscream has Bruticus grab him and force him to say that Starscream is the leader of the Decepticons.

Nearby, the Stunticons arrive. Whilst Dead End is reluctant to help, Motormaster convinces him by saying Starscream doesn't know when to stop. They unite and transform into Menasor, who defeats Bruticus with a single punch. Starscream is put in his place by Megatron, who tells him this time it really is goodbye. He has Astrotrain take Starscream and the Combaticons into space, where they are left on an asteroid. Starscream swears that Megatron will regret not destroying him -he will have his revenge!

Notes

-SCRIPT DIFFERENCES: Click here for details.

-This episode shows how the Combaticons were created, but the team had made their debut in Aerial Assault. It never gets explained how the process works though -it appears that Starscream simply puts their personality components into the old Earth vehicles, which magically makes them into Transformers. The vehicles just melt to new forms, such as Vortex going from a old fighter plane to a modern helicopter. The script doesn't mention anything about it.

-So, the humans built Optimus Prime a memorial. You know, memorials -the things you usually give to dead people. This seems to have been a hint for kids that their dear Autobot hero was going to be biting it real soon.

-Reflector makes a couple of appearances in this episode -he can be seen when the Decepticons retreat from the train station, and then later in the Decepticon HQ when Megatron is making his speech. This is his last appearance in the series, but he will make a few cameos in the Transformers movie.

-Shockwave makes a surprise appearance on Earth -he can be seen among the Decepticons as Megatron makes his speech. Like his appearance in The Autobot Run, this was probably an error.

Errors

-Early on in the episode, Soundwave is drawn with two separate eyes rather than his usual visor.
-There are a few instances in this episode where Starscream's eyes are colored blue instead of red.
-When Starscream arrives at room 217, the Decepticon symbols on the back of his wings are missing.
-Starscream's legs are colored black instead of gray during this shot.
-Thrust is colored black instead of red during this shot.
-When Starscream jumps over a train, his feet clip into the floor.
-Starscream's fists and lower arms are colored red instead of blue during this shot.
-Powerglide is colored white instead of red during this shot.