Transformers Armada - reloaded.

[Sky Shadow]

what special features are included?

There's an Easter egg. If you press the 'stop' button on the DVD player, the show suddenly gets better.

[dirge]

ROFL. Classic, Sky Shadow (and, sadly, true!).

[griffin]

No special features with the Armada sets. And nothing mentioned on the covers of Energon and Cybertron (which was expected from Paramount - doing the cheapest release possible without any frills for the fans). I was hoping the Energon set would at least have as a bonus feature, the Superlink episode that was never dubbed into English. It was never confirmed why it was missed, especially with it being a pivital plot episode, leaving the Energon series with only 51 episodes.

[griffin]

Season 1, Part 2, Disc 1, Episodes 27-33.

27 - Detection
Sideways is the focus of attention of both Autobots and Decepticons, as he continues to pull strings. Sideways is confronted by the Decepticons as a traitor, and chased off.
Intro - Tidal Wave.
Errors/confusion/notes:
-A shadowy vessel continues to approach Earth from Cybertron.
-The Autobots are confirmed to be repairing/building the ship they are in, to return to Cybertron. Why not warp back like how they got here?
-The episode is padded out with a bit of a clip show, with Jetfire reviewing past battles.
-Sideways is interrupted as he begins to report into his mysterious, true master.
-Sideways says there are millions of Minicons, but could be a translation error.
-The shadowy vessel arrives at the end of the episode.

Minicon count:
Autobots (22) - Highwire, Sureshot, Grindor, Jolt, Longarm, Sparkplug, Liftor, Spiral, Rollbar, (unknown), Incinerator, Mirage, Downshift, Dirtboss, Bonecrusher, Wreckage, Knockout, Dualor, Buzzsaw, Backtrack, Oval, (generic? Minicon).
Decepticons (17) - Leader-1, Crumplezone, Blackout, Swindle, Drillbit, Jetstorm, Runway, Sonar, Inferno, Terradive, Thunderwing, Gunbarrel, Fetch, (at least 4 others).

28 - Awakening
Tidal Wave appears and turns the tide of battle back in favour of the Decepticons. The Autobots need to find the Requiem Blaster Minicons to defend themselves.
Intro - Sky Blast.
Errors/confusion/notes:
-Thrust goes invisible, and Jetfire loses him from his grip, suggesting he can probably warp as well.
-Sideways contacts the Autobots to help them.
-Thrust is the only one on either side who knows of Tidal Wave, but would think someone so powerful would be well known among the Cybertronians.
-Tidal Wave is called Shockwave (the Takara name) by the narrator.

Minicon count:
Autobots (23) - Highwire, Sureshot, Grindor, Jolt, Longarm, Sparkplug, Liftor, Spiral, Rollbar, (unknown), Incinerator, Mirage, Downshift, Dirtboss, Bonecrusher, Wreckage, Knockout, Dualor, Buzzsaw, Backtrack, Oval, (generic? Minicon), Sky Blast.
Decepticons (17) - Leader-1, Crumplezone, Blackout, Swindle, Drillbit, Jetstorm, Runway, Sonar, Inferno, Terradive, Thunderwing, Gunbarrel, Fetch, (at least 4 others).

29 - Desperate
The battle with Tidal Wave continues, as the Autobots and kids try to convince Sky Blast to help them.
Intro - Payload, Astroscope.
Errors/confusion/notes:
-Perceptor is called Leader-1 by Rad. Everyone gets called Leader-1 in this cartoon...
-Tidal Wave has shrunk to about quarter size while fighting Hotshot, and shrinks even further to be able to combine with Megatron.
-Twice it is said that the Minicons 'are alive', as if they aren't seen as anything more than inanimate objects.

Minicon count:
Autobots (25) - Highwire, Sureshot, Grindor, Jolt, Longarm, Sparkplug, Liftor, Spiral, Rollbar, (unknown), Incinerator, Mirage, Downshift, Dirtboss, Bonecrusher, Wreckage, Knockout, Dualor, Buzzsaw, Backtrack, Oval, (generic? Minicon), Sky Blast, Payload, Astroscope.
Decepticons (17) - Leader-1, Crumplezone, Blackout, Swindle, Drillbit, Jetstorm, Runway, Sonar, Inferno, Terradive, Thunderwing, Gunbarrel, Fetch, (at least 4 others).

30 - Runaway
The kids leave the base with the Space Minicons to prevent them from having their power being abused by the Autobots. Thrust finds out, and tries to capture them.
Intro - none.
Errors/confusion/notes:
-Shortened intro by the narrator.
-Animation error? with Spiral and Backtrack repairing Megatron, but they joined the Autobots in episode 22.
-The Autobots talk about using the new Minicons as mere weapons, like the Decepticons would.
-Thrust is kept at bay by some simple tricks and traps by the kids.
-Animation error while Optimus is giving his closing speech, Jetfire agrees with him, but Jetfire isn't even there. And his shot has metal in the background, while Optimus and the others are in a grassy field.

Minicon count:
Autobots (25) - Highwire, Sureshot, Grindor, Jolt, Longarm, Sparkplug, Liftor, Spiral, Rollbar, (unknown), Incinerator, Mirage, Downshift, Dirtboss, Bonecrusher, Wreckage, Knockout, Dualor, Buzzsaw, Backtrack, Oval, (generic? Minicon), Sky Blast, Payload, Astroscope.
Decepticons (17) - Leader-1, Crumplezone, Blackout, Swindle, Drillbit, Jetstorm, Runway, Sonar, Inferno, Terradive, Thunderwing, Gunbarrel, Fetch, (at least 4 others).

31 - Past part 1
Hotshot recalls a time on Cybertron when he was prevented from helping his friend Wheeljack. Wheeljack was rescued by Megatron, and in turn joined the Decepticons, vowing vengence against Hotshot. History repeats for Hotshot as he is paired up with another Autobot, Sideswipe, and is again faced with a difficult situation.
Intro - Wheeljack, Sideswipe, Nightbeat.
Errors/confusion/notes:
-Sideswipe refers to Blurr as 'commander', and owes him a favour for helping him in the past.
-Sideswipe is youthful and clumsy, and annoys Blurr more than Hotshot did.
-Hotshot has to mentor Sideswipe, refering to him as 'kid', despite being the 'kid' to the rest during the start of the series.
-Wheeljack can also teleport like Thrust.
-Nightbeat appears as Sideswipe's partner, but not shown to be discovered or handed to him.
-Animation errors, Sideswipe has powerlinked with Nightbeat, but a number of times appears as his normal vehicle form.
-Why would Megatron save Wheeljack? He would have seen an Autobot trapped and destroyed him. Mercy isn't something Megatron has for Autobots, and it would amuse him more to destroy an Autobot who begs for it.
-Flashback has a miscoloured Fortress Maximus, and someone that looks a little like Wheelie.

Minicon count:
Autobots (26) - Highwire, Sureshot, Grindor, Jolt, Longarm, Sparkplug, Liftor, Spiral, Rollbar, (unknown), Incinerator, Mirage, Downshift, Dirtboss, Bonecrusher, Wreckage, Knockout, Dualor, Buzzsaw, Backtrack, Oval, (generic? Minicon), Sky Blast, Payload, Astroscope, Nightbeat.
Decepticons (17) - Leader-1, Crumplezone, Blackout, Swindle, Drillbit, Jetstorm, Runway, Sonar, Inferno, Terradive, Thunderwing, Gunbarrel, Fetch, (at least 4 others).

32 - Past part 2
Hotshot goes off to make amends with the past, with Wheeljack, either as friends again or to terminate him.
Intro - none.
Errors/confusion/notes:
-The end of the last episode had Wheeljack saying he wasn't there for revenge, but at the start of this episode, he says he wants revenge.
-The kids are playing a robot-fighting computer game, but Carlos and Rad refer to them as playing with the Minicons (which they aren't).
-How did Hotshot know where to find Wheeljack?
-Animation error with a Decepticon symbol on Hotshot's shoulder while fighting Wheeljack.
-Animation error with an Autobot symbol on Wheeljack's arm while holding Sideswipe.
-So much explosive material in an abandoned, rusted refinery.
-Thrust is bandaged up with a sling and over his head, as comic relief.

Minicon count:
Autobots (26) - Highwire, Sureshot, Grindor, Jolt, Longarm, Sparkplug, Liftor, Spiral, Rollbar, (unknown), Incinerator, Mirage, Downshift, Dirtboss, Bonecrusher, Wreckage, Knockout, Dualor, Buzzsaw, Backtrack, Oval, (generic? Minicon), Sky Blast, Payload, Astroscope, Nightbeat.
Decepticons (17) - Leader-1, Crumplezone, Blackout, Swindle, Drillbit, Jetstorm, Runway, Sonar, Inferno, Terradive, Thunderwing, Gunbarrel, Fetch, (at least 4 others).

33 - Sacrifice
Thrust and Megatron plot to capture the Requiem Blaster. The plan succeeds, and Smokescreen is a casualty.
Intro - Oceanglide, Stormcloud, Waterlog.
Errors/confusion/notes:
-Jetfire is impatient as well as cocky, with Optimus telling to be more responsible.
-Why do some understand the Minicons, and others don't.
-Starscream has the Star Saber, but would Megatron really risk giving it up to someone like Starscream?
-Now the Jetfire and Optimus combination is called 'Jet Optimus'.
-Tidal Wave is called Shockwave by Megatron and Starscream.
-The Sea Team Minicons appear with Tidal Wave, as their only introduction.
-Demolishor calls Thrust 'eraser-head'.
-Sideways still has access to the Autobot computer, despite Red Alert putting in a firewall that was supposed to prevent it.
-The base is trashed, again.
-Everyone acts as if they haven't seen someone die before, but they've been warring for millions of years.
-Why would the Decepticons retreat, just as the momentum of the battle was in their favour?

Minicon count:
Autobots (23) - Highwire, Sureshot, Grindor, Jolt, Longarm, Sparkplug, Liftor, Spiral, Rollbar, (unknown), Incinerator, Mirage, Downshift, Dirtboss, Bonecrusher, Wreckage, Knockout, Dualor, Buzzsaw, Backtrack, Oval, (generic? Minicon), Nightbeat.
Decepticons (23) - Leader-1, Crumplezone, Blackout, Swindle, Drillbit, Jetstorm, Runway, Sonar, Inferno, Terradive, Thunderwing, Gunbarrel, Fetch, (at least 4 others), Sky Blast, Payload, Astroscope, Oceanglide, Stormcloud, Waterlog.

[GoktimusPrime]

There's an Easter egg. If you press the 'stop' button on the DVD player, the show suddenly gets better.

Hahahahahaha... and if you press the "Eject" button you get a free beverage holder with coaster!

[griffin]

Season 1, Part 2, Disc 2, Episodes 34-40.

34 - Regeneration
Starscream feels abandoned, and joins the Autobots, bringing with him, the Star Saber.
Intro - (Hoist/Smokescreen)
Errors/confusion/notes:
-It was given the impression that Smokescreen was dead last episode, but repair him this episode.
-Starscream shows concern for the Star Saber Minicons.
-Even Megatron shows concern for the welfare of his troops, which isn't the nature of a true Decepticon leader, who uses and discards his troops.
-Optimus gives the Star Saber back to Starscream. How the heck does that make any sense?
-Jetstorm is called Runway by Optimus.
-Hotshot is fighting Starscream as payback for Smokescreen's destruction, but Starscream was the only one that wasn't in the attack.
-Smokescreen is re-introduced with Hoist's body, but still called Smokescreen.
Minicon count:
Autobots (27) - Highwire, Sureshot, Grindor, Jolt, Longarm, Sparkplug, Liftor, Spiral, Rollbar, (unknown), Incinerator, Mirage, Downshift, Dirtboss, Bonecrusher, Wreckage, Knockout, Dualor, Buzzsaw, Backtrack, Oval, (generic? Minicon), Nightbeat, Swindle, Jetstorm, Runway, Sonar.
Decepticons (19) - Leader-1, Crumplezone, Blackout, Drillbit, Inferno, Terradive, Thunderwing, Gunbarrel, Fetch, (at least 4 others), Sky Blast, Payload, Astroscope, Oceanglide, Stormcloud, Waterlog.

35 - Rescue
Autobots launch a full assault on the Decepticon base with the help of Starscream, to free Minicons. They find hundreds building a ship for Megatron.
Intro - (hundreds of Minicons)
Errors/confusion/notes:
-Why wait so long to attack the Decepticon base, since they've known where it is since episode 16.
-Starscream disobeys Optimus, which is normal for him.
-Perceptor gets lost inside *his own* ship.
-Okay, the Minicon count ends now that they find hundreds of Minicons working for Megatron. But how did the Decepticons manage to get so many? And how did they manage to recapture a number of the ones the Autobots held?
-I can see just about all of the toy Minicons, and heaps of generic ones.
-Megatron is very fast for a tank.
-Animation error, with Megatron being attacked by Starscream and Hotshot, but falling down with Tidal Wave attached.
Minicon count:
Autobots (hundreds)
Decepticons (not a whole lot)

36 - Mars
Starscream and Jetfire head to Mars to find a Minicons. Megatron sets a trap to capture the Star Saber and Skyboom Shield, as Sideways told Thrust that the three Minicon weapons can combine to become a super weapon.
Intro - Commettor, Firebot.
Errors/confusion/notes:
-Still no idea why Starscream is allowed to continue holding the Star Saber.
-Jetfire has Commettor already.
-Jetfire handcuffs Starscream, and yet he is still allowed to hold the Star Saber. Why doesn't he just cut through the cuffs?
-Firebot is released and retreived by the Autobots. I think that is the last Minicon to be hunted.
-The closing voice over by Alexis has us thinking that Starscream has the making of an Autobot, but I wonder if it is just one writer not knowing what happens in the next episode.

37 - Crack
Starscream is enticed to return to the Decepticons, for a better chance at getting his revenge on Megatron.
Intro - none
Errors/confusion/notes:
-Starscream is being a bit too nice and empathetic. He is still a Decepticon, and only joined the Autobots as a means to destroy Megatron, something he realises he can do while back with the Decepticons.
-Thrust and Sideways strike up a bit of an alliance.
-Sideways appears to not have any solid form anymore, and now just appears out of thin air all over the place.
-Decepticons being evil is being blamed on 'Decepticon Programming', suggesting that their way of life or allegiance to the Decepticon cause is not by choice.
-Starscream hits Thrust while up in the clouds, and yet Thrust lands against something with a thud, as if he was on the ground.

38 - Threaten
Megatron now possesses the 3 Minicon weapons, and tests it on a comet. (yes, an entire episode, and that's about all that happens)
Intro - none.
Errors/confusion/notes:
-Megatron tells Starscream that he has the 3 most powerful weapons in the Universe, but he is only holding 2 of them.
-This Megatron is way too trusting for 'a Megatron', allowing Starscream to just come back and all is forgiven. A real Megatron would still vapourise him for is previous treachery, to set an example to others not to ever question him.
-The combined weapon, called the Hydra Cannon, is not actually the 3 weapons combining, but just their power combined within a special weapon chamber built into the Decepticon Ship, for them.
-Decepticon Ship is launched. It's appearance and conversion to 'weapon-mode' is a bit extravagant for a mere warship.
-To test the Hydra Cannon, they target the comet's tail. They should have been targetting the comet head, as the tail is just vapour and debris.
-Starscream still has concerns about the innocents on the Earth, when Megatron wants them to target it next. He shouldn't have a conscience, and didn't have one at the start of the series.

39 - Crisis
Megatron now targets the Earth with the Hydra Cannon, but Optimus sacrifices himself to protect the planet, and destroy the weapon.
Intro - none.
Errors/confusion/notes:
-Slightly altered intro to reflect recent events.
-Autobots are still classing themselves as a secret from humans, but surely by now, with all the battles, the humans should know about them by now.
-Megatron starts calling Thrust 'squidhead', for a bit of comedic relief, or maybe the original Japanese version had something similar.
-Animation error with Decepticon ship near the Earth, but then still near the moon.
-Script error? with the Decepticons not needing to align their ship with the Autobot base to destroy the earth, but then needing to wait until they were aligned with the Autobot base to fire the cannon.
-Script error? with the Autobots not now knowing where the Decepticon ship is.
-Autobots somehow know the name of the Hydra Cannon.
-We see the Matrix for some reason, which becomes a plot device later, but seems a bit like a sudden inclusion in the story.
-Why would Optimus offer the Matrix to Hotshot, if Jetfire is second in command?
-Not explained how Optimus was able to deflect the Hydra Cannon blast, which is powerful enough to destroy a planet.
-Somehow when Optimus was destroyed, it left Sparkplug and his Matrix (actually called 'his Matrix') intact.
40 - Remorse
Hotshot has to prove himself as the new leader of the Autobots, while Megatron faces a world without an equal rival.
Intro - none
Errors/confusion/notes:
-The spark of Optimus was shown to be released as an attempt to explain what had happened last episode.
-Still no plausible reason why Hotshot is suddenly leadership material. It'd be like Bumblebee being leader, or Cheetor... oh wait...
-Megatron mourns the loss of his 'equal' but before and after, he wants him destroyed. I think this 'loss' is inconsistant for his character's meciless behaviour.
-Animation error with Scavenger wearing a Decepticon symbol when fighting Hotshot (maybe an animator assumed anyone fighting Hotshot had to be a Decepticon).