That's my favourite line from Optimus in the g1 Cartoon, "we must have courage Huffer, we can't ignore the danger, we must conquer it."

"They just showed up one day and.... asserted themselves" - that one shopkeeper from Undertale

One thing I really miss from the '80s were the catalogues showing various toys being sold and several concept toys that were supposed to be sold on the market

I like to think that the Autobots that show up in S2-3 are the ones who were still stationed on Cybertron or were at different parts of the galaxy before arriving to Earth when Optimus called for them off-screen.

I've never heard that room theory for the ark before but I like it. It gives the early episodes more of a feeling of emergency and desperation to the autobot's perspective when you think of them as only bearly being able to pull themselves together enough to mobilize thier bridge crew, let alone dig out the others. Also the edits are on point in this one!

As a former 80's kid myself, I understood a long time ago that they just needed to bring in more toys and didn't have time for a backstory for all of them.

As a kid, I thought it was pretty obvious the "reinforcements" were chasing each other throughout the galaxy for a long time before finding Earth in 85. Autobots were aboard OS while Astrotrain carried the Decepticons. As for the Constructicons, they were brains stored until rebuilt.

I just assumed the new Deceptions came through the space bridge, and a lot of the Autobots probably hitched a ride with Omega Supreme. But you're right, Cybertonium is the key! Another fantastic video sir. Keep up the good work. 👍

I always felt that Reflector had the ability to make hard light objects of anything, similar to a Green Lantern and his/her ring. In Reflector's case, programmed yet mindless clones of himself and the Seekers. When they got ACTUAL reinforcements, Megatron simply had them erased. Similarly, I liked Dreamwave's "Big Shutdown," as well as Simon Furman's take on G1 proceedings in TF '84: Secrets And Lies mini (from March, 2021). But your answer, Rodimus, was a thorough, worthy explanation. Particularly with the Coneheads and Blitzwing being a latent Triple Changer. TANK YOU! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

My headcanon is that these Autobots and Decepticons were on the Ark and Nemesis, respectively. They bailed out in escape pods when both ships lost control, and the pods all crashed and put them in stasis-lock. Between the first and second seasons, these pods were discovered. Another possible explanation is that they were Maximal and Predacon protoforms left behind after the Beast Wars, and were reformatted into Autobots and Decepticons. And then there’s Hauler. That was actually Grapple, who spent the first season working behind the scenes to make the Ark a suitable command center. “Hauler” is just Cliffjumper’s nickname for Grapple.

I feel like this is the most referenced “this is a discussion for another day”. Glad to see it’s finally that other day. I always just assumed it was a space bridge between the first and second season offscreen.

I loved what Beast Wars did when introducing protoforms! They were launched into safe orbit before the Maximals and Predacons crash land on Earth. That’s how new characters were created in Beast Wars! It was one of the most genius things the Transformers franchise has ever done!

I like the idea that some of the autobots rode in Omega Supreme while the Decepticons rode Astrotrain. I also have another theory, believing it's quite possible they might have taken a shuttle to Earth during the time Cybertron was in close orbit during the episodes of "The Ultimate Doom"; a shuttle which crashed after the explosion that knocked Cybertron out of Earth's orbit. After that they set off towards Autobot and Decepticon Headquarters using their own power since they lacked the instantaneous ability to teleport that the space bridge provides. The two theories could also be one and the same, if Astrotrain and Omega Supreme were those shuttles. If this were the case, the two shuttles could have shot each other down instead of being blown out of the sky, though they still would have had to move towards their respective bases using their own wheels/treads/wings, etcetera. I do like the theory that the Decepticons came through the space bridge, but that only works for them. The Autobots would have had much more trouble with the bridge, especially given how hard it was to find in Season 1.

Who's excited for Christmas next Saturday?

When I was watching these shows as a kid back in the 80s, I never gave any thought about where the second waves came from. To me, it was just "Whoa! More Autobots and Decepticons! Cool!" Origins and continuity explanations be damned.

I love both the season 1 and 2 bots, they're have been my favorite back during my childhood. Awesome Retrospective on the Season 2 bots.😁👍

I like the theory? With the ships being so big it's more than likely more were on board than we saw. For the Decepticons it's likely that, similar to the Insecticons, others could've used escape pods to well, escape, the crashing Nemesis and were later found by the other Decepticons? Their condition could even vary greatly, such as the Constructicons needing whole new bodies built?

Well this was a very interesting retrospective video that I didn’t see coming.

I am in love with the idea that Blitzwing is a upgraded seeker from the pilot.

The answer as I am sure you guessed is that they were on the Ark the entire time. They were not shown during season one because their toys had not yet arrived but they were on the Ark regardless. We know for a fact they did not come from Cybertron because they suffered from the cybertonium depletion like all of the season one crew minus the Dinobots.

Good explanations. After rewatching the original Transformers I also thought those nameless seekers were rebuilt into Dirge, Ramjet, and Thrust. The new Autobots were more difficult to explain since they were also afflicted by the Cybertronium deficiency. You explanation is probably the best I've heard.

It makes sense the season two bots came from the lower decks. If they were previously on cybertron, they’d have more advanced designs (by 4 mil years) like those of hot rod or arcee.

My headcanon has always been that the Season 2 Autobots were Omega Supreme's crew, and the new Decepticons were Astrotrain's crew. Omega had been searching the galaxy for the Constructicons with Astrotrain in pursuit during the time the Season 1 cast members were lying deactivated in the Ark for 4 million years. Both crews arrived on Earth in time for the Dinobot Island episode.

I am by no means an expert, however it would make sense that they were in stasis because until both sides gathered enough energon, they would not have enough to awaken everyone at first.

Regarding the Autobots, I lean towards them having been in stasis on the Ark and somehow been undiscovered till season 2. It's not a great explanation, but it's the best one going. As for the Decepticons, there are many more possibilities. Maybe they're just reinforcements from Cybertron. Maybe they are those generic Decepticons in season one. Hell, maybe they're even turncoat Autobots from that comatose group on the Ark-that'd be an interesting twist.

I like how the Inferno says "let me put out their fire for good!"

Since the Insecticons were in an escape pod, the Coneheads and Triplechangers could have also been in one as well. Season 2 Autobots could have came from space on Omega Supreme and were on a planet similar to earth for there Cybertoniom to be breaking down.

Yep, they were in stasis on both the Ark and the Nemesis even though the rebuilt Nemesis underwater isn't the ship that was taken down in the pilot. It just looks like it, or the one in the second pilot. The ones that had cybertonium were all from the two ships respectively. Some of them might have come from the space bridge or reinforcements from Cybertron. Having two origins for the Constructicons, one comment nailed it, they were destroyed and rebuilt after coming to Earth, with their "personalities" and sparks intact, saved aboard the Nemesis. Megatron being an egomaniac claimed he "built them" but he rebuilt them. And who is going to argue semantics with Megs? Can just see Screamer going, "But sir, you reactivated them technically" and Megs leers at him just before screaming "Thou shall not correct me again, Starscream!" Ha.

I’m glad you made a video about this I’ve always wondered about this

The second wave of Transformers came from Hong Kong. It said so on the legs of all the ones I had as a kid.

Many autobots and decepticons where scattered in the galaxy and united with the others after million years .

2:18 Ah, I see you there quoting Generation 2 there. ;D

That help me out a lot. I think the 2nd way of Autobots and Decepticons are in the pod sleeping in the Ark for the Autobots. And for the Decepticons most likely rebuild as new characters to make them more trouble. Thanks for helping with new characters join the war Rodimus Primal.

your theory about the coneheads and Blitzwing is the same as mine.In my mind,they were always those unnamed seekers from MTMTE that was redesigned by Megatron😅

This is a burning question I’ve had since I was a kid… where did Hot Rod, Kupp, Blurr and Arcee come from.

It only lasts for a brief moment, but just seeing those old action figure checklists that came with each character makes me remember how it felt to be a kid, seeing some of them for the first time, getting excited about someday playing with them... I mean, it's not just about Transformers...a whole deluge of memories of just...life at that time. Not all of it good, either; I was a spoiled-rotten kid. But I just don't get excited about anything that way anymore.

Another great video! Thank you so much

Super cool discussions!! You’ve earned my sub.

I always saw them coming from Omega Supreme or from other ships that would eventually be dismantled for autobot city as scramble city was shown outside Japan. I do find the origin of the protector bots being from a failed colony quite interesting Blitzwing may have been found as a deactivated overcharge on the same planet. Astrotrain may have originally been a seeker

•As a kid I just assumed that the new Autobots either came from the resistance underground on Cybertron to earth or were badly damaged crew members on the Ark and were finally repaired for duty. •As for the new Decepticons, they could easily come from the multitudes of troops on Cybertron. •For the numerous jet repaints, the extras could have been sent to Cybertron to back up Shockwave and transport cubes to refuel the planet. •The Reflector clones were just more generated clones from Reflector himself. If Shrapnel could do it, why not him?

Great video! Thanks for the info!

Definitely a cool topic to take a deeper dive on. Enjoyed the video!

Thank you man. Great attempt to fix the mess the creators made.

Good job covering all the bases. I too have always just assumed that the S2 Autobots were in sections of the Ark which remained inaccessible for most of the first year. The presence of the extra Decepticons in MTMTE is also an excellent -excuse- reason for the new troops in S2, possibly also spending most of the first year lying deactivated in a broken off part of the spaceship under the sea. I love discussions like these which get the grey matter fizzing! 😁

I love how you included pictures of the old posters that came with the larger figures. I loved those things. I called it my wish list when I was little. Lol I held on to every single one I got even though they were the exact same. My favorite of the list was the dinobots and Optimus Prime.

It’s so nice watching all the best episodes clips .what A great job like always thanks

I always just figured they were either built like several others were (Combaticons, Dinobots, etc.) or The Arc created more transformers or they already were on Earth. I vaguely remember a line from the cartoon mentioning Transformers scattered throughout the universe.

Nice I’m glad you made a retrospective of this

Even with decades of continuity issues, Transformers still makes more sense than present day WWE.

Great video review rodimus stay safe till all are one

Thank you for this vid I'm loving it

I'd like to think that was Grapple in the premiere episodes, and that Cliffjumper said: "Hollar! Pull him up!" In other words, they didn't say his name. Yeah, that's it. LOL

I agree with your explanation on this. It does make more sense.

Finally an Explanation for tracks grapple red alert and so forth

Great review! There are some aspects that since the very first comic I got back in 1984-85, G1 More than meet the eyes, found it very difficult if not impossible to cope with, one of them was the time gap between the crash land in Earth and their awakening, the time given of 4 millions years was inconsistent, even as a kid and despite being a comic I realized that such period of time would imply that Cybertronians would had become extinct a long time ago (not to mention the deterioration of the Ark itself and its crew) if not evolved to some sort of superior entities, surely the former outcome would be the most probable due to war. A reasonable time gap might had been something in the range of between 20 and 100 years as much. I understood that a civilization might become stagnant due to war, but a prolonged situation surely would imply its total annihilation. Edit: also another aspect to mention is the mass-shifting issue, it was just a nope...

Interesting! Thanks for the video!

I knew one day you'll cover this one.

The Autobots in season 2 is a bit easy for explanations but the Decepticon is harder like why did they not reactivate more than just 4 also Great video

i just want to say, even though i am a younger transformers fan, i still will support this channel.

These videos never disappoint.

The character profile of Shockwave for the toy paints him as someone scheming to take Megatron's place. I was always confused by that because of the cartoon Shockwave being so loyal to Megatron.

Just give me all the toys that's in this thumbnail pic for Christmas and I'll be a happy camper.

Indeed, the golden age of.. The Transformers toys. 👍

Awesome theory Rodimus! Enjoyed this video!

It is possible that the second wave of Transformers were in the ark the whole time until reactivated. Seems to be the most sound reason for them making it in the second season like that!

This is some really good work here. If nothing else gotta respect your research & attention to detail.

I always figured that as they were able to excavate more of the Ark, they found and repaired more bots. The Decepticon I assumed were found scattered across the Earth in escape pods similar to the Insecticons.

I love TF G1 mostly, from this second Wave i own: Beachcomber, Tracks and Skids! 🤩😍😘

Omega Supreme and Astrotrain were both transports, and we know the Decepticons had operations on a few worlds besides Cyberron and Earth. So maybe that started soon after the 1984 cast got "lost", maybe the 1985 characters also got lost in space far from Cybertron but picked up hints of Transformer activity after the 84 crew "awakened" (like Omega Supreme somehow learning of the Constructicon's presence on Earth). A real question is, what happened to the 1985 Autobot cars between season 2 & 3? My personal theory is that they got stuck in some alternate dimension or on some weird planet (not killed off) and were eventually rescued at some pont after the show ended. This could be part of "season 2.5" that would als feature Ultra Magnus & crew arriving on Earth about the same time as Octane, Battlechargers, Ratbat...

A nice sneaky trick pub quiz question is that (according to the comics) there were 28 Autobots on the Ark at the start. :D Aha, I see you mention the five crystals!

Great topic!!!!

Nice video!

Just as I was thinking about this! 👍🏼

I mean the ark and the deceptions ships all had more deactivated bots then what could be brought back initially. I figured that as they were able to collect more energon they were able to slowly bring more back online as time went on.

Nice run down Rodimus.

I like the idea that they did in fact find more autobots in the Ark, but my Decepticon theory is rather macabre. Re-watching G1 as an adult I was shocked to find out that in season 1 the Autobots...well, their best win is a draw, really. The Decepticons pretty much win constantly. So with their victories, they're able to actually capture more energon. I like RodimusPrimal's take on the 10 versus 18, with the 18 autobots being the Bridge Crew, that means the ten Decepticons were the raiding party. Towards the ends of season 1, Megatron had gathered enough energy to leave Earth. Why would he not have enough energy to revive those on the Nemesis? And if he was short a few sparks...well how many Seekers are worth an Astrotrain or a Blitzwing? He cannabalized the "extras".

The plane that Prowl commandeered with Chip Chase’s help in the G1 episode Roll For Ir could be Powerglide. The hydrofoil that Sparkplug & the Autobots boarded to reach the Decepticon’s oil platform in the G1 episode Day of The Machines could be Seaspray.

GOOD VIDEO AND AMAZING

Yours is the one that makes the most sense, not perfect on the decepticon side but it’s better than anything I’ve heard so far

The Coneheads probably were those unnamed Seekers in early S1. They got so badly smashed up, they had to be majorly rebuilt. One developed a defeatist, negative attitude. Another became suicidally violent, wanting to ram his enemies. A third cowardly, wanting to be able to run away faster. Constructicons were built on Earth. Using personality components (Laser Cores/Sparks) of Omega Supreme's former friends - which were likely in the same vault as the Combaticons. After he learned they were again alive and functioning on Earth, Omega came to Earth.

When I was a kid I always thought that the ark had many rooms (when they come out of there it's huge and much bigger than all of the Autobots) and due to the shock from the crash They must've forgotten about the rest of the crew. And as for the Decepticons, that Megatron knew it all along but he'd activate them when he really need them because he's a jerk.😂

Watching these videos brings back fond memories. Also, I really want to see a Transformers/Avengers movie. I still have my old issue of the Transformers comic with Spiderman in the black suit.

i just figured they were sent from a Cybertronian Temp Service to fill the job openings.

Rumble: Megatron I can’t help myself Megatron: 👊🏻 🤣

G1 cartoon is so riddled with continuity errors and animation errors that you could just say that they were off-screen until they were needed and that solves the problem

I’m having this video be a drinking game. I’m drinking every time I hear “Autobot” or “Decepticon”

Love the explanation very logical 🖖

I remember one episode with an Autobot named Fox that had the characteristics of an 80's yuppie. He even managed to enter a dance club without anybody getting suspicious of him. One club goer asked where Fox got his gear from and he simply answers "Cybertron."

Nice video! I always assumed it was a bit of both. Some were there all along (offscreen) and others came later and joined them. By the time we get to the far off future year of 2005 in the Rodimus Prime era, the whole new cast of characters introduced in the movie and afterwards seemed to clearly be Cybertronians who joined them later.

This is a great researched video! Thank you for your great efforts, you have definitely convinced me that these Season 2-ers all came to Earth in the 1st episode. I agree the Autobots must have been aboard the Autobot ship (HQ) in some inaccessible location, still broken and deactivated. I don't think the coneheads were season 1 clones, since these backgrounders were nothing special, yet Megatron called the coneheads the most powerful jets in the Galaxy. I like to think the coneheads, Blitzwing, and Astrotrain were all in Autobot HQ, along with the S2 Autobots. This would explain the continuity why we didn't see the S2 cast in the 1st episode, as they were all fighting on a lower level of the ship. It would also explain why they all showed up around the same time, as that section of ship just got somehow accessible and salvaged. Production Code-wise, the episode "The Core" is just 2 eps before Dinobot Island. In The Core, the Decepticon drill came dangerously close to exploding the Earth. So it definitely had some effects, like ground-quaking out that lost section of Autobot HQ.

I never really had a problem with answering the question with "off camera". You could go several episodes without seeing a particular bot anyway. The exception being Omega Supreme since they would have surely called him when Devastator showed up.

To me, just before the connection between the Ark and the Decepticon ship was about to sever, I think the season two Autobots would have made a run for the Decepticon ship in desperation but then the connection severed and most of the season 2 Autobots fell into the ocean and / or deep forest and were deactivated for about 4M years, at some point in 1985, these robots were discovered and brought back to life.

This is SO fascinating - the Cybertronium, of course!

Masterful explanations! The entry of the secondwave characters has always been perplexing - from the cartoon perspective, anyway. The comics always had more detailed and feasible explanations (although there were some continuity clashes between the UK and US comics at times, though these were fewer). Good to see the Gobots get a mention too! 👍🏾👏🏾

Crane Robo will always be Hauler. "Pull him up!!!"

Ah man, when my priorities were G I joe, He - man, and transformers. Great time. I did have a couple of Gobots too.

And some of these characters never even appeared in the commercials, like Skids and Dirge.

Good video 👍

"Every Transformers series since has had continuity issues to overcome." Michael Bay - "Continuity? What's that?"

Good 1. Right on time