1980s

A new toy line is born when the Autobots make the Dinobots, who quickly demonstrate how strong and stupid they are.
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While stealing energy from the planet's core, the Decepticons unearth their old ally Skyfire. After questioning his own morals, Skyfire sides with the Autobots. Then he dies.
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When Optimus is nearly destroyed, Megatron takes advantage of the Autobot's disorganized state and attacks.
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The Decepticons steal an anti-matter formula from Chip Chase, to create anti-matter energon, but are foiled by Wheeljack's plan that makes no sense at all.
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After no sign of the Decepticons for months, the Autobots discover Megatron plans to supply Cybertron with energon with the recent completion of the Space Bridge.
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The three part pilot ends with Megatron outsmarting the Autobots in his plan to aquire enough energy to return to Cybertron.
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In what will become an overused plot device, the Decepticons attempt to steal energy (first from a hydroelectric dam, then from a ruby mine) and the Autobots have to stop them.
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The first episode of The Transformers starts four million thirty-four years ago and ends thirty-four years ago. That's a lot of ground to cover but we do it in thirteen minutes.
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