Recap / Transformers G 1 Atlantis Arise

Under the sea

The Decepticons stumble upon a magnificent find: the legendary Atlantis. They believe that Atlantean forces could prove invaluable to them finally winning the war. Once at the surface level, the battle-hungry Atlanteans strike and strike hard. The Autobots face tough times and Washington, D.C. is next. However, while enjoying the sights, the Decepticons had better keep their own guard up around their supposed Atlantean allies.

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• Atlantis:
  • Sub-Atlantica is a twisted, villainous version of the lost kingdom. Wheeljack namedrops Atlantis itself at the end of the episode when Sub-Atlantica is destroyed once and for all.
    Wheeljack: Sub-Atlantica now joins Atlantis in the myths of legend.
  • In the Japanese dub, Sub-Atlantica would be referred to as Atlantis; creating a Continuity Snarl by the time of Masterforce, which also features the kingdom itself looking nothing like Sub-Atlantica.
• Big Damn Heroes: As Grimlock eloquently put it:
  Grimlock: Autobots bite off more than they can chew, then send for Dinobots.
• Curb-Stomp Battle: As usual, once the Dinobots arrive to the battlefield there's nothing the bad guys can do to stop them. It becomes worse once the Autobots try to attack Sub-Atlantica and struggle against its defenses, while the Dinobots simply tear through the city, destroying absolutely everything in their path.
• Creepy High-Pitched Voice: Used by Nergill to his men. Borders on Helium Speech given the pitch used.
• Depending on the Artist: While one of the better-looking episodes of Season 2 (not a high bar considering AKOM's involvement with the season, or episodes later on like "Child's Play" or "Starscream's Brigade"), Character renderings are inconsistent throughout going from a much rounder, puffier appearance to more angled ones across the episode. Nergill himself also looks like he stepped out of a different series than the others.
• No Honor Among Thieves: The Decepticons and the Sub-Atlanticans are already planning to betray each other once they've taken over the world.
  Sub-Atlantican Captain: Why must we tolerate these overbearing Decepticons, your majesty?
  Nergill: Patience, captain. We shall soon give them their just desserts.
  (Later)
  Thundercracker: Why must we share our power with those obnoxious Sub-Atlanticans, Megatron?
  Megatron: Patience, Thundercracker. We will soon put them in their proper place. The bottom of the sea!
• Monumental Damage: Megatron removes Lincoln from his memorial so he can use it as a throne. He later leaves Washington by leaving a "parting gift" in the form of a collapsing Washington Monument. The Autobots manage to fix both of these quickly before facing off against the Decepticons and Sub-Atlanicans.
• No-Sell: Megatron fires his fusion cannon at Grimlock but this does nothing to stop the Dinobot.
• Shirtless Scene: Spike spends a bit of the episode in only a small pair of speedos, diving mask, and air tank while searching for the submerged Sub-Atlantica with the Autobots.
• Taking You with Me: Nergill decides to destroy his city in hopes of getting rid of both Autobots and Decepticons.
• Ungrateful Bastard: Megatron chews out Starscream, who, of all Decepticons, actually saved him from being shot from behind by Nergill.
• Villainous Rescue: Starscream finds out about Nergill's true intentions and later saves Megatron from being shot and disabled by Nergill. While initially Megatron berates Starscream for screwing up the battle and making them lose their edge against the Autobots, he later decides to demand an explanation from Nergill, and eventually Rumble and Ravage confirm that Starscream was right all along.
• What Happened to the Mouse?: By the end, Nergill has somehow disappeared. Although Optimus believes he won't be much of a threat now that his forces are crippled.