The Transformers (TV Series) Dark Awakening (1986) User Reviews

A dramatic highlight in the G1 series

[paul_vromen · 8/10 · 2 April 2010]

Having watched this episode over and over again, I have to admit that I am fascinated, if not somewhat obsessed, by these 22 minutes. There is something about this episode that keeps me coming back. The atmosphere is great, despite, or maybe helped by, the lackluster animation and bad art. Its low-level production values make for a suitably creepy B-movie flavor, but the quality of writing as well as the delivery is outstanding. Peter Cullen (Optimus)and Dick Gautier (Rodimus) in particular do a great job of helping to raise this episode above and beyond the run-of-the-mill 1980s cartoon crop.

Originally this episode aired with a different ending and was not intended to lead to "the Return of Optimus Prime" two-parter: Yes, Optimus was meant to stay dead. As a child, I could not bear to watch the ending of Dark Awakening, it was too sad and shocking, and a huge departure from the relatively carefree pre-Movie seasons. As an adult, however, I can appreciate its themes, great acting and shocking conclusion. But this is certainly not for everyone.

A glimmer of hope at last

[rayant84 · 8/10 · 25 May 2007]

This episode features Optimus Prime first appearance on season 3 since he died in Transformers the movie, making it one of my favorite episodes of season 3(not many i might add)besides that it was informative by taking on right were the movie ended, and unlike other episodes you can see characters from the 3 seasons interacting together. However i have the feeling this episode was a gimmick to try to salvage season 3 due to low ratings.If you notice they portrayed Optimus as sick, disturb,unstable, unreliable, therefore unfit to be the Autobots leader; on the other hand we get to see a very powered Rodimus that is ratified as the new leader by Optimus and receives the matrix, later on Optimus dies again.They also showed fans how the corpses of the fallen Autobots were destroyed in a red sun,eliminating any hope of fans of a comeback(we are reminded of that by Kup by the way).Bottom line, accept season 3 new format. Luckily for fans and viewers, they brought back Optimus definitely on the 2 last episodes of season 3: The Return of Optimus Prime(although this episode was the perfect opportunity for that).

One good episode of the third season that turned things around for the good

[minerals · 10/10 · 11 September 2006]

The one thing I like about this episode is although according to information it was supposed to be one of the last 6 episodes of the show it was aired early to help people get over the sadness of the events of the movie that happened seven episodes earlier in the TV series. That one sad thing was the Autobot Leader Optimus Prime's death. In this episode when It aired I was cheered up because of how it looked like when those younger autobots and their human friends were in trouble and nobody could save them all of a sudden a laser rifle starts shooting at the Decepticons and when the autobots turn around to look they see Optimus Prime Standing there shooting at the Decepticons. I really liked this episode because of how Optimus was brought back to life and according to what the narrartor said at the end of the episode the next episode was said to be the two part "Return of Optimus Prime" That made me happy because I feel that it was not right for the leader of the good guys to be killed in the first place. I liked how he made a comeback.