History Recap / TransformersG1DarkAwakening

* ContinuitySnarl: Causes one in [[Recap/TransformersG1TheReturnOfOptimusPrime a future episode]], where the climax of this episode is heavily [[{{Retcon}} retconned]] (though in the script for that episode, Optimus's body is in its heavily damaged state from this episode.
** Among those buried in the mausoleum are Huffer, who wasn't shown being killed in the [[WesternAnimation/TheTransformersTheMovie movie]]. Conversely, Brawn isn't listed, adding fuel to the theory that he survived the attack on the shuttle, especially since he took two point-blank shots from Megatron in "Fire on the Mountain" and survived without a scratch.
* DarkerAndEdgier: A Zombie Optimus Prime attacks the Autobots, gets gruesome injuries, and dies ''again''. As the [[Website/TFWikiDotNet wiki]] points out, this episode even has a body count.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: Rodimus is very quick to want to hand back the Matrix to Optimus and expresses glee at returning to Hot Rod, clearly hinting towards the struggles he has with TheChainsOfCommanding, something that comes up again notably in Recap/TransformersG1TheBurdernHardestToBear.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: Rodimus is quick to hand the Matrix back to Optimus, and expresses glee at returning to being Hot Rod, hinting at his struggles with TheChainsOfCommanding, as comes back later in Recap/TransformersG1TheBurdernHardestToBear

** The Autobots attempt to escape the Decepticons by sacrificing their ship and fleeing in a shuttlepod, using the explosion to cover their escape. Galvatron recognizes this trick from [[WesternAnimation/TransformersTheMovie the movie]] and doesn't fall for it this time.
** Optimus had previously gone rogue against his will in season 2's "Attack of The Autobots." But it's played darker and more tragically this time around.

--->'''First Magistrate:''' You see, Galvatron, [[ExactWords we kept our word. We led you straight to the Autobot leader]].
--->'''Second Magistrate:''' And now he is yours to destroy.
--->'''Galvatron:''' [[SarcasmMode Oh yes, you are loyal allies]], so long as it suits your purposes!

--->'''Rodimus:''' I've been keeping it warm for you.
--->'''Ultra Magnus:''' Wait! Optimus is in no condition to assume leadership!
--->'''Rodimus:''' Come on, guys, he's just shook up a little! You'd be, too, if you'd been dead for years![[note]]This line works a little bit better in the Japanese dub, which sets the episode 5 years after the movie instead of 1.[[/note]]
--->'''Kup:''' That's the point, sonny. What happened, Optimus?
--->'''Optimus:''' Darkness. Cold. Then, light.
--->'''Daniel:''' Maybe he was in a... you know, a coma.
--->'''Spike:''' Possible.
--->'''Rodimus:''' Hey, he's here, he's back, and who cares how?
--->'''Optimus:''' Must... complete... plan.

* HeroicSacrifice: After regaining his senses, Optimus pilots a ship to a Quintesson trap, which kills him but allows others to escape.

** Downplayed with the Dinobots. They get about a minute of screen time then they're gone, but unlike most of their appearances this season, [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness they're in no mood to provide comic relief]].

* ContinuitySnarl: Causes one in [[Recap/TransformersG1TheReturnOfOptimusPrime a future episode]], where the climax of this episode is heavily [[{{Retcon}} retconned]].

--->'''Daniel:''' Maybe he was in a... you know, a coma!

* SoLastSeason: The Autobots attempt to escape the Decepticons by sacrificing their ship and fleeing in a shuttlepod, using the explosion to cover their escape. Galvatron recognizes this trick from [[WesternAnimation/TransformersTheMovie the movie]] and doesn't fall for it this time.

* DarkerAndEdgier: A Zombie Optimus Prime attacks the Autobots, gets gruesome injuries, and dies ''again''. As the [[Wiki/TFWikiDotNet wiki]] points out, this episode even has a body count.

* UnexplainedRecovery: PlayedWith: When asked how he returned, Optimus himself has no idea. We later find out the Quintessons were responsible.

* BatmanGambit: The Quintessons revive Optimus Prime, Literature/{{Frankenstein}} style, and brainwash him into serving as their agent to destroy the Autobots from within. They then establish contact with the Decepticons, offering Galvatron a rebuilt ''Revenge'' [[note]]the flagship that was destroyed by Unicron in the movie[[/note]] and the location of the Autobots, ensuring that they chase the Autobots into the masoleum... where they are blasted by the brainwashed Optimus, giving him a BigDamnHero moment to earn Rodimus' trust.

* {{Hammerspace}}: When Cyclonus draws his blaster during the Masoleum shootout, it appears as if he has pulled it out of thin air.

Optimus Prime returns from the death! He single-handedly saves our heroes from the Decepticons, [[FaceHeelTurn turns on the Autobots]], starts a [[https://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_many_deaths_of_Optimus_Prime franchise-wide tradition]], and [[HistoryRepeats dies again]], this time with more BodyHorror!

** Among those buried in the mausoleum are Huffer, who wasn't shown being killed in the movie. Conversely, Brawn isn't listed, adding fuel to the theory that he survived the attack on the shuttle, especially since he took two point-blank shots from Megatron in "Fire on the Mountain" and survived without a scratch.

''Film/TransformersTheLastKnight'' borrows some elements from this episode, most notably, Optimus being brainwashed by the Optimus by the Autobots' AbusivePrecursors and [[IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight forced against his will to fight his young protege]].

* SoLastSeason: The Autobots attempt to escape the Decepticons by self-destructing their ship and fleeing in a shuttlepod, using the explosion to cover their escape. Galvatron recognizes this trick from [[WesternAnimation/TransformersTheMovie the movie]] and doesn't fall for it this time.

* ShooOutTheClowns: When [[AxCrazy Galvatron]], the [[Characters/StarWarsKyloRen Kylo Ren]] of the Decepticons, is the clown that's gets shooed out to take the story into a darker direction, you know you're in for a grim affair.

* SoLastSeason: The Autobots attempt to escape the Decepticons by fleeing in an escape pod, using the self-destructing ship as a mask for their escape. Galvatron recognizes this trick from [[WesternAnimation/TransformersTheMovie the movie]] and doesn't fall for it this time.

--->'''Rodimus:''' Come on, guys, he's just shook up a little! You'd be, too, if you'd been dead for years!

* IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight: A rather brutal one between Hot Rod and Optimus: Optimus is [[AndIMustScream aware]] of his actions and literally begging to be stopped; Hot Rod is reluctant to attack him despite his violent rampage. Provided similar inspiration for the fight between Bumblebee and Optimus in ''Film/TransformersTheLastKnight''.
* SoLastSeason: The Autobots attempt to escape the Decepticons by fleeing in an escape pod, using the self-destructing ship as a mask for their mistake. Galvatron recognizes this trick from [[WesternAnimation/TransformersTheMovie the movie]] and doesn't fall for it this time.

* DarkerAndEdgier: A Zombie Optimus Prime attacks the autobots, gets gruesome injuries, and dies ''again''. As the [[Wiki/TFWikiDotNet wiki]] points out, this episode even has a body count.
* EmptyShell: Optimus starts as this, as his body retains very little of his memories and personity, and his body was reprogrammed by the Quintessons.
* FaceHeelTurn: Optimus has been reprogrammed by the Quintessons.

* TechnicallyLivingZombie: ZigZagged to hell and back. On one hand, Optimus ''definitely'' died in TheMovie. Here he runs on Quitesson programming until the Matrix overrides it, yet he remains alive.

* EmptyShell: Optimus starts as this, as his body retains very little of his memories and personity, and his body was reprogrammed by the Quitessons.
* FaceHeelTurn: Optimus has been reprogrammed by the Quitessons.

* HeroicSacrifice: After regaining his senses, Optimus pilots a ship to a Quitesson trap, which kills him but allows others to escape.
* TechnicallyLivingZombie: ZigZagged to hell and back. On one hand, Optimus ''definetly'' died in TheMovie. Here he runs on Quitesson programming until the Matrix overrides it, yet he remains alive.
* UnexplainedRecovery: PlayedWith: When asked how he returned, Optimus himself has no idea. We later find out the Quitessons were responsible.

* PlotHole:
** As soon as the Matrix leaves Rodimus's chest he reverts to Hot Rod, yet he's the only Autobot leader this happens to in this series. By the same logic, Optimus would have reverted to Orion Pax ages ago.

* ContinuitySnarl: Causes one in [[Recap/TransformersG1TheReturnOfOptimusPrime a future episode]], where he climax of this episode is heavily [[{{Retcon}} retconned]].