The essential episodes of The Transformers

Watch these 15 in order and you've got The Transformers — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · October 6, 1984 · 22m

   Transport to Oblivion7.3

   The Decepticons have managed to construct a device that, once successfully tested, will allow them to travel to Cybertron. Later, they use a reprogrammed Bumblebee to make sure the Autobots walk into an ambush.

2. 02

   S01E02 · Top rated · October 13, 1984 · 22m

   Roll for It7.3

   Starscream is now in charge of the Decepticons, but all he does is lead them to defeat in battle against the Autobots. But things are about to get much worse when Megatron returns, setting his sights on a new and powerful anti-matter formula.

3. 03

   S01E03 · Season 1 peak · October 20, 1984 · 22m

   Divide and Conquer7.7

   A battle with the Decepticons leaves Optimus Prime damaged. Several Autobots journey to Cybertron to retrieve a vital part that will help repair him, but the Decepticons take advantage of the situation and launch an attack.

4. 04

   S01E11 · Top rated · December 15, 1984 · 22m

   Heavy Metal War7.7

   The Constructicons, recently created for the Decepticons, have built a device to give Megatron the powers and skills of his soldiers. All this is to give him the advantage in a challenge he issues to Optimus Prime. And if Optimus loses, he and the Autobots must leave Earth.

5. 05

   S02E02 · Top rated · September 24, 1985 · 22m

   The Immobilizer7.4

   Wheeljack's new invention, the Immobilizer, is capable of rendering any Transformer hit immobile for a short time. Once the Decepticons get their hands on it, however, they modify it and begin leaving many Autobots immobile.

6. 06

   S02E03 · Season 2 peak · September 24, 1985 · 22m

   Dinobot Island (1)7.6

   Proving to be a danger even to their own allies, the Dinobots are sent away to train on a recently discovered island in the hopes that they will learn how to effectively work together. The island, however, is far from ordinary as it is populated by dinosaurs. Meanwhile, the Decepticons make advances toward the island so they can acquire it's natural resources.

7. 07

   S02E04 · Top rated · September 26, 1985 · 22m

   Dinobot Island (2)7.6

   The Decepticons' tampering on the island creates openings to other times, allowing all sorts of things from various times to arrive in the present. The Autobots race to reverse this before it's too late and to stop the Decepticon plot. But in the end, their best hope may be the Dinobots.

8. 08

   S02E05 · Top rated · September 27, 1985 · 22m

   Traitor7.4

   Failing to cause a divide between the Decepticons and Insecticons, Mirage's mind suddenly becomes enslaved and he is used by them in a plot against the Autobots.

9. 09

   S02E06 · Top rated · September 29, 1985 · 22m

   Enter the Nightbird7.6

   The Decepticons send the recently stolen Nightbird on a mission to steal an informative chip from the Autobots.

10. 10

    S02E07 · Top rated · September 30, 1985 · 22m

    Changing Gears7.6

    The Decepticons plans to take energy from the center of the sun using a circuit from one of their enemies, Gears. The Autobots must defeat the Decepticons and rescue their compatriot.

11. 11

    S02E08 · Top rated · October 1, 1985 · 22m

    A Prime Problem7.4

    The latest Decepticon plot to destroy the Autobots involves the creation of a Optimus Prime duplicate. They hope this duplicate will be able to convince the other Autobots he is the genuine article and will lead them into a chasm that will destroy them.

12. 12

    S03E29 · Season 3 peak · February 24, 1987 · 20m

    The Return of Optimus Prime (1)7.6

    While testing a new ship alloy, Jessica Morgan and Gregory Swafford (who hates Transformers) stumbled upon the ship Optimus Prime was on and saved him. Some time afterward, Jessica gets hurt in a battle between Protectobots, Technobots and Terrorcons, causing her father and Gregory to plot revenge. They use Optimus to lure the Autobots into a trap, getting them infected with Hate Spores which make them go berserk. As the infection spreads, Sky Lynx seeks out a Quintesson that could bring Optimus back to life.

13. 13

    S04E01 · Top rated · November 9, 1987 · 23m

    The Rebirth (1)7.4

    While much has changed and there has been a peaceful lull lately, the Decepticons are happy to get back to basics. Soon, Autobot City is a mess and the Plasma Energy Chamber key is stolen. The fight moves to Cybertron and in front of the soon activated the Plasma Energy Chamber, no less. An unexpected reaction from it, though, leaves a number of Transformers on both sides (plus Spike and Daniel) on Nebulos. Greater fighting awaits there, as machine-hating Nebulons seek to overthrow the evil Lord Zarak and the Hive. Getting back home is, of course, on hold for the recent arrivals to Nebulos. However, the Hive appears unstoppable and only something truly radical may work against them.

14. 14

    S04E02 · Top rated · November 10, 1987 · 23m

    The Rebirth (2)7.4

    Daniel and four Nebulans join with five Autobots to battle the Hive, but the Hive decide to do something similar with a group of Decepticons. Meanwhile, Optimus Prime goes to Vector Sigma to find out the whereabouts of the missing Autobots and encounters an old face, learning the answer and what must be done.

15. 15

    S04E03 · Series finale · November 11, 1987 · 23m

    The Rebirth (3)7.6

    After capturing Daniel and Arcee and acquiring the Plasma Energy Chamber key, Scorponok and the Decepticons make their way to Cybertron. The Autobots head after them, but Spike and Cerebros stay on Nebulos and come up with a strategy to use a Hive city as a weapon against Scorponok. Meanwhile, the Decepticons and Scorponok begin to threaten Earth and it is up to the Autobots and their allies to stop them.