Cliffhanger
From Transformers Wiki
| "Cliffhanger" should not be confused with Cliffjumper. |
In fiction, the term "cliffhanger" or "cliffhanger ending" refers a plot device featuring a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma, or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction. A cliffhanger is usually used to ensure the audience will return to see how the dilemma gets resolved, thus raising the audience ratings. It is like a TV show's version of "to sell toys" in a certain way.
The cliffhanger could be used at the end of an episode from a series of continuous episodes, or the end of the season finale. It has been used in many Transformers shows since "More than Meets the Eye, Part 1", the first episode of the original The Transformers cartoon. Later, the Beast Wars started to use the cliffhanger in the season finale.
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Notable examples
Marvel The Transformers comics
Because the United Kingdom published Transformers comics once a week, UK printings of the US stories were split into two parts. As a result, said printings would often be edited to provide a better cliffhanger. This was often accomplished by re-ordering pages, changing dialogue or, in one particularly egregious instance, using the cover of an issue as an interior page, to questionable effect.
Beast Wars cartoon
The episode "Other Voices, Part 2" ended the first season with the death of Optimus Primal while "The Agenda (Part III)" closed the second season with Megatron's attempt to kill Optimus Prime.
Beast Machines cartoon
The episode "End of the Line" ended the season with the alluded demise of Optimus Primal.
Animated cartoon
The first season finale "Megatron Rising - Part 2" ended with the revelation that Megatron was still alive and had Isaac Sumdac as his captive. The following episode, "The Elite Guard," ended with Sari Sumdac learning that there are no records of either her birth or even her existence. The second season finale "A Bridge Too Close, Part II" ended with Sari being exposed as being more than just human, along with a scene of Megatron and Starscream drifting alone in space with their fates left unknown.
Prime cartoon
The first season finale "One Shall Rise, Part 3" ended with Megatron's declaration that Orion Pax is one of the Decepticon comrades while "Darkest Hour" ended with Megatron firing the Nemesis' main weapon at Autobot Outpost Omega One with Optimus still inside.
In the latter case, despite edits to remove the destruction of the base and the (seeming) death of Optimus Prime, the Japanese dub of "Darkest Hour" serves as that market's series finale for the entire cartoon, leaving the Decepticons successfully establishing control over the area with their new fortress, Wheeljack's fate unknown, and the Autobots scattered and in hiding, the (modified) cliffhanger never resolved.
External links
- Cliffhanger at Wikipedia
