The episode opens with the Drules attacking planet Likon as they seek gold and other treasures but Hazar is ordered to stop. he wonders why until he gets a message that a huge alien craft has entered their territory (Planet Doom mentioned as the source of this message, likely an effort to connect this Voltron with the Lion version). Hazar is intrigued - he dispatches Quark to send the intruder packing. And guess who the intruder is? The VV team on the Explorer of course! Hawkins speaks of being 10,000 light years away from Galaxy Garrison and entering the Chronus Galaxy....their mission? To find new and livable worlds for the overcrowded planets of the Alliance. The Explorer zeroes in on a planet but the teams are skeptical - so far everything has been a false alarm planet-wise. Cric is feeling a little down and Ginger offers "synthetic orange juice" to cheer him up (even these astronauts like their Tang). Also, Marvin and Hutch argue over a poker game when Marvin ends up with 5 kings. The problem with the planet they're approaching is a strong magnetic belt surrounding it. But before the teams launch, menacing laughter is heard over the Explorer's intercom and Hawkins fears it's their "old enemy" Hazar - the mission is temporarily canceled, much to the VV force's dismay. After some analysis, they realize the magnetic field was the work of Hazar's troops but with no sign of him or his minions, the VV force launches to claim the planet. While exploring the new planet, Jeff remarks that the terrain looks like Arizona and when Lisa questions that he assures her Arizona is on his home planet, not hers. Exploration is cut short when two of Hazar's fleets are spotted on radar approaching from two sides. Of course, it is mentioned that the attack fleet is comprised of "robots" so that we're less shocked by all the violence in the coming battle. The teams hold their own against the enemy fleet that outnumbers them. Though they win this battle, Hawkins worries it's not over. On top of that, he must land on the planet to perform repairs to the Explorer, which took on damage in the fire fight. Back at Galaxy Garrison heaquarters on Earth, the top brass discussing the team's situation. A long discussion about support fleets vs. using Voltron ensues, and Marshall Graham warns that Voltron is only to be used as a last ditch defense as the robot only has five minutes of stored nuclear energy. Meanwhile, the repairs are completed on the Explorer while Quark rages over his fleet's defeat. Quark attacks soon after and unleashes a robeast. The VV force tries to fight it as individual units, but it's no good. Hawkins wants them to come back to the Explorer, but Jeff begs for one more go at the robeast. Of course, Voltron must be formed (it's amusing that Jeff's commands while forming Voltron are different here - "Land Team, form legs. Sea Team form torso and arms. Air team form head." And then he goes into the whole diatherms/infracels thing much like Keith does for LV - I believe this is the only episode where Voltron is formed in this way...since when was Jeff the whole air team anyway? lol) With one minute left in their allotted time, the VV team hit the robeast with the spinning lazer blade/blazing sword one-two punch and it's all over. The DXV Difference: Some random differences I picked up on while watching the subbed DXV (VV's parent series) version of ep 1, called "Crushing Galaxy": 1) Major plot differences. In DXV, the Garubeston Empire (Drules) and Rugger Teams (Voltron Force) are unknown to one another and remain that way to episode's end. Also, the Rugger Teams have never formed Dairugger (Voltron) before or been in a major battle - until now. There is also no time limit on how long Dairugger can stay formed. 2) The Rugger Teams are just searching for a new world for the sake of science and exploration, in an effort to "better understand themselves" - not due to overcrowding. 3) There are no robot soldiers in DXV - those that die are of the flesh and bone variety. Also the scenes with Hazar in VV were actually cut into that ep - he doesn't appear at all in the DXV version. 4) Cut scenes include some seemingly harmless scenes of the Rugger Teams being bored, but no major cuts for violence and such; wasn't necessary with the robot excuse I guess! 5) Minor differences include the consumption of alcohol and some cursing by characters.

• published: 16 Apr 2014
• views: 915