They are not part of the first season from a production standpoint. I would need a proper source.

All Sunbow cartoon series produced for Hasbro properties had a miniseries format for the first 3-5 episodes, but none were ever aired and not picked up for a full season. The More Than Meets The Eye miniseries is included and documented on every single home media release of the franchise, billed as part of the regular season proper. Further, the gap of time between the ending of the the miniseries and the beginning of Episode 4, Transport to Oblivion, was less than a month, no different than any hiatus between shows.

https://tfwiki.net/wiki/More_than_Meets_the_Eye,_Part_1 https://tfwiki.net/wiki/More_than_Meets_the_Eye,_Part_2 https://tfwiki.net/wiki/More_than_Meets_the_Eye,_Part_3

Further, the gap of time between the ending of the the miniseries and the beginning of Episode 4, Transport to Oblivion, was less than a month, no different than any hiatus between shows.

It was a Saturday morning show though. The fact that those episode aired out of regular schedule, a few week before Transport to Oblivion, is a bit odd. It is not definitive proof the episodes were not part of the first season, but it is suspicious...

The More Than Meets The Eye miniseries is included and documented on every single home media release of the franchise, billed as part of the regular season proper.

The original order should only be based on the original (television) release. Physical and digital releases frequently have a different order/season split.

If we can't find proof the episodes should be in Season 1, you can still use an episode group for the VHS/DVD order(s).

At the time of editing, there are 16 episodes in the Season 1. The names and descriptions of the last 3 episodes are blank. If the first 3 episodes are counted as Specials, there should be only 13 episodes in the Season 1. Please delete the last 3 episodes in the Season 1.

I'd still argue in favor of a 16 episode season 1.

The original order should only be based on the original (television) release.

The fact that those episode aired out of regular schedule, a few week before Transport to Oblivion, is a bit odd.

You agreed that it did air before Transport to Oblivion. What determines when Season 1 officially starts? It seems arbitrary that it's treated as a separate when it clearly sets the story in motion and is included in the official releases as the most likely intended order. I realize physical releases are not taken as the source of truth here, but I'm using it as an example of the original intent and it lines up with the original air dates as well. I don't see why the unnecessary (and to me, arbitrary) separation between the episodes.

In looking at https://tfwiki.net/wiki/More_than_Meets_the_Eye_(mini-series) , they say it was used to kick-start the series and according to air dates that makes sense. It was only later released as a mini-series "Arrival from Cybertron" which according to what you said should have no bearing on how TMDB organizes it.

The original order should only be based on the original (television) release. Physical and digital releases frequently have a different order/season split.

So going based on the above I'd think that it should be part of Season 1 as it wasn't considered a mini-series until later.

Also, these shows were first-run syndication. There was no “set” broadcast date. It was just when the network picked it up. If a gap in broadcast date means that these first episodes should not be considered as part of the first season, then that rational could be applied to EVERY Tv show. There is always a gap mid-season when no new episodes are released. They show Re-runs and pick up with new episodes toward the end of the season. Should these all be listed as “specials” as well?

These episodes should be in the proper production order, not air date order. https://tfwiki.net/wiki/List_of_The_Transformers_episodes

Air date order has some weird results...like Skyfire showing up in The Ultimate Doom before his episode actually aired. In production order, he gets introduced first.

@PDelahanty said:

These episodes should be in the proper production order, not air date order.

As per our rules, we always list the series in the first aired order. You can use an episode group for the production order.

The problem is when using TMDB for things like Jellyfin it messes with the titles. If you want to watch the show in order that it was meant to be you have to jump back and forth between season and specials. Can’t the specials be in both the season and I the specials? The. You could watch on order and see specials. When I bought Season 1 on DVD it started with “More Than Meets the Eye”. It is easy to watch them in order that way. When you transfer to Jellyfin and use TMDB you end up bouncing around and it would be easier to watch the DVDs. Jellyfin is normally waaaay easier than watching DVDs.

@superboy97 I understand the air order rule and that's fine. But that doesn't address the first three episodes being considered specials. A delay between airing of episode 3 and episode 4 doesn't make it a separate/special/mini-series. I would be happy if at-least this was addressed because it seems arbitrary.

As asked by @banana_girl above, we need an official source prooving that they were originally broadcasted as part of the 1st season.

In the mean time, you can use an episode group.

Is there an official source that says they weren’t?

@rawkhopper said:

Is there an official source that says they weren’t?

Exactly, the move seems arbitrary with no basis for being done.

The episode numbers of Transformers (1984) aren't correct.

They should start with season 1 - episode 1 'More Than Meets the Eye: Part 1' see the list of imdb

Now I cant download and sync the correct subs from opensubtitles.org

How can I fix this?

Adding to this. Every single source in existence lists the first 3 episodes as part of season 1. TMDB is literally the only source that doesn't, and it seems to extend from a single arbitrary person years ago putting their foot down. Someone with admin power please correct this.