The Most Dangerous Thing in the World

"The Most Dangerous Thing in the World"
Attribution
Writer(s)	Buzz Dixon
Production company	Sunbow Productions
Season	2
Original airdate	October 29, 1986
General information
Continuity	A Real American Hero animated continuity
Series	G.I. Joe
Preceded by	G.I. Joe and the Golden Fleece
Followed by	Nightmare Assault
The Most Dangerous Thing in the World

While General Hawk attends a NATO meeting in Europe, Cobra infiltrates the Department of Defense's computers and creates pandemonium at G.I. Joe Headquarters by promoting several inexperienced Joes to the rank of Colonel.

Plot

Fake promotion orders.

In an attempt to destroy G.I. Joe morale, Cobra hacks into the main database with a false order promoting Lifeline, Dial-Tone, and Shipwreck to Colonel (despite Shipwreck not being in a branch with said rank).

Leatherneck and Wet Suit in a Mauler.

These three are the most unqualified candidates for command: Lifeline for the lack of desire, Dial-Tone due to lack of ability, and Shipwreck for lack of both. All three have conflicting views on how to lead the team which sends morale plummeting, along with nearly getting Leatherneck, Wet Suit, and a Mauler blown up. The situation is so bad that Leatherneck and Wet Suit actually start agreeing with each other.

Lifeline, Dial-Tone, and Shipwreck seen through General Hawk's legs.

Beach Head sends a message to General Hawk, who is overseas at NATO, to fill him in on the situation. After Cobra routs them and begins attacking the Pit, Hawk returns and manages to lead the Joes in a counter-attack that drives off Cobra. Once the attack is over, he explains that he knew the promotion order was false as all promotions must come through his office.

Featured Characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

G.I. Joe	Cobra
Alpine Bazooka Beach Head Crankcase Cross-Country Cutter Dial-Tone Duke Hawk Leatherneck Lifeline Lift-Ticket Mainframe Quick Kick Recondo Roadblock Sgt. Slaughter Shipwreck Slip-Stream Snake Eyes Snow Job Thunder Wet-Suit Wild Bill	B.A.T.s Dr. Mindbender Motor-Vipers Serpentor Tele-Vipers Vipers

Featured Vehicles and Equipment

G.I. Joe	Cobra
H.A.V.O.C. Mauler Skystriker Tomahawk W.H.A.L.E.	Air Chariot Gator Stun

Notes

Memorable Quotes

"You jarheads know what 'forward' is, don't you?"
"Yeah, it's the way a Seal behaves on a first date."
-- Wet Suit and Leatherneck while moving a heavy piece of equipment.

"We got a saying in the Marines. The most dangerous thing in the world is a green officer in the dark with a book of matches."
"Amen to that, brother. Amen to that."
--Leatherneck and Wet Suit find common ground.

Animation and Technical Glitches

• The bogus promotion orders came from the "Depertment of Defence" and neither Mainframe nor Beach Head noticed.
• When Lifeline and Shipwreck are first informed of their promotions, the latter's mouth doesn't move during the line "Both of us. To colonel!"
• When the Tomahawk is hit at 13:22, Lift Ticket and Lifeline's helmets are overlapped by the smoke effect cel, which doesn't pass over the seats.

Continuity Errors

• Duke was at HQ with Beachhead. He could have done something about the command issue.
  

Real World References

• The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is mentioned.