Unidentified Flying Mater

"Unidentified Flying Mater" is the fifth episode in the Cars Toons series. It first aired on November 20th 2009.

Plot
At Luigi's Casa Della Tires, Guido tries to remove a hubcap from a customer's tyre and ends up flinging it out of the window. It flies past Mater and Lightning McQueen who are driving along Main Street. Mater immediately tells Lightning that it was a UFO and he knew because he'd seen one. Lightning replies with a "what?!" and Mater begins his story.

On a crystal clear night (except for several storm clouds building up behind him), Mater is driving towards a level crossing when the lights start flashing. Mater is puzzled because he cannot see any trains coming, but when he looks to his left, he sees a glowing blue buck-toothed UFO staring at him. He jumps back in fright and starts quivering when the UFO smiles at him. Mater then introduces himself and the UFO introduces himself as Mator. Mater then takes him to his leaders: a pile of oil cans. Whilst drinking, Mater teaches Mator to say, "dad-gum" and also teaches him to tip tractors and drive backwards. Mator also teaches Mater how to fly, which startles Fillmore the Volkswagon bus. As they start flying around Willy's Butte, spotlights surround them and Mator is captured. Mater follows them and realises that his new friend has been captured by the military forces! He then sneaks onto base using his flying technique, quick movements and a disguise to free Mator.

Lightning does not believe Mater, but Mater tells him that he was there too.

As the military forces chase Mater and Mator, Lightning McQueen joins them. Suddenly a huge UFO (presumably Mator's mother) arrives and takes the trio away. She then drops off Mater and Lightning back home before leaving.

Back in Radiator Springs, Lightning still doesn't believe Mater, so Mater tries to prove he can fly. As he tries, his engine makes a horrible spluttering noise and Lightning drives away, begging him to stop. He fails to see Mater actually flying past Fillmore and Sarge. Fillmore, dumbstruck gasps, "Far out!"

In the final scene, Mater meets Mator up in space and they fly away together.

Trivia

 * This is the only episode in the series in which Mater does not tell Lightning that he used to be something.
 * Who portrayed Fillmore is a mystery, as his actor, George Carlin, died in June 2008. It is unknown if his dialouge is stock footage from the movie or he is portrayed by a new actor.
 * This marks the first time a car that is not part of the main cast is seen in Radiator Springs (Luigi and Guido's customer). It is also the first time that the tractors appear in the Cars Toons shorts.