Sunken Scroll 8 in the first game shows the Octarian war machine losing power because a plug came loose. People treat it as a gag. I think it is the thesis statement of the entire franchise.

Every later conflict is about energy: the Zapfish, the Great Zapfish, Tartar's need for a power source, Grizz needing fuel for his rocket. Even Turf War is about who covers more surface with ink. The plug is the first time the games tell you that this world runs on who has the juice.