Beast Machines

Episode 6: The Weak Component

SPOILERS AHEAD

SYNOPSIS:

Optimus Primal has a bad dream of Rattrap being in Megatron's clutches.
BA assures Primal Rattrap is OK as we scene-change to the rest of the
Maximals knee-deep in a battle with the Vehicons (apparently at a Tankorr
construction facility).

We are treated to an awesome display of Cheetor's skill and abilities.
I think this is the first episode where he is able to sucessfully
repel the energy beams back at their originator.

NightScream "taser"s Thrust and his little drones (1/2 size? where the
other Generals' drones are equal in size) also are disabled.

NightScream and Cheetor plan to lure Jetstorm and Tankorr into an
energy field.  RatTrap spies the situation and finally is able to
transform.  He "saves" NightScream only to backfire Cheetors plan.
Rattrap gets zapped and the whole factory explodes.
Megatron suffers from some feedback and Cybertron's looses power all
over the planet.

By the time Rattrap gets back to base he's balled out by everyone.
He recieves a transmission peaking in on Megatrons' weakended state.
Rattrap goes to Megatron and negotiates a deal:  RT gets the weapon system
as long as he ensures protection by sun-up.

Cheetor, BA, and NightScream attack but Rattrap fends them off.
The Maximals label Rt as a traitor until Primal shows up to give Rt a
confidence boost.  Rattrap keeps his word and Megatron honors it by
letting them all go.

Megatron should not have trusted Rattrap.  In Beast Wars, this ploy was
used by Primal and Rattrap to trick Megatron.  Still Rattrap's desperate
situation justified his behavior.  And Rt was just in it for the
"noise-maker" which he didn't take after all.


DESIGN NOTES:

No voice over saying "Beast Machines" at the end of the theme.

Nice weapon system Megatron had.  I was hoping it could be a Tankorr upgrade.
Or at least a Tankorr MKII.

A teaser for the next show (episode 7)!  Looks like they will show
Megatron fulfilling his threat of yanking sparks.


IMPRESSIONS:

Beast Wars fans may say Rattrap was "out of character".  Poor guy
doesn't even have weapons!
However, by the end of the episode, he appreciates what he does have.
In giving up his selfishness, he's able to (finally) transform.
We'll probably be reminded of his accomplishment next episode.


ANSWERS:

We get a better look at NightScreams mouth weapon.  It is a "taser"
like weapon: a cord that delivers an energy overload.

The Generals control groups of robots and of course the drones go
wild or break down without their control.  However, Megatron can assume
control at will.


FINAL NOTE:

As much as this is an episode about Rattrap and his self-discovery,
it still builds upon my personal favorite -- Cheetor.  Not only is
he the most well designed Beast Machine (IMO) in robot and beast, he's
got the moves and the skill to back it up.  We've got a Rodimus Prime
thing going on here.  But, Cheetor could kick his butt in addition to 
run circles around Rodimus.  But Cheetor doesn't lack self-confidence,
in fact, he's a bit cocky.
Thanks to Mainframe for another great action sequence with Cheetor!

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