MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Endgame Pt. II: When Legends Fall

2009-08-20T01:56:24Z

190.59.63.20:

{{episode
|series=BMtoon
|ep=25
|image=Spark colors.jpg
|caption=Getting the Maximals breast implants wasn't one of Primal's better ideas.
|title="Endgame Pt. II: When Legends Fall"
|airdate=[[April 26]], 2000
|written by=[[Steven Melching]]
|directed by=[[George Samilski]]
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuty=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''The Maximals make their last stand against Megatron and his Vehicon army.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 希望の終止符 (''Kibō no Shūshifu'', "Hope's End")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:BMEndgame2 Optimus allspark vision.jpg|left|thumb|200px]]
Drones and Generals surround the [[Grand Mal|Big Floating Head]]. The Generals question whether anyone survived, but [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] can sense [[Optimus Primal|Primal]]'s [[Spark]]. His orders are simple: capture the Sparks, destroy the [[Maximal]]s. Megatron confers with a [[Diagnostic Drone]] on the status of his new body.

The [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s initiate field repairs on all drones, which buys the Maximals time. [[Rattrap]] despairs; they're utterly without power. But [[Botanica]] unmelts out of the floor; she's found a power conduit they can tap into. Rattrap is overjoyed to see... the power supply. Yeah! [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] notes that they get only one shot; they'll be cut off as soon as the power flow is detected. As the Vehicons move in, the Maximals prepare their final defenses. [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] and Silverbolt share a quiet moment before the battle begins, as do Rattrap and Botanica.

Primal pays a visit to the Spark chamber, calling upon the [[Vector Sigma|Oracle]] one final time. A Spark-filled vision overtakes him, and the Oracle speaks: "You already have the wisdom, along with the strength of your convictions." And the Sparks speak as one, offering their strength. When he returns to where [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] is working, he has a Spark-colored glow about him; the other Maximals receive a similar Spark boost.

The group steps outside, where Optimus gives one final pep talk. A holographic Megatron-head presents itself to them just then, offering to relieve them of their Sparks painlessly. The Maximals are having none of it, so the Vehicons move in.

[[Image:BMEndgame2 Optimus spark power.jpg|right|thumb|200px|IT'S OVER 9000!]]
The Maximals wait a moment, then activate the shield, causing the first wave of drones to crash and explode. When the Generals try their harmonics trick again, they discover that the harmonics are changing randomly. The Vehicons resort to a kamikaze strategy, drones ramming the shield to deplete it. It doesn't take long for the shield to go down, and the battle is joined.

No words, no sounds, just ominous music as the Maximals deploy everything they've got, before falling back to the ship's entry point.

Far below the surface, a group of mole miners suddenly burst into the orchard chamber, and proceeds to destroy it. It doesn't take Botanica long to notice this: she reels in pain. She hauls [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] and Rattrap underground to go fight the drones.

Three tank drones, carried in by coptor drones, manage to get through the Maximals; Primal goes after them. Botanica's group finishes a harrowing decent and immediately finds themselves under mole miner attack. They dispose of them, Rattrap commandeering one and using it to total another. Nightscream goes after another mole that's heading for the fossil chamber and destroys it, only to have another pop up in its place. Above, another mole unleashes a napalm-style attack on the orchard, intending to burn the DNA out of existence.

Elsewhere, Megatron's new body is complete...

Primal chases the tank drones through the Grand Mal. He blows up one... and when he rounds a corner to find the others waiting for him, the Sparks within him begin to glow... and surround him... and then vaporize the tanks. The other Maximals find the same happening to them, and drones are vaped left and right, both above and below the surface.

But part of the Oracle is Megatron's, and he cuts the connection. The Maximals' Spark boost is cut short.

[[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]], meanwhile, singles out Silverbolt for attack, prepared to deal with the "traitor". Thrust drops him and blasts a radio tower down on him. Blackarachnia is prepared to take vengeance, till [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] drops her from behind.

[[Image:BMEndgame2 Obsidian Strika in space.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Now look what you've gotten us into.]]
As Primal finds himself Sparkless and prepares to deal with the tank drones the "old fashioned way", a battle-worn Cheetor confronts all three Generals solo. They fire; when the smoke clears, only a hole in the ground is left. The Generals move in, blasting into the Grand Mal. They enter into darkness within. Suddenly, massive machinery activates, as Cheetor brings the anti-gravity generators on-line. Cheetor rises from the shadows, as a roof hatch opens above the Generals. Thrust has presence of mind to scoot, but Obsidian and [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] are blasted up and away, all the way to orbital space.

Megatron tries out his new body in a shadow-filled, nasty room. He is alive again!

Cheetor confronts Thrust. Thrust pulls out a Spark extractor... and derisively tosses it aside. As they battle, Cheetor gets tossed aside, then grapple-hooked. But as he's dragged along, he grabs Thrust's discarded Spark extractor, and turns it on Thrust. Thrust's body falls and his lights switch out. Victorious, Cheetor looks up and sees a shadow: "Big Bot?" he asks, confused. But it's Megatron, who zaps him.

[[Image:BMEndgame2 Optimal megatron.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Megatron tries his hand at Transformers cosplay.]]
Optimus soon finds himself confronting the new Megatron, who blasts him with a glowing light from one extended hand. Megatron he steps out of the shadows to stand over his enemy, now wearing the Optimal Optimus body form, with a slightly-altered face. He tells Primal that the day of the Maximals is at an end.

Elsewhere, drones begin hauling out Spark extractors, and de-sparking the various downed Maximals. Megatron tells Optimus that now... it's his turn.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (7)
*[[Optimus Primal]] (8)
*[[Rattrap]] (9)
*[[Botanica]] (10)
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (11)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (12)
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] (13)

|h2=[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]]|c2=
*[[Copter Drone|Copter Drones]] (1)
*[[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] (2)
*[[Strika (BM)|Strika]] (3)
*[[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] (4)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (5)
*[[Diagnostic Drone]] (6)
*[[Tank Drone|Tank Drones]] (14)
*[[Motorcycle Drone|Motorcycle Drones]] (15)
*[[Heavy Artillery Drone|Heavy Artillery Drones]] (16)
*[[Sonic Attack Jet|Sonic Attack Jets]] (17)
*[[Vehicon Mole|Mole Drones]] (18)

|c4=
*[[Vector Sigma|Oracle]] (14)

}}
==Quotes==
"Botanica! Am I glad to see... you've brought us this new power supply."
:—'''Rattrap''' isn't fooling anyone.

"Very swank, but what can they do?" 
"Provide us with the key to victory."
:—'''Blackarachnia''' admires the new hole in her chest and '''Optimus''' is typically cryptic.

"Greetings, Maximals. You cannot win, but there is no need for you to suffer. Surrender your sparks and the nightmare will end." 
"You want our sparks, Megatron, come and get 'em!" 
"So be it."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus'''

"Let me show you how we deal with traitors, Jetstorm." 
"My. Name. Is. SILVERBOLT!"
:—'''Thrust''' and '''Silverbolt'''

"As long as my spark burns, I'll fight for the freedom of every Transformer, even you."
:—'''Cheetor''' to Thrust

"I'm alive! Aliiive! Mwaaahaaahaa! '''Yeessss.'''"
:—'''Megatron'''. ''Finally.''

==Notes==
===Continuity Errors===
*In "[[Revelations Part II: Descent]]", Optimal Optimus is shown in Tankor's memories, devolving due to Megatron's virus. Megatron's new body was built from schematics, but it's never explained where these schematics came from.

===Transformers References===
* This episode contains the first instance of a Diagnostic Drone speaking since the one from the first season was destroyed. It has the same voice as that one, but without the emotive qualities.
* Megatron's new body is based on Optimus Primal's third body from Beast Wars, the "Optimus Optimus" form, except with Megatron's Transmetal (or Transmetal 2) face underneath the helmet. This does mean that his face has the "claws" that those forms had, which you would think would be unacceptably beastial to Megatron. Obviously his anti-organic feelings don't count when he has a chance to be ironic.
[[Category:Beast Machines episodes]]

Spark of Darkness

2009-08-20T01:53:12Z

190.59.63.20:

{{episode|
|series=BMtoon
|ep=23
|title=Spark of Darkness
|image=SparkDarkness.jpg
|caption=Beauty is in the optic of the beholder
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[April 12]], 2000
|writer=[[Nick Dubois]]
|director=[[Greg Donis]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}

'''Megatron has been defeated, but strange creatures keep attacking the Maximals all over Cybertropolis.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 恐怖の赤い玉 (''Kyōfu no Akai Tama'', "The Terrifying Red Sphere")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:SparkDarkness Celebrating maximals.jpg|left|thumb|200px]]
The [[Maximal]]s celebrate the defeat of [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] inside the now-dormant [[Grand Mal]]. But while most of the group high-five each other, [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] mourns the loss of his pet, [[Noble|Savage/Noble]]. [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] wonders if Megatron is truly defeated, but [[Optimus Primal|Primal]] assures his team that he knows Megatron is dead, thanks to their mutual connection to the [[Oracle]]. When [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] mentions there's still business to be taken care of, [[Botanica]] responds she feels there's another evil on Cybertron.

Cheetor and Nightscream are sent to find the [[Vehicon general|Vehicon generals]]. Silverbolt and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] are sent to assess the dormant Transformer bodies to start the process of getting the sparks Megatron kidnapped to function again. Rattrap and Botanica are assigned to attend the techno-organic orchard. [[Rattrap]], of course, whines about this. Optimus stays in the Grand Mal.

[[Image:SparkDarkness Blackarachnia zombie.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Supreme Class kitbashing gone horribly, horribly wrong.]]
Blackarachnia tries to put the moves on Silverbolt, but without confirmation that Megatron is truly really dead, he's extremely hesitant to respond to her advances. She's so focused on trying to force open Silverbolt's heart, only he notices the large, lumbering monster emerge behind her. The two Maximals run away (cowardly) from the giant, but when the monster hits Silverbolt with gunfire, Blackarachnia fights back with her electric sting. The monster knocks her over, but Silverbolt has had time to recover and attacks the monster with his throwing blades. Eventually, Blackarachnia has the idea to attack the monster using an explosive component from one of the nearby Transformer bodies. The behemoth steps out of the explosion, and the two Transformers watch a strange red spark emerge from the monster as it falls over in defeat. The red glow races away.

In the orchard, while Botanica works, Rattrap scavenges parts of a [[Motorcycle Drone]] to see if anything can be made into a useful tool. As he does this, he moans that he feels his talents are being wasted and he'll be stuck with embarrassing stories to tell his grandkids. Botanica argues that tending the garden is important. The debate between the two heats up, and in their rage, the two Maximals accidentally touch lips. The two quickly agree to completely disregard, forget, and ignore their contact and get to work. But suddenly, the deactivated Cycle Drone comes to life and begins to blast the orchard. Botanica, upset about the carnage, transforms and uses her bolts to bring heavy wreckage crashing down upon the possessed drone. The drone flails its body one last time before falling over, no longer inhabited by the glowing red spark.

Cheetor and Nightscream meet with [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] and [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] and invite the two generals to join the Maximals. As the two generals debate, [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] stops by to make it clear that he has no interest in joining with the Maximals and that he believes that Megatron, "The Big M," will soon return. After Thrust leaves, the remaining four are attacked by a damaged but resilient [[Aero Drone]]. Nightscream sucks the energy from the drone, but the monster still tries to pull Cheetor over the edge of a nearby cliff. Cheetor is saved by Nightscream and the drone falls, but before it makes impact with the water below, the glowing red spark leaves the body.

[[Image:SparkDarkness Rattrap repolarising.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Rattrap's audition for the new Ghostbusters movie went surprisingly well.]]
The group returns to meet with the other Maximals (sans Botanica) inside the Grand Mal, and Optimus welcomes Strika and Obsidian to the team. The two new recruits leave to fortify the base—just in time for Rattrap to detect the haunting red spark heading right towards them all. Inside, the spark passes by the two generals and briefly encounters Cheetor and Blackarachnia. Next, the spark uses a [[Tank Drone]] body to attack Optimus and Botanica. While Rattrap tracks the movement of the Spark, he deduces a way to neutralize its rampage.

Rattrap uses a Spark Extractor on the Tank Drone to draw out the spark. Once the red spark is contained, he "re-polarizes" his captive, but the Spark Extractor flies alive, trying to break free of Rattrap's grip. After escaping the spark extractor, the spark flies into a [[Diagnostic Drone]] and, finally coherent, exclaims "I live!" But Rattrap has the next laugh: The spark, who is clearly Megatron, is now trapped inside of the diminutive body.

[[Image:SparkDarkness Megadrone Optimus.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]
The Maximals meet Megatron, but he laughs at them. Even in his tiny form, he's able to reactivate the Grand Mal's internal defenses to evict the Maximals. As the Maximals struggle against the tentacles that have begun to bind them, Primal has an Oracle moment, but the Maximals are all captured anyway. Megatron starts to reformat Primal's spark, but Rattrap gets Botanica to destroy the control panel, freeing the team from Megatron's grip.

Obsidian arrives at the fight scene and is forced to choose: Be loyal to Primal's or Megatron's side. The two generals grab Megatron and fall out of sight. Out of immediate danger, Optimus explains that Nightscream didn't kill Megatron, but only turned Megatron into the monster that he was but no longer is.

Away from the battle, Strika, Obsidian and Megatron meet up with Thrust. No longer in control of the Sparks, Megatron declares, "The time for action is now."

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] (1)
*[[Rattrap]] (2)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (3)
*[[Optimus Primal]] (4)
*[[Botanica]] (5)
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (6)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (7)
|h2=[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]]|c2=
*[[Megatron (BW)|Evil Red Spark]] (8)
*[[Copter Drone|Copter Drones]] (9)
*[[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] (10)
*[[Strika (BM)|Strika]] (11)
*[[Heavy Artillery Drone|Heavy Artillery Drones]] (12)
*[[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] (13)
}}

==Quotes==
"So, eh, whatcha got for me and Miss Twiggy? A 'eek and destroy mission? Or maybe some 'oak and dagger work?"
:—'''Rattrap''' comes up with some evil puns.

Little girl voice: And what'd you do in the war, Daddy? 
Rattrap voice: Well, honey, I built ''gardening equipment'' to help the troops plant petunias! 
Little girl voice: ''Really'', Daddy?! 
:—'''Rattrap''' expresses how much he hates his job and Scott McNeil gets to talk to himself. Uh... [[Dinobot (BW)|Some]] [[Silverbolt (BW)|more]].

"What would you rather be doing, sticking your tail into a computer circuit?" 
"Heh, beats the heck outta plowing ''your'' little field of dreams."
:—"Innuendo 101" with '''Botanica''' and '''Rattrap'''

"You shall not pass!" 
[''Red spark passes without pause'']
:—'''Strika''' makes a very poor Gandalf.

"Aw man, I can't believe I'm stuck here while a really honked-off ball of electrons is making mince-meat outta my buddies."
:—'''Rattrap''' complaining again.

"I live! I live! I—what kind of puny body is this?!" 
:—'''Megatron''' discovers he's in a diagnostic drone. Now that's karma.

==Notes==
===Transformers references===
*The short story "Singularity Ablyss" by [[Bob Skir]], published in the [[Transformers Legends]] anthology, is set between-the-scenes of this episode. It doesn't change the events of the episode, but it does illuminate what Megatron may have been thinking in the midst of all that body-jumping; also, he kills [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]].
*The shell that attacks Silverbolt and Blackarachnia is composed of parts from [[Beast Wars]] combatants. The feet, torso, and right arm belong to the transmetalized [[Tarantulas]] and the head bears a strong resemblance to [[Tigerhawk]]. What were Tarantulas and Tigerhawk ''doing'' on Cybertron anyway?
*Precisely 5 minutes and 3 seconds into the episode, immediately after Blackarachnia says, "Whoever you are, THAT was a big mistake!", one can see the severed head of [[Depth Charge]] lying right by her feet.
*Even later on in the episode, when Silverbolt trips over battling the mutant, Blackarachnia proceeds to rip out the power core from what appears to be [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]'s body.
*Rattrap and Botanica arguing with each other continues the trend of Rattrap and [[Dinobot (BW)|another]] [[Depth Charge|Maximal]] duking it out verbally. This would probably be the first instance where it blossoms into romance, though. As Megatron [[Bad Spark|would say]]....''yuck''.
*Botanica is also the first frequent sparring partner of Rattrap's that doesn't end up dead. Don't piss off Rattrap.

===Real-world references===
*This episode's title is a play on Joseph Conrad's novella ''[[wikipedia:Heart of Darkness|Heart of Darkness]]''.
*When Cheetor asks Thrust what he's rebelling against now that Megatron is gone, Thrust replies "What've you got?", the reply given by James Dean's character in ''[[wikipedia:Rebel without a cause|Rebel Without a Cause]]''. Fitting.
*The sequence where Optimus Primal and Botanica are first ambushed is also a visual quote from the original ''[[wikipedia:Alien (film)|Alien]]''.
*When Obsidian and Strika attempt to intercept the red spark, Strika exclaims "You shall not pass!", a possible reference to Gandalf's words in ''[[wikipedia:Lord of the Rings|Lord of the Rings]]''.

[[Category:Beast Machines episodes]]

Sparkwar Pt. I: The Strike

2009-08-20T01:46:05Z

190.59.63.20:

{{episode
|series=BMtoon
|ep=20
|image=Sparkwar1 Obsidian Strika profile.jpg
|caption=So....doing anything later?
|title="Sparkwar Pt. I: The Strike"
|airdate=[[March 22]], 2000
|written by=[[Brooks Wachtel]]
|directed by=[[Steve Sacks]]
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuty=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}

'''While searching for the missing sparks, the Maximals are attacked by two new Vehicon generals.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 捕われの魂 (''Toraware no Kon'' "Capture of the Spirits"

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Sparkwar1 Maximals junkpile.jpg|left|thumb|200px|This is what Doom mods look like in Heaven.]]
[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] is fleeing from the usual horde of Cycle drones. Rattrap cuts in and destroys a lot of them.... then [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] does the same... and so on, with [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] looking on in anger as [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] blows away a batch of drones that are surrounding [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. Thrust ends up getting bashed down by a flying pile of Cycledrone parts, then surrounded by Maximals, who send him packing. [[Rattrap]] notes that their victories are coming rather easily these days, with a touch of trepidation.

[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], observing, coldly notes that he won't allow the "mongrel" Maximals to run roughshod over his planet.

Rattrap has cobbled together a cart from busted Cycle drones, and hauled it back to base (apparently this was the purpose of the mission!) Blackarachnia thanks Silverbolt for an assist in battle, but he only chews her out for losing focus.

The Cycle drone parts are for [[Botanica]], to help her unlock the secrets of the organic core. Nightscream tries to warm Botanica up to the idea of combat, but she's having none of it; she's a scientist, not a warrior, and doesn't want to become more like Megatron. [[Optimus Primal|Optimus]] defends her position, saying the other six can easily handle one Vehicon general.

Aboard the [[Grand Mal|big floating head]], Thrust gets chewed out by Megatron for failing to hold the Maximals at bay; when Megatron says he's no better than [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] or [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]], Thrust angrily reminds him that he's remained loyal, and it was Megatron's choices that caused the other two to turn against him.

Cheetor tries to cheer up a moping Optimus, who's down in the dumps over the missing Sparks. Nightscream, meanwhile, approaches Silverbolt, trying to get him not to be such a jerk to Blackarachnia. Silverbolt isn't interested in anything else until the war is won, and flies off.

[[Image:Sparkwar1 Vehicon generals instruction.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Wow. You guys look...absolutely nothing like your toys.]]
Optimus has some kind of brief vision just then, alerting him to trouble with the Sparks. And above, we see Megatron gleefully holding aloft two of the Sparks in question. A moment later, two new Vehicons roll out from a chamber, as Thrust looks on in approval: one floats, and shoulder-mounted helicopter blades; the other is bigger and bulkier, and "skates" just above the ground. Thrust starts to deliver a lecture on the way things work. The new guys look at Thrust, at each other... and then one of them casually bashes Thrust aside, as Megatron laughs.

Nightscream pursues Silverbolt above the surface, still pressing the Blackarachnia issue. But Nightscream is suddenly blasted out of the air, then caught by Silverbolt. They spot the new generals, who stare ominously... then laugh and transform. The floating one becomes a sleek, twin-bladed helicopter: "Obliterate!" The other, a six-wheeled ground vehicle: "Terminate!"

Nightscream radios for help. The Maximals move out; Botanica stays behind, over Cheetor's protests and with Optimus's blessing.

The group arrives in time to help. They handle the new generals easily, and find their vocabulary limited to little but "OBLITERATE!!" and "TERMINATE!" Silverbolt is concerned and confused as to why Megatron would create such ineffective general; Rattrap figures they're easier to control. Primal tries to reach their Sparks, hoping to free captive Maximals within and also to learn the location of the Sparks, but they escape and run off.

Botanica, meanwhile is working with her machines, when a vat of green goo that she's using begins to seethe and speak her name, overwhelming her with visions of drifting Sparks....

The team pursues their quarry; the Generals round a corner and turn to face their opponents, their backs to a wall. For a brief instant, the Maximals are triumphant. And then a cloud of drones — identical to the generals — rises into view.

It's a trap — the Maximals are surrounded by hundreds of drones. Their leaders transform, and speak. The helicopter muses that Primal never learned not to underestimate his opponents; the tank simply laughs that the team fell for the simplistic ruse.

The drones open fire; Primal absorbs it and uses the energy to blast through the platform they're standing on, so the ground falls out from beneath his group. They try to retreat to base, but at every turn they're intercepted by drones. Primal notes that their foes are clearly master strategists.

Back at said base, Botanica finds herself adrift. She is treated to various flashbacks to Megatron's invasion, his armies of drones, the Maximals' fights.... then finds herself alone again.

Even the planet's sewers provide no safe haven, filled with more drones. The Maximals decide to fall back to the [[Council Citadel]], while a plant-vine nearby shows Botanica what's going on.

[[Image:Sparkwar1 Obsidian contacts Primal.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Thank you for calling Vehicon Pizza Delivery, can I take your order?]]
The Maximals slam shut a pile of heavy doors behind them. Firepower impacts the doors from the outside. Optimus has a horrible realization: they've been herded here. A screen with the helicopter's face on it approaches; he invites the team to surrender. Primal tries to reason with him, but the helicopter — [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] — says that he and [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] are doing what they've always done, which is to defend Cybertron. The Maximals have been taking on the two greatest generals in Cybertronian history.

A horde of Heavy Artillery drones bursts through the doors. The group retreats again, but is soon sealed into another room with scads of drones. Primal vows to go down fighting, but then Botanica bursts ito the room and transforms. She launches a plethora of planet-vine-bomb things, disrupting the drones and causing them to randomly blast each other.

[[Image:Sparkwar1 Artillery drone fight.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Emo Tank Drones. They blow ''themselves'' up.]]
Strika and Obsidian, watching from afar, note that their targeting systems are being disrupted, by the new Maximal whose capabilities they know little about. The Maximals revert to beast mode and retreat, and Botanica simply melts into the floor.

The generals finally arrive at the scene, find the Maximals have vanished, and order their forces to stand down. The two later report back to Megatron, prepared to accept punishment for failure — a point that Thrust happily emphasizes. Megatron is pleased with their loyalty, though, and for keeping the Maximals occupied, allowing him to finalize his plan for the Sparks.

Botanica burrows her way, drill-like, into the Maximal base. She explains what changed her mind; Rattrap facepalms: "Another one with visions." The team apologizes for trying to force her into their way of doing things; Botanica vows that it's her fight as well. Silverbolt is pessimistic; the new Generals have fought a thousand wars together, and won them all. Primal observes that they were culled from the missing Sparks, and vows not to let Megatron violate another. A dancing vision of Sparks fills the screen as we fade out.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (2)
*[[Rattrap]] (3)
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] (4)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (5)
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (6)
*[[Optimus Primal]] (8)
*[[Botanica]] (10)

|h2=[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]]|c2=
*[[Motorcycle Drone]]s (1)
*[[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] (7)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (9)
*[[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] (11)
*[[Strika (BM)|Strika]] (12)
*[[Copter Drone]] (13)
*[[Heavy Artillery Drone]] (14)

}}

==Quotes==
"Honey, I'm home! You know, they had the best sale on used Vehicon parts, only slightly damaged."
:—'''Rattrap'''

"The more we fight like Megatron, the more we become like Megatron."
:—'''Botanica'''

"Until the threat of Megatron is quelled, love is a luxury I cannot afford." 
"Did he really say 'quelled'?"
:—'''Silverbolt''' and '''Nightscream'''

'''Nightscream:''' "Now we've got 'em!" 
'''Rattrap:''' "Exactly where they want us." 
'''Cheetor:''' "It's a trap!" 
'''Rattrap:''' "Ya think?"
:—The Maximals catch on quickly.

"Although he took his name from a great leader, Optimus Primal never learned the first rule of warfare: never underestimate your opponent."
:—'''Obsidian'''

==Notes==
* This episode marks the first appearances of [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] and [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] as actual characters. Along with [[Botanica]], their first ''literal'' appearance was in "[[Fallout]]", during a split-second vision by Optimus Primal.

===Technical or animation errors===
*In the opening scene, after Silverbolt blows up an assortment of (just) cycle drones, the debris inexplicably includes aero drone parts.

===Continuity errors===
*Silverbolt seems to know about Obsidian and Strika's past success as war generals despite the fact that his protoform was activated during the Beast Wars on Earth and his own datatracks were lost. Presumably he read a history book at some point.

===Transformers References===
* Thrust is brutally yet comically harmed at least three times in this episode. Sadly for him, he seems to be reverting to [[Waspinator (BW)|his old role]].

===Real-World References===
* ?

==External Links==
* ?

[[Category:Beast Machines episodes]]

A Wolf in the Fold

2009-08-20T01:42:33Z

190.59.63.20: /* Synopsis */

{{disambig2|the Beast machines episode|the Marvel UK comic|Wolf in the Fold!}}
{{episode
|series=BMtoon
|ep=18
|image=Wolf in the Fold Cheetor Rattrap fight.jpg
|caption=Never hide Cheetor's catnip
|title="A Wolf in the Fold"
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[March 8]], 2000
|written by=[[Brynne Chandler Reaves]]
|directed by=[[William Lau]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Megatron unleashes a new virus that turns the Maximals into <strike>jerks</strike> their own worst enemies.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 憎しみの螺旋（スパイラル） (''Nikushimi no Rasen (Spiral)'', "The Spiral of Hatred")

==Synopsis==
Far beneath the abandoned underground civilizations of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Maximal]]s are hanging out, enjoying a breather, happy to have Silverbolt back. Even in their victory, they can't forget the lost [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]], however. [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] can't share in the joy; for him, things are not the same. [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] assures him he'll adjust, now that they've got a moment to relax. Naturally, the entire planet begins shaking just then.

[[Image:Wolf in the Fold Silverbolt infected.jpg|left|thumb|200px|"Kiss Players? What in the name of-OH MY [[Primus|PRIMUS]], MAKE IT STOP!!!"]]
On the surface, a number of gigantic claw-ended tentacles are out of the [[Grand Mal|big floating head]], and smashing their way into the planet's surface. The Maximals head for the surface, as green pulses of energy pass from the tentacles and along the corridors. One passes through Silverbolt's foot as he runs, and activates some sort of spider-disk-device thing that seems to burrow out of his back. The device immediately shoots him full of some nasty-looking red stuff, causing his eyes to twitch and glow red. [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] stops to check on him, resting a hand on his shoulder, and promptly receives a dose of the same red stuff.

As the Maximals arrive at the base of one of the tentacles, the red stuff is quickly passed along: Cheetor steps on [[Rattrap]]'s tail; Rattrap high-fives [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] with a suggestion to attack the big floating head; Silverbolt puts his arm around Blackarachnia.

[[Optimus Primal|Optimus]] hands out attack orders to the group, only to be met with increasingly argumentative comments in response. Within seconds a furious, senseless argument is underway. Optimus's attempts to calm the group are met with rebukes; unable to reason with the group, Primal finally rockets off alone.

A laser blast scatters the Maximals, as [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] arrives with Cycle drones. Optimus sees the battle below, and turns to help — but one of Cheetor's reflected bolts severs a tentacle. Optimus takes the flailing thing head-on and falls, till another of the gigantic tentacle scoops him up.

Thrust and company, meanwhile, head underground. Cheetor says they have to stop them before they find their base; the others disagree, of course, but Cheetor shouts them all down.

[[Image:Wolf in the Fold Optimus MatrixMegatron.jpg|right|thumb|200px|I don't think this is what Optimus meant when he said, "Soon, I shall be one with the Matrix," Megatron.]]
Inside the big floating head, the disembodied [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] greets Optimus. He's invited him here for a little chat, with the ground attack merely a way to get Primal's attention. Megatron materializes as a ghost data head, telling Primal that they both want the same thing: harmony.

The Maximals, meanwhile, run down the Cycle drones and trash them, then quickly resume arguing. During a brief lapse, Silverbolt soberly concludes that he should never have returned. He flies off, and Blackarachnia mock him for running away from his problems. And the arguing resumes, as does the fighting: Thrust arrives with more drones.

Back in the BFH, Optimus and Megatron argue the merits of free will versus chaos, harmony versus individuality. Primal is distracted by the image of the Maximals fighting, however, and leaves.

[[Image:Wolf in the Fold Maximals argue.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Seriously, guys...WHERE DID YOU HIDE MY CATNIP?]]
The Maximals, meanwhile, are fighting the drones less and less, and increasingly fighting each other. Cheetor has what alcoholics would refer to as a moment of clarity, realizing something's amiss. But it's for naught, as the infighting continues and sucks him back in as well. Thrust sits back to enjoy the show.

On the surface, Silverbolt approaches one of the giant tentacles, and discovers the spider-thing on his back, which he plucks off with fury.

Primal arrives, and knocks out Thrust with one punch. He orders his troops to stop, but they attack instead, and in short order Primal is infected with the red stuff as well. He joins in the fighting, till Silverbolt arrives. He tells them they're infected with a virus, and somehow manages to calm the group.

Rattrap examines one of the giant tentacles, and finds they're sending an activation signal to trigger a pre-planted virus hidden in Silverbolt. It has "an adrenalin booster, a neocortex suppressor, and a shut-off on the self-diagnostic! And it's contagious." It's apparently a variant on the old [[Hate Plague]], and it can't be counteracted.

[[Image:Wolf in the Fold Maximals united.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Maximals....strike a pose.]]
Megatron makes his move. Waves of energy pour down the tentacles, rattling the ground and alarming the Maximals. Primal has an epiphany, that they can somehow "work together" to rebuild their neural pathways. Megatron's energies, meanwhile, are sending huge seismic disruptions through the tunnels, collapsing the ground out from under the Maximals. Falling, the group manages to latch onto one another, and one after the next they cured. Optimus lifts the oddball chain to the surface, where they land.

Rattrap's happy to be a team again, but Silverbolt is more angsty than ever over his role in the whole affair. The Maximals hold no grudges, however. The tentacles retract into the BFH just then, the plan apparently failed or over or something. Blackarachnia laments that they were turned against each other. Primal muses that Megatron didn't create the conflicts, only magnified them, and wonders disbelievingly if Megatron might be right. Far above, the BFH has a good chuckle at this thought.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Rattrap]] (1)
*[[Optimus Primal]] (2)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (3)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (4)
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (5)
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] (6)

|h2=[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s
|c2=
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (7)
*[[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] (8)
*[[Motorcycle Drone|Motorcycle Drones]] (9)

}}
==Quotes==
'''Optimus Primal:''' "Silverbolt, Nightscream, aerial recon. Rattrap, Cheetor, ground survey. Blackarachnia, you're base com and backup." 
'''Blackarachnia:''' "Oh ''yeah''? And what are ''you'' going to do, ''[[Trukk not munky|monkey]]''?" 
'''Cheetor''': "Yeah! Who died and made ''you'' King Kong?"
:—The Maximals start squabbling

"Your version of harmony is nothing more than slavery. How can you have harmony without free will?" 
"How can you have harmony amidst the chaos of disgreeing minds?" 
"True harmony only prevails when all voices are heard. You only want to stifle them." 
"Your way only leads to chaos, or are these the voices of harmony?"
:—'''Optimus''' and '''Megatron''''s philosophical debate

"You want a piece of me?!" 
"I want a lot of pieces!"
:—'''Cheetor''' and '''Rattrap''' scrap.

"Forget the seeds of the future; I'M BURYING YOU IN THE PAST!"
:—'''Optimus Primal''', upon being infected with the hate plague-like virus.

"So how do we counteract it?" 
"In two words: im-possible."
:—'''Cheetor''' and '''Rattrap''', who can't count.

"That's it! We've got to work together to reform our neural pathways! That's the only way to destroy the virus and cure us!"
:—'''Optimus Primal''' pulls a solution out of his monkey butt.

"-He didn't create the conflicts; he only magnified them. The fundamental disharmony, we provided that ourselves. Could it be that Megatron is right after all?"
:—'''Optimus Primal'''

==Notes==
* This episode was lampooned in [[MSTF]] fashion along with "[[Forbidden Fruit]]".
* Interestingly, Silverbolt is presented as the titular 'Wolf in the Fold' (being the first carrier of Megatron's virus) despite losing the wolf-like attributes of his Fuzor form. Though, Silverbolt could be considered a lone wolf, a person who prefers to be alone despite being in a group or society, at this point.

===Technical/animation glitches===
*Glitch

===Continuity errors===
*Error

===Transformers references===
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] compares the infection they're suffering to the [[Hate Plague]].

===Real-world references===
* Cheetor refers to Optimus Primal as "King Kong" when he's infected by the Hate Plague.

==External links==
*Link

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wolf in the Fold}}
[[Category:Beast Machines episodes]]
[[Category:MSTF]]