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Equal Measures

2010-01-18T05:47:16Z

67.239.125.56:

{{episode
|series=BWtoon
|ep=4
|image=Equal Measures Cheetor darksyde.jpg
|caption=Later they discovered Cheetor was sitting on the self-destruct button.
|title="Equal Measures"
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[September 23]], 1996
|written by=[[Greg Johnson]]
|directed by=[[T.W. Peacocke]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Dinobot manipulates both Maximals and Predacons around a teleporter that Cheetor has unintentionally developed between both bases.'''

:''French title:'' '''Dos à Dos''' (Back to Back)
:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Dos à Dos'''
:''Japanese title:'' 時限爆弾転送作戦! (''Jigen Bakudan Tensō Sakusen!'', "Operation: Time Bomb Transfer!")
:''Latin-American title:'' '''Medidas Equitativas'''
:''Italian title:'' '''Pari opportunità per i Biocombat''' ("Equal opportunities for the Biocombats")

==Synopsis==
[[Optimus Primal]] watches a bolt of lightning shatter a mountain, revealing a cache of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. Because of the hazardous conditions, he radios to his team to abort their current operation. The storm garbles the transmission, though, preventing the other [[Maximal]]s from receiving it.

[[Image:Dinobotbulliescheetor.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Something we've seen all too often.]]
The mission involves energon monitoring devices designed by [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]], who has just gotten done building the last of them. Impatient to get going, [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] carelessly plays with one of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]]'s projects, a ''time bomb'', and accidentally drops it out the floor hatch... where it's caught by a returning Optimus, who reiterates his order for the mission to be scrubbed. Everyone's clearly upset over the development, not believing the storm to be that severe yet, but Primal is adamant; it'll have to wait until later. Dejected, everyone returns to quarters to wait out the storm.

In Cheetor's quarters, Dinobot meets with the cat-bot and endorses the mission being continued regardless of the danger from the weather and the energon. He points out that Primal clearly treats Cheetor like a child, even though with his speed, the cat-bot could easily outrun the storm and plant the devices before it hits. This appeal to vanity works, and Cheetor sneaks out to complete the mission.

[[Image:Equal Measures Cheetor monitoring device.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This wireless Broadband box is rubbish!]]
In the field, Cheetor plants survey apparatuses in quick succession, but a bolt of lightning causes the cat accidentally to plant one of the posts dangerously close to an energon vein. He tries to remove the device and correct his mistake, but in the middle of his struggle, a second lightning bolt hits, and he finds himself suddenly teleported — onto a control panel in the [[Darksyde|Predacon base]]!

[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] "welcomes" Cheetor and attacks the Maximal, but Cheetor grabs a hover-platform and tries to escape. After being knocked off the platform, Cheetor lunges at Terrorsaur and pushes the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] onto the control panel he'd just arrived on, causing Terrorsaur to vanish. [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] and [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] arrive and chase Cheetor around the Predacon base, but lose him in the ventilation shafts.

[[Image:Cheetorsurprised.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Shouldn't have had the vindaloo last night.]]
Meanwhile, Terrorsaur finds himself in the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' command center, where he's given a warm reception by Dinobot. However, the former Predacon is more concerned over how the pteranodon arrived, eventually working out that a freak combination of the survey devices, the storm, and the energon created a transporter link between the two bases. Using this to his advantage, Terrorsaur seems to convince Dinobot into forming an alliance, suggesting they scrap the Maximals, then take over the Predacons and rule together... until Dinobot drops the charade and unceremoniously flushes the Pred out of the ''Axalon'' through a waste disposal unit.

Back at the Predacon base, Cheetor continues to flee while avoiding fire from Waspinator. He sneaks away from the two long enough to hack the Predacons' data files, and determines that both bases sit on a common underground Energon vein, so an explosion at one base would cause a chain reaction that would obliterate both ships. Cheetor is discovered as soon as he downloads this data to a disk.

At the Maximal base, Optimus confronts Dinobot on Cheetor's whereabouts. Dinobot tells him about the link and how the cat-bot has "surely" been destroyed by now, but convinces him that they could use the link to annihilate the Predacon base with the bomb, a plan Primal only agrees to as long as the bomb's timer is set with enough time to allow the Preds to evacuate. Just as the bomb is sent, though, Cheetor tosses the disk with the energon vein data onto the console, transporting both items simultaneously.

[[Image:Crispyterrorsaur.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Would you like me original, or extra crispy?]]
The Predacons finally corner Cheetor, but the bomb has magnetically locked itself onto the Pred console, forcing Megatron to let him go so he can release it. With a few seconds left, Cheetor throws it up to Terrorsaur, who flies it out of the base (and is blown up with it), while Cheetor escapes through the link. The Predacons' errant shots destroy the console instead. Furthermore, his return trip to the ''Axalon'' shatters all of the survey posts he's planted, ensuring the link is severed for good.

Afterwards, Rhinox and [[Rattrap]] congratulate Cheetor's prevention of the Maximal base from being destroyed by their own explosive, while Dinobot is in a bad mood as usual and leaves—though Cheetor apparently didn't tell anyone that Dinobot talked him into the whole thing. Primal still commands Cheetor to take more care to obey direct orders. Cheetor says he will—except when he doesn't—and scampers off, leaving Rhinox and Rattrap to have a jolly laugh.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Optimus Primal]] (1)
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (2)
*[[Rattrap]] (3)
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (4)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (5)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s
|c2=
*[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] (6)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (7)
*[[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] (8)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (9)

}}
==Quotes==
"Defeating them does not mean we have to ''annihilate'' them. You seem to have trouble understanding that."
:—'''Optimus''' gently chides Dinobot for thinking like a Predacon.

"Shoulda known no Maximal'd be stupid enough to try anything on a day like this."
:—'''Terrorsaur''' underestimates the enemy again.

"Cheetor! Maximi- did that already."
:—'''Cheetor''' forgets that he already transformed.

"He's gone into the vents! You better report this to Megatron." 
"Me?! ''You're'' second-in-command!" 
"So make it an order!"
:—'''Scorponok''' and '''Waspinator''' establish the chain of command.

"Where'd he go?! Where'd ''I'' go?"
:—'''Terrorsaur''' realises he isn't in Kansas any more.

"Think of the cosmic magnificence. Together we'll overthrow these low-grade metal knock-offs you've joined, and then rule the Predacons with two iron fists! NOTHING CAN STOP US!"
:—'''Terrorsaur''' has such naive optimism.

"Hey! What are you doing? We're partners!" 
"In case you had not realized, Needlenose... I am ''not'' a team player." 
:—'''Terrorsaur''', about to get launched over the horizon by '''Dinobot'''

"OK, OK, I'll never do that again! Until the next time."
:—'''Cheetor''' has learned nothing from this adventure.

==Notes==
* Dinobot is kind of a jerk this early on.
* And Cheetor needs obedience beat into him.
* And Rattrap just needs the snot beat ''out'' of him.
* Scorponok's missile coming towards Cheetor has the Maximal symbol on it.

===Technical/animation glitches===
* When Optimus is tossing the time bomb in one hand, it really doesn't move convincingly.
* After Cheetor escapes from the vents, he falls to the ground and his right forehead chevron kind of "twangs" forward. In the next scene he's in, it's back to normal against his head.

===Continuity errors===
* A major plot point is that due to an energon vein running beneath both ships, the destruction of either Predacon or Maximal bases would destroy the other. This is never mentioned again and frequently contradicted due to the repeated explosions at both. While most of the planet's energon was stabilized by the start of Season 2 and so wouldn't be an issue, the plot of Season 1 episode "[[Victory (episode)|Victory]]" revolves around... a massive explosion at the Predacon base. Arguably, either side could have harvested some of the energon by then to sever the connection between the bases... But it's still dodgy.

===Transformers references===
* When Cheetor appears before him, Terrorsaur greets him thus: "Welcome to the dark side!" The episode script reveals that this was simply Terrorsaur being dramatic. However, because [[fandom|Transformers fans]] can be ''incredibly'' literal, some fans speculatively latched on to the idea that Terrorsaur was welcoming Cheetor to the "''Dark Side''", supposedly giving the Predacon ship/base a proper name.
*This bit of [[fanon]] was made official by the video game ''[[Beast Wars: Transmetals]]''. Years later, the ship's name was further codified by the [[BotCon 2006]] story "[[Dawn of Future's Past]]", which dodged [[trademark]] issues by giving it the intentional misspelling "[[Darksyde]]".
* This is what happens when fans are allowed to run things. Seriously.
* Curiously, at no point has anybody interpreted Dinobot's line as suggesting the Maximal base is meant to be called "Enemy Arms".
* Just before he drops him through the waste disposal unit, Dinobot insults Terrorsaur's beaky (and geeky) beast mode by calling him [[Needlenose]], who was a G1 Decepticon Double-Targetmaster.

==External links==
*[http://www.bwtf.com/bw/tvshow/episodes/seasonone/em/emscript.doc The script on BWTF.com]

[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]

Maximal, No More

2010-01-10T09:45:39Z

67.239.125.56: /* Notes */

{{episode
|series=BWtoon
|ep=31
|image=Maximal No More Dinobot bow.jpg
|title="Maximal, No More"
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[November 23]], 1997
|written by=[[Patrick Barry]]
|directed by=[[Trenton Carlson]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''With the contents of the Golden Disks weighing heavily on his mind, Dinobot must decide which side of the conflict he truly belongs to.'''

:''French title:'' '''Retour aux Sources''' ("Return to Origins")
:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Maximal en Danger''' ("Maximal in Danger")
:''Japanese title:'' やめます! (''Yamemasu!'', "I Quit!")
:''Spanish title:'' '''Maximal, Nunca Más'''
:''Latin-American title:'' '''Maximal, Nunca Más'''
:''Italian title:'' '''Il tradimento''' ("The betrayal")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Maximal No More Dinobot Rattrap.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Faster, Vermin! Toys 'R Us closes at five!]]
Within the [[Axalon (BW)|Maximal base]], [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] compares [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] installation locations with the symbols on the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], and observes that [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s "plan proceeds, even without the disk." He ponders his fate should Megatron succeed, and wonders if he is willing to betray his Predacon heritage. [[Optimus Primal|Optimus]] contacts him for a survey mission, and Dinobot puts his research aside for the moment.

Later, he rides vehicle-mode [[Rattrap]] into Predacon territory, musing as he does that "there is always battle here". Rattrap ain't buyin' it, until [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] bursts out of the ground and attacks. Inferno and Dinobot square off, while Rattrap gets the drop on [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]]. [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] moves to assist Dinobot, but Waspinator shoots him down, causing him to crash into Dinobot, deactivating them both.

Inferno carries Dinobot off to the [[Darksyde|Predacon base]], but Rattrap takes out [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] before he can carry Silverbolt away.

[[Image:Maximal No More Dinobot caged.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I'm bored.]]
At the Predacon base, Megatron is eager to chat with his former comrade-in-arms. Dinobot breaks free and reaches Megatron, sword in hand, but the guns of the other Predacons prevent him from doing any damage. Before the fight can continue, however, Dinobot offers to change sides. Unconvinced, the Predacons finally settle on a "Predacon challenge" to test Dinobot's loyalty. Quickstrike is selected as an opponent, an invitation he readily accepts.

Rattrap goes hunting for Dinobot, sending Silverbolt back to call in Optimus.

[[Image:Maximal No More Dinobot Quickstrike.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Quickstrike likes it rough.]]
After a brutal fight, Dinobot triumphs over Quickstrike. Megatron orders Dinobot to finish him, but Dinobot refuses, saying Quickstrike is an able fighter. Megatron accepts this, then demands that Dinobot return the golden disks. The [[Golden Disk (Vok)|alien disk]] is in [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]'s hands, but the other is hidden from both sides. Megatron orders it returned immediately.

Rattrap observes Megatron and Dinobot flying past, and follows. At the mountaintop grotto, Dinobot uncovers the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], and, with some trepidation, returns it to Megatron, wondering as he does if he's dooming his race. Megatron is about to run him through when Rattrap arrives, blasting Megatron aside—but Dinobot in turn blasts Rattrap.

[[Image:Maximal No More Megatron unhappy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|No more Mr. Nice Guy.]]
Megatron orders Dinobot to finish off Rattrap as a final test of loyalty. After a long moment of hesitation... Dinobot turns his sword on Megatron instead, telling him that his ambitions are insane and will destroy [[Maximal]] and Predacon alike. With Optimus and Silverbolt incoming, Megatron retreats.

Dinobot confesses his betrayal to Optimus. Having foolishly believed he wanted to share in Megatron's imminent victory, he now wishes to fight with the Maximals till they win or are destroyed. Optimus accepts this, but leaves the final call up to Rattrap, who finally relents after some obligatory insults.

Dinobot tells Primal he has a matter of great importance to discuss... back at base. Dinobot's final punishment is having to hitch a ride on Rattrap back to base.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
* [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (1)
* [[Optimus Primal]] (2)
* [[Rattrap]] (3)
* [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (4)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s
|c2=
* [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (5)
* [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] (6)
* [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (7)
* [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (8)
* [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (9)
* [[Tarantulas]] (10)

}}
==Quotes==
"Stand your ground, traitor!" 
"You're on my ground, insect!"
:—'''Inferno''' and '''Dinobot'''

"That 'bot sure does talk peculiar."
:—'''Quickstrike''' calling [[Inferno (BW)|the kettle]] black.

"Waspinator not serve. Waspinator RULES! Eheheheheheh!"
:—'''Waspinator''' in his manic phase.

"Eeh, I love that guy."
:—'''Rattrap''', after tricking Waspinator into disabling himself.

"Treachery keeps the wits sharp." 
"Indeed—and yours are razor-sharp."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Dinobot'''

'''Megatron''': Inferno, aid Quickstrike. 
'''Inferno''': Yes, my Queen. 
'''Dinobot''': I was not aware you had given yourself a new title. 
'''Megatron''': [quickly] The ant has some faulty programming.

[''Rattrap shoots Megatron''] "Looks like I got here just in time!" 
"Wrong, as usual!" [''Dinobot shoots Rattrap''] 
"...did I miss something?"
:—'''Rattrap''''s attempt to rescue '''Dinobot''' goes wildly awry.

"Your ambition has made you insane, Megatron. It will destroy both Maximal and Predacon—and all who came before!"
:—'''Dinobot'''

"You can't trust him, and he smells bad. Then there's the teeth; you ever seen him eat?"
:—'''Rattrap''' calling [[Dinobot (BW)|the kettle]] black.

"Maximal taxi on the way home! You need a ride?" 
"So, I am to be punished after all!"
:—'''Rattrap''' and '''Dinobot'''

==Notes==
* Lots of hint-dropping about Megatron's grand schemes in this episode. On the surface, it seems that Dinobot is dreading Megatron's plan to alter history by attacking their stasis-locked Autobot ancestors—"it will destroy Maximal and Predacon alike, and all who came before".
* However, the matching locations of Predacon installations (presumably the same jamming towers seen in the previous episode) seems more related to the alien arrival which happens in the next episode, "[[Other Visits (Part 1)|Other Visits]]", as the jamming towers result in Tigatron and Airazor's abduction, and otherwise play little or no part in the history-altering scheme.
* Even after changing his activation code, Dinobot has never actually said "terrorize" to transform into his robot mode.
* During Dinobot and Rattrap's "patching up" scene at the end of the episode, Rattrap offers him a ride back to base on his beast mode's back, to which Dinobot replies, with tired contempt, "So, I am to be punished ''after'' all. One can't help but wonder why he is shown quite willingly riding on Rattrap's back at the beginning of the episode if he hates it so much.
* Cheetor and Rhinox do not appear at all in this episode.
* The consequences of this episode will haunt Dinobot [[Code of Hero|until the day he dies]].

===Technical/animation glitches===
*Waspinator can be spotted without his stripes.
*Dinobot's beast mode texturing often appears to be very low resolution in this episode.

===Transformers references===
*This is the first episode that you can see [[Clone One]]'s skin hanging on the wall in Dinobot's quarters.

===Real-world references===
*Dinobot begins the episode by looking at a comparison of Megatron's outposts and the Golden Disk on a computer screen. Just after this, some [[Cybertronix]] text appears on the left. Translated to English, it reads "they killed kenny those bastards".
*When the view through Rattrap's scanner is shown, a small wedge of cheese can be seen in the bottom right corner.

[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]