Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)

2008-02-04T22:57:42Z

86.138.27.96: /* Overview */

[[Image:Beastmachineslogo.gif|center]]

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'''''Beast Machines''''' is a 26-episode cartoon that aired in the US from 1999 to 2000, in support of the [[Beast Machines (toyline)|toyline]] of the same name. It is a direct follow-up to ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', set in the same G1 continuity and featuring many of the same characters. Like ''Beast Wars'', its computer animation was created by [[Mainframe Entertainment]].

==Overview==
[[Image:Thereformattingmaximalsmaximize.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The Maximals, in a rare moment of Not Running Away.]]

The show follows the adventures of the core ''Beast Wars'' cast upon their return home to Cybertron; there, Optimus Primal and his crew find that the whole planet is abandoned, and the streets are patrolled by mindless [[Vehicon]] drones serving [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], who somehow escaped his captivity.

Worse still, they learn that they are infected with a deadly [[Transformation lock virus|virus]] that will kill them in a matter of hours. Salvation comes from the mysterious supercomputer known as the Oracle, who sees them fit to complete it's mission of a planetwide "reformatting", and turns them into [[technorganic]] warriors, a perfect blend of organic and technological matter.

As the show progresses, Primal and his fellow Maximals learn to balance their technological side with their newly introduced organic aspects, mastery coming in slow stages. Unlike the previous [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|conflict]], where sides had been roughly equal, the four original Maximals were quite outnumbered by their [[Vehicon]] enemies, and the battles took on a "guerilla warfare" feel, with the Maximals using sewers and underground levels to their advantage and avoiding surface levels unless for combat purposes. As the show progresses, two brand-new Maximals and a returning face boost their number and together, the Maximals eventually turn Cybertron into an [[technorganic]] paradise, though at the cost of their [[Optimus Primal|leader]]'s life.

Controversial even by the standards of other Transformers [[Unicron Trilogy|reinventions]] (!), ''Beast Machines'' is remembered by some as a series which tried to tackle heavy philosophical concepts with mixed results, discussing such issues like what it meant to live in an increasingly technological society and the dichotomy between the desires of the individual and the needs of society and the paradox of a living technological world. Story editor [[Bob Skir]] describes the series as a "religious epic novel for television." [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAkRF4QBKew&eurl=/]

The series' detractors complained about the show's alleged "hippie" agenda, claiming it would [[Ruined FOREVER|ruin Transformers]]; a few went so far as to send Skir death threats, causing him to cancel a convention appearance in 2000. Even more sympathetic fans have commented that the show lacks ''Beast Wars''' overall sense of fun, that it features seemingly endless scenes of the good guys running away, and that the requirements of the overall plot structure leave it treading water story-wise at times. The show was and remains the darkest Transformers animation to date, and the final animated entry into the Generation 1 story canon, bringing that story to a rather conclusive ending.

With ''Beast Machines'' perhaps not quite living up to Hasbro's hopes, Hasbro's next foray into animation would be to bring over a [[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|year-old Japanese show]] for consumption in the US, until a [[Unicron Trilogy|new story]] could be concocted. In [[Armada (cartoon)|light]] [[Energon (cartoon)|of the]] [[Cybertron (cartoon)|results]], some fans have found themselves re-evaluating ''Beast Machines'' more favorably, though the newfound positive reception is still not universal by any means.

==Episodes==

===Season 1===
[[Image:Tankor flames.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Tankor, YOU'RE FIRED!]]

Season 1 largely centers on the Maximals' efforts to find out what has happened to them, as they arrive on Cybertron with no memories. Another key point in the storyline was the relearning of their [[transform]]ation and the balance of the mechanical and organic sides of them. In addition to Megatron and the core Maximal cast, three new former friends and [[Waspinator|fan favorites]] recast as Vehicon generals are introduced, as well as the new Maximal Nightscream. By the end of the season, Optimus Primal has been driven down a road of extremism, and an apocalyptic confrontation marks the season finale...
{{-}}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
!#!!Title!!Writer!!Director!!Original airdate!!Production code
{{Episode list
|Title=[[The Reformatting]]
|EpisodeNumber=1
|OriginalAirDate=September 18, 1999
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=Escaping from strange new foes and unable to transform, the four surviving Maximals encounter a mysterious supercomputer which converts them into powerful new warriors—and a new kind of Transformer.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Master of the House]]
|EpisodeNumber=2
|OriginalAirDate=September 25, 1999
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=Reformatted into new technorganic bodies, the Maximals come face to face with the [[Megatron (BW)|source]] of their troubles.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Fires of the Past]]
|EpisodeNumber=3
|OriginalAirDate=October 2, 1999
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=The Maximals are attacked by three new Vehicon foes, Tankor, Jetstorm, and Thrust.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Mercenary Pursuits]]
|EpisodeNumber=4
|OriginalAirDate=October 9, 1999
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=The Maximals have a second run-in with the Vehicon generals and [[Optimus Primal|Optimus]] senses the presence of a familiar Spark.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Forbidden Fruit]]
|EpisodeNumber=5
|OriginalAirDate=October 16, 1999
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=A new ally, [[Nightscream]], offers a strange new energy supply, but is it a blessing or a curse?
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[The Weak Component]]
|EpisodeNumber=6
|OriginalAirDate=January 12, 2008
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=Frustrated by his inability to transform, and ashamed of his uselessness when he finally does, [[Rattrap]] makes a deal with the devil.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Revelations Part I: Discovery]]
|EpisodeNumber=7
|OriginalAirDate=January 19, 2008
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=The Maximals discover what happened to the inhabitants of Cybertron, and [[Blackarachnia]] learns more about the Vehicon general, Thrust.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Revelations Part II: Descent]]
|EpisodeNumber=8
|OriginalAirDate=November 6, 1999
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=[[Cheetor]] and Rattrap make a surprising discovery about their missing memories and the [[Rhinox|identity]] of [[Tankor]].
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Revelations Part III: Apocalypse]]
|EpisodeNumber=9
|OriginalAirDate=November 13, 1999
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=Nightscream pursues Jetstorm who has captured Blackarachnia's spark, meanwhile Optimus and Rhinox have a heart to heart.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Survivor]]
|EpisodeNumber=10
|OriginalAirDate=November 27, 1999
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=Megatron targets Nightscream for capture, so he can learn more about how Nightscream was able to survive the virus and obtain his beast mode.}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[The Key]]
|EpisodeNumber=11
|OriginalAirDate=December 4, 1999
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=Tankor discovers an ancient weapon within the Oracle, none other than the [[Key to Vector Sigma]]!
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[The Catalyst]]
|EpisodeNumber=12
|OriginalAirDate=December 11, 1999
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=Rattrap uses a catalyst program to accelerate the growth of the plants at the Maximal stronghold, and Blackarachnia learns the [[Waspinator|truth]] about Thrust.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[End of the Line]]
|EpisodeNumber=13
|OriginalAirDate=December 18, 1999
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=Megatron and Optimus are set to go head to head with dueling doomsday weapons, and both seem willing to destroy Cybertron to gain victory.
}}
|}

===Season 2: Battle for the Spark===
[[Image:Botanica5.jpg|thumb|right|150px|One of the kid-friendly good guys.]]

The ultimate face-off at the end of Season 1 is resolved in a most unusual and cerebral manner, setting the tone for Season 2 as Primal realizes his mission is one of balance, not extremism. An embittered Silverbolt reluctantly rejoins the Maximal ranks, a strange new Maximal arrives from a distant planet, and two dangerous new generals join Megatron's side as the Maximals search for the lost Sparks of their brethren and battle to regain control of Cybertron.
{{-}}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
!#!!Title!!Writer!!Director!!Original airdate!!Production code
{{Episode list
|Title=[[Fallout]]
|EpisodeNumber=14
|OriginalAirDate=February 9, 2000
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=After releasing a weapon deadly to all "traditional" Transformers,Optimus Primal must face the consequences of his actions.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Savage Noble]]
|EpisodeNumber=15
|OriginalAirDate=February 16, 2000
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=The Maximals discover a strange new organic creature, but what secrets does [[Savage/Noble]] hide?
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Prometheus Unbound]]
|EpisodeNumber=16
|OriginalAirDate=February 23, 2000
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=The Maximals infiltrate Megatron's fortress, but are betrayed by their new friend.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[In Darkest Knight]]
|EpisodeNumber=17
|OriginalAirDate=March 1, 2000
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=Blackarachnia is finally able to free Silverbolt from his Vehicon mindset, but he doesn't seem too happy about it.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[A Wolf in the Fold]]
|EpisodeNumber=18
|OriginalAirDate=March 8, 2000
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=Intent on teaching Optimus the "purity" of a mindles, mechanical world, Megatron unleashes a new virus that turns the Maximals into their own worst enemies.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Home Soil]]
|EpisodeNumber=19
|OriginalAirDate=March 15, 2000
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=A [[Botanica's ship|spaceship]] crash-lands on Cybertron, releasing a tentacled [[Botanica|alien monster]]. The Maximals and Vehicons both rush to take control of the secrets of the ship.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Sparkwar Pt. I: The Strike]]
|EpisodeNumber=20
|OriginalAirDate=March 22, 2000
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=While searching for the missing sparks, the Maximals are attacked by two new [[Obsidian|Vehicon]] [[Stryka (BM)|generals]], and [[Botanica]] must abandon her pacifistic ways to save them.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search]]
|EpisodeNumber=21
|OriginalAirDate=March 29, 2000
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=The Maximals continue their search for the missing sparks.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Sparkwar Pt. III: The Siege]]
|EpisodeNumber=22
|OriginalAirDate=April 5, 2000
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=Having found the imprisoned sparks, the Maximals have to race against time to stop Megatron from consuming them and becoming a god.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Spark of Darkness]]
|EpisodeNumber=23
|OriginalAirDate=
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=Megatron has been defeated, but zombies keep attacking the Maximals all over Cybertron.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Endgame Pt. I: The Downward Spiral]]
|EpisodeNumber=24
|OriginalAirDate=April 19, 2000
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=Under siege inside Megatron's floating fortress the Maximals must protect the captive sparks against Megatron's final push.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Endgame Pt. II: When Legends Fall]]
|EpisodeNumber=25
|OriginalAirDate=April 26, 2000
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=The Maximals make their last stand against Megatron and his Vehicon army.
}}

{{Episode list
|Title=[[Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future]]
|EpisodeNumber=26
|OriginalAirDate=May 3, 2000
|Aux1=
|Aux2=
|ProdCode=
|ShortSummary=As the last two sentient creatures on Cybertron, Optimus Primal and Megatron stage their final battle as the Beast Era draws to a close.
}}
|}

==Characters==
[[Image:Rattrap bm robotmode.jpg|right|thumb|200px|There's a caption under me?!]]

Because developing new CGI character models was, at the time, an expensive and time-consuming process, the number of named on-screen characters in ''Beast Machines'' was relatively small compared to most other ''Transformers'' shows. It is thus practical to list all the Transformers who appeared in the cartoon. They are listed in order of appearance. (Most drones are not listed, and neither are incidental flashback characters.) Note that many characters besides these are also full-fledged Beast Machines characters, having appeared in other media.

===[[Maximal|Maximals]]===
*[[Optimus Primal]]
*[[Rattrap]]
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]]
*[[Savage/Noble]]
*[[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]]
*[[Botanica]]

===[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]]===
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]
*[[Diagnostic Drone]] ([[spark]]less, hence not a Transformer, but had a speaking role and a personality)
*[[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]]
*[[Tankor|Tankor]]
*[[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]]
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (nominally the same character as Tankor)
*[[Waspinator|Waspinator]] (nominally the same character as Thrust)
*[[Obsidian]]
*[[Strika]]

===Other===
*[[Vector Sigma|The Oracle]] (not much of a personality, but definitely a major speaking role)

==Trivia==
* [[Mainframe Entertainment]] executive [[Dan DiDio]] explicitly told Bob Skir and [[Marty Isenberg]] to ignore all previous Transformers cartoons when writing Beast Machines, because "Beast Wars was too continuity-heavy". It clearly did not work out that way.

* The theme tune for the show was Leftfield's Phat Planet. This was also used for a famous Guiness advert. The latter proved a more popular TV slot.

* Apart from flashbacks, visions, and such, ''Beast Machines'' takes place entirely on (or in orbit of) Cybertron, and has no human characters. This is unique among the TV shows.

[[Category:Beast Machines| ]]
[[Category:Beast Machines episodes| ]]
[[Category:Mainframe]]
[[Category:Television series]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

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Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)