Aftermath (BW episode)
After the destruction of the alien machine and the death of Optimus, the remaining Maximals are left to pick up the pieces and fend off the Predacons.
Summary
Optimus Primal is dead, blown into pieces by Megatron's most twisted scheme yet. However, the explosion of the Planet Buster caused a quantum surge, transforming certain Transformers into shinier robots with new vehicle modes - Transmetals.
The episode begins with the two bases reactions to Optimus Primal's death. The Maximals are in a state of shock, whereas the Predacons laugh and jeer and are generally having a good time. However, these moods are to be short lived- the destruction of the planet buster caused a quantum surge, which hits the Earth.In the Axalon, Rattrap and Cheetor are affected by it in the control room, and down below the dead body of Tarantulas is affected by it. The surge caused the whole of the Darksyde to be thrown about, causing Waspinator to fall into the CR pool, whilst the other three Preds (Megatron, Scorponok and Terrorsaur) are affected by it. Megatron is thrown onto the floor of the base, whilst Scorponok and Terrorsaur loose control of their hover platforms and collide into each other. The collision causes both of them to fall, (kicking and screaming), into the lava pit, where they are terminated.
The aftermath of the surge sees a relieved Waspinator emerge from the CR pool, joyous to have survived. However, he starts when he sees Megatron in the shadows, having been upgraded by the surge into a new transmetal body.
In the Maximal base, both Rattrap and Cheetor are startled at each others new modes, until they realise themselves. At Airrazor's suggestion, both try out their new beast modes and use their vehicle mode (rather unsuccessfully)and end up crashing. Tigatron and Airrazor go off on the hunt of the spiders, these guys being partly responsible for Primal's death (by knocking out poor ol' Rhinox.)
Under Tarantulas' control, Blackarachnia begins to take her leave of the Axalon, with Tarantulas insisting she brings his new body. Unbeknowst to them, the eyes of Inferno's severed head glow back online...
Back upstairs, Rhinox and Dinobot come back online, with Rhinox ordering Rattrap to tell him everything. Dinobot announces that he should be leader, but after a stern throttling by Rhinox, he backs down.
Blackaracnia and Tarantulas escape the base, only to be intersepted by Tigatron and Airrazor. However, help for the she-spider is on its way...
Megs is never above kicking somebody while they're down, so he brings a full Predacon assault (in the form of Waspinator) to join the Tarantulas-possessed Blackarachnia in an assault on the Axalon. Airrazor and Tigatron are blasted offline by Megatron.
The alert sounds inside the Axalon, with Rhinox sending the two new transmetals outside, whilst he and Dinobot try to set up the defenses. However, Inferno emerges into the room, and immediatedly blasts Rhinox flying backwards using a missile, which prompts Dinobot into a physical brawl with the Predacon.
Outside, Tarantulas forces Blackarachnia to retreat (against her and Megatron's wishes.) Waspinator battles Cheetor, much surprised that the "cat-bot" can fly. After a bit of a beating, Waspinator retreats. After a bit of shooting, Megatron transforms into vehicle mode and charges at Rattrap, who transforms into beast mode, and, using his tail trips the Predacon over. Megatron is not spent yet though- he blasts Cheetor off the cliff, who has to transform into jet mode to escape, but crashes into Rattrap. Megatron prepares to end the new bots...
Inferno and Dinobot are still locked in combat when Rhinox grabs Inferno and throws him out of the base lift. He then challenges Megatron with one of the "Chainguns of Doom"- scary stuff.
Finally, Megatron realizes with only a broken Inferno in his army, he's no match for Rhinox and the new Transmetals, Cheetor and Rattrap, so he calls a retreat.
At the end of the episode, two stasis pods are shown lying in a barren area, with broken scanners.
Quotes
Stats
Writers: Larry DiTillio
Original Air Date: October 26, 1997
Major Characters (in order of appearance): Airazor, Tigatron, Blackarachnia, Cheetor, Rattrap, Megatron, Optimus Primal, Waspinator, Scorponok, Terrorsaur, Tarantulas, Inferno, Rhinox, Dinobot
Notes
- There were methods to the madness that is Transmetalization. All of the original ten Transformers would be made into Transmetals. (This excludes Airazor, Blackarachnia, Tigatron, and Inferno.) However, Terrorsaur and Scorponok were killed, and Waspinator, Dinobot and Rhinox were in CR chambers. Thus, only five of the original Transformers (if you include Optimus) were Transmetalized.
- Terrorsaur and Scorponok were going through Transmetalization at the time of death. This was included if the writers ever were to bring them back.
- Waspinator was originally intended to die in this episode, but due to fan popularity, and the fact the writers needed a character for comic relief, he was granted amnesty.
- The bit with Cheetor and Rattrap trying out their Vehicle modes was probably intended to give kids something to cheer them up after the death of Optimus.
- Rattrap refers to his newer wheeled form not as "beast mode", but as "Knievel mode", in reference to the stuntman Evel Knievel.
- The review of the last episode actually shows Optimus approaching the center of the moon before the explosion, a scene cut from the first season finale.
Quotes
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- Megatron: Yes, I am good, aren't I? [smacks Waspinator] But we can discuss my brilliance later. Now, there is work to be done.
- Terrorsaur: What kind of work?
- Megatron: The Predacon kind. We must defeat the remaining Maximals while they mourn their dear, departed leader. This will be the final battle!
- Tarantulas: I'm here, inside your pretty little head, controlling your pretty little thoughts.
- Rattrap: What's with you two? [gestures toward pants area] Is my gear box hangin' out or somethin'?
- Rattrap: [looking in reflective surface] Hey! I'm, uh...gorgeous!
- Rattrap: And then we woke up, Cheetor and I were these...trans...metals.
- Waspinator: Huh? Cat-bot cannot fly... [is smacked into by a Cheetor missle]
- Megatron: New packaging. Same product. Losers.
- Rattrap: [to Cheetor] You know, a few flying lessons wouldn't hurt.
Exit, Stage Left
- Terrorsaur (died in lava pit)
- Scorponok (died in lava pit)
