Line #14 Recap/BeastWarsS3E1OptimalSituation


1	With Optimus Prime critically injured and the Maximals' future in jeopardy, Optimus Primal is forced to take drastic measures to ensure the timeline's stability...
2
3	!!Tropes featured:
4
5	* AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs: The Predacons destroy the ''Axalon'' because it was empty and a vulnerable target. The Doylist reason was because Optimus' new body didn't fit in the ship anymore.
6	* AllYourPowersCombined: Primal's new body combines his alternate mode and flight powers with Prime's truck mode with the size being halfway between the two (somewhere around G1 Bumblebee).
7	* BadassBoast: "The universe cowered once at the name of Megatron, and it shall do so again!"
8	* BigDamnHeroes: With Silverbolt's help, Blackarachnia manages to delay Optimus Prime's death long enough for the Maximals to save him, thwarting Megatron's attempt at changing the future. At least, for now.
9	* BittersweetEnding: The ''Axalon'' is destroyed and the ''Ark'' exposed, but the timeline is safe for now and the team gets a new member. Plus, Optimus Primal gets a new form.
10	* CameBackStrong: Once the trauma wears off, the presence of two Sparks in Primal's body causes it to get an upgrade.
11	* CantKillYouStillNeedYou: While not said outright, it's why Megatron doesn't outright kill Blackarachnia. She still has the access codes to the ''Ark'', so he has to settle for venting his frustrations with a non-lethal shooting.
12	* ContinuitySnarl: This episode created a controversy when Optimus Prime's Spark was near identical to the Matrix of Leadership. A later comic explained the issue.
13	* DidntThinkThisThrough: As Blackarachnia points out, Megatron forgot, or just didn't care, ''she'' was a Maximal protoform and as such her existence is now on the line, so she activates Teletraan-1's defense system to blast the Predacon leader clear out of the Ark.
14	* DudeNotFunny: Rattrap gets a deserved backhand fom Rhinox for making a joke about Prime's state.
15	* EnemyMine: Blackarchnia helps heal Optimus Prime because she's a Maximal protoform and thus won't exist if he doesn't. Makes you wonder what she intended to do with the ''Ark'' before Megatron showed up.
16	* EvilVersusOblivion: Blackarachnia insists she is still a Predacon but is also a Maximal protoform, so she would be erased from existence along with the rest of the Maximals if Megatron's plan succeeds. This motivates her to help the Maximals save Optimus Prime.
17	* {{Foreshadowing}}: Megatron promising to make the ''Ark'' a constant target is followed up in later episodes.
18	* GodzillaThreshold: Optimus taking on Prime's Spark while the body is repaired. The others point out one can't hold two Sparks in a body (especially when one is as powerful as Prime's), but Optimus says they have no choice.
19	** Later media would make this a twofold example, as [[Anime/TransformersCybertron Vector Prime]] [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness broke his]] AlienNonInterferenceClause to help Optimus recover from near-death, while remaining invisible so no one knew about him.
20	* HeelFaceTurn: With Megatron finally fed up with her backstabbing, Blackarachnia has no choice but to join the Maximals.
21	* HeroicSacrifice:
22	** Though he doesn't die (and in fact gets an upgrade), Primal is fully willing to take on all the risks of merging Prime's Spark with his own.
23	** Later materials reveal this to be the case behind Prime's Matrix shaped Spark container. If ever someone wanted to steal the Matrix, they'd assume his Spark was the genuine article and take it instead.
24	* InSeriesNickname: Megatron calls Optimus' new form "Optimal Optimus".
25	* JerkassHasAPoint: Rattrap. Even if they stopped Megatron, the ''Ark'' is now exposed and vulnerable without a forcefield and now the Maximals have to protect it. Optimus agrees with him.
26	* KilledOffForReal: The ''Axalon'' is destroyed.
27	* LampshadeHanging:
28	-->'''Cheetor:''' Jumpin' gyros, Optimus sure learns a new body fast.\
29	'''Rattrap:''' Yeah, well, what do you expect? (looks at camera) He changes 'em often enough. ({{Rimshot}})
30	* MadeOfIron:
31	** Megatron's attack in the last episode didn't kill Optimus Prime but he is dying.
32	** Inferno survived the Energon explosion largely intact if scuffed up and barely functioning.
33	** Tarantulas' droids simply plug his body parts back together. No explanation is given as to why they didn't do the same for Ravage.
34	* MidSeasonUpgrade:
35	** After housing Optimus Prime's spark, Optimus Primal gains a new form, which Megatron dubs "Optimal Optimus".
36	** After losing the ''Axalon'', the Maximals move into the lair where the Autobots' ''Ark'' is resting, in order to defend it from the Predacons.
37	* MoodWhiplash: Silverbolt offers an emotional speech to Blackarachnia, culminating in an anguished SkywardScream after she powers down.
38	-->'''Rattrap:''' Yeesh, where's my cyber-violin?\
39	'''Rhinox:''' Very touching, Silverbolt, but she's just in stasis-lock.
40	* MythologyGag: After transforming into his "Optimal" form, Primal utilizes two of his [[Franchise/TransformersGeneration1 predcessor's]] [[CatchPhrase catchphrases]]: "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings" and "Transform and roll out!" Also, after first being transformed, Primal's voice becomes slightly deeper, calling back to Peter Cullen's performance as Optimus Prime in the original cartoon.
41	* NotQuiteDead: Inferno was shown being ''vaporized'', and he's revealed to be alive here. Tarantulas (last seen getting blown up in Ravage's ship) has been put back together.
42	* NothingIsTheSameAnymore: After two Seasons as their base of operatons, the Maximals lose the ''Axalon''.
43	* OhCrap: Optimus when he realizes that the ''Axalon'' is undefended.
44	* PullingThemselvesTogether: Megatron orders this verbatim to all Predacons.
45	** When last seen, Waspinator was left in many pieces. We first see him here, as he finishes putting himself back together, the last part being his head.
46	** Inferno was almost vaporized by exploding energon and is shown staggering to his feet and restarting his fried thrusters.
47	** Rampage has been turned into a charred chassis by a nuke and has to peel himself off a rock.
48	** Tarantulas has his drones assist him in this trope by collecting his parts and assembling him after he got two bombs glued to his hands. They even load the parts in trays! One drone also kicks Ravage's head off a cliff edge.
49	* RealLifeWritesThePlot:
50	** Why Inferno is still alive despite onscreen vaporization. The writers didn't know at the time if there would be a third season, so they expected Inferno to be dead. Upon renewal, he was back in action.
51	** The destruction of the ''Axalon'' is twofold. One with the ''Ark'' now the center of attention the writers don't have to split the teams minding the base and the ''Ark''. Two, Optimus' new form wouldn't fit inside so nobody has to think on the logistics of that.
52	* {{Retcon}}: This is the first piece of media to establish that Generation 1 characters have Sparks.
53	* RimShot: When Rattrap quips about Optimus's regularly changing body.
54	* SickeningSweethearts: Rattrap's opinion of Silverbolt and Blackarchnia is snark about playing a sappy violin solo.
55	* TokenEvilTeammate: Blakcarchnia becomes this for the Maximals because she is working with them despite identifying as a Predacon.
56	* TrashTheSet: The Axalon which has been the center of the Maximals activities thus far has been destroyed.
57	* UndyingLoyalty: After Optimus threatens to blast Megatron to pieces:
58	-->'''Inferno:''' I will protect you, Royalty.
59	* UnexplainedRecovery: Apparently, Inferno’s loyalty to Megatron allowed him to survive total incineration.

Context Recap / BeastWarsS3E1OptimalSituation