Recap / Beast Wars S 1 E 1 Beast Wars Part 1

Part 1 of the pilot episode of Beast Wars. The Maximals and Predacons crash-land on an unknown world. Stranded and without a way to contact Cybertron, the titular Beast Wars begin.

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Tropes

• Be Careful What You Wish For: Megatron wanted Energon. Well, he certainly found it.
  Megatron: Tell me there is Energon here.
  Computer: Confirmed.
  Megatron: Yes! The planet has Energon.
  Computer: Too much Energon. Field readings are off the scale. Continued exposure to robotic forms will result in permanent damage.
  • Also lampshaded by Optimus and Rattrap.
    Optimus: You wanted exploration? Well, here we are on an unknown planet. What more do you want?
    Rattrap: Well, call me picky, but a working spacecraft might be nice.
• Challenging the Chief: Dinobot tries to pull this off twice in the episode. First, he challenges Megatron to a duel for control over the Predacons, but Megatron's not in the mood to fight fairly. The episode ends with Dinobot coming across the Maximals and challenging Optimus for his position as leader of the Maximals.
• Characterization Marches On:
  • Rattrap's a huge Jerkass, straight-up refusing to cover for Optimus in battle, rather than the Jerk with a Heart of Gold he'd become.
  • Waspinator completely lacks The Chew Toy status he would later gain in the series, being portrayed as competent warrior who is able to keep Cheetor on the ropes during their fight.
• Chekhov's Gun: Several are established in this episode: The Golden Disk, the Maximal Stasis Pods in orbit, and the planet's abnormally high amounts of Energon.
• Closest Thing We Got: As mentioned during the opening starship battle, the Axalon is an exploration ship, not a warship, but it was the only Maximal vessel capable of tracking the Darksyde's transwarp signal.
• Cryptic Background Reference:
  • Optimus offhandly mentions the Great War to Rattrap.
  • Dinobot is confused that the Predacons haven't landed on Earth, like they intended.
• Early-Installment Weirdness: Rhinox doesn't have a weapon of his own in the episode, having to rely on Cheetor's discarded "intestines gun" when providing cover fire with Rattrap. His chainguns of doom won't appear for several more episodes.
• Foreshadowing:
  • Dinobot laments that Predacons landed on the wrong planet as their target was Earth, due to this planet having two moons. However, in an earlier scene where Megatron is requesting information about Energon availability on the planet from the computer, eagle-eyed viewers will notice that the planet being shown is Earth. The significance of the second moon will be revealed in the Season 1 finale and the planet will be officially confirmed as Earth in Season 2.
  • Dinobot's challenge to Megatron due to his dissatisfaction in his leadership seems to imply that he is The Starscream of Megatron's crew- a traitorous lieutenant looking to take power for himself. However, what sets him apart is that he challenges Megatron directly to a duel, rather than stab him in the back. This hints at Dinobots' Hidden Depths as a being of honor and integrity, which makes him more suited to the Maximals than the Predacons.
• Introdump: Aside from both sides renaming themselves so the audience will know their names, every character makes sure to yell out their name every time they transform in this episode.
• Meaningful Rename: The Maximals and Predacons choose to name themselves after their new beast modes. Optimus and Megatron on the other hand choose the names of their G1 counterparts.
• Rhetorical Question Blunder: Rattrap protests that he signed on for exploration not warfare. Optimus retorts that they're on an unknown planet and lost in time which is a perfect opportunity to explore and learn new things, what more does Rattrap want? A working spacecraft.
• Sapient Steed: Rhinox allows Optimus and Rattrap to ride him in his beast mode when they go to Cheetor's rescue. He later gives them a ride again as they return to base.
• Space Age Stasis: Averted. In three centuries since the Great War, Cybertron has developed the ability to time travel.
• Taking You with Me: A space battle version. During the opening starship duel, the crippled Axalon manages to land some parting shots on the Darksyde, causing the Predacon ship to crashland as well.
• Tempting Fate: While trying to get back to the Axalon after the first battle, the Maximals note the report said six Predacons stole the Darksyde and the Golden Disk but only five were present. They briefly consider the last died in the crash but dismiss it saying they're not that lucky...then Dinobot bars their way.
• Time Travel: As Rhinox reminds Optimus after the crash, the Maximals could be anywhere and anywhen due to the Transwarp drive's capabilities.
• Villain Ball: An example that serves as an Establishing Character Moment for Megatron. When Dinobot tries to order the crew to blow the Axalon to bits the moments its shields have failed, Megatron overrules him by wanting to torment the Maximals first with the side guns. Unfortunately for him and the Predacons, this slower barrage and simply being shot down rather than blown up gives the Axalon the opening to launch their stasis pods then turn around to fire their forward-facing plasma cannon, taking the Predacons with them down to the planet's surface. This sets up Megatron's penchant for theatrical and sadistic villainy that will both benefit and hinder him throughout the series.
• Villain Respect: While Megatron monologues Cheetor takes a potshot at him, which actually impresses Megatron.
  Megatron: Ahh, a treacherous, underhanded sneak attack. Oh-ho-ho, I like you, pussycat, yeesss...