Viewer Log: Beast Wars ep 3

Cheetah vs. Tarantula doesn't go down quite like you'd think.

Last time on Beast Wars, a duel was had. Optimus Primal fought Predacon exile Dinobot for the position of leadership. The two begrudgingly admit the other has qualities they respect, just before the Preds party crash. Megatron and the others shoot at the combatants, just barely missing them due to Optimus’ quick reflexes. The missiles keep flying, revealing a giant Energon crystal embedded in a mountain. The two groups race to the mountain, ultimately engaging in a beast brawl due to the high level of radiation they’re being exposed to. Megatron ultimately risks his own body to transform and attempt at blowing Optimus away, but Dinobot runs in and knocks the missile away at the last moment. The mountain explodes, everyone just barely getting away. Optimus declares the start of the Beast Wars before the credits roll. Enough recap. Let’s get to it.

 

Cheetor out on a com mission, this'll go well.

         We begin with the Rhinox showing Optimus a new device he’d been working on. Whatever it is, the device impresses Optimus, but Rhinox says he’ll feel more confident after a field test. Cheetor overhears that last part and races over to volunteer. Optimus explains that Rhinox has just finished a prototype long range transmitter, one that should work despite the heavy Energon radiation. Cheetor swipes it and looks it over. Optimus, sensing that Cheetor isn’t taking this completely seriously warns him to do so, and then tells him to head out. If he encounters Predacons he’s ordered to return immediately.

 

Meanwhile, Scorponok has discovered some kind of device and is doing his best to uncover it. He can’t pull it out with his scorpion claws, transforms and prepares to blast it free.

 

Cheetor radios in and confirms that the comm link works at about 500 meters or so. He hears the explosion Scorponok made as he excavated and runs over to investigate. Optimus, rather annoyed by this, heads to out to met him, telling Rhinox to order Cheetor back if he radios in again. Cheetor finds Scorponok, revealing that the arachnid had uncovered a mega cannon from the Darksyde and was planning on retrieving it. Cheetor holds him at gun point, hoping to keep Scorponok busy long enough for Optimus to arrive. Unfortunately, Scorponok had back up in the form of Tarantulas. The spider distracts Cheetor long enough for Scorponok to shoot him and severely damage him. Tarantulas warns him to take the cannon and go before Optimus arrives. Scorponok tries to force Tarantulas to take the cannon instead, but the spider isn’t impressed by Scorponok’s trying to pull rank. Optimus arrives just as Scorponok pulled the cannon away, finding Cheetor with a large hole in his chest.

 

King of Cybertron!

We see Cheetor having a dream of some kind. He’s on Cybertron and single handedly defeats Terrorsaur, Waspinator, and Megatron. The dream turns into a nightmare when Tarantulas creeps in and acts… well, like a creepy spider and Scorponok shoots at him. He awakens, screaming, Rhinox telling him to relax as he’d just finished repairs. Cheetor tries to play off what happened as a minor setback, explaining how the communicator was destroyed after he’d cornered Scorponok with the mega cannon. Rattrap points out that he really was the one that was dropped in this situation. Optimus chastises Cheetor for losing the comm, as Rhinox can’t recreate it, and for losing the cannon. Cheetor transforms and threatens Rattrap with his teeth when he makes another jab at Cheetor’ pride, Optimus grabbing him by the scruff of the neck and telling him to back off. He orders Rhinox to call Dinobot in from his perimeter sweep, as they’ll need his expertise on the Predacon base layout to find that cannon. Cheetor offers to help but Optimus tells him he’s done enough. After fighting with Rattrap some more, with the more seasoned Maximal pointing out that Cheetor gets into trouble precisely because he acts like he’s not afraid, Cheetor runs off. Rhinox shakes his head and scolds Rattrap, both knowing that Cheetor is going to run off and try to fix this on his own. Rattrap begrudgingly goes after him, Rhinox smirking as he does.

 

Cheetor arrives at the perimeter of the Predacon base as they’re setting up the mega cannon as a turret. He’s planning on waiting for an opportune moment to strike… but is caught by Tarantulas, who drags him into his lab.

 

Cat in a web, how odd.

Cheetor wakes up stuck to a web of Energon. He’s clearly groggy as Tarantulas bids him welcome. The creepy spider explains that he’s using a statis web to weaken Tarantulas without damaging his body too much. The web keeps him from transforming, and Tarantulas explains that when his energy is drained, he’ll eat him.

 

Back at the base, Optimus and Dinobot are formulating a plan. Dinobot wants to rush in an attack, but Optimus wants to scout out a bit before they do anything. Rhinox joins them, lying that Rattrap is “talking” with Cheetor to explain his absence. They continue to argue.

 

A friend isn't a friend unless they're willing to cover
up one of your major screwups.

Rattrap arrives just outside the Predacon base. He uses his nose to track Cheetor’s scent and uncover the secret layer. As Cheetor dangles, he points out that this is really a stupid plan, as he doesn’t have organic fluids that Tarantulas can eat. Tarantulas points out that this is more about tasting Cheetor’s terror than nourishment. Rattrap arrives, calls Tarantulas a sick bug and a fire fight begins. Cheetor plays the peanut gallery, until Tarantulas increases the drain with his machine. He spots Rattrap with a thermos scan and starts shooting. Rattrap dodges out of view and sets a charge of some kind. Tarantulas follows the trail to the box, along Rattrap a chance to get around him, saying that he fell for the ol’ Hotbox. They shot at each other, and Tarantulas is buried in debris. Rattrap tries to free Cheetor, but the computer won’t respond to his energy signature. Rattrap, annoyed, shoots the computer and shoves it over the edge. He cuts Cheetor free and prepares to leave. Tarantulas pulls himself up from the rubble, though and tells him to give his regards to the Inferno. Tarantulas shoots at them, missing them and ultimately destroying his lab. Rattrap and Cheetor escape, and Tarantulas is buried. We cut to him in the rubble, Tarantulas mumbling that he hates that rat.

 

The two Maximals arrive back at the base. Rattrap covers for Cheetor, saying that he’d taken younger bot out, to focus his energy on other things, saying that he needed to after Optimus was so harsh with him. Optimus apologizes for that harshness, and Cheetor also apologizes, saying he’ll be a real team player going forward. When alone, Cheetor thanks Rattrap for not ratting him out. Rattrap then yells at him, saying the only reason he didn’t say anything was for fear he’d be put on the chopping block with him. Oh, and if he ever does anything like that again he’ll personally rearraign Cheetor’s spots. He walks off, Cheetor still thanking him as he goes.

 

This was a fine episode. It gives us the basics of Cheetor. He’s young and impulsive, treating their big war as a game because he doesn’t have enough life experience to completely understand what a “war” is. He’s rightly embarrassed when he’s called out for acting like a kid, but then immediately does another impulsive thing to try to make up for his other poor impulse moment. Th story also gives us a great look at Tarantulas. The spider is sadistic and creepy even by Predacon standards. This whole bit about him capturing prey to feed on them like a real spider is referred to as a “perversion” on more than one occasion. Makes you wonder if this is new… or if he was the Cybertronian equivalent of a serial killer before being given the spider theme. Oh, and it highlights Cheetor and Rattrap’s dynamic. Rattrap, extremely blunt and constantly mocking the kid for his mistakes, but is ultimately willing to save his bacon when he gets in over his head. Cheetor has this effect on most of his comrades if memory serves. He’s just too likeable to be mad at despite his bravado and he comes across as just insecure enough that everyone wants to mentor him to one degree or another. So yeah, good simple episode. Have a good night, everyone. 

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