The Weak Component

Writers: Rodney Gibbs

Frustrated by his inability to transform, and ashamed of his uselessness, Rattrap makes a deal with the devil.



Major characters (in order of appearance): Rattrap, Optimus Primal, Blackarachnia, Tankor, Nightscream, Cheetor, Megatron, Thrust

Minor characters (in order of appearance): Aero Drones, Tank Drones, Bike Drones, Diagnostic Drone

Original air date: October 23, 1999

Summary
Optimus Primal, still exhausted after Nightscream's recent reformatting, awakens from a dream and is informed by Blackarachnia that Rattrap is on a recon mission with Cheetor and Nightscream.

At a manufacturing facility, Rattrap, Nightscream and Cheetor are being attacked by Aero Drones and Tank Drones. Since Rattrap still is unable to transform, Cheetor orders him go and download the data from the computers. As Megatron observes this, a Diagnostic Drone warns him that the DNA purging process is still in its experimental stage. But Megatron, eager to be rid of his hated beast mode, wishes to proceed before the Maximals can discover any more “mongral beasts”.

During the fight,Nightscream uses his sonic powers and discovers that if they attack the generals, the drones stop operating. Cheetor and Nightscream plan to ambush Tankor to test the theory.

Unfortunately, Rattrap observes the ensueing entrapment setup from his computer. He finally transforms successfully, and being eager to help, swings into action as Nightscream and Cheetor are attempting to disable Tankor and Jetstorm. His interference ends up spoiling the ambush, however, and causes the factory's machinery to start operating and building more Tank Drones at a faster and faster rate. Rattrap realises his robot form is unarmed so he is unable to help in the battle.

As the new tank drones run wild, Megatron takes the control. Rattrap attempts to stop the manufacture of the drones by linking himself into the main computer, only to be a sitting target for Megatron's aero drones. The resulting feedback travels along the power cables and causes a system failure, the total destruction of the manufacturing plant and a power cut for the whole sector.

On their way back to their base Cheetor and Nightscream harshly reprimand Rattrap for not following orders. Rattrap later complains to a sleeping Optimus Primal about his robot mode, when the others appear. Cheetor knocks Rattrap to the ground, ordering him to transform to beast mode; this jolt to Rattrap's system causes him to realise Megatron is weak as he replays vital stats he downloaded earlier. His suggestions of an attack on their weakened enemy are brushed off by Cheetor.

Rattrap overhears Blackarachnia, Cheetor and Nightscream discussing what to do with him and how he is such a burden with his useless robot mode. Infuriated, he leaves the base alone.

Megatron is being told the extent of the damage caused by the feedback earlier, when Rattrap saunters into his citadel, saying he wants “noisemakers”. After a bit of back and forth, Megatron and Rattrap work out a deal wherein Rattrap will defend Megatron for one night when he is at his weakest; if anything happens to Megatron, Rattrap forfeits his new weaponry.

Unexpectedly, Cheetor, Nightscream and Blackarachnia arrive to rescue Rattrap, forcing Rattrap to honour his word with Megatron -- he fires on his friends as they advance. While this is happening Megatron returns to full strength and begins rebooting his control of Cybertron. The Maximals and Rattrap are at an impasse when Optimus Primal arrives, still exhausted, and asks Rattrap to look inside himself and re-evaluate what he's doing. Primal tells him that Rattrap is stronger than any of them realize.

Megatron orders Rattrap to to attack Optimus Primal, but Rattrap reiterates the terms of the deal -- the sun is rising, the solar cycle is over, and Rattrap has kept his end of the bargain. Megatron, impressed with Rattrap's handling of the situation, upholds his word and lets the Maximals walk away. Megatron vows to his Diagnostic Drone that they shall liberate the Maximal’s sparks another day.

Perceived characterization inconsistencies

 * This episode was the source of some controversy, as Rattrap was arguably depicted as being a 'traitor' to the Maximals, something many fans claimed was completely against the grain of his character.


 * Fans also complained about Megatron's behavior at the end. Whereas before, he would have crushed a subordinate for merely mentioning "the h-word," here he makes a huge point of displaying honor when he keeps his word to Rattrap at the end of the episode -- and with no ulterior motives.  It is worth noting, however, that Megatron implies Rattrap deserves to win because of his gambling skills--which refers back to Megatron's repeated use of gambling and card-playing idioms throughout the Beast Wars.


 * In fact, either side could have potentially won the war right here, but the two characters with the least scruples suddenly became interested in fair play for no reason other than, obviously, to keep the series from ending.

Technical/animation glitches

 * Glitch

Continuity errors

 * Error

Transformers references

 * References

Real-world references

 * Reference