Aftermath

Writers: Larry DiTillio

After the destruction of the Planet Buster and the death of Optimus the remaining Maximals are left to pick up the pieces and fend off the Predacons.

Major Characters (in order of appearance): Airazor, Tigatron, Blackarachnia, Cheetor, Rattrap, Megatron, Optimus Primal, Waspinator, Scorponok, Terrorsaur, Tarantulas, Inferno, Rhinox, Dinobot

Original Air Date: October 26, 1997

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.

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. 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.

Trivia

 * 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, Waspinator was knocked into that healing stuff, Terrorsaur and Scorponok were killed, and Dinobot and Rhinox were in the CR chamber. 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". This is a 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

 * 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.
 * 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)