Possession

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Template:Episodenav Writers: Ian Weir

Waspinator finds himself possessed by none other than the original Decepticon traitor Starscream!

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

Original air date: February 3, 1997

Summary

Through the reaches of space, a Spark floats.

On Earth, the Maximals deal with the bad weather by securing their spare weapons. The storm also knocks out much of their surveilance and defenses.)

On the Darksyde, the Predacons have similar inconveniences due to the same bad weather. Waspinator tries to work with a malfunctioning console, but from the console, a high-pitched voice taunts the bug, followed by a bright flash from the machinery's display. After the anomoly, Terrorsaur sees Waspinator momentarily display a strange glow."

Waspinator re-introduces himself to the other Predacons, his voice raises to a higher pitch by his body's new occupant: Air Commander Starscream of the Decepticon Battle Fleet. To provide context for Waspinator's new mind, Blackarachnia explains what is known about Starscream's history. He corrects her, explaining how his body was destroyed defending Galvatron from Unicron, and he's come to assist the new Megatron in winning the Beast Wars.

After the storm, Cheetor surveys the damage done to the area around the Axalon when he sees a Cyber-Bee. Instinctively, he destroys it, but not before it's relayed footage to the Predacons. Starscream's sister plan is to not attack the Maximal's protected weak spot, but rather to attack the maximal's other side.

The battle begins, and Starscream and Blackarachnia are easily able to blast inside of the Maximal's base. Starscream's own battle skills greatly helps the Predacons conquer their foes. Reintroducing himself to the Maximals, Dinobot is stunned by Waspinator's current identity - giving Megatron an opening to attack. With his side at a sudden disadvantage, Optimus orders his team to retreat.

The Predacons enjoy their victory. To make sure their own base is secured, Megatron, decides that he, Terrorsaur, and Tarantulas will return to their own base, while Starscream commands Blackarachnia and Scorponok in the Maximal's captured domicile. Terrorsaur takes an issue with the arrangement, but Megatron instructs Terrorsaur to comply. After the three Predacons leaves, Starscream and Blackarachnia have a discuession in private. Blackarachnia discloses she knows the truth about Starscream, but instead of reporting him, Blackarachnia and Starscream form an alliance.

The evicted Maximals consider their situation, Dinobot explaining to his comrades that Starscream was a notorious Decepticon traitor. After uniting with Airazor and Tigatron, the group return to their base to surrender to Starscream so they might get Dinobot to a CR chamber for repaits (although this is a ruse). Starscream complies, and let's Dinobot into a CR chamber - but takes Optimus Primal as his captive.

With two of the Maximal's captive, Waspinator blackmails the other Maximals into attacking the Predacon base (Scorponok calls out Strscream on his treachery, but is shot away quickly).

Inside, Optimus breaks free of his restraints and accesses the weaponry (which were stored beneath the armored floors to protect it from the storm.) and attacks Waspinator in the main room. Primal frees Dinobot, making the battle an even two-on-two. Never eager to fight fairly, Waspinator exits out the ceiling hatch, abandoning Blackarachnia. the Predacons in the Axalon no longer a problem, Primal rushes to stop the other maximals from getting killed attacking the Predacon base.

Optimus and Waspinator soon arrive outside the Predacon base, where the rest of the Maximals were having no particular success. Primal uppercuts Strscream, knocking the Decepticon up, and then onto the ground near some surface Energon. Starscream tries to bargain and reason his way out of the situation, but Blackarachnia, resenting her recent abandonment, fires at the energon. Optimus manages to fly away in time, but Starscream is caught in the massive energon explosion.

Afterwards, Waspinator is back to his regular fuzzy self. Blackarachnia explains to Megatron she was only pretending to ally with Starscream, but this explanation doesn't entirely satisfy her leader. The Maximals, having reclaimed their own base, clean up. While in orbit, without any body, Starscream once again swears revenge.

Quotes

Waspinator: What is this, program will not respond! Waspinator does not understand!
Starscream: I'll bet Waspinator seldom does, but try not to let is depress you, bug face!

Megatron: Starscream, perhaps the centuries of weightlessness have taken a toll on your neurological circuitry.

Rhinox: I'd say it's tramplin' time.

Notes

Continuity Inquiries

• Megatron knew a great deal about Cybertronian history, yet apparently did not know the real nature of Starscream and his demise. However, Megatron might have been playing dumb to lure Starscream into being bolder with his actions. It should also be of note that both the Predacon and Maximal Elders had a large portion of his records sealed due to his history.
• For some reason, Inferno is absent for the entire episode.

Transformers references

• Obviously, Starscream himself firmly ties Beast Wars to established G1 history.
• Starscream's spark, or "ghost" as it was then called, had possessed several Decepticons (including Cyclonus, Scourge, and Trypticon) in the G1 episodes "Starscream's Ghost" and "Ghost in the Machine."
• During the episode, if you look closely, one of Waspinator's Predacon insignias on the side of his cranium changes into Decepticon insignia while Starscream's spark is inhabiting his superstructure.
• This is the first episode of Beast Wars to refer to the Autobots and Decepticons, revealed here as the ancestors of the Maximals and Predacons respectively. Incidentally, this is the first episode to refer to any G1 characters and events at all. It begins here, folks!!

Real-World references

• Optimus Primal says "Hasta la vista, Starscream." This is a reference to Terminator 2.
• As he flies away immediately after saying this, Optimus Primal is seen wearing a pair of sunglasses. This may or may not be a reference to the same movie.