‘CHANGING OF THE GUARD’

Please feel free to comment on my review.

In this episode, we see the Maximals finding a way to maintain security around their makeshift base of operations to protect the Autobot Ark. The first time I saw this episode was via the official ‘Beast Wars’ Volume 1 UK VHS tape that had three Season 3 episodes.

It was the second episode of that VHS and I had no idea that the Maximals had lost their base in the events of ‘Optimal Situation’, as I hadn’t seen that episode yet. The Maximals try and make use of use Teletraan I’s forcefield from the Autobot Ark to protect their base.

It doesn’t work, as mixing Autobot technology with Maximal technology isn’t straightforward. So, the Maximals decide to recover Sentinel, their security system aboard the remains of their spaceship, the Axalon. They attempt to locate Depth Charge.

Unfortunately, Depth Charge isn’t anywhere to be seen as he’s presumably hunting for Rampage following the end of ‘Deep Metal’. So, instead, the Maximals seek help from Blackarachnia, and she provides them with a subaquatic stealth vessel to go underwater.

Optimal Primal chooses Rattrap to take the stealth vessel, but Rattrap isn’t willing. Optimus points out to Rattrap that he’s the only one small enough to fit inside the vessel. Plus, he’ll know what to look for as he’s dealt with Sentinel before in ‘A Better Mousetrap’.

Eventually, Rattrap agrees, and he and Silverbolt set out to salvage Sentinel. Rattrap manages to pilot submarine very well and even enjoys the experience. He soon gets into the remains of the Maximals’ spaceship and finds where Sentinel is before he collects it.

Unfortunately, Rattrap runs into trouble when Rampage comes and seizes him in his submarine. Thankfully, Depth Charge comes along to save Rattrap and deals with Rampage. But that isn’t the end, as Rattrap and Silverbolt sadly run into more Predacons.

Inferno, Waspinator and Quickstrike are sent by Megatron to acquire Sentinel. Rattrap and Silverbolt do all they can to outwit the Predacons, but unfortunately, they accidentally bump into Depth Charge. The Predacons acquire Sentinel for themselves. 😦

‘Changing of the Guard’ rating – 9/10