‘DOUBLE JEOPARDY’

Please feel free to comment on my review.

In October 1998, when it was half-term week, I saw five ‘Beast Wars’ episodes over the course of five days every morning on GMTV. I got to record four out of the five episodes on VHS for the first time. It was very exciting, and I have very fond memories of the episodes.

The first episode I saw in that October half-term week was ‘Double Jeopardy’. In the episode, Optimus Primal and Dinobot fail to recover a new stasis pod after ending up in a trap and having a battle with the Predacons – Terrorsaur, Waspinator and Scorponok. 😐

This episode introduces to a new Predacon – a female in fact – called Blackarachnia (voiced by Venus Terzo). Blackarachnia can transform from a black widow spider into a robot and vice versa. She later becomes one of the most complex characters in the show.

Incidentally, Tigatron doesn’t appear in this episode. Whilst the Predacons have their new recruit in the team, the Maximals suspect there’s a ‘mole’ in their team. Dinobot accuses Rattrap of working with the Predacons, which Rhinox and Cheetor categorically object to.

Optimus however seems to agree with the suspicion, and he sends Rattrap on a mission to search for Energon near the Predacon base to test his loyalty. Whilst on the mission, Rattrap is attacked by Terrorsaur. About to be terminated, Rattrap soon begs for mercy. 😮

Overhearing this on the intercom, the Maximals are shocked when Rattrap begs for mercy and swears allegiance to the Predacons. Terrorsaur accepts Rattrap to join the Predacons, and he soon elects himself as the Predacons’ leader, which angers Megatron.

Whilst everyone is convinced that Rattrap is a traitor, he soon infiltrates the Predacons’ base to recover a Maximal decoder chip, which has been tracking Maximal communications lately. I’m not very sure how the Predacons acquired this decoder chip.

This episode showcases Rattrap as a spy, especially when it turns out he and Optimus had set up this deception in the first place. A battle occurs outside the Predacons’ base before Rattrap returns to the Maximals and Terrorsaur loses leadership of the Predacons.

‘Double Jeopardy’ rating – 10/10