‘GORILLA WARFARE’

Please feel free to comment on my review.

For me, this was the third ‘Beast Wars’ episode shown in the half-term week of October 1998. Sadly, I didn’t get to record this episode, as I’d run out of recordable VHS tape at the time, and I was recording episodes of ‘Beetleborgs Metallix’ as well as ‘Beast Wars’. 🙂

I did get to see the episode when it was shown on the Wednesday in that half-term week via GMTV. I later owned the episode on ‘The Beginning’, Volume 2 VHS release. This is an Optimus Primal-focused episode. It’s where Optimus goes berserk and becomes like the Hulk

When surveying certain plant-life, Optimus and Dinobot are attacked by Scorponok. During the battle, Optimus gets hit by one of Scorponok’s Cyberbees. It stays attached to Optimus’ chest. Dinobot claims that it happens to be a personality-modifying virus. 😮

The purpose of the virus is to render Optimus as a coward and a submissive weakling. Unfortunately, the virus malfunctions and Optimus gets very, very angry with the bee stuck on him. It’s terrifying to see Optimus be like this, as he struggles to control his anger.

Cheetor has faith and supports Optimus, hoping that he can control the anger within and use it to their enemies’ advantage to acquire the anti-virus from the Predacons. Unfortunately, Optimus loses control and nearly destroys the bridge of the Maximals’ base.

Optimus decides to go out to the Predacons’ base alone whilst Cheetor, Dinobot, Rattrap and Rhinox follow. Cheetor tries to negotiate with the Predacons and warns them of Optimus’ imminent attack in exchange for the anti-virus. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work.

It was tense when Optimus penetrated the Predacons’ base and he thwarted Tarantulas and Waspinator who tried to stop him. Eventually, Optimus reaches the centre of the base and it’s where Megatron offers him to join the Predacon in exchange for the anti-virus. 😐

Surprisingly, Optimus tears the Cyberbee off, which ends up on Megatron and soon blows up. Cheetor gets the anti-virus and cures Optimus. Soon, Optimus recovers in the Maximal base with Dinobot looking after him. I found this a very gripping episode to watch.

‘Gorilla Warfare’ rating – 9/10