Transformers: Beast Machines
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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1) Is there any chance we'll ever find out who the Council of Elders are? Could they possibly be Autobots?

During the second season we imply that the Autobots evolved into the Maximals, so I'd assume that the Council members would be Maximals.

2) How does one pronounce "Skir"? Does it sound like "fur"?

Actually, it's pronounced "Skier".

3) Ok you guys have said that Beast Machines will be a 2 season story arc. Recently I've heard a small rumor or two floating around that there might be a season 3. Can you shed some light on this by possible confirming yes or no for season 3? I'm sure that if there isn't a season 3 there will be something that follows and I'm sure if I wait "all will be revealed!" Thank you for your time.

All *will* be revealed... once Season Two begins to air in September and Fox decides whether they want to pick up the series for another go-around. Until Fox begins airing the new season, there's no reason to go ahead with any more! Although, paradoxically, there *will* be more whether Fox wants them or not... as long as the fans want the world to continue, and Hasbro keeps the toy line alive. All things considered, it seems unlikely that they would end such a successful franchise. And the long downtime between series gives Hasbro a long time to decide where the universe should go from here... and who should be in charge of it. (I'd love to be doing more, since I've had such fun with the characters, but ultimately it's Hasbro (and Fox?) who will make that decision.

4) There are rumors bouncing around about a G1 Transformer movie in the works; I was wondering whether you or Mr. Isenberg are involved in the writing? I hope so, you guys have done a fine job on Beast Machines!

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I've heard the same movie-rumors. From what I hear, they already have a big-name screenwriter attached, someone (I suspect) the studios will trust enough to give the project a green-light. I just hope he "gets" the universe, does a great job, and has as much fun as Marty and I have had.

5) Is Alpha Trion still a part of Vector Sigma, or has it evolved to a higher plain of being? Keep up the excellent work.

Alpha Trion doesn't figure into out stories, so I'd have to say it evolved.

6) You mentioned that There will be 2 New Female Characters introduced into the Show. I was wondering will there be any romance between anyone with any of these 2 New Females?

One of them is already attached. The other is completely available, and will be in the company of a bunch of guys who haven't had a lot of female companionship lately, so I'd say a romance is a definite possibility!

7) Will there be anymore cool G1 References like in the previous season of Beast Machines?

Yes. Some pretty big ones! (But don't be expecting any major crossovers or guest appearances...)

8) I am 22 years of age and a Huge fan since the beginning of transformers and season 2 of beast wars and I would like to know something..... In the final episode Primal is about to Reformat Megatron to get him to understand why he's the way he is and to "stop the insanity" but then out of the blue tankor/rhinox hits him with the Key to Vector Sigma and at the very end primal detonates the Plasma Energy Chamber. What is his reasoning behind this move? I understand that Primal wants to bring back the organic parts of cybertron but to blow it up isn't that a little extreme? Its almost a "If I can't have it none will" mentality can you elaborate on this for me? thanks. The CGI Is awesome.

Tankorr/Rhinox had a very clear agenda, which would NOT have been served by allowing Optimus to take Megatron out of the game. Rhinox therefore hit Optimus, knowing full-well that Optimus would never, ever, activate his own doomsday device. Sadly, Rhinox was mistaken, and now all of Cybertron has paid the price...

I agree with you, by the way, the CGI is totally awesome! Mainframe is currently preparing work on an all-new series at the moment, which is going to take this artform to a whole new level (which they have done with *each* successive series since Reboot!). I can't tell you much about the series itself, except that it is located on present-day Earth, and involves no robots whatsoever. It's also going to kick major ass!

9) I was wondering, do the Maximals have abilities that we haven't seen yet? Cheetor, so far, only has those two swords and can run at great speeds, but can he do anything else? I also like the idea that the maximals can defend themselves with their "natural" abilities and don't need bombs, or guns and put up a good fight with the Vehicons that do use those things... Good call for the show. Lastly, I know you probably can't tell me, but how many maximals will there be at the end of season 2? I can't wait!! I LOVE YOU BOB!!

And I love you for watching! Our heroes won't be gaining new powers per se, but the new tricks they come up with as they hone their skills will be worth watching. Plus which, we're giving them some new toys to play with in the new episodes which are going to be a lot of fun. How many Maximals by the end of Season Two? Roughly seven.

10) What is all the music from beast machines called? especially the battle theme! =)

I call it great! But you'd have to ask the composer or the producers about the actual track/cue titles... Marty and I don't indicate *anything* about music in our scripts, knowing full-well that during the exciting scenes exciting music will play, and during the slower, tense scenes likewise appropriate music will "naturally" appear.

11) In BW Rattrap was assigned command by Optimus when he was being held captive by the aliens, so why is Rattrap not even considered second in command in the BM?

Because Cheetor is growing up, and Rattrap will have other duties to keep him occupied. (Personally, I think it's a mark of emotional maturity on his part that he is not threatened by Cheetor or trying to assert his "right" to command.)

12) Mr. Skir my most humble of apologies, at first I was mad as hell at you for the whole organic thing with Cybertron, But now we all owe our praises to you. You who brought back actual robots, You who brought us back Cybertron, You who got us some awesome toys to play with. I thank you. Now for my question. I still think that Megatron and Optimus Primal are both loser not because of you but since beast wars no offense to Larry, But they'll never be their namesakes, However I love what you have done with Tankor and Cheetor and I honestly think that you've gave them far more potential than expected, I'm so looking forward to season two, but I'm curious to know will Cheetor surpass Primal as leader of the Maximals? I mean come on I thought he was a loser before but now he has really turned to a genocidal lunatic, with an outcast complex. Cheetor has demonstrated some excellent leadership skills, probably time for him to take the reins. Oh and kudos on Waspinator! Thanks for keeping the Transformers alive!!!!!!

First of all, to give credit where credit is due... Marv Wolfman suggested the return to Cyberton and the whole Megatron/Vehicon angle. (However the overall arc-structure, and the Organic Saga, came from Marty and me.) Likewise the fact that Tankorr was Rhinox came from Marv, although what Marty and I did with him *since* that revelation was our idea. Also, bringing Waspinator back? Marty. I thought it was great (although someone someday has to explain to me how he hitchhiked his way home...).

And, yes, Cheetor has grown into a great leader at exactly the point where Optimus... well, he went too far, okay? I mean, he blew up the whole fricken planet he was hired to save, what's that about?! Suffice to say, we'll be addressing these issues next season along with some new business that will be rearing its ugly floating head...

13) How did megatron arrive on cybertron, and not get arrested/fragged by the tripredacus council (who had attempted to in BW - using Ravage), or by the maximal ruling body? The show rocks, and you guys are doing a great job.

Megatron spread the virus, as we've seen several times already. That's how he wiped out the whole planet and took over. (Some people REALLY want to see that story, but there's not a whole lot of story to tell. It was a sneak attack, plain and simple.)

14) We now know that rhinox is "happy" serving the forces of evil, but what about Waspinator and Silverbolt? Are they "happy" serving Megatron? Was it a conscious choice? and if not, why not "defect" like Rhinox is attempting to do?

Rhinox doesn't see what he's doing as evil; he just enjoys a different vision than Optimus, and thinks that Megatron has the right idea but isn't totally suited for the job (whereas Rhinox *is* suited). About the other guys...? Waspinator is definitely happier being a biker than a frequently blown-to-bits bug. And Jetstorm is having the time of his life... for now. (You think Black Arachnia's going to give up on him? Guess again!)

15) I would just like to commend the story editors on continuing the Transformer tradition. I'm 18, in college, working, being a big boy, but I still get up on Sat. to watch Beast Machines and I tape it for my continued viewing pleasure. I even buy the toys for tradition sake (and they're cool). Just thanks a lot for keeping it going, and I LOVE the new series. Yeah things here and there I would change, but overall, AWESOME!!! I'm so looking forward to season two. WHAT HAPPENS TO OPTIMUS' HAND?!?!? I can't wait. Which brings me to my question. Is it official Fox is waiting until Sept. to air season 2? I've heard so, but nothing solid or from a definitive source. Thanks so much for letting us enjoy a great series that is mature and developing and interesting, but still lets us all be kids again! Keep it up!

I'm glad you're enjoying the series. Sadly for Beast Machines fans in the U.S., Fox *has* officially decided to hold off showing season two until next season... in September. However YTV fans will get to see the new series a lot sooner, enabling them to post all kinds of spoilers (thereby eliminating all of the surprises we writers have worked so long and hard to create!). DON'T READ THE SPOILERS... Season Two is worth the wait!

That's all for now!