BATTLETECH, Episode 1 “The Gathering Storm” (8 out of 10) –Written by Marty Isenberg and Robert N. Skir; Starring Sean Bushe, Richard Dean, Roxxy Dakota, and Keith Chihara; Originally aired September 10, 1994.
BattleTech was produced by Saban Entertainment and is based on a board game of the same name. The franchise, originally titled “BattleDroids” consists of the game and series, along with video games, collectible cards and over 100 novels all set within the universe. The name was changed from Droids to Tech during the second edition of the game due to a dispute from George Lucas over the term droid.
The series takes place in the years 3050 in the Inner Sphere, a collection of thousands of planets colonized by humans. The series name is taken from a fleet of mech suits employed by the Sphere’s military as well as The Clans’ invading force. The series stick out among other cartoons of the day due to its use of computer animation during battle sequences. The combination of animation styles actually works well together due to its implementation, acting as an inside view of one of the titular mechs.
Every episode opens with narration by the primary character, Adam Steiner, a member of the military arm of the Federated Commonwealth.
“This is the Inner Sphere – thousands of planets colonized by humankind. Once it was united under the Star League, but for the last three hundred years, it has been consumed by savage wars. Until a new enemy appeared – mysterious invaders known as “The Clans”. Powerful and ruthless, they struck like lightning, attacking every sector at once! But they made one big mistake – they attacked my home planet! Now, in the spirit of the Star League, ancient enemies have reunited! And we’re gonna take back our galaxy!”
The inner sphere has suffered 300 years of interplanetary civil war until an invading faction known as The Clans attacks a backwater world called Somerset, Steiner’s home planet. Steiner is able to use the attack as long as some familial political connections to commandeer a smuggling ship and assemble a crew, comprised of the captured smugglers and military personnel, to defend the Inner Sphere.
Those in power are tentative of their support of Steiner’s proposal but allow him to gather information on The Clans in order to allow the Commonwealth to better defend itself. When The Clans attack a more prominent planet, he is finally given authorization to act a strike force and take The Clans down.
Early episodes deal with Steiner attempting to unite his rag-tag crew, some of which have their own allegiances and agenda. Once this is established, the series gets into the meat of its story and the true battle between Steiner and the invading forces for control of the Inner Sphere.
“BattleTech” ran for a total of 13 episodes between September and December of 1994. I recommend the series for its good writing, mature content, and allegory of social issues. You can check it out below, last one there is a Vegas slug rat.