Ep 12. Betrayal

Exosquad is an American animated television series that was first aired in 1993. It is a space opera set in the 22nd century that explores the themes of war, racism, and betrayal. The show follows the eponymous Exosquad - a group of elite soldiers stationed in a distant planet who fight against the evil Neosapien Empire that seeks to subjugate humanity. The series was praised for its mature storytelling, complex characters, and well-designed mecha battles.

Episode 12 of the first season of Exosquad is called "Betrayal." In this episode, the Exosquad plans a daring mission to attack a Neosapien factory that produces dangerous weapons. The factory is well guarded, and the Neosapiens are aware of the Exosquad's plan, but the Exosquad has an ace up their sleeve - a spy within the Neosapien ranks.

The episode starts with the Exosquad preparing to leave for the mission. The tension is high, and everyone knows that this could be a one-way trip. However, the Exosquad is determined to succeed, and they put their trust in the spy who has promised to help them infiltrate the factory and destroy it from the inside. The spy's identity is not revealed, but it is clear that they are risking their life by going undercover in the Neosapien army.

As the Exosquad approaches the factory, they see that the Neosapiens have already deployed their forces to stop them. However, the Exosquad manages to break through the Neosapien lines and reaches the factory's entrance. The spy is there to greet them and informs them of the factory's layout and defenses.

The Exosquad splits into teams and goes deeper into the factory. They face numerous obstacles, including security systems, automated weapons, and Neosapien soldiers. However, they manage to overcome them and reach the core of the factory - the place where the weapons are produced.

At this point, the spy reveals their true identity - they are a clone of the Neosapien Admiral Winfield, who had supposedly died in an earlier episode. The clone, who has the same memories and personality as the original, but is loyal to the Exosquad, tells them that the factory has a self-destruct mechanism that can be triggered remotely. The Exosquad is relieved to hear this, as they were running out of time and resources to destroy the factory manually.

The clone then leaves to trigger the self-destruct mechanism while the Exosquad stays behind to hold off the Neosapiens who are closing in on them. The battle that follows is intense, with both sides suffering casualties. However, the Exosquad manages to hold their ground and protect the clone, who is successful in triggering the self-destruct mechanism.

The episode ends with the Exosquad escaping from the factory as it explodes behind them. The mission is a success, and the Exosquad has dealt a major blow to the Neosapien war effort. However, they are left with mixed feelings as they realize that they had put their trust in a clone who had betrayed his own kind.

Overall, "Betrayal" is a gripping episode that showcases the show's strengths in telling complex stories of war and loyalty. The twist of the clone spy adds a layer of intrigue to the plot and raises questions about the morality of cloning and the nature of identity. The action sequences are well-choreographed, and the animation is top-notch, making the mecha battles a treat to watch. Fans of sci-fi shows that deal with mature themes would enjoy this episode and the show as a whole.