An original script for this episode can be read at the Sunbow and Marvel Productions Script/Storyboard Archive. There is a note on the first page stating "FINAL" with a date of 11/29/86. The script is missing pages 12 to 18.
In the episode, the Quintesson isn't seen stepping away.
The script still wanted to show a battered Optimus, but in the episode he's in perfect condition.
As with the script for the first part, this script states infected beings would get a blue aura, but in the episode, they glow red.
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EPISODE DIALOGUE |
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SKY LYNX (VO) They sought to infect your lifeless body with the virus. |
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SKY LYNX (VO) Even the Quintessons were not safe from the madness. |
In the episode, the above isn't shown -it shows Sky Lynx rescuing the Quintesson instead.
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SKY LYNX (VO) I rescued this Quintesson to try to revive you. |
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QUINTESSON I had no choice. The entire galaxy is threatened. |
In the episode, Sky Lynx lists Wheelie as one of the damaged Autobots, but later on in the script Wheelie is not mentioned as one of the Autobots the Quintesson repairs. Blaster isn't mentioned in the script, but he does appear in the episode (despite not appearing in the first part).
Given that Sky Lynx says "they may be damaged beyond repair", were the writers hinting Wheelie died?
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BLURR Oooooh.... oooooooh... |
In the episode, Kup doesn't hug Optimus, and Blurr doesn't keep moving around him.
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BLURR Optimus? Optimus you're alive you're alive I don't believe this I don't believe this do you guys believe this? It's Optimus! |
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BLURR Yeah let's go kick some Deceptitail. I'm ready willing and able you can't keep a good robot down know what I mean let's go let's go let's go what are you waiting for |
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GOLDBUG OK Optimus, what's the plan? |
This was cut from the episode.
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BLURR What! No plan no plan? But if you don't have a plan Optimus how are we gonna fight the plague? Cause if we can't fight the plague, we're all doomed doomed doomed! |
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BLURR You said it that's it right right right! |
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OPTIMUS PRIME Sorry Jessica, that's too dangerous. |
In the episode, the camera doesn't push in on Jessica here, and Optimus isn't seen turning away from her, then turning back.
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KUP Why, we even have an exo suit that'll fit her. |
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GALVATRON Oh, my! It looks like I was wrong! |
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JESSICA A spider! |
In the episode, Galvatron can be heard saying "Autobots can't fly!", which isn't scripted for him to say here. But was was scripted to say something like it earlier, as seen above.
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BLURR Ahhh, don't mention it was really nothing, you don't have to thank me any self respecting Autobot would have done the same thing so don't worry about that, it was nothing! |
In the episode, the shot of Galvatron laughing is seen earlier -it happens before Kup nearly falls.
In the episode, Goldbug yells "no!" here, which isn't in the script.
In the episode, the scream the spider makes isn't high pitched.
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KUP Why I oughta! |
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OPTIMUS PRIME I've explained it to you. |
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OPTIMUS That's because I know you too well, Galvatron. |
The script wanted there to be a fire waterfall here, but the animators must have missed this as the waterfall seen in the episode isn't ablaze.
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OPTIMUS PRIME Galvatron! They are sucking the very energon from us! Destroy them! |
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JESSICA Leave them alone! |
This was cut from the episode.
Much of this was cut. The note about the Decepticons transforming and rushing towards the camera was ignored, instead, in the episode Cyclonus and Scourge stand still and fire in robot mode. None of the action scripted to happen after then happens in the episode, instead we get a shot of Blaster and Goldbug being infected with hate plague.
In the episode, between these two lines is the previously mentioned shot of Blaster and Goldbug getting infected.
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GALVATRON We do not need these fools following us. Now, let's go. |
This dialogue was cut.
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GALVATRON Tell me, or you'll never get what you need. OPTIMUS PRIME We haven't much time! |
The above line was cut. It was scripted to be said after Galvatron's "so much for your resurrection" line.
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OPTIMUS PRIME Good work, Sky Lynx. |
This line was cut, and it's not clear that Galvatron is shooting at Optimus and Sky Lynx, as they aren't seen in the background for this shot.
In the episode, it isn't clear if Sky Lynx grabs Prime or not, as they both move out of shot before you can see. The animators missed the note about Jessica missing Sky Lynx -they animated it so she actually grabs his tail! She falls off, but Sky Lynx isn't infected.
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OPTIMUS PRIME The preservation of our very existence is at stake. |
Rodimus Prime's line here was cut.
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OPTIMUS PRIME We've got to fight the madness! |
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OPTIMUS PRIME (VO) You've got to help me, Rodimus! |
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OPTIMUS PRIME Rodimus, you're wasting precious time! Many lives are in danger! |
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OPTIMUS PRIME Sorry Rodimus, there's no other way! |
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RODIMUS PRIME Let go of me! |
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OPTIMUS I HAVE to do this, Rodimus. |
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OPTIMUS PRIME Rodimus infected Sky Lynx! |
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OPTIMUS If I'm ever gonna save you, I need the Matrix. |
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RODIMUS PRIME You're so anxious to remove the Matrix from me -let's see what I can cut from you! |
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OPTIMUS PRIME I'm protected from heat, Rodimus! |
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OPTIMUS PRIME Sorry Rodimus -this seems to be the only way. |
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OPTIMUS PRIME If any cure to this plague exists... |
The sequence was cut down in the episode. The stuff about the tunnel lighting up was cut, as what the shot of Cybertron taking itself apart.
And here's the biggest difference in the script: Optimus was supposed to talk to Orion Pax! This isn't a mistake by the writers, as there's even a note stating that Orion was last seen in War Dawn, which he was. They clearly wanted to have Orion appear in this scene. Exactly why they wanted Optimus to talk to his younger self is a mystery.
Someone else decided to change this later, and replaced Orion with Alpha Trion. This doesn't really make much sense either as story wise, Alpha Trion merged with Vector Sigma in this episode, so he shouldn't also be in the Matrix. The animators also messed up Alpha Trion's colors in the episode -it's tempting to say they colored him like Dion, another one-off character from War Dawn. Prime's "can you help me" line was updated, so he says Alpha Trion's name instead of Orion's.
The 360 degree camera spin mentioned here doesn't happen in the episode.
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ALPHA TRION If there is a cure, I know nothing of it. |
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ALPHA TRION Be careful. For if you travel too far, you may become lost, and never find your way back. |
This first shot with the Quintesson and Optimus was cut. The second shot was changed so the various Transformers land on the ground, rather than on buildings.
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QUINTESSON I must stop them, they'll destroy us both! |
In the episode, this was changed so we only see a door sliding and crashing onto two Transformers.
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QUINTESSON Hurry! Please hurry! |
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IT The only way to fight such madness is with wisdom. Unfortunately, no one person has the wisdom to contain the spores, much less destroy them now that they have spread across the galaxy. |
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OPTIMUS PRIME Perhaps there does exist a source of wisdom powerful enough to destroy the spores and cure the entire world. |
This was cut from the episode.
The shot of the energy heading through space was cut.
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HOT ROD |
The ending was changed from what was scripted. The script wanted a down shot showing all of the Transformers celebrating. In the episode, Prime was given an extra line -"Autobots, transform and roll out!" -then cuts to a shot of Optimus, Goldbug, Kup and Blurr driving away.