A revised scripted is available for this episode, which can be read in full at the Sunbow and Marvel Productions Script/Storyboard Archive. The original script was written by Donald F. Glut on 7/6/1984. There is then also a revised script, with dialogue updates from Ron Friedman which was done on 7/15/84. This was followed up by a final script (which is the other script available) which had further dialogue updates. The final script is dated 7/22/83, which has to be an error -it should be 84 for the year.
The majority of the changes made for the revised script are what were used in the episode, but some lines were further altered. Unfortunately Ron used a pretty thick marker pen to cross out bits he changed, so it's often hard to tell what was there originally.
The cast list on both script has a working name for Swoop: Wing. The character is referred to as "Wing" throughout each script.
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One of the biggest differences between the original and revised scripts is that Chip wasn't originally going to be in the episode. The original script had a new character, Dr. Lynn Hyashi. But in the revised script, all of her dialogue was re-written and given to Chip.
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CHIP I've never seen a bigger or more weird meteor, Jeff... |
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In the episode, Spike starts off his line with a "Well".
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The above was cut from the episode.
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OPTIMUS PRIME Affirmative -- and we'll take along some heavy back up |
The scene where the Decepticons watch the Dinobots was scripted to go on for longer. It was meant to show footage of a battle between Slag and Reflector, using clips from this episode. However the footage in question was actually cut from the episode (see this page for more details), so couldn't be used here.
This shot was used to start this scene off. Megatron's line was crossed out on the revised script, and isn't heard in the episode. Reflector is also seen next to the monitor, but the animation just has him look around, and isn't seen pushing a button.
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The script mentions nothing about showing Megatron hobbling along with a hand behind his back for no reason, but that's exactly what the animator's decided to put in here.
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This was cut from the episode. In the revised script, the dialogue was crossed out, but the directions were left in. But in the episode, you never see Soundwave using his shoulder cannon as a sensor.
Soundwave was scripted to send out Laserbeak and Ravage, who would go and hide, but in the episode they aren't used here.
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As Soundwave never sends out Laserbeak and Ravage in the episode, these shots of them reacting to the meteorite were also cut from the episode.
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IRONHIDE Spike... move it! |
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This was cut from the episode, and really it's not hard to understand why Laserbeak and Ravage were cut from this scene -they do nothing.
In the script, the scene where the Autobots discuss the new Dinobots takes place after Soundwave reads the minds of the other Dinobots. In the episode, these scenes were switched around.
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Ron originally changed this to "All right, Dinobozos, let's see what's on your so called minds", but then crossed it out and replaced it with just "initiate brain scan".
Soundwave's brain scan was meant to emit from his shoulder cannon, according to the script. In the episode, the waves emit from his head.
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The script states Soundwave should smile before taking off. Given that some other earlier scripts wanted other characters who don't have mouths to smile, I can only guess the writers weren't aware of it, or the head designs for a few characters were changed later in production.
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This shot was cut from the episode.
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This error was corrected on the revised script, and the Dinobots are shown in the episode for this shot.
This shot was supposed to include all three Dinobots and have them ready their weapons, but in the episode only Grimlock and Sludge can be seen, and they aren't armed. Sludge was also scripted to use a sword, but in the episode, he has a gun.
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In the episode, the Dinobots aren't heard roaring here. Sludge attacks with a laser from his mouth like Grimlock in the episode, whilst in the script he uses flame breath. Slag was scripted to use eye lasers, but in the episode lasers are show out from his horns. Megatron was meant to land whilst holding his fusion cannon, but in the episode it's still attached to his arm.
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The Dinobots are actually seen hitting Megatron briefly in the episode, whilst in the script he was meant to evade everything. In the episode, his fusion cannon just pops off his arm when he gets blasted, whilst in the script, he was meant to set it down himself.
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The revised script added some extra dialogue for the Dinobots here, which wasn't present at all in the original script. The shot of some Decepticons standing guard was cut from the episode.
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The script wanted Rumble and Reflector to be present for this shot, but in the episode itself, they aren't there.
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Starscream was meant to be used here, but the animators used Thundercracker instead.
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This line was cut from the episode. It was meant to be said after Megatron picks up his fusion cannon.
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Whilst the Teletraan I dinosaur scans made it into the episode, the part with Chip being next to it holding a chart was cut.
Ironhide's metal was scripted to be red-hot at first, but in the episode it's silver the entire time.
In the episode, the part with Ratchet here was cut.
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The script was meant to show Sparkplug getting a bit jealous of Hyashi/Chip here. But in the episode, this was changed so Sparkplug smiles at Chip when he points out something on the blueprints.
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This line was cut from the episode.
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In the episode, Prime is seen running out of the lab, but then it cuts to a shot of him transforming. In the script, Chip was meant to roll into frame and look worried, but this isn't in the episode.
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OPTIMUS PRIME Finish assembling the new Dinobots. I'll be in contact soon! |
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This scene was cut from the episode.
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CHIP (VO) It's hard to believe I'm actually taking part in a dino-design project. |
This line was crossed out on the revised script and isn't said in the episode. It was meant to be a response to Hyashi's above line.
Snarl was scripted to use his sword to to blast his way out of the volcano, but he's not seen doing this in the episode -he just walks straight out.
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Snarl was scripted to do this after transforming, but it was cut from the episode.
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The panning shot mentioned here isn't in the episode.
In the episode, only Swoop is seen attacking here.
The script mentions nothing about Wheeljack and Ratchet getting blasted here, but in the episode they are seen getting hit along with the other Autobots.
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This shot was scripted to happen right after Sideswipe's line, but was cut from the episode.
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The above was cut from the episode.
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Bluestreak was meant to fire "targetable warheads", but in the episode he fires regular lasers.
Likewise, Prowl was meant to fire missiles here, but again, in the episode he's seen firing lasers.
This was cut from the episode.
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In the episode, Prime adds a "You're..." to the end of his line, which is not scripted.
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In the episode, Sludge doesn't laugh after saying this line.
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In the episode, Prime isn't seen shooting Sludge here.
Some differences here:
-Slag isn't seen making a quick head shake.
-Prime is hit on his front side, rather than his back.
-Prime is only seen crashing through one wall, instead of multiple walls.
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The above was cut from the episode.
The script states there should be lasers firing off everywhere for this shot, but none can be seen in the episode.
This was cut from the episode.
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In the episode, Grimlock doesn't say "no!".
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Most believe that the above shot is an error -but as the script shows, Slag and Sludge were meant to be wearing jet packs (or power packs, at the script calls them) here. Sludge doesn't appear to have one, but Slag clearly does. The animators, for some reason, decided to color the jet pack like Skyfire. It only appears in this shot and is something the writers decided to get rid of -the Dinobots were scripted to use power packs in this episode, but they're never seen in any animation. Seems it was decided that the Dinobots are able to fly without them.
When the Dinobots take off a few seconds later, they all emit flames from their backs, which hints they're all wearing the packs, but you only see Slag's.
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The above was cut from the episode.
This bit with Skywarp was cut. The script also mentions that the energon cubes in this episode were meant to look different than previous ones, but animation wise they look the same as before.
This was mostly cut from the episode. Instead, Soundwave is seen getting a cube filled up, but that's all.
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Starscream's line here is crossed out on the revised script, and isn't said in the episode.
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The script wanted a full shot of the meteorite here, and the camera would push in towards it. However in the episode. the camera pulls back, and whilst the meteorite can be seen, so can Soundwave and the Dinobots.
This line was crossed out on the revised script, and isn't heard in the episode.
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Sparkplug's line was crossed out on the revised script. Ron tried to change it, I think he put "You mean a brain like yours doesn't have all the answers?" but he then crossed this out. Anything that made Sparkplug act like a jerk to Chip was cut in general.
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There. And it looks ready to blow! But we can't get there in time to do anything about it! |
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Some viewers may be wondering if Swoop was supposed to grab Snarl as they leave the Autobot HQ, but the script confirms that's the case -apparently Snarl can't fly in robot mode, but Swoop can. The script also mentions having them fly off into the clouds, but the animation doesn't show this.
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This shot of Thundercracker and Skywarp isn't in the episode. And this close up shot of Megatron's shocked reaction wasn't in the script.
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Swoop was supposed to be in his robot mode here, but oddly he's in his pteranodon mode when he flies in -despite being seen seconds earlier leaving Autobot HQ in his robot mode. It gets stranger though, as in the close up shot of Swoop releasing Snarl, Swoop's in his robot mode for this shot only.
In the episode, the camera doesn't push in for this shot.
In the episode, Swoop pushes Grimlock down with his robot mode arms, rather than kicking him as the script suggests. Sludge also fires lasers from his mouth in the episode, rather than his eyes.
In the episode, the ground isn't seen cracking when Slag lands.
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MEGATRON Don't let them win, you Dino-dolts! Destroy them! Destroy them I say! |
Again, in the episode Sludge fires lasers from his mouth, instead of his eyes.
The pan shot mentioned here of the other Decepticons was cut from the episode.
In the episode:
-Only Slag can be seen in the first shot.
-The sequence with Wing/Swoop crashing into a wall was cut.
-Thundercracker was used in error instead of Starscream.
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In the episode, only Sludge and Slag are seen transforming here, and the camera doesn't pan.
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The script says Grimlock should be holding a sword here, but in the episode he's using Prime's gun. The shot of the Dinobots walking towards the camera was cut.
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In the episode, Starscream doesn't transform to his jet mode, and Thundercracker and Skywarp are missing.
Another script which wanted characters to smile who aren't able to do such a thing.
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GRIMLOCK Optimus Prime, can you forgive? Me, Grimlock, was jealous of you... |
All of the above was cut. In the revised script, the only thing not crossed out here is the Dinobots turning to each other and smiling.
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OPTIMUS PRIME The meteorite menace is gone... let's roll for home! |