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 on 07/16/1984, whilst Ron Friedman's revised script is dated 07/25/1984. This script is then dated as "FINAL" with a date of 07/27/84.
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 script has a subtitle of "Search".
This part was meant to have a different opening, which mainly focused on the last couple of minutes of the previous episode, but this was crossed out and a note put on stating a recap would be used instead.
Sparkplug laughs after saying this line, something which wasn't scripted.
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SPIKE Dad...! |
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SPARKPLUG Look, I told you -don't call me that! |
This beam was meant to be colored green according to the script, but appears to be white in the episode.
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THUNDERCRACKER (VO) But the wind's against us! |
In the episode, this was changed so Thundercracker's fire ends up hitting Starscream instead of himself.
The above was crossed out, but most of it can still be read ok. It's a cut scene involving Sideswipe.
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MEGATRON Soundwave... this area must be cleared to start our work. Begin generating audio disrupter waves at once! |
The script states Soundwave should "adjusts some controls on himself", but in the episode he's seen pushing the button that usually opens his chest panel.
A lot of Arkeville's dialogue here was crossed out, but in the episode, he also doesn't say "oh well".
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SPIKE What'd you say, Bumblebee? Am I okay? Yeah, fine. Just fine... |
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MEGATRON Here are you orders, Thundercracker. I... |
The script wanted Megatron to shoot Starscream here, but in the episode he just hits him instead.
This shot was cut from the episode.
This sequence was changed a little bit in the animation stage. The machine is actually shown in the episode, and the beam is shown firing from it rather than from out of shot. The beam is also a white color in the episode, rather than the red the script wanted. The episode also lacks the slave's "zombie-like stare" shot.
The script also makes it clear this slave isn't Sparkplug -he's just some random guy. For some reason the animators drew a guy who looks a lot like Sparkplug though.
In the episode, before Arkeville says this line, he says "Duh-huh-y-yes!".
This was cut from the episode. It was supposed to happen after Laserbeak drops the two guys into the pit.
The script wanted the guard Rumble grabs to fall to the floor and lose consciousness, but in the episode Rumble doesn't let go of him, and he doesn't pass out.
The script wanted there to be hailstones here, but none are seen in the episode.
In the episode, you can't see any lights for the car in front of Bumblebee in this shot at all.
The part with the gust of wind was cut from the episode, making it look like Bumblebee's tire burst at random.
In the episode, the energon cubes are already filled up, and you don't see any humans loading up Skywarp either.
Spike isn't seen smiling in the episode.
Spike's not seen climbing out through a window or scrambling over Bumblebee's hood.
The script wanted Spike to stop Bumblebee from falling by grabbing his hand. I know Spike is rumored to have super-human powers given some of the things he's done before (like punching Rumble) but clearly this was deemed a bit too unrealistic, so the animators had him drop down a little and try and push him up via his legs instead. The part where Spike nearly falls isn't in the script.
The first act was originally scripted to end here, but this was crossed out. The act instead ends when Bumblebee falls, which happens a few seconds later.
As Spike isn't seen holding Bumblebee in the episode, Bumblebee kind of just falls for no reason.
The script mentions that Jazz should attach a "fin-jet-pack" here, but he's not seen doing so in the episode. The script states all the Autobots are meant to wear these things, but none of them seem to have them in the episode.
Whilst Bluestreak is seen laughing in the episode, Windcharger isn't.
In the episode, Spike doesn't leave Hound, so Hound never transforms here. Spike's dialogue was also extended -after he says the above line, he then says "I need your help."
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SPIKE Bumblebee fell over the edge -come on! |
In the episode, these lines were switched around.
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HOUND I'm sure this is the spot! There! |
In the episode, you don't see any bits of scrap metal rise up.
Spike's line here was cut from the episode.
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SPIKE Are you ok, Bumblebee? |
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MEGATRON Because with a human present, the Autobots will not take aggressive action against Cybertron. |
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MEGATRON We have duplicated your computer on Cybertron. It is no longer just your computer. |
In the episode, Megatron says this after the door shuts.
In the episode, the tidal wave and earthquake are shown before the push in shot of the Autobot HQ. The script also states these things are meant to be shown on Teletraan I, but in the episode, when it cuts to a shot of the computer, it's displaying static.
The script states that only the "original three" Dinobots would appear here, but in the episode all five of them are present. It hints that the writers were only aware of Grimlock, Slag and Sludge, but more on that later.
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OPTIMUS PRIME Perhaps it's worth a try... |
This completely random shot of some satellite, which is shown as Grimlock says how he doesn't care about the planet falling apart, isn't in the script.
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GRIMLOCK Hmm, hadn't thought of that. Dinobots, transform! |
The script makes no mention of the separate building outside of Autobot HQ, which is shown in the episode for this shot.
This script still refers to Skyfire as Jetfire.
In the episode, Optimus Prime says this line.
In the episode, Spike says an extra "come back!" between the first time he says it and Bumblebee's line. It sounds the exact same take each time he says it, so the second time might have been an editing error.
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IRONHIDE Yeah! When you got it, use it! |
In the episode, this dialogue can't be heard, instead the Autobots just cheer.
As noted above, the script only uses the three original Dinobots. But in the episode, in addition to Grimlock, Slag and Sludge, Snarl and Swoop also appear. The script doesn't mention either of them at all, so stuff like the above -where Snarl creates a tidal wave to counter another tidal wave -wasn't scripted.
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OPTIMUS I'm not certain. But for the moment, I feel we must not let the boy find out... |
In the episode, Optimus says "Spike" before saying the rest of this line. And if you're wondering if the script had any cut scene regarding exactly where Optimus got this information: it doesn't.
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SPIKE Optimus Prime, let me take Skyfire... we'll get him back!! |
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OPTIMUS It's too dangerous. I can't let you do that, Spike. |
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SPIKE But if we can save Dad, we may learn what hold Megatron has over him, and other Earth people! |
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SKYFIRE You can count me in! |
The script doesn't mention anything about showing some Autobots board Skyfire. Unfortunately the animators used Ironhide here in error, as he's meant to be staying on Earth.
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TRAILBREAKER Let's see the trajectory map, Skyfire. SKYFIRE (VO) Roger! Coming up! |
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TRAILBREAKER There's our position now. When we reach this point... |
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BUMBLEBEE Uh oh, I think it's too late! Look! |
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WHEELJACK Skyfire, missile shields up! |
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SKYFIRE Sorry. Guess I was a little anxious to get on my feet. |
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SPIKE Wow, it sure is different! |
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BUMBLEBEE (VO) Spike! That light beam! |
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WHEELJACK Brawn, follow them. We won't fit! |
In the episode, Bumblebee gives Spike a boost to the shaft, and Brawn then lifts Bumblebee up only. The script states Brawn should lift them both up.
The above was cut from the episode. It was scripted to happen after Brawn says "forward". When the group are shown falling out of the vent, this is why everything inside it is colored red. This also explains why, if you look closely, Spike's face is sweating when Brawn picks him up.
In the episode, Spike says "hey" before saying this line.
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BRAWN Got to get this information to Wheeljack right away! |
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BRAWN (VO CONT'D) Do you read me Wheeljack? |
In the episode, Spike says "Dad" after he's placed the wrench on the table, rather than before.
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SPARKPLUG My favorite wrench! Hmm... where could... |
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SPARKPLUG An invader! The Decepticons must be alerted! |
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SPIKE Dad! Dad, don't! |