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 Reed Robbins and Peter Salas on 07/23/1984, whilst Ron Friedman's revised script is dated 07/26/1984. This script is then dated as "FINAL" with a date of 08/09/84.

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.

ACT 1

This episode opens with a shot of a destroyed city, which wasn't in the script -the script wanted to open with the fissure cracking stuff you see a few seconds later.

The script features the original names for the Dinobots, which Ron crossed out and put the correct names. It looks like Grimlock was originally going to be called "Tyrex" whilst Sludge was "Bronton".

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	WHEELJACK More! Straighten it up!

Slag's original name was "Tribot". This sequence was cut from the episode.

The script mentions about Hound using his holograms here, and whilst he's present for this part in the episode, he just stands there and does nothing.

This was cut from the episode. It was meant to happen after Huffer's "big dipper gets rusty" line.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	THUNDERCRACKER Alright, shape up you two! There's still a lot of damage to repair.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	FRENZY Hey, I didn't volunteer for this geeky assignment. I want Skywarp's job.

In the episode, it's just Rumble and Skywarp fighting here, but the script implies everyone but Thundercracker was meant to duke it out. The script also mentions that "one by one Decepticon heads pop comically out of the water", which doesn't happen in the episode. It seems the writers intended for part of the base to be flooded or something.

In the episode, Skywarp says this line, but does so using Thundercracker's voice.

In the episode, the launching tower is never seen in the shot, the Decepticons are just seen flying over the ocean, and nobody is seen transforming.

In the episode, Prime's dialogue here was shortened to just "Autobots, roll out!", and it cuts right after he says this. There's no shot showing the Autobots transforming and leaving the volcano.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	DR. ARKEVILLE There! Head downward.

There is a crossed out note here which reads as follows:

Note! If the ??? "power source" can not be called a "generator", it may be called the "exponential plasma convertor".

Apparently at one point somebody had an issue calling it a generator?

This was cut from the episode.

The scrip wanted there to be a constant low throbbing sound to be heard for this scene, but you don't hear anything like it in the episode. Unfortunately, Arkeville's voice wasn't filtered for this scene, making it look sound he's in the same room as Starscream, when he's not supposed to be. If you ever wondered why Starscream is seemingly pointing at something, he's not, it's meant to be him pressing a button on himself to use his intercom.

The script wanted Starscream to use a "mini-laser" screwdriver, but the animators have him use a boring normal screwdriver.

In the episode, Starscream pushes a button here, rather than flipping a switch. Despite this, his "flip this switch" line was kept.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	ARKEVILLE I-I will stay here to make sure nothing goes wrong.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM Oh, I have much different plans for you!

In the episode, Starscream points at Arkeville and knocks him down. He then picks up Arkeville -neither of these things were scripted.

ACT 2

Act 2 opens with the timer displaying a different time to what the script has.

In the episode, Starscream doesn't laugh after saying this line.

This was cut from the episode, it was meant to take place after Skywarp gets hit by Wheeljack's missile.

The above battle sequence was cut from the episode. It was meant to happen after Megatron's "land and attack" line.

In the episode, Optimus doesn't grunt when he throws Megatron.

This was cut from the episode, it was meant to happen after Megatron lands in the lake.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME Good work, Autobots. But we don't want to lose track of them...

This landing area is never seen in the episode.

It seems that the animators mistook the "pull his rank" note on the script here, and had Starscream literally pull his rank out, in the form of a shiny Decepticon symbol.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM When his starship was destroyed, Megatron entered oblivion.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SHOCKWAVE I cannot get through...

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM (VO/CONT) From now on, you will take orders from me!

The script states to have Starscream's warning shot hit next to Shockwave's hand, but in the episode, Starscream's shot hits above the monitor.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM We must begin setting up energy collectors. In less than three Earth hours we will begin receiving energy from a limitless new source!

In the episode, after Starscream says the above line, the next scene is the one where Arkeville gets electrocuted. However in the script, this scene happens later -the script has the scene where the Autobots get trapped in the quick sand happen first.

The energy collectors on Cybertron are never seen in the episode.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM You fool! Only a Decepticon can touch the controls when the sentry monitor is on!

The script wanted some primitive robots to get Arkeville here, but in the episode the animators used Reflector instead.

In the episode, Starscream doesn't stroke his chin as he says this line.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	RATCHET (VO) Prime -the Decepticons are gone!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME (VO) It's quicksand!!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME (CONT) Count on it!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON No, but it will be!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	JAZZ Hey, Optimus.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM (VO) Good. Take me to your secret laboratory. I have use for your other inventions.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME That is our next destination, Autobots. Transform and roll!

ACT 3

In the episode, no laser blasts are head here, and Rumble just walks in, rather than tumbles in.

The animators mistakenly used Thundercracker here, instead of Skywarp. You can see an additional Thundercracker behind Soundwave.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME Your aim's improving, Megatron!

These battle scenes were cut from the episode, yet again Windcharger got the short end of the stick. They were meant to happen after Prime takes cover in a cave.

In the episode, Starscream doesn't laugh after saying this line.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PRIME Then you're not foolish enough to fire at me while I'm standing in front of it, are you Megatron?

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	RUMBLE Let me blast him. I'll...

In the episode, the timer only gets to 53 seconds here.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SHOCKWAVE (VO) Megatron, come in! Megatron, this is Shockwave, acknowledge. If you are functional Megatron...

In the episode, after Prime says the above line, it cuts to shots of him and Megatron searching the lab for a few seconds, and then cuts to Megatron's hand grabbing the timer.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Everything is under control, Shockwave. Where is Starscream?

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SHOCKWAVE (VO) On Cybertron. He planned to destroy the Earth and gather the energy of the destruction.

The script doesn't state for Megatron to crush the timer as he says the above line, but that's what the animators had him do.

In the episode, Arkeville doesn't hit a wall here. He still makes the "ooof!" noise though.

In the episode, the animators drew Starscream with a hand on his head, rather than him grinding his jaws.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	DR. ARKEVILLE (VO) You are the one who must return to Earth!

In the episode, you can't hear any laser fire from the outside battle here, and Megatron isn't seen grabbing the generator via a reflex action. He grabs it after saying the below line:

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Prime?! I... I've been lost in my work...

In the episode, the generator doesn't change color or change size when it gets dropped on the floor.

In the episode, there's no city to see here.

In the episode, all of the Autobots laugh before Jazz says this line, this isn't in the script. Jazz's line was slightly altered to him saying "and that's" rather than just "that's (you can even see the "and" crossed out above, but he still says it in the episode). Finally, none of the Autobots honk their horns at the very end, which is what the script wanted them to do.