There are two scripts available for this episode, and they can both be read at the Sunbow and Marvel Productions Script/Storyboard Archive. The original script was written by David Wise on 11/29/84. There is then also a revised script, with dialogue updates from Ron Friedman which was done on 12/06/84.
The majority of the changes made for the revised script are what were used in the episode, but some lines were further altered.
The cast list for this episode features some early names for the Constructicons. "Scrounge" was the early name for Scavenger. Payload was an early name for Scrapper -it seems this guy went through a few names before it was finalized, as in the script for Heavy Metal War, he was known as Gravedigger, and in one of the show's production bibles, he's called Payloader.
Whilst the first and second pages of the script feature the correct name for the episode, page three features this unused title for it.
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SOUNDWAVE Release Megatron. |
The script wanted two guards here, but in the episode only one is shown. The animators also made a typo on the sign -"PERSONEL".
The script wanted Laserbeak to "deftly" carve out a hole in the roof, but in the episode he simply fires a single blast which blows up part of the roof.
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In the episode, Megatron adds a "I desire!" at the end of the revised line.
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In the episode, Laserbeak is missing for this shot.
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This line was almost entirely cut -the only bit to make it in is "Watch!".
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MEGATRON You shall have them! But Torq, what is the first action before engaging in an act of war? |
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In the episode, Megatron doesn't laugh after saying the revised line.
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The above narrator dialogue was cut from the episode.
The script wanted to have Carl smoking a pipe, but in the episode he's not seen doing this. He also wears a white lab coat rather than a black suit.
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In the episode, Gates says "Torq III's" rather than just "Torq's".
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ANDREWS Man's future depends on the development of sophisticated machines. Torq is the first machine that can build other machines. |
This and the below two lines were given to Andrews in the episode, they were originally meant for Gates:
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In the episode, this doesn't happen. The filing cabinet stays in place and one drawer opens, and rather than Gates pulling out a clock from the drawer, he just stop the drawer with his hand. Andrews is then seen checking his watch.
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ANDREWS Hmm, I didn't realize how late it was. We should go home and get some sleep. |
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GATES Perhaps you're right. |
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In the episode, the door doesn't slide shut, it slams shut. Andrews isn't seen helping Gates with the door either.
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In the episode, the phone isn't built into the wall, it's on the desk.
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The above narrator line was cut from the episode.
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The script wanted Teletraan to display blinking black and red dots, but in the episode the dots all flash yellow.
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In the episode, Optimus just says "rat" rather than "mechano-rat".
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GATES Somebody's altered his programming! Torq seems to have taken control of all the machines in the compound. |
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The above line was cut from the episode. It was scripted to be said before the following line from Hound:
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OPTIMUS PRIME But our human friends at Quantum are in danger. |
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HOUND The whole world'll be in trouble if those tankers aren't stopped! At least let me check it out! |
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OPTIMUS PRIME Hmm... affirmative! Skyfire, take Hound there. |
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The above line was cut. It was scripted to be said after Prime tells the Autobots to transform.
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Another cut line. Prime was scripted to say this after ripping off the gate.
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In the episode, Wheeljack is already off the tank when Prowl shoots it. This is also an example of the script asking for the Autobots to fire missiles, but in the episode they fire lasers.
This was cut from the episode, it was scripted to happen after Prowl destroys a tank.
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Wheeljack's line was cut.
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OPTIMUS PRIME This isn't one of our shining days... |
In the episode, whilst laser beam sounds can be heard for the above shot, none can actually be seen.
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In the episode, Wheeljack doesn't fire "shrapnel-needles", he just fires lasers. The shot showing the turrets shattering was cut.
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The above sequence was cut from the episode, it was scripted to happen after Wheeljack blows up some turrets.
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In the episode, the above shot is only a partial voice over -the camera pulls back to show all of Optimus, and his mouth animates as he speaks. The script doesn't given any details about him contacting the Dinobots, but in the episode, he's seen pushing a button on himself:
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The second act originally had a different opening. After a brief scene with the Dinobots leaving Autobot HQ, we'd next see some of the Decepticons at the oil platform. All of this was cut, and the second act instead opens at the Quantum labs.
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GRIMLOCK Optimus Prime! You call me, Grimlock, and other Dinobots? |
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Snarl's line here was cut, instead he roars. Also, since we're on the Dinobots now, I'll say that there is no mention of Swoop in the script.
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These lines for Slag were cut -however in the episode his mouth still opens and closes during this part of the scene, but he roars and growls instead of speaking actual words.
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OPTIMUS PRIME Good work, Dinobots! Now follow me! |
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This line isn't heard in the episode -Sludge's mouth moves as if he's speaking normally, but in the episode, he makes some growling noises here.
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The above was cut from the episode. It would have explained why the Dinobots suddenly vanish.
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OPTIMUS PRIME A remote-control circuit linker. |
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GATES So Torq can dominate any device bearing one of those! |
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OPTIMUS PRIME Fortunately, I have a delicate lock picking technique! |
Prime's line here was cut from the episode.
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OPTIMUS PRIME Take cover! This is not gonna be easy! |
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HOUND (VO) Look what's up ahead! |
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SKYFIRE (VO) There's no way we'll ever break through that! |
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HOUND Wait... I'm getting some serious inspiration. Skyfire! Take us down! |
The script states Skyfire would land on his wheels, which presumably means he was meant to land in his jet mode. The animators, however, have him land in half transformed -his upper body remains as a jet, but his lower half has his robot mode's legs out. This is possibly a reference to his toy, which features a third transformation mode that looks like this.
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CAPTAIN You got to do something! My ship won't respond! |
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All of the above was cut from the episode.
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Some have wondered if this guy is supposed to be Hook, and as the script reveals, it is meant to be him. Unfortunately, the animators did a bad job drawing him, as he looks really short and he's colored yellow instead of green. Two of the other Constructicons were meant to briefly feature, but they were cut (see further up this page).
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Soundwave is seen flying in and shooting at Skyfire, which wasn't in the script for this part.
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SPIKE Oof! Leggoa'me, you beaky birdbrain! Let go!! |
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The above dialogue was cut, as was Prime throwing a rock through the door. Also of note is that in the script, this scene was supposed to happen before Skyfire lands on the tanker, whilst in the episode, it happens afterwards.
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This line was cut from the episode, instead, Prime says a line here: "Get back!"
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The above line was cut.
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The above sequence with Ironhide was cut.
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OPTIMUS PRIME It's a molybdenum alloy! I can't break it! |
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Prime's line here was cut, it was meant to be said after his "can't break it!" line above.
Ironhide was scripted to say something when he destroys one of the machines, but he says nothing here in the episode.
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This sequence was cut from the episode, it was scripted to happen after Optimus swings one of the machines into a building.
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In the episode, Prowl's line here was cut.
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The majority of the above dialogue was cut. The only bit to make it into the episode is Prowl's "It's a trap, Prime".
In the episode, Soundwave isn't seen here, instead, Rumble is present. Ravage also doesn't move during this shot.
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HOUND Aw, great! Caged like helio-hamsters at the Cybertron zoo! |
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SPIKE We gotta get out of here Hound. Sooner or later the rest of the Autobots will show and they'll need our help! |
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SKYFIRE How will we get past the Decepticons to help them? They took our weapons! |
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Part of this was cut -the shots showing the robot dropping a card and using another isn't shown in the episode.
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This line was cut from the episode.
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In the episode, Spike grunts rather than saying "Hey".
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In the episode, Hound isn't seen locking arms with Skyfire. Instead, Skyfire takes down the door by himself.
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RUMBLE Hey! You can't get away! |
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HOUND Then let's knock out that force dome while we've got the chance! |
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SOUNDWAVE Autobots approaching! |
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MEGATRON They'll never get through my force field dome! Proceed with the pumping. |
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HOUND Haha, that's one stupid Decepticon! |
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Megatron's line here is meant to be a voice over, but in the episode he's seen speaking it -the shot changes to one of him, and his mouth animates as he speaks the line.
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This line was cut, it was scripted to be said before the following line of Prowl's:
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PROWL Even without Torq, he's still controlling the tankers. Megatron must have a remote-control transmitter. |
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In the episode, Megatron screams when he leaps for the box, something which wasn't scripted. The shot of him holding two handfuls of the busted box, and then throwing the fragments to the floor, was cut.
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MEGATRON (CONT) Attention, Decepticons -- withdraw at once and return to our base! |
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The above was cut from the episode. It was scripted to happen after Megatron retreats.
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IRONHIDE Where's he going in such a hurry? SPARKPLUG I don't know, but I'll bet anything it isn't good news for us! |
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IRONHIDE Prime, c'mon! There's no time to waste! OPTIMUS PRIME I've got to find Spike and the others -go on with out me! |
This was cut from the episode. It was scripted to happen after the platform's second leg explodes.
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HOUND Let's beat it! |
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GATES You see, like all machines, Torq is basically unreliable unless properly monitored. |
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