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 Richard Milton and Sylvia Wilson on 12/04/84. There is then also a revised script, with dialogue updates from Ron Friedman which was done on 12/07/84. Unfortunately neither of these scripts are quite complete, and lack the last few pages.
The majority of the changes made for the revised script are what were used in the episode, but some lines were further altered.
The script's title is slightly different -the exclamation mark would be dropped from the episode's title card.
In the episode, whilst Jazz is seen in this shot, Bluestreak and Brawn aren't. Instead you see Sunstreaker, Cliffjumper, Huffer, Trailbreaker and Gears.
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WHEELJACK These detection panels are just what we need to keep us safe. |
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PRIME Excellent, Wheeljack. The Decepticons won't find it easy to slip by that! |
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In the episode, this dialogue was given to Cliffjumper instead of Bumblebee.
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The script states Prime's line should be a voice over, but in the episode it cuts to a shot of him and his mouth plate moves when he speaks the line.
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IRONHIDE Aw, it's not too likely. |
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In the episode, Fujiyama laughs before saying "primitive", which wasn't in the script.
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OPTIMUS PRIME Nevertheless, we'll go if only to make sure the Decepticons don't get their hands on it. Let's roll! |
The script wanted Nightbird to be covered by a black drape, but the animators went with a purple drape.
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RATCHET I wonder if batteries are included! (snickers) |
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OPTIMUS PRIME We're here to guard the robot -- not to make jokes at its expense! |
When the camera pans in the episode, Cliffjumper isn't used for this shot, but Prowl, Mirage and Brawn can be seen instead.
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DR. FUJIYAMA Gentlemen, what you are about to see is state-of-the-art robotics... |
The shot of the slack-jawed Autobots was cut from the episode.
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The above dialogue is not said via voice over in the episode.
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In the episode, the line for the scientist isn't done via voice over.
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DR. FUJIYAMA Nightbird has been constructed to demonstrate to the world... |
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DR. FUJIYAMA (CONT VO) ...the limitless capabilities of technology. She will expand the horizons of robotic research to assist mankind, and not to harm him. |
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The script wanted to show Hound getting blasted in the back, but in the episode Trailbreaker was used instead. The shot of Frenzy holding a smoking gun was cut.
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In the episode, Soundwave doesn't say this line. The script also states Soundwave would use a fusion cannon here, which is Megatron's weapon. The animators seemed to realize this was a mistake, and had Soundwave fire his usual gun.
In the episode, Megatron has a line here which isn't in any script: "Mirage, prepare to disappear -permanently!"
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IRONHIDE Help! The girders have me pinned! |
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In the episode, Optimus immediately punches Megatron here, rather than continue to grapple with him.
This shot was cut from the episode, but the dialogue wasn't -it's said via voice over.
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This line was cut, it was meant to be said after Brawn and Cliffjumper's lines above.
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The script wanted Starscream to transform to robot mode for this part, but in the episode he remains in his jet mode.
In the episode, whilst Soundwave's chest is seen glowing, no beam is shown.
In the episode, the Decepticon jets aren't seen transforming here.
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In the episode, Starscream doesn't laugh after saying this line.
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MEGATRON (VO) She is not meant to be your sparring partner, Starscream! |
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SOUNDWAVE (VO) To steal the world energy chip from the Autobots! And then... exterminate them! |
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DR. FUJIYAMA I only beg that she will be returned unharmed. The technical components are irreplaceable, and are needed for research. |
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JAZZ Don't worry, Dr. Fujiyama. We'll bring the little lady back in perfect condition... I hope. |
Mirage doesn't salute in the episode.
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MIRAGE The damage report is not too good, Prime. |
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PRIME Then let's get our wounded back to the base. Autobots -- transform! |
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MIRAGE Pal, remember -Ratchet's the doc! |
In the episode, this doesn't happen. Mirage places Brawn into Ratchet instead.
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Nightbird's entrance into Autobot HQ is quite different in the script. She was meant to destroy the security camera, but isn't seen doing this in the episode. Neither script mention anything about her using a grappling hook to climb up, and the sequence with Spike and Prowl in the elevator isn't in the scripts either.
In the episode, you don't see any suction cups here.
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In the episode, Nightbird doesn't slide behind Teletraan I, instead she's seen crouching down in front of it.
The script wanted Nightbird to put the chip in a bag, but in the episode she places it in a compartment on her back. Another difference here is the script doesn't call for the power to go out at Autobot HQ yet, which is what happens in the episode. In the episode, after Nightbird takes the chip, we cut to a shot of Prime and Ratchet, who say this:
RATCHET: What the?!
OPTIMUS PRIME: This can mean only one thing... an intruder.
This dialogue isn't in either script.
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MIRAGE Hey, why you're-- |
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In the episode, Mirage mouths this line, but does so using Cliffjumper's voice.
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This line was cut, it would have been the last thing said before the first act ends.
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In the episode, Jazz was given a line here which wasn't in either script: "I think we've got her now!"
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CLIFFJUMPER What's she doing? |
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OPTIMUS PRIME I wish I knew, Bluestreak. |
In the episode, only Ironhide is seen being repaired here.
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It's at this point in the script that the power to Autobot HQ was meant to turn off, but in the episode, this happens earlier. Ratchet's above line was changed to "I'll have the rest of the Autobots and Teletraan I operating in no time. Good luck."
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PRIME A simple stun ray should take care of her! Now we can take her back to Dr. Fujiyama where she belongs. |
The script has Prime say this line after he shoots Nightbird, but in the episode he says part of it before, and then the rest after shooting her.
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Prime's first fight with Nightbird was changed from what was scripted. The script wanted Prime to dodge Nightbird's first strike, and then her second attack would knock his gun out of his hand. In the episode, however, Nightbird's first attack is the one that causes Prime to lose his gun.
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This bit was also changed. In the episode, after Prime loses his gun, Nightbird hits him in the head with her sword. Bluestreak takes aim, Prime says his line, and then Nightbird moves to attack Prime again -only to have her sword shot out of her hands. In the script, however, Nightbird was meant to throw her sword at Bluestreak.
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This dialogue was scripted for Bumblebee, and it was meant to be him who handed over Nightbird's sword to Prime, but in the episode Cliffjumper was used -he has the right character model and voice actor, so the script must have been further altered later.
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The script wanted sparks to fly out of Starscream's head here, but this sadly doesn't happen in the episode. Starscream does, however, make one of the best pouting faces in the show instead.
This was cut from the episode. The original script had "replay of this Nightbird", which was changed to just "replay of Nightbird" on the revised script.
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Ironhide's line here was cut.
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RATCHET They've stolen the chip which itemizes the world's power supplies! |
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In the episode, Ratchet's line isn't a voice over, as he's in the same shot as Ironhide.
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RATCHET The only thing I can do now is get Teletraan I temporarily operational. |
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RATCHET (CONT) We've got to notify Prime immediately. We can't let the ninja deliver that world energy chip to the Decepticons! |
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OPTIMUS PRIME So that's the reason for Nightbird's visit... whoever has that chip can tap in to all the power supplies on Earth! |
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PRIME (CONT-VO) |
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PRIME (VO) Why aren't we getting any signals? |
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HOUND (CONT-VO) I have something! |
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Prime was given another line here, which wasn't in either script: "We've got the ninja trapped. I want to capture her unharmed."
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OPTIMUS PRIME Not one of my better ideas... |
In the episode, the second act ends with Nightbird raising her sword over her head, rather than twirling it around (which is what she's shown to be doing when the third act starts).
In the episode, Nightbird is seen twirling her sword around with one hand, but then what happens next is stuff that isn't in the scripts. Nightbird suddenly stops and runs away. The Autobots chase her, and Prime has a line: "follow me!" The Autobots jump up and Cliffjumper doesn't quite make it (Brawn helps him). Nightbird attempts to climb further up the canyon, but falls. After this, the on-screen action starts to match up with the script again.
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In the episode, when Nightbird throws some stars at Bluestreak and Cliffjumper, the script wanted the two Autobots to be knocked over, whilst their weapons would also fire. In the episode this was changed so their guns get knocked out of their hands.
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OPTIMUS PRIME I truly regret this... |
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The above short scene was cut from the episode.
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This line was cut. Jazz was meant to say it as he does his light and sound show.
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This line was also cut. Bluestreak was meant to say it as Nightbird stumbles.
In the episode, Bluestreak and Cliffjumper aren't seen approaching Nightbird here. But the bigger difference is that Nightbird was meant to throw a magnet at Jazz, and Jazz was meant to be in his robot mode. In the episode, Jazz transforms to his car mode and Nightbird throws two discs at his speakers.
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This line was cut. It was meant to come after the above "grab him!" line.
In the episode, Megatron's line and Starscream's scream were swapped around. Starscream was also meant to punch at Megatron and hit the cage, making him scream, but in the episode he doesn't move -yet still screams. Starscream's scream is also clearly cut off in the episode.
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MEGATRON |
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MEGATRON (VO) Impressive! I didn't know the Autobots could create an electro-mesh prison so powerful! |
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MEGATRON (CONT-VO) We must rescue her and retrieve the world energy chip at once! |
In the episode, Megatron has extra dialogue between the above two lines, which isn't in either script: "It will give us total control of this planet's energy supplies. We must not fail!"
In the episode, the shot showing Starscream in the cage scripted here is cut, along with his line.
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CLIFFJUMPER It's the energy chip she swiped from Teletraan! |
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In the script, this part is scripted to happen after Starscream escapes from the cage, whilst in the episode, it happens after. Also, Megatron's "Optimus Prime! Over here!" line was cut.
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