The Master Builders script differences -RQ87's The Transformers coverage

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 N. Gottlieb and Herb Engelhardt on 1/25/85. There is a circle note on the script saying this was then revised on 1/30/85. There is then also a revised script, with dialogue updates from Ron Friedman which was done on 1/31/85.

Some of the revised dialogue is what's used in the episode, but quite a bit of it was further changed later.

ACT 1

ACT 2

ACT 3

Both scripts still refer to Scavenger as "Scrounge" in the cast list, but within the script's other pages the correct name is used.

ACT 1

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

In the episode, Powerglide doesn't say the "and" for this line.

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ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

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		STARSCREAM (VO) What goes up, must come down!

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		GRAPPLE One more connection Hoist, and my solar tower model will be finished.

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		GRAPPLE Here comes the sun!

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		HOIST It's amazing, Grapple!

This line was not in the original script, and was one Ron added.

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		GRAPPLE But will Optimus Prime like it?

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		HOIST I'm sure he'll be impressed!

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		GRAPPLE Well, if he's not impressed, I'll... be depressed.

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		HOIST Don't worry about it. Now come on...

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		HOIST I'll help you present it!

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In the episode, Grapple isn't seen reacting to Wheeljack's compliment. No other Autobots are seen looking at the model as Grapple and Hoist wheel it around.

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		SPIKE (VO) Try to keep me from taking the ball...

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		SPIKE The word is "dribbling", Optimus...

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This line was cut from the episode. Spike was meant to say it as Prime spins the ball on his finger.

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		HOIST (VO) Look at this!

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		PRIME Just what does your "doo-hickey" do?

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		GRAPPLE N-nothing really, it's just a model of a solar power tower.

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EPISODE DIALOGUE

HOIST
Don't be so modest, Grapple. The real tower will create giga watts of energy, and it'll also...

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		GRAPPLE Cool it, Hoist! Prime, we want to construct a full size tower -the energy benefits would be enormous!

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		PRIME I agree completely... but how do you intend to protect it from the Decepticons?

This shot of Grapple was cut. It was meant to be shown between the above and below lines from Prime.

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		PRIME Perhaps you didn't consider that. GRAPPLE No Optimus... I'm afraid I didn't.

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		PRIME Then I must regretfully withhold approval of the tower...

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		PRIME (CONT-VO) If it ever fell into Megatron's hands...

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This line was cut.

The script wanted Teletraan I to display "INCOMING ALERT", but in the episode it displays an Autobot insignia.

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		TELETRAAN I (VO) Condition Magenta! Powerglide shot down by enemy fire in sector three! Emergency! Emergency!

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		HOIST Say no more Prime. Let's go, Grapple! The action will do us a world of good.

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EPISODE DIALOGUE

GRAPPLE
Yeah... I suppose you're right, Hoist.

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The above line was cut.

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This line was not in the original script. In the episode, Powerglide says "Hey hey hey" rather than "Hey hey ho".

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		POWERGLIDE (VO) Thanks a zillion! And away we go!

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		GRAPPLE You see the value of my power tower, don't you Hoist. HOIST Of course I do. GRAPPLE Well then, let's built it -you and I.

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		HOIST What?

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		HOIST I heard you the first time! But you must have a glitch in your circuits. Optimus Prime said NO!!!

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EPISODE DIALOGUE

GRAPPLE
We can't let the Decepticons intimate us! Think of the energy is would create!

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		GRAPPLE Yes... I guess you're right. I suppose it is a selfish dream...

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		GRAPPLE (CONT-VO) But someday, somehow, my solar power is going to become a reality.

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EPISODE DIALOGUE

Uh, Grapple, I don't like the vibrations here. Let's... roll.

In the episode, Hoist and Grapple transform before Scavenger pushes the boulder down.

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		HOIST (VO) Quick -- reverse!

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		GRAPPLE (VO) We're trapped!

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		HOIST And miss a chance to nail you? Never!

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SCRIPTS	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	GRAPPLE (CONT-VO) Landslide!

ACT 2

The above was cut from the episode.

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		GRAPPLE We're stuck!

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This line was cut from the episode.

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In the episode this line is not a voice over.

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		GRAPPLE Wait -- let's hear what the Constructicon has to say.

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EPISODE DIALOGUE

SCRAPPER
It's simple -if we'd wanted to destroy you, you'd be ten feet under by now.

BONECRUSHER
And we could still finish the job...

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		SCRAPPER None of that, Bonecrusher! We've got no grievances against these two...

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		SCRAPPER We've left Megatron!

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EPISODE DIALOGUE

SCRAPPER (CONT-VO)
He took us for granted... ignored our potential.

The Constructicon's ad libs were cut.

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		SCRAPPER Back on Cybertron, we all admired your buildings, Grapple. They were works of art...

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		SCRAPPER (CONT) So why can't we pool our skills now?

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		HOIST But they're Decepticons, Grapple! Could we ever trust them completely?

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		SCRAPPER I must have your decision!

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EPISODE DIALOGUE

GRAPPLE
And we must have proof that you're telling the truth!

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		HOIST This feels dangerous, Grapple... SCRAPPER You shall have the proof you require!

In the scripts it was Hoist who wanted to go along with the Constructicons first, but in the finished episode it's Grapple who wants to side with them.

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		MEGATRON Ah, my "loyal" Constructions... you are loyal, aren't you? No! You're traitors!

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		MEGATRON (CONT) And you can't deny it!

This line is not a voice over in the episode.

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EPISODE DIALOGUE

HOOK
We're still working for you, and for the glory of the Decepticons.

BONECRUSHER
You see, we eavesdropped on their plans...

LONG HAUL
Plans to build a whopper solar tower...

SCAVENGER
That'll produce mega watts of energy!

MIXMASTER
Energy we could use to destroy the Autobots! Get it? Get it?! Huh ha ha!

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		MEGATRON Perhaps this can be used to our advantage...

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		MEGATRON (CONT) But be warned -do not betray me!!

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		SCAVENGER We won't, Megatron! Not us! SCRAPPER But we need proof of our "good faith" to convince Grapple, oh noble Megatron.

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		MEGATRON Then you must give him my most precious possession! (laughs evilly)

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		GRAPPLE We've got to risk it!

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		SCRAPPER We stole them from Megatron. Is that proof enough?

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		GRAPPLE Yes... my dream is coming true!

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This was crossed out on both the original and revised scripts. It's an discarded attempt at describing what the Constructicons would be doing to build the tower. It's followed by this:

Some of the stuff described above happens in the tower building montage, but some of it doesn't. Scrapper's voice over dialogue was cut.

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
		GRAPPLE As soon as my power tower is finished, I must find a place to sign my name... in very large letters!

Optimus has a line here which isn't in the scripts: "He shoots, he scores, what a star!" But remember this for later.

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		PRIME Watch out, Spike -I'm driving for a lay-off!

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
		SPIKE It's called a lay-up, Prime! And watch out for Tracks!

Prime's shoots and scores line was meant to be said here, according to the script. But the line was different and mentioned Magic Johnson.

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		PRIME That's not like Hoist.

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This line was cut.

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

EPISODE DIALOGUE

PRIME
I'll call him in for a talk...

SPIKE
He's not here, Prime. He and Grapple have been gone all day!

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		PRIME Then maybe Powerglide oughta go search for them...

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		GRAPPLE What do you mean, you don't understand how to weld the joints? Follow my plans! SCAVENGER You drew them neat -but when I do them, they come out sloppy... maybe I just don't have the knack!

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		SCAVENGER Temperature and timing! You're something else!

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		HOOK We need you top side, Grapple. Got a panel problem.

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		GRAPPLE See? It's not a problem, Hook -this swivel allows the panel to track the sun.

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

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		LONG HAUL Ugh, get this -bring that! I thought I was finally gonna build somethin'!

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		GRAPPLE You are! You're building my greatest creation! I-I-I-I'm so excited I'm shorting my own circuits!

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		HOIST! Monumental, Grapple! GRAPPLE Yes! It's amazing what friends can do together!

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		POWERGLIDE Hey, Optimus -- get on the horn! Ol' Powerglide just spotted your lost sheepacrons.

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		POWERGLIDE I'm zooming down for a closer eyeball...

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		POWERGLIDE (VO-CONT) (whistles) I'm afraid you're not gonna like it when you see it.

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		PRIME Patch me in!

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EPISODE DIALOGUE

POWERGLIDE (VO)
You got it, big fellah! Grapple and Hoist with some Constructicons!

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		PRIME They'd better have an explanation.

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EPISODE DIALOGUE

PRIME
Disaster code blue! Assemble strike force -now!

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

The revised script changes any instance of "orb" with "sphere".

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		GRAPPLE My power tower will be powerless, unless we can get the sun focusing sphere up there! Oh, why didn't I see this predicament before?

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		HOIST No Autobot's perfect, Grapple. But don't fret, we'll get the sphere up there somehow.

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

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		SCRAPPER (CONT) Merge into...

This line for Devastator, which was added to the revised script, isn't heard in the episode.

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		GRAPPLE Hoist, we're done!

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

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		MEGATRON Magnificent! Now the gullible twosome shall perish in their own tower! Hahahaha!

Act 2 was meant to end with the sounds of demolition, but in the episode nothing like that is heard.

ACT 3

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		MEGATRON Report, Scrapper!

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		SCRAPPER Four hundred energon cubes fully charged -any more on the way!

Optimus has a line here which isn't in any of the scripts: "Autobots, battle formation! Roll!". Also of note is that in the scripts, the Autobots were meant to be shown rolling before the scene where Scrapper reports to Megatron about the energon cubes, whilst in the episode, it happens after.

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		SPIKE Man, look at that! That's so tall the top is in a different time zone than the bottom!

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

This line was cut.

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		PRIME No sign of Grapple or Hoist.

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

SCRIPTS	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PRIME Autobots... attack!

The revised script added some dialogue here. Whilst Scrapper's line made it into the episode, Warpath's didn't.

Whilst Smokescreen is seen firing in the episode here, he's still in his car mode, and fires lasers from his lights. The shot of Scavenger getting shocked was moved back to happen after the below line:

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

The script suggests using stock footage of the Constructicons transforming into Devastator, but the animators went all out and did a brand new (and quite slow) animation instead.

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

In the episode, before Devastator starts firing eye lasers, he says a line which wasn't in the scripts: "A trap it is, Optimus Prime -and no way out!"

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

In the episode, Devastator has a line here which wasn't in the scripts: "Hu hah! I will not be stopped, especially not by Autobots!"

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

The script wanted a microphone to come out of Megatron's chest, but in the episode he presses a button and a compartment opens on his chest, which he takes some binoculars out of.

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
		RAMJET (VO) Right, Megatron! I will knock that flying scrap-heap right off his after burners!

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
		POWERGLIDE (VO) Yooow! Goin' in to lay a bomb on his chin! Woah!

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

REVISED SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	WARPATH Whack! Zack! Zorch!

Warpath's line, which was added onto the revised script, isn't heard in the episode.

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ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
		PRIME Now! Let him know you are there!

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

In the episode, Smokescreen's horn isn't heard here.

In addition to laughing, Devastator was given a line here which isn't in the scripts: "We'll both get a kick out of this!"

SCRIPTS	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	PRIME Smokescreen! Burn rubber!!

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

The above was all cut from the episode.

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
		PRIME (CONT-VO) Clear this debris away. Our friends may by underneath.

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

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		PRIME Keep searching! If Hoist and Grapple are here we must find them.

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		IRONHIDE (VO) Hey, anybody want some economy sized wall plaques?

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In the episode, Grapple and Hoist don't look quite as battered as the script wanted them to be.

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

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		PRIME Apologies accepted! Now, we'd better get to headquarters for repairs.

ORIGINAL SCRIPT	REVISED SCRIPT

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		HOIST They'll be other towers to design and build, Grapple.

In the episode, this line is not a voice over.

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		HOIST Incredible. Absolutely incredible!

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