ACT 1
There are two scripts available for this episode. The first was written on 6/4/84, and revised 6/8/84. The other script is a revised version from 6/22/84. This script was most likely revised by Ron Friedman.
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 and revised script both mistakenly spell Jazz as "Jazzz".
The episode was meant to start out with a starry night sky, but the episode instead begins with a shot of the Autobot HQ that pans right.
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This part of the scene was cut from the episode -even when the revised script cut the dialogue down, it still didn't make it in. It seems the idea that the Autobots still wanted to go back to Cybertron was dropped from the series at this point.
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The "yup" Ironhide says at the start of his line is missing from the revised script.
Megatron originally had more dialogue after his "yet we survive" line, but the revised script has all of it crossed out, and it didn't make it into the finished episode.
This was cut from the episode, and we never do find out what Shockwave was shooting at.
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SHOCKWAVE Must try to communicate with Megatron... |
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SHOCKWAVE Are you there Megatron? |
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WORKER #1 Hey, Ed! Turn your tape player down, will ya?! |
In the early scripts for the More than Meets the Eye trilogy, Soundwave was consistently spelt as "Sound Wave", but that's been fixed in this script. This script is also the first to have Soundwave press a button on his shoulder to open his tape door, the previous scripts wanted him to pull a lever inside his stomach (although the animation always showed him pressing the shoulder button). The finished episode also has one of the workers say "what is it?!" as Soundwave presses the button, this line isn't in either of the scripts.
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MEGATRON Well done! |
This line was crossed out on the revised script, and isn't heard in the episode.
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JAZZ Uh oh, look out!! |
The above line survived in the revised script, but is not heard in the episode itself.
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The above line was in the original script, but was crossed out in the revised script.
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OPTIMUS PRIME What could be causing it? Teletraan, survey the local power stations. |
This line from Teletraan wasn't in the original script, it was added to the revised one.
This line from the original script was crossed out in the revised script, because the earlier dialogue change made it redundant.
The script states the read out text Teletraan I was meant to give, but it seems things went a bit wrong with the animation here -SOLAR became "SOLOR", POWER became "POWE" and CURRENT became "PURRENT".
This line from the original script was crossed out in the revised one.
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Whilst the script calls for the Autobots to salute here, the animation simply has them stand there and not move at all.
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OPTIMUS PRIME Hmm, over half of our force is out on patrol... |
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BUMBLEBEE Um, Bumblebee reporting for duty! |
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In the episode, Megatron grunts before saying the revised line.
The original script had this scene, which would have shown the Autobots arrive at the power station and use something called "power packs". It's not clear what these were, but they were meant to wear them. This scene is also in the revised script, the only difference is that Ironhide's "switch on power packs" line is crossed out. This sequence ended up being cut from the episode.
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Cliffjumper was scripted to try and grab Megatron. The animation is funnier than that, as it has him charge into Megatron... who doesn't feel a thing.
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The script calls for Megatron to block Prime's attack with his cannon here, but the animation shows him using his other arm.
The script calls for both Prime and Megatron to slam into a generator, then a cable would be broken as Prime pins Megatron to the generator. The animation greatly simplified this -Prime simply flings Megatron into the generator, who then gets a power boost.
The script makes a special note of Starscream's concussion blast -the camera was supposed to shake, and the vibrations would cause Ratchet and Prowl to move back. However the animation just has Starscream shoot Ratchet and Prowl's guns out of their hands. Ratchet still tells everyone to fall back though.
The script notes Starscream should fire a rocket here, but the animation shows him firing a laser. This kind of thing has happened a few times before, maybe it was simply easier for the animators to animate lasers instead.
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MEGATRON Soundwave. Prime is target, Soundwave -- fire! |
The episode's dialogue seems to have an error here. For this line, Megatron says Soundwave twice, but the first time he says it wasn't in the script. I kind of wonder if the first "Soundwave" was meant to be used earlier on in the episode, for when Megatron says "Well done"... see higher up this page for more details.
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IRONHIDE Optimus! |
The above line was crossed out in the revised script, and isn't heard in the episode. Ironhide does gasp though.
This sequence was changed for the episode. Soundwave's line here was deleted, and Laserbeak simply follows the Decepticons out instead of transforming. Megatron also had a line added instead, which isn't in the original or revised scripts: "Until next time, Prime!"
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In addition to the above change, Ironhide's groan can't be heard in the episode, despite being there in the revised script.
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RATCHET Nyah, it sure does. |
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The animation doesn't have Ratchet nod, and he also laughs before saying this line.
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JAZZ (VO) So Megatron got away with all those energon cubes, huh? |
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PROWL Yes, but he still has to find a way to get 'em back to Cybertron. |
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SPIKE And the Decepticons... they don't have a ship anymore right? PRIME I don't know. |
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OPTIMUS PRIME But I suspect they have a plan. |
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SPIKE Hey, I want to go along! Can I Bumblebee? |
The script states for Bumblebee to transform before these lines are said, but the animation has him transform after.
This dialogue is crossed out on the revised script, and not heard in the episode.
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The script states to show some Decepticon symbols on the screen here, but none are shown.
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BUMBLEBEE Ah, we're getting nowhere fast. How are we gonna spy on the Decepticons if we can't even find them? |
Page 22 of the original script isn't available, however for the revised script it is. This line is the only thing changed, Spike was originally supposed to say "down there" at the end of this line, but the revised script crossed these words out.
The episode changes this sequence so the camera pan happens a little later on. The space bridge's design was different as well, the script mentions "two large electrical posts" on it, which can't be seen in the episode itself. The script also seems to state Megatron and Starscream would be stood right next to the space bridge's entrance, but in the episode, they're stood at the opposite end of it. Megaton doesn't remove the transmitter from his own body, rather he's already got it out when he's first seen talking.
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MEGATRON the space bridge will open... in 5 seconds... |
The script has Starscream still doing his countdown whilst Spike and Bumblebee talk, but in the episode, Spike and Bumblebee say their lines first, then Starscream says the rest of the countdown. The script is missing Starscream saying "one", but the episode has him say it.
This sequence was moved back slightly, and is shown after the test vehicle enters the space bridge. Megatron's line here was cut, whilst Spike's was moved to a little later -after the vehicle is sent through the space bridge.
The script also reveals that the first vehicle the Decepticons send was supposed to be a smaller vehicle with a single energon cube in it. The animation doesn't show this, it shows a vehicle which is the same size as the one used later, and has several energon cubes in it.
The test vehicle was meant to instantly disappear according to the script, but the animation has it wait several seconds whilst the space bridge powers on first, then the vehicle can be seen flying upwards (and strangely dropping back down -presumably this was an animation error).
In the episode, Megatron's line was moved so he says it after Cybertron's space bridge doors open. As with Earth's space bridge, the script states Cybertron's space bridge would have the posts, but the design for the episode is different.
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SHOCKWAVE Test aborted. No sign of vehicle. |
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STARSCREAM Your space bridge is worthless! I will find a way to transport the cubes. |
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MEGATRON You will do nothing! The vehicle just needs guidance over the space bridge. |
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MEGATRON (VO) I want a volunteer... |
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There seems to have been a bit of confusion here. The script states that the Decepticons were to turn their heads away. But in the episode, some noise is played here (presumably footsteps of Bumblebee getting up) and the Decepticons (including Megatron) all look towards the source of it...
...and the next shot is of Bumblebee, making it look like the Decepticons are looking right at him... but they then don't react.
Unfortunately this scripted shot was cut from the episode. Without it, it makes Bumblebee look like he reversed into the river bank himself.
Whilst the script states to have Megatron block Starscream with his arm, the animation has Megatron look like he's ready to shoot Starscream in the back! Starscream's "what?!" was not in the original script, and was something added to the revised script.
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The script has Megatron laugh right before the first commercial break, but he doesn't in the episode itself.
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The script calls for Skywarp to lift up Spike by his shirt collar, but the animation has him pick him up by his shoulder instead.
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STARSCREAM Yes, you will go down in Cybertron history! |
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SPIKE By the skin of our teeth... |
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SPIKE So has Megatron -- look! |
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Here's something the animators seemed to get mixed up on. First of all, in the episode, the space bridge is activated again with nothing in it, but in the script, it was stated to deactivate instead. But the "test run aborted" line was originally spoken by Megatron. In the revised script, it was changed to Shockwave. However in the episode, it's Megatron speaking the line... with Shockwave's voice.
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MEGATRON When can the bridge be re-opened? |
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Whilst the script states Bumblebee "makes a great effort to transform", the animation just has him transform easily and quickly.
The script also called for a wide shot of the Decepticons, but instead the shot cuts straight to Starscream, who says the below line:
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Another animation cut-back -the script states for Soundwave to step out in front of the other Decepticons before launching his tapes, but this isn't shown in the animation, instead, it cuts straight to a shot of Soundwave by himself, who then presses his eject button.
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This sequence was altered at the animation stage, and some parts cut out. Bumblebee is seen making it up the embankment just fine and the note about a laser blast damaging the dirt wasn't animated. The episode dialogue was also changed so Megatron's "destroy the Autobot" line is heard after Spike's line. Spike's line was also changed to just "Go!". Soundwave recalling Ravage was cut from the episode.
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Despite being revised, this dialogue was cut from the episode.
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Bumblebee's escape has a few differences in the script compared to what the animation shows. Whilst Bumblebee is shown flying down a dune, no sand spray is ever shown. The script doesn't state for Bumblebee to try and leave the cave as soon as he goes inside it, only for him to be forced back in by Decepticon laser fire -this seems to be something the animators decided to add.
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BUMBLEBEE Too close for comfort. Hope Spike's okay. ugh, shouldn't have left him alone. |
This line is never heard in the episode.
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The script calls for Bumblebee to make some grunts when he pulls himself out of the hole, but he's not heard doing this in the episode. Another difference is the script wants to camera to pull back to reveal the two Decepticons, but in the episode, the shot cuts from Bumblebee to Skywarp, and the camera than pans left to show Starscream.
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This shot was scripted differently -Starscream and Skywarp were supposed to spin around, and the camera would cut to a shot of Megatron, where the camera would pan with him as he walks towards the other Decepticons. However in the episode, the shot is stationary, and Starscream and Skywarp don't turn around. Skywarp's line here also isn't via a voice over -his mouth animates as he says it.
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The above dialogue was scripted to happen after Megatron reveals the tube thing he attaches to Bumblebee, but the animation has him reveal it during saying these lines.
The script calls for Megatron to connect his tube onto a connector in Bumblebee's chest, but the animation has it attached directly to his head.
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MEGATRON (CONT-VO) Once I've altered his memory chips, he will lead the Autobots to their doom! |
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SPARKPLUG Something's happened to Spike and Bumblebee. We've gotta get -- |
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BUMBLEBEE Spike was captured by the Decepticons. They're gonna send him to Cybertron over, over some kind of space bridge! |
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SPARKPLUG Wait a minute -nobody's sending my kid anywhere! |
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In the episode, the shot cuts straight to Laserbeak, and then the camera pans left to reveal the Autobots.
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The Autobots are not seen transforming here -after Prime tells them to roll out, they've transformed off-screen. Sparkplug isn't seen in Ratchet. What's interesting here however is that the script refers to Ratchet as transforming into a Lancia... which is what Wheeljack transforms into. This might have simply been a mistake by the writers, or perhaps not -the script for this episode states for Wheeljack to transform into a van rather than a Lancia. Perhaps originally Wheeljack was Ironhide or Ratchet, but then had his name switched.
The script states for Laserbeak to shriek when he enters the Decepticon HQ, but in the episode he doesn't make any noise. However, the episode does have him shriek as he flies away from the Autobot HQ -the script didn't ask for that.
The script states for Soundwave to push his open door button here, but the animation doesn't show him do this -instead, his chest door is already open.
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OPTIMUS PRIME'S VOICE (VO) Then there's no time to waste... |
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This sequence was cut from the episode. Megatron's line was revised (the original script had it as "prepare for battle!"), but in the end it didn't matter.
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BUMBELBEE The space bridge is inside. IRONHIDE Bumblebee's never wrong, Prime. |
For some reason the script makes a special note of stating to not show Ratchet transforming here.
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The above sequence was cut from the episode.
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BUMBLEBEE Aaahh!! Oooh! |
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The script notes to show sparks as Laserbeak struggles in the net, but none are animated.
The script states Ironhide should throw Soundwave into a wall, but the animation doesn't show this -Ironhide grapples with Soundwave, but then the shot cuts to Megatron. Ironhide is seen seemingly dropping Soundwave to the floor a few seconds later.
The script also wanted Ironhide to be dusting off his own hands here, but the animation doesn't show it. Instead, he just stands there looking directly at Megatron about to blast him, which is a bit odd.
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MEGATRON Yes, making it easier to cut you down to size! |
The script calls for Megatron to reveal his buzzsaw before speaking the above line, but in the episode he does it after saying it.
This sequence was cut from the episode. In the revised script, all of the dialogue here is crossed out and not replaced with anything.
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MEGATRON Excellent -- we'll be there! |
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STARSCREAM Starscream, retreat?! Never! |
The script calls for Starscream to use cluster bombs here, but the animation just has him fire his regular old lasers.
The script also wanted some Autobot laser fire here, but none is shown in the episode. The Decepticons leave the cave without being shot at.
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The note about Starscream giving a puzzled reaction isn't shown in the episode.
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The above sequence was cut from the episode.
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The script mentions about Ratchet using a "circuit censor" here, but this isn't shown in the episode.
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In the revised script, Ratchet's dialogue here is crossed out, but the whole thing was cut from the episode anyway.
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The above sequence was cut from the episode.
This line of Prime's isn't heard in the episode.
Megatron was supposed to be talking into the transmitter he had earlier here, according to the script. But the animation has him talking into a computer console.
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The script states the vehicle has "new, mechanical arms" to hold Spike with, but Spike just appears to have a couple of straps on instead. The script also states to show damage to the vehicle from the previous run, but none can be seen on it in the episode.
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The script states for the Autobots to use a variety of projectiles here, but the animation has everyone firing the usual lasers. Even though Ironhide is seen using a rocket launcher, it still fires lasers.
Some scripted battle scene stuff that didn't make it into the episode. The Decepticons are shown stumbling around as they get blasted, but aren't shown taking off or firing back. The sequence where Starscream and Skywarp fire missiles only to have them shot down was cut, and there's a mention of more Autobot weapon variety that never gets shown, including the "volt beams".
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The above sequence was cut from the episode.
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Couple of small differences here. Firstly, Megatron isn't seen moving out of shot. Secondly, the above shot of Prime firing lasers to open the vehicle's canopy isn't scripted.
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What is shown in the episode for this part is a bit different to what was scripted. In the episode the Autobots shoot the vehicle before Megatron says his "over the bridge" line. Prime's "fire" line was cut. The script states that the energon cube's explosion is what knocks Megatron into the space bridge, but in the episode, the Autobots actually shoot Megatron himself, causing the energon cubes he'd picked up to blow up and knock him back. Megatron's "deactivate" line was also cut.
This short sequence was changed, Starscream's first line was altered to "Return to base.", whilst Skywarp's line was cut entirely. Because of this, the scripted shot of Starscream intimidating Skywarp was also cut. Instead, the animation has two Starscreams next to each other in error. The original script had "Megatron is gone!", the revised script changed "gone" to "dead".
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Whilst Spike's line here was crossed out in the revised script, he still says it in the episode. Bumblebee doesn't honk his horn though.
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The above dialogue was cut from the episode.
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