An original script for this episode can be read at the Sunbow and Marvel Productions Script/Storyboard Archive. The script was written by Michael Charles Hill on 9/16/85.

One of the big differences with this episode is that it originally had a different title: 30 Seconds Over Megatron. This was likely a reference to the film Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, which most likely would have flown over any kid's head, so changing the name to Starscream's Brigade was a good move.

ACT 1

This shot of a tank getting hit by a missile was cut.

In the episode, no calendar appears on the screen. Instead, it just states "GUADAL CANAL 1985" in white letters and numbers. The script doesn't mention about having the words "DECEPTICON H.Q. PRESENT TIME" appear on the screen, but this text appears in the episode.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON (VO) Shockwave is an ideal soldier. He's both humble and respectful.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM Shockwave has much to be humble about. Who can respect a leader who cannot so much as defeat the Autobots?!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM Decepticons, feast your eyes on your new leader!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM You're... you're dead! I terminated you! MEGATRON Fool! I cannot be terminated by a single blast from your puny weapon!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON (CONT) I'm sick of your endless quest for power...

In the episode, the Decepticons just stand there and stare at Starscream.

The script states for Megatron to laugh before saying the below line, but in the episode, he doesn't laugh.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON You're a fool, Starscream, if you think that anyone will ever follow your orders!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM Just wait, Megatron! One of these days, I will have my revenge!

The script oddly states to show Megatron squeezing the trigger of his cannon, but his cannon doesn't have one, so it's not shown in the episode.

Most of the above was cut, other than the shot of Starscream falling.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Get him out of my sight!

In the episode, Laserbeak doesn't circle around, and drops off Starscream straight away.

In the episode, Starscream lands on his front, rather than his back.

In the episode, Starscream isn't seen going under a palm tree.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM (CONT) What happened?

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM (CONT) Yes... Megatron exiled me! Me, Starscream!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM (CONT) He made a fool out of me in front of the other Decepticons! They'll never respect me as a leader now!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM (CONT-VO) A wing from an old fighter plane the flesh creatures used in their wars!

In the episode, Starscream doesn't use the wing as a shovel, he starts digging with his hands instead.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM Hmm, reminds me of that two-faced loud-mouth Blitzwing!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM (CONT) Yes, if Megatron can have his Blitzwing... so can I!

The script wanted to have Starscream start burying everything he found, but in the episode he's seen dusting off the top of the tank.

In the episode, Skywarp says this line instead of Thundercracker.

This sequence was cut from the episode, and replaced with the door just sliding open.

The script says the box Starscream pulls out should glow green, and have text on it that would state what was in it. In the episode, the animators somehow appear to have mistaken it for an energon cube -it glows pink and a humming sound effect can be heard as Starscream pulls it out.

This line was cut.

All of the above dialogue was cut.

In the episode, the robot modes of the Combaticons look fine, but the script wanted them to look a little beat up.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM (VO) Brawl! Swindle! Blast Off! Vortex! and Onslaught!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	BLAST OFF Yes, I wouldn't want to be seen by anyone I know in this get-up!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM (VO) I am Starscream, and I just freed your hides from the Decepticon detention center on Cybertron!

This line was cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM (CONT) In return, I command you to assist me in dethroning Megatron!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	BRAWL What's to stop us from beating you into scrap iron instead?

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM Heh heh. The fact that I have not equipped you with energy absorbers!

In the episode, the Combaticon's don't make any ad lib sounds here. They actually huddle, something which wasn't scripted for them to do.

The above was all cut. It was scripted to happen after Onslaught's "we will obey you for now" line.

This was cut from the episode.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	TV REPORTER Hi! This is Marty Minkler, reporting live! Today we are witnessing a historic occasion.

The above was cut.

In the episode, Cliffjumper doesn't do this, he points to himself instead.

The above was all cut from the episode.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	TV REPORTER What the?!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	JAZZ They must be -their leader is Starscream!

In the episode, the crowd don't make any noise as they run away from Brawl's attack.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	JAZZ Piece 'o cake! We can take these... ooooooooon!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM Ahahahaha! I've won! I've won! The first battle goes to Starscream, and his army of Combaticons! Ahhaha!

In the episode, Starscream says a line here which isn't in the script: "And Megatron is next!"

ACT 2

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM Hahaha, it's great to return victorious!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM (CONT) And any doubts I had about your abilities are a thing of the past!

This was cut. It was meant to come before Blast Off's "might even say stupendous" line.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	BRAWL Why you wimps! Not one of you has the muscle to stand up to those Autobots alone! If I hadn't been there, they'd be picking up your parts with an electro-magnet!

Onslaught and Vortex have some dialogue here which isn't in the script:

ONSLAUGHT: Nonsense, it was my plan that caused the Autobot's downfall!
VORTEX: Your plan?! It was my vortex that put them out of commission!

In the episode, Starscream shoots at Onslaught and Vortex, rather than stepping between them.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM Well, I can't play favorites now, can I? Nobody gets an energy absorber until we capture three more Transformers!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON The Autobots! Now they've really done it! They've gone too far this time! I shall crush them once and for all!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME Strange. Most of the Decepticon attacks are related to their incessant need for energy.

The above lines were cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME Everyone, roll out!

The script doesn't mention have the Autobots transform here, but in the episode, they transform before they exit their HQ, then transform back to their robot modes again once they get outside.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME I've got a demand of my own, Megatron: release Jazz and Cliffjumper!

In the episode, Megatron has some extra dialogue here. Before he says the above line, he says "Jazz... Cliffjumper?". Megatron doesn't turn to Thrust, and Thrust doesn't lower his gun or shrug his shoulders (Thrust is still present in the shot, but he just keeps firing). Another extra line here which wasn't in the script is Megatron's "Wait, maybe it wasn't Prime after all! Maybe...".

This was cut. In the episode, Thrust is seen transforming with some of the other jets, and retreats without firing.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME I don't know the answer to that either...

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME Teletraan I -we need to know everything you have on the history of renegade Decepticons.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	TELETRAAN I (CONT-VO) Under direct orders from Megatron, Shockwave had their personality components removed from their structures. The structures were subsequently destroyed.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	POWERGLIDE And Starscream must have stolen the components to create his own army!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME So that's what this is all about! It's a power struggle between Megatron and Starscream!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME (CONT) Well their little domestic squabble is none of our concern. But rescuing Jazz and Cliffjumper is! Autobots... transform!

This was mostly cut -the Decepticons are briefly seen standing next to the trains, but it's not clear that they're getting "juiced-up". Megatron isn't seen repairing his cannon at all.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Where is that fool Starscream?!

These lines were all cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM (VO) Right here, Megatron...

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM (CONT-VO) ...behind you!

These lines were cut. In the episode, Starscream is seen walking towards Megatron, but there's no shadows involved in the animation. The Combaticons only point their weapons at Megatron, as there are no other Decepticons around in the shot.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM (CONT) And this "fool" is taking his rightful place in Decepticon hierarchy as of right now!

This was cut from the episode.

In the episode, Swindle has a line between the above two lines, which wasn't in the script: "Bye bye, Megatron!"

ACT 3

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM (VO) And don't think that it hasn't been fun!

In the episode, Soundwave makes no noise when Swindle's blast hits him.

The above line was cut, it was meant to be said before the following line:

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Mu ha ha, I see incompetence breeds even more incompetence, mu ha ha ha ha!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	BRAWL Pipe down, Starscream! We'll save your cowardly hide!

The above was cut from the episode.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SOUNDWAVE Re-energization of troops incomplete. Must withdraw!

The above was all cut from the episode. Instead, after Soundwave's "must withdraw" line, Megatron says "Decepticons, retreat!".

In the episode, Megatron and his group crash out of the ceiling, and Starscream's group don't fire at them.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM (VO) They're getting away!

In the episode, Brawl doesn't tap Starscream with his gun.

These lines were cut. It was replaced with some new dialogue for Swindle and Brawl:

SWINDLE: "Yeah, Soundwave was about to blow a hole in your chassis!"
BRAWL: "You're wearing us out! And you still haven't given us any energy absorbers!"

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	VORTEX Maybe you'd like to go for a whirl!

These lines were all cut.

In the episode, Ramjet and Dirge are seen lying on top of a wrecked train.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM That brings our energy absorber count to four! Only one more to go, then you can all be recharged!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM Remember, I'm the only one who knows how to install them! And I will, as soon as we defeat Megatron!

The above sequence was cut.

The above was all cut from the episode.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME Powerglide, I want you to patrol the area for Starscream and his sidekicks.

This line was cut, and the Aerialbots aren't seen in this episode at all.

Ravage doesn't make an appearance in this scene, so the above doesn't happen.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON We will exterminate him and those who follow him!

All of the above was cut from the episode.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Summon the other Decepticons!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON My power must not be usurped!

In the episode, the above was cut. However in the episode, there is a sequence before this where Soundwave tries to summon the Stunticons, but Drag Strip says he and his team are having a demolition derby. This wasn't in the script, and the Stunticons weren't originally meant to appear in this episode at all. The original ending for this episode was quite different, as you'll see further down.

In the episode, it's not just Starscream who gets juiced-up here -the Combaticons do as well, even though they shouldn't be able to.

This sequence was cut.

Some of the Combaticons have some dialogue as they charge up, these lines weren't in the script:

BLAST OFF: Aah, this is more like it!
SWINDLE: Mmm, you said it -nothing like getting juiced up on energy!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM Alright, let's go! Megatron will not wait long before he launches his assault on us!

This line was cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SWINDLE It's too late -he's found us!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Attack!!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Starscream -surrender or be destroyed!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM Never, Megatron. I've taken it this far, I won't stop now!

The above was all cut from the episode.

The shot of Megatron firing made it into the episode, but he never says this line.

Powerglide isn't seen flying towards the camera in the episode. As mentioned before, the Aerialbots don't appear in the episode, although in this shot Powerglide is colored white -possibly the animators mistaking him for an Aerialbot?

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME This is Prime.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	POWERGLIDE (VO) Have found Starscream and the Combaticons engaged in a firefight with Megatron and the Decepticons. They're at the Amalgamated water and power plant on the north side.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME Continue monitoring their activities. The Autobots and I will join you momentarily!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	POWERGLIDE (VO) Roger -out!

In the episode, Devastator laughs after he forms, but he wasn't scripted to laugh here.

However he was scripted to laugh here, and also shoot lasers from his eyes. In the episode he doesn't laugh, and fires from his gun.

In the episode, the above line isn't a voice over.

In the episode, you don't see the head of Bruticus rise out of his chest, instead we see a long shot of his arms attaching, whilst his head is already out. Bruticus also has a line after he transforms, which isn't in the script: "Make Bruticus... angry!"

The script has the above note about Bruticus being much larger than Devastator, but in the episode they appear to be around the same size.

In the episode, this sequence was changed. Bruticus says "Bruticus... devastate... Devastator!" and then charges into him, sending him flying back. Devastator gets up and charges, only for Bruticus to punch him and send him flying back again.

Megatron's line here was cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	OPTIMUS PRIME Jazz and Cliffjumper appear to be safe! Grapple, Ratchet -now, go get Jazz and Cliffjumper!

In the episode, the above line isn't a voice over.

In the episode, some extra dialogue was added between the above two lines:

MEGATRON: Never!
STARSCREAM: Bruticus?

Bruticus then moves in and grabs Megatron, and Megatron says "Nooo!". In the script, Bruticus doesn't grab Megatron until after Megatron shouts "YOU ARE!". Starscream then has one extra line that's not in the script:

STARSCREAM: Now, Megatron. Who is the new Decepticon leader?!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Enough! You are.

In the episode, Prime's line was moved forwards (see above) and Grapple and Ratchet don't transform, they instead just run towards Jazz and Cliffjumper.

And here's the biggest difference. In the script, Bruticus was to abandon Starscream, but then run out of power and crash, allowing Megatron and the Decepticons to see to Starscream. In the episode, this was all removed, and features a scene of the Stunticons arriving. After a brief debate on whether or not to save Megatron, they transform into Menasor and punch Bruticus, defeating him and Starscream.

This line was cut, replaced with Megatron saying "This time, it really is goodbye, Starscream!".

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	MEGATRON Astrotrain -get him and his giant ally off this planet!

This was mostly cut from the episode -Megatron's line did make it in, but is said via voice over and was changed slightly: "They are banished from Earth -forever!"

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	STARSCREAM I shall have my revenge!