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 Dick Robbins, Bryce Malek and Alfred A. Pegal on 7/9/1984. There is then also a revised script, with dialogue updates from Ron Friedman which was done on 7/11/84. This was followed up by a final script (which is the other script available) which had further dialogue updates. The final script is dated 7/19/84.
As with the script for this episode, Jazz is spelt as "Jazzz".
The scripts refer to Skyfire as Jetfire. As this video proves, the entire recording session had everyone call the character Jetfire, so the dialogue had to be recorded again later, to change the name to Skyfire.
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In the episode, Bumblebee says "I'll" rather than "I".
The script wanted to use Bumblebee here, but the animation shows Cliffjumper.
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The script wanted to feature some "Decepticon workers" in this episode, who would look like Skywarp and Thundercracker, but they aren't featured in the episode at all. Instead, Reflector was used.
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In the episode, Rumble's mouth animates for this grunt, but no noise is heard.
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RUMBLE What's that? |
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SKYWARP We... we found something... |
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MEGATRON Starscream, I want a clearer look. |
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This sequence was cut from the episode. It was meant to happen right after Megatron's "unknown classification" line.
Megatron doesn't say "We may be able to revive him!" in the episode.
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In the revised script, this line is crossed out, and isn't heard in the episode.
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Spike isn't seen doing this, which sucks.
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In the episode, Soundwave's line isn't heard here, it gets used a little later on.
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The script wanted Thundercracker to use the machine, but the animation shows Soundwave using it.
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In the episode, Megatron says "Starscream" at the start of this line, rather than the end.
The script didn't want Starscream to turn around when saying the below line, but in the episode that's exactly what he does.
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The script called for Thundercracker to be used here, but in the episode, it's Soundwave. And Soundwave says "Also, cyber-motor relays are useless" here. This is a slightly different take on a scripted line he was supposed to say earlier (see above).
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The script mentions that in the flashback scene, Starscream should transform into a Cybertron aircraft rather than an Earth jet... I guess the animators didn't want to be particular about it.
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This dialogue of Megatron's was cut from the episode.
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STARSCREAM (CONT-VO) ...what was an uncharted planet at that time... this one... Earth! |
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The script wanted a down shot here, to show off Skyfire's huge size. However the shot doesn't look like what the writer wanted.
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This dialogue was cut from the episode.
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OPTIMUS PRIME (VO) Indeed... very pleasing to my optic sensors. |
This line is crossed out on the revised script, and isn't heard in the episode.
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This sequence and dialogue was cut from the episode.
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The above sequence and dialogue was cut from the episode.
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The animation doesn't show Spike cupping his hands when he yells out the below line.
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The script wanted to show Hound holding Cliffjumper back, but the animation has this shot of Hound with his hand up instead. He doesn't fire either.
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In the episode, Sparkplug starts his line off with "He's".
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SKYFIRE (CONT-VO) I'll prove we are not evil! |
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SKYFIRE I'll take you to Megatron, my leader. |
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SKYFIRE (CONT-VO) He'll show you that you have nothing to fear. |
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In the revised script, Ron tried to change this line to something else, but ended up crossing out what he put and putting it back as what it was in the original script.
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In the episode, Skyfire says "This is wrong!" at the end of this line, rather than the start.
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MEGATRON Then you overstepped your authority. |
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This was cut from the episode. Instead, Starscream simply turns around and shoots Skyfire. He also says the below line before firing.
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This dialogue was scripted to be said before the below line, but in the episode, it's said after it. Sparkplug isn't seen shaking his head.
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In the episode, Skyfire's mouth animates for this line, so it's not a voice over. The line below, however, is.
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The animators went with the Autobots suggested here, but also threw in Ratchet.
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In the episode, Hound says "C'mon, guys" at the end of this line rather than the start.
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SPIKE (VO) Please, help! |
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In the episode, Bumblebee gasps before saying this line.
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MEGATRON Ahh, the work goes well. Soon we will have all the energon cubes we need... |
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STARSCREAM Then we'll soon return to Cybertron... |
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This line was crossed out on the revised script, and isn't heard in the episode.
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OPTIMUS PRIME We'll maintain the prearranged search pattern. We don't want to roll around in circles. |
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In the episode, Bumblebee laughs before saying this line.
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The script called for Starscream to be smiling when saying the line below, but in the episode he's not smiling.
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STARSCREAM (CONT) But because of our old friendship, I shall be generous. |
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In the episode, Starscream doesn't laugh after saying the revised line.
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The dialogue for Jazz and Bumblebee here was crossed out on the revised script, and isn't heard in the episode.
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Before Megatron says the above line, the episode has him throw an energon cube at Starscream's head. This action wasn't in the script.
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The script wanted to use Jazz for this shot, but the animators switched him out with Gears for some reason.
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Megatron doesn't laugh when ripping off a crystal shard, and in the script he does it before saying the below line. However the animation has him doing it after saying it.
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The script really doesn't give the animators much to go on for Prime and Megatron's fight. The stuff like Megatron vaulting over Prime, and Prime spinning his crystal shard around rapidly, were something the animators must have come up with.
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In the episode, Skyfire says "I take no orders from you" before and during the part where he rips off the Decepticon patch. He says the other part of the line after he puts on the Autobot patch.
Most viewers tend to laugh at Reflector's stupid battle maneuver here, and rightly so. In the script this sequence was stated to feature some Decepticons, but doesn't say who.
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The script wanted Skyfire to unleash a really massive laser blast, but the animators drew something pretty weedy looking.
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SPIKE But Skyfire is... is gone! |
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In the episode, Optimus says "will live" rather than "shall live".
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