An original script for this episode can be read at the Sunbow and Marvel Productions Script/Storyboard Archive. The script was written by Tony Cinciripini and Larry Leahy on 7/11/86.

ACT 1

ACT 2

ACT 3

The original title for this episode was "Fight or Die". Surprisingly Rodimus was never scripted to say this later -his line was always "fight or flee":

ACT 1

In the episode, Air Raid doesn't laugh before saying this line.

The animation doesn't match up with what was scripted here. Scourge appears to adjust an invisible dial on the side of his head.

In the episode, this dialogue was swapped around.

Cyclonus and Scourge aren't shown taking hits in the episode. The script also wanted Silverbolt to be in his jet mode for this fight, but in the episode he's in robot mode.

This was cut from the episode. During this battle, only the usual lasers are ever used.

These lines were cut. Scourge and Cyclonus also crash into Superion, and bounce off him. The script states they should "nearly collide" with him.

This sequence with Superion was cut.

None of the dialogue scripted here is heard in the episode.

In the episode, Cyclonus doesn't point whilst he says this, as he' still in his jet mode.

There is a note from the story editor in the script, which mentions about how Paradron should be purely mechanical. It appears the animators did take some notice of this, as there are no rivers in the episode, but the ground Cyclonus and Scourge crash on is clearly not made out of metal.

Cyclonus has a voice over line here, which isn't in the script: "Who knows, Scourge, who knows..."

This line isn't heard here, but is used later after Scourge says "what's happening?". Cyclonus hits Sandstorm with his left arm in the episode, instead of his right arm.

In the episode, Scourge laughs after saying this line, which isn't scripted.

In the episode, the doors just open normally here, so Scourge and Cyclonus are able to enter the room without making any ruckus.

This Autobot should look like a primitive Blaster, according to the script. He doesn't really look like Blaster at all in the episode though.

Scourge was supposed to kick this Autobot through the ceiling, according to the script. In the episode, he kicks him across the room, making him crash into a monitor.

Cyclonus has a line here which isn't in the script: "Everybody's gotta be somewhere."

The writers must not have been aware that they shouldn't be using Shrapnel any more. In the episode, Soundwave says this line, but he does so in Shrapnel's voice.

In the episode, the dialogue for the Autobot and Scourge was delayed and said at the end of the scene. In the script, it was meant to be said before the other Decepticons arrive.

In the episode, none of the Autobots kneel until after Galvatron shoots at the Autobot. The violence here was toned down -the script wanted the reluctant to kneel Autobot to be sent plummeting through the planet, but in the episode after the floor explodes, it cuts to the next shot, leaving the Autobot's fate unclear.

The above was all cut from the episode.

This shot was supposed to be shown when Sandstorm is seen standing next to the cell door -but in the episode, it's shown after the below shot:

In the episode Sandstorm is seen using a laser on the bars of his cell's window.

This shot was cut.

In the episode, whilst Sandstorm is seen dodging Brawl's shots, he never gets flipped over.

These lines were cut.

Sandstorm isn't heard shouting before the first act ends.

ACT 2

Razorclaw's line here was cut, whilst Brawl's was shortened to just "Let's go after him!".

This short scene was cut.

In the episode, Galvatron doesn't break the table.

This short scene was cut.

The above lines were cut, they were meant to be said before Rodimus says "you just got my interest".

Almost all of the above was cut -Galvatron does say his "work slaves" line, but nothing else made it in. Presumably the scientist is the robot stood next to Galvatron when he says the slaves line.

In the episode, the dialogue for Blurr and Rodimus scripted here was said earlier -it's said after Rodimus tells Magnus they need to form a strike force.

In the episode, the Autobot's ship isn't seen landing on the moon.

ACT 3

In the episode, you don't see an Autobot logo on any of the ship's wreckage.

In the episode, only one R2D2 style guard in seen, the animators decided to use the Autobot seen earlier in the episode as the other guard.

The order of the above dialogue was swapped around in the episode. "Intruder alert" is heard twice, in the script it's only there once.

The order of these shots were swapped around in the episode. The script just states "sentries", but the animators used Brawl and Swindle -who seemingly do get vaporized during this shot (but appear in later episodes just fine).

This line was cut. Rodimus just silently nods in the episode.

In the episode, the Decepticons are shown hiding before the Autobots sneak down the street.

In the episode, Galvatron isn't in the tower, he's with the other Decepticons. He doesn't bug out his eyes either.

If you've ever wondered about why is says "NEWS PAPEP" here, the script mentions that the Autobots were to take cover behind a "robotic equivalent of a news stand".

This funny sequence was cut.

In the episode, the dialogue for Wheelie and Ultra Magnus regarding the door in the floor is said after the dialogue for Sandstorm and Rodimus.

This line was cut.

Sandstorm's line here was cut. In the episode, Springer doesn't crawl through any fire, and doesn't say the "We don't live in a fair galaxy" part of his dialogue.

The above scene was cut. There's even a note on suggesting for it, and presumably the other tower scenes, to be cut. It's a shame as it gives Rodimus a valid reason to take such drastic action -Galvatron was planning to use the planet as a mobile weapon, and would destroy Cybertron with it. The note about Scourge being bigger than Galvatron seems to be wrong, as the scale guide shows that Galvatron is bigger than Scourge.

In the episode, the place Sandstorm and Magnus head doesn't look like what the script wanted at all. Sandstorm doesn't push a lever either.

In the episode, the missile goes for the two Autobots suddenly, Sandstorm doesn't make any noise to attract its attention.

What's scripted here was completely changed in the episode. Instead of some generic Decepticon sentry, four of the Constructicons are seen in a vehicle. They abandon it when they see the missile and run off, and the missile hits and destroys the vehicle.

In the episode, this sequence was moved forwards, and is shown after Sandstorm mentions about the escape pods.

Ultra Magnus could have saved himself a lot of online ridicule if this line had been left as it was.

In the episode, Magnus does not get hit here. He also transforms and uses his truck mode's lights to blind Galvatron, whilst in the script it isn't clear how he was meant to do that -the script wanted Magnus to lunge at Galvatron in robot mode, and then he and Sandstorm were to transform and leave.

In the episode, we see a close-up shot of Galvatron's head, he's not seen looking around or running. He also says "something's wrong here" before saying the above line.

In the episode, Rodimus says "one" rather than "and".

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	GALVATRON Every Decepticon for himself!!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SANDSTORM It's as beautiful in death as it was in life. RODIMUS Well, no need to get all mushy. Cybertron's a better place anyway -not so... perfect!