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.

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

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	CYCLONUS Back off Scourge. We don't have time to play around, he's all mine.

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.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	CYCLONUS What do you mean, you think you're damaged? SCOURGE The diagnostics don't work!

This sequence with Superion was cut.

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

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	CYCLONUS I don't know, my tracking system is blown. Wait! Look!

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.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SCOURGE Well they're no fable!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	CYCLONUS Ugh, I don't have the strength to fight.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SCOURGE Are they gonna take us prisoner, or blow us away?

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

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	CYCLONUS Well... huh... out of my way!

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.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SCOURGE Why aren't they trying to blow us away?

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	CYCLONUS Yes, they appear to be wimps.

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.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	GALVATRON Cyclonus? I thought you'd been destroyed.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	CYCLONUS Not at all. After... demolishing the Aerialbots, we discovered a planet with an unlimited supply of energon.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SCOURGE Ooh, that's the good part. It's controlled by a bunch of sissy Autobots.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SCOURGE Galvatron, this planet has your name written all over it!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	AUTOBOT #2 I think you're taking this much too seriously! AUTOBOT #1 Yes, the two strangers just as a little too much energon. AUTOBOT #3 They're just misunderstood. AUTOBOT #4 Besides, citizens, there's enough energon for everyone, let us not fight.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	CYCLONUS This is too good to be true, Scourge. Set your weapons on stun... I want them all in working condition. SCOURGE Grrr... I thought we were gonna have some fun.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SANDSTORM And I'm telling you, they're dangerous!

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.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	GALVATRON Before a society can move forward, all must agree on the rules! Now kneel!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SCOURGE He is only stunned. As soon as he regains consciousness, we'll talk with him... help him... understand us.

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.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	DIVEBOMB Galvatron is not gonna be happy!

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

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	FIREFLIGHT We have an unidentified spacecraft transmitting a distress signal in sector 8-43.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	RODIMUS PRIME Blurr, Springer -rescue him. But be careful -it may be a trap.

This short scene was cut.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	KUP Ah kam-dingit! There is no planet called Paradron. Tell us the truth!

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

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	KUP That's just the way he is. RODIMUS Sandstorm, we'll have a real nice welcoming party for you later.

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.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	RODIMUS PRIME Let's pat ourselves ont he back later. We have a mission to run. Springer, Sandstorm -help me evacuate the Autobots. Ultra Magnus, Blurr and Wheelie -

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).

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SANDSTORM It's time we fought for what we believe in... our freedom, our planet, our lives...

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.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	WHEELIE Oboy oboy, us they destroy?

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.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	RODIMUS PRIME Ultra Magnus, were you calling? Go ahead. ULTRA MAGNUS (O.S.) We're taking heavy fire. Must abort mission!

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	RODIMUS PRIME No, Ultra Magnus. Change mission. Blow the planet's energon core.

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.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SANDSTORM That will destroy the entire planet.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	ULTRA MAGNUS We're pinned down. Can't move. WHEELIE Not no more. Door in floor!

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 because 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.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	SANDSTORM Once we get inside, don't speak for the first hundred yards -or the whole structure will collapse on top of us.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	ULTRA MAGNUS Don't move... the missile's trying to sense our presence.

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

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	ULTRA MAGNUS Lie down!

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.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	ULTRA MAGNUS I've never seen anything this beautiful in the entire galaxy...

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	ULTRA MAGNUS Alright, give me the bomb.

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

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	ULTRA MAGNUS We've got five minutes to get off this planet... let's go.

SCRIPT	EPISODE DIALOGUE
	ULTRA MAGNUS Come on. We'll get the last laugh...

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!