Serpent's Eye:

ENTER THE NIGHTBIRD

With Extras from the Production Script!

Review by Raksha

Intro: The Script

Cover Click on the thumbnail for a popup showing a larger view of the cover page. It was signed for me by voice director Wally Burr at BotCon 2004.

My prize catch from BotCon 2002, indeed one of the "holy grails" of my entire TF collection, is an original production script for "Enter the Nightbird," my all-time favorite episode. I learned about it from friends on the last day of the con. To my amazement it had apparently been sitting out all weekend on Paul Hitchins' table, and I hadn't noticed it; even more amazing, it hadn't sold. I quickly remedied that oversight. Paul had come into possession of it, he told me, as part of a huge collection of TF cartoon memorabilia when he bought out the estate of a girl whose uncle had worked on the series. She'd been an intensive collector, and died very young. She left behind numerous scripts, articles, and a set of storyboards for TFTM, bound into a huge folder. That particular item wasn't for sale, but those of us clustered at the table were given a chance to look it over. Not being a big fan of the Movie, it was only of mild interest to me (interesting, for instance, that in the original storyboard the Sweeps do in fact draw and quarter Ultra Magnus) - but I was much more eager to go back to my table and read the Nightbird script.
The script is 42 pages long, plus a cover sheet and a cast list page, photocopied onto pink paper. There is a staple in the upper lefthand corner. The cover sheet lists the title: TRANSFORMERS (centered and underlined), below this "Enter the Nightbird!" (also centered, and with the exclamation point like that). Below this it says (MP#700-25) - the significance of which I do not know; and finally below this, it says (SCRIPT). In the lower right corner it gives the writer credits: Richard Milton and Sylvia Wilson - and is dated 12/4/84. Below that is a handwritten note saying "Revised by Ron Friedman 12/7/84." Centered toward the bottom of the page it says MARVEL PRODUCTIONS, LTD. In the upper right corner, handwritten, are the numbers 1-19, 20-30, and 31-42 - the page numbers corresponding to the three acts. On the left, handwritten and enclosed by a drawn box, it says FINAL 12/11/84.
Despite being labeled "Final," there are some very interesting small differences and additions scattered throughout, when compared to the final result of the aired episode. While most of the revisions are frustratingly illegible where things have been blacked out, because this was apparently a photocopy that was distributed to those working on the episode, there are some points where there are legible hand- written revisions, where you can see parts of the original text. Even more interesting, to me, is the wording that shows "writer intent." I'll have more to say on this at the end.
The Cast List page lists all the Autobots, Decepticons, and humans who were supposed to have speaking roles, but does not list those (such as Skywarp and Thundercracker) who had no dialogue in this episode, even though they played a role. Specifically listed, separately, is the "Guest Robot" : Nightbird, the Ninja (non- speaking role). Then there are three Locations given: Ext. and Int. - University Auditorium; Ext. - Desert and Decepticon Temporary Headquarters; Ext. and Int. - Autobot HQ. The episode title is given again on this Cast List page, and also on page 1 of the actual script, and each time it's written with the exclamation point at the end. The text "(MP#700-25)" also appears each time under the title. Again, I don't know what this stands for.
My script has the page numbers on pages 15-30 circled in blue pencil. Though after much puzzling I can't pinpoint a character or set of characters that are exclusive to those pages, if we're to assume this script was once used by one of the voice actors who had only those pages to worry about. So maybe it wasn't used by a voice actor but by someone else responsible for some element of the episode. Alternately, maybe it was marking off a particular day's taping.
To the text itself. I wish I could read more of the blacked-out lines, which came from earlier versions. After revision, it's quite similar to the final product. There are still some significant differences, though, and throughout my episode review I will point out where the script differs or adds to the final product, by putting that text in purple. I had promised the seller I wouldn't indiscriminately photocopy it further, and so I will not type out the entire thing - but I will make detailed note of the differences. If I make no mention of the script during parts of the review, the text is identical to the aired episode.
I will re-iterate some points regarding Nightbird and this episode, that I have already made elsewhere in essays, posts, and fanfics. Forgive the redundancy, but I'm trying to draw everything together in one place.


The Episode

I taped this episode on VHS during the original run of the cartoon. My particular copy is probably from the second or third airing. I also have the later Sci-Fi Channel version on tape somewhere. Sci-Fi was notorious for cutting out bits and pieces to make room for more commercials - often very vital bits, as in "Ghost in the Machine" - but for "Enter the Nightbird" I only noticed one very small omission. They cut out the part where the Decepticons are ready to enter the temporary base. There may be other small missing pieces (I have not seen this tape in a while), but my Serpent's Eye review is from the complete, original version. I've also since obtained the episode on DVD as part of the G1 Transformers Complete Box Set.

The episode title, as shown on screen, lacks the exclamation mark at the end, as given by the script. Also the writers are listed in reverse order than they were on the script: Written By: Sylvia Wilson and Richard Milton. I'm curious as to whether the listing order is any indication of the relative contribution of each writer - whether the first wrote more of it than the second, for instance. I'm not surprised that this particular episode, out of all of them, was written at least in part by a female writer.

As the episode opens, an entire group of Autobots is in the process of building a set of new detection panels. The script describes the scene at this point as: STOP PAN on OPTIMUS PRIME, WHEELJACK, and IRONHIDE, supervising the work. Prime once again is standing around and watching while those who actually have some skill, do the real work. Wheeljack, at least, takes some action as he demonstrates the panels, which sound the alarm as metal comes within proximity. Prime takes this opportunity to display his ignorance in addition to his laziness, and as usual underestimates his opponents: "The Decepticons won't find it easy to slip by that."

Dr. Fujiyama calls in to request the Autobots' services as guards. Apparently Prime is hiring his troops out in servitude on the whim of random Earthlings.
In the script, it's Bumblebee who comes rushing up to Prime to call him to the screen. In the episode, of course, it's Cliffjumper. In fact, Bumblebee seems to have been cut out of the story at the last moment, and his parts were assumed by Cliffjumper.
Another script note: the spelling of the scientist's name is given as "Dr. Fugiama." I suspect it was written this way to be sure the voice actors would pronounce it correctly. This may be the explanation for the "Teletraan" spelling as well (though it does not explain "Devcon"). I consider the "Fujiyama" spelling more accurate, and will stick with it; likewise with "Teletran," unless I'm outright quoting the script.

One must question why Dr. Fujiyama was so worried specifically about the Decepticons eavesdropping (as opposed to, say, a rival scientist or hostile government agency). Though he may not have been aware of the full extent of Nightbird's nature, he must surely have known that he had more than just a drone on his hands. Perhaps a group of sentient robots might have a considerable interest in getting hold of a fellow sentient robot. He knew the Autobots wouldn't make off with her - they didn't seem to have a problem with servitude to humans - but the Decepticons share no such mindset.

We see another underestimate of the Decepticons - that's twice in the first two minutes of the episode! - this time by Ironhide. In response to the question of whether the Decepticons could be listening in, Ironhide dismisses the notion with, "Aw, it's not too likely."
In the script, Prime and Ironhide exchange looks in response to Dr. F's question - which they do not do in the episode - and Ironhide's line is slightly altered to "It's not likely."

Dr Fujiyama's body language indicates he knows very well that his "special robot," "the greatest robot ever created by man," is by no means "primitive by Autobot standards," as he self-deprecatingly claims. Maybe that's a Japanese cultural element - the politeness of not insulting your conversation partner by coming straight out and saying your work is better than theirs. He doesn't want to risk seeming boastful, by his own admission.
In the script, Prime and Wheeljack exchange a look after Dr. F's "greatest robot ever created by man" line - and it's then that he hurriedly assures them that it's "primitive by Autobot standards."

Prime agrees to play guard, "if only to make sure the Decepticons don't get their hands on it." In the script: "if only to make sure Megatron and the Decepticons don't get their hands on it."

I must confess that the first time I saw this episode, before we actually got to see Nightbird, I found myself laughing along with the Autobots' disparaging comments. An Earth-robot is "probably just a glorified wind-up toy;" "if it walks, it probably needs a long extension cord," etc. Ratchet's line in the episode, "I wonder if batteries are included?" was slightly altered from "I wonder if it comes with batteries?" in the script. After all, it was a mere Earth creation. I suppose everyone was expecting some clunky mechanism. We got our first indication of how wrong that expectation was, as soon as the shroud was lifted and Nightbird was revealed in all her poise and grace.

In the script, Dr. Fujiyama steps out from under the veil that was concealing Nightbird. In the episode, he walks onto the stage from the side.
Nightbird's first appearance is described thusly: ANGLE UP ON NINJA ROBOT to get the full impact of her stature: She stands nearly as tall as most of the Autobot warriors, and her electronic eyes are all that show of her face, hidden in the black mask and hood of the ninja. Her metal body is covered by a strange black draped metallic fabric, belted at the waist. Even the feet have the shape of the silent, padded feet of the ninja.
(Of course, in the episode, there was no "metallic fabric." I'm very curious as to what the original writers' concept of the look of the character might have been, and whether they were pleased or disappointed with the final outcome.)

I've addressed this point before in response to some fans questioning the logic, but I'll say it again here: within the context of the world of the TF cartoon, it makes eminent sense that a researcher in robotics would build a being such as Nightbird. This is a world in which giant alien robots exist. A world in which an ambitious scientist would be well- motivated to prove that humans can keep pace and create something on the same scale, if not better. After all, much cultural advancement is driven by imitating other cultures and adding one's own unique elements to it - thus, we have a giant warrior robot, like the aliens, who none the less personifies a recognizable element of Japanese culture. Scientific as well as national pride. As he himself says: "Nightbird has been constructed to demonstrate to the world the limitless capabilities of technology."
His speech in the script is: "Nightbird has been constructed for demonstration purposes only..... To prove that even the complex skills of a ninja could be incorporated into my design. I assure you, gentlemen, she is not meant for battle or assassinations."

Dr. F goes on to say, in response to whether a ninja isn't a rather dangerous thing to build, that he has "limited her powers accordingly" (emphasis mine) - which indicates that Nightbird originally had a much greater range of motion, free will, and battle ability, and Dr. F altered her to "limit" her. What we don't know, is whether he limited his own initial work, or a pre-existing construct. One could interpret this line to mean that he was not in fact responsible for giving Nightbird life, did not in fact create her vital components, but found them from some other source, and then "limited her powers" to make her manageable. This is also supported later in the episode where he says "The technical components are irreplaceable, and are needed for research." Why are they irreplaceable, if he's managed to construct them once already? This lends credence to those who say Dr. Fujiyama could not have had the ability to create a cybernetic personality. And yet, she was alive, so where did she come from?
Myself, I have never been too concerned with the true origin of Nightbird. Like the pre-Movie TF series in its entirety, past history is almost irrelevant. What matters is what's happening "here and now," the interactions among the characters and their struggle to survive. While there's a good argument to be made for Nightbird's laser core being a serendipitous find by Dr. F rather than something he was in some mysterious way able to bring to life, I personally never had a problem with the concept that he did in fact create her in her entirety. Although I'd normally not give that much credit to human ingenuity when compared to Cybertronian tech, in this case I'm happy to say "Okay, sure, somehow he got smart or lucky and managed to do it," and continue on from there into the more significant questions.

I would like to know what was going through Nightbird's mind as she stood there being gawked at by a lecture hall full of humans. If her powers were "limited," she may have been restrained in some way so that she could not move until given a verbal order by Dr. F. What exactly did he do to her? Disconnected her cognitive thought processes and conscious will (think Megatron in G1 comics issue 13) - leaving her aware but unable to take an initiative? Or severed the link between conscious intention and physical motion, making her unable to act on her thoughts? Almost undoubtedly she was conscious and remembered everything she saw, much as she was at the end of the episode. She just couldn't respond.

Imagine her emotional reaction when the Decepticons burst in to her rescue, to haul her away from what must surely have been a highly uncomfortable scenario - where Dr. F was just about to make her demonstrate stupid pet tricks for the audience. How many of us have ever felt trapped in a situation where we wished fervently to be elsewhere, wished some powerful friend would crash right through the wall and spirit us away? Nightbird actually got to live out that fantasy. Starscream even comes right out and says it: "We're not staying long ... we just came to pick up a friend!" (His describing her as such, of course, is a bit ironic in light of his later response to her, but at this point he has no reason to resent her.)
In the script, Rumble and Frenzy's initial blast strikes Hound; in the episode, it was Trailbreaker. Another minor difference is in Rumble's line "Your theory seems shaky to me, Doc!", which changed very slightly from "Your theories seem shaky to me, Doc!" in the script.

I envision Nightbird "raised" in a laboratory environment, put through her paces over and over again until she was ready to be "demonstrated to the world." For all she knew, her only purpose in life really was "to assist mankind" - since she'd never been allowed access to another option. It's like a culture in which women don't go to school, vote, or learn to read, and barely know they're being oppressed, since they've never been exposed to an alternative.
When the shroud was raised and Nightbird was revealed in the conference center, she saw other robots on a scale like herself for the first time - but these too were servile beings, doing the bidding of the humans. How enlightening it must have been, then, to see the Decepticons crash the party! Here were robots who were not under human control, who were very much their own individuals, who had no compunction about sweeping aside lesser beings and following their own destiny. Little wonder that Nightbird's loyalty lay with the Decepticons from that moment onward.

Nice to see Rumble and Frenzy together - one of Frenzy's relatively rare appearances.

Nice "can-opener" effect as the jets cut open the dome. The script has Jazz exclaiming, "They're playin' can opener with the roof!" but this line was cut out. It took up unnecessary seconds and stated the obvious, I suppose.

Megatron makes a suitably dramatic entrance, followed quite naturally by Soundwave.

What must Nightbird have thought of Megatron, the handsome and heroic command figure in the center of the action? The driving force behind the whole shift in scene, rather than a passive reactor? Was it love at first sight? Since Nightbird's motion patterns were at this point still under inhibition, she's unfortunately unable to clue us in to her thoughts and feelings from body language - but I don't find the notion so very far- fetched.

There's a wonderful battle sequence of comrades defending each other as Soundwave takes a well-aimed shot at Brawn, to be attacked in retaliation by Mirage, who appears out of nowhere. Megatron is highly indignant that this mere Autobot would fire on his friend, and shouts, "Mirage, prepare to disappear - permanently!" while lining up his own shot.
The script has Soundwave saying "Reverse attack!" as he turns to fire on Brawn, who did shoot at him first, though less accurately. Interestingly enough, the sequence thereafter, with Mirage shooting at Soundwave from a state of invisibility, and Megatron retaliating in defense of Soundwave, is crossed out on the script. It's there, and one can read enough of it to know what it's saying, but for some reason it was at one point not meant to go into the episode. Which would have been a shame, because it was a great scene. Megatron's line to Mirage isn't there at all, and must have been written in later.

As Ironhide is pinned by falling debris, he calls "Help! The plaster's got me pinned!" in the script, as opposed to "Help! The girders have me pinned!" in the episode.

Megatron dismisses Prime with a last punch as Thundercracker and Starscream pick up Nightbird with grappling hooks and carry her off. The script has Starscream and Thundercracker transforming to robot modes to shoot out their grappling lines which snag Nightbird, and then transforming to jet mode again to fly off with her. This sequence was left out in the episode. Megatron seems to be greatly enjoying himself throughout this whole assault - other than that flash of anger when Mirage shot at Soundwave, he's clearly in a good mood.

I love the temporary base in the shape of a giant purple Decepticon symbol carved into the mountains. Note to those who find it laughable that a "secret base" would announce itself unmistakably in such a manner: Megatron's exact words were, "This new base is only temporary." Never once were the words "secret" or "hidden" used, whether in the episode or in the script. It wasn't meant to be such. It was the proverbial flag planted proudly on the moon or at the top of a mountain, claiming the surrounding area as Decepticon domain. And it's a great example of Megatron's distinctive sense of aesthetics.
Since it was positioned for "the game (Megatron) intend(ed) to play with those accursed Autobots," we can assume that the temporary base was situated somewhere quite close to Autobot base. In that sense, the giant Decepticon symbol serves as even more of a thumbing-of-the-nose at the Autobots, who seemed to have absolutely no clue it was nearby. Just as they thought the Decepticons couldn't overhear their transmissions, or that no one could get past the new detection panels ... and so on and so forth. Megatron took advantage of their complacency to provide himself some amusement. Maybe that's why he was in such a good mood. :)

Up to this point Nightbird has made no conscious move on her own. However, if you look closely at the scene where the Decepticons enter the base, you'll see Megatron leading the way, followed by Soundwave - followed by Thundercracker - followed by Nightbird. She's walking of her own accord and under her own power. The script has Starscream and Thundercracker carrying her in. Although her full set of battle abilities has not yet been unlocked, it's very likely she's consciously aware of everything at this point, and is at the very least able to walk of her own volition without a release by Dr. Fujiyama.

It's only once Bombshell starts working on her, that her full capabilities are unleashed - capabilities that may have been there to begin with, which were "limited" by Dr. F. Perhaps he realized after he'd created her, that she really was dangerous, at least potentially so, and thus needed to be controlled, so he built in some safeguards. She is described at this point in the script as "lying lifelessly on the work table (with) panels open" - apparently shut down, the equivalent of being under anesthesia, while Bombshell works. Of course, Bombshell also adds some additions of his own, to grant her even more power. He doesn't think much of Nightbird's technology at first - which is not to say that her technology actually was primitive, merely that he considered her so because she was lacking transformation circuitry. You'll notice Bombshell didn't actually say "her design is primitive." He said, "This is child's play compared to Decepticon transform circuits." Presumably, transformation technology is highly complex. But every other aspect of a living robot may have been fairly similar between Nightbird and her newly-acquired family.

Megatron's protectiveness of Nightbird is a nice foreshadowing of what's to come. "Spare me your critique!" he snaps at Bombshell in response to the Insecticon's disparaging remark. Since he has not at that point seen her nature and personality revealed, it's unlikely he already has strong feelings for her - but it obviously didn't escape his notice that Nightbird is a beautiful and exotic female, and he has already felt himself drawn to that.

It's interesting, too, to see Bombshell on his own here, working among the main group of Decepticons. I think that's the only time we see a single Insecticon working intensively with the group, without the presence of the others. Rather than being part of a somewhat rebellious subfaction, he's functioning every bit as a fully-integrated member of the team in this scenario. If Nightbird's ability to assert her conscious will had been limited by Dr. F, it was precisely Bombshell's psychological/technical talents that were called for in this instance, and it's only natural, in hindsight, that he'd be working with Soundwave on this somewhat delicate project. Which raises the question: how closely had the Decepticons been following Dr. F's research before this point? They must already have been aware of what had been done with her, since Bombshell was already in the temporary base waiting for the others, and ready to get to work. In fact, the very existence of the base, built specifically for the "game," indicates that the 'Cons had been following this project for some time, and the plan was in the works with a good bit of premeditation. While Bombshell's presence indicates that the Decepticons wanted a conscious, liberated warrior for the "game," I suspect they still got more than they bargained for.

Bombshell's line "I love warping minds for you, Megatron," as he inserts a chip of some kind into the back of Nightbird's head, may in this light be interpreted as his quirky way of saying "I've just released the repressive controls on her conscious actions" - thus, her mind was "warped" in that it was given free will in contradiction to what her creator intended. And indeed, no sooner has the change been made and Nightbird is brought back to consciousness, than she rises of her own accord and tests out the current state of her physical abilities. She performs a series of kicks and turns, reveling in the release on her ability to move.
The sequence is described like this in the script: Bombshell raises the Ninja robot up to sitting position and opens a tiny slot in the back of her head. He then puts a new microchip into the slot, and SNAPS it shut. ANGLE Bombshell closes the panels on the Ninja's front and activates a switch. The ninja's eyes fly open, glowing and flickering with reddish-yellow light. (SFX: LOW POWER HUM) WIDER ANGLE She jumps from the table into a defensive stance. Then she fires a series of punches and kicks at the air with incredible speed. (SFX: WHOOSH, WHOOSH)

Even more significantly, she responds to Starscream as he laughs at her ("She looks like some Earthling play-puppet"), giving him a good punch. By no means does she intend to be the meek and submissive creature her creator meant for her to be! And clearly Megatron appreciates this - though he quickly calls a halt to the altercation. As Starscream makes a move to retaliate, Megatron once again steps in protectively. No infighting among his Decepticons.
From the script: The ninja moves INTO SCENE and her next punch knocks Starscream right in his laughing mouth. (APP. SFX)
ON MEGATRON MEGATRON (laughs) Yes, but this puppet has a punch.
CLOSE ON THE EMBITTERED STARSCREAM As he moves against the Ninja.
MEGATRON (VO) She is not meant for your sparring partner, Starscream. (note slight difference in wording from the episode) WIDER - TO INCLUDE MEGATRON, STARSCREAM AND NINJA
MEGATRON Her adversaries will be Autobots!

Right after this point, there's a very interesting bit in the script:
Bombshell steps INTO SCENE handing the Ninja a bundle of weapons. She bows deeply as she takes them.
(This was unfortunately not included in the episode. But we see two things happening here: Bombshell's disparaging attitude may already be starting to change, after witnessing her actions. It was he who went and got the weapons. And even more significantly, Nightbird consciously acknowledges them, making a gesture of thanks and respect.)

What exactly is meant by Megatron's question, "Is she fully programmed, Soundwave?" I've stated before that I don't believe Transformers (or similar living robots) can simply be "programmed" to have some particular mindset and be some particular way. Here Nightbird has apparently been given a full set of the data she needs, in order to make her way to and into the Autobot base - perhaps encoded onto the same computer chip that Bombshell inserted. (Must be nice to be able to gain an instant bank of knowledge like that! No more cramming for exams...) I'm also of the opinion that the chip contained the "optic interface" that would broadcast that which Nightbird saw, back to the temporary base's computer so those left behind could track her progress even when she was indoors and unable to be tracked by satellite. Though we never do get a "Nightbird's-eye view" of the scene, and the optic interface is never mentioned again. Perhaps one of those things that happened off-screen.

Nightbird's orders, according to Soundwave, were "to steal the World Energy Chip from the Autobots, and then exterminate them." That sounds as though Nightbird was to get into the Autobot base and not only take the chip, but go on a silent rampage and murder the 'Bots in their sleep. Not a bad goal - but you'll notice her actual mission was more along the lines of "Get the chip and get out of there." Exterminating the Autobots, it seems, was to come later, in subsequent battles. She would, after all, be a member of the team from that point onward.
In the script, Nightbird's orders are: SOUNDWAVE (VO) To locate and exterminate the Autobots!! (not a word about the World Energy Chip yet)
And right at that point the script finishes the scene with: The Ninja bows again to her masters as we... FLIP TO: INT. UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM
(So in this case, had the scene been kept, we would have seen Nightbird bowing in acknowledgement, accepting her mission.)

We see the wreckage of the auditorium. The Decepticons fought with a lot of enthusiasm and enjoyment this time ... the damage report for the Autobots afterward was "not too good." :)

In the script, Dr. Fujiyama says "I only beg that she be returned unharmed.... Nightbird was exceedingly costly..." When of course in the episode he said, "The technical components are irreplaceable, and are needed for research." I've already touched upon the possible significance of that line.
Also a slight change to Jazz's line: "We'll get the little lady back in perfect condition" vs. the episode's "We'll bring the little lady back..."
In the script, Mirage comes to announce "Not a sign of her anywhere, Prime," rather than stating "The damage report is not too good, Prime." To which Prime responds by ordering them back to base.
Finally there is some changed dialogue in this scene between Ratchet and his patients. After Brawn insists he can still walk, the script has Ratchet saying "I'm the doctor." This is circled in pencil, and written next to it is: "Remember: Ratchet's our doctor." This line is not attributed to anyone, but it's close to the final result of what came from Mirage ("Pal, remember, Ratchet's the doc."). The scene is continued with the description: As Brawn stumbles away, a mechanical stretcher emerges from the rear doors and knocks Brawn off his feet so that he lands on the stretcher. Then Ratchet retracts it, bringing Brawn into the vehicle. (As opposed to, in the episode, Mirage lifting Brawn onto the stretcher.)

As Nightbird approaches Autobot Headquarters under cover of darkness, we start to really see her awareness and intelligence. She notices the surveillance camera keeping watch over the entrance, and takes a more circuitous route in, scaling the cliffside as easily as she might walk down the street. In the script, she doesn't merely avoid the camera, she puts it out of commission - described like this: "A Teletraan I surveillance camera is turning methodically from side to side. Suddenly, from below, an arm darts up INTO SCENE. Two clippers emerge from the end of the arm and chop off the camera from its stand. The camera rolls and bounces o.s." She drops down from above and rides a lift down into the base, making for a cute visual pun ... she's atop the lift's exterior, listening in on Spike and Prowl trying to puzzle out why the Decepticons would steal the ninja - after all, "they already have a formidable fighting force" (indeed they do, and they just gained one more member!); Prowl replies, "I don't understand anything the Decepticons do" (no kidding! talk about an irreconcilable clash of worldviews!), and Spike's response is, "Yeah, it's over my head too." Which is true in more ways than one. Because there is Nightbird right above him, listening in on it all.

This brief little conversation is very telling. The Autobots are unable to comprehend why the Decepticons would want to liberate an enslaved warrior from human control. If we again assume that they've been keeping track of Dr. F's research for some time, they knew this was happening. And must have felt that such a potentially excellent warrior was not to waste her existence as a human's toy. Indeed, she had the right to achieve her full potential. Sure, they wanted her as a skilled addition to their fighting force - but I dare say there was more to it than that. Little wonder that the Autobots don't understand.

The visual pun continues as Prowl says, "We can't expect her to come to us." Heh. But it just goes to show you - Megatron's plan sets into motion precisely the opposite of what his enemies expect. He's forever three steps ahead of them.
In the script, the entire scene with the lift is missing, and instead Nightbird is described as lowering herself down into the volcano on a "high tech cable that extends from her arm."

Nightbird's stealthy and cautious movements through the base again show her highly aware intelligence - she ducks out of sight as Autobots walk by, moves from one section of cover to the next, and finally comes upon those sensor panels that Wheeljack was bragging about at the start of the episode. You can see her considering for a moment, recognizing them as something to be avoided - and takes, once again, an alternate route past them. ("The Decepticons won't find it easy to slip past," eh? Guess again, Obnoxious Prime.)
In the script, Nightbird's bypassing of the sensors is described this way: ON THE NINJA As she kneels, watching the sensors. Her head tilts slightly as she puzzles, then... CLOSE ON HER FEET They rise slightly as tiny suction cups spring out of her feet pads (SFX: SOFT SPROING)
(as opposed to her "magnetic feet" as shown in the episode)

Nightbird goes straight to the section of the computer that she needs. No poking around and searching. Soundwave and Bombshell imparted very precise information. Nightbird pulls the World Energy Chip from its socket, examines it a moment to make sure it's indeed the right one, then stashes it in her backpack and takes a second to re-close the access panel on the computer. She pauses to do this even though the removal of the Chip apparently blew the lights throughout the base, which would almost certainly have alerted the inhabitants. By closing the access panel, she makes it less likely that someone will step into the room and immediately know what's wrong - thus giving herself more time in the long run, while the Autobots still mill about in confusion. The only reason I dwell on this point, is that it again shows how she's thinking and planning every step of the way.
Again the script differs a bit from the actual sequence shown: BEHIND TELETRAAN I The Ninja slides soundlessly behind the computer. It almost looks as if she goes thinner as she squeezes in. She examines the chips on the back of the computer... CLOSER ON CHIPS Her hand ENTERS SHOT and removes the micro-chip labeled "WORLD ENERGY SOURCES" and pulls it OUT OF FRAME. WIDER She tosses it into her bag at her waist. Then she moves o.s.
(Notice several things - in the original script, there was no mention of sending her after the World Energy Chip. Someone made a retconned correction later, or else we would have had Nightbird changing the parameters of the mission of her own accord, which would have been interesting in and of itself. The script also differs in the whole sequence of the location of the chip and where she stashed it. Finally, there was no dimming-of-the-lights effect at this point in the script as Nightbird removed the chip.)

We see more of Nightbird's impressive fighting skills, from her easy subjugation of Mirage, to her sawblade hands, to her outright disappearing act. Though the Autobots seem to have her trapped at the end of the corridor, she gets away from them with laughable ease. (Just as a neat visual observation - Megatron, in "Transport to Oblivion" sported a sawblade hand just like Nightbird's. Coincidence - or fate? :) )
In the script, at the very end of Act 1, after Bluestreak exclaims, "It's the Ninja!", Jazz adds "And she doesn't look exactly thrilled to see us!" This line is crossed out in pencil on my script, and was, as we know, not spoken in the episode.
After Nightbird flings her sawblades, the script describes the rest of her actions like this: ON NINJA She quickly realizes that even she cannot defeat all the Autobots at once even with her incredible powers, so she begins spinning around in place, faster and faster...

Since the script did not have the lights in Autobot base dimming in response to Nightbird's removal of the World Energy Chip, it's added in later, just after Prime's group heads out after Nightbird: ANGLE ON COMPUTER SCREEN AND RATCHET The screen starts to fade and flicker, then suddenly shuts down. Ratchet turns to look at it...
RATCHET What the...?
The lights dim, around them. (SFX: POWER OFF)
(This scene of course was missing and was handled more efficiently in the actual end result of the episode.)

Once outdoors, Prime attempts to stun Nightbird by shooting her in the back, and then says "Now we can take her back to Dr. Fujiyama where she belongs." So - she belongs under the control of one who considers her a sub-sentient being, according to Prime. Somehow I'm not surprised.
The catching up with Nightbird is a little different in the script. The Autobots fan out in many directions rather than staying together. Then it continues: LONG SHOT FROM A LATER VIEW Deep into the desert, several of the Autobots spot the Ninja practicing on some rocky bluffs. They wheel in from their separate locations to converge near her: Ratchet, Jazz, Mirage, Brawn, Bluestreak, Bumblebee, and Prime (any others?!).
MIRAGE (VO) There she is! On the bluff!
CLOSER The CAMERA PANS across the Autobots as they transform into robot mode. STOP PAN on Optimus, who shoots at her o.s. with a gentle stun ray.
ON NINJA ROBOT She is hit by the ray and falls limply to the ground. (APP. SFX) Prime and Bluestreak move INTO SCENE.
PRIME: A simple stun ray took care of her! Now we can take her back to Dr. Fugiama where she belongs.
(Characters listed are not consistent with what has been said previously. Ratchet, for instance, is still back at base, both in the script and in the episode. And Bumblebee was again replaced by Cliffjumper.)

Nightbird's weaponry as she retaliates against Prime's shot is described this way: CLOSER ON THE BELT AREA OF THE NINJA As a mechanical pocket flips open and fans out a flurry of metal stars and darts. The CAMERA PULLS BACK as her hand throws the sharp metal weapons out at the Autobots at blinding speed. (SFX: WHIZZING, SHUFFLING, ZINGING SOUNDS) WIDER ON THE AUTOBOTS as the startled Autobots try to dodge the onslaught of stars and darts. The stars are so sharp that they rip metal and the darts explode on impact. (SFX: RIPPING, EXPLODING)

It would be amusing if it weren't so absurd, when Prime claims "We've come to help." Sure, try to talk her into lowering her considerable weaponry, and then haul her off back into slavery. What a complete bastard. Nightbird, obviously, isn't buying a word of it. She's seen through the Autobots by now, and rightfully defends herself and her newfound allegiance.
The script describes Nightbird's response to Prime's advance this way: CLOSER ON THE NINJA pacing her motions, still moving backwards. Her eyes widen with a touch of fear.

After Nightbird has knocked away Prime's rifle and smashed him to the ground, it continues: WIDER Bluestreak moves toward the Ninja, readying his weapon.
PRIME (waves him back) No! Don't damage her!
But the ruthless Ninja warrior steps back and throws the sword at Bluestreak, causing Bluestreak to step back as the sword lands in the ground in front of him.
(a rather different sequence for how the Autobots got hold of Nightbird's sword)

I can imagine Nightbird, having stolen Prime's rifle, intends to take it back to Megatron as a trophy. :) Of course, his head would make an even better trophy....
Script has her gathering Prime's rifle into a sack.

Jazz asks, "But with all the weapons she has, why would she steal your laser rifle?" in the episode, vs. "But why would she steal your laser rifle--with all the weapons she has?" in the script.

Cliffjumper's naive question ("Why is she attacking us in the first place?") is in fact accurately answered by Prime, much without his realization: "I suspect Megatron could answer that question." Indeed he could - being the one who demonstrated to Nightbird that she has the right to pursue her own happiness as an independent being. And here are the Autobots, with their "freedom of all sentient beings" nonsense, trying to haul her back into servitude.
Cliffjumper yet again has taken on Bumblebee's role here. In the script, his lines were written for Bumblebee. I suppose the naive question is more characteristic of Bumblebee than of Cliffjumper. I don't know why the change was made between script and final product. Maybe Bumblebee's voice actor just wasn't available for that episode?

Megatron, meanwhile, is watching Nightbird's success from afar, in great enjoyment. Besides Prime's laser rifle, he vows that Prime will "lose much more before we're finished." Nightbird's mission to exterminate the Autobots is still intact. All in due time.

I can't help but smile at Bombshell's total change in attitude - from "this is child's play" to "(Dr Fujiyama's) ninja robot is magnificent!" One might imagine Bombshell too has fallen head-over-heels for Nightbird, but the poor little guy doesn't stand a chance next to Megatron.

We also see, at this point, the first indicator of Starscream's rising jealousy - right after Megatron expressed his appreciation of Nightbird's maneuver. He hopefully snarls, "She'll burn out fast - after the way Bombshell over-torqued her circuits." Although Megatron makes a very displeased face in response to those words, it's Bombshell, this time, who rises to Nightbird's defense with an indignant "Who asked you, nitro-nose?" This line from Bombshell is added by hand in the script. And surprisingly enough, it's Megatron who steps in to calm the dispute In the script: Bombshell moves toward Starscream angrily, but Megatron holds him back., with a very clever bit of psychological maneuvering. "Nightbird won't burn out until she returns with the computer chip we need," he tells Bombshell. Yes, he addresses Bombshell, not Starscream, who made the "burn out" comment in the first place. "It's all been programmed," he says to Bombshell - while indicating Starscream with a movement of his hand. Listen to the tone of Megatron's voice. He's saying "Play along and let him have his fantasy. His bubble will burst soon enough." Bombshell is certainly clever enough to pick up on a thing like that.

Starscream, however, pushes his luck and tests Megatron's generosity. "If she returns, you mean," he remarks snidely, at which Megatron's patience snaps. "She's hot enough to replace you whenever I choose!" he warns. Now, those who know Megatron and his past interactions with Starscream, are aware that he doesn't seriously mean this threat. No matter how intrigued he may be by his newest warrior, he's not going to put an untried individual into a command position. If he really wanted to replace Starscream as subcommander, Soundwave has long been available, and could have taken Starscream's place after, say, "Countdown to Extinction." If he wanted a new Air Commander specifically to lead the jets, Ramjet could do a respectable job. But what better way to counter Starscream's insults and put him in his place, than to threaten the rank that so defines Starscream's self-image and feeds his ego?
Here is a nicely telling description of the end of the confrontation between Megatron and Starscream, in the script, after Megatron has made his threat: Then Megatron moves back OUT OF FRAME. Starscream is furious, and bright sparks of rage and jealousy fly from his head. (SFX: ELECTRONIC SIZZLING) WIDER the others laugh and turn back to the viewscreen, as Starscream, in the foreground, turns his back on them.
(Obviously the episode didn't go with a Galvatron-style spark effect for Starscream, but I think his emotional reaction was clear none the less. Also he wasn't laughed at in the episode. In the script, the scene continues for one more very interesting point: )
BOMBSHELL (pressing buttons) Let's see an instant replay of Nightbird in action! She's tremendous!
(Bombshell is definitely a big fan of Nightbird's at this point....)

Only now do the Autobots realize Nightbird stole "the chip which itemizes the world's energy supplies," rather than simply having glitched something on Teletran-One. Upon receiving this info from Ratchet, Prime says "Finding her now is more important than ever." Nightbird bought herself some time by simply closing up the access panel.
The script depicts this scene at Autobot base a little differently: EXT. - AUTOBOT HQ The CAMERA PUSHES IN on the volcano... IRONHIDE (VO) Our power is all shut down! I don't believe it!
CUT TO: INT. OF AUTOBOT HQ - ON RATCHET He is behind Teletraan I's console, examining the chips with a light beam that emanates from his chest. RATCHET: You can believe this, Ironhide: somebody's been fooling around with Teletraan I!
CLOSER ON COMPUTER CHIPS There is obviously one chip missing as Ratchet's light shines on the empty slot. RATCHET (CONT-VO) And they've stolen the chip which itemizes the world's power supplies! (in the script he says "power" rather than "energy")
WIDE ON IRONHIDE AND RATCHET They are shadowy figures, illuminated only by Ratchet's light. IRONHIDE: It's got to be Megatron!
RATCHET (VO) More likely that ninja shebot! BACK TO RATCHET He plugs another chip into the empty slot, and the SCENE IS ILLUMINATED with light. (SFX: POWER ON) RATCHET: Thank goodness I had a spare chip to complete the circuit!

Although Hound is told to "activate your infrared," the sound effects put one in mind of sonar. As Hound leads the procession, he says (VO) in the script: "Sorry I'm so slow!" (this is however partially crossed out in pencil on my copy) Prime replies (VO) : "You're doing great, Hound, but why aren't we getting any signals?" In the episode, of course, Prime only asked impatiently "Why aren't we getting any signals?" As the 'Bots follow Hound's sensors to catch up with Nightbird again, they encounter her in a canyon. Stupid as ever, Prime hasn't learned from his previous misjudgments, and proclaims, "We've got the ninja trapped."
Script describes it as: They continue moving forward, the CAMERA PANNING with them. Suddenly, around the bend stands the Ninja-- her back to the trackers, as if they have caught her unaware. Prime's rifle lies nearby.
(In the episode she had it mounted on her backpack.)
HOUND (CONT-VO) Bingo!
ANGLE ON THE NINJA ROBOT She turns slowly toward them, looking angry.
OPTIMUS PRIME (VO) Autobots--transform and prepare for battle!
(episode dialogue ended with "Autobots, transform." Rather than the "prepare for battle," Prime gives his "We've got the ninja trapped. I want to capture her unharmed" line, which is not shown in the script.

Even more stupidly, Prime thinks he can lure Nightbird within striking distance of himself by taunting her to come get her sword. She is, to no great surprise, smarter than he is, and simply retrieves it by means of some sort of magnetic or traction beam. Making for some very exceptional visual effects too! Notice how she holds the sword up in triumph for a moment after it's safely back in her grasp. Even Prime must acknowledge after this debacle, that it was "not one of (his) better ideas." In the script he says, at that point, "What a revolting development this is!" One might almost feel sorry for Prime - he's accustomed to meek and obedient females, after all. But, I can't really muster any sympathy for that scrapheap... In frustration, then, he simply lunges toward her without any strategy or finesse, and is easily held at bay by Nightbird's sword slashes.

At this point there's a discontinuity between scenes from the end of Act 2 to the start of Act 3 after the commercial break. Before the break, the last thing we see is Nightbird raising her sword for a powerful downward slash at Prime. Unfortunately, we're not treated to the actual impact, because when next we see them, Nightbird is standing a few steps back from Prime, twirling her sword in a sort-of challenge, even a mocking stance, while Prime is on his knees on the ground. We can assume that sometime during the commercial break, Nightbird gave Prime a considerable, well-deserved hit with the sword.
The script did in fact end before the commercial break with Nightbird twirling her sword, so it matches a little more closely in the written version.

Rather than pressing the attack, Nightbird executes a brilliantly agile maneuver to flip upward to the top of the cliff ("trapped," indeed), pausing only for an instant to look back with an expression of triumph ("Ha!" her stance says), and then continues on.

It's rather amusing that the only Autobot who can't quite make the leap up the cliff, is the one named Cliffjumper.

This entire "cliffjumping" scene is missing in the script. It goes right on into the battle where Cliffjumper decides "No more Mr. Nice Guy." In the script, Prime's rifle was described as already lying on the ground (no explanation as to why Nightbird would have put it down, or removed it from her sack, where she was earlier said to have stashed it), so Mirage was able to get it that way. In the episode, the rifle was dislodged from Nightbird's backpack when she slipped down the cliff due to a loose rock. The final cartoon version makes a lot more sense, and adds that wonderful touch with Nightbird's quick look back at her enemies.
Incidentally, if we assume that Cliffjumper's role was initially written for Bumblebee, his missing the ledge makes a little more sense.

When they next corner Nightbird, the Autobots are playing "no more Mr. Nice Guy." If we want to assume they pulled their punches up until now, so as not to damage Dr. Fujiyama's "property," they're now going all-out to try and disable Nightbird. She still holds them off easily with a barrage of throwing stars and other weapons.

The hypocrisy of Prime saying "I truly regret this" (In the script: "I regret this truly") before firing a point-blank blast from his rifle, never fails to escape me. Let's see - if Nightbird won't conform and submit to a life of slavery and deny her own aspirations, Prime is allowed to simply blast her. The typical Autobot mindset of "think as we do or we'll destroy you." Fortunately, even this blast, while it seems to hurt Nightbird, does no incapacitating damage. In fact, it seems to merely make her angry.
Nightbird's reaction to being shot, in the script, is: Surprised, she is hit squarely by the BLAST, and falls back, putting her hand to her "wound."
A bit later in the battle: WIDER ON THE AUTOBOT WARRIORS to include the ninja robot as they begin the battle. The Autobots start shooting their laser weapons, trying to hem her in-- shooting around her rather than at her. (SFX: LASERS) The Ninja dodges their lasers and maintains her composure.
(Jazz was said to be whispering his line "Cliffjumper, try your glass gas! - though in fact he shouted it in the episode.)
(And, the part about Jazz trying to disorient Nightbird with music, and getting his speakers jammed, is not in the script at this point, though is described slightly differently later.)

It's here, where Megatron is watching her fend off a whole group of Autobots on her own, that he speaks one of the most significant lines in the whole series. "She's everything I've always wanted." It's impossible to deny Megatron's feelings for Nightbird when he comes right out and admits them! Starscream's reaction is almost as interesting. When Megatron said "You're definitely on my replacement list, Starscream," Starscream just came up next to him and stood quietly. It was a taunt, but it was an empty taunt - even Starscream seemed to see that. He didn't haul out and punch Megatron until he spoke of his feelings for Nightbird. Though from his words it would seem he was reacting to the taunt, it seems much more likely that he was responding in indignation and jealousy to the realization that Megatron was in love with the ninja.

We see a trace of Starscream's claustrophobia in response to being locked in the energy cage. It makes sense that a creature of the skies, accustomed to unlimited flight, would be at the very least highly uncomfortable in confinement. And Megatron knows this only too well. Though he labels it a "farewell gift," we all know Starscream would have been forgiven and released soon enough again. Megatron is really paying him back with a stint of discomfort, for daring to strike him.

Megatron at first doesn't realize Nightbird is genuinely captured by the electromesh, as he's musing "Impressive. I didn't know the Autobots could create an electromesh prison so powerful." In the script: "Impressive! I didn't know the Autobots could create such a powerful electro mesh prison!" Clearly he expects her to break free at any moment - because when she's engulfed completely, he calls out in alarm, "No! They finally got her! We must rescue her and retrieve the World Energy Chip at once! It will give us total control of this planet's energy supplies. We must not fail!" In the script: "We must rescue her and retrieve that computer chip at once!" "It will give us total control... " etc. is not in the script. His first thought is for the rescue of Nightbird. The retrieval of the chip is secondary.

As Megatron says "Decepticons, prepare for battle," Bombshell flies out along with the others. This is an important change from the beginning of the episode, where he wasn't in on the attack on the auditorium, but instead was waiting back at the base to make technical preparations. Now he has a personal stake in the matter, and is acting even more as part of the team. He even precedes Megatron out of the base.

In the script, as Starscream is left behind in the cage, he says: (softly) "You have lost, Megatron! Lost!" This was not in the episode.

The whole above scene is interrupted in the script, by cutting to a version of Jazz's attack on Nightbird. It's far more effective in one piece, as it was presented in the episode. Since there are so many differences, and some highly significant descriptions, I will type out this entire section of the script:

Right after Nightbird jams Cliffjumper's glass gas, it cuts to:

EXT. - TEMPORARY DECEPTICON BASE - ON MEGATRON He watches the action on his viewing screen with much amusement. Starscream, nearby, watches Megatron.
MEGATRON (VO) Nightbird overwhelms me...
CLOSE ON STARSCREAM'S FACE He seethes with jealousy...
MEGATRON (VO-CONT) As completely as she overwhelms the Autobots!
CUT BACK TO:
JAZZ as his temper flares... JAZZ: That's it ... I'm giving her the full treatment in living stereophonic zap!
He lights up his full range of SOUND AND LIGHT EFFECTS. (APP. SFX) WIDER The Ninja stumbles backward, disoriented by Jazz's show.
BLUESTREAK: She's woozy!
Bluestreak and Cliffjumper move toward her. REVERSE ANGLE - NINJA As she sees them coming. She pulls her strength together and -- hurls a small but heavy magnetic disc at Jazz. ON JAZZ as it lands on his chest (SFX: CLANK!), staggering him and sends out a CRACKLING FLARE that shorts out his sound-and-light show.
CUT TO: INT DECEPTICON BASE - CLOSE ON STARSCREAM Trembling, jealous; while Megatron continues watching his viewscreen in the b.g.
MEGATRON (VO) Terrific! (HIDEOUS LAUGHTER) Yes, you're definitely on my replacement list, Starscream.
ON MEGATRON His full attention is on the screen. MEGATRON (CONT) (LAUGHS) She's everything I've always wanted!
The CAMERA PULLS BACK SUDDENLY as Starscream moves INTO SCENE, whirls Megatron around and SLAMS him in the mouth, knocking him o.s.!
STARSCREAM: Replace me? Never!!
ANGLE ON MEGATRON on the ground. He looks up at Starscream o.s. MEGATRON: This is mutiny, Starscream! Skywarp! Thundercracker!
WIDER as the other Decepticons Skywarp and Thundercracker rush INTO SCENE to Megatron's side.
MEGATRON (screaming) LOCK HIM UP!
Skywarp and Thundercracker grab Starscream...
ON BOMBSHELL AND SOUNDWAVE
MEGATRON (VO-CONT) Soundwave! Bombshell! Activate the cage!
Soundwave presses a button on the console in front of him.
ON STARSCREAM A reddish-blue cage of searing electrical bolts rises around Starscream. (SFX: WHIRRING AND CRACKLING)
STARSCREAM: You can't keep me in here, Megatron!
ANGLE ON MEGATRON as he moves closer to the cage. MEGATRON: Well, I don't see why not...!
Starscream tries to punch at Megatron, but when his fist hits the power grid, it creates ELECTRICAL SPARKS. Starscream draws his hand back, holding it in pain. STARSCREAM: (SCREAMS!)
MEGATRON: This little cage was something I rigged up for the Autobots... ANGLE ON STARSCREAM MEGATRON (CONT-VO) But I don't mind giving it to you... as a farewell gift!
Starscream is livid with anger.
MOVE WITH MEGATRON As he returns to the console, peering into the view-screen. Bombshell and Soundwave are nearby. MEGATRON: Now, what did I miss?

Prime is an absolutely reprehensible individual. He stands there casually watching Nightbird struggle for her freedom. Script describes: The Ninja is trapped in a blue, thick net of wavy ENERGY LINES. (SFX: HIGH OSCILLATING WHINE) She covers her ears and staggers back a few steps. When Megatron frees Nightbird, Prime's response is, "Megatron, you fiend!" Now that's ironic. Okay, he knows Nightbird can hand them all their heads, but I think there's more to the outburst than his fear of Nightbird's abilities. How dare Megatron give Nightbird her freedom and the right to make her own choices, after all?
Slight difference in the script: Before Megatron says "Watch how my anti-matter blaster eats up energy," he first calls "Optimus Prime! Over here!" to get his attention and make very sure Prime sees what he's doing. As in "I'm the one undoing your damage and promoting freedom over captivity."

Starscream, inside the base, rages, "I'll show that Megatron what his precious ninja is really like!" Well, he acknowledges that Nightbird is Megatron's "precious ninja," anyway. It seems as though he wants to demonstrate that Nightbird isn't so perfect, if he can engineer that she falls in battle. Does he truly believe, at that moment in the depths of his own mind, that if he shoots Nightbird in the back, Megatron's feelings for her will turn to disinterest? Starscream's personal demons have blinded him to a great many things, and it's seldom more clear than during this episode.

Starscream shoots Nightbird with a null ray, which is of course a stun beam, but it looks as though she falls over dead. Megatron calls out her name in horror....
From the script: The Nightbird is hit by the ray from behind and "stunned" into immobility. She drops to the ground, inactive.
CLOSE ON MEGATRON He, too, is "stunned"--only not by any null-ray!
MEGATRON: Nightbird! No!!!
ON STARSCREAM with Megatron in the background. Starscream lowers his weapon, gloating... STARSCREAM: Say goodnight to your Robotessa, Megatron! (LAUGHS)
Then he transforms to his jet mode and takes off, flying o.s.
ANGLE ON MEGATRON AND OTHER DECEPTICONS
MEGATRON: Decepticons! After that traitor! His steel hide is mine!
(Starscream's line after shooting Nightbird, in the episode, was "Hey! Say goodnight to your Megatron!" As though he's talking to Nightbird, whom he's just stunned, so that doesn't make a whole lot of sense. In the script, we see that he was in fact talking to Megatron, and something was changed around at the last moment. I suspect "Robotessa" was meant to be a take-off on "Contessa" - perhaps meant to signify the female mate of a leader. Or maybe it's a Cybertronian term of endearment. Problem is, it was too obscure for viewers to follow what was meant, which is why they probably changed it. It's likely that the line was recorded as written, but then cut and pasted back together - so that the dialogue which was initially addressed to Megatron, came out sounding as though it was addressed to Nightbird. I will also note that in the script, the word coming right after "your" is blackened out, and "Robotessa" was hand-written in place. Unfortunately I can't tell what the original word was. In the final recording, only "Say goodnight to your Megatron" remained.
Megatron's actual closing line in the episode: "Decepticons, after him! I want that traitor's steel hide!" - works better than the scripted version.)

If there wasn't a scratch on Nightbird upon her return to Dr. Fujiyama, that says a lot about her durability and armor. She was in pitched battle, having been shot numerous times.

Prime comes right out and admits it: "I'm glad she's back in your possession, doctor." He adds, "Deprogrammed, and neutralized." In other words, he approved of, and perhaps even assisted in, an attempt to either murder her outright, or destroy her mind ("deprogrammed"). "Freedom is the right of those who believe as we do."
As for "neutralized," it seems the inhibition on intentional movement has been locked back in place, but by no means has her mind been destroyed. She's still fully aware, and outraged at what's being done to her. Whether Prime knows she's still alive and conscious, we do not know. His crime is great enough in that he played a part in trying to destroy her, but if he knew she was still alive and locked her away anyhow, that makes him even more monstrous. I wouldn't put either approach past him. In his self- righteous mind, any heinous act is acceptable as long as he's committing it against the "evil enemy." Then to turn around and rage against the Decepticons for being "evil," is laughable in the extreme.

Is Dr. Fujiyama evil? A premeditated oppressor, a callous slavemaster? Though he's been shaded in a somewhat negative light throughout this review, I would have to say no. He knew Nightbird was exceptional, and no mere machine, but he may genuinely have been unaware of the full extent of her nature. I could see him being so caught up in the delight of scientific advancement that he completely missed what was right in front of him. He would not be the first.
If there is any truly evil figure in this episode, it is Optimus Prime. He knew what Nightbird was, and what he was trying to force her back to, but apparently he felt it was better to be a slave, to be killed outright, or to have one's mind destroyed, than to choose one's destiny among the Decepticons. Prime was fully aware of what he was doing, and considered himself justified in doing it anyway.
Which is not to say that Megatron wouldn't have used Prime's mate to hurt him, or hesitated in destroying her, as a warrior on the opposing side. He was only too happy to twist the knife when he had Elita-One at his mercy, after all - and I think it was in no small part retaliation for the events of this episode. Nothing wrong with that. What's wrong is to condemn others for cruelty, pat oneself on the back and pretend to be above that sort of thing, and then engage in even worse cruelty of one's own accord. Prime has always excelled at this kind of hypocrisy.

The final scene, of Nightbird's angrily glowing eyes, is simultaneously horrifying and hopeful. Horrifying in that she's being locked into a living death by the sanctimonious Autobots; hopeful, in that she is by no means "deprogrammed and neutralized," thus leaving the door open to her rescue and return.

The script describes Nightbird's final scene this way: The CAMERA PUSHES IN on the window. Behind it we see the large, electronic eyes of Nightbird - lifeless and dark. Then suddenly, the eyes glow with a yellow-red light, and a rapid flicker of movement before we... FADE OUT
Thus the script ending is even a little bit more hopeful, because in addition to lit- up optics, we have movement. Only a matter of time before Nightbird breaks free, and makes her way back to Megatron....


Summary

Up until this episode aired, my absolute favorite had been "War of the Dinobots." After seeing "Enter the Nightbird," it jumped right to the top of my favorites list, and has stayed there ever since. I love it not only for the great character it introduces, but for how her introduction reveals so much about the other characters around her. It's an episode that requires the viewer to already be familiar with the characters, to already care about them and be caught up in their struggles and personal nuances, in order to have its full impact. It would not make a good introductory episode to the series, or to a new fan who is unfamiliar with the cartoon - but it's the absolutely perfect second-season story.

Upon my first viewing of this episode, I quite admit, I tried my damndest to muster some sense of resentment and jealousy toward Nightbird. I didn't really want the Decepticon leader to be "taken." That would leave this amazingly compelling male "unavailable," and that would be sad. And yet - try as I might, I couldn't do it. Nightbird was so completely perfect for Megatron, not in the slightest sense beneath him or unworthy of him, that I couldn't do anything other than cheer for them.

Nightbird is not only a great character in her own right - she's monumentally important as a symbolic figure. In a series that focused almost exclusively on male characters, and was written to be aimed at a young male audience (though in fact the fandom is split about equally between males and females), Nightbird is the single solitary strong female role model, with the arguable exception of Beta from "Forever is a Long Time Coming." Even the "Lady in Purple," emancipated Decepticon warrior that she was, was present on screen too briefly to have the kind of impact that Nightbird had. And of course, Arcee and Elita's female Autobots are worse than useless in their submissive, dependent portrayal. It's shameful that this was the image of females that was being presented in a series as otherwise excellent as the Transformers. The subtle message was that "good women" are content to stand demurely in the shadows of their all-important mates, and cannot go it alone. Nightbird stands in diametric opposite.
At the same time as Nightbird represented an independent, capable female, who consciously fought for the right to her own destiny despite being told she "belonged" in slavery, she likewise offered the unmistakable proof that Megatron, "evil" Decepticon leader that he was, had the capacity to love. (Although, why this was ever open to denial, puzzles me to this day.) I've always found it immensely significant that it was the Decepticon leader, and not the Autobot one, who was first written into a romantic relationship. As we found out later, he also treated his mate with far greater respect than did Optimus Prime.
Nightbird's arrival fanned the flames of Starscream's personal insecurities, and thus heightened the tensions and shed more light on the relationship between himself and Megatron. If you think about it, this episode picks up the thread from "War of the Dinobots" in that regard. But Nightbird was otherwise welcomed into the Decepticon ranks with barely a glitch. Her presence reveals the Decepticons' openness with regard to worthy outsiders, and their egalitarian nature when it comes to males and females.

To say "Nightbird is a fully self-aware, intelligent, sentient being" is not opinion, speculation, wishful thinking, or selective viewing. From every last shred of evidence we see, it's as much of a fact as anything ever can be in a fictional universe. As much of a fact as saying "the pre-Movie universe Decepticon leader's name is Megatron." Time and again I have pointed out scene after scene that shows her responding in an intelligent manner, as only a sentient being would. Time and again I have pointed out how every single robot character in the episode was not in the least bit confused as to her nature - from the guy(s?) who fell in love with her, to the one who worked himself up into a jealous rage, to the one who kept trying to swindle her into lowering her guard. That's shown in the episode, and has been there to see, plain as day, for the last quarter of a century or so.
And now we have the script itself. For the most part, the changes between script and final product were beneficial to the timing of the story and the flow of the dialogue. With only a handful of exceptions, I wouldn't prefer the script version to the aired episode. Where the script excels is in showing "writer intent" in the descriptive terms it uses for Nightbird. Now I must say, personally, that I don't place a lot of stock in "writer intent." The only "truth" is what actually ends up on the screen, and if the writer meant something different and was unable to convey it, we still can only judge what we see in the final product. The writers may have meant for Soundwave to come across like his horrific tech specs, for instance, but that's certainly not what we see. In the case of Nightbird, what we see is a fully conscious and sentient being. If the script contradicted this, it would not change the fact of what we see. The script, however, is in full agreement with the final product here, and only serves to clarify the point that much further. Over and over again, Nightbird is described with adjectives that denote a thinking, feeling, conscious, sentient being: puzzled, angry, ruthless; with fear, surprise, composure, realization. "Writer intent?" You got it.

The script likewise brings even more sharply into focus Megatron's feelings for Nightbird - and Bombshell's too, for that matter. ("Nightbird overwhelms me;" "She's tremendous," etc.) Furthermore it very clearly specifies Starscream's jealousy. It's not merely that he feels his rank is threatened; he's jealous of Megatron's affection for Nightbird, in particular. Writer intent? You got it, once again.

As much as I'm convinced Megatron and Nightbird were destined for each other, that they're the love of each others' lives (despite any relationships Megatron may have had previously, or would have after her) - we really can't tell from either the episode or the script, how Nightbird felt about Megatron. We can make some informed speculation - she was true to the Decepticon cause, risked herself on a dangerous mission shortly after joining the team, and obviously went after the Autobots with full lethal intent. We can imagine the emotional impact Megatron's appearance at the auditorium may have had on her. But unlike Megatron, she has not shared her feelings with us. I know the answer I like - I consider Megatron and Nightbird to be one of the very few "ideal" relationships that can possibly exist - but the question of Nightbird's view of it, theoretically remains open.

One of the things you may notice only later after multiple viewings, is how this episode brings in some very nice character development for Bombshell. Rather than being the distrusted outsider here, he's very much part of the team. We can see how he has technical skills that supplement and complement Soundwave's, and we get a glimpse at his quirky sense of humor. It's as though, when he's not around the other Insecticons, he doesn't feel compelled to keep up the "suspicious outsider" act, and can allow himself to enjoy a sense of belonging.

I should say a word here on Starscream and Megatron's relationship. It's a topic that has been fraught with much speculation. The ever-fascinating scenario shows Starscream on the one hand acting out and raging against Megatron and claiming to despise him and to want him dead - and on the other hand craving his attention and approval, and resenting anyone whom Megatron particularly values. Nightbird caught the brunt of it more than anyone else. Starscream clearly took it as a personal offense that Megatron became so enamoured of this one special female. While I hold neither to the theory that Starscream and Megatron had a past sexual relationship, nor to the theory that they're related in a family sense (father/son or brothers), I do see a symbolic "father/child" relationship in them, or to put it more precisely, idol/admirer or mentor/protege at some point in the past. Whatever falling-out they may have had, Starscream still craves Megatron's acknowledgement. And in Nightbird, he saw a threat to something far more personal than his rank and status; he saw a threat to his own sense of self-worth, which is closely tied to how much attention Megatron grants him. There is the true impetus for his actions in this episode.

Although the second-season TF cartoon was written with very little continuity between one episode and the next, I feel that we do see some far-reaching aftershocks from this story. The air dates do not corroborate it, but I've long been of the opinion that, in the internally-consistent world of the TF cartoon, the episode "Hoist Goes Hollywood" followed immediately after this one. Never before or since do we see Megatron acting so irrationally, so ready to strike out with killing force over the most minor of infractions. Never before or since do we see his troops tiptoeing around him as they did here. Never before or again do we see Megatron inflict actual major damage on Starscream over practically nothing. The next episode in the sequence, then, is "Changing Gears." Here we have Starscream at his most polite and deferential, scarcely daring to step out of line in Megatron's presence. He's learned something. Finally, I would say that Megatron's gleeful baiting of Prime with Elita-One, was directly inspired by the loss of Nightbird. For a "one-shot" character, her shadow looms large to this day.


     


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