This page contains affiliate links. We may earn commissions when readers interact with or purchase items through these links. For more information, see our affiliate disclosures here.

Unused Greg Weisman G1 Episode Pitch "The Eye of the Beholder"

Discuss anything about the Transformers cartoons and comics! You can discuss anything from G1 to Cybertron as well as the comics from Marvel, Dreamwave, IDW and more!

Unused Greg Weisman G1 Episode Pitch "The Eye of the Beholder"

Postby El Duque » Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:16 am

Motto: "I ain't got time to bleed!"
Weapon: Gattling Gun
Greg Weisman, known for his work on Gargoyles, recently responded to a fan question regarding some unused episodes he pitched for Sunbow Productions original G1 Transformers Cartoon series. He describes one of these episodes that would have been titled "The Eye of the Beholder". Check it out below:


Greg Weisman wrote:Cary Bates and I pitched five separate springboards for individual episodes. No arcs.

Here's one:

THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
Transformer Premise
by Bates and Weisman
(4-11-86)

After endless study of Transformer programming specifications, Quarto Quintesson, a young programmer-artist has designed a construct that has a 97% probability of starting a devastating war between the Decepticons and the Autobots.
The Quintessons send a few Sharkticons to one of Saturn's moons. The Sharkticons drop off the construct and retreat. Earth sensors detect the Sharkticon intrusion. Rodimus Prime, Spike, Blurr and Bumblebee are in the vicinity on a diplomatic mission. They pause to investigate. Arriving on the moon, they discover the construct. The construct is a small crystalline "sculpture" on a rotating stand. The "sculpture" looks like an over-sized three-dimensional micro-chip. As it turns on its stand, colored light refracts through the crystals and a soft music is played.

Spike says: "Hey, it's like an old-fashioned music box!" But it takes him a few seconds to realize that the Autobots are absolutely entranced by the beauty that they perceive in the "Ultrachip".

Cut to Chaar, where Quarto has arrived to seek an audience with the mad leader Galvatron. He informs Galvatron of the mysterious Ultrachip that all Transformers will desire, but that the Autobots will attempt to keep from the Decepticons. Cyclonus suggests that such an Ultrachip might help Galvatron consolidate his rule over the divisive Decepticons. Galvatron is infuriated at the suggestion that he needs any help and attacks Cyclonus but then unpredictably changes his mind and sends Cyclonus, Scourge and the Sweeps to appropriate the Ultrachip.

Meanwhile, on Saturn's moon, Spike is explaining the concept of art to the Autobots, who like eternal soldiers, have never had the time to think about such things before. Spike accesses computer hologram records of various earth masterpieces...Rodin's The Thinker, Warhol's Soup Can, Bisin's Quantum Lady, etc. None has any real effect on the Autobots. The Ultrachip, however, is something new and wonderful to them.

And then Cyclonus and the Sweeps attack. The Autobots defend themselves, and the Ultrachip is momentarily forgotten, until the Decepticons get a good look at it. They too are mesmorized by its beauty. Without truly understanding why and having little to do with Galvatron's orders, they know that they must have it at any cost. The Autobots feel the same.
Spike pulls Rodimus aside and asks whether this "music box" merits all this trouble. Rodimus must explain that to Transformers, there can be no greater prize. Nevertheless, he offers Cyclonus a compromise. The Ultrachip will be left in a neutral location, where both Autobot and Decepticon can admire it. Cyclonus refuses the offer. Only the Decepticons may gaze upon the Ultrachip. Blurr in turn says that only the Autobots will be allowed to admire it.
Watching on his viewscreen, Quarto is practically gleeful, soon this skirmish will escalate into a full fledged war.
The battle continues. And the fragile Ultrachip is nearly destroyed by the conflict. Rodimus makes the extremely difficult decision to let Cyclonus take the Ultrachip. Better that the Decepticons get it, than that such beauty should be destroyed. Thus the Quintessons' latest plot is foiled by Rodimus' reason and compassion.
Cyclonus takes the Ultrachip back to Chaar and gives it to Galvatron, who orders everyone to clear his chamber. When he is alone, the mad leader destroys the Ultrachip...(or maybe he doesn't).
And on Cybertron, Kup is talking to Rodimus about the Ultrachip: "Too bad the Decepticons got it, we got a raw deal!"
But Rodimus opens a door, where we see Bumblebee, playing with crystals, constructing his own personal artistic Ultrachip, and Rodimus points out, "They may have gotten the chip, but we got the inspiration."
Now, before ANYONE posts questions about this premise, please keep in mind that this was TWENTY-SIX years ago. I remember NOTHING more than what you see above. NOTHING.
User avatar
El Duque
Matrix Keeper
Posts: 9760
News Credits: 5749
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:57 pm
Location: tornado alley

Re: Unused Greg Weisman G1 Episode Pitch "The Eye of the Beholder"

Postby mattwhite924 » Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:27 am

Interesting concept. I would have liked to have seen it animated. My only real problem with it is the idea that someone wants to start a war between the Autobots and Decepticons, as war is kind of what they've been doing for millions of years anyway.
User avatar
mattwhite924
Minibot
Posts: 140
News Credits: 1
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 11:04 pm

Re: Unused Greg Weisman G1 Episode Pitch "The Eye of the Beholder"

Postby Gauntlet101010 » Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:22 am

Yeah, the Decepticons really don't need any kind of excuse to fight the Autobots and vice versa.

The concept is nice, but it really screams Season 3. Interesting concept, but flawed from conception. I don't think it really needed to be made, it doesn't really add anything to the TF mythos aside from a comment about their warrior culture.
Gauntlet101010
Guardian Of Seibertron
Posts: 5352
News Credits: 1
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2005 8:13 pm

Re: Unused Greg Weisman G1 Episode Pitch "The Eye of the Beholder"

Postby Tigertrack » Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:44 am

Motto: "A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination."
Weapon: Sniper Rifle
Pretty cool idea. Fits well with the time as well.
User avatar
Tigertrack
Matrix Keeper
Posts: 9633
News Credits: 1082
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2003 7:08 am
Strength: 6
Intelligence: 8
Speed: 7
Endurance: 7
Rank: 10+
Courage: 9
Firepower: 8
Skill: 10

Re: Unused Greg Weisman G1 Episode Pitch "The Eye of the Beholder"

Postby Sabrblade » Fri Jul 20, 2012 11:00 am

Motto: "Can't do a job halfway. What's worth doing is worth doing well, I say."
Weapon: Saber Blade
Eh, nothing too special, but fitting for a season 3 episode from 1986.
"When there's gold feathers, punch behind you!!"

Shadowman wrote:This is Sabrblade we're talking about. His ability to store trivial information about TV shows is downright superhuman.
Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'
User avatar
Sabrblade
God Of Transformers
Posts: 38680
News Credits: 434
Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:22 pm
Location: Tampa, FL
Strength: 7
Intelligence: 10
Speed: 7
Endurance: 8
Rank: 9
Courage: 8
Firepower: 7
Skill: 9

Re: Unused Greg Weisman G1 Episode Pitch "The Eye of the Beholder"

Postby Megatron Wolf » Fri Jul 20, 2012 12:14 pm

Motto: "Cry havoc and let slip the Wolves of War, Vae Victus!"
Weapon: Saber Blade
I had no idea Weisman worked on Transformers, Gargoyles & G1 are my 2 favorite shows of all time so thats pretty cool to find out. I just watched the Gargoyles episode The Eye of The Beholder, wonder if this not getting made influenced the naming of it a little or if its just coincidence. On another note i really wish Gargoyles would come back, either continue the comics or the show. But since disney charges to much for the copyright & they obviously dont care much about the series itll never happen, or they'll do a crappy remake which would be the worse thing to happen.
Current TF count: 2042

User avatar
Megatron Wolf
Faction Commander
Posts: 4948
News Credits: 8
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2003 8:30 pm
Location: New York
Strength: 7
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 8
Endurance: 10+
Rank: 10+
Courage: 10
Firepower: 7
Skill: 10

Re: Unused Greg Weisman G1 Episode Pitch "The Eye of the Beholder"

Postby Ultra Markus » Fri Jul 20, 2012 12:33 pm

Motto: "“You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” - Harvey Dent in The Dark Knight"
Weapon: 16 Cannons
zbyicidsa wrote:welcome to: http://www.netetrader.com

The website wholesale for many kinds of
fashion shoes, like the nike,jordan,prada,****, also including the jeans,shirts,bags,hat and the decorations. All the products are free shipping, and the the price is competitive, and also can accept the paypal payment.,after the payment, can ship within short time.


free shipping

competitive price

any size available

accept the paypal

http://www.mineokmalls.com

jordan shoes $32

nike shox $32

Christan Audigier bikini $23

Ed Hardy Bikini $23

Smful short_t-shirt_woman $15

ed hardy short_tank_woman $16

Sandal $32

christian louboutin $80

Sunglass $15

COACH_Necklace $27

handbag $33

AF tank woman $17

puma slipper woman $30

http://www.netetrader.com
please don't pollute the forums with your
advertising
User avatar
Ultra Markus
Gestalt
Posts: 2287
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2004 5:48 pm
Alt Mode: the biggest baddest thing ever
Strength: 10
Intelligence: 10
Speed: 7
Endurance: 10
Rank: 9
Courage: 10
Firepower: 10
Skill: 10

Re: Unused Greg Weisman G1 Episode Pitch "The Eye of the Beholder"

Postby Archanubis » Fri Jul 20, 2012 3:12 pm

Motto: "Don't take life too seriously or you'll never get out of it alive."
Weapon: Lightning Rifle
Like everyone else has said, nothing special, and rather typical of a S3 G1 Transformers ep. But again, Weisman is remembering details from nearly 3 decades ago.
Image
User avatar
Archanubis
City Commander
Posts: 3196
News Credits: 3
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2005 11:05 am
Location: Hylion Prime

Re: Unused Greg Weisman G1 Episode Pitch "The Eye of the Beholder"

Postby Autobot Megatron » Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:09 pm

Motto: "That's just prime..."
Weapon: Fusion Cannon
Not bad, probably would have been a decent S3 episode, except for the fact that it's impossible to start a war against two groups already in war. That's called escalation.
Autobot Megatron
Like Nemisis Prime, but cooler.
User avatar
Autobot Megatron
Fuzor
Posts: 277
Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:05 pm
Location: Uh, I'm right here, aren't I?

Re: Unused Greg Weisman G1 Episode Pitch "The Eye of the Beholder"

Postby Bumblevivisector » Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:32 pm

Season 3 is handily my favorite stretch of the G1 'toon, and while that treatment as described wouldn't have added much to it, the script could've been whipped into shape by Flint Dille; maybe tweak the premise to the Quints wanting to lure as many Bots and Cons there as possible, then blow up the moon like they blew up Quintessa in 'Five Faces of Darkness'. The idea of the Quints using their knowledge of TF psychology against them also rings true with 'The Killing Jar'.

It could've even taken a really cynical bent by showing that pop-art can be used to manipulate a society into acting against their better interests-- (BUMBLEBEE): "Like getting us to blow each other to smithereens, or tricking kids into buying a bunch of toys" --which could also have contributed to its rejection.

One thing about the timing: they pitched this on April 11, 1986? Even with AKOM's cost- and time-saving animation, how long did it take for episodes to get made? Could that timing have necessitated it as technically being a pitch for Season 4, making its execution totally impossible?
User avatar
Bumblevivisector
Godmaster
Posts: 1976
News Credits: 1
Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2010 12:29 am
Strength: 7
Intelligence: 8
Speed: 6
Endurance: 5
Rank: 5
Courage: 7
Firepower: 9
Skill: 6

Re: Unused Greg Weisman G1 Episode Pitch "The Eye of the Beholder"

Postby Sodan-1 » Sat Jul 21, 2012 7:18 am

Motto: "Motive is a universal weakness."
Using a piece of art is a lot more interesting than the usual ultimate weapon or everlasting source of energy. A bit odd that despite being lead to the moon by Sharkticon activity and information from a Quintesson, neither side suspects it might be a set-up. Not surprised it didn't get the green light.
Sodan-1
Gestalt
Posts: 2345
News Credits: 1
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2009 11:35 am
Location: Right where you'd least expect me to be.

Re: Unused Greg Weisman G1 Episode Pitch "The Eye of the Beholder"

Postby Duke of Luns » Sat Jul 21, 2012 10:03 am

Going to agree it's an o.k. idea, and fits in with the general motif of a typical Season 3 episode.

What slightly surprises me is the specific inclusion of Bumblebee. I think he was supposed to be on the shelves at the time(I wasn't even a year old when the episode was pitched), but he was only in a handful of episodes.
Image
Duke of Luns
Gestalt
Posts: 2145
News Credits: 1
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2003 7:19 pm
Location: North Central West Virginia

Re: Unused Greg Weisman G1 Episode Pitch "The Eye of the Beholder"

Postby Duke of Luns » Sun Dec 15, 2013 3:00 pm

Mega necro-bump, but with good reason. Transformers: The Lost Seasons recently released the fan-comic adaptation of the episode, and I was fortunate enough to do the scripting:

http://tf-the-lost-seasons.deviantart.com/gallery/

Check it out ;) .
Image
Duke of Luns
Gestalt
Posts: 2145
News Credits: 1
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2003 7:19 pm
Location: North Central West Virginia

Re: Unused Greg Weisman G1 Episode Pitch "The Eye of the Beholder"

Postby Towline » Thu Dec 19, 2013 8:01 pm

Greg Weisman was ahead of his time with that script. That episode was the type of good science fiction that you would now see on a typical Transformers Prime episode.
Towline
Micromaster
Posts: 80
Joined: Tue Feb 22, 2005 12:29 am


Return to Transformers Cartoons and Comics Forum

Transformers and More @ The Seibertron Store

Visit our store on eBay
These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "DETECTIVE COMICS #38 Facsimile DC Comics 2022 ptg 0922DC131 Robin (CA) Kane+More"
DETECTIVE COMICS # ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "DETECTIVE COMICS #411 Facsimile Cvr B DC Comics 2024 ptg 0124DC162 Blank Sketch"
NEW!
DETECTIVE COMICS # ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #254 Facsimile Marvel Comics 2024 ptg JAN240730 (CA) Leonardi"
NEW!
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "NEW TEEN TITANS #1 Facsimile Cvr A DC Comics 2023 ptg 1023DC206 1A (CA) Perez"
NEW TEEN TITANS #1 ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "WOLVERINE #1 Facsimile 1:25 Marvel Comics 2024 ptg JAN240733 Bradshaw 240317E"
NEW!
WOLVERINE #1 Facsi ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "WONDER WOMAN #1 facsimile Cvr B foil DC Comics 2023 0923DC273 1B (CA) Peter"
WONDER WOMAN #1 fa ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "DETECTIVE COMICS #58 Facsimile DC Comics 2023 ptg 0723DC204 Penguin (CA)Ray+more"
DETECTIVE COMICS # ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "BATMAN #1 Facsimile Edition Cvr B foil DC Comics 2023 ptg 0723DC202 1B (CA) Kane"
BATMAN #1 Facsimil ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "GREEN LANTERN #87 Facsimile Cvr A DC Comics 2024 ptg 1223DC211 (CA) Adams"
NEW!
GREEN LANTERN #87 ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "BATMAN #181 Facsimile Edition Cvr B foil DC Comics 2023 ptg 0323DC161 181B"
BATMAN #181 Facsim ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #252 Facsimile 1:25 Marvel Comics 2024 ptg OCT230972 (CA)Vess"
NEW!
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Marvel Super Heroes SECRET WARS #3 Facsimile foil Marvel Comics 2024 DEC230721"
NEW!
Marvel Super Heroe ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "X-MEN #101 Facsimile 2023 ptg Marvel Comics MAY230703  (CA) Cockrum (W)Claremont"
X-MEN #101 Facsimi ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #300 Facsimile Marvel Comics 2023 ptg JUN230960 (CA)McFarlane"
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ...
* Price and quantities subject to change. Shipping costs, taxes and other fees not included in cost shown. Refer to listing for current price and availability.
Find the items above and thousands more at the Seibertron Store on eBay
Transformers Podcast: Twincast / Podcast #346 - Gas Station Jamboree
Twincast / Podcast #346:
"Gas Station Jamboree"
MP3 · iTunes · RSS · View · Discuss · Ask
Posted: Saturday, March 23rd, 2024

Featured Products on Amazon.com

These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Legends Class Battleslash" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Bumblebee Movie Toys, Energon Igniters Nitro Bumblebee Action Figure - Included Core Powers Driving Action - Toys for Kids 6 and Up, 7-inch" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Studio Series 13 Voyager Class Movie 2 Megatron" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Titans Return Repugnus, Dastard, and Solus Prime Prime Master" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Megatronus Prime Master" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Leader Evolution Rodimus Prime" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Deluxe Class Dinobot Sludge" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Voyager Class Grimlock" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Titans Return Autobot Perceptor and Convex" on AMAZON
Buy "Hasbro Transformers Generations Titans Return Soundwave and Soundblaster" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Titans Return Legends Class Decepticon Ravage(Discontinued by manufacturer)" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Titans Return Deluxe Slugslinger and Caliburst" on AMAZON