The starscream brain rot be hitting hard. And I have another song idea that fits him which has turned into a character analysis as well.
'The Mind Electric' with the bits that goes
"Someone help me understand what's going on inside my mind" could be the change of Starscream's mentality due to the normalisation of his abuse and how he views it as -normal-. And if it's Skybound it could be whatever the hell Megatron did to force Starscream to kill the prisoners when he first joined.
"Doctor I can't tell if I'm not me" literally the post war Starscream being paranoid he's not the same person at all as he was before like a clone maybe and the fact that he can't form connections with anyone. And again in Skybound it's the gap between Ulchtar and Starscream.
"See how I laugh at you" resembles Starscream constant undermining of others to make him feel better due to his insecurities and also the fact that his whole life he was laughed at so he does it back similar to the "abuse cycle".
"No you'll never understand" right after that bit shows how nobody has been in his situation and nobody tried to understand or reach out to help him mentally without blaming him for it or even just completely brushing it off. Also highlights how nobody believes him when he tries to talk about the abuse (Hashtag did tho even said how she believes Megatron who she looked up to a bit ig hurt him, a complete 180 of what everyone else does and the fact that she is close to Megatron but isn't brushing it off says so much -nobody has mentioned this from what I've read which is weird cause it just shows how clear Starscream's PTSD is (also fuck Hasbro for taking it away from us)). Saying how he brought it upon himself and that he kept trying to usurp Megatron meant he deserved it. And again shows how he can't grow attachments cause nobody views him as a victim only a failure who deserves his punishment so they don't find reason behind his actions. Not trying to "understand" why he hurts people or in the songs case "laugh" at them because they don't see him as a product of abuse that needs to be cared for. Only a bot who's worse than Megatron ever was.
Okay, fine! I'll talk about "The Plague"! You wore me down, my own brain! Seriously, though, I love these episodes. Especially Part 2!
Part 1 starts out with some of my favorite banter from S&H. Hutch is excited to tell Starsky about the people he read about in National Geographic (nerd!) who are said to have lived up to 148 years old. Hutch is so cute here. (Way to rub in how young and full of life he is, Mr. Langford) Starsky is doubtful and much less excited, especially hearing that this only seems to be possible if you live in Azerbaijan ("It's in Russia"). He's fine with staying in California and living to a respectable 80 to 85 with a lot of "Ya know what I mean?" to make up for the lost years.
Side Note: Hutch seems legitimately annoyed that Starsky has such a flippant attitude towards life, but his face and tone as he mocks him crack me up every time.
They're at the airport to pick up a friend and colleague named Jake. His plane lands at 11, but they got there with plenty of time to spare.
Side Note: Me Core
Anyway, their friend shows up just in time to join the boys in chasing down possibly the worst thief in history. While in pursuit, Jake accidentally runs into a bystander and scratches his hand hard enough to draw blood. A very confusing way to transfer a virus from one character to another, but whatever. Turns out Casanova Frankenstein over there was actually a hit man named Thomas Callendar who goes by the not at all cliché alias Mr. Steele (really, bro?) while staying at a bed and breakfast owned by a sweet divorcee and her weird ass son.
Meanwhile, back at the station a few days later, Hutch is still waxing poetic about living another 120 years and trying to convince Starsky to feel the same way. No dice. Starsk is still only interested in sex and booze. Hutch can feel free to live that long for the both of them. Jake collapses pretty much mid-banter and both men go to his aid. (Dun dun dun!) Not a good position to be in, but even worse is what happens next.
The boys sit in the waiting room with Jake's wife, Virginia, and Hutch holds her and sweetly picks little fuzzies off her shirt. When they finally get the news their friend has passed away, Virginia clings to Hutch for the comforting touch that seems to be so unique to him. I don't think it gets confirmed, but I'm pretty sure that is the moment she inadvertently signs his death warrant.
Virginia and the boys are put into quarantine in case whatever unknown virus killed Jake is contagious, but S&H are let out early once Dr. Judith Kauffman and Dr. Meredith realize they have no way of detecting the infection. The boys along with Judith are then tasked with tracking down everyone Jake had contact with for the past few days since he arrived at the airport. Brilliant plan, right? Send out two people you know had several instances of direct personal contact with a man carrying an unidentified plague virus to interview dozens of unwitting citizens while the doc sits wedged in-between them inside Starsky’s car. What could go wrong?
Side Note: Ligs.
At Helen the divorcee's B&B, the kid, Richie, finds Callendar lying sick in his room and grabs his mother. Ya know, just to make sure they both get exposed. Helen wants to call a doctor, but Callendar, uh hem, I mean Mr. Steele convinces her not to.
The virus is spreading, and the thief from the airport bites the dust next. Back at the airport, a security officer who helped catch the thief isn't feeling too hot, but he's able to get them a photo of the man who scratched Jake. Good news! They know who he is. Bad news! "He's the Prince of Hit Men." He isn't dead, though. They checked all the morgues, hospitals, clinics, and jails.
Callendar is then revealed to be an assassin with a heart of gold by making fun of the kid and the kid's shoes then giving him money to go buy some new sneakers and a flower for his mother. What a guy.
Blah blah blah, lots of sneaky bad guy stuff happens, and Starsky and Hutch figure out Callendar flew in from Naples to take out a guy called Roper. Look, I'm gonna be honest, Part 1 kind of bores me in the middle here. It's not that it's bad or anything. I just know what's coming next and want to get to it already! Lol! So, yeah, they find Callendar and a chase ensues. Callendar gets lucky when a semi truck pulls out in front of the Torino and he gets away. It's a moment we know Starsky must be replaying in his head over and over again in Part 2.
Now, we finally get to the good stuff! The boys are called back to the hospital and informed that Hutch is infected and they only have two days to find Callendar or it will be too late to synthesize a serum and save Hutch’s life. Hutch takes it on the chin with so many eyes on him, but Starsky is visibly distraught. He promises Hutch he'll find Callendar, and Hutch reminds him of his 148 year plan.
Starsky argues with Dobey about the amount of men he has out looking for the hit man, and they get a call saying he was spotted after sideswiping a truck running off into a field. Starsky rallies his small army of officers to search everywhere for Callendar. "And when you get tired and wiped out, put your tails back in gear again, keep looking." Good partners are hard to come by, after all.
Side Note: This is peak Starsky hair. It's so big and fluffy! Any time I picture Starsky in my head, this is the Starsky I see! 🥵
It's obvious Starsky isn't very hopeful. "I've got a partner who's dying a little bit with every tick of the clock. I got no answers." Part 1 ends there, and I enthusiastically click on Part 2 while simultaneously grabbing a box of tissues. Oh my glob, I love this show!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
This story has been noted to have “glorious angst” within it - and this chapter will definitely not disappoint. Just remember, it will get better. But for now, enjoy the angsty continuation of this little story.
Listening to: Lucky to Know You by SayWeCanFly
Excerpt:
“And you?” Din’s voice was quiet.
Luke turned to look at him then. “What about me?”
“Are you seeing anyone?” His brown eyes were dark as they met Luke’s.
Luke huffed a laugh, turning to walk into the kitchen. “I don’t think you have any right to ask me that.”
The sun rises up as I blink myself awake. I’m sitting in my car, in front of my school, with an empty McDonalds fry box and Oreo McFlurry next to me. My phone tells me it’s 7:30. 25 minutes before school begins. I grab my beige crossbody bag, decorated with kittens, my trash from McDonalds, and my Chromebook and get out. The car is locked and I make my way into the school.
I find him in the same old seat. He smiles, softer than yesterday, and I slip into the seat next to him.
“I like you” This time it comes out of the blue.
“Is this some cruel joke you’re playing or do you actually?” He scoffs.
“365 days. After that, no more confessions.” I smile. “It’ll go by really quickly. I promise”
“I sure hope it does”
You later on tell me that that was the day my smile started losing its vividness
School passes and it seems your awkwardness from the day before left. We’re chatting, arguing, and laughing like nothing changed. I tease you when the girl you like passes and your face blooms into a bright crimson. You hit me in the head, causing a heavy loss of braincells, and I hiss at you.
The day ends normally. Nothing changes and things fall into the same pattern as the day before. Sleep at 9 pm today. My 3 am extravaganzas are only every other day. Or when I’m moody and need comfort food. Texting a quick good night, I drift off to sleep.
