#transformers fan

[cani-bal]

Theyre in love

[nerdwhoauthorinserts]

-Starscream Appreciation Post-

I'm just saying, if you pay attention to Starscream in G1's character, especially in episodes where he's the focus (For example: Starscream's Brigade) there are very obvious points to many aspects of his personality people don't really talk about/acknowledge.

Mainly, this post is gonna talk about two of them:

Starscream has an obvious interest in human culture/history, even if he's not particularly interested in humans themselves. (Although I'd argue that Starscream also doesn't dislike humans, but that's a conversation for another day)

Starscream is more competent and badass than most characters in the show, to where the other Decepticons even acknowledge it occasionally.

(Putting a read more split here because this was a bit longer than I expected, lol.)

Starscream, I'd argue, is one of the best examples of the 'crouching moron, hidden badass' trope; he's often used for comedy in G1, usually using his overzealous pride or bad luck, but when it comes down to it, Starscream is a badass motherfucker.

In the Transformers G1 movie, Starscream even shoots his own foot to avoid being crushed (You know he shot his own foot rather than the metal plating because he yells out about it as he flies off). That definitely isn't something just anyone could stomach doing, and Starscream just shrugs it off, kicks Megatron, and doesn't even acknowledge it afterwards.

Starscream also almost wins multiple times in G1, usually only losing because of a random deus ex machina. The best example of this I think being in 'Starscream's Brigade', where Starscream even has Megatron begging for mercy before what's-his-face and his band of merry men just happen to show up at the last second to swing the odds away from Starscream.

It's never really a problem of Starscream being stupid, because he isn't. Starscream only ever loses because of his pride or simple bad luck. (The trope's name kinda gives a bad impression of what I'm trying to say, but that's why I linked a video that talks more in-depth about it.)

And that's not even mentioning when Starscream comes back as a ghost and literally tricks Unicron - who is basically space Satan - into helping him get a new body, escapes without fulfilling his end of the bargain, and seemingly gets away with it. (He got shot and floated off into space, but I think it's important to note the writers planned for him to survive that and come back later. So, Starscream not dying on screen is supposed to imply he survived and got away with it.)

As for Starscream being interested in human culture/history, there are plenty of examples. But using the same example I've used three times because it's the best example of Starscream's writing in G1 - Starscream's Brigade - the entire episode is kicked off by Starscream recognizing human war machines and knowing enough about them to get the idea of making his own army.

In another episode, he also acknowledges a character using 'open sesame' as a password to open a door by saying: "Oh, how original." which implies he's looked into human turns of phrase, maybe even looked into human legends and folklore, and knows that phrase is used enough that it's eyeroll-worthy.

Turning away from G1 a bit, this interest in folklore and legends is also supported by other versions of Starscream: in a comic called 'I have no mouth and I must Starscream', Starscream has an extreme love for Cybertronian folklore and legends, to the point it's implied that Starscream has memorized them. This is a result of his extreme love for Cybertron, sure, but given he's a scientist and inquisitive by nature, I don't see how he wouldn't at least be interested in other culture's stories, too.

Ultimately, I just find it dumb when people boil Starscream down to 'overzealous, dumb, weak guy trying to be the boss', when that's categorically not even true to his character.

[bumblebees-17]

Yeah, let's say it's Starscream.

[alice-is-a-mouse]

i NEED more moots who fw transformers but i haven’t been able to buy a figure in ages cause how i got all the affordable ones i want so i haven’t been transformers posting

[cyberneticfirstaid]

Ivor Akaneten — The Deceiver

Stupid ahh racist bug

[lydiawong3729]

Happy 40th anniversary to all Transformers communities and fans🥳

Many thanks for accompanying us for a long time🫶🤝

18.02.24

[fandomtrashfox]

I know this sounds like a crack AU, but hear me out-

Starscream approaches the Autobots one day under the guise of 'leaving the Decepticons to join the Autobots'. ...None of the Autobots believe him, but Optimus convinces them to give Starscream a chance, under the idea that anyone can change if only given the opportunity.

To avoid as much potential sabotage as possible, though, Optimus tasks Starscream with the most benign thing he can think of: helping the humans at some zoo, and promising Starscream that if he proves trustworthy, he'll let him do more.

Starscream is upset, but not wanting to blow his cover, he agrees; though not without complaining the whole time about having to be around "such disgusting organic creatures".

Starscream does the bare minimum of effort, though forcing himself to be gentle with the animals so he doesn't hurt them and blow his cover. Until he meets 'Mr Hiss', the honey badger.

Starscream finds Mr Hiss after the tiny creature tried to attack him one day when he escaped his enclosure. Starscream is confused, seeing as most creatures of this size usually run away from him. He learns later from stories the zookeepers share that 'Mr Hiss' is infamous for escaping his enclosure and making trouble.

Starscream is intrigued, but in a detached way, like one would be intrigued about an ant. He returns to the zoo one day, though, only to find 'Mr Hiss' got into the lion enclosure and was beaten so badly that he almost died. Starscream is put in charge of taking care of the badger, and he does everything possible to help the badger heal.

...Not because he cares about Mr Hiss, obviously, but just to make sure the Autobots think he does.

Starscream's help pays off, but as soon as Starscream hears Mr Hiss escaped again, he finds Mr Hiss at the lion exhibit, trying to break in for revenge.

Starscream picks up the little troublemaker and chastises him as he walks him back to his enclosure. "Foolish organic! You already nearly died to those creatures! Why risk so much just to get revenge-..." Starscream pauses, and he has a moment of self-reflection.

After that, Starscream visits Mr Hiss's enclosure more often, and slowly begins visiting the others, too. Starscream actually helps with the animals. Soon, Starscream realizes he's getting attached. He tries to deny it, but he can't bring himself to say he hates these creatures.

Starscream reports back to the Decepticons less and less. Eventually, Starscream refers to himself as an 'Autobot' without hesitation.

Oh, sure, Starscream is still a bit... 'rough around the edges', but he doesn't want to hurt Earth or its creatures anymore... so that's an improvement, at least?