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Posts tagged starscream

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Anonymous asked: What do you think of the idea of the Decepticons having human allies? (I believe they did this in transformers masterforce if I'm not mistaken.)

I think it’s a pretty cool concept if done well.

I’ve mentioned this before, but in most animated Transformers stories, the relationships between humans and Autobots is framed as being something positive and beneficial for both parties. It touts humanity as a force to be celebrated since we as a species are given a central position in empowering the heroic Autobots. This makes sense of course, since this is a multi-media action/adventure entertainment franchise for children and young adults, so of course they’d want to play up the good in humanity.

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In the case of people acting as allies for the Decepticons, a more nuanced and potentially disturbing picture of human-kind emerges. Something a little harder to address in an escapism franchise. Because the fact of the matter is: humans aren’t universally good, benevolent, kind, and helpful. In this scenario, you have the opportunity to explore a “what if” scenario of peoples’ capability to exploit both the unknown and each other. Not all people react to stimuli the same way. So, while some may see the arrival of giant, alien robot-beings on their planet as an opportunity for friendship, just as many would probably see a chance for violence and self empowerment at the expense of their fellow species.

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I think it is because of the potentially dark levels this type of plot could descend into that we don’t see Decepticons taking on human allies that much in Transformers fiction. And in the rare cases we do, things always end badly for said human ally. You mentioned Transformers Masterforce, which I’m unfortunately not well versed in, so I can’t comment on it. But, I can reference the examples of…

  • Doctor Arkeville of G1 who allies briefly with Starscream, gets turned into a cyborg against his will and made a prisoner

  • Dylan Gould of Dark of the Moon, sold out his species and zapped to death while trying to stop Sam during the Chicago invasion

  • Leland Bishop “Silas” of Transformers Prime, though against his direct orders, happily merges with the corpse of Breakdown thus willingly discarding his own humanity in the process. In seeking to work for Megatron, he is eventually cut up by Knockout both due to Megatron’s orders and Knockout’s own personal desire for revenge

  • Bruno Carrera from the Transformers film series novel The Veiled Threat, allies himself with Starscream in the hopes of having control over portions of the world once the Decepticons take over, but is eventually murdered by Starscream when an initial plot to kill Optimus Prime fails

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I actually kinda like this novel, it’s got some good concepts and character interactions….

Anyways, in all the above cases, we can see a pretty consistent theme of Deception allied humans being very quickly and sounded punished for their transgressions against humanity at large. Now, humans who ally themselves with Autobots do suffer sometimes for their friendships, this is true, but they’re typically rewarded in the end. I would perhaps like to see the notion of human/Decepticon allegiances taken a few steps further: a situation wherein the one bad person doesn’t get iced after one failed plot. Perhaps a long running story arc wherein one or a few Decepticons team up with a PMC or some organized criminals? Perhaps a Doctor Arkeville-esque character who lives and works in the Decepticon base full time?

The Transformers comics have done more with this concept too, but I’m not super familiar with them either. I also respect that the above requests might be beyond the scope of what Transformers wants to do with itself. To any rate, those are my thoughts.

Filed under maccadam transformers tfp silas Doctor Arkeville decepticon anon asks starscream

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nabulos replied to your post: What did you think about Starscream’s … behavior…

When Shockwave came in, the fear and shock in scream’s eyes was all too clear. The cyclops is sure to make a grand stand in the ‘new era’

Perhaps Starscream’s greatest issue is his massive ego counterbalanced by  crippling self doubt and a constant need to be “the best” one in the room: the one is going to receive the lion’s share of praise, respect, and power even if those boons come from a higher source. So long as Starscream is the sole standard of quality, he doesn’t mind. But, Starscream is also very aware that he… has a lot of shortcomings… and isn’t shy about marginalizing or removing those who could be a threat to his status.

Shockwave is everything Starscream is plus 2, minus the bombastic personality flaws which constantly give Starscream failure; all replaced by cool, calculating logic. Hence the overwhelming fear and panic which sets into our leggy Air Commander… Can’t be the big fish in a small pond anymore.

Filed under nabulos tfp beast hunters starscream shockwave dark mount nv

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nabulos asked: What did you think about Starscream's ... behavior in the new ep? I thought it was a bit too obvious he's boot licking for the most part. But then towards the end it was rather cool having him back as megatron's SIC. Also, his comment to Megatron about his speaking skills I felt were oddly genuine.

I was okay with pretty much everything Starscream was doing in this particular episode.

As of the end of last season he finally (fucking finally) completed a plan which Megatron approved of and brought prosper/success to the Decepticon cause. IE: something he’s been trying to do since Darkness Rising. He’s in a rare place of holding Megatron’s approval, and Megatron’s in a rare place of unquestioned victory. So, I felt his sycophancy was merely a reaction to trying to maintain that golden sweet spot .

And, like yourself, he seemed genuinely pleased with Megatron’s speech (the clapping was a nice touch). And he also seemed wholly invested in bringing further success and glory to Megatron. Keeping Megatron smiling and keeping the Decepticons winning was all on Starscream’s mind. And for the majority of the episode, things seem to be working out pretty well for Starscream, he’s doing his job well at first and things seem to be falling into place. But Megatron, as is tradition, quickly grows dissatisfied.

And then Chugway shows up… And you can just see Starscream realizing he can’t compete…

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Can’t beat the Real McCoy, baby…

Filed under tfp beast hunters megatron starscream darkmount nv shockwave nabulos

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needsabouttreefiddy replied to your post: Oh no… Now I’ve made myself all sad thinking about…

I’m considering watching Armada if only for Alexis and Starscream.

Transformers Armada starts slow… really slow… But it gets good in the second half, which is also when Starscream’s major development starts kicking in. Furthermore, the last 10 to 14 episodes of Transfomers Armada are actually pretty interesting and cool what with the Unicron plot and all. Alexis and Starscream’s friendship remains perhaps the most emotionally investing element, but there are other interesting things about Armada.

Filed under needsabouttreefiddy transfomers armada starscream Alexis Thi Dang transformers unicron trilogy

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razorsaw replied to your post: Oh no… Now I’ve made myself all sad thinking about…

Didn’t Alexis have a cameo at the end of the series as the President’s assistant? I don’t mean the one the dub added, but there was a brief thing where she’s seen on a stage.

Yes, Alexis has brief cameo but no speaking role on stage in the last episode of Transformers Cybertron/Transformers Galaxy Force. She has a larger presence in Transformers Energon/Super Link…. But that show is balls.

Filed under transformers armada Alexis Thi Dang razorsaw starscream transformers energon transformers cybertron

9 notes

Oh no… Now I’ve made myself all sad thinking about Alexis and Starscream.

Poor Alexis, all cool and competent, tirelessly working alone in her office… Helping the Autobots, solving Earth’s and Cybertron’s problems; building stronger relationships. But, who looks out for her well being? Where’s her cross-cultural/cross-species friendship?

Meanwhile, Cybertron!Starscream is stuck in a fire dimension or some shit, not that it matters since his character is a joke by that point.

It just…. It makes me really upset!

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Filed under they deserved much better than they had... transformers armada starscream alexis Alexis Thi Dang draqua is sad transformers At least Alexis got to do what she loved but it's still sad weh The Unicron Trilogy isn't worth this level of upsetness!

31 notes

obfuscobble:

lizwuzthere:

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Are you guys ready for this? Because I am about to RIP INTO these characters. *cracks knuckles* No holds barred here, guys.

Under read more to spare the uninterested from having their dash flooded-

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Oh gosh but I love this essay.  However:

Now you all know the horrible truth. I’m so very sorry.

No you aren’t.  Friend, you so aren’t.  Nor am I.  The world must know of the time Megatron laid an egg. :T

imageStarscream: Why are you still waiting around for me?
Alexis: Because I’m your friend.
Starscream: You trusted me, Alexis, and I thank you for that.

As for Alexis, having watched the Unicron Trilogy (which was a terrible decision) I do have insight into her.  She started out as a “token girl as mother figure” character.  She was “the girl” and she existed to balance out the rowdyness of the boys with her caution and compassion.  Not the most interesting character at first, but she did get equal screen time. 

Then came the Starscream plot where her caution and compassion became true strengths as she reached out to Starscream.  Perhaps it’s the whole “girl tames the savage beast” plot all over again, but I did find her growing friendship with Starscream to be THE most effective character arc in the Unicron trilogy.  Alexis taught Starscream that he could find self worth in friendship instead of power grabbing, and that made Starscream reëvaluate his relationship with Megatron.  Then Starscream was able to express his relationship towards Megatron with the same loyalty and self-sacrifice that Alexis has shewn him.

imageCoaxing understanding and gentleness out of Starscream was not easy for Alexis, and he himself resisted it.  Alexis was dermined to bunk the trend of hostility shewn by every other character in favour of, oh iunno, treating him like any other cybertronian deserving of dignity and friendship.  This put her at odds with just about every other character until she managed to get the other humans and some minicons on board SS Compassion.  However, after all the work that Alexis put in to bringing out Starscream’s potential, it is tragic that he had to reject her in the end not out of a case of “let’s forget those episodes happened so he’s cranky again” but because Starscream knew he was dangerous, and the path that he now had to walk to live up to Alexis’ expectations was dangerous, and thus he wanted to save his only friend from having to suffer because of him.

Alexis’ “female” compassion thus becomes not a wishy washy mothering soft-female trait, but a strength integral to the end run of Armada, and her and Starscream’s character arcs.  Alexis actually has more impact on the plot of Armada than any other human.  The bond of friendship that Alexis and Starscream shared deeply affected Alexis during the finale of Armada, and it was perhaps only Alexis who ever fully understood Starscream.  This was all forgotten by the time Energon rolled around partially because she was sidelined as a character and partially because the Unicron Trilogy is WHACKY about continuity.

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As for Alexis being Asian, it’s important to remember that from the Japanese animation perspective, characters the West perceives as default white will be perceived as default Asian instead.  Japanese animation likes to use different identifiers for foreigners, the most common being the combination of blonde hair and blue eyes.

Reblogging for the Alexis commentary.

I know I tend to rip on Transformers Armada a lot, as does a good chunk the Transformers fandom. However, I really do like Starscream, Alexis, and their shared friendship in this series. I find it honestly engaging and well done.

Friendship man…

Filed under transformers transformers armada starscream alexis alexis dai thang obfuscobble