Transformers: Prime/Analysis: Difference between revisions

* Starscream is himself a meditation on just what kind of Decepticon would stay [[The Starscream]] for a long period of time. The answer, surprisingly, isn't so much a shadowy plotter like G1, a two time obvious snake like in [[Beast Wars (Animation)|Beast Wars]], a complex yet powerful man that needs to be kept close like in the Unicron trilogy, or even a powerful yet sneaky boaster like in ''Animated''. Starscream wants to be "his own master", but takes a page from his [[Transformers Cybertron]] and [[Transformers Animated]] counterparts in trying to be smart about it. He enjoyed autonomy with Megatron gone, and does obey his general commands, while on occasion taking a safe route rather than following Megatron to the letter. Sometimes it pays off, and for almost 10 episodes, we have the rare moment where Starscream is [[Big Bad]] of the Decepticons. However, sometimes it doesn't, as Megatron eventually gets back on his feet. Starscream clearly enjoyed being leader and desired to leave Megatron's shadow, but perhaps he wanted autonomy to do it more. He slowly begins to lose everything, but it was only when he thought he lost his position within the Decepticons that he thought he had nothing more to strive for as a Decepticon, and {{spoiler|he decides his own freedom of action is more important than being a powerful leader. Starscream declares himself [[Chaotic Neutral]], at least for now, and literally disappears from the war}}. It's a pretty good meditation on what kind of soldier would keep trying to reach the top, and just how they would do it without getting killed.

** In addition, recent episodes have given the "Starscream as independent operator" idea more credential, but at the same time creates a kind of [[Ineffectual Sympathetic Villain]] vibe. {{spoiler|Starscream has become a walking contradiction. He's still dangerous enough to throw substantial monkey wrenches into both Autobot and Decepticon plans as the [[Spanner in Thethe Works]] and strong enough to defend himself sneakily. On the other hand, as a rouge, and then without a T-cog, he lacks the means to become a major threat for the most part, and even the more pragmatic Autobots consider him too pitiful to finish off at times. Though interestingly, after Starscream tried to [[Send in Thethe Clones]], and now that he has armor that may allow him to become even more powerful, it indicates that he's still a dangerous [[Wild Card]] in this fight between robots.}}