I actually got to meet Tom Kenny at a convention, and after getting his autograph I went “thank you starscream very cool” and he actually did the starscream voice saying “glory to the decepticons!”
The saddest part about armada starscream’s death is the fact that his attack didn’t even reach unicron. I can imagine unicron only attacked him out of annoyance, to him it was like swatting a fly.
I think that it was moreso him trying to show Galvatron how dangerous of a threat Unicron was by having Unicron kill him right in front of their faces - to prompt him to join with Prime. I also suspect Unicron was possibly trying to kill Starscream to stop him from getting both sides to work together knowing that would be the way to defeat him, but ironically it resulted in them forming the alliance.
Megaton once said this about bring Starscream back in G2; "Why? That's what they all asked me. Why him... why Starscream? Why, of all Decepticons, did I decide to revitalize the one whose record of deceit and betrayal is legend? Because I'm an idiot, that's why!"
There's this sort of ironic thing that permeates some newer Transformers media. In the wake of the 07 movie starting with Megatron frozen and needing to be freed by his allies, other fiction has followed that path, giving rise to this trope where a Transformers story will start with Megatron indisposed and Starscream in charge of the Decepticons. Animated handled it best, as Season 1 mostly focuses on the human villains and the Decepticons don't become the main focus until the Season Finale, where Megatron returns. It's also set at a point where the war is mostly over, and doesn't kick into high gear again until Megatron announces his return. Other media, less so. They have the war continuing and Screamer running the show, and they have a habit of making his tenure last for years at a time, and then Megatron comes back and loses the war in the space of three seasons of animation. Like, Prime Starscream runs a successful Energon-mining operation on Earth for five years, and the only time we see him get found, he immediately executes the Autobot that stumbled upon them. Megatron returns, introduces his grand plan to give everyone Space Meth he cooked from the blood of Satan, and does a bunch of bombastic evil schemes, takes over Nevada and then loses it three episodes later, and dies. Along the way, he kills exclusively his own men. It goes even further in the movies. Megatron flew off to search for the Allspark _millennia_ ago, and Starscream has been ruling the empire ever since. No-one respects him, he has to work with a bunch of 'cons who are basically a cult dedicated to Megatron, and then they free Megs, and in the space of a few hours, Megatron's dead, his troops are dead, the Allspark's dead, and the lone survivor is Starscream. The DS game only heightens it, because it's based on early material where the movie version of Megatron was a spark-eating cannibal. The game version of Starscream is right about pretty much everything he says. He _has_ been holding the empire together in the centuries that Megs has been away, and he _does_ manage to claim the Allspark, the objective they were all trying to achieve, single-handedly. But he's surrounded by the Megatron cult, who believe that being stabbed in the face by an angry cannibal is better than being stabbed in the back, so he gets no support. And in the end, the conflict between Megatron's cult and Starscream ends with Megatron as the only confirmed survivor. Brawl just kinda disappears after fighting Ironhide, so I kinda think they took each other out, Barricade, Blackout, and the player character are all mortally wounded trying to take the Allspark back from Starscream, and Megatron kills and eats Starscream. And then Megatron immediately dismisses everyone that died as "not real Decepticons" because they didn't survive god-mode Screamer, and eats his new lieutenant, because repairing him, an ultra-loyal, one-of-a-kind robot who can scan and store multiple vehicles at once, would be a waste of resources. It creates this setup where Megatron is really good at fighting, personally, and that's about it. Starscream actually knows how to run an empire, how to lead, and Megatron is basically a rabid dog, running around and mauling people until Optimus, Bumblebee, or Ratchet puts him down, or he gets done in by one of his own guys. But because his faction is mostly hyper-violent nutbars, who leads them amounts to "Who is the violent-est nutbar." Screamer, Shockwave, Soundwave, and Thundercracker are basically the only Decepticons who are remotely sensible, and Starscream seems to be the only one that consistently recognises this. Meanwhile, IDW manages to avoid this by making Megatron _actually_ the most competent Decepticon alive, instead of just saying that he is and hoping people won't notice that he's an idiot. Vote Starscream 2k24.
This is a really interesting analysis and a very good point about the trend of recent media to just start off with Starscream in charge for a bit before bringing in Megatron. Even IDW did this back in Infiltration, and Skybound is doing it now with their comics. Cyberverse also functions similarly early on, but Megatron isn’t indisposed, it’s just the the Autobot cast early on are a small enough threat that Starscream’s sub-group of Decepticons are all that’s seemingly needed to deal with them and Megatron is busy managing other parts of his empire elsewhere. Armada doesn’t do this trope but delves into the same concept behind their dynamic: Megatron is cruel and uncaring about his soldiers, Starscream hates his leadership style.
I heard that Starscream was a Prince of Vos...I'm not sure if that's true or not but if it is...no wonder why Screamer, here, knows how to run a damn Empire...
@@number1starscreamstan I think that was in a UK annual text story. The one where sunstreaker and Megatron are fighting in an exhibition match at the Cybertron version of the Olympics
Excellent analysis. Starscream is an eternal underdog. No matter how many times he fails, he always gets back up. Even if most depictions of scream portray him as a two face snake, his sheer determination and persistence is kinda admirable.
Energon’s version was rather uninteresting. Though Energon is part of the unicron trilogy, meaning he’s the same character as the Armada & Cybertron versions
@@NeurodivergentSuperiority He was quite boring in those movies though. But except for Lockdown I don't really like anything from any of those five movies. Bumblebee was a bit better but still nothing great, although I did genuinely like Shatter (and Dropkick to a lesser extent) and wouldn't mind if they made some better figures of them either in Studio Series again or stylised in Legacy. I haven't even watched Rise of the Beasts because from what I can tell it sounds more like the Bay movies and I already have found a bunch of issues that I have with it and I haven't even watched a trailer yet. I've also lost faith in the live action movies after 5 terrible ones and 1 mixed one.
Imagine if starscream sang an upbeat catchy VILLAIN SONG! not like typical jazz you hear out of villains, but in the style of the song “ I put a spell on you” from Hocus pocus. That would be something new and exiting for our favorite backstabbing seeker.
@@NotherNothing Same lowkey. I can imagine a montage of the decepticons rampaging through Los Angeles while Thunderstruck plays in the background. With the decepticons just firing their guns to the beat of the guitar.
While talking about the original cartoon, I'd like to point out that at the end of the episode "Countdown to Extinction" Starscream was in a lot of trouble with Megatron after what he tried to pull, and you'll notice in the following episode "A Plauge Of Insectiocons" Starscream is completley absent from that whole episode, and we see him again in the season 1 finale "Heavy Metal War." I like to think that the reason Starscream wasn't in A plauge of Insecticons because Megatron suspended Starscream from active duty, then was back on duty by Heavy Metal War. I just like sharing fan theories.
@@kaelisprime9087 Also Megatron maybe rightly thought that Starscream wasn't a serious threat and might even become an asset like how through his treachery he created the Combacticons who proved to be a great asset to the Decepticon cause.
@@dams6829 This does make me think about how Soundwave did nothing when Starscream threw Megatron out of Astrotrain in the movie. He and Megatron have seem him do this all the time, so he probably was waiting for Megs to just come back and tell him off.
star scream is kind of the most perfect representation of how actual dictatorships were in the past, dudes were so paranoid about betrayal they actively massacred thousands. Thats something no one but starscream pulls off perfectly
I always felt like between Megatron or Optimus would be the best fit for a dictator. Megatron started with good goals and intentions but after going through so much slowly became more and more paranoid and ruthless. Optimus believes he is doing good but really was just prolonging the conflict at first and now has let so much happen that he doesn't really have much choice now that Megatron has fallen so far. Optimus was ignorant and foolish while Megatron became corrupted and ruthless.
I’d like to see a Decepticon leader Starscream who’s competent and lethal. No hamstrung by his own ego according to the plot but being allowed to be a legit threat. Show us how a group of Decepticons operates according to his doctrine. Maybe have a Starscream that was willing to put up with Megatron until he reaches a point where he had enough and took over when he ceased to serve the cause? Armada Starscream is what a younger G1 Starscream would be like before cynicism and disdain eroded his optimism. Pit Starscream against his own archetype but somehow more despicable and horrid enough to make Starscream look like the better bot. Let’s see how he deals with other treacherous, opportunists vying for leadership. I find it hard to believe that Starscream’s the only opportunist in Megatron’s band when the Decepticon creed enables such behaviours. Have a Starscream that’s not really after the leadership position and enjoys where he is, not having all optics on him while he does his own thing. A more insidious Starscream by how he operates in the shadows and enacting his agendas through making others believe they came up with the ideas themselves. One who’ll make others believe the ‘You will own nothing and be happy’ proverb. One who’ll whisper into the ear of someone and convince them to kill somebody else.
RID15 gives us in charge and threatening, and I’ve always found his rise to Primus-level threat in Cybertron compelling Your whole pitch is really interesting and doesn’t quite match anything we’ve seen yet, I would love to see it play out in something. For Starscream’s Starscream, I would vote Black Shadow from Victory
@Cdr2002 Actually, I think Armada Thrust would work as his dark reflection. He betrays everyone to Unicron and lacks the likable aspects of Starscream. So a reinvented Armada Thrust would be someone who acts like an affable pal but is actually a psychopath beneath the exterior and doesn't have Starscream's decent qualities to make him remotely likeable. He's what people stereotypes Starscream as. A snake to a cobra.
@@rayvenkman2087 Yeaah that could work, plus G1 Thrust was already a loud Braggy coward even before Armada made him more conniving, so I definitely matches up. The Victory baddies are good shouts to
The issue of Jetfire an Starscream never set right. I honestly think that all decepticons to some extent were reprogramed via the Robo-smasher that was used to reprogram the constructicons. As that is the only thing that would make it make sense for starscream to spend so much time as a fellow scientist working with Skyfire, go on research trips with, then when he lost him he searches so heavily for him, then work so hard to revive him.... just to betray an almost kill him over a first offense as he learns the Decepticon Factions roles later?? So I have always felt there was a lot more going on here that was sadly just lost on the writing room floor due to the early writing of the 80s show.
Interesting concept, I do wish the fact that several known Decepticon soldiers, such as the Constructions and Combaticons, were canonically brainwashed to serve their current roles, to be a really under-explored aspect. A lifetime of serving evil forced upon them, a potential for a story arc of regaining their freedom left on the table. The IDW comics enhance this further with Shockwave’s shadowplay and Prowl’s suffering under the mind control of Bombshell. Willfully evil recruits to fascism has always been an over-simplification for many Decepticons, and I think it would be a sick twist if it turned out Megatron wasn’t so much a charismatic caller to arms, but a user of heinous brainwashing tactics no better than the (in modern lore) corrupt senate he claims his fascist uprising is to free Cybertron from. I’ve never thought about Starscream as a robo-smasher victim, he always struck me as someone changed by the war, adopting his selfish attitude as a survival mechanism. The IDW comics and Earthspark delve into this idea to varying degrees . But if he is such a radically different person then when Skyfire originally knew him, the robo-smasher is certainly possible
I agree, Starscream and Jetfire's friendship shows that Starscream wasn't always a Decepticon. I really wish there was some storytelling that shows more of Starscream's past self and a build-up for who he is now as a high-ranking Decepticon. Maybe they'll touch it in Earthspark.
I like to go with the idea that Star really would like to go back to being friends with Skyfire! But he’s always been very Decepticon at his core (as in, always followed the cause, and wanted to revolutionize against the Caste system and Functionism), and he was loud about it, and back before the trip they had something of a falling out due to Starscream feeling betrayed by Skyfire. After the expedition he regrets being angry with him, and wishes he could take it all back, is happy when they find him on earth, and then suddenly experiences it all over again. He eventually moves on, and decides he wants to be friends again, just friends in a lab together. But factions prevent that, and ultimately things just keep getting more and more sour, little by little. So their relationship just never gets a happy ending. Sorry about that little ramble, that’s just how I sort of imagine/write them ending up. 😅
What I love about Starscream is that he is a piece of s*** that will go to Great Lengthss to get what he wants by being manipulative and gaslighting others. What's also fascinating is that he's an iconic traitor characters I also believe that in one if the IDW comics the reason why Thundercracker and Skywarp share the same body type is because Starscream convince them to look like him in order to avoid paying taxes LMFAO. IMO he's the definition of a Decepticon.
Really good analysis. I appreciate you saying there are kind of "two starscreams" - I feel kind of at odds with the rest of the fandom for preferring "comedic starscream" over "tragic starscream" Also, I haven't watched Earthspark yet but I'm happy to find out Steve Blum is in it again! He always had my favorite vocal performance for Starscream
I prefer comedic, bc 1. I am a far bigger fan of fluff and humor over angst and dark things. And 2. the one serious tragic Starscream I know is TFP, and that just went way overboard for me when I look at it again. I do like him being a bit tragic as well, but not like TFP does it. Bc I feel like TFP tries to make the abuse funny, or cathartic, but it just isn’t, at least not to me. So I choose to write Starscream’s tragic bits myself, so it’s something I enjoy, and can digest on my own terms. :)
Great video! One of the arguments I never hear made for why Starscream was kept around (and I should clarify that this is for the g1 cartoon), is that the Autobots actually outnumbered the Cons. Granted, they weren't fighters like the Decepticons were, but Starscream was a heavy hitter that Megatron couldn't afford to lose.
I’m pretty sure in general, Starscream is regarded as or else is pretty clearly a competent flier, and his seeker armadas are usually huge threats. It’s like he’s a complete failure when he’s standing around, but the moment he enters the air, he tears apart everyone.
Absolutely loved this video! As a huge Starscream fan, especially his IDW version, you touched on so much stuff I agree with! The only thing I would've liked to see more of is perhaps your opinion more on EarthSpark Starscream. Great video though nonetheless!
Starscream is my favorite character is the franchise. He's always a joy, no matter how bad everything else is. Animated and Prime really sell the character for me. I love non-sympathetic villains.
StarScream is my all time favorite transformer either side he’s cowardly and smart but he always finds a way to be endearing to me and thats why the leader of the Seekers will always be my favorite
Gotta love youtube notifications not working ffs. Anyways fantastic video! Starscream's always been one of my favorites. My favorite incarnations of the character are easily Armada, the Aligned continuity and the first IDW continuity. (ik the obvious ones lol). I think Armada Starscream is my favorite character wise, love the character arc he goes through but I do agree it feels like a different character. Doesn't help they changed his color scheme to match Thundercracker lmao. Fantastic video as always!
Even though I'm a huge Starscream fan, I feel like there's still untapped potential with the character. When you think about it, Megatron and Starscream are very much alike. They're both stubborn, both are committed to the Decepticon cause, both crave power, etc. The later of which, Scream might have Megatron beat. Starscream doesn't believe in "too much power." He's always chasing ways to become more and more powerful. It's unquenchable. And that should be his downfall. That's why the UnderBase Saga is my favorite death for him. His desire for power should be his undoing. Simply being executed just doesn't really wrap his story. In fact, if you want to put Megatron on a redemption arc, Starscream can be a great cautionary lesson for him
Cyberverse kind of used Starscream as a way for Megatron to redeem himself. As there he saved everyone from the quintessons, apologised to Starscream for abusing him & began an alliance with the autobots.
Cybertron/Galaxy Force Starscream is one of the least referenced. Armada tends to overshadow him because "Unicron Trilogy" were originally only Armada and Energon but the dub kinda shoehorned the connection to Cybertron despite the fact that they were supposed to be different continuities. Cybertron is a Hyper competent traitor who becomes arguably just as dangerous as Megatron as a successful third column between the autobots and decepticons, and manages to even outlast Galvatron at the open epilogue. He still has the quirks of Starscream albeit in a more subdued manner while showcasing as a full menace without being a total psycho like Skybound and Cyberverse. A pretty underrated take of Starscream.
I've thought about doing a video on Punch/Counterpunch so it's not as much about the popularity of the character as it is whether or not I can figure out what to say about them that's not just reading off various versions.
How could you not mention Beast Wars The Second Starscream? The TSM of all our dreams none can compare to this lad, Especially after he beast cyborgized into his giga-chad Hellscream final form. A true statesman for the destron cause. unlike a lot of these other starscreams who want to rule the decepticons out of their own ego, Starscream and bb would rather kingmakers.
BWII Starscream is one of my favourite ever Starscreams alongside IDW. I would love to see an improbable team-up with Starscream, BB and Skyfire so Starscream can have his two giant best friends helping him.
Ulchtar could be his Cybertronian name. I've always imagined that transformer names were basically callsigns similar to how fighter pilots refer to their comrades by their callsigns as opposed to their real names.
Earthspark Starscream is really good and it does adress the punishment he went through but i wont go in full detail in case some people haven't seen it
One cool plot idea that might work is to have Starscream (after absorbing cosmic energy like he did in Cybertron) look like he is about to win (kill Megatron/Galvatron and perhaps even Optimus Prime-he basically has them both at his mercy and they are both on the brink of death), only to himself get Starscreamed by his own apprentice and end up getting blasted into another dimension by a reinvigorated Megatron/Galvatron. Then, after the epic final battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron/Galvatron, where the latter dies and the former emerges triumphant, before sacrificing himself to revitalize Cybertron’s core (and passing the torch to the story’s kid-appeal character turned hero-most likely Bumblebee or Hot Shot), in the epilogue the Autobots go their separate ways to explore the universe, all while at the very end Starscream hints that his revenge quest is about to begin (from within the hellish dimension that he was blasted into).
I like Starscream as robot Tony Montana, eternally “pushing it to the limit” enough, is never enough, always hitting the wheel, comedic but with some tragedy. DS Starscream is his best, he is an intimidating sociopath who is just….. cold, he’s not funny at all and it’s fantastic.
Armada was the first version of star scream I ever watched. Always thought he was supposed to be sympathetic. Was wondering why all the other versions were so different but now I know.
I think another part of Armada starcream is that his speech kinda hits a cord with megatron. Through out the show Megatron is comparing himself to Optimus. He wants to prove he's better and later shows sadness to his death. Even when they are still fighting unicron he eventually cvonvinced Optimus to fight him., On an account that if peace happens then everything they've done is for nothing. So they should settle it here and now. Another point is Megatron beginning to recognize how far he's gone. And starscream feels like a great first step. if a sycophant like Starscream, vying for his attention would betray him and find nobility and honour is Optimus. And even sacrifice himself, just like Optimus would. Then is he truly a good leader? He's sees power hungriness be the downfall of Frost and Shockblast too. It all culminates on him wondering if he really is wrong. So when all he has left is to prove he can beat Optimus, and fails at that too, he decides he can atleast do something Optimus, and Starscream would do, sacrifice himself.
I want more of Starscream being a tragic character! He is constantly beaten the scrap out of, he isn't just evil just because, he's evil because he was abused. I love IDW Starscream and Armada Starscream for this reason!
As cowardly and unfit of a leader as Star Scream tends to be, he did make it to 2ed in command and is able to maintain it without getting killed. The only things preventing star scream from being a threat is his personality and the fact that Megatron is one of the best Transformers in combat to ever walk
One small note from the beginning of the video, you say that starscream is named after the conniving villain usurper trope. In actuality the trip is named after our beloved starscream transformers
To say the Armada version of Starscream has nothing in common with other Starscream is rather nonsense if you ask me. Sure he's not constantly trying to usurp Megatron like say G1 Starscream (G1 Megatron could hurt his foot a bit and G1 Starscream would be like "MEGATRON HAS FALLEN! I STARSCREAM AM NOW YOUR LEADER DECEPTICONS FOLLOW ME!!!") nor is he cowardly like most other Starscreams are. But if you really pay attention to certain episodes (Especially early episodes) you will see that Armada Starscream still maintains some of those classic Starscream traits (Even if by the end he grows out of them).
@@RoadRustle Yeah. I'm on the fence on his decision to kill Bumblebee, but he's made Starscream a killer. Between him and Megatron, Starscream has always been my go-to Decepticon.
5:34 you forgot about one of the most successful versions of deceitful Starscreams..... Cybertron Star Scream. He nearly succeeded and almost took out Megatron. Yes that's how close he was.
michael bay starscream is my favorite. he should have been the main villain he was infinitely better than megatron but no he gets a terrible death simply because he's called starscream
Bro not to be rude but the phrasing "after holding the title of decepticon leader for a hot minute" is giving him way too much credit lmao I timed it the last time I watched it and he had the crown on his head for exactly 28.7 seconds before Mega/Galvatron got his getback and dusted his ass
I actually got to meet Tom Kenny at a convention, and after getting his autograph I went “thank you starscream very cool” and he actually did the starscream voice saying “glory to the decepticons!”
I am actually surprised he remembers the role considering transformers animated is fairly obscure compared to some of his other work
All Hail Starscream!
TFA is criminally underappreciated and deserves more recognition.
@@zemox2534 I guess it wasn't like traditional transformers
We all secretly want him to succeed.
@@KinnikuGameDojo yes
What if you: wanted to be leader of the decepticons
But god said: bad comedy
@@PK-Radio You mean Primus
And then Leonard Nimoy turns into a gun and kills you
The saddest part about armada starscream’s death is the fact that his attack didn’t even reach unicron. I can imagine unicron only attacked him out of annoyance, to him it was like swatting a fly.
I think that it was moreso him trying to show Galvatron how dangerous of a threat Unicron was by having Unicron kill him right in front of their faces - to prompt him to join with Prime.
I also suspect Unicron was possibly trying to kill Starscream to stop him from getting both sides to work together knowing that would be the way to defeat him, but ironically it resulted in them forming the alliance.
@@RoadRustle I still think from unicron’s perspective killing star stream was like squashing a bug.
Is Armada Starscream not the same as Energon and Cybertron Starscream?
@@gyroxd2077 canonically yes but energon and Cybertron Starscream share nothing characterization wise with armada screamer
Definitely
"I'M STUPID! I'M STUPID!" Now that's what I call a character defining moment. Brilliant video as always.
Ironically enough, Starscream has a secret intellgence that everyonen overlooks
@@NeurodivergentSuperiorityYes! In the IDW comics that's very visible in the arc after the end of the war!
Man, the IDW comics are gooooooood
Ironically, he isn’t actually stupid
Megaton once said this about bring Starscream back in G2;
"Why? That's what they all asked me. Why him... why Starscream? Why, of all Decepticons, did I decide to revitalize the one whose record of deceit and betrayal is legend? Because I'm an idiot, that's why!"
There's this sort of ironic thing that permeates some newer Transformers media. In the wake of the 07 movie starting with Megatron frozen and needing to be freed by his allies, other fiction has followed that path, giving rise to this trope where a Transformers story will start with Megatron indisposed and Starscream in charge of the Decepticons. Animated handled it best, as Season 1 mostly focuses on the human villains and the Decepticons don't become the main focus until the Season Finale, where Megatron returns. It's also set at a point where the war is mostly over, and doesn't kick into high gear again until Megatron announces his return.
Other media, less so. They have the war continuing and Screamer running the show, and they have a habit of making his tenure last for years at a time, and then Megatron comes back and loses the war in the space of three seasons of animation. Like, Prime Starscream runs a successful Energon-mining operation on Earth for five years, and the only time we see him get found, he immediately executes the Autobot that stumbled upon them. Megatron returns, introduces his grand plan to give everyone Space Meth he cooked from the blood of Satan, and does a bunch of bombastic evil schemes, takes over Nevada and then loses it three episodes later, and dies. Along the way, he kills exclusively his own men.
It goes even further in the movies. Megatron flew off to search for the Allspark _millennia_ ago, and Starscream has been ruling the empire ever since. No-one respects him, he has to work with a bunch of 'cons who are basically a cult dedicated to Megatron, and then they free Megs, and in the space of a few hours, Megatron's dead, his troops are dead, the Allspark's dead, and the lone survivor is Starscream. The DS game only heightens it, because it's based on early material where the movie version of Megatron was a spark-eating cannibal. The game version of Starscream is right about pretty much everything he says. He _has_ been holding the empire together in the centuries that Megs has been away, and he _does_ manage to claim the Allspark, the objective they were all trying to achieve, single-handedly. But he's surrounded by the Megatron cult, who believe that being stabbed in the face by an angry cannibal is better than being stabbed in the back, so he gets no support.
And in the end, the conflict between Megatron's cult and Starscream ends with Megatron as the only confirmed survivor. Brawl just kinda disappears after fighting Ironhide, so I kinda think they took each other out, Barricade, Blackout, and the player character are all mortally wounded trying to take the Allspark back from Starscream, and Megatron kills and eats Starscream. And then Megatron immediately dismisses everyone that died as "not real Decepticons" because they didn't survive god-mode Screamer, and eats his new lieutenant, because repairing him, an ultra-loyal, one-of-a-kind robot who can scan and store multiple vehicles at once, would be a waste of resources.
It creates this setup where Megatron is really good at fighting, personally, and that's about it. Starscream actually knows how to run an empire, how to lead, and Megatron is basically a rabid dog, running around and mauling people until Optimus, Bumblebee, or Ratchet puts him down, or he gets done in by one of his own guys. But because his faction is mostly hyper-violent nutbars, who leads them amounts to "Who is the violent-est nutbar." Screamer, Shockwave, Soundwave, and Thundercracker are basically the only Decepticons who are remotely sensible, and Starscream seems to be the only one that consistently recognises this.
Meanwhile, IDW manages to avoid this by making Megatron _actually_ the most competent Decepticon alive, instead of just saying that he is and hoping people won't notice that he's an idiot.
Vote Starscream 2k24.
This is a really interesting analysis and a very good point about the trend of recent media to just start off with Starscream in charge for a bit before bringing in Megatron. Even IDW did this back in Infiltration, and Skybound is doing it now with their comics. Cyberverse also functions similarly early on, but Megatron isn’t indisposed, it’s just the the Autobot cast early on are a small enough threat that Starscream’s sub-group of Decepticons are all that’s seemingly needed to deal with them and Megatron is busy managing other parts of his empire elsewhere.
Armada doesn’t do this trope but delves into the same concept behind their dynamic: Megatron is cruel and uncaring about his soldiers, Starscream hates his leadership style.
Wow, this is really insightful. Too good for a TH-cam comment section
I heard that Starscream was a Prince of Vos...I'm not sure if that's true or not but if it is...no wonder why Screamer, here, knows how to run a damn Empire...
@@number1starscreamstan I think that was in a UK annual text story. The one where sunstreaker and Megatron are fighting in an exhibition match at the Cybertron version of the Olympics
Excellent analysis. Starscream is an eternal underdog. No matter how many times he fails, he always gets back up. Even if most depictions of scream portray him as a two face snake, his sheer determination and persistence is kinda admirable.
Starscream is possibly the only character who has no bad versions
Energon’s version was rather uninteresting. Though Energon is part of the unicron trilogy, meaning he’s the same character as the Armada & Cybertron versions
Even Michael Bay couldn't screw up such an awesome character
@@NeurodivergentSuperiority He was quite boring in those movies though. But except for Lockdown I don't really like anything from any of those five movies. Bumblebee was a bit better but still nothing great, although I did genuinely like Shatter (and Dropkick to a lesser extent) and wouldn't mind if they made some better figures of them either in Studio Series again or stylised in Legacy. I haven't even watched Rise of the Beasts because from what I can tell it sounds more like the Bay movies and I already have found a bunch of issues that I have with it and I haven't even watched a trailer yet. I've also lost faith in the live action movies after 5 terrible ones and 1 mixed one.
@@BH-98 Uhm actually, that was nightscream, who was a clone of starscream.
@@soupcake3092 please say you’re being ironic
Meanwhile in an alternate universe-
Megatron- You are either lying! Or your stupid!
Starscream- I’M LYING I’M LYING! (Gets shot)
Imagine if starscream sang an upbeat catchy VILLAIN SONG! not like typical jazz you hear out of villains, but in the style of the song “ I put a spell on you” from Hocus pocus. That would be something new and exiting for our favorite backstabbing seeker.
God, I want a transformers musical soooo bad
Ac/dc song)
@@FreudSigmundBigAss I really want to hear a Starscream-sung AC/DC song now. He's got an appropriately high-pitched, screechy voice
I would die and get revived just to hear it happen, I'll live until I'm a 100 years old to hear him SING
@@NotherNothing Same lowkey.
I can imagine a montage of the decepticons rampaging through Los Angeles while Thunderstruck plays in the background. With the decepticons just firing their guns to the beat of the guitar.
While talking about the original cartoon, I'd like to point out that at the end of the episode "Countdown to Extinction" Starscream was in a lot of trouble with Megatron after what he tried to pull, and you'll notice in the following episode "A Plauge Of Insectiocons" Starscream is completley absent from that whole episode, and we see him again in the season 1 finale "Heavy Metal War." I like to think that the reason Starscream wasn't in A plauge of Insecticons because Megatron suspended Starscream from active duty, then was back on duty by Heavy Metal War. I just like sharing fan theories.
Funny how typical Megatrons abused Starscream, but G1 Megs at most would call him and idiot and appropriately punish him for his insubordination.
@@kaelisprime9087 Also Megatron maybe rightly thought that Starscream wasn't a serious threat and might even become an asset like how through his treachery he created the Combacticons who proved to be a great asset to the Decepticon cause.
@@dams6829 This does make me think about how Soundwave did nothing when Starscream threw Megatron out of Astrotrain in the movie. He and Megatron have seem him do this all the time, so he probably was waiting for Megs to just come back and tell him off.
star scream is kind of the most perfect representation of how actual dictatorships were in the past, dudes were so paranoid about betrayal they actively massacred thousands. Thats something no one but starscream pulls off perfectly
I always felt like between Megatron or Optimus would be the best fit for a dictator. Megatron started with good goals and intentions but after going through so much slowly became more and more paranoid and ruthless. Optimus believes he is doing good but really was just prolonging the conflict at first and now has let so much happen that he doesn't really have much choice now that Megatron has fallen so far. Optimus was ignorant and foolish while Megatron became corrupted and ruthless.
Why did you specify "in the past"?
@@DaveGrean because, dictators were primarily common in the past? As in a ton of kings, backstabbers, emperors-I don’t get whats confusing
@@ignitedmotion5807 Are you 12 or something?
@@DaveGrean Is that relevant? Why do you need to ask my age?
I’d like to see a Decepticon leader Starscream who’s competent and lethal. No hamstrung by his own ego according to the plot but being allowed to be a legit threat. Show us how a group of Decepticons operates according to his doctrine.
Maybe have a Starscream that was willing to put up with Megatron until he reaches a point where he had enough and took over when he ceased to serve the cause? Armada Starscream is what a younger G1 Starscream would be like before cynicism and disdain eroded his optimism.
Pit Starscream against his own archetype but somehow more despicable and horrid enough to make Starscream look like the better bot. Let’s see how he deals with other treacherous, opportunists vying for leadership. I find it hard to believe that Starscream’s the only opportunist in Megatron’s band when the Decepticon creed enables such behaviours.
Have a Starscream that’s not really after the leadership position and enjoys where he is, not having all optics on him while he does his own thing. A more insidious Starscream by how he operates in the shadows and enacting his agendas through making others believe they came up with the ideas themselves. One who’ll make others believe the ‘You will own nothing and be happy’ proverb. One who’ll whisper into the ear of someone and convince them to kill somebody else.
RID15 gives us in charge and threatening, and I’ve always found his rise to Primus-level threat in Cybertron compelling
Your whole pitch is really interesting and doesn’t quite match anything we’ve seen yet, I would love to see it play out in something.
For Starscream’s Starscream, I would vote Black Shadow from Victory
@@Cdr2002 I'm thinking Hellbat since he already was a Starscream. That or maybe Leozack.
@@rayvenkman2087 Oohh those would work for sure
@Cdr2002 Actually, I think Armada Thrust would work as his dark reflection. He betrays everyone to Unicron and lacks the likable aspects of Starscream.
So a reinvented Armada Thrust would be someone who acts like an affable pal but is actually a psychopath beneath the exterior and doesn't have Starscream's decent qualities to make him remotely likeable. He's what people stereotypes Starscream as. A snake to a cobra.
@@rayvenkman2087 Yeaah that could work, plus G1 Thrust was already a loud Braggy coward even before Armada made him more conniving, so I definitely matches up. The Victory baddies are good shouts to
The issue of Jetfire an Starscream never set right. I honestly think that all decepticons to some extent were reprogramed via the Robo-smasher that was used to reprogram the constructicons. As that is the only thing that would make it make sense for starscream to spend so much time as a fellow scientist working with Skyfire, go on research trips with, then when he lost him he searches so heavily for him, then work so hard to revive him.... just to betray an almost kill him over a first offense as he learns the Decepticon Factions roles later?? So I have always felt there was a lot more going on here that was sadly just lost on the writing room floor due to the early writing of the 80s show.
Interesting concept, I do wish the fact that several known Decepticon soldiers, such as the Constructions and Combaticons, were canonically brainwashed to serve their current roles, to be a really under-explored aspect. A lifetime of serving evil forced upon them, a potential for a story arc of regaining their freedom left on the table. The IDW comics enhance this further with Shockwave’s shadowplay and Prowl’s suffering under the mind control of Bombshell. Willfully evil recruits to fascism has always been an over-simplification for many Decepticons, and I think it would be a sick twist if it turned out Megatron wasn’t so much a charismatic caller to arms, but a user of heinous brainwashing tactics no better than the (in modern lore) corrupt senate he claims his fascist uprising is to free Cybertron from.
I’ve never thought about Starscream as a robo-smasher victim, he always struck me as someone changed by the war, adopting his selfish attitude as a survival mechanism. The IDW comics and Earthspark delve into this idea to varying degrees . But if he is such a radically different person then when Skyfire originally knew him, the robo-smasher is certainly possible
I agree, Starscream and Jetfire's friendship shows that Starscream wasn't always a Decepticon. I really wish there was some storytelling that shows more of Starscream's past self and a build-up for who he is now as a high-ranking Decepticon. Maybe they'll touch it in Earthspark.
I like to go with the idea that Star really would like to go back to being friends with Skyfire! But he’s always been very Decepticon at his core (as in, always followed the cause, and wanted to revolutionize against the Caste system and Functionism), and he was loud about it, and back before the trip they had something of a falling out due to Starscream feeling betrayed by Skyfire. After the expedition he regrets being angry with him, and wishes he could take it all back, is happy when they find him on earth, and then suddenly experiences it all over again. He eventually moves on, and decides he wants to be friends again, just friends in a lab together. But factions prevent that, and ultimately things just keep getting more and more sour, little by little. So their relationship just never gets a happy ending.
Sorry about that little ramble, that’s just how I sort of imagine/write them ending up. 😅
What I love about Starscream is that he is a piece of s*** that will go to Great Lengthss to get what he wants by being manipulative and gaslighting others. What's also fascinating is that he's an iconic traitor characters I also believe that in one if the IDW comics the reason why Thundercracker and Skywarp share the same body type is because Starscream convince them to look like him in order to avoid paying taxes LMFAO. IMO he's the definition of a Decepticon.
In IDW, Megatron says starscream is the embodiment of the Decepticon cause.
Really good analysis. I appreciate you saying there are kind of "two starscreams" - I feel kind of at odds with the rest of the fandom for preferring "comedic starscream" over "tragic starscream"
Also, I haven't watched Earthspark yet but I'm happy to find out Steve Blum is in it again! He always had my favorite vocal performance for Starscream
He’s very well written in Earthspark
Your preference is totally valid, I actually like both. It’s a bit of an internal conflict sometimes I admit
I prefer comedic, bc 1. I am a far bigger fan of fluff and humor over angst and dark things. And 2. the one serious tragic Starscream I know is TFP, and that just went way overboard for me when I look at it again. I do like him being a bit tragic as well, but not like TFP does it. Bc I feel like TFP tries to make the abuse funny, or cathartic, but it just isn’t, at least not to me.
So I choose to write Starscream’s tragic bits myself, so it’s something I enjoy, and can digest on my own terms. :)
It wasnt until i watched this video that i finally found who voiced Starscream in the DS game. Thank you so much dude.
Starscream is peak fiction like cmon guys
This whole video, I was just waiting on that Starscream prop to shoot or talk back
And who can't forget this loveable face 12:09
Great video! One of the arguments I never hear made for why Starscream was kept around (and I should clarify that this is for the g1 cartoon), is that the Autobots actually outnumbered the Cons. Granted, they weren't fighters like the Decepticons were, but Starscream was a heavy hitter that Megatron couldn't afford to lose.
I’m pretty sure in general, Starscream is regarded as or else is pretty clearly a competent flier, and his seeker armadas are usually huge threats. It’s like he’s a complete failure when he’s standing around, but the moment he enters the air, he tears apart everyone.
@@MrHAH-cd9ku lowest of the high tiers I call him
star "transformers" scream
Your animation looks cool and funny looking
Absolutely loved this video! As a huge Starscream fan, especially his IDW version, you touched on so much stuff I agree with! The only thing I would've liked to see more of is perhaps your opinion more on EarthSpark Starscream. Great video though nonetheless!
I think he was trying to avoid spoilers for people that haven’t watched it yet (like me).
StarScream is really cool+I actually really Like the version of Starscream from Armada
Nice new model RoadRustle!
He’s one of the greatest villains of all time!
Starscream my beloved 🥰😍
Starscream is my favorite character is the franchise. He's always a joy, no matter how bad everything else is. Animated and Prime really sell the character for me. I love non-sympathetic villains.
One of Starscreams best portrayls is the Nintendo DS game for 2007, he is truly an amazing character in that game
StarScream is my all time favorite transformer either side he’s cowardly and smart but he always finds a way to be endearing to me and thats why the leader of the Seekers will always be my favorite
Gotta love youtube notifications not working ffs. Anyways fantastic video! Starscream's always been one of my favorites. My favorite incarnations of the character are easily Armada, the Aligned continuity and the first IDW continuity. (ik the obvious ones lol). I think Armada Starscream is my favorite character wise, love the character arc he goes through but I do agree it feels like a different character. Doesn't help they changed his color scheme to match Thundercracker lmao. Fantastic video as always!
Even though I'm a huge Starscream fan, I feel like there's still untapped potential with the character.
When you think about it, Megatron and Starscream are very much alike. They're both stubborn, both are committed to the Decepticon cause, both crave power, etc.
The later of which, Scream might have Megatron beat. Starscream doesn't believe in "too much power." He's always chasing ways to become more and more powerful. It's unquenchable.
And that should be his downfall. That's why the UnderBase Saga is my favorite death for him. His desire for power should be his undoing.
Simply being executed just doesn't really wrap his story. In fact, if you want to put Megatron on a redemption arc, Starscream can be a great cautionary lesson for him
Cyberverse kind of used Starscream as a way for Megatron to redeem himself. As there he saved everyone from the quintessons, apologised to Starscream for abusing him & began an alliance with the autobots.
Cybertron/Galaxy Force Starscream is one of the least referenced. Armada tends to overshadow him because "Unicron Trilogy" were originally only Armada and Energon but the dub kinda shoehorned the connection to Cybertron despite the fact that they were supposed to be different continuities.
Cybertron is a Hyper competent traitor who becomes arguably just as dangerous as Megatron as a successful third column between the autobots and decepticons, and manages to even outlast Galvatron at the open epilogue.
He still has the quirks of Starscream albeit in a more subdued manner while showcasing as a full menace without being a total psycho like Skybound and Cyberverse.
A pretty underrated take of Starscream.
I'd genuinely love you make a video about wheeljack, I know you probably won't, but I love your style of videos so I think it'd be really good
I've thought about doing a video on Punch/Counterpunch so it's not as much about the popularity of the character as it is whether or not I can figure out what to say about them that's not just reading off various versions.
Ah yes, a video about the best transformer in history, starscream is underrated tho
Very nice video with good animation and analysis, 10 out of 10
You use eviscerate wrongly. Starscream didn’t get eviscerated he got incinerated. Eviscerate is another term for disembowel.
Disintegrated is probably better
Incineration requires fire whike disintegration is through energy blasts
@@jmurray1110 good point
How could you not mention Beast Wars The Second Starscream? The TSM of all our dreams none can compare to this lad, Especially after he beast cyborgized into his giga-chad Hellscream final form. A true statesman for the destron cause. unlike a lot of these other starscreams who want to rule the decepticons out of their own ego, Starscream and bb would rather kingmakers.
Yeah, not many people talk about him for some reason.
@@kidprime6863 I'm assuming a lack of official subtitles. It isn't fair. There are 2 separate pirated fan subs on TH-cam.
BWII Starscream is one of my favourite ever Starscreams alongside IDW. I would love to see an improbable team-up with Starscream, BB and Skyfire so Starscream can have his two giant best friends helping him.
Ulchtar could be his Cybertronian name. I've always imagined that transformer names were basically callsigns similar to how fighter pilots refer to their comrades by their callsigns as opposed to their real names.
I love your videos keep up the good work!❤
4:38 so basically Armada, Earthspark, Siege and (sometimes) Prime, tho you could argue the same for Bayverse tbh
Great video.
Earthspark Starscream is really good and it does adress the punishment he went through but i wont go in full detail in case some people haven't seen it
EarthSpark Starscream is a fantastic version, I can't wait to see more.
Starscream will always be my favorite character ever
The G1 design is already good. I never saw the need to have various stylized versions of it.
Imagine Starscream meeting Harly Quinn...
Starscream is awesome him and Knock Out are the two best Transformers of all time.
Starbob Screampants 😂
that last part wow just wow
I had no idea Animated Starscream has the same vs as spongebob and no i cant unhear it-
Starscream's voice in the DS game fits him so perfectly.
One cool plot idea that might work is to have Starscream (after absorbing cosmic energy like he did in Cybertron) look like he is about to win (kill Megatron/Galvatron and perhaps even Optimus Prime-he basically has them both at his mercy and they are both on the brink of death), only to himself get Starscreamed by his own apprentice and end up getting blasted into another dimension by a reinvigorated Megatron/Galvatron. Then, after the epic final battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron/Galvatron, where the latter dies and the former emerges triumphant, before sacrificing himself to revitalize Cybertron’s core (and passing the torch to the story’s kid-appeal character turned hero-most likely Bumblebee or Hot Shot), in the epilogue the Autobots go their separate ways to explore the universe, all while at the very end Starscream hints that his revenge quest is about to begin (from within the hellish dimension that he was blasted into).
"WHO DESRUPES MY CORINATION?!" -starscream
I didnt know steve blum returned in earthspark until this video
Wow 😎. That ending. Starscream in a nutshell.
I like Starscream as robot Tony Montana, eternally “pushing it to the limit” enough, is never enough, always hitting the wheel, comedic but with some tragedy.
DS Starscream is his best, he is an intimidating sociopath who is just….. cold, he’s not funny at all and it’s fantastic.
Everyone’s favorite drama queen✨
The subtle stab at the long pauses got me rolling lol
Armada was the first version of star scream I ever watched. Always thought he was supposed to be sympathetic. Was wondering why all the other versions were so different but now I know.
And then there's Skybound Starscream, who is just 'UwU Sweet Baby Precious Cinnamon Roll Wholesome 100'
I didn't know grimmace voiced starscream?
IT'S SKY FIRE!
I think another part of Armada starcream is that his speech kinda hits a cord with megatron. Through out the show Megatron is comparing himself to Optimus. He wants to prove he's better and later shows sadness to his death. Even when they are still fighting unicron he eventually cvonvinced Optimus to fight him., On an account that if peace happens then everything they've done is for nothing. So they should settle it here and now.
Another point is Megatron beginning to recognize how far he's gone. And starscream feels like a great first step. if a sycophant like Starscream, vying for his attention would betray him and find nobility and honour is Optimus. And even sacrifice himself, just like Optimus would. Then is he truly a good leader? He's sees power hungriness be the downfall of Frost and Shockblast too. It all culminates on him wondering if he really is wrong.
So when all he has left is to prove he can beat Optimus, and fails at that too, he decides he can atleast do something Optimus, and Starscream would do, sacrifice himself.
I want more of Starscream being a tragic character! He is constantly beaten the scrap out of, he isn't just evil just because, he's evil because he was abused. I love IDW Starscream and Armada Starscream for this reason!
Oh, and Earthspark Scream before season 2
Starscream
Star: because in general stars are very dense in weight. But hes just DENSE
Scream: obvious
Would you ever do a video about soundwave?
As cowardly and unfit of a leader as Star Scream tends to be, he did make it to 2ed in command and is able to maintain it without getting killed. The only things preventing star scream from being a threat is his personality and the fact that Megatron is one of the best Transformers in combat to ever walk
The Unicron Trilogy Starscream was cool
I LOVED those Ds games!
Wait a minute, how is starscream a human Jet. Shouldn’t he be a cybertronian jet?
I hate Starcream, I always smile when he die, he's the worst of all.
…Okay then.
@@__-2004 I love starscream. I smile when he dies, he's the worst of all.
One small note from the beginning of the video, you say that starscream is named after the conniving villain usurper trope. In actuality the trip is named after our beloved starscream transformers
ULCHTAR!
ULCHTAR!
To say the Armada version of Starscream has nothing in common with other Starscream is rather nonsense if you ask me. Sure he's not constantly trying to usurp Megatron like say G1 Starscream (G1 Megatron could hurt his foot a bit and G1 Starscream would be like "MEGATRON HAS FALLEN! I STARSCREAM AM NOW YOUR LEADER DECEPTICONS FOLLOW ME!!!") nor is he cowardly like most other Starscreams are. But if you really pay attention to certain episodes (Especially early episodes) you will see that Armada Starscream still maintains some of those classic Starscream traits (Even if by the end he grows out of them).
Everyone calls him girl-pop and it fits tho XD
Wath about transformers armada starscream? he is the most loved version of the caracter four mani people.
keep watching the video
Starscream is so silly, I love him so much
who’s a better starscream actor
spongebob
mugman
wolverine
@@notreallyizaah3025 WHICH IS MUGMAN IM CRYING
@ siege
So what are your thoughts on the current Skybound Starscream?
Really good so far but it’s still early. He’s giving DS game vibes.
@@RoadRustle Yeah. I'm on the fence on his decision to kill Bumblebee, but he's made Starscream a killer. Between him and Megatron, Starscream has always been my go-to Decepticon.
5:34 you forgot about one of the most successful versions of deceitful Starscreams..... Cybertron Star Scream. He nearly succeeded and almost took out Megatron. Yes that's how close he was.
michael bay starscream is my favorite. he should have been the main villain he was infinitely better than megatron but no he gets a terrible death simply because he's called starscream
Steve Buscemi made me like the character a lot in transformers one.
Will you do videos about Soundwave, Jazz, and the other Dinobots?
maybe!
What is the background music used in this video?
That’s me with transformers
Can you do a video about hot rod?
On the cards
Honestly i steve blum is my favorite starscream
Bro not to be rude but the phrasing "after holding the title of decepticon leader for a hot minute" is giving him way too much credit lmao I timed it the last time I watched it and he had the crown on his head for exactly 28.7 seconds before Mega/Galvatron got his getback and dusted his ass
Frirst
Scecond