Beast Wars: Aftermath

[Ghilz]

Tigatron is actually a repaint of Ravage, who is a remold of Cheetor.

Antagony was a repaint of Inferno (who is female) from one of Botcon's, she has no Transmetal counterpart.

The Transmetal Ant is Scavenger. It's theorized based on its designed that it was meant to be inferno (the face is eerily similar, colorscheme is close), it's never been fully confirmed.

[Beastro]

Plus, since the team rosters were basically balanced at all times, you pretty much had to keep Tarantulus around just so you wouldn't be outnumbered.

It made less sense in original Transformers to keep Starscream around when there were dozens and dozens on both sides with potential reinforcements from Cybertron... but all on your own when you've only got 6 guys you pretty much much need to keep them no matter how traitorous or incompetant... at least up until the point they nearly successfully kill you.

It would have been a rather different show if they'd landed on opposite continents though rather than within walking distance.

I often wonder if they try to do a Gen 1 reboot they should turn Starscream into this crazy talented and dangerous guy, but one that is stll the same backstabbing guy. That then forces Megatron into the predicament that he simply can't afford to lose the guy in the war against the Autobots despite his constant betrayals (and can't afford to offend him, so he finds himself stuck always keeping him in second in command).

[Ghilz]

Making a good Starscream is a tough balancing act, which Transformers has often had issues with. This difficulty is what led Armada making him an Anti-Hero, so his betrayal of Megatron was for more ideological reasons. Make Starscream too competent and he overshadows Megatron. Make him too incompetent, and he stops being a threat (Like, why would the Autobots fear him replacing Megatron?). Plus you need to decide how Megs will respond to him.

Animated for example decided to turn him into a wild card as soon as Megatron returned in the picture. While he never carried the same threat, his role was to disrupt both sides. Plus he was funny.

Transformers Prime had issues with Starscream. They clearly didn't want him to overshadow Megatron, but they didn't want him to appear incompetent... But this led to a widely uneven portrayal. Where some episodes we get the feel Starscream's not so much into this for himself, but he genuinely thinks Megatron has gone insane. He'll come up with legitimately good plans, but they will fail in spectacular ways (often outside his control) and make him look like a buffoon. You ended with a character where the audience isn't sure if they should fear, mock or pity him. They also tried the "Wild Card" angle but again, that barely worked. Starscream became marginally more interesting when they just had him learn from his failures and he became a Megatron loyalist.

RID brought him back, and we had the same issues. The show presents him like he's the gravest threat yet... and then shows him acting like a buffoon (like escaping the Predacons by literally tripping over an alarm that kills them) and Bumblebee openly mocking his ineptitude.

Cybertron arguably pulled the biggest punches by having Starscream actually win and prove himself more dangerous than Megatron.

[jadenova]

Curse you, Chuck. Now I have 'The Touch' stuck in my head.

[CareerKnight]

There are worse songs to get stuck in your head.

I wonder what they would have done with Terrorsaur in s2 if they had stuck with their original plan and Waspinator died in his place since they had already decided that Tarantulus was a much better choice for the traitor.

[Archanubis]

RID brought him back, and we had the same issues. The show presents him like he's the gravest threat yet... and then shows him acting like a buffoon (like escaping the Predacons by literally tripping over an alarm that kills them) and Bumblebee openly mocking his ineptitude.

Personally, when you compare Starscream in RID to Steeljaw, the previous two seasons' "big bad," then yes, Starscream was the bigger of the two threats. Steeljaw was a threat, through both force and manipulation, but let's face it, this is Starscream we're talking about here. With or without the Dark Saber or his Minicon boost, Starscream probably would have smacked Steeljaw down hard like he did the Scavenger crew (if only because Starscream is, well, the more popular character ). Besides, when it comes to smarmy, oily characters who can occasionally back up their talk... well, let's face it, Starscream is king.

Now, compared to Motormaster and especially Soundwave, who seem to be sharing the "big bad" position this season, yeah, Starscream comes off as rather pathetic. Though you got to give 'screamer credit - he was smart enough to never challenge Soundwave during Prime.

[Ghilz]

RID brought him back, and we had the same issues. The show presents him like he's the gravest threat yet... and then shows him acting like a buffoon (like escaping the Predacons by literally tripping over an alarm that kills them) and Bumblebee openly mocking his ineptitude.

Personally, when you compare Starscream in RID to Steeljaw, the previous two seasons' "big bad," then yes, Starscream was the bigger of the two threats. Steeljaw was a threat, through both force and manipulation, but let's face it, this is Starscream we're talking about here. With or without the Dark Saber or his Minicon boost, Starscream probably would have smacked Steeljaw down hard like he did the Scavenger crew (if only because Starscream is, well, the more popular character ). Besides, when it comes to smarmy, oily characters who can occasionally back up their talk... well, let's face it, Starscream is king.

Now, compared to Motormaster and especially Soundwave, who seem to be sharing the "big bad" position this season, yeah, Starscream comes off as rather pathetic. Though you got to give 'screamer credit - he was smart enough to never challenge Soundwave during Prime.

Oh, I don't doubt Starscream's abilities, I criticise the show's inconsistent portrayal. Starscream shows up and the show treats him with immense dread - it's practically going "Guys, a REAL fucking Decepticon is here. Optimus get your ass back here." But then when Bumblebee is captured, the show does a complete 180 and treats Starscream as less of a threat than Steeljaw - shows him running away like a coward, stumbling upon defenses that save him. Bumblebee openly mocks him and his abilities in a way he never did Steeljaw. This back and forth between "Starscream's a real badass" and "LOL Starscream, amirite?" continues through his short run of episodes.

It leaves you with "Is Starscream hot shit or is he not?" Coz the show doesn't seem to make up its mind.

[Archanubis]

Oh, I don't doubt Starscream's abilities, I criticise the show's inconsistent portrayal. Starscream shows up and the show treats him with immense dread - it's practically going "Guys, a REAL fucking Decepticon is here. Optimus get your ass back here." But then when Bumblebee is captured, the show does a complete 180 and treats Starscream as less of a threat than Steeljaw - shows him running away like a coward, stumbling upon defenses that save him. Bumblebee openly mocks him and his abilities in a way he never did Steeljaw. This back and forth between "Starscream's a real badass" and "LOL Starscream, amirite?" continues through his short run of episodes.

It leaves you with "Is Starscream hot shit or is he not?" Coz the show doesn't seem to make up its mind.

I think it's pretty consistent with how Starscream was portrayed and treated in Prime, where, while capable, he was usually his own worst enemy. Running away from the Predacons in his flashback is not unexpected, especially considering how often Predaking kicked Starscream's ass in the last season of Prime.

One should also keep in mind that, while we the audience see the actual events, Starscream is telling a entirely different tale to Bumblebee - who wasn't there to witness it. (Though Bumblebee is probably familiar enough with Starscream to realize that the latter was very likely embellishing his role in the tale - by more than a little.)

[Ghilz]

I think it's pretty consistent with how Starscream was portrayed and treated in Prime, where, while capable, he was usually his own worst enemy.

Yes, and this is one of the (Many) reasons Prime never tapped into its own potential and Beast Wars remains a better show.