History TheStarscream / Transformers

--> '''Megatron''': ''(watching a live feed of Blackarachnia)''Spiders spin their webs, yeees... But I spin them larger. ''(camera reveals Tarantulas' probe spying on him)''

** ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'' puts another twist on the character, puttig him on a [[CharacterDevelopment journey]] from the usual treacherous usurper, to a rogue, to a second-in-command who has made a compromise between the security of his high position and [[TheChainsOfCommanding not having to deal with]] sutuations where he's out of his depth. To the end, however, Starscream still retains his ambition and would seize power the moment an opportunity arises, he just won't resort to any treachery to that end because he learned the price of failure.

* Trying to catalogue all the Starscreams (trope examples that is, not actual characters by that name) in the ''Transformers'' multiverse might take all day. The best collection of them in one place is probably the [[http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Air_Strike_Patrol Air Strike Patrol]], which consists of one dangerously competent leader with three subordinates, every single one of which wants to usurp his position. Of the three, one's a DirtyCoward schemer who hopes to gain the position by impressing people further up on the chain of command, another is an impulsive and unsubtle moron [[WhatAnIdiot who announces his takeover plans in front of his target]], while the third's a taciturn [[TheChessmaster Chessmaster]] who might actually succeed in his goal because he actually has patience and a willingness to accept short-term losses in the name of long-term gain.

** ''[[ComicBook/TheTransformers The Transformers (Marvel Comics)]]'': Shockwave usurped command of the Decepticons (stepping in by taking advantage of the opportunity that arose when Megatron and the Decepticons had been defeated by the Autobots and human sabotage) and was an effective leader during one arc; taking over not because he was greedy or power-hungry, but because Megatron failed and Shockwave honestly felt "logic dictated" that he, as Decepticon Military Operations Commander, could lead the Decepticon faction more effectively. And he actually succeeds in wresting power from Megatron on a few occasions. Starscream has a few memorable moments, opting for big power grabs that still fail, but not as blatantly or stupidly as his animated counterpart.
*** Except in the Underbase Saga, where Starscream manages to trick two factions of Decepticons and the Autobots into fighting each other then gains control of the Underbase and kills virtually every Transformer in existence before blowing up. After that, you wonder why any Decepticon commander would recruit him: Megatron made sure he brainwashed him first and Shockwave couldn't afford to be choosy but Scorponok had no excuses.

*** TheMovie also indicates most of the other Decepticons are NotSoAboveItAll as everyone engages in a big brawl for leadership the moment Megatron and the other wounded Decepticons are thrown out into space. Even Soundwave of all bots, the poster boy for UndyingLoyalty and the person who dragged him onto Astrotrain engages in this. [[note]] WordOfGod would fix this years later explaining his first act as leader would been telling Astrotrain to turn around and pick up Megatron. [[/note]]

*** In TheMovie, Megs-into-Galvatron actually kills Starscream, only to find himself as The Starscream to Unicron, with no better success than the original--less in fact, because Unicron is now the source of his power.

** ''[[ComicBook/TheTransformers The Transformers (Marvel Comics)]]'': Shockwave usurped command of the Decepticons and was an effective leader during one arc, not because he was greedy or power-hungry, but because he felt "logic dictated" he could lead them better. And he actually succeeds in wresting power from Megatron on a few occasions. Starscream has a few memorable moments, opting for big power grabs that still fail, but not as blatantly or stupidly as his animated counterpart.

*** In "Triple Takeover", Blizwing and Astrotrain has Starscream lead Megatron into a trap so all three can takeover the Decepticons. However, [[OutGambit Blitzwing and Astrotrain got rid of them both]]. They then start their own dominion with various degrees of success. [[StatusQuoIsGod Of course Megatron escapes from the trap]] and is none too happy with the three.

*** His best effort was in the episode "Starscream's Brigade", where with the aid of the Combaticons, he came within an ace of successfully usurping Megatron. Amusingly, in the following episode "The Revenge of Bruticus", Starscream himself got a taste of his own medicine when the Combaticons grew frustrated with his incompetence and decided to usurp both Megatron ''and'' Starscream instead, forcing the two to work together.

* ''[[ComicBook/TheTransformers The Transformers (Marvel Comics)]]'': Shockwave usurped command of the Decepticons and was an effective leader during one arc, not because he was greedy or power-hungry, but because he felt "logic dictated" he could lead them better. And he actually succeeds in wresting power from Megatron on a few occasions. Starscream has a few memorable moments, opting for big power grabs that still fail, but not as blatantly or stupidly as his animated counterpart.
** Except in the Underbase Saga, where Starscream manages to trick two factions of Decepticons and the Autobots into fighting each other then gains control of the Underbase and kills virtually every Transformer in existence before blowing up. After that, you wonder why any Decepticon commander would recruit him: Megatron made sure he brainwashed him first and Shockwave couldn't afford to be choosy but Scorponok had no excuses.
** And, in the Generation 2 comics, we [[http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Image:Megatrong2idiot.jpg finally get an explanation for why Megatron keeps Starscream around.]]
** In the Marvel UK Earthforce stories, Starscream is surprisingly successful, managing to blackmail Soundwave into helping him depose both Megatron and Shockwave so the two of them can take over as joint leaders.
** In ''Regeneration One'', Starscream was lobotomized by Megatron to prevent any further betrayals. It ''still'' didn't work, thanks to [[spoiler: Shockwave]]'s intervention. (Apparently Megatron either forgot to, or ''couldn't'', lobotomize ''him''.) Later, Starscream was able to backstab [[spoiler: Galvatron]], which itself was risky considering [[spoiler: the time-traveler was already restraining himself from killing Starscream yet again]].

*** Starscream made his first play for power in the first episode (showing potential signs of it in ''the first five minutes''), and succeeded when Megatron was injured in the [[WesternAnimation/TransformersTheMovie 1986 animated movie]]. Before that, StatusQuoIsGod, so he'd fail [[OncePerEpisode Every. Single. Episode.]] If Megatron so much as ''sneezes'', he'll start shouting "Megatron has fallen!"[[note]]Not even an exaggeration - he once claimed command of the Decepticons on the grounds that Megatron had ''lost his voice'' temporarily.[[/note]] [[KarmaHoudini And Megatron would never punish him much for it.]] (Except in the movie, when he did.) [[http://www.cracked.com/article_16954_5-reasons-megatron-should-have-fired-starscream-years-ago.html Cracked's "5 Reasons Megatron Should have Fired Starscream Years Ago"]] list provides five examples of Starscream's ambitious behavior as well as ineptitude in a single episode (the first ever episode no less!).
*** His best effort was in the episode "Starscream's Brigade", where with the aid of the Combaticons, he came within an ace of successfully usurping Megatron. Amusingly, in the following episode "The Revenge of Bruticus", Starscream himself got a taste of his own medicine when the Combaticons grew frustrated with his incompetence and decided to usurp both Megatron ''and'' Starscream instead, forcing the two work together.

*** Credit should also go to Megatron for doing a [[JourneyToTheCenterOfTheMind Cortical Physic Patch]] on Starsream ''before'' allowing him to rejoin the Decepticons.

*** Starscream makes his first play for power in the first episode (showing potential signs of it in ''the first five minutes''), and succeeds when Megatron is injured in the [[WesternAnimation/TransformersTheMovie 1986 animated movie]]. Before that, StatusQuoIsGod, so he'd fail [[OncePerEpisode Every. Single. Episode.]] If Megatron so much as ''sneezes'', he'll start shouting "Megatron has fallen!"[[note]]Not even an exaggeration - he once claimed command of the Decepticons on the grounds that Megatron had ''lost his voice'' temporarily.[[/note]] [[KarmaHoudini And Megatron would never punish him much for it.]] (Except in the movie, when he did.) [[http://www.cracked.com/article_16954_5-reasons-megatron-should-have-fired-starscream-years-ago.html Cracked's "5 Reasons Megatron Should have Fired Starscream Years Ago"]] list provides five examples of Starscream's ambitious behavior as well as ineptitude in a single episode (the first ever episode no less!).
*** His best effort was in the episode "Starscream's Brigade", where with the aid of the Combaticons, he came within an ace of successfully usurping Megatron. Ironically, Starscream himself got a taste of his own medicine when the Combaticons grew frustrated with his incompetence and decided to usurp both Megatron ''and'' Starscream instead, forcing the two work together.

*** In ''Triple Takeover'', Blizwing and Astrotrain has Starscream lead Megatron into a trap so all three can takeover the Decepticons. However, [[OutGambit Blitzwing and Astrotrain got rid of them both]]. They then start their own dominion with various degrees of success. [[StatusQuoIsGod Of course Megatron escapes from the trap]] and is none too happy with the three.

** In the season two finale, Starscream's [[spoiler: clones do this to him.]] Oh, the irony.

* Franchise/TransformersAlignedUniverse

** Starscream did utter the line "Even if it pains me, I do try to be teamplayer" in a flashback.

*** [[DeadlyDoctor Knockout]] was also an accomplice to Starscream's plan to cut off Megs' [[DarkLordOnLifeSupport life support]] in season 1. [[spoiler: He later betrays Starscream during an attempted mutiny in ''Preadacons Rising'' and changes sides to the Autobots, citing [[IFightForTheStrongestSide joining the "winning team"]] as his reason.]]

*** Megatron seems to have avoided at this at first when he appointed [[NobleDemon Dreadwing]] as his second-in-command after above instances with Starscream and Airachnid as he stays fiercely loyal to Megatron for most of the second season. However [[spoiler: when he learns from above-mentoned Cortical Physic Patch that Screamer revived his brother Skyquake as a [[OurZombiesAreDifferent Terrorcon]] all bets are off.]]

*** Starscream makes his first play for power in the first episode (showing potential signs of it in ''the first five minutes''), and succeeded when Megatron was injured in the [[WesternAnimation/TransformersTheMovie 1986 animated movie]]. Before that, StatusQuoIsGod, so he'd fail [[OncePerEpisode Every. Single. Episode.]] If Megatron so much as ''sneezes'', he'll start shouting "Megatron has fallen!"[[note]]Not even an exaggeration - he once claimed command of the Decepticons on the grounds that Megatron had ''lost his voice'' temporarily.[[/note]] [[KarmaHoudini And Megatron would never punish him much for it.]] (Except in the movie, when he did.) [[http://www.cracked.com/article_16954_5-reasons-megatron-should-have-fired-starscream-years-ago.html Cracked's "5 Reasons Megatron Should have Fired Starscream Years Ago"]] list provides five examples of Starscream's ambitious behavior as well as ineptitude in a single episode (the first ever episode no less!).
*** His best effort was in the episode "Starscream's Brigade", where with the aid of the Combaticons, he came within an ace of successfully usurping Megatron.
*** Ironically, Shockwave's characterization was dramatically changed during the production of the show, in which he became [[UndyingLoyalty Megatron's loyal guardian of Cybertron]] rather than a rival to Megatron's authority. This, combined with the cartoon's widespread recognition, is why the trope wasn't called ''The Shockwave''.

** ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'': While the toy made first mention of Starscream's power-hungry ambition, it's the [[TropeCodifier Sunbow cartoon series that made it legendary]]. Ironically, Shockwave's characterization was dramatically changed during the production of the show, in which he became [[UndyingLoyalty Megatron's loyal guardian of Cybertron]] rather than a rival to Megatron's authority, enabling Starscream to become the poster bot of backstabbing the leader.

* In an interesting inversion of the 1986 movie, in IDW's "Dead Universe Arc" (Spotlight: Galvatron, parts of Devastation and all of Revelation) the Starscream to Nova Prime/Nemesis Prime is a version of Galvatron who had more success than his original animated counterpart; that said Galvatron turning on him was a fault of the Darkness messing with him, when Galvatron and Nova Prime don't have the Heart of Darkness messing with them, and they really have a type 1 VillainousFriendship.
* Also in IDW, Ramjet tries his hardest to be the next Starcream during his ''Spotlight'' issue, but fails miserably (or rather, succeeds in the Starscream's failure department). And unlike Starscream, who only got a survivable wound for his treachery and was eventually allowed back into the Decepticon ranks again, [[CruelAndUnusualDeath Megatron gives Ramjet a permanent retirement]].
* ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMonstrosity'' has Scorponok take this role. Of course [[WhyDontYouJustShootHim instead of killing Megatron]] he [[BondVillainStupidity exiles him]] to [[DeathWorld Junkion]] in an attempt to make himself seem more fearsome. [[SavedByCanon Of course Megatron survives]] and feeds Scroponok to the Terrorcons for it. When Scorponok was next seen chronologically, he'd quit the Decepticons altogether and was off conning other species to build new weapons for him, at which point he'd promptly destroy them.
* In ''Spotlight: Megatron'', Megatron explains to Starscream exactly why he has put up with him all this time. Megatron believes that Starscream is a vital part of the Decepticon war machine because he keeps Megatron from becoming complacent. Starscream is a constant reminder to Megatron that he needs to watch his back.

** The character's intentions were probably first mentioned when the first version of his action figure (one of the first three Decepticons along with Skywarp and Thundercracker) was introduced in 1984. His profile on the back of the card that the figure came in mentioned his desire to lead the Decepticons, explicitly stating his desire to replace Megatron. However, he was not the only Decepticon who has leadership ambition; the toy bio of [[TheSpock Shockwave]] (released the following year) stated that he too seeks to overthrow Megatron because logic dictates that he would make a better leader. Both characters would have their spotlight as Megatron's usurper in two different medias: Starscream for the Sunbow cartoon, and Shockwave for the comic books published by Creator/MarvelComics.

** ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'': While the toy made first mention of Starscream's power-hungry ambition, it's the [[TropeCodifier Sunbow cartoon series that made it legendary]]. Ironically, Shockwave's characterization was dramatically changed during the production of the show, in which he became [[UndyingLoyalty Megatron's loyal guardian of Cybertron]] rather than a rival to Megatron's authority.

** The character's intentions were probably first mentioned when the first version of his action figure (one of the first three Decepticons along with Skywarp and Thundercracker) was introduced in 1984. His profile on the back of the card that the figure came in mentioned his desire to lead the Decepticons, explicitly stating his desire to replace Megatron. However, he was not the only Decepticon who has leadership ambition; the toy bio of Shockwave (released the following year) stated that he too seeks to overthrow Megatron because logic dictates that he would make a better leader. Both characters would have their spotlight as Megatron's usurper in two different medias: Starscream for the Sunbow cartoon, and Shockwave for the comic books published by Creator/MarvelComics.

** The character's intentions were probably first mentioned when the first version of his action figure (one of the first three Decepticons along with Skywarp and Thundercracker) was introduced in 1984. His profile on the back of the card that the figure came in mentioned his desire to lead the Decepticons, explicitly stating his desire to replace Megatron. However, he was not the only Decepticon who has leadership ambition; the toy bio of Shockwave (released the following year) stated he too seeks to overthrow Megatron because logic dictates that he would make a better leader. Both characters would have their spotlight as Megatron's usurper in two different medias: Starscream for the Sunbow cartoon, and Shockwave for the comic books published by Creator/MarvelComics.
** ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'': While the toy made first mention of his power-hungry ambition, it's the [[TropeCodifier Sunbow cartoon series that made it legendary]].

* ''[[ComicBook/TheTransformers The Transformers (Marvel Comics)]]'': Shockwave (who ironically, shows UndyingLoyalty to Megatron in the animated version) usurped command of the Decepticons and was an effective leader during one arc, not because he was greedy or power-hungry, but because he felt "logic dictated" he could lead them better. And he actually succeeds in wresting power from Megatron on a few occasions. Starscream has a few memorable moments, opting for big power grabs that still fail, but not as blatantly or stupidly as his animated counterpart.

** In ''ComicBook/TheTransformersRobotsInDisguise'', Starscream [[spoiler: has convinced Bumblebee to let him join the new Cybertronian government, proving helpful in stopping renegade Decepticons still operating with their own agenda in the post-war world. He genuinely seemed invested in making this new arrangement work, and even befriended political rival Metalhawk. When the Decepticons rise up under Megatron he helps stop them, then he kills Metalhawk, blames his death on one of Megatron's Decepticons, sways public opinion to him, and becomes the ruler of new Cybertron, exiling those who wouldn't renounce their old allegiances- Bumblebee and other Autobots in major positions included, and no exceptions made for any of his former allies from the Decepticons, either]].

* In an interesting inversion of the 1986 movie, in IDW's "Dead Universe Arc" (Spotlight: Galvatron, parts of Devastation and all of Revelation) the Starscream to Nova Prime/Nemesis Prime is a version of Galvatron who borders on the MagnificentBastard, that said Galvatron turning on him was a fault of the Darkness messing with him, when Galvatron and Nova Prime don't have the Heart of Darkness messing with them, and they really have a type 1 VillainousFriendship.
* Also in IDW, Ramjet tries his hardest to be a MagnificentBastard when he tries his hand at being The Starscream during his ''Spotlight'' issue, but fails miserably. [[CruelAndUnusualDeath Megatron finding out didn't help at all.]]
** Interestingly, Ramjet got killed outright, whereas Starscream's punishment - having a hole blasted through him pointblank, was something Megs knew ''might'' not be fatal, and allowed him back in after.

* Anime/UnicronTrilogy:

* WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated

* Film/TransformersFilmSeries:

** The character's intentions were probably first mentioned when the first version of his action figure (one of the first three Decepticons along with Skywarp and Thundercracker) was introduced in 1984. His profile on the back of the card that the figure came in mentioned his desire to lead the Decepticons, explicitly stating his desire to replace Megatron. However, he was not the only Decepticon who has leadership ambition; the toy bio of Shockwave (released the following year) stated he too seeks to overthrow Megatron because it logic dictates that he would make a better leader. Both characters would have their spotlight as Megatron's usurper in two different medias: Starscream for the Sunbow cartoon, and Shockwave for the comic books published by Creator/MarvelComics.

** The character's intentions were probably first mentioned when the first version of his action figure (one of the first three Decepticons along with Skywarp and Thundercracker) was introduced in 1984. His profile on the back of the card that the figure came in mentioned his desire to lead the Decepticons, explicitly stating his desire to replace Megatron.
** Starscream makes his first play for power in the first episode (showing potential signs of it in ''the first five minutes''), and succeeded when Megatron was injured in the [[WesternAnimation/TransformersTheMovie 1986 animated movie]]. Before that, StatusQuoIsGod, so he'd fail [[OncePerEpisode Every. Single. Episode.]] If Megatron so much as ''sneezes'', he'll start shouting "Megatron has fallen!"[[note]]Not even an exaggeration - he once claimed command of the Decepticons on the grounds that Megatron had ''lost his voice'' temporarily.[[/note]] [[KarmaHoudini And Megatron would never punish him much for it.]] (Except in the movie, when he did.) [[http://www.cracked.com/article_16954_5-reasons-megatron-should-have-fired-starscream-years-ago.html Cracked's "5 Reasons Megatron Should have Fired Starscream Years Ago"]] list provides five examples of Starscream's ambitious behavior as well as ineptitude in a single episode (the first ever episode no less!).
** His best effort was in the episode "Starscream's Brigade", where with the aid of the Combaticons, he came within an ace of successfully usurping Megatron.

** Scorponok in ''Anime/TransformersHeadmasters'' was similar, but both sneakier and more willing to act against Galvatron.
* In Creator/MarvelComics continuity, Shockwave (who ironically, shows UndyingLoyalty to Megatron in the animated version) usurped command of the Decepticons and was an effective leader during one arc, not because he was greedy or power-hungry, but because he felt "logic dictated" he could lead them better.
* Leozack of ''Anime/TransformersVictory'' also qualifies as a member of the Starscream club. [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Deathsaurus/Dezaras]] eventually wised up and threatened to kill him if he continued his treacherous ways. Then there's Hellbat, whom the [[Wiki/TFWikiDotNet Transformers Wiki]] even describes as "a member of the Ambitious Screwups club". Thing about Hellbat is, his ambition lies in overthrowing Leozack as the leader of the Breastforce--making him the Starscream ''to the Starscream''.
* The Starscreams in ''Anime/TransformersSuperGodMasterforce'' and ''Anime/TransformersHeadmasters'' would be Dauros and Mindwipe, respectively. Except Dauros is too dim to be deceptive and often openly challenges Blood's leadership of the Decepticon Pretenders, while Mindwipe's ulterior motives are wholly unrelated to usurping leadership of the Decepticon Headmasters in the first place.
* In the Marvel US G1 Comics, Shockwave is The Starscream for a long while, and actually succeeds in wresting power from Megatron on a few occasions. Starscream has a few memorable moments, opting for big power grabs that still fail, but not as blatantly or stupidly as his animated counterpart.

*** At the beginning, Starscream ''wants'' to be in command and often IS in command while Megatron goes off on his own, and he actually makes for a pretty competent commander, but lacks Megatron's grand vision of restoring Cybertron, being more content with just stomping out Autobot resistance. While he enjoys power he does little to actively take over; he would rather wait for opportunities to present themselves. Mostly he assists Megatron faithfully and warns him against dangerous risks several times.
*** Megatron revealed that he was aware of Starscream's schemes from the beginning. This Megatron feels that if someone is capable of overthrowing him then he deserves it - it's even suggested he enjoys the threat to stay sharp. But he gets upset when Starscream becomes pathetically predictable. The episode "Partners" reveals that Starscream, for all his weaknesses and flaws throughout his various incarnations, is a very important part of the Decepticon war machine and if either captured or becoming a rogue agent he could wreak havoc against them with intelligence alone.
*** Eventually when sufficiently punished and humiliated by Megatron, this Starscream shows he is finally content to have the power of SIC. It's a decision he makes after he realizes that despite his ambition and resourcefulness, he still doesn't have the charisma, vision and strength to ''keep'' a position of leadership and win the Decepticons' loyalties after usurping Megatron. Unfortunately he still doesn't want to settle for anything less than second-in-command; when he lost this position he attempted to switch sides, just to have allies to side against Megatron. This backfired too, because while he lucked out every once in a while, he didn't have the logistics to maintain himself as a threat, or just keeps [[SmugSnake getting ahead of himself]] and ruining potential alliances. He finally gets his hands on ''Prime's'' equivalent of the [[Anime/TransformersCybertron Cyber Planet Keys]], ''all four of them,'' and... uses them to convince Megatron to let him back in instead of keeping them, mostly because he rightly realized that even with all four keys, there would be nothing stopping the Autobots ''and'' Decepticons from coming for his head and he couldn't rule Cybertron alone. He appeared loyal, which didn't prevent fans from suspecting it all of being a ruse. In "Deadlock", his rage upon seeing [[spoiler: Bumblebee kill Megatron indicates that his new loyalty was genuine after all]].

*** While not a very enthusiastic member of the 'Cons to begin with, Airachnid took on this role after Starscream left. When Megatron was acting so irrationally even the generic troops were getting antsy she stepped in as a leader, though [[CurbStompBattle Soundwave effortlessly shut down her power play]].

*** Eventually when sufficiently punished and humiliated by Megatron, this Starscream shows he is finally content to have the power of SIC. It's a decision he makes after he realizes that despite his ambition and resourcefulness, he still doesn't have the charisma, vision and strength to ''keep'' a position of leadership and win the Decepticons' loyalties after usurping Megatron. Unfortunately he still doesn't want to settle for anything less than second-in-command; when he lost this position he attempted to switch sides, just to have allies to side against Megatron. He finally gets his hands on ''Prime's'' equivalent of the [[Anime/TransformersCybertron Cyber Planet Keys]], ''all four of them,'' and... uses them to convince Megatron to let him back in instead of keeping them, mostly because he rightly realized that even with all four keys, there would be nothing stopping the Autobots ''and'' Decepticons from coming for his head and he couldn't rule Cybertron alone. He appeared loyal, which didn't prevent fans from suspecting it all of being a ruse. In "Deadlock", his rage upon seeing [[spoiler: Bumblebee kill Megatron indicates that his new loyalty was genuine after all]].

*** [[DeadlyDoctor Knockout]] was also an accomplice to Starscream's plan to cut off Megs' [[DarkLordOnLifeSupport life support]] in season 1. [[spoiler: He later betrays Starscream during an attempted mutiny in ''Preadacons Rising'' and changes sides to the Autobots.]]

** ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'' puts another twist on the character, puttig him on a [[CharacterDevelopment journey]] from the usual treacherous usurper, to a rogue, to a second-in-command who has made a compromise between the security of his high position and [[TheChainsOfCommanding not having to deal with]] sutuations where he's out of his depth.

** ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'' puts another twist on the character, Starscream ''wants'' to be in command and often IS in command while Megatron goes off on his own, and he actually makes for a pretty competent commander. But while he enjoys power he does little to actively take over; he would rather wait for opportunities to present themselves. Mostly he assists Megatron faithfully and warns him against dangerous risks several times.

*** Eventually when sufficiently punished and humiliated by Megatron, this Starscream shows he is finally content to have the power of SIC. Unfortunately he still doesn't want to settle for anything less; when he lost this position he attempted to switch sides, just to have allies to side against Megatron. He finally gets his hands on ''Prime's'' equivalent of the [[Anime/TransformersCybertron Cyber Planet Keys]], ''all four of them,'' and... uses them to convince Megatron to let him back in instead of keeping them, mostly because he rightly realized that even with all four keys, there would be nothing stopping the Autobots ''and'' Decepticons from coming for his head and he couldn't rule Cybertron alone. He appeared loyal, which didn't prevent fans from suspecting it all of being a ruse. In "Deadlock", his rage upon seeing [[spoiler: Bumblebee kill Megatron indicates that his new loyalty was genuine after all]].

*** In ''Triple Takeover'', Blizwing and Astrotrain has Starscream lead Megatron into a trap so all three can takeover the Decepticons. However, [[OutGambit Blitzwing and Astrotrain got rid of them both]]. They then start their own dominions with various degrees of success. [[StatusQuoIsGod Of course Megatron escapes from the trap]] and is none too happy with the three.