Part III - Power over others is weakness disguised as strength.

ghostanswers:

The following is PART THREE, the third and final part (barring the finale of Beast Hunters or however long Starscream survives, I will probably write more later), of an extensive review of the interactions between Starscream and Megatron from Transformers Prime.

(Here are parts One and Two)

As always, this is not a shipping manifesto, it is an analysis of a codependent/narcissistic relationship with highly toxic elements. It will not be positive or supportive of “MegaStar” as consensual. Fair warning.

Content/Trigger Warnings- for physical, mental, emotional, domestic and sexual abuse.

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Thank you for writing the final part of this. All three parts explained exactly how and why Megatron’s treatment of Starscream is messed up. These parts also did a good job of explaining how and why the Autobots and the other Decepticon’s actions effected Starscream and some of his actions as well.

cruelfeline:

Okay, so, I just had this thought.

And bear with me: I’m not in the social justice circle of tumblr, or of anywhere, really, so I may misuse terminology or fail to get my point across or offend someone or whatever. But I need to say this, because it is legit bothering me.

So, people in the TFP fandom constantly put Starscream and Megatron in this totally wrong, misinterpreted, “let’s pretend this isn’t abuse for our sexual gratification” relationship, and Starscream is pretty much always the submissive, whereas Megatron is always the dominant.

And is it just me, or, in such artwork and fic (especially artwork), does it seem like these artists feminize Starscream a great deal?

Like, the exaggerate his heels. And his hips. And his waist. And his posture and mannerisms. And sometimes put him in maid outfits or whatever. Or put him up as a pole dancer, I saw once. Or in a sort of Playboy Bunny suit.

To make him look more and more like a traditionally sexually attractive female.

While at the same time placing him in these submissive situations with Megatron. Which are really abusive situations as seen in the show canon.

And… again, I’m not well-versed in such matters, but… as a woman, that makes me weirdly uncomfortable?

You have this male character in an abusive relationship with another, larger male character, and while pretending that this relationship is somehow okay, you (often drastically) feminize said smaller male character.

Am I the only one bothered by this?

Like, I find it horrifying enough that the Starscream/Megatron abuse bonanza is redrawn as a consensual sub/dom relationship… but it feels extra creepy that while doing this, people feel the need to give Starscream more curves and heels and cute little blush cheeks and the occasional maid outfit, making him markedly look more like a woman, and specifically a very stereotypically sexually receptive woman.

I just. I don’t know how to express this. I’m just putting it out there.

I get what you mean. I have seen a lot of this with Megatron and Starscream and like you said it really is uncomfortable.

cruelfeline:

Dear Everyone Who Says that Starscream “Deserves” the Beatings he Gets:

The hell is wrong with all of you?

Can you just kindly look at the fact that, in our legal system, even horrible criminals have rights and are not (supposed to be) beaten willy-nilly because “they deserve it”?

It is utterly horrifying to me that a group of real live people are sitting around saying that someone should be beaten for something. I don’t care what they’ve done. No fucking reason whatsoever is acceptable.

I don’t care what he did.

No one deserves that.

And if you disagree, then get out of here, because I don’t want you near me.

Thank you so much for this post Cruelfeline. Thank you.image

Part II - None who have always been free can understand the terrible fascinating power of the hope of freedom.

cruelfeline:

ghostanswers:

The following is PART TWO of an extensive review of the interactions between Starscream and Megatron from Transformers Prime. (Here is part one). Again, for full disclosure’s sake, this is not a shipping manifesto, it is an analysis of a codependent/narcissistic relationship with highly toxic elements. It will not be positive or supportive of “MegaStar” as consensual. Fair warning. It will also not be positive regarding the Autobots and their behaviors / personal choices.

Content/Trigger Warnings:for physical, mental, emotional, domestic and sexual abuse, culminating in murder. Real life abusive/victim behaviors are discussed, triggering words will be used.

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*flops over and quietly dies*

You’ve pretty much put like, all of my analyses into a giant mega-post of sad.

I’ll just leave my comments as follows. They’re not arguments; just stuff I have to get written down because you’ve reminded me of it, and I have to whine about it even though you already said it.

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Thank you CF. You made an already wonderful analysis even better. The commentary in this all around is amazing.

Source: ghostanswers

Part II - None who have always been free can understand the terrible fascinating power of the hope of freedom.

ghostanswers:

The following is PART TWO of an extensive review of the interactions between Starscream and Megatron from Transformers Prime. (Here is part one). Again, for full disclosure’s sake, this is not a shipping manifesto, it is an analysis of a codependent/narcissistic relationship with highly toxic elements. It will not be positive or supportive of “MegaStar” as consensual. Fair warning. It will also not be positive regarding the Autobots and their behaviors / personal choices.

Content/Trigger Warnings:for physical, mental, emotional, domestic and sexual abuse, culminating in murder. Real life abusive/victim behaviors are discussed, triggering words will be used.

Read More

Thank you for continuing with this. Megatron’s abuse is definitely exclusive to Starscream. Not only is it disturbing, but it also shows that Megatron knows how to get to Starscream even when he is not beating him up physically. There is also the fact that Starscream gets no respect from all sides including the Autobots and MECH. The poor guy just can’t seem to catch a break at all.