Megatron and Starscream

[Sun Swipe Prime]

IMHO Starscream and Megatron have a deeply unhealthy codependent relationship, with Megatron being the enabler.

He knows Starscream is unfit to lead and could never really overthrow him, but enables Screamer by turning mostly a blind eye to his antics.

Megatron knows he could put down Starscream any time he wanted, so keeping Starscream around boosts his self-confidence. In actuality Megatron has self-esteem issues because he knows deep in his spark that Optimus is really the better bot, and one of the ways he overcompensates is with well... trying to wield the biggest cannon.

Starscream's whole sense of self-worth is dependant on Megatron's approval, and he's resentful of this fact. Hence why he keeps trying to kill Megatron. Besides incompetence, part of the reason he keeps failing is because deep down he doesn't really want Megatron out of the way. With out Megtron he'd be completely lost and without worth.


TL;DR?

Basically Megatron knows he's Prime's b!tch, so in order to feel good about himself, he keeps Starscream around to be his b!tch. Starscream knows he's Megatron's b!tch, but resents this, and makes half-hearted assassination attempts. In reality he likes being the b!tch. Why else does he always call Megatron Master.

[Blitzwing]

Spotlight: Megatron also deals with his relationship with Starscream. Like others have said, it essentially boiled down to Megatron keeping him around as a reminder that he always needs to watch his own back and be aware of threats that can come from anywhere.

[UltraPrimal]

Megatron and Starscream are very old, very close friends.

[JLvatron]

Originally Posted by Omegatron

The only way to know what Starscream's up to is to watch him and the only way to do that is to keep him close.

Or just execute him, as Galvatron did!

Originally Posted by MULTIPLEX

LOL, interesting. Megatron calls himself an idiot for keeping Starscream around. How ironic if you remember his famous "You're an idiot, Starscream" line in the 86 movie.

Nice!

[JLvatron]

Great question as usual, Ironwave!

Originally Posted by Ironwave

My question is, why does Megatron keeps Starscream around after all those things he has done to him, is Megatron that soft? does he hold a soft spot for Starscream?

Taking only G1 cartoon, we can look at patterns.
At the end of "Fire in the Mountain", when the Decepticons are retreating, Megs & Starrio are flying together, complaining about the other Decepticons.

Megatron rarely, or maybe Never, had a real conversation with the other Decepticons; it was more like orders from Megs, questions for the others to follow, or just completely a 1-way talk by Megatron.

The other Deceps would give him answers, do his bidding, give info, and stuff like that; but they would rarely have true conversations with him.
It was always a Master-Subordinate relationship.
Megatron certainly had respect for Soundwave & Shockwave and even took their council, but neither were passionate enough to say, "The Autobots will be terminated, I love it!"

Starscream would.

Without Starrio, there would be an intellectual void in Megatron's life.

[Rev]

SS was the smartest and most cunning of the Decepticons, although not the strongest or bravest. That honour went to Megatron. He complimented Megatron well and Megs knew that he could use that cunning to further his cause. SS would make a powerful enemy (remember the Combaticons?) Megatron ultimately knew that he could defeat SS if he needed to and that the rest of the Decepticons didn't really like or want to follow SS. His job was safe.

[MULTIPLEX]

Megatron:Starscream

MULTIPLEX:Rev

Yup, it's a weird friendship

[Rev]

Originally Posted by MULTIPLEX

Megatron:Starscream

MULTIPLEX:Rev

Yup, it's a weird friendship

One day I shall be leader!