Dear Hasbro
Give me a Transformers series that has Optimus Prime and Elita-1. Let her be his second in command. Let her lead her own squad and be her own character, not just ‘Optimus Prime’s girlfriend/wife.’ Let the audience watch their love blossom, from when they were Orion Pax and Ariel working together before the war. Let us see them become strong together and stand against a crueler, harsher regime. Let us see them grow into these legendary figures. Let us see what true soulmates look like.
Give me a Megatron who never looks back, who never stops. Maybe show us a scene in the final season where he confronts his weakness and his faults…and then becomes angry. Suddenly it’s not his fault anymore—it’s everyone else’s. If they had given in quicker, the planet would be his. If the Autobots had simply given up then none of this would happen. If Primus was so good and just, why did they make him a lowly, uneducated miner who lived in Hell? His cause revitalized, Megatron vows to claim what has always been rightfully his. Give us a Megatron who will burn a world to make way for another, regardless of who and what gets in his way.
Give me a Starscream who is consistent, complex and even a bit tragic. Never let us forget that he is a sociopathic narcissist with a sadistic streak, never let us forget the awful things he has done, but show us a character who can never be happy. Content for short periods of time, yes, but happiness eludes him. He is dangerous and snarky and more than competent, and he will never be sated.
Give me femmes, and lots of them. Not so much that they outnumber the mechs; that would defeat the point. Let us be shown femmes of all shapes, sizes, personalities and motivations. Let them have a day in the spotlight, let them have badass moments, let them have strengths, weaknesses and neat-o alt-modes. And most importantly, don’t treat the existence of “female robots” as something that is bizarre and needs an overly complicated and sexist explanation. They exist because they exist; shouldn’t that be enough?
Give me two factions rich with their own cultures, societies and traditions. Show us how the war has changed this species and how maybe, just maybe, there might never be true reunification. Show us how they have evolved, how they work, what their philosophies are. Neither are wholly good or wholly bad, but tell show us why we should support the Autobots and reject the Decepticons.
Give me a Transformers series that doesn’t hesitate to go places. It’s fearless in its approach and the topics it covers. It doesn’t shy away from harsher, realistic outcomes and yes, some will die. They will die the way they deserve to. Perhaps the ending will be bittersweet, or most likely an ‘Earn Your Happy Ending' will be best. But never leave a loose end hanging, a plot thread gone to waste or a moment forgotten.
You know? I would LOVE to see a TF series like this!
