Family[]
Ron and Judy Witwicky[]
Sam, Ron and Judy after the Battle of Egypt.
Parents
Sam has a strange, albeit close relationship with his parents. Like all teenagers, Sam feels embarrassed by his parents, but Sam, Judy, and Ron love and care about each other in their own way. In the original film, Sam appears to have a good relationship with his father, who offered to pay for half of his first car and bailed him out of jail. Of course, Ron likes teasing his son, as he tricked him into believing he was buying him a Porsche. Half of their conversations involve bantering, especially over petty things like their grass debate and when they were buying Bumblebee for the first time. Sam seems to have a slightly better relationship with his mother. However, he called Judy out on giving their dog, Mojo, jewelry on his collar, and in conclusion, gender confusion. His mother warned him to drive with caution, showing concern for her son's safety and deeming his new car unsafe. Judy seems to be serious about her son's curfew, as she often tells her husband to call Sam so he doesn't miss it, or else, Ron will have to ground their son for being late. When they discovered Mikaela in the room, Mr. and Mrs. Witwicky were very welcoming to her instead of being angry at Sam for hiding a girl in her room. They are also protective of their son, standing in front of him and Mikaela when they first met the Sector 7 agents. Before the Witwickys were separated, Ron warned his son not to say anything without a lawyer present. Sam worried for his parents' fates at Hoover Dam and demanded to know where Judy and Ron were. The Witwickys were presumably reunited shortly after the battle of Mission City.
The sequel, Revenge of the Fallen later reveals that Sam eventually told Judy and Ron about Bumblebee's existence, and by extension, the Autobots. After he was going away to college, Judy showed concern for her son leaving so far from home. However, she had to reluctantly let Sam make his own choices, on the condition he comes home on the holidays, even minor ones like Halloween. The sequel also shows Sam going to great lengths to protect Judy and Ron as they would do the same for him. Megatron became aware of Sam's care for his parents and had his Decepticons abduct and hold them hostage unless Sam turned himself over to them. Painfully, Sam told his father in the middle of the battle that they needed to let him go, showing his care for their safety more than his own. Judy and Ron were understandably distraught when their son was killed by Megatron during the battle and Lennox's team failed to save him. However, after Sam was revived by the Primes, the Witwickys embraced each other, relieved to see each other again.
In the third and final film of the trilogy, Dark of the Moon, Sam still feels embarrassed by his parents, especially when they visit him in Washington, D.C. It went further when his temporary car broke down, forcing Sam to accept a ride from his parents to his job interviews. His break-up with Mikaela made Judy worry Sam would never find another beautiful girl like her and stressed he may lose Carly too when Sam revealed he fought with her prior. After a talk with his parents and seeing the love and care they share for each other, Sam realizes his parents have a special connection and was what he wanted to have with Carly for the rest of his life. After the advice, Sam urged his parents to leave Washington D.C. because of the threat Sentinel Prime and the other Decepticons pose, showing concern for their safety again.
Archibald Witwicky[]
Great-Great Grandfather
Sam never got to know his great-great-grandfather because Archibald passed long before Sam was born. Sam had little to no respect for his late family member, showing no interest in the old glasses he used to know. Choosing his genealogy report on Archibald, Sam stammered throughout the whole project and showed little concern for Archibald's exploration activities or past, even selling the old glasses he owned on eBay and nearly getting a B- on his report. Sam didn't believe any of the stories and didn't seem to respect his grandfather as his father did. However, after meeting the Autobots, Sam was told the true story of Archibald's discovery of Megaton and the AllSpark by Optimus Prime. Hearing Optimus' story of how his great-great-grandfather discovered Megatron, Sam was in awe of Archibald's actions, showing a newfound respect for his great-great-grandfather.
Autobots[]
Bumblebee (Best Friend)[]
Sam's and Bumblebee's brotherly relationship.
Best Friend and Brother-Figure
- “I'm not going to leave you.”
- ―Sam to Bumblebee during the Battle of Mission City
Before he knew that Bumblebee was an Autobot, in his car form, Sam wanted to purchase Bumblebee as a car. The first time he ever truly "met" Bumblebee was when he saved both Sam and Mikaela from a Decepticon soldier trying to kill them both. Instantly, the two formed an unbreakable bond that could be argued as being seen as brotherly, to say the least.
Assigned to be Sam's guardian, Bumblebee was protective of Sam and comes to be his best friend. During the battle of Mission City, Sam refused to leave him, calling desperately for Ratchet to help Bumblebee when his legs were ruined during battle. He also refused to leave him until Bumblebee gave him the AllSpark while assuring him.
Optimus Prime[]
Optimus thanks Sam for saving his life
Close Friend
- “You are my friend, Sam. You always will be. ”
- ― Optimus to Sam
Optimus Prime was the leader of the Autobots and the fourth Cybertronian Sam has ever met (after Bumblebee, Barricade, and Frenzy). Sam and Mikaela were immediately in awe of the Autobots and interested in their story. The teenagers chose to help the Autobots' war by locating the AllSpark so they would restore their homeworld. When the Autobots were sneaking onto the Witwicky family's property, Sam grew immediately agitated with Optimus and the other Autobots wrecking his parents' backyard. In turn, the Autobot leader kept pressing Sam to look for the glasses, but it only further agitated the teen. At first, Optimus simply viewed Sam as a human child who needed protection. Despite barely knowing him, the Autobots didn't take too kindly to Sector Seven kidnapping both Sam and Mikaela, as Optimus referred to them as "the children." However, these views changed after Sam saved Optimus from Megatron. Instead of sacrificing the Autobot leader as Optimus wanted, Sam instead killed Megatron in self-defense to save his friend. Optimus thanked Sam for saving his life, declaring that he and the Autobots were forever indebted to the boy for his actions.
By the sequel, Optimus and Sam have gained mutual respect. On occasion, the Autobot leader somewhat acts like a fatherly figure for Sam, such as furiously attacking those who harmed him or any other human, whether it's the likes of Megatron or Starscream. In the second film, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Optimus turned to Sam first in hopes the boy would become a liaison between the Autobots and the humans. However, the young man refused, choosing to stay out of the war. The wise Autobot leader tried to give Sam words of wisdom, and yet, the boy still refused because he did not think he could make a difference in war compared to the other Autobots. After Sam, Mikaela, and Leo were abducted by Megatron, an infuriated Optimus Prime and Bumblebee stormed in, rescuing the teenagers. Unfortunately, during a battle in the woods, Optimus was mortally wounded by Megatron, leaving Sam devastated Optimus died protecting him. The unfortunate loss caused Sam extreme grief, up to the point where he would take out his anger on Leo. After the former Decepticon seeker, Jetfire told Sam, Mikaela, Leo, and Simmons about the Matrix of Leadership, an ancient could bring Optimus back to life, the humans realized they could undo what Megatron did. A remorseful Sam wishes he did not turn Optimus away earlier and undergoes a quest to find the Matrix of leadership that would bring his friend back to life. After the defeat of the Fallen, Optimus thanked Sam for saving his life, and the Teen thanked him for believing in him.
By Dark of the Moon, Sam has become one of Optimus' most trusted friends. Megatron, Sentinel, and Dylan used this as an advantage, threatening to kill his girlfriend Carly if Sam did not spy on the Autobots and learn their next plan of attack. Unfortunately, it pushed Sam to try and get something out of Optimus to save his girlfriend. It also caused the human male extreme pain due to Optimus already being betrayed by Sentinel Prime.
Ironhide[]
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Where he first met Sam and Mikaela, Ironhide's more shoot first and ask questions later
Throughout the trilogy, Sam and Ironhide rarely interact, but they do consider each other allies and are good friends. When they first met, Ironhide pointed a gun at Sam (and Mikaela), addressing them as "punks", causing the human boy to swallow nervously, showing the latter to be initially afraid of the former. Optimus scolded Ironhide to take it easy as he sensed Sam's nervousness. The boy's fear of Ironhide turned into wonder and amazement. However, as he, Mikaela, and the other Autobots returned to the Witwicky residence, Sam saw Mojo about to lubricate Ironhide's foot. However, he was unable to stop this from occurring and Sam had to protect his dog when Ironhide pointed his guns at them again. Later when Sam and Mikaela were looking for Sam's great-great-grandfather's glasses, Ironhide threatened to obliterate the boy's parents until Optimus stopped him again.
Despite their rough beginnings, during the battle of Mission City, Ironhide was surprisingly the one who offered to protect Sam as he escaped with the AllSpark, as the human boy accepted his and Ratchet's protection. As Sam ran, Ironhide upheld his promise to the boy by defending him from Blackout by throwing a car at the Decepticon. Unfortunately, Ratchet and Ironhide are incapacitated, forcing Sam to continue the journey alone. In the novelization, Ironhide and the other Autobots bowed their heads down to Sam in gratitude for saving their Prime and killing Megatron, which Sam appreciated but felt overwhelmed. Unfortunately, in Transformers Dark of the Moon, Ironhide was betrayed and killed by Sentinel Prime, devastating Sam and their allies, as it was something the boy felt he could have prevented.
Brains and Wheelie[]
Friends
Wheelie and Brains were two former Decepticons-turned-Autobots who remained with Sam and Carly while Bumblebee was busy fighting forces with the other Autobots. Wheelie got along well with Sam more than Brains, even nicknaming him "Sammy." However, he gets agitated when they are either acting out of order or disrespecting Carly.
They have expressed their preference for Sam over Mikaela, finding the latter annoying.
When the Autobots were exiled, they called to Sam for help but he was not able to do anything about it
Romances[]
Mikaela Banes[]
Mikaela and Sam kissing in the second movie.
Ex-Girlfriend
Mikaela was Sam's love interest for the first two films of the trilogy. In the second film, their relationship has become serious, but in the recent events, Mikaela, and Sam struggle to say "I love you" to each other.
By the time of Dark of the Moon, Sam and Mikaela have broken up for unknown reasons, as he has moved on to Carly Spencer.
Carly Brooks-Spencer[]
Girlfriend
By the threequel, Sam was in a serious relationship with Carly.
Carly was Sam's second girlfriend after his breakup with Mikaela. Sam first met her when she worked at the White House, and he won a medal, which he showed off to the girl, trying to impress her. Unfortunately, Sam's first meeting with her was botched when his clumsiness knocked over contents within her office. They met again in the Transformers tie-in/prequel comic to Dark of the Moon, when she saved him from an attacking Decepticon. Sometime later, they began dating. By the events of the third film, Sam and Carly moved in together in an apartment in Washington, D.C. It was shown that Carly and Sam care about each other and love one another. The reason why Carly doesn't want Sam to put himself in the line of fire when aiding the Autobots was that she lost her brother. Sam got in a major fight with her and she fled to Dylan's party.
After seeing the bond between his parents, Sam knew from that moment that Carly was the one for him and someone he wanted to spend the rest of his life with and that his relationship with Carly was able to be saved. However, when he goes to Dylan's party to reconcile with Carly, the host immediately turns on Sam and Carly, imprisoning her in the car Dylan gave her. However, the "car" turned out to be the Decepticon, Soundwave, and Dylan threatened to have Carly killed to turn Sam off unless he turned into an unwilling spy for them. Sam complied to save her life and was forced to betray Optimus and the other Autobots. Despite their apparent demise, Sam joined Lennox and Epps in apprehending Dylan and worried more for Carly's safety than his own. Sam and Carly were reunited during the battle, where he promised to protect Carly and not let anything bad happen to her. After coming to love Bumblebee, Carly accepted Sam's friendship with the Autobots and reconciled with her boyfriend again.
Friends[]
Charlotte Mearing[]
Unlike Galloway, Charlotte acts more in line with Sam and the Autobots and admits her faults if she can be proven wrong.
William Lennox[]
A good friend of Sam's, William Lennox helped him out by forcing Simmons to take Sam to Bumblebee. In the sequel, Revenge of the Fallen, William helped him resurrect Optimus Prime.
In Dark of the Moon, Will listens to Sam's warnings about the Decepticons and the attack at his workplace. The colonel even defended Sam and Carly when Charlotte Mearing showed her disapproval of "teenagers" at a secret government facility. A couple of days later, Sam warned Lennox and the other militia about Sentinel Prime's resurrection and how they had other pillars hidden rather than the ones in NEST's possessions. As Decepticons attacked, Will saved and protected him from most of the enemies' shots but unfortunately, they lost Ironhide due to Sentinel Prime's betrayal. During the battle of Chicago, Lennox attempted to save Sam from Starscream as he tried killing both humans. Before that happened, Starscream's head exploded due to Sam blinding him with a grappling hook and a boomstick Que gave him earlier. Both humans were later saved by Bumblebee and lived to tell the tale.
Seymour Simmons[]
Simmons, and Sam developed an odd friendship over the years.
At first antagonistic towards Sam, Simmons later helped the teenager in a crisis; in revenge of the Fallen, Simmons helped him resurrect Optimus with the Matrix of Leadership. He later visited Sam at work, where Simmons was surprised that he was dating someone other than that criminal girlfriend he used to hang out with. By the dark of the moon, Sam and Simmons developed an odd friendship. When the young man was uncovering the dark secrets, the government had been hiding, he called Simmons for assistance. When the Autobots were forced to leave, Sam broke down over losing his friends, and Simmons (awkwardly) comforted him with small words of wisdom.
Decepticons[]
Megatron[]
Megatron and Sam
Before learning Megatron's identity, Sam recalled stories of his great-great-grandfather last talking about his expeditions and his encounters with an "ice man." During the time, the boy passed it off as another story and coldly remarked them for being just that. It was not until Sam met the Autobots that he learned of the "iceman's identity as Megatron, the leader of their opponents, the Decepticons, and the "discovery" his grandfather was rambling about. Knowing the dangers Megatron posed, Sam described him as the "harbinger of death," knowing his place in the war against the Decepticons. He first gazed upon the Decepticon overlord when at Sector Seven, Sam saw the agents keeping Megatron in frozen stasis. Unlike Tom Simmons, Sam referred to Megatron by his name and not Sector 7's designation number, NBE-1.
In the Battle of Mission City, Megatron sensed Sam carrying the AllSpark and immediately targeted him, ruthlessly hunting him to an abandoned building and calling him "boy" and "fleshling" in derogatory terms. Unfortunately, before Sam could hand the AllSpark over to the Authorities, Starscream shot at the army vehicle, leaving the boy at Megatron's mercy. Though he praised the human for being braver than most "insects," the Decepticon ordered Sam to give him the Cube and would spare him as a "pet." However, Sam refused to subjugate to the Decepticons' demands and defiantly swore he would never let Megatron have the AllSpark. Angered, the Decepticon fired on Sam, nearly killing him; however, Optimus rescued him. In the final moments, Sam was forced to choose between sacrificing Optimus or killing Megatron; the boy chooses the latter, but Sam takes no pleasure in what he has done and was only stunned.
When Megatron was resurrected in the sequel, Revenge of the Fallen, he met Megatron once more, with the latter having hatred and resentment towards Sam, his former killer. He was also willing to hurt him and attempted to kill him and his friends. Megatron also takes little to no regard for Sam and has tried to kill him multiple times. Megatron used Optimus' affection for Sam and humanity which worked, as he was able to offline Optimus while he protected Sam, causing the boy grief and sadness because Optimus died protecting him. Despite temporarily succeeding in killing Sam during the Battle of Egypt, he was resurrected by the Primes and used the Matrix of Leadership to bring Optimus back to life and undo Megatron's chaos.
Starscream[]
Sam as he kills Starscream.
Starscream views Sam and his race as inferior to the Cybertronian race because of his close relationship with Optimus and other Autobots. Sam does not interact with Starscream until the third film. Despite this, in the first film, Starscream attempts to kill Sam and the other humans and, later, fails in capturing him in Revenge of the Fallen. Because of their different alignments, Sam most likely hated Starscream for his role in past grievances: such as his abduction in the sequel and how he tried to kill his friends in the past. During the battle of Chicago, Starscream made many attempts on Sam's life, even shooting at him to separate Sam and Carly from Epps and the teammates. He began toying with and mocking Sam in a cat-and-mouse game while trying to eliminate him. Angered by Starscream's taunts and his past crimes, Sam takes the grappling hook/boom stick and fires it at Starscream's eye, blinding Starscream and subjugating him to pain. Sam implanted the boomstick in Starscream's other eye, fully blinding Starscream. Blinded, the Decepticon hoped to take out Sam and Lennox (who had come to help him but failed ). This proved to be a success, as Sam ended up killing another head in the Decepticons' leadership. As Will tried saving Sam, they both fell from the impact of the explosion, only for Bumblebee to come and rescue them.