I dunno, I think one of my favorite aspects of Soundwave’s character is how it’s not blatantly obvious that he “is” a character? He never monologues like Optimus or Megatron or Starscream, and he practically blends in with the background in most episodes (this one being one of the exceptions). You kind of have to tune out and look past whoever’s speaking and moving around at the time in order to notice him struggle or cover his optics, and in a non-meta sense, I think that’s the way he prefers it.
How's it hummin'? 