Was writing Spike out of "The Cutie Map" a good idea?

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

Besides the points that made up the plot of the episode itself, two noticeable character omissions have become an interesting topic of conversation; Princess Celestia, who did not appear at all for the first time in a two-parter, and Spike, who was written out of the episode after appearing in the establishing scenes.

 

I've been hearing arguments to both sides as to whether or not Spike should have been written out of the plot, and most of them use the same common point: Spike had nothing to lose in comparison to the others. Being a non-pony without a cutie mark, Spike would never have had anything to lose except possibly being locked up with the rest of the Mane 6. This could either have been an advantage used to bail the Mane 6 out of a conflict at one time or another, or a disadvantage, in that there would be nothing he could do except to be an added weight on the Mane 6's backs or reduced to a damsel in distress for Starlight to use.

 

I see that Spike being written out probably worked to the episode's benefit. His presence would have detracted from the lessons the Mane 6 themselves learned from the adventure through their own work, as well as through the villagers. Also, it calls into question how Spike would have been written had he been in the episode; as comic relief or moral support. Seeing as how the writers have been trending towards the former for him (a role which was occupied by Pinkie Pie in this episode), it was probably for the best that they didn't include him. For the one character who is the most desperately in need of character development, I see this more as a situation in which they saved him from more possible regression or poor writing in order to protect the episode's integrity as well as that of the character, rather than one where they squandered his development potential on a missed opportunity. It's a long season. That means there are 24 remaining potential chances for Spike to be written as a better character, and many of them would be without the risk of stealing anypony else's thunder.

 

But, with all things considered, I'd like to see how you all saw Spike's omission from this season premiere. Was it a good idea or a bad one? How would he have best been handled, or most realistically been handled, had he been left in the remainder of the episode?

[NavelColt 22,883]

Things would have been too easy with Spike there, as he'd be unaffacted by the entire plot, not being a pony with a cutie mark.

[Leonard Smix 421]

Spike doesn't have a cutie mark.. so his manipulation would be close to impossible, and exposing Starlight would be too simple. 

[Mesme Rize 15,690]

Before Spike could have done anything, Starlight would've locked him away or something, because he is unequal.

[Dark Horse 12,968]

Things would have been too easy with Spike there, as he'd be unaffacted by the entire plot, not being a pony with a cutie mark.

 

This. His inclusion would've served little purpose, and if anything, a distraction.

[Pastel 7,630]

That wouldn't have worked because Starlight wouldn't have been able to do anything against him.

Plus, I don't know.... I can't imagine him in such dark episode.

Edited April 9, 2015 by Blobulle

[Cwanky 17,652]

If anything, having Spike around would have derailed the theme of the episode and potentially muddled things further.

 

We don't know what Spike's special talents are because he's not a pony, and moreover he's too young, like the CMCs, to have a good sense of his own individuality.

 

You may as well discuss the meaning of life and throw Celestia in if Spike gets involved. 

[Cleverclover 1,526]

I'm a huge Spike defender, but I can easily see why they decided to write him out of the episode. He just didn't really fit in well. Case in point, he could have easily helped the mane six escape from the "conforming room" simply by burning the door down, unless Starlight had some way of taking away his fire breath. 

 

That being said, I do hope that he accompanies the mane six on the rest of their adventures throughout the season. I'll be quite annoyed if they continue to write him out. 

[LZRD WZRD 1,929]

Spike would have just been extra baggage and added nothing to the episode in my opinion. He's been left behind many times before (Friendship Is Magic, The Return of Harmony) and even when he's there he rarely does anything (What did he do in Magical Mystery Cure exactly? In a Canterlot Wedding he was good for one joke and that's it). This isn't to say I hate Spike, but I don't think him being there would have added anything to the story. It's damn near perfect the way it is imo.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,163]

I see it as neither good or bad; it is what it is.

 

In any case what we got was a smart episode that could big consequences later in the season. It is true that Spike could've made things easier; then again the introduction of eastern unicorn magic could've stifled him as well.

 

My only problem with the "bad idea" category is that some believe that leaving Spike out was a contrivance, and I fail to see how. I'm a big fan of the likes of Tommy Oliver, but I couldn't wrap my head around that.

 

Anything is possible.

[Mesme Rize 15,690]

You can also see it this way. He obviously likes to hang out with Big Mac. Who knows, maybe they do something with it.

[LZRD WZRD 1,929]

You can also see it this way. He obviously likes to hang out with Big Mac. Who knows, maybe they do something with it.

Do I sense some subtle character development?

[StitchandMLPlover 930]

I think it was good that they left Spike out. The episode would not have worked with Spike in it. It would have ended in 2 seconds and with this first episode the way it is, it opens up the possibility of Spike not being a pony as a benefit to the plot of another episode where he maybe undoes a spell or rescues the others and learns something about myself. He has a thrown so that might be important later on. 

[Mesme Rize 15,690]

Do I sense some subtle character development?

 

 

Could be, could be not. Best case scenario, we get an episode with both of them. Worst case scenario, it was just a throw away gag.

[Cleverclover 1,526]

 

 

What did he do in Magical Mystery Cure exactly?

 

 

He broke Twilight out of her depression. That was quite a lot, actually. 

[LZRD WZRD 1,929]

He broke Twilight out of her depression. That was quite a lot, actually.

 

Did he? Hmm I stand corrected then.

 

I maintain that his presence in this episode would have been unnecessary. As for the point that he would have been able to resolve the conflict, I must respectfully disagree. He would not have been locked away in the room with the mane six. I hardly think it would be difficult for them to subdue a baby dragon.

[RarityFan01 2,444]

If he was locked away with the others, and he didn't write a letter to Princess Celestia, a lot of bronies may have gotten upset. They took him out so that they didn't have to deal with it. 

 

Also, if he was in the story and didn't write a letter to Celestia, he would be useless. Pinkie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack were also useless, but I doubt they would write any of the Mane Six out on a season premier or finale. 

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

Do I sense some subtle character development?

I doubt it. They didn't actually show any of it. If they do, I'll be convinced.

[LZRD WZRD 1,929]

I doubt it. They didn't actually show any of it. If they do, I'll be convinced.

Well if nothing else, that side of Spike's life has been referenced. It would be nice to see that in action this season.

[ThatOneComrade 1,091]

Since Spike doesn't have a cutie mark, I don't think they would've been able to rationally fit him in the events that transpired. He would've been really forced and out of place if he came. But on the bright side, they gave the little guy a social life! c:

[cmarston1 5,962]

Personally I think it was actually a decent idea.  For starters Spike rarely ever does anything in the 2 part episodes outside of The Crystal Empire so it's not like he would have done anything in the adventure like at all.

Plus the whole premiere focuses on philosophies about cutie marks and what they mean to ponies and seeing how spike is not a pony nor does he have a cutie mark he really would have been out of place in the whole ordeal.

Also since Starlight Glimmer couldn't take away his nonexistant cutie mark, Spike would flat out be able to save the day by burning down the door and letting the Mane 6 out easily as well as solve the entire conflict by writing a letter to Princess Celestia getting her to come to the totalitarian village and defeat Starlight Glimmer in an anti climax.  So by having Spike in the episode not only would he be out of place, he would also easily defeat the purpose of the conflict in the first place most likely making sure that the episodes never happened in the first place.

[Yellow Diamond 7,575]

Since Spike's lack of presence didn't detract from the episode's quality in my opinion, I don't think it matters all that much. Although the conflict revolved around cutie marks, there is probably a way he could've been incorporated into the episode.

 

I'm waiting to see how Spike is treated in future episodes. I'm of the opinion the writers aren't sure what to do with Spike's character: his depiction oscillates between serving a critical character and being the butt monkey. Hopefully the staff reorients him as the audience surrogate/straight man whose observations are a source of humor. Given the events and focus of "The Cutie Map," doing that without creating distractions would have been a tall order.

[FlutterDash4072 189]

Definitely. Writing Spike into the episode would only create massive problems with the plot. These episodes were some of the greatest we've gotten, and I can't really think of anything they could've done differently without hurting their quality.

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,303]

He wasn't written out; he had really important Hoofball card trading to do.

[Grepper 3,193]

I voted yes; I think it was a good idea, for the reasons the OP brought up.