Why does DHX respect Spike more as a dog than a dragon?

[KillerKingBakudan 702]

In the show, he's often getting his ass handed to him on the receiving end of slapstick humor. But in EQG, he's treated with more respect than he is on his best days in Ponyville. Why is that? Do they just have a thing for dogs?

[Star Saber 114]

Dragons aren't real animals, so abusing them won't set off those who would be triggered by seeing those same acts performed on an animal like a Dog?

[ManaMinori 4,144]

Are you forgetting that dog Spike was kidnapped by two pretty dumb goons (Snips and Snails), in the first movie, stuffed into a cramped, dark backpack on several occassion (by both Twi and SciTwi), hit with a door, literally being thrown across the room, in movie 3....

 

Spike doesn't get much respect, sadly, in either world. Poor guy.

[cider float 2,536]

There wasn't much screen time for Spike as a dog compared to him as a dragon to really make me see the difference.

[StormdustPony 471]

Animal Rights Nut Jobs would give hell if spike acually got hurt at all.   

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 40,467]

Honestly Spike wasn't used very well in the third movie either. Really though, I think it could be because Spike as a dog, in that role he is clearly a companion to Twilight and that is where he is strongest, as a support character, he is absolutely top notch then it seems. So the movies mostly did what the recent Spike centered episodes don't do, which is focus on his strengths rather than his fumbling. That is what we need more in the proper show, his strengths, not just his weaknesses. 

[chirox the pony 1,334]

Well you see there's this thing called selling toys, and Hasbro know that kids like dogs. So why wouldn't they want Spike shoved in the kid's faces? 

[Silver Stream. 708]

I didn't see much of a difference. He was still fairly annoying either way. He became more bearable (and super adorable) when he was just a normal puppy without a voice.

 

In the series, he gets ahead of himself and constantly has to learn the same lesson. But it's sort of okay being he's only a kid and his maturity level isn't exactly up the charts.

 

In RR, he was the same way....setting the bar high for Twilight without considering how she felt first.

[KillerKingBakudan 702]

Well you see there's this thing called selling toys, and Hasbro know that kids like dogs. So why wouldn't they want Spike shoved in the kid's faces? 

And that matters why? They'll sell toys of him regardless.

[chirox the pony 1,334]

And that matters why? They'll sell toys of him regardless.

Yeah and if they show him more (especially if he has a personality) that's more advertising. 

[Wind Chaser 4,767]

He did get doored in the third movie.

 

For one thing, he was useful in the first movie because it was Twilight's first time in the human world, and he was the only character from the pony world who was allowed to come with her. Thus, he had to straighten up and be his best because Twilight's mission, emotional, and rational stability depended on his support. In the second movie, he didn't have much of a role because Sunset Shimmer effectively replaced him, and there really wasn't much for him to do in the third movie, although he did get a few lines (had to justify Cathy's paycheck).

 

Most of Spike's character issues really come from the fact that his role is not as essential as it used to be. Twilight did depend on Spike's assistance as a student adjusting to life in Ponyville as she came to do in the first EqG movie. She also came to lean on him in times of emotional distress, such as "Lesson Zero". However, as time went on, Twilight got more and more friends who could pretty much do everything Spike does as they've matured. She learned a method to manage her tension as she became a Princess, and becoming a Princess pretty much means you have access to any number of servants. We don't really focus much on him organizing the library anymore, thus he's functionally obsolete unless he can be further developed as an independent character. But, since the show's character structure makes him more an accessory to Twilight than an independent character, there really is little more they can do with him without going over ground they've already covered.

Edited October 8, 2015 by 13M0N-2E57 (WC)

[CastletonSnob 3,043]

He did get doored in the third movie.

 

For one thing, he was useful in the first movie because it was Twilight's first time in the human world, and he was the only character from the pony world who was allowed to come with her. Thus, he had to straighten up and be his best because Twilight's mission, emotional, and rational stability depended on his support. In the second movie, he didn't have much of a role because Sunset Shimmer effectively replaced him, and there really wasn't much for him to do in the third movie, although he did get a few lines (had to justify Cathy's paycheck).

 

Most of Spike's character issues really come from the fact that his role is not as essential as it used to be. Twilight did depend on Spike's assistance as a student adjusting to life in Ponyville as she came to do in the first EqG movie. She also came to lean on him in times of emotional distress, such as "Lesson Zero". However, as time went on, Twilight got more and more friends who could pretty much do everything Spike does as they've matured. She learned a method to manage her tension as she became a Princess, and becoming a Princess pretty much means you have access to any number of servants. We don't really focus much on him organizing the library anymore, thus he's functionally obsolete unless he can be further developed as an independent character. But, since the show's character structure makes him more an accessory to Twilight than an independent character, there really is little more they can do with him without going over ground they've already covered.

Should they write him out?

[MLPFanatic34 3,234]

Poor Spike he doesn't get respect in either Equestria or the human world.

[Silver Stream. 708]

I don't think they should write him out....despite him being annoying and learning.the same lesson over and over again about him realizing he isn't useless, I think he has a lot of potential. He saved the Crystal Empire after all which is a big deal. As 13MON said, he has helped Twilight in many cases.

 

I think he needs to learn to do his own thing. I know he is still a baby dragon though so maybe we are asking too much from him....but hopefully we'll see him behave more independently .

[Wind Chaser 4,767]

Should they write him out?

That really depends on if they can give him a new role. Are they finally going to allow him an episode where he doesn't get kicked down disproportionately to his actions? Since they seem to be taking the next step with aspirational characters like the Crusaders, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Twilight, are they going to do the same with Spike?

 

If the next Spike episode answers no to both, it's better the writers find a way to respectfully do so without it coming off as harsh to the audience or leaving something on the table with his character. Either you write him good or you don't write him at all. The current option is making the show look bad.

Edited October 9, 2015 by 13M0N-2E57 (WC)