I think Spike WANTS a dad, but doesn't know it

[FlareGun45 2,221]

Alright so Twilight is basically his mom, right? He's always been happy with her! But has he ever had a father figure? Being surrounded by mares all the time, not alot of them could be a good "father" figure. Big Mac is a possibility but Spike and his bond are more of a brotherly nature, same with Thorax and Discord and maybe Shining Armor. Now you may think Spike's happy with just Twilight, but there's a difference between what he's saying and what he wants but doesn't realize it.

Remember Sludge? The slimeball? Spike was very quick to accept him. Why though? He knows who his family is, his mom and his many brothers and sisters, and yet he still would do anything for his "dad's" blessing, even if he does seem crooked even before the truth came out. I believe that Spike wants, or used to want, a fatherly figure, but he doesn't even know it!

I was watching Orville, a couple of parents on a planet are prisoners, but they have a baby who can go free and the guards can take her away. The mom says, "She needs her mother", but the dad says, "She doesn't have to be here! She can move on and do great things for herself!" and then it hit me! THAT'S why Spike's looks like he's being held back all the time! That's why he seems so dependable! Twilight always babied him. He never had a dad to tell him about his potential! That's why I think he can do more for himself, but one of my friends (who's female) who is also a Spike fan, thinks he's good where he is and should stick with his mother! 

So I hope next season there's a scenario where Spike gets a TRUE father figure, and we'll see how it goes storywise! I'm seeing a certain gargoyle character taking that place, but we'll see what happens!  I'm NOT saying he's moving on from Twilight or any of his friends! I'm just adding to the mix and it might help him reach his potential instead of being just an assistant to one pony all the time! He's more than that! 

[BastementSparkle 20,328]

I think it's very clear he wanted a father, and I don't think he's unaware of it at all. He was clearly pretty accepting and immediately trusting of Sludge when he told Spike he was his dad. I think he's pretty aware of his own feelings, even if he's not always exactly aware of how they influence him. He might be a bit uncertain about things after Sludge though, considering how much Sludge probably hurt him.

 As for whether or not a father figure would help Spike "Reach his potential" or whatever...Maybe? I mean, if Spike wants more out of his life, I'm pretty sure Twilight and the others would support him as it is, he's more than proven himself already. He survived the Gauntlet of fire, was the first to officially reach out in friendship to a Changeling, is the Hero of the Crystal Empire, etc. He's already a hero, he's not just some "Assistant". He honesty seems pretty content for the most part being Twi's assistant anyway, and if he decides he wants to do something else that's cool, but I don't really see the problem with him just being who he is now if that's what he wants. Spike's already cool, he doesn't have to change if he doesn't want, he's not being "Held back" by anyone.

[Brony Number 42 10,072]

I don't think Spike is being held back. The question I have is, would he have been different if he was raised by dragons? He is so different from other dragons that it is hard to imagine him becoming a normal dragon. Dragons are tough, brutish, and nasty, for the most part. Is the fact that Spike is more, let's say "gentle," due to Twilight or something innate in him?

Because he is so different I don't think it is possible for him to become a "normal" dragon. I think it is lost cause to try something like that. I think he needs to pick the path that is right for him.

His situation reminds me of Worf from Star Trek The Next Generation.

[FlareGun45 2,221]

32 minutes ago, BasementSparkle said:

I think it's very clear he wanted a father, and I don't think he's unaware of it at all. He was clearly pretty accepting and immediately trusting of Sludge when he told Spike he was his dad. I think he's pretty aware of his own feelings, even if he's not always exactly aware of how they influence him. He might be a bit uncertain about things after Sludge though, considering how much Sludge probably hurt him.

 As for whether or not a father figure would help Spike "Reach his potential" or whatever...Maybe? I mean, if Spike wants more out of his life, I'm pretty sure Twilight and the others would support him as it is, he's more than proven himself already. He survived the Gauntlet of fire, was the first to officially reach out in friendship to a Changeling, is the Hero of the Crystal Empire, etc. He's already a hero, he's not just some "Assistant". He honesty seems pretty content for the most part being Twi's assistant anyway, and if he decides he wants to do something else that's cool, but I don't really see the problem with him just being who he is now if that's what he wants. Spike's already cool, he doesn't have to change if he doesn't want, he's not being "Held back" by anyone.

Maybe! It could be true! But no one has ever asked him. That's the real problem here. And I have no idea if he chose to be an assistant or it was chosen for him. Has he ever really just CONSIDERED what he wants to do when he grows up? No one really asked him. 

If he at least experiments on seeing what else he could do, if he's at least suggested, and he's still good where he is, then I'll take his word for it! But only he can say it.

17 minutes ago, BronyNumber2 said:

I don't think Spike is being held back. The question I have is, would he have been different if he was raised by dragons? He is so different from other dragons that it is hard to imagine him becoming a normal dragon. Dragons are tough, brutish, and nasty, for the most part. Is the fact that Spike is more, let's say "gentle," due to Twilight or something innate in him?

Because he is so different I don't think it is possible for him to become a "normal" dragon. I think it is lost cause to try something like that. I think he needs to pick the path that is right for him.

His situation reminds me of Worf from Star Trek The Next Generation.

Whether or not he's dragon I don't think is his problem. It's more like his position in the pony community, oh and Rarity, defintely a problem for him! 

[BastementSparkle 20,328]

Just now, FlareGun45 said:

Maybe! It could be true! But no one has ever asked him. That's the real problem here. And I have no idea if he chose to be an assistant or it was chosen for him. Has he ever really just CONSIDERED what he wants to do when he grows up? No one really asked him. 

If he at least experiments on seeing what else he could do, if he's at least suggested, and he's still good where he is, then I'll take his word for it! But only he can say it.

He became really upset back in Season 1 when he felt like Owloscious was taking his place. He also clearly takes his position as Number 1 assistant pretty darn seriously. I highly doubt it was chosen for him, and if he was so unhappy with the role, I think he'd show it at some point. Instead he always talks about being Twi's assistant with nothing but pride. I think nobody's ever really asked him because he's never really seemed particularly unhappy with it. Heck, he gave up being Dragon Lord to go back to being in Ponyville with his friends, I think that speaks volumes.

[Crimson storm 1,837]

I think flash sentry would make a good father, but that’s just my 2 cents on the matter

[FlareGun45 2,221]

9 minutes ago, BasementSparkle said:

He became really upset back in Season 1 when he felt like Owloscious was taking his place. He also clearly takes his position as Number 1 assistant pretty darn seriously. I highly doubt it was chosen for him, and if he was so unhappy with the role, I think he'd show it at some point. Instead he always talks about being Twi's assistant with nothing but pride. I think nobody's ever really asked him because he's never really seemed particularly unhappy with it. Heck, he gave up being Dragon Lord to go back to being in Ponyville with his friends, I think that speaks volumes.

That was a long time ago, dude. He's growing up, his mind COULD change! His character description mentions a destiny, so, whether or not destiny and purpose mean the same thing is up to debate. There is something coming for him. It could mean a new step in a career, or it could expand what he's already got - assisting ponies as a business instead of just one pony. The destiny might not even be a job at all, but for being a savior of Equestria in a certain particular way! 

However minds can change, a long time ago I wanted to be an architect, now I wanna be a writer, and a voice actor, and a storyboard artist, and a director! I'm not saying for certain that he wants a change in purpose. I'm saying let's not reach any conclusions just yet and take it into consideration! If we wants to keep assisting one pony, well I hope the pay is good!

[BastementSparkle 20,328]

13 minutes ago, FlareGun45 said:

That was a long time ago, dude. He's growing up, his mind COULD change! His character description mentions a destiny, so, whether or not destiny and purpose mean the same thing is up to debate. There is something coming for him. It could mean a new step in a career, or it could expand what he's already got - assisting ponies as a business instead of just one pony. The destiny might not even be a job at all, but for being a savior of Equestria in a certain particular way! 

However minds can change, a long time ago I wanted to be an architect, now I wanna be a writer, and a voice actor, and a storyboard artist, and a director! I'm not saying for certain that he wants a change in purpose. I'm saying let's not reach any conclusions just yet and take it into consideration! If we wants to keep assisting one pony, well I hope the pay is good!

Like I said, if he wants to do something else, that's up to him. Whatever he wants to do is cool with me. I'm just pointing out that I don't think there's really anything wrong with him as he is. Not necessarily saying this is you, but it's a common trope I've seen where somebody (Usually a Fanfiction writer.) has Spike run away from home or something like that and then he turns into this ultra-cool super hero or something, and then he's treated like he's "Finally worth something" and he all his pony friends were just "Holding him back" or whatever. I've seen it a lot and it's always kinda weird because while these people claim to like Spike, they seem to like him more for what he could be, rather than who he actually is.

 I just don't really see what's so "Wrong" with him as he is though. He's already cool. The Spike that's Twi's number 1 assistant, best friend and occasional voice of reason, who plays O&O and collects comics, who's always dependable, who occasionally maybe let's his greed get the better of him...He's already cool, he doesn't need to change into someone else. 

So, I mean. If he wants something else, good for him. He can probably do anything he puts his mind to. I just don't also don't see the problem with him staying the way he is, long as he's satisfied with it. Twilight definitely still needs somebody to help her out and keep her under control sometimes, and who's better at that than him?

[Kadeda 178]

Twilight is basically a single mother... and has been since she was a filly. Despite that... she really didn't drop the ball when raising spike at all. He's a pretty cool guy. I don't think he "needs" a father figure but he wouldn't scoff at one. He seems pretty content with just Twilight. 

[FlareGun45 2,221]

9 hours ago, Kadeda said:

Twilight is basically a single mother... and has been since she was a filly. Despite that... she really didn't drop the ball when raising spike at all. He's a pretty cool guy. I don't think he "needs" a father figure but he wouldn't scoff at one. He seems pretty content with just Twilight. 

Course he doesn't NEED one! What does he need other than to stop his crush on Rarity or have an episode with Starlight?

But him WANTING one is up to debate. He DID want one since he made that list and was quick to accept Sludge! Does he STILL want one though? That is unconfirmed.

Edited February 12, 2019 by FlareGun45

[FlareGun45 2,221]

On 2/10/2019 at 2:55 PM, BasementSparkle said:

Like I said, if he wants to do something else, that's up to him. Whatever he wants to do is cool with me. I'm just pointing out that I don't think there's really anything wrong with him as he is. Not necessarily saying this is you, but it's a common trope I've seen where somebody (Usually a Fanfiction writer.) has Spike run away from home or something like that and then he turns into this ultra-cool super hero or something, and then he's treated like he's "Finally worth something" and he all his pony friends were just "Holding him back" or whatever. I've seen it a lot and it's always kinda weird because while these people claim to like Spike, they seem to like him more for what he could be, rather than who he actually is.

 I just don't really see what's so "Wrong" with him as he is though. He's already cool. The Spike that's Twi's number 1 assistant, best friend and occasional voice of reason, who plays O&O and collects comics, who's always dependable, who occasionally maybe let's his greed get the better of him...He's already cool, he doesn't need to change into someone else. 

So, I mean. If he wants something else, good for him. He can probably do anything he puts his mind to. I just don't also don't see the problem with him staying the way he is, long as he's satisfied with it. Twilight definitely still needs somebody to help her out and keep her under control sometimes, and who's better at that than him?

What if his role was taken to the extreme then? What if he wasn't JUST an assistant to her, but to some others too? I mean yunno how many times he's assisted Glimglam out? He helps AJ out from time to time, we seen Apple Family Reunion! He'd STILL help Rarity out even if the crush wasn't there, which that still needs to go! The more he enhances the assistant role, the more purpose he might serve! After that it'll look like an actual career! Maybe that's what he needs to do! Not finding a new purpose, but improving and enhancing the assistant role into something greater! BasementSparkle, you're a genius!

[Thrond 3,263]

On 2/10/2019 at 10:52 AM, FlareGun45 said:

Remember Sludge? The slimeball? Spike was very quick to accept him. Why though? He knows who his family is, his mom and his many brothers and sisters, and yet he still would do anything for his "dad's" blessing, even if he does seem crooked even before the truth came out. I believe that Spike wants, or used to want, a fatherly figure, but he doesn't even know it!

I think Sludge being a dragon was even more important than him being male. Twilight absolutely can't give Spike everything he needs, but that extends to the fact that she's not a dragon. Spike's conscious of his identity as a pony among dragons, because that's what's unusual, and that's what Twilight can't help him with. She can find books that will help her tell him about his body, but that she needs to read about it is the problem. She'd be more like a doctor than a parent. Spike knows that something's missing, and he probably does want a dad - it's significant that he was enthusiastic about a dragon father figure specifically. But what we fail to acknowledge is that he doesn't have a mother of the same species either, and perhaps that's part of what he longs for as well.

But we have to remember that he's not a real person. If he was real, I'd want him to fill that void because I like him and don't want him to be sad. But as a fictional character, I think it's more meaningful for the show to keep it as a problem. There's a lot that the show could say about his own feelings and how he lives his life given his unusual upbringing. It's deep, you see. 

On 2/10/2019 at 10:52 AM, FlareGun45 said:

 I was watching Orville, a couple of parents on a planet are prisoners, but they have a baby who can go free and the guards can take her away. The mom says, "She needs her mother", but the dad says, "She doesn't have to be here! She can move on and do great things for herself!" and then it hit me! THAT'S why Spike's looks like he's being held back all the time! That's why he seems so dependable! Twilight always babied him. He never had a dad to tell him about his potential! That's why I think he can do more for himself, but one of my friends (who's female) who is also a Spike fan, thinks he's good where he is and should stick with his mother! 

This seems like an odd comparison to me. Spike isn't a prisoner, and surely doesn't need to choose between exploring his potential and staying with Twilight. Like... he went to the dragon lands more than once, and decided he was perfectly fine staying with ponies. I haven't seen The Orville, though, so maybe I'm not understanding you. But I don't feel like he's being held back; he's very young and has most of his life ahead of him, and given that, it's impressive how much the show has had him accomplish these past few years. And he gets by pretty well given that Twilight allegedly raised him while she was still a child. I don't understand what you're asking for. 

[Sepul-Coloratura 762]

I think it would be a wrong move to introduce Spike's father. It would be so hard to do it right. But if they do, I'm curious what kind of father figure they would come up with. I also think he should expand his relationship with dragons and have more dragon friends.

[FlareGun45 2,221]

4 hours ago, AlexanderThrond said:

But we have to remember that he's not a real person. If he was real, I'd want him to fill that void because I like him and don't want him to be sad. But as a fictional character, I think it's more meaningful for the show to keep it as a problem. There's a lot that the show could say about his own feelings and how he lives his life given his unusual upbringing. It's deep, you see. 

People connect with fictional characters all the time. Keeping something as a problem could be alright, only thing is, he has TOO MANY problems! The biggest problem being Rarity! Yes she IS a problem! Whether or not she's using him, the crush is still an inconvenience and serves little to no purpose in their friendship anymore other than just being there. He coulda given Rainbow Dash a gift so we could see THEIR friendship develop! But no, he had to bond with Rarity AGAIN! I'd say the same for Twilight, but there's still development between their relationships they could still do! And he's definitely lacking bondings with the rest of the Mane 6, and where's that episode with Starlight the entire fandom's been craving?

He's got many other problems too, but I don't need to list them. It's fine if some problems stay but other problems are more of a problem than others. Certain stuff, like the origins story doesn't matter. Season 9 will fix alota issues with him, cause it's likely his big season coming up!

1 hour ago, Sepul-Coloratura said:

I think it would be a wrong move to introduce Spike's father. It would be so hard to do it right. But if they do, I'm curious what kind of father figure they would come up with. I also think he should expand his relationship with dragons and have more dragon friends.

I'm not talking about his REAL dad. I'm talking about a dad FIGURE. Spike doesn't need a dragon for a dad. The only one worthy of being his dad, is the one who'd stop at NOTHING for his son or daughter to reach their potential! THAT'S a dad! Twilight would do that, but she's focusing too much on her own potential that she barely thinks about Spike's, and he's just thinking about hers. It should be the other way around. To her it's all about "friendship" and "saving Equestria"!

[Thrond 3,263]

Just now, FlareGun45 said:

People connect with fictional characters all the time. Keeping something as a problem could be alright, only thing is, he has TOO MANY problems! The biggest problem being Rarity! Yes she IS a problem! Whether or not she's using him, the crush is still an inconvenience and serves little to no purpose in their friendship anymore other than just being there. He coulda given Rainbow Dash a gift so we could see THEIR friendship develop! But no, he had to bond with Rarity AGAIN! I'd say the same for Twilight, but there's still development between their relationships they could still do! And he's definitely lacking bondings with the rest of the Mane 6, and where's that episode with Starlight the entire fandom's been craving?

He's got many other problems too, but I don't need to list them. It's fine if some problems stay but other problems are more of a problem than others. Certain stuff, like the origins story doesn't matter. Season 9 will fix alota issues with him, cause it's likely his big season coming up!

Yeah I don't really like the Rarity thing either, but that's mostly just a bad joke, so that's a little different. It might be interesting if we see Spike settle for a more platonic relationship, though, because that's clearly all that Rarity wants. 

2 minutes ago, FlareGun45 said:

Spike doesn't need a dragon for a dad.

Kinda seems he wants one, though.