Improving Spike as a character

[dreaper 136]

It seems that whenever Spike gets an episode for himself, he is the character that DOESN'T shine. Instead, his episodes always make him look bad and make other characters look better and have memorable moments.

 

- Owl's well that ends well: Spike doesn't shine here, as is he portrayed as a failure most of the episode after the beginning, and he gets saved by that owl. Still this is not the worst offender.

- Secret of My Excess: Despite being the best Spike episode for me. He doesn't shine as character neither, since his natural evil dragon greed takes over him turning him into a monster. 

- Dragon Quest: He almost shined when he stood up to the teenage dragons, but then the ponies came in stole the spotlight at the end, so yeah, he didn't shine here neither, instead the episode made him look like a coward.

- Spike at your service: Oh my fucking god... whyyyy...

- Just for sidekicks: Better than the last one definetly. But still they had to make Spike look like and asshole and selfish bastard, who is uncaring and irresponsible. Guess who shined here? It wasn't Spike

 

So far the highlights of Spike as a character in most episodes are mostly his negative attributes (even his species are shown on a negative light) and the only positive great quality about Spike, was put into doubt...

 

Spike is the most underrated character ever on this show, and these episodes definitely doesn't help.

 

 

So I'm asking you, what would you do to make Spike character better? 

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

Perhaps the best way to keep Spike as an interesting character is to make sure the writers remember that Spike is, in fact, a side character. I dislike the fact they're trying to squeeze him into the spot light, Spike episodes are the worst.

[~Asuka <3~ 867]

Well, Spike's neat.  But remember, he is a side character after all.   His episodes are usually just meant for comedic value, so half the time he's OOC, and the other half he's just a klutz.  For a more positive viewing of Spike, it's best to look at episodes where he isn't the mane character, because these usually have the best, and most appropriate characterization.   

 

I honestly wouldn't change Spike at all, except make him more "in character" in his episodes, if you will.  

 

Just my take on the matter.  

Edited February 1, 2013 by ~Chaotic Twilight~

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

I think that it is a very tricky thing to do, and that Spike seems to perform the best in episodes that don't entirely center on him.

 

That said, I wouldn't mind an episode dedicated to Spike's relationship with Twilight, possibly incorporating flashbacks. This has already been explored somewhat through Owls Well that Ends Well and The Crystal Empire, but in the latter there wasn't much time to give specific focus to it, and as for the former it seemed to give just as much if not more attention to Spike's relationship with Owlowiscious. I think that his bond with Twi is one of his defining traits as a character and shedding more light on it would be a great way to flush out Spike as a character better.

 

I do kind of disagree with you about Dragon Quest though. It isn't one of my favorite episodes but I think that it did a lot for his character by having him come to terms with his unique situation and his identity as a dragon.

[dreaper 136]

Perhaps the best way to keep Spike as an interesting character is to make sure the writers remember that Spike is, in fact, a side character. I dislike the fact they're trying to squeeze him into the spot light, Spike episodes are the worst.

 

For me he feels more than just a "side character". If he is shown spending most of his time with the CMC (the official secondary/side characters of this show), then I would believe he is a secondary character too. But no, Spike spends most of his time with the mane 6, trying hopelessly to be part of the group. But I agree that most of his episodes are underwhelming, reason that a lot of bronies like you doesn't like him.

 

 

 

Well, Spike's neat.  But remember, he is a side character after all.   His episodes are usually just meant for comedic value, so half the time he's OOC, and the other half he's just a klutz.  For a more positive viewing of Spike, it's best to look at episodes where he isn't the mane character, because these usually have the best, and most appropriate characterization.   

 

I honestly wouldn't change Spike at all, except make him more "in character" in his episodes, if you will.  

 

Just my take on the matter.  

 

Having a comedic episode is not excuse for OOC characters and bad character development. You got to remember that Friendship is Magic is a comedic light hearted show. The most memorable episodes that helped develop each one of the mane 6 as characters the most (Like Lesson Zero for example) are not super serious, they are funny.

 

When Pinkie Pie stars an episode, what do you think the tone of episode is going to be? Definitely, not dark, moody and serious.

 

 

 

I think that it is a very tricky thing to do, and that Spike seems to perform the best in episodes that don't entirely center on him.

 

Its tricky yes, but not impossible. The writers just need to step up the game 

 

 

I do kind of disagree with you about Dragon Quest though. It isn't one of my favorite episodes but I think that it did a lot for his character by having him come to terms with his unique situation and his identity as a dragon.

 

EXCEPT... that Spike never came to terms with his dragon nature, he simply ran away from it, he rejected his nature.  Why? Because all he knows about his species his how evil they are, and he is only better because of the ponies.

Edited February 1, 2013 by dreaper

[GrooveBroove 680]

I definietly liked him the most in Just for Sidekicks.

Though he was being selfish I chalked that up to being a dragon and his gems.

If anything I would just say they need to work more on him being independant but in a good way.

He definitely was way to much of a problem in spike at your service.

[AlbinoThunder 42]

He even helped save an entire empire, for crying out loud. You'd think he'd get some credibility from someone at this point. But it seems no matter how hard he tries, he's always being pushed to the side. It's kinda sad, really.

[Rainbow Dash Loyalty 1,275]

I thought he shined in the Just for Sidekicks episode, not because he was mainly a being an ass throughout most of the episode, but he ended up being responsible for his actions at the end. I also think that Angel bunny is less of a douche in that episode as well xP It was sweet of him to help him not get caught after all the things he's done. 

[Rainbow Dash 1,472]

I think in order to make Spike better is to make him older in the show. Teenage Spike would have to be noble, strong, and more of a strong character while keeping his goofiness  Although, i think this show is the first show i have seen where a dragon doesnt act like it typically would. which means the writers purposely made spike the way he is to avoid a cliche. 
 But if you want to improve the comedic side of spike i think his episodes should focus mainly on slapstick that would be reminiscent of the three stooges.

[dreaper 136]

He even helped save an entire empire, for crying out loud. You'd think he'd get some credibility from someone at this point. But it seems no matter how hard he tries, he's always being pushed to the side. It's kinda sad, really.

 

Yeah, the thing about Spike saving the empire, is that didn't shine that much. Yes he returned the artifact, but he just did it because Twilight told him to, not because it was Spike's ultimate resolve as a character, he was scared the whole time he carried the thing and he even tripped and fell... if it weren't for Cadance he would have fell to his death. Even though he got a stained glass, Spike's "hero moment" was absolutely downplayed in favor of giving Twilight more airtime, hell even Spike himself was more worried about her than anything else. Despite this, I appreciate that the episode gave him a bigger role than he usually does in these two part episodes.

 

 

I think in order to make Spike better is to make him older in the show. Teenage Spike would have to be noble, strong, and more of a strong character while keeping his goofiness

 

I like the idea of Spike growing up, it would definitely improve his character as he would face the consequences of growing, not as a person but also as a dragon, and besides... people wont make much of a fuss about this particular character having a major change (unlike Alicorn Twilight).

 

 

Although, i think this show is the first show i have seen where a dragon doesnt act like it typically would. which means the writers purposely made spike the way he is to avoid a cliche.

 

They kinda avoided the cliche with Spike, but they played it straight with the other dragons, since they are portrayed as nothing but evil.