Spikes flaws

[Vorax 43]

My friend and I text a lot. He doesn't like Spike very much. I was texting him and he said the reason he didn't like spike much was that he is WAY TOO greedy, stupid, and thick headed. What are your opinions on Spike? Is my friend right or wrong? Personally I think he's wrong. Discuss away.

[Scootalove 10,689]

Well, dragons are naturally greedy because when it comes to defending their gems and treasured goods they need this greedy trait to have the endurance to protect them. Spike is far from stupid and thick headed though.

[Guest90210 3,569]

He's my favorite character in the show.

 

He's greedy, but that's completely natural for a dragon. I don't think he's stupid at all. In fact, sometimes he's the voice of reason. He's probably the funniest and most entertaining characters in the show as well.

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

Spike is one of my more favorite characters. He acts as a foil to Twilight's freak outs. He also seems to wish he could do more and be respected which I can kind of relate to.

[Vorax 43]

He's my favorite character in the show.

 

He's greedy, but that's completely natural for a dragon. I don't think he's stupid at all. In fact, sometimes he's the voice of reason. He's probably the funniest and most entertaining characters in the show as well.

I tried telling my friend this. The greed I thought only reared its head in Secret of my Excess. As for his stupidity, he used Rarity as an example. Spike is not stupid, he's learned lots of stuff and, compared to some other members of the Mane 6, he's mature enough to have a wife and kids. He also doesn't completely hate Spike and does agree with the fact he helps the Mane 6 out of the kindness in his heart Edited February 28, 2014 by Vorax

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

I like Spike a lot actually, but I think he's not quite as solid of a character as he should be by this point in the series. Don't get me wrong he definitely has a character, but the reason many people don't relate to Spike can be summed up in his Season 3 appearances: 'Spike At Your Service' and 'Just For Sidekicks' he is characterized VERY differently in these two episodes, but which episode he was OoC in (if either) depends on who you ask. 

I tried telling my friend this. The greed I thought only reared its head in Secret of my Excess. As for his stupidity, he used Rarity as an example. Spike is not stupid, he's learned lots of stuff and, compared to some other members of the Mane 6, he's mature enough to have a wife and kids. He also doesn't completely hate Spike and does agree with the fact he helps the Mane 6 out of the kindness in his heart

 

Spike comes across to me as a child who could pass as an adult most of the time, but sometimes shows his true age in his actions. I.E. the ice cream scene in 'It's About Time' or his nicknames for the Poison Joke'd Mane 6 in 'Bridle Gossip'.

[Vorax 43]

I like Spike a lot actually, but I think he's not quite as solid of a character as he should be by this point in the series. Don't get me wrong he definitely has a character, but the reason many people don't relate to Spike can be summed up in his Season 3 appearances: 'Spike At Your Service' and 'Just For Sidekicks' he is characterized VERY differently in these two episodes, but which episode he was OoC in (if either) depends on who you ask.

 

 

Spike comes across to me as a child who could pass as an adult most of the time, but sometimes shows his true age in his actions. I.E. the ice cream scene in 'It's About Time' or his nicknames for the Poison Joke'd Mane 6 in 'Bridle Gossip'.

My friend said he likes Just For Sidekicks because it was funny and that was the only Spike episode he liked. As for Spikes maturity, although my friend equates him mentally to a child, I find him quite mature most of the time. Compare Spike to the CMC, who are actual children, who is more mature in the long run? As for the jokes, well, he was striking a joke, we all do that. As for the ice cream, he probably learned his lesson about that.

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

My friend said he likes Just For Sidekicks because it was funny and that was the only Spike episode he liked. As for Spikes maturity, although my friend equates him mentally to a child, I find him quite mature most of the time. Compare Spike to the CMC, who are actual children, who is more mature in the long run? As for the jokes, well, he was striking a joke, we all do that. As for the ice cream, he probably learned his lesson about that.

 

Let me rephrase, because I feel I worded that response poorly (not the first time   ).

 

I think Spike is very mature, more mature than many real adults and probably even more mature than Rainbow and Pinkie, but I do think he's a child.  I don't think he's MENTALLY a child, I think that he is PHYSICALLY a child, which is shown in some dialogue from time to time.

[Creamy Arty 6,252]

Stupid is as stupid does. While Spike makes some really poor and impulsive choices at times, I think he's quite intelligent for being able to keep up with Twilight's OCD and for playing the straight man when other ponies let their own fears and apprehensions get the better of them in what should be simple situations. At times he's the one losing it, but given that this flips back and forth depending on the nature of the situation, I think he's a well balanced individual. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but by no means is he stupid and possesses a wisdom of his own.

 

A dragon's greed is natural, but given that he's demonstrated he can give freely of his possessions, time, and of his own life on several occasions, I don't think that's too bad either. Again, he can go back and forth on this, and seems balanced well enough to me. Besides, good intentions not always executed appropriately doesn't necessarily make one a bad person. I think that's what we have going on with Spike sometimes.

 

 

I think Spike is the most "human" of that lot. Although flawed, his flaws are often his greatest strengths under the appropriate circumstances.

[ghostfacekiller39 23,860]

My opinion on Spike as a character has been forever tarnished just by how people will throw out "SPIKE ABUSE! " all the goddamn time for whatever reason my guess is to try to look like some sort of extremely-intelligent analyst or something and then never say a damned thing about him past that. Furthermore, it's only amplified by how using the word "abuse" is an extreme overreaction on the person making the ludicrous allegation's part to begin with. Seriously, they have no idea what abuse really is.

 

That being said, as a character and nothing more, I've found him to be a bit boring, honestly. I'll forget he's even in the show at times, if you want the truth. I don't remember him, like, ever, unless he's on-screen. His flaws are similar to that of a 10-year old boy, though, from what little I know. He can get a bit greedy, but nothing to write home about. He can be a bit immature, but he's still just a baby dragon

 

I do like him as a character, even with his flaws (everyone's got 'em) but he's just kinda boring to me at times  

Edited March 3, 2014 by ghostfacekiller39

[AlicornAcolyte 254]

I'm not sure I would complain that Spike is being "abused." I would say the case is closer to "misused." I believe that Spike and his role in the group dynamic have a lot of wasted potential. On one hand, he is an outsider in society as a non-pony, yet he has still managed to forge close relationships with several ponies. I think this could be explored further than it has been.

[Metemponychosis 1,262]

I would love to like Spike, but it's difficult because of the way he is used in the show when the episode is not about him.

Really. After all that's been said here, this is the only thing I feel the need to say.

[Jammo 986]

Spike has really improved in my books. I mean he's young and naive, but means well.

Spike is at his best when he's Twilights anchor or dispensing blunt wisdom in a world full of mental cases.

He's at his worst when he's greedy or downright clueless (Spike at your Service would have worked without his random idiocy)

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

The issue with spike is no one has any idea what to do with him. He comes off as stupid, because they want to include him, but they don't have the room, time, or focus to have a sarcastic straight man like spike used to be. So he comes across as stupid, because they want him in the episode, but use him as a gag character. 

[Vorax 43]

I'm not sure I would complain that Spike is being "abused." I would say the case is closer to "misused." I believe that Spike and his role in the group dynamic have a lot of wasted potential. On one hand, he is an outsider in society as a non-pony, yet he has still managed to forge close relationships with several ponies. I think this could be explored further than it has been.

That would be a better term for it. Abuse would be along the lines of Squidward Tentacles. The only abuse going on here is what the writers are doing with him.