Why does Spike get a bad rep. in the fandom?

[Carbon Maestro 1,003]

Because he's just there! No one I know keeps asking for Spike to be in an episode, much like how no one I know asks for the writers to make Equestria Girls (Seriously no one asked for Spike the talking dog).

 

lmao I don't really care for Spike either, so that's another thing why we're not so attached to Spike as we are to even minor characters like Coco Pommel or Trixie.

[Admiral Regulus 2,769]

I assume people don't like him, just because he isn't one of the mane six. I think he's still a likable guy, though.

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

This whole "the writers don't like Spike" thing needs to stop. There's a difference between having difficulty writing a character and not liking them. In a recent interview they talked about why he is difficul to write for, and that's mainly due to the fact that he's a child whose main friends are all much older than him. I don't see the "gag character" argument either because he's taken on several roles, some of which are listed below:

 

-Deadpan Snarker

-Voice of Reason

-Lovable Jerk

-Sad Sack

-Schemer

-Butt Monkey

-Lovable Oaf

Notice how most of those roles bear a negative connotation? And he is a "physical gag" character. Between being shot into the air, hit with doors, thrown down mountains and tossed about like a football, he is oft the end of a physical gag joke, but unlike other characters who exeperiance this, he is given little to no redeeming qualities. The writers have shown disdain for him by not improving his character in any noticeable fashion, Derpy has been given more character development than him. So while they may say things in interviews to increase their PR, they have oft shown disdain for him.

[PinkieZ 0]

Honestly, I really like spike. Maybe people don't like because:

 

• He's not a pony
• Naive
• Poor character development 

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

Notice how most of those roles bear a negative connotation? And he is a "physical gag" character. Between being shot into the air, hit with doors, thrown down mountains and tossed about like a football, he is oft the end of a physical gag joke, but unlike other characters who exeperiance this, he is given little to no redeeming qualities. The writers have shown disdain for him by not improving his character in any noticeable fashion, Derpy has been given more character development than him. So while they may say things in interviews to increase their PR, they have oft shown disdain for him.

 

Yep, because disdain is what I got from watching him do those accomplishments I mentioned earlier. Here's a few with a positve connotation for you then:

 

-Faithful Companion (Do I need to label this?)

-Troubled Child (Owl's Well That Ends Well, Dragon Quest, Power Ponies, Inspiration Manifestation)

-Fish Out of Water (He's a dragon in a pony's world, Dragon Quest)

-Underdog (Power Ponies)

-Accidental Hero (Spike At Your Service, The Crystal Empire)

-Tough Guy (The role entails you "act" tough not are)

-Outsider's Voice (Lesson Zero, Ticket Master, Best Night Ever, Lesson Zero, Simple Ways)

-and while there isn't really a term for it he shows self-sacrifice often (notably Secret of My Excess)

Edited April 27, 2014 by DryColt84

[Castle Bleck 19,390]

F*** everyone who hates him just because he's too young, not a pony, etc.

 

YOU NEED BETTER REASONS THAN THAT, YOU DUMB@$$ES!!!

Edited April 27, 2014 by Anti-Villain

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

Yep, because disdain is what I got from watching him do those accomplishments I mentioned earlier. Here's a few with a positve connotation for you then:

 

-Faithful Companion

-Troubled Child

-Fish Out of Water

-Underdog

-Accidental Hero

-Tough Guy

-Outsider's Voice

-and while there isn't really a term for it he shows self-sacrifice often

He has only been in those roles one time at most in episodes. And several that you listed do not have examples of him being, or acting as in any episode, they just sound like conjecture you came up with. The fact that they almost refuse to have him go through character development alone shows the writers harbor disdain for him.

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

He has only been in those roles one time at most in episodes. And several that you listed do not have examples of him being, or acting as in any episode, they just sound like conjecture you came up with. The fact that they almost refuse to have him go through character development alone shows the writers harbor disdain for him.

 

I'll label 'em for you then. 

[Pastel 7,630]

No, that's not because he's not a pony, there're plenty of good non-pony characters: Discord, Zecora...

But I hope he'll be better in the next seasons, he was perfect in Inspiration Manifestation.

Edited April 27, 2014 by Blobulle

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

He has only been in those roles one time at most in episodes. And several that you listed do not have examples of him being, or acting as in any episode, they just sound like conjecture you came up with. The fact that they almost refuse to have him go through character development alone shows the writers harbor disdain for him.

 

They're labeled now for convenience. 

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

They're labeled now for convenience. 

Most of them are either one episode appearances, or conjecture that the writers have not confirmed. And my original point still stands, it appears as if they writers do not like him, and he does not appear in many leading roles. Thus he does not have a large following.

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

Most of them are either one episode appearances, or conjecture that the writers have not confirmed. And my original point still stands, it appears as if they writers do not like him, and he does not appear in many leading roles. Thus he does not have a large following.

 

Why does it matter that they are one episode appearances? And yea he doesn't have many episodes, I'll give you that. Also those roles are confirmed by the narrative itself, not by the writers or "Butt Monkey" wouldn't be on there.

Edited April 27, 2014 by DryColt84

[Planty 1,053]

I don't hate him. I just don't care much about him...

These are examples among many others, and he's like that way more frequently than the other characters in my opinion.

 

fair play

 

I kinda like it, it makes his character the one I find funniest, but it might just because I like this kind of humor!

 

It is easy to forget that he is a baby dragon tho

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

Why does it matter that they are one episode appearances? And yea he doesn't have many episodes, I'll give you that. Also those roles are confirmed by the narrative itself, not by the writers or "Butt Monkey" wouldn't be on there.

It matters to other people. It is hard to build a fan following when the character seems to swap roles, or be inconsistent. And he is also not in very many episodes as a mane role. These factors are going to lead him to not having a large fanbase, so the only opinion you are going to hear about him is negative because of how small and none vocal his fanbase is.

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

It matters to other people. It is hard to build a fan following when the character seems to swap roles, or be inconsistent. And he is also not in very many episodes as a mane role. These factors are going to lead him to not having a large fanbase, so the only opinion you are going to hear about him is negative because of how small and none vocal his fanbase is.

 

Ok, I misread your first sentence, my bad. Yea he's inconsistent, but so is Pinkie Pie, but, like her, there is a solid character there, imo. I also don't expect all or even mostly negative responses, just a lot of meh ones. He could've been handled a lot better (especially in S3), but I don't think he deserves his reputation, though either.

Edited April 27, 2014 by DryColt84

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

Ok, I misread your first sentence, my bad. Yea he's inconsistent, but so is Pinkie Pie, but, like her, there is a solid character there, imo. I also don't expect all or even mostly negative responses, just a lot of meh ones. He could've been handled a lot better (especially in S3), but I don't think he deserves his reputation, though either.

He doesn't deserve it for sure,but he has it due to the way he was handled in previous seasons, combined with the fact that he really hasn't been treated as a main character.

[Thrashy 2,800]

I don't dislike Spike, but I don't like him nearly as much as I did in the first couple of seasons. He just seemed more competent, more mischievous, and more of a wise-ass (something yours truly can certainly relate to ) back then. Not to say he doesn't still have his moments, but his personality's definitely been defanged a bit IMO.

[DryGuy84 (Inactive) 927]

I don't dislike Spike, but I don't like him nearly as much as I did in the first couple of seasons. He just seemed more competent, more mischievous, and more of a wise-ass (something yours truly can certainly relate to ) back then. Not to say he doesn't still have his moments, but his personality's definitely been defanged a bit IMO.

 

I can see that being a purposeful intention of the writers, for better or worse.