The Great Rarity Plushie Controversy · 6:07am Apr 12th, 2015
Some observant fans noticed that in S5E03, "Castle Sweet Castle," there's a throwaway scene where Spike staggers out of bed to meet the Mane Six ... and he's holding a little Rarity plushie toy, with which he had obviously been sleeping. Some found this cute; some found it disturbing and felt that it would creep out Rarity (who does not act in the slightest bit creeped out in that scene).
My personal opinion is that the one who gave Spike the plushie doll was none other than Rarity herself, and that she would find it cute and endearing that he actually sleeps with it.
Why am I of this opinion?
Rarity likes Spike and is generous, vain and a brilliant seamstress. This means she'd be motivated to give Spike a present, she would know that Spike would appreciate the toy, her vanity would be tickled by the thought of Spike wanting such a toy -- and it would be absurdly easy for her to dash such a minor creation off, given her resources, skills and talents.
This is also the kind of present someone gives to someone else whom she likes, especially in romantic terms. The implication is "I can't always be with you, so have this doll representing me to keep you company when you're feeling lonely." It's also a rather possessive thing to do, as something symbolizing the giver is now occupying the recipient's bedroom.
In other words, this is more Sparity ship teasing.
That's what I thought as well. Obviously not in those specific terms but something along the lines of "that's cute
has a 
he can hold and still be within the guidelines of a G-rated show."
rarity is just a tad controlling, but it's still sweet/cute, I think I like it.
of course my mind made the "disturbing" connection, but I always make that connection, that's how my mind works. In all actuality, it isn't the implications, because of a G (general) audience rating. and producers would do that mainly for that reason, mlp isn't southpark.
Your opinion makes sense, I like it.
2975315
Oh, most definitely Rarity is controlling. Or at least dominant.
In my main fanon worldline, Rarity marries Spike (a decade or so After Luna's Return), and she's founded a major corporation: Rarity Enterprises Ltd. And Spike becomes her Number One Assistant in running the firm. Spike may be an armor-plated Dragon with claws that can tear through and fire that can melt through armor plate -- but Rarity is the one in charge. And always will be.
And Spike is cool with it, because he knows that Rarity will always need her Number One Dragon. And being needed is important to Spike. Remember, his worst nightmare is to be un-needed, un-wanted.
Is this a healthy relationship? Well, the non-romantic version of it worked for Twilight and Spike, and the romantic version of it for Rarity and Spike. And they're both happy with the arrangement. Which means, yes, it's "healthy."
I agree.
2975313
And if he didn't want Rarity to know this, why did he make no effort to hide it? It's obvious that he either doesn't care, or is glad that Rarity knows about it. Most likely, because he knows that Rarity would be pleased to see that he loved the doll, which is most likely because she gave him the doll.
2975320 I fully agree, it's a healthy relationship. Spike has only ever known being a no# 1 assistant, I think that's mostly all he wants to be... he's a true sir
2975326 Healthy relationship when Spike flies every time Rarity flutters her eyes? *COUGH COUGH* IT IS NOT!
2975320 Listen I understand that given enough basis this could be ok but as of right now? And the most possible thing being someone other than rarity made this plushie? ((trust me if it was Rarity it wouldn't be the same as Smarty Pants in quality))
It's creepy. VERY creepy. I won't be suprised if Spike starts vodooing the doll to make Rarity his in some fanfic. Hey I've even thought about a fic where Spike goes to Queen Chrysalis or some changeling to have his obsession about Rarity removed.
I thought it was cute and funny but I must admit if the characters were human it would be a little disturbing.
I figured either Rarity or Fluttershy (with her "freaky knowledge of sewing") made it. In either case, Spike knew about the pancake breakfast and knew she wouldn't mind.
I thought it was cute, and I wouldn't be surprised if Rarity made it (of course, there's also the possibility that in Equestria the mane six are a big enough deal that some enterprising ponies are merchandising, and I doubt Spike would be able to resist.) In either case, I don't think Rarity would find it creepy. Whether or not she returns them, Rarity is perfectly aware of the strength of Spike's feelings for her (because she's not blind, nor an idiot) and we see her playing on them, so she's not exactly trying to discourage it.
I think this fits more with her thinking of him as a little kid and not taking this seriously, though. It would be an odd present for a woman (and a lady, no less) to give a man she was thinking of in a romantic fashion but didn't have a serious understanding with. The sentiment "you might want to be with me 24/7 so you can hold this when I'm not there" is pretty serious relationship territory-- at least well beyond the flirting we see on the show even if that flirting was backed by feelings on both sides.
2975737
She still thinks of him as too young for her because he IS still too young for her. But she still wants him around, and is still affectionate toward him well beyond the level that she would be if she merely found his crush "cute." She will also defend him both physically and socially from any attack, and seek comfort from him when she is in emotional distress.
The obvious implication is that it is solely his youth that constitutes a problem for her. And youth is a problem which cures itself with age. The main question is whether or not Rarity will fall seriously in love with somepony else before enough time passes for Rarity to see him as "adult" (which, probably, will occur while Spike is biologically by Dragon standards but not chronologically by Pony standards an early adolescent).
Is she just using him? IMO there's no way that she can not be worried about just this possibility -- Rarity genuinely cares for him at least as her best friend, and this is by now a long-term friendship; furthermore, if she harms him, Twilight won't be happy with her. But the fact that Rarity can't seem to avoid wanting to be around Spike speaks volumes for the extent to which Rarity herself is also caught in the mutual attraction.
Even if, right now, it's just shy of being sexual.
2975692
And note: there's no way Fluttershy doesn't know about how Spike feels for Rarity, or how Rarity loves to have Spike around her. Rarity's one of her best friends, and they meet at the Spa on a weekly basis and spend hours together. Fluttershy is shy; but she's not all that shy with Rarity or Spike, and she's very observant.
2975457
However, he can now also stand up to her and tell her she's wrong, to her face, when she's making a mistake. He's now displayed this in more than one episode. And it was notably after he started doing this that Rarity started to display signs of returning his affection, and in a more than purely-friendly manner.
They are almost certainly not lovers right now. They do, however, most definitely love one another.
If Spike has it for creepy reasons, why is he willing to show Rarity that he has it? And why does Rarity act entirely not creeped out by it, or by him? We know for certain, in canon, that she's often willing to work long hours with him alone, just the pair of them, and often under circumstances where the possibility of other Ponies happening upon them is very low. This is not the behavior of a mare who finds him a creepy stalker. It's the behavior of a mare who finds him a beloved or best friend.
2975831
Going back to if the characters were human (I don't find it creepy at all because they're not and we don't know how dragon and/or pony age works) I wouldn't find it creepy from Spike's POV, but I would from Rarity's if she had given him the doll. i.e. Grown woman facilitating a sexual relationship with someone underage.
I don't know if that's what everyone else is saying here though.
In the show, I just see them as having a very strong bond. Maybe there is a mutual relationship to be had there in the future, but at the moment I don't think Rarity thinks of Spike as anything more than a sweet kid who has a crush on her.
2975794
Woah there, I have to disagree. This is getting close to nice guy syndrome by proxy.
I totally agree that Rarity appreciates, depends on, and is defensive of Spike. And I'm not denying that it's possible she has or could develop deeper feelings when he's older. But the fact is that her relationship with Spike is unlike any of her previous romantic interests. We've seen how "Rarity in love" treats her stallions, and this isn't it. In fact, this is more the behavior we see between her and her friends, with a dash of the way she manipulates stallions she doesn't have feelings for (which is different form how she acts around Blueblood or Trenderhoof.)
Now, I'm not denying that Spike might be a better match for her, nor that what she wants could change. But that's not what she seems to want now, so it's not obvious that age is the only thing standing in their way. She doesn't have to be attracted to the kind of guy who's her shoulder to cry on, and who she thinks is adorable. She could easily be seeing him as a combination of Sweetie Belle and Fluttershy.
And I've read your arguments on her desires maturing, and I agree with them, but I still don't agree that they're obviously going to mature in the direction of Spike. She still seems to be attracted to confident, high status males who seem (to her, at least) to more or less share her interests in fashion and society. While Spike could conceivably become that, there's no indication that he's interested in becoming that for any reason other than appealing to Rarity (nor that he's not interested in becoming that.) It's entirely possible that he's happier watching hoofball with Mac and reading comic books than going to the Gala, which doesn't seem to be the kind of stallion Rarity is attracted to.
So, in short, Rarity's preferences don't have to mature to lean towards Spike, and Spike doesn't have to become the type of male Rarity would prefer. It could happen, but it's not obvious at all.
2975831 oh easy hes still a kid and the creators dont want to tackle potential pedophilia. Spike still acts like a kid and it would be inappropriate. Watch Jerry Peet's video about it.
2976271
That is an external story reason, not an internal one, so it doesn't at all answer the question of why Rarity isn't creeped out by it. Unlike Pinkie Pie, Rarity has no ability to perceive anything external to the story itself.
And as I said, Rarity's not in a sexual relationship with him now. Unless we assume that one or both of them will die within a few years, this is no obstacle to her being in a sexual relationship with him in the FUTURE.
2976325 Sure but the thing is that as of right now Rarity knows that with Spike's current maturity stage if she tackled it it would be pedophilia. Considering it as an external reason to the story doesnt change the fact that it is an internal reason as well. I have no objection for future happenings, but right now is definitely not the time. And also right now I reaaaally wonder why Rarity is NOT creeped out. Regardless for me it's not healthy to keep a plushie of your crush unless it was your crush that gave it to you... which again raises the question... why? Too many questions. I can't just accept it.
2976402
Um, I plan out character arcs longitudinally -- both backward and forward in time for years, sometimes decades. That's how I write -- I come out of a historical-fiction and coming-of-age novel perspective. So it's unnatural for me to just see the characters as frozen in the eternal now.
That's my point -- the likeliest origin of the little Rarity plushie is from Rarity herself, and the likeliest reason for her to give him something like that (given that she's not an evil seductress who just wants to destroy his heart) is that she actually loves him. Probably not sexually, yet -- but their friendship has definitely romantic undertones, and on both sides.
2976402
What I'm saying is that you seem to be assuming that Rarity must want to become Spike's lover right now, or never. That does not logically follow, though it is of course far from guaranteed that Rarity will still be single -- or Spike in love with Rarity -- 5-10 years from now. Rarity knows this; Spike doesn't.
2976430
None said things are going to be like that forever.
Unless confirmed I will just remain neutral on this. Neutral and suspicious... It's a safe bet.
No I never said that. But if she wanted that would be stopping her temporarily at least.
Jordan, it's not worth trying to argue with nioniosbbbb. From personal experience with him in a forum thread, as well as reading a few others he's participated in, I can say that once he's gotten his own twist on an idea stuck in his head he seems impervious to any explanation or correction that doesn't exactly agree with his own thoughts.
2977189
I'm trying to point out that I don't believe that Spike is literally a "baby" (though he is still a "child") and that I also don't think that Rarity is yet his lover, but that the evidence even in vanilla canon shows a strong and at least romantic (albeit not yet all that sexual) mutual affection. And, also, that Rarity is the most obvious source of the controversial little plushie, because Spike is not even slightly embarrassed to show it to her; nor Rarity even slightly surprised, to see it. And Rarity notices socially-significant details -- it's actually part of her Talent.
Really? People are up in arms over this? A second-long joke in a kid's cartoon? Well, any doubts I ever had about MLP-dom being not a whit different from all the other fandoms have been laid to rest.
And personally I think it was all a joke. Maybe Rarity made it for him, Or maybe the Mane Six have gotten famous enough in-show that toys have been made of them (PInkie, Rarity, and Dash would be thrilled) and books written about them. Hopefully not ghostwritten without their permission.
2978167
I find the controversy hilarious. Your suggestions make sense as well. Heh, they know A.K. Yearling -- maybe she'll write up their adventures ...
2978197 Or I could use this as a springboard for that 'Twilight versus The Shaver Mystery' I've spoken of now and then. The gang's adventures get written up in a rather -- freewheeling style, and when Twi finds out she decides to track the author down and have some words with them.
2977592
May I please ask why you responded to me in that regard? I apologize if I'm missing something, but I fail to see how the commentary you left is directly relevant to the issue in question, if it was in fact intended for me rather than for nioniosbbbb.
I was not saying that I did not understand your point - I may not completely comprehend it, but I got the gist, something I expect others will normally get as well. I was trying to offer assistance by aiding you in recognizing an unyielding wall (nioniosbbbb's attitude towards his/her own understanding, as displayed in other threads) before you wasted effort in trying to break it. I recognize that you are adept at persuasion when describing your own thoughts, but from my experience, nioniosbbbb is equally adept, if not more so, at ignoring anything s/he does not wish to hear.
If I have in some way offended in this, please clarify for me how, so that I may avoid doing so in the future.
2978434
Oh no, you didn't offend me.
I agree completly whit You Jordan179.
Some people like to do as whe say on México "seek three legs to the cat, when they know it Have four", i mean they like to see things not aré there. Or over complicate the things.
So now he sleep with Rarity and SweetieBelle plushie. I think this might be a joke and not something to base shipping, as the same episode confirmed him being a baby yet again.
2979411
Why, because he sleeps with a plushie? I know plenty of adults who do that.
Logical.
2975457 The Rarity plushie is, by leaps and bounds, better quality than Smarty Pants. Keeping in mind MLP's cartoonish animation style...
fc01.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/196/7/4/smarty_pants_by_spacekingofspace-d55n29n.png
Loose eyes, obvious fraying, stringy mane and tail, faded colors. Smarty's a mess.
Now this:
derpicdn.net/img/view/2015/4/11/871468__safe_rarity_spike_screencap_plushie_spoiler-colon-s05e03_castle+sweet+castle_rarity+plushie.png
Its eyes are securely sewn, the colors are vivid, the mane and tail are realistic and match Rarity's, the ears aren't oddly pointed, and it's better proportioned.
Smarty Pants can't hold a candle to the Rarity plushie in terms of quality. In her prime, perhaps, but certainly not now.
2992874
Yep. That's another reason to think that Rarity did it. Rarity would use quality fabrics and stitching in a doll of herself for a friend.
Oh crap, I just thought of a crack shipping. Smarty Pants x Rariplush.
2992874 Yes it's better quality. Doesn't mean Rarity made it.
2993316 I know. But you claimed that the Rarity plushie was at Smarty's level of quality, and that's simply not true.
2994419 I did? My mistake. But still as far as plushies go they are in the same league. Serve the same purpose. Certainly not collector's edition stuff.
2993316
Not necessarily, but she's the likeliest candidate among the Ponies Spike actually knows personally.
2994425
What makes you think that Smarty Pants wasn't originally a professionally-made, high-quality plush toy? Remember, Twilight's family is upper-class, and live very comfortably by the standards of most Ponies.
2994431 i think Twilight qualifies more than that.
There are a lot of things I could say for Twilight that she made Smarty pants to console herself, that she kept it as a memory of herself, that even the Rariplush was actually the Smartypants renewed. All that I can say about Smarty Pants is that Twilight valued that doll greatly to keep it that long.
Given the disparity between Spike's physical apparent age -- ie, he's physically extremely childish, barely beyond Cutie Mark Crusaders -- and his mental age, which is obviously on a par with an adolescent, I suspect that Spike is, temporarily, a romantic asexual.
His mind is a teenager's mind, so he's able to have romantic desires. But his body is a child's body, so he does not yet have sexual desires. Children are capable of obsessive romantic love just as much as adults are -- I wrote love songs to my best friends when I was 6. What kids don't have yet is the sex component, and that's the part that would be creepy.
I agree, Rarity probably made the plushie. And if human beings had wildly disparate color schema and cutie marks, we might do similar things. The main reason we don't is that for a doll to look like it is representing a specific human requires an uncanny-valley level of realism. If humans had symbols on our foreheads or palms that were relatively unique and represent who we are and what our talents are, we could throw together a quick plushie and put our mark on it to make it symbolize us, specifically. Also, if we came in colors that aren't variations of brown, it might be easier to represent a specific human than it is.
2995540
Mostly correct. He knows that he is likely to develop into a sexual being in time, and has decided that the one he loves and hopes then to marry is Rarity. But he as yet has very little sexual desire, though he's actually both very romantic and very honorable about it, which are two of the things Rarity loves about him.
For her part, Rarity gets that he's not yet sexual, and this in turn causes her to be more restrained in her behavior toward him. She is fully aware that she could easily get him to have sex with her, but also that he would be doing it essentially to please her. She does not want to exploit him that way, because she genuinely loves him, definitely as a friend, and to a certain extent romantically as well.
My Rarity was sexually-exploited in early adolescence, and this makes her less willing to treat another that way. Rarity is a good Pony.