Spike Episodes and his Nature as a Dragon

Hello. This is my first ever blog post, so forgive me if I do it incorrectly or in a way that is unfamiliar.

I have recently watched the episode "Princess Spike" from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. I agree wholeheartedly that this episode could've been written better for Spike's character. The poor fellow seems to get no love or devotion from the show's writers. But . . . perhaps there is a reason behind these episodes being the way they are, and I want to hear anyone's opinion on this hypothesis.

As we all know, Spike episodes seem to always fall on the issues of Spike being either immature, greedy, or, as in the case of "Princess Spike", a desire to use a popular connection to his own advantage. It's understandable that those who like Spike often feel disappointed when these lessons seem to repeat; it makes you wonder if Spike is capable of developing in the series.

But then I had a thought about why Spike seems to struggle so much.

Could it be that Spike is constantly having to learn or relearn so many similar lessons — whether it's about greed, confidence, or abuse of power — because he is fighting against his own nature?

Dragons in Equestria are notably different from the ponies who cover the majority of this magical land. They are known to be hoarders (greedy), the teenagers are always trying to outmatch each other (prideful and power hungry), and, quite frankly, dragons can be quite brutish (which I have nothing to add in parenthesis).

Spike, being a denizen from another race, has to adjust in order to fit in with the pony way of life. True, he was raised by Celestia and Twilight, and is, in his eyes, more a pony than a dragon, but Spike, whatever he may see himself as, is still a dragon, and is likely to have their certain psychological characteristics (as embedded as they may be).

And here's some possible proof. (Let me know if any of it's mistaken. Seriously, let me know!)

In "Secret of My Excess", Spike experiences greed after being given so many gifts on his birthday. Since dragons become larger and more greedy the more they hoard, Spike's inner dragon takes over and he doesn't revert back to his sweet, normal self until he remembers that he generously gave his fire ruby to Rarity. Dragons obsess over gems. They positively crave them, and no teenage or full-grown dragon we've seen so far in the show would EVER give up such a precious stone to be generous. Chances are they would've eaten Rarity if she even looked at it funny. But not Spike. Spike's feelings for Rarity were strong enough that he selflessly gave up his prized gem, and in the end that's what saved him (and all of Ponyville too).

In "Just for Sidekicks", Spike's desire to make a gem-studded cake dominates his duty to be responsible when he's put in charge of the Mane Six's pets. Interestingly, it is only when all the gems are gone that Spike realizes how irresponsible he was. With gems under his nose, he's lost in his own wants, but when the pail is literally empty, he comes to see the error in how he misplaced his priorities.

In "Spike at Your Service" (Oh why? Honestly, WHY was that episode made?), Spike puts himself in Applejack's debt after she saves his life. The reason this episode is included is because Spike's motive for being there 24/7 to Applejack was because of his need to be "a noble dragon." Spike, like other dragons, wants to feel important; his pride is what caused half the episode's trouble. Unlike the teenage dragons in "Dragon Quest", Spike didn't want to be dominant, but he did want to prove himself. And perhaps it was this desire to be important that also caused him to perform so badly in this episode. I mean, come on! Spike can bake awesome cookies, and he most certainly knows how to clean properly; I mean, you think the Golden Oak Library cleaned itself. You know, when it was still standing. . . .

In "Equestria Games", Spike fawns over the admiration he receives, but when he fails to light the torch, he feels insignificant. He's seen as a hero to the Crystal Empire and wants to live up to that image — again pointing to his pride and his desire to prove himself.

In "Power Ponies", Spike, yet again, feels insignificant because he always seems to be the butt of everypony's jokes. Being portrayed as Humdrum, the no-powers, useless sidekick, kicks him in the heart at how useless he seems. He wants to be seen as somebody important, like his friends.

And, in this latest episode, "Princess Spike", power goes to Spike's head and he abuses his position of being Twilight's assistant to get things he wants. He goes from being helpful to outright selfish and foolish, which causes a chain reaction of events he should've saw coming a mile away.

Could all these similar lessons of not being greedy or prideful or power hungry be due to his inner dragon, longing to burst free in a world where it must always be confined? Is it necessary for the lessons to repeat so as to keep Spike from turning into a monster? Could keeping such a part of his nature suppressed be what causes Spike to have a lack of confidence, such as in "Equestria Games" or "Power Ponies"? He denies his own nature because he's trying to fit in with Twilight and her world, desperately wishing to be seen as an equal. And regardless that his friends appreciate and deeply care for him, he has this thing inside him that keeps rearing its ugly head, making him seem foolish, or arrogant, or, as some fans see it, a weak character with no real use in the show except as a sad, pathetic joke.

Or . . . perhaps it's simply because Spike is young and still growing. But, to be honest, the Cutie Mark Crusaders are all young and growing also, and they seem to have no trouble learning valuable lessons or benefiting from them. . . .

What do all of you think? Could Spike's suppressed dragon nature be a cause for his behavior and actions?

I hope I've given you all something to think about.

Happy writing!
~Mr. Page