19 replies to this topic

[The Man]

There's already a draft on some of the results of Snively's reign if you accept it. The conclusion seems to be that he's not as good as Robotnik for some reason and defects to the FF's. I'll speculate Snively was never really that bad and was simply along for the ride and some comic relief with that nose and the way he talked.

[BigWigRah]

I hated snivley when i first was introduced to him in Season 1. I began to appreciate him more when he tried his own hand in. He seems to operate in the same manner as his uncle (yelling at his subordinate (sonic) when things haven't gone according to plan.) and follow a similar angry streak.

It seems that Snivley can be viewed from two different perspectives; a manacle villain capable of atrocity, or the brainwashed victim tortured and abused by his uncle.

A lot of psychological rhetoric can be brought into Snivley's analysis.

[E-Master]

Snively would make a good tyrant of Robotropolis. Since such episodes like "No Brainer" did show how much evil plotting he would do without Robotnik in the way. Course his way of thinking is different from his uncle's.

[furrykef]

I've always liked the POV that Snively is actually more competent than his uncle. There's actually an issue in the old, old Archie issues (I forget the exact number, but we're talking definitely before #40 and possibly even before #20) where Snively deliberately traps Robotnik in The Void (not to be confused with the Zone of Silence, which is equivalent to SatAM's Void) and assumes control. Unfortunately, this was actually a bit out of character because it was only a few issues before or after where Robotnik is believed to be dead, Snively is left in control, and he proves utterly incompetent, and this apparently became the party line at Archie since then. (Robotnik was a bit out of character, too... trusting Snively with a situation where he could easily end up imprisoned forever is a huge blunder even for him.)

Not to mention that, in SatAM, Snively captured Sonic fairly easily and nearly succeeded in his mission (though Robotnik's had a few near-successful missions as well). And what little we saw of Snively as villain at the end of the final episode looked like he had what it takes to be a good villain. (Never mind what was planned for Season 3; we have no idea whether or not they would have even used that storyline.)

Of course, we're just talking about potential here. If Snively really did take over for an extended period of time, he would be no better than Robotnik, since the show's format pretty much requires that.

- Kef

[SBaby]

Hurst's idea for season 3 obviously illustrates that Snively does collapse as a dictator, but I really am of the opinion that Snively would be a greater threat to Mobius than Robotnik...

Honestly, I'd thought of that too. I was always wondering what would happen if Snively got ahold of some sort of omnipotent power source (like a really powerful crystal or staff or something that's at least on the level of the DP Stones). My theory was that he'd go nuts and basically become SatAM's version of Kefka (from FFVI). A comical villain turned near-omnipotent psychotic madman.

[wildfire]

Do I think Snivley is dangerous? Most definitely (see the first few chapters of Steel Assassin for more details). Colin "Snivley" Kintobor is a very dangerous individual. Marking Season 2 as the major turning point for the character, you can definitely see his darker side. He mocks his uncle constantly, always certain that he could finish the Freedom Fighters where Julian has continually failed. At various points (Game Guy, No Brainer, and others I don't care to research for this post) you get to see just how conniving Snivley actually is. While his observations of his uncle's plans do prove less of a penchant for the dramatic, (Snivley points out the very obvious facts in Game Guy) he can also appreciate the beauty of a well made trap (all of the various hedgehog snares in Sonic Racer). Over time this nuance disappears and is replaced with a callous and near surgical critique of all of Robotnik's plans. To be perfectly honest, I think Snivley's hatred for his uncle is all that drives him to do as he does. I feel his plans against the Freedom Fighters are more of an attempt to succeed where Julian has failed than anything else. Were he to see a way out of his predicament, I believe he would take it in a minute. If Princess Sally offered him amnesty for his help against Robotnik, I think he would have been a valuable ally (He didn't seem too keen on the idea of a takeover in BttP). His defection would have almost been a certainty if he failed in killing Julian.

Anywho, there's more than my two cents on that. Man I missed doing stuff like this.

[MistressAli]

I see Snively as being the type to be very patient, able to lay out complex plans that take a while to come to fruition, whereas Robotnik is more the type who wants his gratification NOW! But then again, one has to be patient around Robotnik, and I wonder how Snively might act if the dampener to his anger, ambition and free will was suddenly taken away. Would he be overwhelmed by the freedom and try to do too much at once. Or maybe, now that he has no boss, he'd be really lax and not do much at all.
I think my issue is whether Snively has the drive to remain tyrant until the end of the fight. Yes, he has hate for the FF's, and a desire to prove he's 'better' than Julian. But I don't think he really 'believed' in Robotnik's goals (whatever they were )...the 'war against Mobius' just never interested him...he just had to work for it or suffer Julian's wrath. So would his hate and anger be enough to sustain him over the years...decades... that it might take to bring the FF's down? Maybe he'd fight till the end... 'no one's going to make me crawl again! I'll die before I let them break me!' or maybe wearily, he'd just give in. 'Enough fighting...I can't take it anymore. Do what you want to me, I don't care.'

Snively is dangerous, but I'm not sure if he's moreso than Robotnik. For one, I never saw him as being completely devoid of mercy and compassion than his uncle. But abuse takes its toll, and he might not be able to really...access those feelings anymore. That's something I like about his character...his versatility. I can see him going the complete evil route. And on the other hand, as I do see him as being more 'human' than Robotnik, more shaped into a evil person than born one....I can see him going to the good side too. Never would he be a goody-two shoes, or completely happy, but... maybe the years would bring a little peace to him.

I feel his plans against the Freedom Fighters are more of an attempt to succeed where Julian has failed than anything else.

I do agree with this to a point. I do believe he feels genuine hate for the FF's (they're the trigger to Julian's abuse). Outdoing Julian,to show he isn't worthless, that he has talent, that he can succeed..it's a desperate need. Living amongst the FF's though, I can see him gaining a little respect, and maybe seeing his hate was misplaced. If they treat him decently, that is. And yes, using his abilities to thwart Julian would be so satisfying that it'd be worth working with the miserable little beasts

[wildfire]

I do believe he feels genuine hate for the FF's (they're the trigger to Julian's abuse).

That's just it though,his hatred for the freedom fighters is triggered solely by his desire to avoid the beating he's sure to incur as a result of Julian's wrath. I think if Snivley could find a way out of all that, if it weren't for the fact that the Freedom Fighters had been his enemy for somewhere around 11 years, that he could be very helpful in thwarting his uncle.

[wildfire]

I liked the Lt Series RP version, wherein Robotnik's other subbordinates were computer controlled AI. That made things pretty believeable. I really don't see Robotnik trusting other Mobians enough to allow them even moderate control of any of his territories. I could almost fathom something like hiring the Nasty Heyenas or something like that.

[DCC]

Snively has come across to me as smart, he knows Robotnik's weaknesses and seems like he is just waiting for his moment. This makes him more interesting, to me, than many villain sidekicks. If season three happened, I think his failure and alining with the Freedom Fighter would have had more to do with getting in a situation that is over his head(with Robotnik and Nagus) than seeing the Freedom Fighters side.

[wildfire]

I don't really think Snivley is sympathetic to the Freedom Fighters aim. But I do believe that given enough time, he would come around. Like I said before, he didn't seem too keen on Robotnik's takeover plans in the first place. I can't say I blame him given the circumstances. Look at it like this, prior to Julian taking over, the pair of them were more or less on top of things in Mobotropolis anyway. Julian was respected for his role in ending the Great War, and was about to be appointed Minister of Science. The pair of them were in really tight with the royal family, which if you ask me is pretty schweet. I bet Snivley was living the good life until Julain decided to take over the planet. I wouldn't want to give that up. Also, after 11 some odd years of verbal and physical abuse at the hands of someone who's supposed to love you and be there for you, you would think that our dear Snivley would be looking for a way out. And the Freedom Fighters just may be his ticket.

[Professor Vengeance]

Actually, Snively seemed quite keen on overthrowing the King. Until Robotnik decided to take all the glory for himself.

"By this time tomorrow, Mobotropolis will be ours!"
"Not 'ours', Snively. Mine."

As for how big a threat Snively really is, I say look no further than No Brainer. Not only did he manage to brainwash Sonic and turn him against his friends, he stupified most of the Freedom Fighters and came within a gnat's wing of discovering Knothole. Not bad at all for a simpering shrimpboat.

I always saw Snively as an equal to Robotnik in terms of threat, just with different styles. While Robotnik was a violent and brooding sort of ruler, Snively was more manic and theatrical. Robotnik liked a dark chuckle. Snively squealed with mad laughter. Robotnik loved inflicting pain with his machines. Snively loved cruel and unusual punishment. Robotnik loathes Sonic for roboticizing his arm. Snively loathes Sonic for killing his hair. Any man who obsesses for 10 years over a bad hair day and can make a Freedom Fighter cry with just a stick of margarine is clearly a man to be reckoned with.

So yeah, I'd say Snively the Great is definately a formidable foe. And bloody funny to boot.

[wildfire]

Yeah, I really don't follow the plotline of Archie these days. Honestly it's become so convoluted these days that the only reason I ever buy a Sonic Comic is if the cover in particular catches my eye. But yeah, I can see that in Snivley. Personally I think he could turn one way or the other, I mean, he has the capacity for both in him. Mostly his malice is directed at his uncle, especially in season 2. Yeah, he hates Sonic and the Freedom Fighters. But given a chance to see the other side of their struggle, I think he would be impressed and sympathize with their aims. Also, I get the distinct impression that a lot of the security in Robotropolis was devised by Snivley himself. If this were true, as I like to think, he makes for a very powerful ally. At least until another of Robotnik's subordinates reconfigures the security protocols for the city. And then there's the hacking possibilities of two computer whiz types in the field.

Amywho, we got that out there.