HOME | DD

Description

Loud House Discussion: Why Lynn Loud Jr is NOT one of the worst fictional characters of all time…

Okay, here’s my first big written piece of output for 2018, following my little (or not so little) submission I uploaded on New Year’s Day. This is something I hinted at a few times in my recent works, but now it’s about time I stopped talking about doing it and just did it! So, here it is.

This isn’t the first time I’ve written an extended piece of this character, but there is still more I would like to say about Lynn Loud Jr, the state of her characterisation, and her portrayals within the show and reputation generated from them. It’s no secret at this point that Lynn is, at best, a base breaker. A character who has frequently been the recipient of poor character portrayals and butchered writing practices. The result of all this is that Lynn, a character who possessed the potential to be a lovable breakout character and legitimately awesome, enjoyable and badass presence on the show has been rendered an unlikeable, static, annoying and often downright loathed little runt; at least, that’s the way she is often seen in the eyes of the majority of the fanbase nowadays. It’s a real shame, too, as I saw a lot to like in Lynn when I first watched the show.

In fact, that’s an extra amount of annoyance I hold towards this whole issue. As JustSomeOrdinaryDude, I aim to write and submit written pieces of analytical and evaluative reflection based on critical thought processes regarding the content the show distributes to me and other viewers alike. As a critic (sort of), I have to look at things in a critical and as close to an objective view as possible. I have to take into account factors such as characterisation, representation, development and the overall handling of a character’s role within a show when assessing them. As such, I constantly tend to berate and criticise Lynn in so many of my written works; often pointing out her flaws and why people dislike her, as I have to put aside personal preferences in favour of maintaining a professional image. But for once, I’m not going to do that. Behind all the objective (or inter-subjective, as no one’s perspective can ever be truly and wholly objective) assessment and analysing outlooks I hold towards the show, its content, and its characters, I’m just going to, be like “screw professionalism” and screw popular opinion for once and say that in spite of all her poor portrayals within various episodes… Lynn Loud Jr is one of my favourite characters.

Yes, that’s right. Miss Scrappy is one of my favourites. I recently compiled a list of best to worst Loud Siblings upon somebody asking me that question, and as much as it pained me to do it, I had to place Lynn dead last. Ultimately because that was a list prioritising technical factors and overall impressions regarding how well each character has been handled in the show over personal preferences and biased favouritism. In spite of me considering Lynn as one of my faves, I cannot sit here and pretend she isn’t one of the most poorly represented and ‘developed’ (and yes, the term developed is being used in an incredibly loose and vague sense in this context) individuals in The Loud House. It’s a very conflicting position I am in. I really like the character but I cannot defend her against many of the critiques so many fans provide because there is so much strong justification behind many of them. I find something so appealing about the character and yet I cannot deny there are so many things wrong with how she has been written in the show, and there are so many utterly dislikeable traits and qualities she possesses. At least with people who hated Lynn from the start, it’s relatively easy for them. They always despised her, but I legitimately liked and enjoyed this character when I first became a fan of the show. To see her character experience such a downfall, both in how she has been handled in the show and how she is seen by the fans, has been a rather disappointing and depressing process to watch unfold over the course of the past year or so.

So many critiques against her I cannot refute. I cannot deny her despicable actions in No Such Luck. I cannot pretend that she isn’t sometimes too cruel and mean towards Lincoln and others in some instances. I cannot sit here and pretend she has anywhere near as much development as most of her siblings and arguments about her being static are understandable. I can’t even argue against some legitimately good suggestions some people have given regarding how her character could be improved (E.g. some people saying she should experience a loss in a narrative and learn a lesson that she can’t always win at everything and there is more to life than that. Of course, that would require the writers to give her more focal stories and it’s clear she’s not one of the characters the writers care much for. Oh no, when it comes to characters named Lynn, the writers are clearly far more interested in writing stories about Lynn Sr…), as there are so many levels of enhancement Lynn Jr could do with right now, considering the current state of her characterisation.

But at the same time, what I can at least do is silence the arguments of the more extreme Lynn haters, who claim there is absolutely nothing redeemable about her character, that she is beyond saving and making into a genuinely good or great character, and that she is one of the worst cartoon characters ever. Are we really going to go that far? At the very least, I can point out some positive traits of Lynn and make people realise that, despite all the poor instances of representation, there is some meritocracy and admirability to be found in the character of Lynn Loud Jr, as well as the potential to be so much more. So, let’s recollect some of the earlier episodes of the show and pinpoint what made Lynn Jr so likeable to begin with (before all the hatred brewed later on…).

Heavy Meddle

A flawed episode of the show for certain, but definitely not one without its merits. When the Loud sisters discover Lincoln has been bullied, they show extreme levels of care and concern for their brother, even if Lincoln views their assistance as unhelpful meddling (and in fairness, he has a point). Lynn was perhaps the most concerned of all the siblings, standing from and centre with the others when they barge into their brother’s room and demand confirmation of his bullying problem. Not only does Lynn offer to teach Lincoln how to defend himself from his victimiser, but she even goes out of her way to find Lincoln’s bully and put a stop to their behaviour herself. Now granted, her method of helping Lincoln wasn’t the best (her efforts to teach him self defence did cause her to unintentionally hurt him and perhaps inflict as much harm on him in said episode as his actual bully did, and her idea of hunting his bully in the streets seems like a rather rash move based on hot-headed impulsiveness and not necessarily thinking things through), but above all else, this occurrence does prove that Lynn does legitimately care for and will go out of her way to look out for her siblings, including Lincoln. She’s perhaps the most outraged of all the sisters to find out Lincoln has been a victim of someone’s aggressive treatment in that story, and is one of the proactive to help him find a solution. Regardless of how appropriate her suggestions were, at the very least, this is evidence to suggest there is more to Lynn than just being a bully herself, who only cares about herself and others and does not give a second thought to her family friends, or other people.

Hand Me Downer

Remember that awful scene from No Such Luck where Lynn threatened to beat Lincoln with a baseball bat (the same Lynn who, as we have just discussed, went out of her way to help Lincoln against his bully in HM; talk about inconsistent writing and degradation of characterisation over time) if he didn’t attend her game? Yeah, that sucked didn’t it. For no good reason whatsoever, Lynn threatened to physically beat Lincoln to a pulp, which is a prime example of her how her character has degraded via representation through the writing over time. But Lynn has been handled better than this before, and her character has the potential to be much better than what episodes like NSL may make one think. Take the episode Hand Me Downer, where for once, you could actually argue she had a legitimate reason to antagonise Lincoln (to an extent) after he stole her bike behind her back and then lost it; an act which some may justify even deserves a (minor) beating, or at least very fierce scalding. Yet, despite having every reason to lash out in some way or another, Lynn did nothing against Lincoln. In fact, she verbally attacked him less than some of the other sisters, who were quick to call him out for what he had done in the confrontation scene. Lynn merely accepts the situation, and then moves on. She even ended up liking Lincoln’s bike and allowed him to keep her far superior one, free of charge. What this instance proves is, when her character is written and portrayed in a competent manner, Lynn is more than just a violent savage who will threaten and beat Lincoln or another character when they oppose her or prevent her from getting something she wants. Here, she seems very gracious and even forgiving, holding no grudge against Lincoln for stealing/losing her property by the end of the episode, and never attempts to physically harm him over what was merely a physical property (in spite of Clyde’s fears in that episode that him confessing his actions to her would land him in the hospital). This episode shows that, when written properly, Lynn can avoid being an overly mean and aggressive entity who is needlessly foul and nasty towards other characters. There is a difference between being a sporty, physical, fun loving tomboy with an existent aggressive side (like she was in this episode) and being a sadistic, bestial, brutal borderline-psychopath (which is probably the impression some people get of Lynn from her lesser appearances) who beats people for petty reasons.

The Loudest Yard

Perhaps one of the more heavily criticised episodes of the show thus far, TLY still has some notable qualities to it. One of its greatest strengths would be how it handled its portrayal of Lynn’s character. While not one of the strongest episodes overall, it was still able to pull off a strong portrayal of Lynn. In this story, she goes to great lengths to help her brother when he is forced by Rita to participate in more sports. She actually makes the effort to coach Lincoln to help him learn to play football from scratch, and it’s made quite clear that he is not experienced nor a natural at the sport, meaning it would be a time-consuming and hard process to get him to learn. And yet, Lynn, acting as a caring a supportive big sister (albeit, in her own sports-loving, energetic and hyperactive, rough way), makes the effort to train him anyway. Keep in mind that she is the sports nut, the girl who has a deep passion and even dedication to playing and mastering every sport known to man, with the intention of being number one in literally every sport or game she plays (only supported more by her near insane (Or even actually insane) obsession with victory and avoiding losses in Lynner Takes All). Doing this would require her to use a large amount of her spare time learning and improving on her sporting ability. Yet, despite her training Lincoln possibly coming into conflict with that goal of hers, she still puts helping him as a priority, even above her own training (supported by a line she speaks in the episode where she states she could do with another sport to play as she only had 4 at that time, suggesting her level of training and participation in sports was relatively low by her standards, which could correlate with how she was coaching her brother in that narrative). And not only that, but after coaching doesn’t work out too well, upon his request, she then impersonates him for an entire season and plays his games for him, so he will avoid being in harm’s way against the likes of aggressive brutes like Hank and Hawk. True, at that point, she was also doing it for her own benefit, but even still, it’s invalid to claim that she doesn’t make huge efforts to help out her brother in this story, even if she doesn’t need to (even to the extent that she was prioritising it, even sacrificing some of her own valuable training time to do so). Episodes like this represent Lynn in a better light than some other stories, where her love of sports and desire (obsession) with winning everything supersedes the love and care she has for her family. In TLY, that is not the case, and it is episodes like this that show Lynn can be, and is, better than the perception most people hold in regards to her as being someone who only cares about winning all the time.

Space Invader

Originally a favourite episode of many people, Space Invader’s popularity began to dwindle around the same time Lynn as a character became despised (coincidence? I think not!). But I have stated many times that this is one of my favourites, and it remains one of my favourite stories of the show to date. In the future, I may create a written piece justifying why I find it to be such great television, but that’s a separate topic for another time. But this story is evidence of how Lynn’s character archetype, and even her rough behaviour, can work within the show without it making her unlikeable. In this story, Lincoln has to endure an unpleasant experience of having this rough, gross, disruptive little kid in his room and all the tendencies that come with it (including play wrestling, balls being thrown all over the place, Dutch ovens and even loud snoring). But at no point did I begin to find Lynn an annoying or detestable presence in the narrative, nor did I believe she was a vicious little thug who took pleasure in making her brother suffer. Her rough play and attitude were just part of who she was, and honestly, some of the energetic and hyperactive antics, and the gags, were actually quite amusing in this reviewer’s view. I actually found Lynn’s antics in that episode humorous as opposed to vexatious. I know humour is subjective, but I found Space Invader to be a heavily funny and entertaining little story which managed to represent Lynn in a way that her character could generate lots of laughs and amusing moments without it leading to her being an annoying little jerk. I didn’t get the impression that Lynn hated, looked down on, or liked inflicting pain on Lincoln, which is unfortunately the impression many people have now. I got the impression that Lynn was simply a fun-loving girl who had a very unconventional idea of fun and some of those tendencies of hers could get under the skin of others, but in a way that encompassed no sense of malice or unnecessary cruelty from the character. She played wrestling with Lincoln, but that was more out of enjoyment for rough play rather than enjoying hurting her brother, and was clearly just messing around in that episode. She gave him a Dutch oven as a prank, but again, that was clearly just a joke which intended no ill harm towards the little bro (this perspective becomes stronger when realising Lynn actually enjoyed Lincoln returning those favours to her later on, suggesting she just happens to enjoy that stuff and, insider her own mind, that is her honest idea of what is fun and enjoyable).

Dance, Dance Resolution

Even in episodes not primarily focusing on this character have provided her with commendable moments and instances of characterisation. In this episode, Lincoln wishes to avoid going to the Sadie Hawkins dance with Ronnie Anne and lies to his sisters that he is disappointed about her not asking him. At this point, 4 sisters in particular went out their way to fix their brother up with dates, and one of these was Lynn herself. Keep in mind, even some of Lincoln’s ‘nicer’ sisters such as Leni and Lana didn’t do this. The sister you would least expect to go out of her way to help her brother at this point was actually one of the sisters looking out for his emotional well-being. True, the effort of the sisters in this episode backfired, mainly due to Lincoln’s deceptive intentions (and also due to the fact that the sisters set him up behind his back without communicating with him or each other). But this episode must prove that there is a prominent side to Lynn’s character that shows she cares. That she doesn’t just value sports and winning all the time and that she honestly cares about her loved ones and those closest to her. She even specifically tells her brother “I just wanted to make you feel better” when justifying her actions in this story. And yet, people accuse Lynn of being a thoughtless, uncaring, mean, insensitive person who couldn’t give the slightest about her family or others. But does the evidence in this episode really support such a perspective?

So What?

What her portrayal in Space Invader shows is that her character doesn’t need to significantly transform in order to function within the show. It’s just that behind all that rough love, it needs to be made clear there is a decent person underneath, and not just selfish little thug who prioritises relentlessly winning every competition in her life over the ones closest to her. And if her rough behaviour is going to be on display, it may be advisable to (Unless the clear purpose of her presence in a given story is for her to play an antagonistic role, of course, and even then, such an occasion should ideally lead to growth and character development) make it clear that she isn’t going out of her way to make a misery out of other people’s lives. At no point in SI did I think that, but in other stories like Lynner and NSL, that thought did occur.

Furthermore, these examples I have listed and elaborated upon at least indicate that there is more positivity interconnected with the characterisation of Lynn Jr than perhaps some people care to admit exists. The problem with all this is, in spite of all my preceding arguments, I know the evidence overall is stacked against my favour. In an effort to at least partially defend Lynn’s characterisation, I have had to enter a territory of in-depth analysis and evaluation, picking out specific and few-and-far-between moments in order to merely highlight that she has redeemable qualities. Yet I cannot refuse to acknowledge the fact that quantitatively, there are many more moments featuring this character which serve to hinder her likability than improve it. Compare the moments I have brought attention to and elaborated upon, and consider them as rarities; occasional exceptions to the norm that has been poorly executed character development. Compare my examples to the sheer vastness of material extracted from various episodes of the show when used by fans (or haters of the character) to provide justification for their viewpoints. Think of the time she threatened to beat Lincoln up for as little as asking her what a noise he heard was (at the time, she and Lucy were teaming up to search for hidden riches, and he was questioning her motives). Think of how she joined the other sisters in acting violent and destructive in Brawl. Think of how many subjectively annoying moments she has had, such as when she ate his sandwich without him asking and then burped in his face. Even in the episodes in which I have provided reasons for looking at the character in a more positive light, they contain material which can be used to bashing her, too. In Lynner, she acts so irritating to the point where some people believe her learned lesson and minor redemption simply isn’t enough, for example. Also, in The Loudest Yard, despite the great effort she takes to help Lincoln, some fans still hold it against her just for jokingly throwing mud in his face a few times (yes, she spends the entire episode helping him and asking for nothing in return, and gets no praise for it, but she does as little as throw a little mud in his face, and she’s the devil according to some fans; talk about uncontrollable levels of bias and skewed perspective). Indeed, for all the evidence I can amount which defends the character, I am well aware there is so much more which can be used to slander her. The fact that she has had predominantly negative portrayals within the stories of this show is what saddens me.

When I began watching the show, she became a favourite of mine for a time. This was because, before all the annoying and antagonising behaviour, and all the poor representation, what I saw was a legitimately fun and entertaining young female character. Despite having no strong interest in sports, I found Lynn to be heavily humorous (granted, humour is a subjective field, but even still, during the first season, I recall Lynn being a generally well liked and regarded character, strongly due to her fun and amusing personality) and enjoyable to watch. Her hyperactive, energetic, rough and tomboyish roots were utilised in ways which made her come across as a fun, badass kid. There’s a difference between Lynn’s play wrestling in Space Invader (a truly funny scene and an example of rough love that is harmless and somewhat charming) and her threatening to severely beat her brother to a pulp with a baseball bat in NSL (vile, unnecessarily mean and not amusing in the slightest). Lynn was originally portrayed in a way that her roughness and energetic attitude were apparent, but not so that she came across as a callous or vicious brute. When I was first introduced to the character, I saw someone who was incredibly fun and energetic, with a cute bruiser type of appeal going for her, whose personality lent to a lot of humorous moments involving her rough play and tough talking attitude. I saw someone who was fun to watch while never taking her roughness too far; as someone who certainly had flaws in both the way she acted and how her relationship with the main protagonist functioned (because even if she didn’t always intend to harm Lincoln and instead have fun with him like in Space Invader, unintentional harm via rough play is still harm nonetheless), but these flaws didn’t take her too far into the unlikeable and intolerable territory. She had a set of relatively minor flaws, rather, which set in place a lot of room for the character to grow and change as a person, and become better.

The Wrong Direction

Instead, the opposite happened. Through what I can only assume is combination of not knowing what to do with Lynn and also not particularly having much interest in her, the writers have taken all the wrong steps when it comes to handling Lynn’s development. Think of all the uses for compelling storytelling and fascinating character growth we could have bared witness to when regarding the handling of this character. We could have had many moments in which Lynn could have been portrayed as an enjoyably badass kid who was lots of fun (E.g. a crowning moment of awesome could have come from her beating up a bully of Lincoln’s or another sibling). We could have been given stories in which she grows and changes as a person for the better (E.g. a narrative in which she learns to taking losing more graciously, or where she learns to treat Lincoln and others in a less harsh and overly antagonistic manner and be more caring and light-hearted towards them). We could have seen her be supplied with hidden depths and extra layers of characterisation (in a good way, I mean, as in we learn new things about her, or she simply gains new characteristics via narrative experiences, during the process of efficient storytelling. Such as hidden insecurities, feminine qualities, desires for closer relations with her loved ones and redeemable features that are added to her character via inclusions within given episodes which are not sudden, forced, contrived or nonsensical but rather carefully provided when possible). We could have even had a story where instead of making her come across as even more harsh and rough, Lynn learned to be less so towards Lincoln and the others and actually came to recognise and appreciate their own desires, limits and feelings regarding her rough ways, and she improves her understanding of and relationships with them.

But for all the fascinating possibilities which surrounded Lynn Jr in the beginning, the writers have taken every wrong decision when it comes to how she has been represented and “developed” in the series. Now everywhere in the online community, many fans of the show will often list Lynn as their least favourite sibling. Some will even outright declare her one of the worst characters of all time. They will even question others who like the character why they do so, and imply that the view of actually liking her is objectively wrong (as if the mere opinion of liking a fictional character can somehow be factually incorrect, in the same respect as 2 plus 2 equalling four, which it cannot be; art, including fictional television shows and animated shows, are strictly based upon subjective interpretations and impressions). I remember recently on Tumblr, Underrated Hero (responsible for Requiem for a Loud) explained why he was so fond of Lynn, and he reflected on the fact that it bothers him why people ask him for his reasons for liking her. He may have just been reflecting on how sometimes people feel the need to ask for justification regarding simply liking a character on a more general basis, but I also think there’s another reason for his slight frustration. So strong is the detest for Lynn Jr amongst many portions of the fandom now (most notable, the Wiki), that the view of her not being an unlikeable jerk is not always accepted by everyone. Now, because the common assumption is she is a horrible character is so strongly implemented, anyone subverting this status quo is expected to provide strong justification explaining why their view is to the contrary of the usual standard. Why? Why is it so seemingly absurd to like this character now? Has Lynn been butchered as a character so badly to the point where there is no possibility for a comeback? Can Lynn ever even have a chance to be that breakout character again? Some people have made arguments regarding Lynn being improved as a character by stating it needs to happen so she can at least be “almost tolerable” which, to me, is a huge let down. Almost tolerable? Is that really the best we can hope for at this point? Do people despise her so much that tolerance is a stretch, let alone acceptance or even admiration? I need to be honest; that is hugely disheartening. As someone who originally considered Lynn as his favourite character, and still holds fondness for her even now, after all the poor instances of characterisation, the idea that she has been mishandled so badly that people believe the best she can be is “almost tolerable” is just depressing. To think that she once had the potential to be such an overly popular character, with tons of depth and development, as well as have loads of awesome moments behind her. What could have been such an awesome badass character has now been reduced to a loathed little b****!

How Can This Issue Be Fixed?

I would argue this intense disgust and hatred for the character is rather unnecessary and unproductive. While I understand the sense of escapism people seek to obtain from being interested in fictional products, and by extension, the sense of genuine like or dislike they are bound to gain for certain characters, it is also worth pointing out that objectively speaking, there is nothing automatically or inherently wrong with Lynn’s character; at least in theory. When it comes to a “bad” character, they are usually only regarded as such because of poor usage within stories or portrayals which tend to either amplify their negative traits or reject any positive ones. In other words, through the writing, directing, storyboarding, and other processes involved in the making of the show, Lynn’s character has been rendered the victim of rancid representation. There is nothing wrong with her archetype, design, voice actor or even place within the family dynamic, and there are a number of ways in which Lynn’s character could be made more than just merely tolerable, and certainly not despicable. Hypothetically, she still has the chance to be a highly popular presence in the series. She could even ascend to the standard of being an ideal role model for sporty young girls (or even athletic kids in general, since her boyish ways would probably make her appeal to male audiences as much as female ones). But in order for these positive changes to occur, a number of things need to happen.

Firstly, we need to see more of the character being given centre stage. For someone so desperately in need of character development (to the point where she is labelled a static character on Tv Tropes and is accused of her development being considered “peanuts” in comparison to the other sisters), she hasn’t been given a lot of focal episodes. The only episodes which could be considered Lynn-centred would be Space Invader (in which Lincoln was still the protagonist, and she was basically a plot obstacle for him to deal with), The Loudest Yard, and Lynner Takes All (where she was the antagonist and spent so much time being annoying and had such a minor redemption that most people were unsatisfied). The rest of the time, she’s either not present, only appears briefly, acts as part of the whole group (in which case, her character basically becomes moulded into whatever the group in general are thinking and acting like, and/or her actions will go over everybody’s heads, which includes any redeeming moments as part of the group going unnoticed and unrecognised), or just existing to be a mean-spirited bully. Undeniably, she is in dire need of copious amounts of development if she is going to be rescued from the scrappy heap. I really hope the writers don’t just give up on her like the fans seem to have done, and cease giving her much needed focal stories, because that would be a COLOSSAL waste.

Secondly, and this relates to the first suggestion, the writers need to figure out what to do with her. Considering she only ever gets used to be an antagonist or as one in the group, it’s clear the writers don’t really know what to do with this character (or simply don’t care that much; it’s obvious that when it comes to characters named Lynn on this show, it’s Lynn SR who is considered a priority to them). Honestly, that is a huge let down, as she has potential to be so much more than just a one-dimensional, static, annoying presence who is universally hated. It’s obvious the intention was never for Lynn to be hated, but through taking all the wrong steps in terms of handling how the character was portrayed in the show, this result has become apparent. Not only does the character need more focus and development, but the writers need to figure out a better way in using her in future stories. While she did have a certain level of focus and presence in No Such Luck, her activity in that episode did not enhance her character by any means (quite the contrary, in fact). The writers use her so little compared to the other siblings, except for when they want to use her for a quick gag, when they want to make her unlikeable and antagonistic, or when they wish to have her act as part of the larger sibling group (in which case, any good deeds of hers go unnoticed and sometimes she is taken out of character to suit a plot). In many ways, Lynn has been misused as a character, and not only does she need increased levels of focus and development, but it is also obvious that the character is in dire need to having her purpose be fully realised. Lynn has great potential to function as a fun loving, energetic sports girl who while rough is still a loving sister who will stand by her family through thick and thin and is not a needlessly cruel and careless being. Sometimes, she has moments of this, such as when she reconciled with Lucy in Space Invader, when she went out of her way to deal with Lincoln’s bullying problem in Heavy Meddle, when she acted as part of the group in episodes like Room with a Feud in order to help Lincoln or someone be better off. But more of this positive substance for the character is ultimately needed if she is going to be perceived in a better light.

But not only does the writing for this character need to be improved, but also the attitude of many fans as well. This somewhat relates to my critiques regarding NSL, but that episode, while heavily flawed, is not that especially terrible. Certainly, it did not need to have such an overwhelmingly negative affect over the state of the fandom and its attitude and behaviour towards the show and its legacy. But we as a collective fan-base have contributed to that being the case. So often, we are unwilling to move on whenever a sour piece of content is released. Whenever a less-than-good episode comes out, we are quick to complain and criticise (as we should), but also bash, rant, ramble and show disdain; sometimes even act irrationally incensed and furious, as if an episode like Brawl or One of the Boys is somehow the first sign of a 21st century apocalypse. It’s not. While NSL is not an episode I would considered ‘good’ by any means, the amount of undying and resistant hatred that has brewed and been maintained over the past year is completely ridiculous, as is the hatred towards Lynn Jr. While I know the problems surrounding Lynn go beyond NSL, it’s that story which really fuels the sheer extent of the despise. The point is people need to learn to let things go sometimes. Constantly dwelling on the past doesn’t resolve anything. Moreover, if Lynn’s potential as a character is going to be realised, what’s the point in imposing unfair negative biases and perceptions against her character? Do people really just want to see her written out of the show entirely (don’t actually answer that, it was a rhetorical question)?

Well, I don’t! I know there are many faults to be found with how she has been handled thus far, but for all of that, there has been a lot of good, too. Lynn has been the subject of many moments of merit. Maybe there is a valid argument that there are more instances which serve to berate the character rather than praise, but I can certainly claim the overall perception of the character, based on the evaluative processing of all the evidence overall, is skewed. For all the legitimate flaws she has, many choose to exaggerate or flat-out invent the problems they see with Lynn. Just look at so many Fan Fictions. They make Lynn out to be a completely unreasonable, violent and sadistic, absolutely vicious and uncaring monster who purely exists to make the lives of Lincoln and everyone else miserable. They take her vices and amplify them up to eleven, while conveniently ignoring/disregarding any virtues she may have. The NSL ones are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to that, too. Do people really think she’s that bad? Or can we at least be fair and recognise some of the negativity directed at her is based on exaggeration and mythical description? I do not wish to give up on this character. She was originally my favourite and still among my favourites list now, in spite of all the mishandlings surrounding her character. I realise the goodness that lies underneath the rough and unappetising exterior. Lynn has been portrayed in a positive light before, and those earlier instances showed great promise. I think it’s finally time we saw that potential fulfilled. But no improvements can really be made or really be effective in turning around the status and legacy of the character if people are stubbornly going to hold a grudge against for the events of stories like NSL, Brawl and One of the Boys.

But above all other proposals for how to change the direction the character is being taken in, I have to ask one crucial question? What do you (the writers) intend to do with this character? I strongly suspect they don’t actually know what they want to do with Lynn or how to use her in stories (either that, or they simply have little interest to work with this character; let’s face it, it’s obvious the writers prioritise characters like Lori, Clyde, Lynn Sr, etc.). Lynn, along with a few other characters, is one of the biggest examples of a character who has not only been poorly written and portrayed, but also heavily underutilised. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t she one of the sisters with the least amount of focal stories as of early 2018? And even in those stories where she has a larger presence, like Space Invader or Lynner Takes All, doesn’t she usually take the role of antagonist, with Lincoln or the other siblings being the ones to receive a significant amount of focus? With many scenes revolving around them reacting to her? Because of this, Lynn has only been represented as an antagonistic presence (except one that barely learns any lessons or grows as a character, overcoming her many faults, which has contributed to the criticism against her that she’s a static character as well as irredeemable). There are hints that she’s actually an incredibly damaged human being, and one who is in need of some serious help, if episodes like Lynner are any indication. But while Lynn’s portrayals thus far could be seen as the start of a much grander and more in-depth character arc, exploring her vices and setting up to undergo a powerful journey, both literally and emotionally, with the intent of having her flesh out and mould into a beautifully complex, multi-layered, redeemable and relatable character (as well as become more enjoyable to watch and genuinely likeable to the eyes of most fans), I am pessimistic of this actually being part of any plan the writers have for her. It is more likely they just don’t know/don’t care regarding what to with her, so they’ve just carelessly botched her the way they have in so many instances, rendering her character static and detestable in the minds of many. In spite of my above analysis picking out all the redeemable and positive aspects of her character, and instances of portrayed virtues primarily from earlier stories, I cannot deny there is a lot of room for improvement concerning Lynn Jr. Many of the critiques people put fourth against her are justifiable and are based on valid claims, whether I like to accept that or not. It really is a shame, because there IS potential here.

Final Points

Some have argued Lynn just isn’t a good character, period. With the implication that she just isn’t meant to be a good character, nor has the potential to be anything that great. I would disagree. Lynn as just as much potential to be a fan favourite as Luna or Leni (and during the early days of the show and its fandom, actually was). She has just as much capacity to be rescued from the scrappy heap and evolve into a legitimately likeable and more redeemable person, much like Lola and Lori before her. She has just as many comedic possibilities as her fellow tomboy sibling Lana. She has the same capability to become a less mean and violent kid, much like fellow roughhousing former bully Ronnie Anne. Lynn can be used in a variety of ways that not only show her strengths, but also handle/eliminate her weaknesses. There could be stories about her where she learns to be a good sport and not be a sore loser, or where she realises she cannot win at everything. There could be stories where she learns to be a more caring and less rough sibling within the family dynamic, and treat others (especially her brother) with more consideration and respect. There could be instances in episodes where she has crowning moments of awesome (as opposed to dethroning moments of suck) such as her beating up a bully for one of her siblings, or her demonstrating her sporting skills and physical prowess in an intense game or contest against a rival or enemy. Her roughhousing ways could even remain in tact (to an extent) without it damaging her character or making her come across as despicable. Just have it done in a way that it is actually amusing instead of annoying and have it be clear that behind her rough behaviour is a decent natured person who loves and cares for those close to her. She could have plenty of comedic moments relating to her rough and tumble personality, too. Space Invader, for example, was originally a well-received story (before Lynn’s hatred started to spiral out of control) largely due to its humour content. There could be moments where she acts slightly out of character (in a way that makes sense, is plausible and doesn’t take her TOO out of character) like recently in Fool Me Twice, where she has a panic attack and tries to desperately escape the garage after hearing Luan’s threat, despite her supposedly being the tough one. There are so many ways Lynn’s character could be utilised in the series competently. The writers just need to figure out what they want/need to do with her for her to work as a character.

I guess my overall argument is, there is more to think about regarding Lynn Loud Jr than just “oh, she’s a bad character and I hate her!”. That is an unfortunate status quo which needs to be lifted. Especially since this mentality leads to so much demonization. Lynn is a character I’ve always been fond of and I hate the fact that this perfectly good character has been wasted for the most part. Despite what some would have you believe, Lynn is not an irredeemable character, nor is she among the worst in all of fiction. She has many positive traits and qualities which are often overlooked within all the hatred and disgust. She has a variety of faults, too, and there certainly is room for improvement, to say the least. At one point, Lynn had a huge following of support from the fans. Being relatable in the sense that she was energetic and playful, as well as a huge sports nut. That alone made her a fan favourite at first. It was also considered that she had a very close bond with the main protagonist, Lincoln. But that is not the direction the character has been taken in since the early days. Due to a combination of poor focus, negative representation, very little growth and a status as the static character, as well as the episode No Such Luck, everything that was once admired about this character is now gone, and what remains is a loathed entity, seemingly unable to recover from the bad reputation she has gained thanks to so many having a sour taste in their mouths for her. I just want to make a suggestion here. Is it really logical to HATE the character to this much an extent, guys? Does it really make sense to give a character in a children’s cartoon this much flack over a few poor portrayals? Think about it. It could be argued there are no real bad characters; only bad writing that feeds into their involvement in any given narrative tales. I would say it’s not so much the character that is so terrible; more like the decisions which have went towards how she has been handled in the show. Is it really correct to state Lynn is completely irredeemable and beyond being made into a legitimately great and lovable addition to the series? I would suggest not. While I have dished out my fair share of criticism towards Lynn’s characterisation, it is only because I see a so much better in her than how she is being represented in the majority of episodes. Lynn IS a GOOD character. There just needs to be more done in the show to reflect on her better qualities, and enhance her into a beloved fan favourite again. I really dislike constantly having to berate who used to be my favourite character (and still one of them now in spite of everything) for the sake of professional, reasonably unbiased and constructive criticism. But I wouldn’t have to if she were handled better by the writing process, and if fans wouldn’t hold a grudge to a tedious extent.

Finally, I’ve said all I want to say about Lynn Jr. I just hope that A, she is better handled in the future and B, that fans at least consider giving her a second chance. I doubt any of the writers will ever read this, but if they do, I have one thing to say to them… you have a gem of a character here, don’t misuse or waste her out of negligence or unconcern. As for any fans reading this, I am curious. Have I challenged or changed your perception of this character? Do you think she can be a better character if written and presented better? Do you see her as completely despicable or do you acknowledge there are some positive traits to be found? Do you even agree with my perspective at all or am I just rambling on and on? Let me know what you think! At the very least, I’ve said my piece, and hopefully even if you disagree, you at least understand my perception of this matter.

Wow, my longest written piece to date and almost 8000 words. I’ll probably get my Fool Me Twice reaction posted later this week, but for now, I think I’ll take a break from typing about The Loud House.

Description

Loud House Discussion: Why Lynn Loud Jr is NOT one of the worst fictional characters of all time…

Okay, here’s my first big written piece of output for 2018, following my little (or not so little) submission I uploaded on New Year’s Day. This is something I hinted at a few times in my recent works, but now it’s about time I stopped talking about doing it and just did it! So, here it is.

This isn’t the first time I’ve written an extended piece of this character, but there is still more I would like to say about Lynn Loud Jr, the state of her characterisation, and her portrayals within the show and reputation generated from them. It’s no secret at this point that Lynn is, at best, a base breaker. A character who has frequently been the recipient of poor character portrayals and butchered writing practices. The result of all this is that Lynn, a character who possessed the potential to be a lovable breakout character and legitimately awesome, enjoyable and badass presence on the show has been rendered an unlikeable, static, annoying and often downright loathed little runt; at least, that’s the way she is often seen in the eyes of the majority of the fanbase nowadays. It’s a real shame, too, as I saw a lot to like in Lynn when I first watched the show.

In fact, that’s an extra amount of annoyance I hold towards this whole issue. As JustSomeOrdinaryDude, I aim to write and submit written pieces of analytical and evaluative reflection based on critical thought processes regarding the content the show distributes to me and other viewers alike. As a critic (sort of), I have to look at things in a critical and as close to an objective view as possible. I have to take into account factors such as characterisation, representation, development and the overall handling of a character’s role within a show when assessing them. As such, I constantly tend to berate and criticise Lynn in so many of my written works; often pointing out her flaws and why people dislike her, as I have to put aside personal preferences in favour of maintaining a professional image. But for once, I’m not going to do that. Behind all the objective (or inter-subjective, as no one’s perspective can ever be truly and wholly objective) assessment and analysing outlooks I hold towards the show, its content, and its characters, I’m just going to, be like “screw professionalism” and screw popular opinion for once and say that in spite of all her poor portrayals within various episodes… Lynn Loud Jr is one of my favourite characters.

Yes, that’s right. Miss Scrappy is one of my favourites. I recently compiled a list of best to worst Loud Siblings upon somebody asking me that question, and as much as it pained me to do it, I had to place Lynn dead last. Ultimately because that was a list prioritising technical factors and overall impressions regarding how well each character has been handled in the show over personal preferences and biased favouritism. In spite of me considering Lynn as one of my faves, I cannot sit here and pretend she isn’t one of the most poorly represented and ‘developed’ (and yes, the term developed is being used in an incredibly loose and vague sense in this context) individuals in The Loud House. It’s a very conflicting position I am in. I really like the character but I cannot defend her against many of the critiques so many fans provide because there is so much strong justification behind many of them. I find something so appealing about the character and yet I cannot deny there are so many things wrong with how she has been written in the show, and there are so many utterly dislikeable traits and qualities she possesses. At least with people who hated Lynn from the start, it’s relatively easy for them. They always despised her, but I legitimately liked and enjoyed this character when I first became a fan of the show. To see her character experience such a downfall, both in how she has been handled in the show and how she is seen by the fans, has been a rather disappointing and depressing process to watch unfold over the course of the past year or so.

So many critiques against her I cannot refute. I cannot deny her despicable actions in No Such Luck. I cannot pretend that she isn’t sometimes too cruel and mean towards Lincoln and others in some instances. I cannot sit here and pretend she has anywhere near as much development as most of her siblings and arguments about her being static are understandable. I can’t even argue against some legitimately good suggestions some people have given regarding how her character could be improved (E.g. some people saying she should experience a loss in a narrative and learn a lesson that she can’t always win at everything and there is more to life than that. Of course, that would require the writers to give her more focal stories and it’s clear she’s not one of the characters the writers care much for. Oh no, when it comes to characters named Lynn, the writers are clearly far more interested in writing stories about Lynn Sr…), as there are so many levels of enhancement Lynn Jr could do with right now, considering the current state of her characterisation.

But at the same time, what I can at least do is silence the arguments of the more extreme Lynn haters, who claim there is absolutely nothing redeemable about her character, that she is beyond saving and making into a genuinely good or great character, and that she is one of the worst cartoon characters ever. Are we really going to go that far? At the very least, I can point out some positive traits of Lynn and make people realise that, despite all the poor instances of representation, there is some meritocracy and admirability to be found in the character of Lynn Loud Jr, as well as the potential to be so much more. So, let’s recollect some of the earlier episodes of the show and pinpoint what made Lynn Jr so likeable to begin with (before all the hatred brewed later on…).

Heavy Meddle

A flawed episode of the show for certain, but definitely not one without its merits. When the Loud sisters discover Lincoln has been bullied, they show extreme levels of care and concern for their brother, even if Lincoln views their assistance as unhelpful meddling (and in fairness, he has a point). Lynn was perhaps the most concerned of all the siblings, standing from and centre with the others when they barge into their brother’s room and demand confirmation of his bullying problem. Not only does Lynn offer to teach Lincoln how to defend himself from his victimiser, but she even goes out of her way to find Lincoln’s bully and put a stop to their behaviour herself. Now granted, her method of helping Lincoln wasn’t the best (her efforts to teach him self defence did cause her to unintentionally hurt him and perhaps inflict as much harm on him in said episode as his actual bully did, and her idea of hunting his bully in the streets seems like a rather rash move based on hot-headed impulsiveness and not necessarily thinking things through), but above all else, this occurrence does prove that Lynn does legitimately care for and will go out of her way to look out for her siblings, including Lincoln. She’s perhaps the most outraged of all the sisters to find out Lincoln has been a victim of someone’s aggressive treatment in that story, and is one of the proactive to help him find a solution. Regardless of how appropriate her suggestions were, at the very least, this is evidence to suggest there is more to Lynn than just being a bully herself, who only cares about herself and others and does not give a second thought to her family friends, or other people.

Hand Me Downer

Remember that awful scene from No Such Luck where Lynn threatened to beat Lincoln with a baseball bat (the same Lynn who, as we have just discussed, went out of her way to help Lincoln against his bully in HM; talk about inconsistent writing and degradation of characterisation over time) if he didn’t attend her game? Yeah, that sucked didn’t it. For no good reason whatsoever, Lynn threatened to physically beat Lincoln to a pulp, which is a prime example of her how her character has degraded via representation through the writing over time. But Lynn has been handled better than this before, and her character has the potential to be much better than what episodes like NSL may make one think. Take the episode Hand Me Downer, where for once, you could actually argue she had a legitimate reason to antagonise Lincoln (to an extent) after he stole her bike behind her back and then lost it; an act which some may justify even deserves a (minor) beating, or at least very fierce scalding. Yet, despite having every reason to lash out in some way or another, Lynn did nothing against Lincoln. In fact, she verbally attacked him less than some of the other sisters, who were quick to call him out for what he had done in the confrontation scene. Lynn merely accepts the situation, and then moves on. She even ended up liking Lincoln’s bike and allowed him to keep her far superior one, free of charge. What this instance proves is, when her character is written and portrayed in a competent manner, Lynn is more than just a violent savage who will threaten and beat Lincoln or another character when they oppose her or prevent her from getting something she wants. Here, she seems very gracious and even forgiving, holding no grudge against Lincoln for stealing/losing her property by the end of the episode, and never attempts to physically harm him over what was merely a physical property (in spite of Clyde’s fears in that episode that him confessing his actions to her would land him in the hospital). This episode shows that, when written properly, Lynn can avoid being an overly mean and aggressive entity who is needlessly foul and nasty towards other characters. There is a difference between being a sporty, physical, fun loving tomboy with an existent aggressive side (like she was in this episode) and being a sadistic, bestial, brutal borderline-psychopath (which is probably the impression some people get of Lynn from her lesser appearances) who beats people for petty reasons.

The Loudest Yard

Perhaps one of the more heavily criticised episodes of the show thus far, TLY still has some notable qualities to it. One of its greatest strengths would be how it handled its portrayal of Lynn’s character. While not one of the strongest episodes overall, it was still able to pull off a strong portrayal of Lynn. In this story, she goes to great lengths to help her brother when he is forced by Rita to participate in more sports. She actually makes the effort to coach Lincoln to help him learn to play football from scratch, and it’s made quite clear that he is not experienced nor a natural at the sport, meaning it would be a time-consuming and hard process to get him to learn. And yet, Lynn, acting as a caring a supportive big sister (albeit, in her own sports-loving, energetic and hyperactive, rough way), makes the effort to train him anyway. Keep in mind that she is the sports nut, the girl who has a deep passion and even dedication to playing and mastering every sport known to man, with the intention of being number one in literally every sport or game she plays (only supported more by her near insane (Or even actually insane) obsession with victory and avoiding losses in Lynner Takes All). Doing this would require her to use a large amount of her spare time learning and improving on her sporting ability. Yet, despite her training Lincoln possibly coming into conflict with that goal of hers, she still puts helping him as a priority, even above her own training (supported by a line she speaks in the episode where she states she could do with another sport to play as she only had 4 at that time, suggesting her level of training and participation in sports was relatively low by her standards, which could correlate with how she was coaching her brother in that narrative). And not only that, but after coaching doesn’t work out too well, upon his request, she then impersonates him for an entire season and plays his games for him, so he will avoid being in harm’s way against the likes of aggressive brutes like Hank and Hawk. True, at that point, she was also doing it for her own benefit, but even still, it’s invalid to claim that she doesn’t make huge efforts to help out her brother in this story, even if she doesn’t need to (even to the extent that she was prioritising it, even sacrificing some of her own valuable training time to do so). Episodes like this represent Lynn in a better light than some other stories, where her love of sports and desire (obsession) with winning everything supersedes the love and care she has for her family. In TLY, that is not the case, and it is episodes like this that show Lynn can be, and is, better than the perception most people hold in regards to her as being someone who only cares about winning all the time.

Space Invader

Originally a favourite episode of many people, Space Invader’s popularity began to dwindle around the same time Lynn as a character became despised (coincidence? I think not!). But I have stated many times that this is one of my favourites, and it remains one of my favourite stories of the show to date. In the future, I may create a written piece justifying why I find it to be such great television, but that’s a separate topic for another time. But this story is evidence of how Lynn’s character archetype, and even her rough behaviour, can work within the show without it making her unlikeable. In this story, Lincoln has to endure an unpleasant experience of having this rough, gross, disruptive little kid in his room and all the tendencies that come with it (including play wrestling, balls being thrown all over the place, Dutch ovens and even loud snoring). But at no point did I begin to find Lynn an annoying or detestable presence in the narrative, nor did I believe she was a vicious little thug who took pleasure in making her brother suffer. Her rough play and attitude were just part of who she was, and honestly, some of the energetic and hyperactive antics, and the gags, were actually quite amusing in this reviewer’s view. I actually found Lynn’s antics in that episode humorous as opposed to vexatious. I know humour is subjective, but I found Space Invader to be a heavily funny and entertaining little story which managed to represent Lynn in a way that her character could generate lots of laughs and amusing moments without it leading to her being an annoying little jerk. I didn’t get the impression that Lynn hated, looked down on, or liked inflicting pain on Lincoln, which is unfortunately the impression many people have now. I got the impression that Lynn was simply a fun-loving girl who had a very unconventional idea of fun and some of those tendencies of hers could get under the skin of others, but in a way that encompassed no sense of malice or unnecessary cruelty from the character. She played wrestling with Lincoln, but that was more out of enjoyment for rough play rather than enjoying hurting her brother, and was clearly just messing around in that episode. She gave him a Dutch oven as a prank, but again, that was clearly just a joke which intended no ill harm towards the little bro (this perspective becomes stronger when realising Lynn actually enjoyed Lincoln returning those favours to her later on, suggesting she just happens to enjoy that stuff and, insider her own mind, that is her honest idea of what is fun and enjoyable).

Dance, Dance Resolution

Even in episodes not primarily focusing on this character have provided her with commendable moments and instances of characterisation. In this episode, Lincoln wishes to avoid going to the Sadie Hawkins dance with Ronnie Anne and lies to his sisters that he is disappointed about her not asking him. At this point, 4 sisters in particular went out their way to fix their brother up with dates, and one of these was Lynn herself. Keep in mind, even some of Lincoln’s ‘nicer’ sisters such as Leni and Lana didn’t do this. The sister you would least expect to go out of her way to help her brother at this point was actually one of the sisters looking out for his emotional well-being. True, the effort of the sisters in this episode backfired, mainly due to Lincoln’s deceptive intentions (and also due to the fact that the sisters set him up behind his back without communicating with him or each other). But this episode must prove that there is a prominent side to Lynn’s character that shows she cares. That she doesn’t just value sports and winning all the time and that she honestly cares about her loved ones and those closest to her. She even specifically tells her brother “I just wanted to make you feel better” when justifying her actions in this story. And yet, people accuse Lynn of being a thoughtless, uncaring, mean, insensitive person who couldn’t give the slightest about her family or others. But does the evidence in this episode really support such a perspective?

So What?

What her portrayal in Space Invader shows is that her character doesn’t need to significantly transform in order to function within the show. It’s just that behind all that rough love, it needs to be made clear there is a decent person underneath, and not just selfish little thug who prioritises relentlessly winning every competition in her life over the ones closest to her. And if her rough behaviour is going to be on display, it may be advisable to (Unless the clear purpose of her presence in a given story is for her to play an antagonistic role, of course, and even then, such an occasion should ideally lead to growth and character development) make it clear that she isn’t going out of her way to make a misery out of other people’s lives. At no point in SI did I think that, but in other stories like Lynner and NSL, that thought did occur.

Furthermore, these examples I have listed and elaborated upon at least indicate that there is more positivity interconnected with the characterisation of Lynn Jr than perhaps some people care to admit exists. The problem with all this is, in spite of all my preceding arguments, I know the evidence overall is stacked against my favour. In an effort to at least partially defend Lynn’s characterisation, I have had to enter a territory of in-depth analysis and evaluation, picking out specific and few-and-far-between moments in order to merely highlight that she has redeemable qualities. Yet I cannot refuse to acknowledge the fact that quantitatively, there are many more moments featuring this character which serve to hinder her likability than improve it. Compare the moments I have brought attention to and elaborated upon, and consider them as rarities; occasional exceptions to the norm that has been poorly executed character development. Compare my examples to the sheer vastness of material extracted from various episodes of the show when used by fans (or haters of the character) to provide justification for their viewpoints. Think of the time she threatened to beat Lincoln up for as little as asking her what a noise he heard was (at the time, she and Lucy were teaming up to search for hidden riches, and he was questioning her motives). Think of how she joined the other sisters in acting violent and destructive in Brawl. Think of how many subjectively annoying moments she has had, such as when she ate his sandwich without him asking and then burped in his face. Even in the episodes in which I have provided reasons for looking at the character in a more positive light, they contain material which can be used to bashing her, too. In Lynner, she acts so irritating to the point where some people believe her learned lesson and minor redemption simply isn’t enough, for example. Also, in The Loudest Yard, despite the great effort she takes to help Lincoln, some fans still hold it against her just for jokingly throwing mud in his face a few times (yes, she spends the entire episode helping him and asking for nothing in return, and gets no praise for it, but she does as little as throw a little mud in his face, and she’s the devil according to some fans; talk about uncontrollable levels of bias and skewed perspective). Indeed, for all the evidence I can amount which defends the character, I am well aware there is so much more which can be used to slander her. The fact that she has had predominantly negative portrayals within the stories of this show is what saddens me.

When I began watching the show, she became a favourite of mine for a time. This was because, before all the annoying and antagonising behaviour, and all the poor representation, what I saw was a legitimately fun and entertaining young female character. Despite having no strong interest in sports, I found Lynn to be heavily humorous (granted, humour is a subjective field, but even still, during the first season, I recall Lynn being a generally well liked and regarded character, strongly due to her fun and amusing personality) and enjoyable to watch. Her hyperactive, energetic, rough and tomboyish roots were utilised in ways which made her come across as a fun, badass kid. There’s a difference between Lynn’s play wrestling in Space Invader (a truly funny scene and an example of rough love that is harmless and somewhat charming) and her threatening to severely beat her brother to a pulp with a baseball bat in NSL (vile, unnecessarily mean and not amusing in the slightest). Lynn was originally portrayed in a way that her roughness and energetic attitude were apparent, but not so that she came across as a callous or vicious brute. When I was first introduced to the character, I saw someone who was incredibly fun and energetic, with a cute bruiser type of appeal going for her, whose personality lent to a lot of humorous moments involving her rough play and tough talking attitude. I saw someone who was fun to watch while never taking her roughness too far; as someone who certainly had flaws in both the way she acted and how her relationship with the main protagonist functioned (because even if she didn’t always intend to harm Lincoln and instead have fun with him like in Space Invader, unintentional harm via rough play is still harm nonetheless), but these flaws didn’t take her too far into the unlikeable and intolerable territory. She had a set of relatively minor flaws, rather, which set in place a lot of room for the character to grow and change as a person, and become better.

The Wrong Direction

Instead, the opposite happened. Through what I can only assume is combination of not knowing what to do with Lynn and also not particularly having much interest in her, the writers have taken all the wrong steps when it comes to handling Lynn’s development. Think of all the uses for compelling storytelling and fascinating character growth we could have bared witness to when regarding the handling of this character. We could have had many moments in which Lynn could have been portrayed as an enjoyably badass kid who was lots of fun (E.g. a crowning moment of awesome could have come from her beating up a bully of Lincoln’s or another sibling). We could have been given stories in which she grows and changes as a person for the better (E.g. a narrative in which she learns to taking losing more graciously, or where she learns to treat Lincoln and others in a less harsh and overly antagonistic manner and be more caring and light-hearted towards them). We could have seen her be supplied with hidden depths and extra layers of characterisation (in a good way, I mean, as in we learn new things about her, or she simply gains new characteristics via narrative experiences, during the process of efficient storytelling. Such as hidden insecurities, feminine qualities, desires for closer relations with her loved ones and redeemable features that are added to her character via inclusions within given episodes which are not sudden, forced, contrived or nonsensical but rather carefully provided when possible). We could have even had a story where instead of making her come across as even more harsh and rough, Lynn learned to be less so towards Lincoln and the others and actually came to recognise and appreciate their own desires, limits and feelings regarding her rough ways, and she improves her understanding of and relationships with them.

But for all the fascinating possibilities which surrounded Lynn Jr in the beginning, the writers have taken every wrong decision when it comes to how she has been represented and “developed” in the series. Now everywhere in the online community, many fans of the show will often list Lynn as their least favourite sibling. Some will even outright declare her one of the worst characters of all time. They will even question others who like the character why they do so, and imply that the view of actually liking her is objectively wrong (as if the mere opinion of liking a fictional character can somehow be factually incorrect, in the same respect as 2 plus 2 equalling four, which it cannot be; art, including fictional television shows and animated shows, are strictly based upon subjective interpretations and impressions). I remember recently on Tumblr, Underrated Hero (responsible for Requiem for a Loud) explained why he was so fond of Lynn, and he reflected on the fact that it bothers him why people ask him for his reasons for liking her. He may have just been reflecting on how sometimes people feel the need to ask for justification regarding simply liking a character on a more general basis, but I also think there’s another reason for his slight frustration. So strong is the detest for Lynn Jr amongst many portions of the fandom now (most notable, the Wiki), that the view of her not being an unlikeable jerk is not always accepted by everyone. Now, because the common assumption is she is a horrible character is so strongly implemented, anyone subverting this status quo is expected to provide strong justification explaining why their view is to the contrary of the usual standard. Why? Why is it so seemingly absurd to like this character now? Has Lynn been butchered as a character so badly to the point where there is no possibility for a comeback? Can Lynn ever even have a chance to be that breakout character again? Some people have made arguments regarding Lynn being improved as a character by stating it needs to happen so she can at least be “almost tolerable” which, to me, is a huge let down. Almost tolerable? Is that really the best we can hope for at this point? Do people despise her so much that tolerance is a stretch, let alone acceptance or even admiration? I need to be honest; that is hugely disheartening. As someone who originally considered Lynn as his favourite character, and still holds fondness for her even now, after all the poor instances of characterisation, the idea that she has been mishandled so badly that people believe the best she can be is “almost tolerable” is just depressing. To think that she once had the potential to be such an overly popular character, with tons of depth and development, as well as have loads of awesome moments behind her. What could have been such an awesome badass character has now been reduced to a loathed little b****!

How Can This Issue Be Fixed?

I would argue this intense disgust and hatred for the character is rather unnecessary and unproductive. While I understand the sense of escapism people seek to obtain from being interested in fictional products, and by extension, the sense of genuine like or dislike they are bound to gain for certain characters, it is also worth pointing out that objectively speaking, there is nothing automatically or inherently wrong with Lynn’s character; at least in theory. When it comes to a “bad” character, they are usually only regarded as such because of poor usage within stories or portrayals which tend to either amplify their negative traits or reject any positive ones. In other words, through the writing, directing, storyboarding, and other processes involved in the making of the show, Lynn’s character has been rendered the victim of rancid representation. There is nothing wrong with her archetype, design, voice actor or even place within the family dynamic, and there are a number of ways in which Lynn’s character could be made more than just merely tolerable, and certainly not despicable. Hypothetically, she still has the chance to be a highly popular presence in the series. She could even ascend to the standard of being an ideal role model for sporty young girls (or even athletic kids in general, since her boyish ways would probably make her appeal to male audiences as much as female ones). But in order for these positive changes to occur, a number of things need to happen.

Firstly, we need to see more of the character being given centre stage. For someone so desperately in need of character development (to the point where she is labelled a static character on Tv Tropes and is accused of her development being considered “peanuts” in comparison to the other sisters), she hasn’t been given a lot of focal episodes. The only episodes which could be considered Lynn-centred would be Space Invader (in which Lincoln was still the protagonist, and she was basically a plot obstacle for him to deal with), The Loudest Yard, and Lynner Takes All (where she was the antagonist and spent so much time being annoying and had such a minor redemption that most people were unsatisfied). The rest of the time, she’s either not present, only appears briefly, acts as part of the whole group (in which case, her character basically becomes moulded into whatever the group in general are thinking and acting like, and/or her actions will go over everybody’s heads, which includes any redeeming moments as part of the group going unnoticed and unrecognised), or just existing to be a mean-spirited bully. Undeniably, she is in dire need of copious amounts of development if she is going to be rescued from the scrappy heap. I really hope the writers don’t just give up on her like the fans seem to have done, and cease giving her much needed focal stories, because that would be a COLOSSAL waste.

Secondly, and this relates to the first suggestion, the writers need to figure out what to do with her. Considering she only ever gets used to be an antagonist or as one in the group, it’s clear the writers don’t really know what to do with this character (or simply don’t care that much; it’s obvious that when it comes to characters named Lynn on this show, it’s Lynn SR who is considered a priority to them). Honestly, that is a huge let down, as she has potential to be so much more than just a one-dimensional, static, annoying presence who is universally hated. It’s obvious the intention was never for Lynn to be hated, but through taking all the wrong steps in terms of handling how the character was portrayed in the show, this result has become apparent. Not only does the character need more focus and development, but the writers need to figure out a better way in using her in future stories. While she did have a certain level of focus and presence in No Such Luck, her activity in that episode did not enhance her character by any means (quite the contrary, in fact). The writers use her so little compared to the other siblings, except for when they want to use her for a quick gag, when they want to make her unlikeable and antagonistic, or when they wish to have her act as part of the larger sibling group (in which case, any good deeds of hers go unnoticed and sometimes she is taken out of character to suit a plot). In many ways, Lynn has been misused as a character, and not only does she need increased levels of focus and development, but it is also obvious that the character is in dire need to having her purpose be fully realised. Lynn has great potential to function as a fun loving, energetic sports girl who while rough is still a loving sister who will stand by her family through thick and thin and is not a needlessly cruel and careless being. Sometimes, she has moments of this, such as when she reconciled with Lucy in Space Invader, when she went out of her way to deal with Lincoln’s bullying problem in Heavy Meddle, when she acted as part of the group in episodes like Room with a Feud in order to help Lincoln or someone be better off. But more of this positive substance for the character is ultimately needed if she is going to be perceived in a better light.

But not only does the writing for this character need to be improved, but also the attitude of many fans as well. This somewhat relates to my critiques regarding NSL, but that episode, while heavily flawed, is not that especially terrible. Certainly, it did not need to have such an overwhelmingly negative affect over the state of the fandom and its attitude and behaviour towards the show and its legacy. But we as a collective fan-base have contributed to that being the case. So often, we are unwilling to move on whenever a sour piece of content is released. Whenever a less-than-good episode comes out, we are quick to complain and criticise (as we should), but also bash, rant, ramble and show disdain; sometimes even act irrationally incensed and furious, as if an episode like Brawl or One of the Boys is somehow the first sign of a 21st century apocalypse. It’s not. While NSL is not an episode I would considered ‘good’ by any means, the amount of undying and resistant hatred that has brewed and been maintained over the past year is completely ridiculous, as is the hatred towards Lynn Jr. While I know the problems surrounding Lynn go beyond NSL, it’s that story which really fuels the sheer extent of the despise. The point is people need to learn to let things go sometimes. Constantly dwelling on the past doesn’t resolve anything. Moreover, if Lynn’s potential as a character is going to be realised, what’s the point in imposing unfair negative biases and perceptions against her character? Do people really just want to see her written out of the show entirely (don’t actually answer that, it was a rhetorical question)?

Well, I don’t! I know there are many faults to be found with how she has been handled thus far, but for all of that, there has been a lot of good, too. Lynn has been the subject of many moments of merit. Maybe there is a valid argument that there are more instances which serve to berate the character rather than praise, but I can certainly claim the overall perception of the character, based on the evaluative processing of all the evidence overall, is skewed. For all the legitimate flaws she has, many choose to exaggerate or flat-out invent the problems they see with Lynn. Just look at so many Fan Fictions. They make Lynn out to be a completely unreasonable, violent and sadistic, absolutely vicious and uncaring monster who purely exists to make the lives of Lincoln and everyone else miserable. They take her vices and amplify them up to eleven, while conveniently ignoring/disregarding any virtues she may have. The NSL ones are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to that, too. Do people really think she’s that bad? Or can we at least be fair and recognise some of the negativity directed at her is based on exaggeration and mythical description? I do not wish to give up on this character. She was originally my favourite and still among my favourites list now, in spite of all the mishandlings surrounding her character. I realise the goodness that lies underneath the rough and unappetising exterior. Lynn has been portrayed in a positive light before, and those earlier instances showed great promise. I think it’s finally time we saw that potential fulfilled. But no improvements can really be made or really be effective in turning around the status and legacy of the character if people are stubbornly going to hold a grudge against for the events of stories like NSL, Brawl and One of the Boys.

But above all other proposals for how to change the direction the character is being taken in, I have to ask one crucial question? What do you (the writers) intend to do with this character? I strongly suspect they don’t actually know what they want to do with Lynn or how to use her in stories (either that, or they simply have little interest to work with this character; let’s face it, it’s obvious the writers prioritise characters like Lori, Clyde, Lynn Sr, etc.). Lynn, along with a few other characters, is one of the biggest examples of a character who has not only been poorly written and portrayed, but also heavily underutilised. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t she one of the sisters with the least amount of focal stories as of early 2018? And even in those stories where she has a larger presence, like Space Invader or Lynner Takes All, doesn’t she usually take the role of antagonist, with Lincoln or the other siblings being the ones to receive a significant amount of focus? With many scenes revolving around them reacting to her? Because of this, Lynn has only been represented as an antagonistic presence (except one that barely learns any lessons or grows as a character, overcoming her many faults, which has contributed to the criticism against her that she’s a static character as well as irredeemable). There are hints that she’s actually an incredibly damaged human being, and one who is in need of some serious help, if episodes like Lynner are any indication. But while Lynn’s portrayals thus far could be seen as the start of a much grander and more in-depth character arc, exploring her vices and setting up to undergo a powerful journey, both literally and emotionally, with the intent of having her flesh out and mould into a beautifully complex, multi-layered, redeemable and relatable character (as well as become more enjoyable to watch and genuinely likeable to the eyes of most fans), I am pessimistic of this actually being part of any plan the writers have for her. It is more likely they just don’t know/don’t care regarding what to with her, so they’ve just carelessly botched her the way they have in so many instances, rendering her character static and detestable in the minds of many. In spite of my above analysis picking out all the redeemable and positive aspects of her character, and instances of portrayed virtues primarily from earlier stories, I cannot deny there is a lot of room for improvement concerning Lynn Jr. Many of the critiques people put fourth against her are justifiable and are based on valid claims, whether I like to accept that or not. It really is a shame, because there IS potential here.

Final Points

Some have argued Lynn just isn’t a good character, period. With the implication that she just isn’t meant to be a good character, nor has the potential to be anything that great. I would disagree. Lynn as just as much potential to be a fan favourite as Luna or Leni (and during the early days of the show and its fandom, actually was). She has just as much capacity to be rescued from the scrappy heap and evolve into a legitimately likeable and more redeemable person, much like Lola and Lori before her. She has just as many comedic possibilities as her fellow tomboy sibling Lana. She has the same capability to become a less mean and violent kid, much like fellow roughhousing former bully Ronnie Anne. Lynn can be used in a variety of ways that not only show her strengths, but also handle/eliminate her weaknesses. There could be stories about her where she learns to be a good sport and not be a sore loser, or where she realises she cannot win at everything. There could be stories where she learns to be a more caring and less rough sibling within the family dynamic, and treat others (especially her brother) with more consideration and respect. There could be instances in episodes where she has crowning moments of awesome (as opposed to dethroning moments of suck) such as her beating up a bully for one of her siblings, or her demonstrating her sporting skills and physical prowess in an intense game or contest against a rival or enemy. Her roughhousing ways could even remain in tact (to an extent) without it damaging her character or making her come across as despicable. Just have it done in a way that it is actually amusing instead of annoying and have it be clear that behind her rough behaviour is a decent natured person who loves and cares for those close to her. She could have plenty of comedic moments relating to her rough and tumble personality, too. Space Invader, for example, was originally a well-received story (before Lynn’s hatred started to spiral out of control) largely due to its humour content. There could be moments where she acts slightly out of character (in a way that makes sense, is plausible and doesn’t take her TOO out of character) like recently in Fool Me Twice, where she has a panic attack and tries to desperately escape the garage after hearing Luan’s threat, despite her supposedly being the tough one. There are so many ways Lynn’s character could be utilised in the series competently. The writers just need to figure out what they want/need to do with her for her to work as a character.

I guess my overall argument is, there is more to think about regarding Lynn Loud Jr than just “oh, she’s a bad character and I hate her!”. That is an unfortunate status quo which needs to be lifted. Especially since this mentality leads to so much demonization. Lynn is a character I’ve always been fond of and I hate the fact that this perfectly good character has been wasted for the most part. Despite what some would have you believe, Lynn is not an irredeemable character, nor is she among the worst in all of fiction. She has many positive traits and qualities which are often overlooked within all the hatred and disgust. She has a variety of faults, too, and there certainly is room for improvement, to say the least. At one point, Lynn had a huge following of support from the fans. Being relatable in the sense that she was energetic and playful, as well as a huge sports nut. That alone made her a fan favourite at first. It was also considered that she had a very close bond with the main protagonist, Lincoln. But that is not the direction the character has been taken in since the early days. Due to a combination of poor focus, negative representation, very little growth and a status as the static character, as well as the episode No Such Luck, everything that was once admired about this character is now gone, and what remains is a loathed entity, seemingly unable to recover from the bad reputation she has gained thanks to so many having a sour taste in their mouths for her. I just want to make a suggestion here. Is it really logical to HATE the character to this much an extent, guys? Does it really make sense to give a character in a children’s cartoon this much flack over a few poor portrayals? Think about it. It could be argued there are no real bad characters; only bad writing that feeds into their involvement in any given narrative tales. I would say it’s not so much the character that is so terrible; more like the decisions which have went towards how she has been handled in the show. Is it really correct to state Lynn is completely irredeemable and beyond being made into a legitimately great and lovable addition to the series? I would suggest not. While I have dished out my fair share of criticism towards Lynn’s characterisation, it is only because I see a so much better in her than how she is being represented in the majority of episodes. Lynn IS a GOOD character. There just needs to be more done in the show to reflect on her better qualities, and enhance her into a beloved fan favourite again. I really dislike constantly having to berate who used to be my favourite character (and still one of them now in spite of everything) for the sake of professional, reasonably unbiased and constructive criticism. But I wouldn’t have to if she were handled better by the writing process, and if fans wouldn’t hold a grudge to a tedious extent.

Finally, I’ve said all I want to say about Lynn Jr. I just hope that A, she is better handled in the future and B, that fans at least consider giving her a second chance. I doubt any of the writers will ever read this, but if they do, I have one thing to say to them… you have a gem of a character here, don’t misuse or waste her out of negligence or unconcern. As for any fans reading this, I am curious. Have I challenged or changed your perception of this character? Do you think she can be a better character if written and presented better? Do you see her as completely despicable or do you acknowledge there are some positive traits to be found? Do you even agree with my perspective at all or am I just rambling on and on? Let me know what you think! At the very least, I’ve said my piece, and hopefully even if you disagree, you at least understand my perception of this matter.

Wow, my longest written piece to date and almost 8000 words. I’ll probably get my Fool Me Twice reaction posted later this week, but for now, I think I’ll take a break from typing about The Loud House.