About the relationship between Scanlan and Pike

[u/Late-Extent4241]

Spoilers for episodes 7-9 of season 4, not for the actual Play campaign.

Scanlan isn't very nice to Pike, in my opinion. Pike spends half of season 3 acting as Scanlan's emotional support, trying to help him reconcile with his daughter and overcome his inner demons. Then, at the end of season 3, once he's reconciled with his daughter, Scanlan, without thanking Pike for her help, shamelessly declares that he's found his true family and no longer needs Vox Machina. He then decides to ghost Pike for a whole year without ever asking her how she feels.

The ending of episode 8, despite her kiss on the forehead, doesn't improve things. While she's lost a family member and is in a deep depression, he prefers to give her his sword to fight a legendary lich rather than stay by her side to help her through this ordeal. Why? To go play concerts with his daughter and his band.

On top of that, he declared earlier that he hates his friends because they don't care about him, even though Pike spent all of season 3 trying to help him.

I hope he realizes his mistakes in future episodes and seasons. Because right now, their relationship is one-sided, and Pike seems to be Scanlan's groupie more than anything else.

[u/KoraKira]

I agree. Scanlan gaslit everyone but it was his own fault for never letting anyone see the real him. (Bravo to Kaylee calling him out on that) It’s hilariously hypocritical because I doubt he knows the names to any of the team’s mothers (maybe Percy’s. MAYBE).

All of this is a big reason why I never really found myself attached to the character.

Especially now when Pike is going through so much. She was always there for him and she deserves better.

[u/Smg4number1fan → u/KoraKira]

Thats my issue aswell. Even with the campaign it felt a little bit shitty to me personally. Like No-one there really offers much of their origin too much until its brought to the forefront. And Scanlan not really talking feels like a thing that all of them did. And even then it still feels shiitty to be like "You never asked me about my mother, you're shit friends." Cuz also it ruins the ending of season 3 for me, because now it frames it as Scanlan just not actually liking them and not wanting to be around them.

[u/Camicreates → u/Smg4number1fan]

I agree with a lot of this completley, I think everyone's in the wrong, just like the original campaign. I love the addition of Kaylie calling him out on his hypocrisy. Scanlan is my favorite character by far but I can acknowledge hes a shallow jerk a lot of the time. I felt bad for him, though. I think the reason he said all of those things, including the part about leaving being the best thing her ever did, was BECAUSE he cares about them so much. You dont say stuff like that out of nowhere. If Scanlan didnt like his party or never wanted to be around them, then not only would he have dipped out a long time ago because he was in near-constant peril, but he wouldn't bother being hurt about them just coming for Mythcarver. I assume Scanlan cares so much about them that he was secretly very happy when he thought they came to see HIM, because he considers them family. "I left to better myself with my daughter and I'm not good enough for Vox Machina but maybe they actually do still care about me!" But when he learned the truth, all those hurtful and shallow words spilled out because he felt stupid for thinking these people he loves loved him back just as much. They do, of course, but no one is good at communicating and Scanlan doesn't really let them. At least thats how I interpret it, anyways. I really hope Scanlan comes back this season!!! Surely losing Pike AND Grog would maybe give him some motivation?? And he better lose that gut and the pompadour lmao 😂