For me, what’s big about Snotlout in S6 is the manifestation of subtle growth. Once we look back to how Snotlout acted in the start of the series, we realize how far he’s come. Snotlout has grown hoards by the end of RTTE, and S6 is where we get that treated to us in full.
Snotlout starts the series putting too much stock in his father’s advice. During “Race to Fireworm Island,” Snotlout believes Spitelout over the rest of the dragon riders. The rest of the riders believe that Hookfang needs rest, but Snotlout thinks so highly of his father’s opinion that he doesn’t listen.
Snotlout: Hookfang doesn’t need rest. He’s a warrior. And we warriors live for the thrill of battle. It’s like my Dad always says…
Snotlout wants to be a warrior, obviously holds his father’s statement in good regard, and thus thinks that Hookfang doesn’t need rest. The way that Snotlout talks about his father is with the belief that Spitelout’s words are good to listen to, and that his father’s words are always something to respect.
Snotlout also starts the series constantly trying to impress his father. In ROB, DOB, and the start of RTTE, we constantly see Snotlout attempting to garner his father’s approval. Oftentimes, this is met with disappointment, and Snotlout continues to receive less respect than deserved from his parent.
Snotlout ends the series knowing when his father is in the wrong and thinking about his own achievements regardless of his father’s approval. Snotlout isn’t trying to mold himself to his father’s image of a stout, manly Viking. Snotlout’s more willing to emotionally express himself, more capable of thinking for himself, and smart enough to realize that not everything Spitelout demands is healthy.
While he does gain some respect from Spitelout by “King of Dragons Part 2,” there’s something to be said that this isn’t why Snotlout finds peace. Snotlout says some powerful things before Spitelout gives him respect in S6… showing he’s grown beyond the shadow of his father’s approval. By S4… and certainly by S6 beyond that… Snotlout is able to enjoy his father’s company when it’s wholesome, but also intelligently understand when it’s better and healthier to forge a separate path.
Snotlout starts the series with poor understanding and respect of Astrid. He makes misogynistic remarks. He constantly flirts with her despite the obvious annoyance it gives her. There’s a reason Astrid is always irritated with him.
By the end of RTTE, Snotlout has grown to demonstrate obvious respect to Astrid. He’s learned more how to treat her as he should. Astrid, on her own end, has noticed, and gained her own share of respect for him.
This positive exchange from S6 E9 never would have happened in ROB times:
He still annoys her time-to-time. It’s not like he’s completely outgrown his old habits. He has, however, improved. And that’s cool to see.
Snotlout starts the series constantly butting heads with his dragon. There’s a lot of dysfunction between Snotlout and his dragon – it’s difficult to even ride the dragon sometimes without messing up. Snotlout’s inability to ride Hookfang stems from his inability to treat his dragon and himself as a fully interdependent team. It’s not that Snotlout dislikes Hookfang – he loves his dragon – but he does always demand things from his dragon. Hookfang, meanwhile, turns away from Snotlout whenever he receives those unthoughtful demands. That issue, combined with other things like Snotlout trying to overwork Hookfang, shows how much Snotlout needs to learn about working with a team. He needs to learn to think more about Hookfang’s perspective.
Snotlout ends the series with great respect for Hookfang. Instead of overworking the dragon or demanding Hookfang follow his commands, Snotlout is a lot more lovingly attentive to his dragon. Their bond has hugely grown and become more mutually productive and understanding. Just consider Snotlout’s lines at the end of S6 E11 “Guardians of Vanaheim.” This shows both his grown spoken trust and support of Hiccup and his attention to his dragon.
Snotlout’s no longer forcing his dragon to overwork. He’s not demanding his dragon come and do what he wants. Instead, he’s looking after what his dragon needs and wants and is perfectly happy doing so. That’s what’s become his heart and instinct and natural response: caring after Hookfang.
Snotlout starts the series defiant of Hiccup and openly rude to Hiccup’s ideas. While we know from “Defiant One” that Snotlout holds jealousy for Hiccup’s heroics and abilities, this doesn’t stop Snotlout from constantly butting heads with the other rider rudely. His lack of respect for Hiccup’s leadership is a main source of tension throughout especially ROB and DOB. Snotlout even in early RTTE times speaks of his doubt in what Hiccup can do. His comments are divisive to the team. His actions can be rebellious or lack thoughtfulness of teamwork.
Snotlout ends the series stoutly supporting Hiccup.
Sure, Snotlout doesn’t lack his moments of bite or analytical questioning, even in S6. To give just one example, in “Guardians of Vanaheim” he complains, “You know, I’m sure you’ll make a great chief one day, Hiccup. Just know that I will not be living on your island!” But these sorts of complaints or criticisms (usually) are no longer intended venom or ways of dismantling Hiccup’s leadership – they’ve become banter, smart questionings of strategy, and other actions that aren’t debilitating. They’re a part of the friendship.
We can see that Snotlout has instead firmly taken to Hiccup’s side. Instead of telling Hiccup that his ideas are ridiculous, Snotlout says in S5 “Sandbusted” that Hiccup’s ideas are always right. Not to mention, if someone even so much as suggests Hiccup gets abandoned, Snotlout has something strong to say about it.
He’s such a strong supporter of Hiccup that I could imagine him – years down the road – becoming our chief’s number two.
Snotlout ends the series as someone who can act as a rolemodel for other growing youths. Snotlout shows Gustav Larson what true courage is on Berserker Island. And in S6, Snotlout also has grown enough to be able to give people advice. He’s able to take his past experiences, which we’ve seen him struggle through, and now apply it to life lessons – for himself in his own growth, and for others and their needed growths, too.
Snotlout didn’t always say the right thing with Minden, but when he did, he said it good. REALLY good.
Would ROB or DOB or even RTTE S1 Snotlout been able to say THIS?
Snotlout takes all his past experiences, all his mistakes, all his flaws, all his moments of not-quite-glory… and uses them to speak heart-to-heart with Minden. He’s able to advise her and encourage her at the same time. It’s a very mature way of handling his emotions, admitting them, and handling someone else’s struggles. He’s manifesting hoards of growth here. He’s not just admitting he’s struggled. He’s talking about how his vulnerabilities have been mistakes. He’s talking about how to overcome those vulnerabilities. He’s showing how to maturely handle them and become someone great.
Does Snotlout still have a lot of character flaws to handle? Helheim yeah. I’m not highlighting those areas of imperfection in my commentary here, but it’s obvious he still has to grow.
But has he improved a lot by RTTE S6?
ALSO Helheim yeah.
We’ve seen Snotlout growing throughout RTTE and there are some cool moments in S4 and S5. But S6 was also a real treat for showing the growth of who Snotlout has become.
I read this entire thing twice. This was so good. I really love how snotlout has grown and you explained it all so well. ❤️
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