User blog comment:DestructiveMilkshake/Total Drama Presents: The Ridonculous Race Speculation/@comment-24971793-20140720195959/@comment-1037137-20140720224732

Yeah, that is just my opinion, but that's also your own as well, what you just said; yours and others'. I guess Lighting to me is what the three and the others are to some. It's not too different a scenario, merely a matter of opinion. Personally, I can't see what makes Lightning interesting, similar to how you may not find those characters interesting. But let's be honest here, Lightning doesn't have much story, per se. And the attempts to give him one immediately before the finals was too little too late. That's not that much better than having no story or a bad story. But if people happen to like the guy alright, no offense to anybody who does. We just have to mutually disagree on these counts.

But we can definitely agree about Scott. That was beyond forced, he had no purpose in the season at all. Maybe he's not the worst All-Star candidate seeing how he almost lasted a full season and used to be a fairly credible villain, but in All-Stars he has nothing to work with, aside from a few funny lines here and there. And yes, that couple........That's the dumbest thing to ever be inserted into the canon as far as pairings go, and it ultimately was a pure throwaway which makes it even less excusable. You're right about everything you said, I just don't get his popularity.

A pain magnet, very true; quite like Sam merely was in this season.

@FloridaMan

Even I'm not wishing that on Lightning, but I can't say I miss the guy either. Agreed there.

You are so right FloridaMan, those guys are compelling and they are fun to watch and are fully worth the opportunity of bringing back. I mean Brick apparently was seriously considered for TDAS before they selected Sam in his place. I don't know what led to that change of heart because clearly Brick has more going for him. As does Dakota, take away the Dakotazoid factor and I'm sure she'll be fun to watch again, she had the best story of anyone in that season, sans mutation scene. Totally not fair to give other popular favorites a chance when they clearly have the potential for further development.

Nothing is sadder than wasted potential.