A "Scrappy" (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheScrappy) is basically a character who is unintentionally hated by the audiences. Why am I asking this question, well, it has been suggested (https://www.reddit.com/r/television/comments/kehl0d/lizzie_mcguire_revival_not_moving_forward_at/gg2lu14/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) in recent times that the love triangle (https://www.reddit.com/r/GirlMeetsWorld/comments/4nsnem/opinion_the_triangle_needs_to_go/) between Lucas, Riley and Maya (beginning (https://www.theyoungfolks.com/television/66245/tv-review-girl-meets-world-2x20-2x22-girl-meets-texas/) with the "Girl Meets Texas" (http://girlmeetsworldreviewed.blogspot.com/2015/10/episode-review-girl-meets-texas-part-1.html) episodes (https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/10/17/girl-meets-world-girl-meets-texas-part-1-review)) was the jump the shark (http://neftyshouseofrants.blogspot.com/2015/04/girl-meets-world-is-about-to-jump-shark.html) moment it not outright show killer (https://www.reddit.com/r/television/comments/5m40g2/girl_meets_world_cancelled_by_disney_after_3/).

The love triangle for one thing, went on too long. (https://www.reddit.com/r/GirlMeetsWorld/comments/5m9jy8/thoughts_now_that_the_cancellation_is_confirmed/) Second and perhaps most importantly, Lucas (https://girlmeetsworld.fandom.com/wiki/Lucas_Friar) was depending on who you ask, a really terrible character who didn't deserve to be someone that every girl wanted to date:

He knew Riley liked him--but it's made very clear early on that he doesn't like Riley back romantically--but he leads her on, while constantly flirting with her best friend.

Riley fawned over him for a year, but he knows nothing about her and admits this!

And then Maya (https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/girl-meets-worlds-riley-lucas-201138309.html) starts falling for him, and for a year (https://polyinthemedia.wordpress.com/2016/08/03/girl-meets-world-girl-meets-ski-lodge/) in-universe, Lucas refuses to choose between them, saying he can't decide, since he doesn't know who he likes best.

And when he finally makes his "decision", it's after throwing a temper tantrum that Riley talked to another boy. Lucas makes horrifying conditions that if he and Riley (https://www.reddit.com/r/GirlMeetsWorld/comments/5goq2z/are_riley_and_lucas_still_together/) date, then "important talks" can only be between the two of them.

And then after that, they never actually did anything romantic--they didn't hold hands, they didn't go on dates, they did absolutely nothing.


Plus, he was presented (https://girlmeetsworld.fandom.com/f/p/2417172630470658049/r/2502447704571906863) as a perfect (https://tvline.com/2015/10/19/girl-meets-world-love-triangle-riley-lucas-maya-relationship/) "Gary Stu" (https://www.fanpop.com/clubs/disney/picks/show/1510742/anyone-here-think-lucas-from-girl-meets-world-gary-stu) despite essentially being little more than a bland jock. He had to be most attractive, athletic, intelligent guy, and was treated as a moral compass.

I agree that Lucas was way too bland and that the 'love triangle' went far too long with Maya and Lucas each winding up frustrated while Riley got what she wanted by having them forever hover around her regardless of how their own lives were put on permanent hold as a result.

However, in Lucas's defense, he was the most polite and patient person in their clique . OTOH, via being whiny, bratty, overwhelming and constantly butting in where her input was neither needed or wanted, IMO it's Riley herself who was closer to being the clique's Scrappy!

Yes, IMO the biggest fail of GMW was that their central original character was not only the least likable of the entire show (but who all regulars constantly kissed up ad nauseum) but the one who that the show would have been better without (or at the very least her faults needed to be called out and addressed just as Scrappy's needed to be ). Instead they expected the viewers to adore her and even identify with her. Some may have done so while others just tolerated her qualities and endured the character because they liked at least one of the other characters and/or wanted the show to somehow survive despite its main albatross.

I never hated the character.

God bless you always!!!

Holly

I never hated the character.

God bless you always!!!

Holly

That makes one of us.