User blog comment:SpongeGuy12/How would you make Leni a better character?/@comment-31022739-20171223212040

The more I think about Leni's character, the more I've come to understand that coming to terms with "making her better" is a more delicate process than I've thought.

See, Leni is a character that, if we look at her as a concept with moving parts (those parts being her charactertistics and tropes), then it's clear that she was somewhat of a gamble. Although the "lovable idiot" trope has its fan, other aspects of her character (namely her kindess) are what attach her to so many fans. So, it's really not uncommon for the remedy to improving her would be along the lines of "making her less dumb". Well, to that I say...

Eh...no.

I've already made my case for Leni's stupidity (or whichever synonym you wish to use to diminish the blow of the negative implications of that characteristic) being vital for her character because it's not only written in a way that's endearing and has no real consequence to anyone around her, it makes all of her "smart moments" all the more impactful; "there's more to my head than just air" wouldn't have as much of a punch if she were someone of at least average intelligence.

It's also apparent on me that Leni is someone who has a lot going for her. She's attarctive, empathetic, caring, has an outgoing personality, a master seamstress, and an outstanding party organizer. If I were to use these characteristics to describe an OC I plan on having interactions with the Loud family, most of you would probably roll your eyes. After all, it's almost a universal truth that Mary Sues, or "perfect" characters in general, aren't very interesting because their lack of flaws ironically make their presence insufferable.

Leni's dimness, for better or worse, is something that I believe saves her from that fate. It's easy to get the idea that Leni isn't the first choice that someone thinks of as a source of reliablity or that her inability to come to terms with common sense holds her back from achieving measures of greatness in a lot of areas. It's sad to think about, but it's also...somewhat comforting at the same time; by dwelling on the possible flounderings and failures that can come about from this one character facet, I can relate to her better and hope for the best for whatever she strives to achieve.

So, that's why I can't exactly agree with "making her less dumb"; we're not at the point where Leni has been reduced to a mere, comedic selling point, so that sort of rash character revision isn't necessary. I think the best solution would be what TMNT1987Dude alluded to earlier and that's too see the depths of Leni's creativity. We've been seen glimpes of it, but not once has that talent been seen as instrumental to absolving a grand dilemma. That could be an interesting direction to see going forward.