A Pattern in how Spike is written.

There are at least five different scenarios where the writers have created to fit Spike with the whole team dynamic that the Elements of Harmony have,
 
SCENARIO 1 (Meghan McCarthy/Katie Cook):  
The focus is mostly on Twilight and Spike, unless you directly nerf Spike he’s going to save the day. These stories either push Spike off to do something else or shaft the mane 5 in favour of Twilight and Spike being an action duo.
 
SCENARIO 2 (Corey Powell, M.A. Larson):  
Spike is super-competent, but is also very selfish. He’s not as eager to be helping his friends, so he generally won’t get involved unless he is needed.
 
SCENARIO 3: (Dave Polsky,Natasha Levinger)  
Spike is a coward to offset his huge competency.
 
SCENARIO 4: (Katie Cook)  
Spike operates more independently of the mane 6 to offset his absurd competency.
 
SCENARIO 5 (Merriweather Williams, Dave Polsky)  
Spike is suddenly massively incompetent, he’s far more childish, weak, stupid, and cowardly than he is in any other episode.
 
SCENARIO 1:  
Ticket Master, Equestria Girls, Crystal Empire, Return of Harmony Part 2, Castle Sweet Castle, Nightmare Rarity Arc, Inspiration Manifestation
 
SCENARIO 2:  
Owl’s Well that Ends Well, Secret of My Excess, Tanks for the Memories, Just for Sidekicks
 
SCENARIO 3:  
It Ain’t Easy Being Breezies, Make Friends but Keep Discord, Power Ponies, Equestria Games
 
SCENARIO 4:  
Bridle Gossip, Rainbow Rocks, Return of Chrysalis Arc, The Cutie Map Part 1
 
SCENARIO 5:  
Dragon Quest, Spike at Your Service, Keep Calm and Flutter On

The general interpretation from all of this that makes the most sense to me is that Spike is basically a little kid with all of the accompanying immaturity who is striving to be as competent as he can be. His life has been a pattern of ponies not knowing how to treat a baby dragon, letting him decide how he wants to be treated, and him immediately leaping on what he perceives the most mature option available. He’s basically cutting out his own childhood by trying to establish a place in the world far sooner than he needs to.
 
That’s one of the primary issues in the show that has driven much of his character, but has never really been properly addressed. I wonder if it ever will be, since it would signify a major shift in his role in the show.

I think one problem people have with spike episodes is that the majority of them apply to “scenario 5”. Also, do you mind explaining how some of the episodes fit in certain scenarios? For example, how was spike being selfish or cowardly in Keep calm and Flutter on?

@Slashy  
I like how Spike is depicted in Scenario 1. Twilight and Spike are more or less siblings, and Spike is generally snarky at times but can be very socially intelligent and caring. I think Equestria Girls and The Crystal Empire are his best moments and Scenario 5 represents his worst moments. If Spike was almost always his Scenario 1 self, he would be my second favorite character after Twilight.