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Adventure Timewas never at a loss for memorable characters.
When the show began in 2010, Ice King was a comically exaggerated kids TV antagonist.
But asAdventure Timewent on, it became clear that Ice King wasnt just, or even mostly, malicious.
Because Ice King is miserable and Finn and Jake always seem to be so effortlessly happy.
Ice Kings creepy spying was a sort of rudimentary attempt at self-help, at learning the secret of happiness.
More importantly, he really doesnt understand why what hes doing is wrong.
Ice Kings desire for princesses stems from half-remembered echoes of Simons old girlfriend, Betty.
Hes got a giant psychic itch, and hes constantly scratching it in ways that make the problem worse.
Hes George Costanza, not Jerry Seinfeld.
He goes on magical road trips with his wizard friends.
He lives with Finn and Jake for a while.
Hes even made decent progress navigating what Simon calls the labyrinth in his brain.
Throughout, voice acting legend Tom Kenny imbues Ice King with equal parts pathos and insane, pathetic comedy.
But theres a dangerous lesson in Ice Kings appeal as a character.
His magic crown is a powerful metaphor precisely because it allows him to give up personal responsibility.
Deep down, theres a part of himself that doesnt want to be sad.
