Am i the only one who disliked the way THW handled Gobber? Considering the first two movies presented him as Stoick's right-hand man, it is a bit jarring that Valka suddenly declared that Stoick always led Berk alone. I fell like the movie once again embraced the idea that romantic love is superior to friendship, considering it seemed that the only reason why Stoick ruled alone was because unlike Hiccup he didn't have the love of his life near to him (nevermind the fact Valka abandoned him)
Oh, Gobber, what did they do to you? He comes into the plot as a big gross mouthpiece for Dean himself – a gay man loudly telling Hiccup and Astrid that they should hang up their saddles, give up their important work that they’re incredibly passionate about, and settle down into conventional, traditional marital life. I’d never even thought about the “Stoick ruled alone” bit, but you’re absolutely right. Stoick didn’t have his wife, but he was never alone for a minute before this movie came along and informed us that friends don’t count and if you think they do you’re immature and wrong.
(Also, it’s a comparatively minor thing I guess, but I hate how inconsistent he is to the point of sheer hypocrisy. One minute he’s saying “The sooner he brings back that Light Fury, the better!”, the next he’s laughing at Hiccup for being concerned that Toothless still hasn’t come back yet.)
In the end, he’s a cheap tool for Dean’s beloved cliffside goodbye ending. Just like everyone and everything else in this travesty.