Are the Most Popular NPCs actually any good? (Spoilers)

[Elaisren2020]

I know NPCs like Abigail, Penny, Sebby & Haley to name a few are popular, but are they actually any good in terms of their story arcs/ usefulness in game?

Now obviously Abigail, Haley & Penny (just for example) have fairly good story arcs and each have their own usefulness in game (assisting in the mines, helping around the farm) but which NPCs are the "true best NPCs". The NPC's which have it all - great story arcs, usefulness, design & little or none downsides.

I'm not just talking about those NPCs you can legit date/marry either. I like Sandy, Clint, Marnie, Gus more than some of the "date-ables" but their arcs/usefulness let them down (Marnie & Clint being away from there stores at the worst times, Gus & Sandy not really getting much to do, even though they appear frequently in other NPC heart/town events and are more reliable than Marnie & Clint in minding their stores.)

*EDIT - The following applies to SDV/SDVE Mod versions, just for clarity. *
I'd also like to point out some flaws in characterisation/plot - the most annoying (at least to me) is the use of items such as "Love Potion". Ok, yes it's great to have an item which can quickly boost hearts/friendship with some NPCs, but it's description of it won't work on those with strong magic links/a strong will kinda falls flat as it works on pretty much every one.

Seriously, would Abigail or Penny really succumb to a love potion?
It gets more silly/inappropriate when it can be used on Jodi, Caroline, Robin, Jas & Vincent.

In this regard, most Pelican Town residents are useless garbage (Olivia, Riley, & Dusty being the exceptions - not one of them succumbs to this creepy item & all react negatively to it). If you compare them to their Ridge counterparts (Alissa, Ysa, Corine, Flor, Maddie, Olga, Lola, Lenny & the kids - Trinnie, Yumma, Keahi) you notice that all of the Ridge NPCs reject it and actually call you out on using the "Love Potion". This makes more sense to me - it fits how those character would react (some are "magic" others are just sensible/worldly wise).

If the Love potion has to be a thing in game, it should at least be realistic - i.e. it has consequences (some NPC's story/heart events could be changed to include this - it would make more sense) like how the Nighthawk mods tackled it.

So, yeah who do you think are the "best" NPCs overall?
*Edit - Just interested in thoughts/opinions on either or both the original Vanilla version NPCs & the mod NPCs out there, because I genuinely think some (not all) of the mod NPCs out there should be made cannon in future updates of the Vanilla SDV, some mods could easily be DLC/expansions for other platforms like the Switch etc. *

[BCD]

Unless your mods are actually cutting out vanilla content (or you haven't updated to the new patch), you should be able to see this cutscene. After you complete Robin's community request for 80 hardwood, pay her a visit and it'll happen. Maybe you have a fix Demetrius mod and it removed this cause it's weird, but you'll know either way.

[Elaisren2020]

Is it time/day specific after giving Robin the Hardwood she wants?
(sorry that sounds dirty even though it's innocent,)

[BCD]

Haha. I don't think so, no. The wiki doesn't specify anything, but my guess is that the next time you enter her house and she's there the event happens. Seems to work like this in general, Emily will just postpone her clothing therapy until you show up to the mayor's house.

[Elaisren2020]

I've done the clothing therapy with Emily Lewis is a total perv. and resembles a 70's Disco Imp in that event. I do feel sorry for Clint in that one though, the guy can never catch a break. I do like the mods which include other NPCs in that event though (I forget which mods "Emily's Fashion show" or similar I think- i really should keep better track of them), the Sebastian one is hilarious (Abigail persuades him to participate). It also features Marnie (no spoilers here), Jodi, Vincent & Jas as a cowgirl, cowboy & fairy princess respectively. I've heard there is a mod which allows you to select what the NPCs pick for the catwalk and includes character outfits from other popular games/movies, but I've not seen it anywhere so it could be pure rumour. It'd be kinda cool if it exists though, (it might) as there is a weapons mod on Nexus where you can use the master sword from Zelda, Cloud's Buster sword or a golden keyblade amongst others.

I'll try that robin event then - unless it's already kicked in and i wasn't paying attention. It has happened before - accidentally skipping scenes. There is an "event repeater" mod which i use occasionally if this happens, it's not the most reliable mod but it's great when it works.