A part of the problem was that his one unique power was situational at best, and was further limited by the restrictions on violence the show was under. If a given episode's adventure took place in outer space, or even just inland, his ability to command marine life was basically useless. And even when the episode took place at sea or underwater, he wasn't allowed to order anything more violent than a headbutt (which, admittedly, should usually have been rather more effective than it actually was, given that it was often a whale doing the headbutting). When more violent creatures like sharks showed up, his aquatic telepathy always failed to work on them, for varying reasons. This helped build an impression of his powers being useless.
Also, all his methods of transportation were sea-based, so he was usually sitting in the backseat of Wonder Woman's invisible jet, while everyone else could fly under their own power, or owned a plane. That didn't really help matters.
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Stand between the Silver Crystal and the Golden Sea.
"Youngsters these days just have no appreciation for the magnificence of the legendary cucumber." --Krityan Elder, Tales of Vesperia.
Also, all his methods of transportation were sea-based, so he was usually sitting in the backseat of Wonder Woman's invisible jet, while everyone else could fly under their own power, or owned a plane. That didn't really help matters.
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Stand between the Silver Crystal and the Golden Sea.
"Youngsters these days just have no appreciation for the magnificence of the legendary cucumber." --Krityan Elder, Tales of Vesperia.