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My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (Live Reactions & Discussion)

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A thread to discuss My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic and the tie-in media.

All of the usual forum rules apply. In addition, please remember that the thread is discussing a kids' show, and it's primarily focused on the work itself, not the fanfic — in particular, we don't want to see lewdness creeping in.

     Original OP text 
I don't know WHAT the Hell happened (I blame shenanigans) but we're going to start from scratch. Post your feels for this awesome show again! Naow!

Edited by Mrph1 on Aug 26th 2024 at 10:24:26 AM

Ferot_Dreadnaught Since: Mar, 2015
#203751: Dec 4th 2021 at 1:57:56 AM

[up]I believe the series tried to backtrack on NMM being separate from Luna. Still failed to explain the S4 premiere had her defeated before she did anything to justify her guilt and infamy, the opposite problem of the villains we've discussed. (The best headcanon I've heard was Luna has stated evildoing well before going NMM, which is contrary to the popular Woona fanon.)

Thought about Starlight and other issues. The non-seriousness that the show was gunning for that would have allowed us to let this slide (the one reason I can think they didn't stick with S5 premier Starlight despite being a better candidate for redeeming is she was so not a fit for the shows tone a child did a better job at it) would require an amount of Comedic Sociopathy that was anathemic to the idealistic tone that made it stand out.

So many of the fan issues seem to be due to us seeing it through lens of seriousness that it wasn't supposed to be given it's still a kids show with at most heavy nods to older fans. It that the fault of us fans or the writers for failing to make the work adjust our expectations?

Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#203752: Dec 4th 2021 at 3:35:29 AM

That's the other weird thing with Nightmare Moon: she never even got the chance to do anything when she appeared. She was pretty much defeated on the spot, and banished for a thousand years for... for what, exactly? Rebelling against Celestia? No wonder some fans find the punishment rather harsh.

As for Starlight's initial motivation, I think there is a deeper issue there, where the more serious tone clashes with the very idea of cutie marks, which seem to constrain the free will of ponies in certain ways, which we in the real world would definitely see as A Bad Thing. The really weird thing is, Starlight absolutely has a point that ponies should not let themselves be constrained by their cutie marks, not because everyone should be equal, but everyone should have the freedom to live their own life without magically constraining cutie marks.

And yes, the show has tried in various ways to move away from that, leading to big contradictions. Do cutie marks impose talents, or do talents create cutie marks? Are ponies beholden to practice the talent their cutie mark represents, or can they go against their apparent meaning? And the big one, which has never been addressed: can ponies change their cutie marks, for instance if their interests change?

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
harryhenry It's either real or it's a dream Since: Jan, 2012
It's either real or it's a dream
#203753: Dec 4th 2021 at 5:24:25 AM

[up][up] My headcanon with how NMM still became infamous is that while she only appeared briefly, because Celestia had told ponykind about her the legend of NMM became grander and more exaggerated as it spread both across Equestria and through successive pony generations over the next thousand years, like a long game of telephone.

Edited by harryhenry on Dec 5th 2021 at 2:24:55 AM

Ultimatum Disasturbator from The Wiggle Room (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#203754: Dec 4th 2021 at 5:26:30 AM

I wonder what the moon prison looked like,it could have just been stasis tho

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harryhenry It's either real or it's a dream Since: Jan, 2012
It's either real or it's a dream
#203755: Dec 4th 2021 at 5:28:34 AM

[up] If you want a better idea, NMM was specifically trapped in the moon, not on it like a lot of people assume. It is covered in CommonKnowledge.Western Animation

Edited by harryhenry on Dec 5th 2021 at 2:28:50 AM

Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#203756: Dec 4th 2021 at 6:28:04 AM

Actually, in the comics she was pretty explicitly trapped on the moon.

It's one of those things where a fairy tale idea falls apart once examined too closely. Not that the actual show examines it at all, mind you.

Saying that is Common Knowledge is a bit misleading, since the show isn't all that clear on it either.

Edited by Redmess on Dec 4th 2021 at 3:29:18 PM

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#203757: Dec 4th 2021 at 6:35:12 AM

Either way you slice it, imprisoning Luna on or in the moon is kind of a silly concept. Luna controls the moon! [lol] That's like locking someone in a car but giving them keys to the ignition.

Edited by TobiasDrake on Dec 4th 2021 at 6:35:37 AM

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Ultimatum Disasturbator from The Wiggle Room (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#203758: Dec 4th 2021 at 6:38:23 AM

I mean she could have been on the surface of sun..

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
harryhenry It's either real or it's a dream Since: Jan, 2012
It's either real or it's a dream
#203759: Dec 4th 2021 at 6:42:47 AM

[up][up][up] Given that the comics were (fairly or not) often outright contradicted by the show, I wouldn’t put much stock in how they depicted things.

Edited by harryhenry on Dec 5th 2021 at 3:43:09 AM

Ultimatum Disasturbator from The Wiggle Room (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#203760: Dec 4th 2021 at 6:43:55 AM

beware the beast,beware the Continuity Snarl

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
storyyeller More like giant cherries from Appleloosa Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: RelationshipOutOfBoundsException: 1
More like giant cherries
#203761: Dec 4th 2021 at 6:50:55 AM

Post of the Day #3444

@Ginger: keep in mind the fact that Ponyville has been totally wrecked like half a dozen times by now, and they always bounce back really quickly. The only reason it was so bad this time around is because they got caught off guard; now that they know the warning signs, they can prepare accordingly. In any case, I doubt Spike is going to get punished too harshly, especially since he was Not Himself for most of the episode. When he actively resists the hoarding urge, he can, it's just that this time around he didn't know the consequences, and didn't bother resisting it. Just find a big cave nearby, and lock him in there when he gets lanky, and then let him out when he goes back to normal.

Posted by Japanese Teeth on Sun, 11th Dec '11 4:36:10 PM - Post #52742 in the old thread

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SonicMario Since: Jan, 2010
#203762: Dec 4th 2021 at 1:05:42 PM

I noticed the lengthy Starlight discussion earlier. During the show's run myself, I was always lukewarm towards Starlight because by the end of Season 6 I kinda just realized they were never going to expand on Starlight's past beyond Sunburst.

And I also lamented the fact that it was pretty much too late to have a CMC and Starlight episode when I felt like Season 5 was setting that up perfectly. We never got how Starlight got her own cutie mark, not even in the IDW comics.

About a year after the show ended though, I was collecting concepts for a long script-text fiction for my ask blog I Dream of Twilight Sparkle (A pixel-art and/or writing blog about if Twilight was a genie in an AU though still quite adjacent to the show because most major events of the show still happened). I wanted the story to give my blog's own answers for things left open in the show such as where Spike's egg came from. Though what certainly made up the most mystery, was Starlight. It was around this time last year I started the fic and all the parts were up by the end of February of this year.

I'll try to shorten all I can but here's what I did for Starlight, (at least in particular, Chapters 5-6) in spoiler tags:

Expanded Starlight's backstory that it wasn't just Sunburst leaving, although it certainly was at the very least the final straw. I took full advantage of a blind spot in the episode the Parent Map where we do see Starlight's father, but not a single sign of her mother.

She tells Sunburst and Trixie, that she never knew who her mother was. And her father has hidden her identity for all her life. The CMC stop by shortly during this conversation, in which she tells how she got her mark. Where when she was a filly left alone in the house (A latchkey filly if you will, which is even something a staffer had said Starlight was at one point that just never got explored in the show proper) in the basement of her home she opens up a wall with an accidental super charged shot, and behind it were two books. One was the equality manifesto that would influence her to do what she did later, and the other was a spellbook with very, very advanced spells in it. Upon trying the spellbook, she could surprisingly understand some of the nuance of the spell and tried using the levitating herself and flying with just magic as she does in the Season 5 finale.

While flying she tries to pick up the ball she had flung earlier but that started a magical chain reaction she could no longer control where the ball and any other small objects in the basement started orbiting around her. Where she enters a state similar to when Twilight's magic was freaking out after hatching Spike's egg. It takes her father coming back home to tackle her out. And after the dust settled. She had her mark, but having it been a decent while since Sunburst had left. As well as having read the Equality manifesto first. She only looked at her mark with disdain.

After the CMC hear the story, they deduce that Starlight may have inherited her magic power. Since if it was similar to Twilight's they asked if she had studied magic like she did. But since Starlight didn't, all they can think of is the possiblityy of having inherited her magic power. Starlight notes to them that her father's line were all average unicorns. Though it makes her facedesk, as it means the reason she's gotten her cutie mark and the reason why her magic is so powerful is tied to her mother's identity. So never knowing who her mother was turns out to be key into why she couldn't understand herself yet. In a circumstance that reminds the CMC of Troubleshoes, but many many layers deeper.

The story does reveal who Starlight's mother is later on. Though the story isn't specific to just Starlight. Chapters 5, 6, some sprinkled in Chapter 13 and 17. But most definitely 25-29, and the Epilogue having a large amount of relevance to Starlight.

I do want to be honest at least that how she got her cutie mark in my story is not how I think she did in canon. Cause there's other factors involved that differ from Genie Twilight's universe and the canon show timeline. But I had alot of fun expanding my own on Starlight. And it quickly put me on someone who was lukewarm to Starlight, and realizing she had plenty of potential that was just never met.

I actually find Starlight a pretty interesting character to talk about now. And only the fans will be able to provide anything for her. As I doubt she gets even a passing mention in say... Gen 5.

jessicadicicco610 Since: Oct, 2018 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
#203763: Dec 5th 2021 at 6:53:18 AM

https://www.equestriadaily.com/2021/12/rollercoaster-of-friendship-forgotten.html?m=1

Some Friendship Is Magic content will be leaving Netflix (at least in the US) on December 31. It's "The Best Gift Ever" from the main series and the Equestria Girls specials Forgotten Friendship and Rollercoaster Of Friendship.

storyyeller More like giant cherries from Appleloosa Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: RelationshipOutOfBoundsException: 1
More like giant cherries
#203764: Dec 5th 2021 at 7:11:43 AM

Post of the Day #3445

Yami, Librarian, Vengeful, Epic Bleye? Ginger's a dude, I'm pretty sure.

It's weird to look at Sereg's past RP Gs and see people who I see elsewhere but don't come on to this thread anymore. Imca, for instance.

Anyway, two things:

1. Speaking of ponies who don't really do anything in the episode, Gauntlet of Fire. Sparkles and Rarity are there and that's the most you can say as neither try to help Spike or Ember through the Gauntlet. Like, in the slightest. Not even against Garble.

2. So, I've been thinking of a crossover with this series and a children's card game. So, to that end, I'm curious as to what type of players the main cast would be. Who would be a Timmy, a Johnny, or a Spike?

Posted by fredhot16 - Post #196968 in the new thread

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fredhot16 Don't want to leave but cannot pretend from Baton Rogue, Louisiana. Since: Jan, 2015 Relationship Status: Too sexy for my shirt
Don't want to leave but cannot pretend
#203765: Dec 5th 2021 at 10:23:16 AM

My fourth or fifth POTD. If I keep posting, I'll keep getting more, that's just math.

Is Magic: The Gathering a children's card game? I was thinking of Yu-Gi-Oh! back then but what makes that a children's card game and not just a trading card game? Is it memetic influence?

Edited by fredhot16 on Dec 5th 2021 at 10:31:46 AM

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Blueace Surrounded by weirdoes from The End Of the World Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Surrounded by weirdoes
#203766: Dec 5th 2021 at 10:31:41 AM

That line is more about how it's Serious Business in the anime and manga even with adults playing it and the literal fate of the world hanging on it.

Wake me up at your own risk.
theLibrarian Since: Jul, 2009
#203767: Dec 5th 2021 at 12:21:02 PM

I have a brother in law a good deal older than I am that still plays it, so...

GNinja The Element of Hyperbole. from The deepest, darkest corner of his mind. Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: I'd need a PowerPoint presentation
The Element of Hyperbole.
#203768: Dec 5th 2021 at 1:44:25 PM

I don't know if I was alone in this, but while Season 5 was airing, there was this brief moment where I started to wonder if Starlight might actually become a CMC villain. Or at least, that she might have made her reappearance in a CMC episode.

Remember Bloom and Gloom? During that episode, AB repeatedly encounters this shadowy figure with a distorted voice, who offers to fix her cutie mark problems but is really just showing her visions of how cutie marks can screw up her friendships.

Considering this episode was only like, 2 or 3 episodes after the premiere, I genuinely wondered at the time whether this was supposed to be Starlight. If she was, like, taking to the dream world to spread her propaganda that way. The stuff she says fits right in with Cutie Map ! Starlight.

Apple Bloom: I hate to think that Diamond Tiara is right, but... this cutie mark sure isn't what I was hoping for.

Mysterious Voice: Why should you have to keep it, then?

Apple Bloom: Who's there?! What do you mean?!

Mysterious Voice: If your cutie mark bothers you so much, get rid of it!

Apple Bloom: Well, if you know how to wave a hoof and erase a terrible cutie mark, you go right ahead!

Mysterious Voice: As easily said as done.

or:

Mysterious Voice: More trouble with cutie marks?

Apple Bloom: No! I mean, y-yeah, I mean... Well, I got mine, but my friends didn't get theirs, and now there's all kinds of trouble!

Mysterious Voice: Sounds to me like cutie marks and trouble are two peas in the same pod.

Apple Bloom: I guess so... I mean, if I was a blank flank again, there wouldn't be a problem!

Mysterious Voice: Your wish is my command.

Yeah, this turns out to be Apple Bloom's subconscious in the end, but I mean, it really was eerie at the time. That second quote is basically exactly what happened to Starlight in her backstory, just in reverse.

Edited by GNinja on Dec 5th 2021 at 9:51:05 AM

Kaze ni Nare!
fredhot16 Don't want to leave but cannot pretend from Baton Rogue, Louisiana. Since: Jan, 2015 Relationship Status: Too sexy for my shirt
Don't want to leave but cannot pretend
#203769: Dec 5th 2021 at 2:05:20 PM

I distinctly remember, when Tobias was first making those reviews and saying that he wanted a Cutie Mark Crusaders/Starlight episode, that Meta Four commented "you might literally be the first person to ask for something like that".

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Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#203770: Dec 5th 2021 at 2:38:20 PM

Well, he sure was on to something then.

And yeah, that Bloom and Gloom villain could easily have been Starlight. Perhaps that was even the initial idea before it was scrapped. Wouldn't be the first time either; remember the shadowy figure at the Castle of the Two Sisters?

... They never did finish renovating that old castle, did they? I think it was going to be Twilight's castle, but I suspect Hasbro intervened with their crystal tree playset.

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
storyyeller More like giant cherries from Appleloosa Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: RelationshipOutOfBoundsException: 1
More like giant cherries
#203771: Dec 5th 2021 at 3:07:18 PM

I don't think there was ever supposed to be any significance to the Pony of Shadows stinger, any more than the Bats! stinger.

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fredhot16 Don't want to leave but cannot pretend from Baton Rogue, Louisiana. Since: Jan, 2015 Relationship Status: Too sexy for my shirt
Don't want to leave but cannot pretend
#203772: Dec 5th 2021 at 4:01:22 PM

[up]Story, do you think your thing below your avatar can be fixed?

Trans rights are human rights. TV Tropes is not a place for bigotry, cruelty, or dickishness, no matter who or their position.
GNinja The Element of Hyperbole. from The deepest, darkest corner of his mind. Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: I'd need a PowerPoint presentation
The Element of Hyperbole.
#203773: Dec 5th 2021 at 4:06:21 PM

About the pony of shadows: That's actually one of my favourite little details in the entire show (That was also completely and utterly accidental)

So, the Pony of Shadows turns out to be Stygian. His whole motive was that he felt like he wasn't respected by anyone. The general public looked past him to fawn over the exploits of the other pillars, despite all the work he put into recruiting and strategizing for the team, and his desire for validation was the first domino that led to his turn to evil.

But how is his legend remembered? The first time we hear about the Pony of Shadows, it was as an extension to Nightmare Moon's story. The Pony of Shadows was apparently a lingering remnant of Nightmare Moon's magic that survived her banishment.

So... once again, poor Stygian was overshadowed (heh). Even as a powerful villain, his legend was absorbed into the story of a more popular villain. I know this wasn't intentional, the writers of Shadow Play probably forgot, or, more likely, didn't even know the Pony's backstory from Castle-Maneia, but thematically it fits Stygian really REALLY well.

There are a few MLP related things that I feel really strongly about that no one else cares about in the slightest. One is the accidental brilliance of what I just mentioned. The other is that the Changeling imitating Twilight in TWABA is unironically the best-performed deception in the show.

Edited by GNinja on Dec 5th 2021 at 12:12:42 PM

Kaze ni Nare!
Ultimatum Disasturbator from The Wiggle Room (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#203774: Dec 5th 2021 at 4:08:31 PM

> Story, do you think your thing below your avatar can be fixed?

That's a formatting fix that would require admins to do something

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TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#203775: Dec 5th 2021 at 4:12:31 PM

Yeah, it is so weird that they used the Pony of Shadows, specifically, to be Stygian's alter ego. Given that the two have literally nothing to do with each other whatsoever.

Like. Imagine if they introduced this new villain. This villain is one of Luna's bat-ponies, and she has a sinister master plan to destroy Equestria's weather system. She intends to sabotage Cloudsdale so that the rain and snow can no longer come to Equestria. It's all rooted in her childhood trauma because, this one time, a massive snowstorm made her really sad. So now she hates weather and wants to destroy it all.

Her name? Flutterbat. REMEMBER THAT STINGER FROM "BATS"?! The one where Flutterbat was hinted to return?! THIS IS IT! This is the return of Flutterbat! She's back!

That's what Stygian is. He's a brand new character that the writers inexplicably pretend is related to a concept from an earlier episode. One which bears absolutely no resemblance to him or what he's about.

Edited by TobiasDrake on Dec 5th 2021 at 4:12:44 AM

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