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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

MsCC93 Since: May, 2012
#31276: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:17:27 PM

I'm sorry to ruin the flow of this conversation, and know I probably asked a similar question before, but how come fans treat the antagonists like Gilda and Diamond Tiara as Complete Monsters who did a lot of damage, and ignore the fact that they caused less damage than the major villains? Trust me, I love Nightmare Moon and the other villains because they are interesting and their schemes are cool.

Also, I dislike Diamond Tiara ,and I don't care for Gilda, but I just wanted to ask because I do like a character from another show that is treated the same way by the fandom (She has a Never Live It Down moment, fans ignore her character development and act like she's an irredeemable monster, despite her doing less damage than most of the characters and her mellowing out and becoming a much more likable character. She's not a bully character, but still).

Starscream759 Since: May, 2013 Relationship Status: In denial
#31277: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:17:36 PM

@CD If that were the case then I'd rather be a mechanical robot than a Changeling.

"Transform and Roll out!" Optimus Prime
Luminosity Since: Jun, 2012 Relationship Status: Lovey-Dovey
#31278: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:19:15 PM

but how come fans treat the antagonists like Gilda and Diamond Tiara as Complete Monsters who did a lot of damage

They do? Since when?

CleverPun Bully in the Alley from California Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
Bully in the Alley
#31279: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:19:44 PM

[up][up][up]Because petty bullying is more personal and less abstract than "I'm going to take over Canterlot/Equestria".

I read a good blog post on the matter, but I can't remember who wrote it.

edited 21st Dec '13 7:20:30 PM by CleverPun

"The only way to truly waste an idea is to shove it where it doesn't belong."
Mio Since: Jan, 2001
#31280: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:20:33 PM

@Ms CC 93: Because them being bullies means that their brand villain, though relatively minor, hits closer to home for a lot of people the the actions of a Chaos God or Sorcerer King.

Ninja'd

edited 21st Dec '13 7:21:33 PM by Mio

Enlong Court Dragon from The Underground Facility Since: May, 2011 Relationship Status: is commanded to— WANK!
Court Dragon
#31281: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:21:44 PM

Well, I suppose one factor is that Nightmare Moon, and eventually Discord, did get (a measure of, in Discord's case) development.

Trixie, as well, if we're going down to the "jerk" spectrum.

To go back to Chrysalis for comparison? She does less damage, overall, than cosmic-level threats like Discord. But she is, interestingly, more evil than him.

edited 21st Dec '13 7:24:27 PM by Enlong

I have a message from another time...
Seraphem Since: Oct, 2009
#31282: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:24:41 PM

But there wasn't. It doesn't matter what "could have been" anything "could" all that matters is what IS! And, as long as there is at least a plausible explanation for it all, it all makes sense and works consistently to the best of ou knowledge, you can't really claim anything is a plot hole, or something wrong, just because "Oh hey this would have been coll" when there is a damn good, in story reason it would not have been possible.

As to DT and Gilds, as the rest said, their rather petty stuff, is a lot more personal, it's shit we've really dealt with, we KNOW people like that and hate them. Bigger, "take over the world" threat are more abstract, not as personal. Also, for the most part, they come as weak and two dimensional characters, just there to be 'bullies' with no real character past that.

Mio Since: Jan, 2001
#31283: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:27:25 PM

@Seraphem: I'm not actually claiming it's a plot hole. I'm just saying it's a missed opportunity, and thus a disappointment.

edited 21st Dec '13 7:28:33 PM by Mio

marston Since: Sep, 2011
#31284: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:29:22 PM

@JT: Wow, that sucks. You have my condolences.sad

@Seraphem: I've actually stopped watching Digibrony for the same reasons you've mentioned, as well as Bronycurious. Why do so many reviewers have to just straight up become negative out of nowhere?

JapaneseTeeth Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing from Meinong's jungle Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Mu
Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing
#31285: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:29:42 PM

@CDRW: BS. We're not that organized. tongue

@Ms CC: Here's my take on it. Characters like Gilda and Diamond Tiara are more disliked because they're basically guaranteed to resemble someone that you know that's treated you in a similar fashion. Just about everyone knows somebody who was a colossal dick to them, so when we see a similar character on screen we go "I hate that" because we know exactly what it's like to deal with that kind of antagonist. On the flipside, none of us have ever had to deal with a supervillain style person like Nightmare Moon, so we don't respond personally to it. We have no frame of reference; we know that they're bad because of what their actions are, but we've never experienced the result, so we have to experience their evilness vicariously through the heroes of the story. Where as Gilda or Diamond Tiara make it very easy to project personal experience onto them.

In general, the more personal an act of villainy is, the more hatred you'll get for it. It's why bullying someone is going to earn tons of hatred, while trying to bring about eternal night results in a fanbase.

edited 21st Dec '13 7:33:46 PM by JapaneseTeeth

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darkabomination Since: Mar, 2012
#31286: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:30:21 PM

@Ms. Why do I get the feeling your talking about Haruhi Suzumiya? I'm probably wrong, of course.

Seraphem Since: Oct, 2009
#31287: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:36:23 PM

@ Mio but if it's one that HAS a real, in verse reason why it's impossible, then.. whats the point in saying "Oh if things were completely different and altered at a fundamental level, things would be better."

really the ONLY thing I really would have wanted to see changed or altered in that ep was a better explanation of the source and reason for the 'threat' who exactly made it and why.

MsCC93 Since: May, 2012
#31288: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:37:40 PM

@Luminosity On this very website, all the time. Trust me, I dislike Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's guts because they do remind me of my bullies, but I do think labeling her as a Complete Monster is too far. I understand Jerk with a Heart of Jerk because she's shown to not have that many redeeeming qualities anyway. I have gotten over Gilda anyway, even though I'm a Fluttershy fan, because she only showed up once. She's a bully, but she got less screentime than DT & SS, which is why I dislike the duo more and I feel they are worse than Gilda.

@darkabomination It's not Haruhi. I dislike that show with a passion and I find it boring.

@Japaneese Teeth You're completely right, which may be the reason why I hate characters like Connie and the Griffin family (except Stewie, Meg, and Brian) from Family Guy, because I dealt with people like them in middle school-high school. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are bitches no doubt, but these characters are worse in my opinion.

edited 21st Dec '13 7:41:19 PM by MsCC93

storyyeller More like giant cherries from Appleloosa Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: RelationshipOutOfBoundsException: 1
More like giant cherries
#31289: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:39:35 PM

Hmmm me as a superhero.....

Well if it were up for me, I'd want a Thinker power, or failing that, Tinker. But with personality based powers, I'd probably get something stupid like invisibility.

Also, the pegasi really slipped up here in Kentucky. The rain is so hard you can barely see even with windshield wipers. It's a good thing we managed to find a hotel when we did.

Blind Final Fantasy 6 Let's Play
Mio Since: Jan, 2001
#31290: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:43:56 PM

@Seraphem: . . .because it could have made for a more interesting scenario/story then what actually happened. . .at least I think so. If you didn't want anything more out of the story that's fine, I just did.

darkabomination Since: Mar, 2012
#31291: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:45:42 PM

To me, DT and SS are so over the top in their jerk tendencies it can't be taken seriously, and they just come off as kind of cute because they're trying so hard to be mean in a setting like Equestria.

storyyeller More like giant cherries from Appleloosa Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: RelationshipOutOfBoundsException: 1
More like giant cherries
#31292: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:47:55 PM

so I'd say she ha more in common with Batman.

She did throw horseshoearangs, much like Batman.

Sweetie Bell can use her voice both as hypnotic suggestion and sonic screams.

She'll have to be careful or she'll accidently get sent to The Birdcage for stupid reasons.

So she's a cross between the Joker and Sedusa.

Don't forget that one hair villian from Captain Underpants.

Blind Final Fantasy 6 Let's Play
IkeAndMike Exists for some reason from Earth Since: Jan, 2013 Relationship Status: Love is for the living, Sal
Exists for some reason
#31293: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:48:41 PM

And anyone else with prehensile hair. Like Medusa from Marvel comics.

http://h0useb0und.tumblr.com/
storyyeller More like giant cherries from Appleloosa Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: RelationshipOutOfBoundsException: 1
More like giant cherries
#31294: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:50:29 PM

Power Ponies has put me in a superhero mood.

Have you read Worm yet? If not, you should.

Blind Final Fantasy 6 Let's Play
Seraphem Since: Oct, 2009
#31295: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:51:19 PM

Again the issue is, there is a real, plausible reason for it not to happen. And when is "more" ever a bad thing? but counting what randomly 'could have been' against an episode, when again reasons for that not existing in 'verse are solid, I don't get that.

Something like dragon Quest, where there's really no good in story reason for us not to have gotten something better then just a bunch of stereotypical over the top jerks and no actual insight into Spike's past. Yeah that's a good reason. but when it's actions, that again, HAVE in story reasons against them.....

As to the Complete Monster thing, yeah they are. no way in hell are they even close to Jerk with a Heart of Gold. that requires, HAVING something to you beside being an utter despicable jerk, something none of them show. They are just plain, falt, bullies, with nothing beyond that. no reason for it beyond they like being mean, cruel and sadistic.

Ones like Crysy, Discord, NMM, you can sympathize with, understand, see there is more to them. They aren't just doing things because they like inflicting pain. DT and SS, there is no reason beyond them wanting to cause as much psychological pain to others as possible, for no damn reason.

Enlong Court Dragon from The Underground Facility Since: May, 2011 Relationship Status: is commanded to— WANK!
Court Dragon
#31296: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:55:06 PM

I still can't spare very much sympathy for Chrysalis.

I have a message from another time...
JapaneseTeeth Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing from Meinong's jungle Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Mu
Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing
#31297: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:56:38 PM

Yeah, I think Complete Monster is vastly overstating it. They're bitches, yes, but their bullying is so pitifully superficial that they couldn't be considered worse than an Alpha Bitch. A Complete Monster is a character who's so far past the Moral Event Horizon that any form of redemption would make you go "No way". DT and SS aren't even close. They're jerks, but they're not irredeemable by any stretch. It's entirely possible that they could grow out of it. I've seen that happen in real life; I've known several people who were utter jackholes as kids but mellowed out a bit as they got older and turned into pretty cool guys.

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Shota Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: Dancing with myself
#31298: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:57:06 PM

I imagine the CMC recounting the various ways they ran into members of the Power Ponies, with sequences animated in different styles.

MsCC93 Since: May, 2012
#31299: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:57:43 PM

@storyyeller You're talking about Wedgie Woman? I loved that book.

Psi001 Since: Oct, 2010
#31300: Dec 21st 2013 at 7:58:38 PM

Admittedly the show is often a bit more Anvilicious and black and white about bully characters than others. Many cartoons have them as colossal dickheads, but Gilda and Diamond Tiara are almost so much revolved around their jerkassery they're more a prop. After Flight To The Finish, DT is bordering in Card Carrying territory with how she goes about it, and not even in the cartoony 'Ow, my bullying hand' sort of way. I always thought Gilda seemed a bit inconsistent too, she starts off a jerk but aloof about it, then when the party comes she's an Attention Whore. It just seemed like the only thing that stays about her is she's a jerk.

Basically you can tell which characters the writers don't want you to like, because the nastiness of their character seems to be the only thing they bother with.

edited 21st Dec '13 8:01:21 PM by Psi001


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