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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

JapaneseTeeth Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing from Meinong's jungle Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Mu
Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing
#50826: Feb 19th 2014 at 10:34:19 AM

Yeah, those are expected to be big spectacle episodes. I'm just trying to theorize why it hasn't come up in the regular series episodes. And my thoughts are basically that it boils down to how the writers deal with changes to status quo. Namely this: They don't change the core character, they just add circumstance. What I mean by the character's ongoing role in the show doesn't change; AJ will always be an apple farmer, RD is a weatherpony with dreams of joining the Wonderbolts, Rarity will always run the boutique in Ponyville, etc. The chances of their recurring roles changing (e.g. Fluttershy getting a new job, Pinkie Pie isn't going to move out of town permanently, etc.) are very slim.

However, they do change the circumstances of the character's lives, but only in a way that can be taken or left depending on the episode. Take Rainbow Dash for example. She has made progress in her attempt to be a Wonderbolt, but any of the changes that have taken place are such that they can be ignored if the story doesn't involve them. Same goes for Rarity. She's making progress in the fashion world, but it's always through isolated shows and events, and she's always remained centered in Ponyville.

The writers are trying to handle Twilight's new status the same way; yes, she's a princess now, but they'll ignore that fact unless it becomes relevant to the episode somehow. Whether this is good or bad is up for debate, but I think it explains why it hasn't come up much. If they mentioned it offhand too often, it would have to be brought up all the time, to the point of dominating the show.

As for the Rainbow Kingdom, my guess is that Twilight is going to take over Celestia and Luna's old castle. It's close enough to Ponyville to allow for more Slice of Life plots while still giving them a new setting to work with.

edited 19th Feb '14 10:35:09 AM by JapaneseTeeth

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CDRW Since: May, 2016
#50827: Feb 19th 2014 at 10:41:39 AM

It's snowing as hard right now as it ever has this winter, and I'm stuck without a coat because when I left this morning it was warm and not snowing. sad

Sereg Since: Jun, 2010
#50828: Feb 19th 2014 at 10:42:29 AM

with a unicorn suddenly becoming one of the god-queens of the realm,

The Princesses are not treated as god-queens and Lauren said that she never saw them as such. It's just popular fanon. The evidence of the show says that alicorns are special, but not really all that much.

As Seraphem said, look at Cadance. I actually wrote a blog post about this phenomenon (and some similar stuff) a while ago.

kyun Since: Dec, 2010
#50829: Feb 19th 2014 at 10:47:48 AM

Where did we get "Rainbow Kingdom"? Is it something I missed?

Mio Since: Jan, 2001
#50830: Feb 19th 2014 at 10:48:09 AM

I understand that it has always been in the show's nature to downplay the significance of it's events in universe, and I understand why they do it. I just think it was never a good thing, and by this point it's becoming more then a little ridiculous.

Swasfewses Hermit from New York Since: Sep, 2013 Relationship Status: Staying up all night to get lucky
Sereg Since: Jun, 2010
#50832: Feb 19th 2014 at 10:51:59 AM

As has been mentioned elsewhere, the nature of ponies to treat things other ponies have done as less special actually makes sense given their nature as a herd species. It's an unusual cultural quirk that adds to the wordbuilding.

Also, I like the fact that it supports the "off-screen battle in Tartarus principle" as I like to call it. For every crazy thing we see on-screen, there's plenty more we never see. This is pretty normal for ponies.

Seraphem Since: Oct, 2009
#50833: Feb 19th 2014 at 10:53:59 AM

No it isn't. it's a stable, and fairly well established and consistent piece of simply how the 'verse works. Ponies on the whole seem to have relatively short attention spans, baring things related to their special talent. Have a tendency to always be caring more about now, and what's new, then on the past.

kegisak Element of Class Since: Feb, 2011 Relationship Status: In Lesbians with you
Element of Class
#50834: Feb 19th 2014 at 10:56:01 AM

For what it's worth there, it looked like literally every pony in Ponyville had a chemical hazmat suit at the ready when they thought disease was breaking out... even if they're not used to it, they evidently have a culture of preparedness.

Birthright: an original web novel about Dragons, the Burdens of Leadership, and Mangoes.
Seraphem Since: Oct, 2009
#50835: Feb 19th 2014 at 10:57:33 AM

It's Ponyville, after all the shit they've dealt with in just the last year or so... yeah I'm not surprised they are prepared for anything.

kegisak Element of Class Since: Feb, 2011 Relationship Status: In Lesbians with you
Element of Class
#50836: Feb 19th 2014 at 11:03:26 AM

Well, then doesn't hat mindset just prove Sereg's point? They're prepared because they're used to this sort of thing.

Ponyville itself, at least; bearing in mind that the vast majority of the series takes place in a single location, and a small town at that, Twilight's change wouldn't really register to a small group of ponies who know her fairly well and are used to have big, weird things going on - especially since they all tend to happen around her, or she gets involved in some way.

Birthright: an original web novel about Dragons, the Burdens of Leadership, and Mangoes.
CDRW Since: May, 2016
#50837: Feb 19th 2014 at 11:06:04 AM

I want to see an episode focusing entirely around the ridiculous preparations that the ponies in Ponyville seem to make. Really, Pinkie's eyepatch stashes don't seem all that strange.

Mio Since: Jan, 2001
#50838: Feb 19th 2014 at 11:10:25 AM

As has been mentioned elsewhere, the nature of ponies to treat things other ponies have done as less special actually makes sense given their nature as a herd species. It's an unusual cultural quirk that adds to the wordbuilding.

I guess I just don't find that an interesting bit of worldbuilding so much as an example of lazy writing and an over adherence to team's preferred genre. But then I guess that's to be expected coming from me.tongue

edited 19th Feb '14 11:10:38 AM by Mio

darkabomination Since: Mar, 2012
#50839: Feb 19th 2014 at 11:16:14 AM

@star. well seeing how her and her parents are Rainicorns, it's to be expected. wonder what you'll think of monochromicorn.

Starscream759 Since: May, 2013 Relationship Status: In denial
#50840: Feb 19th 2014 at 11:25:24 AM

@Dark I meant when Finn was using the ketchup and mustard to make Jake look like a Rainicorn and showed all these bright colours on the screen. And what do I think of what now?

edited 19th Feb '14 11:26:01 AM by Starscream759

"Transform and Roll out!" Optimus Prime
darkabomination Since: Mar, 2012
#50841: Feb 19th 2014 at 11:28:02 AM

Ah that.

maybe shouldn't have mentioned that one, Monochromicorn is the mirror universe Rainicorn. But yeah, I like that episode quite a bit, and the soi humans joke was funny.

Starscream759 Since: May, 2013 Relationship Status: In denial
#50842: Feb 19th 2014 at 11:31:32 AM

@Dark So yeah I liked that episode. And also BMO's adorable! Eeeee! But not as adorable as Sweetie Belle.

"Transform and Roll out!" Optimus Prime
Sereg Since: Jun, 2010
#50843: Feb 19th 2014 at 11:31:54 AM

@Seraphem: Yeah. Those are all points I was making.

EDIT: @Mio: They aren't humans and it's better when they aren't written as such.

edited 19th Feb '14 11:35:26 AM by Sereg

JapaneseTeeth Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing from Meinong's jungle Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Mu
Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing
#50844: Feb 19th 2014 at 11:49:00 AM

[up]I'd just like to point out that the whole "herd based society" thing falls kinda flat due to how anthropomorphic they are. It is a different society and culture than reality, but I don't think it's due to species.

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kyun Since: Dec, 2010
#50845: Feb 19th 2014 at 11:51:52 AM

grin Ponies are unusually forgiving in Equestria. ... is there some law that prohibits anyone to hold a grudge for a specific amount of time?? Imagining the punishments that result when somepony breaks that law is hilarious.

JapaneseTeeth Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing from Meinong's jungle Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Mu
Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing
#50846: Feb 19th 2014 at 11:55:50 AM

"You are hearby sentenced to have a minimum of one tea party a week with the object of your illegal grudge for the next month!"

"But neither of us even like tea!"

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darkabomination Since: Mar, 2012
#50847: Feb 19th 2014 at 11:56:51 AM

I think it's a stretch to go on full herd-based social structures. There's furry reminders mostly for humour, but no serious attempts to integrate horselike behavior into the characters or setting.

kegisak Element of Class Since: Feb, 2011 Relationship Status: In Lesbians with you
Element of Class
#50848: Feb 19th 2014 at 11:59:17 AM

Also there's the thing to consider: humans are pack animals, strictly speaking, but once you develop society on a large scale that kind of thing gets muddied.

That said, primate packs and horse herds do function differently, but pony society still resembles human society, so it's fair to assume they lean more one way than the other.

Birthright: an original web novel about Dragons, the Burdens of Leadership, and Mangoes.
Seraphem Since: Oct, 2009
#50849: Feb 19th 2014 at 11:59:53 AM

But it is still kind of there. How easy they panic, their tendency to all follow along in a group to anything that comes around. The not noting others accomplishments so much, and having a short attention span for those things.

Yeah it's nothing major, but are some subtle things that do suggest at least some influence.

darkabomination Since: Mar, 2012
#50850: Feb 19th 2014 at 12:03:59 PM

I think the fandom gives the writers too much credit. Sometimes the show isn't that subtle or amazing, it's just the fact that most of us like it quite a bit.


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