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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

Crowfall Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: Hoping Senpai notices me
#62726: Apr 2nd 2014 at 9:56:07 AM

Oh gosh, are we crapping on Flash? My favorite.

I largely hate him because of how horribly lazy his relationship with Twilight was. In addition to what Seraphem said about how Twilight really has no reason to show attraction to a species she's never met before, especially when she's never shown attraction to anyone before, Flash has all of two lines before Twi is visibly crushing on him. "Woah, you okay?" and "Oh! We've got to stop bumping into each other like this." That's it. That is all it takes to woo the princess apparently.

Next we get Rarity dropping the tidbit that Flash and Sunset used to date. This is never referenced again. Flash doesn't ever speak to Sunset, and Sunset doesn't even seem to notice that Twi is crushing on her ex. The only purpose of this subplot is to make the Flashlight relationship have that all important forbidden allure, but the sheer laziness of the attempt just puts me off even more.

Not particularly related to Flash's character, but I absolutely hate it when stories in multiple worlds pull that replacement love interest crap. Oh sure, you lost the original, but here's someone who looks just like them! That's all that's important, right? Never mind that they don't share any of your memories together. Granted that isn't a lot of memories at this point, but this will only get weirder if Twi and Flash interact in the second movie.

I'd also submit to you that Flash is a terrible guard. Twi bumping into him in the human world is her fault, but in Equestria he is a guard. Being alert is literally his job. On top of that, Twi is a princess and the sister of his employer, yet he doesn't notice and step out of her way when she's walking down the corridor and loudly talking with her friends? Twice? Then rather than apologizing to her he pulls out the same smarmy line that he used in the human world? That line works when you're both high school students, not when she outranks you enough to throw you in a dungeon.

KingKix Typing the internet since '90 from Dante City Since: Jun, 2013 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Typing the internet since '90
#62727: Apr 2nd 2014 at 9:57:21 AM

I wish I could have gone to a watermelon smashing high school. [lol]

Dakota's blog An odd agent of justice
JapaneseTeeth Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing from Meinong's jungle Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Mu
Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing
#62728: Apr 2nd 2014 at 9:59:41 AM

@Lum: Thanks. I just picked up Disgaea Dimension 2 a few days ago and it's awesome.

@Crow: I don't have any gripe with Flash himself, I just don't think he got enough development for the role he was placing in. The whole "Sunset Shimmer's Ex" thing could've been really interesting. In short, the character concept had a lot of potential, but they didn't really do much with it.

And to be fair, aside from Shining Armor, none of the royal guards are particularly competent.

EDIT: Uh oh.

edited 2nd Apr '14 10:05:55 AM by JapaneseTeeth

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KuroiTsubasaTenshi Streamer from Twitch Since: May, 2011
Streamer
#62729: Apr 2nd 2014 at 10:11:33 AM

Even Shining is a bit lacking as a guard. It's usually up to Cadance to clean up any messes.

FE: New Mystery Only Feet 7PM PT Sun, Mon, Fri; Umamusume Haru Arima 7PM PT Wed, Thurs: http://www.twitch.tv/kuroitsubasatenshi
KingKix Typing the internet since '90 from Dante City Since: Jun, 2013 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Typing the internet since '90
#62730: Apr 2nd 2014 at 10:11:50 AM

Are we talking about Flash now?*Rolls eyes in disbelief*

[up][up]I thought that was Fionne

edited 2nd Apr '14 10:14:54 AM by KingKix

Dakota's blog An odd agent of justice
JapaneseTeeth Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing from Meinong's jungle Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Mu
KylerThatch literary masochist Since: Jan, 2001
literary masochist
#62732: Apr 2nd 2014 at 10:14:19 AM

Quick, give her the kick!

This "faculty lot" you speak of sounds like a place of great power...
JapaneseTeeth Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing from Meinong's jungle Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Mu
KingKix Typing the internet since '90 from Dante City Since: Jun, 2013 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Typing the internet since '90
#62734: Apr 2nd 2014 at 10:16:25 AM

[up][up]*dick* there, I fixed it.

edited 2nd Apr '14 10:19:38 AM by KingKix

Dakota's blog An odd agent of justice
Crowfall Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: Hoping Senpai notices me
#62735: Apr 2nd 2014 at 10:17:10 AM

@Kix: Hey, at least it's actually pony related.

Anyway, Sereg asked for a justification for Twidash, so here we go. I'm just directly copying from someone in a fimfiction thread, because it says what I want to say way better than I'd be able to.

Over a long-term relationship, the things that both of them bring to the table would temper the other, resulting in them growing and changing into better ponies. They're both independent but insecure; they'd draw strength from each other without becoming codependent. And as different as they are, they have an underlying commonality. Both are exceptional at what they choose to do, both are rather practical-minded, both have idols that they simultaneously look up to and are overshadowed by. From those commonalities, they contrast in ways that the other would benefit from; Twilight would learn to be less high-strung from Rainbow Dash, and Rainbow Dash would learn to appreciate organization and learn to think things through better from Twilight.

To expand on their exceptionable skills and idol points, both have a past involving them making a name for themselves as foals, facing fame for that, and in some ways having to live in the shadow of their own achievements. While they're all suitably famous for bearing the Elements of Harmony, Dash has the honor of being known for proving the existence of the Sonic Rainboom. Twilight holds the honor of being Princess Celestia's personal student.

Dash we know for a fact faced her own shadow, since she struggled for most of her life to repeat the Sonic Rainboom. Twilight, as we've seen from her fears of going back to 'magic kindergarten' probably faced a similar looming sickle of judgement. As children, both were put in a position where they had to constantly live up to their own reputations. This is emotionally draining and marks a person. I know this from personal experience; when pressure is put on you as a child to live up to your full and romanticized potential, you're put in a lose-lose situation. If you fail at a difficult task laid at your feet, you were lucky the first time and are all hype and hot air. If you succeed, of course you succeeded; you're you! And clearly what was asked was too easy; better make it harder next time!

Dash and Twilight would both have gone through that as foals and would be haunted by it to a certain extent. Neither of them gave up, which is something that speaks to their strength of will, and gives them a really strong bedrock of personal understanding of the world. They'd find comfort in someone else who understands and relief in someone they don't have to perform for. In a relationship, neither would need to prove anything to the other and that in and of itself would be an almost unbearable relief.

Additionally, they both have lofty and overshadowing idols. Dash has the bolts and Twi has Princess Celestia. Dash has the opportunity to join the ranks of the bolts and Twilight has become a princess, but living in that place of idolatry for their whole lives colors the experiences with it. Twilight will never feel like she's an equal of Celestia's I don't think. Celestia will always be the figure to look up towards. Dash might eventually break her hero worship of the bolts once she joins their ranks, possibly arriving at captaincy, but she'll always hold herself to an unrealistic ideal of the members who came before her. The legacy of the bolts will be an unattainable, overshadowing perfection. This ties in with their ability to support each other. They both know exactly what the other is going through and offer a unique level of understanding and empathy.

The biggest thing I think about with the pair is how they change over time as a couple. They both act as rock tumblers to each other, smoothing away each other's biggest foibles as a matter of being around each other consistently. Dash will never be completely organized and Twi will never be completely relaxed, but they'll be more even keel and balanced. They'd both be happier and less stressed. I like it when couples make each other more satisfied with their lives in general outside of them being together. Because sure, a character would be happy to be romantically involved with another character that makes them happy, but being happy and fulfilled in themselves is much more satisfying. And I think the two could honestly help each other get to that point.

edited 2nd Apr '14 10:20:01 AM by Crowfall

Mio Since: Jan, 2001
#62736: Apr 2nd 2014 at 10:17:42 AM

@Kuroi: Well unless your a main character (or just got big toys made of you), you really aren't allowed to resolve big issues like that.

storyyeller More like giant cherries from Appleloosa Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: RelationshipOutOfBoundsException: 1
More like giant cherries
#62737: Apr 2nd 2014 at 10:20:59 AM

EDIT: Uh oh

You had me worried there.

Also, it just occured to me that even the Flim Flams had more characterization than Flash Sentry in their first episode. Same with Iron Will.

edited 2nd Apr '14 10:22:15 AM by storyyeller

Blind Final Fantasy 6 Let's Play
KuroiTsubasaTenshi Streamer from Twitch Since: May, 2011
Streamer
#62738: Apr 2nd 2014 at 10:23:22 AM

Mio: Which all the guards, including Shining pretty much fall under. I was making a point that Shining is not really an exception.

FE: New Mystery Only Feet 7PM PT Sun, Mon, Fri; Umamusume Haru Arima 7PM PT Wed, Thurs: http://www.twitch.tv/kuroitsubasatenshi
Mio Since: Jan, 2001
#62739: Apr 2nd 2014 at 10:27:30 AM

[up]I know. I guess you could say I was agreeing with you.

Sydxelia Are you into... Vinyl? from Cranberry World Since: Nov, 2010
Are you into... Vinyl?
#62740: Apr 2nd 2014 at 10:32:12 AM

Is this a case of whoever's post is the biggest wins?

I'll just come back when we're done Flashing each other.

I put my friend in a coconut! He lives in my hat! Hey, come hang out!
Crowfall Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: Hoping Senpai notices me
#62741: Apr 2nd 2014 at 10:37:33 AM

If so I'd probably be disqualified for stealing most of my post from somewhere else.

KuroiTsubasaTenshi Streamer from Twitch Since: May, 2011
Streamer
#62742: Apr 2nd 2014 at 10:44:25 AM

More like whoever can beat up on poor Flash the hardest wins.

FE: New Mystery Only Feet 7PM PT Sun, Mon, Fri; Umamusume Haru Arima 7PM PT Wed, Thurs: http://www.twitch.tv/kuroitsubasatenshi
Seraphem Since: Oct, 2009
#62743: Apr 2nd 2014 at 10:45:41 AM

So Shining wins? Cause I'm sure he could lay quite the beat down on the colt trying to miss with his little sis.

kegisak Element of Class Since: Feb, 2011 Relationship Status: In Lesbians with you
Element of Class
#62744: Apr 2nd 2014 at 10:49:49 AM

The last thing Flash's personality needs is for him to wind up a prop in a "I'm a grown up now I can do what I want" conflict between Twi and Shiny.

As funny as that would be to see, considering Twilight is a princess and all. Might give us a chance to meet Twilight's parents too, which would be nice.

Birthright: an original web novel about Dragons, the Burdens of Leadership, and Mangoes.
storyyeller More like giant cherries from Appleloosa Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: RelationshipOutOfBoundsException: 1
More like giant cherries
#62745: Apr 2nd 2014 at 10:52:15 AM

I'd also submit to you that Flash is a terrible guard. Twi bumping into him in the human world is her fault, but in Equestria he is a guard. Being alert is literally his job. On top of that, Twi is a princess and the sister of his employer, yet he doesn't notice and step out of her way when she's walking down the corridor and loudly talking with her friends? Twice? Then rather than apologizing to her he pulls out the same smarmy line that he used in the human world? That line works when you're both high school students, not when she outranks you enough to throw you in a dungeon.

New mental image: he says that to everypony.

Oh hi there Princess Celestia. We really need to stop bumping into each other. OH hi there Guard #2, we really need to stop bumping into each other. Yeah, we really need to stop having somepony getting out of formation.

Blind Final Fantasy 6 Let's Play
kegisak Element of Class Since: Feb, 2011 Relationship Status: In Lesbians with you
Element of Class
#62746: Apr 2nd 2014 at 10:56:16 AM

Maybe he was just straight-up hitting on her?

I mean, Shiny got with a princess, so it's not like she's that far out of his league.

Birthright: an original web novel about Dragons, the Burdens of Leadership, and Mangoes.
storyyeller More like giant cherries from Appleloosa Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: RelationshipOutOfBoundsException: 1
More like giant cherries
#62747: Apr 2nd 2014 at 11:00:36 AM

Oh, the painful kind hitting on people you see in romantic comedies?

Blind Final Fantasy 6 Let's Play
Crowfall Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: Hoping Senpai notices me
#62748: Apr 2nd 2014 at 11:00:46 AM

Sure, but Shining didn't meet Cadance while working as a guard. Hitting on someone who is both a princess and the sister of your employer immediately after meeting her isn't exactly professional. So, again, not good at his job.

IkeAndMike Exists for some reason from Earth Since: Jan, 2013 Relationship Status: Love is for the living, Sal
Exists for some reason
#62749: Apr 2nd 2014 at 11:01:35 AM

I think I'll throw my opinion out there since everyone else is doing so.

Flash isn't really a bad character. He's just a bland character. He's a member of the royal guard, he likes Twilight after meeting her (consistent in both universes, too) and he's generally a decent person. It's a start, but it's not much. He could be made interesting if he returned and actually did something, but so far that hasn't happened.

http://h0useb0und.tumblr.com/
storyyeller More like giant cherries from Appleloosa Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: RelationshipOutOfBoundsException: 1
More like giant cherries
#62750: Apr 2nd 2014 at 11:07:42 AM

If he was intended to be a major character, than being bland means he is a bad character.

Blind Final Fantasy 6 Let's Play

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