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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

Sereg Since: Jun, 2010
#62776: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:04:12 PM

@Sereg: Okay, the justice thing is a good point. That's similar across both worlds, and is probably his strongest character trait. It does make me wonder why he started dating Sunset in the first place, but maybe she just used to be better about hiding the whole evil thing.

As you said, he's unobservant. Combine that with how quickly he responds to Twilight and it paints the picture of someone who is very idealistic, naive and overly trusting (and yes, he acts on this in his behaviour towards Twilight and previously Sunset)

I'm going to disagree about "Twilight's first connection to the world" bit though. The only thing he says to her before she meets her friends is "woah, you okay?" That barely qualifies as meeting someone, and I don't really think the way she see's her alt friends would be any different without that.

She was completely overwhelmed at first. He was the first to help her and show her that this place might not be so bad and scary.

@Sereg: That's a step in the right direction, certainly, but unfortunately not much is made of it. We don't know why he became a guard in the first place, and "busting SS" thing could easily be part of his Nice Guy side; he did it not out of a sense of justice, but because he wanted to be nice to Twilight.

Look at his expression. He's angry (and thoughtful). This is not about being generally helpful. This is because he can't stand the idea that she's being framed.

Then on the flipside, his history with Sunset does give that moment a little extra depth. It definitely does give a bit more congruity to that particular action. I just wish it would've cropped up in more than one scene. They could've had some really strong development with his history with SS getting explored, but they never really touch on it.

It would've been nice, but the fact that he refuses to interact with Sunset is telling in itself. Also, again, time budgets.

[up]I'm going to agree with this, though. The whole "he's her first connection to the new world" thing doesn't really work given they don't really even interact before she goes through the portal. If I remember right, the only thing he does before the rest of the plot kicks in is to announce her entrance to the castle. I don't think they even talk to each other, so as far as Twilight is concerned, he's just "that guard with the unusual coat color". There's no clue that Twilight even recognizes him as the human version of that guard.

I'm positive that Twilight doesn't realize that Flash is the pony guard she ran into earlier. When she meets Pinkie she seems startled that there are human versions of her friends, and when she bumps into Flash at the end she seems to be just then making the connection.

Yeah there is no reason for her to think the random, out of place looking pegasi is the same persons.

This is the point. It's to show her that there is good in this world beyond the familiar.

And also, yeah, while it is POSSIBLE the whole justice thing is right, we really aren't given ANY insight into why he did it, all we know is he did. It's just as possible, that he simple saw Twi in trouble, and thought helping her out may help him tap that ass. Not likely, but given how little we actually see about him, it's nearly as valid. We aren't given any insight into why he did it. Like JT said, it could just be part of his Nice Guy schtick. And Pony wise, maybe he just really liked the way he looked in the guards uniform.

Again. Look at his expression.

And as with the other two, it's hardly a connection to just help someone to their feet and say "Whoa there you okay?" Especially given that Twi never really seems to actually GET any connection to the EQG worlds, beyond that derived from the fake!five reminding her of her friends, or wanting to stop Sunset from harming it. So still based on the real world.

Context matters. He' the first friendly interaction she has and brought her out of a state of bewilderment.

KuroiTsubasaTenshi Streamer from Twitch Since: May, 2011
Streamer
#62777: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:10:20 PM

Possible alternative interpretation to Flash's expression: he's not angry, he's suspicious. What manipulative bullshit is Sunset up to this time?

FE: New Mystery Only Feet 7PM PT Sun, Mon, Fri; Umamusume Haru Arima 7PM PT Wed, Thurs: http://www.twitch.tv/kuroitsubasatenshi
ScottPilgrim2013 Why aren't you laughing? from Arkham Asylum Since: Jun, 2013 Relationship Status: Waiting for Prince Charming
Why aren't you laughing?
#62778: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:12:28 PM

In all honesty,I have no strong feelings to Flash whatsoever.But Sunset on the over hand,hoo boy does she piss me off.

My Tumblr "If theirs one thing I'm good at, it's blowing" Jesse Cox 2013
JapaneseTeeth Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing from Meinong's jungle Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Mu
Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing
#62779: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:12:33 PM

@Sereg: I'm not disputing that he did a nice thing for her, but the problem is that there's no reason that any other character couldn't have served that same role of being Twilight's "first contact". It could've just as easily been Dr. Whooves, or Derpy, or Lyra, or Bon Bon, or Cheerilee, or just about any other pony and it would've made that same point.

The only event in the story where I think that you couldn't replace Flash with somepony else is the bit where he dances with her at the end; it wouldn't have had as much impact if it were the characters who helped her win the prom in the first place. You could bring up the argument surrounding the picture and how the rest of the cast don't have his backstory of being SS's ex, but honestly that's only mentioned off-hand and doesn't really influence the plot at all.

And if time budgeting was a problem, I think there are plenty of other things that could've been shortened or modified. Like trimming down the whole sequence of her having to convince her friends to get back together.

edited 2nd Apr '14 1:13:42 PM by JapaneseTeeth

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Seraphem Since: Oct, 2009
#62780: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:19:27 PM

Why should NEED to see "there is some good in this world" or whatever? She saw nothing wrong with it, nothing to make her think otherwise. The ONLY thing she knows about it is Sunset is here. Which is a problem that came from her world. He didn't help her with being overwhelmed, didn't do anything beyond simply help her up after she fell, then walked off. And her response to that the was so ridiculously out of proportion and just made no sense, why suddenly be all blushing and "OMG a cute guy is being nice to me."?

Sereg Since: Jun, 2010
#62781: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:21:43 PM

Possible alternative interpretation to Flash's expression: he's not angry, he's suspicious. What manipulative bullshit is Sunset up to this time?

This also fits.

I'm not disputing that he did a nice thing for her, but the problem is that there's no reason that any other character couldn't have served that same role of being Twilight's "first contact". It could've just as easily been Dr. Whooves, or Derpy, or Lyra, or Bon Bon, or Cheerilee, or just about any other pony and it would've made that same point.

No. The impact is massively reduced if it's somepony that she already knows. The same applies to the photo scene.

The only event in the story where I think that you couldn't replace Flash with somepony else is the bit where he dances with her at the end; it wouldn't have had as much impact if it were the characters who helped her win the prom in the first place. You could bring up the argument surrounding the picture and how the rest of the cast don't have his backstory of being SS's ex, but honestly that's only mentioned off-hand and doesn't really influence the plot at all.

As I said, his newness is important for the impact.

And if time budgeting was a problem, I think there are plenty of other things that could've been shortened or modified. Like trimming down the whole sequence of her having to convince her friends to get back together.

Fair enough. This is a decent point.

EDIT:

Why should NEED to see "there is some good in this world" or whatever? She saw nothing wrong with it, nothing to make her think otherwise.

Makes it more personal to her.

The ONLY thing she knows about it is Sunset is here. Which is a problem that came from her world.

And this puts a face on the world that Sunset has infiltrated. Previously, Twilight had no intention of protecting this world from Sunset. Her crown was the thing she was concerned about.

He didn't help her with being overwhelmed, didn't do anything beyond simply help her up after she fell, then walked off.

And this was enough. Be acknowledged is a powerful thing. More people should realise this.

And her response to that the was so ridiculously out of proportion and just made no sense, why suddenly be all blushing and "OMG a cute guy is being nice to me."?

Firstly, she has a human body and therefore human hormones (that she isn't used to) now. Secondly, she was surprised. That lowers your defences to such things and people do tend to go for those who treat them better than they expect. Thirdly, I've mentioned the acknowledgement. Fifthly, he's an outsider who's treating her well (yes, this can be logiced away, but first impressions happen before logic). Sixthly, he's the first that helped her when she was overwhelmed. That attracts romanticism. Seventhly, crushes do stuff like that. I remember what mine could be like.

edited 2nd Apr '14 1:29:42 PM by Sereg

Crowfall Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: Hoping Senpai notices me
#62782: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:23:01 PM

It's to show her that there is good in this world beyond the familiar.
I don't really think it comes across that way. Bumping into him is practically the first thing she does in the school, and its after that that we get her 'lost and confused in a new world' montage. It isn't until she meets up with her friends that she starts fitting into the human world. You say that the newness was important for it to have the proper impact, but it really didn't have much impact at all.

It would've been nice, but the fact that he refuses to interact with Sunset is telling in itself.
I don't think it is. Him going out of his way to not interact with her would have been telling. The lack of acknowledgment was more a result of limited time.

edited 2nd Apr '14 1:24:05 PM by Crowfall

Wryte Since: Jul, 2010
#62783: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:26:38 PM

Oh geez, I slept for eight hours and we're still on this? I shouldn't have risen to the initial bait. -,-

Starscream759 Since: May, 2013 Relationship Status: In denial
#62784: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:29:22 PM

How about we move onto something else, eh?

"Transform and Roll out!" Optimus Prime
JapaneseTeeth Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing from Meinong's jungle Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Mu
Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing
#62785: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:30:33 PM

[up]This is the internet. There is no escape.

But you could have used an endless parade of five-year-old Sweetie Belles as a distraction.

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Sereg Since: Jun, 2010
#62786: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:31:36 PM

I edited in a bunch of responses.

@Crowfall: I admit that the time issue would be the bigger reason. As for the rest, I'll have to disagree with you.

EDIT: look. I didn't want to talk about how awful Flash is in the first place. I started this because I was tired of seeing people discuss how awful Flash is.

It's not quite as bad as Sayaka-bashing, but it sometimes reminds me of it. (For a while, I actually left the PMMM fandom, despite it being my favourite sho ever, becase I was tired of hearing how awful Sayaka is)

edited 2nd Apr '14 1:34:46 PM by Sereg

storyyeller More like giant cherries from Appleloosa Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: RelationshipOutOfBoundsException: 1
More like giant cherries
#62787: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:32:05 PM

I think there are plenty of other things that could've been shortened or modified. Like trimming down the whole sequence of her having to convince her friends to get back together.

I would have ditched the Trixie sequence first. Then again, it's already pretty short as movies go.

Blind Final Fantasy 6 Let's Play
KingKix Typing the internet since '90 from Dante City Since: Jun, 2013 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Typing the internet since '90
#62788: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:34:24 PM

This is the internet. There is no escape.

I'll stop this!

Who ships Sweetie x Spike?!

edited 2nd Apr '14 1:36:41 PM by KingKix

Dakota's blog An odd agent of justice
Crowfall Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: Hoping Senpai notices me
#62789: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:35:21 PM

Given that this thread spends most of its time talking about Pokemon or delving into sockpuppet roleplay dating shenanigans, I'm finding an actual on topic discussion refreshing. Though I think I've covered just about everything I have to say about the guy at this point, so if people want to change the topic that's fine.

@Sereg: Well shit, that backfired, didn't it?tongue

@Kix: Not me. I think it feels too weird, like he just transposed his affection for Rarity onto her younger sister.

edited 2nd Apr '14 1:37:51 PM by Crowfall

IkeAndMike Exists for some reason from Earth Since: Jan, 2013 Relationship Status: Love is for the living, Sal
Exists for some reason
#62790: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:36:28 PM

How could you want to cut the Trixie sequence? D:

http://h0useb0und.tumblr.com/
storyyeller More like giant cherries from Appleloosa Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: RelationshipOutOfBoundsException: 1
More like giant cherries
#62791: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:37:03 PM

Html5 makes Flash obsolete anyway.

Blind Final Fantasy 6 Let's Play
JapaneseTeeth Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing from Meinong's jungle Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Mu
Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing
#62792: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:37:06 PM

@Sereg: I don't dislike him. If anything, I think he had a lot of potential. My only gripe is that he didn't get enough screentime to be nearly as interesting as he could have been.

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Starscream759 Since: May, 2013 Relationship Status: In denial
#62793: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:37:27 PM

@King Kix Ew no just no. How about Sweetie Belle X Featherwight?

edited 2nd Apr '14 1:37:51 PM by Starscream759

"Transform and Roll out!" Optimus Prime
Sereg Since: Jun, 2010
#62794: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:38:01 PM

I don't. Then again, I ship completely differently from everyone else, as you've seen.

I think it's best summarised as a response to JT. I don't care one iota, how interesting the ship is. I care about how happy the characters would be together. (Crack ships are an exception.)

EDIT:

@Sereg: Well shit, that backfired, didn't it?tongue

You're telling me! This is why I suck at social-fu!

Still, I'm calmer now, so I can discuss without feeling victimised.

@JT: That I'll give you. I simply think that the same would apply to most characters in the show if we'd only seen that much of them.

I mean, I actively disliked Rarity until Suited for Success (I am prejudiced against attractive people, wealthy people, makeup and clothes)

edited 2nd Apr '14 1:43:45 PM by Sereg

JapaneseTeeth Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing from Meinong's jungle Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Mu
Existence Weighed Against Nonbeing
#62795: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:40:02 PM

[up]Yeah, I'm just saying that most people don't pick their ships based on that logic. And the two aren't mutually exclusive either; there's nothing stopping someone from writing a Twidash story where they do make each other happy.

Spike/Sweetie Belle is okay as ships go, I guess, though you'd have to be careful to avoid the obvious subject of "Rarity turned him down, so he's settling for Sweetie Belle."

edited 2nd Apr '14 1:41:05 PM by JapaneseTeeth

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Starscream759 Since: May, 2013 Relationship Status: In denial
#62796: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:44:03 PM

@Japanese Teeth I suppose.

"Transform and Roll out!" Optimus Prime
KingKix Typing the internet since '90 from Dante City Since: Jun, 2013 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
Typing the internet since '90
#62797: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:45:40 PM

How about Sweetie Belle X Featherwight?

Are you mad?! That's "Flash Light" FOR KIDS!

[up][up]Yeah, that wasn't what I was going for.

edited 2nd Apr '14 1:47:17 PM by KingKix

Dakota's blog An odd agent of justice
IkeAndMike Exists for some reason from Earth Since: Jan, 2013 Relationship Status: Love is for the living, Sal
Seraphem Since: Oct, 2009
#62799: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:46:33 PM

Yeah I just plain don't like flash and think the movie would have been better without him. The scenes with him it all just made me cringe at how cliched and idiotic they were, plus the whole stupid romance stuff. yeah the show proves time and time again, romance turns you into a moron.

And the "But she has human hormones" thing, doesn't really pull weight when a large part of the movie, has her constantly acting like a pony still.

RhymeBeat True colors from Eastern Standard Since: Aug, 2009 Relationship Status: In Lesbians with you
True colors
#62800: Apr 2nd 2014 at 1:47:00 PM

Oh God Shipping wars. I want to say that while I would like to ship Flash Light in my Next Generation fic I might one day actually write, I am completely aware that I am making up the entire personality of the latter. Ironically some of the things that make him the idealized boyfriend would actually be interesting if he had a character. Why is he both interested in rock music and being a guard? How does that translate to Equestria where Rock, if it exists is widely different? Those are questions fan fic writers can answer but the movie sure as hell didn't. I take Flash Light as a ship that pairs Twilight with a background pony that happens to have a few lines, because that's what it essentially is.

The Crystal Caverns A bird's gotta sing.

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